Unidentified militant group asks organisations in Afghan camp areas to close operations within a week.
The threats have been directed towards non-governmental organisations (NGO) and dozens of schools operating in Panian and Padhana Afghan camps, according to people familiar with the matter. The threats were conveyed in letters sent to these schools, dated December 10.
Police officials said the letters warned schools and NGO administrations to shut operations within a week or face consequences.
Assistant Superintendent Police (ASP) Headquarters Wahid Mehmood confirmed the report, adding that trends suggest that intra-group rivalry might be the cause of the incident. He said it is easy to feign identities and use a militant organisation’s name to send such letters to create panic.
The ASP disclosed that a similar letter was also received by the administration of an NGO operating a skill development school, which turned out to be an empty threat. After investigations, it was revealed that a man, who was arrested, was annoyed with the local administration of the NGO and chose to send a letter using a militant organisation’s name to instil fear.
The police official was hopeful that the recent threat letters would turn out to be similar in nature, adding that the police have already started investigations and they would soon know who is behind the threats. He assured that schools and NGOs would be provided proper security.
The handwritten Pushto letters were written on a letterhead carrying the name of ‘Da Afghanistan Islami Amarat’ (Islamic State of Afghanistan). Sources say the outfit could be an offshoot of a militant group.
The letter termed the syllabi taught in these schools as un-Islamic, and alleged that the organisations are working in collaboration with “anti-Islamic elements”. While stating that all those working in these organisations would be responsible for the consequences themselves, the letter did not mention any direct course of action that the group might intend to take against these institutes.
Over two dozen schools are imparting education to hundreds of Afghan students in Haripur.
Three NGOs, namely Save the Children, Church World Service and BEFARe, are operational in the area and are currently engaged in different health, skill development and infrastructure development programmes.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 27th, 2013.
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