Pakistan has agreed to introduce sharia law in the Swat valley and neighbouring areas of the north-west in a peace deal with Taliban militants. Religious conservatives in Swat have long fought for sharia to replace Pakistan’s secular laws, which came into force after the former princely state was absorbed into the Pakistani federation in 1969. The government apparently hopes that by signing a peace deal in Swat it can drive a wedge between conservative hardliners and Islamist militants whose influence has been spreading from the tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan into Pakistan proper.
Critics are already saying the deal will encourage Taliban militants fighting elsewhere in both Pakistan and Afghanistan and could threaten the integrity of the country itself. Britain’s Guardian newspaper quotes Khadim Hussain of the Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy, a think-tank in Islamabad, as calling the peace deal a surrender to the Taliban. It also quotes Javed Iqbal, a retired judge, as saying, ”It means that there is not one law in the country. It will disintegrate this way. If you concede to this, you will go on conceding.”
News of the peace deal followed an acknowledgement by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari that the Taliban had “a presence in huge amounts of land” in Pakistan and were trying to take over the country. In an interview with CBS, he said Pakistan was fighting to survive.
The militants in Swat had been pushing for the enforcement of a hardline version of Islamic law. They had already banned female education, outlawed music and dancing, and carried out summary executions.
According to Pakistan’s Daily Times the peace deal envisages a more moderate interpretation of sharia, seen by many of the people in Swat as more efficient than the country’s bureaucratic secular judiciary, and also includes a commitment to reopen girls’ schools. But it questions whether this moderate interpretation will survive.
“The people of Swat want quick justice, the kind enforced by the Wali of Swat, as if in a city-state utopia, but they are bound to get more than they have bargained for by rejecting the dilatory system obtaining in the rest of Pakistan,” it says. “They will get the “munkir” (forbidden) part of the sharia dealing with forbidden acts plus the “maruf” (approved) part dealing with acts of piety. The “praiseworthy” acts of piety such as the saying of the nimaz five times a day in the mosque will be greatly approved, but those who don’t observe the ritual will suffer physical and financial pain. And the list of the “maruf” stretches endlessly, which means that you can be thrashed for a number of things you thought were not “penal”. It is probable that the scared people of Swat simply don’t know what they are in for.”
So will this peace deal help take the steam out of the Taliban insurgency, using time-honoured tactics of divide and rule, and give the government some breathing space for bigger battles ahead? Or is it the beginning of a slide into the Talibanisation of Pakistan?
(Reuters file photos of people fleeing fighting in the Swat valley)
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More likely in our heart we are ready for any out come from any option where from american, india or so called other organizations.
Starts late but we (pakistan) expecting things go around when we make realise other powers of our existence.
We can hit more harder in future but people of pakistan can start over again that is what other dont think. if they leave us in current situation or over come they will regret.
- Posted by zahid gilani[...] freed the notorious A.Q. Khan, who sold nuclear technology to North Korea, Libya and Iran, and has capitulated to the brutal Taliban in the Swat region 9. Obama has announced that he will close Guantanamo within a year — even though his [...]
- Posted by Things That Have Gotten Better (and Worse) Since Obama Became President - Curiosity BlogPakistan needs to get ready to defend herself of India.
- Posted by Viejo VizcachaThe nuclear race going on there, is not just “siblings envy” it is because India wants to slave down Pakistan.
And we’re being used for that mischief; With the old story of “the war on terror”, pitiful Bush’s excuse and outright lie, we’re getting deeper and deeper in an absurd, primitive and cruel Religious War.
Not to mention Afghanistan; English couldn’t do them, Russian couldn’t do them, and we think we’ll get Afghans to say uncle? Ha!
Live and let live! When are we going to understand that? We’re on the Twenty First Century for Pete’s sake! Cannot force the wole world to their knees! It is a global globe, we are as humans and as close to them as they are to us, we cannot still believe in the imperial thoughts of the 19th century and snatch one more country and their choices. The proof being the Iraq holocaust and our $3 Trillion ridicule there.
Get us out of there, Obama!
@Mauryan
Gandhi ignored the minority religious communities of india, especially the Muslims. That is why these communities formed their own political parties and leaderships. If your Gandhi was indeed so inclusive, there would not be a Pakistan/Bangladesh/Kashmir problem today.
- Posted by Aamir Ali[...] 8. Pakistan has freed the notorious A.Q. Khan, who sold nuclear technology to North Korea, Libya and Iran, and has capitulated to the brutal Taliban in the Swat region [...]
- Posted by Things That Have Gotten Better (and Worse) Since Obama Became President « The KBook ReportMauryan::
As a Pakistani, and someone who loves his country,
you are right!
As much as it makes me sad, you are right about what has been happening here. In our school text books, when we were barely 13 or 14 years old, the following was the start of a paragraph, on the 1965 war,by the Federal board of education, Islamabad. It goes like this:
““Aur raat ki tareeki mey Bharat ki “Taddi Dil” Fauj ney hamari pak sarzameen per hamlaa kar dia!”” This is the line we were taught, from the very beginning! Bharat was always the aggressor and Pakistan the victim…
I remember the posters, in which Indra Gandhi was shown as a vampire, sucking the blood of our country!
It was a long time before a generation became adults, and aware to the lies that were rammed down our throats, by the rulers of this unfortunate land.
These so called rulers, and not India, are the real vampires, sucking this nation dry. Be they Military or Civilian, they have sucked the blood out of our land, they have taken turns molesting and violating this nation.
Today they have turned Pakistan into a Pariah State and have made our heads hang in shame, because we the people are meek and helpless against their tyranny, deceit and lies!
What is happening in Swat and elsewhere in this country is horrific, gruesome and beyond words!
The Talibaan Barbarians are taking over my country, killing, maiming and destroying everything in their path.
The people of swat are fed up with the Government’s lies and now prey that anyone, even Israel or America come and help them! The Pakistan Army is butchering its own people! This is the hard, sad truth, here in this land of deception and wanton murder!
We are like Lambs, waiting for our turn, in the all encompassing slaughter house, that is now Pakistan……
Kamal
- Posted by kamalIslamabad..
Aamir Ali writes: “Gandhi/Congress introduced religion, with Hinduism at the top. They ignored the Muslim community and its leaders, which led Jinnah to leave Congress and join the All-India Muslim League.
Swaraj doesn’t mean independence, it means self-rule. Meaning what Gandhi/Congress wanted was autonomy under the British.”
Again ignorance at its worst! Like it or not, India has a majority Hindus.Gandhi fought for equality of all faiths. In fact he fasted unto death for saving Muslims. He fought for Muslims so much during the partition that he was shot and killed by a Hindu fanatic. Gandhi even offered Jinnah the position of leading India. Nehru was a highly anglicized and wealthy man who was secular to the bones. It was because of his efforts that India is where it is today. Kindly learn proper history from sources outside of Pakistan.
Gandhi organized the “Quit India” movement asking the British to leave the sub-continent. Swaraj means complete self rule. If he wanted the British to quit, why would he need swaraj under the British? Please talk sense.
- Posted by MauryanAamir Ali,
Your comments are entertaining. Please do not digress from the topic with fradulent references to Indian history and an ill-conceived meaning of the word “Swaraj”.
- Posted by Nikhil@rajeev
Let the Pakistani posters respond to pot-shots, unless you Indians are frightened of replies.
Gandhi/Congress introduced religion, with Hinduism at the top. They ignored the Muslim community and its leaders, which led Jinnah to leave Congress and join the All-India Muslim League.
Swaraj doesn’t mean independence, it means self-rule. Meaning what Gandhi/Congress wanted was autonomy under the British.
- Posted by Aamir AliWe have a few bloggers who are all for the peace deal in the Swat Valley. They say that the people want swift and non-corrupt justice, unlike what happens in India
- Posted by Anika(and other parts of the world), where money talks and cases drag on for 5-10 years. They also say that the people of Swat as well as the Pakistanis are happy with the deal. But, making deals with the devil is no way to get peace and happiness. What will the Pakistanis do when the Taliban gets its hands on the nukes??? And, uses those nukes to get people in the region to do as they say? Can Pakistan and its people live that outcome? To not have girls go to school? Are the men who have children okay with their girls being married off to men 3times their age??? Are they okay with their daughters, wives, mothers and sisters having no access to medical care? For, if girls cannot go to school, they cannot be doctors. And, if they cannot be doctors, women cannot be treated for illnesses The taliban will never allow a male doctor to take care of a female patient. So, before you idiots make up your mind, think carefully.
[...] << Truth in AdvertisingSharia Law Around the World 18 February 2009 @ 9:02AM Islamic law is gaining ground all over the globe, and not just in places like Pakistan. [...]
- Posted by >bt: Sharia Law Around the WorldUmair:
@1. Pakistan has seen many of crisis, rose out of rubble on 14 August 1947, saw a war immediately next year 1948, lost its founding fathers just as a nation is left orphan.
–At least you got some excuse for failures of Pak. In all probability things would ot have been any different.
@Come 1965, faced an enemy thrice its size, civil war followed in 1971.
–Pak attacked the neighbour and made an enemy out of a potential friend.
@so far only muslim nuclear power in the world.
–Here we go again. “nuclear”
@That Pakistan’s creation was a miracle, Pakistan is a reality.
–It is the product of an insufficient imagination.
@To All Indian fellows:
Guys calm down, niether Pakistan is down in the drain nor the imposition of Sharia in Swat will start any bigger fireworks in Kolkata or Delhi. You sleep tight and take care of yourselves, everything is chill our side.
–You be in denial. we are not going to go to bed with neighbor’s house on fire–it affects us. Yes Sharia does not–I am sincerely sad for the girls and women.
Here is a video for you:
Pakistani woman watches Taliban take over town she loves
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02 /17/pakistan.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCV ideo
@All in all this is a wise decision, it has closed the door of strategic failure. While this might be a tactical gain, the NWFP government has already said there is a long way to go.
–Can you tell us the gains out of the peacedeal?
One more
- Posted by rajeevPakistan is doing what Pakistan ought to do
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02 /17/pakistan.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCV ideo
Gandhi and Congress were the ones who introduced religion into politics. They also never wanted independence, they wanted “Swaraj”, self-rule.
-posted by Aamir Ali
message Got truncated.
- Posted by rajeev“Swaraj” means self-rule , home rule i.e., independence from British——nothing to do with religion.
Let us get back to swat.
Aamir Ali writes: “Gandhi and Congress were the ones who introduced religion into politics. They also never wanted independence, they wanted “Swaraj”, self-rule.”
-posted by Aamir Ali
?????
Aamir, Yes Gandhi/Nehru mixed a lot of religions in politics-in fact not one, but all religions since they Secular.
They were inclusive and for universal brotherhood.
BT
Aamir Ali writes: “Gandhi and Congress were the ones who introduced religion into politics. They also never wanted independence, they wanted “Swaraj”, self-rule.”
- Posted by rajeevSome useful videos in case someone has not seen them
Pakistan is doing what Pakistan ought to do: Gilani
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02 /17/pakistan.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCV ideo
Pakistani woman watches Taliban take over town she loves (Swat)
- Posted by rajeevhttp://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/02 /17/pakistan.taliban/index.html#cnnSTCV ideo
Myra,
Someone on your blog was discussing about now fate of Gandhara artifacts.
This blog entry would help.
http://pakistaniat.com/2007/11/24/pakist an-swat-buddhist-taliban-statue-extremis t-militant/
Also there is a clip on youtube by al-jazeera english that shows the jehanabad buddha.
Sad!
- Posted by chirkutI just looked at the CBS 60 minute documentary on War in Pakistan. Although this report was quickly sidelined by most on the blog, I notices 3 things
- Posted by chirkut1) The underground bunkers Taliban built during the last ceasefire with Pak govt. That shows that Taliban uses these calm periods to regroup and strenghthen their holds. How is this peace deal going to be different?
2) The military tactics that Pak army is using against Taliban is rediculous I mean you cannot use mortars to fight terrorits. You end up htting more civilians than terrorits. No wonder there is such a high number of civilian casualities of Pak war on terror.
3) The Analyst very aptly says that Zardari is convinced that this war against terror is pakistans fight to survive but He is yet to convince pakistanis that it is their war. Atleast this is what appears form the Paki bloggers and other news reports.
Umair says: “1. Pakistan has seen many of crisis, rose out of rubble on 14 August 1947, saw a war immediately next year 1948, lost its founding fathers just as a nation is left orphan. Come 1965, faced an enemy thrice its size, civil war followed in 1971. No one could have imagined Pakistan could come this far, 170 million muslims living under one flag and the first and so far only muslim nuclear power in the world. We lived through everything, be it Iranian revolution or Soveit occupation of Afghhanistan. While Pakistan have shown consistently failing symptoms, Pakistan has always managed to come back from the brink. Still there are some people in the country who believe in Pakistan. That Pakistan’s creation was a miracle, Pakistan is a reality. Pakistan can simply not falter.”
Chchch.. What a self pity! I am not trying to laugh at Pakistanis. But distorting facts to pity one’s position is pathetic. Pakistan was not a victim of 1965 war. Your Ayub Khan launched that offensive after seeing the Chinese run over India in 1962. He saw India as a weak, Hindu nation. He got new toys from the US and was itching to go at India, just like many of your generals that followed him. The great Mujahideen sent in by your army crept into the Kashmir valley and guess what? The locals caught them and handed them over to the Indian security. Then Pakistani Sabre jets attacked the Indian territory. Ayub Khan under estimated the Prime Minister of India, Mr. Lal Bahadur Shastri. India went for the jugular by surrounding Lahore and Karachi. A stalemate arose and the war was ended with a treaty in Tashkent. Shastri was misinformed by one of his chief commanders and decided to go along. If he did not, Pakistan would have had its supply lines cut and would have lost the war miserably. At that time no one said about India having an army, three times the size of that of Pakistan. The buzz word at that time was one Pakistani soldier is equal to three Indian soldiers. A lie told a thousand times begins to sound like truth. I don’t think you have read proper history from neutral sources.
Regarding 1971, Yahya khan and his butcher Tikka Khan ignored the principles of democracy and put Mujeeb ur Rehman under house arrest. Then the brave Pakistani military engaged one of the worst genocides history has known. Read the book by one of your compatriots, Siddique Saliq on this war. He was a prisoner. India did the right thing by ending this genocide and cutting off East Pakistan for good.
India has progressed well despite Pakistan being a worrisome neighbor. Know that the aggression and attacks have always come from Pakistan into India. Most of the history in the sub-continent, Pakistan has been embroiled itself in all kinds of alliances to get at India, which is a huge country.
If your establishment had worked on progress instead of getting at India, we will not be coming to this forum. I have nothing against Pakistanis. I wish you guys the best. I wish your rulers and the mullahs realized that India is huge and their attempts to destabilize it are like darts on a hippo’s rear end.
Once again, good luck.
- Posted by MauryanMyra
As a Pakistani I want to highlight two things:
1. Pakistan has seen many of crisis, rose out of rubble on 14 August 1947, saw a war immediately next year 1948, lost its founding fathers just as a nation is left orphan. Come 1965, faced an enemy thrice its size, civil war followed in 1971. No one could have imagined Pakistan could come this far, 170 million muslims living under one flag and the first and so far only muslim nuclear power in the world. We lived through everything, be it Iranian revolution or Soveit occupation of Afghhanistan. While Pakistan have shown consistently failing symptoms, Pakistan has always managed to come back from the brink. Still there are some people in the country who believe in Pakistan. That Pakistan’s creation was a miracle, Pakistan is a reality. Pakistan can simply not falter.
2. Pakistan is a big enough country, demographically and geographically both. Imposition of sharia law in Swat should not alarm anyone in the world, for this is “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” and already the 1973 constitutions states “No law in the country can be promulgated against the Quran(Book of Allah(GOD)) and Sunnat (Way of Prophet Muhammad(PBUH). there is no question of Talibanisation of Pakistan.
To All Indian fellows:
- Posted by UmairGuys calm down, niether Pakistan is down in the drain nor the imposition of Sharia in Swat will start any bigger fireworks in Kolkata or Delhi. You sleep tight and take care of yourselves, everything is chill our side. All in all this is a wise decision, it has closed the door of strategic failure. While this might be a tactical gain, the NWFP government has already said there is a long way to go.
Long Live Pakistan!