Terroristan - June 20, 2017

[g.sarkar]

http://www.abplive.in/india-news/anantn ... way-546261
Anantnag, J&K: 2 Lashkar terrorists holed up in a building; 1 woman killed in heavy firing
Srinagar: In a fresh incident, two Lashkar terrorists have been holed up in a residential area of Anantnag in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday morning.
As per sources, a heavy firing was initiated from the terrorists’ end, which was retaliated by Indian Army. Heavy exchange of fire is taking place from both the ends. As per the police, a woman civilian was killed in a cross-firing between security forces and militants.
"Security forces were fired at when they launched an operation in Batpora village after a tip-off about the militants hiding in a house," the police said in a statement here."
.....

Gautam

[Falijee]

Ph.D Production In Pakiland !

Pakistan’s professor mafia
Pervez Hoodbhoy

THESE days Pakistan’s professors are too busy to read books because they use their time publishing what are called ‘research’ papers and procuring PhD degrees for their students. For example, a world record of sorts was set last month by the Faculty of Management Sciences at the International Islamic University when five PhD degrees were awarded in quick succession in areas ranging from finance to psychology — all under the supervision of one person who had received a PhD from a local university (MAJU) five years ago.

Hoodbhoy should not be that quick to criticize this "professor". The "professor" is doing his bit in meeting the 10,000 yearly quota of PhD's announced recently the Pakistan Minister of Higher Education

Meanwhile, teaching standards continue to plummet. In the so-called hard sciences — math, physics, chemistry and engineering — this fact stares you in the face. Student performance indicators in these subjects tell of a train wreck. The best US science and engineering schools have graduate departments teeming with Chinese and Indian students but Pakistanis are a rarity. Most Pakistanis do poorly in the GRE tests required for admission.

Why does Pakistan need expertise in science, math, physics and other modern studies, when all "knowledge" is found in The Book . And Pakistan is an Islamic Republic .! ( A recent news report lamented that second hand books in Pakistan are sold by weight as raadhi as people are not "interested" in reading )

This has a historical backdrop. Relative to India, for political and cultural reasons, the areas that currently constitute Pakistan were educationally backward. In 1947, Pakistan had only one university and just a few colleges. It lost its best faculty members, who were mostly Hindus, to the subsequent migration. Pakistan has no significant academic tradition to look back to. I would not say that ! For example , Axact University,( based in Karachi ) has carved a name for itself throughout the world, if media reports are to be believed

A major setback happened in 2002 when, in a bid to boost research and production of PhD degrees, ( mostly, in Islamic Studies ) the Higher Education Commission hooked the promotion, pay, and perks of university teachers to the number of research papers they published. Teaching became irrelevant. Your salary was the same whether you taught brilliantly or badly, or how well you knew your subject.

But even if there is no perfect answer the bottom line is indisputable: a professor cannot teach what he doesn’t know and has no interest in. There has to be some system for weeding out those utterly unfit to teach. Whereas ‘knowing’ is not easily defined in areas like anthropology or psychology, minimum (or base) competencies in the hard sciences are determinable. One could exploit the fact that there are plenty of excellent textbooks used internationally which have chapter-end problems and exercises with definite answers. Being able to correctly solve some reasonable fraction of these questions could be one criterion. Professorial appointments in Pakiland are doled out on sifarish basis and not on merit!

It is time to reject the grotesque distortion of priorities and reorient Pakistan’s universities towards their major responsibility and purpose — teaching. Incentivising paper and PhD production has resulted in mega-corruption. HEC’s foolish policy must be reversed even though the professor mafia will bitterly oppose it. Else even duly certified degrees awarded by Pakistani universities will soon have the worth of an Axact degree.

Whenever, "universities" are mentioned in Pakistan, the name of Axact is bound to come out

[SSridhar]

Pakistan still on radar of terror financing watchdog - DAWN

Despite taking a few significant steps against terror financing, Pakistan remains on the radar of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), an international watchdog tracking terror financing, over concerns that it is not fully complying with curbs against entities listed with the United Nations.

Pakistani officials, however, insist that they have done a lot and would continue to do whatever was required for the implementation of sanctions against entities designated under the UNSCR 1267.

At a meeting held last week in Valencia, Spain, the FATF referred Pakistan to its regional affiliate, Asia/Pacific Group on Money Laundering (APG), for further analysis and a follow-up report.

FATF’s International Cooperation Review Group (ICRG), which analyses high-risk jurisdictions, has requested the APG to provide the revised follow-up report on Pakistan after discussing it at its (APG’s) annual meeting scheduled for July.

The ICRG further decided to ask Pakistan for its compliance report on the implementation of UNSCR 1267 in case the APG decided against sending a revised report. It should be recalled that on previous occasions, the APG had sent its un-adopted report to the ICRG. The ICRG would once again take up Pakistan’s case at its meeting in October.

Officials have downplayed the FATF referral as a procedural matter and expect that Pakistan would be cleared of concerns over the implementation of UN sanctions.

The Pakistan government has taken a number of measures to squelch terror financing, including freezing over 100 bank accounts of UN-listed entities and individuals. However, some countries remain concerned about inadequate action against Hafiz Saeed and the entities linked to him – Jamaat-ud-Dawah and Falah-i-Insaaniat – both of which are on interior ministry’s watch list. There have also been concerns about fund-raising and seminaries run by the Jaish-e-Muhammad.

The government’s actions against terror financing, it is believed, have been constrained by political and certain other considerations. However, international pressure has been unrelenting, forcing the government to take difficult decisions.

Hafiz Saeed was placed under house arrest on Jan 30, ahead of the FATF meeting in February. The ICRG even then referred Pakistan to the APG, which reported that: “there continue to be certain UNSCR 1267 designated entities that receive and disperse funds without controls being applied by the competent authorities.”

A fortnight before last week’s FATF meeting, the government quietly banned the Tehreek-i-Azad-i-Jammu and Kashmir (TAJK), the latest of many organisations set up by Hafiz Saeed that came into the limelight on Kashmir Day in February, when it organised pro-Kashmir freedom rallies and displayed banners and streamers across the country.

It was, once again, deemed insufficient to clear the ICRG’s doubts and Pakistan’s case was sent back to the APG.

India is one country that has been active in maintaining pressure on Pakistan on this count. However, there are certain Muslim countries, which too, have been unhelpful for Pakistan’s cause.

A source revealed that at the last APG meeting, Indonesia allowed submission of the un-adopted report on Pakistan to the FATF by opting to abstain. This was taken as a signal of no-objection to the move.

[Falijee]

Lack of planes leads to cancellation of 12 PIA flights

As many as 12 flights of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to and from Lahore were cancelled due to lack of planes and technical fault developed in some planes. According to reports, the PIA flight operation was affected by the lack of plane and passengers faced immense problems.
The cancelled flights also include some international flights including Pk-248 coming from Saudi Arabia to Lahore. The national flag carrier’s flight PK-371 coming from Karachi to Lahore was also cancelled. PIA flight going to Paris from Lahore Pk-719 was also cancelled, besides Pk-270 which was to go to Delhi from Lahore. PIA flight PK-289 going to Bahrain from Lahore was also cancelled while PIA’s flight to New York from Lahore PK-711 got delayed for over five hours due to the disturbed flight operation. Meanwhile, private airliner Airblue flight coming from Sharjah to Lahore was cancelled, while Shaheen Airline’s flight NL-142 coming from Karachi to Lahore was also cancelled.

"Lack of planes" is the stated reason. ! This disgraced airline is a "rich source" of news in the Paki media. Other reasons for not flying could be airplane safety concerns, drunk pilots reporting for duty, plane requisitioned by PM Ganja, fuel unavailability stoppage etc

[Peregrine]

Aab tera kya hoga Zidi Pidi!

False accusations against Jang Group: Legal process begins to declare Zaid Hamid ‘wanted’

KARACHI: Self-proclaimed defence analyst Zaid Hamid is on the run from the court after levelling false and baseless allegations against the Jang/Geo Group. Hamid is continuously ignoring court notices and is not ready to face the court. He is not ready to appear before the court to defend the false allegations, which he levelled against the Jang/Geo Group.

As a result, the local court has started legal proceedings to declare Zaid Hamid a ‘wanted’ person. The court has already issued advertisements against Zaid Hamid in newspapers. If Zaid Hamid would not appear before the court, even after reading those advertisements, then the court would declare him a ‘wanted’ person and confiscate his property under Section 87 of CrPC.

As per the details, Zaid Hamid and Mubasher Lucman had levelled false and baseless allegations against Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief Jang Group of Newspapers Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. In this regard, an application was filed in the sessions court for legal proceedings against Zaid Hamid. The application adopted the stance that Zaid Hamid called himself a so-called ‘defence analyst’, while he was an extremely non-serious and non-reliable person.

In this application, the court was told that on January 1, 2010, Geo and Jang Group started a campaign, ‘Aman Ki Asha’, in collaboration with the Times of India. The aim of this campaign was to bring both countries (Pakistan and India) and its people closer, create a path for flourishing peace and make mutual efforts to uphold peace in the region. This campaign got national and international acclaim. The Geo and Jang Group also started a campaign, ‘Zara Sochiye’, to curb social injustices from Pakistan. This campaign was started to bring a positive change in the Pakistani society because social injustices had compartmentalised the entire society into various groups.

It was also mentioned in the application that these campaigns were completely non-profit and non-commercial, targeting to bring social reforms and making efforts to uphold peace. For ‘Aman Ki Asha’, no country—not even India—had provided financial support to the Geo and Jang Group. However, the positive endeavours of Geo and Jang Group were targeted by negative groups to do propaganda against these campaigns.

‘Self-proclaimed’ defence analyst Zaid Hamid levelled false and baseless allegations against the Geo and Jang Group and started a campaign against them. Hamid not only used the conventional media to fan the flames of negativity against the Geo and Jang Group, but he also used Facebook and other social media avenues to accuse the group of obtaining funds from India to do these campaigns.

On July 15, 2013, Zaid Hamid, on Mubasher Lucman’s programme on a private TV channel, accused that the plaintiff had taken funds from Indian organisation Doordarshan and a private NGO to run ‘Aman Ki Asha’ and ‘Zara Sochiye’. Zaid Hamid also misrepresented the report of the Supreme Court’s Media Commission by altering the facts in the report. He went on to falsely claim that there were proof of Indian funding present in the report. Hamid had hidden the real facts of the Media Commission’s report and presented the distorted facts. The then chairperson of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) had declared all allegations against the Media Commission’s report completely baseless.

The above-mentioned accusations against the plaintiff were part of the propaganda campaign. The motive of levelling such grave allegations against the Geo and Jang Group was to hurt their credibility and popularity.

For levelling groundless allegations, Zaid Hamid was also sent a legal notice but to no avail. Zaid Hamid was also given a chance to seek an unconditional apology from the plaintiff for those fake accusations.

In the application, the stance was adopted that crimes of such extreme nature fall under the law; therefore, the plaintiff prayed to the court that legal proceeding should be started against Zaid Hamid and Mubasher Lucman under sections 500 and 501 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

It must be clear that the sessions court had sent legal notices to Zaid Hamid several times. However, Zaid Hamid failed to present himself before the court. Therefore, the plaintiff had filed an application before the court to declare Zaid Hamid a ‘wanted’ person for his continuous absence from the court even after legal notices were sent to him. The court has begun its legal course of action with respect to this application.

It is worth-mentioning here that an application has also been filed in the Islamabad High Court against Zaid Hamid for dishonouring the Geo and Jang Group. In this application, the court was informed that Zaid Hamid had levelled baseless accusations against the Geo and Jang Group.

In ARY’s programme ‘Khara Sach’ on October 25, 2013, Mubasher Lucman had wrongly accused Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief Jang Group of Newspapers Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman for having a connection with India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW).

Zaid Hamid was also present on this show. He also wrongly accused the Geo and Jang Group of treason. He also said that in this regard, the relations of Geo Group and RAW and Indian intelligence agencies will come to the forefront, adding that this will become even a bigger scandal than the Memo scandal, highlighting how a media group’s journalism turned into rebellion.

Hamid also levelled these erroneous charges on the plaintiff using social media simultaneously. On the other hand, Hamid was not able to produce any evidence before the Islamabad High Court in this case. As per the current situation, advertisements against Zaid Hamid have been given in national newspapers. If Zaid Hamid would fail to appear before the court now, he will be declared a ‘wanted’ person and his property will also be confiscated.

It is important to note that Mubasher Lucman is facing the trial in Karachi’s local court in this case. He is appearing before the court. It is also worth-mentioning here that ARY has already lost the legal battle in a UK court in this regard and a heavy fine was also imposed on ARY. In the UK court, ARY had accepted that it had no evidence for the allegations levelled against the Geo and Jang Group in its programmes.

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Lack of planes leads to cancellation of 12 PIA flights

As many as 12 flights of Pakistan International Airline (PIA) to and from Lahore were cancelled due to lack of planes and technical fault developed in some planes. According to reports, the PIA flight operation was affected by the lack of plane and passengers faced immense problems.
The cancelled flights also include some international flights including Pk-248 coming from Saudi Arabia to Lahore. The national flag carrier’s flight PK-371 coming from Karachi to Lahore was also cancelled. PIA flight going to Paris from Lahore Pk-719 was also cancelled, besides Pk-270 which was to go to Delhi from Lahore. PIA flight PK-289 going to Bahrain from Lahore was also cancelled while PIA’s flight to New York from Lahore PK-711 got delayed for over five hours due to the disturbed flight operation. Meanwhile, private airliner Airblue flight coming from Sharjah to Lahore was cancelled, while Shaheen Airline’s flight NL-142 coming from Karachi to Lahore was also cancelled.

"Lack of planes" is the stated reason. ! This disgraced airline is a "rich source" of news in the Paki media. Other reasons for not flying could be airplane safety concerns, drunk pilots reporting for duty, plane requisitioned by PM Ganja, fuel unavailability stoppage etc

Falijee Ji :
Sir Ji this is a case being "built up" to justify the the "Arabization" of the name of the Airline to "B I A" i.e. "Beijing International Airlines" due to the Chinese take-over of the Airline.
Cheers

[SSridhar]

NIA to recommend closing down LoC barter trade with Pakistan started in 2008 - Neeraj Chauhan, Economic Times

It was a bad move in the first place and we would have come a full circle and learnt a big lesson when this cross-border tamasha and similar efforts are completely stopped.

The National Investigation Agency probe into the barter trade between India and Pakistan at LoC is almost finalised and agency has decided to write to the government recommending closure of the trade, which agency sources said is largely being misused and several traders are involved in funding terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir.

Top NIA sources said that the LoC barter trade of 21 items, which happens from Salamabad and Chakkan Da Bagh trade facilitation centres (TFCs), was started in 2008 as part of confidence building measures (CBMS) but it is not serving the actual purpose.

Instead, there is large scale under-invoicing and over-invoicing of products like California almonds, shawls, pulses etc which is hurting the business of other traders in Jammu and the Kashmir valley and several traders are just the fronts for funding the extremists in the state, said the source.

India had signed an agreement with Pakistan in 2008 to start completely duty free trade of the produce of J&K and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir on barter basis from these two TFCs as part of CBMs.

“The trade is proving to be more harmful for India rather than having any confidence building measures. Pakistan is not obeying the agreement and traders on both sides are assisting the mafia and terrorists in waging a war against India. We will strongly recommend that government ends the barter trade. There is no need for it at all unless proper checks and balances are in place,” said a senior NIA officer.

Over the past seven months, the anti-terror probe agency has analysed hundred thousand documents related to trade done by 300 registered traders and based on the irregularities, it is preparing a report.

NIA sleuths have already established that the "terror funding" by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed in J&K and the alleged transfer of cross-LoC trade proceeds are "interlinked", as first reported by TOI.

Several traders including former president of LoC Traders' Association Tariq Ahmed Khan, Haji Mohammad Sultan, Zahoor Ahmed Watali, Farooq Baggu and Kamal alias Bittu of Jammu, as well as hawala traders and separatists have been raided and questioned by NIA in last one month.

While at least five traders out of 300 have been found to be associated with Hizbul-Mujahideen, several others have links with separatists and suspects behind sustained stone pelting in the valley.

NIA suspects that crores of crores of rupees has moved in the valley from Pakistan using the LoC trade and through hawala channels, which has been further used to fuel the stone pelting and terrorism.

An FIR filed by the agency last year had clearly stated, “This is in gross violation of the state policy of prohibition on trade in 'third-party origin goods' through this mechanism and information indicated that these funds are being used for fomenting terrorism and separatism in the state of Jammu and Kashmir”.

Speaking to TOI, President of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCI) Rajesh Gupta said, “It’s a CBM but real CBM should have been tourism in the state. We are trying hard to get banking system in the place but Pakistan government cannot be trusted on this as the money coming through other channels can be used by rouge elements. There should be clampdown by the government so that hawala and drugs money doesn’t come to India and is used by terrorists/criminals”.

[Peregrine]

Fully Posted on the Analyzing CPEC Thread

CPEC and the new great game

I fear that I may not be doing justice to describing the sentiments of the people of Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral regarding CPEC. The intensity of these feelings emanate from a sense of being excluded and deprived from CPEC’s development potential – both in a political and economic sense. There is a new wave of a nationalistic upsurge, with the youth gravitating towards sceptical idealism – which ranges from issues of political representation to economic empowerment.

Cheers

[CRamS]

ParrikarJi speaks again on surgical strikes against TSP:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/indi ... 398063.cms

Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore, being an ex-Army man, was explaining about such operations and one of the news anchor asked him: Would you have the courage and capability of doing the same on the western front?" Parrikar said in his address during an event. "After a successful surgical strike+ , this was another insult to me, which I listened to very intensely but decided to answer when the time comes," he said.

Who is the news anchor he is referring to? Burka Bibi? Paki thappad? Turdesai or Pagalika? or "we will take care of BJP" Gupta? Who?

[Kashi]

I wish ParrikarJi would speak a little less.

[SSridhar]

I am a bit disappointed with how Parrikar's statement has been reported. It gives the impression as though the surgical strike against TSP was as a result of that insulting question, which it was not. There was a clear shift in policy from the earlier mauni regime.

[SSridhar]

Who is the news anchor he is referring to?

My guess is Vikram Chandra.

[schinnas]

I wish ParrikarJi would speak a little less.

+1. He made it appear as if maintaining a H&D facade is the driving force of our decision making which isn't the case, even though it could have been one of the triggers. Great administrator and decision maker with high levels of integrity and intelligence but makes for a poor statesman, our Parrikar-ji.

[arun]

In a demonstration of the IEDology of Pakistan, three Uniformed Jihadi’s from the Punjabi dominated Security Forces are terminated by fellow Momin Pathan Un-Uniformed Jihadis in the Green on Green struggle of the Pure terminating the less Pure to make the Land of Pure, even more Pure:


Three security officials killed in Tirah blast

[Peregrine]

Fully posted on the PESW Thread

Chinese investors likely interested in taking majority stake in PSX

KARACHI: Chinese investors are eager to increase their stake in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) beyond their current 30% shareholding whereas the bourse itself is taking measures to step up its earnings, a former chairman of the exchange disclosed on Friday.

“The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) should scrap the condition that prevents foreign strategic investors from taking their shareholding beyond 30% in the three years (since the acquisition of the stake),” Arif Habib, former PSX chairman, said while addressing the audience gathered to mark the self-listing of PSX.

“The lifting of the restriction will allow Chinese investors to increase their stake to the maximum 51%. This will attract additional foreign inflows and help increase market’s depth,” he emphasised.

Cheers

[Falijee]

"Third Option" i.e. Transgenders OK On Pakistan Passports , But This Group Is Still Being Harassed And Humiliated In Pakiland

Shabaash Gentlemen, Harassing These Transgenders In Murree Has Restored Your Mardangi
Sajeer Shaikh ( Paki Ayesha batting for the embattled gender !)

The three days of Eid are meant to be celebratory in nature for everyone. Your age, race, religion, gender or orientation need not matter – it is a time to surround one’s self with festivities. However, there’s a culture that has long been prevalent in Pakistan – the poondi culture. It is, by all means, disrespectful to people and their personal space. What is dismissed as ‘boys will be boys’ is, in fact, a vile invasion of personal space and security. It is thus that this video that has recently surfaced of men harassing transgenders, while unsettling and disgusting to the core, does not come as a surprise. Bottomline : Do not judge a book by his cover . In Pakistan, ; like Dubai, ( which is "trying" to portray itself as first world ) Malsi rules. And do not be fooled by the external veneer (like third option on passport !) .

The video, shot by a Facebook user, shows transgenders being harassed publicly on Mall Road in Murree on the second day of Eid. In the video, men are seen following, passing comments at and physically harassing the transgenders. The video is hard to watch, but it also holds a mirror to certain everyday realities. What has been caught on camera for the world to see is the daily struggle of such minorities who have been ostracized, simply because people choose not to understand their plight.Belief and values take a long time to change ! And this is the same thing in Pakistan .

[yensoy]

Another "Paki National Asset " Mortgaged Out To Raise Funds For This Cash Strapped Nation

Government Puts M1 Motorway on Mortgage to Get Rs. 70 Billion Loan

Pakistan borrows another $700m to ease pressure off reserves
The Express Tribune

Are the above related? Did they have to mortgage M1 to get 700m from the European commercial bank?

[Falijee]

Syed Salahuddin designated as terrorist by US vows to fight on

MUZAFFARABAD: A prominent Kashmir rebel leader recently blacklisted as a terrorist by the United States vowed on Saturday to continue fighting until India relinquishes control of the disputed Himalayan region. “We will not end this fight without liberating Kashmir from India,” Syed Salahuddin, who heads the Hizbul Mujahideen militant group, said amid tight security in a news conference in Muzaffarabad, the Pakistani-controlled part of Kashmir.

The U.S. State Department classified 71-year-old Salahuddin as a “global terrorist” on the eve of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington last month, a decision the militant leader said was only made to appease India. He said Hizbul Mujahideen only targets Indian forces and that the Islamic State group and al-Qaida have no presence in Kashmir. (The "good terrorist" "bad terrorist" argument propounded by his Pakistani principals ! )

“Donald Trump’s decision will be thrown out if anyone challenges it in American courts,” he said. “No other Western nation has endorsed what this crazy Donald Trump has done,” he said. Salahuddin called on the United Nations to implement its resolutions and give Kashmir’s people the right to vote on independence or merging with Pakistan. He said Hizbul Mujahideen may consider peace talks with India if Russia or China can guarantee that such talks would produce results.

There is no reason for India to engage in talks - least of all with Paki proxies like him !

Salahuddin later led a rally in the city and praised Pakistan for continued support in Kashmir.

On Monday, Salahuddin had called for a “Week of Resistance,” including two days of strikes starting July 8. That’s the anniversary of last year’s killing of Burhan Wani, a young protest leader whose death enraged people across Kashmir.

[Falijee]

Chemical tanker overturns in Nawabshah, no loss of life reported ( as yet )

NAWABSHAH: A tanker carrying chemicals overturned on National Highway near Qazi Ahmed in Nawabshah today. According to details, soon after the accident truck caught fire. Rescue teams have started reaching the scene. According to reports, no loss of human life has taken place.

So, this time it was a "only" a case of "chemical leakage, seepage and subsequent fire " . Paki authorities should check the driver, whether he was D.U.I ( charas, sharab or chemical golis )

[Falijee]

Ganja Sharif Pontificates !

US-India ties not a threat to Pakistan: PM

ISLAMABAD - Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that growing ties between the United States and India were not a threat to Pakistan but the nation needed to unite to fight the internal and external challenges. So, he is directly contradicting his right bxll, Interior Minister Nisar, who recently said that USA is speaking "India's language"

The premier, while chairing a high-level meeting at the Foreign Office here, ( morale boosting session )

Close aides said that the regional tension and India’s relations with the US prompted the PM to visit the foreign ministry for a meeting with the top diplomats and aides.

Some other gems from his "lecture" :

The Nation that the prime minister asked the diplomats to counter India’s anti-Pakistan campaign across the world.

The prime minister, it said, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to undertake a comprehensive review of Pakistan’s foreign policy priorities in the wake of the recent developments in and around Pakistan, and the emerging global and regional scenario. After being "forced" to interrupt his Eid Holidays in Londonistan !

Another government official quoted the prime minister as saying that India was attempting ( I would say that it has succeeded !) to discredit Pakistan in the war on terror and was trying to prove Islamabad as a supporter of the terrorists.

Nawaz, who keeps the foreign minister’s portfolio with himself, ( the result of this parsimony decision is for all to see ! Paki Foreign Policy is in shambles !) has been under pressure to appoint a full-time minister to deal with the diplomatic challenges, which have been growing over the months.

Taking note of the virtual suspension of medical visas, especially for those needing urgent transplants, the prime minister directed (and it will be done ) that urgent steps be taken to provide such medical facilities across Pakistan at reasonable prices.

Nawaz also directed that a volunteer roster of medical professionals from among overseas Pakistani doctors be developed to complement the existing human resource in Pakistan. lot of buzz words, but how it will solve the medical needs of the poor awam !

In his remarks, Sartaj Aziz recounted the important achievements made in the foreign policy realm under the prime minister’s stewardship. ( chamca- giri pure and simple !)

Foreign Secretary Tehmina Janjua, in her presentation dwelled on the challenges (euphemism for failure !) Pakistan was facing in key areas including Afghanistan, India and the US.

She also briefed the prime minister on the recent developments in the Middle East. ( Saudi Arabia's rejection of Paki mediation in Qatar !)

[Falijee]

Made In Pakistan DILDOS For Export

Inside Pakistan’s sex-toy industry
From the land lund of the pure
THE ECONOMIST !
Did I say that out loud? I meant makers of leather and metal goods taqqiya in practice

INSIDE a small, gloomy factory in a provincial city in Pakistan, two young men huddle over a grinding wheel. They believe they are making surgical instruments. But like many of the small, local firms manufacturing steel and leather goods for export, their employer has a new sideline. The nine-inch steel tubes whose tips the men are diligently smoothing are, in fact, dildos. “It’s just another piece of metal for them,” says the firm’s owner, who picks one up to show how his worldlier customers—all of them abroad—can easily grip the gleaming device. Wait ! Do the Mullahs know this !!!

This surreptitious set-up is inevitable. That a country as conservative as Pakistan exports anal beads, gimp masks and padlockable penis cages, among other kinky wares, would shock locals as much as the Westerners whose hands (and other parts) the finished products end up in. Fearing the response of religious hardliners, many of the companies involved do not advertise their wares on their own websites. Instead, they list the saucy stuff through Alibaba, a Chinese e-commerce giant that acts as a middleman for many businesses in the developing world. Some officials demand bribes to allow the exports to flow. Others are simply unaware of the potential for mischief in, for example, a Wartenberg Pinwheel—a spiked disc that can be run across the skin. CPEC involved in this UnIslamic "racket"

The risk has so far proven worthwhile. A local maker of leather goods, one of 64 sex-toy suppliers based in the city that list on Alibaba, says that only a small proportion of its sales comes from fetish gear. But the company can earn as much as 200% profit on a kinky corset or policeman’s uniform, compared with just 25% on mundane jackets and gloves, its original business. To minimise the potential for outrage, production lines are arranged carefully, with only trusted staff putting on the final spikes and studs

So, the potential for blackmail exists. Demand for salary increase or else .... ! any pent up domestic demand satisfied yet , through "trusted retailers"

To those who complain that the products the firm makes might encourage unmarried or gay people to fornicate—an illegal activity for both groups in Pakistan—the owner’s son has a ready riposte. “What if a gay person wears a [normal] jacket that was also produced by us?” he asks. The company does not know, and has no business knowing, how customers use its products, he says. So, it is "all in the family" . And a "smooth transition" to the next generation is well assured

Less flexible businessmen may be missing an opportunity. Buoyed by the international success of “Fifty Shades of Grey”, an erotic film that was not released in Pakistan (although locals have posted plenty of spoofs on YouTube), global sales of sex toys have reached about $15bn a year. And recent developments favour Pakistan. Local firms cannot compete in rubber toys, as the latex they would have to import from China is subject to a hefty tariff. But Western customers increasingly opt for alternative materials, including metal, in the wake of reports that many Chinese toys contain a carcinogenic chemical. What about "joint ventures" with Chini firms under the auspices of CPEC to get around this "hefty tariff " problem

Back in his office, the owner of the metal-working factory invites your correspondent to feel how smoothly his labourers have polished a dildo. “You can use Pakistani steel dildos for a long time,” he says, approvingly. “It rusts much later than Indian or Chinese.” I.O.W. it has lifetime guarantee.

This article appeared in the Asia section of the print edition under the headline "From theland lund of the pure"

PS: Is the ( "long time" ) Paki Steel, by any chance, outsourced from PM Sharif owned Ittefaq Foundry Ltd , a Public Limited Company listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange

[Peregrine]

Pakistan must pay for supporting terrorism: US Congressman

NEW DELHI: A senior member of United States Congress has said that "Pakistan knows it is supporting terrorism, as does the United States and Afghanistan, and therefore, must face the consequences, financial or otherwise for doing so," ANI reported

Congressman Ted Poe of the Second District, in his recent address before the US Congress, accused Pakistan of "playing the United States" and insisted that it is high time for Washington to act firmly and put a stop to giving any kind of aid to the former.

Listing three immediate steps to be taken, Poe said, "The United States does not, and should not, continue to give Pakistan money, because the money we give them goes to ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence), and that money goes to support terrorist activity in Afghanistan that kills Americans. Why are we doing this?"

"But we continue to do it, for some reason that I think is absurd. So, the first thing we need to do is cut off the aid to Pakistan. We don't need to pay them to kill us; they will support killing Americans on their own. Cut off the aid," he said.

"The second thing we do is to label Pakistan a state sponsor of terrorism. That is what they are: a state sponsor of terrorism. Congress needs to label them and make that designation so they suffer the consequences for their terrorist mischief throughout the world," he added.

"And, the third thing we do is we need to remove and revoke their major non-NATO ally status. That is a fancy word for: because Pakistan is a major non-NATO ally, they get certain benefits, militarily, that other countries don't get. Revoke that. Quit giving them military aid. Quit giving them money. Designate them as a state sponsor of terrorism, and remove the major non-NATO ally status against Pakistan," Congressman Poe said.

Describing Islamabad as having a long history of supporting extremist elements and terror activity, that most Americans were not aware of, Congressman Poe said, "Those consequences need to come down to get attention. The longest war in American history continues today, and it is a war supposedly against terrorism."

"But Afghanistan still is a hotbed because of what takes place and supported from Pakistan. The Afghan Government knows it, we know it, and the Pakistan Government knows it. So, there must be consequences. I think Pakistan is found guilty of supporting terrorism, and there should be action by the United States immediately to do these three things," he said.

During his address, Congressman Poe gave a detailed rundown of terror-linked incidents since 2001 when the United States had been made the target, and chose specifically to centre his argument on the role that Pakistan has played in destabilizing the region.

Mention was made of the Taliban and al-Qaida and their goal of not only staging terror attacks, but wanting to seize territory.

Specific mention was made of the Haqqani Network, which he said "is responsible for more American deaths in the region than any of the other terrorist groups that I have already mentioned."

He added, "The Haqqani Network attacks inside Afghanistan, and they have been directly traced back to Pakistan. All roads to terror lead to Pakistan."

He recalled the words of Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2011, when told the US Senate, "The Haqqani Network acts as a veritable arm of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency.''

"The truth is, Pakistan has ties to about every terrorist group in Afghanistan, and we know that the Taliban terrorist group is based out of Pakistan. There is a laundry list of evidence of Pakistan's support for terrorist groups," he said.

Cheers

[SSridhar]

In plain pawn-broking term, what does it mean to mortgage a highway/motorway/expressway?

[Kakkaji]

In plain pawn-broking term, what does it mean to mortgage a highway/motorway/expressway?

Probably means all tolls collected go to the mortgager.

[chanakyaa]

In plain pawn-broking term, what does it mean to mortgage a highway/motorway/expressway?

just like in our good old movies poor farmer offered his farm (and unwillingly wife and kids) as a guarantee for the loan taken from an opportunist loan shark sahukaar, Pukistaan has offered its income producing airport/motorways as a guarantee so international lenders feel comfortable lending money to the government, especially when loan amounts get bigger and country is more indebted. I believe the sukuuk bonds include such guarantees. If money is not repaid when the loan is due, lenders take control of the property (I.e airport or motorway). Interest payment don't necessarily have to come from airport or expressway. It is generally the weakest borrowers who offer national asset as guarantee. Now, All that needs to be done is to make sure that they fall short of producing income, which means creditors take our Puki assets. And once the mullahs learn about it, party starts.

[RCase]

In plain pawn-broking term, what does it mean to mortgage a highway/motorway/expressway?

Don't put it past the Pakis if they 'try' to mortgage the game changer CPEC for more loans!

[Peregrine]

X Posted on the PESW Thread

Foreign loans component exceeds budgetary limit set under PSDP

ISLAMABAD: The federal government is in a catch-22 after foreign loans for the federal Public Sector Development Programme exceeded the budgetary limit by Rs112 billion, limiting its option to either cut spending of locally funded projects or let the deficit slip to Rs1.6 trillion.

Foreign aid for PSDP exceeded the budgetary limit in the recently-concluded fiscal year 2016-17 due to increased Chinese lending for China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) projects, according to officials of the Finance Ministry and Ministry of Planning.

After the Rs112 billion excess, total foreign funding for PSDP would touch Rs255 billion – over one third of the now downward revised PSDP of Rs715 billion. At the time of approval of the budget in June last year, the federal government had anticipated Rs143 billion foreign loans to finance the federal PSDP, which was 17.8% of the Rs800 billion PSDP.

The unparallel foreign financing for PSDP projects has now created severe problems for the federal government to manage its books, according to officials of the Finance Ministry. Due to an increase in the share of foreign loans in the overall PSDP budget of Rs800 billion, the government had to squeeze development spending for projects it was financing from its own resources -known as the rupee component of the PSDP.

This has been done to ensure that the budget deficit does not explode, although it has already crossed the parliament-approved limit of 3.8% of the GDP or Rs1.210 trillion.

The officials said that the provisional results showed the foreign loan component has already increased to Rs255 billion, which has now created serious problems for the government to keep development spending at the downward revised target of Rs715 billion.

The federal government has decided to cut the PSDP by Rs85 billion due to its uncontrollable current expenditures and steep shortfall in both tax and non-tax revenues. The Finance Ministry was pushing the FBR to collect over Rs3.4 trillion so that it may neutralise the adverse impacts of excess in the foreign-aid component of the PSDP.

The officials said that the Finance Ministry could not anticipate Rs112 billion excess development spending against the foreign aid component. Now, they are squeezing expenditures of Temporarily Displaced Persons, the security establishment, Gas Infrastructure Development Cess and federally-funded Special Development Programme. Against Rs100 billion TDPs allocations, only Rs61.3 billion were sanctioned till June 16, 2017.

The development expenditures of Higher Education Commission are also facing a cut, officials confirmed.

They said that the other option was that the government should let the overall budget deficit slip to 5% of Gross Domestic Product or roughly Rs1.6 trillion.

The government has been trying to keep the budget deficit at 4.5% of the GDP for FY17 just to make sure that it was not higher than preceding fiscal year’s deficit of 4.6%.

The federal government also took a hit of about Rs250 billion or 0.8% of the GDP after missing the annual tax collection target of the FBR.

The Planning Ministry officials said that the federal government did not have control over releases made by the foreign lenders against CPEC-funded infrastructure projects. The rupee component releases for the federal development projects were under control of the finance ministry.

Out of $55 billion CPEC financing, $15 billion were far infrastructure projects including Railways.

The foreign financing component of the PSDP exceeded budgetary limits despite the Finance Ministry’s move to shift many mega projects from the PSDP purview. It has already excluded the Karachi Nuclear Power Plant project having total cost of Rs1 trillion from PSDP’s scope. These nuclear power plants are also funded by China with over Rs600 billion as foreign loans.

For the new fiscal year 2017-18 that began on Saturday the federal government has shown foreign financing of the PSDP projects at Rs162 billion or 16% of the total size of Rs1.001 trillion.

Cheers

[Lisa]

In plain pawn-broking term, what does it mean to mortgage a highway/motorway/expressway?

Probably means all tolls collected go to the mortgager.

Look further, let's say the tolls are insufficient. Then should we expect the 'normal' roads to be closed to force people to use toll roads to improve returns for the dragon? What a pleasant picture.

[Peregrine]

Bahawalpur tragedy: healthcare ramifications

Upon last count, over 164 innocent lives had been extinguished prematurely in the deadly oil tanker tragedy in Bahawalpur. Such a colossal incident should serve as an eye-opener and an introspection to address issues which could prevent unnecessary morbidity and mortality.

Cheers

[arun]

^^^ The death toll in the IED eve Ahmedpur Sharkiya fuel tanker accident has climbed well beyond 164. The death toll now stands one short of a double century at 199:

Ahmedpur Sharkiya tragedy: Death toll rises to 199

[Falijee]

Chinese Investment In Europe, Africa, Asia Linkage Submarine Internet Cable

AAE-1 submarine internet cable linking Asia, Africa and Europe starts operations

A 25,000-kilometre-long submarine cable system linking Asia, Africa and Europe has started operations, as China United Network Communications Group, a key participant in the cable project, accelerates steps to build internet infrastructure for countries and regions participating in the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative. This is where Pakistan will become part of the "Chini internet system" - the cable running from Khunjerab Pass ( north) to Karachi (south) with appropriate "branch lines"

The cable system connects Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Pakistan, India, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Greece, Italy and France.

The Asia-Africa-Europe-1 cable system, better known as AAE-1, has been officially launched, with services beginning from Europe to the Far East, says the AAE-1 consortium, which is coordinating efforts to complete the project. China Unicom is a key member of the alliance. The AAE-1 is the world's largest submarine cable system built in more than a decade.

It can provide the lowest latency express internet route among dozens of countries and regions across Asia and Europe, China Unicom said in a statement. It did not disclose the specific investment in the project.

[Peregrine]

X Posted on the Analyzing CPEC & OBOR, Chinese Strategy and Implications Threads

India should shed 'strategic anxiety', join Belt and Road Initiative: Chinese media

BEIJING: India should shed its "strategic anxiety" over the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and join the Belt and Road Initiative to become a cooperative partner and not a rival, a state-run Chinese news agency said on Sunday, amid a standoff between the two nations in the Sikkim sector.

The commentary in Xinhua - India's China-phobia Might Lead To Strategic Myopia - criticised New Delhi's boycott of the Belt and Road Forum conference held in May and asked India to shed its "China anxiety".

India boycotted the BRF after sovereignty concerns over the $50-billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which traverses through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Then, India said the Chinese ambitious initiative must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The piece did not mention the CPEC by name, but referred to the BRI - the umbrella project under which the CPEC falls.

The commentary in Xinhua, considered an official view, said "despite its strategic discomfort, it is important for India to get over its 'China anxiety' and carefully assess the initiative, recognise its potential benefits and seize the opportunities".

"Instead of being rivals, the two countries, both of which are ancient civilisations endowed with a rich history, could become cooperative partners," it said, citing the speech of Liu Jinsong, deputy chief of mission of the Chinese embassy in India who had said "the sky and ocean of Asia are big enough for the dragon and elephant to dance together, which will bring about a true Asian Age."

After India's boycott of the BRF, official Chinese media have been carrying out articles asking India to reconsider its decision to not back the BRI.

A recent official "white paper" by China on the 21st Maritime Silk Road even offered to link the CPEC with the Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar (BCIM) Economic Corridor in order to provide India greater access to Central Asia.

Observers say China's repeated invitations to India to join the BRI highlights its own anxieties over the adverse impact of New Delhi's lack of support to the multi-billion dollar investments in South Asia as it would deny access to India's market consisting over 1.2 billion people.
Today's commentary said "staying away from the initiative is not the best choice New Delhi could have made."

"It could have voiced its concerns and opinions on public occasions or in official statements as China is always willing to discuss all problems and possibilities with India on the basis of mutual benefits," it said.

"Though proposed by China, the Belt and Road is not a 'Chinese project.' It is a multilateral initiative, with win-win results at its core," it said.

The commentary came as troops of India and China are in a face-off since June 16 over the Chinese military's attempt to construct a strategic road in Doklam region of the Sikkim sector, which India and Bhutan is strongly objecting to.

While Bhutan has said the road is being built unilaterally by China in an area it controls, India said it is deeply concerned at the Chinese action as the road construction "would represent a significant change of status quo with serious security

Comments : China is DESPERATE TO ROPE IN INDIA in its OBOR-CPEC Scheme.

I feel that China is now cognisant of the CPEC being only a “Strategic” and not a “Commercial” Project. China’s continuous insistence in wanting India to join the CPEC-OBOR Project is to ensure that when the India-Myanmar-China Road becomes a reality then China would want to extend the western termini to its “Lapdog” i.e. Clapistan.

I would opine that India neither join CPEC nor OBOR but develop the I - M – C Road to carry on trade with Myanmar and China. India should deny China, Myanmar and possibly Bangladesh Access to Clapistan as well as deny Clapistan to participate in the India – Myanmar – China Road. Let Clapistan use the OBOR to access China via the CPEC-OBOR Road System.

It is pertinent to remind China that India has neither invited China nor its “Lapdog” i.e. Clapistan to join the “North – South Transport Corridor”.

Cheers

[Falijee]

Pakistan Defies ICJ And Again Denies Access

Pakistan denies India consular access to Jadhav again

[Peregrine]

5 dead in Multan as LPG cylinder explodes in vehicle

At least five people died and 24 others were injured when a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) cylinder in a vehicle burst into flames on Multan's Head Muhammad Wala bridge on Sunday, rescue sources told DawnNews.

A wagon carrying at least 30 passengers travelling from Layyah to Multan was engulfed in flames when the cylinder burst, the sources said, adding that the casualties include women and children.

All burn victims have been taken to Nishtar Hospital Multan, the sources said.

30 Passengers, in the Van! Wow!!
Cheers

[Falijee]

No Let Up In Honour Killings In Pakiland !

Relatives kill teenage girl for 'honour' on tribal jirga's orders in Khyber Agency

A teenage girl was reportedly murdered by her relatives allegedly on the orders of a tribal jirga in Khyber Agency on Friday, in what the local political administration said was a case of 'honour' killing. The jirga had issued the orders to kill 13-year-old Naghma after it emerged that she had allegedly attempted to run away with two young men, an official said.

After she allegedly ran away with them, the boys abandoned Naghma during the journey "out of fear". She was later taken into custody by the security forces and released on bail upon assurance by the girl's relatives that they would not kill her, Assistant Political Agent Niaz Mohammad told local reporters. However, despite their assurances, Naghma's relatives shot her dead three days later inside a house in Landi Kotal tehsil and silently buried her body in a local graveyard. Khyber, one of the 7 tribal agencies of Pakiland is the responsibility of the Fed Govt and not the Prov Govt, ruled by Immy Khan's PTI . So, the Kaaptan is off the hook on this one !

A local government official told this scribe on condition of anonymity that the girl's killer is in the custody of the political administration.

Hundreds of women are murdered every year in Pakistan, often by their own relatives, for going against their families' wishes in matters of love and marriage. The perpetrators of so-called honour killings often walk free because they can seek forgiveness for the crime from another family member. The Aurat Foundation’s annual report of 2016 showed 7,852 cases of violence against women. According to Saima Munir, who works for the Aurat Foundation, there has been a 70 per cent increase in honour killings in the past year.

This shows that the more, laws are made "liberal" ( on paper onlee), the more the society - with the help of the Mullah Brigade- is resisting this change !

[Falijee]

Panja Sahib heritage in danger

islamabad - The beauty of historic ponds of Hasnababdal city has started fading away because of the ill- conceived renovations and negligence of the concerned officials, which resulted in the loss of heritage. Around 40 kilometres travelling in the west of Hasnabdal city there is s place well known for the historical worship place of Sikh religion, Punja Sahib.

Once again confirms the widely believed theory that anything not pertaining to Malsi, or related to the pre-partition non muslim heritage of Pakiland , will be ignored, neglected and will not get the attention it deserves, no matter what protestations are made. This, I believe , is also the case in this one !

[Falijee]

"Clever Brother" Shahbaz Sharif Says That He Did Not Play Any Role In The Release Of Raymond Davis - The CIA Spy

Had no role in release of Raymond Davis: Shahbaz Sharif

Hard to believe that the Pakjabi Govt was not involved in any way ! The Drama took place in La- Whore !!! See below !

[Falijee]

So - Called JIT Probe Approaches Finishing Line !

Panama Papers JIT probe enters crucial, concluding stage

The powerful six-member Joint Investigation Team (JIT) tasked with probing the business dealings of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his sons abroad is entering a crucial stage, with the investigation heading towards conclusion. Sources told Dawn the JIT was in the process of winding up the probe by next week, after which it would finish compiling the final investigation report by the second week of July before it was submitted to the apex court by the July 10 deadline. On Saturday, the JIT in its meeting reviewed the documents pertaining to the business and tax records of the Sharif family that were submitted by Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). By no stretch of the imagination, one can say that the so-called probe is going to be impartial and fair . There are too many conspiracy theories floating around. Ganja is a smart dehati politico. Too many players behind the scene. Who knows who has been "brought off " or not . Likely to be a white wash again, as the first time around !

In this regard, the JIT is summoning members of the Sharif family once again. The premier's cousin Tariq Shafi will appear before the high-powered JIT on Sunday, when insiders said he will be re-examined over his statements recorded during his earlier appearance before the body. And on Monday, the JIT consisting of members from SECP, National Accountability Bureau, State Bank of Pakistan, Military Intelligence, Inter-Services Intelligence and Federal Investigation Agency, has summoned Hussain Nawaz, the prime minister's elder son. Hassan Nawaz and Maryam Nawaz will appear before the body on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, in what officials said will be the concluding week of the JIT tasked with collecting evidence within two months. The "entertainment" continues

Insiders told DawnNews that the JIT summoned members of Sharif family for the second time after investigators found contrast between statements recorded by them and the documents submitted by relevant government departments.

Despite the hype over the JIT and its ongoing investigations, legal and investigation experts feel the report, once it is presented to the court, will simply be the beginning of a long process. Legal experts feel that the JIT’s report, once it is completed, may lead to further hearings. Most likely scenario !

[Falijee]

Pakistan’s Population to Cross 306 Million By 2050: UN Report

According to “United Nations’ World Population Prospects (2017 revision)”, in mid 2017 the world’s population stood at 7.6 billion.
And it will grow to 9.8 billion by 2050, the report estimates. Not to wonder, Pakistan’s population by the time will hit 306 million mark, that’s some 33% more individuals than we have right now.

Having a larger population will also bring other problems in Pakistan. Pollution is one of the side effects we’re witnessing these days, the smog in Lahore being a recent example. Global warming is also speeding up due to this which has resulted in the recent heatwave with temperatures breaking previous records.The risk is very real and the government needs to deal with the issue in a timely manner before the situation gets worse.

Paki Govt should enlist the help of the "game changer" CPEC to solve this "urgent" problem

[Falijee]

Paki Journalist : Pakistanis Were Initially Hindus And Converted To Islam

Pakistanis will get more confused when they read this article ! Interesting to know the re-action of the Mullah Brigade on this !