Terrorist Islamic Republic of Pakistan - Jan 04, 2014

[Paul]

Well, to extend this development west of durand line, Afghanistan will also break up into Pashtun and non pashtun demarcated areas after the American rout in 2014.

Hence the formation of Afghanistan by Ahmad shah and which held together for 250 years will also get undone in a matter of time.

In geographical terms, India needs to hold out and ensure these tendencies do not extend east of the radcliffe line

[shiv]

Well, to extend this development west of durand line, Afghanistan will also break up into Pashtun and non pashtun demarcated areas after the American rout in 2014.

A de facto break has already occurred.

We have a "UN recognized" Afghanistan, a "UN recognized" Pakistan separated by a swathe of territory controlled by the Taliban on both sides of the Durand line - effectively a third state.

Need to see how long Pakistanis (and Americans) will keep up the pretence.

[Peregrine]

Apologies for posting "Kirikit" in this Thread :

Land of Pure and Home of Terrorists Isolated in ICC Reforms

'Unanimous' SLC backs ICC revamp - "People who talk about principles and all that will not give us the money".

Cheers

[anupmisra]

Apologies for posting "Kirikit" in this Thread :

Land of Pure and Home of Terrorists Isolated in ICC Reforms

'Unanimous' SLC backs ICC revamp - "People who talk about principles and all that will not give us the money".

Cheers

Good timing for the Lankans to come to their senses with the IPL 2014 bidding and all. Apparently a list of 27 from Lanka was considered as part of the bids. Who would want to give up on that gravy train. Of course, the list of 1000 super-duper paki players submitted by zaka-hari was lost in translation between Wagah and Attari.

[anupmisra]

We now have three countries where there was one. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Tali-bania (Waziristan)

I come up with this list:

1. SDRE Republic of Bangladesh
2. Pak-e-Jab on Ravi and Indus
3. Sar-e-Ackky on the Indus
4. Sindhivania
5. Emirates of Waziristan, Kafiristan and Outer Reaches of Purelandia
6. Nations of Kalat and Surrounding Baloch Badlands
7. Balti -ul- Mug-estan
8. Peoples Sunni Tribal Protectorate of Pakhwa-e-hind
9. Mohajiristan

With this, India's need for strategic depth against the tribes of Afghanistan will be complete.

[Lalmohan]

don't forget kalashistan, chitralistan and hunzistan - or karakorumargistan

[anupmisra]

How Balochistan gained independence in 2021.

A satire.

[SSridhar]

A Major of the TSPA killed in firing by TTP in Peshawar.

[SSridhar]

Of course, the list of 1000 super-duper paki players submitted by zaka-hari was lost in translation between Wagah and Attari.

This is non-tariff barrier and that is why Pureland does not want to give MFN to India. Pakistan must take this issue to ICJ or set up a Court of Arbitration under Indus Water Treaty.

[Brad Goodman]

Welcome back Shiv ji. It wasnt the same in this thread without you
Middle-class militancy

THAT Al Qaeda has been active in Pakistan is no secret, as several top-ranking foreign militants belonging to the transnational terror franchise, including Osama bin Laden, have been apprehended here. However, what is cause for concern is that evidence is emerging that Al Qaeda has made inroads inside urban Pakistan, attracting bright young men to its cause. Police on Friday said they had unearthed an ‘organised network’ of the militant group in Karachi; investigators revealed that Al Qaeda is recruiting university students from numerous middle-class Karachi localities, focusing on young talent proficient in information technology. The discovery of the network has put the spotlight on urban religious militancy, particularly amongst the educated youth, whereas most of the earlier focus had been on extremist madressahs. Similar discoveries had been made in Lahore.

[SSridhar]

Middle-class militancy

The discovery of the network has put the spotlight on urban religious militancy, particularly amongst the educated youth, whereas most of the earlier focus had been on extremist madressahs. Similar discoveries had been made in Lahore.

A western-based psychologist of Pakistani origin proved that in 2003 timeframe itself after extensive interviews of Pakistani men airlifted from Kunduz.

[anupmisra]

A Major of the TSPA killed in firing by TTP in Peshawar.

Which one of these entities was a non-state actor?

[anupmisra]

Govt committee expresses inability to carry forward peace talks.

That's a shocker! Who could have predicted that?

The committee said the talks could not progress without any solid steps and also asked the Taliban to unconditionally cease all violent activities without any delay

the committee members had unanimously decided that holding the scheduled talks with the Taliban committee was a meaningless effort

Taqqiya and counter-taqqiya. Pillows all around.

[Brad Goodman]

13 children injured in Karak school explosion

PESHAWAR: Thirteen children were among 15 people wounded on Monday in an explosion outside a private school in Dhab area of Karak district. Police said the explosive material was placed outside the private school’s gate in Dhab. “It went off with a big bang; subsequently 15 people were injured, including the school’s principal,” local reporters quoted police as saying. The injured were shifted to District Headquarters Hospital in Karak city. Meanwhile, an explosion in a three-star hotel in Namak Mandi area left its guard injured, the hotel manager said. The blast occurred on the first floor of hotel near the lobby. “The hotel’s security guard, Allah Bakhsh, has sustained injuries,” the hotel management told police.

[anupmisra]

A Major of the TSPA killed in firing by TTP in Peshawar.

Army major killed in militant attack near Peshawar

...after peace negotiations between the government and Pakistani Taliban insurgents broke down

there was no word from the main spokesman of the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

This is the second attack on security forces personnel in the last 24 hours

[Brad Goodman]

Pakistani couple stoned to death for adultery; six arrested

A couple were stoned to death for adultery in a remote area of Pakistan's western Baluchistan province, an official said Monday, leading to six men being held on suspicion of murder.

The couple, both married to other people, were believed to be in their 30s, said Sarfaraz Bugti, the home minister for Baluchistan.

[kish]

19 muslims in islamic republic of pakisatan got proper islamic violent deaths, which otherwise wouldn't have been possible in Hindu majority India.

Scorecard:
1. karachi = 9 islamic deaths [url=httpxxx://www.geo.tv/article-138238-Nine-killed-i ... n-24-hours]here[/url]
2. lahore = 8 islamic deaths[url=httpxxx://tribune.com.pk/story/673274/eight-members-of-a-family-murdered-in-lahore/]here[/url]
3. a police sub-inspector [url=httpxxx://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-4-233224 ... hree-lives]here[/url] & paki army major [url=httpxxx://tribune.com.pk/story/673272/senior-pakistan-officer-killed-by-militants-ispr/]here[/url]

so 19 islamic deaths, not bad for a islamic republic.

[shiv]

This image shows the parts of Karachi controlled by the Taliban
source


This one shows Waziristan, but does not show how much more influence/sympathy they may have in Pakistan

Pakistan is not a small country. The distance between Waziristan and Karachi is about 900 km. But control of Karachi gives the Taliban a port and the possibility of a viable economy. But that port will have to be connected with Waziristan via along road link through shitistan.

Look at this map
http://img.xcitefun.net/users/2011/06/2 ... ghways.png

Waziristan is well connected to Karachi via a highway that goes through Baluchistan passing through places like Quetta and Mastung. Recognise those names? The Paki army does not enjoy control over these areas although Pakistani security forces are present.

I think all talk of the Pakistan army conducting an offensive to knockout the Taliban is all bluster. Someone call me out if it happens. It all adds up. Pakistan not getting tax revenues from most people. Pakistan not doing any development in Baluchistan or other non Punjab provinces. What is likely to happen is the gradual setting up of parallel economies in those far off places, and parallel governments.

What this means for India is another matter - will post some thoughts later.

[pgbhat]

Looks like if talibs can control N-25, N-10 and N-85, Pakjabis are f*cked.

[abhijitm]

^^ I thought Orangi is also controlled by the TTP.

PS: good to see you Shiv

Edited later: As I am thinking, fake paki currency could come in handy for TTP; very very handy indeed.

[pradeepe]

Karachi looks like a war room map with offensive forces choking out resistance.

Total encirclement, slowing drawing the noose tighter, pockets collapsing. Soon the defence housing folks will need to setup shop on their new found islands. Weren't new landmasses coming up mysteriously..

[Lalmohan]

Karachi looks like a war room map with offensive forces choking out resistance.

there, corrected

[ramana]

I did read that a lot of Pashtuns from the Soviet era Afghan war were in Karachi. I also know there are lot of NWFP now known as Khyber Pasthunwa (K-P) also there.
Its interesting that TTP has become the large force in Karachi which was a MQM stronghold.

[Prem]

Karachi looks like a war room map with offensive forces choking out resistance.
there, corrected

I only see a Mehndi colored giant Dlizard descending from heaven to grant final deliverance to the Dumboot Denizens of this clown town.

[Peregrine]

Pakistan urges Iran to respect its Sovirginity

ISLAMABAD : A day after Iran threatened to send forces into Pakistani territory to recover its five abducted soldiers, the foreign office refuted allegations of negligence over the matter but reminded that Iranian forces had no authority to cross violate the country’s borders sovirginity.

Cheers

[partha]

This image shows the parts of Karachi controlled by the Taliban
source

wow..look at the way TTP has encircled Karachi. Was it just by chance or by design? I think they are sophisticated enough for it to be by design.

The way it looks in the pic, a dinosaur whose head is near Hub river and whose tail passes through US consulate and ends in Arabian sea is holding the hands of a dragon whose head is near Sohrab Goth enter and take over Karachi.

AoA!

[partha]

Apparently, TTP has sent a letter to Karachi traffic police to ban music in vehicles

Yindia should show big heart and stop producing music till Pakistan resolves this issue which itself is linked to resolution of core issue of Kashmir where Yindia should again show big heart.

[ramana]

looks like a BRF Rohrschach Test sample.

[anupmisra]

Berlin looks like a war room map with offensive forces choking out resistance. Total encirclement, slowing drawing the noose tighter, pockets collapsing...

There. More like the last defence of Berlin.

[anupmisra]

Apparently, TTP has sent a letter to Karachi traffic police to ban music in vehicles

If India could release water after extracting electricity, perhaps it can filter out music from the air waves too.

[SSridhar]

JeM's Maulana Masood Azhar Resurfaces; Ignites Fears of Attacks - Reuters, ToI

Maulana Masood Azhar, the Pakistani Islamic hardliner blamed for an attack on India's Parliament that brought the nuclear rivals to the brink of war has resurfaced after years in seclusion, setting off alarm bells in New Delhi.

Twice since the end of December, authorities have issued an airport security alert, warning of an attempt by members of a Pakistan-based terror group called Jaish-e-Mohammad, to hijack a plane, with smaller airfields most at risk.

Officials have said the alerts followed reports of increased activity by Masood Azhar, the leader of the outlawed group.

Azhar was named by a court as the prime suspect in a 2001 attack on Parliament aimed at taking top political leaders hostage. Fifteen people were killed, most of them security guards as well as the five men who stormed the complex.

Tensions between the old enemies spiralled after the attack and up to a million troops were mobilized on both sides of the volatile border. Pakistan refused to hand over Azhar to India.

The portly and bearded cleric has remained mostly confined to a compound in his home city of Bhawalpur in Pakistan's Punjab province for years, but three weeks ago, he addressed supporters and said the time had come to resume jihad, or holy war, against India.

"There are 313 fidayeen (fighters who are ready to die) in this gathering and if a call is given the number will go up to 3,000," he told the rally held in the city of Muzaffarabad by telephone. A Reuters journalist who was present said a telephone was held next to a microphone which broadcast his comments to loudspeakers.

Flags of Jaish, inscribed with the words "jihad", fluttered in and around the venue of the gathering. Azhar spoke from an undisclosed location.

Intelligence analysts have described Azhar's resurgence as part of a change in tactics in Pakistan as US forces withdraw from Afghanistan this year, and as Islamabad tries to clamp down on Islamic insurgents who oppose the Pakistani government.

India says Pakistan's military establishment is bringing terrorists like Azhar out of cold storage, with the promise of helping them fight India, while trying to stamp out the radicals they can't control.

Talat Masood, a retired Pakistani army general, said: "It is very dangerous that the Pakistani establishment is giving space to him. They are playing with fire and the fire will engulf them."

REMAINS IN CONTROL

A former fighter for Jaish, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Azhar remained in command of the group, operating from his Bhawalpur base.

"His speech via telephone should not be a surprise for people involved in jihad, he has been controlling the organisation very actively," the man said.

The security alerts in India occurred just days before Azhar spoke. They were not publicized but two officials, one from the domestic Intelligence Bureau and the other from the Central Industrial Security Force, said authorities had increased checks on airport staffers to ensure nobody with forged passes gained access.

Security had also been increased in Delhi's suburban rail system, where commuters go through metal detectors, are patted down and have their bags checked in x-ray machines.

Staff of the Central Industrial Security Force now work 10-hour shifts in the metro system, so there were more guards at any point.

Azhar was arrested in Kashmir in 1994 while travelling on a forged Portuguese passport. India freed him and two other jailed Pakistani terrorists in 1999 in return for 155 passengers held hostage in an Indian Airlines aircraft that was hijacked to southern Afghanistan.

One of the other freed militants was British-born Omar Sheikh, a close associate of Azhar who was later convicted in the 2002 abduction and murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.

After his release, Azhar set up the Jaish to fight Indian forces in Kashmir. India has long accused Pakistan's powerful spy agency, the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), of close links with hardline groups like Jaish.

"Jaish has an obsession with India that transcends Kashmir. They had so many plans. Any reactivation of Masood Azhar is cause for deep concern," said A K Doval, a former head of India's Intelligence Bureau and one of the foremost experts on militant groups in South Asia.

Other officials in India said the rally in Muzaffarabad and Azhar's address wouldn't have been possible without state clearance, a charge Pakistan strongly denies.

"He addressed a rally, but steps will be taken to ensure he doesn't do it again," said Tasnim Aslam, spokeswoman for Pakistan's foreign ministry.

"It is not possible we would allow his group to cause terrorism elsewhere when it is banned for causing terrorism in Pakistan."

She said independent investigations had often shown that attacks in India were blamed on Pakistan but sometimes caused by domestic politics or rogue members of the Indian security services.

"There's a tendency in India to hyperventilate without finding out all the facts," she said.

Rana Banerji, a former special secretary at India's main spy agency, the Research and Analysis Wing, and a leading expert on Pakistan, said Azhar could not have re-surfaced without approval from Pakistan's intelligence agencies.

"He has been allowed to exist in closely monitored conditions all these years on the premise he would keep his activities low key," said Banerji.

"But now that he has been allowed to emerge publicly suggests there is an attempt to allow them a platform for their malevolent energies," he said.

[Prem]

The Pashtun corridor

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/19 ... -corridorl]

Afghanistan is a landlocked country and is surrounded by Pakistan, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and China. To its southeast, Afghanistan shares a long but porous border with Pakistan. Afghanistan’s major ethnic community, the Pashtun, inhabits the area situated along both sides of the Pak-Afghan border called the Durand Line. Whilst the border keeps both countries politically independent of each other, owing to their settlements, the Pashtun established a corridor between them. The Pashtun corridor makes both countries interlinked (and to some extent interdependent) socially. In this way, between the two countries, if politics is a divergent factor, society is a convergent factor: the interplay of ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan are political versus social. Nevertheless, there is no denying the fact that the social domain shapes the political destiny of a country. The same is true for both Pakistan and Afghanistan.
In recent history, the Pashtun corridor has affected Pakistan more than it has impacted Afghanistan. For instance, the Pashtun corridor kept Pakistan in the Afghan war (1979 to 1989) to force out the former Soviet Union, a superpower of that time, from Afghanistan. Secondly, the corridor sucked Pakistan into the power vacuum created after the departure of the former Soviet Union in 1989. Thirdly, the corridor has been keeping Pakistan tied to Afghanistan’s internal situation, which surfaced after the year 2001. In the same vein, the corridor has the potential of keeping the internal situation of Pakistan linked to — even if not tied to — the internal situation of Afghanistan even after 2014. From 1979 to 1989, the conflict of Afghanistan with the former Soviet Union not only destroyed Afghanistan physically but also made at least two fault lines prominent: first, Afghan society was divided along ethnic lines and, secondly, the religious orientation of Afghan society was also divided along sectarian lines. Both kinds of divisions have been the bane of Afghanistan’s existence since 1989, as both began determining the future of Afghanistan. Nonetheless, the thought — if not ideology — procreating such divisions has also crept into Pakistani society, especially since 2001. The Pakistan of today has been struggling with circumventing the possibility of becoming the replica of Afghanistan.
Within the aforementioned context, the future of Pakistan rests on answering two questions: first, whether or not Pakistan has the ability to pull Afghanistan out of the crisis it is in now and, secondly, whether or not Afghanistan has the ability to pull Pakistan into the morass it is in now. While answering these questions, there may be several variables but a constant (and permanent) factor is the Pashtun corridor. This point begs the next question: can Pakistan dissociate itself from the internal situation of Afghanistan, and consequently save itself?
To answer these questions, the Pakistani political and social stream is divided into two visible halves. One school of thought advocates the nationalist orientation of Pakistanis and advises Pakistan’s separation from the internal affairs of Afghanistan. This school considers political standing more important than social bonds — social bonds must be subservient to political ones. However, the second school of thought advocates pan-Islamism and advises staying attached to the internal affairs of Afghanistan. This school gives precedence to the social relationship with Afghanistan over the political relationship — the political must be subservient to the social. Furthermore, the expanse of the concern of pan-Islamists also encompasses the welfare and protection of those settlers who do not originally belong to the Afghan land or the Pashtun corridor. This difference of opinion has surfaced a sort of conflict between nationalists and pan-Islamists (of all ethnic hues) in Pakistan. Secondly, as the internal situation of Afghanistan has been affected by foreign forces in the post-2001 era, the consequences of their presence have brought both nationalists and pan-Islamists to defy each other.
A reflection of this conflict originated from both reasons can be seen in the debate making the rounds about whether Pakistan should be run by a man-made constitution or a religiously ordained one. The nationalists are supporting the former option while the pan-Islamists are backing the latter one. One of the major reasons of the conflict between the two schools of thought is that the pan-Islamists consider that their agenda cannot be promoted in the presence of the man-made constitution, which does not support pan-Islamism. Apparently, the pan-Islamists are showing little understanding of global realities emanating from the present age. They think that if the past were superimposed on the present, their objective would be achieved easily. Nevertheless, it is apparent that both the focus and the intensity of the debate divulge clearly that the conflict has matured for a final settlement, whether by dialogue or otherwise.
The nationalists are also confronted with another challenge: if Pakistan becomes able to dissociate itself from the internal situation of Afghanistan, will that act guarantee Pakistan’s safety? This is a worrying point for Pakistan because of the pent-up anger against the internal situation of Afghanistan, which is affecting the internal situation of the Pashtun corridor first and that of Pakistan later. The understanding of this relationship brings the importance of the sentiments of the Pashtun corridor to the fore but herein lies the catch. The Pakistani half of the Pashtun corridor may not remain indifferent to the happenings in the Afghan half of the corridor. This is another dimension of the constant factor vis-à-vis several variables. The next and perhaps the last challenge that upsets the nationalists is this: in disassociation of Pakistan from both the internal situation of Afghanistan and that of the Pashtun corridor, what is the cost, and is Pakistan is ready to pay the cost? The cost should not only be calculated in monetary terms but also in men and material terms. Secondly, the cost should not only be valued in terms of the target loss but also in terms of the collateral loss. It is a million dollar question to answer if Pakistan is ready to pay the cost or not.

[Prem]

China condemns Taliban attack in Pakistan
Chinese Father Come To Rescue: Mere Munna Ko Danda kyon Maara

PEE-IJING- Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said China condemns the killing of 23 security soldiers in Pakistan by the Taliban.
"China has always supported the Pakistan government and people's efforts to safeguard national stability, to set and implement its security strategy in line with its own national conditions," Hua said at a daily news briefing.China hopes Pakistan will find Islam, economic and soosidal ability, she concluded.

[shiv]

JeM's Maulana Masood Azhar Resurfaces; Ignites Fears of Attacks - Reuters, ToI

As I get older I get more and more irritated with the ignorance and short-sightedness of people who are quoted in the media as "analysts". Only the anal part of the label is accurate, and the crap that is produced thereof is published in the media.

There are a thousand Pakis working in the background - like that mysterious "major" who helped conduct the Mumbai attacks of 2008 and these anal cysts claim that just because Masood Azhar "resurfaced" it means more attacks are going to occur. Attacks on India can occur any time.today, tomorrow or later, just as the risk of attack has been high for the last 20 years. Connecting the resurfacing of Mysooth Asser with the possibility of new attacks is simply uninformed speculation.

What is even more stupid in that article is the claim that the appearance of Mr Mysooth Asser is linked to a plan to speed up American withdrawal from Afghanaistan. Heck why were the Pakis waiting so long. They could have allowed him out in 2002 and the Americans would have been out no?

I have completely stopped trusting the media to make any serious and credible analysis of the situation in Pakistan (or anywhere else for that matter). The media publish stuff because it is their job to publish something, not because it is wise or credible. What is worse is the way the media pick up western analcyst views and publish it for Indian readers, after which Indians digest and start spreading the western viewpoint. This is a disservice to India.

If you stop and think for one milliseond you will see that
1. The Pakistan army has been anti India since Pakistan was formed
2. The Taliban are openly against the Pakistan army and have killed more Paki army men than India has since 1999.

Someone please explain to me why the Taliban is a threat and the Paki establishment and army are claimed to be the last barrier before the Taliban have free rein against india? The Taliban's actions make them our allies.

As long as they do what we want they are our allies. The day they do something that is against our interests like befriending the US or the Paki army, the Taliban can be added to our list of enemies.

Is this so difficult to understand?

Yes, a day may come when the US sees the Taliban as an ally against India. that will be when the US starts supplying the Taliban with arms and monetary aid claiming that they are not for use against India. That is what we need to watch out for.

BRFites who were just 5 year old kids while we were discussing the Kargil war here are now thinking adults. they need to learn facts, not crap written by analcysts who recycle nonsense published in western media.

[Prem]

The Pakistan GaSandwich
http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9 ... n-sandwich
Musharraf Zaada

Ultimately, claiming victimhood is a poor substitute for policy. If a country doesn’t have creative ways of dealing with its difficulties, that country is in big, big trouble. What is happening in the geopolitical and geostrategic spheres that Pakistan sits at the centre of is nothing short of cataclysmic change. How well prepared are we to deal with these changes? It doesn’t look good.
To start with, the current mindset among reasonable Pakistanis that refuse to be blinded by nationalism to the urgency of the situation is one of victimhood. I put myself squarely within that large galaxy of Pakistanis. I also think almost all of our political and social leaders are in the same camp. We’re overwhelmed by the confluence of institutional challenges and underwhelmed by the quality of our collective response. Even the prime minister, otherwise an assured, self-confident man after his big electoral victory last year, exudes a worried, pained persona of a leader unsure whether we will be able to overcome. I’m with him. The overwhelming majority of Pakistanis are victims of circumstances, history and spiralling institutional dynamics that don’t seem to be heading anywhere pleasant. It is well enough for us to say that we are in this hole because of the cancerous mistakes we have made as a country. But contrition is a poor strategy for progress.
First up? Iran. Iran has all kinds of new swag. This self-confidence, a product of roughly 18 months of some of the highest quality public and private diplomacy that we’ve seen in recent memory is going to come at a cost for Pakistan. This was known all along. Why? Because Pakistan happens to be the headquarters of some of the most violent anti-Shia organisations in the world. These groups are enjoying a major resurgence of relevance and power in recent months.
Iran is a Shia majority country with growing global influence, and an economy on the cusp of being released from a series of crushing international sanctions. It has a port named Chabahar that could nullify Pakistan’s long-held geostrategic advantage. And Iran harbours wounds from the consistency with which it feels Pakistan has been a bad neighbour to it. This is a bad combination on its own, but much worse when combined with the second factor.
The second factor? The House of Saud’s rediscovery of Pakistan. Ever since last year’s UN General Assembly, which was really the Rouhani & Zarif Show, and subsequently, the successful détente between Iran and the P5+1 in Geneva, Saudi Arabia has roared often but meekly, like a wounded lion. Its pride has been ravaged by the thought of a normalised Iran on the international stage. All that Persian culture, all that Isfahani charm, all deployed against the Bedouin fierceness and petrodollar magic that has defined Saudi Arabia on the international stage for decades. Third, and finally, is momentum. Not so much the momentum that seems to favour Iran, or the one that is driving these high-level Saudi visits to Pakistan, but really the momentum of Pakistan’s internal troubles, and the steep decline as a power in the region, and in the Muslim world. It is useful to remember Pakistan’s place in the world as it was conceived by Quaid-e-Azam, the rest of the founding fathers, and Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Pakistan, with its syncretic and diverse mix of sects and practices, its geostrategic location and the modernity of its elite was designed to be the singular pivot for the Muslim world, the sharp, witty front end of Islam on the global stage. Its diplomats were trained in a specific way, consistent with that vision and its policies.
Until the early 1980s Pakistani diplomacy reflected the sophistication, nuances, ambition and competence that was necessary to stake out that place. Pakistan’s decision to be a surrogate mother to the Afghan jihad destroyed a lot of things in this country – and that vision was one of them.
One, the Iranian threat of hot pursuit into Pakistani territory, to recover Iranian soldiers kidnapped by allegedly Pakistan-based terror groups. Two, Pakistan’s implicit endorsement of Saudi Arabia’s interventionist policies in Syria. Can Pakistan really afford to have a neighbouring country hurl threats in the manner that Iran’s interior minister has? Not really. But this country specialises in being antagonised and victimised by its immediate neighbours. And then responding in the worst way possible. Not really. But this country specialises in putting the interests of other countries, for small sums of money, ahead of its own (see US, China, Saudi Arabia over and over and over again since the 1950s). Poor us. The world’s worst sandwich is the one that finds Pakistan, marinated by its own incompetence, and lack of creativity, stuck between Saudi Arabia on one side and Iran on the other. If the only response we have is to claim victimhood in this uncomfortable position, we are destined to remain locked in it. It may work for Saudi Arabia and for Iran, but it has never, and will never work for Pakistan.

[Prem]

Former PCB chairman calls Big Three 'sons of pigs'
Thanks Allah, He did not say Paki ki Awlad

Lahore- Former PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has termed Indian, Australian and English cricket boards as ‘sons of pigs’.Talking to media after meeting with PCB chairman Najam Sethi, Butt said Pakistan should safeguard its interests in the current situation.“Should I reply in Punjabi or in English as my Urdu is not so good, if you ask me about Big-3 then I would say these three are sons of pigs” Butt replied while answering to a journalist’s question regarding the Big-3.Ex-chairman advised the journalists to give good suggestions to Najam Sethi instead of criticizing him.
PCB chairman Najam Sethi said the interest of Pakistan would be protected at every level.
He said consultation with former board chairmen would continue to make appropriate strategy on the issue of Big-3.Sethi said the Big-3 will have to listen to our point of view if they are looking for our vote at ICC.

[Aditya_V]

This image shows the parts of Karachi controlled by the Taliban
source

Look at the psy ops. The Taliban should be in Saudi green and not saffron, and do the Taliban control areas around the US consolate?. Clearly then there is not much difference between the Khakis and the Taliban including those who were airlifted from Kunduz.

[Anujan]

http://www.thenews.com.pk/Todays-News-9 ... ther-jihad

At 5:30 in the morning on November 25, people in the otherwise tranquil village of Kulahu in Balochistan’s Kech district woke up to three massive explosions, one followed by another. The blasts had been caused by three missiles fired from across the Iranian border. The target was a compound in possession of a man little known outside the village: Mullah Omar.

Mullah Omar was not present at the time of the strike, but his two-year-old grandniece, Abida, died. His seven-year-old son, Younus, was injured along with four other members of his family.

Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Malik Baloch condemned the Irani missile strike in passing during a press conference in Quetta, saying he had raised the issue with the country’s interior minister. However, the federal government is yet to issue a statement in this regard.

Sovirginity violation from all sides.

[partha]

http://www.thefridaytimes.com/tft/war-or-peace/

So these are the facts: breakaway Taliban groups, continuing terrorist attacks, unpredictable drones, unacceptable demands, increasing confusion and rifts among Taliban committee members. Come March, we should dig in for targeted strikes by the army and a Taliban backlash in the Punjab.

[Lalmohan]

no one covering mushie's court appearances?