By Xinhua,
Islamabad : Pakistan Thursday rejected international concerns over the introduction of an Islamic judicial system in parts of its North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) as “speculative”.
“There are some reactions including in NATO. These are mostly speculative,” Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said at his weekly press briefing, when his attention was drawn to criticism from some Western nations.
Islamic courts will be set up in the Malakand division under an agreement between the NWFP government and the outlawed Tehrik Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammadi group.
“Understandings regarding Nizam-e-Adl (justice system) are sequentially linked to the restoration of peace and tranquillity, therefore speculations in the matter will not be helpful,” the spokesman said.
When asked about the status of the Swat deal, Basit said that Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani had already said that this was part of the government’s three-pronged strategy namely dialogue, deterrence and development.