- RSS
- Today's Paper
- Subscribe
- beta 2.1
Alerts
Zawahiri urges Pakistanis to revolt
Argues in a video that Pakistani authorities only represent US interests.
Argues in a video that Pakistani authorities only represent US interests. PHOTO: AFP
DUBAI: Al Qaeda chief Ayman alZawahiri has called on Pakistanis to revolt against their government and military in a video posted on the Internet on Friday, US monitors said.
In a 10-minute speech uploaded to jihadist forums, Zawahiri argued that the Pakistani authorities only represented US interests, according to a statement from SITE Intelligence Group.
Zawahiri, shown standing in front of a green curtain, urged Pakistanis to follow the example of the Arab Spring as the military could not be expected to turn against America despite a deadly US strike on Pakistani troops in November.
“O our brothers in Pakistan! O our people in Pakistan! This treacherous army and bribe-taking government have plundered your wealth,” he said in the video.
“They have ruined your economy and destroyed your world as well as your hereafter. What then are you waiting for?
“Take a lead from your brothers in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen and Syria who are standing up against oppression and oppressors with their bare chests exposed and offering sacrifices so that victory may be ordained for then.”
Zawahiri also said that unless its demands were met, al Qaeda would not release an elderly American development expert who was captured in Pakistan last August.
“By the grace of Allah, we, on our part, have captured the American Jew Warren Weinstein.
“He will not return to his family, by the will of Allah, until our demands are met, which include the release of Aafia Siddiqui, Sheikh Omar Abdul Rahman, the family of Sheikh Osama bin Laden, and every single person arrested on allegations of links with al Qaeda and Taliban.”
Long al Qaeda’s number two, Zawahiri took over the helm of the group after Bin Laden was killed in May 2011 in Pakistan.
The video is the latest of a number in which the militant chief has attempted to exploit the Arab uprisings.
Al Qaeda has been absent from the popular protests that swept the Arab world last year, leading to the ouster of autocratic, secular leaders in Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, and sparking unrest elsewhere.
Reader Comments (40)
Pakistan Latest Stories
LHC judge forced to withdraw order
Some jurists says it is ‘improper’ for the judge to withdraw his order, whether verbal or written.
Taking to streets: 10 rickshaw drivers arrested for protesting against fines
Say most traffic wardens issue unjust fines ‘to achieve targets’ .
Fire hazards: LDA never followed through on safety training request
Civil Defence officials say they had proposed one-week training in January.
Load shedding: Outages leave operation theatres in the dark
Over 60 operations postponed at Jinnah Hospital in last few days.
Drone attacks: ‘Cast off American shackles’
The new government must prohibit drone strikes on Pakistani territory, says Hassan.
Governance: Helping youth better understand democracy
150 social organisations to be engaged under the project.
System of government: Bureaucrats lobby Sharifs for plum jobs
Reception tent at Raiwind packed with supplicants.
Assault, rioting: Independent candidate among six jailed
The accused had fled before a police team arrived at the scene.
Life time tokens: Crackdown on vehicles launched
Registration papers of 127 vehicles were seized on Sunday.
Domestic Violence: Beating causes woman to miscarry
Jan kicked me badly even though he knew she was six pregnant, says petitioner.
Recent Slideshows
More in Pakistan
Annual festival: Colours of spring in the air
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, redistributed or derived from.
Unless otherwise stated, all content is copyrighted © 2013 The Express Tribune News Network.
Technical feedback? [email protected]
Will Pakistanis label Zawahiri’s call as interference in her internal matters ? Will Pakistani senate call for a special session like it did in case of US senator’s resolution? It will be interesting to see how Pakistanis respond.
Recommend
They found OBL, surely they can find this guy and take him out. We aren’t Arab ( thank god for that) and there isn’t going to be no Arab spring here. Definitely not on his call. Recommend
@Rajendra Kalkhande: Dana Rohrbacher was a senator in a super power country trying to pass an official resolution with very severe implications. Who is Zawahiri? Just another who has caused us a lot of problems. Pakistanis do not care for his words. Recommend
.no we wont revolt we neither revolted against the partition of Bangladesh and neither revolted against the murder of zulfiqar ali bhutto and the list goes on…. so thank you zawhari sahab but our patience level is mush higher than you thought….thanks for your concern but ….all is well in Pakistan………
Recommend
Yeah – real Seal Team 6 operation to capture a sick old charity worker who was spending his old age helping the people of Pakistan. This despicable kidnapping is bad enough – associating it with Allah is beneath contempt.
Recommend
He’s not very good at the inspiring speech thing. It might be that kidnapping the elderly and indirectly saying that it’s by the grace of Allah that you should forget killing you also isn’t considered a sin apparently so you should ignore it and be inspired by the man who hasn’t done anything of significance yet as head of Al Qaida and has so far only backed others who have been quite busy ignoring him.
Recommend
A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.
Winston Churchill
People like these above are unfortunately the ideals of Pakistani zealots …….same minds, same subjects——————– killings, kidnappings, forced conversions, extortion, total anarchy, treason and and and!
Recommend
This man, and his murderous cult, is responsible for thousands of killings in Pakistan and abroad. I cannot wait for the day when the whole world is rid of this fanatic and his extremist ideology of oppression and terror.
Recommend
Mr Zawahiri,why you talk/appear when it suits your masters the best,you are the ones who are excuse for others to crush the Muslims around the world over,better go to own country and seriously start praying for your forgiveness.
Recommend
Zawahiri your masters are sponsors of Arab spring and it will emerge only in the countries where western interest is not being full filled or those who are shifting to Chinese and Russian club.
Recommend
mr Zarahiri are you sure about the people around you suggesting,when and what to talk.so far it has never brought any peace or a win.
Recommend
Everyone keeps ordering Pakistan. Today even Sweden and this Egyptian man.
Recommend
The idea of a revolt is coming from a man who hides and possibly cowers in the cave.
Recommend
@Rajendra Kalkhande:
You are comparing oranges with apples.
Recommend
The only spring likely to happen in pakistsn is a balochi spring, sindhu spring, panjabi spring, muhajir spring, seraiki spring etc etc Can Pakistanis unite under something they have in common, not ethnicity, not color not language, but RELIGION. Its the only thing that can keep pakistan from falling apart.
Recommend
This guy is no friend of Pakistan. He wants to create another Syria. Pakistanis should not heed to his outburst. Think of a peaceful, peaceloving and PROSPEROUS Pakistan. Adopt the principle of live and let live. Hate mongering will destroy a beautiful country. You people are well built and intelligent, use this gift of God to make Pakistan an industrial giant. Please do not go his way.
Recommend
O Baba Zahwari Taynu araam nai ?, Get retired and live and let live people of Pakistan
Recommend
@Mandeep Vaid:
Lord who created me is the lord who created you….the same lord teaches me not to be judgemental give this hate some rest its not getting us anywhere .Get out of this 95 % of the time 5 % of the news syndrome ….
Recommend
forgive us zahwari plz let us rebuild new pakistan
Recommend
@dv sikka:
Thanks….Yeah it may be a news some :-)
Recommend
well said @Cautious:
Recommend
First these Arabs screwed Pakistanis in their countries, now they are doing it in our own country. Let us revolt against this Arab attitude for a change. Pakistanis in the Gulf are expected to respect the laws, why these Arabs can use our country as a toxic waste disposal.
Recommend
In return he promises heaven!
Recommend
Dear Mr. Zawahiri, You dont seem to appreciate the irony of your call to Pakistanis to usher in a revolt akin to the Arab Spring. The Arabs have overthrown dictatorships to seek more democracy; not to welcome psychopaths like yourself, which is sort of sad considering all the blood you have spilled in their name. We in Pakistan can do without your concern for our well being. So its thanks, but no thanks. And by the way, why is the Al-Qaeda so concerned about Madam Aafia who, we are told, was only an innocent bystander. Haven’t seen your concerns for the tens of thousands butchered by your murderous fellow travellers, the TTP, or the hundreds done away with by our own security forces. Crawl back into your hole.
Recommend
“oh brothers in Pakistan” huh? Same brothers you been blowing up, killing, maiming for the past 10 years? Oh yes master. We shall indeed listen to you!
Recommend
I am sue these videos are uploaded by CIA and USA agents same like they used to upload Osama Bin Laden videos and later got cought.
Anyone stupid enough can understand that they are just try to break a civil war in Pakistan, so that behind the name of peace, they can come and destroy Pakistan Nuclear Weapons.
And yes I agree that current Pak Govt and so called opposition have their hand in this matter and they are getting their share of dollars.
Recommend
@Mj:
“This man, and his murderous cult, is responsible for thousands of killings in Pakistan and abroad. I cannot wait for the day when the whole world is rid of this fanatic and his extremist ideology of oppression and terror.”
Good thoughts, but why is that the likes of Zawahiri, Bin Laden and others continue to hide in Pakistan? Is it possible that they are getting support and nurturing from the Pakistani establishment? Even if he is killed like bin Laden was, the Pakistani sanctuary for terrorists will still be there. So, the root of the problem is the support and conducive environment provided by the Pakistani establishment agencies.
Recommend
Surely this scum on earth is gonna be found in a hole and brought to justice. He’s a devil…..
Recommend
perhaps US hatching a plan to find a concrete enough excuse to get their hands on our (their nightmare) nuclear weapons? I think so.
Recommend
@Rajendra Kalkhande:
Farigh insaan!!
Recommend
Mr Warren is great friend of Pakistan and who was working with Pakistani people for capacity building in there relative industries which in the end was providing jobs for the people so i am sad it happened to him in our country and these Arabs destroyed Afghanistan and now they are after Pakistan May Allah save us from them and guide them so they don’t show such a bad face of Islam to the world….
Recommend
“Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” – Mexican proverb.
Recommend
He has not said anything new. Most of his rightwing touts in Pakistan have been demanding and threatening to overthrow the elected coalition govt. They have come up with all kinds of excuses and allegations and denying them the right to rule for their lawful term. If it were not the Friends of Democratic Pakistan and their aid, his dream would have been already fulfilled.
Recommend
After reading all the messages, one would conclude that pakistanis would despise AlQaeda, its leaders and its policies. But inside Pakistan, OBL was found and was living for a few years as well. Plus many senior AQ operators were found inside Pakistan like Khalid mohammed, Danier Pearl’s killers etc. Smells something fishy? Who dunnit.
Recommend
Go back from where you came from since you have brought lot of misery & pain to a common man in Pakistan. We do not want you! Get lost!
Recommend
Zawahri first correct your own corrupt egyptian nation then ask pakistanis to revolt. We wont listen you and go back to your country egypt.
Recommend
Hi All, I am not only assured about wisdom of pakis but also happy to read sensible reactions from pakistanis about this Idiot. Really you guys are not ARABS and surely not talking like dictators. I really thank god that major of pakistanis not only want to be separated from these scums who un-wantedly making all of you their brother but also wanted to do the brain wash as well. I really wish your country come back to normalcy & terrorist activities cease to exist in Pak. Let’s have love and respect for all. Live and let live my friends.
Cheers, Gautam
Recommend
Ayman al Zawahiri did make a point. You people in Pakistan do have a “treacherous army and bribe-taking government”. Together they have “plundered your wealth”.
Recommend
Thank you Dr. Zawahiri, You may keep this idea to yourself and leave my country alone!!! WE have enough instability in our country and this is all because of Terrorist like You!!!!
Recommend
@Rajendra Kalkhande:
What an idiotic comment sir!
US Senate represents the opinion of the largest economy/power etc etc . where as Zawahiri doesn’t even have a passport of any country as he has been denounced by the country of his birth
How can they both be compared…
Recommend