Pakistan

Threatening letters: Traders warned against promoting ‘vulgarity’

Parking of motorcycles banned at Bilour Plaza and Time Centre.

Riaz Ahmad March 03, 2013

A file photo of a shopkeeper as he browses through music CDs in his shop in Peshawar. PHOTO: AFP

PESHAWAR:

Police on Saturday banned parking of motorcycles on the premises of Bilour Plaza and nearby Time Centre following threatening letters from militants warning 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.

According to its contents, president of the traders association along with other office bearers are on the hit list of militants.

“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 letter is hand written on a TTP letterhead which has the names of Mullah Muhammad Umar Mujahid and Maulana Nabi Hanfi inscribed on either sides. Photocopies of the letter were distributed to several traders.

“We have been warned to stop the business of memory cards and downloading music in mobile sets, and only deal in mobile phone sets and chargers,” said a trader based in Bilour Plaza, adding that motorcycles are no longer allowed inside the building’s parking lot.

However, he added that thousands of customers come to the plaza each day and it is impossible to check every person.

A policeman said Maulana Nabi Hanfi is known as a militant commander affiliated with the Afghan Taliban.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 3^rd, 2013.