Traditionally, a number of Sikh families have been living in the Orakzai agency for centuries but as the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) grew stronger, they had to move to the IDP camps located in Kohat and other areas.
Charan Singh, one of the affectees told his story to an esteemed daily newspaper. He told that TTP demanded Jizia from them which is a centuries old Muslim tradition to collect tax from Non-Muslims living in the Muslim areas. However, now that the area is taken back from TTP, the families are moving back and are planning to start over their lives once again. This story is a clear reminder for the government both in the tribal areas and the rest of Pakistan that minorities dont feel secure in this country. It will be grave abomination for our country if minorities decide to leave and join their larger folk in the neighbouring country.
ZAINAB ALI
Islamabad
