The government of NWFP has constituted a special committee and has tasked it for identification of weaknesses in the 'Nifaz-e-Adl Regulations' of Malakand region. This was stated by NWFP caretaker Chief Minister Shams-ul-Mulk on Friday while talking here at Frontier House to a delegation comprising Abdul Aziz Mujahid, Gul Muner, Muhammad Yaqoob and Gul Muhammad.
He said that Law Secretary and Advocate-General had been asked in the cabinet meeting held recently to indicate reasons that restricted the implementation of enforcement of the law. However, he said that it would require a lengthy process and there could be a few phases in this regard. He said that if constitutional amendments were required for the benefit of the people, the provincial government could send recommendations to the federal government.
Shams said that the government has kept all its options and channels open for dialogue to establish peace in Swat. The establishment of writ of the government is not only the legal and constitutional obligation but also the legal and constitutional right of the government, he added.
He said that the people of district Swat were justified in demanding of the government to provide them peace, safety and security. He made it clear that the government was not responsible for the current situation in Swat. However, the government had initiated steps on the recommendations of political forces, opinion leaders, civil society and masharan of the area to bring peace and tranquillity in the area.
He said that the government had convened a representative Jirga of Swat who drew the attention of the government towards the worsening law and order situation and demanded to bring back peace in their area.
He said it was the responsibility of the government to keep the roads open for safe journey. If somebody resists the government's steps for establishing its writ, the government would not stay a silent spectator. He said that the people of Swat have consistently been demanding of the government for peace as they have been taken hostage by a bunch of extremists.
The caretaker chief minister said that if there was any reasonable mechanism, other than the government's steps for peace, that could also be considered. He said that the history of Muslims and Pukhtoons provided ample evidence that never ever there was any incident of slicing off the heads of the people. "It is totally inhuman and it indicates that there are some other motives and the agenda is not Shariah," he added.
He said that the present situation was not the government's own making. It existed. However, the government understands that dialogue and negotiations could provide a best option to resolve this issue and this should be held in an atmosphere of brotherhood, he added. He said that the question arises to whom to talk. It is also necessary that those challenging the writ of the government are also dealt with.