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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Cleric in Swat peace deal protest | Cleric in Swat peace deal protest |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| The cleric mediating a peace deal between the government and the Taleban in Pakistan's Swat district says he is leaving the region in protest. | The cleric mediating a peace deal between the government and the Taleban in Pakistan's Swat district says he is leaving the region in protest. |
| Sufi Mohammad had brokered the deal which brought Islamic Sharia law in return for an end to the insurgency. | Sufi Mohammad had brokered the deal which brought Islamic Sharia law in return for an end to the insurgency. |
| He said he was returning to his village because of the government's failure to finalise the accord. | He said he was returning to his village because of the government's failure to finalise the accord. |
| Many in Swat had welcomed Sharia but Western powers feared the deal was a capitulation to the militants. | Many in Swat had welcomed Sharia but Western powers feared the deal was a capitulation to the militants. |
| Punishments | Punishments |
| The BBC's Barbara Plett in Islamabad says that although this is not an end to the peace deal it will be more difficult to implement without its leading negotiator. | |
| Sufi Mohammed had set up a peace camp in the main town of Mingora but says that he is leaving. | Sufi Mohammed had set up a peace camp in the main town of Mingora but says that he is leaving. |
| President Asif Ali Zardari had said he would only confirm the peace deal and the implementation of Sharia law once peace was restored. | President Asif Ali Zardari had said he would only confirm the peace deal and the implementation of Sharia law once peace was restored. |
| The peace deal has been under strain ever since the cleric announced it in February. | The peace deal has been under strain ever since the cleric announced it in February. |
| Swat is mostly under Taleban control. Thousands of people have fled and hundreds of schools have been destroyed since they began their insurgency there in 2007. | Swat is mostly under Taleban control. Thousands of people have fled and hundreds of schools have been destroyed since they began their insurgency there in 2007. |
| Sharia courts began operating last month and have been welcomed by many in the region as a quick and efficient means of justice. | Sharia courts began operating last month and have been welcomed by many in the region as a quick and efficient means of justice. |
| However, there have also been reports of controversial punishments. | However, there have also been reports of controversial punishments. |
| This week Pakistan's top judge called for a court hearing into the public flogging of a teenage girl which was captured on video and shown around the world. | This week Pakistan's top judge called for a court hearing into the public flogging of a teenage girl which was captured on video and shown around the world. |
| From the outset of the deal the US feared it might "become a surrender" to militants. | From the outset of the deal the US feared it might "become a surrender" to militants. |
| Wednesday's attack by Taleban militants from Swat on the nearby district of Buner also raised doubts about the deal. | Wednesday's attack by Taleban militants from Swat on the nearby district of Buner also raised doubts about the deal. |
| At least five people were killed, police said. | At least five people were killed, police said. |