Taliban ask Pak lawmakers from Malakand to resign in three days

The Taliban gave a three-day ultimatum to lawmakers from the troubled Swat valley and other areas under the Malakand division in Pakistan's northwest to resign, or else the militants will 'arrest' their family members and destroy their buildings.

The Taliban on Wednesday gave a three-day ultimatum to lawmakers from the troubled Swat valley and other areas under the Malakand division in Pakistan's northwest to resign, or else the militants will 'arrest' their family members and destroy their buildings.

HT Image

All members of the national and provincial assemblies from Malakand division, which includes Swat valley, must resign within three days, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said.

"Otherwise, we will arrest all their families and we will destroy all their buildings," Khan told CNN on phone.

He also demanded that political parties make a public show of support for the militants.

"All these parties must help the Taliban. They must give a press conference to show the people that we need Shariah (Islamic law) in the Malakand division," he said.

Khan denied reports from local residents that the Taliban had conducted a campaign of violence and intimidation for the past two years.

People fleeing Swat have said the militants kidnapped and killed their critics, beheaded government officials and blew up girls' schools.