Pakistan bans Haqqani network after security talks with Kerry
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Pakistan has outlawed the Taliban-linked Haqqani network, officials said on Friday, days after US Secretary of State John Kerry urged Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government to fight groups that threaten Afghan, Indian and US interests.
American officials blame high-profile attacks in Afghanistan on the powerful Haqqani network, which mainly operates out of Pakistan's border areas.
Senior Pakistani government officials told Reuters a formal announcement of the ban would be made “within weeks”.
“We have decided to ban the Haqqani network as a step in implementing the National Action Plan devised after the (Peshawar) school attack,” said a cabinet member, referring to a massacre of 134 children by Taliban gunmen last month.
“The military and the government are on the same page on how to tackle militancy. There is no more 'good' or 'bad' Taliban.
“Kerry specifically pressed for action against the Haqqanis, including banning the group,” the official added.
A second official, a minister who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the decision to outlaw the Haqqani group.
The United States accuses the Pakistani intelligence agency of supporting the Haqqani militants and using them as a proxy in Afghanistan to gain leverage there against the growing influence of its arch-rival India. Pakistan denies this allegation.
A formal announcement of the ban would show the government is keen to convince the United States it will no longer differentiate between 'good' and 'bad' militants.
But it remains to be seen if the ban will translate into significant action.
There has been intense debate within the government on whether to brand the group a terrorist organisation.
Some officials have argued the move would have little battlefield impact but risks setting back Afghan reconciliation efforts and unleashing more attacks against Pakistan.
In June last year the Pakistan army launched a long-expected military operation in the troubled North Waziristan region, said to be the base of the Haqqani group.
“Pakistan has done a lot already to disrupt the activities of the Haqqanis...within Pakistan,” said a Western diplomat.
“But they must also take follow up steps ... to ensure the Haqqanis and other groups are not allowed to regroup or return to sanctuaries, their assets are frozen, their funding is blocked and their networks dismantled.”
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On DawnNews
Comments (72) Closed
Jan 16, 2015 06:36pm
Why Pakistan took such a long to ban terrorist group like Haqqani Network?
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Jan 16, 2015 06:36pm
This is the essence - But it remains to be seen if the ban will translate into significant action.
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Jan 16, 2015 06:37pm
This is what Afghanistan is asking for years but politicians totally ignored it. I hope this time they are serious.
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Jan 16, 2015 06:38pm
Good very good , come on Pakistan now ban Lasker -e -tabya, Jamat-Dawa ,Hafeez Sayeed and others.
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Jan 16, 2015 06:45pm
Seriously ? Pakistan needed Kerry to tell them to ban the Haqqani network...This is why there is no hope for Pakistan...Wrong choices make horrible results
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Jan 16, 2015 06:49pm
Excellent step.!!! It seems that the paradigm shift in the thinking of our generals has been translated into actions.This much-awaited by our government deserves huge applause.However,USA should reciprocate by urging Modi government to restart the dialogue process with Pakistan.If India still continues to engage Pakistan in proxy wars,then Pakistan will be forced to adopt its old policies of using militants as "strategic tools".
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Jan 16, 2015 06:50pm
Wow i thought it was banned already. And why announce in the news when its not officially announced.
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Jan 16, 2015 06:55pm
The US news papers are reporting Pakistan has been asked to ban Haqani and JUD organizations with immediate effect.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:07pm
They only do when US tell them to do n then they say we are soverign....
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Jan 16, 2015 07:07pm
"Banning" these groups does not mean anything. 100 others will keep coming up. What has to be stopped is the the Madrassa system. Nothing wrong with the word "madrassa". It has to mean something else.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:09pm
Better late than never ..... wish you had done this ten years ago .... would have significantly improved Pakistan's international image and relationships with Afghanistan, NATO, and USA.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:11pm
This is a great move by Pakistan! All groups that use armed violence need to be eradicated. Pakistan and Afghanistan are one and need to work together to bring a prosperous future!
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Jan 16, 2015 07:19pm
Should have been done long before. however better late then never.
banning Haqanis right after Kerry's visit will give very wrong message though..
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Jan 16, 2015 07:21pm
@jay patel Why do you indians care so much? Pakistan-Afghan affairs are none of your concern
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Jan 16, 2015 07:23pm
Shame on Pakistani government it took lives of so many innocent people for them to realize that these extremists do not deserve space in civilized society.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:24pm
@KN Perhaps if you read more and ask fewer questions, you'd know that there have been plans to go after so-called Haqqani "network" several months back. When Gen. Sharif became COAS he even affirmed then that he wont differentiate between good or bad taleban. Kerry came to get updates on Operation Zarb e Azb and in fact has been full of praise for the valor and professionalism of our Armed Forces.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:25pm
@woody Afghanistan needs us regardless
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Jan 16, 2015 07:27pm
But it remains to be seen if the ban will translate into significant action..this is the actual headache
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Jan 16, 2015 07:28pm
... Hope it will continue after America transporting its army equipment from afganistan via Karachi port and stop aid to Pakistan .
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Jan 16, 2015 07:30pm
They should have done it long ago and rooted 'em out but government does not care about people being killed, body parts being flown in the suicide attacks. They are doing little now due to back lash after some time they will go back to same old routine. It is Shame.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:37pm
What about JUD ?
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Jan 16, 2015 07:37pm
Pak also banned JuD on the advice of Mr. Kerry....Which is not reported in the Dawn or other pak media.....
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Jan 16, 2015 07:37pm
Pakistan has banned Al-quieda and OBL, but OBL was living comfortably next to army cantonment area and protected.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:38pm
and what about jamat ud dawa?
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Jan 16, 2015 07:38pm
US orders. We follow.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:39pm
@Sonny Afridi I must disagree. It is a matter of concern to the US, NATO, Afghanistan & India and more importantly to us, the quietly suffering ordinary citizens of Pakistan who want peace and prosperity, if not for us grown ups then at least for our children and grand children. There is no mileage in chest thumping and claiming to be superior to other nations politically, morally or socially when we live in fear and disquiet every hour of the day & night on account of these unemployed and unemployable people in terror outfits.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:42pm
Thank you John Kerry
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Jan 16, 2015 07:44pm
Good job Mr. Kerry.
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Jan 16, 2015 07:50pm
What a country!great sovereignty ..always follow the orders of us and west
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Jan 16, 2015 07:55pm
Haqqani Network, a terrorist organization, is something like registered, now needs to be banned. It will still be in operation, in spite being banned.
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Jan 16, 2015 08:10pm
It is good to go with opposition for a few step and if the results prove them right, good enough. otherwise, if the things fail to improve immediately, opposition would be at receiving end and with no ground to stand and throw barbs
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Jan 16, 2015 08:20pm
"“Kerry specifically pressed for action against the Haqqanis, including banning the group,” the official added."
But you are supposed to provide proof of Indian terrorism!
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Jan 16, 2015 08:26pm
What will banning going to do? All the banned outfit will change thier organzation name and start pushing thier agenda under a diffrent name in no time. This is not a matter of traning at this side of border or that. 60% of Afghanistan is self is still under the current Afghan government control.
USA / INDIA need to acknoweldge ... I seriously think they need to be engaged in talks or else there will be no solution to this.
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Jan 16, 2015 08:32pm
This step was already talked about when Nawaz Sharif met with Ghani.
Nothing new here. Pakistan and Afghanistan have tried to start a new chapter after the disastrous Karzai's government.
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Jan 16, 2015 08:37pm
LET is also "banned" for years but it's nicely operating still. Same thing will happen here.
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Jan 16, 2015 08:38pm
This is really good step and appreciable action.
But it is unfortunate that the Government, itself, could not assesse the risk and impact on the society by allowing them to move freely. Now they are banning these group because USA has highlighted the risk.
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Jan 16, 2015 08:40pm
A good step indeed.
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Jan 16, 2015 09:02pm
So Kerry had to come out and tell you to ban Haqqani, JUD and LET. Couldn't you guys think of this by yourself.
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Jan 16, 2015 09:09pm
@KN Spot on!
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Jan 16, 2015 09:23pm
Haqqani Network will still work in shadows, once Pakistan gets the US aid.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:02pm
Right decision in the right direction.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:08pm
What about JuD?
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Jan 16, 2015 10:11pm
@xyz , You will never be happy. Because you have your own agenda.
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Jan 16, 2015 10:17pm
Person who carries moneybags as carrot has to be respected, because in his other hand he also carries a long stick,
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Jan 16, 2015 10:59pm
This was pressure from India conveyed to Pakistan through US. India should now stop interfering in Baluchistan and elsewhere.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:05pm
Well done Pakistan! I hope now our neighbors will also learn and do something good by putting a ban on their terrorist organizations like RSS and Shiv Sena instead of electing their members for top positions in their country.
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Jan 16, 2015 11:16pm
@Love Pakistan how many blasts have shiv sena done..? Try to make sense from what you speak and try not to poke your nose in matters which are above your level.
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Jan 17, 2015 12:29am
Failed to understand what banning an organization will help. Same people starts a new organization with different name. These people should be banned and any organization which will have these people or have collaboration with them. We always cut the branches than taking the roots out.
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Jan 17, 2015 12:43am
@jay patel
That was the Pakistan army's decision.
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Jan 17, 2015 12:46am
@Indian
Easier said than done.
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Jan 17, 2015 12:58am
@Mohammad Akhtar
"Hope springs eternal in the human breast."
Alexander Pope
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Jan 17, 2015 01:00am
@I am MALALA excellent step? fighting terror??/ all these r for a few dollars dude
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Jan 17, 2015 01:08am
@Rashid Sultan
Well said Rashid.
Sadly good people are afraid to kill and bad people are not.
Every good man in Pakistan should own and carry a 9mm semi automatic pistol and only those with AK-47 assault rifles be arrested on the streets of large cities and jailed in stockades while these weapons of war are destroyed and these men reeducated. To them Allah is first, and there is no Pakistan. To them Pakistan is not a country, just a label.
They government should distribute the pistols and pay half of the cost,
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Jan 17, 2015 02:23am
@ Rashid Sultan : "There is no mileage in chest thumping and claiming to be superior to other nations politically, morally or socially when we live in fear and disquiet every hour of the day & night on account of these unemployed and unemployable people in terror outfits..."
Very well said, Sultan Saheb. Moreover, people of India and Pakistan should work closely together to eliminate the scourge of terrorism. Mindless bickering and fighting between the peoples of India and Pakistan doesn't benefit our subcontinent a bit, but just makes us weak and the laughing stock of the rest of world. Unfortunately, there are enough people from both of our countries who would love the infighting to continue.
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Jan 17, 2015 02:43am
Hight of hypocrisy in the west and India. Not leaving anything to malign Pakistan. Even this news is also being made controversial by linking it to Kerry. Heaven sake. If world cannot support Pakistan, it should complicate things for Pakistan. Let us stop this hypocrisy for good of all.
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Jan 17, 2015 02:44am
@Sonny Afridi : why then you have to change your policy of exporting terror if you still think Afghanistan needs pakistan so much. Whilst that may be true, it is time for people like you to be a bit less arrogant. I think you need a stable Afghanistan to be safe as well. Ever wondered Afghans can't appreciate your insincerity. Even this so called bold move is done out of necessity and out of self interest. Stop being a pathan, act like a pashtun. Pashtuns are straight forward. Their friendship and animosity is clear and they don't play games.
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Jan 17, 2015 02:48am
These criminals were bred and raised by Zia with Saudi money and with CIA training and equipment. They should never have been created to begin with. Good riddance. Let's hope no more Zia's come to power.
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Jan 17, 2015 02:51am
This report and the reporting in the US sounds like that military and political leadership in Pakistan only acts when their masters demand action from them. They appear to be total stooges of Washington and Pentagon.
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Jan 17, 2015 03:04am
If it's not an eye wash to hoodwink the world, then it's a good move for Pakistan too. If strategy is to ban one group and start another one with identical ideology, it's no good for Pakistan too. If they think India is instigating Baluchis and Extremists in Afghanistan, then they should seriously demonstrate they have dismantled terrorists camps operating against India then India too will respond. After all Pakistan started the proxy war and terrorists training against India and they should end too. After all good relation is good for both countries. Pakistan can share big pie of Indian $5,000 billion (5trillion) market and even 10% it takes share is more than its current economy means they can double their per capita in 5 years and give employment to their youths. India will have excess power capacity in 5 years and can share with Pakistan which has higher tariff than India.
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Jan 17, 2015 03:15am
Looking forward to the 'renaming ceremony' for the Haqqani network.
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Jan 17, 2015 03:25am
What about maderassa they sport
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Jan 17, 2015 03:41am
@Imran :: You are right Imran. Just mere banning an organization means nothing b/c the world has seen Pakistan pay lip service to a lot of things that never get accomplished.Trust has to be built over time and verified.
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Jan 17, 2015 03:44am
"Yes Sir!" When foreign gov'ts talk to Pakistan. This should have been done on their own accord long time ago.
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Jan 17, 2015 03:54am
@Sonny Afridi
Pakistan needs Afghanistan to access Central Asia and that is the main reason the Taliban were supported by Pakistan. Don't tell me about Karachi and access to the sea because Afghanistan is already using Chabahar and Turkmenbashi ports to minimize their dependency on Karachi since Afghan businessmen complain of delays and bribes in dealing with Pakistan. Afghanistan is moving on and finding other avenues to further its commercial and economic interests.
APTTA is a total disaster and Afghans are cutting their losses because Pakistan does not comply with the transit treaty agreement in letter and spirit. The only bond between Afghans and Pakistan is the Pashtun bond, which is not something Afghans can depend on because the Pakistani Pashtuns are powerless and have become pawns of the dominant ethnic group of Pakistan. We don't need each other we just have to learn to become better neighbors.
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Jan 17, 2015 04:53am
@Sonny Afridi. Sorry to say! Terrorism is not Pakistans internal affair
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Jan 17, 2015 06:09am
More like Kerry tells pakistan to ban haqqini group
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Jan 17, 2015 06:13am
Dancing to the tunes of USA.... for a few USDs!
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Jan 17, 2015 06:27am
Why within weeks? Why not ban now, right away.
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Jan 17, 2015 06:40am
One can't trust any thing that anyone in Pakistan leadership says because no one knows who the leader is
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Jan 18, 2015 01:47am
Sir, please guess now, Who is the greatest enemy of the Pakistan?
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Jan 18, 2015 10:32am
Only actions will speak louder than words. Pakistan is good at deceiving foreign nations!!! They announce in outside countries that minorities are not being persecuted and living with equal rights.s in Pakistan. What a joke?
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Jan 18, 2015 12:42pm
Why I keep coming to dawn? Simply beacuse of it's impartiality!!!
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