ISLAMABAD: Taliban are becoming a greater threat in Swat and other troubled areas and have started regrouping behind Nizam-e-Adl regulation and are no longer under the control of Tehrik-e-Nifaz Shariat chief Sufi Mohammad or Maulana Fazlullah. This was revealed in a report given to the government by the National security departments on the situation in Swat.

Sources told that increasing activities of Taliban in Swat, Dir, Buner and other troubled areas were reviewed in detail at an important meeting held by the senior military leadership a few days back. Reports submitted by Corps Commander Peshawar and Intelligence agencies were also reviewed in detail.

Sources told that the report forwarded to the President and Prime Minister by the National Security departments’ states that Taliban are taking undue advantage of the Patience and restraint policy of the security forces and are continuously challenging the writ of the government.

The report further told that dysfunctional TSNM chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad has lost control over the extremists elements within the Taliban and a solid proof in this regard is the kidnapping of his own member Ghiausuddin by the Taliban, Similarly many of his other associate are also in the custody of the Taliban

Similarly Maulana Fazl Ullah has also no full control over his commander and associates and several Taliban have formed their own splinter groups and are working in various areas to target the security forces and civilians. The report also told that most of these splinter groups formed by the Taliban are being operated by criminals and terrorists and they make decisions in their own capacity.

Sources also told that security agencies have also taped conversations of extremist elements ordering that the security forces be target despite the peace pact in Swat. These elements have violated the peace pact in swat 205 times. Despite of this violation the security forces did not take any action so that the peace pact could remain intact.

The report asks the government to adopt a clear strategy in view of this situation so that the advancement of Taliban could be stopped. The report says that Security forces have managed to tighten the noose around Taliban in Buner and other areas but they are being provided arms and ammunition through Afghanistan by anti state elements. The report further asks the government to take up this matter with neighboring countries.-ONLINE

ISLAMABAD: Frustrated Mian Iftkhar provincial minister for Information of Frontier Province told a press conference in Peshawar Thursday.

We are now convinced that the agenda of Sufi Muhammad of the Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariah Muhammdi was not peace but its hidden objective was to provide respite to militants”,

It was same Mian Iftkhar who was pressing hard to the Federal Government for immediate imposition of Nizam-e-Adl only few days back. In Mingora Sufi Muhammad told several private TV channels, while not facing camera, “We do not accept the Constitution of Pakistan. It is un-Islamic. Girls education is not acceptable and we believe in what he termed complete Shariat based Islamic system.Though he himself could not define what exact interpretation was his style of Islamic system.

As the two leader spoke their minds militants in Swat once again went in action bombing police stations, schools and destroying state symbols. This time Pakistan Army’s RPV (Remote Piloted Vehicles) scrammed over hilly Malakand Division and fighting started in and around Swat. Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps had already made up their minds to call bluff of Sufi Muhammad. Two fronts Swat and Buner witnessed real action Monday.

Director General of Frontier Corps Major General Tariq in his helicopter made a survey of battle zones. Mercenaries from Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics who are considered to be battle hardened for years in Afghanistan are now in Pakistan and brazenly and restlessly taking on Army and Frontier Corps. For them Police is a ‘Soft Target”.

For Pakistan’s political pundits it was indeed an important development when a liberal and centre of the left Party Awami National Party pressed hard for the promulgation of Nizam-e-Adl system for Swat.

After President Zardari singed the Swat Peace Deal Ordinance, Pakistan’s eminent diplomat Zafar Hilaly just commented, “Military surrender in 1971 and political surrender in Swat.Today when Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said that not a single penny has been given by the center in war against militants. He was hiding his Party’s political defeat by militants with this kind of arguments. Mian Iftikhar said:

the provincial government remains committed to promulgating the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation (NAR-2009) Iftikhar said in Malakand division, however strict action will be taken if the government’s writ is challenged any violation of the agreement by militants will no longer be tolerated..

NWFP Information Minister asked the Taliban to lay down arms and stand by the government in its peace initiatives. In return he received deadly threats from Sufi Muhammad.

In Swat banned militant outfit Tehrik-e-Taliban Swat claimed the responsibility for the killing of two security men in Swat valley. According to sources, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan has claimed the responsibility Monday. It may be reminded here that two security personnel were murdered in Khwazakhela area on Sunday. Khan further said that Taliban Commander Khalil is alive. Swat Media Centre had earlier claimed he was killed by security forces. While claims and counter claims are being made from Security forces and militants worst sufferers of this politics of militancy remained common people of Malakand Division.

According to Crisis Management Cell of PM Secretariat over 200,000 people have been dislocated so far from Swat and Dir. The military operation in the two districts is continuing while at least 2000 innocent civilians are being used by the militants as human shields in Buner’s Pir Baba area, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in a statement on Monday.The military planned to clear the Pir Baba area from Taliban militants after they had also taken over a police station there.

The latest casualty figures released by the military say at least seven militants were killed in Buner’s Kalpani area, including a militant commander Afsar Hameed. A soldier also died during the fighting while three others were injured in Buner. The operation in Buner is continuing smoothly as consolidation of positions continues in district headquarters of Daggar and surrounding areas, ISPR said.

On the security situation in Swat, the military said Taliban militants were grossly violating the peace accord and were patrolling the roads of Mingora, threatening the civilian administration and the lives of innocent people. Militants also brutally beheaded two soldiers in their captivity on Sunday in Khwazakhela, the military said, adding that security forces were still exercising restraint to honour the peace deal in Swat.
However, despite the military’s restraint, militants attacked a security forces convoy in Swat’s Bari Kot area, ISPR said. The ambush led to an exchange of fire in which an army officer was killed and two soldiers wounded, the statement said.

In Lower Dir, the militants burnt the house of a District Superintendent of Police (DSP) in Maidan’s Kumber area and looted the house of a Union Council Nazim. During an exchange of fire in Lower Dir’s Maidan area, three militants were killed, the ISPR said. Militants also raided a security forces check post at Shangla Top, killing one soldier, the statement said. Militants also kidnapped civilians from Kot Haya Sarai and demolished a police post in Shangla, the statement said.

In this situation Swat peace deal is going to dogs. Only apprehensions are the repercussions in coming few days.

ISLAMABAD: Sufi Muhammad, the Chief of Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e- Muhammadi (TNSM) has said that his faction believes in Shariah rather than the democracy. While talking to a private TV Channel, he said that TNSM wants implementation of Shariah in Malakand Division adding that the Qazis appointed by the provincial government for Darul Qaza were Judges and their appointment “was not in accordance Islam.”

The TNSM has dissociated it from the set up of Darul Qaza and appointment of Qazis in Malakand. Earlier, chairing a meeting of his faction in Amandara, Sufi regretted that the government didn’t consult TNSM over the matter.

Input from Agencies

TIMERGARA: The first phase of talks between Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Mohammad and a delegation of the NWFP government was concluded here on Friday. The government delegation was comprised of Provincial Minister of Information Mian Iftikhar, Senator Zahid Khan and others. Government officials and Sufi Mohammad met for the first time Friday after talks were suspended Monday when the army launched an offensive against Taliban fighters in the northwest.

In the meeting that started soon after Friday prayer, Senator Zahid Khan and provincial Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain represented the government. Both sides discussed law and order situation in Swat and Malakand and formation of Dar-ul-Qaza.

According to sources, Maulana Sufi Mohammad has demanded that the government should halt the military operation and appoint Qazis in the Dar-ul-Qaza. Sources said that both sides remained optimistic on the outcome of the talks. However Provincial authorities said they rejected Friday Sufi Mohammad’s request to halt an offensive against Taliban militants as peace talks between the two camps resumed.

Menawhile Mian Iftikhar after conclusion of the first session of negotiations talking to newsmen called the talks positive adding that another phase of talks will also be held soon to resolve all problems. Mian Iftikhar talking along with TNSM spokesman Amir Izzat Khan said that the talks were held in an amicable atmosphere in which the two sides exchanged proposals. He said the second phase of the talks likely to be held today for concluding dialogue. Conflicting news are coming in this regard as to Provincial officials and supporters of Mohammad described the 30-minute meeting as ‘positive’ but no date for a second meeting was announced.

Replying a question Mian Iftikhar said, “We want peace in the region and prepared to live the entire life here if needed.” He said the matter of constitution of Darul Qadha will be discussed in detail in the next session of the talks.

He said after constitution of Darul Qadha the forces operation in Dir and Buner will be closed. The decision of appointment of Qazis has already taken and the formal announcement will be made soon, he further said.
TNSM spokesman Ami Izzat Khan said, “We want peace and seeking solution of the problems with mutual consultation.” He called the first phase of talks as successful.

In this meeting Islamic judges and the creation of an appellate court under a February deal in which the government agreed to put Malakand, a part of northwestern Pakistan, under sharia law to end a Taliban insurgency came under discussion. Sufi Mohammad negotiated the accord. ‘The appointments of judges of the Islamic courts will be made soon,’ said the provincial information minister.

PESHAWAR: The Pakistan Taliban has suspended talks with the government, a negotiator said yesterday, as helicopter gunships pounded suspected militant hideouts in the northwest of the country.

“Our council of leaders met on Sunday night and decided to suspend peace negotiations with the government in North West Frontier Province,” said a spokesman for Sufi Mohammad, the cleric who negotiated a peace deal between the two sides in February.

“We, however, still adhere to the February deal,” Ameer Izzat Khan said, referring to the highly controversial accord that put three million people under Shariah law.

The announcement came after Pakistan’s military launched a fresh offensive against Taliban fighters in the northwest, under intense US pressure to stop the advance of the extremists in the region. Troops killed 20 militants in a ground and air operation in the northwest yesterday, the military said. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown warned in Kabul yesterday the Afghan-Pakistan border was a “crucible of terrorism” as he touted a new strategy to tackle insurgency. Later, Brown arrived in Pakistan for talks on topics including cooperating against international terrorism.

The Taliban promised to lay down their arms in exchange for Shariah courts in a deal billed as the end of a nearly two-year brutal insurgency that ripped apart the once-peaceful Swat area.

But the agreement was followed by further encroachments in the region, and the government has been in talks with the militants to try to restore peace there. President Asif Zardari, who recently ratified the Shariah accord, told AFP yesterday that troops had now ousted the Taliban from Lower Dir.

But he said more police were needed on the ground to prevent the militants from regaining control there. Zardari said the peace deal with the Taleban remained valid “until the NWFP government tells me otherwise.”

Zardari yesterday asserted that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons were in safe hands. Zardari ruled out the possibility of his country’s nuclear weapons falling into the hands of the Taliban. Zardari said the whereabouts of Al-Qaeda chief Osama Bin Laden remained a mystery and there was a suspicion that he could be dead.

He said US officials had told him that they had no trace of the Al-Qaeda chief and the same view was shared by his own intelligence agencies.

ISLAMABAD: Director General Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Major General Athar Abbas has said that the state would decide its own option if TNSM head Maulana Sufi Muhammad fails to force militants to lay down their arms. Talking to CNN, he said it was huge success of the government that the masses are convinced that militants wanted to destabilise the entire state.

Regarding implementation of Swat accord, he said it was a transition period and transition is always very delicate and dicey.It needs a lot of prudence to handle as it can bounce back in case of mishandling. Commenting on situation in Buner, he said Taliban have been given stern warning to get out of Buner, otherwise security forces are moving in.The state was shown maximum restraint.

Responding to a question, regarding moving troops from Indian border, he said every state has a right to analyse its own threats.Pakistan is concerned about its eastern borders. India has Pakistan specific military capability.There is a history of conflicts in the region between India and Pakistan.

Forces are available to fight extremists but the issue is lack of technology and absence of sophisticated equipments as it can save lives of troops.In the presence of latest equipments, troops could prove more effective as compared to militants.

The troubled areas are rugged, does not allow quick mobility on the ground.Forces also require effective surveillance and night vision devices. It also requires effective helicopter force. Pakistani forces would prove more effective in the presence of aforementioned facilities,he concluded.

Just as the Pakistani Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad’s rhetoric is becoming unbearable for anyone’s comfort, so is the drumbeat from none other than American Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Both are equally belligerent with their rhetoric; both believe in their narrow interpretation of good and evil; and worst both believe in enforcing their vision at the barrel of gun.

Before the civilized gentry runs to Hillary’s defense they may want to remind themselves of Hillary’s wild side. Just last year, when Senator Obama and Senator Clinton trampling over each other to secure the Jewish vote, the presidential hopeful Clinton threatened, “In the next 10 years, during which [Iran] might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them.”. Obviously, Secretary Clinton is convinced in America’s responsibility to police the world.

Similarly, Mullah Sufi is convinced in setting the world straight, according to his perverted interpretation of Islam. To that effect, if it takes flogging minors, blowing girls’ schools or slitting throats of government officials; so be it. Because he believes, he is ordained by a higher authority to do exactly that.

Hillary and Sufi are as far apart as it gets. One is the self professed guarantor of the freedoms afforded under the democracy, while other is the self-appointed enforcer of the code of conduct foreordained by God. However, upon a closer look, Hillary and Sufi are as similar and as close to each other as peas in pod.Conspicuously, the similarities don’t end at their disposition to back their ideology with the deadly force. Both are doing their best to generate hysteria, Pakistan is about to fall into the clutches of the dreaded Taliban. Western media has gone into frenzy; sky is falling, sky is falling. Secretary Clinton opened the salvo, nuclear-armed Pakistan

“poses a mortal threat to the security and safety of our country and the world.”

Not to be left behind, US Defense Secretary Robert Gates rang the alarm bells as hard as he could. He did his best to jolt the slumbering Pakistani leadership into defensive positions,

“My hope is that there will be an increasing recognition on the part of the Pakistani government that the Taliban in Pakistan are in fact an existential threat to the democratic government of that country.”

He pleaded, “…it is important that they not only recognize it, but take the appropriate actions to deal with it.” But what good would be hysteria without the deeply worried numero uno, President Obama. The White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, told reporters, “The news over the past several days is very disturbing.”

Ladies and gentlemen, better say your prayers; because Taliban are on 60 miles from the Pakistani capital. The savages are about to run over it, any moment. Half million strong Pakistani military has no match to 400 to 500 heavily armed Taliban who have already captured the strategically important district of Buner. Once Taliban hoisted their flag on Islamabad, it will be the beginning of Armageddon. Islamabad is littered with nuclear tipped ICBMs. They will rain on every city on earth. We need to do something, right now, to stop these savages in their tracks, or life as we know will cease to exist!

Yet, there is eerie silence from all quarters that could do something to save the humanity. Either it’s a classic of deer caught in headlights, or there is something seriously amiss. Oddly, for the last few years, Mullah Sufi had been spewing venom through an illegal FM radio transmitter. Let alone, blowing it to smithereens, courtesy of a HARM missile strike, no one has even bothered to even jam its signal. For whatever reason(s) Pakistani military hasn’t taken the transmitter out, the question is why CIA hasn’t? It’s not like CIA is shy of launching deadly missile strikes deep inside the Pakistani territory. Then what has kept it from taking out easily triangulated source of vicious propaganda?

President Zardari (allegedly an American puppet), who called the Taliban, murderers of his wife has generously signed a peace deal with them. If Zardari’s shady compromise wasn’t puzzling enough, ANP’s cowardly surrender of the Swat Valley to Mullah Sufi only makes the puzzle even more complex. If the surrender wasn’t embarrassing enough for the secular ANP, it is going to ends of Earth to defend the despicable deeds of the monotheist Taliban.

The mystery deepens, considering Pakistani media is reporting, the alleged Taliban who took over the district of Buner, are actually Afghan Tajiks! According to a The News a Buner refugee,

“I can swear on Holy Quran that those who have captured our village are Afghan nationals. You people sitting in Islamabad cannot imagine what sort of hell they have unleashed on us after advancing from Swat to our areas.”

While another refugee asked,

“For God sake, why don’t you people listen to our cries as we have been invaded by the Afghan Tajiks, not Pakistanis. Our families and honor are in danger.”

On one hand, alarm bells are going off in the Western capitals over Pakistani peace treaty with the TNSM; on the other hand American stooge, President Karzai had been seeking Saudi assistance in striking a peace treaty with the Taliban. Karzai disclosed, “For the last two years, I’ve sent letters to the king of Saudi Arabia, and I’ve sent messages, and I requested him as the leader of the Islamic world, for the security and prosperity of Afghanistan and for reconciliation in Afghanistan … he should help us.” Strangely, sky also didn’t fall whenever the NATO allies struck secret deals with the Taliban, i.e. when British troops conceded Musa Qala to the Taliban.

However, the peculiarity doesn’t lay in peace deals with the Taliban; it lays in the inaction from all quarters that could quash the Mullah Sufi and his Tajik mercenaries tagged as Taliban within a week or two. Why nobody has taken him out so far should be a matter more than curiosity. But the hysterical statements from the Western circles should make everyone sit up and ask who is pulling wool over our eyes; even more importantly, why they are blindsiding us?

ISLAMABAD: Sufi Muhammad who has recently forced a peace deal with Pakistan’s Federal government for Malakand Division, Sunday unfolded his socio-economic and Sharia system declaring superior courts un-Islamic and without making a commitment to un-arm Talibans of Swat.

Addressing a gathering of over 30,000 people at Grassy Ground, with most of his followers carrying black and white flags, Sufi Muhammad spoke in Pushto. He declared that only Shariah legal system was Islamic and existing Sessions, High Courts and Supreme Court were un-Islamic.

High Courts and Supreme Court were ‘Ghair Sharaiee’ institutions and going for appeal in ‘Ghair Sharaiee’ institutions was ‘Haram’. Darul Qaza could be approached in case of any reservations on our verdicts, but the final decisions of Darul Qaza not allowed to be challenged in the High Courts and Supreme Court

He said that the rulers were appeasing the West by thrusting the Nizam of Kufr(infidel). He said that he wanted peace and affection among the Muslims and wish to set up an environment of brotherhood, but the Muslims were divided in different parties, we direly need unity at this time. Maulana Sufi Muhammad said that there were two types of people in Pakistan—the rulers and the ruled. He said that one has to self-appraise whether one’s faith was intact or not and added that presently the citizens of Pakistan should take care of their faith. He urged upon the Ulemas, rulers and the people to get united.

Maulana Sufi Muhammad said that only black turban was ‘Sunnat-e-Nabvi’ and using turban of any other colour was not ‘Sunnat-e-Nabvi’. He said that the existing system was in contravention of Nizam-e-Islam and the Holy Quran.

He said we have enforced Nizam-e-Adal and Sharia in Malakand Division and asked government to station its police and civil administration who will be assigned to implement Shariah Laws. Malakand Division consist of three former princely states of Swat, Dir and Chitral and other districts are Chitral, Shangla and Kohistan.

Before partition of Indian sub-continent Swat was a wet state with liberal society. Even dancing girls and other social activities which can be termed liberal but not un-Islamic were practiced. An ancestor of former wali of Swat-Prince Aurangzeb-Mian Abdul Wadood had introduced legal code known as Fatawa-e-Wadoodia. Practically Fatawa-e-Wadoodia was drawn from Fatawa-e-Alamgiria which King Aurangzeb had introduced in the sub-continent.

After partition and annexation of Swat into Pakistan system of Qazi courts was adopted which remained a part of Fatawa-e-Wadoodia. But Wali of Swat remained the Chief Justice deliverer. However Qazi Courts during Wali delivered cheap and speedy justice.

In 1969 Swat’s separate princely status was finished at the state was properly annexed into Pakistan administratively with the application of Pakistan’s normal laws. Pakistan’s normal legal system caused delayed in verdicts, magistracy got corrupted and locals of Swat felt the pinch. They did not protest but through their representatives in the Parliament demanded revival of old Qazi system.

Instead of introducing the Old Qazi Courts system the Federal Government extended Frontier Criminal Regulations with a promise of bring more reforms. In 1976 supporters of old Qazi courts engineered a limited revolt in Dir State. Revolt was crushed by Pakistan Army but the Federal Government did not address the real problem.

In 1995 Sufi Muhamnmad’s supporters again engineered a revolt killing one member of NWFP Assembly and forced their demands to then Chief Minister of NWFP Aftab Ahmad Khan Sherpao with Benazir Bhutto as the Prime Minister. A local but half-baked deal was struck between Sufi Muhammad and Aftab Sherpao’s government.The deal promised establishment of Qazi Courts in Swat. But the deal could not be implemented due to removal of Benazir Bhutto’s government.

In 2001 Sufi Muhammad and his son in law Maulana Fazazalullah went to Afghanistan to participate in Jihad. Upon his return from Afghanistan Sufi Muhammad was arrested and detained in Dera Ismail Khan Jail while his son-in-law joined militant Talibans.

After inter-mingling with Militant Talibans of diverse school of thoughts specifically Islamic Code of Justice, Sufi Muhmmad, now behaving like a de-fecto ruler of Malakand Division which has a population of 2.2 million people intends to introduce his style of Code of Legal and Justice system within the framework of Presidential Ordinance which gives basic liberties to men and women as suggested in Quran and Sunnah.

Here its worth mentioning that Sufi Muhammad and his son-in-law were not influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami rather they opted for Brailvi Sect. Journey of Sufi Muhammad and his son-in-law to Afghanistan provided cleric an opportunity to inter-mingle with the followers of Imam Wahab, Akhwanul Maslamoon and Salfi Sect. Mostly Arabs from Egypt and Yemen.The Swat Peace deal also promises barbers to open their shops in Swat which was prohibited by militant Talibans.

Since the Federal government of President Asif Ali Zardari has struck a deal with Maulana Sufi Muhammad from a position of weakness it gave enough chance and opportunity to Sufi Muhammad to dictate his terms now. Sunday at Grassy ground when Sufi Muhammad addressed a gathering of 30,000 people his promise peace was there but he gave no indication that his armed Talibans will surrender their weapons. He conceded that provincial Police Force be stationed immediately and implement and enforce only those laws which are permitted within the framework of his brand Shariah System.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani announced the Swat deal was linked to restoration of peace in the valley. He said:

‘The agreement will remain intact if peace endures, the president had signed the Nizam-i-Adl regulation only after 80 per cent peace was restored to Swat.

He said the new accord was an improved version of the agreements signed in 1994 and 1999. He said the government’s reconciliation efforts would strengthen the country’s economy and its institutions and urged political forces to show maturity because the people had voted for a change.

Quick to react to Sufi Muhammad’s plans to introduce his brand of Shariah, leader of Muttehida Qaumai Movement Altaf Hussain in a telephonic address from London to his party-men in Karachi said ,

“lets not indulge into sectarianism. Only talk of Islam and work for the progress and prosperity of Pakistan. Those who are trying to divide Pakistan’s society in the name of sectarianism are out to disunite Pakistan.

Altaf Hussain said that we have to build Pakistan on golden principles of founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He further denounced Sufi Muhammad for calling Muslims non-Muslims. He said no individual could be given this mandate to declare majority of Pakistan’s population into non-Muslims. Altaf Hussain said we have to build a society of tolerance which is the main teaching of Islam. We have to respect every sect and we cannot impose one sect over the other.