Special Report: ''BALOCHISTAN: The struggle Pakistan does not want reported''

Abdul Razzaq Baloch worked nights. After dinner, he would start his shift as a proofreader at the Daily Tawar, a newspaper published on a shoe-string from a cramped office in Karachi, Pakistan's commercial capital. At 2 a.m., the 42-year-old would make the short journey home on his new Super Star motorbike. One night in March, Baloch did not return. His phone was switched off and his bike was missing. His family made enquiries with the police, then hospitals, and finally in the lanes of Lyari, the gritty neighborhood where they live. The word on the street was that Baloch had been kidnapped, his relatives said. He had last been seen as he was bundled into a white SUV with a blanket over his head. Speaking to Reuters two months later, Saeeda Sarbazi, Baloch's outspoken sister, was in no doubt as to the identities of the culprits: Pakistan's intelligence services. "This case is like a bombshell - nobody we go to wants to touch it," Sarbazi said at the family home in Lyari, where his wife and four children awaited his return. "People are scared that the agencies will harm them." On August 21, Baloch's body was found dumped amid the brambles overrunning wasteground in Suranji Town, a scrappy neighborhood on Karachi's northwestern fringe. A piece of paper bearing his name had been stuffed into his pocket. His hands were tied; he had been strangled. Pakistan's military, which has repeatedly denied involvement in extra-judicial killings, did not respond to a request for comment on Baloch's death. Baloch's associates believe his disappearance and murder was linked to the Daily Tawar's coverage of a separatist guerrilla campaign in Baluchistan, a huge Pakistani province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, where his family has its roots. The Daily Tawar supports independence for the province, and according to several of his friends, Baloch himself belonged to a pro-independence party. The Baluch rebels, who believe the rest of Pakistan has always treated Baluchistan like a colony, have agitated and fought for their own independent, secular homeland for decades. In response, the security forces have waged a lengthy but little-known counter-insurgency to try to quash them. In the past three years, the bodies of hundreds of members of pro-independence political parties, student groups and even poets have been discovered on desolate verges or patches of scrub. Baluch activists say the bodies are evidence that the military is pursuing a systematic "kill-and-dump" campaign to crush dissent - a charge the army denies. Under growing pressure from Pakistan's increasingly assertive judiciary to explain the disappearances, military officers have speculated that a range of armed groups or criminal gangs active in the province may be to blame. But Baloch's death has hardened a belief among Baluch that the security forces - far from softening their stance - have sharply expanded their crackdown this year in a drive to extinguish the uprising once and for all. In a new trend, the bodies of the disappeared have begun to turn up beyond Baluchistan's borders in Karachi, a city of 18 million people and the motor of Pakistan's economy. The discovery of Baloch's remains, alongside those of another man, brought the total number of bodies of missing Baluch that have been found in the city to 18 since the start of this year, according to the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP). Although Baloch vanished in Karachi, many of the others had been reported missing hundreds of km away in Baluchistan itself. Asked to comment on Baloch's disappearance, a security official said he had no specific knowledge of the case but added that the military would have no reason to detain an obscure proofreader. "Unknown journalist. Unknown newspaper with a very limited or no following at all. Why should we go and pinch him and make him part of the news?" the official said. "It doesn't serve us." Virtually sealed off to foreigners, Baluchistan is potentially one of Pakistan's most prosperous regions, endowed with copper and gold. Iran's government hopes a planned $1.5bn pipeline project will one day snake across its rocky wastes to export natural gas to Pakistan and India to help Tehran circumvent U.S. sanctions. China wants to import oil via Baluchistan's deepwater port of Gwadar. But none of that is likely to happen as long as the unrest in Baluchistan continues. The rebels, as well as the army, stand accused of waging a dirty war. In recent years, the HRCP believes Baluch separatist gunmen have murdered hundreds of civilian "settlers" from Pakistan's eastern Punjab province to try to drive out the community. In turn, Baluch say the Frontier Corps, the main official force in Baluchistan, launches punitive raids to torch homes and round up opponents. Unfolding in closed-off badlands, the conflict is subject to far less international scrutiny than the army's separate battle against the Pakistani Taliban on the frontier with Afghanistan. Nonetheless, repeated reports by human rights groups of abuses in Baluchistan have raised awkward questions over the conduct of Pakistan's military, which has received almost $11 billion from Washington since 2001 to finance its anti-Taliban campaigns, according to data compiled by Alan Kronstadt of the Congressional Research Service. Speaking to Baluch living inside and outside the province over the course of several months, Reuters has been able to gather testimony from witnesses and relatives over what they describe as three apparent cases of "kill-and-dump." Reuters submitted a dossier of testimony related to the disappearance of Abdul Razzaq Baloch, the journalist, and two other alleged "kill-and-dump" cases within Baluchistan to the army on June 10. The military said it had pursued the query but had not yet been able to obtain any information. Reuters also wrote to Pakistan's government seeking permission to visit Baluchistan to meet military officers but received no reply. The Interior Ministry did not offer an explanation, but officials have previously said that journalists travelling to Baluchistan may face risks from armed groups. The lack of access makes collating data on disappearances difficult and there is a risk that some of those reported missing may have gone into hiding. Taking these caveats into account, one online database of abductions run by a group of activists in the United States who track media reports, suggests the pace of disappearances has increased sharply. The group says 247 Baluch were reported abducted in the first six months of this year, compared with 214 in the whole of 2012, and 206 in 2011. "Anyone remotely linked to Baluch (separatist) politics is targeted," said Jeeand Baloch, a leader of Baloch Students Organisation (Azad), a pro-independence group. "If they go into hiding, their families are punished." The allegations come at a sensitive time for Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, whose new government has pledged to rein in abuses as a prelude to seeking negotiations with insurgents to usher the alienated province into the national fold. Whether he can succeed will be an early test of his authority over Pakistan's powerful military, whose commanders exert far greater influence in Baluchistan than the feeble provincial administration.

"LINES YOU CAN'T CROSS"

Baloch, the missing journalist, lived with his extended family in an apartment in Lyari, a warren in old Karachi where police tread warily and gangsters make the rules. His family and friends described him as a bookish man who socialized little and prided himself on his role as bread-winner. The proofreader was a member of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), a separatist party, according to several people who knew him and party officials. Although it espouses peaceful protest, the BNM's stance marks its members as traitors in the eyes of the security forces, still haunted by the loss of East Pakistan, which broke away to form Bangladesh in 1971. The separatist message was one shared by Baloch's newspaper. Founded a decade ago, The Daily Tawar had a circulation of a few thousand copies within Baluchistan, but its pro-independence stance earned it a loyal online following among the Baluch diaspora in Europe and the Middle East. The paper - whose title means "Call" in Balochi - has regularly reported on allegations of enforced disappearances by the military and its editors have said they received repeated threats. Several of its reporters had been murdered. In early March this year, a little over two weeks before Baloch disappeared, the Daily Tawar reported the discovery of the body of Abdul Rehman Baloch, a senior member of the BNM who had disappeared in Baluchistan in February. His remains were discarded in bushes in the eastern Steel Town area of Karachi in March. Pakistan's military has always denied involvement in disappearances. According to a source in BSO-Azad, the Baluch students' movement, Baloch was among those who went to a hospital to retrieve Abdul Rehman's bullet-ridden body. In an angry editorial published the next day, The Daily Tawar accused security agencies of using Karachi as a dumpsite for bodies in the hope the discoveries would go unremarked because of the city's high murder rate. Two weeks later, on March 24, Baloch left his house just before evening prayers, saying he was going to buy new sandals. He was wearing a cream-colored loose fitting shirt and trousers. His wife cooked fish biryani, his favorite, and waited for his usual call of "I'm home." When the proofreader did not return, his family assumed he had gone straight to work. Later they heard that he had been pushed into the back of one of two white SUVs spotted prowling Lyari after dark. Although Baloch's relatives say they are certain he was picked up by security agencies, they have produced no hard evidence. They said it was impossible for Reuters to meet the people who reported witnessing his abduction since they were too scared to discuss the incident. On April 6, almost two weeks after Baloch vanished, a group of men ransacked the Daily Tawar office in the early hours of the morning and set fire to files, according to the Committee of Pakistan Newspaper Editors. Baloch's family said the intruders took his computer. The Daily Tawar's staff went into hiding. The paper has stopped printing but still posts stories online. "There are lines you can't cross as a journalist in Karachi," said a Baluch reporter. "Maybe he crossed one of those lines."

"NO WAY TO PAY"

A week after he went missing, Baloch's sister Sarbazi saw her brother's number flash up on her cell phone. A man she did not know demanded 10 million Pakistani rupees ($100,000) for his release. She could hear laughing in the background. Another call followed and the amount dropped to 1 million.

Then, nothing.

Several Karachi journalists told Reuters they suspected Baloch had been taken by Pakistani intelligence. The police officer in charge of the Baloch case rules out kidnapping for ransom, a common practice in Karachi. "The family has no way to pay," said Senior Superintendent of Police Niaz Ahmed Khosa, one of the city's most respected investigators. He declined to offer an alternative theory. Raja Irshad, a lawyer who has represented the military, said security forces faced a dilemma since the judicial system was too weak to prosecute suspected separatist rebels. "To my mind, these missing persons, they are militants. When they fight with the security forces, they get killed," Irshad said in Islamabad. "Not a single innocent person in Baluchistan has been taken away by the security agencies. No unarmed young man gets killed." News Baloch's body had been found broke on Vsh, a Balochi channel. The family's television was out of order and word only reached them at midday; relatives rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital to identify his body. At first they insisted there had been a mistake: Baloch's face was so badly bloated it bore scant resemblance to the man they knew. Only the next day did Sarbazi confirm it was him, after a careful examination of the only part of his body that was not badly disfigured - his feet. He was wearing the same cream-colored shirt he had donned on the day he vanished.

"TORTURED WITH A DRILL"

Baloch's disappearance is not unique. Reuters has gathered testimony from several witnesses and relatives about two other alleged "kill-and-dump" cases in Baluchistan itself, one in April this year and one in May. Haji Mohammad Anwar Baloch, a senior member of the Baluch Republican Party, which also supports Baluch independence, said he fled Pakistan in July 2011, after security forces repeatedly raided his house. He settled in Switzerland; some family members, including his son Zaheer, remained in Baluchistan. Anwar said security forces raided his house in the province's Panjgur District at four a.m. on April 22, and took away 32-year-old Zaheer, who had a masters in biology and worked as a volunteer teacher. Zaheer was also active in his father's party, participating in rallies and strikes. Zaheer's body was found in the Suranji Town area of Karachi in early June, the same district where Baloch's body would be dumped. Zaheer's body was accompanied by a paper bearing his name and the phone number of one of his friends: a common pattern with dumped Baluch bodies. Anwar said relatives had showed him images of the body via Skype. "He was tortured with a drill - an electrical drill to make a hole in the wall," Anwar told Reuters in Geneva, running his finger from the base of his throat down to his stomach to demonstrate the path of the wounds. Police said bodies of Baluch had been routinely dumped in Suranji Town this year; they could not provide details of each case. The military did not respond to a request for comment.

"WHERE IS ASIM?"

On February 2, a young man named Asim Faqir left the Baluchistan town of Turbat on a packed minibus, with his wife Hanifa Baloch and their infant son. Hanifa said members of the Frontier Corps stopped the bus near a village called Nodez. They asked the driver to identify Faqir, who Hanifa says had no political affiliation. When the driver refused, soldiers beat him. The paramilitaries then demanded other passengers identify Faqir; they also remained silent. The soldiers beat the driver again until he glanced at Faqir, whom they took away, Hanifa said. Pakistan's military, which handles media for the Frontier Corps, did not respond to a request for comment. On May 26, a convoy of Frontier Corps arrived at Faqir's village of Nazarabad, according to his sister and another resident who declined to be named. As the sister, Zareena Baloch, stood watching, the paramilitaries searched their compound. "Where is Asim?" one of the men asked. "You should know. You people abducted him four months back," Zareena replied. The soldiers searched the house of Azim, Asim Faqir's older brother. They emerged carrying framed photos of both men and set the house on fire. As the soldiers left, Zareena heard a burst of gunfire which she took to be celebratory shots. Shortly afterwards, members of a local police force arrived bearing Asim Faqir's body. "I couldn't recognize him at first," Zareena said. "But then I knew it was him. I touched his face." Another resident of Nazarabad corroborated part of Zareena's account, saying residents had emerged from their houses after hearing the shots and found Faqir's body. One bullet had pierced his left eye, Zareena said. Relatives provided what they said was a photo of the body, in a pool of blood, to Reuters. Another relative of Faqir who lives outside Pakistan said: "They (the intelligence services) have long arms. If you talk about freedom, if you talk about anything, they will come and get you." Long ignored in Pakistan, the allegations of abuses in Baluchistan have begun to be heard. Last year, Pakistan's chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry held a series of hearings over the disappearances and subjected the head of the Frontier Corps to a rare public grilling. Sharif's new government has also begun to talk more openly about the accusations of extra-judicial killings in Baluchistan. Abdul Malik, a veteran Baluch politician who was chosen by Sharif to head the provincial administration, has called on the military to end human rights violations as a prelude to talks. "We will all together, me and Nawaz Sharif, tell the security establishment that these things have to end," Malik told Reuters in Islamabad in June. "We have to create an environment in which we are in a position to invite insurgents for negotiations."

7.8 magnitude quake kills more than 150 in Balochistan

A major earthquake that hit southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday killed more than 150 people, the country s disaster response agency said, with fears the death toll could rise. The 7.8-magnitude quake which hit Awaran district of Balochistan province also injured at least 24 people, Brigadier Kamran Zia of the National Disaster Management Authority told AFP.

The 7.8-magnitude quake struck at 4:29 pm (1129 GMT) around 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the city of Khuzdar in Baluchistan province, at a depth of 15 kilometres. Officials said the tremors had demolished dozens of houses in Awaran district, 350 kilometres southwest of the provincial capital Quetta. The area of the epicentre is sparsely populated and most buildings are mud-built, but the US Geological Survey issued a red alert for the quake, warning that heavy casualties were likely based on past data. Top local administration official said that more than hundred bodies have been recovered and 24 people were injured in different areas of Awaran. "A large number of houses have collapsed in the area and we fear the death toll may rise," said Rafiq Lassi, police chief for Awaran district. The provincial government has declared an emergency in Awaran and the military has mobilised 200 soldiers and paramilitary troops to help with the relief effort. TV footage showed collapsed houses, caved-in roofs and people sitting in the open air outside their homes, the rubble of mud and bricks scattered around them. Tremors were felt as far away as New Delhi, while office workers in the Indian city of Ahmedabad near the border with Pakistan ran out of buildings and into the street in panic. Abdul Qudoos Bizinjo, deputy speaker of Baluchistan s assembly, told Dunya News that more than 150 were killed and there were also reports of "heavy losses" in Awaran. Damage to the mobile phone network was hampering communications in the area, he said. Awaran district has an estimated population of around 300,000. The earthquake has also created a new island into the sea some 1.5 kilometers at the Jhanda coastline in Gwadar. According to DIG Gwadar, a similar island had appeared in Hangal in the coastal area of Lasbela sixty years ago. In April a 7.8-magnitude quake centred in southeast Iran, close to the border with Baluchistan, killed 41 people and affected more than 12,000 on the Pakistan side of the border. Office workers in Pakistan s largest city Karachi rushed out of their buildings, and squatted or stood on the footpaths well away from the structures. "My work table jerked a bit and again and I impulsively rushed outside," Noor Jabeen, a 28-year woman working for an insurance company said, breathing heavily. "It was not so intense but it was terrible," said Owais Khan, who works for a provincial government office. "Whenever I feel jolts it reminds me of the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir," said Amjad Ali, 45, an IT official standing in the street. A 7.6 magnitude quake in 2005 centred in Kashmir killed at least 73,000 people and left several million homeless in one of the worst natural disasters to hit Pakistan.

Imran Talib Fake Khan: ... ''From Apologist to Ally''

By Saroop Ijaz

In October, 2001, a church in Bahawalpur, Punjab was attacked and worshipers killed, including women and children. The date bears relevance; it came days after the United States started the operation in Afghanistan. Before that, when the Babri Mosque episode took place, historic Hindu temples in Lahore were ransacked. There are various other examples; however, the seminal point is that the Hindus living in Pakistan represent India, the Christians are agents of the West. Going to Joseph Colony almost immediately after the attack and talking to those who used to live there, one could observe not only the smell of evil, the sound of death but also unspeakable hopelessness. Try imagining a sewerage worker, whose father was also a sewerage worker and who now knows to a moral certainty that his newly born grandson will also be a sewerage worker. Yet, after every attack for a day or two we pretend that they are Pakistanis too (Ahmadis are denied this small consolation even). They are not. The murder in the Peshawar Church is what mass murders are, horrific and barbaric, however, was it unexpected? The K-P chief minister does not know of the Taliban. He also believes that Muslims should not be allowed to be sanitary workers; his later clarification was that he wanted Christians to retain their ‘traditional’ jobs. So, they are weak enough to only be sanitary workers, yet, formidable enough to be held accountable for Western imperialism and drones? To call Mr Imran Khan a Taliban and a murder apologist offends his enthusiastic supporters. Perhaps, they are right. Hearing him talk after the Church attack, it is clear that Mr Khan is no ‘apologist’. An apologist makes excuses, often in an oblique manner for the acts of another, after the commission of the act. Mr Khan does no such thing. He is crystal clear in his absolute defense of the terrorists. And more importantly, he pre-approves of all future murderers. Mr Khan is no ‘apologist’, he is an ‘advocate’, an ‘ally’. Whether he does it out of fear or a single digit IQ no longer matters, he is for murder in the name of faith. His vision of ‘Naya Pakistan’ has the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as a political wing of the non-corrupt Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). Mr Khan, if there is a conspiracy against peace in this country, you sir are the public face of it. The Punjab government has taken up the ‘heroic’ task of fighting the teaching of ‘comparative religion’ in the curriculum. Our estranged brothers TTP, and the not so estranged Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, are hard at work to make sure that there is no other religion (at least followers) left in Pakistan to compare to. The Punjab police recently demolished minarets of an Ahmadi mosque, how dare they pretend to be Pakistanis? Mian Sahib apparently seems to be reconsidering his position on talks. If possible, Mian Sahib should avoid trips to Saudia Arabia while he takes his sweet time on the question. All parties have shown weakness in tackling terrorism, however, some significantly more than others. The ANP has Shaheed Bashir Bilour, the only son of Mian Iftikhar’s and many others, the PPP has the ultimate sacrifice of Shaheed BB, and Shaheed Shahbaz Bhatti and Salmaan Taseer. The Christians killed while worshiping the Lord are not ‘Shaheed’ in the land of the pure. They died the mundane death, not part of any greater fight. The arguments for talks and for terrorists are fit for children below the age of 10, with learning difficulties. The ‘force should not be used to counter force’ argument would make the prison system, the courts and the police redundant. The entire justice system would be shrinks sitting down with murderers and rapists, talking. The worst offender is Mr Khan and his worst offense is that he is creating the space for a pro-terrorist narrative in the mainstream. Perhaps, more accurately, he is destroying the limited space that existed for the counter narrative. The only APCs that we need now are better Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) to help us get on with the job. In the presence of a democratically elected Parliament any other APC is a joke, so is consensus. A majority resolution of the Parliament if and when, is all that is needed. Our words of condolences and outrage are hollow, up to the point we can create enough pressure to act. One would have urged the Christians and Hindus to leave this country in the interim. However, you know what hopelessness is? Pervez Khattak’s ‘sanitary workers’ do not have the resources to get a passport, let alone afford travel. We run an inescapable prison and kill inmates for pleasure and piety. Mr Khan wants to be the warden. Published in The Express Tribune, September 24th, 2013.

10 dead as Pakistan hit by 7.8 magnitude earthquake

The Express Tribune

A powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake hit southwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey said, with tremors felt as far away as the Indian capital New Delhi. Ten people are confirmed dead in Awaran, Balochistan as a result of the earthquake, Express News reported.

The quake struck at 4:29 pm local time (1129 GMT) around 100 kilometres (60 miles) southwest of the city of Khuzdar in Balochistan province, at a depth of 15 kilometres. USGS originally measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.4 and 29 kilometres deep but later revised their figure. Pakistan’s meteorological office gave the magnitude as 7.7. The area of the epicentre is sparsely populated, but the USGS issued a red alert for the quake, warning that heavy casualties were likely, based on past data. A senior Pakistani meteorologist, Muhammad Riaz, told Dunya TV station it was a “major” earthquake and “heavy destruction” was likely. Minor tremors were felt as far away as New Delhi, while office workers in the city of Ahmedabad near the border with Pakistan ran out of buildings and into the street. Mumtaz Baluch, senior local administration official in Awaran district, 350 kilometres southwest of Quetta, told AFP: “There are reports of houses being collapsed in the district due to earthquake.” “We have dispatched our teams to the affected area to ascertain the losses.” In April a 7.8-magnitude quake centred in southeast Iran, close to the border with Baluchistan, killed 41 people and affected more than 12,000 on the Pakistan side of the border. People working in offices Karachi rushed out of their building and sat on the footpaths along the roads or stood away from the buildings. “My work table jerked a bit and again and I impulsively rushed outside,” Noor Jabeen, a 28-year woman working for an insurance company said while breathing heavily. “It was not so intense but it was terrible,” said Owais Khan, who works for a provincial government office. “Whenever I feel jolts it reminds me of the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir,” said Amjad Ali, 45, IT official standing on the road said. A 7.6 magnitude quake in 2005 centred in Kashmir, killed at least 73,000 people and left several million homeless in one of the worst natural disasters to hit Pakistan.

Karzai condemns Peshawar Bombing

Afghan president Hamid Karzai strongly condemned coordinated suicide attacks in Peshawar city of Pakistan, which left dozens killed or injured including women and children. “Such attacks which targets innocent civilians, reflects enmity with the humanity,” said Karzai. He further said such attacks shows that terrorism remains a major threat for Pakistan, and strict and honest actions should be taken to eliminate the threats of terrorism in the region.

- See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/09/23/news/national/karzai-condemns-peshawar-bombing/#sthash.4h3075KF.dpuf

Peshawar church reopened after deadly blasts

130 year old historical Pakistan Church in Peshawar, which had been targeted by terrorists, was reopened for worship on Tuesday after repairs and cleaning. On Sunday, twin suicide blasts killed 83 people and injured up to 150 others, while Christians were coming out from the church located at Kohati Gate area of Peshawar. Police arrested 6 suspects involved in Peshawar church attack on Tuesday. At least 67 victims were discharged from the Lady Reading Hospital after their condition was declared stable by doctors. Special Investigation team constituted to probe the incident has revealed that one of the suicide bombers could be a young lady aged between 20-25 years. The attack on All Saints Church in the northwestern city of Peshawar after a service on Sunday is believed to be the deadliest ever to target the country's Christian minority. Christians demonstrated in towns and cities across Pakistan, including Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar, demanding better protection from authorities.

- See more at: http://www.pakistantoday.com.pk/2013/09/24/news/national/peshawar-church-reopened-after-deadly-blasts-6-suspects-arrested/#sthash.HH7fKLag.dpuf

Strong earthquake strikes remote western Pakistan, felt in New Delhi

reuters.com

An strong earthquake struck remote western Pakistan on Tuesday and was felt in the Indian capital of New Delhi where buildings shook. The United States Geological Survey said that a 7.8 magnitude quake struck 145 miles southeast of Dalbandin, in Pakistan's western province of Balochistan.

Pakistan: Collective release of terrorists : SC moved for sacking interior minister Nisar

Daily Times

The Supreme Court has been moved for the sacking of Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan.

Through a constitutional petition the court was told that the Interior Ministry was collecting particulars in connection with collective release of terrorists and accused persons, and one of former National Assembly member of PML-N had held talks with the 50 prisoners in Adiala jail. The petition further said that Article 45 of the constitution does not empower the president to grant en-masse immunity. The petitioner asked the Supreme Court to issue a stay order against the talks being held in this connection besides inquiring from the Interior Ministry if it has sent any summary to the president for the release of prisoners. Shahid Orakzai has filed the petition under Article 184 (3) of the constitution, making Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan, Javed Paracha, ex-MNA, interior secretary and Punjab home secretary as respondents. The petitioner requested the court to restrain the federal government from engaging in negotiation with any person claiming to be a citizen but defying the constitution. “Instruct Punjab and all other provinces not to identify such prisoners and their location to any officer of the federal government without prior permission of the court,” he pleaded. The applicant questioned whether the federal or provincial government could negotiate with any group of convicts or under-trial prisoners for their release in violation of Article 45. “Will a federal minister facilitating such illegal contacts inside a prison would be working within the law?” he has asked. Orakzai contended that the interior minister was well aware that Javed Paracha had also been identified before the Peshawar High Court as the mastermind behind the jail break in Bannu in April 2012 wherein 384 prisoners escaped. Thereafter, in another attack on Central Jail Dera Ismail Khan 248 prisoners were freed. He stated that ex-MNA Paracha last week reportedly held a political meeting with some 50 prisoners in Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail who were either convicted or facing trial for terrorist acts. Orakzai questioned how the government facilitated this contact. He said that Paracha had held a meeting in Islamabad with the interior minister and a high-ranking intelligence official. Orakzai said that there is no federal or provincial notification about his appointment to any public office. Only the respondent minister can explain under what authority or law has he been engaged/employed by the federation as a go-between with criminals. He stated that the ex-MNA claims that negotiations between the Interior Ministry and the insurgents have already begun and the prisoners, in Adiala and elsewhere, are being located with due approval of the ministry. Referring to Article 45 which empowers the president to grant pardon, reprieve and respite or remit, suspend or commute any sentence passed by any court, the petitioner said that the court may ask the Interior Ministry if it has moved any summary to the president about any specific prisoner or any group of prisoners in the Adiala Jail. He stated that the court should prevent contacts with the dangerous prisoners and their banned outfits. He also requested the court to instruct Punjab to take disciplinary action against the Adiala Jail superintendent.

Peshawar Chruch Attack: ''After the carnage''

A day after the deadly attacks that killed more than 80 people from Pakistan’s Christian community – at a church in Peshawar – the sense of anger rages on. There have been protests in most major cities; Christians were joined by at least some members of the Muslim majority in most places. But it was sad to observe that, on the whole, the turnout of non-Christians was relatively low in many places. Clearly, many of us are still to learn that if we do not act now our country will be destroyed by the hate and fanaticism that have killed thousands of people over the years, most of them Muslims. It is unfortunate that not many in the provincial and federal governments are willing to address the killers by name, speaking only of ‘inhuman elements’ or ‘animals’. It is somewhat hard to understand how they have intended to conduct dialogue with those they themselves say are not human. Condemnations are coming thick and fast with Pope Francis and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon adding their voices to the worldwide outrage. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, moved by the voices of protests, has admitted, en route to the UN General Assembly session in New York, that the attacks have made it impossible to go ahead with the talks with the TTP. For now that is the only course he could have taken. Peace talks are a misnomer when one side is so hell bent on violence. Claims of responsibility have, as expected, come in from the TTP – specifically a new group which, its spokesman reportedly said, had been created to combat ‘foreign elements’. The authenticity of these claims is in some doubt. But what is beyond dispute is that the same extremists who had struck before have acted once again. The TTP has reportedly vowed to continue targeting foreigners and non-Muslims as revenge for drone attacks. What do our Christian and other non-Muslim brothers and sisters have to do with the drone attacks? Howsoever brutal and criminal drone attacks are – and they indeed are – the TTP is only using them as an excuse to continue attacks on any group whose faith they don’t accept. It is a testament to the inherent peaceable nature of the Christian community that the protests all over the country were conducted in justifiable anger – but without violence. Church leaders stepped up and asked the community to demonstrate restraint, and admirably so. Anyone who would complain about protesters blocking roads and burning tires should understand just how traumatic the killings have been to a community that has already felt under siege. Understanding and empathy have certainly been lacking in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial government which spent as much time attacking its opponents as it did condemning the attack. The stance taken by PTI chief Imran Khan, whose party rules KP, is mysterious. He has suggested that elements opposed to dialogue had carried out the deadly attack. Various commentators have already asked why hundreds of other attacks have been conducted at times when there were no prospects of negotiations. The JUI-F too has suggested that the attacks were meant to derail peace talks. Do these leaders know something the rest of us do not? They should be able to share it with the families of those whose bodies and bones have littered the streets. Otherwise, they are doing nothing but earning a place in the hall of shame. The Peshawar police have said they will investigate the attack. But bringing the perpetrators to justice will be the tricky part. The federal government has vowed to rebuild the church – a fine gesture but meaningless unless the governments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the centre can protect vulnerable groups and refuse to rest until their tormenters have been brought to justice. The country still needs something concrete, a collective effort, to wash this shame off its face.

Pakistan: Muavia-led Punjabi Taliban behind church bombing

Jundul Hafsa, a subsidiary of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, which has claimed responsibility for the Sept 22 Peshawar Church attack, is led by Commander Asmatullah Muavia, who was the ameer of the Punjabi Taliban before being sacked by the TTP’s central Shura last month for unilaterally welcoming Nawaz Sharif’s offer of peace talks. But the leadership of the Pashtun Taliban led by Hakeemullah Mehsud and the Punjabi Taliban led by Asmatullah Muavia seem to have mended fences since then, as both the groups have already welcomed the government’s quest for peace with Taliban through talks, especially after the holding of the All Parties Conference (APC) in Islamabad. Those investigating twin suicide attacks targeting churchgoers have convincing reasons to believe that they were masterminded by the Jundul Hafsa (the fist or union of the Lal Masjid-run Jamia Hafsa for girls). Hafsa bint Umar (RA) was one of the seven wives of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). The TTP has claimed responsibility for the Church attack, saying it was carried out by the Jundul Hafsa which was formed recently to kill foreigners to avenge the US drone strikes on Taliban and al-Qaeda operatives in the Pakistani tribal belt. “We carried out the suicide bombings at Peshawar church and will continue to strike foreigners and non-Muslims until the American drone attacks stop,” Ahmadullah Marwat, a spokesman for the group told a foreign news agency by phone. Marwat was quoted as saying: “The Christians are the enemies of Islam and Pakistan. Therefore, we have targeted them and we will continue our attacks on non-Muslims on Pakistani land,” he added. The Jundul Hafsa had earlier claimed responsibility for killing 10 foreign climbers (on June 23, 2013) at a base camp of Nanga Parbat, the second highest mountain in Pakistan after K-2. Ten foreign mountaineers were among 11 persons killed, when terrorists who were wearing uniforms of the Gilgit Baltistan Scouts, attacked the Nanga Parbat base camp in the Bonar area of Diamer District and shot the climbers and a Pakistani guide at point-blank range. The victims included an American national, three Ukrainians, two Slovakians, two Chinese, a Lithuanian and a Nepalese. The attack was claimed by the then TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, saying it was carried out by an affiliate of the TTP — Jundul Hafsa — which was a new wing set up by the Taliban “to attack foreigners in revenge for US drone strikes.” Ehsanullah Ehsan, who has already been replaced by Shahidullah Shahid as the TTP spokesman, further said the attack was also meant to avenge the death of their deputy chief Waliur Rehman in a US dronestrike near the Afghan border. “One of our factions, Jundul Hafsa, did it to avenge the killing of Commander Waliur Rehman,” said Ehsan. Waliur Rehman, who had died on May 29, 2013 in a US drone attack on a house in North Waziristan, had a $5 million US bounty on his head for masterminding a deadly suicide bombing on an American base in Khost area of Afghanistan in December 2009 that killed seven CIA agents as well as a TTP-trained suicide bomber, Humam Khalil Abu-Mulal al-Balawi. The main task of the CIA personnel stationed at the base was to provide intelligence supporting drone attacks against targets in Pakistan. The bombing was the most lethal attack against the CIA in 25 years. Appearing in a video along with Balawi on January 9, 2010, TTP chief Hakeemullah Mehsud had stated that the CIA base attack in Khost was meant to avenge the killing of Baitullah Mehsud in a US drone strike in August 2009. Since then, the TTP leadership has become the prime target of US drone attacks along with the fugitive al-Qaeda leaders who have been hiding in the Pakistani tribal areas. The TTP’s responsibility claim was followed by the Jundul Hafsa spokesman Ahmed Marwat’s statement, saying: “We have conducted the attack to bring the world attention towards the US drone attacks. These foreigners are our enemies and we proudly claim responsibility for having killed them. We will continue to carry out such attacks in the future. A few weeks later, on August 6, 2013, the Jundul terrorists killed Diamer District Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Muhammad Hilal Khan, and two Army officers, Colonel Ghulam Mustafa and Captain Ashfaq Aziz, in an ambush at Rohni in the Chilas District of Gilgit Baltistan. Both were involved in the investigation of the June 23, 2013, massacre of the foreign climbers at Nanga Parbat and were returning after a meeting in Diamer. Asmatullah Muavia, who was sacked by the central Shura of the TTP in August this year for welcoming Nawaz Sharif’s offer of talks, had in fact launched the Jundul Hafsa after discarding Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) and before becoming the ameer of the Punjabi Taliban. Muavia had launched Jundul Hafsa to avenge the July 2007 killing of Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi and his followers in the infamous ‘Operation Silence’, carried out by Pakistan Army against the fanatic clerics of the Lal Masjid in the heart of Islamabad. The prime aim of the Jundul was to target the military and the intelligence agencies and their headquarters, foreign dignitaries as well as the Shia community. Aqeel alias Dr Usman, the ring leader of the ten TTP fidayeen attackers who had stormed the GHQ in Rawalpindi in 2009, was a close aide to Asmatullah Muavia whose execution has been postponed recently by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, as demanded by the ameer of the Punjabi Taliban. Besides being the ameer of the Punjabi Taliban, Muavia also serves as one of several al-Qaeda “company” commanders. In fact, Atiyah Abdul Rehman and Abu Yayha Al Libi, two top aides to Osama bin Laden who have since been killed in US drone strikes in Waziristan, had mentioned the existence of these companies in a December 2010 letter addressed to TTP ameer Hakeemullah Mehsud. Muavia had appeared in a propaganda video (released in February 2013) on the Jamia Hafsa Urdu Forum and praised Ajmal Kasab of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Afzal Guru of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi who were hanged for their involvement in the Mumbai terrorist attack and the Indian Parliament building attack. Muavia said their executions would only strengthen the jehadis’ resolve to attack India and liberate Jammu & Kashmir. Muavia also threatened that attacks in India will increase in future as jehadis shift their focus from Afghanistan to India and Kashmir after the United States withdraws from the region. Muavia’s threat of terrorist attacks in India came two months after he had extended in December 2012 a conditional ceasefire offer to the PPP government which envisaged an end to Islamabad’s participation in the Afghan war and the reshaping of the 1973 Constitution and foreign policy according to the Quran and Sunnah. The ceasefire offer was made through a letter endorsed by the TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, saying it had the full backing of the TTP leadership. After assuming power, Nawaz Sharif had subsequently extended an olive branch to the Taliban besides holding an APC, which had endorsed his quest for peace through talks.However, following the recent assassination of the General Officer Commanding of Swat by the Pashtun Taliban and the dastardly Peshawar Church bombings by the Punjabi Taliban, Prime Minister Sharif sounds least keen on negotiating a peace deal with the Taliban. A visibly upset Sharif announced in London on Sunday his government could no longer move ahead with the APC-endorsed plan for talks with the Taliban following the twin bombings in a Peshawar church. “We had proposed peace talks with the Taliban in good faith, and with the consent of all political parties... but unfortunately, because of the latest attack, the government is unable to move forward on what it had envisaged, on what it had wished for,” he added.

Peshawar church bombings show the deadly outcome of religious intolerance

Samira Shackle

On Sunday, around 500 worshippers attended mass at the All Saints church in Peshawar, north-western Pakistan. After the service, they gathered outside the church to receive free food that was being distributed. As they did so, two huge explosions ripped through the crowd; a double suicide attack. The death toll currently stands at 81, with 100 more people injured. It was one of the most devastating attacks on the Christian population in Pakistan's history. It takes a lot to shock Pakistan, a country where small bomb attacks or targeted killings happen on a daily basis somewhere in the country, and often fail to make headlines. Nor are attacks on the country's religious minorities anything out of the ordinary. At the beginning of this year, an enormous attack in a Shia Muslim area of the southern province of Quetta killed more than 80 people, while Sunni militants have carried out numerous execution-style killings of Shias. Such extreme violence against minorities tends to be perpetrated by the country's many and various militant organisations. The group that claimed responsibility for this latest attack has links to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and said it was acting in retaliation for drone strikes. Yet the problem runs far deeper than a few rogue elements. Disturbingly, these extremist groups, which have been allowed to operate by successive governments, do have an impact on the national debate. This has contributed to increasing intolerance across society. In May, an angry mob – ordinary citizens, not terrorists – destroyed Joseph Colony, a Christian area of Lahore, after a resident was accused of blasphemy. The law, which carries a maximum sentence of death for insulting the Prophet Muhammad or the Qur'an, is frequently used to hammer religious minorities. It is a legal mandate for bigotry which politicians are too afraid to amend, after two ministers who spoke out against it were killed several years ago. It is these major incidents that make international news, but a low level of discrimination is a fact of life for many of Pakistan's religious minorities. Christians make up around 1.6% of the population and number around 2.8 million. Generations ago, in pre-partition India, many were Hindus, subsequently converting from the very lowest caste (of dalit, once known as "untouchable"). Pakistan – a largely Muslim state – does not have a caste system, but its shadow can be seen in the treatment of Christians today. Many Christians I have interviewed speak of being refused water; uneducated Muslims do not want to share with them because they are seen to be unclean. Employers of domestic staff keep separate utensils for any Christian employees. Employment opportunities other than traditional, menial work can be hard to come by. A study of Pakistan, Christian Citizens in an Islamic State, by academic Theodore Gabriel, draws attention to school textbooks which say that Christians worship three gods and define citizens of Pakistan as Muslims. Of course, these views are by no means held by everyone. Across the country, Muslims and non-Muslims alike have turned out to protest against Sunday's attack and the government's inadequate response. Yet simultaneously, liberal commentators have drawn attention to the fact that none of the major news networks referred to the dead as shaheed, an Urdu word meaning martyr, commonly used for those who have been killed by terrorist violence. Pakistan was explicitly conceived as a secular state with Islam as its main religion. My grandmother, who left Pakistan 40 years ago, watched the news on Sunday in horror: the country that was formed when she was a young woman had set out to be tolerant and inclusive. In an oft-quoted speech at the country's creation, the founder Muhammad Ali Jinnah said: "We have many non-Muslims – Hindus, Christians, and Parsis – but they are all Pakistanis." Over the years, with military dictator General Zia ul-Haq's programme of Islamisation, and the increasing influence of extremists, this fundamental principle seems to have been lost.

Pakistan's Christian Minority Faces Life On Increasingly Dangerous Margins

The ancestors of most Pakistani Christians were oppressed, low-caste Hindus who converted to Christianity in the 1800s when European evangelists spread the Christian gospel on the subcontinent under British colonial rule. In the 21st century, Pakistani Christians face discrimination from the law of the land as well as threats of violence in a country where 97 percent of the population is Muslim.

Romana Bashir, the head of Peace and Development Foundation -- a minority rights organization in the northern city of Rawalpindi -- says Christians have become marginalized during the past four decades as the spread of Shari'a law has resulted in discriminatory legislation and slowly excluded non-Muslims from general society. Bashir says Pakistan's blasphemy laws make it dangerous for non-Muslim religious minorities to express themselves freely or engage openly in religious activities. Moreover, she says, the laws are frequently misused by Muslims who have a personal dispute with a Christian or want to settle a vendetta -- a powerful tool, as the laws prescribe the death penalty for actions seen as insulting the Prophet Muhammad or the Koran. PHOTO GALLERY: Sunday Service At Peshawar's All Saints Church Other laws in Pakistan prevent non-Muslims from assuming high political offices and deprive them of competing in mainstream politics. Bashir says even the school curriculum in Pakistan encourages the hatred of non-Muslims by stereotyping them as enemies of Pakistan. "I think the cumulative effects of these [laws and practices] have led many people to experience fear and an inferiority complex within Pakistani society," she said. "Issues like these are also the root causes of why Christians live in fear and feel insecure." Frequent Targets Pakistani Christians struggle economically as well, with most living in poverty. Some have managed to obtain jobs as teachers or nurses. But street-cleaning and sanitation jobs -- occupations that many Muslims consider "unclean" -- are seen as the traditional employment for the country's Christians. There are just over 3 million Christians now living in Pakistan, compared to more than 180 million Muslims and fewer than 2.5 million Hindus. Most of Pakistan's Christians are concentrated in the eastern province of Punjab, but small communities are also dispersed throughout other areas that once hosted British military outposts. Punjab Province is where most of the worst violence against the Pakistan's Christian community has taken place. That includes a rampage in 1997 by a large Muslim mob that burned down an entire Christian village, leaving its 20,000 residents homeless. It also includes a wave of violence on March 9, 2013, when a Muslim mob burned down more than 170 houses, 16 shops, and two churches in a Christian neighborhood of Lahore, the Punjab capital. It later emerged that the violence was sparked by a Muslim man who, seeking to escalate a dispute with a Christian acquaintance, accused him of insulting the Prophet Muhammad. Extremist Focus The double suicide bombing at the All Saints Church in Peshawar, capital of the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, has stoked fears and concerns that anti-Christian violence is spreading beyond Punjab. The Peshawar bombings killed at least 81 people, making it the worst attack against Peshawar's Christian community in a century and one of the deadliest attacks in years against Christians anywhere in the country. A faction of Pakistan's umbrella Taliban movement, Junood ul-Hifsa, claimed responsibility for the attacks, saying it was to avenge U.S. drone strikes in the country's tribal areas. Martin Javed Miachal is the chairman of the Pakistan Christian Movement. He told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal that Christians have become so frightened in Pakistan that thousands are leaving the country every year -- with most going to refugee camps in Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Malaysia. He described the lives of Pakistani Christians as "hopeless and helpless," adding, "Our future in Pakistan is very dark." Peter Jacob is a Christian lawyer in Pakistan who heads a Roman Catholic organization called the National Commission for Peace and Justice. Even before the deadly September 22 attack in Peshawar, Jacob had counted more than 120 attacks against Christians in Pakistan since 1997. Jacob says most recent attacks against Pakistani Christians have been carried out by angry mobs -- making the violence more communal than extremist. But there have been other Islamic extremist attacks against Pakistan's Christians -- raising concerns that the Peshawar bombings could be a harbinger for more extremist violence to come. Already, Christians are organizing street protests in several parts of Pakistan where they say the government is not doing enough to protect their communities.

Pakistan Christians Issue Call for Protection

By DECLAN WALSH

With its Muslim-style minarets topped by a large black cross, the All Saints Church in Peshawar has for more than a century offered a daring architectural expression of Muslim-Christian harmony and cohabitation. This is how the Taliban destroyed it: two suicide bombers rushed the church doors as worshipers streamed out on Sunday. One attacker exploded his vest inside, the other just outside. The death toll had risen to 85 by Monday evening, when Christians across the country protested the worst atrocity their community has suffered in Pakistan’s history. Crowds blocked roads, burned tires and waved wooden crosses as they marched in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. Many shouted demands for government protection, while voicing skepticism about whether Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government could stave off attacks. Mission schools announced they would close for three days. For government critics, the atrocity highlighted the continuing failure of the state to protect minorities against hate attacks. Hundreds of Shiites, in particular, have been killed in devastating attacks over the past year. But it also further stirred a debate about a recent political decision to start peace talks with the Pakistani Taliban, billed as an attempt to stem the bloodshed. “Pakistan’s politicians are failing at the most basic of questions — about what kind of Pakistan they want to shape and lead,” said Cyril Almeida, a writer with Dawn newspaper. “Whether out of sympathy, fear or cowardice, no one is willing to stand up to radical Islamists and say: ‘No, enough is enough. We are taking our country back.’ ” Christians in Pakistan already contend with deep-rooted prejudice. Most are poor and traditionally carry out menial work like sweeping street garbage and cleaning sewers. Muslim mobs, enraged by rumors of blasphemy, occasionally rampage through Christian slums, and have burned hundreds of houses. Extremists killed the Christian minorities minister Shahbaz Bhatti in early 2011. Still, Sunday’s attack touched a raw nerve across sectarian lines. Clerical organizations and all major political parties issued statements of condemnation. On Monday, Parliament passed a resolution condemning the bombing as “an attack on Pakistan.” Perhaps the sharpest political fallout has been felt by Imran Khan, the former cricket star who has long urged a truce with the Taliban and whose political party runs Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, where the bombing took place. On Sunday, Mr. Khan, who is more used to adulation at his appearances, was jeered by Christians with cries of “shame” and “Imran is a dog” at a Peshawar hospital where victims were being treated. Visibly rattled, Mr. Khan claimed the hostile reception had been whipped up by his political rivals. But he couched his reaction in vague terms, saying he condemned “whoever carried out the bombing.” (Some other Pakistani politicians went further in suggesting that the bombing had not been by the Taliban, but instead had been engineered to sabotage the prospects of talks with the militants.) Mr. Khan also stuck by his longstanding support for peace talks. “There are only two solutions: either fight or have dialogue,” he said. Mr. Khan’s stance has become mainstream, with most major parties supporting negotiations. But that has led to tensions with the military leadership, which has given conflicting signals about its stance. The army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, supported a recent all-parties conference that authorized Mr. Sharif’s government to initiate talks. But the army is also furious at the killing of a two-star general in a Taliban ambush near the Afghan border a week ago. Recent statements suggest the military high command’s enthusiasm for talks is wavering. While officials are mired in the debate, the Taliban and their allies have kept up their campaign of violence. Over the past year, militants have stepped up attacks against Shiites and other religious sects, continued a drive to close girls’ schools, targeted the military and police, and deeply bloodied liberal political parties before the May elections. Now, the bombing at the church, which is a member of the Church of Pakistan and part of the Anglican Communion, stands as a fresh reminder that the Taliban have been happy to drive deeper wedges into any division Pakistan presents. “This was an attack on everyone who doesn’t subscribe to obscurantist agendas,” read an editorial in The News, a daily newspaper, on Monday. “We have remained silent for far too long, and silence now will have blood on its hands.”

Pakistan: Massacre at the church

The government should either surrender to terrorists or fight them to the finish; the decision can no longer be delayed. Too many APCs and parliamentary resolutions all couched invariably in appeasing terms, have only emboldened them as their appetite for ever more human blood remains insatiable. When the political leadership across-the-board conceded them, albeit grudgingly, the status of 'stakeholders' in national affairs and invited them to talks, they have obviously taken it as a profound weakness on the part of the government and decided to raise pressure by launching even more barbaric attacks. Having scored a stunning blow to the Pakistan army by murdering an officer of its general staff, they attacked the historic church of Peshawar in Kohati Gate area on Sunday killing over 80 churchgoers and injuring twice that number. And, as if taking human lives is such a gratifying deed they announced their hand in it almost simultaneously. The TTP-affiliated Jundullah has claimed responsibility and promised more such attacks should the CIA-operated drone strikes continue. Obviously, this linkage between the drone strikes and the savagery on the compound of the Peshawar church is bound to complicate Pakistan's stand against the CIA-operated drone attacks at the United Nations. Maybe, in light of this development Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif decides not to take it up in his speech to the General Assembly. But at this moment of grim tragedy one's heart goes out to scores of families who lost their dear-ones and near-ones at the hands of brutes. Of the Christian community living in that old locality of Kohati Gate literally not a single family has been spared; there are families whose three to four members have been killed in the carnage wrecked by two suicide-bombers. Given that there were reports of the impending attack on the church and that appropriate security was not ensured the anger of the bereaved families could not be ruled out. The dilemma is that if the preceding ANP-led provincial government lost at the hustings for its 'failure' to curb terrorism the heavy mandate given to the PTI by the residents of Peshawar too is of absolutely no avail. Only a few weeks ago the Taliban carried out a daring D I Khan jailbreak which was not out of the blue; the PTI government was sounded a timely warning. The attack on the churchgoers in Peshawar is certainly one of the most devastating. But by no means it is very different from many others; in the same city 137 persons, mostly women and children lost their lives in an explosion at Meena Bazar in October 2009 except for the fact that this time around the KP cabinet members and high functionaries were conspicuous by their absence at the scene of the blast after its occurrence. Nor can it be said that war has been declared on the churches in Pakistan - no less devastating attacks have been made on the worship places and shrines of other communities, most frequent target being the Muslims. The terrorists are out to capture power in Pakistan and they would do whatever it takes to win their goal. If terrorists are so much thoughtful about the glory of Islam then they should know that their cowardly attack on the Peshawar churchgoers has done their objective no good; in fact, they have earned alienation and estrangement for the Muslim minorities all over the world. We expect and hope the followers of other faiths will figure out this incident in its realistic setting; it is by no means a 'clash of civilisations'. Equally pressing is the imperative that our leaders reconsider the offer of talks made to the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan and its ilk by the latest APC. Isn't it the TTP, which claimed the responsibility for the attack on Major General Sanaullah Niazi's convoy and the Jundullah that claims its men attacked the Peshawar church, are the 'stakeholders' the government of Pakistan is going to talk to? If these outfits are not the ones that are out to subvert the peace talks then who else is doing it. Imran Khan and some others who say so need to be more specific - for the time to communicate in innuendos has passed. Instead of confused double-speak the leaders must come up with clear, unambiguous assertions and claims, because what the Pakistani people have come face to face is not mere political point-scoring, it is the much-feared existential threat to their national independence. If at all it is accepted that some third party is seeking to spoil the peace talks why then the Taliban own responsibility for deadly attacks. Consider what Dr al-Zawahiri has to say, he says al Qaeda needs Pakistan as a hatchery and a base. Is there then a future for the APC peace initiative?

Pakistan: Rubbing salt into wounds: Protesting Christians beaten up, pastor, youth go missing

The Express Tribune

Christian residents of Iqbal Town were allegedly beaten up by unidentified men on Monday evening for participating in protests against Sunday’s carnage in a Peshawar church.

An Iqbal Town resident, who requested anonymity, said he was an eyewitness to the episode. The resident, said several men thrashed seven or eight Christian youths with batons outside the Unitarian Church in the neighbourhood. The men had their faces covered, the resident said. Some of the victims, including Pastor Safir, were missing, the resident claimed. Another Christian resident of the neighbourhood alleged police complicity in the incident. The second resident claimed police were trying to ‘teach’ the Christian community a lesson for two consecutive days of protests on the Islamabad Highway. The resident alleged police had stationed a mobile van near the area’s taxi stand and were nabbing any Christians that went nearby. Iqbal Town has a significant Christian population and the community has led some of the strongest protest rallies in the capital over the past couple of days. Officers at the Shehzad Town police station said they had not received any reports about the thrashing incident. They denied detaining Christians but said police personnel have been deployed at Iqbal Town because of the recent protests.

Poor response: Peshawar tragedy

EVEN for a country where tragedy and savagery are now the norm rather than the exception, Sunday’s attack on Peshawar’s All Saints Church was a new low. For years now, citizens and law enforcement personnel have faced a tidal wave of violence and extremism, with no let-up in sight. Yet the helplessness of the citizenry continues to be matched by that of the state, both at the federal and provincial levels. The state has been unable to work out an adequate response mechanism or crisis mitigation measures that could reduce the extent of the suffering. Pakistan has effectively been in a state of war for years now. Unfortunately, in terms of organisation, the country seems to be taking matters as though it were business as usual — at a tremendous cost to the people. If there is any doubt about this assertion, consider the systemic vulnerabilities exposed by the recent bombings in Peshawar. According to statistics, this year alone Peshawar division has seen more than 230 militant attacks. It would have been reasonable to expect that, through the years, the provincial administration would have evolved a set of workable strategies that included beefing up the capacity of government-run healthcare centres to ensure the timely deployment of ambulances as well as increased staff and emergency equipment. This would have been a most basic mitigation measure in an area beset by high levels of violence. Yet this has not proved to be the case. Sunday’s victims were rushed to the Lady Reading Hospital, but there were few doctors and nurses to attend to the crisis, nor was there any level of organisation — even though each time there is an act of terrorism in Peshawar, this is the first hospital to which the victims are rushed. True, this recent atrocity was perpetrated on a weekend when many doctors may have been on leave. But even so, the trajectory of violence demands that the city and its institutions be in a better state of preparedness. It is not just Peshawar, but other cities and towns as well that need to pay more attention to standards of preparedness in case of an emergency situation. Whichever shape a long-term solution to the extremist threat takes, there is little doubt that it will be some time before the present level of violence is brought down. At both the federal and provincial level, the state must improve its response and develop strategies that can save lives, while the citizenry too must be made aware of the dangers.

Pakistan's Christians under attack: Our bloody Sunday

Sunday, September 22, 2013, will certainly stand in history as one of the blackest days for the Christian community in Pakistan, a day on which a minority we as a nation were sworn to protect, was brutally struck down by the dark cloud of militancy that Pakistan has spawned and cannot get rid of. The All Saints Church in Peshawar was the scene of deadly carnage when two suicide bombers detonated themselves during Sunday mass when the house of worship was host to more than 500 faithful. The attack was nothing short of a massacre and was designed so that a maximum number of fatalities would occur. One suicide bomber blew himself up outside the church after the services were over and people were leaving the premises. The other blew himself up inside the church after just 30 seconds. There were body parts strewn around everywhere and the stench of death held heavy and thick in Peshawar that morning. More than 80 have died and over 100 are injured. The fatalities continue to rise because many of the wounded are in dire condition. A relatively lesser-known faction of the Taliban, the Tehreek-e-Taliban Jundullah (TTPJ), has come forward to claim responsibility for the deadly attack. Our interior minister has gone on record to say that the TTPJ does not operate on Pakistani soil but then how can he explain this exceptionally well planned strike by this group? The TTPJ militants said they carried out this attack because they want to kill the enemies of Islam; one begs to understand how a peaceful Christian minority can possibly be an enemy to Pakistan or to Islam. More than anything, it seems the terrorists are the real enemies here, butchering innocent people in a bloody quest that cannot be understood by anyone. As can be expected, the Christian community is out on the streets, protesting against this mass murder, venting its anger at the state and the government. We are seeing nationwide protests and some of them are becoming violent, with the protesters pelting stones and lashing out at the government. This is a devastating development because it reveals that we are pushing a once peaceful minority into aggressive mode and the taking up of arms. This will come as no surprise really because the state is spineless and has been unable to protect most of its citizens: the Shias have started arming themselves after constant attacks and so have the Sunni Barelvis, who have both formed militias because the state cannot protect them from those who look to slaughter them. It is only a matter of time before the Christian community, the Ahmedi community and the Hindu and Sikh minorities fight back. Is this what we want, to push our own citizens up against a wall so ugly and bloodied that we become a nation at civil war? It is understandable that the security forces are stretched, what with the insurgency in FATA and routine terror attacks all over the country, but we cannot afford to leave our minorities at the mercy of those who bomb churches, mosques, temples, shrines, schools and markets. The lacklustre performance of the intelligence agencies, the police and the security forces has allowed such massacres to happen all too often. Just this year we lost more than 200 Shia Hazaras to this same sectarian menace. Attacks such as this show that the hopes pinned on the peace talks were just too naïve. We are dealing with monsters that know not the meaning of negotiations. How can the government think that by talking to the TTP, which is the umbrella organisation, it can stop attacks by renegade, autonomous factions of the Taliban like the TTPJ? Even the military seems to be distancing itself from the peace talks. Military operations against this multi-headed hydra is the only option, for the militants are now too many and too far down the road of being rogues. All those in the government who think dialogue is the way towards peace and security are fooling themselves. How can they ever look their citizens, particularly their minorities, in the eye again if they do not take a hard stance on these brutes? Bloody Sunday has sealed the deal. Will the government please stop playing the wimp and protect its people and the nation’s flag that runs red?

Pakistan: National Maududian Hypocrisy and the Peshawar Blast

Ahmadiyya Times

Abu Ala Maududi and his Jamaat-e-Islami shamelessly participated in the massacre of Bengalis as the Army’s B-Team in 1971 in the name of the same Pakistan that Bengalis had fought to create 25 years earlier.

As the nation comes to grip with the horrible massacre of Christians in Peshawar, Haider Maududi on Duniya TV (which shamelessly said “jo kachra saaf kartay thay un ka safaya ho giya) decided to muddy the waters by claiming that this was bound to happen in a country founded in the name of religion.

FACT: This fiction that Pakistan was founded in the name of religion is the doing Haider Maududi’s father Maulana Abu Ala Maududi (who had in 1947 opposed the makers of Pakistan.)

FACT: Abu Ala Maududi was behind the 1953 riots against Ahmadis and resorted to violence against Ahmadis which that community faces even today.

FACT: Abu Ala Maududi and his Jamaat-e-Islami shamelessly participated in the massacre of Bengalis as the Army’s B-Team in 1971 in the name of the same Pakistan that Bengalis had fought to create 25 years earlier.

FACT: Abu Ala Maududi’s Jamaat-e-Islami shamelessly supported General Zia’s Coup in 1977 and participated in the 9 star alliance to impose Islamic Law in Pakistan.

FACT: Jamaat-e-Islami, Maududi’s creation, continues to support Taliban.

Of course this Maududian hypocrisy is a national phenomenon.

Pakistani Christian Diaspora in North America and EU to protest against Peshawar Church carnage

http://www.pakistanchristianpost.com/

Pakistani Christian Diaspora in North America and Europe have announced to rally against killing of Christian worship in Peshawar to lodge protest in cities of New York, Toronto, Philadelphia and London in this week. Pakistan Christian Association in North America PCA, Global Christian Movement GCM, Pakistan Christian Congress PCC USA-Chapter and other Pakistani Christian organization will rally in front of United Nation office in New York on September 27, 2013, when Pakistani Premier Nawaz Sharif will be addressing General Assembly. On September 24, 2013, the Pakistani Christians in city of Philadelphia, PA will gather in local church to offer prayers for the victims’ families of suicide attack on All Saints Church in Peshawar on September 22, 2013. In Canada, Pakistani Christian Diaspora will rally on September 26th, 2013, in front of the Consulate General of Pakistan – Office in Vaughan, ON. On September 24, 2013, Pakistani Christian Diaspora will gather on invitation of BPCA in front of Pakistani High Commission in London to lodge protest.

Register case against Imran Khan and CM KPK on killing of Peshawar Christians

Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, Chief of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC have demanded registration of FIR on murder charges against Imran Khan, Chairman of Pakistani Tehreek Insaf PTI, Syed Munawar Hassan, Ameer of Jamat Islami Pakistan, Pervez Khattak, Chief Minister of Khyber Pukntunkhawa KPK province, Moulana Siraj Ul Haq, Parliamentary leader of JI in KPK provincial assembly and Medial Superintendent Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar on not providing emergency medical assistance to injured Christians in suicide bombing in All Saints Church in Kohati Gate Peshawar on September 22, 2013. The Central Secretariat of Pakistan Christian Congress PCC issued a press statement of Dr. Nazir S Bhatti, President of Pakistan Christian Congress here today saying that Chief Minister of KPK and Medical Superintendent of Lady Reading Hospital not issued any medical emergency due to which doctors were not present to provide medical assistance to injured Christians nor ambulances were deployed due to which dozens of injured Christian died in hospital. Nazir Bhatti said “PTI Chairman Imran Khan publically announced in gathering in city of Tank during his speech in by-Elections of National Assembly in second week of September that he is a worthy Muslim because he converted 4 Christians to Islam which invited attention of Islamists” “The statement of Imran Khan was not responsible which resulted in suicide attack on Christian worshipers in Peshawar” added PCC Chief Nazir Bhatti said that if former President Pervez Musharraf can be charged in murder cases being crimes committed during his rule why Imran Khan, Pervez Khattak, Moulana Siraj Ul Haq and others cannot be charged under murder of Christians on not providing adequate security to Christians in KPK province which is ruled by them. “If FIR is not registered under murder charges against responsible to not provide medical assistance to Injured Christians of Suicide bomb blast in Lady Reading Hospital then Christians will be forced to accept that their blood have no value in Pakistan” said Nazir Bhatti PCC Chief alleged that KPK CM not issued medical emergency because he denied blood value of Christians. PCC Chief clarified that until enquire is not complete PCC will take “Jandullaha” a faction of Talban which openly accepted responsibility of suicide bombing as killer of Christians in Church but those killed due to medical negligence in Lady Reading Hospital are victims of administration and PTI and PCC will press for charges against them.

Hillary Clinton 'not in any hurry' to make decision on 2016

http://news.yahoo.com/

With the 2016 election a little more than three years away, Hillary Clinton says she won't rush into a decision whether to make a second go for the White House.

“I’m not in any hurry," Clinton said in an interview with New York magazine — her first since stepping down as secretary of state. "I think it’s a serious decision, not to be made lightly, but it’s also not one that has to be made soon." Clinton said the seemingly endless speculation about her possible run for President is tiring, both for her and for America. “This election is more than three years away, and I just don’t think it’s good for the country," she said. "It’s like when you meet somebody at a party and they look over your shoulder to see who else is there, and you want to talk to them about something that’s really important; in fact, maybe you came to the party to talk to that particular person, and they just want to know what’s next. I feel like that’s our political process right now. I just don’t think it is good.” But Clinton has been keeping a keen eye on the political climate in Washington as she wrestles with the idea of another run for the White House. "I’m both pragmatic and realistic," the former first lady and New York senator said. "I think I have a pretty good idea of the political and governmental challenges that are facing our leaders, and I’ll do whatever I can from whatever position I find myself in to advocate for the values and the policies I think are right for the country. I will just continue to weigh what the factors are that would influence me making a decision one way or the other.” At the moment, Clinton says she's enjoying her time at home with Bill. “We get to be at home together a lot more now than we used to in the last few years," she said. "We have a great time; we laugh at our dogs; we watch stupid movies; we take long walks; we go for a swim. You know, just ordinary, everyday pleasures.” And her husband claims he doesn't know which way Hillary is leaning. "I don't," Bill Clinton told CNN's Fareed Zakaria on Sunday. "Somebody may know, but I don't. I'm not one of the people who does." Still, Bill can understand the appeal of Hillary on the top of a 2016 ticket: She served well as secretary of state, and because people across the political spectrum finally got to see her the way those of us who know her see her. And, you know, when you're — when I was president and she, like me, was subject to a long line of relentless criticism, and she did in the Senate. And she made a lot of friends in the Senate among Republicans as well as Democrats. People in New York liked her across the political spectrum. But it was the first time the country had ever gotten to see her as somebody who just, what you see is what you get, she shows up for work every day, gets stuff done, and is very strong about it. I think that's — but these polls don't mean much now. We're a long way ahead. I think she would be the first to tell you that there is no such thing as a done deal, ever, by anybody. But I don't know what she's going to do. Given Hillary Clinton's experence as secretary of state and in the U.S. Senate, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi thinks she would be one of the best-prepared candidates in recent memory — even more so than Bill. "More prepared than President Obama," Pelosi said on CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday. "Certainly more prepared than President Bush [and] certainly more prepared than President Clinton I might admit." Pelosi said it was premature to say who she'd support in a possible primary showdown between Clinton and Vice President Joe Biden. "I always have had a habit of saying, 'When you're serious about running, I'll be serious about it,'" she added. "But I think it would be magnificent for America to have a woman president. I think it would be just wonderful." Clinton, for her part, agrees. "We broke the great race barrier with President Obama but it's time that we also really ask ourselves deep down what it's going to take to elect a woman president," Clinton said on Thursday during during the question and answer session following a speech in Miami. "And I will certainly do what I can when that time comes to elect somebody — whoever that somebody might be."

Iran president brings 'charm offensive' to U.N., but will Obama buy it?

This week's United Nations meeting could mark a turning point in the acidic relationship between Iran and the United States. Will U.S. President Barack Obama shake the hand of newly elected Iranian President Hassan Rouhani? Will the two presidents even hold a meeting? Those are key questions after Rouhani's "we must work together" opinion piece published by the Washington Post's website last week. His comments have sparked optimism on the streets of Iran's capital, where residents are hopeful as they take note of their new president's unprecedented charm offensive pushing for better relations with Washington. But the Iranian president's new approach hasn't played as well in Israel.The New York Times reported Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is stepping up an effort to blunt Iran's diplomatic offensive, and plans to warn the United Nations that overtures toward a nuclear deal could be a trap. Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful energy, but the United States and others suspect it's for atomic bombs. The dispute about why Iran is seeking nuclear capability has prompted international sanctions and escalated concerns about additional warfare in the Middle East. In his op-ed, Rouhani wrote that he wants "a constructive approach" between his country and the world, including about Iran's nuclear program. "We must work together to end the unhealthy rivalries and interferences that fuel violence and drive us apart," Rouhani said.Analysts are divided about Rouhani and his sincerity in addressing his country's nuclear program. But there's one thing all analysts agree on: the op-ed was a jumping off point for a very high-profile public relations push. And this week, Rouhani could take things a step further. Analyst: Rouhani needs to strike a deal quickly In many ways, Rouhani's recent election is like Obama's in 2008: Rouhani enjoys enormous political capital, offering an opportunity to renew U.S.-Iran relations. Rouhani overcame hard-line conservatives by campaigning as a centrist and a reformer, using a "hope and prudence" slogan. To keep hard-liners at bay, Rouhani now must deliver something -- namely, economic relief as Iran strains under global sanctions -- or his critics will prevail as they did against Obama in 2009 when his own venture on U.S.-Iran diplomacy foundered, one analyst said. "Now the roles are reversed: Rouhani needs to strike a deal quickly," said Trita Parsi, president of the National Iranian American Council, who authored "A Single Roll of the Dice: Obama's Diplomacy with Iran." This week's U.N. General Assembly meeting "could be quite decisive," Parsi said. "That's going to be the moment where the two sides have to invest the political capital needed. Otherwise it will go nowhere. It's going to be costly politically to strike a deal. There's going to be critics on both sides," Parsi said. "There is a need for a huge dose of political will to be injected into the process." Will the two presidents meet? Obama and Rouhani are both scheduled to deliver speeches at the U.N. General Assembly on Tuesday. But it's unclear whether the two presidents will meet. Ben Rhodes, a White House deputy national security adviser, said Monday that no meeting has been scheduled with Rouhani for this week, but the White House remains open to diplomacy that serves American interests. Elliott Abrams, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said Obama shouldn't meet with Rouhani during the U.N. gathering, though shaking hands in a corridor would be appropriate. Abrams says that's because while Rouhani is Iran's president, he is not the country's leader. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is the supreme leader of Iran. "They are not counterparts, they are not equal," said Abrams, who also supervised U.S. policy in the Middle East under former President George W. Bush. "So for the president to meet with him, I think confers too great a recognition on him." Abrams said Rouhani was a skilled political tactician when he was the country's chief nuclear negotiator from 2003 to 2005. "Remember this is the guy -- Rouhani -- who wrote several years ago with pride how he tied us up in negotiations while the nuclear program (of Iran) was going forward," Abrams said. "So we should approach this with skepticism." Asked Monday whether the two presidents may just shake hands, Rhodes replied, "I don't think anything will happen by happenstance on a relationship this important."

White House weighs in

The Obama administration has welcomed Rouhani's published column. "But the fact of the matter is actions are what are going to be determinative here," White House spokesman Josh Earnest said. "The Iranians, for a number of years now, have been unwilling to live up to their obligations to the international community as it relates to their nuclear program." The international community's economic sanctions against Iran has "taken a significant toll on their economy and put pressure on them to come back to the bargaining table," Earnest said. He did acknowledge that Rouhani now enjoys a window of opportunity against his hard-line adversaries at home, but Iran must "demonstrate their seriousness of purpose" and show "their nuclear program is for exclusively peaceful means." For now, Obama's schedule this week doesn't contain any meetings with Rouhani. Asked if the United States is willing to ease sanctions against Iran, Earnest said such economic pressure "is what has brought the Iranians to the table."

Optimism in Tehran

On the streets of Iran's capital, many appear to be hopeful that their president's overtures toward the United States are a good sign. But they're also realistic that 34 years of mistrust will not disappear overnight. "I am 99% sure things will be better," said Tehran resident Syed Ali Akbar. "I can just feel it." Barber Hassan Ahmadi said he wants sanctions to end. "I want to see better relations," he said, "so we can live a little easier." Ali Hayati wasn't even born the last time Iran and the United States had diplomatic relations. But now, he feels like there's a chance for change. "I want to see Mr. Rouhani and Mr. Obama sit in front of each other and speak about life," he said. At the House of Persian Carpets in the famous Tehran Bazaar, merchant Sadegh Kiyaei said he's optimistic. "We believe that two nations -- Iran and America -- they realize that they need each other. They like each other," he said. "And they feel that it's the right time to get together and to start talking at least."

Assad: Terrorists may attack chemical weapons inspectors, blame Damascus

Syrian armed opposition may be ordered by its foreign sponsors to stage a false flag operation against foreign inspectors when they arrive in the country to monitor destruction of the country’s chemical weapons stockpile, says the Syrian president.

Bashar Assad voiced his concerns in an interview by China's state television CCTV in Damascus. The Syrian leader proposed this possible scenario as he was explaining how his government may be accused of trying to dodge its obligations to destroy its chemical arsenal. “We know that these terrorists are obeying the orders of other countries and these countries do drive these terrorists to commit acts that could get the Syrian government blamed for hindering this agreement,” he explained. Russia brokered an agreement with Syria to dispose of its stockpile of chemical weapons amid US threats to use military force against Syrian army over alleged use of sarin gas, which killed an estimated 1,400 people in August. Moscow expects the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which received detailed inventory of the Syrian arsenal last week, to prepare a deadline for the operation. It also plans to work with other members of the UN Security Council on a resolution, which would support the OPCW plan and provide for security of the inspectors, who would control the disarmament. But Washington, London and Paris are insisting on a UNSC resolution which would involve punitive measures against Damascus for any possible hindering of the operation under Chapter 7 of the UN Charter. Chapter 7 allows for the enforcement of Security Council resolutions with military action. Russia opposes such provisions. Speaking on the UNSC debate, Assad said the three Western powers are fighting an ‘imaginary enemy’. “By submitting the draft to the UN Security Council, or by urging the US and Russia to agree on a deal, the US, France, and Britain are just trying to make themselves winners in a war against a Syria which is their imaginary enemy," he said. The president said he was assured that Russia and China would "ensure any excuse for military action against Syria will not stand." Asked for details on the stockpile of chemical weapons, Assad said, “Syria has been manufacturing chemical weapons for decades so it's normal for there to be large quantities in the country.” The WMD arsenal was created due to Syria’s confrontation with Israel, the Syrian leader said. "We are a nation at war, we've got territories that have been occupied for more than 40 years, but in any case, the Syrian army is trained to fight using conventional weapons," Assad assured. While admitting that the security situation in Syria is far from perfect for the work of OPCW inspectors, Assad said the weapons are safe from being captured by any party. They are stored “under special conditions to prevent any terrorist for other destructive forces from tampering with them, that is, destructive forces that could come from other countries,” he said. "So there is nothing to worry about. The chemical weapons in Syria are in a safe place that is secure and under the control of the Syrian army." Earlier China said it is willing to send experts to contribute to the OPCW’s mission to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons. Russia pledged its assistance, which would probably involve securing locations where the stockpile would be processed.

Obama calls Kenya attack 'terrible outrage,' U.S. cooperating

http://www.reuters.com/

U.S. President Barack Obama on Monday called the attack in a Nairobi mall a "terrible outrage" and said the United States was providing all the cooperation it could to Kenya. "We stand with them against this terrible outrage that occurred," Obama said during a meeting with Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in New York. Both men, who are in town for the United Nations General Assembly, expressed condolences to Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta. "I feel the pain of President Kenyatta ... terror anywhere in the world is terror on all of us," Jonathan said.

Canada condemns bomb attack on Pakistani church

Canada condemned the attacks that killed nearly 80 parishoners leaving a historic Anglican church in Pakistan Sunday. According to Reuters, two suicide bombers blew themselves up outside the 130-year-old All Saints Church in Peshawar after mass had ended. “We are deeply concerned by the violent disregard of extremists in Pakistan for the right of all religious communities to practise their faith in peace and security," Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird and Andrew Bennett, Canada’s ambassador for Religious Freedom, said in a joint statement. "This was an act of cowardly violence that brutally targeted innocent worshippers. “Canada calls on Pakistani authorities to bring these perpetrators to justice and to protect those who seek to worship in peace, free from fear and intimidation." The Taliban-linked militant group TTP Jundullah claimed responsibility within hours of the attack. "They are the enemies of Islam, therefore we target them," said the group's spokesman, Ahmed Marwat. "We will continue our attacks on non-Muslims on Pakistani land."

Pakistani rights body questions talks with Taliban

Condemning the suicide attack on a church in Peshawar that killed 81 people, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) on Monday asked the government to explain how talks with the Taliban will address challenges facing the country. The HRCP described yesterday's attack on the church, which was claimed by a Taliban faction, as "inhuman and an affront to the values to uphold which Pakistan was established". The rights watchdog called on the government to share with the people its strategy to overcome "ongoing faith-based and militant-orchestrated attacks on citizens across the country". It asked Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's government to explain how holding talks with the Taliban will address the "challenges that haunt Pakistan today". "How will such talks help rein in the multiple other actors engaged in a bloody movement by extremist militants at the domestic level?" HRCP said in a statement. Over 120 people were also injured when two suicide bombers blew themselves outside the historic church in Peshawar, the capital of the restive Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province. Sharif has been pushing plans for talks with the Taliban but he too said yesterday's attack could affect the process. HRCP said the suicide bombing and similar attacks in the past were symptomatic of a deeper malady. Amid the militants onslaught, the new government was yet to share "its vision and strategy for dealing with the problem of militancy in the name of religion", it said. The organisation asked the government to take steps to reassure non-Muslim citizens that authorities have the will and ability to protect their lives and religious freedoms.

Death Toll In Pakistan Church Attack Reaches 85

At least 85 people are listed as dead in northwest Pakistan after what's been described as the largest-ever attack on the country's Christian minority. A pair of suicide bombers blew themselves up Sunday at the historic All Saints Church in the city of Peshawar, not far from the Afghan border. The BBC says two groups with ties to the Pakistani Taliban have said they ordered the attack in retaliation for U.S. drone strikes. The Associated Press reports: "Angry Christians blocked roads around the country to protest the bombings. On one of the main roads coming into the capital of Islamabad, demonstrators burned tires and demanded government protection for the members of the Christian minority." On Sunday, protests took place in Peshawar, Lahore, Karachi and the capital, Islamabad, according to the BBC. More demonstrations were expected on Monday.

The AP says: "[The] bombings raised new questions about the Pakistani government's push to strike a peace deal with the militants to end a decade-long insurgency that has killed thousands of people." Speaking with NPR's Morning Edition on Monday, Vali Nasr, the dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, said the Christians and minority Muslim sects have been frequently targeted by groups belonging to Pakistan's Sunni Muslim majority.

"There have been issues regarding Christians, including an assassination of a minister of religious affairs who was a Christian, including application of the very controversial blasphemy laws against Christians," Nasr tells host Steve Inskeep.