ISLAMABAD, Jan 28: President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated the government’s commitment that militants will never be allowed to set up a parallel judiciary.

“We will not allow them to set up their parallel judiciary system and threaten the local people to either appear before them or face death,” the president said during a conversation on phone with veteran Pakhtoon leader and former federal minister Afzal Khan Lala in Druskhela.

Mr Zardari praised Khan Lala, who has been receiving threats in Swat, for his courageous and principled stand not to give in to militants.

He assured the Pakhtoon leader that the government stood behind him and his family. “The militants will not be allowed to impose their ideology and political agenda on the people through the barrel of a gun,” the president said.

The Pakhtoon leader thanked the president for his support.

The Taliban have set up their own ‘courts’ in several areas of Swat to provide what they call ‘speedy and easy justice’.

The ‘courts’ are reported to be functioning in several parts of Kabal, Matta and Khwazakhela tehsils.

According to local people, more than 70 Taliban ‘courts’ had been functioning in the valley, except in Kanjoo and Mingora.

Recently, the Taliban released a list of 43 people – including former and incumbent ministers – whom they declared ‘wanted’ and liable to punishment under the Taliban Sharia.

The ‘wanted’ men include former and current members of the national and provincial assemblies, district and local nazims, politicians, local elders and other influential people.

Meanwhile, Inter Services Public Relations Director General Maj-Gen Athar Abbas told the media on Wednesday that more troops were being sent to Swat to control the situation.

Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Lt Gen Tariq Majeed met President Zardari and discussed with him professional matters of the armed forces.

Balochistan Chief Minister Aslam Raisani also called on the president and briefed him on the law and order situation and development activities in different areas of the province.

The president assured him that the federal government was keen to provide all possible assistance for the uplift of Balochistan.