Reminiscent of Taliban rule in neighbouring Afghanistan, a group of clerics in Pakistan's northwestern tribal region has barred women from venturing out of their homes without a male relative, warning that the violators would be fined and socially boycotted.
Imposing the restrictions, cleric group Gurguri Islahi Tanzeem in a meeting attended by Ulemas and elders yesterday announced that the families and individuals violating the ban would be fined and socially boycotted.
Karak district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa is ruled by Pakistan Tekreek-e-Insaf party of cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan.
According to local customs, women can only go out wearing full veils and accompanied by a male relative.
The clerics also expressed concern over increasing drug addiction among youth and said that there would be complete ban on sale of drugs in the area.
The clerics asked the drug traffickers to quit the illegal business or face dire consequences.
