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Authorities ban Ghazi Force, terror outfit tied to TTP and Lal Masjid
The group is named for Abdul Rashid Ghazi, an Islamic fundamentalist leader of Lal Masjid in Islamabad who was killed during a government siege of the complex in July 2007.

2020-09-02


By Zia Ur Rehman
image

Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz (centre) January 4, 2014, in Islamabad leads funeral prayers for Sunni Muslim leaders who were killed by unknown gunmen the previous day in the Pakistani capital. [Farooq Naeem/AFP]

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani authorities have banned the Ghazi Force (GF), a terror outfit associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistan's Interior Ministry on August 25 imposed a ban on the group under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 for its suspected links to terrorism.
The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) added the GF to its list of proscribed organisations as part of the move.
Little is known about the group, which has remained largely underground since its inception.
image

Karachi civil society activists in February 2016 denounce the Lal Masjid administration for its support of terror groups. [Zia Ur Rehman]
The GF is named for Abdul Rashid Ghazi, an Islamic fundamentalist leader of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad who was killed during a government siege of the complex in July 2007, according to security officials and analysts.
The group is allied with the banned TTP and most of its members are Lal Masjid students, according to Abdul Basit, a researcher associated with the Singapore-based International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.
"They [GF militants] facilitated several attacks in Islamabad, particularly suicide attacks, which took place right after the security forces' siege of Lal Masjid," Basit said.
The GF's website showed that the group has open hostility toward the government and support for TTP, he said, adding that "one breakaway faction of the Ghazi Force pledged allegiance to the 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria''s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K)".
Maulana Niaz Raheem, a student of Jamia Faridia, one of Lal Masjid's seminaries, founded the GF with the support of Mullah Fazlullah, the future TTP emir, said a senior NACTA official on the condition of anonymity.
Fazlullah was killed in a US air strike in Afghanistan in 2018.
Most GF members are from the two seminaries of Lal Masjid -- Jamia Faridia, the all-male madrassa, and Jamia Hafsa, its all-female counterpart, the official said.
The group helped carry out several high-profile suicide attacks in or near Islamabad, including an attack on the World Food Programme office in October 2009, one on the Marriott Hotel in September 2008 and another on a NATO supply convoy in June 2010, he said.
However, a number of leading GF members have been arrested and killed in shootouts in various parts of the country, weakening the militant group, according to the official.
Banning terror groups on both sides of sectarian divide
The latest ban comes as Pakistan's law enforcement agencies intensify a crackdown on Shia militant groups -- sectarian enemies of the GF -- that have been accused of inciting sectarian violence in Pakistan and luring recruits to fight for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Pakistan's intelligence agencies have raised concerns over Shia youth falling victim to Iranian influence and recruitment into Tehran-backed mercenary groups fighting in Iraq and Syria.
On August 19, the federal government banned the Khatam-ul-Ambia (KuA), a Shia outfit, for sending Shia youth to Syria to fight along with Iranian-backed fighters supporting government forces.
Members of Ansar ul-Hussain, a Shia militant outfit banned by the Interior Ministry in December 2016, began operating under the KuA in an attempt to escape law enforcement agencies.

The primary recruiters, financiers and handlers for the Pakistani militants in Syria are Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force.
Pakistani authorities have arrested dozens of Shia youth, mainly belonging to the Zainabiyoun Brigade, a militia made up of Pakistanis sent to fight in Syria in support of al-Assad's regime, in connection with alleged involvement with the organisations.

 
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Authorities ban Ghazi Force, terror outfit tied to TTP and Lal Masjid
The group is named for Abdul Rashid Ghazi, an Islamic fundamentalist leader of Lal Masjid in Islamabad who was killed during a government siege of the complex in July 2007.

2020-09-02


By Zia Ur Rehman
image

Lal Masjid chief cleric Maulana Abdul Aziz (centre) January 4, 2014, in Islamabad leads funeral prayers for Sunni Muslim leaders who were killed by unknown gunmen the previous day in the Pakistani capital. [Farooq Naeem/AFP]

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistani authorities have banned the Ghazi Force (GF), a terror outfit associated with the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).
Pakistan's Interior Ministry on August 25 imposed a ban on the group under the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997 for its suspected links to terrorism.
The National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) added the GF to its list of proscribed organisations as part of the move.
Little is known about the group, which has remained largely underground since its inception.
image

Karachi civil society activists in February 2016 denounce the Lal Masjid administration for its support of terror groups. [Zia Ur Rehman]
The GF is named for Abdul Rashid Ghazi, an Islamic fundamentalist leader of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque) in Islamabad who was killed during a government siege of the complex in July 2007, according to security officials and analysts.
The group is allied with the banned TTP and most of its members are Lal Masjid students, according to Abdul Basit, a researcher associated with the Singapore-based International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research.
"They [GF militants] facilitated several attacks in Islamabad, particularly suicide attacks, which took place right after the security forces' siege of Lal Masjid," Basit said.
The GF's website showed that the group has open hostility toward the government and support for TTP, he said, adding that "one breakaway faction of the Ghazi Force pledged allegiance to the 'Islamic State of Iraq and Syria''s Khorasan branch (ISIS-K)".
Maulana Niaz Raheem, a student of Jamia Faridia, one of Lal Masjid's seminaries, founded the GF with the support of Mullah Fazlullah, the future TTP emir, said a senior NACTA official on the condition of anonymity.
Fazlullah was killed in a US air strike in Afghanistan in 2018.
Most GF members are from the two seminaries of Lal Masjid -- Jamia Faridia, the all-male madrassa, and Jamia Hafsa, its all-female counterpart, the official said.
The group helped carry out several high-profile suicide attacks in or near Islamabad, including an attack on the World Food Programme office in October 2009, one on the Marriott Hotel in September 2008 and another on a NATO supply convoy in June 2010, he said.
However, a number of leading GF members have been arrested and killed in shootouts in various parts of the country, weakening the militant group, according to the official.
Banning terror groups on both sides of sectarian divide
The latest ban comes as Pakistan's law enforcement agencies intensify a crackdown on Shia militant groups -- sectarian enemies of the GF -- that have been accused of inciting sectarian violence in Pakistan and luring recruits to fight for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Pakistan's intelligence agencies have raised concerns over Shia youth falling victim to Iranian influence and recruitment into Tehran-backed mercenary groups fighting in Iraq and Syria.
On August 19, the federal government banned the Khatam-ul-Ambia (KuA), a Shia outfit, for sending Shia youth to Syria to fight along with Iranian-backed fighters supporting government forces.
Members of Ansar ul-Hussain, a Shia militant outfit banned by the Interior Ministry in December 2016, began operating under the KuA in an attempt to escape law enforcement agencies.

The primary recruiters, financiers and handlers for the Pakistani militants in Syria are Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force.
Pakistani authorities have arrested dozens of Shia youth, mainly belonging to the Zainabiyoun Brigade, a militia made up of Pakistanis sent to fight in Syria in support of al-Assad's regime, in connection with alleged involvement with the organisations.


this Mosque is the present time Masjid Zarar. a den of terror and conspiracies against Muslims. its administration specially the Molana is spreading position right in the heart of the country showing a middle finger to security establishment. he openly mocks Pakistani ideology and its forces, justifies terror attacks and went as far as justifying the murder of school children of APS. I have visited that mosque. the people who go to pray there make no secret of their admiration for Daesh and TTP. they are extremist in their sectarian and religious views and spit on the name of Pakistan army. this mosque attracts people from cross section of the society. affluent and educated middle class is also there. the sterio typical malnourished angry madrasah youth lacking basic hygiene and shabby clothes holds no longer true. recall the Safurah massacre in Karachi. the perpetrators were from prestigious Karachi educational institutions and from affluent families.

if Molana Aziz was in KSA or Iran then he would've been executed after Friday prayers in the town square and no one wouldv'e dared to imitate him and threaten the state. but sadly our establishment lacks the beans while dealing with religious extremism and terror its war has been apologetic in nature and still today it is trying to convince itself that fighting the religious pests is the right thing to do.

yes much sacrifices have been made and much has been gained over 20 years but this couldv'e been done before the massacre of APS and beheading of our soldiers and civilians if our establishment pulled the finger from its arse soon enough.
 
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this Mosque is the present time Masjid Zarar. a den of terror and conspiracies against Muslims. its administration specially the Molana is spreading position right in the heart of the country showing a middle finger to security establishment. he openly mocks Pakistani ideology and its forces, justifies terror attacks and went as far as justifying the murder of school children of APS. I have visited that mosque. the people who go to pray there make no secret of their admiration for Daesh and TTP. they are extremist in their sectarian and religious views and spit on the name of Pakistan army. this mosque attracts people from cross section of the society. affluent and educated middle class is also there. the sterio typical malnourished angry madrasah youth lacking basic hygiene and shabby clothes holds no longer true. recall the Safurah massacre in Karachi. the perpetrators were from prestigious Karachi educational institutions and from affluent families.

if Molana Aziz was in KSA or Iran then he would've been executed after Friday prayers in the town square and no one wouldv'e dared to imitate him and threaten the state. but sadly our establishment lacks the beans while dealing with religious extremism and terror its war has been apologetic in nature and still today it is trying to convince itself that fighting the religious pests is the right thing to do.

yes much sacrifices have been made and much has been gained over 20 years but this couldv'e been done before the massacre of APS and beheading of our soldiers and civilians if our establishment pulled the finger from its arse soon enough.

It's not just the religious extremists they are weak in front of. All sorts of cowards and traitors are given a free run by our so called establishment. I think the "establishment" is fictional, created by those in places of influence to shift blame.
 
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It's not just the religious extremists they are weak in front of. All sorts of cowards and traitors are given a free run by our so called establishment. I think the "establishment" is fictional, created by those in places of influence to shift blame.
Red mosque thugs will laugh at the face of this "ban".

I know what you are saying. our state bends backwards to accommodate the biggest thugs and blackmailers MQM, Bughtis, sectarian terrorists to name a few.

recall a story of a targetted killing of an ordinary civilian who objected to the Red mosque deal? i think his name was t Jabraan who started exposing Red Mosque and its links with Daesh? he filed a petition against the release of Molana Adul Rashid Ghazi and the deal made with him enabling him to take control of Red mosque
and he was openly threatened by Red mosque thugs and was killed in Karachi despite requesting authorities to save him.
 
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The primary recruiters, financiers and handlers for the Pakistani militants in Syria are Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and its Quds Force.
Is IIRGC a terrorist organisation for Government of Pakistan?
 
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this Mosque is the present time Masjid Zarar. a den of terror and conspiracies against Muslims. its administration specially the Molana is spreading position right in the heart of the country showing a middle finger to security establishment. he openly mocks Pakistani ideology and its forces, justifies terror attacks and went as far as justifying the murder of school children of APS. I have visited that mosque. the people who go to pray there make no secret of their admiration for Daesh and TTP. they are extremist in their sectarian and religious views and spit on the name of Pakistan army. this mosque attracts people from cross section of the society. affluent and educated middle class is also there. the sterio typical malnourished angry madrasah youth lacking basic hygiene and shabby clothes holds no longer true. recall the Safurah massacre in Karachi. the perpetrators were from prestigious Karachi educational institutions and from affluent families.

if Molana Aziz was in KSA or Iran then he would've been executed after Friday prayers in the town square and no one wouldv'e dared to imitate him and threaten the state. but sadly our establishment lacks the beans while dealing with religious extremism and terror its war has been apologetic in nature and still today it is trying to convince itself that fighting the religious pests is the right thing to do.

yes much sacrifices have been made and much has been gained over 20 years but this couldv'e been done before the massacre of APS and beheading of our soldiers and civilians if our establishment pulled the finger from its arse soon enough.
Sir thanks for detailed reply as I may say that I was there when operation against Lal Mosque happened, the smoke raising and weapon noises were there, but I had questions then and now, hope you may provide some explanations.

1-Who gave free hand to Maulanas to control a Mosque and build hard line Madrsa in a sensitive place.
2-How they were able to maintain stocks of ammunition
3-Why they were unnoticed.
4-Do the Lal Mosque operation properly managed.
5-What were the majority sentiments after operation as I went to visit the area and saw destruction there.

In the end from direct sources I got much information and everything is not like it is presented.

As per my opinion the Govt policies at that time were pretty much reason for nurturing extremism.
Both Bugti issue and Lal Mosque were mishandled, many youngsters lost their lives no reliable numbers there for Lal Mosque operation, the results are clear Lal Mosque issue is still alive and becoming a clear breeding ground for extremists which we may consider even like Khawarij as they are now following their own path.

On other side after Bugti death he has become symbol for Baluch separatists, funny thing is Bugti at least on record never supported them and with exception of Musharaf era always was on Govt side.
 
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1-Who gave free hand to Maulanas to control a Mosque and build hard line Madrsa in a sensitive place.

the thugs of that place had support from the military and the ISI for decades later on they became brazen and ruthless openly supporting sectarian terrorist and their transformation into TTP.
the Mullahs gradulally grabbed public property and used violence and threats scaring away CDA, Police and capital administration.

2-How they were able to maintain stocks of ammunition

check answer above. no fear of law and oversight and collusion of agencies and support from politicians and sectarian terrorists.

3-Why they were unnoticed.

they were not unnoticed. the agencies and authorities come from same pool of people that makes these terrorists. there are sympathizers across the section of society and in all place. the lal masjid became too strong to confront or control.
4-Do the Lal Mosque operation properly managed.

the operation was very tame in comparison to Grand Mosque operation in Saudi Arabia. the Saudi authorities executed all the 60 something terrorists that had surrendered and since then the Akhan Muslemeen and Al Qaeda never dared any big terror attack of that scale.

in our case Musharaf was seeking approval from religious parties that openly supported Osama Bin Laden and the media that exaggerated this operation as a strike on Islam. despite having all the resources at had the operation was done in a way that it resulted in loss of many SSG personnel that couldve been avoided.

even doing that didnt stop the terrorists and their sympathizers in society , in political parties and media in blaming Pakistan army for excesses that never happened

5-What were the majority sentiments after operation as I went to visit the area and saw destruction there.

I was in the area as well and remember the war songs being played on Lal Masjid loud speakers that could be heared as far as the F6 and F7 market centre. Jinnah Super and super.

the sentiment was very hostile towards Pakistan army. the thugs had already killed an army ranger before the attack and had even shot a reporter who bled to death in front of everyone. the G6 quarters and Abpara area people behaved and acted from a different state. I remember police and army vehicles being spat and stoned. worse form of propaganda was was used against the lame operation blaming Pakistan army men of raping Lal Masjid girls, PAF using carpet bombs and phosphorous bombs (whatever term they knew). Iraq Falujah operation footage was used by terror sympathizers on facebook and other internet platforms to claim this was the working of Pakistan army.
I met a Grade 1 National bank of Pakistan banker who was resident of that area who claimed that PAF had used bombs, Pakistan army had used Artillery , carpet bombs chemicals, daisey cutters.. phosphorous bombs (whatever the buzzword that was known to these lairs). and he swore on his faith that he had seen it with his eyes.

if Musharraf instead had used Armor and leveled the place and shot everyone coming out of the rubble then at least this blame would've been justified and I dare to think that such (Saudi/ Iranian like) action might have made every one in media, political parties ans mullahs wanna be thugs peace loving angels.

due to this apologetic operation people openly supported TTP. there were factions within agencies and military that helped terrorists in planning attacks on military installations. the SSG personnel were targeted and even a serving army caption killed one SSG solider in Mangla.

these terror sympathizers gave tip off to TTP, helped in ambushes on Pakistan army and traveled to Afghanistan to fight there as well.
if someone claims that Pak army, ISI, Pakistan Navy and PAF has been completely cleansed of serving people that support TTP, AL Qaeda and Daesh then I will call him an ignorant fool and hypocrite munafiq.

people claimed that APS tragedy was a watershed moment for the nation. I read the facebook posts and hate material of sectarian outfits that form the part of TTP and they tell an opposite story.
I am amazed at the childish wishes and claims that we have broken the backbone of TTP and terrorism. its now deep rooted in our minds.

our youngs are exposed to utter sectarian filth and intolerance that is easy picking for TTP to farm and use for their next campaign. the knatic operations by army maybe over with relative success but the rot is very deep and the existence and continued working of Lal Masjid is just a sobering reminder that how shamelessly our state institutions continue to fool themselves and us in believing that we won this war.
 
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the thugs of that place had support from the military and the ISI for decades later on they became brazen and ruthless openly supporting sectarian terrorist and their transformation into TTP.
the Mullahs gradulally grabbed public property and used violence and threats scaring away CDA, Police and capital administration.



check answer above. no fear of law and oversight and collusion of agencies and support from politicians and sectarian terrorists.



they were not unnoticed. the agencies and authorities come from same pool of people that makes these terrorists. there are sympathizers across the section of society and in all place. the lal masjid became too strong to confront or control.


the operation was very tame in comparison to Grand Mosque operation in Saudi Arabia. the Saudi authorities executed all the 60 something terrorists that had surrendered and since then the Akhan Muslemeen and Al Qaeda never dared any big terror attack of that scale.

in our case Musharaf was seeking approval from religious parties that openly supported Osama Bin Laden and the media that exaggerated this operation as a strike on Islam. despite having all the resources at had the operation was done in a way that it resulted in loss of many SSG personnel that couldve been avoided.

even doing that didnt stop the terrorists and their sympathizers in society , in political parties and media in blaming Pakistan army for excesses that never happened



I was in the area as well and remember the war songs being played on Lal Masjid loud speakers that could be heared as far as the F6 and F7 market centre. Jinnah Super and super.

the sentiment was very hostile towards Pakistan army. the thugs had already killed an army ranger before the attack and had even shot a reporter who bled to death in front of everyone. the G6 quarters and Abpara area people behaved and acted from a different state. I remember police and army vehicles being spat and stoned. worse form of propaganda was was used against the lame operation blaming Pakistan army men of raping Lal Masjid girls, PAF using carpet bombs and phosphorous bombs (whatever term they knew). Iraq Falujah operation footage was used by terror sympathizers on facebook and other internet platforms to claim this was the working of Pakistan army.
I met a Grade 1 National bank of Pakistan banker who was resident of that area who claimed that PAF had used bombs, Pakistan army had used Artillery , carpet bombs chemicals, daisey cutters.. phosphorous bombs (whatever the buzzword that was known to these lairs). and he swore on his faith that he had seen it with his eyes.

if Musharraf instead had used Armor and leveled the place and shot everyone coming out of the rubble then at least this blame would've been justified and I dare to think that such (Saudi/ Iranian like) action might have made every one in media, political parties ans mullahs wanna be thugs peace loving angels.

due to this apologetic operation people openly supported TTP. there were factions within agencies and military that helped terrorists in planning attacks on military installations. the SSG personnel were targeted and even a serving army caption killed one SSG solider in Mangla.

these terror sympathizers gave tip off to TTP, helped in ambushes on Pakistan army and traveled to Afghanistan to fight there as well.
if someone claims that Pak army, ISI, Pakistan Navy and PAF has been completely cleansed of serving people that support TTP, AL Qaeda and Daesh then I will call him an ignorant fool and hypocrite munafiq.

people claimed that APS tragedy was a watershed moment for the nation. I read the facebook posts and hate material of sectarian outfits that form the part of TTP and they tell an opposite story.
I am amazed at the childish wishes and claims that we have broken the backbone of TTP and terrorism. its now deep rooted in our minds.

our youngs are exposed to utter sectarian filth and intolerance that is easy picking for TTP to farm and use for their next campaign. the knatic operations by army maybe over with relative success but the rot is very deep and the existence and continued working of Lal Masjid is just a sobering reminder that how shamelessly our state institutions continue to fool themselves and us in believing that we won this war.

Sir,

Thanks for honest and detailed reply, however I have some different opinion on loss of life in case of Lal Mosque operation, which certainly brought some hate for PA/Other agencies which unjustifiable, however though I am on one side admirer of Musharaf for his past acts in case of KSA, 1971 Indo Pak war and later on daring Kargil operation still his acts in case of Lal Mosque and Bugti are questionable. Even Syed Mushahid Hussain and many other politicians who are thought to be close to PA circles showed their discontent.

However now it's time to move on and go for remedial measures whether it is Baluchistan or Lal Mosque. My suggestion is Govt either should wipe out surviving brother from Lal Mosque or go for dialogue. On other side dialogue should be started once again with Baluch Nationalist leaders as no matter what we say many of the nationalist leaders do have support in their tribes and Baluchistan. However it does not mean surrender and on ground any sort of militancy should be dealt with lethal force. One thing which stuck in my mind and I observed during my detailed journey in Baluchistan that gap between rich and poor is big, Punjabi and other abadkars there were economically better and created the hatred towards them. The Baluch youth should be given more economic opportunities along with building of infrastructure which is only claimed so far.

Thanks once again for answering my questions and not accusing me for any conspiracy.
 
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the thugs of that place had support from the military and the ISI for decades later on they became brazen and ruthless openly supporting sectarian terrorist and their transformation into TTP.
the Mullahs gradulally grabbed public property and used violence and threats scaring away CDA, Police and capital administration.

what was done or what is being done to stop such support from inside military and ISI?

i hope such people have been taken out.

that's why prime minister Imran Khan said in the US that during musharaf time he was attacked because of insiders help.

These terrorist people and ideology penetrated deep inside our state to the top level that even president of the country was not safe.

whats the status now?

Hopefully state is not supporting such religious groups now.

Musharaf was seeking approval from religious parties that openly supported Osama Bin Laden and the media that exaggerated this operation as a strike on Islam.

that was a very big alarm for me when i heard people speaking in support of osama bin laden in my surroundings when he was killed in pakistan
for example people saying they want to visit his house

if Musharraf instead had used Armor and leveled the place and shot everyone coming out of the rubble then at least this blame would've been justified and I dare to think that such (Saudi/ Iranian like) action might have made every one in media, political parties ans mullahs wanna be thugs peace loving angels.

:-)
I am amazed at the childish wishes and claims that we have broken the backbone of TTP and terrorism. its now deep rooted in our minds.

our youngs are exposed to utter sectarian filth and intolerance that is easy picking for TTP to farm and use for their next campaign.
yes intolerance is very high now among our generation they dont shy away from passing around comments about other sects for example during muharam i heard sectarian comments
 
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Red mosque thugs will laugh at the face of this "ban".

I know what you are saying. our state bends backwards to accommodate the biggest thugs and blackmailers MQM, Bughtis, sectarian terrorists to name a few.

recall a story of a targetted killing of an ordinary civilian who objected to the Red mosque deal? i think his name was t Jabraan who started exposing Red Mosque and its links with Daesh? he filed a petition against the release of Molana Adul Rashid Ghazi and the deal made with him enabling him to take control of Red mosque
and he was openly threatened by Red mosque thugs and was killed in Karachi despite requesting authorities to save him.
this is what is wrong with Pakistan. State never takes a stand for people who stood against such terrorists.
please Pakistani state you must value such people and their valour against all odds and are now forgotten :(
 
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bomb this terror masjid once for all . this is real HQ of ttp
One Zia ruined the entire nation and extreme flow of petro dollars during First Afghan war. It will take ages to come out from this curse.am surprise how they get so much money; they travel in most expensive trucks and guards ...a lavish life style ..
 
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One Zia ruined the entire nation and extreme flow of petro dollars during First Afghan war. It will take ages to come out from this curse.am surprise how they get so much money; they travel in most expensive trucks and guards ...a lavish life style ..
and also spy tricks they learned during that time they use it against civilians now who try to challenge them
 
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