Pakistan:Swat shopkeepers receive ‘TTP threats’

The Express Tribune

A cloth merchant in Madayan Bazaar has received leaflets purporting to be from the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) warning him to shut down his shop and leave the area immediately. The leaflet also warned local women not to visit the markets and bazaars.

According to local sources, the letter on a TTP letterhead was signed ‘Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan chief Mullah Fazlullah’. It was put up at the shop in the night by unknown persons. The businessman was told to ‘get ready for death’ if he failed to heed the warning.

Locals in Swat say they have received threatening letters and leaflets, reportedly from the TTP, warning them to pay money or prepare for death.

However, local activists and Village Defence Committee (VDC) members say some criminals are using TTP tactics to extort money. “Even if these letters are from the Taliban, it will not discourage our cause of keeping the peace here,” said VDC member Sher Ali Khan, a resident of Banr. “Now Swat is peaceful and no terrorist can enter it and if any terrorist dares to enter, he will be dealt with,” Khan said.