Recent articles in the Pakistani media indicate increasing fears of the rise of Pakistan's Taliban militants in Karachi, Pakistan's biggest commercial city. According to an April 15, 2009 report in the Lahore-based Daily Times, "the Taliban are covertly operating in Karachi and extorting millions of rupees in 'donations' from Mehsud and Wazir tribesmen living in the city." [1]
"A few months ago a Taliban representative had collected more than Rs 2 million in just a few days," the report said, noting that while some of the donors are Taliban sympathizers, others pay out of fear.
A March 30, 2009 report in the Pakistani daily The News, titled "The Rise of the Taliban, the Fall of Karachi," further warned that the militants are threatening women, businessmen, and other citizens in Karachi.
Following are some excerpts from this report: [2]
"Next Time You Come in Public, Cover Yourself from Head to Toe"
"A family friend got out from her car and walked to a chemist's shop in a busy shopping area of Karachi. She was wearing a normal shalwar-kameez suit that most Karachi women wear in public areas... As she walked to the shop, a man approached her and showed her a pistol.
"But instead of robbing her, he gave her a chilling message: 'Next time you come in public, cover yourself from head to toe.'
"This happened in full public view on a busy Karachi street. But no one seemed to notice and the man did not in any way seem [to be] in any hurry or to worry...."
"There are more worrisome incidents than one can recall."
"This Time They Also Mentioned That They Not Only Knew Where He Lived - But Where He Worked, Which Schools His Children Went To, And Other Details"
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"Many businessmen have received calls on their cell phones in which the caller does not identify himself but does confirm the name of the person he has called. After a couple of days comes another call. And then another. The businessman is told to contribute a certain amount to the Tehreek-e-Taliban [predominant Taliban militant umbrella organization].
"One businessman shrugged this off as a hoax. But soon enough there were men who called at his house and made the same demand, only this time they also mentioned that they not only knew where he lived, but where he worked, which schools his children went to, and other details [regarding his personal life].
"The man ended up paying. No one knows who these people are. Some say they are criminals who are using the name of the Taliban. Who knows?"
"Many Families Have Received Such Letters - And In Most Instances They Have Complied"
"A family in Clifton [Karachi's aristocratic neighborhood] last month received a notice which was addressed to the father. In it, he was told to ensure that his daughters - who were described in the letter in very negative terms - should be told to stay home, since they were seen to be of loose character. The letter warned the father to take action, otherwise the mosque would have to 'do something.'
"The crime of these girls apparently was that they were seen moving around too frequently and wearing too Western clothes.
"The writers of this threatening letter even disclosed their identity. They claimed to be from a prominent mosque....
"The shaken family did as they were told. Many families have received such letters and in most instances they have complied. No action has been taken or questions asked of the people at this mosque. The police shrug this off as not important." [3]
"The Pakistan People's Party Government [MQM] Has been Denying the Rise of Extremist Forces in Karachi Since It Has Been in Power"
"Last year, this mosque was identified by the MQM when it made an outcry on the rise in Talibanization in Karachi. But the Pakistan People's Party government has been denying the rise of extremist forces in Karachi since it has been in power. Some say that the motives of the MQM are suspect. Their agenda is more political. But then again, who is right and who is wrong? [4]
"Stories continue to surface of the growing influence of such elements. Women who travel without their heads covered in public transport have been spat upon, in some instances by other women..."
Endnotes:
[1] Daily Times, Pakistan, April 15, 2009.
[2] The News, Pakistan, March 30, 2009.
[3] The mosque is not identified in the report, but is based in Clifton, the city's posh locality.
[4] MQM, or the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, is Pakistan's third-largest political party led by Altaf Hussain, the London-based leader of Muhajirs, or Indian immigrants in Pakistan.
