War in Afghanistan is jihad, says Imran

PTI chief condemns attack on Malala Yousafzai.


Hassan Ali October 11, 2012

PESHAWAR:


Terming the ongoing war in Afghanistan a ‘jihad’, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan parried a question on Wednesday whether the war in Pakistan’s tribal belt could be labelled as terrorism. He was addressing a press conference in Peshawar after paying a visit to inquire after the health of Malala Yousafzai.


The PTI chief condemned the attack on Malala, saying attacking children was against the teachings of Islam and Pashtun traditions, and offered every possible help to Malala’s family.

Imran added that there was a need to investigate the motivations of various Taliban factions operating in the country, adding that the decision to carry out a military operation in Waziristan in 2004 and the Lal Masjid episode were ‘the main reasons’ behind the violence across the country.

“In the guise of the Taliban, there are several criminal gangs  who didn’t even spare PTI workers by demanding extortion money.”

The PTI chief said that “drone attacks are carried out with the consent of the government, and in reaction, Taliban attack civilians.”

Citing an ex-employee of the US Central Intelligence Agency, he said that unless the Pakistani government withdraws its support as a coalition partner on the ‘war on terror’ it will be unable to overcome the insurgency in the country.

“A military operation can be a small part of a larger solution but a conflict cannot be resolved through military operations alone,” the PTI chief said.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2012.

COMMENTS (295)

Arif | 11 years ago | Reply

American presidents were also saying this JIAHD and shouting slogans in Peshawar 'ALLAH HU AKBAR' when afghans were fighting against soviets, so this is american point of view, now why it become so unpopular in the eyes of USA worshiping liberal extremists. only because now its american agenda

Sarfaraz Khan | 11 years ago | Reply

I totally agree with Ali's comments. This Malala drama has been conjured so that hatred and resentment towards tribal areas continue and phantom Taliban is once again accused. So drone attacks can resume on pretext of wiping out Taliban when actually innocent civilians are killed. Why all people cannot see the propaganda in this. This so called Taliban are actually foreign sponsored mercenaries and killers. Do not confuse them with the real mujahideen who are fighting the US forces in Afghanistan. This TTP is a scapegoat for USA and its allies to carry out more killings and drone attacks on Pakistan and tribal areas. People cannot see through the facade. By the way Imran Khan is right when he said that Taliban are criminal gangs. He has my vote and is the only man for a better Pakistan.

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