DND: Journalism in Pakistan has become a dangerous profession, offering only financial turbulence, threats from non-state actors, politicians, mafias, goons, and sometimes even official quarters. Independent-minded journalists even face tremendous economic strangulation within their organisations if they do not comply with the unreasonable demands of their owners, who are now mostly real estate developers and politicians. One such unguarded and upright journalist is Aqeel Yousafzai.
Hailing from Swat, Aqeel is a refined, well-educated, and sober journalist who is a prominent figure in journalism. He is the author of several academic research papers and books. One of his books, War Theatre, is one of the best books about regional security dynamics and challenges. The book details militancy, regional conflict, and political instability in Pakistan and the wider region, particularly focusing on the resurgence of militant groups and cross-border attacks. He is an Afghan affairs expert whose work is characterised by investigative reporting, historical analysis, and first-hand observations, making him a key voice in understanding the complexities of Pakistan’s security landscape.
Being an independent journalist, he is outspoken and does not care what powerful figures think about him. Sometimes, he does not even care about his own security and well-being. Now, he is being targeted by JUI-F, which has strong, deep-rooted links with the Afghan Taliban, who are harbouring all kinds of terrorists in Afghanistan and also funding the TTP to launch terror attacks inside Pakistan.
He has been writing and talking extensively about the dangerous nexus of criminals, politicians, smugglers, and terrorists that is operating mostly along the Pak-Afghan border and has been running a smuggling business worth over 3,600 billion rupees per year.
In one of his interviews, Aqeel shared some facts that triggered a hate campaign against him by JUI-F because he revealed that security agencies of Pakistan had credible information that, during a meeting between Fazlur Rahman of JUI-F and Mullah Haibatullah, the Ameer of the Afghan Taliban told Mullah Haibatullah that he (Fazlur Rahman) cared more about Afghan interests than those of Pakistan.
He explained that the Afghan Taliban are responsible for the martyrdom of thousands of Pakistanis, mostly men in uniform, but Rahman is showing his support for the same Afghan Taliban. Aqeel also explained the deep relations between JUI-F and the TTP and mentioned that three Amirs of the TTP had been products of JUI-F, as they had been members of JUI-I before forming, joining, or leading the TTP.
Aqeel is not the only upright journalist who has explained the TTP-JUI-F relationship. Rather, this is a proven and open fact. However, nobody dared to openly explain this linkage in the way Aqeel has done because JUI-F has always been in power and has been an ally of ruling parties such as PPP, PML-Q, and PML-N. Therefore, talking about the alleged role of JUI-F in creating terrorist organisations has not been allowed by governments.
In a recent video message to his followers, Fazlur Rahman Khalil of JUI-F called Aqeel Yousafzai an anti-state, rough journalist and a threat to his party. The reason for this strong accusation was Aqeel’s interview, after which his life has reportedly been put in danger by Fazlur Rahman Khalil. Unfortunately, neither the federal government nor political parties such as PPP or PML-N have taken notice of this hate speech against Aqeel Yousafzai, whose life is surely in danger because of the alleged JUI-F and TTP relationship.
