Fans of the Taliban torch “satanic” television sets in Pakistan
KARACHI, April 4 (AFP) -
A Pakistani extremist group modelled on the Taliban of Afghanistan has launched a campaign against “un-Islamic” practices here by rounding up and burning “satanic” television sets.
Hundreds of people gathered to watch the show staged by activists of the Tehrik-e-Insdad Munkirat or Movement for Prevention of Evil Practices near a mosque on Sunday.
“These gadgets are satanic devices which corrupt people and society,” said one of the leaders of the group, which mirrors itself on the hard-line Taliban who rule neighbouring Afghanistan.
The Pakistan movement is a replica of the Taliban’s religious police, which enforces a radical form of Islamic that bars women from attending schools or showing their face in public and forces men to wear untrimmed beards.
The movement started its campaign in poor parts of Karachi settled by ethnic Pashtuns – the same group that dominates the Taliban ranks. Like several other such groups here, it has close links with the Taliban.
“Our role model should be Taliban. We should become pure Muslims and should quit un-Islamic practices,” Maulvi Abdul Jabbar told the gathering Sunday where electronic goods were smashed up by a frenzied mob armed with bamboo poles.
“Since these TV and VCRs have been introduced in our country, adultery and crime have become common. These are devilish things taking us away from the right path and towards hell.”
Jabbar said that the people of the area had voluntarily given up 100 TV sets and 24 VCRs, which were later doused with petrol and burned for good measure.
Other leaders said their sermons and preaching were influencing residents in the area who had agreed to get rid of “un-Islamic” belongings.
“We do not force people. We just tell them that these are un-Islamic,” said one of the other men who addressed the crowd, Maulvi Abdur Rehman.
He called for a stricter form of Islam to be introduced into Pakistan.
“Listen Europeans, you will not succeed in your conspiracy. Just stop these vulgar programmes,” he said.
“Everything is prohibited because the concept of pictures is un-Islamic,” he added, referring to the Taliban’s strict interpretation of Islamic under which it bans images of any living thing.
Residents said that the group was putting them under pressure to conform.
“They just told us that whoever does not get rid of their TV and VCR is not a Muslim. And they tell us that our girls and women would get corrupted by watching programmes and movies,” said Shireen Khan.
“After all it is a matter of honour so we got rid of our TV,” he said, adding: “If we do not then our neighbours would taunt us.”
Social commentators say groups like the Tehrik-e-Insdad Munkirat usually target Pashtun residents from low-income groups who still follow traditional practices.
“Such fanatics get strength from the Taliban’s so-called success in Afghanistan. They want Talibinisation in our society,” said analyst Ghazi Salahuddin.
“Unfortunately the polluted intellectual environment and political vaccum is providing them an opportunity to assert themselves,” he said.
“There has to be an awareness and education to overcome extremist gendencies,” he said, urging the government to crack down on the groups.
The Taliban swept to power nearly four years ago and now control most of Afghanistan, although fighting against rival movements continues in parts of the country.