Re: Swat Taliban summon politicians to sharia court
** Swatis turn to TTP’s courts
Tuesday, January 27, 2009**
By our correspondent
MINGORA: Majority of the residents of the militant-infested areas of the restive Swat Valley have been turning to so-called Shariah courts set up by the Maulana Fazlullah-led Taliban for the settlement of their disputes.
The Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP), Swat chapter, has established their so-called Shariah courts in 10 different areas, including Sambat, Sakhra, Kinala, Bandai, Dida Khara, Charbagh, Seer Tiligram, Bar Chuprial, Kabal and Shah Dherai areas, of the militancy-torn valley.
These so-called courts are becoming busier every day as majority of the people have turned to them, which settle their disputes within days. The so-called Sharai Adalat (main court) is located in Peuchar where militant commanders, including Maulana Fazalullah, regularly attend the proceedings and decide cases.
“Both sides have to provide accurate and credible information in support of their cases, which is reviewed by the Muftis before deciding the issue,” said a resident of Peuchar on condition of anonymity.
He said both the parties remained in constant contact with the militants during the proceedings of their cases and no party could dare miss the day of hearing set by the militants. Some of the militants, however, address these so-called courts as “Jirga” but, on the contrary, decisions in these Jirgas are made by the Muftis as compared to the traditional rules of a tribal Jirga.