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Political - Inside Pakistan
TM:What do the IDPs think about Pakistani Taliban and Afghan Taliban? How do they compare the two?
RW:They believe the Afghan Taliban are real Mujahideen who are fighting against the US/NATO Occupation. They do not necessarily agree with the harsh conditions that the Afghan Taliban impose on the country, but at least during the time when the Afghan Taliban governed the country, the Afghan soil was not being used to carry out terrorism in Pakistan through fake, so-called 'Taliban' setups, like the TTP. An overwhelming majority of the people believe the TTP has nothing to do with the Afghan Taliban and that they are supported by India, under the watch of the US, to destabilize Pakistan.
TM:How do they view the various factions and political groupings like the TTP, ANP, PPP, NRO, etc.
RW:They are strongly against TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan) as they believe them to be a bunch of opportunistic criminals and mercenaries murdering innocent Muslims in cold blood. The majority believe the ANP does not represent them and is full of corrupt officials.
(Note by Talha:The PPP is the ruling party in Pakistan, led by President Zardari and the refugee's views of the government are described below in the interview).
TM:Do the IDPs favor independence from Pakistan or would they rather be part of the Pakistan state?
RW:They are among the most patriotic people we meet. They kept pointing out how it was Younis Khan, a resident of Mardan, who led Pakistan to glory in the recent Cricket 20-20 World Cup in England. They tell us about an amazing night of celebration and celebratory gunfire in Mardan on this occasion. A lot of them proudly displayed Pakistani flags on their makeshift tents.
TM:Who do they consider to be their political leaders?
RW:On the whole they are disillusioned with the current political setup. The local nazim (councilor) in Mardan seemed to be a very popular fellow among the residents. They told us that they view him to be an honest and down-to-earth man (with a very simple lifestyle, contrary to the mansions the MPAs and MNAs live in) - who listens to the problems of the people and helps them in whatever way he can.
TM:What are their views of the Pakistan Government, Zardari and the military?
RW:Like the rest of the country, they don't like Zardari because he has a very bad reputation. Their support for the military operation has been strong, however. The only downside is that the corrupt government officials have not managed the crisis properly and are busy making money off the aid that has come in. They have to queue up for hours for the Rs25,000 that the government is paying the IDPs, and even then they have to pay bribes of up to Rs5000 just to get that money.
TM:How do they view the strength of the resistance against Pakistan Government, the U.S., NATO, India, etc.
RW:They believe the TTP will be wiped out and they want to play their role in achieving that. Some were a bit regretful that they had let the TTP menace rear its head in the first place. They believe the U.S., NATO, and India will be brought down to their knees in Afghanistan. One of the people with whom we spoke explained, "That's what happens when you invade Afganistan".
TM:How have they been treated as families and individuals (not as warriors) by the Pakistan Government?
RW:They feel that the government has failed to manage the influx of refugees in major cities such as Mardan. On the other hand, the residents of Mardan have housed and fed them in their own homes and in make-shift shelters in schools. Pathans take pride in being excellent hosts and they are doing their best at this time.
