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Name of
Organization |
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Sipah-e Sahaba
Pakistan (SSP) |
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Formation |
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The outfit was
founded on September 06, 1985 in Jhang, Punjab. The
organization was formed under the philosophy to counter
Shia
influence against
Sunni sect[1]. |
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Leadership |
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Maulana Haq
Nawaz Jhangvi was the founder of Anjuman-e Sipah-e
Sahaba Pakistan along with Maulana Zia ur-Rehman Farooqi,
Maulana Isar ul-Haq Qasmi and Maulana Azam Tariq. Allama
Ali Sher Ghazni is the Patron-in-Chief of the outfit.
Maulana Zia ul-Qasmi serves as the Chairman, Supreme
Council[2]. Haq Nawaz was born in 1952 at Jhang. He is
known to have received no formal education after the
fourth grade, but spent a considerable time in religious
seminaries in Punjab. He later became a cleric at a
local mosque in Jhang city and also participated in the
anti-Ahmedi movement in 1974. Jhangvi due to his anti-Shia
and anti-Ahmedi activities earned the reputation of a
fiery cleric. He also became the deputy leader of Punjab
chapter of Jamiat-e Ulema-e Islam (JUI). He later left
the party and formed SSP, launching political and
militant campaign against Shia landowning class in Jhang.
This campaign with support and funding from various
local and foreign sources gained momentum throughout
Pakistan. Haq Nawaz was gunned down outside his home on
February 22, 1990.
After the
death of Jhangvi, Maulana Isar ul-Haq Qasmi took over
the leadership of the outfit. He was elected in the
national assembly during the elections and became the
first official SSP parliament member. Qasmi was killed
by Shia militants in January 1991. Subsequently, Zia
ur-Rehman Farooqi then assumed the role of leadership.
He also allied the organization with the then ruling
Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP) strengthening the
organization’s political presence. Farooqi was killed in
a bomb blast at Lahore courthouse on January 18, 1997.
Azam Tariq was the next in line for the leadership of
SSP. Tariq was born in 1962 and hailed from Chichawatni,
Punjab. He spent some time in Karachi after graduation
and joined SSP as a founding member. He also became a
member of parliament and introduced a legislation
believed to be anti-Shia, namely the Namus-e Sahaba Bill
(Honor of the Companions of the Prophet). During his
tenure he strengthened the organization’s nexus with
other militant/terrorist outfits including Al-Qaeda,
Taliban, Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan, Harkat
ul-Mujahideen and Jaish-e Muhammad. After 2002 elections
he allied with the pro-Musharraf alliance. Azam Tariq
was killed on October 06, 2003 in Islamabad by Shia
militants.
Ali Sher
Haideri from Kharpur, Sindh was the leader of the outfit
till August 17, 2009, when he was gunned down after
leaving a rally. Muhammad Ahmad Ludhianvi is the current
leader of the outfit[3]. He contested in elections 2013
from provincial and national assembly seats but was
defeated[4].
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School of
Thought |
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Deobandi:
These are a
significant group of Muslims present in the
sub-continent, who adhere to the Sunni sect and follow
the ideology of Imam Abu Hanifah. The school of thought
is named after University of Deoband Dar ul-Aloom in
India. They believe in safeguarding the teachings of
Islam, while spreading the religion through preaching[5].
SSP has its own extremist version of ideology, where it
considers Shia sect and Barelvi school of thought as
non-Muslims. They justify use of force against other
sects in order to preserve their interpretation of
Islamic values[6].
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Structure of
the Organization |
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As per
International Crisis Group estimates the organization
had a strength of around 5,000 – 6,000 personnel in
2004. During the initial years, the central executive
committee of SSP consisted of 28 founding members[7]. The
outfit developed small urban based chapters under the
management of a local leader. The main offices and
command were created in main cities across Pakistan[8].
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Financial
Resources |
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The
organization has acquired significant funding from
middle east countries, especially private donations from
Saudi Arabia. Besides this it also collects
zakats and
donations from wealthy individuals in Pakistan[9]. The
organization extorts protection from businesses[10], while
it is also believed to be involved in narcotics trade
and criminal activities[11].
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Status |
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The outfit was
proscribed by the Pakistani government on January 14,
2002 [12]. The group was re-designated a terrorist outfit in
September 2003, after it changed its name to Millat-e
Islamia Pakistan
[13]. The organization has currently adopted
the name of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) and has
contested the 2013 elections under this banner
[14].
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Recruitment
Tools & Demographics |
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SSP gathers
its human resource from Deobandi extremist seminaries
across South Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh. It
also utilizes its linkages with other militant
organizations such as
Al-Qaeda,
Taliban and
Jaish-e
Muhammad to replenish its ranks
[15].
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Ideology |
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The
organization has been established on a Sunni sectarian
ideology, where the group believes that Pakistan should
be declared and run as a Sunni state. They consider Shia
as non-Muslims and want to implement their
interpretation of Shariah law. The outfit is also
against the coalition of Pakistan and US in the war on
terror. |
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Areas of
Operation |
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Sargodha,
Bahawalpur, Jhang, Multan and Muzaffargarh in Punjab
province are considered the stronghold of SSP. The
organization has operations running throughout Pakistan,
while it also has acquired a significant vote bank
through their political activities
[16]. |
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Linkages |
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SSP has
established links with Al-Qaeda, Taliban, Jaish-e
Muhammad (JeM) and
Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU).
The organization also has deep-rooted links with its
splinter group or offshoot
Lashkar-e Jhangvi (LeJ)
[17]. |
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Resources |
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Tools |
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Print Media:
As per the available information SSP utilizes books[18] and
magazines[19] to promote their ideology and incite sectarian
hatred. These are published and maintained by Jhangvi
Media Movement. These publications are available at
http://jmmpak.org/ and http://archive.org/details/Books.Jmmpak.
Audio/Video:
The outfit is also utilizing audio[20] /visual[21] tools to
disseminate their agenda. These tools are meant towards
gaining outreach to individuals who are less literate or
are not in the habit of reading. Jhangvi Media Movement
also maintains these tools, which are available at
http://jmmpak.org/
Social
Media:
AThe group is also active on social media and propagates
its ideology on the following links.
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ahl-E-Sunnat-Wa-JamaatSunniHanfi/150514215051449?ref=ts&fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/sspnews1official
Al-Esar Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/AlesarNews
https://www.facebook.com/Forceofmuslims?ref=ts&fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/ulmaedeobnad
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/SipahESahaba
https://twitter.com/SSPNEWS1
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Websites:
There are various websites which are being maintained by
SSP. These promote sectarian tensions
and propagate the extremist ideology of the outfit.
http://ahlesunnat.info/
http://sipah-e-sahaba.org/
www.ownislam.com
http://www.khatm-e-nubuwwat.com/
http://www.kr-hcy.com/
http://www.jhangvi-shaheed.com/
(not working)
http://www.jhuf.net
(not working)
http://www.kr-hcy.com/multimedia/anti-shia/jhangvi/index.shtml
http://www.sipah-e-sahaba.webs.com/Establishment%20of%20Sipah-e-Sahaba%20Pakistan%20%28SSP%29.htm
http://jmmpak.org/
Proscribed websites:
http://www.alesar.com.pk/
www.thelalmasjid.com
Service Delivery:
In the
floods of August 2010, SSP activists were deployed in
areas of Jhang, Layyah, Muzzaffargarh, Peshawar and
Nowshera areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The group members
did not identify themselves, just to avoid attention by
the government[22].
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Name Variations
Anjuman-e
Sipah-e-Sahaba, Guardians of the Friends of the Prophets, Millat-e Islamia
Pakistan and Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat[23].
Who they are
Sipah-e Sahaba
Pakistan (SSP) has incited and carried out sectarian violence against Shias
throughout Pakistan since 1985. It demands for Pakistan to be declared a
Sunni state and run under its interpretation of Shariah law. Its tactics
include target killing of high profile Shia leaders, while it is also
involved in mass killings and attacks on processions and congregations. The
organization also targets Ahmedis and Barelvis as they are considered
non-Muslim by the outfit. Besides this the group has also carried out
activities against foreign targets on Pakistani soil. During the riots
resulting after the killing of SSP leader Zia ur-Rehman Farooqi, Iranian
cultural centers in Lahore and Multan were set on fire[24].
The outfit also has been involved in active politics and its leaders have
contested in elections and have even been elected to national assembly
seats. The group also developed ties with Jaish-e Muhammad (JeM), Taliban
and Al-Qaeda during the 1990s and its members have also been involved in the
civil war in Afghanistan. It also has close ties with its splinter group or
offshoot Lashkar-e Jhangvi (LeJ) and provides support to its violent
activities against rival sectarian groups[25].
History
The
organization was formed on September 06, 1985 in Jhang, as a reaction to the
growing Shia influence after the 1979 Iranian revolution. Another premise
for the formation of this outfit is identified as to undermine the
influential Shia landowners in South Punjab. The organization strives to
declare Pakistan a Sunni state, while it also participates in sectarian
violence. The outfit attacked Shia congregations, processions, mosques,
targeted rival leaders, Iranian diplomats and infrastructure within
Pakistan. Maulana Haq Nawaz Jhangvi was the founder of Anjuman-e Sipah-e
Sahaba Pakistan along with Maulana Zia ur-Rehman Farooqi, Maulana Isar
ul-Haq Qasmi and Maulana Azam Tariq. All of the founding members of SSP were
killed in targeted attacks. The group has taken part in the political scene
within Pakistan and from 1993 – 1996 it supported then ruling Pakistan
People's Party (PPP). Its leaders also lent support to the Musharraf
government till 2003[26].
During the 1990s the group established strong ties with other militant
groups operating in Afghanistan and Kashmir. SSP had ties with Al-Qaeda,
Taliban and Jaish-e Muhammad (JeM). Yousaf Ludhianvi, who was the chief
commander of SSP was also declared supreme leader of JeM. During the
leadership of Zia ur-Rehman Farooqi from 1991 – 1997, the group spread its
influence and operations at countrywide scale. However, this period also
witnessed considerable divisions among the organization leading to the
formation of Lashkar-e Jhangvi (LeJ) in 1996. Despite the falling out, SSP
has provided support to LeJ and has been involved in terrorism incidents
carried out by the splinter group[27].
Haq Nawaz Jahngvi Founder of SSP
The outfit was proscribed by the
Pakistani government on January 14, 2002[28].
The group was re-designated a terrorist outfit in September 2003, after it
changed its name to Millat-e Islamia Pakistan[29].
The organization has currently adopted the name of Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat
(ASWJ) and has contested the 2013 elections under this banner[30]
Organization's message
Sipah-e Sahaba
follows an extremist interpretation of Sunni/Deobandi sect, where they deem
Shia sect and Barelvis as non-Muslims and also carry out violence against
Ahmedis. The outfit apparently claims to protect the interest of the Sunnis
against the exploitation and influence of Shias. They demand Pakistan to be
declared as a Sunni state and to be run under their interpretation of the
Shariah law[31].
Target audience
The
organization focuses upon all segments of the society, with a Deobandi
ideological mindset. They concentrate especially on the youth in religious
seminaries for recruitment among the ranks. They have influence in various
areas throughout Pakistan; however their strongholds remain the districts of
Sargodha, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Multan and Muzaffargarh in Southern Punjab
region.
Tools
This
organization uses offline and online tools like print and electronic media
e.g. magazines, radio and television etc to promote their ideology. Despite
the organization’s tools and dissemination being banned it uses social media
like Facebook to disseminate their agenda. Following are some of the
websites and links that are associated with Sipah-e Sahaba Pakistan. Links
to speeches made by their prominent leaders are available on these websites.
However most of the links either don’t exist or have been proscribed.
• Offline Tools
Most of the offline tools employed by SSP have been proscribed. Al-Esar was
a newspaper considered as mouthpiece of the organization. It was a newspaper
of Difa E Sihab published from Karachi. However, this newspaper has an
updated Facebook page (last monitored December 31, 2012). It was launched on
September 12, 2012 with 1,401 likes (monitoring date 6th Dec 2012). Official
website of Al-Esar newspaper has been proscribed.
However, the organization openly organizes rallies, conferences and
seminars. It is also important to mention here that, although SSP was banned
back in 2002 and it now operates under the banner of Ahl-e Sunnat wal Jamaat,
but its leaders still like to call it SSP. Some images of their rallies,
conferences and seminars etc. are provided, click
here to download
complete details of tools being used by SSP
The above image is an
advertisement of a seminar titled ‘Shaan-e Ameer Muavia.’ This upcoming
seminar will be organized in Lahore on January 5, 2013. This advertisement
was printed in Sialkot and also provides the link to their website . It also
announces that the seminar can also be streamed live on the website.
The above image is an
advertisement of the reception of the participants of the long march, which
will start from Karachi and according to the advertisement, will reach
Gujarat on January 17, 2013
Splinter Groups
Lashkar-e
Jhangvi (LeJ):
Lashkar-e Jhangvi is a splinter group of SSP which was formed somewhere in
the mid-1990s. The group was formed under the leadership of
Riaz Basra,
Akram Lahori, and Malik Ishaq. The group apparently split after SSP
participated in reconciliatory efforts with rival sectarian outfits in 1995
– 96. LeJ stepped up violent sectarian conflict through their activities and
was formally banned by the Pakistani government in 2001. The group is allied
with
Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP)
and has links with Al-Qaeda.
This upcoming seminar will be organized in Lahore on January 5, 2013. This
advertisement was printed in Sialkot and also provides the link to their
website . It also announces that the seminar can also be streamed live on
the website.
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References:
[1] Stanford University. (2012). Mapping Militant
Organizations: Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. February 15, 2012.
Retrieved on: September 18, 2013. Retrieved on:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/147.
[2] South Asia Terrorism Portal (SATP).
Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. Retrieved on: September 20, 2013.
Retrieved from:
http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/terroristoutfits/ssp.htm.
[3] Stanford University. (2012). Mapping
Militant Organizations: Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. February 15,
2012. Retrieved on: September 18, 2013. Retrieved on:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/147.
[4] The Nation. (2013). MDM rallies, demands
re-polling in NA-89, PP-78. May 21, 2013. Retrieved on:
September 20, 2013. Retrieved from:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/21-May-2013/mdm-rallies-demands-re-polling-in-na-89-pp-78.
[5] IslamQA. Deobandis. Retrieved on:
September 19, 2013. Retrieved from:
http://www.islam-qa.com/en/22473.
[6]
Stanford University. (2012). Mapping Militant Organizations:
Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan. February 15, 2012. Retrieved on:
September 18, 2013. Retrieved on:
http://www.stanford.edu/group/mappingmilitants/cgi-bin/groups/view/147.
[7]
Ibid.
[8]
Institute for the Study of Violent Groups (ISVG). Sipah-e-Sahaba
Pakistan. Retrieved on: September 19, 2013. Retrieved from:
http://vkb.isvg.org/Wiki/Groups/Sipah-e-Sahaba_Pakistan.
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