Pakistan |
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Pakistan Map; Source: CIA Fact book |
Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf |
Taliban Members, al Qaeda Present in Pakistan-Afghanistan Border Area - Calling For Battle30 September 2003--Audio Tape by Ayman al Zawahiri Calling for Musharraf's Overthrow In the wake of the release of an audiotape on 10 September 2003, a second tape reportedly of Osama bin Laden's second in command, Ayman al Zawahiri was broadcast on 29 September (30 September 2003 US). The tape calls for the attack and overthrow by al Qaeda operatives and surviving Taliban members of Pakistan's Musharraf, and requests assistance of all good Muslims to join the battle. "Muslims in Pakistan must unite to oust this 'traitor' and put in place a loyal leadership in Pakistan which defends Islam and Muslims." The release of the latest tape coincides with Musharraf's return from meetings of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, and has "severely rattled Pakistani intelligence officials." Implications: al-Qaeda is becoming more active in Pakistan as well as in Afghanistan. One of its members, Hadi al-Iraqi, is known to operate in the Pakistan-Afghanistan border areas near North Wazirstan, along with one Amjad Farooqui, a suspect named in the cold-blooded murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl, according to the Asia Times. It is also being reported that Hadi has traveled into a number of Pakistani cities, including Rawalpindi, the hometown of Musharraf. The release of this second audio tape illustrates the determination of al Qaeda; more attacks against western targets and US troops in Afghanistan are anticipated. Arabic Source Text: قالت
مصادر في
حركة طالبان
إن قواتها
سيطرت على
منطقة داي
تشوبان
ومناطق أخرى
في ولاية
زابل, وإن
عددا من
الجنود
الحكوميين
استسلموا .
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Historical Overview of Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf |
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Born: 11August 1943 in New Delhi (prior to India gaining independence from Great Britain) 1949 - 1956: Musharraf spends his early childhood in Turkey. 1957: Traveled to Karachi the same year Pakistan became a nation. 1964: Joined Pakistani army and trained as a commando at Kakul Military Academy. 1965: Awarded Imtiazi Sanad Medal for "gallantry" during the 1965 Indo-Pakistan war 1971: Served as commander in a Commando battalion (during war with India). 1971-1995: Held various positions in the military, commanding armored divisions and infantry brigades. 1993-1995: Served as Director of General Military Operations. 7 October 1998: Promoted to General and appointed Chief of Army Staff. 12 October 1999: Seized power in a bloodless coup and assumed the position of "Chief Executive" of Pakistan. Continues to hold the office of Chief of Army Staff and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee 20 June 2001: Appoints himself President of Pakistan, but claims to be committed to returning democracy to the nation. 13 July 2001: Travels to New Delhi for talks with Indian Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, however the talks end in failure after only two days. 8 October 2001: Musharraf requests resumption of peace talks with India 17 December 2001: Pakistan is blamed for suicide attack on Indian parliament; Musharraff is warned by India to crackdown on Pakistan-based terrorist groups. 12 January 2002: Following the terror attacks of 2001, Musharraf reportedly declares war on terrorist groups in his country. 9 March 2002: India declines talks with Pakistan. 9 April 2002: Pakistan sets referendum vote for 30 April, however Musharraf states that he will remain the army chief regardless of the outcome of the referendum. |
