Islamabad, June 27: Pakistan's minorities have sought a Suo Moto action by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court to stop the implementation of Shariah Law in the north West Frontier Province, saying its provisions were in contradiction with the universal declaration of human rights.
In a representation to the Supreme Court, the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA), a group representing non-Muslims, termed the passage of the Shariah Bill as "unconstitutional, undemocratic and in contradiction with the universal declaration of human rights". Terming the bill "a conspiracy against the integrity and solidarity of the country by imposing talibanisation in a province," APMA leaders said the legislation "eradicates basic human rights of minorities and women" and also abolishes religious freedom in the NWFP, local daily 'The News' reported. APMA appealed to the chief justice for intervention and Suo Moto action to stop the implementation of the bill on the grounds that it violated the constitution.

The Shariah was recently adopted by the Islamist alliance MMA ruled NWFP assembly but the federal government has not given its consent so far.

While introducing the bill, MMA leaders said it was aimed at enforcing Islamic laws on the majority Islamic community and no way interfered with the rights of minorities.

APMA said the bill would hamper the rights of minorities.

"The fundamental rights of religious minorities and women will be severely hampered and they will become the prime target of terrorism at the end of extremists who are being allowed to interpret the holy qur'aan and Sunnah according to their own thinking by this bill," it said adding it would negated the ideology of Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Bureau Report