Expel Anne W. Patterson from Pakistan

Although, Being a Political Islamist, I deem it my duty to respect the ambassador of the enemy country even as but both Islam, the basis of the constitution of Pakistan, and International Law give hosting country the right to expel the ambassador if he/she is involved in the extra diplomatic activities or illegal activities considered as against the hosting country. Unfortunately, Pakistan is a “sovereign” country where American Ambassadors have been enjoying the power equal to the head of the state of Pakistan, however the lady ambassador Ms Patterson has been found guilty of running a parallel military force Blackwater which is doing terrorism inside Pakistan. We have a long list of her crime but some of her these are discussed by Ahmed Quraishi in the following article which he thinks has led to the sour relationship between the two countries; however in my sincere opinion our nationalism and patriotism demands a strong nation wide campaign to expel Ms Patterson from this country immediately. If the United States wants good diplomatic relationship with Pakistan, it should appoint an ambassador and not goon like A. W. Patterson.

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A. W. Patterson is chatting with the US Agent Lieutenant General Talat Masood

SLAMABAD, Pakistan—US Ambassador to Pakistan Ms. Anne W. Patterson is becoming quite controversial. She has overseen the worst spell in the relationship between Washington and Islamabad in sixty years and many say she is responsible for at least some of it. Ties weren’t this bad even when the United States unfairly sanctioned Pakistan in 1990 over its nuclear program.

Mr. Thomas Houlahan, a Washington DC-based expert on Pakistani military issues, accused her in 2008 of conducting ‘bunker diplomacy’—that is, conducting United States diplomacy with Pakistan from the barricaded and isolated confines of her office inside a heavily fortified embassy building which in turn is located inside the isolated Diplomatic Enclave in an outer tip of Pakistan’s federal capital.

Her reports back to Washington are misleading, explained Mr. Houlahan, because she doesn’t really know what Pakistanis are thinking.

For information, Washington’s diplomats in Pakistan have been relying on two things: a pro-US government whose principals owe their power to a deal brokered and guaranteed by the US, and a list of proverbial ‘good guys’ that Ms. Patterson’s Embassy recruited from the media, including retired diplomats, military officers and academia, who could take America’s case to the Pakistani public opinion.

This strategy backfired. Big time.

Failing to see that Pakistanis were asking for respect and not confrontation, she shot alarming reports back to Washington warning of an organized campaign in Pakistani media to assail US reputation.

Getting their cue from Ms. Patterson’s reporting, US government’s spin masters countered by launching an organized campaign within the US media and worldwide, accusing Pakistan of ‘anti-Americanism’.  The accusation was expanded to include harassment of US diplomats and non-issuance of visas to them. Obviously, Ms. Patterson failed to tell people back in Washington that CIA and other intelligence-related personnel where using diplomatic cover under her guidance to spy on Pakistan.

She also might have overlooked another small detail: the US ambassador in Pakistan is a potential suspect in a case of bribing a senior Interior Ministry official in order to get a cache of banned weapons into Pakistan without the knowledge of the country’s intelligence.

The alarm generated by Ms. Patterson and her team led US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to rush to Pakistan in order to counter the Pakistani media, with carefully-orchestrated interviews and public appearances where Ms. Patterson did her best to keep Mrs. Clinton away from the ‘bad guys’. She ensured that her boss never met those commentators and media people who could provide the harsh, but legitimate, viewpoint.

This misrepresentation on the part of Ms. Patterson led someone no less than US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates to land in Pakistan making a highly inappropriate statement, where he accused legitimate critics of US policy toward Pakistan of orchestrating an ‘an organized propaganda campaign’.  He probably had no idea that legitimate criticism of policy by Pakistanis claiming they want US not to ignore Pakistani interests did not qualify to be described as ‘an organized propaganda campaign’.

[There are indications that some Pakistanis in Mr. Zardari’s government, and not just Ms. Patterson, helped create this misperception in Washington. Topping the list of Pakistani suspects is Mr. Husain Haqqani, Pakistan’s envoy in Washington, a key aide to Mr. Zardari and recently the wizard behind Mr. Zardari’s media outreach campaign. Mr. Haqqani has been quite active behind the scenes in mounting a counterattack on the critics of Mr. Zardari and the critics of US in Pakistan. Recently, large numbers of Pakistani legislators have publicly accused Mr. Haqqani of misusing his official position to poison American perceptions of Pakistan’s military and intelligence.]

So, in essence, Ms. Patterson squandered two great opportunities – the visits of Mrs. Clinton and Mr. Gates – to address the concerns of the harshest critics in the Pakistani media. Due to Ms. Patterson’s failure, it fell to the Pakistani military to discuss those concerns with counterparts in the US military and use that channel to convey Pakistan’s legitimate concerns about how the US was ignoring Pakistani strategic interests in the region.

What Ms. Patterson should have helped resolve in the civilian arena was actually tackled, and somewhat resolved, in the military arena. But the damage is done. United States’ combative ambassador in Islamabad has left a permanent scar in the media record of the two countries, with silly accusations of anti-Americanism and harassment of diplomats.

Last year she fired a secret letter to a newspaper to silence Dr. Shireen Mazari, a defense expert and Columbia graduate, leading to a public spat that gave the impression the US ambassador was out to force newspapers to fire critics of US.

AND NOW: YVONNE RIDLEY

In 2008, Ms. Patterson accused ‘irresponsible elements’ in the Pakistani media of spreading lies about Dr. Aafia Siddiqui being in US custody in Afghanistan.

Yesterday, the British journalist who uncovered Dr. Siddiqui’s presence inside US-controlled Bagram basewrote a damning piece showing that Ambassador Patterson basically lied to the Pakistani public in her 2008 letter, which she sent to Pakistani newspapers.

This is what Ms. Ridley has to say about Ms. Patterson:

“Everyone had something to say, everyone that is except the usually verbose US Ambassador Anne Patterson who has spent the last two years briefing against Dr Aafia and her supporters.

This is the same woman who claimed I was a fantasist when I gave a press conference with Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Imran Khan back in July 2008 revealing the plight of a female prisoner in Bagram called the Grey Lady.

She said I was talking nonsense and stated categorically that the prisoner I referred to as “650” did not exist.

By the end of the month she changed her story and said there had been a female prisoner but that she was most definitely not Dr Aafia Siddiqui.

By that time Aafia had been gunned down at virtually point blank range in an Afghan prison cell jammed full of more than a dozen US soldiers, FBI agents and Afghan police.

Her Excellency briefed the media that the prisoner had wrested an M4 gun from one soldier and fired off two rounds and had to be subdued. The fact these bullets failed to hit a single person in the cell and simply disappeared did not resonate with the diplomat.

In a letter dripping in untruths on August 16 2008 she decried the “erroneous and irresponsible media reports regarding the arrest of MsAafia Siddiqui”. She went on to say: “Unfortunately, there are some who have an interest in simply distorting the facts in an effort to manipulate and inflame public opinion. The truth is never served by sensationalism…”

When Jamaat Islami invited me on a national tour of Pakistan to address people about the continued abuse of Dr Aafia and the truth about her incarceration in Bagram, the US Ambassador continued to issue rebuttals.

She assured us all that Dr Aafia was being treated humanely had been given consular access as set out in international law … hmm. Well I have a challenge for Ms Patterson today. I challenge her to repeat every single word she said back then and swear it is the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

As Dr Aafia Siddiqui’s trial got underway, the US Ambassador and some of her stooges from the intelligence world laid on a lavish party at the US Embassy in Islamabad for some hand-picked journalists where I’ve no doubt in between the dancing, drinks and music they were carefully briefed about the so-called facts of the case.

Interesting that some of the potentially incriminating pictures taken at the private party managed to find the Ambassador was probably hoping to minimize the impact the trial would have on the streets of Pakistan proving that, for the years she has been holed up and barricaded behind concrete bunkers and barbed wire, she has learned nothing about this great country of Pakistan or its people.

One astute Pakistani columnist wrote about her: “The respected lady seems to have forgotten the words of her own country’s 16th president Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865): “You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time”.

Well I, and many others across the world like me, can’t handle any more lies. America’s reputation is lying in the lowest gutters in Pakistan at the moment and it can’t sink any lower.

The trust has gone, there is only a burning hatred and resentment towards a superpower which sends unmanned drones into villages to slaughter innocents.

It is fair to say that America’s goodwill and credibility is all but washed up with most honest, decent citizens of Pakistan.

And I think even Her Excellency Anne Patterson recognizes that fact which is why she is now keeping her mouth shut.

If she has any integrity and any self respect left she should stand before the Pakistan people and ask for their forgiveness for the drone murders, the extra judicial killings, the black operations, the kidnapping, torture and rendition of its citizens, the water-boarding, the bribery, the corruption and, not least of all, the injustice handed out to Dr Aafia Siddiqui and her family.

She should then pick up the phone to the US President and tell him to release Aafia and return Pakistan’s most loved, respected and famous daughter and reunite her with the two children who are still missing.”

Far from the way Ms. Patterson portrayal of Pakistanis as a bunch of ‘anti-Americanists’, most Pakistanis believe in the goodness of the American people and that this American here [click to see the video and report] represents America much better than Ms. Patterson has unsuccessfully been trying so far in Pakistan, with all due respect.

Dr Aafia’s Case Exposed the US judicial System

“The American court acquits Dr Aafia Siddiqui” The ticker blinks on TV screens is followed by the screen flashes “Breaking News; The US court releases Afia Siddiqui” “The justice has been made by the exemplary American judicial system.”

The News anchors inform us that Pakistani Ambassador to the US Mr. Hussain Haqqani will hold a press conference shortly. At the same time, the tickers read “Quid-e-Tehreek Altaf Hussain has praised Americans for making justice and freeing the daughter of Nation” The news anchors announce that MQM chief has made a phone call to Aafia’s mother which is to telecasted on  TV channels live. The audience listens to Altaf Hussain. He is followed by messages from President of Pakistan, Mr. Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister, Yousaf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister, Mr Rehman Malik, chief of Pakistan Muslims league (N) Mr. Mian Nawaz Shareef, Secretary General Pakistan Muslim League (Q) Syed Mushahid Hussain. Besides, shorts statements of different national leaders are displayed at TV screens, all congratulating Aafia’s family and praising US judicial system.

 

After a while TV channels started three to four footage at the same time, the one covering Dr Aafia’s resident in Karachi, the second one showing different leaders praising America. The third footage shows footage of press conferences by Afia Lawyers and Hussain Haqqani live from New York. All member of MQM’s Rabta committee have gathered at Aafia’s residents showing their speaking abilities in front of camera. Besides, dozens of local leaders of all political parties are trying to stand beside Mrs. Asmat Siddiqui, Mother of Afia Sidduiq and her sister Dr Fauzia Siddiqui, who are ready to give their views on Aafia’s Acquittal.

 

Fortunately or unfortunately we couldn’t see all this, not because our political leadership had gone to bed that late night but the US jury had found Dr Aafia “Guilty”, and no one would opt to speak against the United State which has Washington, the de facto capital of Pakistan. Some two days before I was telling my wife how would the house of Aafia looking. After listening about the verdict she reminded me that I was wrong. “But I didn’t say that the verdict will be against Aafia, now when the verdict has changed, we wouldn’t be able to see the waving colorful flags of different political parties inside Aafia House. But yes Altaf bhai is very much there, although he is Altaf Shakoor, president of Pasban”, I relied.

 

Not to mention the response of our political leadership was disappointing but the reaction of Aafia Mother and Sister’s was not just encouraging but a milestone for the struggle of those who are working against the terrorist and bastard American nation’s inhuman and terrorist policies. Mrs. Asmat Siddiqui informed us that the “it [the verdict] is the beginning of the end of America”. No doubt its Allah’s willing that HE chose Aafia Siddiqui for exposing the bias judicial system of America. Allah (SWT) does his work if even we do nothing but don’t we have any responsibility?

 

Our responsibly is to protest peacefully against the cruel and brutal policies of the United State of America which will soon turn into distributed States of America InshaAllah, but this is not our prime responsibility. Our prime duty is to get red of their agents who have held the reign of power in our Muslim countries. Nearly all rulers in the Muslim world, Pakistan being the worst, are more characterless than pimps; the later at least have the courage to declare what they are. But these pimps don’t open their mouth when their “father” do anything negative.

 

Although, my words may be harsh, but there is nothing final at my end. Instead I want to start a debate which should result in consensus that what practical steps we can take to get our sister Aafia back home and convict the bastards who are in any level responsible for handing over to America.  The first thing we can to is to declare their sister A.W.Patterson as persona no grata, who is directly mentoring the crusader armies inside Pakistan under diplomatic cover.

Blackwater ‘IN’ Pakistan – Rehman Malik, Patterson & Clinton all LIED to the People of Pakistan

By: Teeth Maestro

In an interview with Express News [transcript on DoD], Robert Gates confirmed in some clear terms that private security firms Blackwater and DynCorp are operating inside Pakistan. “They’re operating as individual companies here in Pakistan” – so technically by all counts this statement more or less proves that Anne Patterson, Hilary Clinton and Rehman Malik all have being LYING to the people of Pakistan. Where over the past few months they have one after the other vehmently denied the presence of Blackwater and its operatives in Pakistan. Rehman Malik is on record to quit. In an attempt to soften the blow the US Department of Defense is covering up their statement by that updating reporters that Mr. Gates had been speaking about contractor oversight more generally and that the Pentagon didn’t employ Xe in Pakistan – which we all know is yet another lie, since even Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater, confessed to his organizations involvement in Pakistan barely a month back in the Vanity Fair article.

I can’t complain much if foreign agents like Anne Patterson and Hilary Clinton lied to our people, as they probably were protecting the interests of their own government, but what irks me is that our own Ministers (& President) knowingly continue to lie to their people literally selling our soul to the highest bidder and yet had the audacity to deny the real facts while our country continued to burn under our noses.

Guess it will be a fruitless exercise, but I call for an immediate resignation of Rehman Malik from the Ministry of Interior – I do not know if he is man enough to be called an honorable gentleman who at least has the courtesy to respect his statement, or even the simple courtesy of an apology – but maybe that’s asking too much from a profession crook and a hard core liar

Courtesy:  Teeth Maestro

Drone Hitting Test by PAK ARMY: A Demonstration of Capability or Helplessness?

This NEWS by SAMA TV hasn’t come as a good news to Pakistanis, instead this speaks volume of our helplessness rather brazenness.  If you don’t agree with my words then tell me you have top class guns and the murderers are killing your kids but you just point those guns towards a testing range demonstrating you are well equipped. What should be called to that act? Le me keep my tongue closed as I have nothing less than dirty abusing words for that act.

The headline of News Reads, “Pakistan air defense capable to hit drone”. I ask what does prevent our “capable” armies from hitting US drones which have killed few “extremists” and hundreds of citizens of Pakistan. Or the inhabitants of FATA aren’t the citizen of Pakistan?  

The news reads;

MULTAN: Pakistan Army tested its air defense system by hitting the drone on Monday. Pakistan Army tested its air defense to hit the drone in Muzaffargarh Khudai range. Pakistan Army’s air defense hit three drones successfully. Lieutenant General Ashraf Saleem said that Pakistan air defense is capable to hit the drone and all other fighter aircraft. He also added that Pakistan has advance and modern air defense system and Pakistan’s air defense system is capable to defend the air space of the country.

This news on SAMA website has also a comment under it by someone namely “arcane” who writes “Brilliant I love Pak Army now army has shown its intention and will now it’s the job of govt to give them the greens signal”

This is exactly the message which the Pakistani Army actually wants to publicize. In fact our army wants us believe that it’s not their fault if unchecked and no-stop drones “visits” us so often. It is the political leadership which has failed to shows its love for sovereignty and integrity of this strange peace of land called Pakistan and is unable to protect its citizens from the evil devil and savage United State of America which has been successful in converting its Afghan War into Af-Pak war.

44 US drone have reportedly hits in Pakistan resulting in 700 civilians murders in 2009 alone.

As of April 2009, the total 60 drones had killed 14 al-Qaeda men while 687 civilians. According to a Report published in The News:

50 out of 60 drone attacks went wrong due to faulty intelligence information, killing hundreds of innocent civilians, including women and children. The number of the Pakistani civilians killed in those 50 attacks stood at 537, in which 385 people lost their lives in 2008 and 152 people were slain in the first 99 days of 2009 (between January 1 and April 8).

 The attacks which have been killing 97.96% innocent Pakistanis including women and children, depends whether the Punjab dominated army and civil establishment accept them Pakistanis or not, is thing needs to be protested over? Or the capable Pakistan Army “respect” political decisions of US support? What makes the Army Generals the most obedient guys who burst over American’s Kerry Lugar bill is not an old story? What green signal I ask? Has it waited for political orders on Kerry Lugar Bill?

Bolton Market Arson: Who is the Culprit?

While Pakistani media, being under pressured from “Karachi Extremists”, has been reluctant to dig out the truth of Bolton Market Arson, some guys have put up some questions. The two part video film below brings to light the possible plotter behind the 10^th Aushora Blast and “subsequent” arson of the county main wholesale market.

Part-I

Part- II

The Criminals; They live in This City which they burnt

These are  Criminals; They live in This City which they burnt.  They are here in Karachi. You may know or more of these terrorist. Identify them. The criminals should not be let to live among us. There real place is Jail. Play your role if you are part of the civil soceity, if you are God Fearing and don’t afraid of the terrorist of the city.

 

 

Blackwater and MQM’s Hallmarks on Karachi Fire – Bombings

Dr Shahid Qureshi is a London based journalist. Although, he should not directly blame any person/party until the same is proven guilty and his/her accusations carry evidences with it. Despite, I have chosen it for my blog as it has some questions which need to be discussed.

By Dr Shahid Qureshi

MQM and Blackwater/Xe are US sponsored mafia style mercenary outfits due to their management structure as it is almost the same both groups’ chiefs are out of Pakistan to start with.

“There is no difference between Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and MQM because both are sponsored by India and USA. Sawat type operation against MQM’s ‘Clean Shaven Taliban’ who are supporting Blackwater/Xe is a must because people will support.  President Zardari, the ‘Putin of Pakistan’ can he do anything of for Karachi or he has become a cuddly toy now?”

The recent bombings of a religious procession in Karachi and fire bombings of small businesses miles away from the incident reportedly owned by mostly Sunni Tableghie Jamat a non violent religious group, got all the hall marks of ‘private mercenaries’ Blackwater with the support of MQM. According to reports it is physically not possible for any one attending the procession to go miles away, get special fire bombing chemicals and equipment to set fire 300 hundred shops in Bolton Market. It is only possible if one already knows the timing of the bombings and part of the plot. They targeted a Sunni areas where it is almost impossible for an angry ‘Shia protestor’ to reach from the crime scene keeping in the view the distances. So Shia procession was bombed, Sunni business were burnt down and MQM’s fire engines did not arrive. Seems perfect Blackwater Inc style operation? 

Blackwater, MQM’s Plus plan was meticulous and well timed. (a) Timing of the bombing few days before the end of the term of City Government Term. So City Government building burnt down with the record to cover-up corruption?  (b) Selection of the venues to be fire bombed (c) Torching of Light House Market predominantly owned by the Pashtuns who did not pay extortion money to the MQM – Score settled, Job done (d) Torching of Bolton Market mostly business are owned by peaceful Sunni Muslims Memon Community. They refused to be relocated outside the city because shops worth millions. High ups of the current regime allegedly President Zardari & Co had interest in the land to develop and build flats and plazas. (Job done) (e) Why MQM leaders both reportedly Shias Haider Abbas Rizvi and Faisal Sabzwari not in the Ashura procession? (f) Why police and rangers did not stop the arsonists and terrorists? (g) Who ordered them not to act? (h) Remote control bomb was planted in an ambulance which might be carrying a head too? (i) Who is Hasham Al-Zafar (central) and what is his role in the bombing and burning of Karachi? (j) What is his relationship with Saleem Shezad alleged master mind of the operation and why he only reports to Altaf Hussain?

MQM and Blackwater/Xe are US sponsored mafia style mercenary outfits due to their management structure as it is almost the same both groups’ chiefs are out of Pakistan to start with. MQM are the local collaborators of Blackwater/Xe in Pakistan? 

According to sources similar kinds of chemicals and fire bombing equipments have been used in Iraq and Lebanon. Pakistan’s security agencies must look into the links between MQM lead City Government and Blackwater.  What kind of assistance they are providing to the mercenaries. City mayor Syed Mustafa Kamal and Governor Sind Dr Ashrat Abad Khan recently visited sensitive institutions of the USA related to protection of US national interests aboard. Why would a mayor of a third world country visit US State Department? Did he inform Pakistani’s foreign ministry? He is on the grooming list. “To his credentials it was Mustafa Kamal who opened the door for the assassins came to kill his ‘uncle’ Azeem Ahmed Tariq, leader of the MQM, as it was an inside job. It sounds like nephew shopped his ‘uncle’ according to a source.

Altaf Hussain’s MQM and his mafia have caused more economic and human losses to Pakistan by strikes and terrorist activities then three wars with India. After the incident on Monday December 28, 2009, three thousand shops were burnt; one thousand were burnt after looting which caused loss of Rs. 60 billion to Pakistani economy. Armed men stopped fire engines for over three hours according to reports. Why?

Elements close to MQM were also allegedly involved in the terrorism, arson, and killings after tragic death of Benazir Bhutto on 27th December 2007. Many analysts believe that it was a dry run by the foreign sponsored elements to separate Karachi from the rest of the country. There is another dimension to the burring of some markets with small business. Some people from land mafia were making hostile offers to these old pre partition businesses. 

There are reports that MQM has issued thousands of arms licences to its workers and sympathisers in Karachi and some of the licences might have been issued from other provinces. Disarming of the terrorist groups including MQM in Karachi is necessary to avoid future blackmails.

It is also reported that armed gunmen did not allow fire engines to leave the fire stations. All the fire engines and security cameras are under the control of City Government run by MQM whose leader Altaf Hussain controls this group in a mafia style. Within minutes he blamed ‘Taliban’ for the bombings. How did he know it was Taliban and not Indian RAW or Blackwater/Xe? Altaf Hussain deliberately tried to make this a sectarian issue in his live TV broadcast on a news channel, which matches the agenda of private mercenaries and India.

Asia Times Online reported few years ago during Musharraf era, sources says that, “only US diplomatic intervention stopped General Musharraf from taking strong action against the MQM after he received the report on the recent unrest in which the MQM was implicated. Washington indeed has a powerful southern ally in Pakistan’. After September 11, the United States identified even more with the MQM as it was the only party in Pakistan that widely mourned the attacks on the US, openly condemned the Taliban and al-Qaeda, and launched a powerful campaign in support of the US attack on Afghanistan”.

When President Zardari speak about ‘non state & political actors’, probably he also meant Altaf Hussain too? His long distance proactive and dramatic telephonic speeches are more or less what Lord Nelson said, “If you can’t baffle them with brilliance, dazzle them with bullshit!”. He is never been to Pakistan for more then 15 years but did travel to India on his British passport. Most of the members in mafia style ‘Rabita Committee’ are wanted by Pakistani authorities for heinous crimes.  He hides behind this ‘kangaroo committee’. 

A political analyst said, ‘to get ‘poodle status’ in US administration Altaf Hussain exaggerates things beyond imagination. For example, he claimed his supporters in Karachi increased by 10 million in just two years because he claimed to have 20 million supporters in an interview with Edgware Times in November 1998. But in 2001 MQM claimed to have 30 million supporters when MQM send a fax to Reuters on 22 September 2001. “(MQM leader) Altaf Hussain has offered the unconditional support of over 30 million MQM supporters to the U.S. president and the international community,” its London-based international secretariat said in a statement faxed to Reuters on September 22, 2001”.

According to sources, ‘Altaf group is planning and preparing for armed fight with other groups in Karachi. There might be a plan to divide Karachi on ethnic zones as Rehman Malik mentioned in Dera Ismail Khan? The alleged transfer of money from Karachi to London, Germany, Dubai, South Africa, Canada, and United States is alarming. There reports of increase in the arms sale in Karachi seem serious but what are the authorities doing?

So what is Altaf Hussain up to that is a crucial question to political and security leadership to think about. His alleged close links with the Indian agency and also acting like a mercenary force getting orders from foreign masters. It is time for the government of Pakistan to approach its friends and allies to have a clear cut answers about the real Agenda in Pakistan? Crimes of Altaf Hussain and his party MQM are so heinous that he wouldn’t dare step in Karachi even the whole period of Musharraf and now Zardari rule?

Until November 1998 Government of Pakistan was reportedly seeking extradition of Altaf Hussain who was said to be wanted in 50 murders and 150 cases of kidnapping and arson. He said in an interview with a newspaper in 1998, “It is my wish that they take me to trial in a British court then I will tell people nationally and internationally what has been happening in Pakistan.” It was Altaf Hussain and MQM who issued a memo to his workers saying,” if there was war between India and Pakistan, MQM workers will be remain neutral”. Why?

MQM’s deputy chief organiser of district Thatta and his wife were arrested by the police for trafficking 120 kilos of A class drugs   according to a press report on 16th May 2004. Mohamed Ibrahim and his wife Ayesha Soho who is also member of district government were coming from Bolan area of Baluchistan on Jeep number BC 1248 when they were stopped by Dadar Police who discovered 180 kilos of HASH worth millions of from the secret compartments of the jeep. Police has registered a case number 13/2004 report against deputy chief of MQM and his wife for drug trafficking. Area in charge SHO of the area Police confirmed that suspects have confessed they have been also involved in arms trafficking from Kabul and been to Afghanistan three times. Both were sent to Sibi Jail in Baluchistan.

“MQM has been funded with the drug money apart from the extortion money taken from the top businessmen in the name of support” according to a report published by The Frontier Post on December 25, 1998. The report says, “… What is more alarming is that the Narco dollars have been used for funding the (MQM), a responsible source in the provincial government said. He added that such funding was tantamount to fuelling terrorism.” Is the Narco-terror funding still on?

By joining as local collaborator of Blackwater in Karachi MQM has provided the eyes and ears on the ground with smart guns. Even if US-India sponsored ‘Pakistani Taliban’ claim responsibility of Karachi Ashura bombings, the chemicals and smart guns used in burnings of the over 6000 small businesses and loss of Rs. 60 billion have all the hallmarks of Blackwater/Xe. 

“There is no difference between Tehreek Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and MQM because both are sponsored by India and USA. Sawat type operation against MQM’s ‘Clean Shaven Taliban’ who are supporting Blackwater/Xe is a must because people will support.  President Zardari, the ‘Putin of Pakistan’ can he do anything of for Karachi or he has become a cuddly toy now?”

(Dr Shahid Qureshi is award winning journalist and writer on foreign policy & security based in London)

Playing “Tennis” for a Cause

 

A Palestinian demonstrator uses a tennis racket to return an empty tear gas canister at Israeli soldiers during a protest against the controversial Israeli barrier in the West Bank village of Bilin near Ramallah October 23, 2009.

Changing Mindset?

Tahir Bhai is very dear to me. Not just because he is a friend and from the same village but also because he is a very learned man and patriotic Pakistani. Although I can hardly agree with any of his analysis, I must say that his sincerity while analyzing the present day situation is beyond doubts. His write-up below was published in two national English dailies. The same article has been published in The News on Sunday with the heading “Changing Mindset” I picked it up for Talkhaba’s readers not because I agree with what he has tried to make us believe but because I want this article should be discussed. I do agree with some parts of this article. The parts to which I agree are in blue font while the points I disagree with are in RED font. My views are bracketed. Before you read the article read this news appeared in Daily Jang Karachi on 25^th December 2009, the birthday of founder of Pakistan, Mohammad Ali Jinnah.

 

 There’s less and less support for militants

 TAHIR ALI

 WEEKEND MAGAZINE (December 19 2009): The frequent terror strikes seem to have caused visible shifts in public opinion. Militants and their political supporters are increasingly loosing popular support in the backdrop of an emerging anti-private jihad consensus in the country. But the fact is people are afraid of the invisible enemy and most avoid making open hostile statements against the insurgents for fear of reprisal.  [What is militancy, before that we will have to assess who is our enemy. It’s also hard to believe that all forces fighting our armies and attacking common people are Taliban. A must read article here enlighten us]

And that it is still a long way to go to achieve that terror/retaliation free environment in the country. Analysts say there are several positive signs. The security establishment has shunned its earlier policy of appeasement or support to the militants. Much of the political leadership has also given up its familiar reluctance to act against the militants. [The only ‘positive’ sign that the action by our own army against our own people has been legitimize through elements like Swati Taliban]

Religious-political parties, forced by the heat of anti-extremist sentiments, have reconciled their strategies and abandoned their Jihadi tones. [They had abandoned it the day a meerasi Army General sided with crusaders] There is increasing support to the security forces in militancy-hit zones [what is the sources, note army is a party and its press releases can not be called sources. Similarly Taliban is party so their version can not be sources.]. Jihadi charity boxes have disappeared from markets. Religious scholars avoid Jiahdi sermons. Most of the illegal FM radio stations, the biggest tool of extremist propaganda, have gone silent and so on.

Until recently, New Year nights’ programmes, cinema houses and billboards with women pictures were attacked. Music functions were forcefully stopped. Students were openly enticed to volunteer for ‘Jihad’ first in Afghanistan and then in Kashmir. Picture and video shows were organised profusely to attract youngsters to ‘Jihad’. [This was also abandoned many years before the American attack on the Muslims of Afghanistan. The reason better known to those used to organized these activities previously]

However, situation has changed now. Religious parties that once talked of hoisting national flag on the Red Fort of Delhi and threatened suicide attacks against foreign naval ships avoid similar outbursts. New Year nights and night-clubs are no more attacked by baton-wielding workers. ‘Kashmir has been left to the Kashmiris’. Religious parties don’t run any Jihadi training/fund raising campaigns any more.

“Save a minority comprising a few right wing/religious parties, majority population is no more interested in the Jihadi rhetoric and culture. This could be the beginning of a new era in Pakistan marked by more tolerance and moderation,” argued a political activist wishing not to be named.

Renowned analyst and religious scholar Dr Mohammad Farooq Khan said it was a happy development that around 99 percent of population and military and political leadership were on the same frequency on how to tackle the threat. [From where did he know about 99 percent population? Had he conducted any census?]

“We had been advocating since the last 15 years that private jihad is not only against Islam but is also a dangerous strategy. We are happy that finally the establishment and religious parties have realised it. They have practically given up their practical support to jihad though the latter would hardly accept it. No doubt they have done so after bad practical experiences and were late to do that, it is a welcome development anyway,” he said.

“Musharraf and the previous MMA-led NWFP government had shown criminal negligence vis-à-vis the Taliban in Malakand which made things difficult for the coming government. But happily the operations – ‘Rah-e-Rast’ in Swat and ‘Rah-e-Nijat’ in Waziristan – have been the most successful ever operations of the world history,” Khan added. [It’s shocking to read that only previous government had shown criminal negligence. Didn’t the writer read the statements of ANP leadership especially provincial minister information Iftikhar Hussain? Was the operation ‘Rah’e’Rast in swat started by ANP government or Army? Where has the bastard Mullah Fazalullah gone? What about the cases of Muslim Khan who was brought from America by the America and For America?]

Former chief secretary FATA and security expert Brigadier Mehmood Shah agreed that an anti-private jihad consensus was developing in society. “Swatis are now openly supporting the government but the situation in Waziristan is not that encouraging. There is general fear amongst the people there militants might come back in the area.”

“But one thing is for sure that people have overwhelmingly turned against the misuse of religion for political motives. It is in this background that the religious parties have shunned militant approaches. They simply cannot go against the tide. To save society from the threat of extremism and terrorism, a civil society movement like the one for restoration for judiciary is needed. Live media has exposed the religious parties to the nation.

The religious class in simply unable to lead the nation. Modern religious scholars and intellectuals should take the interpretation of religion from them,” he commented. Dr Begum Jan, chairperson tribal women welfare association, didn’t see any positive outcome any time soon. “We are just harvesting what we had sown years ago. Security situation is worse despite claims of victory in Malakand and I think the announced surge in US troops in Afghanistan would just add fuel to fire.” [ Pls correct that we are harvesting what our army had sown]

“But one development is encouraging to see. I saw in 2001 when Mullahs agitated against the US invasion in my area that they were given generous donations for onward supply to Afghan Taliban. But if these Mullahs ask for funds today, I am afraid the people would beat them rather,” she said. Begum Jan said the people of Waziristan and other agencies had suffered badly and they would never ever support the mullahs.

“Now we should save our children in the given scenario from religious seminaries and offer them religious education at home. The government should bring FATA at par with rest of the country through fast track and corruption free development schemes. It should provide jobs to the youth in the region to save them from extremists who give them lucrative offers in return for support,” she said.

Militancy hit areas like parts of Malakand division are experiencing shifts in general perceptions. Security agencies are having the greatest ever popular support.

Former federal minister and nationalist leader Afzal Khan Lala said people had supported the militants not out of love but for fear because they killed their opponents. “They may give even more support to army and the government if they are emboldened and ensured of safety. There is not yet hundred percent supports to security forces. For example, one of the two main tribes in Shah Dheri Kabal has formed a lashkar against the militants but the other is reluctant to do so.

The security forces have more communication and interaction with the general public,” he opined. Lala also chastised the religious parties for not opposing militants. He praised Army for getting the area rid of insurgents. Amir Muqam, president of the Pakistan Muslim League (Q) NWFP and a parliamentarian, observed how the nation could support those who killed their children, brothers and destroyed their businesses.

Muqam said that the army had established writ of the state for which the nation stood indebted to it. “But this now will have to be maintained by the civilian forces. Basic amenities would have to be provided and problems solved. There should be a sound plan to deal with the post-operation situation. There is still fear of return of militants. Militants after all have not been eliminated altogether. The government must safeguard those who side with it,” he said.

Sadullah Khan from Buner said the army has won us the area back. “It has done that in Swat and Waziristan too. The notion of invincibility of militants has been buried for ever.” An old man from Kabal Swat, wishing anonymity, said Swatis followed the extremists because they talked good.

“They disappointed us when they took over the area. We will never support them and would rather support the government. Let us hope that it would be the old tolerant Buner and Swat where different religious groups have lived peacefully for centuries,” he said. The man narrated a family of Syeds in his area commanded respect. “We always accepted their arbitration in our controversies. But the family joined the Taliban. And the people of the area then killed several of them with their own hands,” he said.

US president Barrack Obama also alluded to the fact in his last address. “In the past, there have been those in Pakistan who have argued that the struggle against extremism is not their fight. But in recent years, as innocents have been killed from Karachi to Islamabad, public opinion has turned,” he said. There is a growing national pride. “The tragedy was huge. The state acted like a mother.

Had it not come up to the expectations, the tragedy would have been more devastating. The militants wanted to create disbelief but miserably failed,” argued Shakir Khan, a former IDP from Swat. There were frequent desertions from the army and police in initial days. Around 80 percent persons in Swat and Buner had deserted for fear of militants. That trend has reversed. And recently there has been a new urge in the youngsters to join the security forces.

“When enemies are bent upon destroying the society, why should I lag behind? Though I didn’t want to join army or police in the past, I now am for it. I want to fight Pakistan’s enemies and take them head on,” declared Saeed Khan, a college student in Charsadda. Collection of donations by jihadi organisations has also declined. There are indeed Chanda boxes in shops and markets but these are of Sahara Trust, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital and other genuine humanitarian organisations.

“The phenomenon has weakened for various reasons: People don’t like to give donations as they did in the past. They are fed up of a mushroom growth of jihadi outfits. Poverty is also a factor. They avoid it for fear of arrests too,” said a shopkeeper in Mardan who wished not to be named. Swat Taliban also collected huge sums through donations given by the people especially women. Jehanzeb from Mingora Swat said they didn’t know they would buy arms with their alms.

“They were given generous alms to build, as they had promised, mosques and madrassas. But look! Where did the money turn out at the end? We had no idea that they would buy arms with our money to wage war against Pakistan and kill our children,” he added. There were numerous FM channels in the air before the latest onslaught against the extremists in Malakand and the tribal belt. These were blatantly used for anti-state and extremist propaganda. Almost all of these stand closed now.

However minorities living in the Malakand and tribal belt have also been severely affected by the ongoing tensions. Buner and Swat had a sizable presence of Hindu and Sikh people. Atleast 15 families, including some known professionals, have migrated to India of late. Ashok Kapoor, the general secretary of the Hindu-Sikh Sudhar Sabha, said though the violence was not specific to them, minorities have suffered badly.

“We know how the minorities could be safe when majority was not. But that ensuing lack of security and slump in businesses has led to migration of quite a few of them to India is agonising to say the least. Jagdesh Lal, the son of Bhajan Lal, was kidnapped in 2003 but he is yet to return homes. Tilak Raj left Mingora for India when his brother was killed last Ramazan and his own life was endangered.

The family of Dr Mohan Kumar, a notable doctor from Buner, has also shifted to India. Dr Jian Parkash, also from Buner who ran a big hospital there, also plans to go because of his brother’s murder. Others are also considering departure which would be a tragedy if materialised. Pakistan is our country. We want to live here.” Kapoor said the mainstream population was very caring for their community. But community needs motivation, support and co-ordinated efforts on part of district administrations, NGOs and security forces to change their minds away from leaving the country.[These minorities may be right but it may be exception or the situation may be not that serious. Read the news uploaded as picture]

Siraj-ul-Haq, former senior minister and ex-amir of Jamat-e-Islami, however, declined to accept that jihadi culture had weakened and that new developments had forced them shun jihadi enticements. “Jihad continues in Afghanistan. We think that US interference there and in Pakistan is the root cause of the problems. We have started our jihad against the USA – the “go America go” campaign – by organising political rallies and train marches.”

Haq said JI believed in political and constitutional means. “JI never had any military wing. We don’t believe in under-ground activities. If any one thinks JI is a B-team of agencies, he should remove this misconception.”

A Breaking News

by Shahnawaz Farooqi, Translated by Omar Javaid

If Americans had a News of similar proportions, which Muslims have at this point in time, it would have really sparked hundreds of hours of exclusive coverage on every news channels … thousands of discussions of different lengths would also have been aired, and around a thousand interviews of experts, politicians, analysts etc would have become a part of memory of viewers … all in a very short period of time. In addition to that, hundreds of documentaries of various lengths would have been made on the subject or been in the process of being produced. Last but not the least; this news would also have pushed Hollywood to start production of five to six mega budget movies. 
So what’s the news?

Dear Readers! Americans and allies have been defeated by the freedom fighters/Mujahideens in Afghanistan. A news of historical proportions, isn’t it…!!! 

A few years back, one fine day Americans learnt something similar … that Russians have been defeated by Mujahideens in Afghanistan; and when the news came, it sparked a parade of discussions, columns, interviews, documentaries and feature films, et al, like we are anticipating that it would have been the case now …
However despite knowing this, the behavior of Muslim Ummah is quite contrast and dumbfounding. They have a news of historic proportions, as already said, though it’s not making a headline, not even in an evening newspaper…  This could be the height of our journalistic incapacity and intellectual slavery of independent media, and the same is also true for the entire Muslim Population, perhaps. Telling it is … we don’t even know how to even celebrate triumph … but why?
Some think that it’s the unavailability of sufficient financial resources, though I disagree. The problem, my friend, is with our priorities and misconceptions. We know people who can spend millions, if not billions, to erect Madrassahs or Masjids, however if you ask for their support to establish an independent TV channel, then they might not even spare a rupees. “It’s not a religious activity, isn’t it … would it bring bounties in Akhirah?” 
It is questioned due to a common perception that mass media is a means to spread vulgarity and negativity etc; public clings to this perception despite realizing that media is indeed the most effective and efficient tool to manage and form perceptions or opinions. Ironically, concordantly, millions believes blindly that the ‘picture (read distortion) of reality’ shown by media is indeed ‘Reality’ and what it ignores either doesn’t exist or is irrelevant. This fact is saddening with far reaching consequences.
Albeit the sorry state of print or electronic media in general, we do have some exceptions to talk about. Take Al-Jazeerah for instance; doing a splendid job despite the rule of monarchist and dictators in the Middle Eastern countries it operates, where waking and radicalizing the population is more difficult then it seems. Al-Jazeerah, however have accomplished the unimaginable, and we must ask how?
Al-Jazeerah exposed the aggression of Israel, and it not only reported the details on bombings and attacks by oppressive force(s) (extra ‘s’ for its supporting allies), but also revealed the human sufferings caused as a result, the pains and suffering of people whose family members have been martyred, how they has been treated by authorities … it also reported the economic difficulties faced by them as a result, and eventualities on future of their children. Al-Jazeerah uncovered these issues with such a detail that it was never done before, sparking a reaction against Israelis and Americans.
If all the print and electronic media of Muslim world would have the spirit Al-Jazeerah had, then the ball game would have been very different, knowing the fact that the American and Allies in Afghanistan have been defeated. Our media could have then played a pivotal role in uplifting the moral of the Muslim Ummah, and would have in turn achieved a psychological victory against the so called imperial masters.
Muslim Ummah has been a sufferer of inferiority complex since a long time; blind folded by a perception that we are deprived of resources, wealth, technology, etc, which is why western civilization have all the power and might … but remain ignorant to the fact that an Ummah who can defeat two super powers in just twenty years, must have some extraordinary qualities.
People generally believe that Americans are fighting Afghans in Afghanistan, but that’s not really the case … in reality it’s a war being won by ‘Faith’ against ‘state of the art technology’, on one side and on the other, triumph of ‘intense desire to die for a cause’ (read martyrdom) against ‘world’s greatest military might’; it is undeniably changing the face of the history forever…
Despite all this, Muslim Ummah is unaware of the glory, and ironically we don’t even have a tool to wake ourselves from the slumber.

Courtesy Critic Magazine Blog

For Confused “Remains of Socialism”

 Zardari is corrupt but try the main culprits who brings corrupts

Abbas Ather is a Jiyala and so is my father, but believe me I have no sympathy for this “socialist” party occupied by bourgeoisie from the day one. My father disagrees when I say the “day one” but confesses the party deviated from its ideology when BB took the charge and in his words “opened the doors for corrupt landlords and capitalists”. He always remains unrequited when I remind him that where had that “revolutionary proletarian leadership” and their Jiyalas gone when their leaders was hanged? May be they were on leave. By the way now days they are enjoying high positions in multinationals and big national groups exploiting the working class. Their only work has remained to ridicule any logics coming from the right. This is how today’s “leftist” can be described. Mr. Abbas Ather, the group editor of Daily Express can also be called one of the “remains of socialism” 

His analysis of NRO, Corruption and Zardari is must read although he has spoken “half truth. I don’t know whether the reason behind writing down this piece is to defend his president or to show mirror to those who, once, had coined special words for praising Zardari on the occasion of entering into president house.

Mr. Abbas informs us that Zardari was elected as president by more than two third of the elective representatives. Certainly they all didn’t belong to Zardari’s party. A million dollars question by Abbas Ather is as why did they vote in favor of Zardari if he was corrupt? How come at sudden they got to know that Zardari is corrupt? This senior journalist has reminded the political leadership of their support to Zardari during his election. He has mentioned the name of my favor actor, Peer-London Altaf Hussain also but has forgot to tell his readers that here in Pakistan everyone gets NOC from our military leadership and their bosses in Washington and so did Zardari. Why did our military establishment accept Zardari as president two year back? Wasn’t he corrupt then?

Abbas Ather you have done half work by penning down this article. Let’s write another one, enlightening the nation on what is the actual problem. Mir Says “Marz Barhta Gaya Joon Joon Dawa Ki” (The more it increases with its treatment) but I say it increased because of improper diagnose. First diagnose the disease, and then prescribe the medicines. To replace one corrupt with another is no remedy to the problems of Pakistan.  The problem is USA and unconstitutional role of Pakistan Army. Abbas Ather won’t suggest this remedy as these past time socialists have changed their Qibala and now they are bowing before Washington. But believe me hold free and fair elections without interference from Pak Army and USA; I assure that the parties occupied by corrupt politicians will disappear like the “horn from donkey’s head” 

17 top officials working for US in NWFP

 By Syed Fawad Ali Shah

PESHAWAR – Seventeen officials serving in NWFP on various important posts are active members of the notorious American Khyber Club (AKC) that is believed to be a hotbed of conspiracies against Pakistan, highly placed sources informed TheNation on Sunday.

 These officials are facilitating American diplomats, operatives of CIA and mercenaries of Blackwater in their activities stretched across the province and FATA. In reciprocation, the local officials get full support in getting lucrative postings, transfers and getting away with inquiries, etc, sources disclosed and added they are taken care by Americans who have tones of money on their disposal.

“Those who stand out in serving US interests are posted on the posts of their own choice despite lapse of tenure, and this speaks of increasing American influence in our internal matters,” an official said..

Their nominees get US visas in no time and the children as well as siblings of some officials are getting free education in prestigious institutions abroad.

These days serving American interests is more fruitful for anyone than serving interests of Pakistan, an official who was made OSD for an unforgivable crime of non-cooperation with foreigners told TheNation.

The top 17 officials who have made American Khyber Club their second home include nine from District Management Group (DMG), six officers representing Police Service of Pakistan (PSP), while two are in the Office Management Group (OMG).

The PSP officers who take pride in having personal relations with American operatives hail from Peshawar, Bannu, Lakki Marwat, Waziristan and Kohat. They have been spotted roaming around with foreigners in their bulletproof cars and holding secret meetings with them in their offices which is an open violation of rules and regulations, sources informed.

The DMG officials who are protecting US interests in the region hail from Peshawar, Nowshehra, Swabi, Mardan and Charsadda. They also use the American Khyber Club as their unofficial secretariat. The officials belonging to OMG and PSC Executive Group hail from Waziristan and Shabqadar.

Orders have been repeatedly circulated that government officials can’t meet foreigners (Americans) without prior approval from the authorities concerned but no one seems to be interested in abiding by the rules.

On the other hand, those who are not in the good books of the American Consulate have been given insignificant posts or have simply been made Officers on Special Duty (OSDs).

The sources informed that Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency has reported the matter to the highest authorities in Islamabad.

MQM’s Popularity in Baltistan?

How popular is the MQM in Baltistan? Take a look at this photo of its rally in Skardu, published on the front page of the daily Express on November 6, 2009… Some kind soul has taken a magnifying glass to it, helpfully pointing out where the services of Photoshop might have come in handy.

Even without this pointing out of the utility of the stamp tool in Photoshop, my first question about this photo might have been: does Skardu even have that many people? I mean, it’s not Karachi, you know…

Now my question is this: With Sultan Lakhany about to bring out an English paper – called the Express Tribune – married to the International Herald Tribune, is this the sort of objective, unbiased journalism we can all look forward to?

Courtesy:  Cafe Pyala 

Lokhandwala @ Islamabad: Fake encounter to save IGP?

By IMRAN MUKHTAR

The incident of killing a suspected suicide bomber by police in the Federal Capital on Sunday night was actually a fake police encounter and was engineered to establish good repute of cops, TheNation reliably learnt on Monday.

The police high-ups, after the incident, had claimed to save the Capital from another devastating terrorist attack.

The sources privy to the developments informed that the deceased, a suspected suicide bomber as claimed by police, had been in the custody of police for the last couple of days and was made a scapegoat only to defuse the prevailing impression that Capital Police were incapable to prevent terrorist attacks. The sources claimed that the deceased was arrested some days ago in a police raid at a house in the outskirts of the Capital during a routine search operation.

The sources also disclosed that it might be possible that the deceased was involved in some terrorist activity or was a potential suicide bomber but he was under detention of police and shot dead in a fake encounter.

The sources also informed that there was immense pressure on Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad, Syed Kaleem Imam, from higher authorities after the consecutive three terrorist attacks on senior Army officials in the vicinity of the Capital. It is pertinent to mention here that Brigadier Moeen was shot dead as well as two other senior Army officials namely Brigadier Waqar and Brigadier Sohail were critically injured by terrorists in three different attacks.

The news of the transfer of IGP was also heard from concerned quarters after the terrorist attack on Brigadier Sohail, as the law and order situation in the City was going from bad to worse despite installation of various police pickets and barricades.

TheNation also learnt that IGP had been remained busy in the meetings for the last two days with the other top brass of Islamabad Police to defuse the immense pressure on him. A senior police officer working under the command of IGP suggested his boss to conduct a fake encounter of some suspected suicide bomber, which was acknowledged by the latter, the sources disclosed.

“Now the next was to accomplish the idea. For this, after detailed meetings with another senior police officer, Altaf Aziz Khattack, Station House Officer (SHO) Shalimar Police Station, was selected as a suitable and fit police officer to accomplish the task and thus, in this way, the script of the play was written under the guidance of IGP,” the source revealed.

After accomplishing the mission, the SHO through a private phone conveyed to the IGP that “the mission was over” and soon after that the news was disseminated to the electronic media where it was regarded as a “great achievement” of the Capital Police.

A senior doctor at PIMS on condition of anonymity told that the deceased sustained seven bullet injuries, four on head and three on arm, according to initial post-mortem report.

Another question that arises here is that all police officials were not professional shooters but still it is interesting that the four bullets hit the head of the alleged bomber and not a single one damaged the suicide jacket.

Syed Kaleem Imam, when contacted, ruled out the possibility of any fake police encounter and said it was a genuine fight and the Islamabad police acted very wisely and boldly to foil a terrorist activity and, thus, saved the residents of the City from another bloodshed. He further said that any terrorist who would try to enter the Capital would be dealt with an iron hand.

Pakistan Allows Blood Suckers to Import Explosive

 اس گھر کو آگ لگ گئی، گھر کے چراغ سے

The above Urdu couplet tells us who to blame and who to not. Isn’t it ridiculous to blame American for our problems when our own people are bent upon destroying this country and its people? Our civil society, students, journalists and indeed some politician rightly expressed the real feeling of Pakistani society during the recent visit of Ms Clinton to Pakistan but who will educate our masses that our own people are letting blood suckers to suck the last drop of our blood? And after all they can do this as they enjoy the ‘mandate’ of majority of Pakistanis. It’s this stage where I unhappily say; “to hell with this democratic system where the illiterate majority defeats literate minority by electing the most corrupt, anti state leadership for steering the state affairs” But we still have to go along with this democratic system, as the military dictators have proved to be worst.

According to Online News Agency,  Gilani’s government has issued License to the US for importing of explosives, armed weapons by violating rules and regulations.

“Government has issued license to US embassy for the import of armed weapons and explosives by violating rules and regulation, the news reads.

According to documents available with Online the permission to import of large quantity of ammunition and explosive was granted by the Ministry of Interior while ignoring the rules and regulations.

According to a letter dated May 29, 2009 the U.S. embassy in Pakistan requested to Foreign Ministry for permission to import the ammunition, which was needed to train the Crisis Response Team. Foreign Affairs Ministry contacted ministry of interior for grant of No Objection Certificate. The ministry of interior asked the intelligence agencies for necessary security clearance but without waiting for the clearance permission to import the ammunition and explosive granted the NOC on June 29, 2009.  Former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf in 2003 had permitted the US embassy to set up a training center in Police Training College Sihala for the training of US embassy staff against terrorist activities but now a large area within the premises of college is in possession of U.S. trainers and restricted even for the College administration and Commandant.

For information of all concerned Pakistanis who use to raise their eyebrows after Americans being caught with arm are freed with a phone call from the ministry of interior, how can Pakistan take action against the Americans who have been allowed by our own government? Do you believe in the “statement” of Rehman Malik Dakait when he says that “No one is permitted to carry army” or the documents which permit them to violate the laws of Pakistan? This news also enlightens us that why didn’t our government take action against American for storing explosive in Sihala College, near KRL.

Pakistani Bloggers “Expel Blackwater & US marines from Pakistan” & “Contain USA to Save Pakistan”

While major political parties were busy in striking deals with the then president Gen (R)Pervez Musharraf, it was the civil society which along with some political parties was running a historic movement for the restoration of Judiciary. The result was remarkable and the message very positive, when you do effort, you make the difference. Now when recently the USCIS included the name of Baluchistan in the country of citizenship column, it was the society media, especially collective efforts through Union of Patriotic Bloggers for Sovereign Pakistan (UPBSP) which compelled the US to remove the name from its form whereas not a single word was expressed by any political party or government official. Keep in mind I am not undermining political parties but emphasizing the role which the society media, comprise of youth mostly, can play to bring a change.

These precedents were cited to show that our efforts yields results, and  we, the society media, as a union has the potential, the vision and commitment and in fact the resources to aware the masses and initiate a mass movement against the world’s worst mercenary force black water, now Xe and kick them out of Pakistan.

Proof of Blackwater’s presence in Pakistan

Let’s throw some light on the Blackwater presence in Pakistan, the claim which the government is bent upon proving “wrong”.  Although there is a complete state of [official] denial of Blackwater threat, a recent development is ample proof for its presence in Pakistan. Blackwater is reportedly recruiting agents fluent in Urdu & Punjabi for Pakistan. Where will be the agents being fluent in URDU and PUNJABI posted if not Pakistan?  Surely Pakistan, the Punjab and remaining Pakistan expect NWFP for which it has already hired Pashto speaking agents.

In a new development Blackwater has reached Karachi and got 11 Bungalows on rent in the posh areas of DHA (7) and Gulshan-e-Iqbal (4). In order to start its work in Karachi, Blackwater has hired two dozen Pakistanis; most of them retired officials of Law enforcing agencies. One of the 11 bungalows situated in Khayaban-e-Shamsheer area of Defence is believed to be its Headquarter.

 

“Ambassador in US”

As result of continuous awareness through blogs and newspaper articles especially those of

“]

he burned, mutilated corpses of two Blackwater contractors hang from a bridge outside Fallujah while Iraqi civilians celebrate. [Source: NoGW.com

Dr Mazari, our intelligence agencies has put Americans under surveillance but thanks to our Ambassador [Please read US ambassador] who should have acted otherwise is reportedly pressurizing our own government to let Blackwater in to Pakistan. Please note that Ambassador Husain Haqqani’s latest game to protect Blackwater mercenaries was highlighted by society media. In circumstances when our own government is not ready admit the arrival of these worst mercenaries in Pakistan, it is high time for Society media to unite to face this challenge and save Pakistan from converting into Iraq where these bloody US mercenaries have been raping Iraqi girls. This is the least negative aspect; otherwise their main objective is to create chaos and anarchy to pave ways for US occupation of Pakistan.

Following things can be done as part of this campaign “Expel Blackwater & US marines from Pakistan” which should be part of our larger movement of “Containment of USA” 

•  To create awareness you are requested to make as many communities as you can. The best example is that of Abdullah Raza, owner of group “EXPEL Blackwaters & US marines from Pakistan!!!” at facebook.
• Again his suggestion sounds reasonable that all college/school/university students should put up a small notice on the notice board for students to read.
• To write emails to both the US embassy in Islamabad and Pakistani Embassy in Washington. Please also send emails to other embassies to aware them of what the “Champaign of democracy” is doing in Pakistan.
• Write emails to the politicians, both ruling and position parties as well as parties out side parliament.
• Write emails to the members of national assembly, senate and provincial as well as judges of high courts and supreme courts and other important social and intellectual figures including academicians, TV anchors , columnist and political analysts, .
• Please post at least one awareness banner in the locality you’re living in.
• At least aware 100 people of your locality who doesn’t have access to internet.

These are some of the suggestions. The list will be update after the feedback of other Blogger friends. I hope that the contribution & leading role by Teeth Maestro will be crucial.  Please send us your suggestins at upbspakistan@gmail.com

Breaking News: Proofs of Blackwater’s (Xe Services) Presence in Karachi

A report published in Urdu daily, Jasarat has claimed country’s intelligence agencies have submitted their report regarding Xe (Blackwater) to the federal interior ministry. The report includes proofs of XE Services (also Blackwater) presence in Karachi besides shocking story of their nexus with the political party dominating the city. The report also contains details of houses and hotels being used by Blackwater as its operational centre and lodging.  Quoting highly reliable sources, the investigation cell of one of the large circulated dailies from Karachi has claimed………. Please for details read my Urdu blog. Click here.

Dot summary of the details from Urdu blog plus a chat with the concerned reporter by Talkhaba are given blow.  

• Blackwater’s activities are at the peak.

• The notorious mercenary forces are enjoying the support of the most powerful party in the city.

• Office bearers of the two major political parties are providing [not known whether in their individual capacity or with party lines] to Blackwater besides helping them in getting houses.

• Nearly half dozen of the houses are provided by a federal minister who is also helping them in clearing the shipments [weapons and hummer] at Port Qasim.

• Black water has acquired dozens of houses while its strength has reached to 60, 32 out of which are retired officers of Pakistani Law enforcement agencies. No need to mention that the owner of disband Inter Risk is also a retired Captain of Pakistan Army.

• Blackwater has also acquired the seventh floor of five stars Hotel in the Karachi which is believed to be the new operational Headquarter. Previously a Bungalow in the Khyaban-e-Shamshir area of DHA was used as operational centre.

• The American School in KDA scheme one has 8 housing units. One house is used by a senior American diplomat while the remaining seven houses are given to Xe Services (Blackwater) for their lodging.

• Blackwater has got seven houses near the houses of Gen (R) Pervez Musharraf and Gen Moinuddin Hayder in the General colony, near Zamzama DHA. Some Japanese and Koreans are hired and accommodated there to doge Pakistani agencies.

• Another house is acquired in Karsaz Area which is situated near the Muslim League House. The street has been blocked.

• Two Vehicles of BB and BD numbers are used by Blackwater in Karachi, the numbers which are assigned to the MNAs and MPAs only. No one will be able to stop them.

• According to Ummat, the plot reserved for children park in China ground [Kashmir Road] is also given to Xe Services (Blackwater)

Branded terrorism by Brand dictators

You may define it your way. But to me dictatorship means a system where one or group of powerful persons usurp the power of many and deprived them of their basic right to choose. 

Hence, the right of choice, guaranteed under any law, is occupied for which, sometimes, the person is terrorized in order to shut his month. If you agree with definition of dictatorship and terrorism, you will certainly agree that we all are the victim of brand terrorism.

Not so shocking, the huge media empires get their “feed” from the brands’ advertising budget which consumes a large amount on publicity compromising on the quality of product and consequently resort to means tactics.

Instead of improving their quality some known brands, especially the beverages companies, opt to deprive the consumer of right of choice by making deal with hotels and restaurants that only their brand should be sold out.

 Recently, we five office colleagues went to a restaurant “Food Centre” at burns road. Interestingly, all five persons had different choices, with no rooms for compromise on his/her choice. But the waiter literally terrorized us by informing that we have no alternative except to have Coca Cola brands beverages. When asked to bring Pepsi and Dev from the adjacent shop, the waiter refused and bluntly inform us of Bush/US type of rules followed in the restaurant, no “outsider” brand is allow to enter the premises of Hotel, no outsider food. What can one do in such circumstances except to nod his/her head as we do it when listen to any Diktat from our master US. Hence “No outside food and drink allowed” The food being served, many had no choice but rely on all time and all people’s drink, water.  

Similarly in another restaurant we were let to know that asking for COCA brand is liable to ousting from the restaurant without having our lunch.

Interesting these dictator brands are of multinational owned by west, the champion of democracy, freedom for right of expression and freedom of choice.

Isn’t it brand dictatorship and brand terrorism? I hope that all those supporting of right of choice would voice against this type of dictatorship.

What is the US-Dutch arms connection?

Dutch diplomats released on US embassy intervention!

ISLAMABAD: One of the Dutch diplomas sitting in the vehicle, the second picture shows the recovered luggage is being checked while the third one is the image of a US official who got the Dutch diplomats released from police custody-Photos by The Nation

City police on Tuesday held two diplomats of Netherlands’ Embassy and recovered unlicensed arms and ammunition from their vehicle.

The diplomats were later released, besides their weapons, on the intervention of top diplomatic officials from Netherlands and the US Embassy, sources told The Nation.
According to details, Police officials deputed at Police picket near Secretariat Chowk intercepted a Dark Blue BMW (4191) at 11.30 am. The car did not have diplomatic number plates.

On search, police recovered sophisticated weapons including four hand grenades including two smoke equipments and two flash bombs, two handguns, four magazines and six bullet-proof vests from their vehicle.  This arms and ammunition reportedly belonged to the US embassy and was being transported to the US Embassy by the Dutch, the sources said.

The detained diplomats could not provide any justification and relevant documents for keeping such sophisticated weapons to the police, the sources added. “They had only a letter issued by the Dutch Embassy on which Ministry of Interior was requested to issue licence,” the sources said.

Police sources told the TheNation, “There was another vehicle bearing registration (IDL-266) which was allegedly backing up the Dutch diplomats BMW.”
“When we intercepted the Dutch vehicle the driver of a car behind them, identified himself as US Embassy employee named Sunny Christopher, having US Embassy’s official card (16570),” the sources said.

Christopher interfered in the police matter, but after an exchange of harsh words the police sent him on his way. But before he left he had harassed the police to the extent that they were forced to make a misstatement in the report to the effect that he came after the release of the two Dutch men. The fact, as this scribe witnessed himself, later corroborated by the SHO, was that Christopher was present throughout the process of search and arrest.

Secretariat police also mentioned intervention by Christopher in the report of the case. The report said the person who identified himself as US Embassy official namely Sunny Christopher interfered in police matter. (See copy of report)

After the intervention of top diplomatic officials including those from the US, the arrested diplomats were allowed to leave with their belongings under cover of diplomatic immunity.
The arrested Dutch were identified as Tom Smith and Williem Uen.

When contacted, Spokesman of American Embassy, Rick Snelsire, he said, “Honestly saying I heard today’s incident but I have no more information regarding the alleged involvement of US Embassy.”

When asked, who is Sunny Christopher? He said, “I don’t know about Sunny.” When this correspondent told him about Sunny’s Embassy card number (16570), he said, “There are hundreds of US embassy employees and it would be difficult for me to identify them all by the card number,” he added.

Given the tension over Dyncorp and Inter-Risk and un-licensed arms being exchanged between Pakistani Security companies and US embassy, some serious questions arise from this latest incident: One, Why were Dutch diplomats carrying unlicensed arms for the US embassy? Two, why was a Pakistani employee of US embassy escorting these diplomats from behind?
Three, why were the Dutch diplomats not in a car with a diplomatic number plate?
Four, were these two gentlemen really Dutch diplomats to begin with?

Curtsey: The Nation

Red Alert: Frequent US Military Aircraft traffic at Islamabad Airport

Islamabad – The planes in the picture have been spotted frequently flying out of Benazir International Airport, Islamabad (BIAI). These are star lifters, heavy lift aircraft of the US army and air force. The question is why are they flying in and out of Islamabad on a regular basis? What are they transporting? Normally these planes are used for large troop movements and heavy equipment lift. When contacted the CAA was unable to respond and the military was unavailable. Is any one keeping a check on what exactly the US is up to in the environs of the Capital and GHQ?

 

Coutesy: The Nation

KU student Hurled Shoe At Representative of Aggression

Another frustrated but conscientious youth tried to hit an American with

Clifford D. May

shoe. Luckily or unluckily, the shoe hurled at Clifford D. May , the President of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a conservative think tank chalking out policy plans for the US administration regarding the so-called war on terror, missed the target.  According the news published today “A Karachi University (KU) student on Thursday threw a shoe at a visiting American journalist, Clifford May, who was to deliver a lecture at the varsity. Clifford escaped the attack when a student, Muhammad Hussain of Imamia Students Organization (ISO), hurled the shoe at him. The incident occurred during the question-answer session of the lecture on “Pakistan’s Role in Countering Terrorism” at the Department of International Relations (IR).

“The Nation” reports that the said programme was organized without the permission of the varsity administration and most of the concerned staffers of the said department had expressed their concerns and did not participate in the programme in protest.

Another largely circulated English daily The News reports that the incident is “the first of its kind in Pakistan”

Journalist May who is a Republican and was said to be an active member of the party during George W. Bush’s administration, was speaking at the Department of International Relations (IR) on the topic ‘Pakistan’s Role in Countering the Challenge of Terrorism’ when a student of the department threw a shoe on the journalist.

Talking to Aaj news channel Muhammad Hussain told, “He just couldn’t control when the journalist humiliated Pakistanis. “It was the attitude of American Scholar which compel me to hurl shoe at him” Muhammad Hussain told the media and said that when the scholar called Muslims extremist and opted for a humiliating attitude when the students started asking questions regarding Iran” Hussain told that his life has become endanger and the angry American may kill him”

The student is inspired from Muntazer al-Zaidi who threw his 10 no shoe at George W. Bush, the leader of Clifford D. May.  The Muslim youth in Islamic world seems to be inspired from the pioneer of Show throwing, the least which Muslim youth can do when their whole leadership has sold out and is bent upon selling the whole Ummah to the nation which consider it their religious duty to subjugate the Muslims in order to take their revenge of crusades. [ May reference may be cited if demanded]

Who is Clifford?

Clifford D. May is the President of the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a policy institute focusing on terrorism created immediately following the 9/11 attacks on the United States.

He is also the Chairman of the Policy Committee of the Committee on the Present Danger (CPD), an international, non-partisan organization based in Washington D.C. comprised of leading members of the national security community. In 2008, The Daily Telegraph (U.K) named May one the “100 most influential conservatives in America.” That’s means he is responsible for what the American have done with Muslims and Muslim world for the last 10 years.

In 2006 he was appointed an advisor to the Iraq Study Group (Baker-Hamilton Commission) of the United States Institute of Peace, an independent nonpartisan national institution established and funded by Congress. [No need to tell what American did in Iraq]

The significance of Show Throwing

A Turkish student who threw a shoe at International Monetary Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn has explained it one sentence. He said ‘He (Strauss-Kahn) is the representative of global capitalism. I tried to raise my views by protesting against him.”  Similarly George W. Bush, Chadam Baram and Clifford D. May all are the representatives of aggression against free states and are thus devils who have made this world a living hell. The least Muslim youth can do is to tell them you’re not liked here. Thanks to Boston group like intellectuals [don’t forget infamous Hussain Haqqani] who assure the USA that you’re liked or even loved for your actions in Muslim States. Muhammad Hussain Has rightly said that the nation which has destroyed Afghanistan and Iraq and is responsible for killing of Women and children in Gaza and Lebanon has no right to teach us. May be some on like Hussain Haqqani come up with “argument” that it’s difficult to change others but it’s easy to change yourself. Dr Aamir has answer to this Question of Mir Jaffar known as Hussain Haqqani. Pls click here to watch this also.  This article, Why I threw the shoe by Muntazer al-Zaidi defending his action may also be helpful in clearing in the misconception of those who are asking to say yes to every US order.

GHQ Attack; who is behind and what should be done

 Who has attacked Pakistan’s Defence Headquarter, GHQ? Who is the beneficiary? Is it just the work of Punjabi Taliban or they have committed it for someone else as mercenary? Has Blackwater done it with assistance from Punjabi Taliban? Is it a reaction against opposition by Pakistan Army to Kerry Lugar bill? Has the US gave message to army, don’t stop us meddling in affairs of Pakistani state, don’t become hurdle in Kerry Lugar bill, Let Zardari sell this country to Americans? Do the Waziristan operation fast and don’t hesitate to kill your own Pukhtoon Pakistani?

 All these questions compose a hypothesis for a research on the topic of HGQ attack in the much relevant context of US meddling in Pakistan. A younger commenter Moin without digging the already present circumstantial evidences has suggested five good suggestions. I will past that at the end but before that let me share some news stories with you which should not be taken as evidences to give final verdict rather questions to do more fruitful research on the topic.

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 First Category

 Waziristan operation imminent: Malik

 Army chief given mandate for Waziristan operation

‘Good number’ of militants in Waziristan

SINGAPORE: A long-planned operation to flush out the Taliban and Al Qaeda from South Waziristan is imminent, said the government on Sunday, and blamed Al Qaeda-backed militants for the attack on the military’s General Headquarters (GHQ).

“It has been decided, the civilian leadership has decided … the operation is imminent,” Interior Minister Rehman Malik told Reuters in an interview in Singapore.

Hours earlier, Pakistani commandos rescued 39 people taken hostage in an attack on GHQ.

Malik said members of the Pakistani Taliban and Al Qaeda were suspected to be behind Saturday’s attack, which ended a week when suicide bombers struck in Islamabad and Peshawar, killing more than 55 people.

“The man who has been arrested, his name is Osman. He is a Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan guy, but we have some indications he’s also from Al Qaeda,” said Malik, who was in Singapore for an Interpol conference.

A security official in Punjab earlier said he believed Osman was from the Lashkar-e-Jhanghvi, and another security official said some of the men involved in the attack spoke Punjabi.

But Malik said it was too early to conclude that Punjab-based groups were involved in the attack.

The men who planned the Rawalpindi attack had hired a house for the last two months, where they had been living.

Malik said the planned offensive in South Waziristan was no longer a matter of choice. “It is not an issue of commitment, it is becoming a compulsion because there was an appeal from the local tribes that we should conduct an operation,” he said.

“The army chief has already been given the mandate to conduct an operation at an appropriate time … it is not going to be late, it will be as early as possible,” said Malik.

“We have information there are a good number of terrorists there,” he said.

Malik said he could not determine the timeframe for the operation.

  Please also read this news published in Jang today.

  Waziristan operation a must to avoid GHQ-like incidents: Iftikhar

 PESHAWAR: The NWFP Information Minister, Mian Iftikhar Hussain, has said that Friday’s suicide blast at the Soekarno Square, Khyber Bazaar, could have been the work of anti-state forces.

Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, the information minister said the Peshawar blast could have been carried out in the wake of the Kabul blast outside the Indian Embassy.

 He said that the attack on the GHQ was a symbolic warning on behalf of the militants to the government and the people that they had the ability and resources to hit any part of the country.

“It is time to take this threat seriously before it is too late. The much- awaited military operation should be launched in Waziristan Agency at the earliest so as to frustrate the nefarious designs of extremist elements,” the minister said. He said that the network of terrorists was inter-connected globally

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 Second Category

 Work on GHQ Complex in capital may start soon

 Monday, October 12, 2009

By Muhammad Saleh Zaafir

 ISLAMABAD: The security of the GHQ situated in the thickly-populated area of Rawalpindi stood exposed yet another time in the wake of the Saturday’s terrorist attack on it.

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani halted the construction of the new GHQ in the federal capital last year when the federal government declined to provide assistance for the building of the complex in Islamabad under the pretext of economic meltdown. The armed forces and the federal government would review the decision to shelve the GHQ construction next month so that its construction might be restarted without any further delay.

The Army has decided not to burden the national exchequer for the construction since it intends to dispose of its precious lands and some other assets. The income that would be generated through a transparent system would be spent on the construction of the GHQ in Islamabad. In addition, the Army will contribute 25 per cent of the expenditures to the federal government for development purposes.

Well-placed defence sources revealed to The News that the GHQ’s compound is part of the capital’s master plan and about two thousand acres of land was earmarked for the purpose in Sectors E-10 and E-11. Former President General Pervez Musharraf laid the foundation stone of the GHQ in 2004 but no work could be started till 2006 but later it was shelved.

The existing GHQ does not fulfill the requirements of base needed for war planning and its execution. The planned GHQ in Islamabad would fulfill the criteria’s of the new and secure GHQ, the sources said

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Third Category

 Attack a reaction against opposition to Kerry Lugar Bill, Ex Service Man

 

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Forth Category

If militants can hit Pakistan’s military HQ, what’s next?

 “The devastating terrorist assault on Pakistan’s military headquarters that ended Sunday after nearly 24 hours exposed the threat of extremist groups operating in the heart of the country and the vulnerability of its most sensitive sites, raising concerns over the security of its nuclear arsenal.”

[The international media is bent upon proving that if Pakistan can’t secure its Army’s Headquarter how can be its nuclear arsenals called safe? Read the news above and also the one uploaded as picture below which states that the US media has started propaganda against Pakistan Army]

Read the News story   here

 

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What should be done?

Now the question arises is that what should be done. I am pasting here Aquib Moin’s write-up with thanks to Ahmed Quraishi.  The words in brackets are mine.

Aquib Moin writes [GHQ Attack: Time to End Foreign Meddling in Pakistan] On October 10, 2009, we witnessed a deadly attack on the Pakistan Army GHQ in Rawalpindi.  We take this as a direct assault on the national security, sovereignty, integrity and dignity of the State of Pakistan.  We suggest and recommend that the following measures should at least be taken to respond to this serious attempt to sabotage Pakistan’s national security:

1. President Zardari and at least his erstwhile Interior Minister Rehman Malik should be thrown out of the avenues of power immediately and must be interrogated regarding granting mass-scale permissions for suspicious US personnel to enter Pakistan in recent months, allowing foreign ‘diplomats’ to carry illegal weapons in the Federal capital and permitting the suspicious activities of foreign security agencies like Inter-Risk, DynCorp, etc. and their possible link with today’s attack. [Gen Pervez Musharraf, who had better been a Meerasi instead of Army Chief, should also be trialed as this was he who had opened the door of US meddling and American terrorism]
2. All US and NATO supplies through Pakistan must be totally suspended until such time the US authorities cooperate with the investigations into the weapons and support to terrorists in the tribal belt coming from the Afghan soil.  Washington should also ensure that there will not be any American intervention in any internal affair and that there will not be any American attempt/involvement/design that threatens Pakistan’s integrity, sovereignty and security.
3. Unnecessary expansion of the US embassy and the arrival of US personnel should be immediately suspended.  We don’t need them to run our affairs.  Suspicious security firms contracted by the US embassy and US military should be shut down with immediate effect. There should be tight check on the hire and purchase of property by foreign elements in Pakistan.
4. Strict scrutiny of the equipment coming into Pakistan, foreigners residing in Pakistan under the guise of NATO or US operations in Afghanistan.
5. A loud, clear and unanimous message should come from the entire media, politicians, Pak Army and all the four corners of Pakistan that those among us cooperating with foreign powers against Pakistani interest will not be tolerated. [In order to make this last step effective we would have say goodbye to our master America first, once we have kicked US the whole nation will fight the Pakistani Taliban militants]

I personally think it’s the work of Blackwater who might be assisted by Punjabi Taliban both paid by the US. The aim of attack is to give a message to Pakistan Army to not to come in its way, don’t become a hurdle in American expansionism in Pakistan. Don’t take action against crusader mercenary, Blackwater and not to oppose Kerry Lugar Bill. 

The End Note; Pak Army has proved  by successfully completing the operation that its the word’s professional army having the capability to fight any force whether they are Blackwater or their assistants Punjabi Taliban. Congratulate Pak Army, despite your controversial role in the war of terror and operation against own people, the citizens of Pakistan stand by you. Once you say goodbye to US war the whole nation will be part of the Pakistan Army.

GHQ attack’s aftermath

The Nation

THE terrorist attack on GHQ turned out to be much graver than had been initially given out. That it was dealt with efficiently and with least amount of lives lost reflects on the professionalism and competency of the Pakistan military – from whom the US and NATO forces could learn a few lessons in asymmetric warfare, rather than the other way round. Nevertheless, there are some disturbing issues that arise, beginning with the issue of a security lapse. Clearly intelligence reports had pinpointed to such an event happening and a news item to this effect had even been printed in the media. So what went wrong to allow a security breach to occur?

The hostage crisis may have been resolved effectively, including the successful taking out of a potential suicide bomber, but the fact that the hostages were taken in the first place raises concerns about security surrounding such a sensitive area. Valuable lives of military men and some hostages were also lost in the process, including two officers which shows that the Pakistan army commands from the front. The links are not simply a straight line to Waziristan; rather there are too many interconnections and trails, especially in terms of weapons (which will provide the clearest clues regarding the actors involved), leading to foreign players. Therefore it is time the state of Pakistan put greater controls over all foreign entities and their activities. With too many foreign covert boots in and around Islamabad and its surrounding areas, the threat of such operatives accessing sensitive targets and the people in them has been multiplied.

Equally disturbing has been the absence of the Interior Minister from the scene of the attack. He remained in Lahore throughout Saturday and then departed for Singapore in the midst of the crisis. He may have needed to attend the Interpol Assembly’s annual Ministerial Meeting in Singapore on 12 October, but it could hardly be more relevant than being in Pakistan and on the scene? This has an eerie air of similarity to his disappearance at the time of Ms Bhutto’s murder. On the one hand, the government has been desperately seeking to bring the military under its total control – some would say even attempting to use the US for this purpose as reflected in the Haqqani-KLB drafting connection – but at a time when the civilian Interior Ministry should have been in the forefront of handling the GHQ terrorist attack and its fallout, including handling the media, its Minister decides not to cancel a foreign trip. How does this reflect on the priorities of the government?

Dr Usman Arrested In 2008; Why Didn’t Keep Under Surveillance After Release?

By: Taimur Ahmad

If one goes back a year or so and reads local papers, one will find that the alleged mastermind of the attack on GHQ, Aqeel alias Dr Usman, had in fact been arrested by the secretariat police in October last year, for suspected involvement in the attack on the Marriott hotel. Reports published in national newspapers on Oct 25, 2008, said that an anti-terrorist court (ATC) in Rawalpindi had been told that four people had been arrested by the police in connection with the attack on the hotel. The report said that investigation officer Altaf Khattak had informed ATC Number 2 that the Secretariat police had arrested Dr Usman, Rana Ilyas, Muhammad Hameed Afzal and Tehseenullah Khan.

This means that the police — otherwise much-maligned for not doing their job and generally having a very shoddy performance in such matters — were actually able to get hold of at least some people who were quite clearly terrorists. May I ask why Dr Usman, whose arrest in 2008 is part of the published record, was released? May I also ask that was, upon his release, any effort made by the authorities — civil and/or military — to keep him under surveillance? Quite clearly, had this been done, perhaps the GHQ attack could have been pre-empted.

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This was originally published in NewsPost, “The News International” on Wednesday, October 14, 2009

On whose side is US anyway?

US vacates checkposts ahead of SWA operation

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By Qudssia Akhlaque

The US-led Nato forces vacated more than half a dozen key security checkposts on the Afghan side of the Pak-Afghan border just ahead of the major Pakistan Army ground offensive (code named: Rahe Nijaat) against Taliban-led militants in the volatile tribal area of South Waziristan, it is learnt.

It is feared that the American decision will facilitate Afghan Taliban in crossing over to Pakistan and support militants in striking back at the Pakistani security forces in the troubled tribal area.

Sources close to the NWFP government and military strategists involved in the planning of S Waziristan operation told The News over the weekend that the Americans vacated eight security checkposts on the Afghan side of the border just five days before the Army operation. Four of these close to South Waziristan including one each at Zambali and at Nurkha, and four in the north in the area of Nuristan where American forces recently came under violent attacks by the militants.

Latest reports indicate that the Americans have also removed some posts close to North Waziristan, which could encourage even more Afghan Taliban fighters to cross over to the Pakistan side. This has raised many eyebrows in government and military circles with points being made about “conflicting interests” and dubious American designs.

The NWFP government, civilian and military officials in the provincial capital have been astonished by this move and more so intrigued by its timing. Alarmed and concerned about its likely adverse affect on the military operation in S Waziristan where the Pakistani troops reportedly comprising 28,000 soldiers are expected to face fierce resistance from the heavily armed Taliban-led militants, the NWFP government recently alerted the relevant authorities in Islamabad about it.

Pakistan has now taken up this matter with the Americans and conveyed its serious concern about vacating the checkposts at this crucial juncture. Notably the security checkposts on the Afghan side of the border are already almost a third of what Pakistan has on its side.

Recent communication intercepts by Pakistani intelligence outfits have revealed that Taliban commander in Nuristan Qari Ziaur Rehman has invited TTP leader Maulvi Faqir Mohammad, former deputy of late Baitullah Mehsud, to come to Nuristan and operate from there if he finds space in Wazristan shrinking.

Experts believe the American move of vacating security checkposts on the Afghan side close to Pakistan’s border could undermine the military action by Pakistan Army. While on one hand it could offer an easy escape route to some militants, it is believed that this would facilitate movement of Afghan Taliban into Pakistan side to join hands with the al-Qaeda-backed local Taliban and other locals as well as foreign militant groups against the military action there.

Some observers see it as a tactical move by the US to ward off pressure from its own forces in Afghanistan that have been under severe attacks by the Afghan Taliban. Hence they want to provide them unhindered passage to Pakistan side, as it would help shift the main theatre of war from Afghanistan to inside Pakistan. Americans themselves have been saying that 70 per cent of area in Afghanistan is out of their control.

The Pakistani Tabiban in S Waziristan backed by al-Qaeda are joined by a large number of foreign militants including a battalion of Uzbeks, Tajiks, Chechens and Arab fighters. According to military sources the toughest resistance is expected from an estimated 1,500 battle-hardened Uzbek fighters, equipped with highly sophisticated weapons. “The Uzbek fighters face a do or die situation with the all-out army action in the hostile mountainous area,” a senior government representative maintained.

The uninterrupted flow of sophisticated arms and funding to the foreign militants in S Waziristan has also lured many criminals to join hands with them in challenging the writ of the state, defence experts say. The presence of various foreign and local militants in the rugged terrain of South Waziristan is estimated at between 15,000 and 20,000.

Officials in the military and civil bureaucracy are cautiously optimistic about the outcome of the operation. “Either these militants will run to Afghanistan, settled areas or stand and fight to the end,” is how one key NWFP government representative summed it up.

A seemingly more realistic view from a key office holder in Peshawar is: “We are half way in containing insurgency and hopefully by end of the year major military operations will be over and 2010 will be the year of consolidating the gains made in recovering the lost ground.”

Whatever the outcome, observers believe that operation in the Taliban stronghold of South Waziristan became inevitable. “It became imperative to go for a military operation in South Waziristan to regain the lost space that has been used as training ground for planning and executing attacks targeting key security installations of Pakistan including the GHQ,” the Army spokesman Major General Athar Abbas said earlier shortly after the launch of the operation.

Despite several attempts on Sunday The News was unable to get an official version from the Pakistan Army Spokesman Major-General Athar Abbas on this alarming development. However, when the US Embassy Spokesman Richard Snelsire was contacted by this correspondent and his attention was drawn to the question of vacated checkposts he remained non-committal. When a confirmation was sought and he was asked what had prompted this move, Snelsire said he had no clue about it. “I do not have information on that, and that is outside our purview,” he noted, adding that he had not seen any reporting on that.

Courtesy: The News International

U.S. Spies Buy Stake in Firm That Monitors Blogs, Tweets

By Noah Shachtman

America’s spy agencies want to read your blog posts, keep track of your Twitter updates — even check out your book reviews on Amazon.

In-Q-Tel, the investment arm of the CIA and the wider intelligence community, is putting cash into Visible Technologies, a software firm that specializes in monitoring social media. It’s part of a larger movement within the spy services to get better at using ”open source intelligence” — information that’s publicly available, but often hidden in the flood of TV shows, newspaper articles, blog posts, online videos and radio reports generated every day.

Visible crawls over half a million web 2.0 sites a day, scraping more than a million posts and conversations taking place on blogs, online forums, Flickr, YouTube, Twitter and Amazon. (It doesn’t touch closed social networks, like Facebook, at the moment.) Customers get customized, real-time feeds of what’s being said on these sites, based on a series of keywords.

“That’s kind of the basic step — get in and monitor,” says company senior vice president Blake Cahill.

Then Visible “scores” each post, labeling it as positive or negative, mixed or neutral. It examines how influential a conversation or an author is. (”Trying to determine who really matters,” as Cahill puts it.) Finally, Visible gives users a chance to tag posts, forward them to colleagues and allow them to response through a web interface.

In-Q-Tel says it wants Visible to keep track of foreign social media, and give spooks “early-warning detection on how issues are playing internationally,” spokesperson Donald Tighe tells Danger Room.

Of course, such a tool can also be pointed inward, at domestic bloggers or tweeters. Visible already keeps tabs on web 2.0 sites for Dell, AT&T and Verizon. For Microsoft, the company is monitoring the buzz on its Windows 7 rollout. For Spam-maker Hormel, Visible is tracking animal-right activists’ online campaigns against the company.

“Anything that is out in the open is fair game for collection,” says Steven Aftergood, who tracks intelligence issues at the Federation of American Scientists. But “even if information is openly gathered by intelligence agencies it would still be problematic if it were used for unauthorized domestic investigations or operations. Intelligence agencies or employees might be tempted to use the tools at their disposal to compile information on political figures, critics, journalists or others, and to exploit such information for political advantage. That is not permissible even if all of the information in question is technically ‘open source.’”

 Visible chief executive officer Dan Vetras says the CIA is now an “end customer,” thanks to the In-Q-Tel investment. And more government clients are now on the horizon. “We just got awarded another one in the last few days,” Vetras adds.

Tighe disputes this — sort of. “This contract, this deal, this investment has nothing to do with any agency of government and this company,” he says. But Tighe quickly notes that In-Q-Tel does have “an interested end customer” in the intelligence community for Visibile. And if all goes well, the company’s software will be used in pilot programs at that agency. “In pilots, we use real data. And during the adoption phase, we use it real missions.”

Neither party would disclose the size of In-Q-Tel’s investment in Visible, a 90-person company with expected revenues of about $20 million in 2010. But a source familiar with the deal says the In-Q-Tel cash will be used to boost Visible’s foreign languages capabilities, which already include Arabic, French, Spanish and nine other languages.

Visible has been trying for nearly a year to break into the government field. In late 2008, the company teamed up with the Washington, DC, consulting firm Concepts & Strategies, which has handled media monitoring and translation services for U.S. Strategic Command and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, among others. On its website, Concepts & Strategies is recruiting “social media engagement specialists” with Defense Department experience and a high proficiency in Arabic, Farsi, French, Urdu or Russian. The company is also looking for an “information system security engineer” who already has a “Top Secret SCI [Sensitive Compartmentalized Information] with NSA Full Scope Polygraph” security clearance.

The intelligence community has been interested in social media for years. In-Q-Tel has sunk money into companies like Attensity, which recently announced its own web 2.0-monitoring service. The agencies have their own, password-protected blogs and wikis — even a MySpace for spooks. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence maintains an Open Source Center, which combs publicly available information, including web 2.0 sites. Doug Naquin, the Center’s Director, told an audience of intelligence professionals in October 2007 that “we’re looking now at YouTube, which carries some unique and honest-to-goodness intelligence…. We have groups looking at what they call ‘citizens media’: people taking pictures with their cell phones and posting them on the internet. Then there’s social media, phenomena like MySpace and blogs.”

But, “the CIA specifically needs the help of innovative tech firms to keep up with the pace of innovation in social media. Experienced IC [intelligence community] analysts may not be the best at detecting the incessant shift in popularity of social-networking sites. They need help in following young international internet user-herds as they move their allegiance from one site to another,” Lewis Shepherd, the former senior technology officer at the Defense Intelligence Agency, says in an e-mail. “Facebook says that more than 70 percent of its users are outside the U.S., in more than 180 countries. There are more than 200 non-U.S., non-English-language microblogging Twitter-clone sites today. If the intelligence community ignored that tsunami of real-time information, we’d call them incompetent.”

Courtesy: wired.com

The wrong target?

Editorial The News International

Tens of thousands of people who have fled South Waziristan tell terrifying tales of falling bombs and blocked roads, which placed them at enormous peril as they tried to reach safety. Others speak of houses being destroyed in the Mehsud areas of the tribal agency. The perception of these people is significant. Many IDPs have told the media in interviews that they simply do not believe the Taliban can be defeated through military action. They argue that the bombing raids most badly affect the civilian population rather than the militants. Many are fearful that the fighting in Waziristan could continue for weeks but serve very little real purpose. These people have after all seen similar war before – with the militants each time forcing troops out. They are convinced that this time too things will be the same. Civilians say also that they are caught badly between the two fighting forces and suffer at the hands of both. Amnesty International has expressed concern over the plight of non-combatants caught in a war that is not of their own making. Other international and local right watchdog bodies had also demanded more be done during the war in Swat to keep the civilian population safe. The same holds true in South Waziristan as well.

 Even in a condition of war, international humanitarian rules apply. The requirement that children, women and men be protected is the focal point. The fact that little heed has been paid to these clauses is sad, not only because it means the death of innocent people – such as the family of 12 who died after being hit by a bomb while trying to escape South Waziristan a few days ago; but also because it means the military fails to gain moral authority. It is already obvious the people of Waziristan equate it with the militants – and as a source of the suffering imposed on them. If the military campaign in Waziristan succeeds this time round, and the Taliban are genuinely defeated, the need will arise to win back the loyalty of these people. This will not be easy. Militants have held sway here for years. Alongside the secret negotiations with Mehsud tribesmen and the other efforts to break up backing for the TTP, ordinary people too need to be persuaded that state forces have respect for them and are willing to help them. This can play a key role in deciding which side they take – and their support will be a vital one in winning this war which will not end with the destruction of militant bases.

Both Civil and Military Establishment Responsible for deteriorated situation of Pakistan

While the Pakistani media is criticizing the present political setup for US’s meddling in Pakistan affairs and turning a deaf ear to all those concerns being raised by patriotic Pakistani officials and citizen, it is sparing the military establishment ignoring the fact that it was the military regime and Dictator Gen Musharraf who allow the entry of American Criminals into Pakistan. 

The irony is that the patriots Pakistanis like Ahmed Quraishi had been supporting Gen Pervez Musharraf and his anti Pakistani activities and turning the Peaceful Pakistan into a living hell.

While I don’t question his sincerity with Pakistan during the Musharraf’s regime in the past, I strongly endorse that Ahmed is currently doing a wonderful job sometime endangering his life by shooting the DynCorp and Blackwater centers inside Pakistan and reporting their nefarious and anti Pakistan activities continued under the very nose of our leadership in Islamabad.

One of the best stories he has broken is that of the American Militia Outpost in Islamabad, which according to the reliable sources is being used for training the ex-army officer by CIA for a future attacks on Pakistan’s security forces.

One of the horrifying news stories reported in our national press is that of the explosives inside the US base in the premises of Sihala Training college just nine Kilometer away from Pakistan’s nuclear installation in Kahuta.

 According to Online News Agency, Nasir Khan Durrani, Commandant of Police Training Collage Sihala wrote a letter to IG Punjab informing him about the high explosive material being stored in the American Base in the premises of Sihala College. Mr. Durrani also sought the intervention of interior ministry in this important matter. But not to my surprise the greatest defender of US interests, Mr. Rehman Malik, instead of seeking explanation from the US embassy warned Durrani of “facing the music”

According to “The Nation”,

 “The Interior Ministry is browbeating the Commandant Police Training College Sihala as to why he has written a letter to the Punjab, Inspector General of Police (IGP), expressing his concerns over the presence of US security officials in the premises of the institute. Sources privy to the developments said that the Ministry was annoyed with Nasir Khan Durrani, Commandant Police Training College Sihala as to why he had written a letter to IGP seeking clarification from the Interior Ministry and Foreign Office about the terms and conditions of US security officials’ presence as well as the duration of their stay in the college premises. The sources said that the Ministry had expressed its displeasure over the action of Commandant and in its reply to the IGP it was stated that the matter could have been discussed verbally and there was no need to write about it. According to Ministry sources, the Interior Minister, Rehman Malik in his harsh reply to the IGP made it clear that US security officials would not be relocated from the centre and directed him to hush up the matter and stop propagating against it, otherwise Durrani would have to face the music. It is pertinent to mention here that Kahuta Research Laboratories are only a few kilometers away from the Sihala College and it is suspected that Americans had installed sensitive monitoring equipments to monitor the activities of KRL.”

This story shows the ability of our interior minister in protecting [American] National interest. I agree that the present “democratic” regime has failed to protect the country due to the highest post being occupied by an infamous Zardari and the remaining by his friends. I also agree that they have auctioned Pakistan and the US is paying the installments for it which again goes to the pocket of corrupt politicians.

But my question is that is the present regime solely responsible for current deteriorated situation in Pakistan or this process was started some nine years ago by an anti Pakistan and morally corrupt Army General Pervez Musharraf. The following news story confirms that the real culprit is Gen Musharraf who not only allowed US’s meddling in Pakistan affairs but also paved way for the corrupt politician to hold powerful position Islamabad. Who has made the deal? And after all who has issued the NRO ordinance?

Please see the news; US spying on Kahuta since 2003

“The Nation” reports;

“Despite the fact that Americans have been permanently housed near Pakistani nuclear installations at Kahuta since 2003 in the guise of imparting training at the Police College Sihala, neither the military nor the PPP regime has dared to dislodge them. According to reliable sources, the PPP government paid no attention at all to the hue and cry raised by senior police officials against the dubious movements and installation of the American trainers.”

This proves that both Political and Military leadership are responsible for making Pakistan a colony of the world terrorist no-1 USA. And after all it was Musharraf who gave the American an access to that sensitive area. And one asks that why the Military leadership, which gave strong message to the politician on Kerry Lugar bill, is not interfering in this issue? Because Army also don’t want to annoy our masters?

The people looking towards army for rescue shouldn’t forget that nothing can be changed until and unless the masses give a clear message to both civil and military leadership, “Anyone on the US side is the enemy of Pakistan, whether he belongs to the strong military establishment or he is part of the democratic regime”

I strongly disagree with Ahmed when he says: “There is not a single politician who has the courage to come out and rally the nation against the naked foreign intervention.”

There are politicians, although I leave it on common man to decide who they are, but even if I agree with Ahmed, I say let the people come out on street, let reject this theory that army will save Pakistan, let the common man come out of his home and become a nonviolent soldier of this nation, no need to pick the gun, let show the world that we will resist the naked intervention of US through nonviolent movement, the American will have no alternative but to escape from our lands.

The last but not least, my theory of leadership is different from others. In normal times it’s the leadership which makes the nation but in the situation like this; it’s the nation which makes the leadership.

Interesting Protest against the War Criminal

I liked, really liked it. Being a harsh critic of the US policies, which have posed great threat to world peace, I have always been thinking of new ways to protest against the international war criminals and their local Pakistani agents [Pease read it Pakistani military and political establishment]. After my post regarding the Karachi University Shoe throwing incident one of the regular visitors of my blog, a researcher at the prestigious Qaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, who is the great patriotic Pakistani , was of the view that the action damaged the fame of country and university as it wasn’t appropriate way to protest. I think the frustrated youth had no option except to throw his hoe at the American Journalist in order to show his anger over the US policies regarding Muslim world especially Iran. However this strange protest is the great one which has lesson for us, to more use your mind and less your hands and feet which usually damage yourself.  

The Bay Area Residents took nine minutes to be dragged out of the hall of Winston St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco where to them a war criminal, former Israeli Prime Minister was speaking. Instead of shouting all simultaneously, the activists very cleverly planned to stand one after another and consume as much time as they can.

Please watch this interesting video;

More than 22 activists were arrested after “disrupting” Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert’s speech to the World Affairs Council on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at the Westin St. Francis Hotel (Union Square).  Inside the auditorium, activists read the names of the children killed in Gaza last winter, publicly charging Olmert with killing innocent civilians, held up bloody hands, and displayed banners that read “Lift the Siege on Gaza” and “War Crimes are Not Free Expression!” The activists belonging to a dozen action groups manage to occupy the seats inside the hall, raised one after another, chanted slogans.

Findings of USHRC’s International Independent Fact-Finding Mission

Whereas, The International Independent Fact-Finding Mission authorized by the United Nations Human Rights Council (the Goldstone Report) found evidence that Israel is guilty of “war crimes” and “crimes against humanity” in its prosecution of “Operation Cast Lead;” and

Whereas, under Mr. Olmert’s personal direction, involvement, planning and knowledge, the crimes perpetrated during Operation Cast Lead in the Gaza Strip include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Crimes against peace (Article VI (a) of the Nuremberg Principles):
Planning, preparing, initiating and waging a war of aggression on a civilian population in which:

• 1400 Palestinians were killed, the majority of which were civilians and non-combatants including over four hundred children,
• 5300 Palestinians were injured, and
• The reckless and illegal use of white phosphorous caused untold suffering.

2. War crimes (Article VI (b) of the Nuremberg Principles):
Plunder of public and private property, wanton destruction of cities, towns, and villages, and devastation not justified by military necessity, in which:

• more than 400,000 Gazans were left without running water, and
• 4,000 homes were destroyed or badly damaged, leaving tens of thousands of people homeless, and
• More than 1000 buildings were bombed, including schools and mosques.

3. Crimes against humanity (Article VI (c) of the Nuremberg Principles):
Persecutions on political, racial or religious grounds, when such acts are done or such persecutions are carried on in execution of or in connection with any crime against peace or any war crime.

4. Violations of the requirements of the US Arms Export Control Act of 1976 as documented by Congressman Dennis Kucinich in January, 2009.

Whereas, six Norwegian lawyers have filed a lawsuit against Ehud Olmert and other Israeli officials over the Gaza war, citing “massive terrorist attacks” during the war which led to the killing of civilians; and

Whereas, Ehud Olmert, because he no longer has diplomatic immunity, can no longer travel to the UK, Norway, Spain, or Belgium, for fear of prosecution for war crimes via “universal jurisdiction”.

Ehud Olmert, as the Israeli Prime Minister during Operation Cast Lead, is charged with “war crimes” and possible “crimes against humanity” and is hereby authorized to be placed under arrest by and for citizens of the state of California, and for the international community in the name of justice.

Due to the above facts the Activists believed that “War criminal” should not be invited as a guest. They not only disrupted his speech but also managed to voice their opinion for nine minutes;

•  “You’re a war criminal you kill children, you kill families, and you deny them their lives. Shame on San Francisco to have a war criminal here as a guest” The first activist said
• “Shame on you world affairs council to have invited a war criminal here” another activists said.
• “This is not free speech. Council has no business doing this.”
• “Arrest that criminal” a lady shouted.
• “This is not free speech this is oppressive speech, he is war criminal”
• “You are disgusting. You are war criminal. You have been committing war crime” a teenager shouted. 

Groups calling for the action includes;

1.  Arab Resource & organizing Center (AROC)
2. Bay Area Campaign to End Israeli Apartheid (BACEIA)
3.  CODEPINK Women for Peace
4. Friends of Deiribzi’a
5. International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network (IJAN)
6.  North California International Solidarity Movement
7.  Middle East Children’s Alliance (MECA)
8.  South Bay Mobilization
9.  Stop AIPAC
10.  CAL Students for Justice in Palestine
11. US Palestine Communities Network (USPCN)
12. BAY Area Women in Black

 Protesting in Pakistan

While seeing this action in San Francisco, one wish we could do it with war criminals like Gen Musharraf & Co here in Pakistan or abroad where they fled. Unfortunately, the European and American Pakistanis seems to be impressed from the Proponents of Mir Jaffars. In Washington we have the persons like Haqqani and Dr. Nasim Ashraf who feel convenient with the Zionists and thus arrange speeches for Gen Musharraf to show the “soft image” of Islam.

Here in Pakistan, our civil society lead by Communists Turned Opportunist is much interested in making place in the Lists of 1000 NGOs nominated for the “distribution” of Kerry Lugar’s aid. They too seem to be convenient with the criminals. The most unfortunate is the fact the real opponents US policies are least interesting in becoming the audience of speeches by War Criminals and Its agents, they rather take to the streets. In such circumstances, the frustrated youth can just throw their shoes at the Agents of World Terrorism.

Who are Pakistani Taliban?

Dr Shireen M Mazari enlightens the readers about the present wave of terrorist activities in Pakistan by comparing it with those happened in 80s in Pakistan. She questions as why don’t Taliban attack the NATO and why the Pakistanis only? The timing of bomb blasts is also crucial. Would our policy makers like to know these facts and revise Pakistan’s relationship with American? The Army has the responsibility to do this as this was its Chief, who should have been a Tablachi instead of being Army chief, who made Pakistan a living hell for Pakistanis. We urge our political and military leadership to think at least once that would it be better to kill the Agents or those who will recruit more and more if the present vanish. The Americans and Indians are the real problem. To only kill the agents will bring no change.  

  …………………………………………………………………………………………..

By Shireen M Mazari

The bomb blast in Peshawar with its terrible loss of life has further destroyed any remaining semblance of normality in the provincial capital. Of course all fingers are pointing to the TTP. But what should also be seen now is the link the TTP has with India and the US. After all, the TTP has so far not targeted anyone other than Pakistanis despite their claims that they are fighting the US. It is the Afghan Taliban who are targeting the US/NATO forces occupying Afghanistan. And with the US/NATO having vacated their check posts on the Afghan side of the border with Pakistan, to allow for a freer flow of arms to the TTP in South Waziristan where the Pakistan Army is battling these militants, it requires little imagination to understand the underlying linkages – or what some would term, wheels within wheels.

Perhaps the most frightening aspect of the recent spate of terrorism, which has shifted from being primarily suicide blasts to the targeting of security personnel and installations by armed men, as well as car bombs in busy civilian centres is the terrible sense of dTja vu one has.

If we can recall the Pakistan of the eighties, when we were the frontline state in another US war – against the Soviets in Afghanistan and the socialist regime they had installed in Kabul – we will remember the pattern of terrorism that hit out country as the CIA funded, Pakistan supported Mujahideen made gains in Afghanistan. For example in July 1987 two car bombs went off in Karachi killing 72 people and wounding 250; just nine days earlier, three blasts had occurred in Lahore within a few minutes, killing seven people. Authorities at the time had blamed these on “agents of the Communist government in neighbouring Afghanistan”. The Karachi bombings happened in Saddar – a civilian commercial centre.

There were also acts of terror in Balochistan, where the secessionists suddenly emerged fully armed, and Quetta was also targeted. Peshawar, Rawalpindi and Islamabad also saw bomb blasts, all in civilian centres. All these acts of terror were attributed to the KGB, Khad (the Afghan secret service of the time) and RAW. India was one of the few countries across the globe that had not condemned the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan and had thereby made great inroads into that country. So RAW with Khad became active inside Pakistan from the western border. The strategy of the Soviet Union was clear: destabilise Pakistan to counter the growing success of the Mujahideen. This was attempted through two tracks: aggravating ethnic divides in the rural areas of Pakistan, such as rural Sindh; and terrorising the densely populated urban areas through blasts in civilian centres.

Now, once again, what are we seeing in the recent acts of terrorism? A similar pattern repeated, with a major act of terror happening in Pakistan whenever there is a major attack against US/NATO forces in Kabul. The most recent one was the downing of the US helicopter in Afghanistan just before the latest Peshawar blast. This is not to deny the local menace of militants in the form of the TTP but who is linked to this local group? Where are the money and weapons coming from? Why did the US and NATO deliberately vacate their check posts just when the Pakistan Army began its operations in South Waziristan – after continuous prodding from the US to begin with? Why are so many US citizens being caught at odd hours of the day and night in and around the capital carrying weapons to and from their embassy? Who are they supplying with these weapons?

For those of us who lived through what were then the darkest days of our history in the eighties, only the faces have changed, the style of terrorism remains the same. The CIA has replaced the KGB and Khad, but India’s RAW remains a constant. And the local agents for these new forces are the TTP. Why are we destined to suffer the same cycles of terror in our history every time we become a frontline state for the US?

Pakistani Journalists Vulnerable to US Mercenaries and Their Pakistan Agents Inside Islamabad

 It may be easily digested that why has Pakistan been dropped to 157 from 152 in REPORTERS Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index 2009 but it is difficult to believe that bringing back USA to top 20 in the list was on merit.

“Press freedom must be defended everywhere in the world with the same energy and the same insistence,” Reporters Without Borders secretary-general Jean-François Julliard said today as his organization issued its eighth annual world press freedom index.

One has the right to ask that who will defend Press Freedom when the powerful ones, being able to get promotion from your highness, trample it.

After openly giving threats to the Pakistani Media the United State’s terrorist Marines and Blackwater mercenaries are now after Peshawar based Journalist Syed Fawad Ali Shah who was the first one to report the Blackwater presence in Peshawar, Pakistan.

Syed Fawad Ali Shah has alleged that he has received life threats from Blackwater (BW) officials and if something happens to him or his family US Ambassador to Pakistan and Consular General of US Consulate in Peshawar will be responsible.

 He said that he carried out a report about activities of Black Water in Pakistan in his newspaper and after that he was constantly receiving threats from BW officials and some Pakistani officials, who were working for them.

Fawad alleged that US anti-terrorism experts were overseeing the BW activities in Pakistan. In this regard, he claimed, they have acquired services of several retired armed forces officials.

“They have also acquired some residential units in the posh areas of the city by giving huge amounts in advance,” he said. “They are also paying heavy packages to their local drivers. James Bill William, Copper, Steven Cash, Roderick Christopher and Alisha Cambel are looking after the activities of Black Water in Peshawar,” he claimed.

Earlier, Fawad Ali Shah held a press conference at National Press Club, Islamabad. He denied reports that by doing so he was trying to get a US visa. He appealed to the government and journalist community to provide protection to him and his family.

I don’t know whether the International Community especially UN Security Council which has passed Resolution 1738, protecting journalists, would take soft if not serious note of it or not? I’m not sure whether “our” interior Minister Rehman Malik whose job has remained just to make phone calls to Islamabad police after they arrest Blackwater terrorists red handedly, will take measures for the protection of Fawad Ali Shah. But I am sure that Fawad will certainly enjoy the support of all those not living in “the state of denial”.

Time for Action; 

Let’s come out and take action. Let’s write to Pakistan’s Interior Minister Rehman Malik at  ministry.interior@gmail.com and interior.complaintcell@gmail.com  and American ambassador in Islamabad, Annie W. Paterson at infoisb@state.gov telling them that we are with Fawad Ali Shah. It’s the duty of Rehman Malik to protect Fawad Ali Shah and other reporters exposing American Terrorism.

Marvi’s open letter to Ms Clinton

Ms. Memon declined an invitation by US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to meet her as part of her engagements with politicians and civil society representatives in Islamabad yesterday. Here she explains her reasons.

Dear Secretary Clinton,

Whilst the message from you and your government is that of peace and friendship, the Kerry Lugar Bill passed by your legislative branch has been one of the main stumbling blocks in this mission. The assumption that Pakistanis have misunderstood the bill is equally faulty. Pakistanis have read the bill and understood your intent to micromanage Pakistan, to curtail Pakistan’s nuclear expansion program and to direct the war against extremism in Pakistan from White House.
What follows below is an understanding of the bill, which needs to be amended if relations between US and patriotic Pakistanis have to be established. Your assertion that if we have issues with the bill we don’t need to take the money is ‘spot on’; patriotic Pakistanis have rejected your mere $1.5 billion. We will not negotiate on our country’s sovereignty and defence. And these are not mere slogans. They are based on facts, which we read out of your conditionalities, which do exist. And here are the facts Secretary Clinton:

1. The most controversial clause in the bill pertains to giving US ‘direct access to Pakistani nationals associated with such networks’. The explanation given in the note is equally unacceptable because it wants ‘cooperative efforts’ to combat proliferation to continue. This cooperation mentioned is intrusive since it demands ‘direct access’. Secretary Clinton, we have already handled our proliferators and believe in non-priliferation. This we consider a breach of our sovereignty.
2. The reference to Pakistan military and intelligence agencies being involved in giving support to terrorists in the past is equally offensive. This is a clause which enables the Indian lobby to target Pakistan and hold it responsible for all future terrorist acts in the region.
3. The other issue pertains to the fact that President Obama’s regional security strategy will include working with ‘relevant governments and organizations in the region and elsewhere.’ The strategy, which could include RAW and Mossad would be imposed on Pakistan for US national interest not Pakistan. And as such we cannot give the authority of making Pakistan’s security strategy to a US President.
4. There are references to expansion of Container Security Initiative at various Pakistani ports, which we consider a security hazard.
5. The term sanctuary for terrorism implies that Pakistan is a failed state as is included in intelligence reforms and Terrorism Prevention Act 2004.
6. Bill allows ‘irregular forces to be used for US combat operations in Pakistan’ as stated in the Ronald Reagan Act 2005. This in effect gives legal cover to the Dynocores and Blackwaters, which we Pakistanis have major issues with and consider a threat to our security.
7. The bill micromanages Pakistan’s important federal government agencies from education, madrassahs to trade, to judiciary, to natural resources. All aid given will be to NGOs and if more than $100,000 is given those NGO files will become classified. As such Pakistan will not have access to such operations. This we consider an attempt by US to create its own financial political power bases for future.
8. Approximately $860 million of the aid will go back to US in the form of administrative expenses etc. This truly reflects badly on the actual impact on an average Pakistani’s life.

Here were some of the issues with the bill. Now let’s examine what aggravates Pakistani sensitivities with regards to current US policies. And why you are not welcome in Pakistan by patriotic Pakistanis. This might help you understand why over 80% of Pakistanis have issues with your policies as per certain reliable surveys.

1.  Firstly, the US stance in the war against extremism is biased towards protecting Indian and Afghan interests. The TTP and Baloch terrorists have been using these two countries and their resources as bases for their operations inside Pakistan as is proven by Pak military evidence. Whilst you consider Pakistan to be sovereign our aid is linked to these two countries, which we find distasteful.
2.  Whilst Pakistan’s nuclear program is an issue for US, the Indian nuclear program (civil nuclear technology agreement) is being allowed to expand without any blockades.
3. Whilst you have personally complemented Pak military efforts in your recent visit, at the same time there are conditionalities in giving aid to Pakistan to strengthen its military against terrorists. Certainly these terrorists are linked to India and as such conditionalities are one sided. Moreover, if Pakistan military is being complemented why cant it be trusted with drone technology? Additionally US policy wishes to strengthen Pakistan’s parliament and yet it ignores the resolution passed by Pakistani parliament against drone attacks.
4. Whilst Pakistan is a frontline state which has paid dearly in terms of men lost in battle with terrorists, US considers India and Pakistan to be equals. Where is the advantage Pakistan should get for cooperating on terrorism? $1.5 billion is a joke compared to the billions spent in Afghanistan and Iraq, even in Turkey and Egypt. As well as the fact that no where with other allies has US imposed intrusive conditionalities. 
5.  Whilst Pakistan is blamed for terrorist sanctuaries how many infiltrators coming from India and Afghanistan specifically have you managed to stop?
6.  The commitment for ROZs looks like its dithering. Where is the actual support for the tribals who have suffered the most in the war being fought to destabilize Pakistan?
7. What effort has the US played in cutting drug money, which is destabilizing Pakistan and funding terrorism considering its source of entry is US backed Afghan territory. UN report confirms that after US entry into Afghanistan opium production has increased manifold. This is impacting Pakistan’s security since it’s ready financing for terrorism inside Pakistan. Secretary Clinton, if you wish to improve Pak-US bilaterals a more productive approach would have been to not justify the bill on arrival but rather to give an open ear to the criticisms with a commitment to amending it. Since there have been no such commitments it seems fruitless to meet with you. This is even more disturbing considering that you have been given plenty of evidence of Pakistani uproar on the bill before your arrival. It’s a pity that the bill was executed minus real Pakistani input. This has no doubt created a diplomatic fiasco for the US. Instead of underestimating the fiasco or considering it a result of Pakistani lack of comprehension, it would have been better to deal with it head on: amending the bill being the only viable option.

Pakistan might have a government, which is beholden to you for its future longevity, but there are patriotic Pakistanis who will defend the soil before accepting your policies of creating a US fiefdom in Pakistan. As a young parliamentarian I would only welcome you to Pakistan once we have evidence of your shift in policy so that Pakistan is dealt with as a sovereign country.

 Courtesy: The Nation