The Pakistani media has reported a split in the Jamaatud Dawa (JD), the political wing of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LET), reminiscent of the split in the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM) in 2000, which led to a large number of its members led by Maulana Masood Azhar leaving the organisation due to disputes over property and the sharing of the funds collected and forming a separate organisation called the Jaish-e-Mohammad (JEM). While operating separately since then, the HUM and the JEM continue to accept Osama bin Laden's ideology and to be members of his International Islamic Front (IIF), whose activties are being co-ordinated for over a year now by the LET due to the logistic and other difficulties faced by Al Qaeda in continuing to act as the co-ordinator. The most detailed account of the split in the JD has been carried by the usually reliable "Daily Times" of Lahore in its issue of July 18, 2004. To quote from its report: The Jamaatud Dawa (JD), believed to be Pakistan's largest pro-jihad party, has split, with violent clashes likely over party assets.
"The breakaway faction, which has taken the name Khairun Naas (KN), consists largely of members of the banned Lashkar-e-Toiba (LET). Some of them have taken an oath to kill Hafiz Muhammad Saeed, the head of the JD.
"Both sides are now plotting how to take control of party assets, such as the Markaz-e-Toiba in Muridke, Markaz Qadsia in Lahore and other valuable properties.
"The leaders of the breakaway faction have accused Hafiz Saeed of nepotism, diverting the party from its original objective and the unfair distribution of funds. The Khairun Naas was also unhappy at Saeed's second marriage to a fallen comrade's widow.
"The Khairun Naas was established with the support of most of the Lashkar-e-Toiba and a majority within the party. The KN's leadership consists mostly of LET commanders including Lakhvi, JD Lahore head Abu Shoiab, Punjab head Abu Naser Javed, Abdul Qadir and Saifullah Mansoor. Prof Iqbal, publications chief Ameer Hamza, and JD seminaries head Maulana Abdul Sallam Bhatvi are also supporting them.
"According to sources, Prof Iqbal is currently in Saudi Arabia seeking the support of Saudi clerics and the party's structure will be announced when he returns, probably with him at the top. |