ISLAMABAD:
A day after he survived a targeted suicide attack, former chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmed on Tuesday reiterated that America was the “ultimate beneficiary” of such an assault.
“They always want me to condemn the Taliban. This way, they must have thought that I would blame the Taliban and thus, condemn them,” Qazi told The Express Tribune, when asked who he thought would benefit from an attack on his life.
Qazi spoke to The Express Tribune after a press conference held to announce that JI and other religious parties would observe a black day on Friday, November 23, against Israel’s aggression in Gaza.
Referring to the suicide attack on his life in Mohmand Agency, where he was scheduled to address supporters, Hussain said it was the result of a conspiracy by the US who wanted “us (Pakistanis) to fight each other.”
“The plan of the Americans was that I would put the blame of the suicide attack on the Taliban and condemn them, to which they would react and the fight between us would go on,” said Qazi, adding that “the US would be the ultimate beneficiary.”
When asked why he would not condemn the Taliban for killing people in terrorist attacks, Qazi chose to be diplomatic: “I will not specifically name anyone, but I have always condemned and will condemn anyone who kills innocent people.”
He said he had received no threats before the attack and that no terrorist group had claimed responsibility for it yet.
Qazi reiterated how the attack did not deter him from addressing the scheduled congregation and thanked his supporters and party activists for being concerned about his well-being.
Divulging details of the attack, Qazi added: “The political agent of the area told me the bomber was a female in a burqa. My driver also spotted a burqa-clad figure running towards our vehicle before it blew up near the one behind ours. Some young party workers got hurt.”
He added the government’s security personnel opened fire in panic, which was not necessary. He said the rulers of this country must sever ties with the US as it was “pitching us (Pakistanis) against each other.”
Qazi also said he would not support a military operation in North Waziristan, said to be the bastion of the Taliban.
Lamenting over the death of innocent Palestinians, Qazi said the US supported Israel’s atrocities in Gaza. “The Muslim world should move beyond lip service to help end the killing of Palestinians. The Organisation of Islamic Countries should be used as an effective platform towards achieving this.”
He urged clerics to highlight the suffering of Palestinians in their Friday sermons.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 21st, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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Time to put him in an old folks home. He obviously has dementia.
to me it look like the other way around.. jumate islami seems to be the biggest beneficiary of this attack...and what kind of an attack was that ... I think 1/4 kg of blastic material was used. it was a joke in the name of suicide blast...
haha Qazi sahab I really wonder why USA would feel threaten of you? Have you said a "no" to US or what? or may be one of your US-national sons have committed some crime in US? You were/are the sole beneficiary of all the US schemes/plots against Pakistan during Afghan war and offcourse the current sectarian violence.
I fail to see that how the USA going to benefit if Qazi Hussain Ahmad is killed. Even when Qazi was leading Jammat e Islami, he was no threat to the interests of West. His only contribution is opposing Agha Khan Education Board from Conducting the O & A level exams., Qazi won and the poor of this country lost all hopes of progress through better education.
Truth is a casualty .
Who is the ultimate beneficiary is another discussion. Qazi Sahib please be realistic and understand the ground realities.
He is right. The lady who blew herself up was a white woman.
“They always want me to condemn the Taliban. This way, they must have thought that I would blame the Taliban and thus, condemn them,” Qazi told The Express Tribune, when asked who he thought would benefit from an attack on his life."
"When asked why he would not condemn the Taliban for killing people in terrorist attacks, Qazi chose to be diplomatic: “I will not specifically name anyone, but I have always condemned and will condemn anyone who kills innocent people.”
Read together, this means that either: (1) Talibans should not be condemned for the suicide attack Or (2) Qazi does not fall under the category of innocent people who are killed by the Talibans.