Throat slitting acceptable in Islam: Fazlullah

Peshawar, Jan 31: Tehrik-e-Taliban Swat chief Maulana Fazlullah has said Islam recommends slitting the throat of a man if he is charged with espionage, adding that this is also the Sunnat of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions acted upon this.

Fazlullah was replying to allegations that the Taliban slits throats of people and even digs up dead bodies of men from graves and then hangs them.

"I am also ready for a debate with the Ulema on this issue," he added.

Talking to the BBC, Fazlullah said he has given permission for girls' education up to the fourth class, and hinted at lifting a ban on female education in the Swat Valley.

"We will shape up a new strategy which will send a good message to the world," he said.

Fazlullah said he was ready to help establish the government's writ in the Valley in accordance with Shariat and spirit of ideology of Pakistan, but made it clear that he will not allow the revival of Lord Macaulay system in the area.

When asked about the destruction of schools by the Taliban, he alleged that security forces had also bulldozed some of the schools in the Valley and "we have videos to prove this."

The Taliban demolished those educational institutions, which the security forces were using as bunkers. Even obscenity was being promoted there, Fazlullah stated.

The Taliban chief maintained that the military operation has been intensified in Swat after Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani's visit to the area.

He accused the security forces of killing civilians in Nangolai and Manglore and of throwing their bodies in the streets.

The government has already denied these allegations, The Nation reports.

ANI