While Musharraf pontificates about reform, the movement on the ground is all in the opposite direction. From the BBC, with thanks to Sharon:
The government of Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province has unveiled a plan to shut public and private businesses during prayer times.
The plan replicates the Saudi Arabian model, enabling shops and businesses to close for a 20-minute prayer break.
Last week, the NWFP government was criticised by human rights groups for trying to introduce new Islamic laws.
So far no date has been given for the new initiative to take effect, but officials stress it will be voluntary.
Why would it be? The Saudi model isn’t. Several Christians who worked in Saudi Arabia have told me that they had to be off the streets during prayer times — or else.
Earlier this month, human rights activists in the province strongly criticised a proposal put forward by the MMA to establish an Ombudsman’s office which would ensure that Islamic law was being implemented.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan said it amounted to an effort to enforce “Mullah’s martial law” and “Talebanise” society.