Anti-terrorism court declares Maulana Fazlullah a fugitive

Judge Khalil Khan Khalil ordered Fazlullah and his associates to appear in the local police station or in his court within seven days, failing which action would be taken against them.

Over 100 cases, including several of murder and attempted murder, have been registered against Fazlullah, whose current whereabouts are not known.

Local courts in Swat began functioning after the army restored order in most parts of the scenic valley located 160 km from the federal capital.

The local chapter of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan led by Fazlullah had ordered all courts in Swat to close down earlier this year.

Judges had fled with their families from many parts of Malakand division, which includes Swat.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik had said several weeks ago that Fazlullah had been injured in the military operations against the Taliban and that troops had surrounded the area where he was hiding.

However, there has been no news since then about his fate.