Sikhs pay Rs. 20 m ‘jazia’ to Taliban in Pak
by: ashok Friday, April 17th, 2009
By Ashok Kumar
Members of Pakistan’s minority Sikh community living in the restive Orakzai tribal region have paid Rs 20 million as “tax” to the Taliban after militants forcibly occupied some of their homes and kidnapped a Sikh leader. The Taliban had demanded Rs 50 million as ‘jizia’ - a tax levied on non-Muslims living under Islamic rule - but the militants finally settled for Rs 20 million. After the amount was paid on Wednesday, the militants vacated the homes they had taken over and released Sikh leader Saiwang Singh, officials in the tribal region near the northwestern city of Peshawar were quoted as saying by the Daily Times newspaper. The Sikhs have been living in the area for many years.
A few more incidents never reported anywhere highlight the plight of the minorities in Pakistan. A couple of years ago, I had a chance meeting with Pakistan Ambassador to Australia and showed him the news item in The Indian Sub-continent Times regarding a Hindu being appointed acting Chief Justice of Pakistan. He was, initially, furious and commented that he is Pakistani and we do not differentiate between people. Upon clarification by a fellow Sydney-based journalist from Pakistan, the Ambassador realised the importance of the news and appreciated the effort.
A Hindu from Pakistan once during a casual talk revealed about the pressures he and his family faced from clerics to convert to Islam. And the list of such tales is unending. Hence, it didn’t come as a surprise when the Taliban imposed ‘jazia’ on Sikhs or non-Muslims.
The officials said the Taliban had announced that the Sikhs were now free to live anywhere in Orakzai Agency. The militants also announced they would protect the community, saying that no one would harm them after they had paid jizia.
Sikhs who had left the area would now return to their homes and resume their business, the officials said. The militants had occupied at least 10 homes of Sikhs in Qasimkhel village on Tuesday. About 35 Sikh families have been living in Qasimkhel for many years.
The Taliban demand for jizia was resolved at a jirga or council held yesterday through the efforts of local tribal elders. The militants had said the Sikhs should pay jizia in accordance with Shariah or Islamic law