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Govt orders operation against Baitullah Mehsud

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* NWFP governor says ‘decisive operation will root out terrorism from Pakistan’
* Says Mehsud tribes turned a deaf ear to warnings
* Says Baitullah behind attacks in Pakistan

By Zulfiqar Ghuman

ISLAMABAD: As a military offensive rages on against the Taliban in Malakand and Swat, the government on Sunday ordered a “full-fledged” military operation against Tehreek-e-Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud and Mehsud tribes for harbouring terrorists, abetting terrorist activities and killing innocent people.

“Law-enforcement agencies have been ordered to launch a comprehensive operation against Mehsud tribes and the TTP chief and his followers for their failure to fulfil their duties in accordance with the law of the land,” said NFWP Governor Awais Ghani at a press conference at Frontier House, but did not provide a date for the launch of the operation. The Online news agency claimed the operation would follow the offensive in Malakand.

He said “this would be an affective and decisive operation that would root out terrorism from Pakistan “.

The military has already moved closer to Waziristan agencies with operations underway in adjoining districts.

The governor said that TTP chief Meshud had been named in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto. “He (Baitullah) was also behind the October 18 attack on a PPP caravan in Karachi and several other attacks.”

The decision to launch the operation against Mehsud tribes had been made to “protect the lives and properties of the people of Pakistan from the barbaric terrorists of Mehsud tribes”.

“Mehsud tribes were told time and again that their activities are unacceptable,” he said.

Ghani said Mehsud tribes had not only failed to evict foreign terrorists from their areas, but had also continued operating training camps.

“There are a large number of foreign terrorists in the areas. They are getting help from outside,” he said in a reference to Afghanistan.

He said that Mehsud tribes were bound by tradition and law not to shelter any terrorists or criminals, but “they acted otherwise ... forcing the government to take action”.

Daily Times - Leading News Resource of Pakistan
 
Get Baitullah, forces ordered

Monday, June 15, 2009
NWFP governor says full-fledged war against Taliban launched
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has launched a “full-fledged” assault against the Taliban in the lawless northwest tribal belt and will continue until all militants are eliminated, NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani said on Sunday.

“The government has launched a full-fledged operation in the tribal areas including Waziristan,” he told a press conference in Islamabad. “Operations will continue till the elimination of the militants.”

Owais Ahmed Ghani said the Pakistan Army had been ordered to carry out a full-fledged offensive against the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) chief Baitullah Mehsud and his fighters in South Waziristan Agency (SWA).

“The military and law enforcement agencies have been ordered to carry out a full-fledged operation to eliminate these beasts and killers by using all resources,” Owais told reporters. He didn’t give an exact starting date, but implied that military action had already begun.

Army spokesman Maj Gen Athar Abbas told The Associated Press: “The government has made the announcement. We will give a comment after evaluating the orders.” Over the past five weeks, as Pakistan has pursued an offensive against militants in Swat Valley, rumours have swirled that it had plans to go into South Waziristan tribal region to target the country’s most powerful Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud. -Agencies

Our Khar, Bannu, Wana and Mingora correspondents add: At least, 50 militants, including two commanders, and five children were killed when security forces pounded the hideouts of militants with jet fighters and artillery guns in Bajaur Agency, FR Bannu and South Waziristan Agency on Sunday.

In Bajaur, 20 militants, including two commanders, were killed when jet fighters of the PAF blitzed suspected hideouts of Taliban fighters in Charmang, Sheda Shah, Asghar Killay, Chinar in Nawagai Tehsil, Darra Banda in Salarzai subdivision and Garigal in Mamond, sources told The News.

Besides 22 militants, five children were also killed and two persons were injured when artillery shells fired by security forces hit houses at Sor Dagi in Salarzai and Garigal in Mamond Tehsil of Bajaur Agency. The civilian deaths caused anguish in the area and forced the people to start migrating from their villages.

Two militant commanders were also among the dead, but the official sources said their names couldn’t be ascertained. There was no word from the Taliban militants about their losses. The sources added that security forces had entered Charmang, a stronghold of the militants in the agency. They took control of the strategically important locations and established positions on the hilltops.

In FR Bannu, 18 militants were killed when security forces targeted their hideouts in Bakakhel and Janikhel areas with artillery from Bannu Cantonment. Official sources said security forces continued the operation against the militants in the troubled semi-tribal areas of Bakakhel and Janikhel on the fifth consecutive day.

Security forces travelling in a convoy shot dead a youth identified as Hakimullah Shah in Doghawara Sorani area. Miscreants fired three rocket from an undisclosed location, one of which landed at the house of Parvez, slightly injuring his mother.

The second shell landed on the ground of the Government Girls’ Primary School, Lalozai, while the third one fell in the fields. The District Police Officer (DPO), Iqbal Khan Marwar, has imposed a ban on the entry of displaced people from Janikhel and Bakakhel areas.

He warned the local people against sheltering or renting out houses to the displaced tribesmen. Police also arrested 10 tribesmen under the 21 Frontier Crimes Regulation and sent them to jail.

In South Waziristan Agency (SWA), eight militants were killed when jet fighters hit hideouts in Makeen and Spinkairaghzai Kot areas early in the day, official sources said. Also, three civilians were killed in a roadside bomb blast in Angoor Adda.

The sources said a container loaded with Nato supplies was on its way to Afghanistan when a roadside improvised explosive device planted by unidentified miscreants went off at 9:00 am near Barmal area of Angoor Adda, completely destroying the truck and nearby parked vehicles. Those killed in the blast included Muhammad Nauroz Wazir, Painda Khan Kharoti and Jan Gul Salyankhel while Saudal Khan and Noor Wali were injured. The injured were taken to the nearest clinic.

The political authorities confirmed the incident, saying that the incident took place in Afghan territory on the Pak-Afghan border.In Swat Valley, two suspected militants were shot dead at Green Chowk of Mingora while a soldier was killed and three others injured during an exchange of fire between the militants and security forces in Kabal Tehsil.

Another soldier sustained injuries when fired at in Kalla Killay in Kabal.Sources said two suspected Taliban militants were gunned down at Green Chowk. “A brief firing took place in the evening and later we came to know that two suspected militants have been killed,” the sources said.

It was learnt that the people could not identify the bodies. Curfew was not relaxed on Sunday in Mingora and other areas of the valley. Troops continued to patrol the streets in the city.The ISPR in a statement said security forces were consolidating their positions in Kabal area. A search operation was launched in Kabal on Sunday. During the process, exchange of fire took place between the forces and militants, resulting in the killing of a soldier, besides injuries to three others.

As the forces were engaged in strengthening their positions in the valley, search and consolidation operation was also being conducted in Godand Banda, Chuprial and Arkot Qilla areas of Matta.

The ISPR said Wenai-Sijbanr road had also been opened besides firming up positions at Ring contour and heights located east of Chuprial. In this area, a huge cache of arms and ammunition had been recovered from tunnels.

Cordon and search operation was being carried out in Matta town, Loi Namal and Koz Shawar in Matta Tehsil. In Matta town, house-to-house search was being carried out to track down the hiding Taliban militants, the ISPR said.

Four improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were recovered between Koz Drushkhela and Sambat areas of Matta. The militants have planted mines and IEDs in parts of Swat valley to inflict human and material loss on security forces.

About the relief activities, the ISPR said three truckloads of rations were distributed among the internally displaced persons (IDPs) in union councils of Sawala Dher, Bakhshali, Garhi Kapora and Jalala. Another two truckloads of relief goods were distributed in Mardan. About 200 displaced families had been shifted from Bisham to Kalam while the IDPs from Kalam were asked to report in Bisham where security forces had made arrangements for their transportation to Kalam.

Get Baitullah, forces ordered
 
finally we move in.
May Allah help us and our soldiers in their struggle against terrorism
 
Pakistan to Strike at Leader of Taliban

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — A Pakistani government official said late Sunday that the country’s military had been ordered to start an operation against the Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, the first official confirmation of plans to pursue him.

The official, Owais Ahmed Ghani, the governor of the North-West Frontier Province, an area in western Pakistan where the Taliban operate, said at a news conference in Islamabad that “the forces have been ordered to start the operation,” The Associated Press reported.

Mr. Ghani confirmed what had been an open secret for weeks — that Pakistan would conduct a military offensive in South Waziristan, where Mr. Mehsud is based.

The government holds him responsible for dozens of suicide bombings across the country, including one on Sunday in western Pakistan that killed eight people, and the military has long indicated that he would be their next target.

The military has been conducting a campaign against the Taliban in a valley north of Islamabad, the capital, since last month, but the militants’ main base is Waziristan, and analysts said Pakistan could not curb their influence without controlling that area.

Still, Mr. Ghani gave no specific time for the start of an operation, saying it would depend on the military, which has declined to disclose details in the past.

Maj. Gen. Athar Abbas, the spokesman for Pakistan’s military, declined to comment on the matter on Sunday night. He was quoted by The A.P. as saying: “We will give a comment after evaluating the orders.”

But Mr. Ghani’s comments were the closest Pakistan has come to giving a go-ahead for the operation. Mr. Ghani is the federal government’s representative in the North-West Frontier Province, and his remarks represent the government’s view.

The military has said that it is waiting for orders from Pakistani officials before beginning any operation.

While the expectation is of an announcement of a major offensive, a Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the news media, said that military action could take many forms, and that in some respects, it had already begun.

The army bombed buildings in Mr. Mehsud’s area on Saturday and has been fighting in the nearby district of Bannu for days.

South Waziristan is a mountainous area on the border with Afghanistan, an entry point for Taliban militants in the war against American soldiers. It is much more difficult terrain than the valley north of the capital, where 22,000 troops are currently fighting, and analysts expect the campaign to be much more costly in lives.

Also on Sunday, The A.P. reported that a missile strike, believed to be by American forces, killed at least five people in South Waziristan, according to unidentified intelligence officials.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/15/world/asia/15pstan.html?ref=global-home
 
Pakistan launches 'full-scale' offensive on Taliban in Waziristan

Pakistan launches 'full-scale' offensive on Taliban in Waziristan - Telegraph


Pakistan last night launched a "full-fledged" assault on Baitullah Mehsud, the country's leading Taliban warlord, in the lawless al-Qaeda dominated tribal region of Waziristan.


By Saeed Shah in Islamabad
Published: 9:16PM BST 14 Jun 2009

The offensive risked engulfing the country in bloodshed as Baitullah's terrorist network spans Pakistan, but the move seemed to finally signal that Islamabad was serious about fighting Islamic extremism and was expected to be welcomed by Western leaders.

Waziristan, which runs along the Afghan border, is a possible hiding place for Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahiri, a region where British intelligence believes that many past and future terror plots against the West are hatched.
Baitullah, described by US authorities as a "key al-Qaeda facilitator", leads an estimated 10,000 heavily armed men in Waziristan.

"The military and law enforcement agencies have been ordered to carry out a full-fledged operation to eliminate these beasts and killers by using all resources," Owais Ghani, governor of North West Frontier Province, the top official responsible for the tribal area, said.

"Baitullah Mehsud is the root cause of all evils," Ghani added. "The government has decided that to secure the innocent citizens from terrorists, a meaningful, durable and complete action is to be taken."

The move follows the Pakistan army's operation against a branch of Baitullah's Taliban network in the Swat valley, which started in late April, but Waziristan is a much more important and difficult battle.

It also came after Qari Zainuddin, a challenger to Baitullah from his own tribe, pledged to drive Baitullah's al-Qaeda supporters from Pakistan, as disclosed in The Sunday Telegraph yesterday

Zainuddin is being secretly backed by the Pakistan state and is already believed to have weakened the warlord.

Mr Ghani said that the "army's already in action" in Waziristan. A parallel operation by Nato forces, just across the border in Afghanistan is likely to be seen, to cut off the militants' retreat.

Pakistan is struggling to cope with the displacement of some 2 million people from the Swat operation. Waziristan, in the north west, could produce some 500,000 more refugees.

Mehsud's group claimed last three major terrorist attacks last week alone: the bombing of a luxury hotel in Peshawar, a blast at a mosque in Nowshera in the north west, and the killing of an anti-Taliban cleric in the eastern city of Lahore. He is suspected of masterminding the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister, in 2007.

Following the US-led invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, Taliban and al-Qaeda fled into Pakistan's tribal area, especially Waziristan, spawning a Pakistani Taliban movement. Baitullah Mehsud was formerly anointed head of the Taliban Movement of Pakistan in late 2007, although there remain Taliban groups that are not in his network.

"We are at a state of war," said Hasham Baber, a senior member of the Awami National Party, which runs the regional NWFP government. "As my party leader has said, all the waters of the Indus (river) will not be enough to douse the flames coming from the north west."
 
Union of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Only solution to present problem of Instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan is in the Union of Afghanistan and Pakistan, based on the basics principles of Democracy in which Government should be composed of representatives of all sections of society and regions, No one will be dominant to each other, and that country will be easily governable by Government, In history Durani Empire was composed of all areas in which today Pakistan and Afghanistan are located, During Mughal Empire both Afghanistan and Pakistan were a single country, During initial period of British Empire they were also same country, During British Empire, some vested interest forces kept at distance to both these lands from each other , Due to which borders between these two countries have become hiding place for criminals of both countries and theft automobiles and others stolen assets are stored in this region, this large uncontrollable region is basis of many evils , Narcotics are grown in these areas ,and addiction of which is destroying youths and humanity and due to poverty and non development, people are going towards extremism and militancy, Union of both countries will make the single government of this region more responsible in stabilizing the region and in satisfying the nationalistic pride of people and people will be able to serve humanity as other large nations of world are serving the humanity, other wise this region will always remain as a nuisance for world, as this region already has destroyed Soviet Union it may also take down to western world which will be a great blow to development of Science and Technology specially Medical science.

Advantages to world.
Control of Terrorism:
Instability in this region is causing great damage to humanity, soldiers of USA and NATO are sacrificing their lives just to eliminate Terrorists from these countries, while by unification it will become sole responsibility of the people and government of unified nation to control terrorists and it will be more convenient for that government to administer as there will be unity in chain of command.

Control of Extremism:
As unified nation will be composed of multiethnic groups such as Punjabies,Sindhies,Baloachs, Pukhtoons,Urdu speakers,Tajiks, Persians and Hazaras and will be composed of multisectarian society such as Sunni and Shiites it will become impossible for any ethnic group or religious sect to find any future in extremism

Stabilization of Region:
Although now a days in this region there is problem of terrorism but infact from a long time (about 50 years) this region is suffering from instability, reason is that people of this region are finding no hope and future for themselves due to division of this region and interference of large nations such as Soviet Union, USA, China and India but when the people of this region were unified at the time of Durani Empire this region was stable and same was case during Mughal Empire..
As there are three main groups in Asia i.e. Chinese, Hindues and Muslims. Chinese and Hindues are satisfied with their Dominion states of China and India, but as there is no large state of Muslims in Asia while their numerical population is greater than Chinese and Hindues, therefore Muslims are suffering from distress which is causing instability and irritation in common Muslims, therefore by creation of a unified state of Pakistan and Afghanistan a sense of satisfaction and respect with the existence of a national state will be achieved

Solution to Economic Problems.
At present both countries are burden on other countries and in fact are a barrier in exploring the resources of Central Asia by world. After stabilization it will be useful for not only for Central Asia and World but also for the new unified nation itself

Advantages to Pakistan:
It was the vision of Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam to unify region of West Pakistan with Afghanistan and East Pakistan with Malysia and Indonesia and that is still the need of time.
• By unification with Afghanistan, areas which are included in Pakistan will be stabilized, and migration of people from disturbed areas will be stopped,
• Law and order situation due to smuggling of weapons from Afghanistan will come to an end.
• Similarly illicit drug trade will be minimized.
• Whole areas of Pukhtoons speaking population will become unified and which will be helpful for development of culture and language of that group which is now divided in two nations.
• Security measures expenses on borders will be minimized which may be used for welfare of people.
• Interference of other nations in this region will be stopped.
• Due to historical and unique region and having importance for Buddhism and Hindues religion, tourism industry will be flourished and business activity in the region will be increased,

Advantages to Afghanistan:
• By unification status of Afghanistan as land lock country will come to an end, and Union will increase the freedom of people of Afghanistan for travel and economic activity,
• Extremism and terrorism will come to and end, as the people will become more engaged and involved in adjusting themselves in new union. it will increase the utilization of raw products of Afghanistan ,
• Security and military expenses will be minimized,
• Doors of job for people of Afghanistan in Pakistan will opened ,the desire of unification of people of Afghanistan with people of Pakistan will be fulfilled.
• Shortage of food products in Afghanistan will be decreased and it will increase the utilization of raw products of Afghanistan in the region.
• Due to linkage of central Asia via Afghanistan, will cause extraordinary development in the whole region.

From all above points it is clear that unification of Pakistan and Afghanistan will be fruitful for every one and for world at large by each and every angle.


Written By:
M.AKRAM KHAN
Email:akrumniazi@hotmail.com
Baldia Town,Karachi.Pakistan.
 
finally we move in.
May Allah help us and our soldiers in their struggle against terrorism

Ya, finally PA is moveing in, and definately Allah will be along with Pakistan and PA. Also I wont say its a struggle against terrorism, but a victory road to happyness and peace. :agree:
 
Union of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Only solution to present problem of Instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan is in the Union of Afghanistan and Pakistan, based on the basics principles of Democracy in which Government should be composed of representatives of all sections of society and regions, No one will be dominant to each other, and that country will be easily governable by Government, In history Durani Empire was composed of all areas in which today Pakistan and Afghanistan are located, During Mughal Empire both Afghanistan and Pakistan were a single country, During initial period of British Empire they were also same country, During British Empire, some vested interest forces kept at distance to both these lands from each other , Due to which borders between these two countries have become hiding place for criminals of both countries and theft automobiles and others stolen assets are stored in this region, this large uncontrollable region is basis of many evils , Narcotics are grown in these areas ,and addiction of which is destroying youths and humanity and due to poverty and non development, people are going towards extremism and militancy, Union of both countries will make the single government of this region more responsible in stabilizing the region and in satisfying the nationalistic pride of people and people will be able to serve humanity as other large nations of world are serving the humanity, other wise this region will always remain as a nuisance for world, as this region already has destroyed Soviet Union it may also take down to western world which will be a great blow to development of Science and Technology specially Medical science.

Advantages to world.
Control of Terrorism:
Instability in this region is causing great damage to humanity, soldiers of USA and NATO are sacrificing their lives just to eliminate Terrorists from these countries, while by unification it will become sole responsibility of the people and government of unified nation to control terrorists and it will be more convenient for that government to administer as there will be unity in chain of command.

Control of Extremism:
As unified nation will be composed of multiethnic groups such as Punjabies,Sindhies,Baloachs, Pukhtoons,Urdu speakers,Tajiks, Persians and Hazaras and will be composed of multisectarian society such as Sunni and Shiites it will become impossible for any ethnic group or religious sect to find any future in extremism

Stabilization of Region:
Although now a days in this region there is problem of terrorism but infact from a long time (about 50 years) this region is suffering from instability, reason is that people of this region are finding no hope and future for themselves due to division of this region and interference of large nations such as Soviet Union, USA, China and India but when the people of this region were unified at the time of Durani Empire this region was stable and same was case during Mughal Empire..
As there are three main groups in Asia i.e. Chinese, Hindues and Muslims. Chinese and Hindues are satisfied with their Dominion states of China and India, but as there is no large state of Muslims in Asia while their numerical population is greater than Chinese and Hindues, therefore Muslims are suffering from distress which is causing instability and irritation in common Muslims, therefore by creation of a unified state of Pakistan and Afghanistan a sense of satisfaction and respect with the existence of a national state will be achieved

Solution to Economic Problems.
At present both countries are burden on other countries and in fact are a barrier in exploring the resources of Central Asia by world. After stabilization it will be useful for not only for Central Asia and World but also for the new unified nation itself

Advantages to Pakistan:
It was the vision of Founder of Pakistan Quaid-e-Azam to unify region of West Pakistan with Afghanistan and East Pakistan with Malysia and Indonesia and that is still the need of time.
• By unification with Afghanistan, areas which are included in Pakistan will be stabilized, and migration of people from disturbed areas will be stopped,
• Law and order situation due to smuggling of weapons from Afghanistan will come to an end.
• Similarly illicit drug trade will be minimized.
• Whole areas of Pukhtoons speaking population will become unified and which will be helpful for development of culture and language of that group which is now divided in two nations.
• Security measures expenses on borders will be minimized which may be used for welfare of people.
• Interference of other nations in this region will be stopped.
• Due to historical and unique region and having importance for Buddhism and Hindues religion, tourism industry will be flourished and business activity in the region will be increased,

Advantages to Afghanistan:
• By unification status of Afghanistan as land lock country will come to an end, and Union will increase the freedom of people of Afghanistan for travel and economic activity,
• Extremism and terrorism will come to and end, as the people will become more engaged and involved in adjusting themselves in new union. it will increase the utilization of raw products of Afghanistan ,
• Security and military expenses will be minimized,
• Doors of job for people of Afghanistan in Pakistan will opened ,the desire of unification of people of Afghanistan with people of Pakistan will be fulfilled.
• Shortage of food products in Afghanistan will be decreased and it will increase the utilization of raw products of Afghanistan in the region.
• Due to linkage of central Asia via Afghanistan, will cause extraordinary development in the whole region.

From all above points it is clear that unification of Pakistan and Afghanistan will be fruitful for every one and for world at large by each and every angle.


Written By:
M.AKRAM KHAN
Email:akrumniazi@hotmail.com
Baldia Town,Karachi.Pakistan.

Agreed, In word Pakistan the "A" stands for Afghanistan as per idealogy of Allama Iqbal .
I think US and Allies never wanted to unit muslims , i apprectiate your thinking but we need to first unit the currency and then move towards single army and then citizenship on the lines of EU.

But our leaders and politicians and even scholars are sleeping , whole muslim nation is sleeping from more then 1000 years.
 
Agreed, In word Pakistan the "A" stands for Afghanistan as per idealogy of Allama Iqbal .
I think US and Allies never wanted to unit muslims , i apprectiate your thinking but we need to first unit the currency and then move towards single army and then citizenship on the lines of EU.

But our leaders and politicians and even scholars are sleeping , whole muslim nation is sleeping from more then 1000 years.

A stands for Afgania which actually was used for NWFP and not afghanistan. i dont know about now but in early age of pakistan there was a plan to unite Pakistan and afghanistan and US was quite helpful back then. later that afghan king was killed and communist gov took over afghanistan.
 
A stands for Afgania which actually was used for NWFP and not afghanistan. i dont know about now but in early age of pakistan there was a plan to unite Pakistan and afghanistan and US was quite helpful back then. later that afghan king was killed and communist gov took over afghanistan.

Geographically ,traditionally and relegiously if they merged in one country it will be in benefit for both and also good for peace of whole central asia .
 
Geographically ,traditionally and relegiously if they merged in one country it will be in benefit for both and also good for peace of whole central asia .

The 'visionaries' have always maintained this & Inshallah thats the 'destiny'. But this will create a big threat to the west & there allies as it will have a complete NATION ---- MOST FEARSOME WARRIORS + MOST COMPETENT AGRICULTURE GROWERS + MOST SHREWD BUSINESS PEOPLE AT SEA PORTS. All of them with generations of experience behind this in there respective fields. We just need a GREAT LEADER with A GRAND VISION.
And guess what once this happens, next stop PANIPAT:enjoy:
 
The 'visionaries' have always maintained this & Inshallah thats the 'destiny'. But this will create a big threat to the west & there allies as it will have a complete NATION ---- MOST FEARSOME WARRIORS + MOST COMPETENT AGRICULTURE GROWERS + MOST SHREWD BUSINESS PEOPLE AT SEA PORTS. All of them with generations of experience behind this in there respective fields. We just need a GREAT LEADER with A GRAND VISION.
And guess what once this happens, next stop PANIPAT:enjoy:

watch this new episode of zaid hamid programe on naimatullah shah wali. he made pakistan a regional (middle east + central asia) super power on only 30 minutes.
and it was mainly bec of this Great Leader we are waitin for. accordin to naimatullah sahah wali (given that poetry is actually of naimatullah shah wali) this great leader will come when this nation looses hope in everything and then looks towards God and asks when will His help come.
although we are slowly loosin hope in everything but still there are many ppl lik me who are quite positive.
 
Geographically ,traditionally and relegiously if they merged in one country it will be in benefit for both and also good for peace of whole central asia .

well rit now we can hardly control our tribal belt. dont u think controlin afghanistan at this point will only be disastrous for pakistan? here ppl are talkin about minin the border and u are suggestin that we should fully open that already half open border.
it would have been gud if it was done few dacades back. or it might be gud if this happens few dacades after but definately not now
 

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Pakistani soldiers stand guard on a hill overlooking Kalam valley on June 3, 2009​

No one has contributed to Pakistan's slide into chaos over recent years more than Baitullah Mehsud. From his base in the wilds of South Waziristan, the leader of the Pakistan Taliban has overseen the killing of over 1,200 civilians and several hundred soldiers through brutal means including suicide bombings, kidnappings and beheadings. He has been accused of masterminding the assassination of former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in late December 2007. In late March, Washington announced a $5m reward for information leading to his capture, describing Mehsud as a "key al-Qaeda facilitator." And over the past week alone, he claimed responsibility for five separate terrorist attacks, including the bombing of a luxury hotel in Peshawar and the killing of a vocal anti-Taliban cleric in Lahore.

Now Pakistan is taking the fight to his mountainous stronghold, ordering an expansion of its current offensive against Taliban fighters in the Swat Valley. On Sunday night, denouncing Mehsud as "the root cause of all evils," Owais Ghani, the Governor of the North West Frontier Province said that the government has called on the army to launch a "full-fledged" military operation to eliminate Mehsud and his estimated 20,000 men. The crucial battle may prove to be the most difficult that Pakistan's military has faced on its soil in recent years.

Islamabad's decision to launch the offensive against Mehsud signals a deepening of Pakistani resolve against the militants. The army has targeted the Taliban leader on three separate occasions — in 2004, 2005, and 2008 — but walked away each time after signing ruinous "peace deals" that have only served to embolden Mehsud. But the military appears more determined this time. It also enjoys the backing of a government that has gathered public support as the recent wave of terror attacks has heightened revulsion against the Taliban.

Military analysts say the fighting in South Waziristan will not be easy, and that the government must be prepared to handle the potential fallout. The harsh, rugged terrain has found much favor with hardened guerrillas. "It will be more difficult [than the Swat Valley operation]," says Hasan Askari-Rizvi, a military analyst. "The Taliban are more deeply entrenched, and they are going to put up a fight. They will avoid head-on battles, but will try to harass the army by other means, including ambushes." There is also the possibility that Mehsud's ranks have been fortified by some of the fighters who have fled the fighting in the Swat Valley. South Waziristan is also home to assorted foreign militant groups, including Arab and Central Asian fighters. It has long been rumored to be a hiding place of Osama Bin Laden.

It also remains to be seen how well Pakistan's military will be able to sustain simultaneous fighting on two different fronts. While it has claimed a flurry of success in the Swat Valley and two neighboring districts, a decisive victory has not taken place. Maulana Fazlullah, the leader of the Swat Taliban, and other members of his leadership have not been eliminated — a declared priority. Last year, when fighting intensified against militants in the Bajaur tribal agency, the military's campaign faltered in Swat. And over recent months, as the focus reverted to Swat, a failure to consolidate gains in Bajaur has seen a truce there break down and Taliban fighters return.

The advantage during this fight may come, however, from abroad. In contrast to the previous offensives in South Waziristan, there are signs of closer cooperation between Islamabad and Washington. Just hours before Ghani's Sunday announcement, a CIA-operated drone fired missiles near Makeen, Mehsud's hometown. Five suspected militants were killed. It was the 20th such strike this year. Since February, the U.S. has stepped up attacks on Mehsud and his allies, broadening its range of drone targets across the tribal belt. The day before the drone strike, Pakistani air force jets were pounding the same area in retaliation for the recent terrorist attacks in the northwest and Lahore. "Pakistan and the U.S. and NATO troops will have to cooperate with each other," says Askari-Rizvi. "If the army goes in with full force, some of the militants will definitely cross over to Afghanistan." Troops positioned across the border in Afghanistan could squeeze the retreating militants. "There is a need for both sides to closely monitor the border to see where the crossings are taking place."

The Pakistan military may also call on rival warlords to harry Mehsud from within his territory. In recent days, Qari Zainuddin, a member of the Mehsud tribe, has spoken out strongly against his fellow clansman, denouncing his brutality and vowing revenge for the murder of his relatives. Zainuddin and another group, led by Turkistan Bhittani, enjoy the covert backing of Pakistan's security services. "In the past these guys were afraid to confront Baitullah Mehsud, because there was no one there to protect them," says Askari-Rizvi. The army could now provide that support as the government uses political means to divide sub-tribes aligned to Mehsud.

Faced with an all-out assault, Mehsud is likely to take the fight beyond the tribal areas and mount perhaps even deadlier bomb attacks in Pakistan's heartlands. "They will try to paralyze the country by striking at the major cities and business hubs," says Khadim Hussain of the Aryana Institute, a research organization that focuses on the problem of militancy in the northwest. "The political government has to be aware of the potential fallout and be prepared for it." Hussain also says that the fighting could lead to a further 1.5 million people being displaced, in addition to the nearly 3 million who already have been. But other observers put the number lower, at around half a million, given that many residents of Waziristan have already fled as word of a looming military operation spread in recent weeks.

See TIME's pictures of the week.
 
Union of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Only solution to present problem of Instability in Afghanistan and Pakistan is in the Union of Afghanistan and Pakistan, based on the basics principles of Democracy in which Government should be composed of representatives of all sections of society and regions, No one will be dominant to each other, and that country will be easily governable by Government,

Before we even go there, we need to devolve more power to the existing provinces and move on the provincial autonomy reforms that have been lagging for so long.

Once we can get our own act together, it may be that the Pashtun provinces of Afghanistan consider joining the Pakistani Federation as being in their interests, and of course the people of Pakistan would have to approve such a move.

But this is all long term, and would likely be a process similar to the one followed by the EU (or should be at least) where the people in both nations are convinced of the advantages of pursuing, or not, such a union.
 

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