Islamabad, May 28: Differing with the brand of Islam being introduced by the Islamist alliance Muthahida Majlis Amal (MMA) in Pakistan's North West Frontier Province by bringing in a 'shariah' bill, Pakistan information minister Sheikh Rashid said that MMA's interpretation of Islam was not proper. "Not only the Frontier Province but the whole of Pakistan supports Islamic system. I do not think the interpretation of Islam they (MMA) are making is proper", he told BBC radio in an interview.

He said Pakistan is an ideological Islamic liberal, progressive state and is well aware of the meaning and essence of Islam.

The MMA provincial government in NWFP introduced a new 'shairah' bill yesterday to implement Islamic law.

Referring to recent MMA campaign to remove advertisement boards of different multinational companies in Peshawar, he said dismantling of signboards and pulling out tape-recorders from vehicles is not reasonable and such a campaign would hurt the flow of investment in the country.

Asked how he would convey his differing perceptions to the MMA leaders, he said the people who voted for the MMA now pondered over their action.

The people of Frontier Province now realised the people whom they voted for and saw the changes being implemented by the MMA, he said.

Asked what will be the centre's role in this situation, he said, "we have yet to see what they are doing there and what is the legal status of the draft resolution which they are presenting".

Bureau Report