Peshawar, Mar. 23: Following the Pakistan Government’s decision to introduce Sharia-law in Malakand Division, Islamic parties are now demanding implementation of the Swat-like system in other districts of the province and tribal areas.

The NWFP government had agreed upon a deal with Taliban, according to which, the people of Malakand Division would be meted out justice in accordance with Sharia law.

“The government should introduce Swat-like Nizam-e-Adl in other districts of the province as well, so that the people could get speedy and inexpensive justice in accordance with Sharia,” the Daily Times quoted Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl (JUI-F) leader Mufti Kifayatullah, as saying.

A group of ‘Internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) from Bajaur Agency have also announced that they would not return to the agency until the federal government imposed Swat-like regulations there to bring peace.

JUI-Samiul Haq provincial leader and former NWFP Assembly deputy speaker Ikramullah Shahid has put forward a similar demand.

However, NWFP Law Minister Barrister Arshad Abdullah said there were a lot of traditional and historical differences between the people of Malakand Division and of other districts of the province.

“The situation in other districts of the province is quite different and people of other districts would not accept Malakand-like Nizam-e-Adl. They are happy with the courts decisions made under Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) and Pakistan Penal Code,” he said.

“Swat was incorporated into NWFP in 1969. Before that, Wali-e-Swat (ruler of Swat) used to decide cases in accordance with traditions and Sharia. That is why, the people of the region are demanding settlement of their cases in accordance with Islamic laws,” he added.

Meanwhile, constitutional expert Qazi Mohammad Anwar said the quick dispensation of justice under Nizam-e-Adl Regulations 2009 would attract people from other districts towards the speedy and inexpensive Sharia-law.

In regular courts, cases take years, while under new regulations, qazis are bound to dispose of criminal-cases in four months and civil cases in six months. (ANI)