ISLAMABAD, 14 November 2006 — An alliance of religious parties ruling the North West Frontier Province passed a controversial bill yesterday to introduce what critics say would be Taleban-style system of moral policing.

The Supreme Court had blocked attempts by the government of North West Frontier Province last year to set up a Hasba, or accountability, department by ruling several clauses of the bill unconstitutional.

The Muttaheda Majlis-e-Amal-led provincial government said it had drafted the Hasba Bill anew in light of recommendations made by the Supreme Court before presenting it to the provincial assembly.

“This bill has been prepared according to the provisions of the constitution and the directives of the Supreme Court,” NWFP Law Minister Malik Zafar Azam told Reuters after the provincial assembly passed the bill despite opposition from liberal groups.

A unit led by a scholar will be established to promote virtue and eliminate vice, with a separate police force to implement its orders. According to the legislation, the department would help fight government corruption, eliminate child labor, and ensure rights for women and religious minorities. The province’s governor must sign the law, and it was not immediately clear when the legal procedure would be completed.

The bill empowers the provincial government to establish accountability courts and appoint ombudsman. It also empowers provincial ministers to access federal and provincial official documents.

Deputies from the Pakistan Muslim League (Q), PPP (Sherpao group), Pakistan People’s Party, Awami National Party and some independent members wore black armbands to protest the bill.

Liberal and secular critics say the proposed accountability body is modeled on the Taleban’s Department of Prevention of Vice and Promotion of Virtue in Afghanistan, which ran the religious police before the group’s 2001 ouster.

Dismissing criticism about the “Talebanization” of the western province bordering Afghanistan, Azam said the proposed Accountability Department was aimed at eradicating social evils such as gambling and obscenity through persuasion.

“Virtues will be promoted and vices will be discouraged through persuasion and preaching,” he said.

Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani said the passage of the bill was unfortunate. “There is no need to set up a new department when there are several others which are already working. It is nothing more than a political stunt which is unfortunate,” he said.

An alliance of religious parties won power in the province in 2002 elections. Elections will be held again next year. The passage of the Hasba Bill came as the central government led by President Pervez Musharraf is trying to reform laws on rape and adultery that require a rape victim to produce four male witnesses or risk prosecution for adultery.

Officials say a reform bill is expected to be submitted to the Parliament this week.

Musharraf, who promotes a philosophy of “enlightened moderation,” has voiced support for the law reform and has repeatedly urged the country to shun “Talebanization.”

Sindh TV Transmission Banned

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has banned the telecast of Sindh TV in the country and instructed cable operators not to transmit its programs.

Information Minister Durrani told journalists Sindh TV was running trial transmissions only.

“We have asked the concerned departments to provide a report on the nature of the channel’s programs particularly news and current affairs.” Durrani said.

Sindh TV is a Sindhi-language nationalist channel owned by Dr. Karim Rajpar. Rajpar told Arab News the channel was neither served any show-cause notice nor asked to stop airing any particular program. The government has banned Sindh TV without assigning any reason. Journalists have condemned the government’s move describing it as an undemocratic act.