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| India-Pakistan |
| Taliban rule DI Khan, Tank, and the Khyber Agency |
| 2006-04-19 |
| The local Taliban have killed as many as 150 pro-government tribal leaders (Maliks) in North and South Waziristan and openly challenging the writ of the federal government and engaging a number of security forces' personnel in the area. Federal Interior Minister Aftab Khan Sherpao said that the Taliban was a serious threat to the country's national security and economic development and must be dealt with in a firm manner. He said the Talibanization of Waziristan was not only posing a threat to FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas), but also having a negative impact in other parts of the NWFP. So great has been the impact that the local 'Maliks' and political administration have all been limited to their houses and offices, reports the Daily Times. "The Taliban's sphere of influence has expanded to DI Khan, Tank and the Khyber Agency, where clerks of the area have started to join them. There has been a sharp increase in attacks on heavily-defended military targets in these areas as well," said Sherpao. He said, "religious extremism, militancy and terrorism were continuously undermining Pakistan's image in the international community" and the situation remained volatile in both North and South Waziristan agencies, despite the deployment of a heavy contingent of armed forces. The presence of Indian consulates in Afghan cities near the Pakistan border was another major concern. "The other concern of the government is the presence of Indian consulates in the Afghan cities, which are near the Pakistani border," he said. Pakistan had accused Afghanistan of turning a blind eye towards the activities of Indian consulates and allowing them to foment trouble in the Pakistan-Afghan border areas in FATA and Balochistan. He said that restoration of normalcy in all districts of the NWFP and eliminating militancy and Talibnisation in FATA and the border areas were the government's top priorities and it had adopted a two-pronged strategy in this regard. "The government, on one hand, is focusing on socio-economic development and political dialogue while, on the other hand, it is utilising its military options as well," he further said. In this regard, all towns and major markets of the area have been declared weapon-free zones, and efforts have been initiated for taking action against defiant tribes, restoring the position of tribal elders and Maliks, and reinforcing the restoration of 'political agent' in the area. (ANI) The situation in Waziristan has been quite grim for sometime. The local Taliban have taken control of most of North and South Waziristan and enforced a strict Islamic code, including a ban on sale of music and films. They have also ordered the men to not shave off their beards. While they have established an Islamic court in Wana, headquarters of South Waziristan, replacing the traditional jirga, in Miramshah, capital of North Waziristan, curfew has been imposed after bloody clashes between federal forces and alleged Al Qaeda militants. And though the capital is under the control of the security forces, the situation is far from normal and sporadic incidents of violence occur every now and then. The federal government has also imposed a ban on carrying arms and ammunition in North Waziristan, which has met with stiff opposition from tribal elders who have said that the ban, if enforced, will put their lives at stake. Elsewhere, Musharraf has said that though the situation in Waziristan is bad, it has not deteriorated to the extent that it won't be possible to hold talks to find an amicable solution to the crisis. |
| Posted by:Dan Darling |