LANDI KOTAL:
The influence of Afghan Taliban is slowly but steadily spreading across the border into Pakistan’s tribal belt without inviting any attention ever since they started their cruel rule in the war-torn country back in 1996.
The latest example is the decision of local clerics and tribal elders of Landi Kotal to ban music and gambling in their respective area.
A Jirga of the local clerics and elder was held in Nalo Shaheed area and decided that locals and more specifically picnic makers would not be allowed to play music, gamble, dance or do anything against the sharia law.
The Jirga was led by Maulana Muhibullah Haqqani, Syed Mehmood Ahmad Buneri, Maulana Ahmad Ahmad, Ishaq Buneri and attended by Haji Ilyas Shinwari, Pakistan Peoples Party’s Haji Zarmat Khan Shinwari, Malik Barat, Malik Makil, Malik Shah Jee Khoga Khel, Maulana Haider Ali and Additional SHO Taimur Khan.
The participation of a local additional SHO also showed that police also supported the decision.
It may be recalled that this is not the first time that local clerics have taken the law into their own hand. In September 2017, local clerics gathered at a religious seminary. They were led by Syed Muhammad Ilyas Binori.
The Jirga gathered musical instruments and tv sets and torched them in the presence of a crowd in their quest to rid the area of anti-Islamic practices. This resulted in a public outcry on social media as local residents demanded strict action against the clerics.
Subsequently, the head of the seminary signed written statement in which the entire episode was declared a gross misunderstanding and assured that there would be no repeat of it.
“The area is hit hard by a wave of terrorism and tourism is the only hope to revive the local economy but local clerics have decided to discourage tourists in the area which is unfortunate.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 29th, 2024.