Are we heading towards gun-free society, like old wild west!!!

Ayesha Siddiqa: Taliban control over Karachi Can’t be ruled out

Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistani independent security analyst, on Saturday said that there might be a possibility of Taliban control over Karachi, Pakistan’s most populated city and a business hub.

Talking to IRNA she said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) warning to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) a political party, to immediately end their kingdom in Karachi as the time has ripe for the Taliban to gain control of the city, cannot be taken lightly.

Intelligence Agencies had used these religious groups to replace MQM and these groups have much influence on religious sects of the city, Ayesha Siddiqa said.

Asked about the status of peace deals between Pakistani government and local Taliban in the tribal areas, she said that the future of these agreements depends on the future of the conflict in Pakitsani tribal area.

She added that the conflict in region is not between Pakistan and tribesmen but between multiple stake-holders and certainly US and its allies have an influence in the region.

"I don’t think that there would a major breakthrough coming out of these peace deals," she said.

Ayesha was of the view that problem in the area is that the stake-holders are not coming up with the roles they are playing in the region, they are not confessing there roles.

She said that certainly there is a pressure from US on Pakistan not to enter into peace agreements but the final decision would be taken by the Pakistani government in this regard.

To a question about the possibility of attack by the US in Pakistani tribal region, she said that if the hawks prevail upon Washington there will be an attack.

She added that the US will not be able to get much from the attack on Pakistani tribal region., But there is always a possibility of attack Dr. Ayesha said that in case of US attack in Pakistani tribal area the regime in Pakistan would loose its credibility in the public.

To a query about the military operation in Swat she said that Pakistani army would not be able to succeed in Swat.

There is a tricky situation in Swat and Mualana Fazlullah a local leader has been getting support from tribal areas in fight against the Pakistan army, she said.

Siddiqa received her doctorate from King’s College London in 1996 and has worked on issues varying from military technology, defense decision-making, nuclear deterrence, arms procurement, arms production to civil-military relations in South Asia.

She has been a civil servant for 11 years during which she was asked to work as the Director of Naval Research with Pakistan Navy making her the first civilian and a woman to work at that position in Pakistan’s defense establishment. –IRNA

Altaf urges people to get arms for self-defence

By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque

KARACHI, Aug 9: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has asked the people of Karachi to get licences and buy arms to counter an impending threat of Talibanisation of Karachi.

“The Taliban have all kinds of arms and ammunition, so I request you to take measures for your own protection. You should acquire licences and get weapons for self-defence,” he said while speaking from London to a gathering of residents of Defence and Clifton on Friday night.

A large number of residents of Defence and Clifton, diplomats, industrialists and businessmen attended the meeting. He also called upon the youths to acquire training to fight against the Talibanisation.

He maintained that the MQM favoured a law that allowed no one to carry arms. “But we will not tolerate that the Taliban possess modern weapons and attack our homes,” he added. However, he clarified that the MQM was against Talibanisation and it was not against any particular community, including the Pakhtuns living in the city. “It is our duty to protect the Pakhtuns and Punjabis,” he added….’

The focal point of Mr Hussain’s address was to inform the residents of posh neighbourhoods of Karachi about the threat of Talibanisation in the city. He chose not to give his party’s policy with regard to the ruling coalition’s plan to impeach President Pervez Musharraf as he only said that it was not a right time for impeachment. He vowed that his party would never allow the Taliban to take over the city and urged the residents to help

I completely agree with your comments. Indeed, Saudi govt. found a wonderful way of getting their new, unorganized, fundamentalist view of Islam called Salafi point of view to this part of Sufistic world, where people go to Mazars, tend to keep religion in their hearts rather than on their sleeves and are genuinely interested in Muslim welfare then calling everyone Kafir.

The Saudis !!! why they provided funding? because of love of Islam? to help their muslim brothers? NO….. they provided funding so that they can expand their influnce through SALAFISM in Afghanistan and then eventually in Pakistan. Fortunately (& unfortunately for some) this Saudi plan didnt succeed fully. But now after getting defeated in Afghanistan, these Taliban want to get a new base for their funding and fresh blood. They tried northern areas (their blood place) but now Pak army is beating the hell out of them. So what next?

The only place they can turn to is Karachi, why? because there is sizable amount of Pashtoon speaking community is based in Karachi and surrounding areas. Being a half Pathan, I can tell you that 95% of pushtoon in Karachi are doing odd jobs, like vegetable sellers, vehicle drivers or construction workers. In this time of inflation its hard for them to earn their bread. These taliban will target them provide them food in 100s of maderesahs in Karachi and eventualy will brain washed them against the foreign elements in Pakistani (in other words Islamic) society. Sounds like good plan, isnt it? Well, its already happening, you visit one maderesah and you will find 80% to 90% of their students belonging from one community, i.e. Pathans!!! Wallah!!

If taliban are really islam lovers (or saviours, as they call themselves) then howcome they dont follow Islamic rules in battle, why they ambush (not allowed in Islam), kill women (not allowed in Islam), cut throats of captured enemy (not allowed in Islam) and kill their own muslim brothers (again not allowed in Islam). Ever wondered why Osama or his closed allies are never named wounded or even involved in any hand to hand battle. Well, RasulAllah (PBUH) was always played the most important roles during battle, be it battle of Badr, Uhad or Makkah. Why Osama or his sons were never invoved in for-front battles. Because for them war / battle / uprising / insurgency are name of businesses / trades they do. War has grown into an industry, be it UK, US or Taliban, all of them are surviving on war eventualities.

Lastly, Karachi has its own lifestyle, whether good or bad, we are used to to it. Its our city and we have made it. MQM or no MQM, this city can only be saved by its residents, so plase act know to save it.

Ayesha Siddiqa, a Pakistani independent security analyst, on Saturday said that there might be a possibility of Taliban control over Karachi, Pakistan’s most populated city and a business hub.

Talking to IRNA she said that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) warning to Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) a political party, to immediately end their kingdom in Karachi as the time has ripe for the Taliban to gain control of the city, cannot be taken lightly.

Intelligence Agencies had used these religious groups to replace MQM and these groups have much influence on religious sects of the city, Ayesha Siddiqa said.

Sindh minister rejects threats of Talibanisation in Karachi
http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/07/top8.htm

highlights of his press conference:

According to Sindh’s Interior minister every thing is fine and he didn’t find any evidence regarding talibanization anywhere in Sindh. Religious education was being provided in mosques and seminaries, which could not be termed illegal .

he said Illegal, terrorist activities will not be tolerated in Karachi and if any one tries to create law and order situation be it any one then he is a criminal and will be dealt accordingly.

Referring to MQM he said it was for the peace of karachi that we invited them to join the coalition government(otherwise as usual they would have resumed their terrorist activities) .

He further stated that coz of operation in tribal areas many refugees have taken refugee here in karachi and being displaced from their homes they are welcome to stay here . “Pakhtuns are just as much citizens of Pakistan as I am. They are our brothers. They are against Talibanisation. As long as people are peaceful, they can stay in Karachi as long as they want.”

He also blamed MQM and its stupid leadership for creating talibanization bogey which is scary away investors and causing capital flight. Industrialists are packing up and leaving. (its no surpise as MQM’s City Nazim is threatning to change the geographics of this region)

Those july 7th multiple explosions in karachi were meant to create a rift between Urdu and Pashto speaking citizens.no taliban or religious group was involved in those blasts.

According to him religious madressahs are peacefully operating in karachi and as long as they’re operating peacfully there is no problem with them. He said there was a difference between Islamisation and Talibanisation. “Islamisation, yes, Talibanisation, no,” he said.

When asked about the wall-chalking and posters that have sprouted up across the city warning citizens against the impending Taliban threat, Dr Mirza said it was an “organised campaign to destabilise law and order.(as i have noted earlier MQM is planning terrorist activities to justify its stand on talibanization,7 july blasts were a trailer)

To a question about Lal Masjid cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz’s wife Umme Hassan’s recent visit to Karachi, the minister said that as a Pakistani she was free to visit the city. “We were watching her. She is not a labelled terrorist.”(Absconding grand terorist Altaf bai have been waling and weeping ever since she visited karachi connecting it to talibanization of karachi)

Asked about the insistence of some political circles to form citizens’ committees to protect Karachi from the Taliban, Dr Zulfiqar Mirza said no help was needed to maintain law and order. “Personal armies and lashkars will not be allowed.” (newly formed Community police should also be closely watched,only profesional lads with proper training should be inducted and those inducted coz of their association with MQM’s unit and sector should be flushed out)

http://www.dawn.com/2008/08/07/top8.htm

There is NO Taliban in Karachi: Mirza
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\08\07\story_7-8-2008_pg12_9

No evidence of talibanization in Sindh: Zulfiqar Mirza
http://tinyurl.com/677nl6

What say ye?