Most FATA lawmakers against military offensive in WaziristanOctober 3rd, 2009 PESHAWAR - Most FATA parliamentarians are against the prospect of the Pakistan Army launching an offensive against the Taliban in South Waziristan area. Fifteen of the 20 members of parliament from FATA (Federally Administered Tribal Areas) have said that they have withdrawn support from the government because they were not taken into confidence about the offensive.
Hakeemullah's take over as TTP chief 'speculative': MalikAugust 25th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Interior Advisor Rehman Malik has rejected reports about Hakeemullah Mehsud being appointed as the new chief of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). In an interview with the state television, Malik said reports about Hakeemullah taking over the TTP's command were merely 'speculations'.
Pakistan requires 'months' for Waziristan push, says ArmyAugust 18th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistani Army has said that it would require months to prepare for a ground offensive against the Taliban in their South Waziristan stronghold on the Afghan border. Lieutenant-General Nadeem Ahmed, Commander of the 1 Strike Corps in Mangla in Pakistan Kashmir, said this while reacting to comments made by visiting US envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan Richard Holbrooke.
US asks Pak to continue Waziristan offensiveAugust 9th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - In a bid to ensure that Islamabad doesn't call off or delay its military offensive in Waziristan following the reported death of Baitullah Mehsud, the United States has told Pakistan to continue fighting the war on terror in the tribal areas. "The Obama administration is pleased over the death of Baitullah Mehsud, but it is against any decision by Islamabad to delay the South Waziristan offensive for long or call it off," The Nation quoted a diplomatic source, as saying.
Top Taliban commanders wiped out in Swat: MalikJuly 7th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister's advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik has said that the major Taliban leadership has been wiped out from Swat. Talking to media persons here, Malik claimed that the military offensive being carried out in the North West Frontier Province's (NWFP) Swat and Malakand Divisions have been successful with top commanders of the Taliban killed.
Military offensive not against tribals, says Pakistani ministerJuly 4th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The military operation in northwest Pakistan is not against any tribal group but targets the Taliban led by Baitullah Mehsud, Pakistani Interior Minister Rehman Malik has said, stressing that the government has not signed any peace deal with the militants. He added that there is a need for cooperation between the federal and provincial governments to eliminate the menace of terrorism completely.
Pak "may be biting off too much" in launching Waziristan offensive without sealing SwatJuly 3rd, 2009 LAHORE - The Pakistan Army may have been planning an all out assault against the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud in his stronghold of South Waziristan, but experts believe that the operation could result in further disappointment for the United States. South Asia specialist at the Council on Foreign Relations, Daniel Markey, warned that Pakistan "may be biting off too much" by initiating an offensive against the Taliban chieftain in his stronghold without establishing total command in the North West Frontier Province (NWFP).
Fazlullah's family members detained, claims MalikJune 28th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Government has claimed that the family members of senior Taliban leader Mullah Fazlullah have been arrested. Talking to media persons here, the Pakistan Prime Minister's Advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik said that the security officials have arrested the family members of Fazlullah.
Malik hints at a Swat-like operation in southern PunjabJune 27th, 2009 LAHORE - Governments in Pakistan's Punjab and Sindh provinces have been placed on terror alert amid fears that the Taliban could take refuge in the southern part of the country after fleeing from Waziristan and Swat. Interior Minister Rehman Malik disclosed that his department had recorded 1,148 terrorist threats during last four months.
Rehman Malik asks Taliban to leave Pakistan's soilJune 22nd, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan's Interior Minister Rehman Malik has asked the Taliban to leave the country, as Pakistan's military's offensive would not stop until every insurgent is eliminated from the nation's soil. The Daily Times quoted Malik, as saying, that Pakistan had long said 'no' to the Taliban, and now they must leave Pakistan, adding that the Taliban were neither Muslims nor Pakistanis.
Mehsud, Fazalullah shift their base to North WaziristanJune 21st, 2009 PESHAWAR - As the Pakistan Army intensified its offensive against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud in South Waziristan, some highly placed sources have revealed that the warlord along with his top commander, Maulana Fazalullah, has shifted base to Mirali region of North Waziristan. According to sources, Mehsud and Fazalullah both were hiding in South Waziristan, but sneaked into North Waziristan soon after the government announced an all out operation against them.
NATO to assist Pak Army in its offensive against Mehsud in South Waziristan?June 20th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - With the Pakistan government announcing a Swat like military offensive in South Waziristan with a primary motive to hunt down the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud, the NATO forces deployed in Afghanistan are also ready to extend help. The allied forces stationed in Afghanistan will likely extend help in Pakistan's military offensive, by sharing important intelligence inputs in order to prevent a probable spill-over of the militants, The Nation reports.
Major Taliban strongholds reclaimed by Pak Army : MalikJune 18th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Army has reportedly claimed back some of the major strongholds of the Taliban, as it continued to pound the hideouts of the insurgents in Swat and Malakand. Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's Advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik said that the security forces have destroyed the Taliban's camps in several areas.
Military offensive to continue till last militant is killed : MalikJune 15th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani's Advisor on Interior Affairs, Rehman Malik has said that military offensive in Malakand and Swat Valley would continue until the last terrorist is eliminated from the region by the security forces. Speaking at a police prize distribution ceremony here, Malik claimed that militants operating in the Pakistan were being funded with arms and money from Afghanistan.
Pakistan presents 'proof' of Indian hand in terror actsApril 24th, 2009 ISLAMABAD - Interior Minister Rehman Malik has, during an in-camera session of the Senate, the upper house of parliament, presented what he termed evidence of the involvement of India, Afghanistan and Russia in terrorist activities in Pakistan, a media report Friday said. 'It is the first time Pakistan has blamed these countries and cited evidence which, it is believed, will be shared with the international community, particularly the United States, which has expressed concern over growing militancy in the country,' Dawn said.
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