Three Former TTP Chiefs Once Served as JUI-F Office-Bearers: Aqeel Yousafzai
ISLAMABAD: Senior journalist and analyst Aqeel Yousafzai has claimed that three former chiefs of the banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) had previously served as office-bearers or workers of the Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F).
Speaking during senior journalist Irfan Khan’s podcast, Yousafzai also made claims regarding a reported phone conversation between JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and Afghan Taliban Supreme Leader Sheikh Haibatullah Akhundzada.
According to Yousafzai, the alleged remarks made during the conversation have attracted serious attention from relevant institutions. He claimed that the establishment had conveyed to Fazlur Rehman that Pakistan was fully capable of protecting its national interests.
Yousafzai described such remarks, if accurately reported, as unacceptable from a Pakistani political leader and senior stakeholder. He referred to statements previously made by Army Chief Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir regarding Pakistan’s national security and the threat posed by terrorism.
The analyst further claimed that Fazlur Rehman had faced significant political criticism over his position on the issue. He alleged that some of his statements were being viewed as providing political justification to elements accused of involvement in violence and terrorism in Pakistan.
Yousafzai also claimed that three former Amirs of the banned TTP had at some point been associated with JUI-F as office-bearers or workers. However, the information provided does not identify the individuals or provide documentary evidence supporting the claim.
He further alleged that terrorism in Pakistan and its alleged sponsorship involved actors beyond the Taliban and TTP, naming India and Israel among countries he claimed were hostile to Pakistan. These allegations were presented without independent verification in the material provided.
Yousafzai said that given the seriousness of the security situation, Pakistan’s state and security institutions would be justified in taking necessary measures to safeguard national interests.
It is important to note that the statements and allegations attributed to Aqeel Yousafzai were made during the podcast and have not been independently verified based on the information provided.
