The National Assembly on Monday, with MQM MNAs abstaining, passed a resolution in support of Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR) 2009 to be implemented in Swat and recommended President Asif Ali Zardari to accord his approval to the Regulation as early as possible.
After moving the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation before the House by parliamentary affairs minister Dr Babar Awan, Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani said the purpose of bringing it to the Parliament was to forge national consensus on the important issue so that the entire nation is at the back of its enforcement and approval.
He said the President gave consent and go ahead to the provincial government for an agreement in Swat and the government is committed to the agreement. He said the purpose of presenting the regulation before the House was to strengthen the hands of the government so that it could talk to the international community with dignity and self-respect.
The Prime Minister said he has also talked to Awami National Party (ANP) leader Asfandyar Khan and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam (JUI-F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to take them into confidence as to why the government is bringing the Regulation before the House.
He also pointed out that during recent meeting on National Security attended by Chief Ministers and AJK Prime Minister, it was decided to request the Speaker to refer the issue of national security to the Parliamentary Committee to formulate a consensus national policy.
Leader of the Opposition Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said Swat agreement was not ideal but no better accord was possible under the given circumstances. He said there was no need to hold debate and the President should sign the regulation immediately as this is the question of saving lives of people.
Pervez Khan Advocate and Munir Khan Orakzai said though there was no requirement for endorsement of the Regulation by the House but it should be adopted if the government wants to have moral support for its promulgation. Riaz Hussain Pirzada of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) said no one can think of obstructing implementation of Quranic injunctions. He, however, said what was the guarantee that the other side would fulfil its commitment after promulgation of the Regulation.
Dr Farooq Sattar of MQM said the government had not given any time to the MQM for studying the agreement. The party does not believe in the agreement made on gunpoint. If the government has been pressurised in Swat for singing of such agreement, this could also happen in any other part of the country. Syed Alauddin said people of Swat heaved a sigh of relief on signing of the peace agreement and the President should immediately promulgate the Nizam-e-Adl regulations, which is part of the understanding.
Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao said the peace deal was signed after consultations and consensus in the NWFP and Nizam-e-Adl Regulation is aimed at providing speedy justice to people of Swat. Minister for Housing Rehmatullah Kakar welcomed Swat peace accord saying it was in the spirit of 1973 Constitution. He said agreements were signed in 1994 and 1999 promising promulgation of Nizam-e-Adl in Swat but these could not be implemented.
Minister for States and Frontier Regions Najmuddin Khan congratulated the Prime Minister that it was during the tenure of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto that an agreement was signed for Nizam-e-Adl in Malakand Division and the process is being carried forward by the present government.
Maulana Abdul Maalik Wazir wanted setting up of a parliamentary committee for negotiating similar peace deal in Fata. Moulvi Asmatullah, Prince Mohiuddin and Sahibzada Fazal Karim supported the Regulation and said the peace accord in Swat reflected the aspirations of the people.
Raza Hayat Hiraj of PML-Q said they give unconditional support to the regulation as it is a commitment of the elected government in the NWFP and resolve of the Federal Government, which could lead restoration of peace in Swat. He lauded the move of the government to bring the regulation in the House for debate.
Akhundzada Chattan said the government should respect the peace deal concluded by an elected government in the province. He said all political parties in the NWFP have appreciated the agreement. Engineer Shaukatullah pointed out that after signing of the agreement, peace has returned to Swat and normal business activities are going on.
He wanted the government to pay attention to relief and rehabilitation and extend the accord to Fata as well. Ayaz Amir said there was nothing wrong with the Regulation and its provisions, except one, should be studied to make them permanent part of the regular criminal procedure code.
Bushra Gohar said there was no need to bring the Regulation before the House as the provincial government had signed the deal after due consultations and achieving consensus. She demanded reforms in Fata. Earlier, Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Babar Awan laid before the House "The Shariah Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, 2009" submitted by the Governor of the NWFP to the President.