LANDI KOTAL: Elders of the Shinwari tribe held a jirga with local Taliban leaders on Monday to make joint efforts to eliminate "social evils" such as gambling, consumption of liquor and usury (interest) from Landi Kotal. Speaking on behalf of the tribe, Zar Ahmed Shah Shinwari said that the Landi Kotal bazaar would be shut down during Friday prayers.
The jirga was held at the Haji Khan building in the Landi Kotal bazaar. Ahmad Shah, an ex-councilor, told journalists that the elders and religious scholars had been unanimous in demanding the abolishment of all "social evils" from their respective areas. He said that interest-based businesses in Landi Kotal would soon be eliminated.
Meanwhile, representing the Taliban, Mufti Ateeq told Daily Times that they had only heard the elders present their positive suggestions to eliminate the "social evils". He said the Taliban would ponder these proposals in their council meeting. According to sources, there is a rift between two religious groups in Landi Kotal on the issue of how to handle Friday prayers. One group demands that the bazaar be shut down in time for Friday prayers, while the other says there should only be a short break for Friday prayers. |