Zardari throws Sharia deal decision on parliament

Islamabad, Apr 13: On the issue of signing the deal with Taliban to impose a Sharia law in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) of the country, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has sent the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation, 2009 to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani to present it before Parliament.

It seems like the President Zardari is making a safe move by assuring that he won't be alone in either making the decision or facing the consequences for it. Zardari's move has surprised Gilani and other top political leaders of the country. Political leaders are confused on what to do regarding the issue.

The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) and Pakistan Muslim League (Quaid) are still undecided whether to support the act or oppose it.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr Babar Awan was particularly against Zardari signing the deal, and it was he who advised him to table the regulation before Parliament approval or rejection.

According to The News, Awan wanted Nawaz Sharif to sign the deal so that in future neither he nor his party could criticize the Pakistan Peoples' Party for the move. This is a tactical move because if the PML-N backs the deal in parliament, it would lose sympathy and support in Washington and London.

"Let's see how the US now convince their new friend Nawaz Sharif not to sign the deal in parliament," a Zardari's aide argued.

ANI