Taliban announces enforcement of Sharia in Bajaur Agency

The Taliban on April 10 announced the enforcement of Sharia (Islamic law) in the Bajaur Agency of FATA and stopped women from going outside without male relatives, banned shaving of beard and warned the people against availing assistance from the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), The News reported. The announcement was made by Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, Taliban chief in the agency, in his 40-minute speech delivered through his group’s illegal FM radio channel. Faqir, who is deputy leader of the Baitullah Mehsud-led Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), addressed the tribesmen on the FM radio on weekly basis. He said he and his men would spare no efforts to strictly implement the Islamic laws in the region.
In this regard, the Taliban has reportedly prepared a special armed force named “Action Group” to ensure the enforcement of Sharia and punish the violators. Faqir said shaving of beards and walking of men without having cap on their heads were practices of the Jews and their followers, which, he warned, the Taliban would not allow in Bajaur. Faqir said he would not allow the BISP to operate and “mislead” simple women of the tribal region. He said work on preparation of lists of people supporting the BISP and other NGOs had already been initiated. Faqir threatened that the Action Group would soon produce such people before their Sharia Court. In addition, he strictly warned women against coming out of their homes and acquiring Computerised National Identity Cards, which is reportedly mandatory for getting monetary benefits from the BISP. The militant commander said if the people were found guilty of supporting the BISP or getting its monetary benefits, the violators would be punished according to Sharia in which minimum fine would not be less than PKR 10,000.
He admitted the Taliban had arrested over a dozen people, reportedly belonging to Maulana Fazlur Rahman’s JUI-F and the PPP, who would be dealt with according to Sharia.
Meanwhile, the Taliban dumped the beheaded body of Muhammad Islam Khan, a senior leader of the Awami National Party in Bajaur, in the agency’s Ghundo area. He was abducted on his way home on April 9.