IMRAN KHAN'S PEACEFUL MARCH TO WAZIRISTAN
Waziristan comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar between theTochi River to the north and the Gomal River to the south. Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lies immediately to the east. The region was an independent tribal territory until 1893, remaining outside the British Empire. Tribal raiding into British-ruled territory was a constant problem for the British,
eliciting frequent punitive expeditions between 1860 and 1945. The region became part of Pakistan in 1947.For administrative purposes, Waziristan is divided into two "agencies", North Waziristan and South Waziristan, with estimated populations (as of 1998) of 361,246 and 429,841 respectively. The two parts have quite distinct characteristics, though both tribes are subgroups of the Wazir Tribe and speak a common Wazirwola language. They have a reputation as formidable warriors, and are known for their frequent blood feuds
In December 2003, two assassination attempts against President Pervez Musharraf were traced to Waziristan. The government responded by intensifying military pressure on the area, however the fighting was costly and government forces sustained heavy casualties throughout 2004 and into early 2005 when the government switched to a tactic of negotiation instead of direct conflict
The U.S. attack came as the Pakistani army is preparing an all-out assault on al Qaeda ally Mehsud, who has been accused of orchestrating a campaign of bombings in Pakistan, including the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
TALIBAN CLAIM KILLING RIVAL
The War in North-West Pakistan is an armed conflict between the Pakistan Armed Forces and armed religious groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Islam, TNSM, 055 Brigade, and Central Asian militants including Al-Qaeda, regional armed movements, and elements oforganized crime.
The armed conflict began in 2004 when tensions, rooted in the Pakistan Army's search for Al-Qaeda fighters in Pakistan's mountainous Waziristan area (in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas), escalated into armed resistance. Pakistan's actions were presented as its contribution to the international War on Terror. Clashes erupted between Pakistani army troops and Arab and Central Asian militia forces. The foreign militants were joined by Pakistani non-military veterans of the War in Afghanistan (2001–present) which subsequently established the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and other militia organizations such as Lashkar-e-Islam. The Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TSNM) established in 1992 allied with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Islam.
Residents of South Waziristan Agency, who saw their hometowns reduced to rubble by the militancy are triumphantly returning home since Dec 2010.The military has taken the rehab as a challenge and put in a deliberate effort to speed up the rehab of infrastructure and civic amenities - an achievement that many are calling a sign of blossoming peace and the end of an era when militants imposed their rule with guns. Army will not abandon the tribal people and will continue to play its role in rehabilitation of the Displaced People and development of the area.
Expressing determination over his struggle against drone attacks, Imran Khan has said that his party has no doubts in holding long march towards Waziristan.
While addressing a press conference at Marri, he said that military operation should be launched in consultation with masses who are real actors of the state. Operation in North Waziristan may be succeeded with the cooperation of masses, he added.
He said the government had come to power in order to follow the US agenda; that is why it is not raising voice to halt drone attacks particularly in Northern areas.
We are expecting over 1, 00,000 participants in the March and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is fully determined to hold it, he said.
“We just have to determine dates to hold march and today’s meeting with tribal delegations is a step for it,” he further added. Without referring North or South Waziristan, Khan informed that detailed route and logistic plan was underway for the march.
“The tribesmen will themselves arrange security for the participants,” he further said and added that no other party could dare to go to the area.
Throwing light on drone issues, he said that drone attacks are clear-cut violation of the national sovereignty but regrettable to come to know that the US is killing innocent people with the permission of the government of Pakistan.
Quoting special references from world famous historians, politicians and journalist, he said the UN has declared drone attacks as violation of the international law but it is the government of Pakistan which is showing unscrupulousness in this regard.
He said that foreign journalists would also accompany with the PTI caravan leading to northern areas to raise the issue on international level; so that US barbarism may be stopped to keep law and order in northern areas.
The PTI chief insisted that a military operation in North Waziristan could only be successful if locals were taken into confidence. He slammed the resurgence of US-led Nato drone attacks inside Pakistan’s tribal regions and claimed that locals have been killed in these missile strikes.
He said that majority of the drone attacks victims were innocent Pakistanis whose identities were not deliberately swept under the carpet.
” The international press and representatives of human rights organizations will accompany him and the Local tribesmen will provide his entourage with the needed security” he said.
Imran KhaTo a question, the PTI leader said that he will uncover the facts about the people who were killed or injured by drone attacks.
n also added that PTI was the only party who could go to Waziristan and work for peace.
PTI will lead a march to Waziristan and expects the government to provide adequate security to the people joining the march," said Abdul Qayyum Kundi, a member of PTI's Advisory Committee. As a popular political party, he said, the PTI had the right to organize public rallies to bring attention to important foreign and domestic issues.
Hafiz Gul Bahadar and Maulvi Nazir Wazir, the leaders of the militant groups of North Waziristan and Wana area of South Waziristan, are likely to support the PTI, local sources said. Both groups are considered "good Taliban" by the Pakistani military, security analysts say, because they do not carry out attacks inside Pakistan and focus only on Afghanistan.
The real threat, security experts say, is Hakimullah Mehsud. His faction of the TTP has carried out attacks on security forces, government installations and political parties in the country. Besides sending out a warning to the PTI, the TTP, in its second email, also addressed the religious scholars who were not supporting their cause. "Although the letter contains nothing new as far as the Taliban's arguments against democracy are concerned, the timing of the warning is crucial, especially in the context of the upcoming elections," said Muhammad Amir Rana, director of Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), in an August 12 article. He said it indicated that the TTP wanted to pressure religious political parties to stay away from the electoral process.
Although some of Imran's critics call him 'Taliban Khan' because of his soft views on Taliban and Talibanization, his persistent opposition to drone attacks in FATA , his repeated calls for negotiation with Taliban groups, and his own bitter attacks on the country's liberals, sources in the TTP say the group will not allow the PTI to march to Waziristan."PTI considers the TTP an illegitimate organization because it does not respect the constitution of Pakistan, does not respect rule of law, and does not have the people's mandate,"
"For PTI, it is now a challenge to go ahead
with the rally, "It is nearly
impossible, because of the poor security
situation and the ongoing military
operation." It would be a huge task for the
army to provide security to the participants
of the rally, "Even President Asif
Zardari did not visit the area."
- Waziristan
Waziristan comprises the area west and southwest of Peshawar between theTochi River to the north and the Gomal River to the south. Bannu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa lies immediately to the east. The region was an independent tribal territory until 1893, remaining outside the British Empire. Tribal raiding into British-ruled territory was a constant problem for the British,eliciting frequent punitive expeditions between 1860 and 1945. The region became part of Pakistan in 1947.For administrative purposes, Waziristan is divided into two "agencies", North Waziristan and South Waziristan, with estimated populations (as of 1998) of 361,246 and 429,841 respectively. The two parts have quite distinct characteristics, though both tribes are subgroups of the Wazir Tribe and speak a common Wazirwola language. They have a reputation as formidable warriors, and are known for their frequent blood feuds
- HISTORY OF DRONE ATTACKS
In December 2003, two assassination attempts against President Pervez Musharraf were traced to Waziristan. The government responded by intensifying military pressure on the area, however the fighting was costly and government forces sustained heavy casualties throughout 2004 and into early 2005 when the government switched to a tactic of negotiation instead of direct conflict
The U.S. attack came as the Pakistani army is preparing an all-out assault on al Qaeda ally Mehsud, who has been accused of orchestrating a campaign of bombings in Pakistan, including the 2007 assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto.
The push into South Waziristan on the Afghan border looms as the army is finishing off an offensive in the Swat valley, northwest of Islamabad, launched after Taliban gains raised fears for nuclear-armed Pakistan’s future.
Pakistan is a vital ally for the United States as it strives to defeat al Qaeda and stabilize Afghanistan, where thousands of extra U.S. soldiers are arriving.
U.S. President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, Jim Jones, arrived in Pakistan on a trip that includes stops in Afghanistan and India aimed at following up on the implementation of a new U.S. strategy for the region.
He will meet civilian and military leaders, a spokesman said.
Pakistan is a vital ally for the United States as it strives to defeat al Qaeda and stabilize Afghanistan, where thousands of extra U.S. soldiers are arriving.
U.S. President Barack Obama’s national security adviser, Jim Jones, arrived in Pakistan on a trip that includes stops in Afghanistan and India aimed at following up on the implementation of a new U.S. strategy for the region.
He will meet civilian and military leaders, a spokesman said.
The pilotless U.S. drone strike late on Tuesday, on a funeral for one of six militants killed in a similar strike earlier in the day, suggests closer coordination between the United States and Pakistan.
But Pakistan, which officially objects to such strikes, is unlikely to confirm that in a country where many people are suspicious of the alliance with the United States in its global campaign against militancy.
Intelligence officials said late on Tuesday 45 people had been killed in the drone attack as mourners were leaving the funeral. On Wednesday, they said about 70 people had been killed. A Taliban official said Mehsud had been in the area but was not hurt. Security officials and villagers said the Taliban had sealed off the site.
But Pakistan, which officially objects to such strikes, is unlikely to confirm that in a country where many people are suspicious of the alliance with the United States in its global campaign against militancy.
Intelligence officials said late on Tuesday 45 people had been killed in the drone attack as mourners were leaving the funeral. On Wednesday, they said about 70 people had been killed. A Taliban official said Mehsud had been in the area but was not hurt. Security officials and villagers said the Taliban had sealed off the site.
“Bodies are still lying there and the Taliban are not allowing anybody close while their men are coming and going in vehicles,” resident Ghulam Rasool told Reuters by telephone.
Taliban spokesman Wali-ur-Rehman said 65 people had been killed and many would be buried in mass graves.
“Most of the bodies are charred beyond recognition so it’s been decided they’ll be buried in three graves,” he said.
On Wednesday, the militants fired at U.S. drones flying over the remote, mountainous region and at least two turned back, said another resident.
On Wednesday, the militants fired at U.S. drones flying over the remote, mountainous region and at least two turned back, said another resident.
TALIBAN CLAIM KILLING RIVAL
The military has been launching air strikes on Mehsud’s bases for more than a week while soldiers have been securing main roads into the region, sealing off his stronghold.
A military convoy, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, headed toward the area on Wednesday, a Reuters reporter in the region said.
Tuesday’s drone attacks happened hours after a gunman working as a guard killed a rival of Mehsud who had spoken out strongly against the Taliban chief.
Rehman said the Taliban had killed the rival militant leader, Qari Zainuddin, and warned others not to support the government.
“Whoever extends a hand of support to the government will be targeted the same way,” he said.
The killing of Zainuddin, in the North West Frontier town of Dera Ismail Khan, showed Mehsud’s reach and would be a setback for government efforts to win over ethnic Pashtun tribal factions for the campaign against Mehsud, analysts said.
A military convoy, including tanks and armored personnel carriers, headed toward the area on Wednesday, a Reuters reporter in the region said.
Tuesday’s drone attacks happened hours after a gunman working as a guard killed a rival of Mehsud who had spoken out strongly against the Taliban chief.
Rehman said the Taliban had killed the rival militant leader, Qari Zainuddin, and warned others not to support the government.
“Whoever extends a hand of support to the government will be targeted the same way,” he said.
The killing of Zainuddin, in the North West Frontier town of Dera Ismail Khan, showed Mehsud’s reach and would be a setback for government efforts to win over ethnic Pashtun tribal factions for the campaign against Mehsud, analysts said.
Nearly 1,600 militants and more than 100 soldiers have been killed in the Swat offensive, according to the military. There has been no independent confirmation of those casualty figures.
The imminent army operation in South Waziristan has forced about 45,000 people to flee the region and join about two million people uprooted by fighting in Swat and other areas.
The offensive against the Taliban has widespread support among politicians and the public but a fragile civilian government could see that backing evaporate if the displaced are seen to be suffering unduly.
The imminent army operation in South Waziristan has forced about 45,000 people to flee the region and join about two million people uprooted by fighting in Swat and other areas.
The offensive against the Taliban has widespread support among politicians and the public but a fragile civilian government could see that backing evaporate if the displaced are seen to be suffering unduly.
- War in North-West Pakistan
The War in North-West Pakistan is an armed conflict between the Pakistan Armed Forces and armed religious groups such as the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Islam, TNSM, 055 Brigade, and Central Asian militants including Al-Qaeda, regional armed movements, and elements oforganized crime.- SOUTH WAZIRISTAN REHABILITATION
In 2009, about 0.5 million Mehsuds were displaced. After a lapse of two years, their repatriation / rehabilitation has commenced in phases. Overall devastation / damage caused in south Waziristan was enormous due to stiff resistance offered by the terrorists. There are hardly any civic amenities / infrastructure left and livelihood opportunities have totally dried up. Effectees were compounded due to torrential rains and floods for two year. However despite these challenges, full bloom rehabilitation has begun.
Residents of South Waziristan Agency, who saw their hometowns reduced to rubble by the militancy are triumphantly returning home since Dec 2010.The military has taken the rehab as a challenge and put in a deliberate effort to speed up the rehab of infrastructure and civic amenities - an achievement that many are calling a sign of blossoming peace and the end of an era when militants imposed their rule with guns. Army will not abandon the tribal people and will continue to play its role in rehabilitation of the Displaced People and development of the area.
- IMRAN KHAN STANDS ON DRONES
ATTACKS IN WAZIRISTAN
Quoting special references from world famous historians, politicians and journalist, he said the UN has declared drone attacks as violation of the international law but it is the government of Pakistan which is showing unscrupulousness in this regard.
Expressing determination over his struggle against drone attacks, Imran Khan has said that his party has no doubts in holding long march towards Waziristan.
While addressing a press conference at Marri, he said that military operation should be launched in consultation with masses who are real actors of the state. Operation in North Waziristan may be succeeded with the cooperation of masses, he added.
He said the government had come to power in order to follow the US agenda; that is why it is not raising voice to halt drone attacks particularly in Northern areas.
We are expecting over 1, 00,000 participants in the March and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf is fully determined to hold it, he said.
“We just have to determine dates to hold march and today’s meeting with tribal delegations is a step for it,” he further added. Without referring North or South Waziristan, Khan informed that detailed route and logistic plan was underway for the march.
“The tribesmen will themselves arrange security for the participants,” he further said and added that no other party could dare to go to the area.
Throwing light on drone issues, he said that drone attacks are clear-cut violation of the national sovereignty but regrettable to come to know that the US is killing innocent people with the permission of the government of Pakistan.
Quoting special references from world famous historians, politicians and journalist, he said the UN has declared drone attacks as violation of the international law but it is the government of Pakistan which is showing unscrupulousness in this regard.
He said that foreign journalists would also accompany with the PTI caravan leading to northern areas to raise the issue on international level; so that US barbarism may be stopped to keep law and order in northern areas.
- IMRAN KHAN'S PEACE MARCH TO WAZIRISTAN
“There have been 12 drone attacks in the last 24 hours. The government should name the terrorists who they claim have been killed in these attacks.”
Slamming the Pakistan People’s Party led government, Khan said the ruling party came into power to fulfill “American agenda” and termed it an “NRO government.”
” The international press and representatives of human rights organizations will accompany him and the Local tribesmen will provide his entourage with the needed security” he said.
Imran KhaTo a question, the PTI leader said that he will uncover the facts about the people who were killed or injured by drone attacks.
n also added that PTI was the only party who could go to Waziristan and work for peace.
PTI will lead a march to Waziristan and expects the government to provide adequate security to the people joining the march," said Abdul Qayyum Kundi, a member of PTI's Advisory Committee. As a popular political party, he said, the PTI had the right to organize public rallies to bring attention to important foreign and domestic issues.
The real threat, security experts say, is Hakimullah Mehsud. His faction of the TTP has carried out attacks on security forces, government installations and political parties in the country. Besides sending out a warning to the PTI, the TTP, in its second email, also addressed the religious scholars who were not supporting their cause. "Although the letter contains nothing new as far as the Taliban's arguments against democracy are concerned, the timing of the warning is crucial, especially in the context of the upcoming elections," said Muhammad Amir Rana, director of Pak Institute of Peace Studies (PIPS), in an August 12 article. He said it indicated that the TTP wanted to pressure religious political parties to stay away from the electoral process.
Although some of Imran's critics call him 'Taliban Khan' because of his soft views on Taliban and Talibanization, his persistent opposition to drone attacks in FATA , his repeated calls for negotiation with Taliban groups, and his own bitter attacks on the country's liberals, sources in the TTP say the group will not allow the PTI to march to Waziristan."PTI considers the TTP an illegitimate organization because it does not respect the constitution of Pakistan, does not respect rule of law, and does not have the people's mandate,"
"For PTI, it is now a challenge to go ahead
with the rally, "It is nearly
impossible, because of the poor security
situation and the ongoing military
operation." It would be a huge task for the
army to provide security to the participants
of the rally, "Even President Asif
Zardari did not visit the area."
22 SEP 2012 R U READY TO GO WAZIRASTAN COMMENTS IN 5 WORDS BY SADAT BUTT PTI
ReplyDeleteyes
DeleteCan some please tell me who the FUCKING IDIOT was who pulled up a picture of MORDOR from LORD OF THE RINGS and then photoshoped the title "Waziristan" across it. I dont think I've ever seen such a strange "error" in my life. Heres a better question... Am I really the only one who noticed that... I Dont know about you guys, but I dont think I've ever seen a mountain range that was shaped like a PERFECT open ended box.... use your brains people... I know nothing about the topic of this thread (by choice) but Im just a little confused how someone trying to write such an informative, politically motivated thread would make such a morinic, idiotic fuck up....
ReplyDelete