PRESIDENT Asif Zardari did the right thing by signing the Nizam-i-Adl Regulation after the National Assembly had approved it with a majority vote on Monday. The resolution, seeking implementation of the peace agreement signed by the NWFP government and the Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi was supported by political parties from across the divide barring the MQM, which abstained from the session. Its Parliamentary leader Dr Farooq Sattar said since his party believed that more time was needed to dilate upon the regulation, it had decided not to take part in the voting. It was however good to see the government take the issue to Parliament. That would ensure the broader ownership of the deal, which came on the verge of a breakdown nearly a month and a half after its signing. The TNSM and Tehrik-i-Taliban Swat meanwhile welcomed the National Assembly Resolution, expressing the hope that its implementation would restore peace in Swat. But it deserves guarded appreciation, since Maulana Sufi Muhammad made it clear that his party would keep an eye on the steps to be taken by the government to enforce Shariah and would cooperate with it only if the regulation was implemented in letter and spirit. There is no disputing the observation that the National Assembly has averted a disastrous situation by adopting the resolution and asking the President to sign it into law. Much now depends on how the TNSM and the TTP conduct themselves. It is time the activists of the two organizations lay down their arms, stop attacking female educational institutions and government installations, and allow the administration to freely perform its functions. It bears repeating that Maulana Sufi Muhammad and his colleagues had repeatedly stated that their struggle was aimed at ensuring the enforcement of Shariah rather than establishing their rule. The best way for them would be to monitor the dispensation of justice to the people by the newly established Qazi courts, with a non-intrusive approach to issues of governance. Regrettably, the Taliban fighters armed with sophisticated weapons took over the control of Buner on the day the peace agreement was being debated in Parliament. Such activities must end or peace would remain elusive for the restive region. The government on the other hand needs to focus on taking advantage of the peace deal to establish its writ in the Malakand Division, rather than letting it slide back into warlordism. It is time to shed complacency. President Zardari will have to keep in mind that as far measures for restoring peace in the region are concerned, the buck stops with him.