Islamabad:
Pakistan is shaken by the images of a 17-year-old girl being flogged in their own country, demonstrations were held against yet another indication of the Taliban rule swarming all over the country.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan wants the government to take action. Meanwhile, the young girl clearly terrified, now says she was not beaten at all.
The victim Chand Bibi from the Pakistan's Swat valley was flogged for allegedly stepping out with a man who was not her husband.
But possibly under pressure, she has now told an Islamic judge and officials that it never happened. She also refused to appear before the court.
Today the NWFP Chief Secretary's report too denied the incident in the court. However, chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhary who ordered the enquiry after seeing the images on news channels didn't buy it.
Officials have now been ordered to submit a daily report for the next 15 days. The incident also caused a furor within the country.
"We stand against extremism and Talibanisation and it is our issue, it is not an issue given to us by another country," said Shazia Marri, Information Minister, Sindh.
"It's a wakeup call for Pakistanis, to realise the Taliban are living amongst us, that they are here," said Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Documentary Film maker/Journalist.
Pakistan's fragile peace deal with the Taliban in the Swat valley is only a few months old but already showing cracks.
The Supreme Court of Pakistan wants the government to take action. Meanwhile, the young girl clearly terrified, now says she was not beaten at all.
The victim Chand Bibi from the Pakistan's Swat valley was flogged for allegedly stepping out with a man who was not her husband.
But possibly under pressure, she has now told an Islamic judge and officials that it never happened. She also refused to appear before the court.
Today the NWFP Chief Secretary's report too denied the incident in the court. However, chief justice Iftikhar Chaudhary who ordered the enquiry after seeing the images on news channels didn't buy it.
Officials have now been ordered to submit a daily report for the next 15 days. The incident also caused a furor within the country.
"We stand against extremism and Talibanisation and it is our issue, it is not an issue given to us by another country," said Shazia Marri, Information Minister, Sindh.
"It's a wakeup call for Pakistanis, to realise the Taliban are living amongst us, that they are here," said Sharmeen Obaid Chinoy, Documentary Film maker/Journalist.
Pakistan's fragile peace deal with the Taliban in the Swat valley is only a few months old but already showing cracks.
