A sense of fear swept over residents after the Taliban warned people on Friday not to cast their vote in upcoming general elections, terming democracy as against the teachings of Islam.
According to media reports, letters were put up on walls in different locations, including the Hameed Khan Machine, Captain Tor Khan Kalay and Iqra Public School in Sherkera area. The letters said that the people should avoid voting because democracy was contradictory to the teachings of Islam.
This was the first time the Taliban warned people through letters in the Sherkera area.
Earlier last month, leader of banned outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) said his group was focusing on jeopardising democracy by creating obstacles for May 11 elections.
“We have succeeded politically after we were asked to negotiate by the government,” TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud said, adding that the group was now solely focusing on the next elections.
As the elections come closer, TTP’s aim is to derail the democratic system, read the letter issued to the media. Mehsud also urged TTP’s militants to target senior politicians and party leaders, while simultaneously fight the security forces.