Peshawar, Pakistan - An Islamist government in a Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan has passed a bill enforcing strict adherence to Islamic teachings which critics say is an attempt to bring Taliban-style law to the region.
An appeal against the "Hisba (accountability) Bill" was filed in the Supreme Court's Karachi bench by the Attorney General on behalf of President General Musharraf.
The Supreme Court has set July 25 for the regular hearing of the appeal in Islamabad.
The central government and the opposition in the NWFP describe the law as a move to introduce "Talibanization" in the society.
The regional legislature in the North West Frontier Province dominated by the ruling alliance of six religious parties passed the controversial bill by 68 votes to 34.
Islamist MPs shouted "Allah-o-Akbar (God is greatest)" when the result of the vote was announced amid opposition uproar.
"The secular forces inside and outside the country launched a war against us, but thank God we made the dream of enforcement of Islamic laws come true," senior government minister Sirajul Haq told AFP on Thursday.
Opposition leader Shehzada Gustasip called the day "blackest" in the history of the province.
"The bill will paralyze everything in the province. This province will not be able to function with this bill."
Under the legislation, a watchdog will be set up with sweeping powers to reform the society in accordance with "Islamic values." Its duty also includes observance of such values in public places.
Provincial governor Khalil-ur-Rehman said he would not allow the province to be "Talibanized," and vowed to take every constitutional step to stop its implementation.
The law has drawn comparisons with the Taliban regime's notorious Department of Vice and Virtue in Afghanistan from 1996 to 2001.
The Taliban were backed by Pakistan and many of its members trained in the northwest's religious schools.
The law also says a religious "ombudsman" would "supervise the media" under the control of the provincial government to ensure that "publications are useful for the promotion of Islamic values".
The central government, led by military ruler President Pervez Musharraf, has also opposed the legislation, calling it unconstitutional.
The religious alliance swept to power in October 2002 on a wave of anti-Western resentment over the toppling of the Taliban and promised to enforce Islamic law.
It has already banned men from training or watching women athletes and ordered civil servants to pray five times a day.