Night curfew imposed in Swat

SWAT: A night-time curfew from 7pm to 6am has been imposed in Swat valley, Swat Media Centre reported on Monday.Amid some security concerns, the curfew will remain in force between 7pm to 6am.

NWFP govt can appoint Qazis, not Sufi’, says Arshad

PESHAWAR: NWFP Law Minister Barrister Arshad Abdullah has said that the TNSM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad is not authorised to appoint Qazis in Malakand division and only the provincial governments can do it.Talking to Geo news here on Monday, Barrister Arshad said that under the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR-2009), only the NWFP government has the privilege to appoint Qazis. The minister said that the government would fulfill its constitutional responsibilities and soon an office of Dar-ul-Qaza would be established in Malakand. He said after the establishement of Dar-ul-Qaza, an additional and a deputy advocate general would be appointed in the division.

Security forces arrest 5 suspects in Mingora

MINGORA: Security forces have arrested five suspects in Mingora, Swat, source said Sunday.Most of the shops remained closed in Mingora as Taliban patrolled the area, sources added.

SWAT: Curfew will be imposed in Swat from 9 pm Sunday to 6 am Monday, Swat media center said.

TNSM declares Darul Qaza set up unilateral

SWAT: Tahrik-e-Nifaz Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) has declared the setting up of Darul Qaza unilateral.Sources said that the TNSM ‘shoora’ headed by Maulana Sufi Muhammad in a meeting at its central office located at Aman Dara Batkhel here deliberated on the setting up of Darul Qaza, postings of Qazis in shriat courts and other important matters and declared the Darul Qaza set up unilateral.TNSM spokesman, Amir Izzat Khan said that the announcement relating to the setting up of Darul Qaza and Qazis postings has nothing to do with the TNSM. He said that they were waiting for the second round of talks, but the government unilaterally announced the setting up of Darul Qaza. He said that the maintenance of peace was the exclusive responsibility of the government and added, “We are not satisfied with the setting up of Darul Qaza.”

Mingora’s Municipal Officer, her daughter kidnapped

SWAT: Some unknown persons have abducted a Municipal Officer of the Mingora tehsil along with her daughter here on Saturday.

Curfew in Shangla to prevent Taliban entry

SWAT: Curfew has been imposed in Alpuri, district headquarter of Shangla and other key roads as heavy contingents of security forces reached at Shangla top.Sources said unannounced curfew has been imposed in Alpuri, Ranyal, Karora, Bisham-Alpuri road and Karora-Jak road after deployment of security forces. Other roads have also been closed for traffic.According to reports, the purpose of curfew is to prevent militants’ entry in Shangla from Buner. Security forces started marching towards Swari area.Meanwhile, national peace jirga has decided to play its due role to resolve the Buner issue. The leader of national peace jirga Sher Akbar Khan told Geo News they are seeking government’s permission to pick up the bodies of those killed in Babaji Kandao area for burial.

NWFP govt, TNSM hold talks in Timergara

TIMERGARA: An important meeting is underway between Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad and representatives of the NWFP government here on Friday.In the meeting that started soon after Friday prayer, Senator Zahid Khan and provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain are representing the government. Both sides will discuss law and order situation in Swat and Malakand and formation of Dar-ul-Qaza.According to sources, Maulana Sufi Mohammad has demanded that the government should halt the military operation and appoint Qazis in the Dar-ul-Qaza. Sources said that both sides are optimistic on the outcome of the talks.

Photo/NaveeD Ali