The conditional humanity of Taliban

I can imagine Taliban workers shouting "All those who adhere to our brand of Islam, line up for aid. Anyone who dares to defy us, can go drown in the raging waters."

Sadaf Khan August 17, 2010
The Taliban have a humane side. No, I’m not kidding. It must be humanity that prompted the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan to offer $20 million for the aid of flood victims and distribute relief goods.

The scenario baffles the mind. Imagine the TTP in Swat, one of the worst hit areas.

I assume victims would be directed to line up at Khooni Chowk in Mingora. I can imagine TTP workers shouting "All those who adhere to our brand of Islam, line up for aid. Anyone who dares to defy us, can go drown in the raging waters."

Obviously, this generous $20 million offer comes with a catch.

The aid is available on the condition that the government refuses all foreign aid being offered by the West.  Tehreek-e-Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq made his kind offer earlier this week and urged the government not to accept any foreign aid for the victims of the worst floods in Pakistan’s history.

Sadly for them, so far, the big bad West remains our biggest donor. With United Nations sending out appeals for more help, it is likely that the aid flowing in from the West will increase.

When viewed through Taliban-tinted-glasses, the situation poses dire threats to our way of life.

In the past the TTP has accused various international aid groups and NGOs of trying to contaminate our society with un-Islamic values. The opposition has not stopped at verbal threats but has often translated into brutal violence. Bombings at the offices of NGOs and kidnapping of the personnel are not rare. So, really, the demand to refuse international aid should not come as any surprise.

What is surprising is the fact that these people still have the nerve to pass themselves off as defenders of Islam - a religion which lays enormous emphasis on the rights of fellow human beings .

I wonder how these self righteous, self-proclaimed guardians of Islam justify this demand. I also wonder if TTP actually has $20 million to spare – why is it conditional to Western aid being withdrawn? Isn’t it their Islamic and moral responsibility to help a huge population of Muslims?

Then again, the TTP is nothing if not hypocritical.

So far, the offer to give Islamic aid in place of un-Islamic aid is limited to money, they should really think about upgrading the offer and include some relief equipment to the package.

After all, 4 Chinook and 2 Black Hawk American helicopters have been flown in from Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan to aid rescue operations. And no matter how strong the 'great' Hakimulllah Mehsud maybe, I’m sure even he cannot transport hundreds of victims to shelters in one trip.
WRITTEN BY:
Sadaf Khan A broadcast journalist based in Islamabad who was formerly associated with Geo News and Dunya News. She blogs at http://ibteda.wordpress.com/
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (29)

Saleem Kirla | 14 years ago | Reply @Shahzad: The Jacobabad air base story was false. (And a "senator" didn't say it, the health secretary did. The learned senators simply played along without critically examining his testimony. Par for the course in parliament. READ BEFORE YOU COMMENT, sheesh.) The Health Secretary was talking nonsense. The newspaper that published it should've been more responsible than to simply print statements by (a clearly dogmatic anti-US) bureaucrat. Four calls today -- one to the US Embassy, one to the Pakistan Air Force, one to a friend covering the floods in Sindh, and the other to the Sindh Health Dept -- cleared it up. The PAF and other relief aircraft have been using Shahbaz AB as a supply hub for days now. If you are going to be a rabid anti-American cyberwarrior, try to hold on to facts. But then you lot never really did let facts get in the way of a good whinge about why America is so evil.
Sadaf Khan | 14 years ago | Reply In 2009 above 500 suicide blasts resulted in countless civilian deaths. In 2010 the TTP and its friends successfully wrecked our economy by hijacking Karachi. In 2010 flood - the world decided NOT to aid us, as they were afraid of the TTP benefiting from their money. Oh but wait! it is all U.S.'s fault. Thank You for showing me the light! It is all so easy when I blame everything on U.S. I really dont have to THINK and take ANY responsibility. Hail TTP! Death to Drones
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ