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Maulana Ahmed Khan	Maulana Ahmed Khan	Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Fazl	Afghanistan/South Asia				20050829
	Maulana Ahmed Khan	Tanzeem-e-Ittehad-e-Ulema	Afghanistan/South Asia				20050829

India-Pakistan

Ulema delegation visits North Waziristan

2018-12-29

[DAWN] A delegation of religious scholars and Learned Elders of Islam visited Miranshah ... headquarters of al-Qaeda in Pakistain and likely location of Ayman al-Zawahiri. The Haqqani network has established a ministate in centered on the town with courts, tax offices and lots of madrassas... and Mir Ali areas in North Wazoo tribal district where they were briefed about return of peace and normality in the region. The delegation also visited local garrison where they were briefed about the prevalent environment in North Waziristan, army’s operation against militancy and endeavours for socioeconomic uplift of people of the area. The delegation included Mufti Abdul Raheem, Allama Amin Shaheedi, Allama Arif Hussain Wahidi, Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi, Mufti Mohammad Naeem, Mohammad Raghib Hussain Naeemi, Pir Mohammad Aminul Hasanat, Allama Iftikhar Hussain Naqvi, Maulana Zahid Mehmood Qasmi, Dr Qibla Ayaz, Maulana Fazalur Rehman Khalil and Mohammad Yaseen Zafar. Local Learned Elders of Islam, including Maulana Abu Rizwan Mohammad Alam, Maulana Qari Mohammad Roman and Maulana Sabirullah, also joined the delegation. Genral officer commanding 7 Division, Major General Mumtaz Hussain, while interacting with Learned Elders of Islam highlighted the measures being taken for development and economic revival in North Waziristan. The delegation appreciated the efforts and resolve of security personnel against militancy. Later, the delegation drove through Miranshah city, witnessed Sarbankai Model Village, Miranshah bus stand, reconstructed market, DHQ hospital, Army Public School and Stadium Complex. Thereafter, the delegation went to nearby Mirali town and besides interacting with Maliks they also visited Pak Sweet Homes Orphanage.

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India-Pakistan

Rawalpindi carnage : ASWJ ready to hold protest in capital after Friday prayers

2013-11-22

[Pak Daily Times] The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat ...which is the false nose and plastic mustache of the murderous banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, whatcha might call the political wing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi... (ASWJ) has given a countrywide protest call for Friday (today) against the Rawalpindi sectarian riots that killed 11 people and left many others injured. Religious organizations have assured support to the ASWJ leadership for making the protest a success. A statement issued by the ASWJ Islamabad office said the protest would be peaceful and called upon the government to take action against the perpetrators of the Rawalpindi incident. The statement said the protest would be led by holy mans and the ASWJ leaders. In Islamabad it would be held after the Friday prayers, raising fear among the people for a possible violent incident. The Difa-e-Pakistain Council (DPC), the Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam ...the political wing of the Pak Taliban... (Sami) and the Sunni Wahdatul Musselmeneen (SWM) have announced their support for the protest call to express their solidarity with the families of the victims. ASWJ head Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi said the tragic incident was a well-planned conspiracy and called to punish those involved in the violence. He held the Rawalpindi administration responsible for the tragedy and urged the nation to remain peaceful. The JUI (Sami), in its statement, said the SWM would observe a countrywide strike to condemn the Rawalpindi incident. The SWM central general council announced that a demonstration would be held on The Mall in front of the Masjid-e-Shuhada, in Lahore. SWM leader Allama Mohammad Younis Hassan, in a statement, alleged the attacks on ASWJ and Deobandi seminaries all over the country were the result of a conspiracy. He accused the government of taking sides and not taking any action. The situation in Rawalpindi remained tense after riots erupted in Rawal Town following festivities between two groups. At least 11 people were killed in the riots, which later spread to other cities. On the other hand, the Islamabad police have beefed up security in the capital ahead of the rally by religious activists against the Rawalpindi unrest. According to Inspector General of Police's Personal Secretary Zia Qamar, about 3,500 police personnel and Rangers would be deployed in areas adjacent to imambargahs, seminaries and mosques in the capital. Additional check-posts had been set up at entry points of Islamabad, he said. He said the police and Rangers were directed to remain high alert, while they would also patrol areas near 32 madrassas and 12 imambargahs. He said the Anti-terrorist Squad of the Security Division had been put on high alert and it would also carry out patrolling to ensure security in and around the capital. The officials said the Special Force would be deployed at all mosques during the Friday prayers. He said the deputy superintendents of police and station house officers of all cop shoppes were instructed to patrol in their respective jurisdictions. He said the Red Zone would be cordoned off, while a large number of educational institutions in Islamabad had announced a holiday on Friday.

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India-Pakistan

JI fails to woo hardline group

2013-04-22

[Dawn] In an unexpected development, the Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... (JI) candidates in Islamabad have failed to woo rightwing Sunni group -- Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat ...which is the false nose and plastic mustache of the murderous banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, whatcha might call the political wing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi... (ASWJ) -- despite the fact that the latter had in principle announced to challenge the PML-N at all fronts in the upcoming elections. The JI candidates Mian Aslam (NA-48) and Mohammad Zubair Farooq (NA-49) held a special meeting with the central leadership of ASWJ in a mosque at G-9 Markaz after Friday prayers led by Masoodur Rehman Usmani, the central deputy secretary general of the ASWJ. Mr Usmani is also the acting in-charge of the party affairs in Rawalpindi division. However, nothing needs reforming like other people's bad habits... he extended a conditional support to the JI candidates. "We have a strong block votes in both the constituencies and have a natural support for Jamaat, but they (JI) should also support our candidate for the provincial assembly in Murree," said Mohammad Tayyab Hydri, the secretary information of ASWJ Islamabad. The ASWJ leaders told the guests that they had around 12,000 to 15,000 votes in both NA-48 and NA-49. "Mian Aslam won the previous elections only because PML-N was not in form but now beating a sitting MNA -- Anjum Aqeel -- is not easy," the ASWJ office-bearer said. "Blocks votes like ours are very important under this scenario." Mr Usmani said his party was interested in having adjustment with the JI not only because they were a religious party but also because the ASWJ was opposing the PML-N due to its support to Sheikh Waqas against their party head Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi in Jhang. Mr Usmani told the JI leaders that PML-N had always been asking us for support when they were in government and it was an understanding that the PML-N would support ASWJ in elections 2013. "Now after Sheikh Waqas has become controversial, the PML-N has given ticket to his father Sheikh Mohammad Akram from Jhang city," the ASWJ office-bearer said. But the support to JI in Islamabad is conditional with the ASWJ's demanded that JI withdraw their Punjab provincial assembly candidate Sajjad Abbassi from PP-1. A local office-bearer of ASWJ told Dawn that his party candidate Ishtiaq Abbassi had a firm standing in PP-1, and if there was a push from the JI he would be ensured of success 'even before the polls.' However, nothing needs reforming like other people's bad habits... sources in the Jamaat-e-Islami said both the candidates had expressed their limitations to comply with the conditions set by ASWJ leader Usmani. "The ASWJ was told that the issue was not only related to a different district but a different province too as Murree was in Punjab and the high command of the party had to be approached over the matter," said the JI office-bearer in Islamabad.

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India-Pakistan

Over 400 activists arrested, claims ASWJ

2013-02-26

[Dawn] Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat ...which is the false nose and plastic mustache of the murderous banned extremist group Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, whatcha might call the political wing of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi... (ASWJ) central Information secretary Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqui, who had survived a life attempt in December in 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... , and Bahawalpur chapter chief Rao Javed Iqbal have alleged that more than 400 activists of defunct Lashkar-e-Jhangvi ... a 'more violent' offshoot of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain. LeJ's purpose in life is to murder anyone who's not of utmost religious purity, starting with Shiites but including Brelvis, Ahmadis, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Rosicrucians, and just about anyone else you can think of. They are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of al-Qaeda ... were locked away Yez got nuttin' on me, coppers! Nuttin'! in police crackdown on Saturday night throughout Punjab. Addressing a presser here on Sunday, Aurangzeb Farooqui criticised the statement of Interior Minister Rehman Malik Pak politician, Interior Minister under the Gilani government. Malik is a former Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) intelligence officer who rose to head the FIA during Benazir Bhutto's second tenure. Malik was tossed from his FIA job in 1998 after documenting the breath-taking corruption of the Sharif family. By unhappy coincidence Nawaz Sharif became PM at just that moment and Malik moved to London one step ahead of the button men. He had to give up the interior ministry job because he held dual Brit citizenship. about involvement of LJ men in terrorist activities. He rejected Malik's claim that LJ had two groups being led by Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi and Malik Muhammad Ishaq. He said ASWJ was not involved in Quetta carnages. He said by courting arrest, Malik Ishaq had proved his innocence. He said sectarian incidents did not take place in 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... . "In fact attacks in Quetta are the result of feuds." He alleged that some of the foreign powers were involved in the firing incidents in Balochistan. He said a crackdown on ASWJ workers had been carried out following sit-ins by families in Quetta and all over the country. Farooqui protested against the killing of his men in Karachi and appealed to Chief Justice of Pakistain Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to take its notice. He denied any contact or alliance with the Punjab government. He dispelled allegations of acquiring funds and arms from foreign countries and said his party was not an agent of any foreign power and was loyal to Pakistain. Rao Javed Iqbal said police tossed in the slammer Drop the rosco, Muggsy, or you're one with the ages! five to eight workers from each district of Punjab during the crackdown while six activists were nabbed in Bahawalpur district.

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India-Pakistan

31 killed in two days Govt powerless to curb violence

2012-11-13

[Dawn] As Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It may be the largest city in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... continued to bleed, the provincial government and parties claiming to be true representatives of the over 18 million citizens of the country's commercial capital paid mere lip service on Sunday to the ongoing spate of violence, primarily on sectarian grounds, that claimed the lives of 31 persons in just two days. Instead of taking any practical measure and neglecting the fact that 11 more persons were bumped off since morning, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah visited some relatively peaceful localities of the city and suspended the Traffic SP (Central) because of the absence of traffic police personnel on certain main roads. The CM holds the additional portfolio of the home department as there is no home minister in the province. Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad also did not appear disturbed over the 'tit-for-tat killings' when he told newsmen that the successful show of IDEAS-2012 'proved that Bloody Karachi is secure for foreign investors'. The role of police and Rangers in curbing violence has also become questionable because the law-enforcers have so far failed to prove their utility in the sprawling metropolis, though they have been told to take effective steps to protect the life and property of the masses. While the Pakistain Mohammedan League-Nawaz (PML-N), Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... (JI), the Ahl-e-Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Majlis Wahdat-e-Mohammedaneen (MWM) and other parties, which are not part of the Pakistain People's Party-led ruling coalition, slammed the government for failing to protect the life and property of citizens, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement ...English: United National Movement, generally known as MQM, is the 3rd largest political party and the largest secular political party in Pakistain with particular strength in Sindh. From 1992 to 1999, the MQM was the target of the Pak Army's Operation Cleanup leaving thousands of urdu speaking civilians dead... (MQM) also refused to share the responsibility of the city's law and order with the PPP despite having its own governor and an army of ministers in the federal and provincial governments. The MQM coordination committee said in a statement on Sunday that the "relentless killing of the Sunni and Shia people in the city gave to understand that the city is left at the mercy of faceless myrmidons and there is no one to safeguard the life and property of the people". Condemning the killing of Shia and Sunni people, the MQM viewed the violence as the outcome of a conspiracy and appealed to the Sindh governor and CM to take definite steps to end the killing of innocent people in the city. However, there's more than one way to skin a cat... an alleged telephone contact between the Sindh governor and Maulana Ahmed Ludhiyanvi of the ASWJ infuriated the MWM to an extent that it called upon President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari ... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ... and MQM chief Altaf Hussain 'to dismiss Ishratul Ibad as Sindh governor for his connections with notorious outlawed terrorist organization'. MWM leaders condemned the 'hypocrisy of the ruling coalition and the MQM' and urged them to clarify their position on terrorism. They alleged that the governor was responsible 'for genocide of Shias in Bloody Karachi'. Maulana Aurangzeb Farooqi of the ASWJ told newsmen that violence in Bloody Karachi was part of an international conspiracy and the government had completely failed to stem violence and in arresting killers of more than 100 workers of his party. He said he would not guarantee peace in the city if an ASWJ rally to be taken out on the first of Muharram to remember the martyrdom day of Hazrat Omar Farooq was stopped. JI chief Syed Munawar Hasan also criticised the government for protecting killers, extortionists and drug mafia and said the administration and the agencies were unable to apprehend the killers because they enjoyed the protection of the people in power."If the rulers themselves give protection to lawbreakers, how peace can be restored," he said in a statement issued from Lahore. PML-N chief 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... said in a statement that the parties who had got mandate from Bloody Karachi and were part of the federal and provincial governments had absolutely failed to maintain peace in the metropolis. He called upon the government to use all resources to wipe out those involved in the killing of innocent people in Bloody Karachi. Meanwhile, ...back at the scene of the crime, Lieutenant Queeg had an idea: there was a simple way to tell whether Manetti had been the triggerman -- just look at his shoes!... the Sindh CM came out of his palatial official residence in the city's so-called red zone and visited Lasbella, Nazimabad, Hyderi, Sakhi Hassan, North Nazimabad, Nagin Chaurangi, Buffer Zone, North Bloody Karachi, Garden, M.A. Jinnah Road, Kati Pahari, Mithadar, Kharadar and Preedy Street areas. According to a handout, the CM took serious note of a lack of patrolling by police and Rangers and directed the Bloody Karachi police chief to ensure a better patrolling and snap checking system because "it was the prime duty of the government to provide safety of life and property to the citizens". He also took serious notice of the dilapidated condition of roads in many areas of the city and ordered the administrator of the Bloody Karachi Metr opolitan Corporation to get these roads repaired at the earliest.

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India-Pakistan

Three more religious groups banned

2012-03-12

[Dawn] The government banned on Saturday another three religious/charity organizations working in the country. According to a bigwig of the interior ministry, with the latest ban imposed on Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ), Al Harmain Foundation (AHF) and Rabita Trust (RT), I believe al-Harumain and Rabita Trust were banned under Perv in 2002 or thereabouts and removed after their protestations of innocence around 2006. The dates are just off the top of my head, so could be wrong. the number of outlawed organizations and groups has risen to 38. The three organizations were outlawed by the United Nations ...boodling on the grand scale... in 2009 under a resolution adopted by the Security Council. ... and three years later Pakistain gets around to putting them on the list of banned organizations, a process that still has nothing to do with putting them out of business... The ASWJ, known previously as the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain ...a Sunni Deobandi organization, a formerly registered Pak political party, established in the early 1980s in Jhang by Maulana Haq Nawaz Jhangvi. Its stated goal is to oppose Shia influence in Pakistain. They're not too big on Brelvis, either. Or Christians. Or anybody else who's not them. The organization was banned in 2002 as a terrorist organization, but somehow it keeps ticking along, piling up the corpse counts... (SSP), is taking part in activities of a recently-formed group of religious organizations, Difa-e-Pakistain Council. ...and no suggestion of "banning" the Difa-e-Pakistain Council... The council recently attracted large crowds at some of its public meetings in different cities where it lambasted both Islamabad and Washington. The council may strongly react to the government's decision to ban one of its important members. ... probably by blowing something up or killing somebody or both... The AHF is a Soddy Arabia-based organization and also working in Pakistain. The official said the interior ministry had sent letters to the four provincial home secretaries, informing them about the ban on the three organizations. According to the BBC, ASWJ chief Maulana Ahmed Ludhyanvi expressed ignorance about any such ban. "No, no! Certainly not!" However, Caliphornia hasn't yet slid into the ocean, no matter how hard it's tried... he said if it was true he would opt for a legal fight. "We are a peaceful organization," he was quoted as saying. "If anyone places a ban on us...they are trying to place a ban on Pakistain." A document, which the BBC describes as a notification issued by the interior ministry that was not publicly announced, claimed that the ASWJ was suspected to be involved in acts of terrorism in the country and, therefore, it was being added to the first schedule of the Anti-Terrorism Act, 1997. The organizations previously banned by the government are: Lashkar-e-Jhangvi ... a 'more violent' offshoot of Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain. LeJ's purpose in life is to murder anyone who's not of utmost religious purity, starting with Shiites but including Brelvis, Ahmadis, Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Rosicrucians, and just about anyone else you can think of. They are currently a wholly-owned subsidiary of al-Qaeda ... , Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistain (banned on Aug 14, 2001), Jaish-e-Muhammad, Lashkar-e-Taiba ...the Army of the Pure, an Ahl-e-Hadith terror organization founded by Hafiz Saeed. LeT masquerades behind the Jamaat-ud-Dawa facade within Pakistain and periodically blows things up and kills people in India. Despite the fact that it is banned, always an interesting concept in Pakistain, the organization remains an blatant tool and perhaps an arm of the ISI... , Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistain, Tehrik-e-Jaafria Pakistain, Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi, Tehrik-e-Islami (on Jan 14, 2002), Al Qaeda (on March 17, 2003), Millat-e-Islamia Pakistain, Khuddam-ul-Islam, Islami Tehrik Pakistain (on Nov 15, 2003), Jamaat-ul-Ansar, Jamaat-ul-Furqan, Hizbut Tehrir (on Nov 20, 2003), Khair-un-Naas International Trust (on Oct 27, 2004), 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... Liberation Army (on April 7, 2006), Islamic Students Movement of Pakistain (on Aug 21, 2006), Lashkar-e-Islam, Ansar-ul-Islam, Haji Namdar Group (on June 30, 2008), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (on Aug 25, 2008), Jamatud Daawa, Al-Akhtar Trust and Al-Rashid Trust (banned under the UNSC resolution 1267 on Dec 10, 2008), Shia Talba Action Committee, Markaz-e-Sabeel (Gilgit), Tanzeem Naujawan-e-Sunnat (Gilgit), People's Aman Committee, Balochistan Republican Army, Balochistan Liberation Front, Lashkar-e-Balochistan, Balochistan Liberation United Front and Balochistan Musallah Difa Tanzeem (banned in 2011). The fact that there are this many extremist organizations -- merely the ones that urgently need banning, not all of them -- is simply breath-taking. And for some reason the Paks see the problem as some sort of "hidden hand."

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India-Pakistan

Thousands attend anti-US rally in Islamabad

2012-02-21

* DPC leaders warn against resumption of NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A cautionary tale of cost-benefit analysis.... supplies * Condemn US Congress resolution on 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... ISLAMABAD: The Difa-e-Pakistain Council (DPC) on Monday staged a sit-in the federal capital to condemn a US Congress bill on Balochistan, terming it a direct interference in Pakistain's affairs. Speaking on the occasion, the leaders of the DPC expressed solidarity with the people of Balochistan and vowed that they would take them into confidence. An All-Parties Conference on Balochistan will be held in Quetta on February 27 in which at least 30 political parties would participate, they said. Three prominent leaders of the DPC, Jamaat-ud-Dawa ...the front organization of Lashkar-e-Taiba... chief Hafiz Saeed ...founder of Lashkar-e-Taiba and its false-mustache offshoot Jamaat-ud-Dawa. The United Nations declared the JuD a terrorist organization in 2008 and Hafiz Saeed a terrorist as its leader. Hafiz, JuD and LeT are wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Pak intel apparatus, so that amounted to squat... , Maulana Ahmed Ludhianwi and Dr Khadim Hussain Dhillon did not participate in the sit-in. According to leaders, the decision was taken to avoid any clash with the government as DPC is purely non-political and peaceful council, aiming at to defend the country on cultural, geographical and ideological basis. DPC Chairman Maulana Samiul Haq said that the council was working on a three-point agenda; to defend the country from internal and external threats, to safeguard borders of the country and to struggle to transform Pakistain into a welfare state. "The people gathered at Aabpara Chowk are against the possible resumption of NATO supplies, US and Indian occupation hegemony and to strengthen the country's defence," he asserted. Condemning the bill moved in the US Congress, he claimed that the US intended to disintegrate Pakistain. The DPC, comprised of 40 politico-religious parties, was formed after a NATO strike on a border post in Mohmand ... Named for the Mohmand clan of the Sarban Pahstuns, a truculent, quarrelsome lot. In Pakistain, the Mohmands infest their eponymous Agency, metastasizing as far as the plains of Beautiful Downtown Peshawar, Charsadda, and Mardan. Mohmands are also scattered throughout Pakistan in urban areas including Karachi, Lahore, and Quetta. In Afghanistan they are mainly found in Nangarhar and Kunar... Agency that killed 24 soldiers. Since then, the DPC has organised a series of rallies across the country in which it has targeted US and India. However, there's more than one way to stuff a chicken... it is perceived to have been formed in response to the US threats to halt the millions of dollars in economic and military aid for the country. According to reports, at least 3,500 people attended the rally in the harsh cold weather. Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... chief Syed Munawar Hussan condemned Defence Minister Ahmad Mukhtar's statement regarding aerial permission for NATO supplies on "humanitarian grounds". Hassan said that Mukhtar had never condemned drone attacks being carried out by NATO on innocent people of FATA. He said the APC was being organised to express solidarity with the people of Balochistan. "Pakistain belongs to the people of Balochistan and the province was an integral part of Pakistain," he asserted. "US long had designs to capture Moslem world's resources, and is hatching conspiracies against the illusory sovereignty and solidarity of the country and wants to usurp Balochistan's natural resources," he maintained. The JI chief said the US was facing a defeat in Afghanistan against Taliban and their economy was facing a collapse due to this war. Hassan claimed, "The US wants to create anarchy in the country and is creating fears about our nuclear assets falling in the hands of beturbanned goons." He also alleged that President Asif Ali President Ten Percent Zardari ... sticky-fingered husband of the late Benazir Bhutto ... was following the US policies, adding military operations against the countrymen are also being conducted on Washington's orders. The JI chief alleged that the ANP government was taking dollars from the US against its cooperation. He also expressed solidarity with missing persons and said Punjab government was proving to be a silent spectator in this regard. "The Pak nation will not allow the resumption of supplies to NATO troops in Afghanistan. If the rulers side with US aggression, the nation will rise against them," he warned.

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India-Pakistan

Muharram security plan for capital: Six Ulema barred from city

2011-12-01

ISLAMABAD, Nov 29: The local administration has banned the entry of six Ulema belonging to different sects and put army on high alert in the capital to maintain peace during the holy month of Muharram, a bigwig told Dawn . The official said the decision regarding banning the entry of Ulema was taken in a meeting held in the office of chief commissioner Islamabad. "In view of security threats we have banned the entry of eight Ulema under Maintenance of Public Order," said the official. Those were banned from entering into the capital included Maulana Ahmed Ludhianvi (Punjab), Allama Muzzafar Hussain Najfi, Maulana Abdul Majeed, Maulana Abdul Khaliq Rehmani, Syed Maqbool Hussain, and Allama Ghazanfar Taunsavi (Punjab). The official added that army would remain alert in barracks and they could be called out for assistance of the district administration in maintaining peace. Elaborating preventive measures adopted by the district administration, the official said section 144 had been imposed against wall chalking, display and firing of arms, literature, distribution of books and pamphlets, use of loud speakers, playing of cassettes and holding of processions and rallies other than Azadari (mourning) processions and rallies. "Nobody would be allowed to hold Azadari meetings outside Imambargahs and other specified places," the official said. To a question, he said a traffic plan was being prepared to provide alternate routes to the commuters during Muharram 8 and 9 and special arrangements have been made for the women participating Azadari meetings and processions. Talking about administrative measures, he said Capital Development Authority had been asked to cover open manholes and trim bushes and trees on the routes of processions. Similarly Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) was asked to provide better lighting arrangements en route. All hospitals of the federal capital would remain on high alert during Muharram 8, 9 and 10 to provide prompt medical treatment, if required. Security had been tightened in the vicinity of all mosques, Imambargahs, airport, exit and entrance points of city, bus stands and other public places while personnel of different law enforcement agencies had been deployed in different commercial areas in plain clothes to keep vigilance on the activities of suspicious persons. Talking about religious groups, he said all religious parties assured their full cooperation to police in their efforts to maintain law and order during Muharram. The official said police had also chalked out a separate security plan under which they had increased police patrolling in sensitive areas of the city.

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India-Pakistan

Death threats for Pakistan actress

2011-03-13

[Emirates 24/7] A well-known Pak actress on Saturday said she had received death threats from snuffies after appearing on the Indian equivalent of hit reality television show "Big Brother". Veena Malik, 27, incurred the wrath of hardline Islamic holy men for her performance on "Big Boss", during which she indulged in several intimate scenes with Indian actor Ashmit Patel that included massaging his head and neck. Clerics accused her of shaming Pakistain in rival India and she also received a letter threatening to "punish" her. "I am quite shocked after receiving this letter. First I got only verbal threats but now it is in writing," Malik told AFP by telephone from India, where she is hosting cricket World Cup show "Big Toss". "Security is a concern and the Pak government is responsible for my and my family's security. I hope that the government will provide me that security," Malik said. The actress said people with tight security details had been killed in Pakistain, referring to the January liquidation of Punjab governor Salman Taseer over his opposition to a draconian blasphemy law. "What can I say except that I have firm belief in God and life and death is in his hand," she said. Malik said she would return to Pakistain despite the threats. "To live in my country is my right. I am a daughter of this soil. I guarantee that I will come back to Pakistain and will live in my own country," she said. "My hands are clean. And I have done nothing wrong. I am not the person to back out after such threats." Sohail Rashid, Malik's media manager, said she had received a letter from the little-known Maulana Ahmed Masood, who claims to be a leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban, or the Taliban movement. The authenticity of the threat letter or the credentials of its writer could not be verified and the front man for Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistain was not immediately available. "The letter says that Tehreek-e-Taliban has taken a decision as a Mohammedan to punish Veena Malik soon," Rashid told AFP. "We want our daughters and sisters in our homes only and Veena Malik, who is humiliating Pakistain's name in India, will be punished soon," Rashid quoted from the letter. "We are soon going to punish Veena Malik so that our future generations may be afraid of going to India. It is the responsibility of all Paks and Mohammedans, but now we are going to accomplish it," Rashid quoted the letter as saying.

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India-Pakistan

Ulema unite to assail Data Darbar attack

2010-07-05

[Dawn] Ulema of different schools of thought adopted on Sunday a joint resolution condemning Thursday night's terrorist attacks on Data Darbar, and calling for immediate arrest of the culprits. The Ulema said that suicide attacks were against the teachings of Islam and vowed to foil any plot to fan sectarian violence in the country. The resolution was passed at a meeting of the Ulema with Interior Minister Rehman Malik. Since the Data Darbar attack hardline religious groups and Ulema have come under severe pressure to take a stand against terrorism and the meeting appeared to be the first step towards building a consensus in the run-up to a proposed national conference to work out an improved strategy to combat and eliminate terrorism. The Ulema also demanded a ban on display of arms and stern action against extremist organisations. They announced their decision to observe a 'black day' against terrorism. "All religious schools of thought are united against terrorism," the resolution said. Sunni Rehbar Council's leader Mufti Munib-ur-Rehman who did not attend the Islamabad meeting accused some federal and provincial ministers of supporting terrorism or having links with the leaders of banned organisations. Addressing a press conference in Karachi, he said the government had failed to arrest even a single criminal involved in terrorist activities and attacks on places of worship. The meeting in Islamabad was attended by Maulana Mohammad Asad Thanvi (Jamia Ashrafia, Sukkur), Maulana Abdul Jaleel Naqvi (Islamabad), Mufti Mohammad Usman (Jamia Darul Khair, Karachi), Maulana Aslam Thanvi (President of Tehrik-i-Ulema-i-Pakistan), Mufti Mohammad Haseeb Qadri (Jamia Naeemia, Lahore), Maulana Hafiz Mohammad Iqbal Rizvi (Nazim-i-Ala of Jamiat Ulama-i-Ahle Sunnat Pakistan), Farhat Hussain Shah (Markazi Nazim, Manhajul Quran Council), Syed Asad Alam Naqvi (Karachi), Maulana Ahmed Hassan Chishti (Golra Sharif), Maulana Ahmed Naeem Shahzad (Eidgah Sharif, Rawalpindi), Mufti Mujeebur Rehman (Jamia Muhammadia, Rawalpindi), Maulana Naeem Raza Jafri and Aneesul Hassan (Jamia Madinatul Ilm), Allama Akhtar Abbas (Imambargah, G-6 Islamabad), Syed Izhar Bukhari, Maulana Abu Bakar Sadiq (Khateeb Markez Ahl-Hadith, G-6 Islamabad), Nazir Farooqi and Zahoor Alwi. At a news briefing after the meeting, Ulema read out resolutions of their respective organisations and reiterated the consensus fatwa issued earlier by 43 Ulema. It declared: "Suicide attacks are against the spirit of Islam and humanity. Whosoever kills a Muslim has nothing to do with Islam." The interior minister said the bombing at Data Darbar was an attack on Islam and the government and Ulema had vowed to foil the designs of anti-Islam elements. The meeting decided to hold a 'peace walk' and asked the Ulema to submit proposals for promotion of religious harmony. "A new legislation is being introduced against banned outfits and the federal government is closely working with the provinces to combat terrorism," Malik said. He said that a 'third force' was attempting to trigger sectarian violence and carry out acts of terrorism. He warned the 'enemies' that the nation had complete consensus on eradicating terrorism and said the Ulema had already issued a 'joint fatwa' against suicide attacks. "The nation is united against attempts to fan sectarian violence and hatred," he added. The minister said PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif had hinted at some 'control strategy' to eliminate terrorism and "I welcome it". "We will work with the Punjab government to do away with hatred and extremism and continue to fight till restoration of peace. President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, (Punjab Chief Minister) Shahbaz Sharif and Nawaz Sharif all are on one page for elimination of terrorism. The president and the prime minister are ready to meet Mr Shahbaz on the issue of terrorism," he added. Answering a question about the Punjab chief minister's recent statement accusing him of spreading religious hatred and not sharing intelligence, Malik said: "I will resign if it is proved that I stopped intelligence sharing." He challenged the Punjab CM to resign if it was proved wrong.

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India-Pakistan

Former TNSM Shangla leader granted bail

2010-06-30

A cleric with strong links to outlawed terrorist group Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM) was allowed bail on Monday after the submission of surety bonds of Rs 50 million and guarantees of 15 "influential people" of Shangla district to the authorities. Official sources said Maulana Ahmed, prayer leader at the main Besham mosque, had been in detention since November 18, 2009. Under the terms of the release, the cleric will report to the military camp in Besham on the 14th and 28th of every month and will need prior permission if he wishes to go outside Shangla district. Maulana Ahmed is believed to be a close aide of Sufi Muhammad, father-in-law of Swat Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah, and was the TNSM vice-president in Shangla. His bail follows his criticism of Fazlullah's activities in Swat and his declaration of suicide attacks being contrary to Islamic teachings. Speaking on the occasion of handing over Ahmed to local elders, Commanding Officer Col Asif said the security situation in the region deteriorated when a handful of people tried to enforce their brand of Islam on others.

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India-Pakistan

Sindh bans 175 ulema during Moharram

2008-12-20

The Sindh government decided on Friday to keep a ban on the entry of 175 ulemas and orators including nine prominent ones from different cities who are coming to Karachi for Mohrram-ul-Harram. The decision was taken to avoid sectarian violence and hatred, and to maintain religious harmony in the city. These ulemas and orators will not be allowed to enter the city for the next three months and those who violate orders will be deported from the city. According to Sindh Home Ministry sources, the decision was made by the Sindh Home Department after getting secret reports given by the Karachi police and intelligence agencies. The orders will be implemented from December 28 till the last week of March 2009. The most prominent Ulemas are Maulana Ahmed Ludhyanvi, Maulana Ali Sher Haidri and Maulana Masoodur Rehman of Ahle Sunnat, Islami Tehreek Chief and Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal Vice President Allama Sajid Naqvi, Punjab's prominent religious figures Maulana Ishaque, Allama Riaz Hussain, Allama Ghazanffar Abbas, Allama Tajddin and Tehreek-e-Nifaz Fiqa Jafferia Leader Allama Maqbool Hussain. The sources also disclosed that a strict ban was also imposed on distributing hate spreading material, sectarian wall-chalking and arranging any program without getting a No Objection Certificate from the local administration. According to Ahle Sunnat Spokesman Maulana Abdul Ghafoor, the ban was against the law because the constitution of Pakistan allows each and every citizen to enjoy basic rights.

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