Pukhtunkhwa(NWFP)govt asks Swat judges not to attend courts over security concerns

PESHAWAR: The government on Wednesday directed the judges of subordinate judiciary of the Peshawar High Court in Swat not to attend courts and restrict themselves to their houses. The order came after a warning from Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Sufi Muhammad to the judges of Swat not to attend their courts A civil judge cum judicial magistrate in Swat told Daily Times on Wednesday that after Sufi’s warning, they had been directed by the provincial government and district administration not to attend courts due to security concerns. The judge, however, said most of the judges had started deciding cases of petty nature at their houses due to security reasons. The NWFP law minister reportedly said the subordinate judiciary of the provincial high court would continue hearing cases despite the appointment of qazis in sharia courts in Swat district. He said it was a misperception that judges could not decide cases under Islamic law, explaining that all the judges were working in Swat in accordance with sharia and could also decide cases under it.About the TNSM’s warning to the judges, the minister reportedly said the government would soon take Sufi into confidence regarding the subordinate judiciary if it had not done that already.A senior Peshawar High Court official told Daily Times that the high court had informed the provincial government about Sufi’s threat to the judges in Swat and the courts would stop working if the government gave orders to that effect.Sharia courts: Meanwhile, Islamic courts have started work in Swat, officials said on Wednesday. “Seven Qazis have started working in sharia courts in Swat,” regional commissioner Muhammad Javed said.“Nothing against sharia will be allowed,” he said. Courts began hearing cases under Islamic law on Tuesday, AFP reported. The judges, all qualified in Islamic law, were appointed in consultation with Sufi, who signed a peace deal with the government.