Pakistani Taliban urge lawmakers to back Swat peace deal
A spokesman for the extremists has warned that Pakistani lawmakers who do not support a peace deal with the Taliban that imposes Islamic law in a northwestern trouble spot will be considered apostates.
Muslim Khan did not say on Monday whether the Taliban would punish legislators opposing the deal other than to say a militant council would discuss the matter.
Apostasy, or abandoning Islam, is a serious charge that in some quarters carries the death penalty.
The provincial government in northwest Pakistan agreed in February to impose Islamic law in the Swat Valley and surrounding areas in exchange for a cease-fire with Taliban fighters who have terrorised the area for some 18 months, killing hundreds.
However, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari has delayed signing the agreement.