TALIBAN: PAKALERT

[Dr. Shabbir]

2:11 When it is said to them, “Do not cause disruption in the land”, they assert, “We are but reformers, setting things right.”


2:12 Nay, it is they who are the disrupters. But they fail to use reason.


The Pakistan PM, Yousuf Raza Gilani, has spoken to the nation yesterday. His speech was good but he missed what every politician, leader, writer, intellectual and media has been missing. They have been calling upon the nation to unite against the militants. This is an essential but abstract advice. No one is telling the people exactly what to do. They need clear, practical guidance.


For example:


- Armed forces cannot win the battle alone.


- Provide essential supplies to our gallant soldiers.


- Fly the Pak flag in support of the government and the forces at your homes and businesses.


- Help the displaced peaceful citizens as much as possible.


- Make it known that although the rehab efforts are insufficient but more facilities are fast on the way.


- All political parties, the government, NGOs and international institutions must immediately move to alleviate this developing humanitarian crisis.


- Let the slogan, “Pak Fauj Zindabad” be written on vehicles and buildings everywhere in the country.


- Share any crucial information with authorities.


- Report all suspicious activity.


- Do not shelter any stranger without scrutiny.


- Beware of the strangers in your neighborhood.


- Speak up against all violation of human rights.


- Educate the nation about the dangerous ideology of Taliban.


- Launching an ideological war against Taliban is the most important duty of our clergy, leaders, writers, media and intellectuals.


- Remember - Militants can be killed but not the ideology, however stupid and barbaric it may be. It can only be countered.


- Keep apprising Pakistanis of the lethal dangers these criminals pose to the society.


- DO NOT let people forget that it is the Taliban who initiated the problem by oppressing the innocent and necessitated the army action. Public memory tends to be short, hence, they might start blaming the Pak government and the gallant forces for the massive exodus of the innocent victims - unless constantly reminded.

Keep reminding people what the self-made Taliban “Shari’ah” means.


The Taliban Shari’ah:


- Everyone except Taliban is an infidel.


- Anyone helping the government must be beheaded.


- Burn all schools for girls.


- A woman can get out of her home only for pilgrimage.


- Any woman with her ankles uncovered must be subjected to 25 lashes on her bare feet.


- Same is the punishment for men who cover their ankles.


- Every man must sport at least a fistful of beard.


- Women must don the tent-style burka.


- Men must cover their head with a turban.


- Flogging men and women and stoning to death is a routine for whatever they think is a “moral crime”.


- Any barber shaving a man’s face must be beheaded.


- Kidnapping honorable people and law enforcement officials and beheading them is the gateway to paradise.


- So is suicide bombing which also grants them 72 heavenly virgins.


- Christians, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs must pay the infamous “poll tax” or get executed.


- Temples of worship other than Masjids must be destroyed.


- Musicians, dancers, actors, singers, painters and artists must be hanged.


- Music and CD shops must be burned.


- Television must be outlawed.


- The film industry must be wiped out.


- Anyone repeatedly violating these rules must be stoned to death.


Tough realities of life have a sinister habit of becoming invisible or taken for granted. Therefore, THE MEDIA MUST CARRY ON WITH A DAILY REMINDER TO THE NATION.


Finally, the Pak government and political parties must tell the world of India’s hand in the chaos. Who is supplying the most sophisticated weaponry to the rag tag criminals? Information Minister, Rahman Malik has furnished irrefutable video and documentary evidence to the senate yesterday.

[anwer]

Dr. Shabbir please add to your list.


. We should monetarily and emotionally take care of our needy and poor amongst us.

. We should monetarily take care of our brothers in remote areas.

. We should establish schools and boardings for poor and destitute so that they don't send their children to these so called religious institutions.


Jazak Allah for your Jihad

anwer

[Annas]

My mother and friends are very confident that the Pakistan army, which I am told is the 5th strongest in the world, will make haste in disposing these robed animals.

Every good citizen in Pakistan must support the army and help in whatever way they can for the sake of their nation.


Looking forward to your continued post dear Doctor.

[Sarwat Husain]

http://www.twf.org


May 9, 2009

Asia Times


Balochistan Is the Ultimate Prize

by Pepe Escobar


Balochistan . . . An immense desert comprising almost 48% of Pakistan's area, rich in uranium and copper, potentially very rich in oil, and producing more than one-third of Pakistan's natural gas, it accounts for less than 4% of Pakistan's 173 million citizens. Balochs are the majority, followed by Pashtuns. Quetta, the provincial capital, is considered Taliban Central by the Pentagon, which for all its high-tech wizardry mysteriously has not been able to locate Quetta resident "The Shadow", historic Taliban emir Mullah Omar himself.


Strategically, Balochistan is mouth-watering: east of Iran, south of Afghanistan, and boasting three Arabian sea ports, including Gwadar, practically at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz.


Gwadar - a port built by China - is the absolute key. It is the essential node in the crucial, ongoing, and still virtual Pipelineistan war between IPI and TAPI. IPI is the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline, also known as the "peace pipeline", which is planned to cross from Iranian to Pakistani Balochistan - an anathema to Washington. TAPI is the perennially troubled, US-backed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India pipeline, which is planned to cross western Afghanistan via Herat and branch out to Kandahar and Gwadar.


Washington's dream scenario is Gwadar as the new Dubai - while China would need Gwadar as a port and also as a base for pumping gas via a long pipeline to China. One way or another, it will all depend on local grievances being taken very seriously. Islamabad pays a pittance in royalties for the Balochis, and development aid is negligible; Balochistan is treated as a backwater. Gwadar as the new Dubai would not necessarily mean local Balochis benefiting from the boom; in many cases they could even be stripped of their local land.


To top it all, there's the New Great Game in Eurasia fact that Pakistan is a key pivot to both NATO and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), of which Pakistan is an observer. So whoever "wins" Balochistan incorporates Pakistan as a key transit corridor to either Iranian gas from the monster South Pars field or a great deal of the Caspian wealth of "gas republic" Turkmenistan. . . .


MORE at http://www.twf.org/News/Y2009/0507-Swat.html


---

May 8, 2009

Future of Freedom Foundation


U.S. Foreign Policy Caused the Taliban Problem

by Jacob G. Hornberger


U.S. officials are now concerned not only with a Taliban resurgence in Afghanistan but also a Taliban takeover in Pakistan. These problems, however, were caused by the U.S. Empire itself.


While most Americans now view President Bushs Iraq War as a bad war, the common perception is that Bushs invasion of Afghanistan was a good war (despite the fact that he went to war without the constitutionally required congressional declaration of war). The notion is that the U.S. government was justified in invading Afghanistan and ousting the Taliban regime from power because the Taliban and al-Qaeda conspired to commit the 9/11 attacks.


Theres just one big problem with that belief: its unfounded.


The reason that Bush ousted the Taliban from office was that the Taliban regime refused to comply with his unconditional demand to deliver Osama bin Laden to U.S. officials after the 9/11 attacks.


The Taliban responded to Bushs demand by asking him to furnish evidence of bin Ladens complicity in the 9/11 attacks. Upon receipt of such evidence, they offered to turn him over to an independent tribunal instead of the United States.


Bush never explained why the Talibans conditions were unreasonable. After all, as federal judges in the Jose Padilla case, the Zacarias Moussaoui case, and many others have confirmed, terrorism is a federal criminal offense. Thus, while its not unusual for one nation to seek the extradition of a foreigner to stand trial for a criminal offense, its just as reasonable for the nation receiving the request to be provided evidence that the person has, in fact, committed the crime.


Venezuela is currently seeking the extradition from the United States of a man named Luis Posada Carriles, who is accused of bombing a Cuban airliner over Venezuelan skies, a terrorist act that succeeded in killing everyone on board. . . .


Once the Taliban regime refused to comply with Bushs unconditional order to turn over bin Laden, the U.S. Empire did what it had done and tried to do in so many other countries Iran, Guatemala, Chile, Cuba, Indonesia, Iraq, and others bring about regime change by ousting a recalcitrant regime that refused to comply with the unconditional orders of the U.S. Empire a regime that the U.S. Empire itself had helped to create and replacing it with a submissive pro-empire regime. In the process, the empire succeeded in embroiling the United State into one more foreign conflict, one that has now spread to nuclear-armed Pakistan.


MORE at http://www.twf.org/News/Y2009/0507-Swat.html

[Hasan Nisar]

[Khadija Husain]

PAKISTAN

Taliban a threat to the whole country, Pakistani PM says

by Qaiser Felix


Prime Minister Gilani says army intervention is the only way to protect peace and the unity of the nation. Army and political parties back prime minister. Human rights commission calls for a task force to cope with refugee emergency.


Islamabad (AsiaNews) – The “army has been called in to uphold the sanctity and integrity of the country, to eliminate militants and ensure the security of the people,” Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani said in an address to the nation. More importantly, the government’s decision to use the iron fist against the Taliban in the Swat Valley has earned it support across the political spectrum. The country’s human rights commission has warned however of a looming refugee crisis, calling on the authorities to set up a task force to tackle the emergency.


In a live TV and radio broadcast Pakistan’s prime minister said that the time has come for the government to take the necessary steps against Taliban militias, who have violated the peace and quiet of the North-West Frontier Province (NWFP).


Mr Gilani said that based on the agreement signed with the Taliban, which led to the implementation of Sharia in the Swat Valley, the militants were supposed to lay down their weapons. Unfortunately they did not.


Instead the militants violated the deal in the Swat Valley and Malakand and forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee their homes. The result has been that innocent and unarmed civilians are under constant threat, the prime minister said.


The government’s decision to act against the Taliban comes after a three-way summit in Washington between the United States, Afghanistan and Pakistan, which focused on security and assistance.


Calling on the nation to stand united, Mr Gilani pledged a billion rupees (US$ 12 million) to meet the immediate needs of internally displaced people.


His appeal has been welcomed by both the army and parliament which are both solidly behind the prime minister.


Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Kayani vowed that the Pakistan Army would mobilise all available resources to launch a ‘decisive operation’ to crush the Taliban.


Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), the only party that opposed Sharia law in parliament, called Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani’s decision bold and timely and assured its support against the Taliban.


Similarly, the Awami National Party said that Gilani had taken the right decision.


Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid said that the prime minister’s speech was very logical


For his part NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the government had no option but to launch a military operation.


Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) called upon the federal government to immediately set up a special task force to implement a relief plan for the large number of people displaced in the ongoing conflict in the country’s northern part, a number which may soon reach a million.


Their needs are both urgent and substantial and the provincial government alone cannot cope with their needs.


For this reason a plan should be drawn up to help meet the refugees’ short and long term needs.


http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15192&size=A

[Marco Petroni]

PAKISTAN

Islamabad, final offensive against the Taliban. One million civilians flee

by Qaiser Felix

The provincial government and United Nations announce a humanitarian emergency in Swat Valley. The death toll from the clashes is 170 fundamentalists and 10 soldiers. The United States approves an aid package of 1.9 billion dollars.


Islamabad (AsiaNews) – 170 Taliban and 10 Pakistani soldiers have died in fighting in the Army’s final offensive against the Islamic fundamentalists in Swat Valley. Another six people were killed in a missile attack launched by a US drone in the province of South Waziristan on the border with Afghanistan. Meanwhile a humanitarian tragedy is unfolding : provincial government officers and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees speak of “more than one million people” driven from their homes by the war.


Army spokesman General Maj Gen Athar Abbas confirmed the military had launched a “full-scale operation” in Swat, with 12,000 to 15,000 armed forces personnel taking part in the operation. He said the operation will continue till “its logical conclusion” and complete” elimination of extremists from the area”. Abbas said militants are trying to block the exodus of innocent civilians by preventing their departure through coercion, road blocks and making the people hostage; for this reason operations are being conducted with lot of caution.


The approximate number of terrorists in Swat is around 4000 and while the militants in Swat are predominantly Pakistani, they have been joined by Afghans, Tajiks and Uzbeks. He said drug money coming from Afghanistan was the biggest source of finances received by the militants who also generate funds by kidnapping for ransom.


Meanwhile the government of the North West Frontier Province (Nwfp) the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees speak of “more than one million people” driven from their homes by the war. Wajid Ali Khan, NWFP Environment Minister, has launched an appeal to the International community for “food and basic goods for the refugees”. The UNHCR estimated that between 150 thousand and 200 thousand people had arrived in safe areas of the NWFP over the last few days with another 300 thousand on the move or about to move. Those fleeing the latest escalation of hostilities in Lower Dir, Buner and Swat join another 555,000 who have left their homes in Fata and the NWFP since August last year.


Finally the US government has approved 1.9 billion dollars for Pakistan, 591 million above the request. In the past week Washington had put pressure on both Pakistan and Afghanistan, putting copious amounts of funding on the balance, in return for concrete measures against the Taliban. The money is needed to support local agriculture and guarantee food to the population as well as improve internal security and education.


http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=15199&size=A

[Hasni Essa]

Taliban vow to 'eliminate' Pakistan's top leadership

9 May 2009, 1315 hrs IST, PTI

Print Email Discuss Share Save Comment Text:

ISLAMABAD: Angered by Pakistan government's decision to launch an all out war against them, the Taliban has vowed to "eliminate" country's top

Pakistan military troops

Pakistan military troops patrol on the streets of Takht Bai, about 150 km north west of Pakistan's capital Islamabad. (Reuters Photo)

More Pictures

leadership including President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and their close family members. ( Watch )


"We thought that being a member of a religious family, Gilani will support our demand of implementing Sharia in the Malakand division but instead he has announced an all-out war against us, which has angered our commanders as well as fighters," an unnamed Taliban commander told The News daily.


The militant commander, who spoke to the newspaper by phone, said after Gilani declared during an address to the nation on Thursday that the Taliban would be wiped out from the Swat Valley and adjoining areas, the militants had started planning to "eliminate the top leaders of the ruling alliance, including President, Prime Minister and their close family members and aides".


The commander said Gilani's hometown of Multan and tomb of former premier Benazir Bhutto might also be targeted by the militants.


"Besides, the personnel and installations of security forces, we have now also included civilian rulers in our hit list. We will definitely need some time to plan our actions but it is not impossible for us and we have all the means to implement our plan of attack anywhere in Pakistan," he claimed.


Hasni Essa

Islam for Pluralism

[Eleanor D'Souza]

Few days later Pak Alert Press stated under the title “Pakistan:The Final Game Begins” that stage has been set for a false flag attack on America soon that will allow USA to start military operations inside Pakistan ,partition the country and get its Nuclear capabilities neutralized! Another 9/11 is inevitable for Zionist Pentagon to win the final game and impose New World Order but may be they are not realizing that this time they are going to ignite the first and last Nuclear World War.

[shahalam]

When someone’s opinions and ideas move and shake people’s conscience, it may be presumed to have been infused as nature’s gift. Pakistan must listen to people like Hasan Nisar, who is a social consciences and an activist. He constantly disturbs and wakes up the sluggish mind of Pakistan. That is a hope for the society.

[UmeAimon]

Salam,

...and the point of this forum is.... those were and are never muslims nor was/is this ever Islam. It's about time all the people start saying out that loud! The people who call themselves so called imams and scholars and leaders need to be challenged openly for their crime of making the versions of Islam that leave a muslim as nothing but a pathetic dupe! How long are we going to wait? Time is running short and the only hope I see now is to get rid of all these world financials and religious karta dhartas/heads and all their collaborators somehow who are destroying this world...for the sake of humanity not just for so called muslims!


jazakAllah


UmeAimon

[Anmol Singh]

Friday 8th of May 2009

Panthic Weekly News Bureau


Sikh homes razed by the barbaric Taliban after they refused to pay 'Jazia'

(Photo : AP)


ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (KP)—While the wider Panth has turned a blind eye to the plight of Pakistani Gursikhs, the Pakistan Government has allegedly decided to take action on behalf of the 128 Sikh families which have been displaced due to Islamic Fundamentalism. The refugees who have barely escaped conflict are currently staying at Gurdwara Panja Sahib (Hassan Abdal) and Gurdwara Bhai Joga Singh (Peshawar). The Federal Minister for Minorities Affairs, Shahbaz Bhatti, has assured Sikh refugees and Sikh minorities that their right to exist as an religious minority within a democratic Pakistan will be preserved.


In a press conference last week Minister Bhatti stated, "The present government believes in the principles of tolerance, human equality and peaceful co-existence." The press conference was arranged as an attempt to address and inform the general public on the recent turmoil that Sikhs experienced in Swat, Buner and Orakzai Agency.


In an attempt to reconcile with the displaced and emotionally distraught Sikh refugees, the Minister visited the historical Sikh Gurdwara Panja Sahib located in Hassan Abdal, where the 128 Sikh families have currently taken refuge after undergoing extreme violence at the hands of the Taliban.


During his visit, the Minister expressed that nobody has right to alter the state system which is based on tolerance and acceptance. In addition, he condemned the Jazyia (tax) by the Islamic Fundamentalists. He stated, "minorities in Pakistan are not conquered communities, rather they are sons of the same soil and the government will not allow any faction of society to trample the constitutional rights of the minorities."


He further added that the Jizia not only violates the law, but it is a burden on the judicial process. He elaborated and mentioned that the law of the land as Article 20 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan protects the right for every Pakistani to practice any religion without any discrimination.


While consoling the displaced Sikhs, the minister mentioned that the government will create a relief package for the refugees. The package will include residence, provision of food items, medical and educational facilities—as well as emergency financial assistance of Rs10,000 for each family.


In addition, the government will ensure that displaced Sikhs will be allowed to re-enter their previous residences as soon as the territory is safe and free from terrorism. To assure that the Sikh refugees will not be neglected, a committee of Ministry officers have been created to cater to the displaced refugees. In addition, the Minister has allegedly written a letter to the Governor and Chief Minister for the protection of minorities within these Taliban provinces.


Whether these promises will be kept by Pakistan officials remains obscure. Many skeptics have stated that the Government is making promises to save themselves from embarrassment and avoid the consequences from the American Government. The US has provided the Pakistani Government with millions of dollars to combat the Taliban within the country. If the Sikh community report these atrocities to international agencies, the American Government will eventually find out their money has not been put to use adequately as Taliban are roaming free and imposing Islamic Law on religious minorities.


Sikhs are not the only minority victims of Taliban violence. Christians, Shiite Muslims and others have also witnessed the wrath of the fanatical Taliban. If the Pakistan Government knows the Taliban are roaming in certain regions, why have they not taken swift military action? We cannot expect the Government to help the Sikhs in times of need.


Unfortunately, the wider Panth have not shown much concern towards these Sikh Pakistani Refugees. Many people have mentioned that if this situation would have taken place in Punjab, then there would be more concern. But since the place is in Pakistan, The Panth seems less interested. Pakistani Sikh Brothers and Sisters need our help in these times of turmoil. They have committed a brave act in risking their lives for the sake of not converting from Sikhi. The affluent SPGC should make an attempt to support these refugees as Pakistani Gurdwaras are not as affluent as Gurdwaras in Punjab.

[Dr. Shabbir]

Thank you for sending the link! I have enjoyed this conversation.