After terror threats, barbers in Dir stop trimming, shaving beards
7 Jul 2008, 1028 Hrs

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Peshawar, July 7 (ANI): Following threats from a terrorist group affiliated to the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the barbers in the Dir district of NWFP have reportedly stopped trimming beards or shaving.

The unidentified activists of the unidentified organisation had pasted pamphlets on the shutters of the barbershops, warning them to halt trimming and shaving beards forthwith or face death.

Written in Urdu, the pamphlets warned that the barbers who would continue to shave beards in defiance of the order would be responsible for the killing of people in their shops as they would be bombed.

"Our dear Muslim brothers, God had created us to worship Him, and keep the Sunnah of Rasool Hazrat Muhammad (SAW). Therefore, it is to be said that shaving and trimming of beards is banned not only here, but also everywhere. Anyone failing to act upon this (decree) would be responsible for his own life," read the pamphlets.

Barbers had received threats in the past in Dir, Usherai, Bibyawar, Wari and other towns, but after a short ban the barbers had decided to ignore the threats.

According to The News, for one year there had been a complete mum and no outfit had distributed such threatening letters to barbers or music centres. But, the area has been feeling the presence of militants for the last one month, as girl schools were either set ablaze or bombed in Bibyawar and Wari.

Despite resistance to the threats from militants in the past, the new pamphlets distributed in the areas recently triggered a wave of terror among the poor barbers, already leading a miserable life.

The intimidators asked them to abandon shaving off beards if they do not want to be sent to "hell." (ANI)