Bharat Rakshak

KARACHI: The United States has imposed restrictions on PIA flights. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) after April 22 prior to arriving in the US, all passengers and luggage on board PIA aircrafts will be subjected to another security check at the Manchester airport.

PIA flies to New York via Manchester three times a week. The average stop over time in Manchester is one and a half hour, but after the new restrictions this will be increased to between six and seven hours. The new restrictions will not only create problems for PIA passengers but also raise costs for the national flag carrier.

According to PIA officials, the new restrictions may completely throw the airlines flight schedule to the US in disarray. Observers believe that the new restrictions might be because of Pakistan closure of the Nato supply route.

A Shia man in Pakistan's Punjab province has been arrested under the controversial blasphemy law for allegedly using foul language against three Caliphs or companions of Prophet Mohammed, a charge denied by him.Iftikhar Ali was arrested in Okara district, about 100 km from Lahore following a complaint from a local resident. If found guilty, he could face life imprisonment."Ali was arrested for using foul language against the three Caliphs of Islam," said a senior police official of the district.The arrested man subsequently denied the charge."Since no one here dares to raise his voice against the controversial blasphemy law, it is being used to exploit minority communities or the Shia sect," said a minority legislator of the Punjab Assembly, who refused to be named because of fears of being targeted by extremists.The legislator told PTI that none of his colleagues in the assembly is ready to talk on issues affecting minority communities or the persecution of minorities through the misuse of the blasphemy law.

The report shows that thousands of non-Muslim students are "forced" to study Islam and elements of the Muslim religion, for fear of discrimination. Among these, the decision taken by the Parliament of Punjab - one of the provinces of Pakistan - and approved "unanimously" that makes the study of the Koran mandatory. And non-Muslims "are not offered a viable alternative." At the same time, even in subjects like social sciences and linguistics about 20% of the content is linked to Islam. Again: the non-Muslim students are given the extra bonus of 20 points, reserved to those who deepen Islamic studies.Lahore (AsiaNews) - School textbooks that promote religious fanaticism, discriminate against minorities and trigger religious conflicts: Pakistani schools are - once again - the object of attention and study of Catholic NCJP activists who, in a detailed report, have examined the basic elements of discrimination of sectarian origins. In the report titled " Fanatic Literacy or Education," the National Commission for Justice and Peace Commission of the Catholic Church invites a rethink of school curricula, so that even Christians, Hindus, Sikhs and those belonging to minorities in Pakistan can deepen the study of their religion. Currently they are obliged to learn the basics of Islam, as practiced in some areas of the country, including Punjab.
The report shows that thousands of non-Muslim students are "forced" to study Islam and elements of the Muslim religion, for fear of discrimination. Among these, the decision taken by the Parliament of Punjab - one of the provinces of Pakistan - and approved "unanimously" that makes the study of the Koran mandatory. And non-Muslims "are not offered a viable alternative." At the same time, even in subjects like social sciences and linguistics about 20% of the content is linked to Islam. Again: the non-Muslim students are given the extra bonus of 20 points, reserved to those who deepen Islamic studies.

AsiaNews has long stressed the importance of education as a factor of redemption and growth for Pakistan, and even devoted a thorough dossier to schooling and education (see, Education can stop the Taliban in Pakistan). Peter Jacob, NCJP executive secretary, explains that "education and educational policy in Pakistan" are among the sectors in which sectarian nature of discrimination and violations of basic human rights clearly emerge. In addition there is a chronic "lack of initiatives" and complications caused by "widespread corruption and inefficiency."

In the study prepared by Christian activists they recall article 20 of the Constitution, which guarantees religious freedom, and article 22 that states that " no person attending any educational institution shall be required to receive religious instruction, or take part in any religious ceremony, or attend religious worship, if such instruction, ceremony or worship relates to a religion other than his own". However, the school and education system in general seem to "forget" these two fundamental laws of the Charter of the State, while diligently applying Article 31, under which "shall be binding upon the study of Islam and the Koran" so that - add Christian activists - there are no substantial differences between public institutions and the madrassas, or Islamic schools.Finally, the report says that religions other than Islam are viewed "with contempt and prejudice." Faced with a situation that is becoming increasingly critical, Justice and Peace calls for a substantial change in the educational policy and the opportunity for Hindus, Christians, Sikhs and students of other religions to deepen the knowledge of their own faith or, alternatively, have access to ethics and civic education.

Interesting.

Actually, Shiv, could you expand on that?

You probably may think that it as an obvious common knowledge, but I don't totally get it.

Aap Ki Baat Episode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4B8KHn1 ... r_embedded

Pagal Seh Gal and Pagal Ki Gaal!!
Resumption of Drone attacks sign of Normal US-Munna relation.

The Pakistan army has a heavy and open presence in islamabad. The army responded with force when the Lal Masjid tamasha started. But the Paki army leaves Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi untouched.

• Is this because the army sees itself as 'Punjabi" with no stake in other areas?
• Is it because the army is waiting for things to get so bad that they can come in with force and tell the civilians that they are so good at bringing law and order?
• Is it because the army actually does not wield the influence required in some areas and will find itself in an unwinnable civil war?

I would be interested in figuring out the exact issues - it could be a combination of all of the above.

When strolling through a flea market in Karachi, one would not expect to come across new uniforms intended for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (Nato) forces in Afghanistan. However, Mohammad Siddique, a shopkeeper in Jackson Bazaar, Kemari, claims not only to have such uniforms, but also new accessories like boots, socks, and knives in his possession.
Worried that the goods may be counterfeits? Siddique provides a “money back guarantee” to his customers in case they are not satisfied.
“US commando boots, safety shoes, army uniforms, glasses, knives, torches, tools, socks, beds and even night vision goggles are sold in Chaman and Peshawar,” says Siddique. Night vision goggles, especially, are considered a rarity for much of the Pakistani armed forces.
However, Siddique said that he does not display these items in his shop, as they are either stolen from Nato containers in Pakistan, or brought in from Afghanistan through the Chaman and Torkham borders.
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The Pakistan army has a heavy and open presence in islamabad. The army responded with force when the Lal Masjid tamasha started. But the Paki army leaves Quetta, Peshawar and Karachi untouched.

• Is this because the army sees itself as 'Punjabi" with no stake in other areas?
• Is it because the army is waiting for things to get so bad that they can come in with force and tell the civilians that they are so good at bringing law and order?
• Is it because the army actually does not wield the influence required in some areas and will find itself in an unwinnable civil war?

Isn't it curious that ten times as much trouble occurs in Karachi and in Peshawar/Quetta. But the army never gets called in? Why?

Interesting.

Actually, Shiv, could you expand on that?

You probably may think that it as an obvious common knowledge, but I don't totally get it.

This "curious" fact has struck me time and again, and I can reach more than one "off the cuff" conclusion, but I keep wondering which explanation is correct.

Rangers reduce water charges

KARACHI, Nov 1: The Rangers have revoked their earlier decision of adjusting tanker filling charges. The decision has been taken to prevent the tanker mafia from increasing rates of water tankers who were taking undue advantage of adjustment of filling charges.

Taking a prompt action against the owners of tankers who had increased the rates of tankers following some adjustments made by the rangers in the filling charges, an official of the Rangers said on Tuesday that keeping in view the difficulties of the consumers, the Rangers have restored the old filling charges so that commercial tankers could be made available at old rates.

A rebel spook, currently running a human rights outfit for the “disappeared persons”, had once revealed that Haqiqi was used by the intelligence agencies to weaken the street power of Altaf Hussain. It had obviously not worked. In fact it had made permanent a dangerous urban split that the agencies could not have wanted had they known in advance what their policies would bring about.

As soon as the CJP Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry's plane touched down in Karachi airport, The city erupted in violence, especially the famour Karachi road of 'Shahray-e-Faisal' was taken over by groups of armed mobs who fired indiscriminately at the people due to receive CJP. Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry had come to address the city bar association on the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Pakistani Supreme Court.

Pakistan and India have agreed in principle of a need to set up an independent office of the Indus Water Commission (IWC) comprising neutral experts from outside the South Asian region with an unblemished record and integrity to avert wars on water issues between the two neighbourly nuclear states.

The understanding was reached during a dialogue on strategic relations including water disputes under the track-II diplomacy held in New Delhi on March 28-30

Anujan, Try to get the true history of LeT. I think it was created same time as AlQ. LeT was for India and AlQ was for other than India ie FSU. LeT was holding tank for Pakjabis and AlQ was for Arabs, Central Asians and other dregs.
When FSU collapsed the raisins for AlQ also collapsed. Hence it turned on its creators as it wasn't disbanded and de-militarized. After Op Parakaram LeT ops in India also got reduced. Again they turned on their creators. Again after mission failure the terrorists were not demobilized and de-militarized. Maybe hope was to retain them as hedge. But idle hands are devil's workshop.

So now figure out who the creators are?

TSPA is only midwife and wet nurse for these snakes.

LeT and Dawa was created in 1986 or so and not in 1990s.
This factual error is repeated to not show that LeT was product of the 80s Afghan jihad war. That war was supported by the US army and US agencies such as famous one.

There is extraordinary effort to rewrite the history of LeT afte 911.

I would be interested in figuring out the exact issues - it could be a combination of all of the above.

I think it was created same time as AlQ. LeT was for India and AlQ was for other than India ie FSU. LeT was holding tank for Pakjabis and AlQ was for Arabs, Central Asians and other dregs.

When FSU collapsed the raisins for AlQ also collapsed. Hence it turned on its creators as it wasn't disbanded and de-militarized. After Op Parakaram LeT ops in India also got reduced. Again they turned on their creators. Again after mission failure the terrorists were not demobilized and de-militarized. Maybe hope was to retain them as hedge. But idle hands are devil's workshop.

NATO is realizing the pakiness of the truck drivers:
Night vision goggles, anyone? We just got them from a NATO container

The ability of these guys to lie through their teeth is what has helped these snakes survive.

Pakistan Hockey Federation cancelled the three-nation tournament, scheduled to be held in Lahore from April 9-13, after Malaysia pulled out of the event two days ago and the Indian team was stopped in its tracks by a directive from its external affairs ministry on Tuesday.

"It is with deep regret that we have to announce that India has said it cannot send its team for the competitions," PHF secretary Asif Bajwa was quoted as saying in Lahore by agencies. "In the last two years, we have been to India several times and have invited them to come to Pakistan and assured them full hospitality and security. Unfortunately, neither the federation nor their government has responded in the same way."

It’s early morning in Karachi, Pakistan’s biggest city, and Muhammad Nasir is outside his makeshift shelter of palm leaves, rags, and bamboo, washing up after breakfast. He uses water stolen from a nearby supply pipe that belongs to the local water utility. The 17-year-old bids farewell to his mother, an unlicensed midwife, and walks to his tire-repair shop, an open-air stand in a residential area with a table of tools and a wooden bench. He checks to make sure the electricity he’s drawing illegally from the overhead power line is on so he can run his tire pump. Then he sends 10-year-old Abid, one of his two employees, along with 12-year-old Irfan, to get tea from a nearby shop.

Nasir’s business, his home, his power and water supply, and even the cup of tea Abid brings him don’t exist in Pakistan’s official figures. They’re part of another economy that doesn’t pay taxes or heed regulations. It probably employs more than three quarters of the nation’s 54 million workers and is worth as much as 50 percent of Pakistan’s 18 trillion rupee ($200 billion) official gross domestic product. And while the documented economy had its smallest expansion in a decade at 2.4 percent in the year ended June 2011, soaring demand for cars, cement for houses, and other goods shows the underground market is thriving

He spends the morning repairing tires and fixing motorbikes, taking payments in cash and never issuing a receipt. At lunchtime he sends for salad and yogurt or lentil curry from one of the nearby pushcart vendors, none of whom is licensed. His mother and sister, a maid, supplement the family income with jobs in the informal sector. After work, a religious teacher comes to give them lessons on the Koran at home, charging a monthly fee in cash that isn’t reported to the government. Once a month, Nasir pays 300 rupees rent to a man who illegally settled on the land where Nasir’s family dwelling was built.

If the situation is beyond their usual capacity to salvage, they privately plead not to press an issue openly in order to save Pakistan's H&D or their own skin. And then, they deny any unwritten promise ever having been made.

The Secret Strength of Pakistan's Economy
Daily life of an abdul

SS garu
If they did provide voice samples then what? . . .
Altair

Or as somebody else pointed out, this is a good move by US signalling to its Paki clients that Hafeez pig & Co should remain "good terrorists" and not sway into the bad territory?

Is this because the army sees itself as 'Punjabi" with no stake in other areas?
Is it because the army is waiting for things to get so bad that they can come in with force and tell the civilians that they are so good at bringing law and order?
Is it because the army actually does not wield the influence required in some areas and will find itself in an unwinnable civil war?