World | Pakistan
Cleric to 'wage jihad' if US attacks Waziristan
The top religious cleric in the volatile tribal Waziristan region has said there are no foreign militants or training camps in the area. He also threatened to wage a jihad against US and Nato forces if they used any pretext to attack.
- By Wajid Ali Wajid, Correspondent
- Published: 23:03 July 28, 2007
Islamabad: The top religious cleric in the volatile tribal Waziristan region has said there are no foreign militants or training camps in the area. He also threatened to wage a jihad against US and Nato forces if they used any pretext to attack.
Talking to Gulf News yesterday, Maulana Mohammad Yaseem Naumani, chief cleric of the Gul Pakhel Jamia Masjid in Miranshah, the agency's headquarters, said Islam negates terrorism at all levels. But he said it does not mean the opponents of Islam believe in this as well.
"If the occupation US or Nato forces stationed in Afghanistan launch an attack on our territory, the tribesmen here will not retaliate but inside Afghanistan because the Wazir tribe is on both sides of the border.
Intelligence
"The people of Pakistan can very well imagine that the same US intelligence who told the world Iraq had weapons of mass destruction [WMDs] is claiming the existence of foreign militants or training camps in our area. Where are those WMDs now," the cleric said.
"The Iraqi WMDs were used as a pretext to ruin that Muslim country for American interests, the same game is being played here but the tribal people will not allow this," he added.
The prayer leader said the US was targeting Muslims around the world merely on the basis of their religion and using several pretext, including Al Qaida to subjugate them.
"We are regretful - not for the US - but for the Muslims who support their attacks on Muslims," the cleric added.
He said the Pakistan army should stop attacking citizens on US directives, warning that otherwise Pakistani soldiers would also face aggression.
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