December 04, 2008	Thursday	Zilhaj 5, 1429

QUETTA, Dec 3: A shadowy but popular extremist organisation has threatened women with dire consequences if they do not cover their faces while outside their homes.

Police found threatening pamphlets published by Jamaatul Tohid Wal Jihad Balochistan from a place where a bomb exploded on Wednesday evening, sparking panic among Eid shoppers.

The bomb had been planted near an under-construction building in the city centre near the police headquarters. No casualty was reported in the blast.

Sources said that when policemen arrived at the scene, they found some pamphlets threatening women and shopkeepers selling CDs and DVDs and displaying women’s photographs.

“We will punish women who go out … without properly concealing their faces,” the pamphlet said.

The pamphlet urged CD dealers to abandon their business and remove women’s pictures from their outlets.

“All shopkeepers must remove women’s pictures from their shops and markets immediately. Otherwise they would be our target,” the pamphlet said. It also warned book stall owners to stop selling magazines and newspapers carrying women’s photographs.

The pamphlet warned pro-government Ulema to stop “propaganda” against jihad.

In September unknown people had claimed responsibility for a bomb blast at a market popular for CD and DVD outlets.

Four people had been injured in that blast.