CHITRAL, March 1 Leaders of various political parties and civil society groups have welcomed the accord to enforce Nizam-i-Adl Regulation in Malakand division.

Those hailed the agreement included among others MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin, District Nazim Maghfirat Shah, MPAs Salim Khan, Ghulam Mohammad, tehsil nazim Sartaj Ahmed Khan, and leaders of ANP, PPP, JI, JUI, PTI and PML-N.

Talking to Dawn on Sunday they demanded of the government to sign the agreement into law keeping in view the wishes and aspirations of the people.

The leaders were of the view that before 1969 the judicial system prevalent in the region was based on Islamic jurisprudence, saying peace and tranquility was gradually returning to troubled Swat after the agreement.

They said that the new regulation was not new to the people of Chitral where all segments of population held it in esteem because the institution of Meezan-i-Sharia remained in vogue in the princely state of Chitral for centuries under which they got speedy justice.

They dispelled the impression propagated by certain elements that Kalash people would find it hard to be adjusted with the Islamic laws.

They said that Kalash were peace-loving people and had enjoyed the Sharia-based system and there was no question of their opposition to these laws.

District president of ANP Syed Muzaffar Jan said credit went to his party to enforce the much-awaited Islamic laws in Malakand. He added that the people of Chitral had special respect for the Sharia laws and demanded its immediate enforcement in the district. Maulana Israruddin Al-Hilal of JI said that the Sharia regulation would not affect the promotion of tourism in the district as certain elements had apprehended.

He said that tourism had direct relation with peace and tranquility and the promulgation of the regulation would further boost the industry.

District amir of JUI and former MPA Maulana Mohammad Jahangir said that wrong impression about the Sharia regulation should not be transmitted to the outer world and it should not be portrayed as a gadget to sow terror in the hearts of people.

He stressed that the regulation would ensure dispensation of justice according to Islamic teachings and bring peace and contentment to the society.

District president of PML-N Advocate Fazle Rahim said that his party fully endorsed enforcement of Sharia in the district. He added that there were no two views about the new regulation.

Leader of Gujar community and former union nazim Sher Mohammad said that his community appreciated the enforcement of Sharia in Malakand division.

A Kalash elder Gunar Shah said that they needed speedy justice from whichever system was implemented. “Kalash people have no reservations about the judicial system based on Sharia as they had observed it in the past which provided them with justice”, he added.