Sunni Terrorist Fragments of Unstable Pakistan-July 10, 2015

[jrjrao]

As per this WSJ report, in Isloo today, the US NSA Ms. Susan Rice read out the riot act to the Pakis:

Rice Condemns Pakistan-Based Militant Attacks in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice on Sunday told top civilian and military leaders in Islamabad that attacks in neighboring Afghanistan by Pakistan-based militants were “absolutely unacceptable,” according to a senior American official.

Ms. Rice pressed Pakistan to do more to prevent terrorists from using its territory as a base for attacks on its neighboring states and to improve ties with India and Afghanistan.

The Afghan government has lashed out at Pakistan over a series of deadly bombings in Kabul in recent weeks that have killed dozens of people—including three Americans....

“We share the concern of the Afghan government. This is absolutely unacceptable,” said the American official. Ms. Rice told Pakistani leaders that “terrorist and militant attacks have developed into a key point of regional friction. Addressing this challenge will be imperative for Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors and with Washington,” the official said, though she said U.S.-Pakistani relations were “very good.”

[CRamS]

jrjraoJi,

Coming from a super power whose weight and opinion counts big time in TSP and to a certain extent in India, I will take any dog bone, but lets parse US statement carefully

attacks in neighboring Afghanistan by Pakistan-based militants were “absolutely unacceptable,” according to a senior American official.

But attacks against India by TSP are acceptable?

“We share the concern of the Afghan government. This is absolutely unacceptable,” said the American official.

What about concerns of the Indian govt? US does not share those concerns?

[CRamS]

Guys, cut me some slack because I think while semingly unrelated, this report is related to TSP. Its about a bunch of treacherous Indian NRI traitors whining to Silicon Valley honchos about hosting ModiJi

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-acade ... gn-1212420

But what caught my attention is this guy, Shahzad Bashir, one of the signatories. Apparently, he is a bloody Paki, and I wonder who the f$ck is this Paki to oppose a visit by an India PM to Silicon valley, and WTF does this have to do with TSP for a Paki to go berserk?

Shahzad Bashir:

Born: 1968, Pakistan
Books: Sufi Bodies: Religion and Society in Medieval Islam, More
Awards: Guggenheim Fellowship for Humanities, US & Canada

[Falijee]

1965 War Report Banned By Pak Army !

Gibraltar, Grand Slam and war

This isn’t a week for civilians. Wars old and new will be celebrated and much made of the abilities and wisdom of the Great Protectors.

1965 was a bad idea taken to perfection, all three stages of it. First came Gibraltar, that silliness of sending irregulars and radicalised civilians over into India-held Kashmir to foment revolution.

When revolution didn’t show up, we got into the busi­ness of Grand Slam — sending regular army troops over to wrest a bit of India-held Kashmir and win that most lusted after of victories, a strategic one.

Then came actual war across the border, for which we were somehow unprepared and scrambled to fight to a stalemate because the Indians were a bunch of reluctant invaders.

Luckily, we don’t have to rely on uninformed opinion, because there is a uniformed one available.[*]

[*] Of the 9/11 fame

An eminent one — dripping with medals, reached the highest offices, tasked to write the official tale of 1965 and took two decades to do it. But then he got the funny idea of publishing his 650-page report, which was promptly banned by the army and never heard of again.

Coming to you from a dusty shelf, the words of Lt Gen (retd) Mahmud Ahmed from a tome rather unassumingly and modestly titled History of the Indo-Pak War — 1965.[*]

[*] Will the Pakistani text-books, now be revised, to 'accomodate' this revised version

“The intelligence directorates were unable to provide any worthwhile intelligence to 12 Division for the guerrilla operations. Each commander of the Gibraltar Forces was given a few names of collaborators whom they were able to contact after infiltration into inside Indian Held Kashmir[*] but their reliability was uncertain. In fact, none came forth to help the guerrilla forces. Therefore, despite undetected infiltration across the Cease Fire Line, all the Gibraltar Forces, with the exception of Ghaznavi, ran into trouble at the very outset of their operations.”

[*] Pakis never learn from history ; they tried the same stunt during the Kargil war

“If anything, the limited guerrilla operation [Gibraltar] served as pinpricks to rouse a slumbering giant as it were, though India initially went into action almost reluctantly with a self-imposed restraint of confining its attacks to the upper parts of Kashmir. Operation Grand Slam was a logical move after the failure of the guerrilla operations.”

“The Pakistani high command considered the international boundary with India and the Working Boundary with the State of Jammu and Kashmir inviolable and expected its Indian counterpart also to regard it as such.[*]

[*] Strategic blunder ?

“In the case of Pakistan, if it was solution of Kashmir, then we failed; if it was merely to defreeze the issue, then the means employed and risks taken were grossly disproportionate to the results achieved. In the bargain, we got a war which we perhaps did not want and could have avoided.”[*]

[*] Straight from the horse's mouth

So there it is. An official history by an official general in a proper book with maps and diagrams. But who needs history when we’ve got a war to celebrate.

[RajeshA]

jrjraoJi,

Coming from a super power whose weight and opinion counts big time in TSP and to a certain extent in India, I will take any dog bone, but lets parse US statement carefully

attacks in neighboring Afghanistan by Pakistan-based militants were “absolutely unacceptable,” according to a senior American official.

But attacks against India by TSP are acceptable?

“We share the concern of the Afghan government. This is absolutely unacceptable,” said the American official.

What about concerns of the Indian govt? US does not share those concerns?

Why should America express concerns for what Pakistan does to India? Wouldn't that be presumptuous? India can respond to Pakistan on our own. Afghanistan is however America-occupied country, so of course USA would have to intervene there.

[Karan M]

>>Coming from a super power whose weight and opinion counts big time in TSP

This is a keeper from Crams

This thread is truly BR's official entertainment thread.

[Prem]

Heavy losses will be inflicted on India if war imposed on Pakistan: Asif

SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Assif on Sunday said if India tried to impose war on Pakistan, heavy losses will be inflicted on India, “which she will remember for decades,” reported Radeo Pakistan.Talking to journalists during his visit to Kundunpur village along the working boundary in Sialkot, Asif said cowardly acts by Indian forces had “strengthened our forces’ determination to defend our motherland.”“The armed forces will defend every inch of their motherland at every cost.”Kundunpur was among the villages badly affected by the recent firing and shelling from Indian border forces along the working boundary.The defence minister said India’s “real face had been exposed as it was supporting terrorism in Pakistan and creating tension on borders through unprovoked firing along the working boundary and the Line of Control.”Asif went on to say that India is diverting attention from its “internal failures” by creating tension on borders.Condemning the recent ceasefire violations by Indian troops along the LoC, Asif said the “sacrifices of our martyrs will not go waste.”The minister said Pakistan had proof of India’s interference in Pakistan, adding that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will present the evidence at the upcoming United Nations General Assembly meeting in September.“The prime minister will also present these proofs to the US leadership during his visit to America in October this year.”

[Prem]

[CRamS]

>>Coming from a super power whose weight and opinion counts big time in TSP

This is a keeper from Crams

This thread is truly BR's official entertainment thread.

What is entertaining about this? You don't believe its true?

[Karan M]

Sir, you are living in a la-la land, constantly complaining on the one hand about Indian actions and then simultaneously believing US has some magic sauce which can change things as it wishes in Pakistan.

[RoyG]

As per this WSJ report, in Isloo today, the US NSA Ms. Susan Rice read out the riot act to the Pakis:

Rice Condemns Pakistan-Based Militant Attacks in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan—U.S. national security adviser Susan Rice on Sunday told top civilian and military leaders in Islamabad that attacks in neighboring Afghanistan by Pakistan-based militants were “absolutely unacceptable,” according to a senior American official.

Ms. Rice pressed Pakistan to do more to prevent terrorists from using its territory as a base for attacks on its neighboring states and to improve ties with India and Afghanistan.

The Afghan government has lashed out at Pakistan over a series of deadly bombings in Kabul in recent weeks that have killed dozens of people—including three Americans....

“We share the concern of the Afghan government. This is absolutely unacceptable,” said the American official. Ms. Rice told Pakistani leaders that “terrorist and militant attacks have developed into a key point of regional friction. Addressing this challenge will be imperative for Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors and with Washington,” the official said, though she said U.S.-Pakistani relations were “very good.”

Have you heard this "NSA" speak? She's America's SSM. She didn't read them sh*t.

[Pulikeshi]

Coming from a super power whose weight and opinion counts big time in TSP and to a certain extent in India...

I highly recommend watching "Massey Sahib" for u, TSPians and Injuns with any delusions.
Massey Sahib

PS: you can find the movie on you know what tube!

[A_Gupta]

As per this WSJ report, in Isloo today, the US NSA Ms. Susan Rice read out the riot act to the Pakis: ...

IMO - either they release a recording of the speech so we can judge for ourselves, or else we witness Pakistani actions that enable us to infer that these acts are a consequence of having been read out a riot act taken seriously.

Otherwise, this is all just PR and perception-management. After having been allowed to read Pakistan the riot act, and for its officials sitting through the tirade with appropriately serious and downcast expressions on their faces, they will now reward Pakistan with an infusion of several hundred million dollars of CSF cash.

[Kashi]

What is entertaining about this? You don't believe its true?

No. I believe you don't either. That's what makes it so entertaining.

[SSridhar]

Heavy losses will be inflicted on India if war imposed on Pakistan: Asif

SIALKOT: Defence Minister Khawaja Assif on Sunday said if India tried to impose war on Pakistan, heavy losses will be inflicted on India, “which she will remember for decades,” reported Radio Pakistan.

That's another nuclear blackmail, coming on the heel of Sartaj Aziz's. Obviously, STFU-TSP is getting rattled.

[member_23370]

SAARC Secretariat suggests satellite project under its ambit, India rejects

Request is from porkis as expected
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 729275.cms

[Gagan]

[SSridhar]

So, Pakistan achieves one objective.

Obama invites Sharif for talks at White House

U.S. President Barack Obama has invited Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for a meeting at the White House in October, U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice said on Sunday.

Ms. Rice, who met Mr. Sharif in Islamabad, tweeted that she conveyed Mr. Obama’s invitation to him. “Conveyed @POTUS invitation to PM Sharif to visit the @WhiteHouse in October to continue discussions.”

Mr. Sharif told her that his country wanted a “meaningful” and “objective” dialogue with India on all outstanding issues.

There were reports that Ms. Rice was here on an “emergency visit” in the wake of border tensions between the two nations.

[Anujan]

There were reports that Ms. Rice was here on an “emergency visit” in the wake of border tensions between the two nations.

I have no idea why Chindu plays into Paki propaganda. Before the visit newspapers like Yawn, etc carried reports that Susan Rice's visit was about India tensions. Till massa planted the story in WSJ

http://www.wsj.com/articles/rice-condem ... 1440958218

Rice Condemns Pakistan-Based Militant Attacks in Afghanistan

Ms. Rice pressed Pakistan to do more to prevent terrorists from using its territory as a base for attacks on its neighboring states and to improve ties with India and Afghanistan. Islamabad accuses both countries of sponsoring anti-Pakistan militants.

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/31/world ... tants.html

A senior American official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because it was a diplomatic matter, said that Ms. Rice noted during Sunday’s meetings that militant attacks have developed into a main point of regional friction. “Addressing this challenge will be imperative for Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors and with Washington,” the official said, “especially given the recent upsurge in violence in Kabul and the Taliban’s bloody campaign this fighting season in Afghanistan.” The visit was unrelated to the growing tensions between India and Pakistan. It had been scheduled weeks ago, the senior American official said.

Susan Rice's visit was about Afghanistan and nothing more. Pakis are busy spinning it as a "thank you" visit by Massa for doing great deeds against terrorists and a "we sympathize with you" visit because big bad India is unfairly shooting at Pakis.

Pakis are trying very hard to do equal==equalities and trying very hard to distract everyone from their perfidies in Afghanistan and Chindu is helping them out.

[Shreeman]

The visit was to prepare for the good sharifs washington visit in ack-too-ber (its a trap!). The president and his administrashun will hold a speshul ball in mian's honor that will put any madison square event to shame. These press releases are mainly for domestic consumption in the US to not blow the lid off the preparations.

[Prem]

US calls for tough action against Haqqani network

Afghan Oriented visit

ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON: The United States spelt out on Sunday the steps it expected Pakistan to undertake for dealing with the Haqqani network and stressed that these were crucial for Islamabad’s relations with both Washington and Kabul.The message, described by a senior US official as frank, was conveyed during US National Security Adviser Susan Rice’s visit to Islamabad for delivering an invitation to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for a meeting with President Obama at the White House on Oct 22.In a statement the Prime Minister’s Office quoted Mr Sharif as having told her that he “was looking forward to his visit to the US in October this year as an opportunity to further strengthen the ties between the two countries”.The sense emerging from Ms Rice’s meetings with PM Sharif, Foreign Affairs and National Security Adviser Sartaj Aziz and Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif was that counter-terrorism cooperation and more particularly Washington’s perception that Pakistan was not adequately targeting the Haqqani network in the Zarb-i-Azb military operation against militant and terrorist groups in North Waziristan would dominate the agenda awaiting the prime minister in Washington.The US had doubts about Pakistan taking on the Haqqani network since the start of Zarb-i-Azb last year, but it became more vocal about those concerns after deadly attacks in Kabul earlier this month which, it says, were carried out by the terrorist group (Haqqani network).
Zarb-i-Azb entered its final phase this month as the army launched its ground offensive in Shawal valley.“Ms Rice expressed concern over the deadly attacks in Kabul, which were perpetrated by the Haqqani network. This is absolutely unacceptable. … We look forward to Pakistan working to reduce this threat,” a senior US official said in a briefing on the visit of the national security adviser.
The official said Pakistan had been conveyed the “specific measures” it was needed to take for stopping the attacks. Ms Rice also explored how the US could collaborate with Pakistan in dealing with the Haqqanis.The official would not, however, elaborate what steps Pakistan was asked to take.

Stressing the importance of Pakistan acting against the Haqqani network, the official said the issue had “developed into a key point of regional friction” and “addressing this challenge will be imperative for Pakistan’s relations with its neighbours and with Washington, especially given the recent upsurge in violence in Kabul and the Taliban’s bloody campaign this fighting season in Afghanistan”.
The official said the US was hopeful about the resumption of contacts between Pakistan and Afghanistan for addressing the issues between them so that they could return to “positive climate” that existed over the past few months.
Pakistan’s aggravating tensions with India and the spike in violence along the Line of Control and the Working Boundary also featured in Ms Rice’s meetings in Islamabad.“We are interested in hearing from Pakistan about their thoughts and views about addressing the situation,” the official said. About Ms Rice’s meeting with Sartaj Aziz, the Foreign Office spokesman said: “Wide-ranging discussions were held on the regional situation, especially in the wake of emerging security environment in Afghanistan and current stalemate in Pakistan-India dialogue process.”.A.He was speaking about NSA Susan Rice’s visit to Pakistan.At a news briefing in Washington, US State Department spokesman John Kirby said that Afghanistan had many neighbours and the US wanted Kabul to have friendly relations with all neighbours, including Pakistan, India and China..

[SSridhar]

US calls for tough action against Haqqani network

Pakistanis must be laughing their heads off unless it was a farcical drama enacted by both the US & Pakistan. The US has been demanding action against the Haqqani shura since at least c. 2007, IIRC, and Pakistan has dodged, evaded, refused, promised, and hemmed & hawed at various times without lifting their little finger against the Haqqanis who are as much attached at the hips of the Pakistani Army as the LeT. How does the US expect Pakistan to take any action when the Quetta meeting appointed Sirajuddin Haqqani as the Deputy Emir to Mansour with the full backing & blessing of the Pakistani Army? Besides, the US leverage against Pakistan is weaker than earlier. I am sure that the Pakistanis will get the remaining CSF as well without doing anything at all against the Haqqanis. If it was all optics, then it is something else.

[JE Menon]

CRamS,

Did you read that Albright article that you linked, which was meant to "soothe the Indian ego", according to yourself, as a counterpoint to Rice's visit?

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/27/opini ... index.html

First thing to do in such cases is look at the date, or read the first paragraph by the author. Then you can post it here to needle participants who will still, in a civilised way, cut you "some slack".

[Neela]

These Paki vermins have some pretentious cheek I tell you. Sample this.

UAE

The United Arab Emirates is expected to seek India's expertise in launching its Mars mission when its foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al-Nahyan visits Delhi this week, opening a new chapter in bilateral ties beyond security and economic partnership within a fortnight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's maiden trip to the oil-rich Gulf nation

Compare above to Pakis.
Paki

After Pakistan, the SAARC Secretariat has suggested bringing India's satellite project for countries of the grouping under its ambit, but India has rejected the idea again saying it is not acceptable.

Sources said the fresh demand was made at the behest of Pakistan. In its meeting in June, Pakistan had made a similar demand to bring the project under the SAARC umbrella and had even offered to chip in with funds and technical expertise.

The second piece is a little funny. Reading the article, it would appear as if other countries too wanted to bring satelllite under SAARC ambit. But it was Pak which wanted this both times. We announce a gift and Pakis want to dictate terms on how it should be handled?

The retarded scum living on hand-me-downs like Paksat1 have some gall.
India should simple call a meeting to discuss the satellite and leave the Pakis out citing they dont have the technical expertise to be in the meeting.

[SSridhar]

US calls for tough action against Haqqani network

Now, the jihadi terrorist Pakistani Army says Restoring peace in Afghanistan a shared responsibility: military - Dawn

Hitting back at the US allegations that Pakistan was not doing enough to tackle the Haqqani network, the military said on Sunday that Pakistan was not alone to blame and that restoring peace in Afghanistan was a shared responsibility.

“It is the responsibility of all sides and stakeholders to work towards peace in Afghanistan,” a security official told Dawn hours after the US side at a briefing said that National Security Adviser Susan Rice had during her Islamabad trip conveyed a list of steps that it required Pakistan to take to eliminate threat posed by the Haqqani network.

The security official conceded that Ms Rice had in her meeting with Army Chief Gen Raheel Sharif at the General Headquarters talked about the US concerns over the Haqqani network. “There was a frank, candid and intense discussion…. Both sides were open,” the official said, adding that while they raised the issue of Haqqani network, Pakistan too put forward its share of complaints.

Instead of the meeting getting bogged down in a blame game, the official clarified that the focus of the talks was on the way forward.

Indirectly blaming the Afghan government for its role in the suspension of peace talks with Taliban, the official said Ms Rice was reminded that the reconciliation process started in Murree on July 7 was now stuck.

The peace process was suspended a day before the second round of talks was to be held in Pakistan on July 31 because of the disclosure by Afghan intelligence about Taliban chief Mullah Omar’s death. During the development that followed Mullah Akhtar Mansour became the new chief and Haqqani leader Sirajuddin became one of his deputies.

The security official said the US needed to realise that when the strategic direction had been identified it was imperative to move forward on that.

He said Ms Rice had appreciated Pakistan Army’s counter-terrorism operations and acknowledged their impact. There was a consensus at the meeting on closer coordination for peace in Afghanistan, he added.

[Falijee]

SAARC Secretariat suggests satellite project under its ambit, India rejects

Request is from porkis as expected
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 729275.cms

I think, the Pakistanis are feeling ' a bit isolated ' under the umbrella of SAARC, and are placing obstacles, hindrances, in implementation of projects ( like the Satellite project ); next thing, they will be asking for Observer Status for their 'Chini blothers' in this Organization

[Rony]

^

China already has the observer status in saarc , me thinks

[chetak]

SAARC Secretariat suggests satellite project under its ambit, India rejects

Request is from porkis as expected
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/new ... 729275.cms

I think, the Pakistanis are feeling ' a bit isolated ' under the umbrella of SAARC, and are placing obstacles, hindrances, in implementation of projects ( like the Satellite project ); next thing, they will be asking for Observer Status for their 'Chini blothers' in this Organization

haven't they offered "technical and financial" assistance??

perhaps they were fondly hoping to be invited to ISRO, given a free run along with their hired xerox machine, all in the name of "SAARC regional cooperation"??

[srin]

Pak space program is more advanced than India's: we only managed to put a flag on the moon, while they put the moon on the flag

[Kashi]

Pak space program is more advanced than India's: we only managed to put a flag on the moon, while they put the moon on the flag

The thing is that it sounds exactly what the Pakis are gonna say at an official level.

[CRamS]

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/09/27/opini ... index.html

First thing to do in such cases is look at the date, or read the first paragraph by the author. Then you can post it here to needle participants who will still, in a civilised way, cut you "some slack".

Indeed, its embarrassing, and I apologize for the gaffe. It was linked to yahoo news which I saw after logging out of yahoo news, and I don't know they link an old news item. But yes, I should have realized its an old news item.

[SSridhar]

Major takleef for Pakistan. The last-but-one paragraph is true Pakistani that the whole world knows of by now.

Indo-Arab Nexus - Op-ed, Dt

Lo and behold, part one of Anwar Gargash’s “heavy price” has arrived. In April, the UAE foreign minister tore into Pakistan’s “vague and contradictory stand” on the Yemen war and promised payback. His country has now made good on that pledge. In subtle yet firm speak, the joint statement issued after Indian premier Narendra Modi’s recent visit to the Emirates accused Pakistan of exporting terror.

Both countries condemned efforts “by states to use religion to justify, support and sponsor terrorism against other countries”. The Indian media gloated that this “joint message to Pakistan” would “hit where it hurts”. That the Taliban-sponsoring Emiratis should accuse anyone of propping up radicals is laughable. As for India, talking up the “other countries” clause does not excuse Modi sarkar of letting Hindutva goons harass the Muslim minority.

Though puzzling at the time, Gargash fuming over Pakistan’s polite refusal now makes sense. The UAE had to send 3,000 of its own troops to Yemen recently to force an outcome in a conflict that should have ended quickly. Scores of its soldiers have died and the Houthi rebels have seized ammunition and armoured vehicles. The Emiratis are obviously livid; they prefer other people dying for their cause. Meanwhile, the Saudis, who started this war have taken on the US’s mantra of “no boots on the ground” and are content to carpet-bomb their southern neighbour. In trying to “liberate” it from the Houthis, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has made “Yemen after five months looks like Syria after five years”, according to Peter Maurer of the International Red Cross.

Though the money stakes are significant, I am sure Modi realises there is a catch to the Emirati promise of $ 75 billion in direct investment. This deal has less to do with “recognising that India is emerging as the new frontier of investment opportunities” and more to do with the GCC’s need for mercenary infantry. Let us be real: if India was such a golden goose to the UAE, it would not have taken 34 years for its Prime Minister (PM) to get an official invite.

Modi, surely, is also aware of how the Arab amirs (leaders) like to meddle in foreign affairs. For starters, the UAE’s position on democracy ranges from dubious to active sabotage. In March, Egypt’s Mekameleen television channel ran a leaked audio recording of how the Emiratis “supported and funded the military regime in Egypt and helped them to stop the Arab spring there”. In short, the amirs crowned General Fattah el-Sisi at the expense of an elected government. This should send some alarm bells ringing in the “world’s largest democracy” although money is more persuasive than a moral compass.

Back in the good old days, when the GCC firmly clutched the US’s security umbrella, Pakistan was Uncle Sam’s local sheriff to handle any trouble in the Arab kingdoms. After President Obama decided that his second-term foreign policy would pivot towards China, the GCC lost its big stick to counter Iran in the Middle East. Reeling from homegrown terror, Pakistan wisely drew back from an alien war despite Gargash’s threats.

Seeing the mental and material cost in Yemen, the GCC may not let Pakistan live this down, and more bonhomie could surface between India and the monarchies. The Emiratis have already backed India for a UNSC permanent seat and the Qataris recently lobbied for its inclusion in the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). There are also reports that Saudi Arabia informed Pakistan of a “Modi-led conspiracy” to isolate it among the Arabs by offering the Indian army alternative. However, this eagerness to come clean means there is traction for the idea in the region and that the Saudis want to play good cop for now.

The GCC could also make it more difficult for Pakistani expats to live and work in the Gulf States and relax the process for Indians looking to do the same. While it is true that 1.7 million Pakistanis work in the UAE, and the country does need personnel, nobody is indispensable. South Asia is teeming with people looking for a better payday, especially for the semiskilled and manual labour positions most needed to build Arab real estate.

That said, there will be no need for GCC handouts if Pakistan plays it smart. With the Islamic State (IS) rising in Afghanistan, the country’s strategic importance is assured. After the US stops bankrolling the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) in 2016, China and Russia will find means to make up the difference since IS directly threatens their interests. Also, when resource-rich Iran opens up, Pakistan’s value as a trading partner and crucial pit-stop on China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ project will increase manifold.

Both countries plan to build gas pipelines in Pakistan to ease the energy crisis and increased defence ties, like the planned war games with Russia, should follow. PM Nawaz Sharif may seek to appease his personal patrons but it behooves him to focus on national interests and not outdated Arab alliances. Let us not make the Cold War mistake again {and, let us make brand new mistakes}.

[A_Gupta]

^^^

With the Islamic State (IS) rising in Afghanistan, the country’s strategic importance is assured. After the US stops bankrolling the Coalition Support Fund (CSF) in 2016, China and Russia will find means to make up the difference since IS directly threatens their interests.

If IS directly threatens Russian and Chinese interests, can we discuss and understand (on the ISIS thread), what, if anything, these two countries are doing in the motherland of ISIS - Syria, Iraq - to curb IS?

If it is "IS in Afghanistan" that directly threatens Russian and Chinese interests, how is it different from "Taliban in Afghanistan"? Perhaps we can discuss this here or on the Afghan thread (if there is anything to discuss)?

Also, when resource-rich Iran opens up, Pakistan’s value as a trading partner and crucial pit-stop on China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ project will increase manifold.

Finally, about Iran, this is from 2010 - major oil pipelines -- what has changed?
http://www.realinstitutoelcano.org/wps/ ... eRlQ1Kvh0U

[Falijee]

Zardari Accuses Nawaz Sharif Of 'Revenge Politics'

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson and former president, Asif Ali Zardari, on Monday said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has reverted to revenge politics of the 1990s, referring to the recent arrests of high-profile PPP members. [*]

[*] All Non- Punjabi groups will be targeted in the name of 'fighting terrorism and corruption'

In a statement from London,[*] Zardari said bureaucrats in Sindh were being harassed by the Federal Investigation Agency and the National Accountability Bureau – pointing out that the chief secretary of Sindh is also currently on bail.

[*] After passing on the baton (of the sinking PPP ship) to his heir-apparent, he can afford to make these statements from Londonistan

“If they want to conduct fair accountability, they should first take action against a federal minister who confessed before a magistrate his involvement in money laundering for the Sharif-brothers. Only then we will know how clean followers of N-league are.”

Zardari said a video had surfaced in Punjab, showing provincial minister Rana Mushhood receiving money on behalf of the Sharif brothers but no action had been taken against him.

It is pertinent to mention here that Muttahida Qaumi Movement has also strongly protested against what it calls extrajudicial killings[*] and forced disappearances and arrests of its workers under the garb of the Karachi operation.

[*] The MQM-PPP alliance in Karachi/Sind is likely to be replaced by the 'New Muslim League ' outfit, headed by Mushy, with the blessings of the Paki Army

[Johann]

Coming back to what I meant by "strangely". I do not believe that Bad Sharif was indulging in Taqiyya. What I do think is that Bad Sharif does not have complete control over the ISI and does not have complete consensus within his crore kammandus. They are all putting a unified front but I think that Bad Sharif has had to step back a bit from his ambitious goals of reining in Afghan Taliban. He used to make grand statements about them, these days he does talk once in a while against domestic terrorists but doesnt speak at all about Afghan Taliban. I think that he has had to do a quid pro quo with his Crore kammandus.

Susan Rice's visit should be seen in this content. Massa realizes that Afghan-Pakistan agreement is unraveling. Afghanistan is under tremendous domestic pressure to give back as good as it gets. Remember that they demonstrated that they could kill Naseruddin Haqqani (that too in Pindi) and train and shelter their own proxies for retaliatory action against Pakistan.

Spot on about the limits of consensus within the PA. Sharif and Kiyani represented two competing tendencies within the PA senior officer corps. Just as Kiyani could not root out the Sharif and other Busharraf era promotees in his stint at the top, Sharif who is only a couple of years in has not been able to fill the corps commander ranks with entirely like-minded people, although he has a slight edge.

For Islam-pasand Kiyani proteges an American cut-off in conjunction with a confrontation with India on the LoC works very well. They were never happy about pushing into North Waziristan, which Sharif (unlike Kiyani) was keen on. A cut-off in CSF monies will financially justify reducing the footprint in North Waziristan, and they can move them closer to the LoC and IB and restore the narrative of India as the chief enemy.

[Johann]

If IS directly threatens Russian and Chinese interests, can we discuss and understand (on the ISIS thread), what, if anything, these two countries are doing in the motherland of ISIS - Syria, Iraq - to curb IS?

If it is "IS in Afghanistan" that directly threatens Russian and Chinese interests, how is it different from "Taliban in Afghanistan"? Perhaps we can discuss this here or on the Afghan thread (if there is anything to discuss)?

IS is only a direct threat to China if it becomes a significant force in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

For the Chinese the number one thing was always keeping jihad and weapons out of Xinjiang. Number two was economically integrating western China with the global economy.

The Afghan Taliban never rejected the idea of nation-states, or the basic idea of the international system which meant China and them had a common language and could cut deals. The Taliban if anything had more of an issue with the Pakistani border than the Chinese one.

I'm not sure if the IS franchise that's opening up in the region shares exactly the world view and operating system of the original, but if they are anything like the originals there can be transactions, but anything mutual understanding will be much harder.

In particular successful IS growth will threaten CPEC and everything its supposed to achieve for the Chinese in terms of regional stability and growth, and the stability and growth of Xinjiang which is again what they really care about.

[Falijee]

Ganja assures Dus Percenti That He Wont Be Arrested

Birds Of the Same Feather Flock Together - No further comments

[A_Gupta]

Pakistan, Central Asia:
http://www.voiceofjournalists.com/prosp ... tral-asia/

[Shreeman]

If IS directly threatens Russian and Chinese interests, can we discuss and understand (on the ISIS thread), what, if anything, these two countries are doing in the motherland of ISIS - Syria, Iraq - to curb IS?

If it is "IS in Afghanistan" that directly threatens Russian and Chinese interests, how is it different from "Taliban in Afghanistan"? Perhaps we can discuss this here or on the Afghan thread (if there is anything to discuss)?

IS is only a direct threat to China if it becomes a significant force in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

For the Chinese the number one thing was always keeping jihad and weapons out of Xinjiang. Number two was economically integrating western China with the global economy.

The Afghan Taliban never rejected the idea of nation-states, or the basic idea of the international system which meant China and them had a common language and could cut deals. The Taliban if anything had more of an issue with the Pakistani border than the Chinese one.

I'm not sure if the IS franchise that's opening up in the region shares exactly the world view and operating system of the original, but if they are anything like the originals there can be transactions, but anything mutual understanding will be much harder.

In particular successful IS growth will threaten CPEC and everything its supposed to achieve for the Chinese in terms of regional stability and growth, and the stability and growth of Xinjiang which is again what they really care about.

Why, hello there internet stranger! Good to see you lurk in the shadows.

Here are some thoughts on both your above posts:

1. In both IS and Taliban cases (or for that matter the LeT/JuD/HuM/blahblah) a far more serious claim can be made now that they are proxy arms of the bakistani government than ever before. This is due to the events surrounding the now departed dear leader mullah omar. It runs counter to any claims of organic development of either the new talipaan or any IS nomenclature. Our dear nonNATO allies are prone to name changes, and fake operations whenever coalition support fund payments are in danger. I posit that the whole show is for US populace consumption only. Neither talipaan nor IS/Bakistaan will ever be a threat to china. Not even Russia, if CSF aid goes away.

2. Talipaan never had any intention of forcing the boundary issue with pakistan. They never established firm control of chunks of northern afghanistan. This again, was a show, only to play to the US gallery that talipaan have some independent elements.

3. The CPEK, one road/silk canal/red river/whatever through bakistan is less important to china than south china sea. They are going to put their eggs (in shape of submarines, 20k ton coastguard cutters, aircraft carriers) in the sea to expand first. The bakistani road plies no traffic today, and thus it shall remainfor another decade. Even this was based on the chinese economic bubble not unpredictably deflating, rest of the world economy continuing to do business with china regardless, AND the middle east actually not disappearing off the face of the earth. None of these are certainties anymore. If IS from iraq, syria or yemen were to make geadway into either the emirates or the southee arapia, a lot of equations will change. The horn has ethiopia, somalia,and yemen now. And egypt isnt quite a havenof peace. The chinese cant get to europe without access there, bakistan is a long long far belated afterthought. Lets see any elements of that $43B first materialise.

Lastly, this army chief too shall a. retire, b. pecome bresident. And that will change in a meaningful way how bakistan functions. So the chiness are barely in the picture here. The bakistanis have $20B and oil, even though mostly free, is heading to free for anyone. The only "heat" given this freedom will be on the insia bakistan border. Theafghanistani government is pluant enough that whatever noises the IS talipaan etc make will be limited to southern afghanistan and the occassional foray into kabul.

It is not the right time to expend your soosai mujahids, far too many others are vying for attention, so the bakistanis will simply play to their domestic audience and distract them with their moral and diplomatic commitment tothe core issue, as they always have. Everything else is simply a money making scheme.

[Prem]

Ganja assures Dus Percenti That He Wont Be Arrested

Birds Of the Same Feather Flock Together - No further comments

Why arrest when idea is to kill and eliminate the adversary. Duspercenti, A. Bhai, FATAwales and Balochis are being push in particular direction by Pakjabi Establishment.