US assures support to arrest, kill Fazlullah, Senate committee told

Published January 26, 2015
Undated photo taken from video by the TTP's Umar Media propaganda wing shows its leader Mullah Fazlullah.
Undated photo taken from video by the TTP's Umar Media propaganda wing shows its leader Mullah Fazlullah.

ISLAMABAD: Defence officials said Monday that the United States has assured Pakistan that Tehreek-i-Taliban (TTP) chief Mullah Fazlullah would either be arrested or killed in Afghanistan, adding that in case of an arrest he would be subsequently handed over to Pakistan.

Briefing a Senate Defence Committee in Islamabad, defence officials said that during his long visit to the US, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen Raheel Sharif had also presented vital evidence of Indian involvement in subversive activities in Pakistan by using Afghan soil to top US intelligence and defence officials.

Explore: Army chief holds talks at Pentagon

Defence officials said US would also give Pakistan 1 billion USD this year under the Coalition Support Fund (CSF).

The committee was briefed that the US would further give Pakistan used defence equipment to meet its security challenges for which the process had already begun.

Committee Chairman Mushahid Hussain and other members expressed displeasure over the absence of Defence Minister Khawaja Asif from the meeting.

A day after the Peshawar school attack, Gen Raheel had also visited Kabul where he sought handover of Mullah Fazalullah.

Examine: Gen Raheel visits Kabul, seeks handover of Mullah Fazlullah

On Jan 14, the US State Department had designated the TTP chief as a ‘global terrorist’.

Take a look: US designates Mullah Fazlullah as a 'global terrorist'

Fazlullah was elected TTP commander in November 2013, following the death of former leader Hakimullah Mehsud.

Under the leadership of Fazlullah, TTP claimed responsibility for the December 16, 2014 attack on a school in Peshawar that resulted in the deaths of at least 150 people, mostly students.

Read: Militant siege of Peshawar school ends, 141 killed

Prior to becoming TTP leader, Fazlullah claimed he was behind the killing of Pakistani Army Major General Sanaullah Niazi in September 2013, as well as ordering the shooting of schoolgirl and activist Malala Yousafzai in 2012.

Opinion

Political capitalism

Political capitalism

Pakistani decision-makers salivate at the prospect of a one-party state but without paying attention to those additional ingredients.

Editorial

Spending restrictions
Updated 13 May, 2024

Spending restrictions

The country's "recovery" in recent months remains fragile and any shock at this point can mean a relapse.
Climate authority
13 May, 2024

Climate authority

WITH the authorities dragging their feet for seven years on the establishment of a Climate Change Authority and...
Vending organs
13 May, 2024

Vending organs

IN these cash-strapped times, black marketers in the organ trade are returning to rake it in by harvesting the ...
A turbulent 2023
Updated 12 May, 2024

A turbulent 2023

Govt must ensure judiciary's independence, respect for democratic processes, and protection for all citizens against abuse of power.
A moral victory
12 May, 2024

A moral victory

AS the UN General Assembly overwhelmingly voted on Friday in favour of granting Palestine greater rights at the...
Hope after defeat
12 May, 2024

Hope after defeat

ON Saturday, having fallen behind Japan in the first quarter of the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup final, Pakistan showed...