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Monday, August 10, 2009

Tribals threaten to observe 14th August as black day

Monday, August 10, 2009, Sha'ban 18, 1430 A.H.
Tribals threaten to observe 14th August as black day
F.P. Report

Kurram Agency:
Kurram Agency tribals have threatened to observe Independence day as Black Day if main Parachinar-Peshawar Road was not opened to public till August 14. This decision was taken by a Grand Jirga (Loya Jirga) of eight sub-tribes of Turi and Bangash tribes held on Sunday at the headquarters of Kurram Agency. Moreover the representatives of All Parties Council in Kurram present in this grand Jirga also supported the decision. Talking to newsmen the tribal elders and representatives of APC said that despite patriotism and sacrifices rendered by them for thier motherland, Pakistan, in the past and present the people of Kurram Agency are being treated as third class citizens by the establishment. At the end of grand tribal Jirga the elders of eight tribes belonging to whole kurram Agency passed a joint resolution saying that if main Peshawar-Parachinar Road was not opened till 14th August they would observe the Independence Day of Pakistan as "black Day" in entire Kurram Agency. They also decided that all tribals will fix "black flag" instead of Pakistani flag on thier homes, vehicles and shops in addition to thier arms to show anger and step-motherly treatment being meted out to them. Tribal elders also urged the media and human rights organizations within and outside Pakistan to focus on this humanitarian crisis.

SOURCE: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ts&nid=2260&ad=10-08-2009

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Militants loot FC convoy in Kurram

By our correspondent

PARACHINAR: Suspected militants Sunday looted convoy of the Frontier Corps (FC) that was transporting medicines and other goods to the blocked town of Parachinar in Kurram.

The tribal sources said the militants looted two trucks loaded with medicines worth Rs8m in the Khwar Killay area. Another truck loaded with buffaloes was also held, however, it was returned to the political administration.

More than 150 kilometres road between Tall and Parachinar had been vulnerable to militants' attacks for the last two years. Last year, 14 persons were killed when a convoy headed to Parachinar was attacked, but so far none of the involved were apprehended.Meanwhile, the Afghan authorities has also communicated to the residents of Kurram that from Tuesday they would not be allowed to go to Peshawar via Afghanistan. The sources said it would further aggravate the woes of the people in the area who had been suffering due to the closure of the main Peshawar-Parachinar road for the last two years.

SOURCE: http://e.thenews.com.pk/8-10-2009/page12.asp#;

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Growing extremism in Pakistan

Sunday, August 09, 2009, Sha'ban 17, 1430 A.H.

Growing extremism in Pakistan

Riaz Ali Toori

In a series Pakistan is witnessing heartfelt and painful tragedies in the name of religion while no school of thought, religion or sect on the surface of earth teaches its followers to kill, behead, kidnap the opponents and loot and set their houses and belongings on fire but this everything is happening inside Pakistan under the leadership of very few so-called religious pseudo scholars and their organisations in the name of religion and Islam. After Zia's dictatorship Pakistan went into the era of continuous extremism. People were introduced with heavy weapons whish were spread around the country. Shia-Sunni so-called violence started and hatred amongst different groups created. People in millions have been killed and disabled. Afterwards what Pakistan gained in positive in the democratic governments of Benazir Bhutto and Mian Nawaz Sharif were distorted by another dictator Musharraf. Both fought the wars of US on the soil of Pakistan. Both left extremism behind and pushed Pakistan into narrow darkest street of backwardness and illiteracy. Today Pakistan is suffering because of terrorism and growing extremism no other country of the world is facing such worst situation. Daily distressing, torturing and agonizing incidents are taking place in the name of religion. Eyes of every true Pakistani are wet on the brazen, indecent and impudent tragedy of Gojra where a number of Christians were burnt alive and around 100 houses looted and burnt. Such tragedies are direct attacks over the integrity, prosperity and stability of Pakistan. Killing of innocent people in Gojra is the killing of whole Pakistani nation and a great insult of Islamic teachings. Behind extremism there are hands of anti-Pakistan elements that are creating conspiracies among different religions, schools of thought and sects. Islam means peace where the killing of a single person is equal to the killing of all humanity. Peace in a multi-ethnic and cultural society like Pakistan comes through literacy, patience and tolerance where the people from different origins respect each other's basic concepts. A big part of our economy is either spent over the elimination of terrorism or is destroyed by terrorism directly. The main source of income of the people of Swat and Parachinar is agricultural production. Because of ongoing terrorism and extremism agriculture is badly affected in both places as a result people are dying there because of poverty. It will hurt true Pakistanis to learn that during the last two years a number of people in Parachinar had committed suicide and a number of children left schools. Because there is neither any businesses opportunity left nor agriculture is grown as it was earlier. The main Thal-Parachinar road, the only road connecting Parachinar with rest of the country, is blocked for the last two years by extremists and terrorists. People of Parachinar have to use Afghanistan for communication with their own country. It is need of the time that the government must go seriously towards the solution of Parachinar problems otherwise later on it will be crying over spilt milk. The Agriculture Department must facilitate the people of tribal areas. Peace is the foremost requirement for the development of a country. Successful actions have been made so far in Swat against terrorists and extremists. Actions of same kind are required against the terrorists responsible for the killing and devastation of Christians in Gojra and those who are killing innocent people in D.I Khan.

SOURCE: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ar&nid=508

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SOURCE: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009\08\03\story_3-8-2009_pg11_4

Monday, August 3, 2009

MWM seeks end to Taliban atrocities

Monday, August 03, 2009

MWM seeks end to Taliban atrocities

Staff Report

ISLAMABAD: Majlise Wahdate Muslimeen (MWM) on Sunday conducted a 'National Defence Convention' in Islamabad and rallied from G-6/2 Imambargah to Parliament House.

They shouted slogans against terrorist activities of Taliban in Parachinar, Dera Ismail Khan, Quette, Hangu and other parts of the country. They condemned 'genocide' of Shias in southern Punjab and Khairpur, Sindh.

Religious scholars from all over the country came here to address impatient crowd of youngsters who called for arrest of the terrorists who targeted Shias. They stressed the need for accommodation of viewpoints of various sects.

They said they wanted unity and peace among all sects. They said the US was patron of terrorists, conspiring to conjure up all rogue elements against Shias. "We are ready to offer any sacrifice for our country," they said.

They said this convention and show of unity in the rally would definitely help counteract conspiracies of enemies.

They demanded that the government stop cooperating with foreign elements, whose activities during the war on terror had resulted into strengthening of Taliban.

Police ringed the venue for the sake of security but they protesters dispersed peacefully and in a well organised manner.

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Saturday, August 1, 2009

Difa-e-Watan’ moot tomorrow

'Difa-e-Watan' moot tomorrow

Saturday, August 01, 2009
Our correspondent

Islamabad: Allama Muhammad Amin Shaheedi, central leader of Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) has said that August 2 countrywide 'Difa-e-Watan' Convention will result in strengthening the solidarity and security of Pakistan.

Addressing a press conference at the National Press Club here on Friday evening Allama Shaheedi said that law and order and security situation in the country was deteriorating day-by-day and the government was totally failed to control the situation. On the other hand sectarian violence in Parachinar, Dera Ismael Khan, Quetta and other parts of the country was at alarming stage.

He said that Parachinar despite being part of the country was cut off from Pakistan and its blockage was continuing since last three years. "The government and the Agency administration were unable and failed to restore road links to Parachinar and Taliban in practical were ruling the area," he said.

The MWM leader said that people of Parachinar were facing acute shortage of food, medicine and other daily use items and situation was deteriorating there so the government should ensure its writ in the Kurram Agency and restore the situation normal.

Shaheedi said that public contacts were made all across the country and arrangements in connection with the convention have been completed. He said that thousands of people from the four provinces of the country including Azad Jammu and Kashmir and Northern Areas would participate in the convention. He said that a train caravan has left Karachi today to reach Islamabad. He said that the occasion is marked with the 21st martyrdom anniversary of the TJP late Quaid Allama Syed Arif Hussain Al-Hussaini to eulogies his vital role, played for the unity of the people of Pakistan.

The MWM leader said that at the end of the convention the 'Difa-e-Ummat' rally would be brought out from the G-6/2 Imambargah to reach at the parade ground opposite the Parliament House, Islamabad.

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Thursday, July 30, 2009

Religious fanatics responsible for Kurram crisis

Thursday, July 30, 2009
By By Tauseef-ur-Rahman

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a daylong dialogue here on Wednesday expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis in the Kurram Agency and termed the government, the neighbouring countries and religious fanaticism responsible for the strife.

"The Mullahs (clerics) cannot decide the fate of the people. Take powers from them and things will be settled down," said Munir Hussain, a resident of the agency, speaking at a dialogue titled 'Humanitarian Crisis in Kurram Agency: Need for Effective Remedial Measures' organised jointly by Actionaid and the Centre for Research and Social Development (CRSD).

Munir said the Shia and Sunni sects were living peacefully in the agency but after religious fanatics took hold of power, the sectarian issue started in the agency. He said that today the clerics were enjoying all powers in the agency and Maliks, elders and political administration had become powerless and helpless against them.

The speaker said the conflict in the restive Kurram Agency was not sectarian rather it was tribal feud among various tribes on different issues but they were portrayed as a sectarian issue.

Another speaker held the banned religious outfits responsible for the conflict, saying unless the armed religious groups from both Sunni and Shia sects were eliminated, durable peace in Kurram Agency would remain a far cry. "The situation will not improve in the agency until the government takes strict action against banned religious organisations active in the agency," he said.

Dr Riaz Hussain, the PPP president of the agency, said that time and again he informed the PPP-led federal government about the ongoing situation in the Kurram Agency and difficulties being faced to the people but to no avail. "The government as well as the spy agencies know what is going on in the Kurram Agency but they are silent over the sufferings of the people," he said.

Dr Riaz said the government had to take action against foreign and local militants in the agency to restore its writ.

Attaullah Khan, another resident of Kurram Agency, alleged that religious organisations from the two sects were actively involved in fanning sectarian violence between the two sects. He demanded of the government to conduct an inquiry into the massacre in Kurram Agency through a judicial commission and the culprits should be awarded exemplary punishment.

Dr Said Alam Mahsud, leader of Amn Tehrik, held religious fanaticism responsible for the unrest in the area. He said it was started during the regime of General Ziaul Haq with the aim of defeating former Soviet Union. He strongly criticised foreign elements for meddling in the affairs of Kurram Agency, saying that Uzbeks, Arabs and Punjabis should keep themselves away from the issue.

The PMAP leader said it was the responsibility of the state to resolve the issue. He said the state had, however, failed to resolve the conflict in the last three years and now the tribesmen had themselves taken the initiative to solve the problem as per Pakhtunwali.

Senior journalist Shamim Shahid accused some foreign countries of harbouring and providing huge funds to their respective ideological militant groups for their own vested interests. He said the clergy exploited the Pakhtuns in the name of religion and they should get rid of such forces to resolve their issues amicably.

SOURCE: http://www.thenews.com.pk/print1.asp?id=190519

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SOURCE: http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C07%5C30%5Cstory_30-7-2009_pg7_20

Govt urged to resolve Kurram crisis

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Govt urged to resolve Kurram crisis

By Akhtar Amin

PESHAWAR: Speakers at a seminar have expressed deep concern over humanitarian crisis in Kurram Agency and urged the need for taking effective measures to restore peace in the sectarian violence-hit tribal agency.

"There is no writ of the government in Kurram. The agency has been cut off from the rest of the country for the past three years because of the unrest ongoing there," residents of the agency said at the one-day seminar entitled "Humanitarian Crises in Kurram Agency and Need for Effective Remedial Measures" organised by Action-aid and Centre for Research and Social Development (CRSD) at Peshawar Press Cub on Wednesday.

Speaking at the seminar, Hangu Peace Jirga member Shah Hussain advocate said that the main reason behind the sectarian violence and law and order situation in the agency was presence of banned outfits that were active in fanning sectarian violence in the agency. "Situation will not improve in the agency until the government takes strict action against banned religious organisations in the agency," he went on to say. Some speakers from the agency said that there was no sectarian violence in the agency and local and foreign militants were involved in destroying exemplary peace in the agency.

Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader from Kurram, Dr Riaz Hussain, said that he had time and again informed the federal government about the ongoing situation in the agency and difficulties faced to the people but to no avail. He demanded of the government to take action against local and foreign militants in the agency to restore writ of the government. He said that the government had no writ in Lower Kurram and various parts of Upper Kurram Agency.

The seminar participants demanded of the government to take action against militants and those tribesmen sheltering foreign militants, open Parachinar Road that had been closed for the past three years and deploy security forces on it, compensate people of the agency who migrated from there and ensure their return to their houses; and supply food and medicines to the stranded tribesmen in the agency.

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Wednesday, July 29, 2009

President hailed for Peshawar-Parachinar air service

Wednes, July 29, 2009, Sha'aban 06, 1430
President hailed for Peshawar-Parachinar air service

Parachinar—The political figures of Parachinar,headquarters of Kurram Agency, have hailed President Asif Ali Zardari for issuing directives to launch air service for the people of Parachinar who are stranded in their native locality due to closure of roads because of sectarian violence.

Addressing a joint press conference here on Tuesday, Incharge Muttahida Qaumi Movement Parachinar, Rana Wiladat Ali, General Secretary of PPP Kurram Agency, Gulzar Hussain Tori and Azmat Alizai of Kurram Young Welfare Trust demanded early implementation of President's directives so that air service between Peshawar and Parachinar be started.

They said that people of Parachinar and other areas of Kurram Agency are stuck in their area for the last two and a half years and were facing serious crisis due to closure of roads.

They said President Asif Ali Zardari has won the hearts of people of Kurram Agency by issuing directives for resolution of their problem.

They reiterated that due to militancy, communication links of Kurram Agency with other parts of the country are blocked and creating a lot of problem for the people.—APP

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Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Ulema want action against militants in DI Khan, Quetta

Ulema want action against militants in DI Khan, Quetta

Tuesday, July 28, 2009
ISLAMABAD: Ulema from different schools of thoughts called for military operation against militants in DI Khan, Parachinar and Quetta to eliminate terrorism from the country.

They were addressing a conference here on Monday organised by the Markazi Imam Hussain Council in connection with the birth anniversary of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS). Pir Mohammad Naqeebur Rehman, Sajda Nasheen Eidgah Sharif, in his telephonic address from London, said Islam exists today because of the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), adding "we should unify the Muslim Ummah by adopting the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS)". A unanimous resolution was adopted in which they appreciated the military operation in Swat and Malakand and demanded the same to be extended in DI Khan, Parachinar and Quetta.

source; http://www..thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=190304

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