Local Taliban Warn Trucks Against Supplying To NATO

KARACHI, June 25: Handbills and pamphlets threatening truck drivers and warning them against supplying oil and goods to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato) troops in Afghanistan are being distributed by the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan in Shireen Jinnah Colony and the Mauripur truck stand, Dawn has learnt.

Truckers of Shireen Jinnah Colony said that such handbills, which threaten dire consequences if the directives are not followed, were distributed and pasted at the entrance of Kauser Masjid, the area’s main mosque, a few weeks ago.

A contractor associated with oil supplies from Shireen Jinnah Colony guided this reporter to the mosque where the pamphlets are pasted, but fear led him to keep a considerable distance from the mosque. “I cannot afford to be seen with you in this area,” he explained before walking away. “These threats have affected our work and supplies to Afghanistan have dropped to some extent. Not everyone is willing to go ahead with such a risky trip now.”

According to this source, no one has so far informed the police or any other authority about the threats. Upon the condition of anonymity, an office-bearer of the Karachi Goods Transport Association confirmed the distribution of threatening handbills by the Tehreek-i-Taliban in the Mauripur truck stand area. He added that such intimidation tactics have been used in Bannu and D.I. Khan for well over a year, and there have been incidents of containers being looted and hijacked.

Chilling threats

A copy of the pamphlet was obtained by Dawn and translated from Urdu, it states: “All the owners of trucks and trailers, drivers and truck stand owners, are warned that all supplies to Nato, the International Security Force and US forces should be stopped within a week’s time.

“After the deadline, if any truck or trawler is caught supplying diesel, petrol or goods, not only will the vehicle be set on fire but the driver will also be brutally slaughtered. These attacks will be carried out starting from Karachi to Peshawar, Chaman, Kandahar and Bagram until such time that the supply line of the Christian [sic] army is severed.

“Therefore, all drivers are advised not to destroy their life in the hereafter and refrain from helping the infidels […]

“Don’t you know that the very diesel, petrol and other goods being supplied to the warring coalition forces are being used to bomb Muslim children and women? […] Thus, are you not equally responsible in this massacre?

“Today the Christian forces are being supplied all kinds of goods by conscience-less and irreligious transporters and drivers like you.

“So don’t the Taliban deserve the right to slaughter non-believers like you?

“[…] After the deadline, all the drivers who have not stopped supplying goods to the Christian forces will be made into an example to others.”

At the end, the pamphlet singles out the Afridi and Shinwari tribes and warns them against helping “infidels” take over Afghanistan.

Another source associated with oil supplies told Dawn that a private concern, which has a high stake in supplying oil to Nato forces in Afghanistan, had been receiving such warnings from the Tehreek-i-Taliban for many months. The concern did not take the threats seriously, and a group member’s younger brother was kidnapped by unknown persons recently and remains untraced.

MQM Worker injured by armed terrorists in Karachi

MQM Worker Adeel injured by armed terrorists in KarachiMQM Central Co-ordination Committee condemned firing incident
Karachi- 3rd July 2008 …MQM Central Co-ordination Committee strongly condemned the attack on MQM workers in which one worker Adeel seriously injured by armed terrorists in Scheme 33, Rizwan Society Karachi today. In a statement Co-ordination Committee said that armed terrorists belong to a nationalist organisation opened fire on MQM workers in a park at Rizwan Society. In the firing incident Adeel was hit in chest and back and has serious injuries. Adeel was rushed to the local hospital of Gulshan-e-Iqbal where his condition is critical. After receiving this information Members of the MQM Tanzeemi Committee, Provincial Minister Faisal Subzwari, Gulshan-e-Iqbal Twon Nazim Wasay Jalil and local office bearers of the MQM reached hospital. They appealed to the workers for peace and calm.
Meanwhile, MQM Co-ordination Committee strongly condemned the firing incident and said that criminal elements want to destroy the peace of the City. Co-ordination Committee demanded of Governor Sindh Dr. Isharat-ul-Ibad, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Provincial Interior Minister Dr. Zulfiqar Mirza to arrest those terrorists who are involved in firing incident on MQM workers. Co-ordination Committee pray for early recovery of injured worker Adeel.

Talibanisation and Sectarian violence in Karachi

Conspiracies are being hatched for forcible and unlawful occupation of Karachi through Talibanisation and Sectarian violence – Altaf Hussain


Mr Altaf Hussain, founder and leader of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) said that a conspiracy is being hatched with organised and sustained planning for occupation of Karachi by Talibans and organise sectarian violence. He expressed these views during his telephonic address to the Members of the Defence Clifton, North Nazimabad and Gulshan-e-Iqbal Residents Committees in Karachi simultaneously from London. He said that under planned and sustained conspiracy truck-loads of migrants from tribal areas are being settled in Karachi under the patronage of a few strong elements of the agencies that are organising forcible and illegal occupation of the empty plots of land in Karachi by dispersing these migrants in different areas of Karachi.

Mr Altaf Hussain said that for the past one week the religious extremists migrating to Karachi have practically engaged in the implementation of conspiracies for Talibanising Karachi and foster sectarian violence that is manifested by their extremists and violent slogans chalked on the walls of different localities in Karachi around Asma Gardens in Scheme 33 and the walls of flats, shops and parks around Gulshan View Apartments and other parts of city stating: “ If you wish to live in Karachi then you have to live like Talibans”, “if you have to live in Karachi then you have to live like Jihadis”, “if you wish to live in Karachi then you have to swear allegiance to Bait-ullah Mehsud” and also a regretful slogans to commit sectarian violence has been chalked stating: “Khomeini Dog, Khomeini infidel and those not acknowledging is also infidel”.
Mr Altaf Hussain said that it is apparent that on the one hand the religious extremis Talibans are planning to forcibly and illegally occupy Karachi while on the other the wish to destroy the peace and tranquillity of the city by committing sectarian violence. He said that MQM is the only party obstructing Talibanisation and Sectarian related violence in Karachi and MQM would continue to raise its voice against ulterior designs of Talibanisation and Sectarianism in future also. On one occasion Mr Altaf Hussain asked the participants whether they wanted Talibanisation in Karachi? The participants unequivocally replied “Never”. He unambiguously said that the MQM does not wish to have any confrontation or conflict with anyone but it would not permit anyone to attack us in our own localities and destroy peace of the city through terrorism.
Mr Altaf Hussain said that it is the crisis of sustainability of our coming generations and each and every citizen has to demonstrate awakening on this sensitive issue and taking serious notice of the situation, they have to unite. He stressed on the participants to keep an eye on the situation of Sindh and particularly of Karachi and keep people aware to play their roles for defeating this occupation.

Goodbye, Peshawar?

ARTICLE PRINTED IN "THE NEWS" DATED:29th June 2008


Peshawar -- literally 'High Fort' in Persian -- now stands encircled. Haji Mangal Bagh Afridi controls most of what is west of Peshawar. Dara Adam Khel, a mere 35 kilometres south of Peshawar, is controlled by Baitullah Mehsud's loyalists. Charsadda and Shabqadar, both less than 30 kilometres north of Peshawar, are controlled by Commander Umar Khalid, TTP's (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) leader in Mohmand agency. Two weeks ago, Javed Aziz Khan of The News reported that Sheikhan, Sarband, Regi and Nasir Bagh were under Mangal Bagh's absolute control while Mathra, Michni, Daudzai and Khazana were under Umar Khalid's control.

What is the real plan? Is the 'High Fort' being surrounded with the intent of an assault? After all, Pakistan army's XI Corp -- some 60,000 soldiers -- commanded by the brave Lieutenant-General Masood Aslam is headquartered in Peshawar (in 1971, Masood Aslam was wounded fighting in Chumb-Jaurian sector. He has served in Siachen and has been the recipient of Sitara-i-Jurat for his extraordinary service and bravery). Peshawar also has the Bala Hisar Fort, the Frontier Corps' headquarters, where Major-General Mohammad Alam Khattak (Tamgha-i-Basalat) is the commander. Peshawar has the 7th Infantry Division, the Golden Arrow Division, Pakistan's "oldest and the most battle-hardened division".

Peshawar also has the Central Police Office. Malik Naveed Khan is in command but has neither human capital nor much else. The Sarband Police Station, which is right next to Khyber agency, according to Javed Aziz Khan, has a total of six bullet-proof jackets and not a single armoured personnel carrier (APC). The Matani Police Station has one APC but that is almost always at the workshop. Is Peshawar under siege? Athar Minallah, my dear friend, insists that there are Taliban in Bradford and in Birmingham. Question: What really prevents Bradford from falling into Taliban's hands? It is not the 10the Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment; it is the civilian administrative apparatus. Cripple that civilian administrative machinery and Bradford Taliban will take over the City Hall, Bradford Cathedral and also the National Media Museum. And, in absence of an effective civilian administrative setup, almost all residents of Bradford will rush towards the Taliban for protection as well as for the dispensation of justice.

South Waziristan now belongs to Baitullah Mehsud. Hafiz Gul Bahadur is the Taliban supreme commander in North Waziristan. Maulvi Faqir Mohammad controls Bajaur. Mangal Bagh and Haji Namdar reign over Khyber. Commander Umar Khalid is the boss in Mohmand. That's some 20,000 sq-km of physical Pakistan terrain. Is this terrorism or is it an insurgency? Should the state of Pakistan devise a counter-terrorism or a counter-insurgency strategy?

To be certain, violence is the common denominator in terrorism and insurgency. But, rarely will terrorists attempt to actually control physical terrain. In essence, what the state of Pakistan faces is not terrorism but an active insurgency.

A retired army brigadier, as knowledgeable in FATA as anyone I know, insists that the roots of this insurgency can actually be traced back to 1997. In 1999, this brigadier, with his FATA insurgency fact-file under his arm, had walked up to the DG-ISI but no one was ready to pay much heed. Then came 9/11 and that pushed the Talibanisation of NWFP some two years behind.

How do we get out of it? It is obvious that jirgas are meaningless and so are peace agreements. The best suggestion that I have heard so far is as follows: give the militants every sort of indemnity that they ask for. Forgive each and every one of their past crimes. Accept a hundred other conditions put up by the militants. All in exchange for just one. And, that condition is that no one -- absolutely no one -- will be allowed to run a parallel administration.

Where is the government going wrong? Well, the government blinks while the Taliban -- the government's ex-proxies -- freely exhibit their muscle (for instance, they enter Peshawar at will and take from Peshawar whatever they want). Remember, tribal loyalties belong to whoever has the muscle. Act now or sayonara Peshawar. Adiós Peshawar. Au revoir Peshawar. Mach's gut Peshawar. Aloha Peshawar. Arrivederci Peshawar. Zai jian Peshawar. Just what language do our decision makers understand?

A Conspiracy to Talibanise Karachi

A CONSPIRACY IS BEING HATCHED TO TALIBANISE KARACHI: MUTTAHIDA QUAMI MOVEMENT

3rd July 2008

A marathon emergency meeting of the Central Co-ordination Committee of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) was held in London in which the Members of Karachi Central Co-ordination Committee, Karachi Tanzimi Committee present in London and Members of the International Secretariat participated. The Members expressed their deep concerns over settling the Jihadi extremists from all over the country in Karachi through deliberate and sustained emigrational process and their escalating anti-peace and nefarious activities. In a statement released after the meeting, the Members of the Co-ordination Committee said that the province of Sindh is the land of “Sufis” and peace-loving people who believe in religious tolerance, sectarian harmony, brotherhood and unity while a conspiracy of Talibanising Karachi by settling the Jihadi extremists in Karachi is being hatched. The statement said that the settlement of Jihadi extremists is being carried out under the patronage on certain elements of the agencies of the Establishment. They further elaborated that these elements are not only illegally occupying lands in different localities of Karachi but also resorting to loot and plunder, robberies, theft, kidnapping for ransom and extortion. The statement further said that while committing above mentioned crimes they are also writing slogans on the walls inciting sectarian hatred and intimidation that manifests their future ulterior motives. The statement cited a few glaring examples of those slogans openly chalked on the walls of the flats, houses and parks situated at Asma Gardens in Housing Scheme 33, Gulshan View Apartments, Noman Arcade and its nearby flats and parks stated: “If you wish to live in Karachi then you have to say Jeay Taliban”, “If you wish to live in Karachi then you have to live like Talibans”, “if you wish to live in Karachi then you have to live like Jihadis”, If you wish to live in Karachi then you have to say yes to Baitullah Mehsud” and with profound and deep regrets we have to cite this horrible slogans written by these religious extremists elements that says: “Khomeini Dog, Khomeini Infidel and those who do not acknowledge are also infidels”.
The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee said that people of Karachi are extremely concerned over this dangerous and crucial situation and said that they have no conflicts with the elements belonging to different religious extremists groups. The statement further said if these elements are facing problems in their own areas then we can establish shelter and camps for their refuge in Karachi and would also provide them help and basic amenities but the people of Sindh and Karachi will never permit to illegally occupy the land of Karachi, the capital of Sindh province and destroy its peace. The statement said that they ask the peaceful people of Sindh including Karachi to remain beware, keep their eyes open and keep unity in their rank and file and make each and single person aware of the conspiracy of Talibanisation of Sindh particularly Karachi. The Members of the Central Co-ordination Committee demanded of the Government to take stern action against the elements illegally occupying lands in Karachi, committing loot and plunder, robberies, extortion and kidnapping for ransom and the extremists elements Talibanising Karachi and other contemptuous elements.

Altaf Hussain praises the steps in NWFP taken by Federal Government

Altaf Hussain praises the efforts and steps taken by the Federal Government in improving law and order situation and establishing the writ of the state in NWFP and tribal areas

MQM Founder & Leader Mr Altaf Hussain praised the efforts and steps taken by the Federal Government in improving the law and order situation and establishing the writ of the State in NWFP and tribal areas. He said that the law and order situation in Swat and tribal areas has deteriorated, which has now spread to Peshawar and its surrounding areas. As a result, the people of these areas are very concerned and feel that the Government must take concrete steps to improve law and order situation in the province of NWFP. He said that if the agreement between Government and various groups would have been honoured and the writ of the Government would not have been challenged then we would not have been facing this situation today. He said that the MQM has always believed to resolve all issues through peaceful dialogues and to avoid the use of force. However, it is evident that if the writ of the State is challenged then the State will take action to restore the writ, maintain peace and improve the law and order situation. He praised the Government for taking necessary steps to curb terrorism, maintain law and order and provide security to the life and property of its citizens. He also praised the Federal Interior Advisor Rehman Malik for his relentless efforts towards tackling terrorism and establishing peace in the region.

DHARTI

Iss Shah Latif ki dharti mein
Iss amn-o-pyar ki basti mein
Mein paida hooa iss dharti mein
Parwan charha iss basti mein
Khana bhi yaheen ka khaya hai
Pani bhi issi dharti ka piya hai
Phir mujh say door kyun rehaytey ho?
Kyon mujh ko ghair samajhtey ho?
Mein tum say alag, tum mujh say judaa
Kyon aisi sochain rakhtey ho?