The Taliban and the ANP
Those opposed to the Taliban say that for about a year after the military operation, they had assumed a low profile in Karachi. However, after this the Taliban appeared to have come into action with revenge a key motive for their attacks. Both ANP supporters and others have been murdered. Party leaders ask why it is not possible to conduct an operation against them in Karachi as happened in Swat. The ANP’s general secretary, Bashir Jan, however, has pointed out that it is not the Taliban alone who are targeting Pashtuns. Other elements are also involved in this. The fact, however, is that in other places, too, including in camps for displaced people, the Taliban have struck repeatedly generally going after those who they believe oppose militant action.
What is clear is that even in Karachi they have not been tamed. Clearly, something needs to be done to bring groups of the Taliban who have based themselves in various parts of the country under control. Otherwise, there is a real fear that violence will continue to spread as the hunt for anti-Taliban elements continues. The battle then is quite obviously far from over. A strategy needs to be worked out to ensure that people who have fled the conflict zone are safe regardless of their political beliefs or affiliations and are able to rebuild life in their new homes.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 20th, 2012.
COMMENTS (8)
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I think either: (1) People living in the tribal belt should be equipped with arms and ammunition to fight the TTP and defend themselves; or (2) The Army must be ordered to shoot to kill on sight, anyone seen carrying a weapon. No questions asked.
ANP is the worst of current Coalition partners. No idea about the integerity of Bacha Khan and Asfiyandar Wali, but their leadership and party workers in Karachi are nothing less than a crime syndicate. A recent complain was made to Bashir Bilour to refrain its workers from collecting extortion money by a trader in Karachi, in reply the worker said "Who is Bashir Bilour, we run the setup in Karachi, Bilour has nothing to do with affairs in karachi".
I am not a fan of ANP but i appreciate their clear stance against the TTP unlike noora league or fazlurehman.Many of their district level party workers were killed in the dozens.Mian Iftikhar Hussain's (KP information minister) son was sprayed with bullets.Also a lot of KP's best police officers were martyred ruhtlessly.
@Pakistani Pakhtoon
Pakhtoons aren't the only ones who salute the ANP for its courageous stand. I might be a Punjabi but I have the deepest respect for the sacrifices that ANP has made in its fight against religion extremism.
ANP is the real and only victim among political parties in pakistan who have lost their hundreds of leaders.. pakhtoons salute you ANP and we will support you not a single political leader of establishment backed parties hav been killed
^ as if registration is going to provide you with security! such naive statements miss the point completely
When MQM asked for registeration of the IDP's of 2009, the same ANP said, MQM was discriminating against the PASHTUNs!
Hope they are having a great time living together now ;)
These fanatic terrorists have waged a jihad against all the democratic and secular parties. No wonder their targets are mostly PPP and ANP leaders and workers. However, the rightwing leaders who do not oppose them are safe to roam around freely without fear. Both Sharif and IK should come out with their position on these terrorists and killers.