Sufi Muhammad wants Islamic courts in Swat by March 15

Peshawar, Mar 2 (ANI): Maulana Sufi Muhammad, the chief of a banned group who is instrumental in propagating peace in troubled Swat Valley, has asked the government to set up Islamic courts in Malakand, a division in northwestern Pakistan by March 15.

Speaking at a news conference in Mingora on Sunday, the main city in the Malakand division, Muhammad urged the government and Taliban fighters to free each other's prisoners by March 15.

Muhammad, who signed an agreement to establish Sharia courts with the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government last month, said he would set up protest camps if the courts were not put in place.

"Any side, which will violate the peace agreement, will be considered as responsible," Xinhua quoted the head of the outfit "Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah-e-Muhammadi", as saying.

Muhammad and NWFP officials struck a deal to end two-years of violence. Under the agreement, the government has agreed to implement Islamic laws in Malakand, including the war-torn Swat valley.

Taliban fighters in Swat announced ceasefire after the agreement and the government also declared ceasefire.

The cleric also said armed patrol by either side would not be allowed after March 1, and anybody who violated the truce would be charged and punished in line with the sharia law. (ANI)