Author: Abdul Saboor Khan
Publication: Daily Times
Date: April 15, 2009
URL: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C04%5C15%5Cstory_15-4-2009_pg7_5
Sikh families living in Orakzai Agency have
left the agency after the Taliban demanded Rs 50 million as jizia (tax) from
them, official sources and locals said on Tuesday.
Residents of Ferozekhel area in Lower Orakzai
Agency told Daily Times on Tuesday that around 10 Sikh families left the agency
after the demand by the Taliban, who said they were a minority and liable
to pay the tax for living in the area in accordance with sharia.
Locals said the Taliban had notified the Sikh
families about the 'tax' around a week ago. They said of the 15 Sikh families
in Ferozekhel, 10 had shifted while the remaining were preparing to do so.
The locals said the families were impoverished
and had left the area to avoid any Taliban action.
