Concern over ban on cultural activities in South Waziristan

LAHORE: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has expressed concern over a ban imposed by a peace committee in Wana, South Waziristan, on virtually all socio-cultural activities in the region, including preventing women’s movement outside their homes unless they are with a mahram and prohibiting locals from using public spaces after 10pm.
It is particularly worrying that such news is surfacing following news about an undeclared military operation currently active in Shaktoi, Smaal, and Bobarh villages in the Ladha area of South Waziristan. In a statement, the Commission said: “HRCP is dismayed over the ban on socio-cultural activities in South Waziristan.
According to verified local information, over a couple of weeks ago, a meeting of a peace committee was held in Wana. In that meeting, members of the peace committee, including local Maliks and elders, agreed on issuing the restrictive guidelines. A couple of days after the decision, the pamphlets were distributed and on the following Friday, Maulana Taj Muhammad of the Wana Markazi Jamia Masjid made a sermon to implement these guidelines at any cost. According to the controversial pamphlet, music, traditional wedding dance and use of narcotics have also been banned. Women are not able to frequent marketplaces or health clinics without a male family member.
The HRCP has called upon the government to take steps to ensure that such ban is curbed and the citizens are assured of the same rights and opportunities as enjoyed by the rest of their fellow citizens across Pakistan.