Funding TTP: ANF official rebuffs US allegations

Says TTP is not funded through the sale or smuggling of narcotics

ISLAMABAD:
A senior official of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) dispelled the impression created by Americans, saying that the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) is not funded through the sale or smuggling of narcotics and is also not getting any financial support from the Afghan Taliban.

“The Americans are quick to give statements. However, they have so far failed to give any solid evidence to substantiate their assertion,” said the senior ANF official.



The official was commenting on a statement of a US official that “they (Americans) believe that 40 per cent of the drugs smuggled from Afghanistan to rest of the world pass through Pakistan and out of this 10 per cent are sold inside Pakistan which helps in generating revenue for TTP.”


“The US assertion is based on the fact that during the operation Zarb-e-Azb a negligible quantity of less than two kilogrammes of heroin was found from TTP hideouts,” said the ANF official adding that, however, there was no proof found of any narcotics business by TTP. The sources in ANF and security agencies told The Express Tribune that these US allegations are to hide the fact that India, and some other countries and their spy agencies, are involved in funding TTP to destabilise Pakistan and the region and to protect their own vested interest.

“They are not only patronising TTP through various means but also financing it for promoting terror activities.”

“Ample evidence is available to prove that India is directly involved in promoting terrorist activities in Pakistan. It is not only providing funds to TTP but is also patronising Baloch Nationalists especially Baloch Liberation Army,” said the sources.

The former PM Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani had handed over proofs of Indian involvement in Balochistan at a meeting with his Indian counterpart in Cairo a few years ago.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2014.
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