Pakistan: Taliban Threaten People Engaging in Un-Islamic Activities
Jun 20 2006
Postings >> Pakistan

Taliban members in North Waziristan have warned of 'serious repercussions' for people engaging in 'un-Islamic activities'.

The declaration by the Taliban and some Islamic leaders came in public notices posted across the area in north-west Pakistan which borders Afghanistan. Locals were warned not to play 'un-Islamic' videos and music; gambling and interest loans are also banned.

The notices effectively warn that Sharia law will be applied, regardless of existing civil law. 'Any person committing these atrocities will be punished accordingly even if civil authorities find them innocent and spare them,' they say.

The Pakistani military has been targeting suspected al-Qaeda training camps and Taliban groups in the area since 2004. Then, in March, the army began operations to quell a militant uprising in the town of Miran Shah. Thousands of civilians have since fled their homes. The area has also long been dogged by inter-tribal conflict.
The Taliban declaration came the day after a stronghold of Islamist militants was bombed, according to AsiaNews.

Pray that the Taliban and their sympathisers would not be allowed to introduce Sharia law by stealth in Pakistan's tribal belt.

Pray that the Pakistani authorities would intervene to prevent hard-liners deciding how society should be policed.