Lahore (AsiaNews) The government of North West Frontier Province (NWFP) on the Afghan border has tabled a billthe Hasbah or Accountability Actin the provincial legislature that would institute the Office of the Muhtasib or Islamic ombudsman whose task would be to ensure people pay adequate respect to azan (call to prayers), pray on time and do not engage in commerce at the time of Friday prayers.
According to the bill, any criticism against the Muhtasib, their personality, role or decision will be treated as an offence and be punishable. Islamic courts will be set-up and Islamic religious leaders will function as judges.
The bill was introduced by Law Minister NWFP Malik Zafar Azam and is backed by the Muttehida Majlas-e-Amal (MMA), the NWFP's ruling coalition made up six Islamic parties bent on imposing the Islamic Law in the province.
Shahbaz Bhatti, chairman of the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, told AsiaNews that this bill "was a conspiracy against the integrity and solidarity of the country and against the basic human rights of religious minorities."
Bhatti said that by virtue of the section of 23 of the proposed law, "the Muhtasib would be given vast powers and jurisdiction over citizens, which amounted to the creation of a parallel judiciary with executive powers and a special Hasbah force at his disposal."
Under the proposed legislation, the provincial government would be required to assist the Muhtasib with a "morality police" to ensure strict adherence to Islamic injunctions.
"The Constitution was already full of Islamic articles and provisions and therefore there was no need for Talibanisation in one of the province," Bhatti added. (AM)