Islamist-ruled province passes Taliban-style law in northwest
Pakistan
PESHAWAR, Pakistan, Friday (AFP) An Islamist government in a
Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan passed a bill enforcing strict
adherence to Islamic teachings which critics say is an attempt to bring
Taliban-style law to the region.
The regional legislature in the North West Frontier Province
dominated by the ruling alliance of six religious parties passed the
controversial bill by 68 votes to 34.
Islamist MPs shouted "Allah-o-Akbar (God is greatest)" when the
result of the vote was announced amid opposition uproar.
"The secular forces inside and outside the country launched a war
against us, but thank God we made the dream of enforcement of Islamic
laws come true," senior government minister Sirajul Haq told AFP.
Opposition leader Shehzada Gustasip called the day "blackest" in the
history of the province. "The bill will paralyze everything in the
province. This province will not be able to function with this bill."
Under the legislation, a watchdog will be set up with sweeping powers to
reform the society in accordance with "Islamic values." Its duty also
includes observance of such values in public places.
Provincial governor Khalil-ur-Rehman said he would not allow the
province to be "Talibanized," and vowed to take every constitutional
step to stop its implementation.
The law has drawn comparisons with the Taliban regime's notorious
Department of Vice and Virtue in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001. The
Taliban were backed by Pakistan and many of its members trained in the
northwest's religious schools.
The law also says a religious "ombudsman" would "supervise the media"
under the control of the provincial government to ensure that
"publications are useful for the promotion of Islamic values". The
central government, led by military ruler President Pervez Musharraf,
has also opposed the legislation, calling it unconstitutional.
The religious alliance swept to power in October 2002 on a wave of
anti-Western resentment over the toppling of the Taliban and promised to
enforce Islamic law.
It has already banned men from training or watching women athletes
and ordered civil servants to pray five times a day. |