PESHAWAR, Aug 27: The Participatory Awareness Rural Development Association (Parda), an NGO working for women empowerment in the Tank district, wound up its offices and activities about a week ago following threats from militants, it is learnt.

Parda was the first NGO to have been established in Tank in the year 2000 and it carried out various projects relating to women’s empowerment in the area since.

“Initially, the organisation stopped its activities and later it closed down its offices,” said a social activist from Tank, bordering the restive South Waziristan Agency and Tank Frontier region.

A member of the organisation said Parda executive director Gul Rehman had left Tank along with his family to some other town.

It is learnt that three months ago Mr Rehman received a letter along with a currency note of 500 rupees. The letter asked him to stop all its activities failing which he should purchase a shroud with the money.

A letter was also sent to an activist and district councillor, Razia Ajmal, who was later on kidnapped with her driver on June 7. Ms Ajmal, a health worker, was released after reportedly receiving a hefty amount and two vehicles. She has now been keeping a low profile.

After receiving the letter, Mr Rehman and other members of his organisation reduced their mobility and activities. However, they received calls from militant groups asking them to completely close down the NGO’s offices.

Mr Rehman said he had held a meeting with the local Taliban representatives, but was told that as there were many groups they could not guarantee their safety.