Peshawar: Islamic clerics and prayer leaders
in the restive Swat district of northwest Pakistan have
announced a ban on the entry of Taliban militants in the area
and backed efforts by security forces to maintain law and
order.
Around 250 `Ulema-e-Karam` and `Pesh Imams` from Swat
said they would extend total support to security forces for
maintaining peace and harmony that was vitiated by the Taliban
during the past two years.
The clerics, prayer leaders and members of a peace jirga
from Kabal sub-division, a former hub of militants, announced
their decision to ban Taliban`s entry to their area when a
delegation led by Maulana Hakeemullah and Mufti Asmatullah met
Brig Salman Akbar, the army officer leading operations against
the Taliban in the area.
There is no room for terrorism in Islam and some vested
elements are trying to misguide innocent people in the name of
religion for their ulterior motives, the religious leaders
said.
Taliban militants led by radical cleric Maulana Fazlullah
had created a parallel administration across Swat.
The Army has cleared most parts of the valley of
militants after launching an operation in the region last
year.
Scores of militants from Kabal are still absconding.
Their families have been evicted from the region and settled
in a camp set up by the security forces.
PTI
