Islamic clerics involved in hate speeches and provocative religious debates in the mosques and seminaries have been banned from entering the tribal-dominated Khyber district of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, close to the country’s border with Afghanistan, in what is seen as a crackdown on radical elements in a province ruled by Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan PTI party. 

Khyber district police officer Wasim Riaz in a press note said some clerics from outside were allegedly involved in the spread of sectarianism among the local population based on their religious beliefs and were also conducting unauthorized religious debates on controversial issues, Dawn reported.

He directed the subordinate officials, including the Station House Officers and in-charge of police outposts to ensure such clerics did not enter the district.

Wasim Riaz also banned the use of loudspeakers other than for Friday sermons. He said no outsider would be allowed to run a madrassa or become a prayer leader (imam) in any local mosque.

The step was taken after it was observed that certain elements were involved in disturbing the region’s peace by delivering hate and provocative speeches, the press note quoted by IBNS said. 
The district was a hotbed of Islamic militancy in the first decade of the 21st century, Hundreds of Pakistan army soldiers, hardline Islamic militants and ordinary people were killed between 2001 and 2012 at the height of the insurgency.

In a separate development, the National Disaster Management Authority handed over four containers of coronavirus prevention-related medical aid to Afghan authorities at the Torkham border as a token of goodwill gesture.

The items included oxygen cylinders, ventilators, face masks, laboratory equipment for Covid-19 testing and medicines required for treatment during quarantine and isolation of patients. (SAM)