Former prime minister Mian Nawaz Sharif has expressed concern about a peace deal with Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammadi saying militants are trying to impose their harsh version of Sharia. A private TV Channel quoting Sharif's interview with USA Today as saying when quizzed, "How do we deal with the situation in Swat?"
"They are now threatening to get out of Swat and take other areas into their control. So we've got to avoid that situation."
Nawaz Sharif, head of PML (N), said that he opposes attacks by US drones on militant hide outs as "counterproductive" and wants to see dialogue with more moderate Islamist groups. Sharif downplayed fears that the nuclear-armed country could be taken over by Taliban militants, who are gaining strength both in Pakistan and in neighbouring Afghanistan, where they are battling US and Nato troops. He said the insurgency in Swat and border areas could be defused in just two years if sufficient economic development takes place.