No Breakthrough In London Talks On Pakistan Crisis

Fresh question marks were raised Friday on the survival of Pakistan’s ruling coalition after the leaders of the two largest ruling parties failed to resolve their differences over the restoration of sacked judges. The website of Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jang reported that the first round of talks between Asif Zardari and Nawaz Sharif ended in London without a breakthrough.

General (Ret.) President Pervez Musharraf ordered Emergency rule in Pakistan on November 3 last year, when about 60 judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts stood ‘sacked’ after they refused to take a fresh oath under the new emergency order.

The deadlock centers on whether to re-instate conscientious Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to his post by removing the incumbent Chief Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and whether the judges sworn in under the emergency order be removed from their posts.

According to the report, Asif Zardari of Pakistan People’s Party and Nawaz Sharif of Pakistan Muslim League, the two largest parties in the ruling coalition, held the first round of talks in London on Friday. After the talks, Nawaz Sharif said they will meet again.

The two parties have raised people’s expectations by giving a deadline of May 12 for the restoration of the sacked judges, possibly through a parliamentary resolution. Nawaz Sharif has so far insisted that the judges who took oath under the emergency order also be removed.

Source: Roznama Jang (www.jang.com.pk), Pakistan, May 9, 2008

Indian Minister: George Bush Is Human-Eating Jinn

A provincial minister in the southern Indian state of Kerala has described U.S. President George W. Bush as a human-eating jinn. The Urdu-language Roznama Munsif quoted Kerala’s Cooperation Minister G. Sudhakaran as saying that Bush is not only a human-eating jinn but he is gulping nations.

The minister’s reaction came in view of a statement attributed to President Bush that rising prosperity in India is leading to high consumption levels, thereby pushing up food prices.

According to the report, Sudhakaran said that the Indian prime minister or president eats less than what the U.S. president eats daily. A communist government is in power in the state of Kerala.

Source: Roznama Munsif, Hyderabad (India), May 9, 2008

Malaysia’s Shari’a Court Permits Muslim Woman To Convert

A Shari’a court in Malaysia has permitted a Muslim woman to convert to Buddhism, creating a controversial precedent for a Muslim to leave Islam. According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Pakistan, the Malaysian court allowed 38-year Chinese Muslim woman Fatima Tan Abdullah to reconvert to Buddhism.

According to the report, Fatima Abdullah pleaded that she had converted from Buddhism to Islam in order to marry an Iranian Muslim man who abandoned her after marriage. She argued before the court that she never practiced Islam after marriage and now wanted to go back to Buddhism.

The Shari’a court judge Usman Ibrahim wrote in his order that as per the witnesses Fatima Abdullah continued to practice Buddhism and the court had no option but to permit her to go back to her original religion.

Source: Roznama Pakistan, Pakistan, May 9, 2008

Pakistani Mufti: Every Muslim Should Be Ready For Sacrifice

The Chairman of Pakistan-based Islamist group Muttahida Ulema Council Mufti Abdul Aziz has said that every Muslim should be ready for sacrifice to protect the honor of Prophet Muhammad. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Express quoted Mufti Aziz as saying that Muslims cannot tolerate acts blasphemous of Prophet Muhammad.

According to the report, Mufti Aziz said that Muslims across the world are protesting against the publication of Prophet Muhammad’s cartoons in Danish newspapers but it was sad that the Pakistani government has not mustered courage to utter a word against it.

Source: Roznama Express, Pakistan, May 7, 2008

Girls’ Schools Burned Down In Taliban-Controlled Swat District

Unidentified persons have burned a second girls’ school in the Taliban-controlled Swat district of Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq reported that a dozen people entered set afire the girls’ school in the Matta area of Swat district.

Another girls’ school was burned down in the district last weekend. According to the report, the local administration has closed the two schools. The attacks on the girls’ schools are likely to be seen to be from the Taliban who control the region.

Source: Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, May 8, 2008

Iran: Pakistan’s Stability Is Extremely Important For Us

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki has said that the recent visit of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to Pakistan marks a significant development in strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Express, Mottaki accused foreign powers of creating differences between Shia and Sunni Muslims in the region. He said that the stability of Pakistan is extremely important for Iran.

According to the report, Mottaki said that the need of the hour is to forge unity among Muslims and Islamic nations. The Iranian foreign minister made the statement during a meeting with a delegation comprising of religious leaders from Pakistan.

President Ahmadinejad met with Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani in Islamabad on April 28. According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat, Ahmadinejad offered 100MW of electricity to Pakistan and finalized the details of the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project.

According to the report, the Iranian and Pakistan presidents will put their signatures to the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline project sometime soon in Tehran.

Meanwhile, Pakistani Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed has said that Pakistan wants to bolster its relations with Tehran irrespective of the U.S. pressure. According to a report in the Tehran Times, Senator Hussain said the new Pakistani government ‘‘is very interested in expansion of ties with Iran, all parties including the People's Party want to have relations with the Islamic Republic."

Senator Hussain is the Chairman of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, and also the Secretary General of Pakistan Muslim League (Q) party that supported General (Ret.) Pervez Musharraf.

According to the report, Senator Hussain said: ‘‘We have very close ties with the U. S. but we will not compromise on important interests… [Pakistani] Nuclear program and relations with China and Iran are all to our national benefit.’’

Source: Roznama Express, Pakistan, May 7, 2008; Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, April 29, 2008; Tehran Times, Iran, May 7, 2008

Separate Mosques Urged For Muslim Women In India

A group of Muslim women in India has demanded that the ulema and elders in the community set up separate mosques for women. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Siasat quoted Shaista Amber, the President of All-Indian Muslim Women Personal Law Board, as saying that the Koran does not prevent women from praying in mosques.

According to the report, the ulema of the world-famous Darul Uloom Deoband have reacted angrily to Shaista Amber’s demand, saying that Islam does not permit women to lead prayers. The All-India Muslim Women Personal Law Board is a non-governmental network of Muslim women in India.

Source: Roznama Siasat, Hyderabad (India), May 7, 2008

See MEMRI’s Report On All-India Muslim Women Personal Law Board, Model Nikahnama Bars Divorce By SMS, Phone, Radio Conferencing or Email, March 16, 2008

Pakistani Mufti: Indian Fatwa Against Cow Slaughter is Wrong

Mufti Abdur Rahman Al-Rahmani of Pakistan-based Islamist group Jamatud Dawa has dismissed as incorrect a fatwa issued by India’s Darul Uloom Deoband that eating beef clandestinely is not right in places where cow slaughter is legally not permitted.

The Indian fatwa came in view of the fact that in India the large Hindu population reveres the 'mother cow' and therefore in many parts of the country the state governments have outlawed cow slaughter, except in designated places.

According to the Urdu-language website of Jamatud Dawa, Mufti Al-Rahmani said that cow is considered as a goddess by Hindus and is a source of idol-worshipping in Hinduism which is shirk – i.e. creating party in the status of God.

Mufti Al-Rahmani said: ‘‘If the ulema begin to obey Indian law in respect of cow, then the future generations of Muslims will start accepting the Hindu belief in the sacredness of cow.’’

The fatwa by Mufti Habibur Rahman of Darul Uloom Deoband that cow slaughter is not right is likely to be interpreted as an attempt to create a harmonious relationship between Muslims and Hindus in India. Darul Uloom Deoband is the second biggest seminary after Cairo’s Al-Azhar University.

Source: JamatudDawa.org, Pakistan, accessed May 7, 2008

Afghan Taliban Surrender Arms Before Govt. Officials

Taliban fighters surrender arms before government officials in Afghanistan’s Herat province.

Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, May 6, 2008

Pakistani Ulema: Use Of Mobile Phones By Women Forbidden In Islam

The ulema in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province have declared that use of mobile phones by women is haram, or forbidden in Islam. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Khabrain reported that the imam of Jama Masjid Hazrat Umar Farooq made the announcement during his Friday sermon.

Jama Masjid Hazrat Umar Farooq is situated in the Hashtnagri police district of Peshawar. According to the report, the Imam said the religious scholars of the province have agreed by consensus that women cannot use mobile phones. He also said that men are permitted to receive and make calls but mobile phones cannot be used for non-shari’a purposes.

Source: Roznama Khabrain, Pakistan, May 3, 2008

Taliban Take Control Of Police Stations In Pakistan’s Swat District

Taliban have established control in large parts of Swat district in Pakistani’s North West Frontier Province, digging in strong bases in police stations and check posts and patrolling the region. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq reported that the Pakistani Taliban have increased activities and are creating control posts of a lasting nature.

According to the report, the Pakistani security forces deployed in the region are worried over the increasing activities of the Taliban. It added: ‘‘People in the area are worried for security despite the presence of security forces in large numbers.’’

Source: Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, May 4, 2008

Afghanistan Asks Pakistan To Prevent Use Of Its Soil By Militants

Afghanistan has urged Pakistan not to allow the use of its soil by militants to launch attacks across the border. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Khabrain quoted the Afghan Defense Ministry as expressing concern over the proposed deal between the Taliban and the Pakistani government.

According to the report, the Defense Ministry cited media reports in which the Pakistani Taliban have declared that despite their proposed deal with the Pakistani government, they will continue to launch terror attacks in Afghanistan. Afghanistan recently blamed Pakistani Taliban for the rocket attacks at a military parade in Kabul where President Hamid Karzai was present.

Source: Roznama Khabrain, Pakistan, May 4, 2008

Minister In Pakistan’s Sindh Province Leads Press Freedom Day Rally

Information Minister Shazia Mari in Pakistan’s Sindh province leads journalists to mark the international press freedom day in Karachi.

Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, May 4, 2008

Report: Taliban To Release Kidnapped Pakistani Ambassador

The Taliban are expected to free Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin during the next few days, ending nearly 100 days of captivity. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jang quoted unnamed sources as saying that the Pakistani Taliban will release Tariq Azizuddin as a gesture of goodwill and are expected to resume their talks with government officials soon.

Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, May 3, 2008

Pakistani Scholar: Dogs And Pigs Are Favorite Animals Of Jews

Prominent Islamic scholar Maulana Abdul Hakim Haqqani, who is based in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province, has said that the use of sniffer dogs to trace criminals is not sanctioned by the shari’a. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq quoted Maulana Haqqani as saying that the use of sniffer dogs is haram, or forbidden in Islam.

According to the report, Haqqani, the Nazim-e-Ala of Darul Uloom Islami Jamhuria at Takht Bhai in the North West Frontier Province, said that Islam does not validate the witness of a single man in any dispute; so, how could a dog be the reason of a man’s insult.

Haqqani said that dogs and pigs are favorite animals of the Jews, according to the report. He also asked the Pakistani government to ban the use of sniffer dogs in the investigation of cases by police.

Source: Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, May 3, 2008

Pakistani Lawyers: Abolishing Death Penalty Is Anti-Islamic

A proposal to abolish the death penalty is being considered by the government of Pakistan.

Several Pakistani lawyers have said that the federal government’s move to abolish the death penalty from Pakistan is unconstitutional and anti-Islamic. According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Express, even if the government passed a law abolishing the death penalty, the Federal Shariat Court of Pakistan has the authority to annul it.

The report quoted Lahore-based advocates Aftab Ahmed Bajwa, Khwaja Tariq Suhail, Muhammad Azhar and Wasim Ahmad as saying that abolishing the death penalty is not sanctioned by Islam. The advocates said the government move is designed to help Indian national Sarabjit Singh, now waiting to be hanged in a Pakistani jail on the charge of spying.

Pakistan has postponed the implementation of Sarabjit Singh’s verdict due to the intervention of the Indian government but the issue has provoked national sentiments in both the countries. India and Pakistan both have hundreds of individuals in jails and recently the Indian government has handed over two bodies to Pakistani authorities.

In addition to the Supreme Court, Pakistan also operates a Federal Shariat Court, which reviews laws and recommends their abolition in the case of conflict with Islam. The Federal Shariat Court’s orders are also binding on the subordinate judiciary.

Source: Roznama Express, Pakistan, April 27, 2008

Pakistani Taliban Ask Newspapers Not To Publish Indecent Images

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (Movement of Pakistani Taliban) has asked newspapers not to publish images that are indecent and un-Islamic. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat quoted Maulana Faqir Muhammad, the Vice President of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, as saying that publication of indecent images is not acceptable because Pakistan is an Islamic nation.

According to the report, the Taliban leader issued a two-week deadline for the newspapers to stop publishing un-Islamic images, saying boycott and other forms of unspecified action will be taken against them if they did not heed the warning.

According to the report, Faqir Muhammad told local journalists that publishing such images was a plot to mislead the youth. The Taliban warning may make it difficult for Pakistani newspapers to publish images from the film and fashion industries, especially pictures of movie actresses and commercial ads.

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, May 2, 2008

Cartoon On Internal Differences In Pakistani Coalition Govt.

PML (N) is Pakistan Muslim League (N) of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

PPP is Pakistan People’s Party of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

ANP is the Awami National Party, the third largest coalition partner.

Source: Roznama Nawa-i-Waqt, Pakistan, May 1, 2008

Afghanistan: Plot To Kill Hamid Karzai Was Hatched In Pakistan

Afghanistan’s intelligence chief Amrullah Saleh has said that the plot to assassinate President Hamid Karzai was hatched in Pakistan. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat quoted Amrullah Saleh as saying that the plot was devised in Pakistan’s tribal areas.

Hamid Karzai last Sunday escaped unhurt when Taliban fired rockets on a military parade in Kabul attended by the Afghan president.

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, May 1, 2008

Religious Group: May Day Is The Day Of Jews And Christians

A leader of Pakistan-based religious group Majlis Ahrar Islam has said that Muslims should not mark the May Day because it is not related with Islam.

The Urdu newspaper Roznama Jasarat quoted Abu Muhammad Usman Ahrar of the Majlis Ahrar Islam as saying that May 1st is the day of Jews and Christians. He said that Muslims’ uniqueness is lost due to the May Day.

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, May 1, 2008

Pakistan Gives Cash Compensation To Taliban

The government of Pakistan has given cash compensation to more than 500 people for the Taliban fighters killed or wounded during the military operation in the tribal district of South Waziristan. The military operation was launched in 2004. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat reported that over 500 individuals were given about 200 million Pakistani Rupees.

According to the report, the local Emir of Taliban in South Waziristan Mullah Nazir and about 150 senior Taliban fighters, affected by the military operation, have been given an undisclosed big amount. The report quoted an unnamed official as saying that 50,000 Rupees were given for minor injuries, 250,000 Rupees for serious injuries and 500,000 Rupees to the relatives of those who died in the operation.

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, April 30, 2008

Islamist Leader: Need For Jihad Against Nations Guilty Of Blasphemy

The Emir of Pakistan-based Islamist group Jamatud Dawa Professor Hafiz Muhammad Saeed has said that there is a need to wage jihad against the Western countries guilty of blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Express quoted Hafiz Saeed as saying that Hindus, Jews and crusaders have risen against the Muslims by publishing cartoons and films blasphemous of Islam’s Prophet.

According to the report, Hafiz Saeed made the statement during a conference held in the honor of Prophet Muhammad. The conference was organized by Jamatud Dawa, the new name of the banned militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Leaders from Pakistan’s major religious organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ahle Hadith, and Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam attended the meeting.

Source: Roznama Express, Pakistan, April 29, 2008

Taliban Suspend Negotiations With Pakistan Government

The Pakistani Taliban have suspended peace talks with the government of Pakistan but the ceasefire in the violence-torn tribal districts will continue for now. According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq, the Taliban delegation has returned from the negotiations after the government did not accept a key demand for the withdrawal of Pakistani troops.

According to the report, the Spokesman of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Maulvi Omar said that after meeting with the delegation of elders Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud ordered an immediate stop to the talks. According to the report, Baitullah Mehsud blamed the government of Pakistan for not being sincere in establishing peace in the country.

According to the report, the Taliban commander said some secret hands were behind the failure of the talks as they did not want peace in Pakistan. He said the talks can commence again if the government agreed to the key demand of withdrawal of Pakistani troops from the tribal districts.

Source: Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, April 29, 2008

Report: Red Mosque Cleric Likely To Be Released

A court in Islamabad has granted bail to the capital’s Red Mosque cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz who was arrested while fleeing in a burqa during the stand-off between his fighters and the Pakistani military last year. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq reported that a High Court bench headed by Chief Justice Sardar Aslam granted the bail in four cases.

According to the report, the radical cleric has now been granted bail in 19 of the 27 cases filed against him. Maulana Aziz will appear before the court May 3 next for the hearing of his remaining bail applications after which he is likely to be released. Last July, Maulana Aziz’s brother Abdul Rashid Ghazi was killed during a military operation on Red Mosque and its adjacent Jamia Hafsa madrassa in Islamabad.

Maulana Aziz will be the second top Islamist leader to be released by the new Pakistani government which has vowed to talk to the Taliban in order to eliminate extremism from Pakistan. Last week, the government released Islamist leader Maulana Sufi Muhammad, founder of Tehreek-e-Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (Movement for the Enforcement of Islamic Shari’a).

Source: Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, April 29, 2008

Jamaat-e-Islami Women Protest Against Anti-Islamic Programs On TV Channels

In the image above, women activists of Jamaat-e-Islami protest in front of the office of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority in Lahore, demanding that television channels be asked not to telecast anti-Islamic programs that contain obscenity or are against Islamic norms.

Source: Roznama Express, Pakistan, April 29, 2008

Editorial: Jihadist Groups Are Coming Back In Karachi

On April 27, 2008 Lahore-based newspaper Daily Times wrote an editorial on how jihadist groups, active in Indian-administered Kashmir, are regrouping in Karachi. Following are excerpts:

‘‘...jihadi organisations banished from Karachi... are making their comeback in the city. They are all outfits to make us lose sleep at night: Harkatul Mujahideen, Hizbul Mujahideen, Al Badr and Jaish-e Muhammad. The Harkat has moved from Islamabad where its leader Fazlur Rehman Khaleel and once a close companion of Osama bin Laden made his last appearance during the siege of Lal Masjid.

‘‘Some of them are wanted by India for terrorism there and the others have victims inside Pakistan who should now run for cover....’’

‘‘The jihadi militias have moved in perhaps to tilt the balance [in the fight between religious organisation Sunni Tehreek and political party MQM for the control of Karachi] or perhaps to let off pressure from the government in the Tribal Areas where they are serving their global terrorist masters....’’

Source: Daily Times, Pakistan, April 27, 2008

Pakistani Taliban Shoot Dead Man In Tribal District Of Mohmand Agency

In the image above, Pakistani Taliban shoot dead a man in public for his alleged involvement in a kidnapping and murder case in the tribal district of Mohmand Agency.

Source: Roznama Khabrain, Pakistan, April 28, 2008

Pakistani Taliban Demand Release Of 250 Of Their Fighters

The Pakistani Taliban have asked the Pakistani government to release 250 of their leaders from detention in exchange for freeing 80-100 government officials kidnapped in Pakistan’s tribal districts. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq quoted the Spokesman of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Maulvi Omar as saying that demands for freeing prisoners from both sides were discussed during their talks aimed at establishing peace in the border region.

According to the report, the Taliban spokesman said that as part of the peace agreement being worked out Pakistani Taliban are not barred from carrying out attacks on NATO and U.S. troops in Afghanistan. He said that the recent release of Islamist leader Maulana Sufi Muhammad from prison was part of a deal with the government.

Source: Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, April 28, 2008

Indian Cleric Addresses Anti-Terrorism Conference

Maulana Mehmood Madani, the Secretary of Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind, addresses an anti-terrorism conference in the Indian city of Ahmedabad.

The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Inquilab quoted Maulana Madani as saying that no true Muslim can turn to terrorism and if a person does so, s/he is not one of us. He also blamed the government agencies for harassing common Muslims in the name of anti-terror crackdown.

Source: Roznama Inquilab, Mumbai (India), April 28, 2008; Roznama Express, Pakistan, April 28, 2008

Hindu Leader: Eliminate Forces Of Secularism From India

The President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) Ashok Singhal has said that the only political parties that should get an opportunity to come to power are those which protect national dignity and welfare of Hindus.

The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Inquilab quoted Singhal as saying the people should vote only for those parties that promote the Hindu cause and are continuing their efforts to eliminate the forces of secularism from India.

Source: Roznama Inquilab, Mumbai (India), April 28, 2008

Iranian President To Visit Pakistan On April 28

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will visit Pakistan on April 28. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat quoted a Foreign Office Spokesman in Islamabad as saying that during the short visit the issue of the Iran-Pakistan-India gas pipeline plan will come up for discussion.

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, April 25, 2008

Pakistan To Deport Foreign Ulema Active In Tribal Districts

The government of Pakistan has said it is planning to deport foreign Ulema active in the federally administered tribal districts. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Mashriq quoted Rahman A. Malik, the Adviser to the Prime Minister on Interior Affairs, as saying that the government has not prepared a list of preachers to be expelled from Pakistan but the foreign Ulema active in the tribal areas will be deported.

According to the report, Malik said the government welcomes efforts by Baitullah Mehsud, the Taliban commander in the tribal area of Waziristan, to establish peace in the region. A court has declared Mehsud a fugitive in the case involving the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. Malik said Mehsud has time and again denied his involvement in Bhutto’s killing.

Source: Roznama Mashriq, Pakistan, April 25, 2008

Taliban Court Orders Three People Shot Dead

A Taliban court in Pakistan’s tribal district of South Waziristan has ordered the killing of three persons in a case of murder. According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Ausaf, the three persons were shot dead in public following the court order.

Source: Roznama Ausaf, London, April 21, 2008

India: Pakistan-Based Militants Operating Through Nepal And Bangladesh

India’s Ministry of Home Affairs has said that a number of Pakistan-based militant groups have strengthened their roots in the country. According to the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Siasat, the Ministry’s Annual Report (2007-08) noted that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Muhammad, and Bangladesh-based Harkat al-Jihad Islami ‘‘are connected to [Pakistan’s] Inter-Services Intelligence.’’

According to the report, ‘‘Terrorist activities in the country [India] point to the fact that these groups have strong roots here. And these organizations are using the soil of the neighboring countries of Nepal and Bangladesh to conduct terror operations [in India].’’ There is no visa requirement between India and Nepal; whereas India shares a long, porous border with Bangladesh.

According to another report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Munsif, a commander of militant group Hizbul Mujahideen and his deputy were killed in a 12-hour gun-battle in Indian-administered Kashmir. According to the report, Indian police officials said Hizbul Mujahideen’s Tanvir Ahmed Zargar alias Tana Khan and his deputy Imtiaz Khan alias Nayeem were killed in the fighting after they refused to surrender.

According to the report, more than a dozen top militants have been killed in Indian-administered Kashmir over the past one month. Recently, the Chief of Hizbul Mujahideen and Chairman of Pakistan-based network of militant groups Muttahida Jihad Council Syed Salahuddin told a gathering in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, that jihad cannot be postponed in the Indian-administered Kashmir.

Source: Roznama Siasat, Hyderabad (India), April 23, 2008; Roznama Munsif, Hyderabad (India), April 24, 2008

Imran Khan: President Musharraf Should Be Hanged For Red Mosque Operation

Pakistan’s cricketer-turned-politician and President of Tehreek-e-Insaf party Imran Khan has said that General (Retired) President Pervez Musharraf should be hanged for ordering the military operation in the Islamabad-based Red Mosque last year.

The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jang quoted Imran Khan as saying: ‘‘On the issue of the Red Mosque [operation], President Musharraf should be hanged [because he] committed extreme atrocities on girls and children in order to endear [himself to] the United States.’’

The Pakistani military stormed the Red Mosque and the adjacent girls’ madrassa, Jamia Hafsa, following a stand-off between the government troops and the mosque leader Maulana Abdul Aziz and his fighters last year. Maulana Abdul Aziz’s name has recently figured in the list of the Taliban demands, in exchange for releasing the kidnapped Pakistani ambassador to Kabul, Tariq Azizuddin.

Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, April 22, 2008

See MEMRI’s Report OnThe Red Mosque Operation, “Who Are the Women in the Islamabad Standoff? A Look Inside the Jamia Hafsa Madarsa,” Inquiry and Analysis No. 369, July 10, 2007.

Report: Deal To Release Militants In Exchange For Kidnapped Pakistani Diplomat

Pakistan’s ambassador to Afghanistan Tariq Azizuddin is likely to be released by the Taliban in the next few days following successful negotiations, according to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Khabrain. The diplomat and his two guards went missing last February in Pakistan’s tribal district of Khyber Agency while on their way to Kabul.

According to the report, the Pakistani government has held talks with the kidnappers through militant Islamist leader Sufi Muhammad, who was released from a prison in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province following an undeclared deal a few days ago.

According to the report, ‘‘The talks included the demands made by the kidnappers. The Taliban have made some changes in their demands, and have demanded the release of some of their leaders [now in Pakistani jails].’’

The report quoted unnamed sources as saying: ‘‘The kidnappers have added five more names to their list; they belong to local [Pakistani] Taliban and the government has agreed to release them...The talks have concluded. It is hoped that Tariq Azizuddin will be released in the next few days.’’

Source: Roznama Khabrain, Pakistan, April 24, 2008

For More On This Subject, See The Following Posts Published Previously On The MEMRI Urdu-Pashtu Media Blog;

Website of Pakistan’s Geo TV: Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Goes Missing, February 11, 2008.

Taleban in Afghanistan Set Terms: Pakistan Must Hand Over Mullah Mansoor Dadullah in Exchange for the Release of Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan, February 12, 2008.

Pakistan-Based Militant: Jihad In Kashmir Cannot Be Postponed Even For A Second

The Chairman of the Pakistan-based network of militant groups Muttahida Jihad Council Syed Salahuddin has said that jihad in Indian-administered Kashmir cannot be postponed even for a second. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat quoted Salahuddin as saying: ‘‘Jihad has become compulsory on everyone. The jihad continuing in [Indian-administered] Kashmir cannot be postponed even for a second.’’

According to the report, the militant leader said: ‘‘The peace process [between India and Pakistan] cannot be allowed to happen on the blood of Kashmir’s martyrs. The war will continue until Kashmir is liberated [from India].’’ He also asked Pakistan ‘‘to talk to India in the language of power/force.’’

In the image above, Syed Salahuddin addresses a meeting in Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, where he made the statement. The meeting was billed as Azm-e-Jihad Conference (Pledge for Jihad Conference).

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, April 22, 2008; Roznama Express, Pakistan, April 22, 2008

Afghan President: The Ban On Telecast Of Indian TV Plays Is Right

Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said that the decision to ban telecast of Indian television plays and commercial ads in Afghanistan is right. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat quoted Karzai as saying: ‘‘My government believes in the freedom of the media. But like other nations, we also want that our television networks show our culture based on our cultural and ethical norms.’’

According to the report, the Afghan Ministry of Culture has banned the telecast of Indian dramas, saying ‘‘these programs are promoting Hindu culture and civilizations which are against Islamic traditions.’’ In recent years, Indian films and television dramas have acquired mass popularity in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Source: Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, April 23, 2008

Rebels Claim Killing Of Baluchistan University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor

A Baluch nationalist group has claimed responsibility for the killing of Baluchistan University’s Pro-Vice Chancellor Safdar Kiyani. The Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Express reported that motor cycle-borne armed men shot dead Kiyani near his home in the Pakistani city of Quetta.

According to the report, he belonged to the province of Punjab – a bone of contention for the Baluch nationalists who are fighting for independence from Pakistan and resent recruitment of people from outside the Baluchistan province. According to the report, the banned rebel group Baluchistan Liberation Army has claimed responsibility for the killing.

Source: Roznama Express, Pakistan, April 23, 2008

Pakistan Releases Militant Islamist Leader Sufi Muhammad

The founder and head of Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (Movement for the implementation of Prophet Muhammad’s Shari’a) Sufi Muhammad has been released from detention in Pakistan’s North West Frontier Province. He was arrested on his return from Afghanistan after 9/11, where he fought alongside the Taliban against the U.S.-led forces.

According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jang, ‘‘his release is being described as part of efforts to establish peace in the Swat Valley.’’ Militants loyal to his son-in-law Maulana Fazlullah, who has been leading the outlawed Tehreek Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi in his absence, captured the Swat district of the North West Frontier Province during July-November, 2007.

According to a report in the Urdu-language newspaper Roznama Jasarat, Maulana Fazlullah has, meanwhile, announced on his pirate FM radio station that his talks with the government to establish peace in the region have failed. Sufi Muhammad was released following a ‘‘deal’’ with the government in the North West Frontier Province.

Source: Roznama Jang, Pakistan, April 22, 2008; Roznama Jasarat, Pakistan, April 22, 2008; Roznama Express, Pakistan, April 22, 2008

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