Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao has ruled out the possibility of governor's rule in the NWFP, saying the federal government will adopt a pragmatic approach taking into account different options once the Hasba Bill is passed by the provincial assembly. However, the federal government can issue warning to the NWFP government in this regard, he added.
The interior minister, while addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, said that under Article 143 of the Constitution, provincial governments cannot enact such law, as this is a violation of the constitution.
Sherpao said the bill would also be looked into with reference to federation and the federating units, the Constitution and law of the land. When asked about adopting a legal course, the minister said, Supreme Court can take suo moto action. "Hasba Bill is contrary to the constitutional provisions and recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology (CII)," he added.
Sherpao, however, brushed aside the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal's claim that everybody was taken into confidence and said, even the President did not receive the copy of the bill.
The minister said all opposition parties had rejected the bill and the CII also expressed its reservations, which were not addressed.
Sherpao feared anarchy in the NWFP after the concentration of powers into one hand due to which people would be denied justice in absence of right to appeal against the decision of the 'Mohtasib'.
The 'controversial' law in the province will also have implications on the citizens of other provinces travelling to NWFP, the minister remarked.
He said by moving this controversial bill, the MMA has also negated its election manifesto that every bill presented will be in accordance with the Islamic injunctions and in the light of the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology. Sherpao also regretted the statement of MMA leader Mufti Kefayatullah that the CII had become obsolete and must be wrapped up.
Referring to Article 23 of the bill, he said, 24 out of total 25 sections of this article are already covered under the Constitution and Hasba Bill was apparently a bid to regain the lost reputation of MMA.
The interior minister also condemned the London blasts terming it an act of terrorism. He also slated the attacks on mosques and Islamic centres.