Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani is the head of Supreme Shura. PHOTO: FILE
The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has appointed Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani, the head of the Supreme Shura, as the interim leader to head the group, a spokesman said on Sunday.
Former TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud was killed along with four cadres in North Waziristan Agency near the Afghan border on Friday. Shahidullah Shahid, the central spokesman for the TTP, said a permanent replacement had not been chosen yet.
“Asmatullah Shaheen Bhittani, the head of the Supreme Shura, has been appointed as temporary head of the TTP,” Shahid said, adding that prayers for Hakimullah were still going on.
The killing of Hakimullah sparked a furious reaction from the government, which accused Washington of sabotaging fledgling efforts towards peace negotiations with the Taliban.
Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar said a group of religious scholars had been ready to go and meet the TTP to initiate talks, which have been backed by all major political parties, when the drone struck.
Shahid refused to say there was no chance of the talks going ahead, but accused the government of kowtowing to Washington and cutting a deal to ‘sell’ the militants.
“Nobody in history has ever negotiated with slaves,” he said. “We were waiting for a meeting, while the Pakistan Army and government were sitting with the US finalising deals to sell us.”
Shahid stopped short of vowing revenge for Hakimullah. “Time will tell whether we take revenge of his martyrdom or not,” he said.
In the past, the TTP has responded to its leaders being killed with deadly violence.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th,2013.
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Is there a bullseye on the top of that headdress?
*****while the Pakistan Army and government were sitting with the US finalising deals to sell us***** Well this thing did not come to your mind when the whole nation was waiting for negotiation and you attacked a general of Pakistan army and you murdered dozens of criestians in their church. This thing did not came to your mind when you attacked army location in south waziristan with suicidals...The ppl with less religious knowledge are always a biggest danger for the religion and same are you ppl who deserved to be killed one by one.Conveniently enough, while they were "waiting" for meeting with govt. they were also establishing links with Afghan intelligence.
"“We were waiting for a meeting, while the Pakistan Army and government were sitting with the US finalising deals to sell us.” History repeats itself--A B Vajpai had same experience with MNS.Left hand of the Government was sitting on the negotiating table and the right hand of the Government was invading Kargil.
What else would Taliban do when Government,Media,clerics and society has already legitimized their reaction.They are being portrayed as "victims" at the expense of the country and its people being their victims.
@Zif:
That's actually a knowledge for me . I hope , what ever your source may be , is true. It should open the eyes and ears of Taliban protagonists.
@Badal
How's that relevant here? Secondly, when citing Rudyard Kipling, don't forget that this same person also authored the jungle book. He also said some degrading things about Afghan women, so at least respect your own self first.
Whoever sold them is a hero. Should be given the highest award. Declared a national asset.
"May God save you from the venom of cobra, teeth of tiger and revenge of Pakhtuns/Afghans.".
Hakeemullah studied upto 8th standard and used to sell vegetables just like Fazalullah who was a lift operator. When Hakeemullah died, he owned a 1 million 20 thousand dollar house in Darpakheil and lived with 2 wives. Mind u he was only 34yrs old. Mind boggling! How come a vegetable seller managed to own such a house in such a small age? I think these facts speak a lot about how all this was achieved. I feel sorry for those people who support such thugs and are mourning his death. TTP is all for sail whoever can afford their price.
"We were waiting for a meeting, while the Pakistan Army and government were sitting with the US finalising deals to sell us.” <- Obviously the Pak Army and the Pak gov are slaves running around to do the TTP's bidding.