The International news
written by Mariana Baabar
Friday October 26, 2012
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan, for the first time, publicly admitted that it had shared a dossier with President Hamid Karzai’s government and with the Isaf leadership in Afghanistan on Moulvi Fazlullah.
The issue of militant attacks on Pakistan from Afghanistan by TTP head Moulvi Fazlullah generated greater urgency after the murderous attack on the young school girl Malala Yusafzai in Swat. As the TTP claimed responsibility, the voices were raised demanding from the government that Kabul should hand over Moulvi Fazlullah for trial.
Kabul in the past denied that the Taliban leader was using Afghanistan as a safe haven as did Baloch dissidents.
At the weekly media briefing when asked whether the government had taken up the issue with Kabul, spokesman for the Foreign Office responded, “Regarding Fazlullah, let me tell you very clearly that we have shared dossier on Moulvi Fazlullah with the Afghan government, as well as with the Isaf.” He did not share further details.
‘The News’ understands that during the recent meeting that Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar had with US Ambassador Marc Grossman the matter was raised. Officials say that they had in the past also raised the issue with Afghanistan.
“In every discussion, we convey to them our concerns about Moulvi Fazlullah and recently the issue was taken up with Marc Grossman as well. We should be able to work this out with Afghanistan”, a senior official commented.
Kabul’s denial of the presence of Fazlullah is akin to Karzai’s constant denials that Brahamdagh Bugti was provided protection by Kabul. It was after relations improved between Kabul and Islamabad that Brahamdagh was asked to leave Afghanistan and sought asylum in Switzerland.
Another historic bone of contention between the two countries , the Durand Line which Pakistan and the United States recognizes as the international border has also come up again with Kabul saying it does not recognise it.
But the spokesman remarked, “As far as the official response of the government of Pakistan is concerned, the Durand Line is a closed and settled issue. We regard it as the recognised international border, and the international community also recognises it so.”
As moves towards reconciliation within various Afghan groups catches headlines again, with Mullah Omar having issued a statement in which he appealed to neighbouring governments to release Afghan Taliban prisoners, the spokesman said, “The issue of Afghan prisoners is under consideration. This is one of the issues that Pak and Afghan governments are trying to address.”
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The Express Tribune
written by Staff
Thursday October 25, 2012
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan has shared a dossier with Afghanistan and ISAF on the issue of Maulana Fazalullah’s alleged involvement in the attack on Malala Yousafzai and two other girls, Foreign Office Spokesman Moazzam Ahmed Khan said Thursday.
Khan made this statement during his weekly briefing in Islamabad at the Foreign Office.
Earlier, Pakistan had requested Afghanistan to hand over Maulana Fazlullah, claiming that he was involved in planning major attacks in Pakistan from across the border, including the attack on peace activist Malala Yousufzai.
According to Foreign Ministry sources, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar made this demand during her meeting with Afghanistan-Pakistan special envoy Marc Grossman, who arrived in Islamabad on Saturday for talks with political and military leaders on “issues of bilateral and mutual concern.”
Afghan authorities had said that Islamabad has not shared with them any intelligence regarding the presence of fugitive Pakistani Taliban, including the notorious Mullah Fazlullah, in eastern Afghanistan.
Sources added that Fazlullah has been involved in planning 15 major attacks in Pakistan, from Afghanistan, including attacks on security check posts and villages which have claimed almost 200 lives.
Maulana Fazlullah, also nicknamed “Mullah Radio” is the leader of banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Nafaz-e-Shariat-e-Mohammadi (TNSM).
Known for his fiery radio broadcasts in Swat Valley, he is also sometimes referred to as chief of the Swat Taliban.
Earlier, it was reported that Fazlullah had sent a hit squad, comprising of two members, to kill 14-year-old Malala for being a proponent of girls’ education in the valley and speaking against the Taliban.
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