Al-Qaeda can induct its own man to run Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, warns Rehman.

ISLAMABAD, August 10, 2009 (Frontier Star): Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik has warned that Al-Qaeda can induct its own man to run banned Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan after Taliban leaders have been killed in a shootout at their Shura meeting. Al-Qaeda is active across the border and it would try to induct its own man to run the banned organization with the consultation of those who are supplying weapons and resources to Taliban, he said in an exclusive chat with Private TV Channel. The days of Taliban are numbered, he said while warning them to lay down arms or be ready to face music. The Taliban, he said, should play role for development of the tribal areas of the country. Answering to a question, he said, we have credible information coming from inside the area that Supreme Commander TTP Baitullah is dead. The medic who was treating Baitullah Mehsud after the drone strike on his father-in-laws house in Zangarha area has also confirmed his death, he said. Powerful commanders of TTP looted the Baitulmall of the TTP Chief Baitullah Mehsud after his death, which means he is dead, he said. He challenged Taliban leadership including Hakimullah Mehsud and Wali-ur-Rehman to appear before the media if they are alive. He said situation would be cleared in 2 or 3 days. TTP is on run and they would be disintegrated soon, he said. The new leader of banned organization would have to face the wrath of Almighty Allah and the Government, he said. There was no room of terrorists in Pakistan and they have no link with Islam because suicide bombing is Haram, he said. When asked about leniency towards Taliban who lay down arms and renounce violence, he made it clear, terrorists involved in murdering and slaughtering innocent people would not be pardoned but those who are fighting due to fear of Taliban would be given leniency. Answering to a question, he said, Zangarha is a remote area and comparing the situation of Waziristan with Swat was wrong. The Pakistan army through its well thought strategy has cornered the Taliban and now they are running, he said.

(THROUGH ASIA PULSE)