PESHAWAR: Muttahida Majlis-e-Amalâs (MMAâs) government has brought in a close friend of Maulana Fazlur Rehman who played a key role in the arrest of several al-Qaeda suspects and other jihadi elements in collaboration with Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FIA). Police sources said, âChief Minister Akram Khan Durrani, in a bid to meet MMAâs General Secretary Maulana Fazlur Rehman wishes has appointed Salahuddin Masood as assistant inspector general (AIG) of the criminal investigation department (CID). This is a political appointment and the MMA governmentâs attempt to appoint its own blue-eyed boys on key posts.â However the move was also aimed at neutralizing the efforts for war on terrorism. Sources said, âObviously, the new boss, who is close to the Maulana, will not go for something that the MMA would not like to happen.â Soon after its victory in the October elections, the MMA demanded an end to FBI-led operations against terrorists in the Frontier province. The chief minister time and again after taking oath of his office made it plain that no FBI people would be allowed in the province. However the arrest of a militant organizationâs few members in southern Dera Ismail Khan few months ago really angered the chief minister. The arrested people were set free following Mr Durraniâs anger as to why the CID made these arrests without his prior approval.
| Guess that shows us who's boss in NWFP. Not that we didn't know... |
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