IS not a threat to Pakistan: Peshawar Corps Commander
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PESHAWAR: Corps Commander Lieutenant General Hidayat-ur-Rehman on Saturday said Middle Eastern terrorist group Daesh (also self-styled as the Islamic State) poses no threat to Pakistan.
Speaking to journalists alongside Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Mehtab Khan Abbasi, Gen Hidayat said there was no need to fret about Daesh or its potential emergence in the country.
“For us it’s just a change of name, and there is no need for Pakistanis to worry. There are several defections in the Taliban now, which are becoming part of Daesh. But we’re well aware of the situation and are able to tackle them effectively,” said the Peshawar Corps Commander.
Gen Hidayat rebuffed the perception that the terrorist group was silently spreading across the country, saying that the army and security forces were in control of the situation.
He added that security forces had been dealing with the Taliban for over 12 years, and Daesh was no different to the TTP.
He also said militant havens have been destroyed with the help of public support, and that the Taliban would not be allowed to hide anywhere.
The Corps Commander revealed that the army was involved in several other operations against militants, apart from operation Zarb-e-Azb.
Daesh— or Islamic State— had recently announced it was setting itself up for operations in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Know more: Govt in a state of denial about Daesh?
Prime Minister’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs and National Security, Sartaj Aziz, had also mirrored Gen Hidayat’s stance a few weeks ago, saying the emergence of Islamic State is not a real problem for Pakistan.
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On DawnNews
Comments (43) Closed
Mar 14, 2015 06:42pm
Zaid Hamid please tell R & R (Rizwan and Raheel) to focus all efforts against MQM and forget others as MQM is a priority above other threats. Then go for Rest and Relxation.
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Mar 14, 2015 06:48pm
Daesh, is not interested in pakistan. It is interested in India, Bangladesh and Mayanmar. This is being referred to as Al Qaeda in India.
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Mar 14, 2015 06:50pm
Middle Eastern terrorist group Daesh may not pose a direct threat to Pakistan, but will have a lot of influence on the terrorist operating in Pakistan. They should not be allowed to exist.
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Mar 14, 2015 06:52pm
Even iraqi forces have pushed isis hard in tirkit .an achievement.
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Mar 14, 2015 06:57pm
We have heard this before.
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Mar 14, 2015 06:57pm
He's right. Militarily it makes no difference. The days of terrorism in Pakistan are coming to an end. Compared to 12 years ago they've lost public support, territory to freely operate in, military strength. Pakistan army is now equipped to fight the war on terror, has 12 years experience with COIN tactics, has public and political support.
The reason Daesh is seen tk be effective in Syria or Iraq as it operates in a power vacuum. Pakistan doesn't have that.
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Mar 14, 2015 07:15pm
We shouldn't we saying this. Sounds more like an invitations.
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Mar 14, 2015 07:17pm
Oh yeh!
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Mar 14, 2015 07:28pm
They have no shame in acknowledging that there were militant safe heavens. Now, they are boasting yhat they are demolishing those camps.
Indian agencies were providing information about those camps and nobody was believing that time. So it is being proven as a slap on the face of those countries who were supporting pakistan earlier.
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Mar 14, 2015 07:30pm
@Zak thanks for making me laugh. I'm not sure if you're stating facts or if that's just wishful thinking. Isis has a lot more to gain in pak than india, Bangladesh or Myanmar.
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Mar 14, 2015 07:31pm
How is he so sure?
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Mar 14, 2015 07:40pm
Whether Daesh is interested in Pakistan or not we should not be complacent and ensure that they are kept out at bay and all those who may want to emulate their terror should be kept in check by the threat of the noose!
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Mar 14, 2015 07:42pm
It is a serious issue. we can't be in a state of denial for this !!
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Mar 14, 2015 08:28pm
The usual... living in denial.
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Mar 14, 2015 08:52pm
Very true! there was a time when The taliban beefed up against the political parties.That time we been told the same.
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Mar 14, 2015 09:00pm
The threat is within !
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Mar 14, 2015 09:36pm
@Zak General is right all groups TTP, Al Qaeda, IS etc. are same only names are different. Pakistan is facing these groups and dealing with them public should fully support them.
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Mar 14, 2015 10:03pm
@Zak That is called ignoring the snake . Keep it on ..Good for you.. ..!!
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Mar 14, 2015 10:06pm
@Zak some thing that is threat to India,Bangladesh and Myanmar is a threat to whole world.Dont be a frog in a well.
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Mar 14, 2015 10:09pm
It's like saying 'Aa bail mujhe maar'
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Mar 14, 2015 10:38pm
Its not at all a threat to India but certainly a big threat to Pakistan. Some groups of Pakistan have already affiliated with IS. Don't forget, the issue of MQM is internal but IS is not.
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Mar 14, 2015 11:02pm
Which does not seem threat today may become pain for Pakistan in future. Same as TTP
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Mar 14, 2015 11:19pm
@Zak So sit a home and relax, the only solution.
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Mar 14, 2015 11:24pm
That's what Musharraf said about Taliban / Al Qaida.
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Mar 14, 2015 11:55pm
no threat till the snake bites, right.
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Mar 14, 2015 11:56pm
Doesn't matter if its IS or TTP or even local masjid spewing hatred, ALL religious extremism and its supporters and apologists must be eradicated. Until Pakistan separates religion from state, and kills this disease of extremism from society, we will never progress as a nation.
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Mar 15, 2015 12:00am
Islamic State is not a threat. An overall view is this:
When Mao Ze-dong fought his revolution against the fascist army of Chang Kai-shek he followed the Chinese tradition of a partisan army in they field - support the villagers and they will support you. The Chinese Peoples Army helped the peasants plant and harvest their fields when they were not in combat. They helped The Little Red Hen bake her bread and the got to eat. The supplies they had to worry about were weapons and ammunition. As it turned out Chang Kai-shek and his generals fled in 1948 and 1949 was just a walk over for the communists. They met almost no resistance throughout the country. By contrast the peasants hated Chang's troops because they dragged young peasant farmers off the land and conscripted them into the Nationalist Army.
As we have seen Islamic State is doing just the opposite, and worse. Syrians and Iraqis, Libyans and Pakistanis know they can never be trusted.
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Mar 15, 2015 12:02am
If we can deal with Alqaeda and TTP for the last 12 years we can also deal with Daesh. The major difference between middle east and Pakistan is Pakistan Army, a well trained Army which is capable of dealing organizations like Daesh. Our enemies are trying very hard to inject new blood into dying TTP but Inshallah all such efforts will go in vain.
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Mar 15, 2015 12:07am
Long live Pak Army.
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Mar 15, 2015 12:30am
Sounds familiar. Same was said about Taliban, LET, etc.
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Mar 15, 2015 12:44am
@SM wise words, undoubtedly from tolerant, supreme leader Modi.
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Mar 15, 2015 12:45am
@Tariq, Lahore we are not, that's why we are giving the statement.
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Mar 15, 2015 12:49am
Neither is US threat to Pakistan. Pakistan has to focus on law n order n economy. Pakistan is a reality n no body can deny that. Pakistan should understand that moving ahead with India is the only way for betterment of both countries. US is ready to help both economies & benefit of both people lies in mutual understanding. Free trade between India Pakistan means rendering the borders insignificant. Then where is the problem of kashmir. Kashmir problem is no problem. Its matter of vision of Pakistani leadership. The primary issues for Pakistan is to enforce writ of the Republic n enforce pro people policies. Jai Hind
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Mar 15, 2015 12:50am
Isn't Pakistan government supplying weapons to the rebels in Syria in return to $1.5 Billion they received from KSA. Where do you think that money is going? Plus, Pakistan is also supplying recruits to rebels in Syria, where they are going? Do you really
believe that Daish reps are not in Pakistan and hiring both people with armed training.
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Mar 15, 2015 02:34am
The general is a wise man DESH is mainly confined to the Middle East it is a local phenomenon not an international one and Is mainly an irritant which is being neutralized by the superpowers right now the general is right by concentrating his efforts to national security issues rather then capitulating to perceived threats
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Mar 15, 2015 03:25am
I believe him and I also believe earth is square
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Mar 15, 2015 04:40am
Nice to see that many concerned Pakistanis are not being fooled by what authorities says.
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Mar 15, 2015 04:42am
@SM
well said
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Mar 15, 2015 06:30am
Excellent!
Yes, there was a time - not so long ago, even Taliban was not a threat to Pakistan. But look, what has happened. Remember, IS is going to be a bigger threat to Pakistan in days to come.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:39am
@Zak wishful thinking but not happening in India.
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Mar 15, 2015 06:41am
@Shakeel Pakistan do have power vacuum in tribal region.
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Mar 15, 2015 07:34am
When ISI grows and multiplies what do you get - ISIs !
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Mar 15, 2015 07:41am
State of denial. The way you see people crossing busy roads, believing that all vehicles will stop to let them pass.
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