Islamabad - Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has approved a regulation to enforce Islamic sharia law in the troubled Swat region, in the hopes of achieving peace with Taliban militants, state media said Tuesday. Zardari signed the controversial document late Monday after the country's lower house of the parliament unanimously adopted a resolution urging him to approve the law for the Malakand Agency comprising eight districts, including Swat.

Islamabad, Apr. 14 : Following the National Assembly's nod, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has signed the sharia law deal which is to be implemented in the North West Frontier Province's Swat region.

"Yes, the president has signed the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation before leaving for Dubai on a two-day visit," The Daily Times quoted presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar, as saying.

Islamabad, Apr. 13 : The Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator John Kerry met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani here on Monday.

Officials privy to the talks between Kerry and Gilani were quoted by the Dawn as saying that the Pakistan Prime Minister had told Senator Kerry that Pakistan does not want the US to base its aid on conditions linked to the campaign against militancy.

Islamabad, Apr. 13 : Several members of the Pakistan Parliament who do not endorse the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation are worried, as they are unable to decide whether to speak against the deal or keep a low profile on the issue.

With President Asif Ali Zardari sending the sharia regulation bill to Prime Minister Gilani to table it before Parliament for a discussion, the members are caught in a catch 22 situation.

Islamabad, Apr. 13 : Deciding to play safe on the issue of signing a deal with the Taliban to impose a sharia law in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of the country, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has sent the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, 2009 to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to table it before Parliament.

Zardari's move clearly suggests that he alone does not want to be held responsible for the controversial deal with the banned Taliban. If the deal backfires, it will be Parliament that would have to take responsibility for it.

Islamabad, Apr. 10 : The Pakistan Presidency has launched a new website of the President Asif Ali Zardari, The Daily Times reported.

The website, www. president. gov. pk has been launched on a trial basis, and more features would be included after ascertaining public response to it.

The website contains important email addresses, telephone and fax numbers, press releases and news updates also