Article: Pakistani Officials Trying to Install Taliban Govt in Tribal Areas

The officials of Pakistani government have been trying to install Taliban government in tribal areas. It is pathetic to note here that that the Pakistani president has pledged full support to the war on terrorism launched by the United States, but on the other hand the officials of Pakistan have been trying to install a Taliban government in tribal areas.

The situation in the tribal areas situated on Pak-Afghan border is very critical as the officials of Pakistan have been trying to install Taliban government in the areas. "Pakistani officials have been extending full support to Taliban and terrorists in the tribal areas and ignoring the call of Pakistan's president, who has pleged full support to the war on terrorism," a tribal leader said while commenting on the situation in the areas.

According to a handout issued here, Governor Ali Muhammad Jan Orakzai, who is controlling the affairs of tribal areas, said that the peace accord signed in South Waziristan would be implemented in the letter and spirit and that the presence of foreigners on the Mehsud soil would not be tolerated.

Talking to a 21-member jirga of the Mehsud Peace Committee of South Waziristan Agency that called on him at the Governor's House, Orakzai said the situation in Waziristan still required improvement in the aftermath of recent suicide attacks in the FATA and the settled areas.

He said there were reports of some recent cross-border infiltration. However, he added that the government had taken measures to check the infiltration. He said it was incumbent upon the jirga to ensure that such movement did not take place anymore. The governor informed the jirga of the gravity of the situation, saying it was a last chance for them to save the situation from further deterioration.

Senator Maulana Saleh Shah said that in his recent meeting with Baitullah Mehsud, he (Baitullah) had categorically denied his involvement in the recent suicide attacks. The senator said that if there were any reports about the presence of foreign elements in the Mehsud territory, action would be taken against them. He also referred to the presence of armed troops in close vicinity of the civilian population, which according to him was causing inconvenience to the locals, especially the women. He requested for readjustment of the troops' deployment. The jirga members assured the governor that they would meet Baitullah and his "shoora" members and apprise him of the situation. MNA Maulana Merajuddin said that it would be their endeavour to maintain peace and tranquillity in the area.

A newspaper report said that a school for girls in Mardan has been warned that its building will be bombed if teachers and students do not start wearing veils and burkas.

According to a private TV channel's report, the principal of Mardan Government High School received a letter from an unidentified man, who had written that the school would be bombed within seven days if students and teachers did not start wearing veils.

The school administration told the area's ADI and DCO about this, following which security personnel in uniform and plainclothes were deployed around girls' schools. It is believed that the letters are being sent by associates of Al Qaeda leader Abu Farah, who was arrested from the same area. Similar letters were also sent to some schools in Peshawar, and as a result, two schools were closed down and security for others was increased.