Islamabad, Pakistan - A hearing in the Supreme Court of Pakistan is scheduled for next month on a challenge by President Gen. Pervez Musharraf to a law that aims to establish morality police in a conservative northwestern province. Opponents of the law say it is reminiscent of measures used during the Taliban's rule of Afghanistan.
On July 14, a ruling coalition of six radical Islamic groups in the North West Frontier province passed an "Accountability Act" which requires the establishment of a department to ensure adherence to "Islamic values at public places." It also discourages entertainment outlets and businesses from operating during weekly Friday prayers.
Violators could be jailed for up to six months or fined under the bill, which the provincial governor must sign into law.
Opposition lawmakers have criticized the bill, saying it would establish a Taliban-style system in the province bordering Afghanistan. Musharraf is seeking an order by the Supreme Court to strike it down as unconstitutional. A hearing is set for Aug. 1.
The central government argues that the bill would set up a judicial and administration parallel to the existing courts and police system, a step deemed to violate the constitution.
The six-party Islamic coalition, the Mutahida Majlis-e-Amal, dominates the assembly after making strong gains in parliamentary elections in 2002. Their platform consisted mainly of opposition to the U.S.-led war against terrorism that ousted the Taliban in late 2001.