The ‘Quetta shura’?

[TruthSeeker]

Quetta shura no longer poses threat: Ahmad Mukhtar

Friday, 11 Dec, 2009

Mullah Omar not in Pakistan, Taliban commander says

QUETTA: The government has admitted the existence of the Afghan Taliban's Quetta shura for the first time, and says it has taken them on.

In an exclusive interview with DawnNews, Defence Minister, Ahmad Mukhtar said security forces have taken on the Quetta shura and have damaged it to such an extent that it no longer poses any threat.

A recent report by General Stanley McChrystal, the top US Commander in Afghanistan, alleged that the top Taliban leadership was in Quetta and that they were master-minding attacks on international forces in Afghanistan.

However, until this admission by the Defence Minister — the government has so far denied the existence of any Taliban leadership or the Quetta shura — in Balochistan's capital. — DawnNews

DAWN.COM | Pakistan | Quetta shura no longer poses threat: Ahmad Mukhtar

 

[Solomon2]

O.K., I think we now know why the U.S. is insisting on both flag and control of its drones in Baluchistan - this difference of opinion exists. Of course, the entire speech by the Pakistani Defence Minister was an admission of his prior prevarication, so I wonder what else he lies to the public about?

 

[ejaz007]

Obama against drone strikes in Quetta: US magazine
Updated at: 0730 PST, Monday, December 14, 2009


WASHINGTON – Sami Ibrahim: A US magazine has revealed that US president Barack Obama has opposed drone strikes in Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan province, fearing that this will bring huge mass causalities, Geo news corresponded Sami Ibrahim reported from Washington on Monday morning.

According to sources, the magazine quoted, amid the advisory committee meeting of Obama administration, during the discussion over the extension of drone strikes from the tribal areas of Pakistan to Balochistan’s Quetta city, following the reports regarding alleged presence of the whereabouts of Taliban leader Mulla Omar in there and adjoining areas, president Obama favored the opinion that this decision will be folly, unwise and will jeopardize civilian lives.

Obama, on the occasion, feared the drone attacks on Quetta would merely result in massive mass destruction of civilian lives.

Sources told magazine, the meeting mulled over the surge in drone strike on Pakistan but no final decision could be reached and the meeting agreed further discussion over the issue.

Obama against drone strikes in Quetta: US magazine