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Sharia is law of the land for the first time in Pak province
Peshawar, June 03: Pakistan`s conservative North West Frontier Province (NWFP) was under Islamic Sharia law today for the first time in the Islamic republic`s 56-year history.
Peshawar, June 03: Pakistan's conservative North West Frontier Province (NWFP) was under Islamic Sharia law today for the first time in the Islamic republic's 56-year history.
A bill enshrining Sharia as the supreme law throughout the province bordering Afghanistan was passed with the unanimous support of critical opposition parties in the Islamist-ruled NWFP assembly.
The passage of the bill marked the "fulfillment of the people's wishes of the past 56 years," Chief Minister Akram Durrani declared in triumph, as clerics hugged each other, sobbed in joy, and placed celebratory sweets in each others' mouths.
The successful Sharia law 2003 establishes a department of vice and virtue, which critics are comparing to the Taliban's notorious ministry for the promotion of virtue and discouragement of vice.
That organ was used as a religious police by the harsh Afghan militia, as it banned women from work, education and public appearances and enforced brutal orthodox punishments like amputations for stealing.
The bill sets up three commissions that have one month to examine the economy, judiciary and education systems and recommend ways to "Islamise" them.
It also foreshadows unexplained steps to wipe out "obscenity and vagrancy."
Critics warning of "Talibanisation" of NWFP read in the bill their worst fears.
Bureau Report
The passage of the bill marked the "fulfillment of the people's wishes of the past 56 years," Chief Minister Akram Durrani declared in triumph, as clerics hugged each other, sobbed in joy, and placed celebratory sweets in each others' mouths.
The successful Sharia law 2003 establishes a department of vice and virtue, which critics are comparing to the Taliban's notorious ministry for the promotion of virtue and discouragement of vice.
That organ was used as a religious police by the harsh Afghan militia, as it banned women from work, education and public appearances and enforced brutal orthodox punishments like amputations for stealing.
The bill sets up three commissions that have one month to examine the economy, judiciary and education systems and recommend ways to "Islamise" them.
It also foreshadows unexplained steps to wipe out "obscenity and vagrancy."
Critics warning of "Talibanisation" of NWFP read in the bill their worst fears.
Bureau Report