May 11: Taliban warn against casting vote in general polls

Letters put up on walls in different parts of Peshawar.

PESHAWAR: A sense of fear prevailed among residents after the Taliban warned people not to cast their vote in general elections. They termed democracy as against the ‘teachings of Islam.’

Letters put up on walls in different locations, including the Hameed Khan Machine, Captain Tor Khan Kalay and Iqra Public School in Sherkera area. It read that people should avoid voting because democracy is contradictory with the teachings of Islam.

This was the first time the Taliban warned people through letters in the Sherkera area.

Earlier last month, leader of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said his group is focused on jeopardising democracy by creating obstacles for Election Day.

We have succeeded politically after we were asked to negotiate by the government, said TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud, adding that the group is now solely focused on the next elections.

As the elections come closer, the TTP’s aim is to derail the democratic system, read a letter issued to the media. Mehsud also urged TTP’s militants to target senior politicians and party leaders, while simultaneously fight the security forces.

In a rare address from undisclosed location, Mehsud further said that the TTP is not just fighting a war on a tactical level, but has been successful in subduing politicians and bring them to the negotiation table.