Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Tuesday ratified a regulation for enforcing of Islamic laws in the restive Swat valley, after the Parliament asked him to accord approval to the measure as part of a peace deal with the Taliban. President Asif Ali Zardari signed Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009 after it was approved with majority by the Parliament, a news agency quoted senior minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour as saying.
Presidential spokesperson Farhatullah Babar also confirmed the signing of the regulation, agency said.
Earlier in the day, the National Assembly or lower house of the parliament adopted a resolution recommending that President Zardari should accord approval to the Nizam-e-Adal Regulation to implement Shariah or Islamic laws in Swat.
The resolution was passed following a debate as lawmakers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, which is part of the PPP-led coalition, stayed away from proceedings during the vote.
The NWFP government drafted the regulation after entering into a deal with the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Muhammadi, a group of religious hardliners, on enforcing Shariah in Swat.
The TNSM in turn began peace parleys with the local Taliban, who called a truce in the region.
The US, the UK, as well as India have expressed concerns over the peace deal in Swat. Observers say it would embolden the militants to demand the enforcement of Shariah in other parts of Pakistan.