SUKKUR, Feb 17: Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) Senator Dr Khalid Mahmood Soomro has said that Nifaz-i-Sharia accord of Malakand (NWFP) is a welcome sign and demanded of the government to enforce Sharia in the country.

Speaking at a press conference at JUI-F office here on Tuesday, he said that the enforcement of Sharia was a longstanding demand of the people of Malakand and the JUI-F.

He said that the country was created in the name of Islam and to implement Islamic laws there hence nobody had the right to object to imposition of Sharia in it.

He said that the JUI-F’s provincial government had tried to implement Sharia in the NWFP through Hisba bill but the Awami National Party (ANP) and former president Pervez Musharraf had created hurdles. Now, he added, the ANP government in the NWFP had been compelled to sign the Nifaz-i-Sharia accord, which was a victory of the JUI-F.

Dr Soomro said that laws of the West had been implemented in the country which had been failed to provide peace, justice and development to the people as a result the country was facing grave economic and social problems.

He condemned US drone attacks in Pakistani territory and said that several innocent people had been killed in the attacks. He demanded of the government to take steps to stop such attacks.

He said that the country’s borders were under tremendous pressure and they had joined the government to safeguard national independence.

Answering a question about lawyers’ long march, Dr Soomro said that everyone had the right to peaceful protest in democratic system but while protesting, the country’s present scenario should be kept in mind.

He said that the Pakistan People’s Party and Pakistan Muslim League (N) had deviated from charter of democracy.

It was mutually agreed in the charter that the PCO judges would be removed, he said and demanded posting of new judges in accordance with the accord on the basis of merit and seniority.

He expressed concern over deteriorating law and order situation, unemployment, inflation and tribal feuds in Sindh and demanded of the provincial government to take measures to solve the problems.