Both statements, sent as a message on Eid-ul-Azha, emphasised on the ‘spirit of sacrifice’ that they said was needed to combat the growing western influence in the Islamic world.
Hakimullah Mehsud, head of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, said that his organisation was just part of the now worldwide Islamic movement against the West that had been inspired by Mullah Umar’s resistance to the US demands for handing over Osama bin Ladin after 9/11, The News reported.
Taliban said the goal of the movement was establishment of an Islamic caliphate from the Caucus region of Central Asia to the deserts of Africa.
‘As far as Pakistan was concerned, the TTP Ameer (chief) said that it was the country’s establishment that had made approaches for talks and the onus for this rested on the political leadership,’ he said. He said the talks option had been opened by the establishment only after all others tactics had failed against the militants and its leadership felt that it was likely to lose this struggle. Mehsud said the militants were willing to sit down on the table but would only put forward their demands once such a meeting takes place. He also said the militants would never give up their demand for a Sharia-based system in Pakistan.
Hakimullah Mehsud, head of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, said that his organisation was just part of the now worldwide Islamic movement against the West that had been inspired by Mullah Umar’s resistance to the US demands for handing over Osama bin Ladin after 9/11, The News reported.
Taliban said the goal of the movement was establishment of an Islamic caliphate from the Caucus region of Central Asia to the deserts of Africa.
‘As far as Pakistan was concerned, the TTP Ameer (chief) said that it was the country’s establishment that had made approaches for talks and the onus for this rested on the political leadership,’ he said. He said the talks option had been opened by the establishment only after all others tactics had failed against the militants and its leadership felt that it was likely to lose this struggle. Mehsud said the militants were willing to sit down on the table but would only put forward their demands once such a meeting takes place. He also said the militants would never give up their demand for a Sharia-based system in Pakistan.