Sikhs migrating from Pakistan's restive tribal district

PESHAWAR: Sikhs, living from centuries, are now resolving to say goodbye to Orakzai Agency and migrating to unknown places due to tensions in the region besides local Jirga also ordered them to pay annual protection money worth of 15 million rupees to militants.

According to sources, militants captured the shops and homes of 35 Sikh families and arrested the head of their community Klank Singh and Sewa Singh in the Ferozkhel area of Lower Orakzai Agency.

As a result, a local Jirga was held which pronounced 15 million rupees levied on Sikh community to be paid to militants as protection money at the end of every year.

Following the Jirga ruling, militants auctioned their houses and other belongings while Sikh community has started migrating from the area.