Taliban defy Govt to set up Shariat court

Openly defying the writ of the Pakistan government, the local Taliban on Monday announced that they will set up Shariat or Islamic courts in the restive Mohmand tribal region bordering Afghanistan.

Doctor Asad, a spokesman for the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan in Mohmand Agency, told reporters in Peshawar that four Shariat courts will be set up in the region. He said the Taliban shura or council had also established a Shariat council.

The Taliban have divided the Mohmand region into four zones and one court will be set up in each zone. The courts will function from mosques and madrassas, he said.

The Taliban have appointed 24 'qazis' or jurists to deliver speedy justice to the people according to Islamic ideals. The militants have also appointed a chief qazi, whose decision in legal matters will be final and binding, Asad said.

Asad said the Shariat courts had been established in line with an order issued by Taliban supreme commander Mullah Omar of Afghanistan.

In a separate incident, militants in north Waziristan beheaded a man who they claimed was spying for the US. Local residents yesterday found the beheaded body of Muhammad Ghani at a site 45 km west of Miranshah town.

Eyewitnesses said a note found near the body stated: "He was a US spy and anyone found involved in spying for the Americans will meet the same fate."