People weary of PPP & JI in Upper Dir, looking to 'third party'

Delawar Jan

DIR: Khalid Iqbal has always seen Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) clashed for seats in elections in Upper Dir. Now he is fed-up with both of them and wants to vote for a ‘third party’ in the upcoming elections.

His desire to look for a new face and a new party stems from his belief that both the parties have failed to serve people selflessly, and they would do no different if voted to power again. His view is not an isolated one. A feeling of ‘let’s try a third party’ is rising in the people, who were mostly represented by leaders from these parties. JI was part of the ruling coalition in 2002-2007 government and PPP in 2008-2013 in Khyber Pakhtukhwa but both have disappointed the electorate.

“[Fomer federal minister] Najmuddin Khan failed to solve our problems. At least, he should have built the Chakdarra-Dir Road,” he complained. Almost all the residents of Dir who were interviewed for this story brought up the issue of the dilapidated road and criticised Najmuddin Khan for failing to construct it. It appears to become the major electoral issue in Upper Dir. The 115-kilometre Chakdarra-Dir portion of the N-45 has all the characteristics of a bad road—unpaved portions, bumps, uneven surface and countless deep ditches that don’t allow vehicles to pick up speed. The Wari-Dir portion is so narrow, besides being dilapidated, that two vehicles cannot pass.

Tariqullah is no different than Najmuddin. “We need a third party and, therefore, I will vote for Naveed Anjum,” Khalid said. Naveed Anjum is Awami National Party’s young district president and candidate for PK-93 Upper Dir-I.

Interestingly, most of the people find the third force in ANP, the party that has never figured a serious competitor in elections in Upper Dir. As elsewhere in the province, the ANP may lose some support due to incumbency factor, the party has surprisingly gained support here. Naveed Anjum has carried out development projects in the district despite that he was not an elected representative, residents said. They hope he could perform well, if voted to power.

Also, for the first time, other political parties have fielded strong candidates in Upper Dir that present a serious challenge to the monopoly of PPP and JI. Many predict upsets in the upcoming elections because of the options available and people’s disillusion with the PPP and JI.

On PK-91, Najmuddin’s step-brother Inamullah Khan is contesting election on JUI-F ticket. The JUI-F has also increased its vote bank in the district, but it will need to produce unflagging effort to win election on this seat. However, Inamullah will divide the family vote that may cause problems to PPP.

Muhammad Nisar Khan has filed nomination papers on PML-N ticket from this constituency. Najmuddin’s late father Amanullah Khan consecutively won his provincial assembly seat for 23 years, but people say it was not because of PML-N’s support. The Nawaz Sharif-led party has never secured this seat since 1990.

Nisar Khan is also being considered a candidate who can surprise people but some people opined otherwise. “Nisar is a weak candidate, as I see it. Though his family has support, PML-N has negligible vote bank in this constituency,” said a resident, Muhammad Amin.

The PPP has fielded a young but weak candidate in PK-91, and many interviewers rated him ‘out of the contest.’ Shakirullah is Najmuddin’s son but even staunch PPP supporters are unwilling to vote for him. “I will not vote for Najmuddin and Shakirullah, though my father who is a diehard PPP supporter could punish me for it,” Muhammad Amin said. “We would have forgiven his other mistakes, had he constructed the Chakdarra-Dir Road,” he added, indicating that he was rejecting him for his poor performance. He has also decided to vote for a ‘third party.’

“Shakir is not in the run for win,” opined another resident, Said Hameed Jan, whose family has also been a staunch backer of the PPP. His choice is also Naveed Anjum. For Nizamuddin, PPP was a total disappointment, nationally and locally. “I have left the PPP,” said the young man, whose shop had two fluttering black-and-white-striped flags of JUI-F.

Some people are unwilling to listen to any excuse from Najmuddin, who was elected on both NA-33 and PK-91 in 2008. “He completed his full five-year term. And he has no excuse because his party was in power in the centre and in the province,” said Muhammad Ishaq, who was unhappy with him for failing to carry out development projects. Najmuddin has been claiming to have spent ‘billions of rupees’ on development projects in Upper Dir, but the development hardly exists on the ground.

JI is also plagued by some differences but its nominee Inayatullah, former provincial health minister, is still being viewed the strongest candidate. People in Dir believe JI voters have little tendency to vote against the party which gives edge to Inayatullah over others.

Sahibzada family that has historically associated with JI has also divided. Former union council nazim Sahibzada Sanaullah has joined PPP and got ticket on PK-93 Upper Dir-III. It has created serious challenge to JI’s Sahibzada Tariqullah, who is contesting against Najmuddin on NA-33. On National Assembly seat, Tariqullah may lose some support due to Sanaullah factor while Najmuddin is facing disaffected PPP voters.

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Military operation in North Waziristan 'Pakistan's domestic security concern,' US ambassador

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: Operation in North Waziristan is now Pakistan’s internal matter, if we believe the United States Ambassador to Pakistan Richard Olson. This suggests the US has probably changed its policy by leaving it to Pakistan to decide whether the country’s military should launch an operation in this tribal agency that was often described by US officials as hub of al-Qaeda leadership.

For years, US officials said Haqqani Network, designated by the US a terrorist outfit, is headquartered there and pressured Pakistan to launch a military offensive against the group. Action against Haqqani Network was one of the issues that strained Pakistan-US relations, as US at times threatened of ‘boots on ground’ if Islamabad showed reluctance.

Haqqani Network refers to Jalaluddin Haqqani, a commander in war against the Soviet who was sponsored and trained by CIA. Jalaluddin is now old and his son Sirajuddin Haqqani is leading the group.

“North Waziristan…that decision on whether or not to conduct an operation is entirely up to the government of Pakistan,” Richard Olson said when asked during a setting with a small group of journalists whether the US still considered tribal areas of Pakistan a threat to Washington. “That is domestic security issue [of Pakistan] and so that is up to the government of Pakistan.”

Bob Woodward revealed in ‘Obama’s Wars’ that US had a ‘retribution’ plan of bombing 150 sites in the tribal areas of Pakistan if any attack was postmarked from the country. That plan is still in place remains unclear.

Stance on government-TTP talks

US also seems to have softened its position on Pakistan government’s plan to talk to militants to seek a negotiated settlement to war with them. During the last one decade, US vehemently opposed talks between the government and Taliban militants in tribal areas and in Swat Valley.

Asked whether US is opposed to talks between the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and the government, he said it was Islamabad’s ‘domestic concern.’ The ambassador said the US did not know all of the details about the proposed talks between the government and militants. “We don’t know what discussions have taken place or are taking place and what proposals exist,” he said. He said his meeting with JUI-F Chief Maulana Fazlur Rahman was a scheduled ‘courtesy call’ but the Maulana shared his perspective of the All Parties Conference where consensus was sought for talks.

On Talks with Afghan Taliban

What stage reconciliation efforts in Afghanistan are? Olson believed political process in Afghanistan would provide solution to the war. He urged Afghan Taliban to exhibit willingness to participate in the ‘Afghan-led’ reconciliation process in Afghanistan to achieve a political settlement to the-more-than-a-decade-old war and hoped it would be ‘a very positive outcome’ if it happens.

“The ball is in Taliban’s court. There has been this offer to have an office [in Doha in Qatar] that is available for discussions. The Taliban may accept or may not accept,” he added. “We think it will be a good thing, and I talk with regard to Afghanistan, for Taliban to participate in the Afghan political process.”

The ambassador said ‘US would talk and fight at the same.’ When asked was it not contradictory, he said, “We don’t see any reason they cannot continue at the same time.”

US wants Taliban to renounce violence, disassociate itself from international terrorism and accept Afghan constitution as preconditions, and Olson reiterated them. “We think that is a basis for this and, if it happens, it will be a very positive outcome. Will it happen, I can’t predict the future?” he said. The political settlement, he added, would consolidate the gains in Afghanistan.

Talks between the US and Taliban in Qatar have stalemated, but Afghan President Hamid Karzai said a several days ago that the parleys have resumed. Taliban have denied his claim but the US ambassador declined to comment on Karzai’s statement. “I will leave it to my colleagues in Kabul [to respond to his statement],” he said.

Many quarters think US has failed in Afghanistan. That it could not achieve its goals despite fighting for one decade. “You came to fight to defeat an ideology but now you are accommodating that ideology. What was the point in fighting for more than a decade?” a journalist asked. Richard Olson simply shrugged off this perception that the US has failed in Afghanistan.

He said Afghanistan had changed during the last decade and there were some notable accomplishments but that were not being appreciated. He said more Afghans had now access to healthcare and as a result maternal and infant mortality had dropped dramatically. He took credit for connecting Afghans to the world through telecommunication and said education was expanded dramatically with 30 per cent of the students now girls. He said Afghanistan had now a capable army. “So we built and strengthened institutions in Afghanistan,” he said. “It’s not true that we came, fought for 10 years and did nothing.”

Supply routes

US and its allies in Afghanistan are heavily relying on supply routes that run through Pakistan. Islamabad blocked the ground routes for supplies for several months to protest Salala attack that killed 26 Pakistani soldiers. Now that US is withdrawing from Afghanistan by 2014, Pakistan’s ground routes assume more importance for Washington. Does US still have concerns about the uncertainty of these routes? Olson said no. Pakistan is committed to assisting US in withdrawing military equipment from Afghanistan, be added. “US is not concerned,” he said confidently. He said though some Isaf countries in the north of Afghanistan might use the northern ground routes, vast majority of equipment would be transported through Pakistan.

Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline

The ambassador avoided to talk on Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline but warned of repercussions attached with the deal. When a journalist rephrased his question to know the nature of sanctions that the deal could trigger, Richard Olson said with lopsided smile, “I admire your tenacity in asking it but I am afraid I really don’t want to conduct our diplomacy on this sensitive topic through the media.” He said the US was working on energy projects that would add up to 900 megawatts of electricity to the national grid. “We feel we have been a good partner for Pakistan in many areas, especially in energy sector,” he added.

To a question about a perception in the public that the US might again abandon Pakistan after pulling out from Afghanistan, he said not to compare 1988 and the last decade. He said the US would not repeat the mistakes it had made in 1988.  

Maulana Fazlullah on US hit list

Richard Olson said he did not think Maulana Fazlullah, responsible for a number of cross-border deadly attacks and shooting Malala Yousafzia, was supported or controlled by some elements across the border but said the fugitive militant was on the US target list. “We will take him off the battlefield if there is an actionable intelligence,” he said.

Gwadar Port

Interestingly, contrary to public perception, the US ambassador described the Gwadar Port ‘potentially very good’ and ‘one of the futures of the region’ in greater economic integration. “We would be delighted to see goods flowing from Central Asia through Afghanistan to Gwadar and vice-versa,” he remarked.

However, he said the US supported only the commercial development of the port. He parried a question about the use of the port for security purpose by saying it was ‘a different set of issues.’

To a question, he said the US did not back any specific party but supported democracy in Pakistan. He termed the present time as ‘electoral season’ in Pakistan.

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For Mohmand Agency residents, hope and despair go together

Delawar Jan

GHALLANAI, Mohmand Agency: The arch entrance to Mohmand Agency is made of dazzling white marble. Past this gate, marble gets more visible. Trucks are loaded with raw marble stones in such a large number that they hold up traffic as they rumble down the sloped and curvy road. This tribal agency is home to one of the best marble stones.

However, it was not its best marble that brought Mohmand Agency to the limelight, nationally and internationally. It hit headlines worldwide for a relentless Taliban militancy that has battered its infrastructures and brought misfortunes on its residents.

After military operations that spanned over years, the agency still struggles to regain peace. The rugged and desolate mountains provide a grim glimpse of the challenge to the security forces in tracking down Taliban militants, who surfaced in Mohmand in July 2007. A porous, unfenced and undermanned border with Afghanistan also makes the military campaign against Taliban complicated.   

The main road that winds through unpopulated mountains has been secured. The checkpoints that dot the road are manned by personnel of the Frontier Corps and Khassadar Force. “Where are you going?” asked a young FC soldier, poking his head into the front window of the car at a checkpoint near Gallanai. When told about the destination, the soldier smiled and politely said, “Ok, go.”

But not everyone is happy with them. “I was detained for several days after an attack. They just randomly round up anyone after militant activities and keep them for days. I am sick of it,” said a resident of Qandahari, requesting anonymity as he feared reprisal.   

Though security has improved as compared to previous years, several areas are still volatile. The Monday’s remote-controlled blast in Dawezai area of Pandyali tehsil that killed two soldiers and injured several others serves as a reminder that Taliban pockets exist there.

Locals said security situation in Safi, Khwaizai and Baizai tehsils was still precarious. Majority of the people in these areas had been living in other areas as internally displaced persons, they added. Taliban militants do not show up in any area but carry out activities at night, residents said.

“As night falls, security gets uncertain,” said a local journalist, wishing anonymity. Another journalist who also spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal said security had improved but peace was still a distant dream. “You see blast in Dawezai occurred,” he argued, pointing to the shaky peace.

The level of fear is so high that everyone interviewed demanded anonymity. A resident of Qandahari said night-time curfew was still in force in the area. “We cannot leave homes after 6pm, no matter what emergency we have. We even cannot shift patients to hospital,” he said with a depressing voice.

Displaced people at Jalozai also complain of poor security. “Peace is only on the main road,” a second-year student Farmanullah told ‘The News’ at Jalozai camp. “And that too in daytime,” another man interjected. “You just go to areas away from the main road and see whether there is peace,” Farmanullah challenged.

A man from Qandahari said he returned to his village in April 2011 after being displaced by fighting in 2008 and rebuilt his house in a hope to resettle. “Now I am repenting. Qandahari is insecure,” he said. “I am considering leaving the area again as security and economic problems are multiplying,” he added.   

The scars left by militancy are also visible—destroyed buildings, blown up vehicles and ruined businesses. “Over 8,000 buildings have been destroyed,” a local journalist said. Shops have been destroyed in Khakh and Gandaw bazaars, locals said. Residents said education, health and other sectors had ruined.

Despite continuing problems, residents admit security has enhanced. They said people could travel during day and at night as curfew had been lifted from the main road. “Right here in this market,” a man pointed to shops in front of government offices, “Taliban forced closure of CD shops. But now it’s no more the case.”

There are some signs of political activities also. Flags of different parties including PTI, JI and PML-N could be seen flying at houses. Wall-chalking by political parties is so widespread that sight cannot evade it. “PTI’s youth are ambitious though it doesn’t enjoy much support here,” a man said. “Mohmand Agency has been the stronghold of JUI-F,” he said. “JI also enjoys support,” another man chipped in. The upcoming election is the first after extension of the Political Parties Act to Fata.

Businessmen in the agency are depressed. “Security is unsatisfactory. Most of the people from Safi, Khwaizai and Baizai are living as IDPs. So, who would buy?” said a shopkeeper in Gallanai bazaar. “My sale has dropped from Rs70,000 four years back to Rs10,000 a day now as I cannot supply beverages to the troubled Qandahari, Safi, Momad Gat, Khwaizai and Baizai,” said another businessman in Gandaw bazaar. He said business was also affected by the closure of Mohmand-Nangarhar Road.

A Frontier Corps official said Mohmand Agency was ‘under control.’ “As such, there is no safe haven and no no-go area. Militants cannot show up,” claimed the official, who requested anonymity. He said Taliban militants sometimes sneaked and carried out attacks. “Our search and cordon operations against them also continue. We carry out intelligence-based targetted actions against them,” he said.     

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Jalozai Camp--a forced abode for IDPs from Bajaur

Delawar Jan

JALOZAI, Nowshera:  Hamza rolled his beautiful eyes in sheer innocence as he cuddled to his father’s leg. He wore a sweater and a winter cap but his angelic face had turned rough due to biting cold. The little boy did not understand what his helpless father, Musafar Khan, was discussing. “Hamza was born here at the camp and now he has turned three years old,” his father said, indicating years-long stay at Jalozai camp which was established to provide temporary shelter to people displaced by military operations in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.

“Two other of my children were born in this camp,” said the father of eight, worrying that the tented village was turning into a permanent abode for them.

Hamza’s father might be missing his native village and the old peaceful days, but the adorable child had opened eyes in tent and played in the streets of this makeshift village. For him, this is the world he knows. No nostalgia!

Musafar Khan was displaced from Bajaur Agency’s Charmang area by fighting in August 2008. Others returned but 1,340 individuals from Bajaur are still in the camp of 81,086 people. Data says that 311,540 IDPs are off-camp, mostly from Khyber Agency.

Musafar Khan braved sweltering summers and chilly winters for five years in tents, yet he doesn't see life as IDP coming to an end any soon. It depresses him and others that no-one in this country is concerned about their unending plight. He says fighting and subsequent displacement has ruined his life, even turned him old untimely. It drew laughter from people around him when the man with a long white beard said he was 40.

“This card will prove I have grown old prematurely,” he showed his national identity card. Unbelievably, Musafar who was pictured for the card in 2009 had black hair and moustache and was really 40 years old as indicated by his date of birth. “Life in this camp has turned my hair and beard grey,” he said in harsh voice.

Musafar has not been alone in the camp since 2008. A large number of people from Bajaur and the bordering Mohmand Agency have been cooped up in tents at Jalozai camp for five years. They did not expect they would live for so long in tents, and they do not want to live here for years more. But probably the choice is not theirs.

Ajab Khan has probably understood it. With mud mortar, he was erecting a wall of broken bricks to protect his tent from chilly wind and to prepare for a longer stay. The 23-year-old young man said he had got married at the camp and had now a child.

“We are living here because we are extremely impoverished,” said Ajab who lives with 30 other family members. “My house in Loisam has been turned into a pile of rocks and now the government disallows us to reconstruct it,” he alleged.   

Statements of other residents of Bajaur who were interviewed at the camp verified his claim. The security forces have stopped them from rebuilding houses and growing crops on their agriculture lands, they said. The IDPs said income means had been ruined as the security forces had destroyed businesses and barred locals from cultivating lands.

“I ran an electricity hardware store in Loisam bazaar but that has been flattened now. So, I have no business,” said Gul Badshah. “There is no electricity. No water. No facilities. So, it’s pointless to go there,” he added.   

Some families from Mohmand Agency could also not return in the last five years. The security situation in Mohmand is still unpredictable particularly in Safi, Khwaizai and Baizai tehsils, said residents interviewed at the camp and in Mohmand Agency.

“Our house is undamaged but Qandahari is still dangerous to live in,” said Farmanullah at the camp, though official data claim ‘all Mohmand Agency IDPs’ have been repatriated. He was a 7th grader when his family left Mohmand but now he is a college student with a light beard. His father’s general store was reduced to rubble in military operation, and now he works at a kiln.

The overstayed IDPs complain of being deprived of ration. The authorities have stopped giving them ration despite knowing that they have no or irregular jobs, according to uprooted people from Bajaur and Mohmand. “I used to work on my fields but have never laboured for a wage. Today, I have the only option to labour for money,” Ajab Khan said.

The displaced people said they have run up huge debts in order to meet expenditures. “The camp life deprived me of Rs50,000-60,000 savings and two tolas of gold. Now, I have borrowed Rs80,000,” said Musafar Khan, who said he has currently no job. Ajab Khan owes Rs56,005.

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Humayun Khan--from a tailor to head of PTI in Kohat

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: Humayun Khan is familiar with a clatter sewing machine he operated for his whole life and only knows the art of making clothes. His managerial skills are limited to running a two-member tailoring shop he opened three decades ago after working for years as daily wager.

Now he has been tasked with a difficult job. The tailor, who is commonly known as Mayo Pehilwan, has been elected to lead Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) in Kohat district, thanks to intra-party election. Running the Khyber Pakhtukhwa’s most popular party, according to polls, in a key district demands from him to exhibit leadership skills. The new job will also pit him against the affluent and heavyweight political leaders that are working for other parties.  

A PTI leader said it’s an alarm bell for the status quo politicians and a clear message what workers wanted. The poor man has now a message for the people of Punjab and Sindh: “Reject landlords and traditional politicians.” The new district chief of the PTI for Kohat has asked others to follow the suit elsewhere by electing sincere leaders.

“The people of Kohat have set an example. People in Punjab and Sindh should also elect sincere people to bring change,” he told The News by phone. Humayun Khan defeated a ‘wealthy and strong’ candidate Malik Munir Bangash by securing 199 against 177.

The intra-party election result in Kohat surprised many, not only in Kohat but also in the province. This is what real intra-party election can do, he and other PTI leaders said. Every morning, he and one of his three sons leave home for the ‘Kohati Tailor’ shop in Gilani Market in Kohat. He has been associated with the profession since the “early days of Ayub Khan’s martial law,” when he started to learn tailoring at the age of six after dropping out in 2nd class. He did not disclose his daily or monthly income but said he managed to make both ends meet.

Humayun Khan said the PTI workers who had fielded him for the post of Kohat president had supported him financially. “I did not spend even five rupees on my election campaign. Workers raised funds for the election contest,” he said.

PTI decided to hold intra-party election last year and asked workers to choose their leaders themselves. Election at district and tehsil level was the second phase which was marred by violence in some districts. As crucial stages approach, enthusiasm and campaign is picking up among candidates and workers. The party will arrange election for chapters of different regions and the province in February, which will be followed by election for the central leadership.

Humayun said he joined PTI eight years ago. “I had no affiliation with any party till eight years ago. Then I saw Imran Khan speaking to a public gathering in Kohat. His passion and commitment convinced me to join PTI,” he said.

His participation in party activities and sincerity prompted PTI workers to field him for the crucial election. He is happy that he was elected district president of the party, though he is aware of the challenge ahead. “It worries me that running the party and competing other political parties is not an easy job without money. But with committed workers and hard work, we can do the trick,” he remarked. Mayo Pehilwan said he would work for strengthening his party and serving people.

Shah Farman, spokesman for PTI in KP, said it was a harbinger of change in the country. “PTI workers clearly conveyed the message what they want. This shows the workers’ mindset that they could accept an unknown person but not the one with bad reputation,” he said.

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With scars of militancy, Bajaur inching towards peace

Delawar Jan

KHAR, Bajaur Agency: Charred hulks of vehicles, pockmarked structures and ruins of destroyed buildings provided the traces of pitched battles that were fought between the Pakistani security forces and militants affiliated to al-Qaeda and Taliban.

“This is Loisam,” a local pointed to flattened houses on either side of the road. “And here was its bustling bazaar,” he looked towards heaps of mud-stone rubble that jutted out from the ground.

The Pakistani troops swooped on Loisam in September 2008 after the government decided to retake Bajaur from al-Qaeda and Taliban. In this battle, Loisam was completely destroyed. Five years after the attack, the town is today a site of ruins with no signs of reconstruction.

Hundreds of miles away in Nowshera district, the residents have set up a small Loisam in tents at Jalozai camp. “My house in Loisam is now a pile of rocks,” said Ajab Khan outside his tent at Jaloza camp, where he has been living since August 2008. “I go there and just look at the ruins of the house,” he expressed helplessness.

Zarif Khan, also Loisam’s resident, said they were not being allowed to rebuild their razed houses. “Now the security forces suspect us as strangers as we lived outside Loisam for five years,” he said.

Some said they were unwilling to return because they could not run businesses as the bazaar no more existed. The people were also not permitted to grow crops, they added. “We are forced to carry out patrol at night, which we can’t,” Azizullah said.

Sufferings from the Taliban rule and the military operation have seared into people’s memories. However, life in Bajaur indicates that peace is stabilising and the agency is recovering from conflict and violence after Taliban were defeated or weakened.

The security situation has apparently improved so much that all checkpoints are manned by personnel of the Frontier Corps and Khasadar Force. Not a single soldier from the regular army was seen at any checkpoint from Nawagai to up to Lower Dir, an indication that authorities have faith in paramilitary forces and the local Khasadars to maintain peace.

“Taliban can no more show up in villages and towns,” a local journalist said. “Their activities have dropped to nil and the security situation has improved precipitously,” he added. However, some people said security off the main road was still uncertain.

After offering sacrifices, the tribesmen have now started to reap the benefits of improving peace. Farmers work in fields and labourers build roads, people go to offices and students to educational institutions. Even topics of discussion have changed. Taliban and militancy no more dominate conversations as people now talk about electricity crisis, water shortage and chilly weather, an indication that other problems concern people more than security.

Khar bazaar and markets in other towns are abuzz with business activities. “I am doing the best business of my life these days,” said Shaukatullah, who runs a hardware shop in Khar bazaar. “I have expanded my business, yet I run short of many items,” he added. The shopkeeper has noticed a boom in construction section, saying most of the people were reconstructing destroyed houses while some were building new buildings. “My business had ruined in 2007 but now I am reaching new levels, which shows that people have confidence in the regained peace,” he said.

Masood Jan, who runs a store, said his sales had soared by 100 per cent. He said his family had sent one brother each to Peshawar and Rawalpindi for business as it had dropped sharply after 2007. “Now we have recalled both of them, as business has picked up in Bajaur,” he added. The general retailer said previously bazaar would mostly remain closed due to patrol by Taliban and the army but now situation had stabilised.

Road users say the Peshawar-Mohmand-Khar Road is secured for travelling. After the political administration lifted night-time curfew in October last, people travel on this road even at night. “I have been travelling on the road even at night. It’s secured,” said a taxi driver. “After curfew was lifted, we can now continue business late into the evening,” Masood Jan said.

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Next elections 'Pakistan's Battle of Badr:' Imran Khan

Says PTI is the good in this battle, hopes PTI to sweep elections

Delawar Jan

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan on Thursday described the upcoming general elections as ‘Pakistan’s Battle of Badr’ that would be fought between his party and all other ‘traditional’ and ‘corrupt’ politicians.

He said PTI would win this battle with the strength of the youth even if all traditional politicians and their parties made an alliance. “The next elections are Pakistan’s Battle of Badr. On one side, there will be people who have wealth and power and on the other side there will be PTI which will only be equipped with an unbreakable passion to make a new Pakistan,” he said as an audience of young people roared in enthusiasm.

Imran Khan was addressing a gathering of Insaf Students Federation (ISF), which it had named as “tsunami convention,” at Shah Tehmash Football Stadium.

“PTI is a revolution. It is a tsunami that will sweep away the system based on injustice and corruption,” he told the students, most of whom were dressed in white shalwar-kamees and a black coat uniform. The students wore caps made of party flag and flaunted the green-red PTI flags. “I challenge if all the traditional politicians and their parties join forces in the next elections, PTI will defeat them with the force of the youth,” he added.

Imran Khan said the PTI would challenge the tested and corrupt politicians with its ideology. He added that the people would not allow the current rulers to come into power again. “Now it’s time to make a new Pakistan,” he said.

He termed Mian Nawaz Sharif and President Asif Ali Zardari as fake leaders. He said Nawaz Sharif was launched by General Ghulam Jilani and Zardari declared himself a leader in a doubtful will of Benazir Bhutto. “Several times, I challenged Nawaz Sharif for a debate on television but he is afraid to face me,” he said to the cheers of the audience. Both the leaders, he alleged, had looted a lot of money and shifted it to foreign accounts.

He said they were now imposing their children on the nation. “If you want to become a leader [in PML-N] you need to have Sharif as a suffix. In PPP, Bilawal was made Bhutto to introduce him as a leader,” he sneered. “Now, he is being taught Urdu language. My [young] son Sulaiman Khan whose mother is a British speaks better Urdu than him,” he taunted.   

He also criticised Asfandyar Wali Khan, Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Altaf Hussain for shifting wealth to foreign countries. “I have heard that Asfandyar Wali had shifted wealth to Malaysia and Dubai. PTI will ask him how he transferred his assets to these countries,” he said. Asfandyar Wali’s Awami National Party leads the government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and is a coalition partner with PPP in the federal government.

He alleged that Fazlur Rehman had also bank balance and property in foreign countries. He said some of the leaders even did not have Pakistani passport. “In my Pakistan, all such things will not happen,” he said.

He asked Altaf Hussain to stop ruling the country from abroad and come to Pakistan. “For God sake, come to Pakistan I have forgiven you,” the cricker-turned-politician asked MQM chief who has been summoned by the Supreme Court in a contempt of court case on January 7.   

“Go door-to-door and tell people not vote the politicians whose money and property is in foreign countries. You have to awaken the masses,” he asked the youth, who waved party flags after being energised by music.  

He said that Zardari and Nawaz Sharif were breaking members of his party. “I request them to please take such opportunists. It will cleanse the party of unscrupulous politicians. I need only those who agree with the PTI ideology,” he added.

The PTI chief said his party would bring real democracy in the country after democratising itself. He encouraged the youth to contest party positions in the intra-party elections. “This is the only party that gives you opportunity to become leader on merit. PTI will award 25 per cent of the tickets to people under the age of 35 years,” he promised.

After coming into power, he said the PTI would solve the problem of terrorism. Imran Khan said he would withdraw from the US war on terror, hold talks with tribal people and ask militants to lay down arms as the country was no more ally with the US and there remains no justification for jihad. “I bow only before God and don’t accept to be a US slave,” he declared.  

He said his government would also put a full stop to drone attacks and replace the political agent system with local bodies.

He said the PTI government would create two million jobs every year and claimed that his party had done home work on it. He said that Tehreek-e-Insaf would promote games at union council level. “I can’t say of other games, but no country will be able to win cricket from us during the PTI government,” he boasted.

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