Pakistani Taliban to target media organisations: Report
An official of the interior ministry, on the condition of anonymity told BBC that agencies recorded a telephonic conversation between Mehsud and a Taliban operative Nadeem Abbas alias Intiqami where the former was giving directives to the latter on taking action against media organizations.
Mehsud, according to the interior ministry, was directing Abbas to target media organizations and personnel in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and other cities who were criticizing the Taliban for attacking Malala Yousufzai.
The Taliban have been targeted with severe criticism and condemnation for attacking the 14-year-old child activist by Pakistan and other countries.
After listening to the conversation the government has directed all media organizations, especially international media organizations to tighten security around their offices and has directed concerned authorities to do the same for these organizations.
The Taliban have threatened media organizations through emails and telephonic conversations as well.
The government has directed authorities to station heavy contingents of police in areas where there are important media organizations and if need be, they can request the government for stationing Frontier Constabulary (FC) too.
COMMENTS (65)
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We don't want to kill secular people just because they are secular ... because they are poisonous snakes. The only thing they can do is spread diseases, promiscuity and Godlessness
These terrorists are clearly focused on pushing their evil agenda forward by any means necessary. Our governments are working hard to bring peace and stability to the region. And it is obvious that these terrorists are working hard to prevent peace from prevailing. We stand by Pakistan in its fight against terror and refuse to bow down to these terrorists. We will continue to support Pakistan and work together to eliminate this threat. We restate what Richard Hoagland, the charge d ’affairs at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, said recently: “In this dangerous world where terrorists can strike at any moment, we must all work together – Pakistanis and Americans alike – because we have a strong mutual interest in defeating terrorism.”
Can we request IK to use his good influence to avert this? the nation will eternally grateful.
i doubt very much that taliban will be eliminated. they are darlings of esteblishment (army, politicians, beuerocracy) and thier assets.
Well,why there isnt so much of hue and cry against US interference in Pakistan and the Drone Attacks killing hundreds of Malalas in our Pak land.Who created Taliban and who used Taliban ?The day US stops interfering in Pakistan ,you wouldnt see any single such like incident.Similarly in Afghanistan too.The media has created hype...You switch ON the TV ,there is no news other than Malala.We strongly condemn attack on Malala but what about other collateral damages as result of Drone attacks...It will be the biggest blunder if we go for operation in Waziristan against our own people .Another front is being opened for the army to engage army there...Let there be active criticism against US drone attacks in Media and parliament (although a dummy parliament)The religious parties ave played a good role to condemn attack on Malala and against US and Drone attacks too.We do not support operations in Waziristan.....What about situation in Balochistan? Who supports the militant organizations here in Balochistan..Have the guts to expose the countries who supports the militant groups...Most of media channels and their anchors are not sincere with Pakistan...Lets support our Afghan brothers in uprooting US,her Allies and India from Afghanistan..our great neighbor and and an Islamic country....lets brings peace in Afghanistan...
The greatest ever shame,curse and woe be on you the barbarians Taliban now you are preparing to target media on showing your barbarism/barbarity and in fact you want and this is your desire that you do whatever you want doesn't matter how much more brutal,cruel,barbarity,unislamic and wrongful and no one has to tell the truth and reality about your that action to the nation and world.Please never forget it and always remember that you shall never be garlanded on showing barbarism/barbarity and even no any one would like to garland you on doing the barbarity/barbarism with the innocent and sinless people.Islam is the religion of peace and you are by your barbarity/barbarism presenting Islam like the terrorist religion and want to prove that Islam spread on sword's power forcibly whereas Allah Almighty said in His the doubtless Quran in Sura Baqara that "there is no compulsion in Islam" and on other place said that "O Prophet you are sent only for preaching and this is your duty to convey my message to the people and you are not responsible for their deeds" You have to correct yourselves first then expect that the media shall portray your positive actions before the world......
@Poovhen: keep these learned aninal with you. Islam does not required such kind of beast with them.
Why the common men not making threat to TTP and its associates whcih are moving free in cities and towns. So they will start feeling the pain also.
barbarians
This is the God given, one time opportunity for the Pakistan Army to take down the Talibans and finish them for ever. Public sentiment if against the Talibans and people of Pakistan, including the tribal areas shall extend wholehearted support to the Army to wipe out the Talibans. In fact the Tribal leaders may thank the Army as the Talibans have taken over the tribal areas and the Tribal leaders are themselves under the mercy of the Talibans. Additionally, it is a welcome sign that Altaf Hussein has come out clearly against the Talibans. MQM has significant street power and it would be helpful in any action by the Army against the Talibans. If the Army looses this chance or delays in taking action, the public will feel that the Army has let them down and their image will suffer so seriously that they shall never be able to recover and it would also make it easy for the Talibans to wipe out the Army. So, for the Army it is now a matter of their survival and they should act immediately and with full force. They should not distinguish between Afghan Talibans and Pakistan Talibans and should eliminate them all. Pakistani citizens should also push their Army to take action on the Talibans with full force. If necessary, the Army should also ask for help from US, NATO and China, if necessary. Forget pride and save the country and the people of Pakistan from the imminent takeover of the country by the Talibans. Anyone opposing the Army action should be arrested and tried in the Anti Terror Courts, be it IK or Fazlur Rehman. or even PPP and PML-N members or their allies.
@Chulbul Pandey: thank you so much for that thoughtful insight. But do enlighten us about how that makes you feel. Are you one of those who wish death and and destruction for Pakistan or are you one of those who are trying to bring hearts together ?
Wait for the talking heads in the media to now come out and pin everything on the Americans and absolve the Taliban of any misdemeanor.
It is not only the Taliban but also all Mullahs, Maulvis and Imams who have been preaching hatred in the world (western world included) should be thrown out of Islam and thoroughly discredited. Those Mullahs who declared fatwa on the shooters of Malala did so not immediately but few days after. They should have been the first to condemn this attack on a little girl for wanting to educate herself and other Muslim girls. These so called religious leaders of Islam only preach hate for non Muslims. Unless they stick only to ethical religious values they should not be listened and disgraced. But this will never happen because Muslim men and women have very little education and this uneducated mob control the Muslim world not the ones who are educated. They keep quiet and that is the pity.
'Bad Taliban' or whoever these terrorists are, can only be shut out by shrewd and massive psychological warfare - that means our media alongside our security forces (yes, including govt if they are interested) need to devise a strategy which changes opinions of people who are on the borderline. Our armed forces have not been able to tackle this threat because these gangsters, killers, murderers of our servicemen and youth have infiltrated the society while we tackle the other half which are in the badlands. This war is not about brawn only instead about using our brains for once! And it is by no means a quick fix. All out media-led slandering/character assassination + propaganda tactics is the way to approach this (the minds of these members of these death squads need to be drilled on a daily basis that they are the anti-islam elements, infidels themselves). To my fellow citizens working in media outlets: divert your attention from hosting meaningless and disorderly talk shows with irrelevant so-called politicians and focus your attention where it is much needed for the survival of Pakistan and your livelihoods. Focus on bringing positivity to #Baluchistan #Waziristan and curtailing this massive threat of intolerance and extremism that Pakistan is living through. Loosing one's country (which we are from a moral and spiritual standpoint) is self-defeating, humiliating, shattering and however much wealth one is lured towards accumulating, if you don't have a country you can safely live in, it is akin to selling your soul, being parentless, and an unwanted citizen in this world. We in Pakistan live in an increasingly materialistic and fake world - achieving excellence, knowledge and long term bliss is being sacrificed for short term happiness and pleasures. I have lived abroad (from San Francisco to Saudi Arabia) and understand first-hand the humiliation one faces when your country looses relevance in the comity of nations - like we are rapidly without defense. Fleeing abroad is not a refuge (I point this out as this thought is crossing many a minds), it is a curse which oneself and your family will never live down, a third rated, identity-less existence. There is no escape my friends - therefore a stronger and prosperous motherland is our rightful and only destiny! wake up to a better Pakistan. Start believing and acting on those beliefs.
first v hv to finish our stupid friendship with the creature of taliban, than v should eliminate this stupid people i mean taliban
hope for malala full and speedy recovery,such courage...how can coward fanatic taliban target a little girl for going to school
why doesnt the media target the taliban. Who is the spokesmen of taliban , from where they give the report. Where they send the sms from. Who is send funds to them. All this information should be given to those willing to eliminate the evil talibans
Hope media and responsible personnels from Pakistan Govt, special those who are Executives of Law/Order and Jurisdiction, should not have shown there blind eye towards Genocide and Killing of SHIA Muslims across the nation.
We are also Pakistani and We are proud of it. We are not asking for help or money but this ignorance and blind eye towards a certain school of though and community really disturbs.
THIS IS THE REAL FACE OF TALIBAN,THIS IS THE TIME PAK GOVE DO THERE JOB,AND ALL RELIGIONS PARTY DECLARE JIHAD AGAINST TALIBAN'S.I THINK RELIGIONS PEOPLE SHOULD GIVE FATWA AGAINST TALIBAN'S.
Congratulations for wonderful relations to :Ansar Abbasi & Hamid Mir & Shahid Masood & Aulia Maqbool Jaan ko bohat mubarak ho!
Once the amrikaan leave and stop the drone attacks..the talibans will lay down arm in 90 days. Dont worry the taliban khan will negotiate with them. Vote for PTI!!
Taliban literally are students of Islam, well versed with the scriptures. To see so many people, most of whom who don't have the capacity to read even one translated sura in one sitting, doubting Taliban's religious knowledge is simply unacceptable.
Mehsud tribes are honorable and brave people but this outfit is bringing shame to them, what kind of religion these people profess to have, my religion Islam does not preach any violence against any innocent person, as a matter of fact our holy book Quran says that killing one innocent human being is like killing the humanity.Do they really understand the holy book and it's teachings,I say not. These people are a shame for the Pukhtun people and I for one is ashamed of them.Pukhtuns don't do the cowardly things what these people are doing, I say that are ignorant,cowards and getting paid by some body for these ghastly acts and has no love for our Prophet Mohammad(pbuh) or his teachings.They will answer to God some day, what kind of brutality they have committed in his name.
Sharia.... is coming
@Syed Bilal:
What more you can expect from a country brother which came in to the existence on the basis of a religion.
This is the reason why the whole world calls for "separation of religion from the state."
I have lost all respect in Imran Khan. Maulana Fazlurahman was expected to be a coward but not Imran. Cheap lousy politician. Will never vote for him and I will ask my children to post his comments on facebook so young folks he's depending on for change, will never happen. Imran is a coward like the others. No difference.
Taliban under mulla omar are good. Taliban under Hakimullah Mehsud are bad.????.............the truth is Taliban.JET and others should be wiped out
once all int agencies mil and civil will work hand-in-gloves then all threats stand dissolved and die own death.This is a very serious dilemma in our country and giving success to all others.
@Parvez:
Simple shut them down and nobody will get to hear what they have to say.
Agencies are so successful in recording telephonic conversations for these headline news items but they never successfully track their location. They can record the Hakimullah Mehsud telephone as if he is sitting in their drawing room. If they are so successful in recording, then why are they not successful in tracking and drone attacking on him.
jibran: moderate people like you dont do anything but writing comménts like i do right now. u just talk. how much do you know mustafa kamal. by your comments it seems you dont no anything. if you make a survey ín the public the people have no problem with ttp. they will say to you get bombed by people u thought were your caretaker(government,army) like 100 times and then lets see what your reaction will be. i have spoken to people who have said to me: if you bomb people expect that you also get hurt, either directly or indirectly. you just try make a survey. thats all i ask.Bby your saner definition no one is left besides you and the liberals who is just talking and not walking.
@PS: It’s a make or break time for Imran Khan. He has to come out and speak in categorical terms which side of the line he stands on.
May be I misunderstood you but I cannot believe you are more concerned about Khan. He does not really matter. It has to be a fight between Aam Admi (common man) of Pakistan and Taliban if Pakistan is to survive. There is no other way out. The Pakistani leaders have failed their country time and again.
I am an Indian and I am here to warn Pakistanis of an existential threat they face. A big fat clue - We Indians are not that threat.
@Jibran: I second your reaction to the "outrageous" comment by Bee. Taliban has no right to attack anybody; this cult must be crushed. Siddique Malik, Louisville, Kentucky, USA.
Crush these Taliban mentality before it is too late. They are not Muslim, they do not know Islamic values, belief and teaching as well. Search them and get rid of them for ever. All Muslim should be united against this ill and dirty approach which Taliban want to apply.
Where will Taliban khan stand on this ? Will Taliban khan seperate the taliban who want to target the media from the Taliban who does not want to target the media ? May ALLAH safe the region from the day when the TALIBAN KHAN is in power...
And our generals and strategists still want to keep our troops on the Eastern border, when our enemy is deep within us.
I don't believe a word of this. The source of this news is the Interior Ministry. The ministry has been giving such fake warnings just to justify their ineffectiveness in dealing with the situation. If Interior is so efficient in intercepting calls then why hasn't it been able to get the terrorists. No appreciable catch on that account till date!!
There are NO such thing as good Taliban .... only criminally insane ... People who defend them are as sick as they are.
It is no secret that they are not favored by few political parties for their benefits and worst of all Pakistan becoming the birth place of sick twisted extremist in the World.
Its time to eliminate this pests from Jinnah's garden .. We urge all Law enforcement agencies to come together and uphold your oath and show the finger to any politicians who try to create hurdle .. please.
@Bee: But before that please target the Gambling Dens, Liquor Shops, Brothels/red light districts, first…..
What kind of outrageous comment is this? And how it could pass the moderation?
@Khan007: The worst was killing babies, and the unborns! After doing that they have hit the rock bottom. Of course the mullahs and the rightwing apologists, are happy with this, as this coincides with their beliefs and interests. It is up to the saner elements in the society, if any are remaining, to eliminate them and their sympathizers like Mustafa Kamal did in Turkey.
It's a make or break time for Imran Khan. He has to come out and speak in categorical terms which side of the line he stands on. On the side of Malala and all the liberal forces siding with her, or on the side of the barbaric and intolerant zealots. No ifs and buts or conspiracy theories please. He might just find himself sinking in his own tsunami. Finally, we are all too tired of your droning now.
Are there no functionable security forces in place when it comes to threat from within?
When you catch a Taliban in a criminal act, shoot on sight. This has to end. Take a relentless action aiming to eradicate this scourge. The Taliban is like a mosquito buzzing over your head when you want to go to sleep at night. You won't get any rest until you kill it.
Great... Now you are on the right path....
But before that please target the Gambling Dens, Liquor Shops, Brothels/red light districts, first.....
TTP, killing normal citizen wont help you, even a Rs.5000/person Target killer can do that!!!!
And we have leaders like Imran Khan to "talk" with these barbarians!
TTP can threaten whatever they wish. But where is the "writ" of the government?
The media should not be intimidated, instead they should shout louder about the destruction the Taliban are bent upon inflicting on Pakistan, and their lies
So does the Pakistani media represent a foreign ideology, necessitating a Jihad? What say you, Imran Khan?
@Syed Bilal: The Taliban claim they represent the true Islam. Unless moderate peaceful Islam steps up and throws them out of the Islamic community it is business as usual. Media should stop giving them any ink.
'Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan leader Hakimullah Mehsud" As per the official classification, Is he a good Taliban or bad Taliban?
The TTP are the enemy of the State and it is the sworn duty of the armed forces to combat the enemies of the State. Why is this not happening ? The answer to this appears frightening.
Will they also target QTV, Madani Channel, Peace TV?
When you catch a Taliban in a criminal act, shoot on sight. This has to end. Take a relentless action aiming to eradicate this scourge. The Taliban is like a mosquito buzzing over your head when you want to go to sleep at night. You won't get any rest until you kill it.
Let me put it on the face of Taliban that no body is scared from Taliban.
The media organisations and the civil society until their last breath with Taliban to oust them from Pakistan once and for ever.
In Pakistan the majority of the people are from liberal values and they are better Muslims than fanatic Talibans.
Security agencies,women,schools, innocent girls, schools, NGOs,mosques and now media what will be next ur target? Your are totaly frustrated now. Lossing game and popularity. Ur days have been counted i think.
I'm not surprised by this move from TTP. They can sink much lower than that. However, it would be testing times for the Media Personnel, particularly those who have been criticizing a few political leaders for not condemning TTP openly.
Why can't we eradicate these mouses ????? I really hate myself as Pakistani just because of these THAIKEDAAR OF ISLAAM !!!!!