



Taliban commanders have been issued a mandate to carry out widespread attacks in the country on May 11 by the chief commander of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) through a letter.





Issued on May 1, 2013 and addressed to TTP spokesperson Ehsanullah Ehsan, TTP chief Hakimullah Mehsud wrote: “I will keep control of the attacks in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, while you should cover Sindh and Punjab.”Referring to poll candidates and the democratic system, Mehsud expressed hope that the Taliban commanders would be busy working against the agents of an “infidel system.”“I am sending a list of attacks and the modus operandi, along with a separate list of fidayeen (suicide bombers),” wrote Mehsud, adding that TTP leaders could prescribe amendments to it after consultation.The letter also lists targets in Punjab and Sindh for Election Day.Earlier, in a letter to media personnel, Mehsud had written that his group was focused on jeopardising democracy by hindering elections.In another letter issued by the Shura of pro-government Mullah Nazir Group in Wana subdivision, all group members have been warned to maintain peace and avoid siding with any election candidate.The letter says that the Mullah Nazir group should struggle to ensure that polling is carried out in a smooth and stable manner, adding that all candidates contesting for NA-41 are equal for them.Furthermore, the letter says that voters and candidates should follow the 10-point rules to maintain peace – adding that those found guilty of violation deserve to be punished. The points are as follows:-All candidates should advise their supporters to remain peaceful at polling stations.All candidates should refrain from making fiery statements and slogans at polling stations.All voters should keep 100 yards distance from polling stations. Voters must not cast more than one vote. No agent of any candidate is allowed to stop polling.The presiding officers should also take care of rules and regulations at their respective polling stations.A queue should be made for casting vote according to rules.Voters are not allowed to bring any kind of weapons to the polling station.A person who cannot go outside of his home will be guaranteed peace, whereas those guilty of rule violation will be fined Rs1 million, and his house will also be demolished. The order is applicable on all areas equally.Stay away from spreading any disturbance, indulging in scuffles, or raising hue and cry.The letter also warns that any person found violating rules will not only be fined but he will also be sent to jail on a three-month remand while his weapon will be seized.Published in The Express Tribune, May 10, 2013.