Being a minority in a nation, your community has to sort of be as transparent as possible. If not transparent then at least productive in a good way. I live in New York City where there are all different types of minorities. There is a lot of cultural diffusion and understanding between cultures here. Yet there is still uneasiness against Muslims. Most of the time it's because most of the people are too narrow-minded to understand the real situation and distinguish between the good and bad, but there are some people have every right to behave the way they do. You know why? Because of idiots like the "Times Square Bomb Suspect" gives them a reason to. As soon as the city (you can also say the country as well) sees a change in the environment; with Obama having a better AfghanPak policy and pushing the news media and government agencies to separate the words Islam and terrorism as far as possible, something like this happens. What's worst is that the suspect was of Pakistani origin. Since most people in the states don't know about the Pakistani accomplishments in war of terror (most don't even know that Pakistan is on the same side as America in the war) this is just further going to taint our image. What's worst is that the Pakistani taliban tried to take claim for it. So because of their stupid and unrealistic claim the words Pakistani and taliban are temporarily stuck in the minds of the popluation. So thank you idiots; you just made the life of 7 million Muslims even more difficult!
[Image: © futureofthebook.org]
American president Barack Obama has called for a much neutral stance of language for the ongoing war (War On Terror) within his government and his country's media. He aims to separate Islam from terrorism so the people fighting this war on both ends will not confuse the two. This will also help neutral forces who are viewing the war (Muslims and westerners). Indeed, this is a very good step forward by the Obama administration, who is still suffering by and fixing the mistakes of it's predecessor. While the Bush administration lacked proper vocab and misguided the entire world into chaos, the Obama administration wants to do the exact opposite and is now making it happen. By this action, Obama also hopes to clear the doubts of Muslims all over the world. He wants them to see America as a friend and not as a nation who is out to harm them. If looked at by the war point of view, this tactic is also great against al-qeada and other anti-american groups who relied on washington's earlier mistakes to recruit and brainwash people into their alliance. I support this move dearly. By doing this, the public (the american as well as western) will be well aware of the real situation of the war. Except for being all about words and having no major action involved, it is very similar to Pakistan's tactic back in 2007. In order for the government and army to make the people of Swat and Pakistan realize the taliban were not really all about Islam like they claimed to be, they allowed taliban's control to be placed in Swat by the public demand. They hoped in the future the people themselves will realize their mistake and turn against the taliban. That's exactly what happened and it was a very successful move which helped Pakistan advance greatly in the war. This is nonetheless a very big step forward, not only for America and the war, but for the entire world.
[Image: © nj.com]
On Tuesday, in a small town in sindh, a man beheaded three of his daughters and then cut his own veins and bled to death. This barbaric act does not have a taliban connection nor an economic connection. The man slaughtered his three innocent daughters in the name of religion. Their heads were found underneath the feet of a hindu goddess along with all the items needed for "puja path". Although we know that not all hindus practice human sacrifice but it is important to highlight that extremism groups exist within all religions. The christians have the ku klux klan (they massacred and killed uncountable people that were not white using christianity as an excuse), us muslims have the taliban/al qeada, and the hindus have the Kali worshipers. Now the reports didn't show which goddess specifically this man offered his daughters to, but with a little research i have discovered that most of human sacrifices in the hindu religion belong to the followers of the Kali goddess. For example; In another event in 2002, a man, his wife, his daughter and three other people stripped a 15 year girl down and chopped pieces of her body off (hands, feet, and breasts) until she bled to death. They placed her body parts in front of a picture of Kali's feet. And no matter how disgusting it sounds, the animals behind this crime brag about their vicious acts rather than see it as wrong. According to Time magazine, although human sacrificing practices are banned throughout the world they are still practiced. In india, each month there is at least one human sacrificed for Kali that the authorities find out about. While those sacrifices take place in and around big cities like mumbai and calutta, it would be scary to find out how many sacrifices take place in the the villages and the rural area that the authorities barely have any access to. It is interesting to note that while the whole world sees muslims as religious fanatics they easily forget the real ones that walk around amongst them; Islam condemns such acts while it's counterparts make it a part of their religion. Well, as of now i just feel bad for the wife of the murderer who returned home and saw her whole life ruined in front of her eyes.
No this isn't another post about how bad
Zardari's leadership is, im sure we are all quite aware of that by now. In fact, this is about another politician: Chief Minister of Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. This guy is a complete moron. Some might even compare his incapability to lead to his brother (the infamous
Nawaz Sharif). Today, through the press, he sent a message to the taliban: "Spare Punjab." And those, my friends, are his EXACT words. I can't even describe the anger i feel against him right now. While the whole country is fighting the taliban and even arch political rivals are working hand in hand for the nation's cause, this idiot comes out saying some stupid shit like this. Not only that, he goes on blaming the whole problem on Musharraf. Dude, Mushy is long gone, find another excuse! Personally, I believe this is one of the main reasons we need to kick out the Sharif brothers from Pakistan. All they ever do is cause unnecessary chaos. I mean look at NWFP (North-West Frontier Province). It has been rocked by suicide attacks countless times since the past year and their CM Ameer Haider Khan Hoti still stands strong against the taliban and supports the greater good of the nation. But when Punjab trades one day with NWFP, Shahbaz Sharif goes on begging the taliban for mercy?!? What kind of example is he setting for other politicians? Or more importantly the youth? We all agree he isn't qualified to be in the position in the first place, but can't he just keep his bloody mouth shut. He isn't helping anyone by opening it; in fact he's doing the exact opposite. Thanks to him, now fear has more chances of growing within the Pakistani society then a sense of pride and patriotism. My message to Shahbaz Sharif: Well Done Idiot! What could we ever do without you? -_-
With the
killing and arrests of over a dozen taliban commanders, the taliban have become an extinct force in Pakistan. Just late last year, they rocked our nation with barbaric suicide attacks that ripped through our nation. They harmed our lives and made it impossible for us to live, the way we wanted to live, in our own country. But today they are on the run and have no land, no support, and barely any force or power left in them. What caused their downfall? Lets just say they messed with the wrong people. In a nation where we don't let political leaders complete their terms in office [
Shaukat Aziz being the only exception as he is the only Prime Minister in Pakistani history to complete his term in office] just because we THINK they might not want the best for us, What makes you think we would let some bastards who kill our women and children and attack our masjids to even breathe on our land. We are the descendants of the ruling families of south asia who created and controlled some of the greatest empires this world has ever seen. We will not tolerate any evil or scumbags like the taliban. The taliban might think that the attack on the FIA [Federal Investigation Agency] building in Lahore would weaken our will but they are mistaken; because we are only getting stronger with each scar they give us. We have secured Swat, South Waziristan, Bajaur,
and now the city they turned into hell; Peshawar. And we will not stop till every bit of our nation is cleansed from horrific disease. For more than 62 years, we have been searching for the truth, seeking excellence, and beating every threat that comes our way. What makes the taliban think that they, a bunch of misguided infidels, will come in the way of our true destiny. The destiny that Jinnah saw, the destiny that God has planned for us, the destiny that God himself will one day hand to us when we are deserving enough. But until that day comes, no one will be able to dismay us. And we will crush every evil that comes our way; whether it is from the east or the west, or in this case
both...
[Image: © AFP Photos]
Today several indian made IEDs were recovered in South Waziristan. IEDs are improvised explosive devices. Called "flowers" by taliban leaders, they are laid on a street or pathway and blow up when a poor civilan or a military personnel steps on them. But how are we so sure they are made by india? Well the IEDs recovered from a suspected militant base in South Waziristan have "Reliance Industries Ltd, Jamnagar, Gujrat, India" printed on them. How obvious can india be?!? Hopefully the army and our government takes advantage of this discovery and delivers the truth about india to the international community. Until then; shame on you india...shame on you!
Our nation is in critical condition right now. This is the first time in Pakistani history that Pakistan is both internally and externally in chaos. Usually corruption is the only problem inside Pakistan, and India the only problem outside. But now it is more than that. Outside, Both Afghanistan and India are Pakistan's problem, as well as the intentions of our "frenemy" (friend and enemy); the United States. Inside, power, gas and sugar shortages are only adds to the chaos. While Karachi is going into flames, the rest of the nation is being rocked by the India supported taliban suicide attacks. And yet with everything going against us we are still strong as a nation and still the most successful country fighting the war on terror. The war on terror is definitely the most expensive war for Pakistan and yet the most rewarding. I mean we get the chance to eliminate the cancer in our society that has being growing in our culture since the early 90s. We have a chance to get rid of the flawed thinking that exists within our society and I see the Pakistani army and the Pakistani public taking full advantage of that. Now that my friend is
priceless. For the friends, enemies, and "frenemies" of Pakistan, just remember one thing; no matter how deep shit we get into, we always did and always will find a way back out. You know why? Because Allah will always be on our side.
Pakistan Zindabad
Our Armed Forces are ready to eliminate the root of all evil and the guy that brought hell to Pakistan; baitullah mehsud. The face of the army, Major General Athar Abbas has just announced that the army is about to launch a full scale operation to hunt down baitullah mehsud and his taliban network in South Waziristan. Even before the press conference, the troops, backed by helicopter gunships and artillery, attacked militant hideouts in South Waziristan last week, killing a number of terrorists. This operation will be a turning point in the war as without mehsud [the talibani leader] and his headquarters, the taliban network in Pakistan will collapse. Currently the taliban have no where to turn to as the people have risen against their injustice and formed a Lashkar [fighting force - and concluding from recent news; very effective], and the army won't rest till the people of our nation are safe. My words to the taliban are go back to where you came from: HELL!
After the unislamic bombing of a Masjid during Juma prayers by the self-proclaimed "Muslim" fighters [the Pakistani taliban] in Upper Dir, the locals have had enough. As many as 1,600 locals got together and formed a Lashkar [a fighting force] to avenge the death of 33 worshippers. One resident of Upper Dir was quoted saying“We are Muslims … we don’t want them, they have to go. Attacking a mosque is not Islam. They’re not Muslim.” Over the weekend 13 militants have been killed by the Lashkar as well as 5 villages known to be taliban strongholds have been attacked. Also 25 homes of taliban commanders and their fighters were destroyed by the group. The Pakistani people have realised the enemy within their nation and the taliban's influence in Pakistan is dropping rapidly. The days of the miscreants in our nation is numbered...
Like a week ago, After the army encouraged the nation to stand up against the injustice of the taliban, several women joined villagers in a revolt against the taliban in Pakistan's Swat Valley when the taliban tried to enter their village. In the town of Kalam it's deputy mayor Shamshad Haqqai said that about 50 Taliban fighters tried to enter Kalam on Wednesday but that locals had fought them off. Sources revealed that the militants had come to the village to collect arms, ammunition and food. A local also stated that the militants also visited the house of a local elder but as there were no men inside the house, the women climbed to the rooftop of the house and opened fired on the militants killing 5 at the scene. Now that's what i'm talking about! If every person in Pakistan was like that we'd have no taliban! Kya Samjai?!? [What do u say]
India always claims to be the biggest democracy in the world but yet it's actions against it's minorities and against the people of Kashmir say something else. There have been many protests in the Indian Held Kashmir [IHK] but the most recent one differ from the rest. The Kashmiris are protesting the "mystery deaths" of 2 women, aged 17 and 22. Their families have accused Indian security forces of abducting, raping and subsequently killing them. If you wonder why this is the first conclusion their families came to then i'll let you know that the indian troops are responsible for gang raping/molesting over 9,864 Kashmiri girls since 1989 [even young girls of the age of 13]. India is responsible for even more horrors in the region. My heart bleeds when i read these news and i feel saddened for my Kashmiri brothers and sisters. Inshallah one day when we win our war against the taliban we can concentrate on freeing the rest of Kashmir from the brutal indians...
While the army is successfully whopping the taliban's behind in northern Pakistan, the taliban fearing it's end is trying it's last efforts to scare the nation. Over the last few days the taliban is responsible for 5 deadly attacks throughout the country [the lahore being the most deadliest]. While the casualties of the blasts are far less than what the taliban is facing, a death is a death. But our nation should understand that we are not going against our muslim brothers but animals who have no value for human life whatsoever so we should not feel scared or terrorized but yet more motivated in our cause and struggle. I ask all of my Pakistani brothers and sisters to unite and fight this disease before it becomes capable of threatening our survival and Inshallah victory will be ours!
PAKISTAN ZINDABAD
Recently in Swat, the army has rescued a family who states that the taliban were trying to force them to marry off their daughters [to the taliban]. And when the father didn't agree with the taliban's condition they shot him [he survived]. The mother of the girls told a news channel, “They were forcing us ... we did not want to marry off our daughters to them.” The army then launched a heroic operation and rescued the family [with 3 jawans getting injured during the operation] and shifted them to a safer location. Wow! Now that's a story!!! I guess after finding out that no one wants to give their daughters away to heartless killers, this is what they have come to. Well, I'm glad the family is safe and the daughters [who in Pakistan are the pride of the family] are safe as well. May God free those who are suffering under these inhumane people.
I found this amazing cartoon in one of the english Pakistani newspapers. Cracked me up so i decided to share! [CLICK 2 ENLARGE]
Remember 2 months back when there were news around that the taliban banned people from shaving their beards and also killed a couple of men that did? Well now it's has been found out that to escape their deaths from the army in Swat the taliban are shaving off their beards! Wow! So when other people shave off their beards or cut their hair you take their lives but when someone is on your ass it's ok for you to do it!?! Makes no sense does it? According to the ISPR: “We have confirmed reports that these Taliban ... after shaving off their beards and cutting hair, are fleeing from the area..."Below are some important articles but I'm still not over the fact that some people actually supported these a$$holes...
It's very rare to see all Pakistani politicians and media to stand united against a cause and that is exactly whats happening now. In order to defeat the taliban the whole nation stands united to get rid of the cancer of Pakistani society. Usually the opposition party in Pakistan [who is not in power] always creates chaos and criticizes everything the party in power does [in this case the PPP] but even Nawaz Sharif called for unity and supported the government's action. Pakistan's growing middle class is already on the side of the government as they are all well-educated about the taliban's actions in the neighboring country and it's misuse of Islam. I would think the people who have to move from their homes and relocate in camps until the military operations end would have problems with it but even they support the army as one IDP [Internally Displaced Persons] of Mingora stated: "We will rebuild our homes, but would not want to see the presence of even a single Talib after this operation". The terrified residents also told the Pakistani newspaper Daily Times: “With almost 100 percent public support for the military operation it doesn’t stand to reason to see that at the end of the day the target – flushing out the Taliban – is not achieved. We would see fault with no other institution than the military if the targets remains unachieved”. I am also extremely proud of prime minister Gilani's address to the nation to fight with unity, I believe his message effected many. Another example is shown in Karachi as MQM [Muttahida Qaumi Movement] and ANP [Awami National Party] both withdrew the May 12th strike they once called. And last but not least, our Army has donated a day's pay for the rehabilitation and welfare of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) of NWFP and that shows their commitment and how much they care for their people. Remember to enjoy these times of unity and try your best to do your part =]
What you see above is a Shahadat certificate. It if often carried by or given to a suicide bomber or a Baitullah Mehsud [leader of the Pakistani taliban] follower. What is a Shahadat certificate? Well according to the taliban if you get this certificate then this is your pass to heaven; no matter how many lives you take or how many sins you do. So what does this tell you about the taliban? The people who think a certificate is going to get them into heaven know what the real Islam is? I don't think so! This is really sad and shows how the taliban fool and brainwash people into joining them. What really confuses me is how do the people who have been educated all their lives even some in abroad institutions fall into this trap? Don't they have a common sense? Anyway i just wanted to show how low the taliban can really go and what their true motive are. To take a close view of the certificate just click on it. Once again this is sad, really sad...
As my last post stated there has been success in Dir as our Armed Forces killed and flushed out all the militants from that region. After that success the military started another operation in Buner to expel the militants, and now that operation is also successful. The Army killed around 50 militants, killed 2 high value targets [HVT], burned 2 collections of militant arms, and also rescued 18 frontier corp personnel out of 70 who had been abducted. Bravo to our Armed Forces! If this goes on then our country will finally get rid of the miscreants who have been disturbing our nation for more than 8 years. The article is below, be sure to check it out for more detail.
ISLAMABAD, April 29 (APP)‑ Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas on Wednesday said that 50 militants including two High Value Targets (HTV) have been killed in the on‑going operation in Buner area. “Qari Quresh and Maulvi Shahid are HVT and are included among 50 militants who have so far been killed in the operation that started on Tuesday,” he said while addressing a media briefing at ISPR Rawalpindi. Principal Information Officer Shabir Anwar and a senior officer from the Interior Ministry Mr Mazari were also present in the briefing.
He said one FC personnel embraced shahadat while three others sustained injuries in the operation. “We have been able to manage release of 18 personnel who were earlier kidnapped by the militants from the area,” he said.
However, he said 52 personnel are still in the captivity of the militants.
He said that during the operation two major dumps of arms and ammunition were also destroyed.
Gen. Athar said that the FC and Pakistan Army have been mandated by the government to restore the writ of the government and “we will make every effort to achieve the target.”
He said that militants who call themselves “Taliban” were given ample time by the government after implementation of their demands and exercised all political means to avoid any extreme option. “Launching of anti‑militant operation was opted as a last option to restore writ of the government as the militants in the area had hostaged a large number of peace‑loving people,” he said.
He said in line to avoid collateral damage, the troops are being dropped to surround the militants. He said this new strategy has been adopted in line to save the lives of the civilians who are being used as human shield by the militants.
Giving latest update, he said that up till now the area of Daggar has been evacuated from the clutches of militants and the District Coordination Officer has been air lifted to sit in his office. The communication link between the local police and FC troops has been restored.
He said that the troops are facing high level of resistance in Ambala area which mostly comprised over mountains and hilly terrain.
Director General ISPR Major General Athar Abbas said the areas including Sultan Wala, Nawagai and Pir Baba Ziarat are still in the control of militants.
He urged the media to avoid operating in the area and not to release any footage which may harm the cause of the operation. He said “We are operating in the area where the situation is highly volatile and any carelessness could cause collateral damage to the civilians or the forces operating in the area.”
He expressed sympathies on the incident whereby a reporter of Aljazeera TV came under cross fire and received wounds. His two other colleagues survived and are being evacuated from the area to maintain their security and safety, he added.
He said that a reporter of a newspaper was released after issuing a warning that he had revealed highly sensitive information through his news report which ultimately provided an opportunity to the militants to make hostage to 70 personnel.
Divulgence of any such report which may jeopardise or endanger the lives should be avoided at all costs, he added.
During the briefing the tapes carrying statements of two youth who fell victims to the alluring statements of the militants and were being prepared to commit suicide attacks were also run. They both were arrested from the same place but hailing from different areas.
He said that both are being investigated and further details would be available in the due course.
Answering a question, he said that the militants are getting arms, ammunition and other assistance through Afghan border. He said around 60,000 troops are deployed there but the whole length of the border mostly comprising hilly terrain cannot be sealed off completely.
To another question, he said the agreement of government with Taliban in Swat is still intact and expressed the hope that things may improve after the installation of “Darul Qaza”.
The official of Interior Ministry added that the militants have yet not surrendered as was agreed upon earlier.
When his attention was drawn towards allegations of “double game” he said that the damages caused to the Security Forces of the country speak louder themselves. Such allegations are baseless and unfounded and had this true our security forces would have not inflicted damages of such a level.
He dispelled the impression that there was some lack of coordination among different government organizations operating in the area, he said all the departments and organizations are working in full coordination to carry out anti‑militant operation.
On the subject of using FM Radio by Fazal Ullah in the area, he said that the transmission of higher frequency station has been jammed while efforts are in hand to jam the transmission of low frequency channel.
He said the government is in full control of the situation.
No words today, too proud of my nation's Armed Forces to put it in words. =]
DIR: Security forces killed at least 46 militants in a ground and air operation against Taliban in the troubled Lower Dir on Monday, the military said.
After a stiff encounter with the militants, the security forces have regained the control of Lal Qila and flushed out the militants from Maidan valley, district Lower Dir.
According to security sources, reportedly 46 militants were killed in last two days operation including their important commanders Maulana Shahid and Qari Quraish. The operation has been code named as "Toar Tander-I"
Before start of this operation by security forces, District Lower Dir was in a state of lawlessness. Militants were constantly attacking the security forces and government official and had closed the roads for movement of government and FC convoys.
The militants were involved in the killing of DPO Dir along with other policemen, ex District Nazim Alam Zeb and killing of 11 kids with toy bomb.
They were also abducting law abiding citizens at will and asking for huge ransom to their advantage.
In this backdrop, on the request of provincial government and people of Dir Frontier Corps NWFP launched operation Toar Trander-I on April 26.
On the first day of the operation three major encounters were carried out by FC with militants between Islamdarah and lal Qila. The final encounter was at Lal Qila and surrounding areas in which Maulana Shahid and his associates were engaged and overcome.
The militants used heavy weapons including mortars, snipers and PRG-7. Security forces were supported by Armour, Artillery and Aviation.Troops of the Frontier Corps fought with courage and caused immense damage to the militants. On April 27 search and cordon operation were conducted in Maidan Valley.
A couple of days ago Chief of Army Staff General Parvez Kayani told the press that the peace deal is just a try to get the taliban to lay down their arms and bring peace to the area and if that is not achieved then the army would take action to protect it's country and it's people. And now Rehman Malik [Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs] stated the same thing. Rehman Malik also pointed out the toy bombing that happened in Dir. Our security forces took action a few days ago on request of the provincial government and people and began fighting the militants in lower Dir. They have taken control of Lal Qila and have killed numerous militants including a top commander. Throughout the fighting one of our brave security personnel was martyred. May God bless his soul and our people remember his sacrifice for his country and most importantly ISLAM. I feel very proud and happy today as things are going on the right track. Below are some articles you can check out if you want more details.
Security Forces Gain Control of Lal Qila
LOWER DIR: Security forces have seized control of the Lal Qila after fierce gunbatlle with militants in an ongoing operation in Lower Dir on Sunday. According to sources, security forces have entered the Lal Qila. On the other hand, intense firing is underway between militants and FC troops at Kala Daag and Islam Pura. Meanwhile, ISPR said in a statement that Frontier Corps have launched operation against militants in Dir on the request of the provincial government and people. Earlier in the day, security forces targeted suspected militants’ hideouts situated in Lal Qila and Islam Pura, killing a large number of militants, including a top commander. While one security personnel was also martyred in the operation.
Handful of Taliban Can't Dismiss State Writ
ISLAMABAD: Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Affairs Rehman Malik Sunday said operation in Lower Dir is not being carried out on pressure from the US administration and that a handful of Taliban cannot set aside government writ. Talking to Geo News, Malik said that the operation was initiated in Lower Dir on the request of NWFP government and that in it many militants have so far been killed. “The aim of the deal with Sufi Muhammad was to establish peace in the area and if this objective is not achieved then it is of no use,” the Advisor said adding “it was later felt that the agreement was not for peace.” “The militants have shown their hideous face and now they will not be forgiven,” he vowed. He said in the beginning the terrorists used youngsters for executing suicide attacks and now they are killing children by handing them toy bombs. It seems the militants have their own subversive agenda, he observed. The Advisor said the Taliban have no other option left than to lay down arms. If they fail to disarm themselves we will take action, he warned.
Gen Kayani vows to come down hard on militants
ISLAMABAD: As fears of an imminent march of the Taliban militants beyond the Malakand region caused shudders within and outside the country, Chief of Army Staff Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Friday rejected the notion that the peace deal through Sufi Mohammad amounted to giving any ‘concession’ to the armed Islamists, and declared that not only the Army had the resolve to take on the militants but, according to him, ‘victory against terror and militancy will be achieved at all costs’. Speaking at a meeting of top military commanders, including those directly dealing with militancy in Fata and the North-West Frontier Province, at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, the army chief acknowledged that doubts were being voiced about the intent and capability of the army to defeat the militants. But, he added, the army ‘never has and never will hesitate to sacrifice, whatever it may take, to ensure safety and well-being of the people and country’s territorial integrity’. This is by far the most direct statement yet by Gen Kayani, or any other military or civilian official, about the prevailing situation and the manner in which it needs to be tackled. The statement came in the wake of reports from Swat’s adjoining district Buner, and later Shangla, of the Taliban march into the area, with clear signs the armed Islamists were trying to spread tentacles under the cover of a peace deal. The army chief’s remarks coincide with reports emanating from the outskirts of Malakand division about movement of the Frontier Corps troops and even military battalions, leaving little doubt that the army is determined to launch yet another major operation, either to eliminate the militants or to at least push them out of Buner and districts other than Swat. However, sources said, a military operation would be launched only after a clearance by the provincial and federal governments. In his statement, the army chief was quite clear about ground realities. He condemned ‘pronouncements’ by outside powers that raised doubts about the future of Pakistan and declared that the militants would not be allowed to ‘dictate terms to the government or impose their way of life on the civil society of Pakistan’. ‘A country of 170 million resilient people under a democratic dispensation, strongly supported by the army, is capable of handling any crisis that it may confront,’ an ISPR press release quoted him as saying. He reassured the people that with their support the army was determined to root out the menace of terrorism. He described the recent peace deal with Maulana Fazlullah’s Swat-based militants as an ‘operational pause’ that was meant to give the ‘reconciliatory forces’ a chance, but declared that it ‘must not be taken for a concession to militants’. Observers here see the statement by the army chief as a clear message to militants to either lay down arms or be ready for another round of battle with the army, which this time probably would be more vigorous. The statement came at a time when the Swat Taliban have made advances to areas adjoining Swat, dashing hopes that the enforcement of Nizam-i-Adl would lead to restoration of peace. Some sources in the security establishment say the army is insisting that since the militants have gone back on their pledge and have even tried to misuse the concessions given to them, nothing short of a public surrender can guarantee a lasting peace in Malakand division. A similar message has been sent to the Buner Taliban through the Sufi Mohammed-led Tehrik-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Mohammadi. Concerns were expressed at international level over the Swat peace deal and a possible advance of Taliban to the federal capital. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and federal ministers have indicated in recent days that the Swat peace deal will be reversed and other options will be exercised if the accord did not yield positive results and the wave Talibanisation continued. The COAS praised the army men for continuing to fight under challenging conditions, assuring that safety of the people and the country would be ensured at all costs.
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