The Tehrik-e-Nifaz Shariah Muhammadi (TNSM) and local cleric Maulana Fazlullah on Saturday demanded a grand peace jirga in Swat district adopt Shariah (Islamic Law) in Malakand Division, saying peace could not be restored in the region without an Islamic system in place. The jirga, however, ignored their demands and asked SwatÂ’s political, religious and social welfare organisationsÂ’ leaders to submit the names of their representatives for another jirga to be held in three days. This jirga, it was decided, would make recommendations to the government for the restoration of peace in Swat Valley. Swat District Coordination officer (DCO) Syed Mohammad Javed, Swat SSP Mohammad Iqbal Khan, district leaders from the Awami National Party and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, MNA Qari Abdul Bais, leaders of the banned TNSM organisation, local clerics and journalists attended the grand jirga. The TNSM activists also demanded the release of their leader, Sufi Mohammad, who was arrested and detained by the government of Pakistan while crossing the Pak-Afghan border after illegally entering Afghanistan to fight alongside the Taliban against US-led forces.
Addressing the jirga, Swat DCO Mohammad Javed said the jirga would continue its struggle for peace in the Swat Valley. He said the selected jirga would propose recommendations for bringing peace, which would be forwarded to the administration for further action. The jirga members also criticised the DCO and the local administration for presiding over the worst law and order situation in Swat. They said the administration had failed in maintaining law and order and made them accountable for the situation in the district.