The new leader of outlawed Pakistani Taliban, Mullah Fazlullah has returned to the unruly tribal areas of Pakistan. Reports say that he was first based in neighboring Afghanistan, ever since the military operations in Swat back in 2009.
Several sources reported that Fazlullah – who is also known as Mullah Radio – arrived in Tehreek-e-Taliban, which is Pakistan’s stronghold in North Waziristan, along with 15 of his associates. The report went on to say that Fazlullah is set to preside over a meeting of Taliban ‘Shura’, which is scheduled to be held in a few days.
The reports of his return to Pakistan came at a time when the government is renewing its efforts to begin the dialogue process with the Pakistani Taliban. The Pakistan Information Minister, Pervaiz Rasheed said on Sunday, December 1, 2013 that the government is at the ‘conclusive stage’ of revival of talks with the Pakistan Taliban.
These remarks from the minister came one week after the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said that its government is still focused on the revival of proposed talks. Sharif went on to say that the government will remove any obstacles which exist before talks with the Taliban and would move forward with the initiative without causing any loss to the state. Fazlullah was known for his fiery sermons on an illegal FM station while he headed a parallel administration in Swat Valley.
Photo Credits: tribune
