MINGORA, Feb 23: Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad appealed to the government and Taliban on Monday to release each other’s prisoners and dismantle checkposts for restoration of durable peace in Swat.

Addressing a crowded press conference at Tablighi Markaz here, the 77-year-old cleric asked the Taliban to lay down arms and stop patrolling the streets and markets and interfering in government’s administrative affairs.

At the same time, he urged the government to dismantle security checkposts and withdraw troops from schools and health centres to ease the hardship of the people of Swat. “The government should also compensate people for their losses and restart construction work immediately.The Maulana said that Chief Minister Ameer Haider Hoti should visit Swat and launch development projects. He appealed to the people who had left the valley because of the military operation to return to their homes.

“People and political parties should cooperate with the TNSM in enforcing the Islamic law in Malakand. I thank the government for its assurance to implement Sharia in Malakand and eliminate checkposts in Swat.”

The Maulana and his supporters have held peace march for three days and visited strongholds of the Taliban.

He condemned the assassination of journalist Musa Khan and abduction of DCO Khushhal and said such incidents would create an atmosphere of fear in the valley.

He warned that if the Taliban and the government did not accept his proposals, the TNSM would announce its future line of action.

Maulana Sufi met government officials last week before travelling to Swat to hold talks with Maulana Fazlullah, his son-in-law and head of the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan.