The Taliban have threatened to kill cricket star turned politician Imran Khan if he holds a planned march to their tribal stronghold along the Afghan border to protest US drone attacks.<\/p>\n
Although the Pakistani Taliban also oppose the strikes, which have killed many of their fighters, spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said they would target Imran Khan because he calls himself a \u201cliberal\u201d. He also warned they would attack anyone who participates in upcoming elections. \u201cIf he comes, our suicide bombers will target him,\u201d Ahsan told The Associated Press in an interview Monday in the militant group\u2019s stronghold of South Waziristan. \u201cWe will kill him.\u201d The threat could come as a surprise to many in Pakistan who have criticized Khan for not being tough enough on the Pakistani Taliban and instead focusing most of his criticism on the government\u2019s alliance with the US. Some of his critics have nicknamed him \u201cTaliban Khan\u201d because of his views and his cozy ties with conservative Islamists who could help him attract right-wing voters in national elections likely to be held later this year or early next year.<\/p>\n
Khan was once known for his playboy lifestyle and marriage to British socialite Jemima Khan. But they divorced several years ago, and he has since become much more conservative and religious. Khan has described himself as a liberal in various TV interviews, but he has also made clear that he is a practicing Muslim. Ahsan, the Taliban spokesman, seemed to ignore that distinction and said the militants didn\u2019t want Khan\u2019s help in opposing drone attacks. Khan has said he is planning to lead thousands of people in a march to Waziristan in September to demonstrate against the strikes. \u201cWe will not accept help or sympathy from any infidel,\u201d said Ahsan, referring to Khan. \u201cWe can fight on our own with the help of God,\u201d he said, as drones buzzed overhead. The spokesman for Khan\u2019s party could not be immediately reached for comment. Ahsan said the Taliban consider anyone who participates in elections, even Islamist parties, as infidels and will target them.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe election process is part of a secular system,\u201d said Ahsan. \u201cWe want an Islamic system and will create hurdles to secularism.\u201d An AP reporter interviewed Ahsan at a remote compound on a forested mountainside in South Waziristan. He was taken there from a compound in the Shawal area that housed several dozen Taliban fighters armed with AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns. Artillery fired by the Pakistani army regularly pounded the ground near the compound.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe election process is part of a secular system,\u201d said Ahsan. \u201cWe want an Islamic system and will create hurdles to secularism.\u201d An AP reporter interviewed Ahsan at a remote compound on a forested mountainside in South Waziristan. He was taken there from a compound in the Shawal area that housed several dozen Taliban fighters armed with AK-47s, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns. Artillery fired by the Pakistani army regularly pounded the ground near the compound.<\/p>\n
Source<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The Taliban have threatened to kill cricket star turned politician Imran Khan if he holds a planned march to their tribal stronghold along the Afghan border to protest US drone attacks. Although the Pakistani Taliban also oppose the strikes, which … Continue reading