PESHAWAR, June 9: Barbers have stopped shaving off beards in Bakhshu Pul, an area on the outskirts of the provincial capital, after receiving threatening letters from unknown people.
At least three barbers in the area have affixed notices outside their shops, saying beards are not shaved off there. Only hair-cutting is done.
The barbers — Siyar Khan, Ehsan and Khaista Khan — told Dawn that they had received anonymous letters earlier in the week, asking them to stop their “un-Islamic” business within three days.
The letters, written in Pashto, warned them that their fate would be similar to those of CD shop owners whose outlets were bombed.
The barbers said they had stopped shaving beards because they were not provided with adequate security by authorities.
TRANSFERS: The NWFP government on Saturday transferred several officers with immediate effect.
According to a notification, Riaz Hussain Khattak, deputy district officer (R&E), Tangi, Charsadda, has been transferred to the local government and rural development department as the tehsil municipal officer of Mansehra.
Mohammad Arshad, deputy secretary-II, school and literacy department, has been directed to report to the establishment department.
Mohammad Idrees, public prosecutor, home and tribal affairs department, has been transferred and posted as deputy secretary (litigation), school and literacy department.
