Shariah to be enforced in Malakand next month: Bilour
Thursday, October 09, 2008
PESHAWAR: Senior Minister NWFP, Bashir Ahmad Bilour said the Shariah Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2008 (SNAR 2008) would be enforced in all areas of Malakand (PATA) next month.

The minister was talking on Wednesday here to a representative delegation of the Ulema and elite from Malakand, including Buner, Swat, Shangla and Dir Lower areas.

Bilour said all criminal cases would be compulsorily disposed of according to the SNAR 2008 within four months while the civil cases would be disposed of in six months. The minister said action would be taken against the Qazi of the Shariah court if the cases were not decided in the specified time.

The delegation had called on the minister at Peshawar and apprised him of their problems and difficulties. They expressed satisfaction over the steps the provincial government has taken for restoration of peace and implementing Shariah Regulation in Malaknad.

He said that the SNAR 2008 could not be challenged in any court as it was being implemented in the PATA. The regulation aimed at providing cheap and speedy justice to the seven districts of Malakand region and for this purpose new appointments of 100 Qazis/Judges and 600 concerned judicial staff would also be made for which funds have already been arranged.

He assured that the government would also come up to the expectations and aspirations of the people and would take effective steps for accelerating the pace of progress and prosperity. He asked the people to fully cooperate with the government for this purpose.

He said that present government is the popularly elected democratic government of the people and hence will ensure the protection of the rights of the masses. He said: “We are only accountable to the Allah Almighty and our people and no other power or group can ever threaten or pressurize us.” He assured that the internal and foreign policies would also be reviewed in the larger national and public interest.