Suspected militants in NWFP impose shaving ban

ISLAMABAD: Suspected militants in remote tribal areas of Pakistan have warned barbers against shaving people's beards and asked local prayer leaders to announce the "ban" through the mosques.

Unidentified men, believed by the police to be militants, distributed pamphlets asking barbers not to shave beards in Lower Dir district of the North West Frontier Province.

They also threatened to impose a fine of Rs 3,000 on barbers who violated the "ban". Orthodox Muslims believe that shearing or trimming of beards is un-Islamic.

The militants put up notices at barber shops to inform customers of the shaving "ban".

A prayer leader Maulana Safiullah was also asked to announce the "ban" on shaving through his mosque's loudspeaker, reports said.

Police are investigating the incident.

A similar "ban" was imposed by militants in the recent past in the tribal regions of Bajur and Darra Adam Khel.