Difa-e-Pakistan has organised three large gatherings in Punjab alone. The first was in Lahore, which was organised by Jamatud Dawa (JuD), whose leadership is in charge of coordination and communication between all members of the group.
The movement will now hold a rally in Karachi on Sunday (today), which is being organised with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami. Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf has also held numerous meetings with the Difa-e-Pakistan leadership.
Other prominent members, who are widely perceived to have links with the intelligence circles in Pakistan, include Ejazul Haq, son of the military dictator who ruled during the Soviet-Afghan war, Sheikh Rasheed, a former federal minister in the last set-up under General Pervez Musharraf, and Hameed Gul, the former head of Pakistan’s premier spy agency, the ISI.
Difa-e-Pakistan does not currently maintain any joint fund and its leadership says all donations are from the public. “The business community, workers of each party, and even Pakistanis living abroad are sending us money, which is enough,” states the head of coordination committee, Yaqub Sheikh.
Independent researchers, however, say that most of the funding for the group comes through rich Arabs. “Not the governments there but the Arab public hate the Americans and have always been involved in using Pakistan as a proxy state,” says Khaled Ahmed, a renowned journalist who has authored several research papers and a book on terrorism and sectarian violence in Pakistan.
Ahmed feels that Difa-e-Pakistan is highlighting foreign policy issues, which the army command has historically dominated in Pakistan. Since the army cannot speak openly on these issues, it will use these non-state actors to communicate,” he adds.
Senior military officials who want to remain anonymous echo his thoughts. “Difa-e-Pakistan wants to tell us and anyone else who wants to use them that they are available. Their presence can be used to bargain with Americans,” a military officer remarked. When the group’s leaders are asked about this, all deny any signal from the armed forces in starting this group but their love for the military is quite evident. “The army is the largest institution of this country, so it holds a lot of importance for us and we are willing to fight for them,” says Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi, head of Ahl-e-Sunnat-wal-Jamaat (ASWJ).
While their statements glorify the Pakistani military and criticise the current political regime, they say they have no direct political stake in the upcoming elections under the banner of Difa-e-Pakistan. “We do not believe the current political system is Islamic and that is why we are not going to contest,” says Yaqub Sheikh from JuD, though he clarifies that his group has always had a political wing.
Analysts feel the union between such ‘Islamists’ can bring no good. “Difa-e-Pakistan has zero political objective but they are taking Pakistan back to the pre-9/11 era when the country had a pro-jihad policy. That will isolate Pakistan internationally,” says Amir Rana, director for the Pakistan Institute of Peace Studies. “We were on the brink of being declared a terrorist state then, and with Difa-e-Pakistan’s reactivation, a similar narrative is being revived,” he warned.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 12th, 2012.
COMMENTS (59)
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Will it end as the Pakistan franchise of al-Qaeda.
@Phajja :- Pathetic comments... this level of brainwashing is not good for you... stop watching youtube :)... start reading some good newspapers like.. Dawn, Financial Times, BBC etc...
And strat appreciating the truth... Your country's ideology is in bad shape... you have to change it... We Indians have got very high stake in your stability and we will keep on coming to your forums of discussions..all the best *:)*
Difa-e-Pakistan, Who was the SHO incharge in that vicinity?
@PakArmySoldier After killing so many innocents and still killing by out beloved army, it doesn't matter if a few army officers are also being killed.
@Arshad, to tell the truth is first step towards correcction, I encourage you to take that step, I assure you will still be muslim if you take that step
@Phajja:
My comments does not touch on Religion at all. Not a single word is written about any Religion. You can yourself see the contrast.
@Colonel: Please don't use my name thank you
@Arshad:Muslims instilled fear in themselves using superficial theories deduced out of thin air such as Judgment day,72 virgins and many more which has nothing to do with the logic/reality,by then it must have suited them to use these "hot air" bubblegum theories to increase their numbers. there was a world which existed before Muslims (quiet prosperous I'd say) and there is going to be world even after Muslims,you need not have to worry about the entire world, and i guarantee you that nothing would happen even if all the mullahs decide to commit mass suicide act,have a cup of coffee and go to sleep. @Phajja: your frustration is quiet evident with your ranting.Mukti Bahni and Bangladesh people are quite thankful to the indian state for what they did,but Kashmiri people neither amused nor thankful for what you are doing in Kashmir.
I have noticed that your readers are allergic to Jihad, Madrassahs and Mullahs. Jihad is part of a Muslim faith which means keep strugling against igronance, poverty and non justice society. We should not mix jihad of wars with jihad of daily life. I had visited many madrassah in Pakistan and never noticed jihad (war) lessons to students. The students go to the maddrasah to learn Quran, Hadith and shariah. As I said earlier the when no Mullah left in this world there will be non stop war until the day of judgement. Thanks to our Ulamas who are teaching our community to live peacefuly.
Even people with "value systems" have to earn a living and feed their families while talking of perpetual war. Pakistanis evidently have no trouble earning a living and feeding their families since they can talk about nothing but war.
@Phajja, You seem to be an active member of Dafa-e-Pak, how was the rally?
Sadhna, either Pakistan is extremely rich or a very different value system dominates Pakistani socio-political structure than what we consider normal or rational. Rich, they most likely, are not.
@Phajja: " ... This argument is ridiculously old. I am surprised that after living in the west for years your Brain has not changed a bit. Whether it is Forming Mukti Bahni and Initiating Agatala Conspiracy, or Forming and funding Tamil Tigers ... "
This is the problem with most Pakistanis - you refuse to see how you have set the standards of behaviour in the sub-continent. Who do you think we got the idea of Mukti Bahini from ? From you guys of course !!! Remember the tribal Lashkars you guys sent into Kashmir to forcibly incorporate her into Pakistan ?? They were our inspiration for Mukti Bahini.
I can list additional parallels if you have the appetite for it.
@Shakky. I agree with you that parties such as Difa-e-Pakistan are a poison for Pakistan. But I do not understand why should KPK be made a Laboratory? Al their support seems to be coming from Punjab. Just look where they are holding rallies: Lahore, with a huge turn out, and now Karachi. So how about choosing another lab, if your argument is accepted.
None of these crowd pullers ever discuss economic issues. My conclusion is Pakistanis are rich people who could/continue to afford continuous war against 2 neighbours and 2 superpowers for 30 years and counting.
I dont know whether the Pakistani military establishment is so nave or they have grown beyond their size. Today the world is facing three major issues. 1. Terrorism 2, Neuclear proliferation and drug if not the fundamentalism cum Jihadism. Unfortunagtely all these issues are directly originated from Pakistan. Can any one deny that Pakistan today host thousands of Jihadist and their own people are fearfull and suspect the invovlement of their own defence forces.
JuD and right wing parties are no different than Hamas etc .. who have destroyed innocent Palestinians with such slogans from decades ... Palestine issue started at same time when Japan & Germany were occupied .. Palestinians took stones in their hands and started to fight a giant while being a tiny nation it self .. while on the other hand Germans & Japanese instead of fighting accepted the reality and gave books to their children .. there are still foreign forces and bases in both Germany & Japan but they even an illiterate kid knows how better Japan & Germany is from Palestine .. this is where your choices can take you future generations .. the choice is yours.
@Ahmad Nadeem: Freedom of speech? ROFL! There is no "freedom of speech" in the state these people want to turn Pakistan into. No freedom at all, especially if you're a woman!
It is true that pakistan was to be an Islamic state, an Islamic state as per Lahore resolution. Did you get that. Today all I see is a radical mislim state in which people have forgotten the real old culture whether the main thing was Khauf-e-Khuda. Now it is khauf of the corrupt and terrorists. Is this Islamic. Are people living a peaceful prosperous lives. Friends it is time to think of a peaceful peace loving and prosperous Pakistan. in the British days they had a better life, why did you make your azadi in to barbadi. With the new radical mega group emerging it will be adding insult to injury. A noble faith of Islam will be tarnished.
@Pakarmysoldier: and what is your take on the Army and Nato occupation forces? the soldiers killed in salala were also your brethren right?
When will someone raise jihad against stupidity, corruption, jaywalking, illegal parking, illiteracy, long waiting periods, reckless driving, rudeness, government plates on private cars, under age driving etc?
@PakArmySoldier: Well said- but I would phrase it in a different way. Its not just about killing of your friends and colleagues from your institution, they have actually killed almost 40,000 of your and my countrymen. Its time we start thinking beyond our groups, institutions, castes, creeds, tribes, religions, ethnicities etc. Each human life is precious.
actually this is make army strong ,keep poeple poor, usurp our money in the name of defence,and make the world fool congregation.
@Liberalache
There is also panic among Christians, Ahmadis, Shias and Barelwis
@Colonel
In which other country you see army recruiting civilians to wage wars. Jihad is sanctioned by the state and armies fight in the battle field. After spending 30 percent budget on military, you want banned terrorist and sectarian groups to defend Pakistan? Come out of the 80s, the dollar jihad is over
We are head on towards collusion course with the rest of world & this time, we might just be declared a "Terrorist State". Long live Pakistan!
“Difa-e-Pakistan wants to tell us and anyone else who wants to use them that they are available”. = hired mercenaries.
It shows that these outfits are nothing more than puppets of the rich arabs, who have their own agendas !!!
@Liberalache:
I’m loving how Difa-e-Pakistan is causing panic among the sell-out liberal crowd….just luvin it!
Be very careful as to how much you love these outfits ! They will come back to bite you with vengeance, and possiblt that will be the end of Pakistan in its present form too !
I am watching these jihadi movements since long when they started to grow in the regime of General Ziaul Haq and financed by our beloved Aaqa, the Uncle Sam. Initially it was used to fight in Afghanistan and Nurseries of Jihad were opened in the name of Madersahs in Pakistan. One can remember, the number and presence of Madersahs before and after 1980, one can judge the difference in quality of education they are providing between the two’s. The focus of 1980s and onwards Madersahs (exceptions exclude) is on Jihad and not on the education and message of Islam that’s means ‘peace’. At that time I was of the view that these mushroom nurseries would create a force which would destroy their own society after the so called Jihad. We started to see their results when these Jihadis started to kill Shias in Pakistan in first phase and then soft sunnis (biggest event: Nishtar park). Now I am seeing that many Jihadis groups in KPK are attacking on each other. They have killed their own muslims in thousands in Pakistan in last twenty years and they called them profoundly Muslim, even they don’t know the meaning of Muslim. If one can just read and understand the Surah Fatiha, he may understand the meaning of Islam. The Difa Pakistan is the mob of people who ultimately destroy Pakistan as their mates (politicians) are also doing at present.
I was disappointed with the Tribune for the obvious bias in this report. The best Journalism should be free from the left or the right bias. One should report the news 'As Is' and bringing your preconceived notions can cause the serious readers some disappointment.
Looks like a big threat to pakistani peace within the country and, the rest of the world.
Dear Pakistanis! Fasten your seat belts for another roller coaster ride. Please remember the previous ride under the leadership of dictator Zia. Given the fun we had in that ride, this one seems a lot more promising. God! Please save us.
We are getting close to armageddon. All Muslims should prepare for Jihad..
@PakArmySoldier:
Men like you can restore the great pride of the army.
I hope you reach the highest position in the army.
Funny how many of these people were funded by the Americans in the 80's and now they are against their old master.
Gen Hamid Gul was like an assistant to the American brass but then he got dumped so he went mad.
im with defa-e-pakistan....
@PakArmy Soldier: I support your comment. These outfits are not Muslim. They are working for the interests of the "Others" and portraying "them" that they are the representatives of Pakistan.They have no clout here and general pople do not like them or support their agenda. they are menance to the society and breed infections like Qadri
Well in my opinion it is called freedom of speech which is the fundamental right of a citizen. If they are wrong people will not support but if they are right and pointing the nation in right direction I think we should listen to them. adding we should not just put a label based on some biased media propaganda we all have sense and should realize the greater interest of the nation and our own existence. learn from all source of information your surrounded situation and history. you will get the answer.
I see that Kapten Khan is in very good company. He only needs Mullah Muhammad Omar to complete this jirga.
For economical adversaries of Pakistan, Difa-e-Pakistan is the best thing that could have happened. No need to worry about competition, Difa will soon make sure Pakistan is out of the village called 'Global Trade'.
@PakArmySoldier: If this organization was involved in killing innocent people, then they should be banned in Pakistan like TTP and some other organization. If yew call yourself a Muslim, then jihad is compulsory for ya. This organization is doing a great job, and we should stand with them. We want NATO and USA out of our region that's what this organization. They are defending Pakistan and Pakistan army and nation.
George W Bush couldn't be happier; after 9/11 one of his officials phoned Musharraf & threatened to bomb Pakistan into the stone age, Difa-i-Pakistan will do that ( make Pakistan a stone age entity) without any bombs.
Def-e-Pakistan is the responsibility of Security institutions alone. Some time public can assist these institution but only case of total war.Strictly speaking Def-e-Pakistan aspire to become a powerful lobby and pressure group like Jews Lobby in United state. Def-e-Pakistan council is undermining country's larger interests and strengthening the wrong perception of Pakistan throughout the globe.
When the fence is the biggest danger to the barn who needs enemies from outside
Contrary to all common thinking, the purpose of forming and promoting Difa-e-Pakistan is to avoid Hafiz Saeed being dragged to the US courts in connection with the Mumbai attacks and also to obstruct the court proceedings of the same in India as this would reveal many secrets which ISI wants to avoid. If you see how Dr. Khan's case was handled and who are all the active members of Difa-e-Pakistan you shall get the picture. However, with US winding up in Afghanistan and not requiring the services of Pakistan any longer, Pakistan may risk being declared a terrorist state. Fighting for the Kashmir cause is just a smoke screen as they are no longer able to infiltrate in the Kashmir region.
Difa-e-Pakistan Council (DPC) is the need & solution to the current hypocratic ruling where (govt) is far away from adressing public sentiments regarding the sovrnighty of pakistan..they all (political entities) were busy in horse trading,seat adjustments etc etc..but no one really cares or even know where the current global geo-politcal scenrio stands...USA ,Nato, Hostile india, fascist media,libral thugs are trying to suppress the voice of these very (PRO-PAKISTANI) jihadi outfits whose agenda is non other than defending Pakistan and its ideological basis of ISLAM..& YES ISlam is the very basic identity of Pakistan which no one ever deny...
In my opinion there is no such political or religious party exist within Pakistan that want to protect Pakistan.
All of the actions of political or religious parties are against the interest of Pakistan and thus has created a fanatic image of Pakistan as 'Jihadi State'
The only way to protect Pakistan is to follow the teachings of Father of the Nation, Mohammad Ali Jinnah, as no other approach, thinking and evolving strategies can protect Pakistan.
What we need to buildup is a 'Soft Image' of Pakistan and not a "Fanatic State'.
These are my personal views: I consider these people as an existential threat to Pakistan. They inadvertently support the Taliban and extremist elements who have killed my friends and colleagues in the Army.
-Capt. Basit
I'm loving how Difa-e-Pakistan is causing panic among the sell-out liberal crowd....just luvin it!