Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !
Recent Appearances... Rantburg

Afghanistan
Daily Evacuation Brief July 31, 2023
2023-07-31
[AfghanDigest] LAST 24 HOURS
  • BOMBING IN PAKISTAN KILLS AT LEAST 40, 150 WOUNDED – The bomb was detonated at a rally for a hard-line cleric and political leaders in the Bajur District in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Sunday. The convention was organized for Maulana Fazlur Rehman and his party, Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI). Rehman is thought to be allied with the TTP and the Taliban in Afghanistan. Police say that a suicide bomber likely infiltrated the gathering and successfully bypassed the JUI party’s security personnel. JUI party officials were quick to point the finger at other political groups and said the bombing was an attempt to keep JUI candidates out of the November elections. No group has yet claimed credit for the attack but a source in Islamabad said it was almost certainly an ISIS operation and authorities believed the bomber had slipped across the border from Afghanistan. Based on preliminary reports from medical personnel, the death toll is expected to rise in the coming hours and days.

  • US SPECIAL INSPECTOR GENERAL FOR AFGHANISTAN RECONSTRUCTION ISSUES WARNING TO TALIBAN – In a recent report from the US SIGAR, the funds on reserve in Switzerland could be withheld should the Taliban continue to interfere in the central bank’s operations. As the Taliban have rejected the former constitution, there are currently no laws that govern the banking infrastructure in the country. The current governor and deputy governor of the central bank are Taliban leaders, possess no banking experience, and are reputedly not the smartest people in any room. The US’s position is firm, there can be no political interference in the banking system but there are rumors the Taliban intend to vacate the banking laws and will try to replace them with a hybridized Sharia-based system that some other countries claim to have adopted. Most observers believe the loss of these funds would cause a collapse of the Afghan economy.

  • MINISTRY OF MARTYRS AND DISABLED SAYS IT IS FINALLY READY TO PROVIDE COMPENSATION FOR THE DISABLED, ORPHANS, AND WIDOWS – After delaying the support payments for nearly two years, the Ministry says it will provide a back pay allowance of six months to those who have been verified on the lists in the Ministry. There are concerns that employees of the former government have had their names struck off the list and there are also rumors that many Taliban officials have created some ‘Ghost Disabled’. The term refers to people who do not actually exist but whose benefits are sent to accounts owned by corrupt officials. A few select NGOs are waiting to see how the disbursements are paid and are concerned that minorities and women may be left out.


NEXT 24 HOURS
PAKISTAN EXPECTING HIGH-LEVEL VISITS, INCREASED THREAT OF TERROR ACTS – With the arrival of China’s Vice Premier, He Lifeng, for a ceremony to mark the 10-year anniversary of the CEPAK program, there are concerns that anti-Chinese sentiment that has been building in the country could invite terrorist actions. The suspected suicide bombing in Bajaur that caused so much destruction and death likely have the security forces at their highest levels of readiness. At-risk Afghans in Pakistan are likely to encounter significantly more police and military personnel on the streets during the visit of the Vice Premier and, owing to increased tensions, these forces may deal with any potential threat with extreme violence.
Link


India-Pakistan
Suicide bomber suspected as explosion at Islamist rally in Pakistan kills at least 40, wounds more than 150
2023-07-31
[NYPOST] An explosion destroyed an Islamist political rally in northwest Pakistain on Sunday, killing at least 40 people and injuring more than 150 others, police said.

The Inspector General of Police for the Bajaur district said the blast, likely a suicide kaboom, took place in the town of Khar as hundreds gathered to rally behind 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 that was led by Maulana Samiul Haq. Fazl is active in Pak politix and Sami spent more time running his madrassah until his secretary rubbed him out in a jealous rage. Both branches sponsor branches of the Taliban, though with plausible deniability...
-Fazl (JUI-F) group.

Officials believe the attack was targeting members of the political group, with its regional leader, Maulana Ziaullah, among those who died in the blast, according to the News Agency that Dare Not be Named.

Officials said the event was held close to a market square in the town, and was guarded by volunteer party members holding batons.

Despite the security, police chief Akhtar Hayat Gandapur told news hounds a jacket wallah likely sneaked into the venue and set off the earth-shattering kaboom just as high ranking leaders for the political party arrived.

First responders rushed to the scene, with local broadcasts showing rescue workers carrying the injured away as other residents flee in panic.
On X (Twitter) there are claims that the explosion was by ISIS to remind both the Taliban and Pakistan that ISIS is the better choice.
Dawn adds:
At least 44 people were killed while over 100 were wounded in a suicide blast at a Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) workers’ convention in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (KP) Bajaur district on Sunday.

The explosion occurred when more than 400 JUI-F members and supporters gathered under a tent in the town of Khar, near the border with Afghanistan.

KP Health Minister Riaz Anwar told AFP that 44 people had been confirmed killed and over 100 wounded.

Bajaur District Emergency Officer Saad Khan told Dawn.com that Maulana Ziaullah Jan, JUI-F emir in Khar tehsil, was also killed in the blast.
A photo of the good maulana can be seen at the link.
Speaking to the media later at night, KP Inspector General of Police Akhtar Hayat Khan said 10 kilograms of explosives were used in the blast.

He said ball bearings and other explosive materials had been collected from the site.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blast so far.
Related:
Bajaur district: 2023-07-30 Suicide bomber suspected as explosion at Islamist rally in Pakistan kills at least 40, wounds more than 150
Bajaur district: 2023-06-29 Terrorist commander among 3 killed in Bajaur IBO: ISPR
Bajaur district: 2023-06-04 2 killed in remote-controlled bomb blast in Bajaur: police
Related:
Khar: 2023-07-30 Suicide bomber suspected as explosion at Islamist rally in Pakistan kills at least 40, wounds more than 150
Khar: 2023-07-30 Russian Perspective: Operation to denazify Ukraine: operational summary July 29 (updated)
Khar: 2023-07-30 Actual information about the situation on the front line: July 29 (updated
Link


India-Pakistan
Govt warned against restoring NATO supplies
2012-02-13
KARACHI — Leaders of religio-political alliance on Sunday vowed that Nato supplies would not be allowed to resume at any cost and urged the masses to lay siege to Parliament House on February 20, during a rally attended by thousands at Bagh-e-Qaid in Karachi.

The speakers also demanded immediate end to drone attacks, have relations with United States on equal terms, release of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and measures to solve the worsening situation in Balochistan.
No, no, no, and who cares?
The 44-party alliance top leaders including Jamat-e-Islami’s (JI) Syed Munawar Hassan, Jamiat Ulema Islam’s (JUI) Maulana Samiul Haq, Jamaat-ud-Daawa Amir Hafiz Mohammed Saeed, Sheikh Rashid and Ejazul Haq addressed the gathering and all of them condemned ‘foreign meddling’ in the country. They warned against the possible reopening of the Nato supply and PPP-led government’s policies leading to corruption and rampant inflation.
Link


India-Pakistan
JUI-F blames CIA, KP govt for suicide attack
2011-04-01
[Dawn] Jamiat Ulema Islam-F secretary general Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haidri has held the ANP-led coalition government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the US agency CIA responsible for the attack on a rally to be addressed by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Addressing a rally outside the press club here on Wednesday, he said the JUI-F would hold protest demonstrations across the country on Friday to condemn the suicide attack.

He claimed that the recent drone attack in which innocent people were killed in tribal areas was carried out with the consent of the government.

Maulana Haidri said the government had given a free hand to the CIA and Blackwater to target political forces opposing the drone attacks.

He said the Swabi suicide attack was an attempt to kill Maulana Fazl because he was exposing the American designs against the country.

He said that such attacks would not force the JUI-F to abandon its struggle against imperialistic policies of the United States.

The JUI-F leader asked the government to stop US drone attacks and unlawful activities of the CIA and Blackwater in the country.
Link


India-Pakistan
Pakistan deep in political turmoil
2010-12-30
[Iran Press TV] The Pak president faces political turmoil as he steps up efforts to prevent his ruling coalition from collapse after two major allies left the government.

President Asif Ali President Ten Percent Zardari's
... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who showed remarkably little curiosity about who actually done her in ...
 ruling party is attempting to keep his coalition government intact as senior leaders are pressuring two opposing partners to rejoin the cabinet in meeting.

Zardari met with Faisal Sabzwari, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader, only days after the party withdrew from the government.

The MQM has decided in favor of the resignation of two of its ministers from the cabinet.

The Jamiat Ulema Islam party (JUI) also left the cabinet earlier this month.

The JUI's front man Hafiz Hussein Ahmad stressed that the party would only return to the government if the president dismisses Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik, a senior Pakistain People's Party (PPP) politician, held crisis meetings with MQM and JUI leaders late Tuesday, urging them to support an increasingly unpopular government, AP reported.

Political analysts say the government will lose the majority in parliament if the two parties join the opposition.

The MQM, with 25 seats in the 342-member national assembly, represents the Urdu-speaking majority in Bloody Karachi and shares power in Sindh province and the central government.
Link


India-Pakistan
Religious parties to strike against amendment in blasphemy law
2010-12-20
[Dawn] Ten religious parties will protest nationwide on 31 December against any possible amendment of the blasphemy law.

Speaking at a presser, Secretary General of Jamaat-e-Islami, Liaquat Baloch, said that a nationwide strike will be observed on 31 December.

Baloch said that a rally and protest will also observed in Bloody Karachi on 9th January. He said that a calculated conspiracy is on the way to change the Islamic law in the country.

Secretary information, of Jamiat Ulema Islam (F), Maulana Amjad Khan said that the president and prime minister should take action against Sherry Rehman for the amendment bill against the blasphemy law in the national assembly.
Link


India-Pakistan
Fazl meets Zardari, sets two conditions for return
2010-12-19
[Pak Daily Times] Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman
Known as Mullah Diesel during the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty ...
 set two conditions for his party's return to the coalition government in a meeting with President Asif Ali President Ten Percent Zardari
... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who showed remarkably little curiosity about who actually done her in ... who stopped him at the Presidency right after the dinner hosted in honour of the Chinese prime minister, a private TV channel reported on Saturday.

The JUI-F demanded apology from the PPP-led government over dismissing Azam Swati besides two more ministries in the Centre.
Neatly cutting off their access to the swag they were entitled to by their excessive holiness or something.
The two-hour long meeting was the outcome of positive dialogue between Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik earlier in the day.

The purpose of the meeting was to clarify misunderstandings which emerged after the dismissal of the two ministers, Azam Swati and Hamid Saeed Kazmi. Rehman Malik also offered to give Science and Technology Ministry back to him and also asked him to rejoin the coalition, the channel said. Fazl said he would discuss his offer during his party's meeting on December 22. He said he was still waiting for the decision of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and the Pakistain Mohammedan League-Quaid (PML-Q).
Link


India-Pakistan
Senate approves amendment in Sexual Harassment Law
2010-01-21
The Senate on Wednesday paased a landmark amendment in the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC) aimed at protecting women against sexual harassment at the workplace.

The bill was moved by the Leader of the House, Senator Nayyar Bokhari, in accordance with the report of the Senate Standing Committee on Law.

Under the new law, the violator is liable to pay Rs500,000 as fine and would be subject to three years of imprisonment as well.

The house, however, rejected the amendment passed by JUI (Jamiat Ulema Islam) in the bill asking women to follow an Islamic dress code.
Link


India-Pakistan
Nuggets from the Urdu press
2007-12-09
Imran should not come to Punjab University
As reported in Daily Pakistan, the Nazim of Punjab University, Mohammad Ayub, in retaliation to a Tehreek e Insaf press release, said that Imran shouldn’t come to Punjab University. Political parties should work in their circles, he said, and they don’t have the right to lead students. He said that if someone tried to convert educational institutions into political arenas they would face tough resistance. Imran Khan should remember the incidents at Karachi University, he concluded.

Schools bombed in Kohat
As reported in daily Nawa-e-Waqt, two bombs exploded in Billi Tang, Kohat. Two bombs were planted near Iqra public school. They destroyed the outer wall of the school, but no-one was injured. Police have registered a case on the complaint of the chowkidar of the school against unknown assailants. Terror gripped the city, and parents are not sending their children to schools.

Osama’s son involved in October 18 attacks
As reported in daily Jang, the chairperson of the Pakistan People’s Party, Benazir Bhutto, told an Arab TV channel that the security situation in Pakistan has declined. She said that the government is closing its eyes to armed groups in Pakistan. She said that Osama’s son could be involved in the October 18 attacks in Karachi. She also alleged that some sections of the Pakistani establishment could also be involved.

Imran Khan is a terrorist without a beard
In daily Express, famous columnist Haroon ur Rashid wrote that Imran Khan was Pervez Musharraf’s prime minister. Imran never repeats what happened on October 14, 2002, in his meeting with Pervez Musharraf. Imran told President Musharraf that he would never shake hands with corrupt politicians. The president’s reply made Imran’s brain spin, and he left the presidency, never to return. Pervez Musharraf later said in a TV interview that Imran Khan was a terrorist without a beard.

Taliban don’t attack women
As reported in daily Jang, the leader of the local Taliban, Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, denied the statement that he was involved in the attacks on Benazir Bhutto’s caravan in Karachi. He said that he would have been proud if he had attacked her jaloos. He said that we don’t attack women, and that they deal with men only.

Logic behind boycott
Famous columnist Haroon ur Rashid wrote in daily Express, that in a recent meeting of the APDM the parties in favour of a boycott presented their arguments. They said the government has planned rigging because they want a two-thirds majority to ensure that Musharraf’s unconstitutional acts are approved in parliament. On the other hand, if the deposed Supreme Court judges are restored, the parties can achieve all of their objectives. At last, reason prevailed, and they decided to boycott the elections.

Boycott by those who have no candidates
As reported in daily Jang, leader of Jamiat Ulema Islam (JUI) Maulana Fazlur Rehman said that the APDM is not an electoral alliance and has no right to decide about boycotting elections. He said that Nawaz Sharif is being hijacked by letterpad parties and that political parties who are taking interest in boycotting elections have no candidates. He also said that American supported parties are taking part in elections, and we should not leave the arena open for them, but should become the voice of our oppressed brothers.

Election campaign of blaming Benazir
In daily Jang, columnist Imtiaz Alam wrote that the opposition is having cramps about boycott when they can’t win one seat. Imran Khan, who was beaten by his own alliance party workers, came out of jail and started raising slogans of boycott, but placed an ad in newspapers for candidates. The great revolutionary Qazi Hussain also called for a boycott but didn’t forget to file his nomination papers. Brothers Sharifov also raised the slogan of boycott to shame Benazir Bhutto for participating in the elections but ended up forwarding their whole clan in elections from Lahore. Everyone wants to enjoy the elections, but want to blame Benazir Bhutto for her participation.

No rally for Imran Khan in PU
As reported in daily Khabrain, the supporters of Imran Khan couldn’t rally in Punjab University. The anti Jamiat group wanted to hold a rally in favour of Imran Khan in four buses. But Jamiat locked the rooms and gates and blocked three buses; only one bus could leave the campus for the Tehreek e Insaf convention. The Nazim of the Jamiat, Atiq ur Rehman, said that they didn’t stop anyone from leaving Punjab University.

Publisher arrested for book against religious personalities
As reported in Daily Pakistan, the police arrested the publisher of a book by Maulana Manzoor Muavia for printing something that contains remarks against religious personalities. The case was registered on the report of Allama Syed Multani, who alledged that the Muslim ummah is united on the uncontroversial place of Sahih Bukhari Sharif, and the writer has tried to defame Imam Bukhari and has written objectionable comments about him. He said that the Muslim ummah’s emotions are hurt and the whole ummah is agitated against the writer and publisher.

America did it
As reported in daily Nawa-e-Waqt, military expert Mirza Aslam Beg said that today we’ve got a cross between martial law and emergency. Renowned military exprest General (retd) Talat Masood said America knew about the state of emergency, but wanted Benazir Bhutto as prime minister. Ex ISI chief Hamid Gul said that it’s all because of America.
Link


India-Pakistan
No deal with Musharraf: Fazl
2007-08-23
Maulana Fazlur Rehman, secretary general of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) and head of his own Jamiat Ulema Islam faction (JUI-Fazl), has said he will fully resist any attempt by President General Pervez Musharraf to get re-elected in uniform from the current assemblies.

Maulana Fazl also scoffed at reports painting a “formal meeting” of his with Pakistan Muslim League President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain as a step towards a possible deal between the government and JUI-F on the presidential election, saying it was “virtually impossible” to hold talks with “unconstitutional and undemocratic elements”. Addressing a press conference after an MMA Supreme Council meeting in Quetta, he said he would take full part in forthcoming general elections. He said the names of MMA candidates would be announced on September 10, and these would be sent to the alliance’s provincial and parliamentary boards.
Link


India-Pakistan
Nuggets from the Urdu Press
2007-04-15
Crazy for Parveen!
As reported in daily Khabrain, a new song by Abrar ul Haq caused a lot of fights in different areas in Punjab. In Pattoki a group of labourers were playing Abrar ul Haq’s song Parveen when another group objected that three of their young girls were named Parveen and thus it was an attack on their honour. The fight left eight people injured. In another incident a fight broke out when some young boys were singing this song loudly in a street.

Bob Woolmer was not responsible
As reported in daily Jang, the ex captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Imran Khan, said that the poor performance of the Pakistan team was responsible for the death of Bob Woolmer. He said Bob was not responsible for the defeat of Pakistan in the World Cup. The responsibility of a coach is to work on the technique of cricketers and it is the team players who are responsible for their performance in the field. Bob was the greatest coach and a great human being. He always accepted criticism with openness. He united the team into one unit but unfortunately our players spoiled all his efforts. He died because he couldn’t absorb the defeat against Ireland.

Tablighi Jamaat robbed in Sara-e-Alamgir
According to daily Khabrain, four armed men snatched 22 thousand rupees, mobile phones and identity cards from eight members of the Tablighi Jamaat in a village Chak Sikander in Sara-e-Alamgir. The police arrested one dacoit and the rest are still at large.

Sami ul Haq was denied British visa
According to daily Nawa-i-Waqt, the British high commission slapped a ban on the entry of the head of the Jamiat Ulema Islam (S) Maulana Sami ul Haq and denied him a visa to participate in All Parties’ Conference in Britian. The British government alleged that the statements of Sami ul Haq support terrorism and are against the interest of British people.

Bob Woolmer was unlike Pakistanis
In daily Express, the famous columnist Javed Chaudhry wrote that Bob Woolmer died because of the Pakistan cricket team’s defeat while the head of PCB Nasim Ashraf and Pakistan captain Inzamam ul Haq are still alive. Bob Woolmer lived in Pakistan but couldn’t learn the art of self aggrandizing. There is a difference between Bob Woolmer and the Pakistani nation. He had a conscience and couldn’t face the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) in his heart and gave his life. In Pakistan there are 16 crore people but no one has a heart like Bob Woolmer.

Punjabi Taliban in Waziristan
Daily Pakistan wrote in an editorial that warriors from Punjab and other parts of Pakistan have started converging on Sheen Warsak, Waziristan. The other group consists of Uzbeks under the command of Tahir Yeldeshev who has the support of local tribes. After the beheading of two Arab warriors the two groups are entrenched in their positions on the hills. After the killing of Arab commander Sheikh Asad Ullah the two groups are at war with each other.

PPP is like a zoo
As reported in daily Nawa-i-Waqt, when a central leader of Pakistan People’s Party came on stage to deliver a speech, one youth wing leader, Shabbir Babar, objected that the ISI agents wouldn’t be allowed to address the People’s Party workers. Jehangir Babar said that the People’s Party is like a zoo where scorpions, snakes, elephants, lions and sparrows have gathered.

Conspiracy against Afghan jihad
In daily Pakistan, the ex prime minister of Afghanistan and warlord Gulbuddin Hekmatyar wrote that the history of Afghanistan’s last three decades is unforgettable resistance, freedom and Islamic jihad. Our enemies call it internal fighting and fasad. Afghans are proud that the renaissance of Islamic jihad long forgotten by Muslims started from Afghanistan. The mujahideen of Chechnya, Palestine, Kashmir, Iraq and other countries got training and learned their lessons from Afghanistan.

In a brinjal
According to daily Khabrain, a brinjal was cut and the name of Allah could be seen very clearly in the house of Zafar Iqbal Bhatti in Shahzada Shaheed Colony, Gujranwala. They were impressed with the miracle and sent the photograph to all the newspapers.

Conspiracy in Wana killings
As reported in daily Express, the leader of the clerical alliance, MMA, and Naib Amir of Jamaat Islami, Liaqat Baloch said that the killings in Wana, North Waziristan are a deep conspiracy against the unity of autonomy of Pakistan. He said America wants unstability in tribal areas to destroy the unity of Pakistan. He said the problems shall be solved according to the peace deal in Waziristan.

Hamid Gul in commando uniform
As reported in daily Khabrian, the ex head of the ISI Hamid Gul warned the government that he would bring 22 lac retired army men on the streets. He was wearing commando uniform when he addressed the mob who gathered in front of the Supreme Court.
Link


India-Pakistan
Musharraf creating unrest to extend govt's term: Fazl
2007-03-12
President General Pervez Musharraf is creating unrest in the country to constitutionally extend the tenure of the incumbent parliament for one more year, Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the opposition leader in the National Assembly and secretary general of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), said on Sunday. “The extension of assemblies as per constitution is allowed only in two situations: when a country is in a state of war or is facing riots, but the Musharraf formula of extension is leading the country towards chaos,” he told a meeting of the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) here on Sunday.
Link



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