KARACHI: Warning pamphlets were distributed by the banned militant outfit Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Buner, Peshawar and various areas of Karachi which asked citizens not to participate in May 11 polls.
In the leaflets, distributed in various areas of Karachi, people were warned against attending political rallies and casting their votes at polling stations. While according to reports, local administration and security officials were unaware of any such incident.
The pamphlets warned voters that they would themselves be responsible for their own lives.
The TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan said while speaking to media that democracy was un-islamic and was the agenda of secular forces in Pakistan due to which they were opposed to it, adding that the militant organization would continue its fight against secular forces and governments which were backed by external secular countries.
Similar pamphlets were distributed in Peshawar’s Badaber, Mattni and Adizai areas.
Earlier today, leaflets were received near a mosque in Shingrai in Shalbandi area of Buner warning residents against taking part in upcoming elections.
Local residents and security personnel confirmed that leaflets were distributed in the area, which had threatened of attacks similar to those taken place in the area during 2008 by-elections.
The pamphlets were issued by Taliban militants based in Malakand division’s Swat area.
Militants had earlier targeted the local population after taking control of the area, as the locals, who were opposed to militancy,resisted the takeover by raising their own lashkars and supporting government forces.
Militants had carried out a suicide bomb attack in Buner during the by-elections held for NA-28 after the demise of a local leader, Abdul Mateen Khan in 2008.
At least 45 people had died and 150 were wunded in the attack.
The Taliban had earlier issued a threat to all secular political parties and till recently have carried out various attacks on leaders belonging to the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Peoples Party and Awami National Party.
