Islamabad: Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has given the go-ahead to the Northwestern Frontier Province (NWFP) government to enforce Shariat laws in the Malakand region, including Swat, where security forces have been battling Islamist militants since 2007.
The President's approval came after militants announced a 10-day ceasefire in Malakand and Swat regions following successful talks between their leader Sufi Mohammad and the provincial government.
Hundreds of people have been killed during clashes between the government and the security forces in the region since military launched an operation in Swat, previously known as ''Switzerland of Pakistan'' due to its scenic beauty and featuring the only ski resort of the country.
Enforcement of Shariat has been the major demand of Islamists fighting security forces in the region under Maulana Fazalullah, the son-in-law of Sufi Mohammad and also known as Mulla radio for running his own FM station in the area.
''The President's approval was sought because the provincial government cannot make any amendment to laws in Malakand without his approval,'' sources said.
Provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain claimed yesterday that the President had promulgated an ordinance to enforce Shariat in Malakand.
Dawn newspaper quoted President's spokesman Farhatullah Babar as saying the official version of the president's order would be issued after a meeting between the NWFP government and the leaders of the Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM), which is likely to take place on Monday.
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