KP MPA, Fitna al-Khawarij linked: ‘Nexus’ revealed

A purported audio leak has again revealed connections between the dominant political party in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fitna al-Khawarij.

Two audio clips have gone viral on the internet in which terrorist commanders described as ‘Badshah’, apparently located in Afghanistan, and ‘Rocketi’, reportedly active in South Waziristan, can be heard.

A chat released on social media indicates that militants told their accomplices not to kidnap or blackmail KP Assembly member Asif Mehsud, as he belonged to the main political party of the province.

In released audio, Rocketi allegedly stopped and searched Asif Mehsud in South Waziristan and issued him an extortion notice. But Badshah allegedly intervened and ordered that the politician should not be kidnapped and not hurt.

The tape also indicates that an apology was to be made to the MPA after the search, and Rocketi apparently verified compliance with the instructions.

Experts say the painful fact is now evident that the leaders of the dominant political party of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are considered sympathizers by the Khawarij and are given immunity from kidnapping and extortion.

According to analysts, the tape leak showed that the space afforded to the Khawarij by the KP government had emboldened the militant elements to consider the members of the main political party in the province as their own affiliates.