Pak religious clerics condemn teenaged girls whipping by Taliban

Religious scholars and clerics across Pakistan have condemned the public whipping of a 17-year-old girl by the Taliban in Swat.

Lahore, Apr. 4 : Religious scholars and clerics across Pakistan have condemned the public whipping of a 17-year-old girl by the Taliban in Swat.

The Taliban had alleged that the girl had illicit relations with her father in law, as she had gone out in his presence, instead of her husband.

Girl's father-in-law was a na-mehram (stranger) for her and she should not have left home with him, the Daily Times quoted them, as saying.

However, renowned religious scholar Muneebur Rehman has quashed Taliban claims by saying that a father-in-law is not a na-mehram for a girl, and she could move around with him.

He added that no woman could be lashed for moving around with a na-mehram.

Sharia cannot be implemented by any group of individuals and only an authorised court could find a woman guilty over allegations of illicit relations, Rehman said.

Meanwhile, religious scholar Dr. Aamir Liaqat Hussain said the incident was completely against Islamic teachings.

Denouncing the incident, he said those involved the incident must be punished.

Jamaat-e-Islami leader Liaqat Baloch said those who had signed the peace deal in Swat should now answer the nation regarding the incident.

Sunni Tehreek chief Muhammad Ijaz Qadri said Islam barred disrespect towards women, while adding that the Taliban's court system was being promoted to spread terror across the country.

ANI