Zardari signs sharia deal following National Assembly's green signal

Islamabad, Apr.14 (ANI): Following the National Assembly's nod, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the sharia law deal which is to be implemented in the North West Frontier Province's Swat region.

"Yes, the president has signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation before leaving for Dubai on a two-day visit," The Daily Times quoted presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, as saying.

The National Assembly also gave its green signal to a resolution asking Zardari to sign the sharia regulation to be implemented in the Malakand division of the province according to the peace accord inked between the NWFP government and the Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM).

Addressing the members of the National Assembly after putting the regulation before the house, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani said the regulation had been placed before the house to build a broad national consensus and establish the supremacy of parliament.

Gilani said he had also discussed the issue with the NWFP government and TNSM, and both were of the view that the regulation should be passed as soon as possible.

"I have also talked to Asfandyar Wali Khan and Fazlur Rehman and both recommended immediate passing of the resolution," Gilani said.

Meanwhile, both the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and the TNSM have welcomed parliament's move.

Spokesperson of the Taliban's Swat chapter Muslim Khan said being the assembly of a Muslim country it was absolutely correct to pass the resolution.

"The endorsement of Nizam-e-Adl by parliament was the result of efforts by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and the ANP," TNSM chief Sufi Muhammad said.

Some political parties, however, have expressed their discontent over the issue.

Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan refused to comment on the deal terming it as a 'sensitive issue.'

Khan accused the government of dragging the parliament in the issue to avoid pressuer from the international community.

The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) said it does not support Taliban's 'forced sharia.'

MQM chief Altaf Hussain said Talibanisation and religious extremists were defaming Pakistan. (ANI)