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Setback to Musharraf

Nirupama Subramanian

NWFP passes a Bill that seeks to enforce `religious virtues and morality'

ISLAMABAD: President Pervez Musharraf's project of "enlightened moderation" in Pakistan has received a big setback with the North West Frontier Province Assembly passing a controversial Bill that seeks to enforce what Islamic parties define as religious virtues and morality.

The NWFP is ruled by a six-party religious coalition called Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal. The Bill was passed on Monday after the Opposition walked out of the Assembly following a heated debate during which it was referred to as "maulvi's martial law."

The law comes at a time when the federal government is planning to table the Women's Protection Bill in the National Assembly once again. The Bill, which proposes amendments to the Hudood laws was tabled in the last session but shelved after protests from the MMA.

Analysts say if the Musharraf regime is sincere about having the Women's Protection Bill passed, it should have no qualms after the MMA pushed through the Hasba Bill despite the federal government's opposition to it.

Information Minister Mohammed Ali Durrani warned that the new law could bring the province into confrontation with the federal government.

Monitors

Under the Hasba law, specially appointed "mohatasibeen" or monitors will enquire into allegations of maladministration against any agency or its employees, protect and watch over "Islamic values and etiquettes," keep a watch on the government-owned media to ensure that it is "useful to the purpose of upholding Islamic values," and forbid persons, agencies and authorities working in the government from acting against the Shariah and "to guide them to good governance."

The law vests the mohatasibeen with considerable powers for enforcement including a special "hasba police force."

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