Terroristan - 4th Jan 2018

[sudhan]

Axact is very much alive and running in Karachi.

Fake degree racket once again busted by BBC uk.

Interestingly, the article talks about one of the companies owned by Cobham having employees who had bought degrees from the said mill..

[anupmisra]

Axact is very much alive and running in Karachi. Fake degree racket once again busted by BBC uk.

Kufr, a degree is a degree, whether real or "unreal". No degree is ever a fake if earned in bawkistan.

[Amber G.]

Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells in Pakistan renews call for steps against ‘externally focused terrorists’ - DAWN

It was perhaps one of the rare visits during which a US official did not visit the General Headquarters for a meeting with the military leadership — at least there was no publicly known interaction during the trip.

SSridhar Ji :
Thanks for the above. However I don't see the US Rep saying "Pakistan's Enemy is Our - US - Enemy!"

What gives?

Cheers

SSridhar, Peregrine et all - as everyone knows..

Only Pakis are reporting this "Pakistan's Enemy is Our Enemy BS... They are not reporting this ..

Smt Alice Wells did report to Modi and Netanyahu just after this meeting. There is a two day official visit of Alice Wells in New Delhi on Wednesday to participate in the Raisina Dialogue conference on global issues.
Raisina dialog was opened by Modi/Netanyahu!

Wells also met a number of officials of the Indian Government and members of the US Business people.
https://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2018/01/277467.htm

[anupmisra]

Only Pakis are reporting this "Pakistan's Enemy is Our Enemy BS... They are not reporting this ..

I hope this report is not true. Could be just the pakis reporting what they wanted to hear. If true, then Wells has a lot of explaining to do.

Pakistan’s enemy is our enemy, not in favour of Baloch separatists: US

Wells said that Pakistan’s enemy was their enemy. “We will also fight the terrorists who are standing against Pakistan. We are not in favour of Baloch separatists,” she said.

Talking to senior journalist and anchorperson of Geo News Hamid Mir in Islamabad, the US diplomat said the US did not support the separatists in Balochistan.

Wells acknowledged Pakistan’s great sacrifices in the war against terror.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/269382 ... ratists-us

[anupmisra]

Israel-India nexus: Pakistan should promote relations with US: Gillani
From the mouth of an idiot.

Former prime minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani Tuesday said India-Israel nexus is a big threat to Pakistan and the powers matter in the region should play their role in balancing the situation for the sake of peace in the region.

He said the country was already facing difficult time and India-Israel nexus would deepen the dilemma in Pakistan. He said that it is only Pakistan can fight against terrorism and he strongly condemned Indian aggression at Line of Control.

He said Pakistan’s enemies were conspiring against the country after China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Gwadar projects. They want to destabilize the country, already facing political instability.

The former prime minister said that United States is important ally to Pakistan and there is a need not only continuing relations with US but also establishing deep bond of friendship with US. He acknowledged Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) role on extended help to Pakistan in tracing high valued targets in tribal areas.

Pakistan has sacrificed a lot in war on terror.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/26918 ... us-gillani

[Amber G.]

Only Pakis are reporting this "Pakistan's Enemy is Our Enemy BS... They are not reporting this ..

I hope this report is not true. Could be just the pakis reporting what they wanted to hear. If true, then Wells has a lot of explaining to do.
<snip>

They wouldn't be Paki, if they did not report that kind of BS - to protect their H&D or whatever...
For background - if one does not know - Alice Wells was fired by Trump ambassador to Jordan. Jordan's King did not like her and complained about her because (from what I know) she was too pro Iranian (or Shia) and/or she was a woman and they did not want a woman..I think she is fairly smart (as State dept employees go) and speaks (at least a little - she studied it in her college days)Hindi so, IMO, she has a little more background in understanding Pakis than average person.

In any case - as I said before she is attending Raisina Dialog. Also for Paki lurkers a typical item on how "there enemy is US's enemy" love feast is from "Pakistan-is-playing-double-game" Nikki Haley - who just returned from a UNSC meet in Afghanistan.

UN must step up pressure on Pakistan: US]

Returning from a UN Security Council visit to Afghanistan, US Ambassador Nikki Haley on Wednesday stressed the Kabul government wants world powers to step up pressure on Pakistan.

Haley joined the 14 other council envoys for talks with top Afghan leaders in Kabul at the weekend as the government considers holding peace talks with the Taliban to end decades of insurgency.

"They feel confident that the Taliban will be coming to the table," Haley told reporters at UN headquarters.

While the peace talks will be Afghan-led, the Kabul government did request that the Security Council weigh in to bring Pakistan onboard.

"They did ask us for consensus to put further pressure on Pakistan to come to the table and change their behavior," Haley said.

The Afghan government is making strides towards stability, she said, and "continue to make ten steps forward and with Pakistan they feel like they continue to take steps backward."

"As long as they are supporting terrorism in Pakistan, the Afghan community is continuing to feel it is not safe," she said.

Here is a photo of proving "Pakistan's enemy is US's enemy" ityadi..

Wonder how much of this Hamir mid of GeO covered..

[Amber G.]

Also, here are some *actual* quotes from Alice Wells to Reporters - (not paraphrased by Pakis)..

The secretary [US SOS] stressed the importance of Pakistan moving quickly to demonstrate good faith and efforts to use its influence to create the conditions that will get the Taliban to the negotiating table

... Pakistan to show the same commitment it had made to defeat militant groups domestically to those threatening Afghanistan or India

.

It’s up to them whether or not they want to work with us ...And if they don’t … then we’ll adjust accordingly.

[Amber G.]

For record the official statement form US Embassy.
Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Ambassador Alice Wells visits Pakistan

Islamabad, January 16, 2018 – The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Ambassador Alice Wells visited Islamabad January 15-16.

In her meetings with Pakistani officials, Ambassador Wells underlined that the United States seeks to move toward a new relationship with Pakistan, based on our mutual interest in realizing a stable and prosperous region. Acknowledging Pakistan’s considerable sacrifices fighting terrorism, Ambassador Wells emphasized that the U.S. South Asia strategy represents an opportunity to work together for the establishment of a stable, peaceful Afghanistan, the defeat of ISIS in South Asia, and the elimination of terrorist groups that threaten both Pakistan and the United States. Ambassador Wells urged the government of Pakistan to address the continuing presence of the Haqqani network and other terrorist groups within its territory.

January 16, 2018

Contact: U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Section (051-201-5427, 051-201-4423)

[CRamS]

Amber G.Ji, I am sure Ambassador Wells and her Pentagon/CIA and other US deep state apparatus have at least a quarter of a brain to realize that India is the main target of TSP's pigLeT machine, and so I wonder why India's name is even missing from that joint statement as the object of TSP's terror machine? Is India only like a prostitute for US that it wants to have sex with in hiding, but not a valued girl friend, and thats why it is loathe to demand from TSP that it also not harm India?

[Prem]

PARACHINAR: At least two militants have been killed while another was injured in two drone strikes near the mountainous Pakistan-Afghanistan border with Kurram Agency on Wednesday.According to sources, the first drone hit the house in Badsha Kot area of Lower Kurram Agency and injured one person. The house was completely destroyed in the incident, confirmed the sources.The injured has been identified as Khalid and is suspected to be an Afghan militant.

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1611172/1- ... an-border/

[Amber G.]

^^^ Tauba Tauba ...just recently Air Force Chief Sohail Aman ordered shooting down of US drones violating Pakistan's air space. What happened ? I think Paki Air Force chief explicitly stated:

....and would do so even if that drone belonged to the USA.

[anupmisra]

^^^ Tauba Tauba ...just recently Air Force Chief Sohail Aman ordered shooting down of US drones violating Pakistan's air space. What happened ? I think Paki Air Force chief explicitly stated:

....and would do so even if that drone belonged to the USA.

Yes, that's true about shooting down a drone but with everything the pakis say there's a big *. If the drone was to target the bad tellibunnies, then the drone would be left alone. In this case, as the story goes, only the bad tellibunnies were halalled.

[anupmisra]

Wonder how much of this Hamir mid of GeO covered..

Hiyar joo go. All second hand reporting, of course. According to Mir, martiallaw, all ij good.

[anupmisra]

Here's the link to Geo TV and Capital Talk. There is no recording of such an interview. Hamid Mir supposedly interviewed Wells but I don't think it was on camera. That is convenient because it allows the pakis to claim anything. It is up to Wells now to deny any such statements were ever made.

https://www.geo.tv/shows/capital-talk

[anupmisra]

Security Alert – U. S. Embassy Islamabad

Location: Islamabad, F-8, F-9, G-8, and G9

Event: Effective immediately, U.S. Embassy personnel are avoiding movements within F-8, F-9, G-8, and G-9, to include all major intersections.

https://pk.usembassy.gov/security-alert ... islamabad/

[brvarsh]

Its funny that on one hand Pakistan's narrative is "we don't care if US stops all the funds, we don't need them anyway. we sleep with Chinese now" but on the other hand quickly realize "pakistan's enemy is our enemy" is the call of the day. But this change exposed one big hole - that American strategic depth in Pakistan is way deeper than Chinese. China can not completely replace America and this should be music to our ears.

[abhijitm]

America fill their ATMs and on the other hand chinese loot their ATMs. There is no one in the world to replace america for Pakis.

[Amber G.]

Wonder how much of this Hamir mid of GeO covered..

Hiyar joo go. All second hand reporting, of course. According to Mir, martiallaw, all ij good.

[youtube link: bKTklZUZVKE ]

Wonder why Mir did not ask her what she meant when she said, in the past for example:

[After acknowledging Paki's terror fight for bad Talbs] We’d like to see the same strategic commitment brought against other militant groups, whether they’re – that are operating or have used Pakistan’s territory, whether they are directed against India or directed against Afghanistan.

Or

On India, there – this was an extremely friendly, very wide-ranging dialogue on how we can partner together on the strategic relationship that we think is going to define the rest of the 21st century. And if you saw the Secretary’s speech at CSIS, it was about the next 100 years in this very important relationship. So there was both the bilateral component to the visit, but also about how two countries with shared values – a respect for democracy, transparency, freedom of navigation, for economic development – how we can inculcate these values in the broader Indo-Pacific region, working with important partners like Japan and Australia

After all her pro-India stand which was giving heart-burn to Pakistan (many Paki news papers covered her testimony in Congress advocating close defense ties with India in details - see typical link below)

Or

We want to build on the June visit by Prime Minister Modi with the President, and just say, “How do we take this relationship to the next level?” Obviously, we’d like to deepen the military-to-military cooperation that has moved very quickly; over the last decade we’ve gone from zero in defense sales to 15 billion in defense sales. There are important defense agreements that we can move forward on that will make it easier for us to share classified data and that will facilitate sales like the F-16 or the F-18 and will help create a defense technology partnership, which is what India is seeking, but which will also create jobs for Americans at home.

US keen to sell F-16 fighter jets to India: Alice Wells - Times of Islamabad

[Philip]

All is "Wells" in the terrorist state of Pakistan!

The US is in the process of doing it usual about-flip towards Pak,after castigating it and threatening to impose sanctions ,etc. The US policy is thus: No terrorist attacks against US forces,but you can have a field day with India". We'll just make loud noises,offer India tea and sympathy and also a lot of very expensive (and outdated) fighters,etc.India will be satisfied with its new toys,which incidentally we gave to you decades ago,"F-16s",so you can see that we're not letting you down at all!

[Peregrine]

X Posted on the Neutering & Defanging Chinese Threat Thread

India test-fires nuclear-capable ICBM Agni-V

NEW DELHI: India on Thursday morning test-fired its Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in its final operational configuration from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, taking another step forward toward its eventual induction into the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).

There was no immediate word on whether the first "user-trial" of the nuclear-capable Agni-V missile, which can even reach the northern-most parts of China with its strike range of over 5,000-km, had met all the parameters laid down for the test.

"We have successfully launched nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-V today," ANI quoted defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman as saying.

The Agni-V was last tested on December 26, 2016, which was then described as the fourth and final experimental test of the three-stage missile. The tri-Service SFC, established in 2003 to manage India's nuclear arsenal, will have to conduct a few more user-trials before the 50-tonne missile is produced in adequate numbers for induction.

While the 17-metre long Agni-V was tested in an "open configuration" in April 2012 and September 2013, the third and fourth tests in January 2015 and December 2016 saw it being fired from a hermetically sealed canister mounted on a Tatra launcher truck.

Read Also : India successfully test-fires supersonic interceptor missile

The missile's canister-launch version makes it deadlier since it gives the armed forces requisite flexibility to swiftly transport and fire the missile from anywhere they want.

Once the Agni-V is inducted, India will join the super-exclusive club of countries with ICBMs (missiles with a range of over 5,000-5,500km) alongside the US, Russia, China, France and the UK.

Read Also : The ABC of missile race

Apart from the shorter-range Prithvi and Dhanush missiles, the SFC has inducted the Agni-I, Agni-II and Agni-III missiles. While these missiles are mainly geared towards Pakistan, the Agni-IV and Agni-V are specifically meant for deterrence against China.

In Video: India test-fires nuclear-capable ICBM Agni-V

Cheers

[anupmisra]

The dimwit will pronounce today.

“Fasten your seatbelts”: Imran Khan to make “explosive revelations” today

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said he would be making explosive revelations at a press conference today. “Fasten your seatbelts as I will be making explosive revelations in my press conference this afternoon!” he tweeted.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/26998 ... ions-today

[Rohit_K]

One killed, six injured in Karachi grenade attack
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1611936/1- ... ack/?amp=1

KARACHI: At least one person was killed and six others were wounded when unidentified armed men hurled a hand grenade at a cloth market in Kharadar area of Karachi on Thursday.

Police and Rangers reached the site of the attack near Akhwan Masjid Kharadar and the victims were rushed to the Civil Hospital. The injured were identified as Muhammad Ismail (39), Waqas (30), Abdul Sattar (65), Babu (35), Abdul Aziz (70) and Usama (25). The identity of the dead, almost 70 to 75 years of age, is yet to be ascertained, said police. Police officials suspect the involvement of a Lyari gang behind the attack who hurled the grenade after the shopkeepers refused to pay extortion money.

[anupmisra]

Ashraf Ghani questions Pakistan's anti-terror fatwa

Ghani asked how the January 16 anti terror edict could only be limited to Pakistan.

"Aren't Islamic religious principles universal for all Islamic countries? Or can they be limited to one country?” he asked. “Unlike [Joseph] Stalin’s socialism, Islamic teachings cannot be limited to one country because they are universal.”

“Supporting terrorism is similar to rearing snakes,” he noted. “Those who raise snakes in their backyard are ultimately bitten by them.”

In the 1970s, Islamabad began training Afghan Islamist guerrillas long before the communist coup and subsequent Soviet invasion of the country.

In Kabul, Mawlawi Abdul Basir Haqqani, the head of a clerical association, says the Pakistani religious ruling or fatwa is connected to the latest warning from Trump. “Why didn’t they issue the fatwa a few years ago?” he asked

https://www.dawn.com/news/1383753/ashra ... rror-fatwa

[anupmisra]

Man in Jhelum arrested for 'marital rape and sodomy' on wife's complaint

N* told the police that her husband, who was in his second marriage with her, threatened to kill her if she disclosed his acts in front of anyone.

The woman said her husband has divorced her verbally twice in the past: first in April 2016 and the second time in December 2017.

According to Section 377 of the Pakistan, "Whoever voluntarily has carnal intercourse against the order of nature with any man, woman or animal, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than two years nor more than ten years, and shall also be liable to fine."

Well, women are treated like chattel or cattle or worse in ba(w)kistan.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1383747/man-i ... -complaint

[kish]

Eradication of Anti-polio workers campaign in full swing.

This time a mother-daughter duo who violated the tenets of malsi were hallaled.

Militants kill mother-daughter polio workers in Pakistan

Unidentified gunmen on Thursday shot dead a mother and her daughter who were part of a polio vaccination team in Quetta, the capital of Pakistan’s troubled Balochistan province.
.
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Polio teams have been the target of militants after the Taliban spread rumours that the vaccination drives were a front for espionage or a conspiracy to sterilise Muslims.
.
.
The last major attack targeting a polio vaccination team in Quetta took place two years ago in January 2016 in the Satellite Town area.

At least 13 policemen and a civilian were killed in the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan-claimed suicide attack near a polio centre.

[ArjunPandit]

^^have never understood why polio specifically is associated with sterlization of malsis? is it just malsi flat earth like heresay or there is some truth to it.

[anupmisra]

CNN-News18 Exclusive

Mullah Umar was paid 4-5 crore for kidnapping Jadhav. We've heard about it. From Iran he was brought to Mashkel, then he was taken to Quetta, from Quetta, he was taken to Islamabad: Mama Qadeer |

https://twitter.com/hashtag/JadhavKidna ... 3019815937

[Peregrine]

Baloch activists backs Indian narrative on Jadhav

A Baloch activist, Qadeer Baloch backs India’s narrative about condemned spy Kulbhoshan Jadhav, claiming that the RAW [Research and Analysis Wing] agent was kidnapped in Iran and that he was convicted without evidence.

In an interview with an English-language India-based news channel, Baloch offered his help to Jadhav in any court of law.

Baloch, who also goes by the name of Mama Qadeer, claimed that an Iranian cleric Mulla Umer Balochi Irani had kidnapped Jadhav and sold him for Rs 40-50 million. “Jadhav was not a spy, he never entered Balochistan,” the channel quoted Baloch as saying.

According to the channel Jadhav was kidnapped by the Jaish-ul-Adl group from Gold Smit Border at Sarbaaz in Iran, 52 kilometres from the port city of Chabahar. “Jaish-ul-Adl is on the Pakistan Army’s payroll,” it claimed.

Continuing the report also claimed that Jadhav was called to Sarbaaz by a business group, which was working for Jaish-ul-Adl. The report said that Mullah Omar Irani was a functionary of the Jaish-ul-Adl group.

The channel said that India’s External Affair Ministry has sought transcript of Qadeer Baloch’s Interview.

Jadhav, a serving officer of the India Navy, was caught in Balochistan in 2016. He confessed to his involvement in several acts of terrorism in Pakistan. He was tried by a military court, which convicted him of spying and committing terrorism and awarded him the death penalty.

The Indian government has taken the matter to the International Court of Justice, which has stayed the execution of Jadhav until his case is decided.

Cheers

[Peregrine]

X Posted on the PESW Thread

Serious slump in FDI

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) presented a dismal picture, posting some 3 per cent decline during first half (July-Dec) of this fiscal year (FY17-18). And in December, 2017 alone it went down by 71.5 per cent — amounting to just $197.4 million from $692.1 million in the same month of 2016.

The second component of foreign investment, the portfolio investment also posted a negative growth because of poor performance of the country’s equity market. Portfolio investment declined by 50 per cent to stand at negative $128.4 million during the first half of FY17-18.

Of course, the ongoing political uncertainty in the country may have played a significant role in making foreign investors to adopt a wait-and-see approach on the issue. No doubt, foreign investors do not usually invest in politically uncertain times, especially when the host country is preparing to enter the election phase.

But politics alone is not factored in while taking such decisions. The decisive factors that go into influencing such decisions either way mostly relate to the state of the economy of the host country, including the ease of doing business, cost of doing business, a fair playing field and the level of the physical and social infrastructure available in that country. Our educated population, including those that have any skills, is abysmally low because of which foreign investors normally find it not very profitable to invest in Pakistan. And when the country experiences a prolonged period of economic stagnation that itself becomes a serious negative factor discouraging foreign investment inflows.

Data showed the pattern of foreign investment inflows have significantly changed recently. China now dominates FDI with a share of more than two-thirds in total investments. Significantly, Beijing has emerged first as the largest trading partner of Islamabad and now it has become the top foreign investor. But meanwhile inflows from countries other than China have come down drastically over the same period, indicating the possibility of a co-relationship in flows between China and the rest of the sources.

FDI from China was $969 million during the six months, which constituted 70pc of the total inflows. In the same period of the preceding fiscal year, investment from China had amounted to $393m and constituted 27.6pc of total inflows. This should, indeed, be a matter of concern for economic managers and they would do well to investigate if there is actually any co-relationship between the flows of these two different sources. If there is, they should immediately redress the situation with an appropriate policy overhaul.

The unusual spike in FDI in December 2016 was because of the inflow of $459m from the Netherlands as a Dutch company acquired majority shares in Engro Foods in a one-off transaction. The only other country that invested more than $100m in July-December was Malaysia. Its investment during these six months was $117m from Malaysia against $13.1m a year ago. Other significant investors were the United Kingdom, the United States and Hungary, which invested $77m, $63m and $48m, respectively.

Pakistan enjoys good relations with Arab countries. Yet the government could not find potential investors in the Gulf region. The UAE is the second-biggest trading partner of Pakistan, but its direct investment was just $14.5m in the six-month period. This is also a matter of serious concern for our economic managers to look into because if friendly Muslim countries located in close geographical proximity do not find us economically attractive enough for longer-term investment, then there must be something drastically wrong with Pakistan as a safe and profitable destination for foreign investment.

The countrywise breakdown showed China as the single-largest net investor of $128.4 million in December. China’s investments come as multi-billion-dollar infrastructure and power projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) gather pace. And in line with our urgent needs such as energy, construction, financial businesses, electronics, consumer goods industries, construction and trade and telecommunication sectors attracted the largest chunk of Chinese FDI in December.

Cheers

[SSridhar]

The dimwit will pronounce today.

“Fasten your seatbelts”: Imran Khan to make “explosive revelations” today

Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan on Thursday said he would be making explosive revelations at a press conference today. “Fasten your seatbelts as I will be making explosive revelations in my press conference this afternoon!” he tweeted.

The 'afternoon' has come and gone. Where is the explosion?

[anupmisra]

The dimwit will pronounce today.

“Fasten your seatbelts”: Imran Khan to make “explosive revelations” today

The 'afternoon' has come and gone. Where is the explosion?

People like Nawaz Sharif, Khawaja Asif are responsible for destroying the parliament: Imran

Sharifs are involved in money laundering worth Rs1.74 billion through FZE Capital, Hill Metals and other companies in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Khan alleged in the press conference.

He disclosed that Nawaz Sharif sent approximately Rs800 million to his daughter Maryam Nawaz Sharif, who sent Rs25m back to him.

Around Rs240m were laundered through employees of the Sharif family and Punjab Police via the Hill Metals establishment.

Khan alleged that the family was involved in laundering money through a network of 16 companies, including FZE Capital and Hill Metals — the chairman of which is Hussain Nawaz Sharif.

Further, Rs180m were sent by Sharifs' driver Punnoo Khan to Asim Mehmood who worked at Sharif Educational Complex, Khan alleged. "Saleem, an employee at Jati Umra sends Rs50m again to Asim Mehmood."

He also said that this was just one company that he was talking about which was involved in laundering worth Rs1.74 billion.

...yada...yada...yada...

Kabooom!

https://www.dawn.com/news/1383742/peopl ... ment-imran

[SSridhar]

Pak. diplomats funded unrest in J&K: NIA - Vijaita Singh, The Hindu

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has claimed that Pakistan High Commission officials financed some of the accused who were arrested last year for “conspiring to wage war against the government” by carrying out terrorist and secessionist activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

LeT chief named

The NIA filed a chargesheet against 12 people, including Lashkar-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed and Hizbul Mujahideen head Syed Salahuddin in a city court on Thursday.

The 12,794-page document does not name any Pakistan High Commission official.

“It does mention that Pakistan High Commission officials were in touch with the accused. We have not named the officials yet but there is evidence that they sent money to the accused for terror activities in the Kashmir Valley,” said a senior government official.

Asked why separatist leaders such as Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umer Farooq had been spared by the agency, an official said, “The investigation against them continues.” The NIA has not once questioned or sent summons to the top separatist leaders since it began a probe in the terror funding case in May 2017.

The agency said that it has sought permission from the designated court to continue its probe.

It has charged Pakistan-based terrorists Saeed and Salahuddin, along with 10 others, for criminal conspiracy, sedition, and under the stringent provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, it said.

The statements given before a judicial magistrate had tightened the case against the separatists who allegedly funded stone pelters and spread unrest in Kashmir, an official said.

While three of them have been formally arrested, the fourth one was detained and subsequently let off after he said he would become an approver, the officials said, declining to divulge their names.

[SSridhar]

anup, thanks.

[Kashi]

SSridhar Ji, Is it possible to add this article to the list of initial reading in the Terroristan dhaga

https://dailytimes.com.pk/182578/24-yea ... angladesh/

The author provides a really good summary of how West Pakistan, economically and politically exploited East Bengal and how much of the Pakistani "prosperity" that they tom tommed about in 1950s and 1960s was actually based on the leeching the resources off the subjugated Bengalis. Not dissimilar to the British Raj.

[SSridhar]

Kashi, done.

[Peregrine]

A matter of respect Wajib ul Qatal!

Today every Pakistani political leader actively participates in religious ceremonies of non-Muslims, such as Holi, Diwali and Christmas. Recently, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi also attended the Hinglaj Prat Asthan ceremony of the Hindu community in Ghotki, Sindh.

However, there is a strong perception in the international community that the non-Muslim population in Pakistan is under-threat. Recently, the US enlisted Pakistan in a special watch list for ‘severe violations of religious freedom’. This was not the first time that something like this had happened as similar reports have emerged in the past too. But instead of just rejecting these reports, the solution is to find reasons due to which the world points fingers at us. And being the patron-in-chief of the Pakistan Hindu Council and a non-Muslim parliamentarian, I feel it is my national responsibility to express my views on this sensitive issue.

Pakistan is supposed to be a Muslim majority democratic country. Religious freedom, both in an Islamic and a democratic country, is an essential part of society. On various occasions, I referred to the Charter of Medina which ensures equal civic rights for non-Muslims. There can be no two opinions that non-Muslims had autonomy and religious freedom in Medina – the first Islamic society of the world. Similarly, the Quaid-e-Azam wanted all Pakistani citizens, regardless of whether they belonged to a minority or a majority, to play their due role in transforming the newly-established country into a model for developed, prosperous and peaceful countries. With Jinnah - the so called self-appointed Secularist - promising Shariah?

Hindu politician Jogandra Nath Mandal was one of the most prominent non-Muslim who was a part of the Pakistan Movement. There is also a long list of sacrifices and contributions of non-Muslim Pakistani citizens. The late Justice Rana Bhagwandas is known as a pride of this country’s judiciary because of his honesty, commitment and principles.

Although the Quaid-e-Azam always emphasised on a united nation but it is extremely unfortunate that after his sad demise we divided ourselves into majority and minority communities. Today, every political party has a minority wing. Instead of ensuring genuine representation of non-Muslims in parliament, blue-eyed candidates from religious minorities are imposed on the basis of personal likings and disliking. Such so-called non-Muslim representatives neither have their roots in the community nor do they have the courage to represent Pakistan on an international level. In my view, General Musharraf introduced reserved seats in violation of the Quaid-e-Azam’s vision, and also created hatred and division among the Pakistani society. The democratic solution, following the example of the Azad Kashmir Assembly, is to have at least 15 constituencies from where non-Muslim candidates can contest elections.

Similarly, the Sindh Assembly unanimously passed a bill to prevent forced conversions and marriages but a few extremist non-democratic elements succeeded in having it withdrawn, and there is no chance for this much-awaited bill to be implemented in the near future. Such incidents send negative messages to the international community. For 70 years, Pakistani Hindu community was living without a Hindu Marriage Act. In case of kidnappings, poor victims’ families had no option to seek legal justice. It was after tireless efforts that the Hindu Marriage Act was passed by the parliament, although much was compromised.

Some misleading content in our school curriculum is also a root cause of intolerance; one example can be the way the Somnath Temple incident is depicted. In this regard, I believe that the seriousness of our political parties and implementation of the Supreme Court’s June 19th, 2014 detailed decision can bring about positive results.

It is quite natural that a person who has an emotional affiliation with their property is able to look after it effectively. After the partition, the then leadership of Pakistan and India had a mutual understanding on the issue of evacuee property. Till today, India appoints a Muslim parliamentarian to look after the property that belongs to Muslims. Similarly, Israel appoints an Arab Israeli Muslim citizen to take care of holy places of Muslims. But our SC’s recent remarks about the performance of the Evacuee Trust Property Board are eye-opening for all of us. I strongly support the appointment of a Hindu bureaucrat of above grade-20 or a Hindu retired judge for this important post.

The international community also observes that non-Muslims in Pakistan are being ignored in various consultation processes related to national issues. There was no representation of non-Muslims in the All Parties Conference (APC) called for formulating the National Action Plan, whereas other examples include formulation of the 18th amendment and electoral reforms committees. This same situation can be observed in majority of other institutes.

We need to ensure active participation of non-Muslim citizens on the basis of merit. Appointing qualified non-Muslims as heads of national institutes, such as the planning commission, the State Bank, PTA, OGRA and PEMRA, etc, can project a positive image of Pakistan. A non-Muslim Pakistani envoy in the West is in a better position to handle such allegations. To counter international conspiracies, we need to keep unity in our ranks and establish a relation of respect, brotherhood and tolerance with every fellow citizen.

Cheers

[Peregrine]

I have never once heard the term 'Indian state-sponsored terrorism': Former CIA director David Petraeus

NEW DELHI: Former CIA director David Petraeus said yesterday that in his entire career he "never once heard the term Indian state-sponsored terrorism".

Petraeus reportedly jumped in to answer a question actually directed at (soon-to-be former) foreign secretary S Jaishankar from an audience member at the Raisina Dialogue , an annual geo-political conference held in New Delhi. The question was about alleged India-sponsored terror.

"I might offer that...as director of the CIA, and commander of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan, I never once heard the term 'Indian state-sponsored terrorism'", said Petraeus, as seen in a video clip circulating online. He headed ISAF in 2010-2011 and was CIA chief from September 6, 2011, until November 9, 2012.

The former CIA chief's comment is a slap in the face to Pakistan, which has often accused India of fomenting unrest and terror in the restive Balochistan province. Balochis though often talk of the Pakistani state's and army's atrocities against them, including alleged rapes and 'disappearances'.

There is separatism in Balochistan, yes, but Balochis in Pakistan and in exile say that's a reaction to how they are being treated by the government and the army of their country.

Pakistan, though, in the face of sustained international pressure for its providing safe haven for India- and Afghanistan-oriented terror, has often sought refuge in trying to paint India in its own image.

In fact, it even contended that the Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav , whom it has put on death row, was arrested in Balochistan and is an Indian spy. The facts though are that Jadhav was kidnapped in Iran where he was on private business and is a former Navy officer.

Pakistan has lately been under even more fire following the US cracking the whip on it after years of threats it never followed up on. US President Donald Trump began his broadsides against Pakistan in August and kept up the pressure with a New Year's Day tweet roundly berating the country for "lies and deceit" in return for as much as $33 billion in aid it has got from the US in over the last decade and a half.

The Trump administration then acted on its threats and suspended as much as $2 billion of military assistance to Pakistan, a development that had Islamabad and the country's army frothing at the mouth.

Cheers

[anupmisra]

A matter of respect Wajib ul Qatal!

Hindu politician Jogandra Nath Mandal was one of the most prominent non-Muslim who was a part of the Pakistan Movement.

Author is desperate for recognition as a loyal but dwindling coterie of bakistanis who belong to non-malsic faiths. Vankwani willfully ignores the fact that Mandal, who had eagerly supported djinnah's nightmare, promptly migrated to India from East ba(w)kistan after partition citing the anti-Hindu bias of bakistani administration.

[rsingh]

I have never once heard the term 'Indian state-sponsored terrorism': Former CIA director David Petraeus

NEW DELHI: Former CIA director David Petraeus said yesterday that in his entire career he "never once heard the term Indian state-sponsored terrorism".

Petraeus reportedly jumped in to answer a question actually directed at (soon-to-be former) foreign secretary S Jaishankar from an audience member at the Raisina Dialogue , an annual geo-political conference held in New Delhi. The question was about alleged India-sponsored terror.

"I might offer that...as director of the CIA, and commander of ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) in Afghanistan, I never once heard the term 'Indian state-sponsored terrorism'", said Petraeus, as seen in a video clip circulating online. He headed ISAF in 2010-2011 and was CIA chief from September 6, 2011, until November 9, 2012.

The former CIA chief's comment is a slap in the face to Pakistan, which has often accused India of fomenting unrest and terror in the restive Balochistan province. Balochis though often talk of the Pakistani state's and army's atrocities against them, including alleged rapes and 'disappearances'.

There is separatism in Balochistan, yes, but Balochis in Pakistan and in exile say that's a reaction to how they are being treated by the government and the army of their country.

Pakistan, though, in the face of sustained international pressure for its providing safe haven for India- and Afghanistan-oriented terror, has often sought refuge in trying to paint India in its own image.

In fact, it even contended that the Indian national Kulbhushan Jadhav , whom it has put on death row, was arrested in Balochistan and is an Indian spy. The facts though are that Jadhav was kidnapped in Iran where he was on private business and is a former Navy officer.

Pakistan has lately been under even more fire following the US cracking the whip on it after years of threats it never followed up on. US President Donald Trump began his broadsides against Pakistan in August and kept up the pressure with a New Year's Day tweet roundly berating the country for "lies and deceit" in return for as much as $33 billion in aid it has got from the US in over the last decade and a half.

The Trump administration then acted on its threats and suspended as much as $2 billion of military assistance to Pakistan, a development that had Islamabad and the country's army frothing at the mouth.

Cheers

Who asked the question? must be on very pure stuff.

[anupmisra]

X Posted on the PESW Thread

Serious slump in FDI

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) presented a dismal picture, posting some 3 per cent decline during first half (July-Dec) of this fiscal year (FY17-18). And in December, 2017 alone it went down by 71.5 per cent — amounting to just $197.4 million from $692.1 million in the same month of 2016.

More good news (which usually comes in "threes") on the ba(w)kistani fiscal front:

Pakistan's foreign reserves slide continues

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reported on Thursday its foreign exchange reserves amounted to $13.69 billion on Jan 12, down $2.45bn from $16.14bn at the end of June 2017.

The dip comes despite $2.5bn borrowing from global bond markets at the end of November.

Static remittances, increa­sing trade deficit, insufficient rise in exports and relentless build-up of external debt are some of the reasons behind the softening position in the external account.

the current account deficit has emerged as the biggest problem for economic managers. In the first five months of the current fiscal year, it rose 91 per cent year-on-year to $6.4bn.

Going by the current trend, analysts believe the deficit can hit another high by the end of this fiscal year.

Perhaps it is time for the rest of cowardly world to immediately pay up $120,000,000 Billion that it owes to ba(w)kistan for fighting this war on terror on its behalf. Baki leadership must go on a world tour of national capitals and (again) put on a mind blowing road show to expose (once again) those ingrate westerners of baki sacrifices.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1383863/pakis ... -continues