Taliban Establishes Pakistan Tribal Belt Courts

July 16, 2008 9:11 a.m. EST

PESHAWAR, Pakistan (AHN): A Taliban movement, commonly known as Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), has established Shariah courts in different districts of Pakistan's lawless tribal belt to resolve personal disputes within the Islamic legal system.

At present, the Taliban runs Shariah courts in Mohmand, Khyber, North Waziristan, South Waziristan, Bajaur and Orakzai districts of Pakistan chaotic Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA).

These districts are located along the Pak-Afghan border where different Taliban groups under the command of Baitullah Mehsud, a south Waziristan based Taliban leader, virtually control all administration and tribal affairs.

Moulvi Omar, a TTP spokesman, told reporters in Peshawar via telephone that senior religious scholars are appointed as judges in these courts and resolve personal disputes within the Islamic judicial system.

"At present 700 cases are under hearing in these courts and the people are completely satisfied with courts' decisions as the Islamic courts are providing speedy justice to them," Omar said.

Abdul Latif Afridi, North West Frontier Province (NWFP) government minister for FATA and a senior lawyer said that due to faulty policies of the central government and rampant corruption in government offices people are losing trust in the country's judicial system.

"For the last 60 years tribal people are governed by colonial times Frontier Crimes Regulation (FCR) that is aimed at protecting government interests at the expense of people's welfare. This led to discrimination, injustice and uncertainty among the tribals. The result is Talibanization and tribal courts," he elaborated.

Some reports suggest that Taliban have also opened four new Shariah courts in the Mohmand Tribal Agency and have directed the people to bring their cases there for an early resolution of their disputes.

Dr.Asad, a Taliban in Mohmand Agency spokesman said there will be four courts each in Khalo Dak, Pindyalai, Lower Kurum and Lakaro. Each court will consist of two Qazis (Judges).

"A supreme Qazi at every agency level will be the final court of appeal," he explained.

Gul Muhammad, a journalist in Mohmand Agency said delay in justice in Pakistan courts has frustrated the people and they have no choice but to consult Taliban courts.

"The fact is people are frightened of Taliban influence in the district. They have no option but to accept what is decided by Taliban courts, if they don't follow the orders they expect backlash from Taliban fighters," Muhammad concluded.