would enable "the creation of a Taleban-style police system."
UK-based Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW), which investigates cases of religious persecution, said the move has already been dubbed as "unconstitutional" by opponents of the bill. The Hasba Bill, which was passed Monday, November 13 by a majority of lawmakers, calls for the creation of an Islamic watchdog to monitor the strict observance of Islamic practices in public places.
"This proposed watchdog has been compared to the Taleban regime’s Department of Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue in Afghanistan," CSW added. The Province, which borders Afghanistan , is ruled by the Muttahida Majils-e-Amal Party (MMA) – a coalition of Islamist radical parties said to have close links with the deposed Taliban regime, the group explained. The MMA has a strong majority in the provincial assembly.
A previous draft of the legislation was already accepted by the provincial assembly in 2005, but declared unconstitutional by Pakistan’s Supreme Court. The current legislation will have to be ratified by the Province’s governor.
ISLAMIC "MARTIAL LAW"
The All Pakistan Minorities Alliance, a human rights group, has already described the new legislation as an "Islamic martial law" amid fears it could put further pressure on the Christian minority and those seeking more rights for women.
"The repression imposed by the Taliban regime [in Afghanistan] is well known. It is therefore deeply concerning that a province in Pakistan has chosen to adopt a similar system," said CSW Chief Executive, Mervyn Thomas. "Pakistan ’s Supreme Court has rejected this legislation once and we urge the authorities in Pakistan to reject it again,” Thomas added.
An Islamic party, known as the Pakistan Awami Himayat Tehreek, has reportedly challenged the bill in the Supreme Court. Party official Maulvi Iqbal Haider said the bill of would give rise to a "constitutional crisis in society" and lead to a parallel judicial system in the Province. (With reports from Pakistan).
