In an exclusive interview with AfPax Insider a few days ago in Waziristan, Mehsud tribesman Qari Zianuddin, the leader of the Pakistani Taliban Abdullah Mehsud Group, explained why he's challenging Pakistani Taliban chief Baitullah Mehsud's leadership and denouncing him as a traitor and a criminal.

Here is an English-language translation of the full 14-minute Urdu-language interview:

AfPax: Please introduce yourself.

Zainuddin: My name is Qari Zainuddin Mehsud. I am leader of Abdullah Mehsud Group.

AfPax: Which Mujahdin group do you belong?

Zainuddin: I belong to Therik E Taliban Afghanistan, Mullah Omar..

AfPax: Which Mujahdin leader impresses you?

Zainuddin: Mullah Omar.

AfPax: Do you have contacts with Al Qaeda, have you ever met any of Al Qaeda leader?

Zainuddin: When Abdullah Mahsud was alive, he had plenty of contacts with Al Qaeda. When martyred Molana Masood Rehaman was Amir, he also martyred later due to differences with Baitullah Mehsud we caught into big troubles, consequently we lost the contact.

AfPax: Have you ever had contact or meeting with Mullah Omar?

Zainuddin: Not with him but we meet his people who come here in South and North Waziristan, and meet other organization. But about Mullah Omar I have no idea I never met or saw him.

AfPax: Ever you had chance to meet Al Qaeda leader like Bin Laden or Al Zawahiri?

Zainuddin: I already told you after the death of Abdulah Mahsud we didn't have any contact with them.

AfPax: With which mujahdin organization you are affiliated, in Afghanistan or group like Jaish E Muhammad?

Zainuddin: We have trust on Ameer Ul Momineen (leader of faithfuls) Mullah Omar.

AfPax: How effective is your group right now, I mean what is your strength?

Zainuddin: Earlier when we were in Shagai it was small number now we are in thousands.

AfPax: Do you have presence in other parts of tribal areas other than Waziristan?

Zainuddin: We do have contacts in Khyber and Mohmand Agencies, they do come here, but do not participate in TTP's activities.

AfPax: What is view about Jihad?

Zainuddin: Look, this on going problem, specially in FATA area, what TTP is doing in our view it is not jihad rather it is, it is criminality. Islam is religion of peace not of torture, it teaches peace. Jihad is against atrocities and infidelity but these activities against the country and nation, we are against it and do not regard it jihad.

AfPax: Would you support development in tribal areas?

Zainuddin: Yes, absolutely because it is duty of every male and female to obtain knowledge and education.

AfPax: There are reports about operation in Mehsud areas against TTP and Baitullah, will you support it?

Zainuddin: No, but Baitullah is engaged in cruelties to save his power, as you know, he killed religious scholars and our elders only for this. We only appeal government to avoid civilian killing but we will not become party in it. AfPax: You are also a player in tribal areas, now if this operation starts, have you made your mind to stay neutral or support government?

Zainuddin: We are in peace agreement with government same we had with Baitullah, Molvi Nazir and Gul Bahadur. We shall suggest the government to restrain from violence we also maintain peace in our areas.

AfPax: What are your basic differences with TTP? Let us talk about it in detail.

Zainuddin: TTP made several times offer us to join them, but they wanted us to disband our group. They time and asked ask us to agree with all their activities. But in our view they are engaged in atrocities not Jihad. Islam dose not permit these suicide attacks in mosques, markets and hospitals. We are against the attacks within the country and on nation which has distorted the peace. These are the basic reasons of conflict.

AfPax: How look at the efforts of peace jirga of Mahsud tribes to bring peace in South Waziristan?

Zainuddin: I earlier sent message to the jirga members that if you want to to hold negotiations, then come and join those who are on right path. Let's keep the government aside and tribe and our partners join hand to expel the miscreants from the area to restore the peace. Don't take side with these criminals otherwise you will face trouble from our side.

AfPax: All the world is looking towards South Waziristan, specially Europe, NATO forces and US are in Afghanistan. If in future NATO and US forces intervene in tribal areas and come into Waziristan, what will be your reaction?

Zainuddin: As I said Jihad is against excesses and atrocities. If any foreign force attack son our country we will fight with our fullest.

AfPax: What do you say about Drone attacks?

Zainuddin: I am against it and also appeal Pakistan Government to make efforts to stop it because it also kills innocent people.

AfPax: There are also foreigners, specially arabs, with Baitullah Mehsud and helping him in fighting how you look at them that they re supporting him or you also have sympathies for them and ever you tried to make contacts with them?

Zainuddin: We are out of Mahsud areas from one years, I don't have knowledge about foreigners' presence but I do know about Uzbek fighters who are with Baitullah and also take part in fighting, about Turkeman or Arabs I don't know about them.

AfPax: What you say about recent Swat operation that Taliban are flushed out from there?

Zainuddin: There had a peace deal government also accepted their demand of Shariat, but the miscreants specially Baitullah's people destroyed the peace.

AfPax: What is your stand about suicide bombing, do you also have suicide bombers?

Zainuddin: Sure, we do have them but religious scholars don't allow it. When they ask us we'll be ready for that.

AfPax: There is an information that you have contacts with Mullah Mansoor Dad Ullah in Afghanistan. You don't have any alliance with him or you are working only Pakistanis and Talibans from the area?

Zainuddin: No. Look, let me give an example, if your home caught fire and also the house in neighbor is on fire then it is your duty to take care of your home first. Right now we sure support Taliban Movement in Afghanistan but our county and area facing lots of hardship.

AfPax: Right now there is no development happening in South Waziristan. They don't allow any NGO. If you get control of the area what message will you like to give Mehsud Tribes about your polices would be different then TTP?

Zainuddin: If I got control of the area I would bring the old system of elders and jirga back, I don't want to rule the people or run a government.

AfPax: Do you think if you start governing the area, like TTP is running a government, it will distract you from real jihad?

Zainuddin: No, it does not make any difference. Real and sincere mujahid do fight otherwise.

AfPax: Do you like to give any message to the Mehsud Tribes and peace jirga which also met today?

Zainuddin: As I said earlier, I would appeal Mehsuds to side with our people to restore peace. I appeal to my tribe to stop helping Baitullah. I announce general amnesty for my organization for those unarmed people who cooperated with him in past in the form of providing him funds. If some one do it in future he will be our target. AfPax: Recently thousands of people who have moved out of area, we observed that there are no arrangements for them from government to help them. They are trying to find rental homes. Did your group try to help them or you have any plan for that?

Zainuddin: Yes we will help them. I also appeal government to arrange camps for them like it is done for people from Swat.