ISLAMABAD, July 12: Pakistan Muslim League (PML) Senator Tahira Latif on Tuesday said the NWFP government was trying to enforce a parallel system in the province through Hasba Bill that would create complications and multiply the problems of the citizens. “The bill will affect people’s basic rights, while our religion does not allow interference in somebody’s personal life, freedom and culture,” the senator observed.

She said the Constitution also did not allow such laws and the motive behind the bill was to subordinate the assembly because according to the bill an ombudsman will have the authority to call the public representatives and make them accountable thus affecting the independence of the elected assembly.

“The authority to appoint the ombudsman would reside with the chief minister, who would be empowered to hear the appeals. Consequently, the government will be under the influence of a single person. This will pave the way for interference and achieving the political motives.

“Through this institution, the local and the assembly elections could be influenced. Under these, circumstances, there is no justification and legal grounds to have this bill enacted as it will be against the constitutional norms,” Senator Tahira Latif said.