Daily Times

In the first week of November 2014, MQM chief Altaf Hussain in an address referred to wall chalkings and the hoisting of a few flags in southern Punjab. He also expressed serious concerns over the growing threat of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Pakistan. Some analysts also view ISIS’s presence as a major threat to Pakistan, Afghanistan and the region at large. The Balochistan government, quoting intelligence sources, has made a similar statement. However, in reply to a question about ISIS’s presence in Pakistan during an interview the other day, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General (DG), Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa said, “There could be isolated cases where they are trying to show their presence or to become relevant, but I do not see this growing into a major threat.” The terrorists of ISIS may have some individuals helping them in Pakistan but they are not a major cause of concern, he added.

It is true that thousands of militants from Europe and dozens of other countries have flocked to Iraq and Syria, which is the main battleground for ISIS. However, ISIS militants’ actions are confined to Iraq and Syria and there is not even a remote possibility that ISIS can make inroads into Pakistan. Countries in the region such as Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan are staying vigilant and will not allow them to enter by air or land. ISIS can use some Taliban elements or members of other groups but they are already on the run due to the ongoing military operations in North Waziristan and Khyber Agency. In this backdrop, there is no cause for alarm or threat from ISIS in Pakistan, as Pakistan’s armed forces have the capacity and capability to fight the militants, something they have proved during Operation Zarb-e-Azb. The hoisting of a few flags and the distribution of pamphlets by some ISIS sympathisers does not pose any palpable threat.

Of course, the MQM is concerned over the presence of the Taliban and other militants, who have challenged the monopoly of the party that ruled the roost in Karachi during the last three decades. After the 2009 military operation in Swat, disguised as internally displaced persons (IDPs), militants from Swat, South Waziristan, Mohmand Agency, Bajaur, Dir and elsewhere began taking refuge in Karachi. At first, they did their best to blend in with other militants who fled to Karachi. They shaved their beards, cut their trademark long hair and worked in the city as petty labourers. Thus disguised, they waited for the right time to establish and reinforce their networks in the city. Earlier, small cells of various Taliban groups existed in the city but their job was primarily to raise funds for their parent groups, largely through bank robberies.

The Pakistani military and its agencies seem to be aware of the level of the threat of ISIS in the Middle East and elsewhere, and have also taken notice of the distribution of ISIS pamphlets that bear the logo of the kalima (Muslim profession of faith), the historical stamp of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and a Kalashnikov rifle. On August 4, 2014, in a post on its Twitter feed, the Pakistan army’s spokesman, Major General Bajwa stated, “Pakistan army soldiers have neither been sent to Saudi Arabia nor deployed on Saudi Arabia’s borders with Iraq to fight Islamic State (IS).” This means that the Pakistani military understands the repercussions of sending troops to act as a mercenary army. It is worth mentioning that an ISIS delegation reportedly met the Taliban’s second-tier leadership to seek their allegiance after Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi pronounced a caliphate. Since they have already taken an oath of allegiance to Mullah Umar, how can there be two amirs (leaders) or caliphs?

It is also well known that, in August 2014, ISIS distributed pamphlets in Peshawar and the border provinces of Afghanistan. The booklet, titled Fatah (victory), published in Pashto and Dari was distributed in Peshawar as well as in Afghan refugee camps on the outskirts of the city. A number of splinter groups operating in Pakistan and Afghanistan announced their support for the ISIS. Among them, Abdul Rahim Muslim Dost and Maulvi Abdul Qahar, operating in Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan, announced their support for the self-styled caliph Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Former Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) spokesman Shahidullah Shahid and six other TTP commanders joined ISIS recently. But ISIS cannot help them in Pakistan or Afghanistan, as their area of influence is in Iraq, Syria and their neighbourhood where they have started losing ground after making initial gains.

A representative of Hizbut Tahrir (HT) in Pakistan vowed to support ISIS but HT is no more than a constellation of minor groups with a fantasy about a caliphate, held together by affiliation to the global jihad. However, the little known Tehreek-e-Khilafat Pakistan declared its allegiance to the pseudo-caliph. According to the Daily Telegraph, the Tehreek-e-Khilafat is considered part of the Pakistani Taliban, an umbrella movement linked to al Qaeda, containing dozens of terrorist groups, racketeers and sectarian outfits. On the other hand, many Muslim extremist groups and militants from the world over condemned Baghdadi’s proclamation. Baghdadi’s hatred and violent behaviour are against the very essence and teachings of the Quran and sunnah. He is, therefore, not worthy of the title of caliph and must be denounced assertively.

The writer is a freelance columnist. He can be reached at mjamil1938@hotmail.com