Govt should say goodbye to war on terror: Imran Khan
Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Dec 22: The Pakistan Tehrek-e-Insaaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday claimed that the government was in talks with the banned Tehrek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and an end to the suicide attacks inside Pakistan was the proof that negotiations were underway.
Imran said that Pakistani government should say goodbye to the war on terror, hold talks with the Taliban and also ask the Americans in strong terms that government will not tolerate US interference in the affairs of the country.
“When I was saying that use of military against its own citizens would heighten the situation and would not bear fruits rather matters should be solved by holding talks then he was named as Taliban Khan but now the US generals were also supporting his sayings because Joe Biden in an interview with News Week said that Taliban were not enemies of US,” Imran said.
To a question, Imran said that PTI witnessed surge during the last six months as people’s in large number were joining his party, adding that if candidates of the ruling parties were joining PTI which has no power and presentation then they should be given credit because they were joining PTI to follow the ideology of PTI and also to bring change in the country.
When asked that PTI conferred important position to Shah Mehmood Qureshi without holding party election and also if PTI would follow candidate based politics or will follow true spirit of democracy, Imran said that Shah Mehmood was not involved in any financial corruption and was given the important position in PTI because he was eligible, adding that PTI will not follow the candidate based politics rather party would hold proper democratic rules in order to boost genuine leadership.
He said that change of party was not something very bad because activists of PTI have also joined other parties and also Quaid-e-Azam had changed his party. He said that people were joining PTI to bring change in the country and will follow the ideology of the party because human being can adopt right path at any movement of life.
“The committee of PTI for the nomination of candidates will not give tickets to corrupt people,” the PTI chief reiterated.
Replying to a question when asked if the PTI was in understanding with the MQM for holding Karachi rally on December 25, Imran said that his party was not siding anyone rather it want to unite people of all factions living in Karachi and have challenged the dwellers of Karachi that whether you want to live in peace or not. Imran said PTI want to unite all the factions in Karachi in order to bring peace in the mega city where businesses could flourish, made an end to criminal activities which in return will ensure jobs to the poor masses.
When asked that Musharraf was also due next month in the country and whether PTI will allow him to join the party, he rejected the rumours, and said he admitted that he made a wrong decision by supporting Musharraf’s referendum.
Responding to a question that whether PTI will punish Musharraf for abrogating the constitution of Pakistan, Imran said that everyone involved in wrongdoings should be dealt according to the rule of law, adding that his party would uphold the rule of law in the country.
When asked the PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif was also in Karachi where PTI was going to hold rally whether his presence would make any hindrance for the PTI to play on Karachi pitch properly, Imran said that PTI’s tsunami could not be stopped by any force because people were demanding change and only PTI was the ray of hope for the masses.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Sunday, December 11, 2011
TTP spokesman, Commander deny reports of talks with govt
TTP spokesman, Commander deny reports of talks with govt
-- US administration keenly looking into reports of Pak-TTP talks
Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Dec 11 : Denying the reports that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was in talks with the government of Pakistan to conclude peace deal in the tribal areas, both spokesman for Pakistani Taliban and another commander of TTP (Bajaur chapter) on Sunday rejected the media reports, saying that until enforcement of Sharia in the entire country talks with the government of Pakistan were impossible.
Talking to foreign media TTP spokesman Eshanullah Eshan rejected the claims made by Maulvi Faqir, saying that TTP was not in talks with the government.
He also denied the reports made by some unnamed officials and commanders that Taliban were negotiating peace deal with the government, saying that such reports were not valid rather baseless.
Meanwhile, Maulana Daduallah also rejected the claim of Taliban’s talks with the government, saying that Maulvi Faqir was contacting the government in personal capacity.
Earlier, talking to the BBC from undisclosed location, Dadullah termed TTP leader Maulvi Faqir claim about the talks as his personal act, saying the TTP has not initiated any talks with the government. “Maulvi Faqir was holding talks with government individually,” the commander said.
Maulvi Faqir, is deputy TTP chief and an important commander of Bajaur based Taliban, Saturday confirmed talks with the government. He has also noted progress in the talks, which resulted into the release of 145 Taliban prisoners and a ceasefire by the Taliban.
While, Maulana Dadullah, claiming to be chief of TTP Bajaur, said that TTP as a whole did not believe in talks with Pakistani government until Sharia is implemented.
“I am personally against talks with Pakistan, war with the government of Pakistan will continue till the enforcement of Sharia in the entire country,” the commander reiterated.
Commenting on the conflicting statements, Rahimullah Yousafzai, Afghan affairs expert, said that apparently it was revealed that TTP has been divided into groups in Bajaur and Dadullah was claiming to be the chief of TTP Amarat in Bajaur. He further said that some of the Taliban factions were contacted for talks by the government but government has not directly talked to them rather tribal elders and Ulema had played role of interlocution.
“According to my view Taliban were contacted for talks both in Bajaur and in South Waziristan but yet no progress has been made,” Rahimullah said.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported that there was a strong internal grouping in the TTP’s ranks, with Mullah Dadullah being one of strong contenders for his personal fiefdom of Pakistan chapter.
Dadullah’s denial highlighted the possibility of some factions within the TTP. Sources said the TTP may be in contact with the government through elders of tribal areas, but Pakistani government might have refused any direct talks with them.
On the other hand, after reports emerged of peace negotiations between the Pakistani Taliban and Pakistan government, the US said that they would not like to see recent gains made by the Pakistani military against the TTP to be lost.
White House spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Saturday said that the White House had seen reports of the TTP entering into negotiations with Pakistan, however, she added, they “do not appear definitive at this point.”
-- US administration keenly looking into reports of Pak-TTP talks
Saleem Mehsud
PESHAWAR, Dec 11 : Denying the reports that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was in talks with the government of Pakistan to conclude peace deal in the tribal areas, both spokesman for Pakistani Taliban and another commander of TTP (Bajaur chapter) on Sunday rejected the media reports, saying that until enforcement of Sharia in the entire country talks with the government of Pakistan were impossible.
Talking to foreign media TTP spokesman Eshanullah Eshan rejected the claims made by Maulvi Faqir, saying that TTP was not in talks with the government.
He also denied the reports made by some unnamed officials and commanders that Taliban were negotiating peace deal with the government, saying that such reports were not valid rather baseless.
Meanwhile, Maulana Daduallah also rejected the claim of Taliban’s talks with the government, saying that Maulvi Faqir was contacting the government in personal capacity.
Earlier, talking to the BBC from undisclosed location, Dadullah termed TTP leader Maulvi Faqir claim about the talks as his personal act, saying the TTP has not initiated any talks with the government. “Maulvi Faqir was holding talks with government individually,” the commander said.
Maulvi Faqir, is deputy TTP chief and an important commander of Bajaur based Taliban, Saturday confirmed talks with the government. He has also noted progress in the talks, which resulted into the release of 145 Taliban prisoners and a ceasefire by the Taliban.
While, Maulana Dadullah, claiming to be chief of TTP Bajaur, said that TTP as a whole did not believe in talks with Pakistani government until Sharia is implemented.
“I am personally against talks with Pakistan, war with the government of Pakistan will continue till the enforcement of Sharia in the entire country,” the commander reiterated.
Commenting on the conflicting statements, Rahimullah Yousafzai, Afghan affairs expert, said that apparently it was revealed that TTP has been divided into groups in Bajaur and Dadullah was claiming to be the chief of TTP Amarat in Bajaur. He further said that some of the Taliban factions were contacted for talks by the government but government has not directly talked to them rather tribal elders and Ulema had played role of interlocution.
“According to my view Taliban were contacted for talks both in Bajaur and in South Waziristan but yet no progress has been made,” Rahimullah said.
Meanwhile, the BBC reported that there was a strong internal grouping in the TTP’s ranks, with Mullah Dadullah being one of strong contenders for his personal fiefdom of Pakistan chapter.
Dadullah’s denial highlighted the possibility of some factions within the TTP. Sources said the TTP may be in contact with the government through elders of tribal areas, but Pakistani government might have refused any direct talks with them.
On the other hand, after reports emerged of peace negotiations between the Pakistani Taliban and Pakistan government, the US said that they would not like to see recent gains made by the Pakistani military against the TTP to be lost.
White House spokesperson Caitlin Hayden on Saturday said that the White House had seen reports of the TTP entering into negotiations with Pakistan, however, she added, they “do not appear definitive at this point.”
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Cadet college to be functional in SWA soon: APA
Cadet college to be functional in SWA soon: APA
Saleem Mehsud
TANK, Dec 10 : Assistant Political Agent (APA) South Waziristan Agency (SWA), Hameed Ullah Khan has said that major role in various projects including education, communication, health and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of SWA was of Pakistan Army while political administration was also participating and providing assistance to the armed forces in limited scale.
In an interview, Hameed said that political administration and Pakistan Army in collaboration were utilizing all the available facilities at hand to provide relief and basic facilities to the IDPs of Mehsud tribe. He said that by the joint efforts of armed forces and political administration the IDPs were sent to 30-40 villages of SWA and the IDPs were living peaceful life.
“Two cadet colleges will be constructed in SWA in order to provide better education to the tribesmen,” Hameed said, adding that “Mehsud Cadet College” will be functional in the next few months which will impart quality education to the locals. He said that facilitation card was given to all those returning to SWA through which they will get relief funds being announced for them in order to assist their families.
When quizzed to show role of political administration in SWA’s development and other issues related to security of the area, he said that role of political administration was very limited in every field, saying that political administration was assisting the armed forces to great extent in their effort of establishing peace in SWA and also in developmental projects.
Replying to a question regarding re-construction of the destroyed homes in SWA, the APA said that political administration in collaboration with the UNHCR were giving Rs8,000 to each family and also material of one room to the IDPs, adding that reports about registration of animals were fabricated.
When asked that most of SWA area was not yet opened for locals and tribesmen were waiting for the last three years to enter their hometown, he said that work was underway in some areas without mentioning the nature of work, saying that after completion of work then with the consultation of the Mehsud elders, migration of IDPs will be initiated.
Lauding the role of army in the development of SWA, Hameed said that security forces were focusing on the health, communication and education sectors in SWA’s territory inhabited by the Mehsud tribe in order to bring the deprived tribal area at par with the other parts of the country and also to make it one of the developed areas of the country.
Commenting on the question that armed forces were pushing the IDPs in SWA not to told their officers and other high ups during their visits to SWA about the difficulties being faced by them, Hameed said that armed forces stationed in SWA were extending help and assistance to the locals to the extent what was possible for them.
The APA when asked that some of the IDPs complained that officials concerned at the registration centre were even registering their animals, he replied that it was not true, adding that government was doing registration of boys below the age of 12.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that some of the IDPs on the condition not to mention their names complained that some of their family members were living in damaged houses in SWA and the government was not giving relief to them. They said that only the non-governmental organizations were providing them rations and some construction material, adding that locals were facing numerous difficulties.
They said that entry into SWA and travelling from SWA towards the settled districts was very time consuming and tough because locals have to go through several army check-points, adding that only those tribesmen who have registration card can make an entry into SWA while the others having Pakistani ID card were not allowed to enter the tribal area.
Saleem Mehsud
TANK, Dec 10 : Assistant Political Agent (APA) South Waziristan Agency (SWA), Hameed Ullah Khan has said that major role in various projects including education, communication, health and rehabilitation of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of SWA was of Pakistan Army while political administration was also participating and providing assistance to the armed forces in limited scale.
In an interview, Hameed said that political administration and Pakistan Army in collaboration were utilizing all the available facilities at hand to provide relief and basic facilities to the IDPs of Mehsud tribe. He said that by the joint efforts of armed forces and political administration the IDPs were sent to 30-40 villages of SWA and the IDPs were living peaceful life.
“Two cadet colleges will be constructed in SWA in order to provide better education to the tribesmen,” Hameed said, adding that “Mehsud Cadet College” will be functional in the next few months which will impart quality education to the locals. He said that facilitation card was given to all those returning to SWA through which they will get relief funds being announced for them in order to assist their families.
When quizzed to show role of political administration in SWA’s development and other issues related to security of the area, he said that role of political administration was very limited in every field, saying that political administration was assisting the armed forces to great extent in their effort of establishing peace in SWA and also in developmental projects.
Replying to a question regarding re-construction of the destroyed homes in SWA, the APA said that political administration in collaboration with the UNHCR were giving Rs8,000 to each family and also material of one room to the IDPs, adding that reports about registration of animals were fabricated.
When asked that most of SWA area was not yet opened for locals and tribesmen were waiting for the last three years to enter their hometown, he said that work was underway in some areas without mentioning the nature of work, saying that after completion of work then with the consultation of the Mehsud elders, migration of IDPs will be initiated.
Lauding the role of army in the development of SWA, Hameed said that security forces were focusing on the health, communication and education sectors in SWA’s territory inhabited by the Mehsud tribe in order to bring the deprived tribal area at par with the other parts of the country and also to make it one of the developed areas of the country.
Commenting on the question that armed forces were pushing the IDPs in SWA not to told their officers and other high ups during their visits to SWA about the difficulties being faced by them, Hameed said that armed forces stationed in SWA were extending help and assistance to the locals to the extent what was possible for them.
The APA when asked that some of the IDPs complained that officials concerned at the registration centre were even registering their animals, he replied that it was not true, adding that government was doing registration of boys below the age of 12.
It is pertinent to be mentioned here that some of the IDPs on the condition not to mention their names complained that some of their family members were living in damaged houses in SWA and the government was not giving relief to them. They said that only the non-governmental organizations were providing them rations and some construction material, adding that locals were facing numerous difficulties.
They said that entry into SWA and travelling from SWA towards the settled districts was very time consuming and tough because locals have to go through several army check-points, adding that only those tribesmen who have registration card can make an entry into SWA while the others having Pakistani ID card were not allowed to enter the tribal area.
Monday, December 5, 2011
NATO gave information about far away location from Salala about attack: ISPR
NATO gave information about far away location from Salala about attack: ISPR
By Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Dec 03: Rejecting the Nato claim that Pakistan army was informed in advance about the area of operation, Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas has said that location informed by NATO with reference to its operation ahead of its attack on check post was far away from Salala but NATO forces attacked Salala check post.
Athar Abbas said that targeting Salala check post by NATO helicopters when NATO was already been informed about its first attack about this post was beyond comprehension.
Talking to a private TV channel DG ISPR, Maj Gen Athar Abbas said no treaty existed between Pakistan and NATO forces for launching joint operation or moving to each others areas.
"However border coordination centres were functioning on borders and when any operation is conducted at any place near the borders then information in advance is given in this respect, he pointed out".
DG ISPR said that Nato officials has asked border coordination centre that Nato forces would conduct operation in Gorapria area of Afghanistan about which Pakistani forces said that no army deployment existed on Goraprai area on the Pak-Afghan border but the Nato forces conducted operation in Salala area which was far away from the area mentioned by Nato forces for clearance.
He said the border coordination centres were installed at four separate spots at the Pak-Afghan border in order to inform officials of both countries about operation and presence of army deployment on either side of the border in wake of any operation and it was also decided that forces of both the countries would not entered into territory of other country. Border between both the countries will be considered Red Line, DG ISPR mentioned.
He said Pakistani authorities informed NATO that its check post had been shelled but NATO helicopters came back and again targeted our check post which was beyond comprehension, he said.
When the Nato forces conducted operation in Salala area and killed 24 security forces personnel then a female Major appointed at coordination centre regretted that she made mistake by telling Pakistani coordination centre wrong area.
By Saleem Mehsud
ISLAMABAD, Dec 03: Rejecting the Nato claim that Pakistan army was informed in advance about the area of operation, Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas has said that location informed by NATO with reference to its operation ahead of its attack on check post was far away from Salala but NATO forces attacked Salala check post.
Athar Abbas said that targeting Salala check post by NATO helicopters when NATO was already been informed about its first attack about this post was beyond comprehension.
Talking to a private TV channel DG ISPR, Maj Gen Athar Abbas said no treaty existed between Pakistan and NATO forces for launching joint operation or moving to each others areas.
"However border coordination centres were functioning on borders and when any operation is conducted at any place near the borders then information in advance is given in this respect, he pointed out".
DG ISPR said that Nato officials has asked border coordination centre that Nato forces would conduct operation in Gorapria area of Afghanistan about which Pakistani forces said that no army deployment existed on Goraprai area on the Pak-Afghan border but the Nato forces conducted operation in Salala area which was far away from the area mentioned by Nato forces for clearance.
He said the border coordination centres were installed at four separate spots at the Pak-Afghan border in order to inform officials of both countries about operation and presence of army deployment on either side of the border in wake of any operation and it was also decided that forces of both the countries would not entered into territory of other country. Border between both the countries will be considered Red Line, DG ISPR mentioned.
He said Pakistani authorities informed NATO that its check post had been shelled but NATO helicopters came back and again targeted our check post which was beyond comprehension, he said.
When the Nato forces conducted operation in Salala area and killed 24 security forces personnel then a female Major appointed at coordination centre regretted that she made mistake by telling Pakistani coordination centre wrong area.
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