US aided Pakistan group which supported extremists
ISLAMABAD: The US government said that it had given money to a Pakistani Muslim group that
organised anti-Taliban rallies, but which later demonstrated in support of an extremist who killed a leading liberal politician.
A US Embassy
official in Pakistan said Wednesday that the group had received a grant, but that it had changed direction since the money was given.
US
government website Usaspending.gov shows the Sunni Ittehad Council receiving $36,607 from Washington in 2009.
The council represents
Pakistan’s Barelvi movement, often referred to as theological moderates in the Pakistani context. In 2010, the group organised rallies against
the Taliban.
But last year and this year it demonstrated in support of the killer of Salman Taseer, a governor assassinated for his criticism
of blasphemy laws.
[AP/Dawn]
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