Taliban stave off infighting by power-sharing form

Faced by an impending offensive by the Pakistan military on its stronghold of Waziristan, the Pakistani Taliban have curtailed infighting amongst them only by coming up with a leadership power-sharing formula. Under the formula, 28-year-old Hakimullah Mehsud has been chosen as chief of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan, while his rival claimant Wali-ur Rehman would continue to control the organisation's affairs as he did in Baitullah's time, The News reported.

This would mean that while Mehsud would be the central 'Amir' (chief) but his entire manpower and resources would be controlled by Wali-ur Rehman. The paper said that the infighting was resolved by letting Wali-ur Rehman yield considerable influence by being the chief of the TTP for South Waziristan, the birth place and headquarters of the militant group. That the Pakistani Taliban was riven with dissensions was evident as for last 20 days, the top Pakistani Taliban commanders tried to hide Baitullah's death. They had to concede when it became impossible to keep denying it any further, as the evidence mounted and Taliban were unable to provide any proof that their leader was alive.

The News quoting influential tribal sources said there was no way that TTP chief could come from any other place outside South Waziristan."It had to be a South Waziristani and also someone from Mehsud tribe as the dominant Pusthun tribe would not allow leadership to pass to anybody else," the News

said. The paper counted as other contenders Maulana Faqir Mohammad, Maulana Fazlullah from Swat, Tariq Afridi from Darrah Adamkhel and Abdul Wali alias Omar Khalid from Mohmand agency. "These others stood no chance and this was what forced Maulvi Faqir Mohaammad to withdraw his claim after making himself chief," it said.

The paper quoting influential tribal leaders said that TTP would no longer be the same powerful organisation as it was under Baitullah. "Differences are emerging and the rift could widen, more so if the Taliban continue to suffer setbacks at the hands of the Pakistani army and Americans drones," it said. The show of solidarity is most likely designed to keep the morale of the Taliban fighters high and also aimed at assuring the militants that the two most important commanders are united and not fighting each other, the paper said. Hakimullah is painted as a ambitious commander keen to prove his mettle among the feared tribals and could in coming days undertake some bold raids and attempts. The long haired and bearded militant has a flair for being dramatic often putting on shooting displays for reporters and once even posing with a captured American Humvee snatched from a NATO convoy.