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Pakistan allows Taliban rule of Islamic law
Jack Lefley14 Apr 2009
THE president of Pakistan has signed an agreement to put an area under Islamic Sharia law as part of a peace deal with the Taliban.
Asif Ali Zardari caved in to militants who have terrorised the Swat Valley for nearly two years after they demanded a new justice system. He had come under intense pressure from members of his own party and other politicians to approve the change.
Critics say the agreement is a surrender to extremists whose tactics include beheading opponents and burning girls' schools. It could also provide a sanctuary for militants close to Afghanistan. Mr Zardari's spokeswoman, Farahnaz Ispahani, confirmed the president signed the law late yesterday after the country's National Assembly voted in favour.
Members of the Muttahida Quami Movement, an anti-Taliban party based in Karachi, walked out of parliament before the vote. "We can't accept Islamic law at gunpoint," said Farooq Sattar, a party leader. A spokesman for Swat's provincial government said: "Now nobody has any moral justification to take up arms."
The Taliban warned that politicians who voted against the deal were guilty of apostasy, or abandoning Islam, which can carry the death penalty.
Reader views (7)
Today is the start of the collapse of Pakistan as we (and they) know it. Soon the Taliban will have taken over the whole country and have their fingers on the Nuclear weapon to rid the world of anything un-Islamic.
- Adam, Harrow, UK, 15/04/2009 08:39
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So now the medieval backward Taliban have a base to export(or try to) there poison to neighboring states and the rest of the world just as Mr Obama vows to finish them of in neighboring Afghanistan!Well i suppose now we at least know whose side the Pakistani government is on,My sympathy to the moderate Muslims in that area especially the woman who of course Islam does not oppress!As for Britain we should now stop all immigration from Pakistan and watch like hawks those already in this country as the threat has just grown with this capitulation from the Pakistan government.
- Kev, London-UK, 15/04/2009 04:29
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Wake up Western World!
- Trunk, US, 14/04/2009 23:25
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"Critics say the agreement is a surrender to extremists whose tactics include beheading opponents and burning girls' schools".
Such a peaceful religion.
- Pat, Essex, 14/04/2009 16:55
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Pakistan should be declared a terrorist state. Prevent all movement in and out of the country. Especially into the UK. All illegal Pakistanis found in this country should be deported immediately.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 14/04/2009 16:02
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Can there really still be people who believe that Pakistan can in any way be seen as an ally ? Or that immigrants should be accepted from a country that condones and encourages such wickedness ?
Pakistan is clearly now a self-avowed "enemy of the West" and we need to react accordingly - an immediate moratorium on immigration from Pakistan is essential.
- Sean, Coventry UK, 14/04/2009 15:18
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This country is heading for civil war - with nuclear weapons!!!
- Jeremy E, London, 14/04/2009 15:03
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