RAWALPINDI, July 14: PML leader Syed Kabir Ali Wasti has deplored the NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani's remarks in which he threatened to demolish the plazas having no mosques.

In a statement here on Wednesday, the PML leader said Pakistan was a democratic state and the religious parties alliance could not be allowed to impose the "Mullah martial law" like in Afghanistan during the Taliban government.

Criticizing Mr Durrani's proposal that business and financial transactions should cease during prayer timings, Mr Wasti said this would be impractical and damaging for the economic growth.

Such bids amount to an effort to enforce "Mullah martial law" and Talibanization of the society. By doing, he said, Mr Durrani was not enforcing Islamic system in the province but creating hatred against religion.

He also condemned removal of sign-boards carrying photographs of women, advice to the drivers to stop for prayers, restricting the government employees from attending music and dance functions and banning TV cable.

He said these acts of the NWFP government were nothing but violence and terror. Referring to the speeches of Quaid-i-Azam and teachings of Allama Iqbal, Mr Wasti said the state could not interfere in the religious beliefs of its citizens.