Terrorist Islamic Republic of Pakistan - May 13, 2013

[shyamd]

Mystery is that how did they approach this team 0.5km inside indian territory without anyone having a clue. This is one angle they are investigating - why didnt the sensors in the fence pick this up.

[habal]

in some areas the fence is 1 km inside our side of LoC. So in a lot of cases the soldiers have to patrol on the other side of the fence too. In such cases they are almost exposed. Both recent incidents happened in this circumstance.

[Prem Kumar]

If it is true (& it looks increasingly true) that the PMO edited the Defense Minister's original statement that he read out yesterday after consultation with the Pakistan High Commissioner, shouldnt the PM, MEA, NSA and possibly the DM be tried for treason?

[Cosmo_R]

Here's two lazy lifafas printing almost verbatim, the PMO talking points to gloss over their failure with a patina of 'chankian' strategy;

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-new ... 05336.aspx

Laughable. The PMO, starts out with:

"The debate on Indian policy towards Pakistan often assumes two choices: talking and fighting. There is a nuanced and consistent logic to how New Delhi has handled Islamabad. * What does India want to accomplish in Pakistan?"

1. It IS about talking AND fighting. Even Hillary Clinton has used the Talk/Fight/Talk metaphor.
2. India's goal of strengthening the politicians will not work without weakening the PA. Post 1971 is an example. The PA was in disgrace and the pols rose.

We must defeat the PA is small but public ways—some directly across the LOC by making it a two-way street so we're not playing defense all the time, and others by leveraging the non-state actors in Pakistan such as the BLA and TTP through plausibly deniable means.

The PMO/MEA doofuses think there is no alternative to talking. I say talk and fight they are not mutually exclusive. You can't play football by allowing the other side an unlimited number of freekicks.

[ArmenT]

From the BBC:
Pakistan Quetta suicide bomber kills at least 28 people

A suicide bombing at a funeral for a policeman in south-western Pakistan has killed at least 28 people including a senior police officer, police say.

They say that the blast in Quetta, capital of Balochistan, also wounded at least 50 people.
...

[Prem Kumar]

Definition of Treason in Wikipedia. I couldnt find the Indian law language. I think Anthony-gate might qualify (lying to one's own country in the Parliament, in connivance with the enemy, in a matter of national security)

Treason is the violation of allegiance to one's sovereign or state, giving aid to enemies, or levying war against one's state.

[ramana]

Cosmo_R, Under MMS the policy is so nuanced that its non-existent. As for consistent logic its on the Munich sellout path.

[chaanakya]

'fully sold-out' UP Chief Secretary's wife's exhibition.

[Anujan]

Here's two lazy lifafas printing almost verbatim, the PMO talking points to gloss over their failure with a patina of 'chankian' strategy;

http://www.hindustantimes.com/world-new ... 05336.aspx

Laughable. The PMO, starts out with:

"The debate on Indian policy towards Pakistan often assumes two choices: talking and fighting.

We are talking and they are fighting. That is what rankles most of us.

BTW I don't hate Pakistan, I just hate what Pakistan made us into. There is something called privilege of parliament -- the privilege of parliament to know the unvarnished truth: maybe even in a closed session. What is this report "watering down" nonsense? Do a select cabal of people and unelected babu's think they know what is good for the country and are prepared to mislead the parliament and the public for that? All for what? Some kind of weird Pakistan love?

It might not be treason, but it is definitely a breach of parliament privilege.

[sadhana]

I am surprised that the opposition is not demanding the resignation of the defence minister A. K. Anthony for lying to Parliament. If the opposition were not themselves brain dead and/or scared stiff by the prospect of elections, they would demand that the whole UPA govt resign over lying to the Indian Parliament on behalf of the Pak Army and its jihadis.

As for the media, it is probably either illiterate or bought out on this issue. Present day Indians simply do not deserve the system their predecessors fought the independence movement for.

[Sushupti]

Today's News hour. Very stern language used by Arnab against MMS and his America pasand advisers and how today AKA puts his foot down and stood up to MMS and his American team. It seems Queen has left MMS halfway giving up on vote bank gains. But can she afford to do it?.

Part-I
http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-3-days-3- ... 433989.cms

Part-II
http://www.timesnow.tv/Debate-3-days-3- ... 433990.cms

Part-III

[Vipul]

Shitistani Track II'er says that Salman Khurshid in his interview with Pakistani TV Anchor's has said that Indian establishment wants to move ahead in solving issues with Pakistani but Indian Media is not allowing it.

No wonder various Paki TV channels always try to get sound bytes of equal equal from Suhasini Haider. Ackthoo.

[svinayak]

I am surprised that the opposition is not demanding the resignation of the defence minister A. K. Anthony for lying to Parliament. If the opposition were not themselves brain dead and/or scared stiff by the prospect of elections, they would demand that the whole UPA govt resign over lying to the Indian Parliament on behalf of the Pak Army and its jihadis.

As for the media, it is probably either illiterate or bought out on this issue. Present day Indians simply do not deserve the system their predecessors fought the independence movement for.

He is toast. The people elected him

[Cosmo_R]

^^^ The Arnab Goswami stuff is powerful. I have new respect for Maharoof Raza and renewed suspicions about SSM. I am on the verge of believing he's a mole for unkil. Not in the sense of 'anti-national' activities rather in the vein of being seduced by visions of 'statemanship' or the 'long view'.

The PMO is the problem.

[SSridhar]

Cosmo_R, it may or may not be him, but it certainly is Her. He at least belongs to this country.

[Vipul]

Deleted.

[Prem]

Cosmo_R, it may or may not be him, but it certainly is Her. He at least belongs to this country.

Not in this Dhaga .

[nachiket]

Maroof Raza made some really good points quite forcefully. Arnab was quite annoying when he kept interrupting him. But all in all, good stuff. The Congress spokespersons are clearly not used to TV anchors asking them such direct questions since most of the others are on their payroll.

[Vipul]

Major takleef in Pakistani TV discussions over the Nationalistic reporting by Indian TV Channels.

PAKI RAPE claiming indians incapable of holding intellectual debates on TV.
Ofcourse praises "The Hindu" for its editorial favoring Pakistan. Ackthoo on the Owners/Editor of this commie and anti-national Rag.

[Brad Goodman]

Bomb Attacks Kill Dozens of Mourners in Pakistan and Afghanistan

[krishnan]

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/exclu ... 130808.htm

The talks have to go on because we want to know what Nawaz Sharif has in his mind. We want to see how much he can deliver. We want to see if he can wrest back power from the army,’ a senior government official, who deals with Pakistan, tells Sheela Bhatt.

[Shanmukh]

http://www.rediff.com/news/report/exclu ... 130808.htm

The talks have to go on because we want to know what Nawaz Sharif has in his mind. We want to see how much he can deliver. We want to see if he can wrest back power from the army,’ a senior government official, who deals with Pakistan, tells Sheela Bhatt.

What are these people smoking? Are they trying to make a fool of us or themselves? I can answer both questions, without needing to talk to anyone. Badmash will not deliver anything (other than terrorism) to India. And he cannot wrest power from the army. If he tries, he will be lamp-posted, or maybe, in keeping with the times, sunroof-levered.

[CRamS]

Arnab may have been tough, but guys, lets face it, watching all this useless BJP Vs Cong bickering, TSP must be laughing its ass off. This is exactly what that more suave anchor on headlines Today (dish network, channel# 710) said.

[Shanmukh]

Arnab may have been tough, but guys, lets face it, watching all this useless BJP Vs Cong bickering, TSP must be laughing its ass off. This is exactly what that more suave anchor on headlines Today (dish network, channel# 710) said.

I am not so sure. They need to get their settlement on their terms before this government goes (as it well may, in the next election). In the next few months, I think we are going to see a full scale attempt to settle all issues on Pakistan's terms. We will get more terror, as a gift, both before and after the settlement. And then we can argue about the status of <insert state name> and whether it belongs to Pakistan.

[joygoswami]

If not posted before..

BALOCH LIBERATION ARMY RELEASES JINNAH RESIDENCY ATTACK VIDEO

[partha]

If not posted before..

BALOCH LIBERATION ARMY RELEASES JINNAH RESIDENCY ATTACK VIDEO

Oh! total decimation. The attackers were not at all in a hurry. Ensured total destruction. Interesting they posted this video to vimeo and not youtube which is blocked in Pakistan. They want more Pakistanis to watch this video.

[partha]

Somehow Pakistani press is not covering this unless I missed it -

http://www.cnn.com/2013/08/08/world/asi ... ?hpt=hp_t1

U.S. pulls diplomats from Lahore, Pakistan, amid terror threat

Washington (CNN) -- The State Department has evacuated most of its diplomats from Lahore, Pakistan in response to a terrorist threat against the U.S. consulate, senior State Department and other senior U.S. officials told CNN.

"We have picked up what we regard as a threat worthy of taking this action," one senior U.S. official told CNN.

The State Department issued an "orderged departure" for all of its diplomats in Lahore Thursday, except for a handful of emergency personnel. The diplomats were moved to Islamabad, the nation's capital, officials said.

A travel warning issued by the State Department said the department "ordered this drawdown due to specific threats concerning the U.S. Consulate in Lahore" and warned U.S. citizens against travel to Pakistan.

[shravan]

#Quetta Eid prayer gathering under firing attack death goes upto 20 wounding 15 others in Faroqia Mosque at eastern bypass.

[shravan]

Firing on Namazis in #Hangu, #KPK, 2 dead, several injured

[Philip]

Minhaz Merchant is echoing what many of us have been saying even before 26/11.Unless Pak is punished it will continue with its perfidious acts against India.To answer the Paki apologists like Mani Aiyer ,Gowda,Salman-the-Cursed,etc.,who say that we must prevetn a "war"the foll. can and should be adopted.

1.Kick out the Paki ambassador,mil. attaches,reduce the staff and downgrade the level of the mission to the Consular level.

2.No visits by Pakis to India-no visas whatsoever fro tourism or commerce,no visits by Indians to Pak either,except for humanitarian reasons.

3.No trade.No filling the pockets of the Paki military and the feudal families who in any case dominate the Paki industry.

4.No sporting ties with Pak in India.No Paki cricketers in our IPL or any other sport.

5.Cultural ties suspended.

6.J&K border closed,no regular buses to Pak,except fro religious festivals (Sikhs visiting Sikh shrines,etc. and vice-versa)

7.Automatic death sentence for any Indian or foreign national caught spying for Pak.

8.A sustained PR campaign against Pak worldwide,exposing its terror links and protection of well-known terrorists in Pak..demand their handing-over along with Mr.D and his henchmen,etc

9.Seal the border as much as can be done with fencing,mines,etc.

10.eco. sanctions against global firms doing business with Pak.

11.Ban overflights of Indian territory if terror continues.

12.Finally,breaking off all ties if Pak doesn't come to heel,keeping our powder dry.

After 12.,the need then arises for overt and covert action to break up Pak into smaller entities,separating Baluchistam Sindh,etc. One immediate act reqd. is the total support to the Afghan govt. with massive mil. support short of troops on the ground.Pak must be surrounded by Indian mil./strategic diplomacy by our ties with Iran,Afghanistan and the nations of the former Northern alliance.

[SSridhar]

The repeated demands for 'talks' by some Indian media groups such as The Hindu or ToI or Hindustan Times etc. betray an agenda. The agenda is the US agenda of not seeing any escalation in tension while it is still there and is about to leave. This is obvious to even the mentally challenged (no offense to them). Take the case of The Hindu. It has two faces, one is a US-pasand face in matters involving India and Pakistan and the other is a China-pasand face in all the other issues. Such is the double and triple speak of our news media which call themselves as nationalistic and which once played a crucial role in Indian independence.

Be that as it may, I am appalled that the Indian PM, his advisor ministers including the NSA Shiv Shankar menon and the bureaucrats including the new Foreign Secretary who collectively deem it fit to talk to Nawaz Sharif at this juncture. Even if the IA jawans had not been martyred, there was no question of talks, IMO. The reason is very simple. The situation in the region is akin to what obtained in 1989.

After the disastrous 1971 surrender and the loss of more than one-half of Pakistan, the mullahs were roped in to explain away the defeat as the 'wrath of Allah for being impure'. The Pakistani society and the armed forces were Islamized through JI and others. As 'Bear Trap' unfolded, and the USSR unilaterally decided to withdraw, the PA claimed victory along with the mujahideen for having defeated a superpower. This somewhat restored the severely dented pride of the PA. Now, back on an even keel after the 1965 & 1971 debacles, the PA decided that come what may, it had to take revenge on India. Under the influence of the Wahhabi/Deobandi countries and clerics that supported Pakistan, the PA graduated and assumed the role of 'defending the ideological frontiers of Islam'. Thus, the PA donned two roles, the defence of whatever was left of the geographical borders of Pakistan and the frontiers of Islam. At certain times, it had to assume a third role that of political governance of Pakistan too. Under this rubric, the PA derived benefits that were used to target its only enemy, India. Again, this had a close parallel to the situation in the 50s when under the rubric of being a bulwark against expansion of communism, Pakistan targetted India and India alone. The PA might once again be feeling the same way as it did 20 or 60 years ago.

Thus, Pakistan, its two Wahhabi benefactors KSA & UAE and the long-standing western ally, USA installed the Taliban in Kabul. Pakistan implemented its orgy against India under its doctrine of 'Strategic Depth' as an addendum to the already existing Op. Topaz which was 'a thousand cuts to bleed India to death'. The successive Pakistani democratic Prime Ministers have faithfully followed these doctrines willingly, not under coercion from the PA. Of course, the PA had the overall responsibility for these projects and directed the Government but Ms. Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif too were not opposed to these projects. This should be kept in mind while discussing Pakistan.

We should not get deceived by some sweet talk occasionally from Nawaz Sharif (or the late BB) because he is a closet jihadi. His party maintains an alliance with the fountainhead and mother of all terrorism in Pakistan, the SSP. His ministers openly meet the SSP Chief and justify them too. NS's brother and CM of West Punjab openly allots fund to the terrorist front-end of LeT, the JuD, and claims fraudulently that JuD is only a charity organization. So, PML-N is deeply wedded to the organizational objectives of the LeT which is to 'destroy Hindu India' and fly 'Islamic flag over the Red Fort'. We must understand the double talk of Pakistani politicians. NS admitted Kasab was a West Punjabi but after some time retracted it. These are games he plays with other political parties or the PA and must not be (mis)construed as his intention to correct Pakistan's evil discourse towards India.

At the end of c. 1989, Iran and India felt threatened by the combination of Pakistan, the Taliban in Afghanistan and the extra-territorial jihadists in Afghanistan and Pakistan and the evil nexus among the USA, KSA, Pakistan and UAE. Besides, the Iran-US relationship had nosedived and Iran was having major problems with the Arab nations of the desert. India was in a flux, having a woeful economic situation, having to re-define itself in the context of losing its most trusted ally, the USSR. Our relationship with the US was also plummeting with the likes of Robin Raphael suggesting to the US Government to support a Pakistan-sponsored resolution on Kashmir in the UN.

One can see the exact situations prevailing today for both Iran and India. Iran is facing a challenge in terms of its nuclear ambitions, its serious involvement with Syria and its intransigence with the US leading to a forced boycott of its oil & gas industries. India's economic problems are becoming more severe every passing day and it is once again facing a diplomatic and military situation where a two-front engagement threatens it. It seems it is being pushed by circumstances beyond its control into an alliance with countries that fear a not-so-peacefully-rising China. The internal security situation too is fast turning very alarming with both Pakistan-sponsored and increasingly Indian-executed terror acts on the one hand and the Maoist menace on the other. Politically too, India was unstable in the 90s with the new general elections resulting in a VP Singh ministry, followed by an unstable Chandrasekhar-led government etc. The UPA-II has done enough damage to the polity and unless a strong government is formed after the 2014 elections, the Indian politics will give a great cause for concern. Important decisions regarding economy, terrorist situation internally, situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan and ties with China would not be taken putting India under greater stress.

I am sue that the ISI has read this situation in this way. The PA feels a sense of deja vu as it sees victory over the only remaining superpower. All it needs is to play its cards carefully and close to the chest so that the Taliban are re-installed without any internecine war like last time. Even if the Taliban cannot rule the entire country, the PA wants it to control Southern Afghaistan. The ISI would have factored that this is likely to happen. It would have drawn red lines in its talks with the US and by the way the US is repeatedly stressing the importance of Pakistan and its thawing of relationship with that country, it is likely to assume that these red lines have been accepted, especially with a Kerry in place.

Naturallly, the PA would not want a civilian democratic government to do something that would upset the delicate situation. It never trusted the civilians anyway in the first place. The PA is not working in the interests of the State; it never has. It is working in its own vengeful interest vis-a-vis India and it toils under a grand delusion of China joining hands with it when it attacks India etc. That was the mistake it made in 1965 or 1971 or in Kargil. the Chinese made some noises but advised Pakistan to resolve the issues peacefully. China would want Pakistan to join hands with it if and when it attacks India but not the other way around. The Chinese are not fools like the Pakistanis.

So, Pakistan is simply going to increase violence against us through the 'plausible deniability' mode though increasingly, they are not averse to leaving trail that links terror back to the ISI. That is why we can no longer distinguish between PA and its jihadi front-ends. Any attack by these front-ends must be treated as an attack by the PA itself. As the Tamizh saying goes, the PA would not like the mud-vessel to be broken when butter is about to appear due to churning [especially after great effort and pain].

On the one hand, we have a jihadi-pasand but suave, smooth-talking Nawaz Sharif and on the other the regional situation is being perceived by Pakistan as turning its way after 11 years of pain. They do see a window now against their mortal and only enemy. They love death in the way of Allah and jihad while their kafir Hanud enemy loves life. So, where is the meeting point for 'talks' ?

[Peregrine]

Minhaz Merchant is echoing what many of us have been saying even before 26/11.Unless Pak is punished it will continue with its perfidious acts against India.To answer the Paki apologists like Mani Aiyer ,Gowda,Salman-the-Cursed,etc.,who say that we must prevetn a "war"the foll. can and should be adopted.

1.Kick out the Paki ambassador,mil. attaches,reduce the staff and downgrade the level of the mission to the Consular level.

2.No visits by Pakis to India-no visas whatsoever fro tourism or commerce,no visits by Indians to Pak either,except for humanitarian reasons.

3.No trade.No filling the pockets of the Paki military and the feudal families who in any case dominate the Paki industry.

4.No sporting ties with Pak in India.No Paki cricketers in our IPL or any other sport.

5.Cultural ties suspended.

6.J&K border closed,no regular buses to Pak,except fro religious festivals (Sikhs visiting Sikh shrines,etc. and vice-versa)

7.Automatic death sentence for any Indian or foreign national caught spying for Pak.

8.A sustained PR campaign against Pak worldwide,exposing its terror links and protection of well-known terrorists in Pak..demand their handing-over along with Mr.D and his henchmen,etc

9.Seal the border as much as can be done with fencing,mines,etc.

10.eco. sanctions against global firms doing business with Pak.

11.Ban overflights of Indian territory if terror continues.

12.Finally,breaking off all ties if Pak doesn't come to heel,keeping our powder dry.

After 12.,the need then arises for overt and covert action to break up Pak into smaller entities,separating Baluchistam Sindh,etc. One immediate act reqd. is the total support to the Afghan govt. with massive mil. support short of troops on the ground.Pak must be surrounded by Indian mil./strategic diplomacy by our ties with Iran,Afghanistan and the nations of the former Northern alliance.

Phillip Ji :

I unequivocally agree with you.

However, would the Muslim World along with Panda and Unkil allow the P N S Pakistanic to Sink or will it keep on patching it and ensure that the holed, hogged, sagged, patched with doublers & epoxy etc. P N S Pakistanic stays afloat - possibly at a safe anchorage?

Cheers

[Deans]

Minhaz Merchant is echoing what many of us have been saying even before 26/11.Unless Pak is punished it will continue with its perfidious acts against India.To answer the Paki apologists like Mani Aiyer ,Gowda,Salman-the-Cursed,etc.,who say that we must prevetn a "war"the foll. can and should be adopted.
1.Kick out the Paki ambassador,mil. attaches,reduce the staff and downgrade the level of the mission to the Consular level.
2.No visits by Pakis to India-no visas whatsoever fro tourism or commerce,no visits by Indians to Pak either,except for humanitarian reasons.
3.No trade.No filling the pockets of the Paki military and the feudal families who in any case dominate the Paki industry.
4.No sporting ties with Pak in India.No Paki cricketers in our IPL or any other sport.
5.Cultural ties suspended.
6.J&K border closed,no regular buses to Pak,except fro religious festivals (Sikhs visiting Sikh shrines,etc. and vice-versa)
7.Automatic death sentence for any Indian or foreign national caught spying for Pak.
8.A sustained PR campaign against Pak worldwide,exposing its terror links and protection of well-known terrorists in Pak..demand their handing-over along with Mr.D and his henchmen,etc
9.Seal the border as much as can be done with fencing,mines,etc.
10.eco. sanctions against global firms doing business with Pak.
11.Ban overflights of Indian territory if terror continues.
12.Finally,breaking off all ties if Pak doesn't come to heel,keeping our powder dry.
After 12.,the need then arises for overt and covert action to break up Pak into smaller entities,separating Baluchistam Sindh,etc. One immediate act reqd. is the total support to the Afghan govt. with massive mil. support short of troops on the ground.Pak must be surrounded by Indian mil./strategic diplomacy by our ties with Iran,Afghanistan and the nations of the former Northern alliance.

Sadly this is a wish list which our netas will not have the courage to implement. However, there are some more Chanakian alternatives which will probably have a bigger impact and some can be done even at a junior babu level.

1. Increase the export incentive on Cotton & Basmati Rice - these are TSP's 2 biggest exports and margins are wafer thin. A slight
increase in India's price competitiveness will kill them. I'm surprised our Industry lobbies don't push for this.
2. No trade unless India gets MFN, which TSP already has. If we do get MFN, systematically dump goods that undermines whatever
is left of TSP's industry. WKK's will also be happy that trade is going up, we can have chai-biskoot sessions about trade etc.
3. Selectively blacklist any foreign company doing business with TSP. This gives a good opportunity to babus to make some money
so they will cooperate. Indian companies doing business (apart from dumping products) get subject to IT /CBI scrutiny.
4. Heavy security deposit for visa's - we are only following the example of Britainistan (if we don't have the *&^$$ to ban them
altogether).
5. Start building some dams in J&K. They won't actually get completed for decades, but they would give us an option of walking
out of IWT, which is as good bargaining chip as any we have.

[Peregrine]

A distortion of History in respect of Muslim Rule & Rulers in India :

Past present : Letters of discontent - MUBARAK ALI

Throughout the Muslim rule in the subcontinent, from the Sultanate period to the Mughal rule, the views of the ulema contradicted those of the rulers. Despite state policies being in contradiction to religion according to the ulema, the rulers did not permit them to interfere with the state.

During Akbar’s rule, the ulema disapproved of his policy of sulh-i-kul or peace with all. When Mullah Mohammed Yazdi issued a fatwa, several disgruntled nobles and the ulema rebelled against Akbar who dealt with it in a diplomatic manner. He cancelled the maddad-i-ma’ash jagirs belonging to the ulema, only to reallocate them after interviewing the ulema and confirming their loyalty. He also appointed bureaucrats to supervise their conduct, so that in case of misconduct they could be reprimanded. He then continued with his policy undeterred.

During the reign of Jahangir, a religious scholar, Ahmad Sirhindi (d. 1624) wanted to convince Jahangir to change Akbar’s policy towards non-Muslims. He tried to influence the nobles to help fulfil his ambitions and wrote letters to them, expressing his fanatical ideas.

In a letter to Shaikh Farid, a devout Muslim who had supported Jahangir’s succession to the throne against his eldest son Khusrau, Sirhindi wrote that Islam was in critical condition, and insisted that as a man of faith, it was Shaikh Farid’s responsibility to take action to revive the glory of Islam. In the same letter he expressed his pleasure on the assassination of Guru Arjan Dev, the fifth Sikh Guru, regarding it an admirable step. He further explained that the government should adopt a policy to humiliate Hindus and that the imposition of jizya rightly kept the infidels in a state of subordination. According to Sirhindi, this was the right time to convince the emperor to eliminate un-Islamic practices which had become a part of the Muslim culture and to eliminate the influence of the infidels. He appealed to Shaikh Farid to play a role in reviving the purity of Islam. If no action was taken and idolatry continued to flourish, the emperor and his nobles would be responsible for damaging the cause of Islam by not creating a consciousness about sharia among the Muslims.

He wrote another letter to Aziz Khan Kuka, Akbar’s foster brother and opposed Akbar’s religious views. In the war of succession, Sirhindi supported Prince Khusrau against Jahangir, yet retained an important position at the court. In his letter, Sirhindi lamented that the forces of Islam were becoming weaker and at this juncture, his contribution would help annihilate irreligious practices and innovations which were influencing the Muslims. He also said that Islam could only be purified by reverting to its original teachings.

Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi wanted to destroy Akbar’s diplomatic relations with the Hindus. In one of his letters addressed to Lala Beg, he expressed his views that sacrifice of the cow was an Islamic rite.

However, the majority of the ulema and people remained estranged from his movement. Jahangir continued with Akbar’s policy and was a great admirer of his father. In Tuzk-i-Jahangiri, he praised Akbar’s wisdom and sagacity.

Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was not popular among the Muslims because of his extremist religious views. When Jahangir summoned him to his court, he found him arrogant and rude and did not hesitate to send him to the fort of Gwalior for a brief period of imprisonment.

During the emergence of communalisn in the 1930s, Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi was resurrected by some ulema and projected as the champion of Islam. In Pakistani historiography, I.H. Qureshi and S.M. Ikram eulogised him as the defender of Islam and the man who saved it and protected it from the heretical views of Akbar.

Writers of history textbooks portrayed the same image. As a result, Akbar and his policy of sulh-i-kul, multi-cultural unity and secularism were condemned while Shaikh Ahmad Sirhindi’s orthodoxy and religious extremism were appreciated. Sadly, his anti-Hindu, and anti-Shia views are also accepted without criticism, totally negating their dire impact on society today. Today, Pakistani society is paying a heavy price for these misdemeanours.

Cheers

[SSridhar]

Security Fears Hinder Chinese Projects in Pakistan - Ananth Krishnan, The Hindu

Concerns over security could hinder China’s ambitious plans to build a road and rail network and economic corridor from the western Xinjiang region to Pakistan, a Chinese official has said.

Long-discussed proposals to take forward the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor got a boost last month when newly-elected Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif visited Beijing and framed the project as one of his government’s priorities.

The corridor envisages improving road links from Xinjiang to Pakistan, including expanding and bolstering the Karokaram Highway, as well as building railway lines and pipelines from Kashgar in Xinjiang to the Gwadar Port on the Arabian Sea, which could open up a much-needed alternative route for China’s energy imports. The security implications of the plan have concerned India as the corridor runs through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which borders Xinjiang.

This week, a top Chinese planning official acknowledged that despite the recent attention, it could still be a long while before the project comes to fruition.

At a meeting in Beijing discussing the plan, Lin Dajian, a top official in the foreign affairs office of the National Development and Reform Commission, the planning authority, said “security issues and challenges” could impede the project, according to a report by the official Associated Press of Pakistan.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to China Masood Khalid, who attended the meeting, expressed optimism about the corridor. He said “a task force and secretariat” had been set up to take forward the project, while a team from Pakistan would visit China soon “for further discussion”.

Threats

China’s growing concerns over security in Pakistan, in the wake of recent kidnapping threats to workers, have also slowed down other infrastructure projects executed by Chinese companies in the country. Analysts say China’s investments in the country have, as a result, not kept pace with the often lofty rhetoric hailing “all-weather” relations.

Only a day after Ms. Lin’s note of caution, Xiong Lixin, vice-president of Sinohydro, one of China’s biggest hydropower companies, was quoted as saying Chinese workers had to be escorted to construction sites in Pakistan in helicopters by armed guards.

[Agnimitra]

A distortion of History in respect of Muslim Rule & Rulers in India :

Past present : Letters of discontent - MUBARAK ALI

This is why the dialectic among subcontinental Muslims is basically between Aurangzeb and Akbar. Or theologically between Sirhindi (Imam Rabbani) and a form of religion that comes close to Sikhi.

The problem is that those who lean towards Akbar cannot go beyond that into Indian civilization. They believe what we know of India today was wholly recreated during Islamic rule and it is never possible to know what it was like before. Thus, the MJ Akbars, the Saeed Naqvis, the Salman Khurshids, etc. are non-Paki moderate model Indian Muslims in the sense that they like Akbar more than Aurangzeb. They want Akbar's India.

[SSridhar]

A distortion of History in respect of Muslim Rule & Rulers in India :

Past present : Letters of discontent - MUBARAK ALI

Peregrine ji, Sirhindi might or might not have had a mass following during his time, but this 17th century Naqshbandi Sufi theologian is praised today as Mujaddid-alf-e-Thani (Reformer of the Second Islamic Millennium). He ensured that the ijtihad of Akbar did not allow the influence of Hinduism on Islam. Jehangir’s grandson, Aurangzeb was greatly influenced by Sirhindi. Many credit Sirhindi for having introduced communalism that led to the creation of Pakistan three centuries later. Apart from his praise for cow-slaughter in India as a great Islamic act or the killing of Sikh Guru Arjun Dev, he also was a Shi'a slayer. Later his family members settled down in Afghanistan and have been singularly responsible for a lot of mayhem we are seeing there today. One of his descendants is Sibghatullah Mujadiddi, Afghanistan's first president chosen by the mujahideen in exile in Peshawar in 1989. In Pakistan, there is one particular terororist group, Tanzeem-al-Ikhwan run by Maulana Akram Awan in Chakwal, that is based strictly on Sirhindi’s teachings. This particular tanzeem has close Army connections.

[Agnimitra]

Peregrine ji, Sirhindi might or might not have had a mass following during his time, but this 17th century Naqshbandi Sufi theologian is praised todayaka Mujaddid-alf-e-Thani (Reformer of the Second Islamic Millennium). He ensured that the ijtihad of Akbar did not allow the influence of Hinduism on Islam. Jehangir’s grandson, Aurangzeb was greatly influenced by Sirhindi. Many credit Sirhindi for having introduced communalism that led to the creation of Pakistan three centuries later. Apart from his praise for cow-slaughter in India as a great Islamic act or the killing of Sikh Guru Arjun Dev, he also was a Shi'a slayer. Later his family members settled down in Afghanistan and have been singularly responsible for a lot of mayhem we are seeing there today. One of his descendants is Sibghatullah Mujadiddi, Afghanistan's first president chosen by the mujahideen in exile in Peshawar in 1989. In Pakistan, there is one particular terororist group, Tanzeem-al-Ikhwan run by Maulana Akram Awan in Chakwal, that is based strictly on Sirhindi’s teachings. This particular tanzeem has close Army connections.

Sirhindi is respected as mujaddid alf e thani across the Islamic world, second only to ghazali. The Islamist revivalism in modern Turkey owes a lot to people like Fethullah Gulen, who in turn owes a lot to Said "Bediuzzaman" Nursi. Nursi claimed to once be meditating on a hilltop overlooking the Bosphorus when the ghost of Imam Rabbani (Sirhindi) appeared to him and instructed him. Thus, modern Turkish Islamists are also very big on Rabbani and his Maktubat.

[Peregrine]

The problem is that those who lean towards Akbar cannot go beyond that into Indian civilization. They believe what we know of India today was wholly recreated during Islamic rule and it is never possible to know what it was like before. Thus, the MJ Akbars, the Saeed Naqvis, the Salman Khurshids, etc. are non-Paki moderate model Indian Muslims in the sense that they like Akbar more than Aurangzeb. They want Akbar's India.

Agnimitra Ji :

Yes indeed! A Mogul Muslim Rule - in perpetuity - over and in India.

Cheers

[SSridhar]

Hafiz Saeed Leads Eid Prayers in Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium - ToI

Hafiz Saeed, the mastermind of the 26/11 terror attacks in Mumbai, on Friday led Eid prayers at the famous Gaddafi stadium here, hours after Jamat-ud-Dawah chief tweeted that "time is near when those oppressed in Kashmir, Palestine and Burma will celebrate Eid in the air of Freedom".

Thousands offered the prayers with Saeed, who carries a $10 million bounty on his head.

Posters with Saeed's photo were pasted in several locations in the city ahead of the gathering.

In his tweet Saeed said, "Time is near when those oppressed in Kashmir, Palestine and Burma will celebrate 'Eid' in the air of Freedom - Insha'Allah. #EidMubarak."

"So, we say Eid Mubarak to you in these testing times; soon world will say Eid Mubarak to you after your triumph. May ALLAH accept."

"ALLAH will not waste your Sacrifices, Ummah will be glorified, Islam will be strengthened, that time is very near #kashmir," he tweeted from his account '@HafizSaeedJUD'.

India has repeatedly asked Pakistan to bring Saeed to justice for masterminding the 2008 Mumbai attacks. He has often been seen addressing anti-India rallies in Pakistan. Islamabad says it has no proof against him.

A total of 166 people, including six Americans, were killed in the LeT terror attack in India's financial hub of Mumbai in November 2008.