Addressing a group of elders in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) -- a zone where Pathan tribesmen have their system of administration in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP) -- Sharif said the Taliban system was ``a model for Pakistan.''

``Today, in Afghanistan, crimes have virtually come to naught. I have heard that one can safely drive a vehicle full of gold at midnight without fear,'' Sharif said. ``I want this kind of system in Pakistan. Justice will end oppression and bring prosperity.''

Sharif also reiterated his desire to enforce the Islamic system of justice by introducing public hangings and punishments and quick disposal of cases.

``Murders and rapists roam around freely for years... such people should be hanged publicly and their cases decided in 24 hours, three days or seven days,''he said and went on to attack the opposition for blocking the passage of the Shariah Bill in the Senate, or upper house.

The bill, which would give the government sweeping powers to interpret and impose laws based on the Holy Koran, was passed in October by Pakistan's National Assembly, dominated by Sharif's Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) Party.

However, before the 15th Constitutional Amendment can become law, it requires a two-thirds majority in the Senate. While the PML-N holds a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, it does not have the numbers to pass the amendment in the Senate.

Sharif's Bill has drawn flak from the Opposition, minorities, law-makers and even members of the ruling PML-N party. It has also come under attack from human rights groups and women's organisations for trying to introduce laws that put restrictions on women -- like preventing them from going to work and advocating strict purdah.

Opposition parties, including the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) and the Awami NationalParty (ANP) have accused Sharif of misusing Islam for ``concentrating all powers in his hands'' in the name of enforcement of the Shariah system.

But in his address to Pathans, Sharif said with the implementation of Shariah, ``justice and fair play would reign supreme in the country.'' Amid loud applause, the prime minister referred to Afghanistan, where he said, complete peace has been restored. ``Shariah guarantees an end to poverty,'' he said.