Pakistan's minority Sikh community were forced to pay Rs.20 million (USD 0.4 Mn) as "jizia" or tax to the Taliban for them to return to their homes and resume business in Orakzai Agency in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA), reports said Thursday.
The minority Sikh community Wednesday met the Taliban demand following which the Taliban released Sikh leader Sardar Saiwang Singh and vacated the community's houses besides being assured of its "protection" and freedom to live anywhere in the area.
"They announced protection for the Sikh community, saying no one would harm them after they paid jizia. Sikhs who had left the agency would now return to their houses and resume business," an official said.
For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com
June 12, 2026 17:14 ET Major central bank action was the focus this week in economic news. The European Central Bank became the first major central bank to move in response to the rising inflationary pressures in the backdrop of the conflict in the Middle East. In North America, the U.S. inflation and trade data as well as Canada’s central bank decision gained attention. The Chinese trade data was the main news in Asia.