CBNNews.com -- Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry is calling for more non-military aid to Pakistan. 

As the head of the foreign relations committee, Kerry explained the aid is needed to fight poverty and Islamic militants.

This week, Pakistani president Asi Ali Zardar signed a resolution putting a district in the country's northwest region under Islamic law. His signature cedes control of the Swat Valley region to Islamic militant groups led by the Taliban.

Supporters of the new measure say it will stabilize the situation there. But critics say it will only embolden extremists to move deeper into Pakistan.

Click play to watch CBN News Senior Reporter George Thomas and Terror Analyst Erick Stakelbeck give their analysis on the Pakistan president's move.