PESHAWAR, Pakistan – The Taliban on Monday warned foreign firms to leave Pakistan and vowed retaliatory strikes against the government after the Pakistan Army launched a long-awaited offensive in a tribal area. The statement came as Pakistan’s major cities braced for a backlash by deploying thousands of soldiers and paramilitaries while placing hospitals on high alert for incoming casualties. The offensive on North Waziristan was launched a week after a brazen insurgent attack on the Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. “We warn all foreign investors, airlines and multinational corporations that they should immediately suspend their ongoing matters with Pakistan and prepare to leave Pakistan, otherwise they will be responsible for their own loss,” spokesman Shahidullah Shahid said in a statement. “This thing is clear to all that the capital gained (by Pakistan) through your activities and trade falls on innocent tribal women and children like fire and iron,” he added. The group also vowed to take revenge on the government. “We hold Nawaz Sharif’s government and the Punjabi establishment responsible for the loss of tribal Muslims’ life and property as a result of this operation,” the statement said. “The retaliatory actions of the mujahedeen (militants) will make you a cautionary tale in history.”
Categories: Anti Islam act by Muslims, Asia