KARACHI, June 4: Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) chief Maulana Shah Ahmad Noorani has said that NWFP is a sensitive province, and the federal government is inviting trouble by interfering in the affairs of the province where law and order situation is far better than other provinces.

Mr Noorani, replying to questions on the situation brewing up in the NWFP, said the central executive council’s meeting in Lahore on Thursday would evolve the strategy to overcome the situation. The outcome of LFO talks and the policy to be adopted in the budget session of parliament would also be discussed.

He said a meeting of joint opposition’s parliamentary parties had also been summoned in Parliament House at 11am on Saturday to formulate joint strategy for the budget session.

Mr Noorani said the Shariat Bill adopted by the NWFP assembly, was approved by assembly unanimously, with the support of opposition and minority members. It was not a step contrary to the Constitution, but according to the principles of policy laid down in the Constitution, the bill was in right direction. The MMA chief referred to the attitude of the Centre which summoned all the four governors and three chief ministers except the NWFP chief minister. Why the centre was so angry? Has heaven fallen by the adoption of the Shariat Bill, he asked?

He also termed action against posters as too sad. The removal of such posters had created no law and order problem. Allama Noorani said they were prepared to face every challenge.

In the past, they removed the Balochistan government and the NWFP government had resigned in protest. If the central government wanted to remove the NWFP government, it would create difficulties for itself. The MMA had its government in Balochistan and the central government’s action would result in cementing the unity of joint opposition.

He said why Nazims had submitted their resignation to the president which indicated involvement of the presidency. They should have submitted their resignation to the local government of NWFP.