- Fazlullah says govt will face more problems and will be unable to find a solution
- Says Prof Ajmal was released in exchange of release of three TTP leaders
Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP) Chief Mullah Fazlullah warned Sunday that the militants will kidnap influential personalities to secure the release of detained TTP militants.
Fazlullah comments came days after TTP released Islamia University Vice Chancellor Professor Ajmal Khan, who was kept in captivity for four years, in exchange of three TTP leaders.
TTP also released photographs of Fazlullah in exchange of the released TTP leaders.
In his audio comments, Fazlullah, whose whereabouts are unknown, said that TTP would try to secure the release of more of its detainees even if it had to pay for it or kidnap more people
“It is the biggest jihad to get our prisoners freed,” the TTP chief said.
He claimed that many Taliban militants are languishing in jails and the government has failed to prove charges against them.
“Some were killed in fake encounters. When we kill security men we claim responsibility. You should also claim responsibility for extra-judicial killings of our people,” he said.
He said that the Pakistani government is “not so brave” and will not be able to face the Taliban.
“Only 20 to 30 thousand people have gathered in Islamabad and they have shaken the whole system. They have surrounded the Parliament. No one listen to the judges and Army. The rulers will face more complicated problems and fail to find a solution,” the TTP chief warned.
He criticised the media for “spreading rumours about the rift in TTP ranks”.
“The media will keep trying to weaken your morale. It will increase your woes. The media will repeatedly say that Taliban have been eliminated,” said the TTP chief, adding that all this is part of media propaganda.
He said that TTP is not worried over any propaganda. “It can not discourage us as we are struggling for the enforcement of Islamic shariah,” he claimed.
Meanwhile, according to a statement by TTP spokesman Shahidullah Shah, three TTP members belonging to Nowshera, Swabi and Charsadda were released in return for Ajmal’s release.
I may be recalled that on August 28, security sources claimed that they had rescued Professor Ajmal who was kidnapped in Peshawar four years back when he was going to the university from home. The security forces had claimed that they were in search of the kidnapped vice chancellor and had recovered him.
The professor’s driver was released by the kidnappers last year.