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.

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...