New 'Talibanization' in Pakistan

(Peshawar, Pakistan) According to a report in the Frontier Post, the North-West Frontier Province Assembly has unanimously passed Women Photographs Prohibition Law, Amendment Bill 2005, which outlaws photographs of women in any notice, circular, or other document, displayed on any house, building, wall, signboard, or published in any newspaper or periodical.

Also included in the Amendment Bill 2005 is the Women Ownership Rights and Prohibition of Dance and Music Law which bans the use of women's photographs for any commercial or advertising purpose or in dance or music. It is considered derogatory to human dignity to use a woman's photograph for these purposes.

Opposing the bills, parliamentary leaders Bashir Bilour and Abdul Akbar Khan stated that "both the bills were indicating that the province was moving towards Talibanization." They fear that foreign investment will be affected if women are excluded from being shown on products and advertising.

The Taliban needs to be chased into the mountains, again. Women are voting in Afghanistan as the country moves forward with democracy and, meanwhile, Pakistan is going backwards with a resurgence of the Taliban. Sheesh! They're like athlete's foot. You can get rid of it but it always is lurking, ready to cause problems.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.