07/08/14 - Taliban declare war on the media WASHINGTON: The Taliban have warned the Pakistani media that if they did not stop criticising the Mujahedeen, they will be attacked and “no crying and sobbing” will prevent the holy warriors from punishing journalists. In a message sent to media advocacy groups across the world, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan also warned that the journalists would not get the chance to repent their mistakes if they did not stop the criticism now. Know more: Press club in Khuzdar closed after threats to journalists The message, signed TTP media commission, Mohmand Agency, reminded the journalists that the Taliban had tolerated this “unbearable behaviour” from 2000 to 2014 but the time had come to put an end to this practice. The message — “The global war of ideologies and the behaviour of media” — was sent to “heads and members of organisations working for the rights of media members around the world,” including the Reporters without Borders, and the US-based Committee to Protect Journalists. The CPJ posted the message on its site. My comments (awaiting moderation by Dawn) - Its clear that the senior commanders of the TTP incl. the Haqqani network and most of their foot-soldiers and foreign cohorts had melted away (two or so weeks prior, when the border with Afghanistan was not fully secured), before the start of the North Waziristan Operation to live and fight another day and after regrouping, and have sent a chilling but cowardly message to the journalists and the media! I agree with the Govt. of Pak. (despite the criticism by some senior opposition politicians) except the timing or delay in implementation of S.245 of the Constitution (re. call-up of the Army to support the civilian Govt. on the streets of Islamabad for protection of strategic assets and locations), arising from the fall-out from Operation: Zarb-e-Asb (or The Strike of the Prophets - pbuh Sword, named Asb), and when the Army requested it in June soon after the start of the Operation.
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 22:31:38 +0000
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