Pakistan

Pamphlet warns students from going to school till routes reopen

Shura Mujahideen distributed the letter in Miranshah bazaar.

Nasruminallah April 16, 2013

Pamphlet states, the female students have to go through the crowded Miranshah Bazaar to get to their schools and colleges which is against Islam. PHOTO: FILE

MIRANSHAH: The Shura Mujahideen North Waziristan distributed pamphlets in Miranshah on Monday telling students to refrain from going to schools or colleges unless the government reopens the main road of the agency’s headquarters.

The pamphlet, which was distributed in Miranshah Bazaar, stated the peace deal between the Taliban in North Waziristan and the government would remain intact. The Taliban signed the peace treaty for the triumph of Islamic values and for the self-respect of the tribesmen, it added.

The Taliban never banned education; however, they believe the true essence of development is in the establishment of Islamic values and living an honourable life according to the Waziristan tribal code, read the pamphlet.

Referring to a suicide attack on the Esha check post which claimed the lives of several security officials, the leaflet said the steps taken by the government following the attack explain its attitude towards education. The main road leading to the political administration’s office and security forces installations has been blocked despite being the main route to five education institutes serving both male and female students.

“Now the female students have to go through the crowded Miranshah Bazaar to get to their schools and colleges which is against Islam and the tribal codes,” it stated, terming the issue “intolerable.”

Through the leaflet, the shura also decreed that unless the government does not reopen the route for students and demolish the barricade near the Agency Headquarters Hospital, students should not dare go to their institutes, otherwise they would be held responsible for their own actions.

After the attack on the Esha check post on March 23, the government blocked the road forcing people to pass through the main bazaar as an alternate route. Both female and male students of the Al-Azhar Public High School, FC Public High School, Tochi Public High School, Miranshah Girls High School and Miranshah Girls Degree College are now forced to go through the crowded Miranshah Bazaar to reach their institutions.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2013.