Students, musicians fight and fear Taliban

[Coventina]

Source: CNN

LAHORE, Pakistan (CNN) -- Angry protests are a common sight in Pakistan. Crowds often gather to denounce the United States or the Pakistani government, which critics accuse of being an American puppet.

But in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore this week, several hundred protesters gathered on a scorching day to take on a very different target: the Taliban.

(snip)

Public protests against the Taliban started cropping up in various Pakistani cities after a video emerged showing militants publicly flogging a teenage girl. The Taliban's recent declaration that the Pakistani government and judicial system are "unIslamic" has also outraged many educated Pakistanis.

(snip)

Mehdi and others in Lahore fear that the Taliban's version of sharia -- which forbids girls from attending school, as well as music, poetry and dance -- is slowly creeping into Lahore, the center of Pakistani culture.

Read more: http://edition.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/05/01/pakistan.taliban/

---

This is good to see!

[Lorien]

1. Exactly why education is the key to bringing humanity out of the dark ages

"The Taliban's recent declaration that the Pakistani government and judicial system are "unIslamic" has also outraged many educated Pakistanis."

Talibornagains in this country fear the educated too.

[iandhr]

3. Education is ALWAYS the key

[UndertheOcean]

2. Good !

[ohio2007]

4. The Taliban will be watching them closely.

Taliban orders female teachers to wear veils in Pak
http://www.business-standard.com/india/storypage.php?autono=59913&tp=on

Taliban blow up Pakistan music shops:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hBMCt5YhEC4hRzH2UqzEI1FKHoOg

I doubt they will be as forgiving when "the people" come protesting the Taliban.

[Vidar]

5. I applaud their courage.

[ohio2007]

6. Another girls school blown up in Bannu

BANNU: Another girls school blew up with explosives by militants in Bannu. Police sources told Geo News that unknown militants planted explosives in the building of Government Girls High School Ataullah Noor that went off with a bang on Thursday morning.

The blast completely destroyed the school building, however, no causality was reported. Police have registered the case against unknown militants and launched investigations.
http://www.geo.tv/4-30-2009/41020.htm

great ! ther cops will have this case solved in no time
:sarcasm:

BANNU: Another girls school blown up in Bannu By Abdul Salam
Friday, 01 May, 2009 | 02:32 AM PST BANNU, April 30: Another high school for girls was blown up on the outskirts of the city within a span of six days on Wednesday night, partially damaging the building.

Eyewitnesses said that explosives were planted inside the government-run high school for girls in the Attaullah Khan vicinity of Nurar union council which went off in middle of the night.

Three classrooms and a boundary wall were badly damaged. No loss of life was reported.

Police rushed to the area soon after the incident and cordoned off the school.

During search of the building, the police recovered another planted explosive device. Police called the bomb disposal squad, which safely blasted the bomb in an open area on the bank of River Tochi.

Residents said that it was the second attack, targeting girl schools in the Nurar area this week.

Earlier, a high school in the Nawazabad hamlet and a girls’ primary school in the Jehangirkhel hamlet had been blown up.

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/the-newspaper/local/bannu-another-girls-school-blown-up-in-bannu-159

[applegrove]

7. They need to fight for their country. Or they will loose it to the Taliban.

[ohio2007]

8. The "polls" in Pakistan have spoken. Those polled feel the biggest threat,in no paticular order are

According to an annual assessment report of Pakistan issued by a US think tank, Centre for American Progress, more Pakistanis consider US presence in Asia as a threat to their country.

The reports states: "According to a USIP poll from February 2008, more Pakistanis
(about 84 per cent) see the US presence in Asia as a threat to Pakistan than they perceive Al-Qaeda (about 62 per cent) or the Taliban (50 per cent) to be."

Furthermore, the report adds that more than fifty percent of people believe that the major aim of the US forces was to weaken the Muslim world.

"Some 58 per cent believe that the purpose of the US 'war on terror' is to weaken the Muslim world and another 15 per cent believe it is to be specifically intended to ensure American domination over Pakistan," The Nation quoted the report, as stating.
http://www.newkerala.com/nkfullnews-1-31633.html

hmmm ?

a FOURTEEN MONTH OLD POLL by US think tank, Centre for American Progress.

Maybe they should see if the demographics of those polled has "shifted". Where do they stand now with their feild pollsters updates ? Can the 'dig up' those same people from the last poll ?

[applegrove]

9. I'm sure the Taliban has spooked not a few Pakistanis.

[fujiyama]

13. Then they're pretty stupid

Sorry, I'm sick of hearing their paranoid bullshit fantasies about how everyone of their problems is due to the Americans and Joooos...well ok, sometimes they also blame on the Hindus. So it's an evil American led Zionist/Hindu conspiracy that's bringing down their country.

Either they fight back or lose it to the Taliban thugs and it seems to me that they really aren't willing to confront the real dangers. I can only feel so much sympathy, and have little but contempt left for the people there...

I should add, that to the musicians and artists, I do sympathize - especially to those fighting back, but a majority seem to just be letting the freaks take over...

[bemildred]

10. Taliban Assault Pakistani Military

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) — Scores of militants attacked a Pakistani security post near the Afghan border on Saturday, triggering a battle that left 16 militants and 2 soldiers dead and cast doubt on claims by the Pakistani Army to have regained control of a critical region.

Also on Saturday, a Taliban commander suspected in attacks on supply convoys to NATO and American troops surrendered to authorities, officials said.

The attack on the outpost occurred in the Mohmand tribal region, where the army recently drove back militants threatening the strategically vital northwestern city of Peshawar.

About 100 insurgents attacked the Spinal Tangi post before dawn, an army statement said.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/world/asia/03pstan.html?ref=global-home

[ohio2007]

11. Sounds like a plan to take aid workers hostage and demand the Taliban commanders release will soon

be reported by the local media reps;


Also on Saturday, a Taliban commander suspected in attacks on supply convoys to NATO and American troops surrendered to authorities, officials said.


those dirty low life aid workers will pay dearly if the Taliban man isn't released soon
:sarcasm:

[bemildred]

12. 16 to 2 and capture of a "commander" didn't sound like a bad days work to me.

Of course they could be lying.

[ohio2007]

14. the Taliban are into the racketeering game. They can can 'tax' those around them

to get their revenge

....


On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subject to 'jiziya' and other such impositions, the Government of India has taken up with Pakistan the question of treatment of minorities with the government of Pakistan," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash said here.

According to reports, Taliban militants have demolished 11 homes of members of the minority Sikh community in Pakistan's troubled Aurakzai tribal region after they failed to pay 'jiziya' or a tax levied on non-Muslims.

The militants acted after a deadline set by them for payment of 'jiziya' by the Sikhs expired on April 29, the reports said.

The Sikh had discussed the possibility of leaving the area at a meeting of the community but were unable to reach a decision.

Though the Sikhs have been living in Aurakzai Agency for centuries, the Taliban asked them earlier this month to pay Rs 50 million a year as jiziya.

The militants claimed this was being done as Shariah or Islamic law had been enforced in the area and all non-Muslims have to pay "protection money".

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/May12009/foreign20090501133611.asp?section=updatenews

seems they hate and treat all non taliban brand equally.

[bemildred]

15. Yeah, I get it that you hate them.

There is nothing new about religious gangsters. I'm just saying they are going to lose.

[ohio2007]

16. Pakistan rejects Indian statement on Sikhs ( Pak govt says the treatment isn't a concern of others

and India shouldn't be concerned how Pakistan treats its own minority citizens.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Saturday rejected Indian slurs about ‘maltreatment’ of Sikhs by Taliban in tribal areas as gratuitous.

‘Sikhs living in Orakzai agency are Pakistani citizens and hence of no concern to India,’ Foreign Office spokesman Mr Abdul Basit said in a statement.

India expressed concern about the security of Sikhs in tribal areas after reports appeared in a section of press that Taliban were imposing Jazya (a tax imposed on non-Muslims) on Sikhs and demolishing their homes in the tribal belt.

‘On seeing reports about Sikh families in Pakistan being driven out of their homes and being subject to Jaziya and other such impositions, the Government of India has taken up the question of treatment of minorities in Pakistan with the Government of Pakistan,’ a statement by India’s external affairs ministry had said.

‘The Government of Pakistan is fully cognizant of the situation and looks after the welfare of all its citizens, particularly the minority community,’ Mr Basit said.



http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/metropolitan/12-pakistan-rejects-indian-statement-on-sikhs--bi-10

Pak govt is going to coddle the Taliban until the Taliban own Islamabad.

[bemildred]

17. National consensus shaping up visibly against terrorism: Shah Mehmood

MULTAN, May 3 (APP): Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi said on Sunday that national consensus was shaping up visibly across the country speaking up. He said “ we will not surrender before the forces harming the interests of the country and distorting the image of Islam.” Addressing the last session of Hazrat Shah Rukn‑e‑Alam national conference at the mausoleum of the renowned saint on the last day of the 695th Urs, Foreign Minister said, “ we will not surrender before those who want to impose their own point of view and political leadership will carry forward this unanimous national message on way to fighting terrorism and extremism so that no force could dare harm Pakistan’s interests.”

He said that national consensus has been evolved and now emerging and attaining a shape as a consequent effect of evolutionary process against extremism and terrorism adding that it did not happen overnight.

He said that people and organizations having different thoughts are converging at one point, only for Pakistan, for rule of the people and constitution, protect democratic norms, and to save the federation.

Foreign Minister said that Sunni Tehrik has decided to activate itself against Talibanization. And, Jamat Ahl‑e‑Sunnat leader Syed Mazhar Saeed Kazmi has convened a meeting of Ulema today and they would project true picture of Islam and what this religion preaches exactly to counter negative thinking.

http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=75140&Itemid=38

[ohio2007]

18. Pakistani outpost attacked; 18 dead ( the long hard slog underway )

Anybody curious as to why the Pak ISI,military,police forces or politicians can't seem to locate and shut down the Taliban FM radio station for more then a few hours time ?

Reporting from Islamabad, Pakistan -- Dozens of militants attacked a Pakistani security outpost Saturday in an area near the Afghan border, leaving 18 people dead and adding another trouble spot to the nation's extended list.

With the country's army on the offensive against Pakistani Taliban fighters spreading out from the Swat Valley, the attack prompted questions about how effective and long-lasting some of its efforts may be.


The clash underscored the frustration of Pakistan's traditionally trained and organized army as it battles a fluid insurgency. It also raises questions about why the military hasn't done more to change its orientation away from conventional warfare or at least build up its capacity to battle both kinds of foes.

snip

The area is strategically important given its proximity to Peshawar, the capital of the North-West Frontier Province. "Peshawar is increasingly endangered and encircled," a Western diplomat in Pakistan said. "It's a troubled map." Militants retain control of much of the tribal belt along the mountainous frontier, an area where some U.S. officials believe Osama bin Laden is still hiding and where, in some quarters, he still commands respect.


snip

Even before the Swat peace deal was sanctioned by President Asif Ali Zardari in mid-April, however, the Taliban moved hundreds of fighters from Swat into the neighboring Buner and Dir districts. There they set up checkpoints, seized police stations, kidnapped security officials and intimidated residents.

This prompted the army to launch its offensive against the militants, fueled by growing public concern that Taliban forces were operating openly within 60 miles of the capital, Islamabad, had not put down their weapons and were directly challenging the authority of the government.

Foreign governments and some analysts also have pressured the government to act decisively against extremists.

"If the government doesn't have a firm response, the Taliban will grow and spread its tentacles," said Ayaz Amir, a commentator and opposition lawmaker. "Certainly many people are getting concerned."




http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-pakistan3-2009may03,0,5022327.story

Pak sectarian govt needs an 'Anbar awakening' bc they can't whack a mole on their own when the Taliban kidnap those most needed to rise up and organize against the 'freedom fighters' and I suspect Foreign Minister Makhdoom Shah Mehmood Qureshi has put himself on the Taliban "watch list"
jmo

.......
He said, Pakistan is an important country of 180 million people and a responsible nuclear power adding that it can counter all threats successfully. All we need to do is to stay united without plunging into hopelessness and be ready to counter challenges with renewed resolve and courage. And we will succeed by the grace of Almighty Allah.

The conference ended with Dua led by the Foreign Minister for solidarity of the country, to solve situation in Balochistan, NWFP and other tribal areas. He also prayed to the Almighty that the people of NWFP and tribal areas who have been rendered homeless due to troubled situation should return to their homes and resume normal life activities.


http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=75140&Itemid=38

[ohio2007]

19. Aggrieved students of the Red Mosque are now seeking their revenge, said the recently released

Aggrieved students of the Red Mosque are now seeking their revenge, said the recently released Maulana Abdul Aziz.


Revenge attacks in Swat for Lal Masjid: cleric
ISLAMABAD: The recently released Khateeb of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) Maulana Abdul Aziz has said that whatever situation has emerged in the troubled areas of Swat, Buner and Dir was a reaction of a military operation conducted on the mosque in 2007.Talking to Dawn he said most of the students of Lal Masjid who suffered due to the operation belonged to those areas and now they were taking their revenge.

‘I had warned the then government not to go for the military operation on the mosque otherwise the situation would get out of control and I will not be responsible for the reaction,’ he said.Most of my students belonged to Swat, Buner, Dir and some nearby areas and they are reacting and taking revenge of the blood of their relatives and friends,’ Aziz said while expressing ignorance about the exact number deaths in the mosque during the operation.

‘Now they are not under my control and whatever they are doing in Swat and Buner is their own decision,’ he said when asked why he does not ask his students to keep themselves away from militants.



......
Coincidently Aziz has been released on bail simultaneously with the approval of the Swat deal by President Asif Ali Zardari despite the fact that he was facing 26 different cases.

A day after his return to Lal Masjid, the controversial cleric called for a movement to implement Sharia in Pakistan.

Meanwhile, the intolerant behaviour of Lal Masjid ( red mosque) students and display of arms are again back in the heart of the federal capital.

It is believed that Aziz was released under a ‘deal’ as he vowed not to seek any action against those who, according to him, were responsible for July 2007 Lal Masjid operation. The cleric claimed his release was not part of any deal with the government.

He said he had never supported suicide bombings in the country and he had only threatened the government by saying that: ‘If any operation is conducted at Lal Masjid suicide attacks could take place through the country.’

Responding to a question about whether his students were involved in suicide bombings in the country, he said: ‘As far as my students are concerned I know that they cannot commit suicide for any reason but I cannot guarantee what they are doing in their native towns.’
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/13+situation+in+tribal+areas+linked+to+lal+masjid+operation--za-01


The inmates will be running the asylum