Pak Taliban claims Fazlullah never opposed army

Mingora, Apr 22 (ANI): Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan has said that Maulana Fazlullah is "not against the Pakistan Army" and the Taliban militants in Swat were forced to take up arms.

Addressing a press conference, Taliban spokesman Muslim Khan said the chief of Swat Taliban, Maulana Fazlullah, had never opposed the army "as an institution." "We do not want war ... but it was imposed on us," he added.

He said Taliban had banned arms in markets. No one is allowed to bring weapons even to Imamdheri (Maulana Fazlullah's stronghold).

Khan said the Taliban would abide by the agreement between chief of the Tehrik-i-Nifaz Shariat-i-Muhammadi Sufi Mohammad and the NWFP Government.

He said they would never give up jihad against 'infidels'. It 'will continue till the Day of Judgment'. Taliban, he said, would never cower before infidel forces.

The Dawn quoted Khan as saying that it 'is mandatory for all Muslims to keep weapons to protect themselves and secure the safety of Muslim brothers'.

He said after the practical enforcement of Sahriah in Swat, the people in other parts of the country would also 'call for implementation of the Islamic system, which guarantees speedy justice and security'.

He said Islam allowed minorities 'full protection and rights in a Muslim society'. (ANI)