Carol Anne Grayson (Radical Sister) blog

“An eye for an eye” 

The latest drone strike which killed Hakimullah Mehsud, leader of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) at his compound in Waziristan shows once again that the most dominant policy of the US government is to export death and destruction and kill hopes of peace in Pakistan.

Sadly too many politicians have raked in the dollars and alongside the military qualify for a CIA loyalty card as some put personal interests above that of ordinary Pakistanis who are tired of the ongoing internal conflict. The loyalty card would go something like this, every drone mile is equivalent to 100 Air Miles, the more time you spend grovelling on your knees, the more points you gain, every drop of blood spilled equals a dollar paid.

The US government clearly have no regard for peace and speak with forked tongue. During Nawaz Sharif’s recent visit to Pakistan which included meetings with President Obama and John Kerry, they claimed to support dialogue (as voted for by the All Parties Conference, APC in September) made up of ruling and opposition parties. Sharif called for an end to drone strikes during his trip but targeted killing continued as usual.

As Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistan Tehrik –e-Insaf (PTI) party stated, “US itself is holding peace talks, when we try to hold talks, a missile strike is carried out”. He added, “US could have killed Hakimullah Mehsud anytime. Why choose such a crucial time when peace talks were almost initiated?”

The US government might as well enroll as PR team for the Taliban right now as every time a missile strikes it creates a new interest in TTP. Some that weren’t in support of the Taliban previously, now view Hakimullah as a “shaheed” (martyr) and post their condolences on social media, sharing his image below…

Fazlur Rehman, of political party, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) argued that,“the drone attack has now changed the situation, which is why we need a new APC to review the situation. We were trying to get Pakistan out of crisis but the drone attack has increased instability,”

There were also efforts behind the scenes to work on finding a solution to tackling the growing cases of polio in Waziristan and ongoing discussions with the Taliban for safe access for workers… that has now been scuppered by America.

A poll running in the Express Tribune today asked readers the following question,

Do you support the resolution against drone strikes?

71% (612) voted yes

29% (255) voted no

Total voters 867

There were strong opposing views from others including Raza Rumi, writer and a public policy specialist based in Pakistan, affiliated with Jinnah Institute. He is due to appear on PTV News this evening discussing drones and had this to say on Twitter, “drum up anti-Americanism and forget that 800,000 Pakistanis live there and send remittances. US is a big investor in Pakistan, 60% military aid.”

Referring to death of Hakimullah he said that he had “never heard Jamaat e Islami (political party) call our 8000 state security personnel shaheed? But the head of a killer mafia is a martyr.”

Shireen M Mazari, Central Information Secretary, PTI was quick to respond to an attack made by journalist and editor Najam Sethi on the front page of The News ( 3 November) who argued that stopping NATO supplies would be “a kind of rebellion. She said it was a “deliberate attempt to mislead readers.” In an extract from her Letter to the Editor: Sethi’s erroneous proclamations she writes:

The Peshawar High Court judgement on drones of April 2013, on writ petition Writ Petition No. 1551-P/2012 inter alia held that:

“ That the drone strikes, carried out in the tribal areas (FATA) particularly North & South Waziristan by the CIA & US Authorities, are blatant violation of Basic Human Rights and are against the UN Charter … the provision of Geneva Conventions thus, it is held to be a War Crime, cognizable by the International Court of Justice…”

In the same judgement, the PHC held that in case the US does not stop the drone attacks, then the government of Pakistan “shall sever all ties with the USA and as a mark of protest shall deny all logistic & other facilities to the USA within Pakistan.” Hence the action being contemplated by the Khyber Pukhtunkhwa government is most certainly not a rebellion of any sort.

http://www.insaf.pk/News/tabid/60/articleType/ArticleView/articleId/17532/Letter-to-the-Editor-Sethis-erroneous-proclamations-3-November-2013.aspx

Imran Khan addressed the National Assembly (Monday) and made the following salient points

Gen Musharraf betrayed the nation & instead of protecting Pakistan’s interest, he protected US interest and engaged in someone else’s war

I feel Nawaz Sharif failed to articulately convey Pakistan’s point of view to Obama in his recent US visit

Nawaz Sharif should have carried a one point agenda for his US visit which should have been that Drones must be halted while we are into peace talks.

My heart is filled with anger against this drone strike. It’s not about Hakimullah but peace talks and future of Pakistan.

At the same time I feel ashamed as a Pakistani on how US perceives and treats us? Worse than slaves! It’s we (Pakistani’s) suffering

After the latest drone attack, there shouldn’t be any doubt on who’s war it is and who wants more war/militancy & an unstable Pakistan?

This is not our war but of US and we must not be their slaves. Nation must unite & tell US to stop drones.

I’m willing to reach out to all political stakeholders to unite them against US Drones – This is a defining moment for Pakistan

I never say that we should wage a war against US. War & Slavery, there is always a middle ground- Pakistan should adopt that!

I have serious political differences with Maulana Fazl ur Rehman – But I’m even willing to go out to him for Pakistan’s interest!

Lastly, I would just inform the house that KPK assembly has passed a resolution to block Nato Supplies if Drones don’t stop.

We will wait for Muharram proceedings to end peacefully Inshallah – After that,on the 20th of November we will block Nato Supplies

Taliban

It now seems that for the time being at least, talks are off. The latest information coming out in a statement from TTP jihadi network is as follows:-

-An “eye for an eye”, TTP calls for revenge for drone strikes

– Asmatullah Shaheen is posted as caretaker TTP head

– TTP chief to be announced in a few days time

– TTP rejects various media reports as baseless. Media is accused of lying and airing fabricated reports about the new leader and rifts within the TTP

– Pakistan army accused of taking the $5 million reward money (bounty for Hakimullah Mehsud) and accused of being equally responsible as US

(Thanks H A for translation)

—————————-

There are growing calls from Pakistanis to follow in the footsteps of Iran and Gaza and shot down the drones. It is believed that Pakistan army have proven they have the capabilities to do so in a training exercise. Frankly if I were Pakistani, alongside blocking the NATO supply line, I would be calling on the government to close the US embassy, expel diplomats and stop US aid. As for John Kerry phoning up with some lame excuse for why US likes annihilating people, I would be hanging up the phone.

It is time for Pakistan to fly the nest, be independent and work on internal divisions. A clear message is in order to America and time to wake up to the fact that Pakistan can never truly develop under the ever darkening shadow and control of the US…

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”.

“There are so many lions in this jungle and one lion would replace another to continue this noble mission” TTP

Hopes for dialogue and a route to peace were dealt a bitter blow yesterday when Hakimullah Mehsud, Emir of Pakistan Tehrik -e-Taliban (TTP) was killed in a US drone strike along with several others. I received a message from a contact in Waziristan at 3.35 GMT Thursday which simply read “Hakimullah is killed.”

He and his companions which included relatives and bodyguard were targeted on home soil with missiles striking his vehicle at a compound in the village of Danda Darpakhel, five kilometres north of Miranshah, North Waziristan.

Imran Khan, leader of opposition party Tehrik -e- Insaf was quick to respond to the news stating the following,

“one thing has been proved today, Whenever Pakistan tries Peace Talks, there is a drone strike. We will try to get KPK Assembly to pass a bill to block NATO supplies and I will take the resolution to National Assembly myself.”

Hakimullah who had a reputation for being bloody and ruthless was in his thirties and took over as leader of TTP after Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a US drone strike in August 2009. Waliur Rehman, Hakimullah’s second-in-command also fell foul of President Obama’s targeted killing programme in May 2013.

A $5m US bounty was placed on Hakimullah’s head following his appearance in a video alongside a Jordanian who was alleged to have blown himself up killing seven CIA agents in Afghanistan to avenge Baitullah Mehsud’s death. Hakimullah was also known as the mastermind behind attacks on NATO convoys, blowing up tankers along the supply route.

The mercurial militant had been targeted by drones on several occasions and would sometimes choose to lay low for months. I recall a journalist colleague interviewing him at a time when most believed he was dead, he was however busy recruiting and training up future commanders while others speculated as to his fate.

Taliban have now officially announced his death and issued a martyr photograph…. A statement reads as follows…

“We congratulate the Muslims on his martyrdom and we are proud of him. While his death is a tragedy, I would like to tell the enemy that death can never deter us from our mission. Mujahideen must never despair since the cause is the establishment of a Khilafah upon the way of the Prophet. TTP shura has had a session today and it will continue tomorrow. Never fall for the lies of the secular western media. Media aims to spread lies to create divisions between the mujahideen. They will not succeed. TTP shall inform you as soon as a new leader is appointed”

In Washington, National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said U.S. officials were not in a position to confirm reports of Mehsud’s death. Obama has been strongly criticized for his drone programme which has killed many civilians and for continually failing to name those anhiliated. Given that Prime Minister, Nawas Sharif had informed both Obama and John Kerry of the All Parties Conference unanimous vote for dialogue, the latest drone strikes appear to be a deliberate attempt to sabotage talks. A process they had claimed to support.

Yesterday’s events have made a mockery of the conspiracy theorists that claimed TTP were funded by the CIA. Taliban had responded to these allegations as recently as the 8th October stating;

“America does NOT fund TTP. America does however carry out a vicious drone campaign against us, using intelligence provided by the ISI. The drones have resulted in the martyrdom of hundreds of our members and leaders such as Nek Muhammad, Baitullah Mehsud and Wali-ur-Rehman Mehsud”

Those who naively believe that drone strikes will put an end to TTP however should reflect on the words of former spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan to journalist Amir Mir after a previous strike aimed at Hakimullah on January 12th 2012;

“Jihad is not linked with Hakimullah alone and wouldn’t stop even if he is killed. We will continue jihad whether Hakimullah Mehsud is alive or dead. There are so many lions in this jungle and one lion would replace another to continue this noble mission”

Ironically Taliban had recently been discussing dialogue with its numerous groups and Interior Minister Ch Nisar indicated a delegation was to have been sent on Saturday for talks with Taliban. However there is a question mark over whether TTP were officially consulted on this move. 

Referring to a leaflet distributed in North Waziristan following Hakimullah’s death and a holding off on talks, a contact alleged,

“it seems the peace deal between Mujahideen and American-backed army is going to break down and we will have another war….

to prevent any retaliation, ISI has been making mass-arrests from Southern Punjab , Lahore and Islamabad/Rawalpindi”

Many will not mourn the passing of Hakimullah and refer to the thousands of people that have been killed in bombings and shootings during the last decade blaming the Taliban. However some feel that many of those killed would not have died had it not been for Pakistan government and military carrying out the bidding of the US in the War On Terror. Locals also point to the army as being responsible for some of the death and destruction in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Civilians are reluctant to raise concerns in public about the military for fear of reprisals and the army itself has suffered many losses.

One tribute to the Taliban leader reads:-

“Emir Hakimullah was an agent of Allah and he paid with his blood for it. Pakistan rulers are agents of America and they spill Muslim blood and get paid dollars for it.

Emir Hakimullah was a slave of Allah. Pakistan rulers are slaves of America”

There have been the usual inacuracies in the media reporting with one news programme discussing Taliban attacks against footage of a a bombing recently denied by TTP. There have been concerns regarding attempts to derail dialogue through violent action where the blame from many would automatically be directed at TTP whether or not they were involved.

The drone attack on Hakimullah is viewed by some as short sighted and will only act as a recruiting tool for the Taliban radicalizing more young men and women whom I am told “do more than traditional cookery.”

Most would also prefer to ignore the fact that the Pakistan military is divided on the drone issue. The week before my journalist colleague Saleem Shahzad was kidnapped, tortured and killed he had been speaking on this issue with those within the armed services. He was never able to write up the second part of an article which was to have discussed the alleged ACTIVE recruitment of insurgent sympathizers into the military.

The Afghan Taliban posted a tribute to Hakimullah online as follows:-

“With great sadness we have learned that yesterday the leader of Pakistani Taliban, Mullah Hakimullah Mehsud, was martyred as a result of a cowardly US drone attack, surely to Allah we belong and to Him is the return.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan condemns this barbaric and unlawful attack by America. We consider the martyrdom of Mullah Hakimullah to be a great loss and offer our heartfelt condolences to his family, relatives and friends. Muslims consider martyrdom a lofty objective and we all strive to achieve this status. If America believes that by martyring Mujahideen they will somehow create a void and reach their selfish aims then they are greatly mistaken.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan also calls upon the Government and the people of Pakistan to take all steps necessary in order to stop these barbaric and illegal American attacks so the innocent people of Afghanistan and Pakistan, suffering from these brutalities, can free themselves from the evil of America and determine their future destinies without outside interference”

The funeral of Hakimullah took place today at Miramshah with drones spotted overhead and tribesmen reported fired for an hour at the menace in the skies over Waziristan. It is part of Pashtun culture to avenge killing so it’s likely that there will be “blowback” and possible retaliation attacks for his death. One sympathizer gave his opinion saying;

“Please be clear that Taliban were very well positioned when the idea of talks was floated. Talks favored the army and not the Taliban. But Taliban had given talks a chance to win the hearts and minds of people. However, many did fear that this talk thing will not bring good news for Taliban. That is why very senior people opposed the idea of talks. 

Now that the Pakistani Army has struck with the help of its friends, Allah will give the strength to Taliban to strike back hard”

As someone that had recently interviewed a member of Taliban, Political Commission there had been a sense of hope and a feeling they were prepared to engage on a path for dialogue. For those still serious about peace, there is a now an increasingly long and difficult road ahead!

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.

“When your house is raided, you fight. Vaccinations and green tea afterwards”

In my previous blog I looked at fears over a potential polio epidemic in Waziristan, the tribal areas of Pakistan. As previously mentioned the Islamic Emirate (Taliban in Afghanistan) are currently supporting the polio programme and issued a statement to that effect. However the situation has become more complicated in Pakistan since the extraordinarily unethical decision from the CIA to use a vaccination programme including the services of Dr Shakil Afridi as cover in their efforts to track down and later kill Osama bin Laden.

The blowback from this has been the killing of polio workers by Taliban and other unidentified persons who now view those administering vaccines as potential spies for foreign agents. This has led to a serious breakdown in the continuity of polio eradication in some regions and the killing of some health workers.

Yesterday DAWN published a story calling for the polio debate to be included in any dialogue between government and the Taliban. They also reported the following statistics, “the total number of cases (of polio) from the tribal areas has reached 36, which accounts to more than 70% cases in Pakistan. The cases from the tribal belt include 15 from Khyber Agency, 15 from North Waziristan, five from Frontier Region (FR) Bannu and one from FR DI Khan.”

Although there is a willingness from community agencies to tackle polio and increase immunisation, the security risk cannot be ignored I decided to take this issue back to TTP myself to elicit their response. This also led on to a sharing of views on other issues and questions raised by several interested members of the public. As several people were contributing to the conversation, I have covered by subject matter and subsequent answers from the Taliban.

Conversation with the Taliban

What are your thoughts on polio programme?

Sister, we are not opposed to healthcare per se but have to take certain measures to curtail spy operations carried out undercover. We simply cannot ignore spy operations under their cover. Our enemies want to vaccinate our children before droning them.

There have been cases similar to that of Dr Shakil Afridi.

For Allah and His Nabi (PBUH) sake we are willing to sacrifice our lives, vaccination is petty. Drones and Pakistan army killing our children. The ground intelligence is provided to the US by ISI, we have attacked Camp Chapman, others.

Why don’t you get military establishment to end their treachery for Allah & Nabi’s (PBUH) sake? Please visit our areas and check the stats. Our children are not dying of polio but other factors.

The present world order that kills 30,000 children every day wants to vaccinate children – children they will kill later on anyway.

There are many Shakil Afridis and collaborating NGOs on the ground.

Brothers, sisters, we appreciate your naseeha (meaning advice). Barak Allahu fiek (may Allah bless you… Arabic).  We understand the challenges on the ground better. Things will change. Over 30,000 children die everyday around the world owing to the policies of the secular world order.

When your house is raided, you fight. Vaccinations and green tea afterwards.

What about claiming responsibility regarding killing of polio workers?

Not in every case. In some cases we had no involvement. We understand our operational parameters.

For those seeking to go beyond silly conspiracy theories about mujahideen, here is a start: http://jin1.blog.com  (The link mentioned was produced by Taliban in response to commonly asked questions and provides answers and additional links)

What about using an Islamic Relief organization for vaccination programme? 

Enemy’s money? You mean (use) the Coalition Support Fund and IMF loans? Read http://jin1.blog.com 

But you are frontline allies of the “bad guys”. You get Coalition Support Fund from them. We are fighting them.

 Unfortunately most of our organisations operate within the framework defined by those fighting us. Someone with bleeding wounds does not worry about a pimple. Our organisations are unable to speak truth without worrying about dominant narrative.

What about 5 year child who needs vaccination for polio?

Yes, if he survives the ‘allied’ forces attack.

If the military raids your house, why do you retaliate against civilians? Have you forgotten rules of Islamic warfare?

Please go through this: http://jin1.blog.com  You  will find detailed rulings on “night raids” in classical works of fiqh. Please go through them

In Islam there is a concept of Ulema-e-Soo. Those who issue fatwas to protect the oppressors.

An understanding of theology & war strategy helps in understanding some issues.

It is haram to deliberately target the non-harbi. (A harbi is defined as someone at war with Islam)

This could take the form of someone knowingly fighting against Islam in a physical sense, supporting a war against Islam economically, through propaganda, through strategising and so on.

And we consider it HARAM to deliberately target ordinary people. Please go through and listen to the audio http://jin1.blog.com/ 

What about killing of climbers in Nanga Parbat?

Ordinary people are non-harbi. We will try to publish some details. In general, not a good idea to highlight some strategies

May we most politely request you to read the translation of Sura Anfaal and Tawbah (at least)

The Quran does not say to kill/hurt anybody in Shariah’s name/wiping the terrorists (like drones do)?

May we most politely request you to read the translation of Sura Anfaal and Tawbah (at least)

Taliban ruled Afghanistan for a number of years, no basic health care was provided. Why was that?

Sir, you are living in the past. New generation, ground realities different, evolved world view. Alhamdolillah we are not a people who would cling to their mistakes. Islam commands us to learn.

Some people propagate all sorts of lies. Our stance is clear. Healthcare is basic Islamic right. Islam defines clear policies. Islam does not allow privatisation of healthcare. By the help of Allah, we will implement a model healthcare system. Darkest hour before sunrise. You will find the Islamic system to be the most just. Healthcare would not be attached to economic status.

What are your thoughts on education?

Islam opposes privatisation of education. Khalifah’s son will be sitting with the children of “commoners”. We shall offer you a comprehensive package.

Islam makes education compulsory for men & women, rich & poor. Go beyond the boring old propaganda and myths.

This separation between Islamic and “secular” education has no basis. Islam emphasises on knowledge for men and women.

What are your thoughts on the media?

Ask journalists how their organisations have been manipulating facts and lying. Attempts to censor us

We appreciate fair reporting. We wish many of the journalists had moral courage of Carol Anne Grayson

The Afghan Taliban in the 90s opposed TVs and pictures. Do you share this view?

Yes, they did in the 90s. Not anymore.

Have you been approached by government regarding dialogue as indicated by Sharif on recent visit to US 

No official approach from the government yet,  rumour mongering in the media.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.

Half-widow waiting for return of husband missing in Kashmir

Today is 27th October Black Day Kashmir which observes the date in 1947 when Indian troops entered Kashmir.

In gross violation of the law and ‘Partition Plan of the Indian Subcontinent’, India forcibly landed its troops in princely state of Jammu and Kashmir on 27th October 1947.
Every year, the day is marked as Kashmir Black Day by total strike. Different functions, protest demonstrations and anti-India rallies are taken out in the occupied territory, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and also in the world capitals. This year too, the Kashmiris are observing October 27th as the Black Day to demonstrate to the world that they will never yield to Indian repression.

http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/editors-picks/24-Oct-2013/reasons-to-observe-kashmir-black-day

Whilst living under occupation the people of Kashmir have witnessed countless atrocities and been subjected to repeated human rights violations as I learned for myself in 1991.

In the late summer of 1991 I set off with a friend Christy, an Indian tour guide and a party of Italian mountaineers to trek in Ladakh to the base camp of Kun, the Indian side of the Himalaya where the experienced climbers would attempt the summit. I had flown from the UK to Delhi and then on to Srinagar to join the group.

I knew something of the history of Kashmir and had recently read a Guardian article detailing a massacre earlier that year. The advice was not to travel there but as I would be mainly in transit decided to go ahead with my plans.

Arriving at Srinagar, I realized how tight security was, the Indian army were everywhere. Most of the hotels appeared to be taken over by the military and the streets were full of sandbags and sentry posts. The day after arrival, a local Tibetan restaurant quietly opened up just for my friend and I to eat. I was only staying in Srinagar a couple of days before heading up to Leh in a bus and was sleeping on a houseboat on Dal Lake, amidst breathtaking scenery, preparing for the trip.

Dal Lake, the “paradise” of Kashmir

It was very sad to see businesses in decline as Kashmir has relied heavily on the tourist trade for many years, now there was barely a foreigner to be seen and at 6pm each night there was a curfew and firing could be heard around the lake.

We loaded up the bus with equipment and food including live chickens and set off on our journey. The atmosphere was one of excitement yet tense as every few miles we were stopped at checkpoints, told to leave the bus which was searched for guns and bombs and our passports were checked. The delays grew longer as Indian soldiers insisted on being photographed with the female passengers before allowing us on our way.

The trek which left from Lamayuru monastery, Leh turned out to be one of the most amazing experiences of my life, physically challenging and spiritually enlightening surrounded by the magnificance of the Himalaya. The journey however was not without its difficulties. One of the Italian females fell to her death coming down from Kun. She had not felt able to continue the climb, decided to descend but none of her companions in their ruthless determination to reach the top had thought to accompany her back to camp.

I was in my tent when the radio call came through from the guys that had spotted her body and heard the terrible cries of her husband who suffering from altitude sickness had stayed at base camp. We clubbed together to pay the Indian army to fly her body back to Srinagar. I helped take care of the other climbers one of whom returned with severe frostbite and lost several toes. An Indian army doctor with some of his fellow soldiers also on the mountain helped out with medical  care when we approached them.

Returning to Srinagar in sombre mood I decided to stay on alone in the houseboat, my friend had to leave to accompany another trip in the south of India. I wanted to take some time to reflect on the trip and had some major decisions to work out for my future. Christy had organized a local man Hilal to ferry me around the lake and sort out any practicalities. Not wanting to be confined to the houseboat I asked him to take me to several tourist sites, which I had virtually to myself.

During this time I was learning more and more about the harsh realities of day to day life in this “paradise”. Hilal spoke good English and we talked for hours.  I mentioned that it would be nice to meet more local people and he asked me if I would like to meet his family at some point, I happily accepted the invitation.

The day before I was due to visit his home, he accompanied me to the local bank to change money. It was a surreal experience. Firstly my entrance drew much attention and chatter. I was told the transaction would take some time and taken to a small room to wait. After a while several people arrived and said they had something to show me. Curious (and expecting it would be related to the money transaction) I stared in amazement as they proceeded to place in front of me dozens of photographs of missing, tortured and dead bodies. They were desperate to inform me of the suffering in Kashmir and for me to “tell the world” as foreign reporters were being blocked from entering Kashmir.

I was shocked and very upset to hear of their suffering and promised to contact human rights organizations on my return to the UK. In view of this experience, I should not have been surprised perhaps by events of the next day.

Indian soldiers patrol the streets

Hilal came for me and after crossing the lake we headed for the centre of Srinagar. Although wearing salwar kameez and Hilal trying to convince me I looked rather like a Kashmiri woman in appearance, clearly the Indian soldiers did not think so as they stared at me with great hostility. We proceeded through a run down and bombed out area of the  city and entered a house. I left my shoes at the doorway and climbed the stairs.

I followed Hilal into a room to be met by two men armed and faces covered. For a sickening moment I questioned my stupidity at going to a place on my own where nobody would know where I was and it would be days, maybe weeks before I would be missed by anyone. There was the possibility I might be about to be held hostage but the sight of food laid out on the floor was somewhat reassuring… they had at least prepared for a visitor with hospitality.

From nowhere I found myself joking to Hilal, “tell your family I am pleased to accept their hospitality but in England it is considered rude to point a gun at a person whilst they are eating.” The men, who turned out to be not much more than boys laughed heartily and immediately put their guns down and removed the cloths from their faces.

Two women appeared before me introduced as their mother and sister and I sat down to enjoy the food just in case it was my last meal. After food was served the men began to tell me about their lives. They were militants recently back from training in Afghanistan with Mujahideen. Training was funded by Pakistan and Saudi sponsers. The mother proceeded to open a cupboard and behind her sewing machine was a collection of hand grenades and a large square shape covered in cloth. The material was lifted to reveal the portrait of a martyr against the Pakistani flag. I was informed that had died assisting the cause and was asked to photograph the painting.

The family were under the mistaken impression I was a journalist (at that time I was actually a nurse) as in their mind, why would a woman be travelling on her own in Kashmir. Again they wanted the outside world to know what was happening to people in the region, there were more photos and terrible stories of rape, torture and killings. They shared stories of the Kunan-Poshpora attacks that had occurred in February of that year (1991) and other massacres) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVZ-18HXZ68

Kunan-Poshpora victims tell their stories

As I had read up in advance of my trip I was able to discuss something of the politics of occupation, this both pleased and surprised my hosts. Before leaving I was presented with a list of demands of the militant group to be sent to western media. Again I promised I would do what I could to highlight their plight and had a nervous time going through checks at the airport in case the document would somehow lead to my arrest. I carried out my promise contacting media and human rights groups shortly after my return to the UK.

Since that time I have continued to campaign on human rights in Kashmir and also became involved in a campaign to free western hostages in the mid-90s, working with the wife of Keith Mangan. Her husband was kidnapped by militants along with other backpackers, one hostage, Hans Ostro was found beheaded with the words Al Faran carved on his body http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxTyD3qIJ3U

Western hostages kidnapped by militants

Sadly the other hostages were not released and their bodies never recovered. I was offered assistance from contacts in Kashmir to try to locate their bodies and planned to return but my husband became very ill, so it wasn’t to be.

I often think of my time in Kashmir and have nothing but respect for those living under occupation. I pray one day they will be free.

For information on human rights in Kashmir check out the following link http://kashmirprocess.org/

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.

“Around 260,000 children in North and South Waziristan have not been vaccinated against polio since July 2012. Moreover, more than 90 per cent of the current polio cases in the country are linked to the outbreak in North Waziristan and other parts of Fata”

Saira Afzal Tarar

A walk was held in Karachi, Pakistan on 24^th October (World Polio Day) to raise awareness of the importance of the polio vaccine and to fight propaganda and misunderstanding. Speaking to DAWN newspaper, Deputy Commissioner Dr Syed Saif-ur-Rehman who led the initiative stated, “the walk that has been organised is part of the exercise and aims at making everyone realise that parents as well as children want to be protected against the crippling disease.”

The Daily Times reported that “the Darul Afta (fatwa council) of Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) has issued a fatwa, saying that the administration of polio drops to children is not forbidden in Islam. It says prominent scholars and experts of the Muslim world are convinced that polio drops do not contain anything that is harmful to health or against sharia.”

Back in December of 2012, I wrote an article on the importance of the vaccine following the targeted killing of polio workers in Pakistan https://activist1.wordpress.com/2012/12/23/pakistan-immran-vaccinates-baby-polio-does-not-discriminate-it-can-attack-any-child/

Problems arose around vaccination programmes when the CIA took an extraordinary and unethical decision to launch a “fake” hepatitis vaccination programme. They acquired the services of Dr Shakil Afridi to access Osama Bin Laden’s compound using the programme as a cover and gather evidence that he was in residence.  This was an act which would end in Bin Laden’s assassination by American navy seals and destroy trust in a health initiative.

At that time my aim was to seek clarification from the Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) that had earlier banned the vaccination programme in anger at US drone strikes targeting “alleged” insurgents in Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). I wrote that “I also condemn the use of drones to target kill which has obliterated families in the Tribal Areas but attacking a vaccination programme only harms more children.” My article was passed to Tribal Areas journalists in contact with TTP appealing for Taliban to reconsider their position as polio does not discriminate and can harm any child including those of Taliban.  Those unable to receive the polio drops could suffer from nerve damage, muscle wasting, paralysis of the arms and legs and breathing difficulties which could lead to death.

I then approached an official representative of the Islamic Emirate in Afghanistan (also the target of drone attacks which have killed children). I sought clarification from Mullah Omar, the spiritual leader of the Taliban appealing for his help. Months went by then I received the following statement dated 13^TH May 2013:

Declaration of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan regarding the Polio Vaccination

According to the latest international medicine science, the polio disease can only be cured by preventive measures i.e. the anti-polio drops and the vaccination of children against this disease.

The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan supports and lends a hand to all those programs which works for the health care of the helpless people of our country. The Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan advises in the existing war situation of the country to the campaigning organizations i.e. WHO and UNICEF to employ unbiased people in the region. The foreign employees should refrain from going to the region and similarly the campaign should be harmonized with the regional conditions, Islamic values and local cultural traditions. In case of compliance with these rudiments, all the associated workers (Mujahidin) of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan are directed, not to create any kind of trouble for them, rather they should be provided with all necessary support.

Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan

2013-05-13

My understanding was that Tehrik –e-Taliban (TTP) in Pakistan were following Islamic Emirate line and I note that they denied the more recent attacks on polio workers which suggested another force was at hand. I am now seeking further clarification regarding current TTP position on the polio vaccine in Pakistan.

DAWN reported yesterday that, “the government has decided to include polio vaccination on the agenda of dialogue with the Taliban as 90 per cent of the cases during the current year have been reported from FATA where the militants have banned anti-polio campaigns.”

Minister of State for National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination, Saira Afzal Tarar spoke at a press conference on World Polio Day warning that millions could be at risk as people move from polio -endemic areas to other parts of Pakistan, he stated the following;

“if we cannot access children in Waziristan with the crucial polio vaccine during the ongoing low transmission season from November to April, we will not be able to stop polio transmission. This region will then be seen globally as the only hurdle towards a world free of polio”

http://tribune.com.pk/story/622146/world-polio-day-pakistan-may-become-pariah-state/

Meanwhile although Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif condemned the use of drones at a meeting with President Obama during his visit to US, it appears from Washington that the drone programme which has killed many children will continue. This will be a setback to talks with TTP, voted for unanimously by the All Parties Conference (APC). Taliban want drones to stop for a ceasefire to begin.

A US official was reported in DAWN as saying, “we understand there’s a political consensus on this issue (talks). We have no objection as long as the Taliban are required to accept the Constitution and the rule of law.” However human rights activists see the continuation of drone strike over FATA as an attempt to sabotage efforts for dialogue and call for an end to armed drones aimed at Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and elsewhere.

During recent days there have been no less than 5 reports on targeted killing some alleging that drones may be war crimes. The reports include one from Ben Emmerson, UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism and another from Christof Heyns, special rapporteur on extra-judicial, summary or arbitrary executions. Additional reports come from Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch with a further report from Alkarama.

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”. (She is also a survivor of US “collateral damage”)

Nabeela ur-Rehman (age 9) from Ghundi Kala, North Waziristan who suffered burns and shrapnel wounds in a drone strike, grandmother killed, brother and sister wounded 

Photograph by Eduardo Diaz, courtesy of the Foundation for Fundamental Rights.

Waziristan

We,
The children of Waziristan
Our toys,
The two rivers
Gomal & Tolchi
For hide & seek
As we deciphered
In whispers
The echoes of our lives
The music and it’s legend

We,
The children of Waziristan
Our toys
The fields of destruction
As we mourn
In hide & seek
The persistent whispers
Of drones above
As we witness
The horrors of our time

We
The children of Waziristan
Only find,
Our limbs and smiles
In conversations
In international reports
In image but no sound

We,
The children of Waziristan
Our limbs are gone,
Disappeared
the scent of skin and it’s shine
Smoked and charred,
Our bodies
Carry the stains
The shrapnel and it’s trail

What happened
To our faces,
Where is my hand,
Where are my limbs,
I cannot locate,
The body or my mind
Where have you taken
My soul and my rivers

We
The children of Waziristan
The disabled,
The beautiful faces
Our canvas
In splintered ash
The tragedy unfolds
But no sound only the drones
And it’s whispers…

Where are my hands?
Where are my limbs
What happened to my eyes
What happened to my soul

We
The children of Waziristan
We hear the drones
The music and it’s whispers
Gomal & Tolchi
Now carry our blood
As the spring turns
Into purple wrath

We
The children of Waziristan
As we tune in
To hear the drones…

Can YOU? —

Asim Khan is a “Pashtun Poet” from Pakistan. He is currently based in UK and works tirelessly for PTI (party of Imran Khan)

Nabeela’s story can be read here… http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/newsdesk/2013/10/the-drone-strike-victims-coming-to-congress.html

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.

Brown with Malala, schoolchildren in Sunderland protest closing of their libraries

As I sit watching a gloating former Prime Minister, Gordon Brown in Edinburgh at the reunion of Malala Yousafzai and schoolfriends, Kainat Riaz and Shazia Ramzan (injured in Taliban attack last year)  I note he appears to have come down with ostrich syndrome once again. As UN envoy for global education why isn’t Brown highlighting and standing with the many children deprived of a wonderful institution as parents protest the closing down of Britain’s public libraries (200 in 2012).

It is all very well to support Malala’s message of “one child, one teacher, one book and one pen can change the world” but how come Brown is so inactive regarding some of our best loved resources, an educational lifeline for many schoolchildren and their community. It is not enough to condemn, that alone will not stop the closures. With Malala at his side, one might assume all is rosy with Britain’s educational system, there is certainly little from Brown in public to highlight that pupils are being deprived of key learning facilities. Before he starts on Pakistan, the UN envoy has plenty to sort out here.

Neil Gaiman (author of Coraline and the Graveyard Book) spoke of the impact on Britain’s youth during the second annual Reading Agency lecture on 14th October at the Barbican centre in London. Gaiman highlighted the shocking closure of 9 out of 20 libraries in Sunderland, north- east England, drawing attention to the direct links between children’s literacy levels and rising prison populations stating:-

“the consequences of shutting down health services is messy—people die and there is blood. The closure of libraries is insidious. We are inflicting it on our children . . .  It’s like stopping vaccinations”

http://www.thebookseller.com/news/gaiman-closing-libraries-stopping-vaccinations.html

 Author Neil Gaiman on importance of libraries, children trying to save libraries in Moray, Scotland

While Brown helps to focus the country on one schoolgirl and prides himself on his “for profit” school agenda elsewhere in the world, who is going to look out for the children of Sunderland and ensure that their learning is not affected by drastic financial cuts and closures. In an earlier article on Malala, I highlighted Brown’s double standard on gender justice, now we see it with education. Governments have a seemingly ever full purse for funding war and drone strikes yet can’t afford to maintain libraries for our youth.

As the number of food banks increase with poor families struggling to pay the ludicrous bedroom tax, buying children’s books is an added expense and it is all the more important that our libraries remain open as a resource for all. Hands Off Sunderland Libraries, protestor, Klaire Ferry pointed  out to local councillors, “we don’t think you are taking into consideration what these buildings are about, which is social unity, especially in deprived areas.”

Save the Children charity explains,

“right now, in this country, children are going to school hungry because they don’t get a proper breakfast. They go through winter without a warm coat or a decent pair of shoes. Some even have to sleep on a damp mattress on the floor because they don’t have their own bed”

Save The Children, poverty in Britain, what future without public libraries?

While Brown is up in Edinburgh promoting the Malala tour and attending the opening of the revamped library in his own Kirkcaldy constituency, he might care to check on the schoolchildren served by Moray Council, closing 7 of its 15 libraries. Culture Secretary, Fiona Hyslop expressed her disappointment and dismay only this week in a letter to the council arguing,

“There has been widespread and well-founded concern for the people of Moray around the closure of these libraries, with implications for the community as a whole and, as reported, especially for disadvantaged members of the community. I am very concerned that Moray Council cannot see the value in continuing to provide library services in these rural areas”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-north-east-orkney-shetland-24533203

The story is throughout Britain, north, south, east and west. Considering Brown’s admittance to dabbling in “petty crime” as a child to access books from his local library and the importance they played in his life, what is his man actually doing to protect Britain’s libraries http://www.scotsman.com/lifestyle/books/gordon-brown-reveals-petty-criminal-past-1-2959564

Brand Malala

Meanwhile many are asking, who are the Public Relations company behind the Malala “celebrity schoolgirl” phenomenon, doing such a fantastic job of distracting the public away from the problems facing many schoolchildren in Britain today. Edelman PR started off in the US in 1952 and later established a branch in London, followed by a chain of other offices worldwide.

Two interesting facts stood out for me…

The founder of the world’s largest independent PR company was Daniel Edelman, recently deceased. His obituary in January 2013 revealed that Daniel Edelman had been drafted into the US army and “was assigned to the 5^th Mobile Radio Broadcasting Company, a psychological warfare unit. His job was to analyze German propaganda, providing information that was used by the Allies to counter with messages of their own.”

In March 2006, Daniel Edelman’s son Richard, also working for the company was alleged to have supplied information to “friendly bloggers” about his client Walmart. The bloggers failed to disclose the source of their information. In October 2006, Richard Edelman was forced to apologize after an interview on TV where it was revealed that a blog commissioned by Working families for Walmart was actually written by “fake people” writers paid by Edelman’s company. Not a very ethical practice and one smacking of propaganda and spin.

Those wanting interviews with Malala must now go through Edelman. They have an impressive network of global contacts with Richard Edelman associated with the Atlantic Council and director of the Jerusalem Foundation… They are no doubt very well placed to assist the schoolgirl through the doors of the White House and Buckingham Palace. With a multitude of offices including several in India and affiliates in Tel Aviv, the Malala story will no doubt continue to be headline news for some time to come.

Richard Edelman has a great interest in the power of social media in influencing opinion. One wonders what exactly is their agenda for propelling Malala so strongly into the limelight. One of Edelman’s main messages presented in 2012 to leaders in world governments and chief executives, was that based on a survey by his company, the public do not trust governments and business executives anymore. True indeed, however only time will tell how the public feels with regard to trusting the motives of the PR company behind Malala, arguably the world’s most famous schoolgirl!

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.

Protesting drones (Pakistan) and Ben Emmerson (UN)

Ben Emmerson QC has submitted his “Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism” to the General Assembly of the United Nations. This is an interim report, and the third on the use of remotely piloted aircraft in counter-terrorism operations. A final report will be submitted to the Human Rights Council in 2014.

These are the conclusions and recommendations:-

If used in strict compliance with the principles of international
humanitarian law, remotely piloted aircraft are capable of reducing the risk of
civilian casualties in armed conflict by significantly improving the situational awareness of military commanders.

Having regard to the duty of States to protect civilians in armed conflict,
the Special Rapporteur considers that, in any case in which civilians have been,
or appear to have been, killed, the State responsible is under an obligation to
conduct a prompt, independent and impartial fact-finding inquiry and to
provide a detailed public explanation. This obligation is triggered whenever
there is a plausible indication from any source that civilian casualties may have
been sustained, including where the facts are unclear or the information is
partial or circumstantial. The obligation arises whether the attack was initiated
by remotely piloted aircraft or other means, and whether it occurred within or outside an area of active hostilities.

The Special Rapporteur identifies herein a number of legal questions on
which there is currently no clear international consensus. He considers that
there is an urgent and imperative need to seek agreement between States on
these issues. To that end he is currently consulting Member States with a view
to clarifying their position on these questions. He urges all States to respond as comprehensively as possible.

In particular, the Special Rapporteur urges the United States to further
clarify its position on the legal and factual issues raised herein; to declassify, to
the maximum extent possible, information relevant to its lethal extraterritorial
counter-terrorism operations; and to release its own data on the level of civilian
casualties inflicted through the use of remotely piloted aircraft, together with information on the evaluation methodology used.

The full report can be read here… http://justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2013EmmersonSpecialRapporteurReportDrones.pdf

Tehrik-i-Taliban (TTP) have stated they will ceasefire if drones strikes stop. I have yet to receive a response to my letter to Ben Emmerson calling for UN intervention to halt US targeted killing programme (which has taken the lives of many civilians) so that dialogue for peace in Pakistan can finally begin  https://activist1.wordpress.com/2013/10/07/pakistan-drones-must-stop-for-dialogue-to-start-letter-to-un-rapporteur-investigating-drones

Another report has been compiled by Christof Heyns, the UN special rapporteur on extrajudicial killings who calls for greater transparency over armed drones.

Christof Heyns (UN) and Karim Khan, relative of Pakistani drone victims

Statements from from this report reveal the following:-

Legal and political accountability are dependent on public access to the
relevant information.92 Only on the basis of such information can effective
oversight and enforcement take place. The first step towards securing human rights in this context is transparency about the use of drones.

A lack of appropriate transparency and accountability concerning the
deployment of drones undermines the rule of law and may threaten international
security. Accountability for violations of international human rights law (or
international humanitarian law) is not a matter of choice or policy; it is a duty under domestic and international law.

The various components of transparency require that the criteria for
targeting and the authority that approves killings be known and that drone
operations be placed in institutions that are able to disclose to the public the
methods and findings of their intelligence, criteria used in selection of targets and precautions incorporated in such criteria.

One of the criticisms levelled against the current drone programmes has been
the absence of an official record regarding the persons killed. States must also give
guarantees of non-repetition and give effect to the right to reparations of victims of drone strikes.

Drone victims, just as any other human rights victims, and society at large
have a right to have access to information relating to allegations of human rights
violations and their investigation.96 The Human Rights Council has emphasized the
need under international human rights law for transparency, highlighting victims’
right to know the truth about the perpetrators, their accomplices and their motives
there.97 Likewise, during an armed conflict, relatives of persons killed or missing have the right to know the fate of their relatives.

The report has been submitted to the UN General Assembly, there will be a debate on this issue on October 25.

The full report  can be viewed on the following link.. http://justsecurity.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/UN-Special-Rapporteur-Extrajudicial-Christof-Heyns-Report-Drones.pdf?utm_source=Press+mailing+list&utm_campaign=6de0426c90-2013_10_17_Heyns_drones_report_UN

Amnesty International have also announced that they will launch their report on US drone strikes in Pakistan On Tuesday 22 October .

Lawyer for drone victims Shahzad Akbar and Malala Yousafzai with Obama

I note once again western hypocrisies. America, which prides itself on upholding human rights and freedom of speech did not see fit to open its doors to Shahzad Akbar, human rights lawyer for drone victims in Pakistan. America had no such problem with schoolgirl Malala Yousafzai who received an invitation to the White House however she is not litigating on drones. She did make comment to President Obama but was echoing what has been said by campaigners for years, that drones kill civilians, lead to radicalization, must stop and there is unlikely to be a ceasefire in Pakistan while they continue.

Madiha Tahir, independent journalist addressed a conference where Akbar was due to give a presentation stating:-

He (Shahzad Akbar) was denied a visa and unable to attend  He was scheduled to take part in “Life Under Drones,” a Friday panel discussion at the Drones and Aerial Robotics Conference at New York University. “The United States government will not allow him to speak to you” 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/10/11/shahzad-akbar-drones_n_4086320.html

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.

“It is haram to kill someone without Sharia justification. We are not followers of whims & desires. Relax”

Ehsanullah Ehsan with Hakimullah Mehsud, leader of Taliban

Alongside Taliban calls for US drone strikes to stop so a ceasefire can start, Pakistan Tehrik –Taliban (TTP) Political Commission member Ehsanullah Ehsan and “Team TTP” has recently taken to twitter to engage with the public.

As well as disseminating statements from TTP including accepting responsibility for attacks or denying involvement in bombings, the Taliban are now open to questions from the public. They have recently provided answers to “commonly asked questions” on their Jihad Information Network (including some of my own). Amidst hope for talks (supported by the All Parties, Conference, APC) and an end to internal conflict and ongoing violence, this appears to be designed to help clarify the group’s position on certain issues and dispel a few myths. The move is described as “an opportunity for dialogue”

Ehsan had this to say:-

Some ask us why we don’t engage in a peaceful discussion. We do. The problem is some of our opponents spend more time trying to censor us. Interesting how “some ‘liberals’ pounce on other liberals who merely retweeted us. We welcome criticism & smilingly tolerate all sorts of abuse. Some engage in discussions. The intellectually bankrupt try to get us blocked.

Here are the questions and answers as posted by TTP:-

Why do you fight the Pakistan army? You should be fighting America and her Allies…

We ARE fighting America and her allies. Pakistan has been the biggest and self-confessed frontline ally of America since 2001.

It was Pakistan that provided the US with intelligence, airbases and all forms of logistical support against the Taliban in Afghanistan. It is Pakistan that continues to provide the US with intelligence for drone strikes. It is Pakistan that handed over scores of mujahideen to the US – including Mullah Abdul Salam Zaeef, the Afghan Taliban ambassador to Pakistan. Our fighters have carried out several attacks on the US & NATO forces including the attack on Camp Chapman that resulted in the killing of CIA station chief and other CIA officials.

America and her allies are fighting their war in Afghanistan with hardware and fuel that is shipped through Pakistan on Pakistan military contracted trucks (through NLC). It takes a bit of common sense to realise that Afghanistan and Pakistan are a single war theatre.

Does America fund TTP? Where do you get your funds from?

America does NOT fund TTP. America does however carry out a vicious drone campaign against us, using intelligence provided by the ISI. The drones have resulted in the martyrdom of hundreds of our members and leaders such as Nek Muhammad, Baitullah Mehsud and Wali-ur-Rehman Mehsud.

Alhamdolillah we get funds from various avenues including the huge amount of donations from our Muslim brothers and sisters, a huge amount in extortion
from NATO contractors and other allies of kufr, booty from state-owned
capital (never private property of Muslims) and many more.

On the other hand, America DOES fund the Pakistani military through its Coalition Support Fund (CSF) and Pakistan military/ISI have so far devoured over eleven billion dollars as they themselves acknowledge.

Where do you get you most modern weapons from?

Our most common weapon is AK-47 assault rifle which is by no means a modern weapon. We have and continue to capture weapons from NATO forces, their “frontline ally” the Pakistani military, the government funded aman lashkars that have surrendered to us.

Why do you kill innocent people?

Our rules of engagement are defined by Islam and not by some man-made standard. Islam does not allow the killing of someone who is not harbi. A harbi is defined as someone at war with Islam.

This could take the form of someone knowingly fighting against Islam in a physical sense, supporting a war against Islam economically, through propaganda, through strategising and so on.

It is HARAM and a major sin to deliberately target a non-harbi. We NEVER deliberately target a non-harbi. Accidental collateral damage is part of war and there are a number of ahadith on this.

As a policy directed by Islam, we condemn haram attacks such as those in Peshawar Qissa Khuwani Bazaar and Lahore Moon Market. We have nothing to do with them and consider them false flag operations by the anti-Islam forces in a bid to defame the mujahideen.

We do NOT target mosques where ordinary Muslims pray but DO target the modern versions of masjid ad-dhiraar such as the Parade Lane mosque.

More on this:

https://archive.org/details/khoon_e_muslim

https://archive.org/details/khoon_e_muslim

Why don’t you just go and fight in Afghanistan?

Islam is not just for Afghanistan but for the whole world. Bizarre how many people see no issue with jihadi operations against Kabul but object when it comes to Islamabad. They have no issues with jihadi operations against the Afghan National Army but object to the targeting of Pakistani soldiers.  They have no objection to collateral damage in Afghanistan but raise hue and cry when it happens in Pakistan. The authorities in Afghanistan and Pakistan have both been collaborators and allies of the US. Does Shariah not apply once the Durrand Line is crossed?

You are following a misinterpretation of Islam

We sincerely pray to Allah to guide us and all Muslims to what pleases Him.

However by the blessings of Allah we are at ease knowing that we strictly take our guidance from the classical scholars of this ummah – the salaf and not the scholars promoted by the likes of Rand Corporation. Islam is what has been defined by the beloved Messenger, may Allah’s blessings be upon him. It is not the ritualistic, subservient, mutated version that has been genetically engineered in the labs of Rand Corporation, et all.

Are you anti-Pakistan?

Not at all. This is our country and we are striving to turn it into an Islamic Pakistan. What we DO oppose is the present order – the Pakistan that has been turned into a slave of the disbelievers and a fort against Islam.

With regard to recent press reports alleging the death of Swat Taliban chief Maulana Fazlullah, Ehsan stated, “I can confirm with full authority that he is alive and healthy.”

End

TTP also confirmed that Taliban leader, Hakimullah Mehsud’s top aide, Latif Mehsud is currently in US custody, details of his capture can be read on the following link http://tribune.com.pk/story/616941/striking-revelations-hakimullah-mehsuds-top-aide-in-us-custody/

On education, Taliban had this to say, “this nonsense about us opposing education is getting boring now. Education is a MUST for men & women. We oppose intellectual colonialism.”

Ehsan also pointed out the following, “many of these armchair analysts have never met any of us and simply propagate what they get from GHQ.” Having been denied a visa for Pakistan to interview drone victims and with Waziristan out of bounds for most foreigners, I felt compelled to tweet back, that gaining face to face access with Taliban wasn’t exactly easy. I think for a moment of a dear Pakistani friend who interviewed and wrote a book on the Taliban and is no longer with us…  sadly there are those who would punish writers and human rights activists simply for reporting all sides!

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.

“a game of hope”

I haven’t the first clue about cricket but today that didn’t matter, I saw the people of Peshawar full of smiles as an estimated 24k filled the Arbab Niaz stadium in Peshawar, Pakistan.

The cricket for peace initiative was announced by Sports Minister, Mehmood Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa (KPK)with the theme ‘Love Pakistan T20 Peace Match’ and current and former Test cricketers participating in the event.

Chief guest was cricket legend, Imran Khan who works tirelessly for peace in the region. He was the first politician to call for drone strikes to stop and dialogue with Taliban to start, a call now taken up by the All Parties Conference (APC) as the best way forward to tackle ongoing violence which had seen many civilian victims in Peshawar. Playing for peace were Abdul Qadir who led Pakistan Peace XI team and Inzamamul Haq who captained the KPK Peace XI.

Smiles all round, something to celebrate

Social media was abuzz with enthusiastic fans of both cricket and peace, tweeting commentaries with Insaf Radio broadcasting live. Technical hitches didn’t matter, what was important was that the event was taking place and Insaf Radio was going all out to spread the message.

The absence of coverage from mainstream media was shameful and disappointing as they fell over themselves to film the recent bombings in Peshawar and the agony of those caught up in the blasts. Where is the balance… are people so immune to blood and guts that only violence now sells?

“if there would have been any blast or election result you’ll see them mentioning “we are the first one to deliver this news” … Seema Malik

Time to change attitudes and celebrate the positive side of life too. The winners were all who contributed to the event whether actively or spectators… There were no losers today other than those who failed to support peace.

A great day out

Following the match Imran Khan tweeted to followers:-

Witnessed a wonderful cricket Peace Match in Peshawar. Great 2 see such a huge crowd at a sport’s event in this city after so many years.

He also informed cricket fans of a new initiative,

Have announced an Under-17 talent hunt scheme in Khyber Pukhtunkhwa & FATA plus a sports’ ground in every tehsil of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa

This will give many young people a focus as they strive towards excellence in the sport. It is a breath of fresh air away from the horrors of conflict and towards a collective activity regardless of race, religion, gender, a community spirit to be enjoyed by all.

Imran promoting peace through sport

It was a great pleasure to be in his companionship in Peshawar (My Hometown). He is a legend, a true legend 🙂  tweeted Umar Gul (cricketer)

Sport can bring people together in the most surprising ways. I was reminded of a time in 1914 in the trenches of the First World War when  a German had bravely offered a truce for Christmas if the English did not fire.. Both sides agreed giving time for the dead to be collected. When an Englishman accidently knocked a football in No Mans Land it led to an extraordinary game, enemies coming together. This was followed by the singing of Christmas carols with an exchange of greetings and even sharing of cigarettes http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9763539/Britons-started-WW1-Christmas-football-match-with-ball-kicked-from-trench.html

A crazy thought perhaps, who knows one day we night see a game of cricket in Pakistan between those now embroiled in terrible conflict. Impossibly you say … today’s match was between love and hate, peace and violence… and love and peace were the winners by far!

Carol Anne Grayson is an independent writer/researcher on global health/human rights and is Executive Producer of the Oscar nominated, Incident in New Baghdad.  She is a Registered Mental Nurse with a Masters in Gender Culture and Development. Carol was awarded the ESRC, Michael Young Prize for Research 2009, and the COTT ‘Action = Life’ Human Rights Award’ for “upholding truth and justice”.