‘True patriot’ Imran Khan turns ‘messiah’ for Pakistan's Taliban

The Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan’s (TTP) Swat chapter has said that it is ready to accept the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan as a mediator for talks with the government in order to restore peace in the region.

In his taped message, Swat Taliban commander Nooruddin Muhammad alias Abu Akash described Imran as a ‘true patriot’. Muhammad said Imran is a ‘pro-Muslim politician’, whom the Taliban can trust as an intermediary.

“Unlike other politicians, Imran hasn’t sold out his soul. His Qibla is still the holy Ka’aba,” the commander said in his Pashto language message. Muhammed said the Taliban’s main policy is to stop the Pakistan government from toeing the US’ line.
 
“We are Pakistanis and we don’t want to harm our country. Our objection is to the government’s policy of toeing the US line and fighting its own people at the behest of America,” The News quoted Muhammed, as saying.

“They (political leaders) should learn a lesson from the fate of Musharraf who too followed the American agenda. Unfortunately, Pakistan is ruled by politicians who live in Washington and London before coming to power and go back to these places after losing power,” he added.

He blamed the Central Investigation Agency (CIA) and the Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) for the recent terror strikes in shopping markets and other public places, and said that the militants only attacked security forces and law-enforcement agencies in retaliation after their homes were bombed and their family members were killed in military operations.

Muhammed also rejected reports about Swat Taliban chief Mullah Fazlullah’s death and said is safe and has taken refuge in a secure place.