Pak in cahoots with US to implement western agenda
An exclusive interview of Amir Izzat Khan, spokesperson of Tehreek- e- Nifaz –e- Shariat- e- Mohammadi (TNSM) Malakand division of NWFP Pakistan after the break down of the agreement signed between TNSM and Government of Pakistan on implementation of Shariat Law (Nizam-e -Adal) in the region. He spoke with R .C GANJOO. Excerpts:
Q: Why the agreement on implementation of Shariat and Nizam- e- Adal (Islamic Judicial System) announced on 16 February 2009 for Malakand division by Government of Pakistan broke down within days?
Amir Izzat Khan: We had started peace camps from Oct 10, 2008.We have demanded if government establishes Shariat law in the Malakand division we take the responsibility of peace in the region. On Feb 16, 2009 government signed an agreement for Malakand division in which it was decided that Islamic judicial system will function accordingly and Qazis would be appointed with muual consent. Subsequently we wound up our peace camps and we went back to Swat area. With dilly dallying tactics the government did not appoint Qazis (Islamic Judicial Oofficers) till first week of April, thereafter proceeded without our consent and simultaneously launched military operations in lower Dir area, the native village of TNSM chief Maulana Sofi Mohammad. We again requested the government to stop army operations but the governments intentions were mala fide as a result of that the situation in the region turned worse.
Q: It is reported that after the agreement in Swat the Talibans went to Buner and created violence there. And that could be the reason that the government launched military operations?
Khan: This agreement was not only for Swat but for the complete Malakand division in which eight districts fall including Buner. As for as Swat is concerned operation in the area was already on and people of Buner had joined them, but after the agreement the people went back to their respective districts of Malakand division, but the government projected this retreat of people as aggression of Talibans from Swat to other districts. It was the wrong projection of Talibans. There was no violence as such in Buner nor the Talibans created obstacles in the functioning of the government. The situation was absolutely normal and there was no need of army operation.
Q: Then why did the army launch its operations?
Khan: World knows it that our rulers don’t function on their own. They work under the command of others. Our provincial government of NWFP was sincere from day one but reasons for conducting army operations are well known to Pakistani rulers.
Q: Can you explain on whose direction Pak rulers function?
Khan: Our decisions are taken at Washington not in Islamabad. In US, Russia, India, and China or in any other country legislations are framed at peoples’ will but here we Muslims in majority are ruled by Western powers. We the Muslim 99% in majority is ruled by Western powers.
Q: It has been widely reported in Pakistan newspapers that in Malakand division the Pakistan army is acting on the US directions. What interest does the US have in this area?
Khan: Obviously, US want to put South Asian countries under their thumb. Therefore they create disturbances here and there hence want to establish their rule in the area. Our leaders visit Washington so frequently just to get directions even for small internal problems. US has a definite agenda for this region and our rulers know it very well and the decision of US are being implemented in Pakistan quietly.
Q: The Pakistan government claims that it is our battle against terrorism, what do you say about it?
Khan: In fact US don’t want to get Islamic judicial system established here. There is no terrorism here as such. The people feel safe under our traditional Islamic Judicial system. In past, Malakand division as a state was having traditional Islamic judicial system called Jirga, before its merger with Pakistan’s federal set up. But in 1984 this Jirga system was abolished as a result of that dissatisfaction swelled up in the region. The people of Malakand region raised the demand of restoration of Jirga system within the parameters of Law of the land but we were never heard. In 1999 again an agreement was signed for restoration of Jirga system. But it also fell flat. In 2008, the demand cropped up but again it was suppressed and gave birth to violence . Now it was Feb 16, 2009 the government again signed an agreement with us thereafter Pakistan parliament endorsed Nizam e Adal Regulation and therefore the government declared openly that Islamic judicial system (Jirga) will be implemented in Malakand division. But due to foreign pressure again the government betrayed us.
Q: You often claim that Islamic Judicial system (Jirga) is beneficial for both Muslims and non Muslims. Then why Jizya (security tax on non Muslims in) was imposed on Sikh community alone and subsequently Sikhs had to flee from the area in large numbers?
Khan: TNSM is meant for complete Malakand division and this Islamic judicial system is entirely different from rest of Pakistan. There is no such incident of discrimination against religious minorities. Here, Sikhs, Christians, Hindus have been regularly attending our meetings. They are fighting along with us for the restoration of our traditional judicial system. When the Pakistan army launched operation in the area Sikh community too caught in the cross firing and they have to flee from their native area like others.
Q: US with the NATO forces in Afghanistan are engaged in the battle there. Do you think that now US with a definite plan is keeping the tribal areas disturbed with the help of Pakistan army to hit Afghanistan from here?
Khan: In Afghanistan there was also Islamic judicial system and US dismantled that set up and in similar fashion they wanted to create hurdles in implementing Islamic judicial system here as well., In this process our rulers have extended full cooperation to them.
Q: Is there any strategy between Afghan Talibans and Malakand division Talibans?
Khan: No. We don’t have any connection with Afghan Talibans. We have only religious affinity with them. We ourselves are in a precarious condition how it is possible for us to extend our help to them.
Q: According to US reports there is nexus between Al Qaeda and Talibans in Malakand division? Is this a fact?
Khan: I deny it with authority. We have no connection with Al Qaeda, our struggle in Malakand division is indigenous.
Q: In a recent statement US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton claimed that ISI and CIA had jointly created Talibans. What are your comments?
Khan: If there was the backing of ISI or CIA to Talibans of Malakand division, they would not have attacked us. In a very calculated move US has kept Pakistan’s security apparatus in disarray by keeping them involved in inner problems so that Pakistan is divided into pieces.
Q: Pakistan forces have unleashed undeclared war against you. Do you still support the nation’s unity and integrity?
Khan: Our demand of restoration of Islamic judicial system is only for Malakand division, not for Pakistan. We wish no ill will for Pakistan.
Q: It is stated by US that Taliban and Al Qaeda poses direct threat to US.
Khan: If US has a direct threat from us they could have directly attacked us. Why through Pakistan army. They have devised a plan of killing Muslims by Muslims.
Q: Is it a fact that Talibans are using civilians as human shields?
Khan: It is absolutely a false propaganda. We have been struggling for the past 20 years with the active support of people. But now Pakistan army’s continued attacks and bombardments have confined the people to their homes.
Q: How many groups of Taliban are operating in Malakand division? Pakistan authorities blame that a number of groups are active on the direction of foreign countries like Russia, Afghanistan and India.
Khan: It is blatant lie. If it is believed that foreign countries are extending support to us why our Muslim rulers in Pakistan are shying away (remarked sarcastically). We have only one formidable Tehreek –e-Taliban Pakistan (Armed group) with no outside support.
Q: Are Talibans heading towards Islamabad, as it has been claimed by US that they have already touched North of the city.
Khan: No. There is no threat to Islamabad from Talibans. Of course Islamic judicial system is an open threat to Western civilization because they wanted to impose their culture on us.
Q: How many people have been killed and internally displaced in the ongoing military operations?
Khan: In the ongoing military operations old men, women and children are being killed because they can’t flee. According to official reports one thousand people have been killed so far but exact number will be known only after the curfew is lifted and people will go back to their homes. The number of people being killed is much higher and it is increasing day by day. So far twenty five lakh people have been displaced but the figure according to our information is above thirty lacs.
Q: President of Pakistan Mr Asif Ali Zardari has said that military operation will also be conducted in neighbouring Waziristan. What are your comments?
Khan: Pakistan is our country. They are rulers. Whenever, anywhere they want to hit they are free to do so. How can we stop them?
Q: How long you will continue your struggle when world community is turned against you?
Khan: Till the last person of Malakand division is alive our peaceful struggle will continue. TNSM is a force of warriors fighting without arms for the last twenty years. It is Tehrik e Taliban who have picked up the guns and TNSM has no connection with them.
Q: How these fighting Talibans are getting arms and ammunitions?
Khan: We the Pakhtuns are born with guns. Weapons are considered our ornaments and carry it along till grave. Of course, they purchase guns.
Q: What do you expect from Human Rights organisations?
Khan: We expect that the world community should allow us to live with peace according to our own Islamic cultural traditions.
An exclusive interview of Amir Izzat Khan, spokesperson of Tehreek- e- Nifaz –e- Shariat- e- Mohammadi (TNSM) Malakand division of NWFP Pakistan after the break down of the agreement signed between TNSM and Government of Pakistan on implementation of Shariat Law (Nizam-e -Adal) in the region. He spoke with R .C GANJOO. Excerpts:
Q: Why the agreement on implementation of Shariat and Nizam- e- Adal (Islamic Judicial System) announced on 16 February 2009 for Malakand division by Government of Pakistan broke down within days?
Amir Izzat Khan: We had started peace camps from Oct 10, 2008.We have demanded if government establishes Shariat law in the Malakand division we take the responsibility of peace in the region. On Feb 16, 2009 government signed an agreement for Malakand division in which it was decided that Islamic judicial system will function accordingly and Qazis would be appointed with muual consent. Subsequently we wound up our peace camps and we went back to Swat area. With dilly dallying tactics the government did not appoint Qazis (Islamic Judicial Oofficers) till first week of April, thereafter proceeded without our consent and simultaneously launched military operations in lower Dir area, the native village of TNSM chief Maulana Sofi Mohammad. We again requested the government to stop army operations but the governments intentions were mala fide as a result of that the situation in the region turned worse.
Q: It is reported that after the agreement in Swat the Talibans went to Buner and created violence there. And that could be the reason that the government launched military operations?
Khan: This agreement was not only for Swat but for the complete Malakand division in which eight districts fall including Buner. As for as Swat is concerned operation in the area was already on and people of Buner had joined them, but after the agreement the people went back to their respective districts of Malakand division, but the government projected this retreat of people as aggression of Talibans from Swat to other districts. It was the wrong projection of Talibans. There was no violence as such in Buner nor the Talibans created obstacles in the functioning of the government. The situation was absolutely normal and there was no need of army operation.
Q: Then why did the army launch its operations?
Khan: World knows it that our rulers don’t function on their own. They work under the command of others. Our provincial government of NWFP was sincere from day one but reasons for conducting army operations are well known to Pakistani rulers.
Q: Can you explain on whose direction Pak rulers function?
Khan: Our decisions are taken at Washington not in Islamabad. In US, Russia, India, and China or in any other country legislations are framed at peoples’ will but here we Muslims in majority are ruled by Western powers. We the Muslim 99% in majority is ruled by Western powers.
Q: It has been widely reported in Pakistan newspapers that in Malakand division the Pakistan army is acting on the US directions. What interest does the US have in this area?
Khan: Obviously, US want to put South Asian countries under their thumb. Therefore they create disturbances here and there hence want to establish their rule in the area. Our leaders visit Washington so frequently just to get directions even for small internal problems. US has a definite agenda for this region and our rulers know it very well and the decision of US are being implemented in Pakistan quietly.
Q: The Pakistan government claims that it is our battle against terrorism, what do you say about it?
Khan: In fact US don’t want to get Islamic judicial system established here. There is no terrorism here as such. The people feel safe under our traditional Islamic Judicial system. In past, Malakand division as a state was having traditional Islamic judicial system called Jirga, before its merger with Pakistan’s federal set up. But in 1984 this Jirga system was abolished as a result of that dissatisfaction swelled up in the region. The people of Malakand region raised the demand of restoration of Jirga system within the parameters of Law of the land but we were never heard. In 1999 again an agreement was signed for restoration of Jirga system. But it also fell flat. In 2008, the demand cropped up but again it was suppressed and gave birth to violence . Now it was Feb 16, 2009 the government again signed an agreement with us thereafter Pakistan parliament endorsed Nizam e Adal Regulation and therefore the government declared openly that Islamic judicial system (Jirga) will be implemented in Malakand division. But due to foreign pressure again the government betrayed us.
Q: You often claim that Islamic Judicial system (Jirga) is beneficial for both Muslims and non Muslims. Then why Jizya (security tax on non Muslims in) was imposed on Sikh community alone and subsequently Sikhs had to flee from the area in large numbers?
Khan: TNSM is meant for complete Malakand division and this Islamic judicial system is entirely different from rest of Pakistan. There is no such incident of discrimination against religious minorities. Here, Sikhs, Christians, Hindus have been regularly attending our meetings. They are fighting along with us for the restoration of our traditional judicial system. When the Pakistan army launched operation in the area Sikh community too caught in the cross firing and they have to flee from their native area like others.
Q: US with the NATO forces in Afghanistan are engaged in the battle there. Do you think that now US with a definite plan is keeping the tribal areas disturbed with the help of Pakistan army to hit Afghanistan from here?
Khan: In Afghanistan there was also Islamic judicial system and US dismantled that set up and in similar fashion they wanted to create hurdles in implementing Islamic judicial system here as well., In this process our rulers have extended full cooperation to them.
Q: Is there any strategy between Afghan Talibans and Malakand division Talibans?
Khan: No. We don’t have any connection with Afghan Talibans. We have only religious affinity with them. We ourselves are in a precarious condition how it is possible for us to extend our help to them.
Q: According to US reports there is nexus between Al Qaeda and Talibans in Malakand division? Is this a fact?
Khan: I deny it with authority. We have no connection with Al Qaeda, our struggle in Malakand division is indigenous.
Q: In a recent statement US Secretary of State Ms. Hillary Clinton claimed that ISI and CIA had jointly created Talibans. What are your comments?
Khan: If there was the backing of ISI or CIA to Talibans of Malakand division, they would not have attacked us. In a very calculated move US has kept Pakistan’s security apparatus in disarray by keeping them involved in inner problems so that Pakistan is divided into pieces.
Q: Pakistan forces have unleashed undeclared war against you. Do you still support the nation’s unity and integrity?
Khan: Our demand of restoration of Islamic judicial system is only for Malakand division, not for Pakistan. We wish no ill will for Pakistan.
Q: It is stated by US that Taliban and Al Qaeda poses direct threat to US.
Khan: If US has a direct threat from us they could have directly attacked us. Why through Pakistan army. They have devised a plan of killing Muslims by Muslims.
Q: Is it a fact that Talibans are using civilians as human shields?
Khan: It is absolutely a false propaganda. We have been struggling for the past 20 years with the active support of people. But now Pakistan army’s continued attacks and bombardments have confined the people to their homes.
Q: How many groups of Taliban are operating in Malakand division? Pakistan authorities blame that a number of groups are active on the direction of foreign countries like Russia, Afghanistan and India.
Khan: It is blatant lie. If it is believed that foreign countries are extending support to us why our Muslim rulers in Pakistan are shying away (remarked sarcastically). We have only one formidable Tehreek –e-Taliban Pakistan (Armed group) with no outside support.
Q: Are Talibans heading towards Islamabad, as it has been claimed by US that they have already touched North of the city.
Khan: No. There is no threat to Islamabad from Talibans. Of course Islamic judicial system is an open threat to Western civilization because they wanted to impose their culture on us.
Q: How many people have been killed and internally displaced in the ongoing military operations?
Khan: In the ongoing military operations old men, women and children are being killed because they can’t flee. According to official reports one thousand people have been killed so far but exact number will be known only after the curfew is lifted and people will go back to their homes. The number of people being killed is much higher and it is increasing day by day. So far twenty five lakh people have been displaced but the figure according to our information is above thirty lacs.
Q: President of Pakistan Mr Asif Ali Zardari has said that military operation will also be conducted in neighbouring Waziristan. What are your comments?
Khan: Pakistan is our country. They are rulers. Whenever, anywhere they want to hit they are free to do so. How can we stop them?
Q: How long you will continue your struggle when world community is turned against you?
Khan: Till the last person of Malakand division is alive our peaceful struggle will continue. TNSM is a force of warriors fighting without arms for the last twenty years. It is Tehrik e Taliban who have picked up the guns and TNSM has no connection with them.
Q: How these fighting Talibans are getting arms and ammunitions?
Khan: We the Pakhtuns are born with guns. Weapons are considered our ornaments and carry it along till grave. Of course, they purchase guns.
Q: What do you expect from Human Rights organisations?
Khan: We expect that the world community should allow us to live with peace according to our own Islamic cultural traditions.
Courtsy 'Current' Weekly, May 25-31, 2009 (New Delhi) www.currentnews.in
No comments:
Post a Comment