Upon government orders, the chief of the Tahreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM) – a banned organization – Maulana Sufi Mohammad has been arrested from Peshawar. Police arrested Sufi from Sethi Town in Peshawar and the reason for his arrest is said to be the potential threat to peace from his recent activities.

The government had released Sufi prior to inking the Peace Deal (Nizam-e-Adl) with Taliban and he had promised to make Taliban lay down their arms. Speaking on behalf of the provincial government, Mian Iftikhar Hussain told a press conference on Sunday (July 26, 2009) that Sufi had been released in the hope of restoring peace in Swat/Malakand. However, he said, Sufi’s recent activities were threatening the government’s efforts to establish peace in the region.

Mr. Hussain told the journalists that Sufi had not been residing in his native district Dir, after his release, but changing residences in Peshawar and other places. He remained peaceful for some time and hence was not rearrested but now his activities – like his provocative speeches and remarks against the state’s constitution – pose a threat to peace and hence his arrest was necessary.

Some sources claim that Sufi’s two sons have also been arrested with him but Mr. Hussain did not confirm these claims. However, he claimed that peace was now returning to the Malakand Division.