Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !
Recent Appearances... Rantburg
Muhammad Amjad Muhammad Amjad Sipah-e-Sahaba India-Pakistan 20060909 Link

India-Pakistan
Military huddle discusses ‘peace talks’ with TTP
2022-07-24
[Dawn] Decides to pursue matter in accordance with ’comprehensive security strategy’

A high-level military huddle on Friday discussed ’peace talks’ with the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban
...the Pashtun equivalent of men...
Pakistain (TTP) and decided to pursue the matter in accordance with "comprehensive security strategy".

The national security meeting, chaired by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Gen Nadeem Raza, was attended by all three services chiefs — Chief of Army Staff Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Amjad Khan Niazi and Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu —, ISI Director General Lt Gen Nadeem Anjum, Beautiful Downtown Peshawar
...capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, administrative and economic hub for the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. Peshawar is situated near the eastern end of the Khyber Pass, convenient to the Pak-Afghan border. Peshawar has evolved into one of Pakistain's most ethnically and linguistically diverse cities, which means lots of gunfire...
Corps Commander Lt Gen Faiz Hamid, and other bigwigs.

Though the meeting carried the impression of a Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee session, it wasn’t one. A JCSC meeting would normally include the director general of Strategic Plans Division, and secretaries of ministries of defence and defence production, but none of them were there.

It was the first of such meetings, involving all the armed services, since the army-led talks with the turbans in Afghanistan assumed a public profile with briefings for politicians and the Parliamentary Committee on National Security on the issue by the army top brass.

"The forum was given a detailed briefing on review of national security situation specific to Western Border, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan
...the Pak province bordering Kandahar and Uruzgun provinces in Afghanistan and Sistan Baluchistan in Iran. Its native Baloch propulation is being displaced by Pashtuns and Punjabis and they aren't happy about it...
," the ISPR said about the meeting. It added that "fast-paced developments in the realm of strategic and conventional policies, the importance of peace in Afghanistan for sustainable development in the region and the operational preparedness of the armed forces" were also discussed.

The participants, the ISPR said, resolved to respond to "entire spectrum of threats" in accordance with the "comprehensive security strategy".

It apparently means that the approach would go beyond the usual ’kinetic strategy’ — an apparent reference to the peace talks.

The military leadership had told the politicianship at the earlier briefings that it wanted to give peace a chance, but would respond with full force if the TTP did not abide by the agreement that may be eventually concluded.

The meeting noted its "complete satisfaction" and "full confidence" in the readiness of all the three services.

The participants, the ISPR said, while reaffirming the resolve of the armed forces to befittingly respond to the threats, "lauded the sacrifices of security agencies in the fight against terrorism".
Link


India-Pakistan
Court sentences Lahore man to death over blasphemy
2019-06-21
[DAWN] A sessions court in Lahore sentenced a man to death in a three-year-old blasphemy case and fined him Rs200,000.

In 2016, police had filed a first information report against a man identified as Saleem under Section 295-C of the Pakistain Penal Code after he had uttered blasphemous remarks in a public place in the Lohari Gate area.

According to Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Amjad,12 witnesses had recorded testimonies against Saleem. Six of the testimonies had been recorded in court, while the other half were recorded via video link due to security concerns.

Half the trial had been conducted in court, and the other half via video link while the accused remained in Camp Jail for security purposes. Additional sessions judge Faizul Hassan read the verdict out to Saleem over video link.

Link


India-Pakistan
Elderly woman found in trash dump accuses sons of beating her up
2018-05-28
[DAWN] An elderly woman was found amid a pile of trash in Sukkur's Bus Terminal area on Sunday and taken to the hospital by passers-by. According to the woman, her two sons allegedly beat her up over a family dispute and then left her in a semi-conscious state. She added that residents of the area took her to the district hospital.
In the Moslem world, only women have mothers. Men have imams.
Sukkur SSP Muhammad Amjad Sheikh took notice of the incident and ordered that strict action be taken against those involved in the incident.
"Bring 'em in, Sergeant Chaudry!"
"Uhhh... Why, Chief!"

SSP Sheikh also announced that he would personally take care of all of the woman's medical expenses. He directed that the woman be shifted to a private hospital in Sukkur.
"But Chief! None of her relatives'll be able to get in to... uhh.. discus... her story with her!"
One of the sons was jugged
... anything you say can and will be used against you, whether you say it or not...
by the police but denied any involvement in the incident. He claimed that his mother had gone missing from home.
"Yeah. I dunno why the old bitch left home. She didn't even do the dish before she left!"
Separately, Bahria Welfare Foundation, following news of the incident, sent a team of the foundation's workers to Sukkur.
"Mount up and ride, men! She's got sons on the loose!"
The team, after examining the woman at the private hospital, decided to transfer her to Bloody Karachi
...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous...
for better medical care.
"Send the bills for the armed guards to the family!"
Bahria Welfare Foundation Manager retired commander Muhammad Arif told DawnNewsTV that the foundation will "provide the best possible healthcare to the woman".
"Unless the family gets to her. In that cse, she's toast."
"We will not let her be left alone even after she has fully recovered," said commander Arif.
Link


India-Pakistan
JUI-F terms PTI's new demands conspiracy
2014-08-19
[DAWN] The Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam
...Assembly of Islamic Clergy, or JUI, is a Pak Deobandi (Hanafi) political party. There are two main branches, one led by Maulana Fazlur Rahman, and one led by Maulana Samiul Haq. Fazl is active in Pak politix and Sami spends more time running his madrassah. Both branches sponsor branches of the Taliban, though with plausible deniability...
(Fazl) has termed new demands of the Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf
...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations....
a conspiracy, which started with recounting of votes in four constituencies, to toppling the government.

In a statement on Sunday, JUI secretary information Maulana Muhammad Amjad Khan said those building speed breakers in the way of democracy must know that if the train of democracy derailed all of its bogies would be affected. He said the JUI would foil every bid against democracy and the Constitution.
Link


India-Pakistan
Musharraf arrested, kept in police HQ
2013-04-20
[Dawn] General (retd) Pervez Perv Musharraf
... former dictator of Pakistain, who was less dictatorial and corrupt than any Pak civilian government to date ...
was shifted to the police headquarters in Islamabad from his farmhouse residence at Chak Shahzad on Friday, hours after the former military ruler surrendered himself to the authorities in the judges' detention case.

He surrendered himself earlier today before appearing in the court of judicial magistrate Raja Abbas Shah in Islamabad.

The judge issued an order for a two-day-long transit remand of Musharraf. The order also added clause 780-A pertaining to terrorism in the list of charges against the former army strongman.

During the hearing, petitioner's counsel, Advocate Mohammad Bilal Mughal, requested the court for a 15-day-long physical remand of the former president, whereas Musharraf's lawyer, Qamar Afzal, asked for a judicial remand for his client.

The court observed that the list of charges against Musharraf in the judges' detention case entailed terrorism clauses which was why bail could not be granted to the retired general without him surrendering to authorities.

Moreover, police told the court that Musharraf's life was in danger which was why his farmhouse residence needed to be declared a sub-jail.

Subsequently, the court added clause 780-A to the list of charges against Musharraf and ordered a two-day-long transit remand for the former president. An official at the court confirmed the order.

Musharraf will now appear before a special anti-terrorist court on April 21.

A front man for Musharraf's All Pakistain Moslem League (APML) party said: "General Musharraf has been sent on a two-day judicial remand and he will stay at his farmhouse."

APML front man Muhammad Amjad said the magistrate had ordered Musharraf to appear before an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi after two days.

"Musharraf himself surrendered before the court Friday morning," Amjad said, denying media reports that he had been jugged
Drop the heater, Studs, or you're hist'try!
prior to going to court.
Link


India-Pakistan
Parties announce long march against profane film
2012-09-18
[Dawn] Religious parties announced on Sunday a countrywide long march against the desecration of the Holy Koran and a recent anti-Islam film.
Healthy exercise in the fresh air and sunshine. This is a good thing!
At a rally taken out by various religious parties under banner of the Jamatud Dawa (JuD) from Neela Gumbad to Masjid-e-Shuhda, the protesters vowed to launch jihad against the 'US-Jewish lobby' if they did not stop 'anti-Islam activities'.

"We demand the immediate arrest and execution of all those who took part in the blasphemous film," JuD chief Hafiz Muhammad Saeed
...who would be wearing a canvas jacket with very long sleeves anyplace but Pakistain...
said.

"Otherwise they must be ready to face our wrath," he threatened the film producers and actors.

"If you (the US government) do not hang them, we will stop the operation of all of your embassies across the world," he said.

He called the provocative film the worst terrorism in the world, and urged the Organisation of the Islamic Conference to immediately call a meeting and take up the issue with the US.

"We will also call an APC (all parties' conference) and invite President Zardari, Nawaz Sharif
... served two non-consecutive terms as prime minister, heads the Pakistain Moslem League (Nawaz). Noted for his spectacular corruption, the 1998 Pak nuclear test, border war with India, and for being tossed by General Musharraf...
, Imran Khan
... aka Taliban Khan, who is the lightweight's lightweight...
and Fazalur Rehman there. Let's see who avoids the meeting," he added.

PML-Zia Chief Ijazul Haq urged the countries to get rid of the US and protest against its terrorism in the world.

Jamaat-e-Ulema Ahle Hadith Nazim Ibtasam Elahi Zaheer, Maulana Ameer Hamza, Qari Zawar Bahadur, Maulana Muhammad Amjad Khan and Qari Muhammad Yaqoob also spoke.
Link


-Signs, Portents, and the Weather-
Student nurse, two others die of dengue
2011-09-28
[Dawn] At least three more people, including a student nurse, died of dengue fever on Monday while some 43 others, parliamentary sectary for education MPA Chaudhry Mumtaz Ahmad Jajja, among them, were said to be critical.

Reports said Saima Majeed, a fourth-year nursing student, was shifted to Services Hospital a couple of days ago. Saima was later shifted to Sheikh Zayed Hospital late on Sunday after she was declared critical. Ijaz of Sanda, 50, died of Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS) at the SZH`s emergency department. The hospital administration has confirmed the two deaths.

Meanwhile,
...back at the pie fight, Bella opened her mouth at precisely the wrong moment...
Muhammad Amjad, died at Jinnah Hospital of DSS complications. Hospital MS Dr Afzal Shaheen confirmed the death at the Medical Unit-III of the health facility.

Sources said that of 43 critically ill patients, 11 are admitted at Services Hospital, five at Lahore General Hospital and two at Mayo Hospital.

Allama Iqbal Medical College (AIMC) Principal Prof Javed Akram said some 25 people, diagnosed as dengue fever patients, were struggling for life at Jinnah Hospital alone. Of them, he said, PML-N MPA Mr Jajja had been kept in intensive care and his health was fast deteriorating.

A health department report said 368 new dengue fever cases were reported all over the province on Monday, including 342 in Lahore alone. The report said the total number of reported dengue cases has reached 10,583 in Punjab, including 9,490 in Lahore.
Link


India-Pakistan
Blasphemy case registered against mentally challenged Muslim
2011-01-08
[Pak Daily Times] The Kot Addu police have started the paperwork but haven't done much else under the blasphemy law against a mentally challenged Mohammedan at the request of a local mosque's holy man allegedly in an attempt to settle a rivalry with the family of the accused.

The case has been registered against Muhammad Amjad, son of Muhammad Nazir, by the holy man of their local mosque named Muhammad Sajid in Chak 621 PDA Chowk Sarwar Shaheedwala area of Kot Addu.

The case number 4/11 was registered by the Chowk Sarwar police on Wednesday while the complainant has also accused Amjad's father Muhammad Nazir and a relative Muhammad Iqbal of conspiring to desecrate the holy Koran with the main accused.

The police raided the house of the accused and rounded up the son and his father on the same day on Sajid's request, who stated in his registered FIR against Amjad that he set the holy Koran on fire in the courtyard of the mosque, where he (Sajid) is serving as the chief holy man, and then bravely ran away.

Sajid claimed that the incident took place on Wednesday morning, but he did not see Amjad perpetrating the act personally, and only found the desecrated Koran in the mosque premises, while his students told him that the deed was committed by Amjad. Moreover, he has also stated in the FIR that Amjad committed the blasphemy on the orders of his father Nazir and a relative Muhammad Iqbal, and sought action against both of them as well.

However,
The infamous However...
locals and human rights
... which are not the same thing as individual rights, mind you...
activists dealing with the case told Daily Times that Amjad had been mentally challenged since his birth and was not aware of the worldly affairs, and it was impossible for him to conspire or understand the meaning of blasphemy at all.
Link


India-Pakistan
Nuggets from the Urdu press
2010-06-27
America will disable Pakistan!

Famous columnist Irfan Siddiqi wrote in Jang that America was at the point of leaving Afghanistan after disabling Pakistan as a state. Its prime objective is not flying its flag on the high mountains of Afghanistan but to rob Pakistan of its nuclear power. Gori Shahzadi (Hilary Clinton) is threatening Pakistan and should be seen in this context. India, Israel and America are weaving a net for Pakistan and the UK is going to be a ‘beater' driving Pakistan into it.

Qazi Sahib's advice

Writing in Jang Anwar Ghazi said that Qazi Hussain Ahmad visited his home and told him Pakistan was doomed to be engulfed in terrorism because of the wrong decision Musharraf made to become America's frontline partner. Qazi said Pakistan should abandon America and instead link up with rising (ubharta hua) China and awakening (angrai leta hua) Russia.

PM Azad Kashmir versus Chief Editor

Writing in Jinnah Chief Editor Khushnood Ali Khan stated that Prime Minister Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider had accused him of spreading government propaganda against him. Raja Farooq also said that unlike Khushnood, his father was not in the army, hinting that state media was used against AJK PM through a man (Khushnood) whose father was naib subedar.

Sardar Farooq versus state security

Daily Jinnah wrote that PM Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq was being defiant (ankhain dikha rahe) against the very agencies who had helped him become prime minister of AJK. Raja Farooq had caused a feud between the Rajputs and others by inducting his Rajput relatives into institutions in his control and had been disloyal to the family of Sardar Qayyum of his party who had been his benefactors.

Sardar Farooq, brave man!

Writing in Jang Haroon Rashid stated that AJK PM Sardar Farooq was a brave man in whose breast Allah had sowed no fear. PM Gilani and his AJK adviser Manzoor Wattoo had bowed to security reasons to side with Justice Riaz Chaudhry who was elevated through dubious means that no lawyer in AJK liked. Sardar Farooq proved too tough to subdue so that the powers that be finally agreed to fire the elevated judge as well as the restored judge. Sardar Farooq got Justice Manzur to agree to retire 25 days before the due date to complete the ‘security' manoeuvre.

Azad Kashmir ‘sensitive' area

Chief Editor Khushnood Ali Khan wrote in Jinnah that Sardar Farooq was wrong in ignoring the security aspect of AJK. People who cross Wahga border in Lahore are in the eyes of the security agencies but in Azad Kashmir anyone crosses the LoC has to be cleared by three security agencies before a permit is issued. Sardar Farooq issued orders that a permit from the said agencies was not required.

Hindu husband didn't become Muslim

Famous actress Nur was quoted by daily Pakistan as saying that she was seeking a divorce from his Hindu husband Vikram because he had gone back to being Hindu after marrying her on the pledge of remaining Muslim. She said now he was pressuring her to turn Hindu. She has claimed her big dowry back from him too.

Hillary Clinton – ‘Safed Daayen'

Writing ion daily Islam Khawar Chaudhry stated that the Safed Daayen (White Witch) of America Hillary Clinton had said that Pakistani officials knew where Osama bin Laden was and has complained that Pakistan was not doing enough. The truth is that Pakistan is shedding blood (khoon ki nadiyan) to please America but Chitti Chamri (White Skin) was not pleased.

‘Blow up the plane!'

Reported in Jang leader of Dobandi madrassa Faruqia in Uttar Pradesh Maulana Nurul Huda was in a plane in Deoband when he talked to someone in Arabic, saying the plane was about to take off, blow it up. A lady suiting next to him called the hostess and told her what he had said, after which he was taken off the plane for investigation. (In Urdu, ‘fly' and ‘explode' have the same meaning.)

Christians and Jews are enemies!

According to Jang the Friday sermons in Lahore had the top clerics saying that Yuhood-o-Nasara could not be the friends of Muslims. Hafiz Said of Ahle Hadith Jamaatud Dawa at his Masjid Qadisiya said that the Prophet PBUH was the only superpower in the world, and the Jews and Christians were the enemies. The same message was given by Ahle Hadith leader Ibtisam Ilahi Zaheer. This was followed by Maulana Amjad Muhammad Amjad at Jamia Rehmaniya in Lahore.

Taliban are in Jhang!

Reported in Jang contrary to claims by the PMLN government and law minister Punjab Rana Sanaullah, Jhang was the centre-point of the Taliban in Punjab and South Punjab. The police in Jhang in defiance of IG Punjab - who is from Jhang - has filed an FIR against Dr Imran of Jaish Muhammad who had played host to a notorious Taliban terrorist Abdus Samad. The leader was also holding regular meetings with the terrorists in an under-construction madrassa in Ahmadpur Sial. Funds for the terrorists are being collected in Jhang and youths trained and sent out to commit terrorism

No Arabic, please!

Head of the International Khatm-e-Nabuwwat Conference Sahibzada Zahid Mehmud Qasimi complained to daily Nawa-e-Waqt that after the government cancelled the Arabic compulsory course in schools, thousands of teachers of Arabic were without jobs. He said the religious parties were united but the political parties - although separated - were both hostile to the religious parties. He said Nawaz Sharif during his sojourn in Saudi Arabia had started learning Arabic.

A record of artistic polygamy

Daily Jinnah reported that Pakistani artists were given to marrying more than once. Nur Jehan married Shaukat Rizvi, Actor Ijaz, Yusuf Kan and Captain Ijaz. Salma Agha married Mehmood Sipra, Javed Sheikh, Rehmat Khan and Manzar Latif. Mehdi Hasan and Ustad Salamat Ali took two wives. So did Inyat Hussain Bhatti including actress Khanum. Adnan Sami married Zeba Bakhtyar then went on to wed an Afghan and a Nigerian. Singer Afshan married Ghulam Ali, Masud Butt and Abbas Rahi. Azra Jahan married Tafoo, Umid Ali and Zulfikar Ali. Ghulam Ali was married twice.

TV anchor has cold feet

Reported in daily Islam the TV anchor of a channel was holding discussions with Ahmadis and was asked to include the anti-Ahmadi clerics too. The TV anchor was Qadiani-pasand but when he got to know that a grand scholar of Khatm-e-Nabuwwat was on his to the studio he got cold feet and cancelled the show.

Farooq Haider and Manzur Wattoo

Writing in Jang Rauf Klassra stated the he saw two personalities during the last session of Prime Minister Gilani's Kashmir Committee session. Prime Minister of Azad Kashmir Raja Farooq Haider was sitting on a back seat while Minister for Kashmir Affairs Manzur Wattoo was right in front near PM Gilani. He was struck by the contrast: Farooq Haider was a fearless and upright man while Wattoo had, according to NAB earlier in the week, paid crores of rupees as fine to NAB to avoid being prosecuted for corruption.

Adviser sickens before advice

Famous columnist Haroon Rashid recorded in Jang that he had travelled all the way from Islamabad to Lahore to meet Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif and was all ready to give his precious advice on how to run Punjab but suddenly he was taken ill (tabiyat biggar gai) and he excused himself and returned from Lahore without the valuable advice having been transmitted to Mr Sharif.

Lakhwi will be out soon!

According to Jarrar, Lashkar Tayba terrorist undergoing trial in Pakistan Zakiur Rehman Lakhwi will be let off by the court because the Indian court had acquitted two Indian terrorists Fahim Ansari and Sabahuddin in the trial of Ajmal Kasab. (Lashkar Jhangvi terrorists Akram Lahori and Malik Ishaq are said to be all set to be released from jails in Pakistan.)
Link


India-Pakistan
Dr Aafia Siddiqui's husband tells all
2009-02-18
After six years of silence, Dr Muhammad Amjad Khan, ex-husband of Dr Aafia Siddiqui, has finally spoken up and says that most of the press reports that relate to his former wife as well as his children are false. In an exclusive talk with The News, he said that most claims are being propagated to garner public support and sympathy for Dr Aafia but are one-sided and in most instances untrue.
"That woman's crazy!"
Dr Aafia Siddiqui, suspected of having links to terrorist organizations, has been charged in a criminal complaint filed in a court of New York on account of attempting to kill US personnel during interrogation and on a charge of assaulting US officers and employees in Kabul, Afghanistan, on July 17, 2008. Subsequently Dr Aafia was imprisoned in Bagram for 18 days before being taken to the US for a trial.

Due to pressure from Aafia Siddiqui's family, the Pakistan government has been trying to secure her release from the US claiming her to be innocent. Although the US government has guaranteed Aafia the best legal assistance and a fair trial, her family is adamant that she be sent back on grounds that the US authorities have been consistently torturing her for years.

"Aafia's release cannot be secured by propagating stories based on falsehood and deception," commented Dr Amjad Khan, in an interview with The News. Dr Amjad, who was married to Dr Aafia for seven years until their divorce in October 2002, said Aafia's family and supporters should not believe that truth will not be revealed and mere lies will help in securing Aafia's repatriation.

He added that he is disappointed with the government's disregard for the law when officials handed over his eldest son, Ahmad, to his aunt Dr Fowzia Siddiqui on his return from Afghanistan last year instead of his legal guardian, his father. "The government made no effort to locate me despite the fact that I am Ahmad's real and legal guardian. My address in Karachi has not changed for the past 30 years. Ever since I returned from the US after our divorce, I have been living with my family," he said adding: "Both the Minister for Interior Rehman Malik and Dr Fowzia have been taking credit for obtaining Ahmad's release even though there was not a stone I left unturned to locate my missing children and obtain their custody according to law."

Providing documentary proof of the legal agreement between him and Dr Aafia following their divorce, Dr Amjad said that he had been financially supporting his three children Ahmed, Marium and Suleiman until the family stopped accepting the cheques he had been mailing. "After the agreement they accepted my cheques till March 2003. After that my cheques were being returned from Aafia's home and that got me worried. Soon after I learnt that in April 2003, Aafia and our children had been 'picked up' by agencies." Meanwhile, he received disturbing reports from the family that Aafia chose to leave Karachi with her children as she feared an attack from him.

Curious to locate the whereabouts of his children, Dr Amjad sought the help of the police and government officials to find them. "I was aware of Aafia's violent personality and extremist views and suspected her involvement in Jihadi activities. My fear later proved to be true when during Uzair Paracha's trial in the US in 2004, the real purpose of Aafia's trip to the US (between December 23, 2002 and January 3, 2003) was revealed."

Elaborating, Dr Amjad disclosed that he later learnt from media reports that Aafia's family claimed she made this trip to the US for job interviews in December at a time when universities were closed for winter holidays. "I also found it very odd that on the one hand Aafia insisted on leaving the US after September 11, 2001, claiming the country was unsafe for us and our children because the US government was abducting Muslim children, and on the other hand took the risk of travelling to that country again without fearing that she may be captured and may never see our children again."

While Dr Aafia was in the US, the authorities had been closely watching her, added Amjad. They soon issued the first global "wanted for questioning" alert for the couple in March 2003. "At that time, the agencies did not know we were divorced and I was also unaware of Aafia's involvement with two other terror suspects, Majid Khan and Ammar Al-Baluchi. They wanted me to persuade Aafia to appear for the interview with them and clear the charges leveled against her just as I had done. That is when she went underground and it later became apparent why she chose to 'disappear'," disclosed Dr Amjad.

Sharing details of his unsuccessful marriage with Dr Aafia, Dr Amjad told The News that since their marriage was arranged, he was unaware of Aafia's violent behaviour. "She got hysterical fits when she became angry and would physically attack me, but I put up with it for the sake of our children."

Although Amjad and Aafia both were inclined towards religion, he found her opinion towards Jihad to be of an extreme nature that sometimes made him uncomfortable. He became particularly suspicious of his wife's intentions when soon after the 9/11 attacks, she compelled Amjad to leave Boston (where Amjad was completing his residency) and move to Afghanistan where she claimed "he would be more useful".

The couple, however, chose to come to Pakistan instead for a vacation and discuss the matter with Amjad's family. It was here that his parents noticed Aafia's violent behaviour towards their son on several occasions, particularly when she openly asked for khula (divorce) when Amjad declined to go to Afghanistan. Therefore Amjad decided to file for a divorce as Aafia was adamant she wanted to go. "I tried my best to save our marriage, but divorce was inevitable," he recalls.

However, after mutual consent, the couple signed a legal agreement whereby the custody of the three minors was given to Aafia, while Amjad was required to pay for their education and maintenance. "Although the agreement says I am permitted to meet my children once a week, I was not allowed to do so," claimed Amjad sharing a copy of the agreement during the interview.
Link


India-Pakistan
Bara deal allows Khasadars to shoot militants
2008-07-11
Khasadars have been given authority to shoot dead militants threatening writ of the state in the Khyber Agency, an undertaking inked between the agency's political administration and Bara tribal jirga said.
How 'bout shooting live militants dead instead?
The Interior Ministry officials released on Thursday the details of the agreement reached on Wednesday. "Khasadars will be allowed to shoot dead miscreants involved in criminal activities," the agreement says, "Their action will be protected under Section 38 of the FCR (Frontier Crimes Regulation) and tribal traditions."
It's a tribal tradition to shoot anyone who isn't a cousin and either sounds or looks funny ...
The undertaking also says that no incursions will be made in Peshawar district and other settled areas adjoining Bara subdivision, and Afridi tribes have agreed to clear the area of foreigners. "If any non-local proclaimed offender is under protection of any tribe, that tribe will be responsible for his good behaviour otherwise the government reserves the right to act in accordance with the FCR and Riwaj," the undertaking says.

"The tribal chiefs have submitted an undertaking to the political administration of Khyber Agency that they would extend full support to the government in establishing its writ in FATA," Adviser to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik told a press conference,

Malik told reporters that the law-enforcement agencies (LEA) had arrested four people including Tehreek-e-Taliban deputy commander Muhammad Amjad for ambushing security personnel on July 8 near Darra-Khyber limit.
Arrested him, dusted him off, fed him, gave him sweet chai and sent him on his way ...
Link


India-Pakistan
4 Lashkar, Jaish men killed in encounter
2008-04-19
Jaish-e-Muhammad and Lashkar-e-Tayyeba outfits suffered a major setback when four of their cadres, including a district commander, died in a fierce gunbattle with security forces in frontier Kupwara district of north Kashmir on Saturday. Police claims that the slain commander was active in the area for past seven years and involved in a series of attacks on the security forces.

SSP Kupwara Vijay Kumar said that the police received information regarding the presence of militants in the jungle area of Jabdi Rang at Warnow Lolab in north Kashmir, which was followed by an operation in collaboration with the local unit of the Rashtriya Rifles. "As the Police zeroed in on to the target area, militants opened indiscriminate fire which was retaliated resulting in death of four militants," he said.

Two of the slain militants have been identified. They include district commander of Jaish-e-Muhammad Amjad Bhai and his associate of Lashkar-e-Tayyeba Abu Saifullah, both residents of Pakistan.

Link



Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More