Terrorist Islamic Republic of Pakistan - May 13, 2013

[member_23252]

Suicide bomber gunned down inside Islamabad mosque

ISLAMABAD: Despite ‘heavy deployment’ of security personnel for Eid, a suicide bomber successfully entered a mosque in Islamabad but failed to explode, Express News reported on Friday.
The suspect entered the Jamia Masjid while prayers were in progress. When the attacker’s jacket did not explode, he fired indiscriminately killing a guard of the mosque and injuring two people.
Initial reports suggest the bomber got into a scuffle with the guard, shooting him when he was denied entrance to the main hall of the mosque. Security personnel in the mosque killed the suicide bomber by firing back.
The Bomb Disposal Squad defused the jacket.
The mosque is located in the residential area of Bara Kahu, a short distance from the capital’s secure Red Zone.

[member_23252]

Forty former army, intel chiefs ask govt to halt Pak talks

In a joint statement issued on Friday, 40 retired Indian military, intelligence and civilian chiefs have called for a halt in talks with Pakistan.

“The government would be well advised not to rush into a dialogue with Pakistan on the assumption that the new PM of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif is ostensibly committed to improving ties with India.”

Speaking at a press conference, former deputy NSA Satish Chandra said, “the policy of appeasement has failed; India needs a new bipartisan policy which will impose costs on Pakistan for terrorism.”

Chandra further said that imposing such costs will deter Pakistan. “There is no need to be afraid of nuclear blackmail, India is a nuclear power too,” he added.

Former Navy Vice Chief, Vice Admiral KK Nayyar also agreed that India needed a new Pakistan policy, saying “severe costs can be imposed on Pakistan without doing what Pakistan does in India – terrorism.”

Former Chief of Army Staff General NC Vij said a low level war on LoC is a ‘purposeful Pakistani strategy’ that can be sustained indefinitely.

“Pakistan is a rational actor; they will not risk nuclear escalation. This nuclear bluff should be called by India.” The answer is for India to raise the stakes, Vij said.

Also present at the press conference was former High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy who said Indo-Pak talks at the bureaucratic and military levels could continue but India needs to think hard how to challenge Pakistan’s strategy.

“Eating kebabs and biryani and listening to music is fine but India needs hard headed thinking about how to challenge Pakistani strategy of stoking internal tension in India.”

Former Intelligence Bureau director Ajit Doval also slammed Pakistan for its failure to hand over fugitives. “Pakistan’s failure to hand over terror and organised crime fugitives indicates its intentions,” he said.

Among those who have signed the statement are two former Army chiefs General Shankar Roy Chowdhury and General NC Vij, former Air chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, Navy vice chief vice admiral KK Nayyar, former secretaries R&AW AK Verma and CD Sahay, former IB director Ajit Doval, former Home Secretaries Anil Baijal and Dhirendra Singh, Former Foreign secretaries MK Rasgotra and Kanwal Sibal, former MEA secretary JC Sharma.

You can read the entire statement below

Statement on Indo-Pak Relations

[IndraD]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 726868.cms

hafiz saeed leads eid prayer in Gaddafi stadium praying for Kashmir and Burma freedom

[Aditya_V]

Well halting of the Denel deal for Artillery shells, guns and antimaterial rifles in 2004 in order to appease the Pakistani Army since they were taking too many casualties in order to promote Aman KI Asha is biting the Indian Army in the butt. Will the India elite bother, I doubt it. Don't think the harvard educated, having majority of family in US, UK identify with the plight of Indian soldier or Indians in general.

[member_24042]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 726868.cms

hafiz saeed leads eid prayer in Gaddafi stadium praying for Kashmir and Burma freedom

I don't know about Kashmir but Burma will never fall to the Islamists. Mark my word, the Myanmarese aided by Buddhism (which complements a strong centralized state very well) are a proud people and won't be a pushover like the mango people of India. It sincerely makes me mad why RAW just can't pump a couple of bullets in this idiot's skull.

[member_26255]

Kurram Agency bomb blast kills two, injures one

http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-11296 ... njures-one

PARACHINAR: Two persons were killed and one injured when a bomb exploded in a vehicle tearing at Shakhdalatkhel in Upper Kurram on Friday here, Geo news reported.

Following the incident, Kurram Levies Force cordoned off the area.

Political officials said that unknown persons had planted the bomb on the road.

The dead and the injured were shifted to the hospital.

[rsingh]

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 thr

eats concerning the U.S. Consulate in Lahore" and warned U.S. citizens against travel to Pakistan.

Is it possible that IA is up to something? Lahore is very close to border.Any unusual traffic west of Amritsar?

[Lalmohan]

^^^ more likely TTP has declared open season on goras

[Comer]

^^ Wish it is a pre cursor to announcing a big catch.

[arun]

Forty former army, intel chiefs ask govt to halt Pak talks

In a joint statement issued on Friday, 40 retired Indian military, intelligence and civilian chiefs have called for a halt in talks with Pakistan.

“The government would be well advised not to rush into a dialogue with Pakistan on the assumption that the new PM of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif is ostensibly committed to improving ties with India.”

Speaking at a press conference, former deputy NSA Satish Chandra said, “the policy of appeasement has failed; India needs a new bipartisan policy which will impose costs on Pakistan for terrorism.”

Chandra further said that imposing such costs will deter Pakistan. “There is no need to be afraid of nuclear blackmail, India is a nuclear power too,” he added.

Former Navy Vice Chief, Vice Admiral KK Nayyar also agreed that India needed a new Pakistan policy, saying “severe costs can be imposed on Pakistan without doing what Pakistan does in India – terrorism.”

Former Chief of Army Staff General NC Vij said a low level war on LoC is a ‘purposeful Pakistani strategy’ that can be sustained indefinitely.

“Pakistan is a rational actor; they will not risk nuclear escalation. This nuclear bluff should be called by India.” The answer is for India to raise the stakes, Vij said.

Also present at the press conference was former High Commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy who said Indo-Pak talks at the bureaucratic and military levels could continue but India needs to think hard how to challenge Pakistan’s strategy.

“Eating kebabs and biryani and listening to music is fine but India needs hard headed thinking about how to challenge Pakistani strategy of stoking internal tension in India.”

Former Intelligence Bureau director Ajit Doval also slammed Pakistan for its failure to hand over fugitives. “Pakistan’s failure to hand over terror and organised crime fugitives indicates its intentions,” he said.

Among those who have signed the statement are two former Army chiefs General Shankar Roy Chowdhury and General NC Vij, former Air chief Marshal S Krishnaswamy, Navy vice chief vice admiral KK Nayyar, former secretaries R&AW AK Verma and CD Sahay, former IB director Ajit Doval, former Home Secretaries Anil Baijal and Dhirendra Singh, Former Foreign secretaries MK Rasgotra and Kanwal Sibal, former MEA secretary JC Sharma.

You can read the entire statement below

Statement on Indo-Pak Relations

One wishes that the Congress party led UPA administration now heeds the sound advise given in the statement linked by the scribd url above.

[Nandu]

^^^ "Eating kebabs and biryani and listening to music is fine."

I disagree. This is the "cultural exchange stuff" that the RAPE loves to do. They should be denied the opportunity.

[ramana]

Calling a fanatic like Sirhindi a religious scholar is a misnomer.

[ramana]

Nandu, That is why context is important. The new corps of 40 did not say that. They said many more things.

[partha]

Nawaz Sharif says Pakistan Gobarmint is fully committed to eliminate Pakistan.

http://tribune.com.pk/story/588659/gove ... rorism-pm/

[SBajwa]

nPaki PM is "fully committed to terrorizing the people" while brother Shahbaz Sharif is contributing to the Terrorist-e-Azam Maulana HS.

[Garooda]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 726868.cms

hafiz saeed leads eid prayer in Gaddafi stadium praying for Kashmir and Burma freedom

I don't know about Kashmir but Burma will never fall to the Islamists. Mark my word, the Myanmarese aided by Buddhism (which complements a strong centralized state very well) are a proud people and won't be a pushover like the mango people of India. It sincerely makes me mad why RAW just can't pump a couple of bullets in this idiot's skull.

Perhaps he is conveying the message on behalf of panda?

[member_22872]

hafiz saeed leads eid prayer in Gaddafi stadium praying for Kashmir and Burma freedom

All losers are their national heroes.

[Vikas]

Sorry but what were these 40 mahanubhaavs doing when they were in the position of power. Zilch, cypher...No wait, sharing kebab and Biryani with PAKI and Indian RAPE class. Seriously these RAW chiefs could not arrange for a bullet to be put in some big fish head like DI etc. but now that they are retired so easy to talk the talk when they don't have to walk the talk. Same goes for other signatories. We have become a nation of pencil pushers and love to release grand statements and thats it.
I am sure when MMS retires, he too will muse about imposing severe cost onTSP and countering the Pakistani strategy of terrorism against India.

[Prem]

To Quote Pran sahib,Hum bole ga tho Bolo Gey Kei Bolta Hai !!

AIk Sirhindi Sahib Hai ,Jo India Mey Buried Hai
Shameful Baat Hai ki Ooske Qabar Barri Hai
Na Ho Udas, Usko Indian Honor Dene Ki Gharri Hai
Toor Key Qabar, Creamate Karro , Chita Intzar Karri Hai

One of my dreams to gather enough Money to finish this project in my life time . Before that, Need at least Bahatar Hazar Desis to do the Mootram Shudhi Isnan ritual for Shanti purpose and read those letters in Public while sending this one to the Kumbhi Peek Narak.

[SBajwa]

Sirhindi Kabar is still there at Sarhind

[SBajwa]

and here he is still lying

[Prem]

and here he is still lying

His destiny have made him wait there for his final Kalyan . This devil have been denied the honor by Indians for long.

[member_22872]

Dawood has been chased out of Pakistan: Shahryar Khan
Bunch of liars and shameless puckers.

"Dawood (Ibrahim) was in Pakistan but I believe he was chased out of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan, he should be hounded and arrested. We cannot allow such gangsters to operate from the country," said Shahryar Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's special envoy for improving relations with India.

[Peregrine]

Meanwhile back at the Ranch

Economic scenario : PML-N govt goes back on word

So! What is new?

Cheers

[vishvak]

Dawood has been chased out of Pakistan: Shahryar Khan
Bunch of liars and shameless puckers.

"Dawood (Ibrahim) was in Pakistan but I believe he was chased out of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan, he should be hounded and arrested. We cannot allow such gangsters to operate from the country," said Shahryar Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's special envoy for improving relations with India.

Dawood's p1mps and prostitutes are everywhere in Karachi and Dawood is not with pukis?

[Dipanker]

Dawood has been chased out of Pakistan: Shahryar Khan
Bunch of liars and shameless puckers.

"Dawood (Ibrahim) was in Pakistan but I believe he was chased out of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan, he should be hounded and arrested. We cannot allow such gangsters to operate from the country," said Shahryar Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's special envoy for improving relations with India.

Paki are bunch of jokesters, but the joke is definitely on us.

[Prem]

quote="venug"][ch of liars and shameless puckers.

"Dawood (Ibrahim) was in Pakistan but I believe he was chased out of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan, he should be hounded and arrested. We cannot allow such gangsters to operate from the country," said Shahryar Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's special envoy for improving relations with India.aki are bunch of jokesters, but the joke is definitely on us.

Think of the possibility of him in Azamgarh or Pawarful home in India itself.

[Anujan]

Didnt they vehemently deny on various occasions and categorically state that Dawood is not in Pakistan?

Why did they "drive him away" instead of extraditing him to India?

[anupmisra]

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/worl ... 726868.cms

hafiz saeed leads eid prayer in Gaddafi stadium

This Id prayer led by that piglet was advertized well in advance. Everyone in that region knew about it. There is a $10M bounty on that inbred pig's head. Not withstanding collateral damage, someone dropped the ball. Thats for sure.

[anupmisra]

Dawood has been chased out of Pakistan: Shahryar Khan
Bunch of liars and shameless puckers.

The turd has left (or flushed out of) pakhanistan? Can't be. No ummah country will want him. He is probably safely ensconced within the geographic boundaries of what was once pakhanistan but now a part of pakhanistan that is no longer in paki gober-mint's control?

[Prem]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/give- ... e/1152979/
Give Sharif a chance
( Give Badmash The Danda)

The reactions from India and Pakistan on the LoC killings are on expected lines and only speak of limited imagination on both sides. Pakistan has denied that its forces killed the Indian soldiers. The Indian defence minister made a statement that led to further uproar, that the alleged killers were terrorists wearing military uniforms. The facts of this case are still not clear and unfortunately will remain trapped in jingoistic interpretations. The timing of this incident could not have been worse. Pakistan has a new prime minister, who is firmly committed to peace with India and wants to move towards it at a "historic" speed, which Pakistani realists have advised him against. Sharif, however, is a determined man and wants his legacy to be formidable. Sadly, the Pakistan he governs after a hiatus of 16 years is a changed polity. Today's Pakistan faces an existentialist crisis, whereby the militant groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) — ideologically aligned with al-Qaeda and the Afghan Taliban — intend to decimate the state. In the first 50 days of Sharif's rule, there have been about 52 terrorist attacks, targeting civilians, minorities, security installations and tourists, among others. The government is struggling to frame a new security policy and take charge of the country's foreign policy. But all of this is going to take time. To Pakistanis, the ploy of terrorists camouflaging themselves as security officials is familiar. In the recent past, several TTP attacks have been carried out in a similar fashion. Militants increasingly use military or police uniforms to bypass security checks. Further, the jihadi groups in Pakistan would be the net losers if the peace process with India continues.
Much has been said in the Indian media about the Pakistan military not backing trade with India. Undoubtedly, the military is structured to fight an "enemy" and in Pakistan's case, this has been India from the very start. Having said that, there have been subtle shifts in the military's appraisal of threat perception and its leadership has made public statements that the extremists are a greater threat to Pakistan's future. Given the Afghanistan situation and the anticipated spillover of the Nato pullout in 2014, Pakistan's military would not risk contending with two fronts. Public opinion has also shifted in recent years, as surveys by Gallup Pakistan show that most Pakistanis back increased trade with India. Most importantly, the political elites, across the board, have a consensus on moving forward with the peace process. In such a climate, the non-state actors, who have grown in size and strength over the years, are a threat to Pakistan as well as to regional stability. There is no question that Pakistan should take effective action against these groups, which can potentially bring the neighbours close to war. This must be avoided. India, for its part, has to show greater strategic empathy and take a long-term view of its Pakistan policy. Its current policy, cynics say, comprises a series of knee-jerk reactions and disparate voices from its various power centres, including the military. Firing at each other remains the crudest way of expressing nationalistic passions in this day and age. India complains of incursions into the state of Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan denies it and soldiers die in vain. The joint patrols and hotlines established were conceived as mechanisms to avoid such clashes and the unnecessary deaths of soldiers. There is a critical need to devise new mechanisms, such as increased demilitarised zones across the LoC. Such eyeball-to-eyeball confrontation on the LoC once again underscores the necessity of dealing with the Kashmir issue and not treating it as the invisible elephant in the room. General Musharraf and Mc MO Singh had come close to agreeing on the famed four-point formula, which remains a wise 21st-century solution to a 20th-century imbroglio.
India-Pakistan talks must proceed as planned. They would provide the best forum to raise the issue of bilateral disputes and confront the problem at hand. The tendency of the two states to involve the media before the diplomatic channels has emerged as a destabilising factor. Media freedoms and reporting are essential but the two countries must not allow TV anchors and reporters to frame and drive policy. There has to be a new start. Giving Sharif a chance should be part of India's new Pakistan policy, of which stabilising and supporting Pakistan's democracy should be the central plank. The transition from a bureaucratic model to a new way of imagining Pakistan would require some fresh thinking and bold leadership in India. Similarly, Pakistan's new administration will have to take charge of the India policy if it wants to avoid known blunders and pushing the region into a nuclear conflict

[SSridhar]

Dawood has been chased out of Pakistan: Shahryar Khan

Oh, we should not take this statement from the cousin of Pataudi so seriously. He was launching his book and he was talking to Indian journalists and he has been appointed NS's advisor on India. He is expected, like all Pakis, to speak lies and according to the situation.

What is this 'chasing out' ? Who 'chased him out' ? By the mobs who did not like his presence in Karachi ? He has an Interpol Red Corner notice pending since c. 2006. So, he could not be simply 'chased out' by Pakistan. Pakistan has always been claiming that he never lived in Pakistan. Once Musharraf said that terrorist Dawood was held in great esteem in Pakistan for his deeds in India protecting Muslims. So, how could the mobs have chased him out ? Then there was a news item of his living in FATA after undergoing extensive plastic surgery to alter his face. Then, there was a news item of him being shifted to Malaysia. Now, Shaharyar Khan is saying he lives in the UAE.

Isn't it like those speculations by Musharraf about OBL ? He claimed he was dead, he was living in Afghanistan, he never came to Pakistan etc. and every time he was 400% sure onlee. How could a person who never ever exited in Pakistan be chased out now, like how could Americans kill OBL in Abbottabad when he never lived in Pakistan in the first place ?

[g.sarkar]

Dawood has been chased out of Pakistan: Shahryar Khan
Bunch of liars and shameless puckers.

"Dawood (Ibrahim) was in Pakistan but I believe he was chased out of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan, he should be hounded and arrested. We cannot allow such gangsters to operate from the country," said Shahryar Khan, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif's special envoy for improving relations with India.

Just as "Bin Laden was dead and never in Pakistan." Mush uvacha
Gautam

[Anujan]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/give- ... e/1152979/
Give Sharif a chance

I dont know, how about going across wagah in a bus, visiting Minar-e-Pakistan and signing a declaration in Lahore? We could call it "Lahore Declaration". Will that be enough of a chance to Sharif?

[g.sarkar]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/give- ... e/1152979/
Give Sharif a chance

I dont know, how about going across wagah in a bus, visiting Minar-e-Pakistan and signing a declaration in Lahore? We could call it "Lahore Declaration". Will that be enough of a chance to Sharif?

No. They want nagad rokra. How about declaring Pukes inheritors of Mughal dynasty, taxing mango janta like the old mughal times and remitting to Pakhanistan? How about declaring the whole of India a dhimmistan? How about sending a tribute of young boys annually as they did in Turkey?
Gautam

[Prem]

Sharif cannot control his Chotta Bhai from giving millions to the terrroist Half-IZ Saeed then how can he control his NSA+SA= TJS =Terrorist Jehadi Scums born of routine BSC=Brother Sister Combo.

[CRamS]

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/give- ... e/1152979/
Give Sharif a chance

Thi clown who wrote this is doing his rounds on DDM. Man does TSP have a strategy. They bite, and then dispatch pukes like this guys to charm our bone heads on DDM. Note how skilfuuly he repats the same TSPA/ISI/pigLeT propaganda, "both sides", "Kashmiiri fighters", "let 3rd party investigate" etc. And as I said our bones heads are not equipped with the requisite mental make up to challenge these b@stards. There sure is a method and strategy to TSP's madness. It is India that is the laughing stock. Looks like another TSP atrocity is a by-line in the history books.

[Philip]

Gents,one must read between the lines.Th, is is just one of the pre-arranged gimmicks that have been worked out by the "Sherrif of Terroristan",his "Kill-Any" army chief and the pedlar of snake-oil.How do you create a favouarable atitude in India towards Pak,so that a sell-out by MMS and co. can take place and he then becomes eligible for the ig-Nobel p*ss prize,awarded by Uncle Sam?

Unfortunately,the elements in Pak who are absolutely against any Indo-Pak rapproachment,organised the recent murder of Indian troops. So damage control has gone into action.The long-standing demands by India,and the Oppn. in particular,for Pak to hand over the conspirators of 26/11 and chief mafia puppeteer and criminal overlord,Dawood puts the Paki regime in a fix.Obviously they cannot do this as state-sponsored terror is a key tool of the Paki regime/army.So a plot was hatched where "Pak chucked him",supposedly,to deflect attention being drawn to his presence in Pak.

Apart from having to now reveal the sordid facts of how he came to be living in Pak,in total openness,indicating his key importance to the Paki military,Qs are going to be asked how like Osama he also lived in a posh locality of Karachi.entertained the highest in the land,in and out of uniform,and was never ever piicked up for his racketeering in Pak itself.

So Pak now expects kudos from India,a kiss on both cheeks,and the talks /sell out to go ahead as planned.The Sherrif and mendicant can now boldly say that "NO" anti-Indian terrorists are living in Pak,and that we must smoke the "p*ss pipe"! "P*ss in our time" indeed!

PS: There are dates and timeframes for events to unfold according to plan/plot.They have to be met for the successful sell-out to take place.The hilarious announcement of Dawood being "chucked out" by the "Sherrif" is so ludicrous that few will swallow it.Expect more sensational gimmicks to come cometh the hustings.

[habal]

they have 'chucked out', but they will not hand over anyone. A piss poor and weightless country like Pakistan can't be seen in eyes of its shitizens as actually 'giving' anything to anyone. That imho is their major weakness and jugular vein. The 'sleight' will always come with them as a package.

[chetak]

Economies of the ummah

WHAT is the combined size of the economies of all Muslim countries? Which are the largest and most dynamic? What are some of the defining economic characteristics of Muslim countries?

These are some of the questions for which, surprisingly — or perhaps tellingly — there are few readily available answers. Indeed, while many of us have an idea of the total Muslim population of the world, most of us are not even sure how many countries the Muslim world consists of — and there are differing numbers in cyberspace on even this most basic of questions.

Let us start with the last question first. While many in the media in Pakistan cite the number of Muslim countries as 57 or 58, quoting the website of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), using the list of member countries of the OIC can lead to a misleading result in that in addition to Muslim-majority countries, it includes others with significant Muslim minority populations as well. Hence, Nigeria and Mozambique are listed as members of the OIC, but are not Muslim-majority countries.

The most authentic list comes from the seminal 2010 study by the Pew Research centre, which lists Muslim-majority countries at 49. Including the Muslim population of countries that have a large Muslim minority cohort, such as India and Nigeria among others, the combined total of adherents to Islam is around 1.62 billion, or roughly 23pc of the world population.

Muslim countries account for 21.7pc of the world’s land mass, with the largest Muslim country in terms of geographic size being Kazakhstan. It is followed by Algeria, Sudan, Saudi Arabia and Indonesia.

Nearly 22pc of the Muslim population of the world resides in the Arab countries, while almost 1.3 billion Muslims are residents of the remaining Muslim-majority countries.

The most populous Muslim-majority countries are Indonesia, Pakistan and Bangladesh with nearly 36pc of the total Muslim population of the world residing in them. The smallest Muslim country in the world is the island nation of Maldives, with a total population of 338,442.

The aggregate size of the economies of all Muslim countries put together is around $5.7 trillion — or 8.1pc of the world total. The largest economy in the Islamic world is Indonesia with a size of $846 billion, followed by Turkey ($775bn) and Saudi Arabia ($577bn). Iran is the only other Muslim country with a GDP larger than $500bn.

While Pakistan is the second largest Muslim country in terms of population, it ranks eighth within the Islamic world in terms of size of the economy.

The oil-producing countries of the Islamic world account for the bulk of the combined size of the economy of the ummah, with a share of 73pc. Excluding the contribution of oil to the economies of Muslim-majority countries, the non-oil GDP of the Islamic world is a paltry 4pc of the world GDP (my estimate).

The largest non-oil producing economy of the Islamic world is Turkey, followed by Malaysia and Pakistan. While Indonesia has a fairly diversified economy, oil is a significant part of its GDP.

Since 1980, the fastest-growing economies in the Muslim world have been Qatar (the size of whose economy has increased 22 times over this period), Oman (12 times), Malaysia (11.5 times), Turkey (11.3 times) , Indonesia (10.8 times) and Egypt (10.3 times). Pakistan has also been a relatively strong performer, with the size of its economy growing 8.9 times since 1980. By comparison, the world GDP grew by 6.4 times over this period.

Overall, the combined per capita income of Muslim countries amounts to $4,185, which is approximately 40pc of the world’s. Compared to all developed (high income) countries, the per capita income of the Muslim world amounts to 11pc of the former’s level. Obviously, there are wide variations between, and within, the different Muslim countries on this score.

The wealthiest Muslim countries in terms of per capita income (current US dollars) are Qatar, Kuwait and Brunei Darussalam. Their respective per capita incomes as of 2012 were $90,524, $56,514 and $41,127. Pakistan ranks 30th in per capita terms within the Muslim world.

Within the Muslim world, the largest exporters are Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Indonesia and Turkey, exporting goods and services worth $376bn, $264bn, $213bn and $185bn respectively. The largest non-oil exporters are Malaysia and Turkey.

By far the most technologically advanced Muslim-majority country is Malaysia, which exports nearly $60bn worth of high-technology goods each year. Far behind in terms of technological content of exports are Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Turkey.

In terms of literacy, the most educated Muslim-majority countries are the Central Asian ‘stans’ — Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan — with nearly universal adult literacy. At least nine Muslim-majority countries have adult literacy levels greater than 90pc, while Pakistan languishes at the near-bottom on this score.

According to the World Development Indicators, Afghanistan ranks right at the top in the Muslim world in terms of health spending as a percentage of GDP. Twenty-five Muslim countries spend 5pc of GDP or more on health services — more than twice the level of Pakistan. Pakistan ranks seventh from the bottom within the Muslim world on this front.

Finally, in terms of science and technology, only one Muslim country invests more than 1pc of GDP on research and development (R&D) — Tunisia. Turkey ranks second, while Pakistan ranks a surprising fourth in the list of countries with recent data — reflecting both data limitations as well as the poor state of R&D in the rest of the Muslim world.

The writer is a former economic adviser to government, and currently heads a macroeconomic consultancy based in Islamabad.