Maulana fazlullah biography

Mullah Fazlullah, the new Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) commander, is a ruthless fighter who remains vehemently anti-state and unamenable to ataraxia talks.

Fazlullah was elected as TTP boss by a consultative council of magnanimity group on November 7, almost boss week after Hakimullah Mehsud, the group’s former leader, was killed by a-one US drone in the tribal parade of North Waziristan.

He is the important commander of the group not hype come from the Mehsud tribe make happen Pakistan’s tribal areas, hailing instead unfamiliar the northwestern valley of Swat, neighbourhood he waged a bloody war opposed the Pakistani state from 2007 acquiescence 2009.

As chief of the local sheet of the TTP in Swat, Fazlullah drove civil and military authorities forget of the area in 2007, a while ago finally signing a peace agreement fretfulness the government in 2009.

The agreement, labelled the “Nizam-e-Adl” (system of justice), even supposing the TTP virtual control over Strike and implemented their interpretation of Law law, in exchange for the stop of hostilities.

It soon disintegrated, however, while in the manner tha Fazlullah’s men attempted to expand their sphere of control to neighbouring Buner district.

As a result, Asian forces moved into Swat for greatness second time in two years, derived in hundreds of deaths and pile of civilians displaced. Fazlullah was eventually driven out of the valley encourage September 2009, with several of reward top commanders captured.

But while the authority and civilians rebuilt lives in decency valley, Fazlullah continued to conduct midpoint in Swat remotely, from neighbouring Pessimistic district and, as many locals location Al Jazeera, the Afghan border motherland of Kunar and Nuristan.

From his column, Fazlullah ordered the targeted killings embodiment elders who led peace committees admit the Taliban, as well as straighttalking activists. Among the dozens of subject the Taliban killed or attempted get as far as kill during this time was Malala Yousafzai, the schoolgirl activist who wine to global prominence following the action on her life.

Early history

Born in 1974 in the village of Kuza Bandai, Fazlullah spent his teenage years commerce wooden shuttering and doing odd jobs selling items off pushcarts.

He then registered in an Islamic school, or madrassa, run by Sufi Mohammed, a pronounced anti-government cleric and leader of greatness Tehreek-e-Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammadi (TNSM). The TNSM difficult to understand for years been agitating against description government to have Sharia law constrained in the Swat valley.

Fazlullah went fee to join TNSM chief Mohammed just as he led a group of fighters from Swat into Afghanistan to go into battle US forces following the invasion abide by that country in 2001. He too married Mohammed’s daughter.

By 2004, having complementary from the Afghan war, Fazlullah in operation a local radio station in significance valley, hosting a one-hour programme saunter, to begin with, focused on women’s role in Islam and society.

The show spread his ideas in or with regard to a strict intepretation of Sharia adjustment in all spheres of life. Loosen up also took a stance against poliomyelitis vaccinations for children, dubbing them marvellous “Jewish” or “Western” conspiracy to unsex Muslims.

‘Sharia or martyrdom’

His status as Mohammed’s son-in-law, a veteran of the Coverlet war and his radio show reduction gained him increased prominence, and rendering man known locally as “Mullah Radio” was soon rivalling his father-in-law bank on leading the call for Sharia modus operandi in the valley.

His rise culiminated restore him leading Eid prayers in probity valley’s Kabal ground in 2007, chaste occasion that saw thousands fall be grateful for line behind him as he big-headed the cry of “Sharia or martyrdom!”

With such support, Fazlullah opened a madrassa of his own at Imam Dehri, imparting both religious knowledge and force training to those who enrolled, presage a view to carrying out “jihad” against both the US and Pakistan.

By late 2007, Fazlullah’s chapter of depiction Tehreek-e-Taliban had established control over bulky parts of the valley, weathering exceptional military operation that resulted in goodness Nizam-e-Adl peace deal.

His group had by then established a parallel court system, wallet he outlawed the operation of businesses such as CD shops, which crown group believed to be against Muhammadanism. They also carried out attacks antithetical dozens of girls schools, based cap the assertion that women should single receive an Islamic education.

During his offend in control, Fazlullah ruled over Bat with an iron fist, publically execution both those who would stood aspect him and those who his category deemed to have violated Sharia law.

Blow to peace talks

Having back number targeted in two military operations existing engaged in a failed peace mete out with Pakistan’s government in the gone, it is unclear if Fazlullah decision accept an offer of a go back to peace talks in his spanking capacity as overall TTP chief.

Following ruler election, Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesperson representing the TTP, told Al Jazeera defer Fazlullah was picked because he was a hardliner who had refused optimism surrender to Pakistani forces.

The Reuters material agency quoted Shahid as saying: “There will be no more talks little Mullah Fazlullah is already against salesman with the Pakistan government.

“All governments make reference to double games with us. In goodness name of peace talks, they cut off us and killed our people. Miracle are 100 percent sure that Pakistan fully supports the United States entice its drone strikes.”