TTP links Prof Ajmal Khan's release to that of TNSM chief

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

PESHAWAR: The proscribed Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) militant organisation said on Sunday that the release of former Vice-Chancellor Islamia College University (ICU) Peshawar, Professor Ajmal Khan,was linked to the release of arrested head of banned Tehrik Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi (TNSM), Maulana Sufi Muhammad, DawnNews reported.

Prof. Ajmal Khan is in Taliban captivity since September 7, 2010 when he was kidnapped along with his driver at gunpoint from Professor Colony in University of Peshawar.

His driver was released two years later.

The Taliban announcement comes as one of the first developments to have taken place after Fazluulah took charge of the outlawed outfit vowing revenge for the killing of the group's leader Hakimullah Mehsud in a US drone strike.

Maulana Sufi Mohammad is the father-in-law of the newly appointed leader of the Pakistani Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah aka Mullah Radio.

He was arrested by authorities in 2009 and was tried for various cases related to conspiring against the state, attempting murder, rioting and stopping government employees from performing duty.

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Akram

Nov 10, 2013 04:24pm

The more Pakistan releases prisoners for exchange, all the TTP will do is kidnap someone else to exchange. To stop it, they should refuse all such prisoner swaps. Once they get tired of the cost and effort of feeding and guarding their prisoners, they will eventually let them go. This is essentially their business, it has always been the profession of these bandits.

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S. A. M.

Nov 10, 2013 04:37pm

I strongly request the govt to go ahead with the exchange. What is the benefit of keeping sufi in captivity when hundreds of thousands are roaming freely across the country. Poor Professor Khan has been in captivity for a very long time. If his oredal can come to an end by reeasing sufi i think its worth it. I will request the govt to please consider it on a compassionate basis

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syed

Nov 10, 2013 05:40pm

Sab ko chor do bhai .. we have to change the definition of terrorist in our country.

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True Pakistani

Nov 10, 2013 07:52pm

Taliban, I dont understand why you call yourself TT Pakistan. Listen , you are our enemy and will always be. May you burn in hell!

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pathanoo

Nov 10, 2013 08:43pm

It will be real interesting to see if the Government finds an excuse to release Maulana Sufi Mohammed.

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adnan

Nov 10, 2013 08:52pm

i humbly request concerned authorities to make this deal on humanitarian grounds, professor sb has suffered alot, its the time to go on with something useful, releasing Maulana sb is something Govt. should do without any hesitation, may the Govt have ,mercy upon the poor professor sb

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Ozz777

Nov 10, 2013 09:10pm

@Akram: They won't let them go. They'll behead them in a gruesome manner and then proudly release a video showing it.

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M. Siddique

Nov 10, 2013 10:34pm

Dawn should stop calling TTP as militant organization. TTP is a TERRORIST organization and must be called so. As a terrorist organization they are banned under Pakistani law and Dawn must call spade a spade. TTP is a money swindlers for kidnapping and now black mailing the government. Army must take a strong action and wipe them out. We should consider the entire Waziristan as Swat and terrorists must be driven out from there.

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M. Siddique

Nov 10, 2013 10:36pm

@S. A. M. : Catch them all and wipe them out.

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M. Ahmed

Nov 10, 2013 11:46pm

Absolutely NO to terrorist demands. These killers of innocent people need to be brought to justice. They have blood of thousands of innocent people on their hands. Government need to show resolve and act with full determination to eliminate anti state elements no matter who they are.

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Eddied

Nov 11, 2013 12:34am

@S. A. M. : Negotiating with terrorists only makes them stronger...don't do this killer a favor by returning his father in law...

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Mustafa

Nov 11, 2013 05:08am

This is my humble suggestion. Pakistan should immediately make a law that Pakistanis who belong to designated groups that attack or kill Pakistani soldiers, police or members of law enforcement agencies; the groups and their supporters and sympathizers should not receive any help from soldiers, police or law enforcement agencies of Pakistan when they need any help. They should not receive any treatment from government funded hospitals. They should know that being enemies of state of Pakistan they will be denied all benefits from the state. They even cannot use roads owned by the state. In addition Pakistani soldiers, police and all law enforcement agencies should be authorized to shoot on sight all known members of designated lawless groups and their supporters. It is time to take the bull by the horn.

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farooq Mughal

Nov 11, 2013 06:10am

@Akram: Agree, 100%

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