ISLAMABAD: One of the men sanctioned by the United States for supporting “the most dangerous terrorist organisations” in Afghanistan and Pakistan denied on Friday he was a Taliban financier.
Hajji Malik Noorzai told Reuters he was a Pakistani businessman trying to turn a profit in countries as far apart as Afghanistan and Uganda, and someone dedicated to teaching children about the peaceful religion of Islam.
The US Treasury Department accuses him and his brother Faizullah of raising millions of dollars for the Taliban, running a seminary and storing vehicles for suicide bombings.
Noorzai, it says, is an example of how Afghan militant groups have also managed to secure critical support from businessmen in the region.
Noorzai said he was dumbfounded when he heard the news of American punitive measures against him on television.
“We have no connection with the Taliban, no connection with the Haqqanis. We have no need for such contacts, nor do we have the kind of money that can help run such groups,” Noorzai said in a telephone interview. “I worked very hard to set up my business, God is my witness. I didn’t give any money to anyone.”
Noorzai says he is an importer and exporter of cars and machinery. He believes he is the victim of a malicious plot by competitors to ruin his reputation.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 1st, 2011.
COMMENTS (14)
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@Ayaz: ayaz my muslim brother, u know better than others, how did u say that noorzai is a smuggler, ,, plz see the @Babloo's comment, and othrs he is from india, but u r a muslim, ? tell them, if they have any prove so plz show us,
noorzais r pakistanies not afgan, they r not with taliban,,,,,,,,
Haji faizullah khan and haji malik noorzai are real pakistanies. This is not really truth about haji faizullah khan and haji malik noorzai have any contact with any taliban group, haji malik noorzai is a real pakistani buesinesman of japan, uae, uganda, afghanistan, pakistan etc,,, every pakhtoon knows that they have maddrasah, yes they h, but there is all the students are under 13yrs old, and this is a high level school also, God knows how did this happen come. And haji malik noorzai also interweive to dawn news, http://www.dawn.com/2011/10/01/businessman-sanctioned-by-us-denies-militant-links
One of the Commandments of Lord Almighty is " Thou shalt NOT lay false accusations on anyone." Why will anyone expect the evil people of the world to be caring about the Commandments of Lord Almighty?
Are the cars being imported and exported stolen ones ? How a Businessman can find time to run a seminary ? Seminary may be the main business and a business establishment may help in money laundering maybe.
@Diggvijay Singh: Excellent reply, buddy boy. My heart is lightened by what has been read abd there are millions of Indians and Pakistanis who feel like you and myself.
Having migrated when still a toddler, my heart still still yearns for an understanding with you all. What we educated and peace lovers must do is to spread the sweet message of tolerance, exchange of views and peaceful co-existence.
War mongers trumpeting expansion and destruction through violent means must be made to understand that humanity is one and equal in the eyes of GOD and we have been given varying shapes, sizes, colors and hues to be distinguished from the other. Not to spread death, destruction and damnation.
"Aman ki Asha" is a forum of The Jang Group and The Times of India to spread and inculcate peace and understanding and is a good start. A step in the right direction. "Peace TV" of Dr. Farooq Naek from Mumbai is another that spreads the message of peaceful co-existence and understanding.
With best wishes to you and you family.
The US State department has its priorities standing upside down. Anybody spreading the message of Islam is declared under sanctions and black listed. It's time we sanctioned Clinton, G W Bush, Sr and Jr, Obama, Tony Blair, George Brown and their cohorts as terrorists and sanctioned them. Also not permitting them to fly over our territories.
"Noorzai says he is an importer and exporter of cars and machinery from the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Kenya and Uganda." Sounds like the guy is a smuggler. Who imports and exports cars from Uganda?
USA is Loosing so they want a scapegoat..
He says he never gave money to anyone then says he finaces a madrassa which does not produce mad students. Its maddening.
@Diggvijay Singh: You are the best!!
Deny Deny Deny!
US always blames any pious muslims as terrorist without any proof & this is understandable since they don't have any proof. War against islam by a country that came to existence through the annihilation of the native americans & have a history of war & genocide should come as no surprise. But the sad truth is that their genocide of muslims in Iraq & afganistan are lauded by a small section of the muslim world who call themselves secular . The west calls the majority terrorist & the brainwashed minorities progressive and they do this all the while ranting about democrazy & human rights. Muslims should be careful before accusing anyone of any crime without any proof because Allah(swt) directed the muslims to verify any information before passing accusations on anyone.
So, the truth is finally EXPOSED! These people maligned by the USA are not terrorists at all. I hope all peace-loving and sensible people like me around the world -- be they Indians, Pakistanis or Ugandans -- will take note of this hideous injustice perpetrated by the Americans under the garb of global war on terror. This systematic bias and moral abuse against Islam and Muslims has to stop at once! Let it be declared to the world, once and for all, that jihad is a concept of internal struggle of the human soul and talibans are basically students of theology. Kindly stop misrepresenting and distorting the divine meaning of these words and stop maligning the global image of Pakistan. Let's join our voices in condemning American imperialism and hegemonic gluttony and spread a message of love and harmony.