`Taliban’ beat women, vendors with lashes
IBRAHIM KHAN KHAIL
SWAT – Some unknown miscreants in the garb of Taliban beat women and vendors with lashes and pistols in Cheena Bazar of Mingora city, which ultimately forced the business
community to come out of their shops in protest. However, Tahreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) Swat Chapter Spokesman Haji Muslim Khan while talking to the media has denied
the involvement of Taliban and said some subversive elements wanted to sabotage the peace process.
He also said such these elements would soon be brought to book who were conducting such activities to bring a bad name to the Taliban.
However, he suggested that women should observe purdha when they come out of their homes. He also suggested that better if they come out of homes along with their male family members to avoid such incidents. He further said that there would be no ban on women education and they could attend their schools in veils, as Islam is not against female education, rather it is obscenity and vulgarity which is prohibited in Islam.
He said the main, objective of TTP was the implementation of Islamic law and it didn’t matter whether or not President Zardari signed the peace accord. He said if Zardari was interested in peace and Islam, he must sign the agreement. Muslim Khan also informed that security forces had notbeen providing fresh food to the detained Taliban militants, as some of the released Taliban were still ill. Commenting on the polio vaccination campaign, Muslim Khan said the TTP would not halt the drive.
Source: The Nation
Date:3/30/2009