By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: A resident of Khyber district employed by an international aid organization has reportedly received serious threats from the banned militant group Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), sparking concern among local journalists, activists and human rights workers.
According to credible sources, the foreign aid worker has been identified as Mahboob Rehman, a resident of Landi Kotal in Khyber District and a member of a well-known tribal family. He has been working in Islamabad for several years with a foreign aid agency. Rehman has allegedly received repeated threatening pamphlet letters from individuals affiliated with the Taliban, accusing him of being a “foreign agent” and demanding that he immediately quit his job. The messages warn of severe consequences if he fails to comply.
One message reportedly stated, “You work for foreigners. This is our area, and we [the Taliban] do not tolerate them(foreigners). Leave your job immediately or be ready for the consequences.”
Sources confirmed that Rehman approached local police authorities to report the threats, but police allegedly declined to register a formal complaint, citing the sensitive nature of the issue and the potential involvement of militants.
The incident has raised fresh concerns about the security of foreign aid workers, journalists and civil society members in Khyber, where threats and attacks by militant groups have increased in recent months. In January, a senior police officer in Landikotal received similar threats, and his house was later targeted twice with explosives, causing partial damage. He continues to receive extortion demands and threats. Another senior journalist, who requested anonymity, revealed that he has been under severe threat for the last few months. He said four times he changed homes and his family, but still, he is under surveillance by state and non-state actors. ” When you write for suppressing people, against terrorism, for human rights and Pashtuns, you will be silenced or ultimately killed by either side”, stated the journalist. He added that he was threatened to stop raising his voice against military operations and in favour of the Pashtuns’ genocide.
Other recent incidents include the targeted killing of senior journalist Khalil Jibran Afridi, who was brutally shot dead near his home in Landikotal. Reports said that at least three more senior journalists from Landikotal Press Club have either gone into hiding or sought asylum abroad over the past 18 months.
Observers say these incidents reflect an alarming trend of increasing violence and intimidation against those working in media, social workers, development and public service sectors in the tribal districts.
