MEMRI - Middle East Media Research Institute
articles recently published in Pakistani media indicate an increasing concern at the rise of Taliban militants in Karachi, the largest commercial city of Pakistan. According to a report released April 15, 2009 in the Daily Times, based in Lahore, "the Taliban operate in Karachi and secretly extorted millions of rupees in the form of" donations ", members of the Mehsud and Wazir tribes residing in the city. "(1)
" A few months ago, a Taliban representative has raised over two million rupees in few days, "the report said, noting that if some donors are integral with the Taliban, others pay for fear of reprimand.
A report of 30 March 2009 published in Pakistani daily The News, titled "The Rise of the Taliban, the fall of Karachi," said that these militants threaten including women and businessmen of Karachi .
Extracts from the report: (2)
"The next time you go out, cover yourself from head to toe."
"A friend of the family went out of his car to go to the pharmacy in a busy commercial district of Karachi. She wore the shalwar-suit Kamiz classic that most women are outside Karachi. As she approached the store, a man came to her, a pistol in hand.
But rather than steal, he launched a chilling message: 'The next time you go out, cover yourself from head to toe. "
The incident occurred in full view on a busy street Karachi. But nobody seemed to realize what was happening and the man seemed in no hurry or worried ..
can recall other incidents of concern. "
"This time they took the trouble to specify that they not only knew where he lived, but also where he worked, went to what school their children."
"Many businessmen have received calls on their cell phones, people concealing their identity, but confirming the name of the callee. Two days later, they receive a new call. And then another call . It asks the businessman [and sought] to make a donation to the Tehreek-e-Taliban [umbrella organization of Taliban militants].
A businessman has ignored the call, believing in a hoax . But soon we started to call home for a similar purpose. This time, these men took the trouble to specify that they not only knew where the businessman lived, but also where he worked, went to what school their children, and other details.
The man ended up paying. Nobody knows who these people are. Some say they are criminals who pose as Taliban. Who knows? "
" Several families have received such letters and have generally complied. "
" A family of Clifton [the aristocratic district of Clifton] received last month sent a word the father. This word asked to ensure that her daughters - described in the letter in very negative terms - do not leave their homes since they were considered as mild. The letter sum the father to take the necessary measures, otherwise the mosque will be obliged to 'do something'.
The crime of these girls was apparently too frequently they are seen outside their homes and their manner of dress was too Western.
The authors of the threatening letter had even disclosed their identity, claiming to belong to a large mosque.
Family, shaken, did what we asked. Several families have received such letters and have generally complied. Nothing has been done or any questions asked about people in this mosque. Police have classified the case as unimportant. "(3)
" The government of Pakistan People's Party [in reference to MQM] denies the surge in extremist forces in Karachi since he took office. "
"Last year, the mosque has been identified by the MQM (United National Front) when he drew attention to the accelerated Talibanization of Karachi. But the government People's Party of Pakistan [with reference to MQM] denies the surge in extremist forces in Karachi since he took office. Some describe as suspicious motivations MQM. Their agenda is more political. But again, who is right and who is wrong? (4)
We continue to hear stories about the growing influence of such elements. Women who walk around with uncovered heads in public transport have been spat on, sometimes by other women. "
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-------- (1) Daily Times, Pakistan, April 15, 2009
(2) The News, Pakistan, March 30, 2009
(3) The mosque is not identified in this report, but is based in Clifton, the posh neighborhood of the city.
(4) The MQM, or Muttahida Qaumi Movement, is the third largest political party of Pakistan, led by Altaf Hussain, leader of Muhajirs - Muslim immigrants from India to Pakistan - based in London.
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