Do not vote, warn TTP threat pamphlets

The banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) distributed pamphlets in Buner, Peshawar and different areas of Karachi warning citizens not to participate in the upcoming elections.

Leaflets were distributed in various areas of Karachi warning people against attending political rallies and casting their votes at polling stations. Local administration and security officials were reportedly unaware of any such incident.

The pamphlets warned voters that they would be responsible for their own lives.

TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan told a media outlet that democracy was un-Islamic and was the agenda of secular forces in Pakistan due to which they were opposed to it. He added that the militant organisation would continue its fight against secular forces and governments which were backed by external secular countries.

Pamphlets 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 the threatening leaflets were distributed in the area which had warned of similar consequences to those of the 2008 by-elections in the area.

The pamphlets were issued by Taliban militants based in Malakand division’s Swat area. Similar pamphlets were distributed in Peshawar’s Badaber, Mattni and Adizai areas.