Hindus asked to pay Rs 6 million jiziya in Pak: report

Islamabad, Jun 28 (PTI) An unidentified caller
claiming to represent the Taliban demanded Rs 6 million as
"jiziya" from the minority Hindu community of Battagram
district in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province on Sunday.

The caller made the demand during a phone call to
local Hindu leader Parkash. He asked Parkash, a doctor, to
collect Rs 6 million from the Hindus in Battagram and pay the
amount to the Taliban.

According to media reports, the caller said all
minorities living in Battagram must pay "jiziya" or a tax
levied on non-Muslims.

Last month, some 35 Sikh families were forced to leave
their homes in the Aurakzai tribal region after they failed to
pay a jiziya of Rs 50 million demanded by the Taliban. The
militants burnt their houses and looted their shops.

Following the call, security agencies have launched an
inquiry to confirm the caller’s identity.

District police chief Sohail Khalid said he was
unaware of the call. He said similar calls and threatening
letters had also been received by NGOs and other people in
Battagram. In some cases, persons had posed as the Taliban to
settle "personal scores", Khalid said. PTI