In Recent Conference, Pakistani Clerics Denounce Government's Shari'a for Peace Deal with Taliban; Pronounce Suicide Attacks in Pakistan Forbidden; Say: 'Taliban Are Enemies of Humanity,' 'Jihad Should Be Declared Against Them'

In a conference held April 19, 2009 in Karachi, Pakistan, Islamic clerics and political leaders called the Taliban "enemies of humanity," and denounced the Pakistani government for signing the Shari'a for Peace deal, which permits the Taliban to enforce the Shari'a in Pakistan's Swat Valley district and broader Malakand Division. The deal was recently signed into law by Pakistani President Asif Zardari as "Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009." Following are details, and excerpts from statements by the conference participants, as published in Pakistani papers and websites. ...