Maulvis’ Martial Law in NWFP?

The Opposition in the NWFP Assembly has termed the Hasba Bill passed by the Provincial legislature on Monday as the Maulvis’ Martial Law. However, the ruling party in the province claims that the passage of this Bill, which is yet to be assented to by the Governor, will ensure enforcement of Islamic morality and hoped that identical legislation will also be introduced by other provinces. Certain provisions of a similar Bill passed by the NWFP Assembly in 2005 were declared as violative of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The apex court had given its ruling on the earlier Bill on a reference made to it by the President of Pakistan. The Bill passed in 2005 was not assented to by the Provincial Governor who had reservations on its contents. . He had felt that the Bill would create a parallel judicial system and was violative of the Constitution.
The Bill passed on Monday, it is claimed by the Provincial Chief Minister, had taken into account the ruling of the apex court and the new law had been redrafted to ensure that apex court’s observations had been addressed. The Bill provides for the appointment of an anti-vice Ombudsman enjoying sweeping powers to protect Islamic values and “forbid persons, agencies and authorities working under the administrative control of the Government act against Shariah”. Obviously, the liberal elements are quite perturbed and apprehend that cultural activities which the anti-vice Ombudsman consider as un-Islamic will not be allowed and that in the process the province would head for a Taliban-style administration. The development brings into focus the divide between those who want enforcement of Shariah and those who stand for projecting Pakistan’s soft image. It is feared that President Musharraf’s relentless struggle for promoting enlightened moderation will receive a setback.
Mr. Akram Khan Durrani, the NWFP Chief Minister, has dispelled fears among a section of the population by saying that the decision of the anti-vice Ombudsman will be open to judicial scrutiny. The supporters of this landmark legislation claim that those who want the country to deviate from the fundamentals of Islam and turn Pakistan into a secular state are the ones who are raising unnecessary alarm. They reject the allegations that MMA Government wants to take political mileage and provide jobs to its political favourites including rabid clerics.
The Hasba Bill as passed will promote radicalization and instead of promoting harmony it would widen the gulf between two opposing sections of the population. The Bill is yet to be assented to by the Governor. Those opposed to it may once again agitate its vires before the apex court. If and when the law is introduced, it is to be seen as to how it would help social integration.

Talking to Teheran

THIS is easily the most sensible piece of advice Prime Minister Tony Blair could have offered to rescue his friend and ally from across the Atlantic. 10, Downing Street has revealed that in a major foreign policy shift, the British prime minister is to ask the US to talk to Iran and Syria, to clear the unholy mess in Iraq.
The rare counsel, coming as it does from Blair, a key constituent of President Bush’s so-called coalition of the willing and a staunch supporter of Iraq war, let’s hope, would be taken seriously in Washington.
The Bush White House, shaken by the Republicans’ thumpin’ in the mid-term poll, has already grudgingly hinted at an Iraq rethink. With Rumsfeld’s exit and Bob Gates, seen as a realist, taking over as defence secretary, the change in US strategy in Iraq is inevitable.
Blair’s call — albeit a little late in the day — apparently reflects the change of mindset in London and Washington. More to the point, it underscores the growing pressure on the coalition to restore a semblance of working peace and order in Iraq and get out as soon as they can.
There is little doubt that Iran and Syria, especially the former, can play a crucial role in bringing peace to Iraq. Teheran’s influence on Iraq’s Shia political alliance and their numerous militias is hardly a secret. Iran has skilfully used its friends in Iraq to send the message to Washington that it could add to its woes, if the US pressured it on the question of nuclear programme.
However, now it looks as though despite their obvious dislike for each other, Washington and Teheran may have to engage. Not a bad idea, if it could end the never-ending nightmare of Iraqi people that this war is. While all the neighbours of Iraq must play their role in helping the war-ravaged country, Iran finds itself in a unique position to help its neighbour. Teheran could indeed help in reining in those murderous militias stalking Baghdad’s neighbourhoods.
Prime Minister Nuri Al Maliki scolded Iraqi parliament yesterday accusing the lawmakers of allowing their sectarian loyalties to undermine their national interests. The prime minister is spot on. But he will have to be a little more specific and begin by asking his coalition partners to rein in their militias. This madness in Iraq has gone far too long and it’s time to end it. The US engagement with Iran and Syria could not only help in bringing peace to Iraq but may also revive the Palestine-Israel peace process.

—Khaleej Times