Mullah Nazir. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The Mullah Nazir Group of Taliban has assured aspiring candidates that the insurgents would not interfere with the election process in the South Waziristan tribal region.
The assurance was made by Mullah Nazir Group chief Salahuddin Ayubi, locally known as Bahwal Khan, in a meeting with over 50 candidates contesting NA-41 (Tribal Area-VI, South Waziristan) or their representatives in Wana, the main town in South Waziristan Agency.
Local tribesmen are free to vote for the candidate of their choice, a source privy to the meeting quoted Salahuddin as telling the meeting.
Though he assured the candidates that his group would not interfere in the voting process, he attached some stringent conditions for trouble-free balloting in the constituency. Firstly, the candidates will have to stage public rallies in an open place outside Rustam Bazaar, the main market in the area, due to security concerns.
Secondly, candidates with no popular vote bank should better not contest the elections. Thirdly, the candidates have to avoid indecent criticism of their rivals in their speeches.
Fourthly, the candidates of three parties – PPP, MQM and ANP – were told about the security threats they might face in the region. They have been told to avoid open election campaigns, use of party flags and banners in public places. The ANP has even been advised against holding public meetings.
Invitation to Friday’s meeting was made through pamphlets distributed by the Taliban in some parts of Wana, including Rustam Bazaar. In the pamphlet, they were asked either to come in person or send their representatives for the meeting where they would be served with ‘tea and biscuits’.
Published in The Express Tribune, April 6th, 2013.
COMMENTS (23)
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This region, under Pakistani constituon, is semi autonomous and given its govern under tribal laws political wise mullah nazir has the power--however, if he were to go against the state by saying elections can't be held then he will be held accountable. Mullah Nasir is called the good Taliban because in reality he doesn't subvert the Pakistani constitution unlike the TTP holed up in other regions, which says to basically kill anything pakistani. This area operates like a princely state in Europe--think of leichenstein--in which Pakistani government ensures defense and other federal matters but that's it. But a major act the ppp government did, which we will realize after this decade, is they introduced political parties laws-- the British, the might of the world pre-independence, couldn't even do that or let alone control them. So, in essence, yes per tribal customs he isn't violating anything. The liberals of Pakistan must realize Pakistan is a mix of federation with semi autonomous states like say the commonwealth of Great Britain. There are certain affairs Islamabad can't intrude on or influence directly and immediately but slowly.
@VINOD: There were several comments before yours. Are you unable to read or unaware that comments are moderated before they're published? Idiotic comment.
Yes it is state within state, and I am shocked to see some of the comments appreciating the Talban's dictatorial role here becuase their party is getting advantage and others (PPP, ANP) are being pushed to the wall. Politics is a dirty game to obtain power. Those who claim to be pious or those who claim to have installed political laundry to cleanse the corrupt, are just befooling the nation. I can see many sane, educated people falling from grace, losing touch of their sanity, simply due to their unshakable faith in their leader as the Messiah.
@Abdul Jabbar Mohmand: These people has set aside PPP, ANP, and MQM for security threat. Still you think they dont attack civillians ?
Majority of commentators are happy with this good Taliban. This is cruel joke. It is our policies which are letting this menace sprawl and strengthen. If PML N, JI, and PTI are true political and patriotic parties then they should voice in support of PPP, ANP, and MQM so that they can take part freely without fear of suicide bombings.
This require the utmost importance to be given to by Chief Justice and Army Chief, otherwise now there is strong possibilty that elections may not be held.
Who will be responsible ?, apply "Beneficiary Theory"
What?!! The Taliban are issuing assurance in support of elections now! This doesn't make any sense. These guys either too stupid or got a signal from south of Margallas (hint: probably both).
There are many elements in Taliban who are essentially pro-pakistan. I hope Mullah Nazir has the blessings of Emir ul Khilaf Mullah Omar and shows the way for other commanders in the tehrik in control of neighboring areas...especially his immediate leader Emir Hakimullah Mehsud.
Thanks God that Taliban has not awarded party tickets in all over Pakistan, otherwise, there would have been a danger that Taliban would have swept the elections 2013 with a two-third majority and have formed Taliban Government in Pakistan.
Poor ANP, the establishment want to isolate nationlist by creating enemity with Jihadis. They are quite successful in killing Pashtun by Pashtun.
Welcome to Autonomous Islamic Emirate of Waziristan
@Abdul Jabbar Mohmand: They are all chips of the old block, please don't play good Taliban Bad Taliban again. We have lost thousands of loved ones because of them...!!!
Abdul Jabbar Mohmand : If a group, violent or nonviolent, dictate terms of canvassing for elections, ignoring the Election commission, then the writ of the state does not exist in the area in which the group operates. Whether the group attacks Pakistan or not is the issue here.
tea and bisciut? or bomb and bullet?
@vasan: These are the people who do not attack Pakistani forces or civilians and are not at war with pakistani state so the question of Pakistani writ does not arise
Where is the sovereignty of Pakistan and where is the writ of the govt/army ?
Very reasonable conditions BUT he is not ECP and should not be allowed to dictate the terms as that would defeat the entire purpose of free and fair elections. The election may be fair but not free. He is trying to show his power to the local by putting very easy conditions which will be complied regardless but the message will be "elections were held but only because I allowed it"
This is a message of good Tliban but what bout bad Taliban.
See no comments on the board. Real bosses of Pakistan are speaking so please keep quiet and do what is told.
If the news is true, then i appreciate the measures. However, they should not favor one over other and let every party to lead their campaign without any hurdles.
Am sure US agents must have got his co=ordinates and must be waiting to find him alone. EC should take notice of this guy and order his immediate arrest.
hahahaha
In the pamphlet, they were asked either to come in person or send their representatives for the meeting where they would be served with ‘tea and biscuits’.
the best.
Thanks Taliban because you are not creating any hindrances and security threats for the candidates during the elections but please fulfill your all the promises and commitments you have made in your this mentioned above statements,terms and conditions.Thus the leaders may come into power who may/shall pave the ways of peace accords with you to sign and implement for real peace and tranquility in Pakistan.....
4points are apparently sensible and good :) Good luck for election
State within a state?