Pak Taliban to disarm only after enforcement of Sharia in Swat

Peshawar, Apr 15 (ANI): Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan spokesman Muslim Khan has said that their men would surrender arms only after they see Sharia enforced in Malakand division of the Sawt Valley, after TNSM chief Sufi Muhammad has asked them to lay down arms after President Asif Zardari approved the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation.

"The Taliban should lay down weapons after the signing of the Sharia regulation by the president," Sufi said while talking to reporters.

"We will do that when the Sharia is enforced and we see changes on the ground," the Daily Times quoted TTP spokesman Muslim Khan, as saying.

"When we are satisfied with the practical steps, we will lay down weapons," he said. He asked the Taliban to avoid displaying weapons in public in major towns of the division.

But Sufi said the Taliban should now "play their role in development of the people and the area. Their demand for the imposition of sharia has been met and carrying weapons has no logic now."

Meanwhile, Qazi courts began functioning in Swat with full legal powers. The courts had started functioning on March 12 in six tehsils of Swat, but had limited authority.

However, the new qazi courts would not hear cases against the Taliban, the TNSM chief said. "We intend to bury the past," Sufi said. (ANI)