DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Turkistan Bhittani, projected by the government as leader of so-called 'good Taliban', and the main rival of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan chief Baitullah Mehsud, has accused the local administration of helping the TTP chief get a foothold in Tank district.
 
‘The administration is helping the Baitullah group to … hold public meetings in the Mulazai area,’ Bhittani said at a press conference here on Tuesday.
 
On Saturday, the government asked Bhittani to close his offices and take his supporters out of Tank. He moved his people to the Jandola Frontier Region near South Waziristan.

The sudden change in government policy came after security forces launched an operation in South Waziristan and soldiers were deployed in Tank city.

The administration had provided offices to Bhittani and his men in the Baitul Maal department and his armed men were allowed to patrol Dera.

‘Baitullah Mehsud is once again provided an opportunity to return to Tank,’ Bhittani said. He said he had done everything the administration had asked him to do, including closing down his offices and withdrawing his men from the city.

He warned that if the Baitullah group did not free his supporter Ali Gul then he (Bhittani) would not be responsible for consequences.

Local people said that Turkistan Bhittani had set up a parallel administration in Tank and his people had set up checkpoints and carried out patrolling. His supporters had also started snatching vehicles from local people.