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Maulana Masood Azhar, a notorious militant leader in Pakistan, resurfaced last week when he addressed by phone thousands of his supporters in Muzaffarabad. — File Photo
BREAKING his long hibernation, Maulana Masood Azhar, a notorious militant leader in Pakistan, resurfaced last week when he addressed by phone thousands of his supporters in Muzaffarabad. This first public appearance of sorts in years of the leader of an outlawed organisation, Jaish-e-Mohammad, raises questions about the state’s policy towards militancy.
First Hafiz Saeed was made ‘kosher’ by being brought into the mainstream and now Masood Azhar is back in the arena. And let us not forget Fazalur Rehman Khalil of Harkatul Mujahideen who now regularly appears on television talk shows and is reportedly being used by the government for back-channel contacts with the Pakistani Taliban groups.
Indeed, the reactivation of leaders of the outlawed groups does not seem accidental. It is a disturbing development for the international community as well as for our national security.
The rally in Muzaffarabad was very well organised –thousands of people were bussed to the venue. So, it is not possible that the local administration and security agencies did not know about the event, which was held for the launch of a book written by Kashmiri leader Mohammed Afzal Guru who was executed by the Indian authorities.
It is true that Mr Guru’s death triggered widespread anger on both sides of the Line of Control and the large gathering was to be expected. But the fiery speech delivered by Masood Azhar on the occasion was bound to raise eyebrows. He reportedly called upon Pakistani authorities to lift restrictions on ‘jihad’.
According to newspaper reports, the security at the rally was strict; cameras and tape recorders were not allowed in. Among others, the rally was also reportedly addressed by Mufti Abdul Rauf Asghar, the younger brother of Masood Azhar, who too was closely associated with the banned outfit.
It is often argued by the civil and military authorities that the ban on the jihadi groups was only applicable in Pakistan and not in Azad Kashmir. This is an extremely ridiculous argument especially as it cannot explain why Azhar Masood is still operating from Bahawalpur, his hometown.
Masood Azhar formed the JeM after his release by the Indian authorities in exchange for the passengers of a hijacked Indian Airline plane in December 1999. It soon emerged as one of the fiercest jihadi group in the region. In addition to guerrilla activities in India-held Kashmir, the militant outfit maintained close ties with the former Taliban regime in Afghanistan.
Several of Masood Azhar’s family members held government jobs in Kabul. Hundreds of JeM activists received training in camps in Afghanistan, bringing them into close contact with Al Qaeda. The group’s newspaper, Zarb-i-Momin, became a mouthpiece of the Taliban regime.
Outlawed by General Pervez Musharraf’s military government, the JeM was also placed on the international terrorist groups list after it was alleged to have masterminded the attack on the Indian parliament in December 2001, which had pushed the two countries to the brink of war.
Following the ban, the JeM splintered into several factions and continued its militant activities. These factions have reportedly been involved in many terrorist attacks that have taken place inside Pakistan. Some of the splinters also maintain close links with the sectarian groups such as Lashkar-i-Jhangvi.
Despite his group being banned, Masood Azhar was never detained and lived freely in his home in Southern Punjab where the JeM has strong roots.
It is often said that Masood Azhar had lost control over his banned outfit and was not responsible for any terrorist actions attributed to those who belonged to JeM. But his latest address to the Muzaffarabad rally confirms that he has continued his jihadi activities, though he maintained a low profile.
The audiocassettes of his speeches and his publications are freely circulated. The widely circulated Zarb-i-Momin continued to publish despite the proscription of the JeM.
The resurfacing of Masood Azhar and other militant leaders exposes the duplicity of our policy on militancy. The country has paid dearly for using militancy as a tool of our regional policy in the past and it is high time that it is stopped.
Comments (28) Closed
I don't think this is duplicity of policy. Its merely an effort from the govt to not antagonize ALL the militant groups simultaneously. A few groups at a time. First let the forces take care of the hardest of the hardliners nestled in Waziristan and then start taking out crooks like LeJ and others. One group at a time.
It is certainly very concerning to read this, who are these people in government who are secretly supporting these people, do they want another Mumbai style attack and throw Pakistan into deeper crises. What kind of security agencies do we have who are creating more risk for Pakistan. These rogue elements needs to be dealt with right away.
someone who never learns a lesson from his mistakes is doomed to fail again ...u guys tried this with taliban on your side ...do u really wanna try again???? i am sure it's going to backfire once again any ways ...the choice may be yours but it's our game at the end .
I think these types of groups (Lashkar-i-Jhangvi Harkatul Mujahideen Zarb-i-Momin) are a disgrace to the nation and are bringing a bad name to the most beautiful religion in the world Islam.
They have their own Islam not the one completed by our beloved Prophet Mohammed PBUP, They have interpreted new Bidets in Islam by killing innocent children, women and men and justifying it how on earth you can justify killing Muslim in the name of Allah SWT.
They have brought shame on our religion and on our beautiful country. They are sick minded people and hunger of power as you already know there are so many groups out there like them and even they do not agree with each other. They are killing us because we do not want their form of Islam however if we follow one group then the other group will kill us because they called each other Kafir.
I have noticed that their support are in poorer areas of Pakistan where there are jobs and education. Please make education available to all and if not free then at least cheap if you are going to change Pakistan.
Allah is the creator of everything not only in this world but also in other universes and he also have created Christians, Hindus, Budhaist, Jews etc etc. Allah's beloved Prophet PBUH did not hate anyone he was kind and nice to non Muslims as well then how can we hate others because they are not Muslims.
Islam is the religion of peace, equality and love.
The article is biased.
Thank you Dawn for sharing such an important news with the readers...It really frightens me because if we really resort ourselves to such activities we will really be doomed this time...The world is not going to watch us silently...The intelligence agencies & military must understand that the security atmosphere in the past decade has totally changed and it would be suicidal to pursue such a path for future leverage in Kashmir/Kabul. Please stop this madness otherwise this country would be gone...This country has a great potential to become a key player if it struck down all the terrorist groups.....
Zahid Hussain sahib you are a brave man.
These people are never going to improve. They and their country is paying for their sins and yet.... What do you call such people...
Where is the writ of government? Why cant the government act in self defence? Is he not the person who pushed the country to the brink of war with India, stopping all developments and drifting it back? Is it not a price too big for any reason?
These people with convoluted thinking have hijacked the religion and the main stream is sitting there as ducks. It is recipe for disaster.
This guy is bad news for all. Somebody stop him now!
Thanks for this wonderful piece, we indian and pakistani must know who are real enemies.He was exchanged with passenger after 1999 hijack...it tells a lot abt him.Pakistan should abandon these extremist elements for betterment of world peace and Pakistan society. Because of these element,Pakistan has earned a bad name in world community,hope Pakistan friends will realize this and understand that they are not good for even pakistani,
The duplicity of our policy on militancy and using militancy as a tool of our regional policy seems to continue. People like Imran, Sami Ul Haq, and Hamid Gul are all in promoting this policy while Pakhtun are supposed to bear the costs in blood.
@Ahmed: I hope that is the case.
Ja Apni Hasraton pay ansoo baha kay so ja.
Islam Zindabad Pakistan Painndabad
Could you please give solid evidence in your article how this group is associated with al Qaeda and lashkar e jhangvi. News reports carry little credibility if they are without any sources.
This article shows there are still a lot of good Pakistani's who want to see these negative elements out of Pakistan's main stream politics so that countries and people could live in harmony rather than hatred and war...
Appreciate the author's determination and courage to speak truth....
Best of Luck to Pakistan and its peace loving people from the grip of these negative elements.
@Arshad Raza: You have said what I really wanted to say. So instead of repeating, I'll just say: Thank you.
Written, published, praised by shia ... Sectarian rift continues.
It is surprising to see a known trouble maker walking around the streets making speeches. Why did Pak Govt allow this? If Pak wants US or India to trust them, they must not allow these kind of things happening.
The price one must pay for "freedom of speech".
A systematic elimination of such people will improve our ties with India and the rest of the world. If I recall correctly, this man was related to Indian Airlines plane high jack to Kandahar resulting in release of terrorists from Indian prisons. Similarly, an internationally wanted terrorist Hafiz Sayeed can address the rallies openly in Pakistan. What kind of message are we giving to the rest of the world?
these beardos have caused us nothing but trouble, its time to jail them all, those involved in murders should be hanged.
@Akram: The only reason most common people inside and outside Pakistan can foresee that these are the walking and talking pillars of past and possibly current concepts of National Security. There are many who will protect them secretly, in order to protect themselves.
These trouble makers only exist because of the poor policies of Zardari and Nawaz. If we had sensible and educated leaders, these trouble makers will vanish.
@Arshad Raza: I applaud you....I pray many more of you in Pakistan get the strength and courage to emerge and advocate peace.
@Akram: That would also mean a good chunk of Pakistani military as well...
@Ahmed: kis dunya main rehtay ho Ahmed