Pakistan's North West Frontier Province came under Islamic Sharia law on Tuesday for the first time in the country's 56-year history.

The 15-point Sharia Bill went into effect a day after the Muthahida Majlis-e-Amal alliance got it approved in the assembly with unanimous support.

The new law prescribes strict code of conduct for the majority Muslim community. The Bill was tabled only a week ago by the MMA.

The NWFP government, however, has assured the law would not be applicable to non-Muslims, and their religious freedom, customs and traditions would be safeguarded.

The assembly was also considering another legislation called Hasba Bill to establish a new Department of Vice and Virtue to supervise implementation of the Islamic code.

Following the passing of the Bill, President Pervez Musharraf decided to stop negotiating with NWFP's ruling Islamist alliance over the legality of his presidency.

The MMA has been demanding that Musharraf step down as army chief for accepting the presidency.

Threatening administrative action against the MMA government, Information Minister Sheikh Rashid said, "The president is in uniform, and will remain in uniform."