Pakistan's state system is on the verge of collapse, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Muhammad Khurasani said in an exclusive interview with Nezavisimaya Gazeta (Russia).
Author: Author: Andrey Serenko, head of the Analytical Center of the Society of Political Scientists of Russia, own correspondent of Nezavisimaya Gazeta
IN THE PHOTO: Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan leader Noor Wali Mehsud has become the main symbol of "jihad" for the "Islamic system" in Pakistan. Photo courtesy of Muhammad Khurasani
The Afghan Taliban has been recognized as a terrorist in the Russian Federation, while the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan movement is not on the Unified Federal List of Organizations, including Foreign and International Organizations Recognized as Terrorists in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation. However, Roskomnadzor told NG that, according to information from open sources, Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan "carries out close cooperation with the Taliban Movement organization, which was recognized by a decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation, which entered into force on March 4, 2003, as a terrorist organization. on the grounds provided for by Federal Law No. 35-FZ of March 6, 2006 “On Combating Terrorism”, and is included in the Unified Federal List”. In addition, in the final statement adopted on April 13 following the meeting in the "Russia, Iran, China, and Pakistan" format, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan organization was named among the terrorist groups "posing a threat to regional and global security."
According to a Pakistani Taliban official who gave his first interview to Russian media, thousands of TTP fighters are now waging a guerrilla war to establish an "Islamic system" in Pakistan. The achievement of this goal by the TPP leaders is called the main condition for peace in the region. Recall that Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has been under UN sanctions since 2011 as an organization associated with Al-Qaeda (banned in the Russian Federation). The UN estimates that the TTP has up to 35,000 fighters, making the Pakistani Taliban the largest jihadist organization in the region.
– In Russia, not much is known about Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP). What is TTP? When was it founded? Who is the leader of the TPP?
- Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan is a religious jihadist organization that emerged as a result of monstrous atrocities and successive operations against the people of Pakistan. The current head of the TTP is Mufti Nur Wali Mehsud (Abu Asim Mansour).
- What is the difference between the TTP and the Afghan Taliban banned in the Russian Federation?
– The reason for the differences is clear, the target of the TTP is Pakistan, and the target of the Afghan Taliban was Afghanistan.
– What is the ideology of the TTP? What goals do you set for yourself? How do you assess the situation in today's Pakistan?
- The theory of the TPP regarding Pakistan is that as long as this pagan system exists in Pakistan, until then there can be no peace in this region. Today's Pakistan is on the verge of collapse in every sense because of its wrong policies.
– Where is TTP present today? In what areas of Pakistan and maybe beyond?
- Most of the manpower of the Pakistani Mujahideen is located from Gilgit-Baltistan to Gwadar. There are thousands of Mujahideen throughout this region. Since our war with Pakistan is currently being fought in guerrilla form, for this reason, our Mujahideen fighters are dispersed throughout Pakistan, including Sindh and Punjab.
– Who supports the TTP? Who are your allies inside and outside of Pakistan?
- The TTP is supported by all the oppressed peoples of Pakistan, especially the Pashtun and Baloch tribes living in the tribal belt. We have no allies outside of Pakistan. However, many religious and political parties in Pakistan are our well-wishers and sympathizers.
- How does the TTP feel about ISIS (an organization banned in the Russian Federation)?
- There is a very clear difference between our ideology and that of ISIS.
- The Afghan "Taliban" calls it their goal to build an "Islamic system" in Afghanistan. The TTP is also seeking to create an "Islamic system" in Pakistan, according to media reports. What is the “Islamic system” in the understanding of the TPP? What traits should she have? In what other countries, according to the TPP, should an “Islamic system” be created?
– The TTP proclaims as its motto the Islamic system in Pakistan, in which all citizens of Pakistan are protected in their religious and national values. The main characteristic of the Islamic system is that it protects the religion, property, life, honor, and intellect of all people. Since the TPP has no external agenda, it cannot say anything about any other country.
- How does the TPP relate to women's rights to education, work, and career? Is the position of the TTP on this issue different from that of the Afghan Taliban?
- Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan wants to give women all the rights that Islam has given them, be it social, political, or educational.
– How does the TPP feel about the US and the West in general? How do you assess the results of the 20-year presence of the US and NATO in Afghanistan?
- As for America and the West, we believe that as long as they do not interfere in our affairs, we have nothing to do with them. They can judge for themselves the good and bad results of twenty years of US and NATO presence.
– How does Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan feel about Russia?
– Russia is located far from our region and, as far as we know, has not been involved in any cooperation with Pakistan against the TPP. We expect the same from Russia in the future.
