ISLAMIST-RULED PROVINCE PASSES TALIBAN-STYLE LAW IN NORTHWEST PAKISTAN
By Jeremy Reynalds (07/14/05)
An Islamic government in a Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan has just passed legislation enforcing strict adherence to Islamic teachings.
The regional legislature in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP), dominated by the ruling alliance of six religious parties, passed the controversial Hasba Act by 68-34.
Islamist MP's shouted "Allah-o-Akbar" (God is greatest), when the result of the vote was announced amid opposition uproar.
Dubbed by the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) as "an attempt to bring Taliban-style law to the region," the law has been compared to the Taliban regime's notorious Dept. of Vice and Virtue in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.The Taliban was backed by Pakistan, and many of its members trained in the northwest's religious schools.
Under the new law, an Islamic watchdog will monitor the observance of Islamic values in public places.
APMA reported that the bill's passage followed a heated debate between the ruling conservative six-party religious alliance Mutahida Majlis Amal (MMA) and the opposition.
Under the new law, according to APMA, the main duty of the cleric, called "mohtasib" - one who holds others accountable - will be to ensure people respect the call to prayers, pray on time and not do any business during Friday prayers.
He will also stop unrelated men and women from appearing in public places together, APMA reported, and discourage singing and dancing.
Another one of the cleric's functions, APMA reported, will be to monitor the media to ensure "publications are useful for the promotion of Islamic values."
A news release from APMA called the bill a "hanging sword" for religious minorities, and predicted that it will be used by Islamic extremists to both persecute and torture Christians and other minorities.
"This new law will strengthen Islamic extremists and pro- Taliban forces who are already ... attacking churches, killing innocent citizens, bombing, misusing (the) blasphemy law, violent activities and hate crimes," APMA commented. "These elements will be allowed to interpret Holy Koran and Sunnah according to their own thinking through this bill."
APMA said the organization also has a concern that the bill will "eradicate religious freedom and basic human rights in NWFP."
APMA commented that radical Islamic elements have routinely "linked Pakistani Christians with the west, therefore they think by killing and attacking (them) they are taking revenge."
Speaking in a news release, APMA Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti said his organization has launched a campaign to deal with the issue.
"We have written letters to authorities and shared our concern. Even press conferences and demonstrations were held to highlight this issue. I also sent (an) application to the Chief Justice of Pakistan for his intervention, but nothing happened yet. (Please) pray for Christians and other minorities in this critical situation."
According to the World Evangelical Alliance (www.worldevangelical.org/persecute/persec_pakistan_ii_28oct03.html), "APMA is a coalition representing Pakistan's non-Muslim religious minorities (Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Balmeek, Bheel, Maingwal, Zoarastrian, Bahai and Kelash communities). Using advocacy and lobbying, APMA raise(s) minorities' issues and concerns with the government authorities, parliamentarians, human rights organizations and media."
APMA, the World Evangelical Alliance statement continued, is assisting many victims of "discriminatory laws and blasphemy laws and also supporting and protecting victims of terrorist attacks of Islamic militants especially since 11 Sept. 2001 ... APMA is struggling to protect and ensure religious freedom in Pakistan."
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