‘Cognitive dissonance’ fails to describe the words and actions of Malik Ishaq, the leader of the sectarian militant group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ), recently released on bail.
Far from keeping a lowprofile, the man accused of murdering 70 people – most of them Shia – is active once again, preaching hatred and violence in the name of Islam, according to an internal document prepared by a law enforcement department of the Punjab government and made available to The Express Tribune.
The document titled: “Highly objectionable activities of Malik Ishaq” reads “Please find enclosed herewith four vernacular reports regarding some highly objectionable activities of Malik Ishaq whose name has also been placed in the fourth schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) for information and appropriate legal action.”
“Ishaq addressed Maulvi Muhammad Yasin’s Madrassah Tajul Aloom at Tab Chouhan on September 2. Earlier the same day, he also gave an address at Maki Mosque, Thal Hamza District in Rahim Yar Khan,” reads the cover letter enclosed with the document.
“All those against Sahaba, are not our personal enemies, but the enemies of Islam. And we will fight them … we cannot tolerate these elements at any cost,” Ishaq had said during his address, reveals the document.
On September 4 and 5, Ishaq also visited Tranda Panah with Shafiq Maavia, a man whose name was also placed in the fourth schedule of the ATA (meaning he and every person who visited him would be watched by the police). This programme was hosted by Ayub Maavia. He later attended a Difa-e-Sahaba conference held at Madrasa Qasamul Uloom which was hosted by Maulana Manzoor Amed.
During the conference, they chanted some highly inflammatory slogans. Ishaq, then, also vowed that the “killings of the enemies of Sahaba would continue”.
“Prisons will not stop our mission. The LeJ is not a terrorist outfit. It was set up to ensure proper respect for the companions of the Holy Prophet (PBUH),” Ishaq said. He said he would not abandon its mission even if he’s jailed for it once again. “Our struggle will continue,” he reiterated.
On September 6 Ishaq visited the house of high-profile terrorist, Abdul Wahab alias Aanek Wala Jin, whose name is also included in the Red Book, comprising particulars of most-wanted terrorists.
He was accompanied by Qari Manzoor Ahmed Shakar, the general secretary of District Kasur, whose name is also placed in the fourth schedule of the ATA.
The entry of Malik Ishaq and Syed Ghulam Rasool Shah, a close aide of Ishaq’s and coaccused in various cases of terrorism registered against the LeJ leader, has been banned within the limits of District Toba Tek Singh for three months due to provocative speeches and inciting violence.
Despite being declared a terrorist organisation, policemen have been deployed at Ishaq’s residence in Mohallah Islam Nagar.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 18th, 2011.
COMMENTS (15)
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Shia and sunni are living with peace for years. Our ulama must play their positive role to save this unity and brotherhood . Lashkar jhangvi kills innocent shia muslim another group will kill sunni muslims " there left no benifit for these groups'But left for those israeli and american agents who r enjoying nd laughing at our fool acts. If lashkar jhangvi wants to kill the enemies of islam why they dont go to palestine , Iraq , afghanistan where they are killing thousands of the sunni muslim? Reality is that they are just cowards who can just kill innocent and weaponles people.
Losers like Cheap Justice have ruined this country. The blood of 30 Shias goes not only on Sunni Extremists Muslims but those judges who let these maniacs let loose.
Govt should take a robust stand against Laskhar Jangvi to hang all those culprits. CJ should order to arrest them all and give them Death scentence
Mr. Kayani, Mr. Iftikhar Chaudhry, Mr. Zardari - for God sake, please save Pakistan from these murderers before they leave you with no country to defend/govern, and us with no homeland. Please forget about "strategic depth" - these barbarians will only bring you and us strategic and tactical shame and disaster. We dont want to become isolated like Iran and North Korea. We want to progress in peace, tranquility and honor in the world community - like Turkey and Malaysia. So, let us not take the whole world for a ride while nurturing these obscurantist extremists. Let us invest (as promised in PPP's manifesto but never delivered) 7% of our GDP on our education, 5% on health, make sincere peace with our neighbours, and let us stop believing and preaching self-fulling prophecy that the whole world is our enemy. We want some leadership here before it is too late.
Good grief. . .what a gigantic mess . . . scary too! God save this nation from ugly politicians!!
Tribune, still waiting for my comment to be posted. It wasnt like that you are taking a whole day to review n post
@shadi: :Mirza what does an independent judiciary have to do with him? " The independent judiciary released this man. Knowing that more than 10 witnesses against him were brazenly murdered in the court and he had threatened - also in the court- that he would not allow itnesses to survove, he was acquitted due to 'no witnesses'. The court also ordered that his family should be given maintenance while he is in jail - but no maintenance for the family of the 70 shias that were killed
One can expect any judgement/verdict from the present judiciary. They are only active playing with the constitution the way they feel appropriate for different power houses.
My God.. Scary stuff.
So much for PAK nation's "sincerity" with the Americans and world community. Every time you talk about it they cant stop "cashing" the lives of 30k killed in WoT as if not Taliban or these militants but Obama had ordered to kill them. Pak is playing double game with USA no doubt about it.
@ Mirza what does an independent judiciary have to do with him? It was the ISI and army that created, harboured and used these so called saviours of islam. Not their own roosters are picking on them! Besides, PPP isn't doing much about the fact that these people played a role in Salman Taseers murder either, they are too worried about saving their own hides and finding a way to save their seat. Please refrain ur self from blaming others blindly.
Why should he stop now after he has become a bigger hero? He has the blessings of PML-N and independent judiciary and he is only going to get worse not better.