Hasba bill challenged in SC

ISLAMABAD—Hasba bill approved by MMA-led NWFP government has been challenged in the Supreme Court. The bill has been challenged by Moulvi Iqbal Haider, chairman Awami Tehreek-e-Pakistan through a constitutional petition filed under article 184(3) of the constitution.
NWFP law secretary, NWFP government through chief secretary, secretary NWFP and governor NWFP have been made respondents in the petition. The petitioner has prayed the apex court to declare the Hasba bill ultra vires to the constitution which has been passed by the NWFP assembly. The bill should be declared illegal in the light of reference filed by the president in 2005.
The petition said that the NWFP assembly has not sought consultation from NWFP governor in this respect. The court should also provide relief in the best interest of the society. The petitioner contended that the bill will give rise to a constitutional crisis in the society. It will be tantamount to establish monarch in the one unit of federation. The council of Islamic Ideology had also communicated its reservations on this bill, he added.—INP