Taliban threatens mobile phone shop owners in Peshawar
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan warn mobile phone dealers against promoting vulgarity.
A shopkeeper (C) bargains with clients in a mobile market in Peshawar on March 2, 2013 which received threats from the Taliban. PHOTO: AFP
PESHAWAR:
Police on Saturday banned parking of motorcycles in the premises of Bilour Plaza and the nearby Time Centre after threat-bearing letters from militants warned mobile phone dealers against promoting vulgarity.
In the letters, which were delivered by post, local Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mullah Qari Ahmad Yar said his informers repeatedly told him that traders and mobile phone dealers in the two buildings were spreading pornographic films and songs via memory cards.
"We have found the information is correct and that is why it was decided in a meeting that you shall be given a week’s deadline to stop the business of memory cards, music and porn movies. Otherwise, traders themselves will be responsible for the consequences," stated the letter.
"We will make you an example for the rest of the world on the pattern of Meena Bazaar," adds the letter, referring to the deadly bomb blast in the crowded market in October 2009. Over 100 people died in the explosion, while 18 people are still missing to this day.
The TTP had also warned shopkeepers in Karkhano market in Peshawar last month to stop selling “obscene films” and Viagra-style male potency pills.
“Selling sex drugs, vulgar films and obscene movies are against Sharia,” said copies of the handwritten pamphlets that shopkeepers found.
Police on Saturday banned parking of motorcycles in the premises of Bilour Plaza and the nearby Time Centre after threat-bearing letters from militants warned mobile phone dealers against promoting vulgarity.
In the letters, which were delivered by post, local Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) leader Mullah Qari Ahmad Yar said his informers repeatedly told him that traders and mobile phone dealers in the two buildings were spreading pornographic films and songs via memory cards.
"We have found the information is correct and that is why it was decided in a meeting that you shall be given a week’s deadline to stop the business of memory cards, music and porn movies. Otherwise, traders themselves will be responsible for the consequences," stated the letter.
"We will make you an example for the rest of the world on the pattern of Meena Bazaar," adds the letter, referring to the deadly bomb blast in the crowded market in October 2009. Over 100 people died in the explosion, while 18 people are still missing to this day.
The TTP had also warned shopkeepers in Karkhano market in Peshawar last month to stop selling “obscene films” and Viagra-style male potency pills.
“Selling sex drugs, vulgar films and obscene movies are against Sharia,” said copies of the handwritten pamphlets that shopkeepers found.