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.
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June 05, 2026 16:18 ET A busy week for economic news flow saw a slew of reports being released that reflected the trends in the U.S. labor market. In Europe, economic growth and inflation data gained attention as the European Central Bank and Bank of England head for policy session later in the month. In Asia, the monetary policy session of the Indian central bank was in focus as the country, a major oil importer, reels under the pressures of a weaker rupee and rising inflation.