March 13, 2008	Thursday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 4, 1429

KHAR, March 12: The local Taliban on Wednesday banned wearing camouflage outfits and covering faces in Bajaur Agency and asked businessmen to close shops during prayer times.

An unnamed leader of the local Taliban told journalists that its Shoora had taken the decision in view of growing lawlessness in the area.

The Shoora headed by Maulana Faqir Mohammad met here at an undisclosed location. He said the Taliban would not allow anybody to terrorise people of the area and if any person was found violating the order he would be punished in accordance with Sharia and tribal traditions.

The decision was also announced through loudspeakers. The Taliban appealed to local shopkeepers to respect the decision of the Shoora and close their shops during prayer times.

Meanwhile, MNA-elect Syed Akhunzada Chattan condemned shelling on residential areas and killing of innocent people in the Bajaur region on Tuesday.

Talking to journalists here on Wednesday, he asked security forces to avoid use of force and indiscriminate shelling.

He said relentless shelling caused collateral damage and innocent citizens were the victims. He said the federal government had constituted a committee to investigate the attacks in Lahore while in Bajaur innocent people were being targeted.

He said the issues could not be resolved by use of force and a jirga should be assigned to find out solution to the problems.