Ian Bunn | Political & Popular Culture Arts

Ashfaq Yusufzai the Pakistani journalist for IPS News has published an article titled ‘Remittances Soothe the Scourge of Militancy’ in which he states “A majority of the 5.5 million people living in FATA have been … affected by the decade-old militancy, which began in earnest in 2001 when U.S.-led forces toppled the Taliban government in Kabul, forcing the militants to cross over to Pakistan and establish sanctuaries along the 2,400-kilometre-long border between Afghanistan and Pakistan. FATA soon became infested with Taliban cells. As Pakistan emerged as a frontline state in the U.S.’ ‘war on terror’, armed forces poured into FATA in a full-scale military offensive in 2005 designed to root out the Taliban. The army offensive, coupled with the militants’ resistance, made it impossible for civilians to carry on with everyday life. Now, for the first time in years, people … are finally starting to see improvements in their lives, as remittances from a younger generation of migrants who fled the region in search of employment abroad streams into FATA, easing the financial burden of unrelenting militancy. …Abu Zar, an official at the FATA Secretariat, told IPS that the militarisation of the region has brought misery to many residents but has also fuelled a wave of migration to Gulf states like the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Oman, which is now helping people get back on their feet. “Currently, more than 400,000 FATA residents are living and working in foreign countries”, up from less than 100,000 prior to 2005, …The younger generation has been going abroad in droves because of the prolonged insurgency”, in order to escape a sharp decline in trade, business opportunities and income in FATA, he added.”

Inspired by Inter Press Service ow.ly/gwWbA image source WFSJ ow.ly/gwWb7

Either victory or martyrdom on the battlefield (April 22th 2012)

Mullah Dawran the Afghanistani senior Taliban commander in the northeastern province of Kunar has been interviewed by Qais Azimy and Mujib Mashal in an article published on Aljazeera, giving a rare insight into “morale and mentality of many who fight for the Taliban”. In the interview Dawran states, “We have two goals: one, if we still see these people in the areas where we fight for the cause, we can’t say we have won, that we have brought a Sharia system. Because in a Sharia system, you first get rid of the infidels and then those who committed big sins – the traitors. They fought alongside the infidels against Islam. The second goal is that when the Americans leave, they leave us these saplings. These saplings that they planted with their hands – we want to uproot them so they dry out… The history of jihad shows the result of jihad is either victory or martyrdom on the battlefield. In negotiations, Sharia is stepped on. When you and I talk, and we have different opinions, I am obliged to accept some of your views if you accept mine, otherwise it would not be negotiations. I approve such negotiations that will not step on Sharia…”

Inspired by Qais Azimy and Mujib Mashal http://ow.ly/ahTO8 image source iwandahnial http://ow.ly/ahU0G

Frank Lindh, the father of 30 year old John Phillip Walker Lindh the US citizen captured as an enemy combatant during the US invasion of Afghanistan and serving a 20 year prison sentence as a result of his participation with the Taliban, has published an article calling for his son’s release from prison. Lindh describes his son’s gentle nature and conversion to Islam at the age of 16 as an intellectual path. For three years from the age of 17 John travelled the middle east on a quest of learning cultures and language, eventually taking him to Afghanistan fighting with the Taliban against the Northern Alliance. John has not been accused of any terrorism activities but had become the focus of “a petty prosecution” in the aftermath of the 7/11 atrocities.

Inspired by Frank Lindh http://ow.ly/5ZA6y image source Lindt Family http://ow.ly/5ZA4S