The Pakistani Taliban welcomed an agreement between religious hardliners and authorities to enforce Islamic law in the troubled Swat and nearby areas as the government said the pact would be approved by the President only after peace is restored to the area.
Endorsing the pact signed by the North West Frontier Province government and Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Mohammadi chief Sufi Mohammad, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said: "If Sufi Mohammad has signed the draft of the proposed Shariah package, then it is acceptable to us as he is an expert on Shariah."
Image: Delegation members of Pakistani Islamist leader Soofi Mohammad from the Swat valley arrive to attend a meeting with government officials, political and religious leaders in Peshawar. Pakistan agreed to introduce Islamic law in Swat valley and neighbouring areas of the northwest on Monday in a bid to take the steam out of a Taliban uprising raging since late 2007.
Text: PTI
Photographs: Ali Imam/REUTERS
Also see: 'In Swat, Pakistan army faces 1971-like situation'
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