A local journalist confirmed to Naya Dur Media that the decision was taken unanimously during a grand jirga held in Bajaur’s Salarzai tehsil.
According to the decision, women will not be allowed to visit any tourist place even with men.
Former senator and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) leader Maulana Abdul Rasheed said that the jirga, formed by all the clans of Salarzai tribe, has unanimously decided to ban women from going to tourist places, adding that promoting obscenity in the name of tourism will not be allowed.
When contacted, Bajaur District Police Officer Abdul Samad said that no one can impose a ban on women from visiting tourist places and markets, adding that if a woman comes to a tourist place or market, the police will protect her.
He said that if the local people think that obscenity is spreading in the area, then it is the job of the police to stop obscenity and the force will stop all kinds of obscenity.
An activist in Bajaur condemned the ban and told Naya Dur Media that the jirga’s decision is disappointing as it will further stifle women.