April 28, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1429

LANDI KOTAL, April 27: A ten-member Ulema committee was formed here on Sunday to wipe out ‘immorality and vulgarity’ from the tribal region.

A meeting of religious leaders and local elders was held in this regard. Participants on the occasion said that they would resolve all regional conflicts and prevent the interference of ‘outside forces’.

The ‘moral police’ comprised Mufti Mohammad Ejaz as its leader with Mula Hazrat Nabi, Maulana Siyad, Qari Mustaqeem, Maulana Ateeq, Qari Samin Shah, Qari Imran, Maulana Sher Haider and Maulana Mujahid as its members. Mufti Ejaz in his address to the participants emphasised that they would stop use of force and display of weapons in the area. He, however, warned that those disobeying the directives would be dealt with a firm hand. He said that a peace force, comprising volunteers from the Shinwari tribe, would be formed to keep a vigil on ‘un-Islamic and immoral activities’ in the area.

He clarified that no ‘outside’ force or religious organisation would be invited or allowed to interfere in the internal affairs of Landi Kotal tehsil. He said that the local religious leaders and elders were capable of resolving thorny issues by mutual consultations.

Members took exception to theft of liquor from containers on way to Afghanistan and sale of contrabands in the local markets. They urged people to refrain from unlawful activities.

They decided to close down gambling dens operating under the patronage of certain influential personalities. They warned that their ‘initial calls of persuasions’ should not be taken as their weakness and threatened to use force if their calls were not properly adhered.

Mufti Ejaz, who lost the general election to Noorul Haq Qadri, clarified that their group had no enmity with any organisation, tribe or religious sect. He said that they would take area elders into confidence on all issue.

He appealed to the elders and leaders of religious groups to cooperate with them in order to restore peace. He said they would focus on discouraging ‘un-Islamic traditions’ carried out by local residents during wedding ceremonies and other social events and would preach observance of morality and simplicity.