Pak MNA's in catch-22 situation over sharia regulation

Islamabad, Apr.13 (ANI): Several members of the Pakistan Parliament who do not endorse the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation are worried, as they are unable to decide whether to speak against the deal or keep a low profile on the issue.

With President Asif Ali Zardari sending the sharia regulation bill to Prime Minister Gilani to table it before Parliament for a discussion, the members are caught in a catch 22 situation.

Parliamentarians fear a Taliban repercussion if they go against imposing the sharia law in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).

"Even FATA and ANP lawmakers adopt a discreet approach while speaking against Taliban publicly and by criticising Nizam-e-Adl Regulation in the Lower House because in the presence of swift news reporting networks one cannot put his life at stake", The Nation quoted a Pakistan Peoples' Party leader, as saying.

Leaders believe that most of the MNA's would keep mum on the issue during the debate due to security and religious issues.

"I am not very hopeful with the upcoming debate on Nizam-e-Adl Regulation 2009 in the Parliament," said a PML-Q Parliamentarian Sheikh Waqas Akram.

They also viewed that the bill would be passed by Parliament without much opposition.

"The draft would easily be passed through the Parliament in minimum span of time because there is no other way to resolve the crisis." an ANP MNA from Swat Muzafer-ul-Mulk said. (ANI)