ANP deal with TNSM in Swat: A critical perspective

Can ANP afford to offer more sacrifices against a ruthless enemey (ISI-Taliban allaince)?

ANP to uphold Swat peace deal, says Asfandyar

Saturday, February 21, 2009 By Tauseef-ur-Rahman PESHAWAR: Central President of the Awami National Party (ANP) Asfandyar Wali Khan on Friday said his party would prefer quitting ministries to withdrawal from the Swat peace deal under pressure. “We’ve a commitment to the Pakhtun nation about the restoration of peace on their land and will not pay heed to the reservations of the Nato about the deal,” Asfandyar said while talking to media persons at the residence of late MPA Alamzeb Khan, who was assassinated in a bomb attack in Momin Town, last week. The ANP chief said he was more concerned about safety and security of his people than what other forces believe or think. He said the ANP would abide by the peace agreement in Swat and would fulfil the commitment made by the party with Pakhtuns for the restoration of peace. He said the United States had accepted the peace deal which was evident from the statement of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He said the deal was in accordance with the Constitution of Pakistan and they would convince the world and address their concerns. Answering a question, the ANP chief said the provincial government had yet to send the draft of the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation to President Zardari for approval. To a question about amendments to the Constitution, Asfandyar said the matter would be sorted out soon after getting two-thirds majority in the Senate. Earlier, Asfandyar Wali met family members of late Alamzeb Khan and offered Fateha for his departed soul. (The News) http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=20484

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I am shocked

I am shocked at the ANP government in the NWFP for agreeing with a banned TNSM party for the resolution of the conflict in the area. How can one negotiate with a banned entity? If the TNSM imposes its brand of Sharia, it would be terrible for secular parties of Pakistan since only fundamentalists would be elected from that area. And there would be no room for the women of the area. Rather than roping in the leaders of the TNSM, the government is talking to them. What guarantee is there that this wouldn't inspire religious zealots in the other areas of Pakistan? Parties like the ANP and the PPP shouldn't support such things. This would only give official cover to the banned parties to start the Talibanisation process with more fervour and enthusiasm. It is quite sad that the government has changed its stance. These laws would be another blow to the already fragile situation in Pakistan. Our economy is on the brink and the country is on the anvil of civil war. Appeasing terrorists who blow up schools and chop off people's heads is no way to solve our problems; the writ of the state should not be compromised. If the laws were brought into place, it would mean that there would be two kinds of laws in the country. If we concede this, we will go on conceding and there would be no hope for this nation and the country will disintegrate. The government keeps on rambling about democracy and how democratic Pakistan is. If that is truly the case, then why weren't these laws and this deal discussed in the provincial assembly? This should have been brought into the assembly and then discussed. I just hope that good sense prevails and the laws are not implemented. (Fawwad Shafi from Lahore, The Frontier Post)

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Some relevant comments

Utmankhel1 said:

Whether the deal works or not is decided in GHQ not by Fazlullah.

From the look of it, this does not sound an agreement by any standards. It seems more like Sufi Mohammad is feeling guilty for his role in starting this bloody game and now since he is dying he wants to undo some of his dirty work.

So far as ANP is concerned, well they did not have any option left.

1) They sent army to curb militancy, Army did the opposite; out of the 2700 killed in Swat, 100 are militants while 2500 are civilians. There is no point continuing the military operation.

2) Taliban’s representatives like Imran and Qazi were shouting full throttle for dialogue, and the right-wing media was out fully supporting them, so ANP had to do that.

3) ANP is trying to strip Taliban of any legitimacy in their demands. Sharia was one, though everybody knows it is strategic depth and not shariat which is the motive.

AClarionCall said:

This agreement is only to buy time before Taliban terrorists re-group themselves. Imagaine an agreement on a blank piece of paper. What a Joke! Pakistan ka Khuda Hafi

Utmankhel1 said:

AClraionCall,

Beg your pardon, but do you really think Taliban needs to re-group ? They are strong and stable so why re-group ? ? ? ?

http://thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=20424

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=163154

The News story has confirmed, that Musa Khankhel has been killed by Army/ISI.

The only way out is to demolish this whole evil structure of Army otherwise no hope ………..

sal said:

You never negotiate from a weak position. This agreement is no different from the past agreements done in North Waziristan etc. This just gives the extremists time to re-group and advance.

Another thing to ponder, if we go around telling the world that we are secure and we can maintain and protect our nuclear assets, what kind of signal this surrender sends to the rest of the world. We just gave up our territory to a group of thugs. If we can’t even control these worthless Taliban germs, then how are we to protect our nuclear assets in case of an invasion from a foreign country. Why should anyone believe us that we are competent when we obviously are not.

What we need is a sustained effort of a media blitz against the extreme ideology promoted by these loonies, a re-education of the masses about basic concepts of jihad, tolerance, Adal -o- ehsan, etc. We need to teach our idiot brothers and sisters out there that no 70 virgins are waiting for them if they blow themselves up and kill even one innocent person. At the same time, instead of maligning out military and security agencies, we need to use them to infiltrate the mosques, and madrasahs that are operated by the militants and identify the leaders and the next in command and the next in command and the next in commend and finish them off. Instead of coming in to our towns with roaring tanks an blazing guns, we need to use reconnaissance, and sharp shooters to eliminate them one by one. All the same time educating and propagandizing the true intentions of the militants to the masses. Of course a little governance and job creation would also help the local people.

The reason why we remain silent when the extremist talk about our faith with their perverted interpretations si quite simple. It is unchallenged because somehow, deep down, we too believe that perhaps music is haram, that singing is haram, that maybe, women should stay home behind curtains. After all, we all have read or heard about those ahadith, haven’t we. It is the twisted interpretation of these ahadith that is the culprit. Unless we equip ourselves with the correct interpretation and the knowledge and at the same time, garner the courage in ourselves to reject a false and weak hadith that is polluting everything, we stand to loose our country to these anarchists.

AClarionCall said:

@Utmankhel1

Have you ever thought who is making Talibans stronger?
Have you ever thought who is supplying Talibans arms and logistics?
Have you ever thought who is giving Talibans financial support?
Have you ever thought who is providing Talibans moral support?
Have you ever thought who is behind Talibans?

Have you ever thought why our nation is fast becoming pr0-Taliban?
Ask yourself these questions first then you will realise why Talibans are so strong (and getting stronger) and have become such a headache for our society. W need more than a Panedol tablet to get rid of this headache. I bet this weak agrrement will be an another futile exercise to bring peace in entire NWFP and FATA.

Wrong policies of last 30 years have given immense boost to extremism throughout our country especailly NWFP region where so-called champions of Islam have used it for their own vested interests. Our nation as a whole has become hostage to misleading slogans of Islam where decency and tolerance have no place. Suicide murderes are praised and their inhuman acts are justified through absurd arguments using Hadess and Quran. There is a shower of sympathy in our society for people who are burning schools and blowing up mosques even fuenarls. If one does not follow a particular brand of Islam will be declared Kafir by another group. This is the pyche of our nation where people fear to oppose Taliban brand of Islam. Our limited knowledge of Islam is a big drawback for this nation. 90% people have read Quran but never understood it because they read it in Arabic not in Urdu. Unfortunately we are losing a whole generation of our youths in the name of extremism and the writing on the wall is very disturbing for the future of this nation.

May Allah bless Pakistan

Utmankhel1 said:

AClarion,

Sorry if i misunderstood you. I have been following Swat’s situation and ANP’s stance on that. I was critical of the first deal that ANP did with Fazlullah in April, because i knew the nature of those militants and my view point was that the deal provided them with legitimacy, which they did not deserve.

I am supporting ANP on this deal for few reasons.

1) ANP had no way out. Army was not willing to eliminate terrorists and were deliberately causing huge civilian casualties. So ANP was failed by army and with each passing day the sufferings of ordinary people were increasing due to that military operation. So ANP was left with only two options;either invite NATO or try something else. Sufi Mohammad is the something else.

2) Sufi Mohammad, so far as i read him, is fully on-board with ANP and is sincerely trying to solve the problem. By sitting opposite to Fazlullah he will definitely weaken his standing in eyes of people.

3) In case the deal fails, ANP will be at the previous position, so no loss.

4) These negotiations will shut the barking mouths of Qazi Imran Khan, who were bent upon misguiding people.

fanaticmulla said:

Aclarioncall

totally agree with you ..yes i have seen people in media justify every inhuman act…Hamid Mir is one, Javed Ch is another idiot and there is a group n iSI and ex generals who support talibans..i am sure that sooner or later whole NWFP will be under control of Taliban with the help of some present and ex ISI Mullahs and some media guys who present suicide bombers as heros

Utmankhel1 said:

fanatic …….

I think it’s already under control of the militants. They can drag anyone out of his home and kill him.

The only thing we need is to aware people of this drama, although, most of them already know it. Anyways, the night is not gonna last for ever. This ISI/Army is doomed sooner or later.

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The media-mujahideen campaigan against PPP and ANP. Time to safeguard democracy.

The ‘image’ and the ‘reality’

A suicide bomber blew himself up at the exit gate of a packed Qayyum Stadium in Peshawar on Tuesday, killing four people and wounding 13. The occasion was the conclusion of the Third Inter-Provincial Games at which speakers were congratulating the NWFP government for staging the event and “improving” Pakistan’s image as a “normal” state where people took part in sports and were opposed to terrorism.

The Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militants in Darra Adam Khel have claimed responsibility for the attack and explained that the target was the senior NWFP minister Bashir Ahmed Bilour. (Mr Bilour was on his way out but had not yet reached the exit gate when the explosion occurred.) The suicide-bomber was about 20 years old and could be from any one of the vast array of terrorist organisations that were once a part of Pakistan’s jihad assembly line. Recently, a large number of TTP militants, including foreigners, were arrested from the Darra.

Far from projecting an image of “normality” the games have once again presented Pakistan as a dangerous place where normal social activity like playing and investing money is not routinely done. The world cannot miss the contrast with India where a hugely popular cricket test series has been won by India and a popular night cricket tournament called the ICL is in progress with a Pakistani team that could well make its way to the finals. For those of us who point to bombings in India and also protest discrimination on the part of the countries which send their teams to India and not to Pakistan, the Peshawar blast must come as a heart-breaking event.

The ruling ANP in the NWFP is being targeted by the terrorists to achieve political ends through fear. In Pakistan everybody contests the textbook definition of terrorism but what the TTP is doing comes pat on it: “The deliberate creation and exploitation of fear through violence or the threat of violence in the pursuit of political change”. The ANP leader Mr Asfandyar Wali earlier narrowly escaped death at the hands of a suicide-bomber at his residence. Understandably, the ANP leaders at the Qayyum Stadium were visibly shaken by the Tuesday bombing.

The idea behind the bombing campaign is to make the ANP resign office. The TTP feels better facing a clerical alliance in power in Peshawar than politicians who represent the essence of Pakhtun culture. If allowed to complete their tenure, the ANP intends to revive the legacy of the Pakhtun pride inhumanly crushed by the beheading activities of the TTP and its patron Al Qaeda. But the TTP wants particular political change. It wants the PPP to disappear from the centre and the ANP from the NWFP. It wants to change the public opinion that tilts in favour of these two parties and was responsible for their success in the 2008 elections.

The consolidation of the Taliban and Al Qaeda in the Tribal Areas took place when the clerical alliance, the MMA, was in power in the NWFP and Balochistan following the 2002 elections. Analysts now say that President Pervez Musharraf and the MMA reached a covert agreement under which the former ensured his legitimacy through the 17th Amendment and the MMA got to deploy its policy of converting the province into a region of extreme religious identity as envisaged by the Taliban. Unfortunately, the politics of alliances has placed the ANP and the clerical JUIF in the same coalition in Islamabad.

Recent developments foreshadow a face-off between the ANP and the JUIF. The JUIF blames the ANP for the making public of a land scam that reveals a little more of the details in the Musharraf-MMA covert relationship. Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his deputies have gone on the warpath and are accusing the ANP of secretly advancing the separatist cause of Pakhtunistan by scheming to lump all the Pakhtun regions of the country together and declare them a separate political entity outside Pakistan. The intensity of this squabble does nothing to alleviate the danger of the trouble the NWFP is facing from the Taliban. In fact, it makes it more intense.

Pakistan’s image is mud; its favourite sport, cricket, has practically receded from the domestic scene. But that is far less important than what might happen in Islamabad if things get out of hand. The ANP, feeling extremely hurt, might put pressure on the ruling PPP to decide between them and the JUIF. Unable to arbitrate between them, the PPP might run the risk of being accused of non-seriousness in its alliance with the ANP. (For instance, the ANP might mount pressure for a change of governor and become further alienated if Islamabad doesn’t oblige because it is subject to all kinds of structural pressures.)

The PPP can’t survive by merely repeating the mantra that “we are not slaves of America”. The wave against it — buoyed by a media-mujahideen campaign applying such pressures on the government as demanding the withdrawal of the army from FATA, taking on the Americans, rebuffing the IMF, rebuilding the nuclear charisma of Dr AQ Khan, etc — is relentless. The TTP is hoping to add its muscle to this media campaign to improve its chances of a takeover of FATA. The road to hell is truly paved with the best of intentions. (Daily Times)
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The issue of 'Greater Pakhtunistan' and trading of allegations between the JUI-F and the ANP - By Hamid Mir

The recent emergence of the issue of 'Greater Pakhtunistan' and trading of allegations between the JUI-F and the ANP should be a matter of serious concern for all patriot Pakistanis who would like democracy to succeed in Pakistan. In this column, Hamid Mir advises ANP and JUI-F to reconcile for the well-being of Pakistan and democracy. He also notes that the issue of 'Greater Pakhtunistan' does not exist, and it must not be exploited for political gains.



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In Asfandyar Wali’s defence

by Gulmina Bilal

Asfandyar Wali Khan has fled the country. Or so people will have you believe. In recent days, friends and family have bombarded me with questions and snide remarks about his whereabouts. Some have found this to be an excellent material for text-message jokes about Mr Wali. Others have expressed disappointment and anger. People ask as to how Asfandyar can “run away” in fear from a terrorist attack? How he could have accepted the security of the Presidency? How can he claim to be the leader of the Pakhtuns when he has left them in the lurch, they ask? Does he really expect to be accepted as the leader of the Pakhtuns now that he has left the province burning in the violent extremist fire? His critics ask as to how come he did not commiserate with the people injured in the suicide bomb blast over Eid? How can he leave the province when it is facing acute flour shortage? How can he leave the province when the internally displaced people of Bajaur Agency are in agony?

Another set of allegations against the Awami National Party and the person of Asfandyar Wali is that they have received money from the US to turn a blind eye towards US clandestine and overt activities in the province. Rumours abound of dollars being brought in suitcases into the party headquarters—i.e., the Bacha Khan Markaz in Peshawar. I must confess that initially when these rumours surfaced I countered them with jokes like “suitcases get heavy. We accept online transfers and even American Express.” However, in a country which thrives on rumour mongering, and that too political rumour mongering, I decided to give my point of view. This article is an attempt to do that, although it is not being written at either the party’s or the party’s behest. The views expressed are strictly my own.

Asfandyar Wali Khan has not fled the country. He is away from the country, no doubt, and is busy with personal and party commitments abroad. Undoubtedly, I would imagine that he must be concerned about his security. Anyone who has even been mugged, let alone been the target of a suicide attack, would be. How many of us have started avoided crowded places like high profile hotels in the wake of suicide bombings in the country? Why can’t political leaders be allowed to confess that they are concerned about their own security? Sure, they have more responsibility. That is why it is said that you should never congratulate anyone for winning an election. His/her life just got tougher because of the responsibilities that come with the election. Asfandyar Wali Khan is the leader of a party that has been voted into power by the majority of the inhabitants of Pukhtunkhwa. He therefore has more responsibility and it is precisely this responsibility that makes him the subject of suicide attacks, rumours, snide remarks from his critics and heightened expectations by his supporters.

No one is denying that the country as a whole, and the province of Pakhtunkhwa in particular, is confronted with the worst ever challenges. The list of these challenges is long and all equally important. For instance, when we talk about security, we have to talk about all kinds of security, including food security, energy security and, the most basic of all, life security. The people of Swat and Bajaur are particularly insecure, adding internal displacement to the problem. However, is it realistic to expect that Asfandyar Wali Khan visit each and every refugee of the Bajaur camp?

He is the leader of the party and not the party itself. To say that the “party has folded” just because one individual is out of the country is to dispense with the whole party politics structure and democracy. Other leaders and parliamentarians and members of the party are very much in the country, in their constituencies, in the government and are trying to address the problems confronting the province. They are facing the same threats of violence and bombs, yet they trudge along. Of course, some of them are taking security measures, such as not flying official flags on their cars, as the media has reported, but is that to be taken as a sign of cowardice? Is it cowardice to protect yourself, or is it intelligence? A three-year- old child will take risks because s/he does not have a concept of fear. Adults protect themselves because intelligence has taught them the concept of fear.

The people are well within their right to expect the ANP-PPP coalition government to provide them security. Perhaps, in some cases the government can do a lot more. But, then, if we look at the politics of the region, can we honestly say that this is a 100 day old problem which has not been resolved by the almost 240 days old government? Isn’t the challenge confronting us complex and multi-faceted with numerous reasons, interests, players and implications? Are the people of Bajaur internally displaced today only because of the alleged incompetence of the ANP-PPP coalition government? Is Swat a no- go area because the provincial government is allegedly complacent? Are the people concerned about bombs going off just because Asfandyar Wali is not in the country?

As for the other allegation of the “dollars in suitcases,” given so that the ANP will turn a blind eye, consider the following: Newspapers every day are publishing reports of how the ANP leaders are being threatened by the extremists. Their houses are being fired upon. Will you accept money to turn a blind eye against acts committed against yourself, your families and property? Also, if one were to be politically cynical one could perhaps also ask as to whether the Americans really need to spend money to get things done their way? Over the years, haven’t we as a country been losing parts of our sovereignty anyways?

Years ago, the late Wali Khan penned a book titled Facts are Facts. Perhaps we need to seek new facts and divorce them from baseless rumours.

The writer is an Islamabad-based freelance consultant and a member of the Awami National Party. Email: gbaanp@ gmail.com (Daily The News)
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Why are the supporters of Taliban in Pakistani media against Asfandyar Wali Khan - Abbas Ather

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Son of the soil, great Pakistani leader Asfandyar Wali Khan, and the supporters of terrorists in Pakistani media e.g. Mushtaq Minhas

While the terrorists of Taliban/Al-Qaeda/Sipah-e-Sahaba are actively involved in acts of terror in various areas in Pakistan, their supporters in politics and media are busy in dirty disinformation campaign against those great sons and daughters of Pakistan who are bravely challenging terrorists. The mouth-pieces of Taliban include Rauf Klasra, Mushtaq Minhas, Ansar Abbasi etc who are really sad because of the failure of the suicide bomber in killing Asfandyar Wali Khan. Here is how Abbas Ather analyzes this situation:



Comment:

ResidentEvil:

Mushtaq Minhas, Lahore is a religious city? Really? Then why the biggest red light district in the country? And since when being Open Minded and Liberal is a BAD thing? Since when being a fan of Bulley Shah and Shah Hussain is a BAD thing? Maybe to Saudi Wahaabhis, but not to an average, progressive, open minded muslim.

Come on Mushtaq Minhas, don’t spread this venom of wahabiism through your program. Live and let Live! Nobody has the right to force their morality on others.


dara:

We were the followers of Bhulley Shah, Shah Hussain, Baba Farid, shah Latif Bhitai and Rehman Baba.
We said no to mullah, Mulayet ( extremism). We used to respect every one’s point of view. We use to respect our Maulvi Sahab but now
those who are killing innocent, who are be head human like animals, who does not has respect for others at all, who do not tolerate the existence of people who have different point of view. They are the one who were against Bhulley Shah at his times, or were against Rehman Baba at his times.
a link for peace lovers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m0cFkOUixoU&feature=related
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The Bacha Khan family of Pakistan - by Abdul Qadir Hasan

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Understanding the insurgency

Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi

This state of affairs did not develop in a year, but gradually since 2001. The Musharraf regime and the MMA government in the NWFP allowed these elements to entrench themselves and expand their influence

The October 2 suicide attack at the residence of the ANP chief, Asfandaryar Wali Khan, was another frightening reminder of the escalating threat to Pakistani state and society. Coming less than two weeks after the Marriott bombing in Islamabad, the Charsadda attack shows that Pakistan faces something more than pure and simple terrorism, often explained, if not justified, by pro-militancy elements as a reaction to American presence in Afghanistan.

The ANP is not known as a pro-US political party, and it has always stood for an independent foreign policy with an emphasis on conflict-free relations with all neighbours. Its support for counter-terrorism is based on protection of Pakistani society, particularly Pakhtun society, from religion extremism and violence.

The latest suicide attack shows that anti-Americanism is not the sole explanation for the activities of Islamic militants. Pakistan faces an insurgency led by the Pakistani Taliban with their core base in the tribal areas. They appear well entrenched there, and their activities are now aimed more at the Pakistani state than at supporting the Afghan Taliban, as was the case in the past (though they still cooperate with each other).

The Taliban want to consolidate their territorial control in the tribal areas and extend it to as many parts of the NWFP as possible. They would like to establish a political and administrative domain that will have Islamic features similar to the Taliban regime in Afghanistan during 1996-2001. They also have an ideological agenda of making their domain available to other movements that share their “Islamic” agenda. Their approach also involves extending influence and control throughout Afghanistan and Pakistan through allied hard-line groups.

The attack on the ANP leader can be explained only in the backdrop of this ideological and territorial agenda. Unlike the MMA provincial government (2002-2007), the present ANP government in NWFP has openly challenged the efforts of Pakistani Taliban to expand their domain at the expense of the state. The Taliban asked the ANP government to resign, which the latter refused. Therefore, the Taliban view the ANP leadership as an adversary that obstructed the implementation of their agenda. Their bid to eliminate Asfandyar Wali failed, but it underlined the point that the Taliban will target individuals and entities that are blocking the realisation of their agenda.

Pakistan now faces an insurgency whose leadership wants to displace the state and government, or at least restrict its domain. If the government of Pakistan cannot neutralise these challenges through military and political means, it will become increasingly irrelevant in many parts of what is today Pakistan. This is the most serious challenge to post-1971 Pakistan: an armed and well-organised movement has entrenched itself in the tribal areas and now threatens to displace the Pakistani state from as much area as possible.

This state of affairs did not develop in a year, but gradually since 2001. The Musharraf regime and the MMA government in the NWFP allowed these elements to entrench themselves and expand their influence.

The Pakistani Taliban is a post-2001 phenomenon. After the capture of Kabul by American and Northern Alliance troops in November 2001, most of the original Taliban and Al Qaeda elements initially disappeared in mountainous regions like Tora Bora. Later, they moved into FATA and parts of Balochistan adjacent to Afghanistan. A good number of them already had links in Pakistan though the madrassa system. Their entry and stay in the area were also facilitated by shared ethnicity, religious outlook and the desire to free Afghanistan from American occupation.

The continued presence of the Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda mobilised local Pashtuns, some of whom had fought with the Afghan Taliban first against the Northern Alliance and then against the Americans. These local Pashtuns began to organise themselves under inspiration and support from the Afghan Taliban and Al Qaeda, later naming themselves the Pakistan Taliban.

Three factors facilitated their growth. First, the initial target of both sets of Taliban was Afghanistan. As they did not challenge Pakistani authorities, the latter did not generally interfere with their activities unless they got involved in local feuds and disturbed the law and order situation.

Second, the Musharraf government pursued a dual policy of confronting and arresting some Al Qaeda and Taliban elements but not pushing security action against them to dislodge them completely. Local civilian and intelligence authorities had enough discretion to give some space to these elements. This helped the Musharraf government get the MMA’s backing and consolidate itself. It was only after the Red Mosque incident in July 2007 that the MMA began to distance itself from the government.

Third, local authorities under the MMA government in the NWFP did not try to stop the Taliban march from the tribal areas to adjoining settled districts because they shared their worldview. By the time the MMA government left office in 2007, the Pakistani Taliban had reached several rural and urban centres of the province. Further, the MMA opposed the federal government’s military operations in the tribal areas.

The Pakistani Taliban (backed by their Afghan counterparts and Al Qaeda) decided to challenge the Pakistani government openly in settled areas after the Red Mosque incident because they viewed it as the beginning of the government’s new policy of subduing their Pakistani allies. A series of suicide bombings hit Pakistan in 2007-2008.

The recent spurt of violence is a Taliban reaction to the present PPP-led government’s unambiguous policy of countering terrorism. The latest military action has also hit them hard in Bajaur and Swat. A significant development in the tribal belt is that non-Taliban tribesmen have started supporting military action against the Pakistani Taliban. They have been taking action against militants and protecting Pakistani forces’ supply lines. The Pakistani Taliban have increased suicide attacks in order to force the government to stop these military operations.

Pakistan faces an insurgency in the tribal belt that targets the settled areas. The aim of the insurgency appears to be to subdue Pakistan’s state and society. The on-going operations are meant to remove this challenge. The ANP and the MQM have also taken a public position against extremists and militants. Islamist parties do not support the government’s tough line and military action against the Taliban and Al Qaeda. The PMLN and the PMLQ (the ruling party under Musharraf) do not support military action and express reservations on the current government’s handling of the situation.

These parties are unable to fathom the threat to Pakistan, and continue to view these developments through their anti-American lens. Some of them describe the situation as a conspiracy engineered by the US, India, Afghanistan and Jewish extremists.

Even if there is merit to such conspiracy theories they cannot be tackled by suicide bombings, burning of girls’ schools, public executions, Islamic-sectarian killings or inter-group conflict. There is a need to see the emerging challenge of insurgency in its true perspective.

Dr Hasan-Askari Rizvi is a political and defence analyst. (Daily Times)
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The lion of Pakhtunkhwa, Asfandyar Wali Khan, attacked by Taliban terrorists.

Unhurt Asfand vows to hit back, establish govt’s writ

5 killed in attack on Wali’s house

Staff Reporter/Agencies

PESHAWAR: A suicide bomber blew himself up as he tried to run into the house of Awami National Party President Asfandyar Wali Khan on Thursday, killing five and injuring 12 others. Asfandyar remained unhurt. Asfandyar Wali Khan was meeting guests in his 'Hujra' (guest house) on the second day of Eidul Fitr when his house was attacked, police officials said. "Five people were killed in the suicide blast. The target was Asfandyar Wali but he is safe," Mian Iftikhar, the information minister for NWFP told reporters.

Provincial police chief Malik Naveed told reporters that guards shot the bomber before he blew himself up.

"The suicide bomber tried to pass from the security scanner avoiding a physical search. Two security guards grabbed him but he tried to get away," Naveed said. "Then he was shot and as soon as he fell on the ground he blew himself up."

A senior party member said that one of Khan's armed guards was killed in the latest attack.

Police said the other victims included a policeman and a bank manager, Fazal Ghani, who was visiting to pay his respects to Khan.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gillani have condemned the brutal act of terrorism on President ANP Asfandyar Wali in strong words and reiterated government's firm commitment to root out the menace of terrorism and extremism.

President Asif Ali Zardari in his message while urging the unity underlined that the incumbent government is determined to eliminate the scourge of terrorism and the political leadership would not let the terrorists to succeed their nefarious designs.

According to sources, the President telephoned ANP President and inquired about his condition and thanked the Almighty Allah over the safety of prominent leader of the country.

He also expressed his condolence with the heirs of those who lost their loved ones in the suicide blast.

Expressing his condolence over Charsadda blast, Prime Minster Yousaf Raza Gillani in his message termed the blast a conspiracy to destabilise the country said that the government is using all its resources to eliminate terrorism.

The prime minister also announced Rs 300,000 each for those who lost their lives while Rs. 100,000 each for injured.

According to eyewitness, a 17 year old boy tried to enter in main "Hujra" (guest house) at Wali Bagh, when security guards stopped to check him, he rushed from the site, while the police opened fired hit bullets to stop him, but he blew himself up.

Talking to reporters the central president of ANP Asfandaryar Wali Khan has said that the government would not be pressurised by such attacks. "Our point of view is very clear that we will negotiate only with those who lay down arms," he said. He made it clear that government would establish its writ any cost. "We will hit back and hit back strongly," Asfand said; adding that his party would not change its stance. "We stand for this soil and would die for this soil," he said. He expressed sorrow over the loss of lives in the incident.

NWFP Information Minister Mian Iftikhar reiterated that those who would shun confrontation and lay down arms, the government would negotiate with them, adding that the Bacha Khan Tehrik could not be ended through suicide attacks.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/Fb_ShortNewsT.aspx?fbshortid=3441&fcatid=14&fstatus=Current&bcatid=14&bstatus=Current


Report

ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan survived a deadliest suicide attack in Wali Bagh Charsada at his guesthouse. In the suicide attack five persons including a gunman of ANP leader were killed beside the suicider. The verbal fight between Taliban and ANP leadership persistently continued for the last couple of weeks on the issue of military operation in FATA and swat as well. Taliban leadership in the past had welcomed the ANP led government in the Pukhtoonkhwa, NWFP for its policy statement to hold negotiations and make agreements with Taliban leadership to bring an end to the ongoing strife in Swat and FATA.The truce had proved very fruitful for some time but unfortunately some hidden hands sabotaged the peace agreements after which both sides blamed each other for violating the agreements. The federal government has repeatedly told the nation that the ongoing military operation in Swat and FATA had been launched on the request of the ANP led government to bring an end to the activities of the militants. A few days back too the top leadership of Taliban had held a meeting chaired by the ailing leader at that time Baitullah Mehsud had warned the ANP leadership to review their policy regarding Taliban and bring an end to the military operation both in FATA and Swat or get ready to face the music. So it was observed today on Thursday that Taliban played the music of a suicide blast inside the Hujra of ANP leader Asfandyar Wali Khan in which five persons were reportedly killed. Asfandyar Wali Khan told the media that he was not afraid of death by saying that Allah Almighty was the most powerful Protector than those who wished him to be killed. He also said that he and his workers would not deviate from the political path and mission of Bacha Khan and Wali Khan until only one worker of ANP is alive. He made it crystal clear that through such suicide attacks, he could not be scared. He strongly condemned the suicide attack and said that it was not a right path in politics. In the district of Swat Taliban have so far cuased human and material loss to ANP as compared to other parties for their war against Taliban and militants.

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