Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has signed a peace agreement that regional authorities had negotiated with the Taliban insurgency in the Swat Valley. The accord involves the implementation of the Sharia or Islamic law. The head of state ratified the pact shortly after the Pakistani parliament passed a resolution endorsing the agreement. Zardari had avoided until now to ratify the controversial pact that is being harshly criticized both within Pakistan and by the international community.

The provincial government of the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) had earlier signed an agreement with the group Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) or Movement for the Strengthening of Islamic Law to implement a judicial system based on the Sharia in the Malakand Division which covers Swat. The pact is based on the condition of achieving peace in the valley. Some Islamic courts immediately began operating as soon as the pact was signed, according to Pakistani media.

According to some reports, Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Mohammad has said that the Sharia law would be extended to other parts of Pakistan as well.

The entry into force of the Sharia comes at a time when the Swat Taliban have extended their influence to other adjacent areas such as Buner which is south of the valley and only 100 kilometers from Islamabad.

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Via VOA News