Terroristan - June 20, 2017

[Falijee]

Ganja Still Sulking From The Hit To His H&D

Sharifs not appearing before NAB today

ISLAMABAD/Lahore - Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif and his two sons are not going to appear before a NAB team, which had summoned them today for a probe relating to Al-Azizia Steel Mills.Sources said that Nawaz and his sons, Hussain Nawaz and Hassan Nawaz, have conveyed to the National Accountability Bureau to send them a questionnaire instead.They said the anti-graft body is likely to accept this request as it had accepted such requests in the past from former premiers Raja Pervaiz Ashraf and Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani as well as other political leaders. The "optics" of being summoned (by some underlings !) for questioning is too much for this Ex PM !

The case of Azizia Mills, which the family had set up in Saudi Arabia, is one of the four references NAB is preparing against Sharifs, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar, Tariq Shafi and others – in the light of July 28 Supreme Court judgment in Panama Papers case, wherein Nawaz Sharif was disqualified as PM. The sources said that an eight-member team of NAB Rawalpindi was assigned Al-Azizia case and it had summoned the respondents at Lahore bureau to record their statements.
The seven of its members had already reached Lahore while NAB Rawalpindi Director General Nasir Iqbal was likely to arrive today (Friday). Besides the director, the team includes two investigation officers, two case officers and two officers of the legal wing.The NAB had reportedly issued notices to Nawaz and sons on August 11 for appearance on August 18 (today), but the party sources said the Sharifs did not receive any notice and whatever has been there was only through the media. So, the Sharifs are not treated with Honour and Dignity that should have been accorded to them, and this is obviously "not acceptable" to them .

Also, they said, Hussain and Hassan were out of the country and they could not have appeared even if they had been sent any notice.PML-N Spokesman Dr Asif Kirmani told the media that Nawaz and his sons did not receive any notice so there was no question of their appearing before the NAB today.Private TV channels had earlier ascribed to Kirmani that the Sharifs will appear before the NAB team, but he later said that media had attributed a wrong statement to him. ( So, he caved in under pressure !)
.However, he said whenever Nawaz, Maryam Nawaz, Hassain, Hassan will get the notice, they will obey the law accordingly.

But some sources said that Sharifs might not have appeared even if they had received any notice and their request for questionnaire had been rejected, taking the plea that they have moved the apex court not only for a review of the disqualification of PM but also to stay further implementation of July 28 verdict. The team probing Al-Azizia Mills will also investigate Mr Sharif and his sons with regard to the Hill Metal Establishment

The fourth reference has to be filed against Finance Minister Ishaq Dar for possessing assets and funds beyond his known sources of income. According to NAB sources, the bureau would take up this case on Aug 23.Well-placed sources told The Nation that the NAB has written a letter to the State Bank of Pakistan, asking it to provide details of all accounts of the Sharif family and Ishaq Dar.The NAB Lahore has also written to Security Exchange Commission of Pakistan to provide all details of the seven companies of Finance Minister Dar.

IMO, this is not the "right time" for summoning an Ex PM for "explanation". They should have taken into consideration the "festive season of Bakra Eid". (You do not summon someone during the "christmas season" )

[Peregrine]

In the meantime Chinese will take over all Industrial and Commercial Activities in Clapistan!

Private sector money eludes infrastructure projects

During a visit to Washington in April this year, Finance Minister Ishaq Dar invited the Pakistani diaspora in the United States to invest in a development fund the government proposes to create for channelling private investment into the large commercially viable infrastructure projects in the country.

The government is also considering establishment of an infrastructure bank that will raise 60pc of its equity from the private sector.

While the development fund — to be set up in partnership with the Asian Development Bank — is meant to mostly undertake projects in the public sector, the infrastructure bank being negotiated with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) will facilitate private investment in large infrastructure schemes.

The idea behind the formation of these funds is to leverage the government’s limited financial resources to bring in private capital aimed at closing the enormous infrastructure gaps in the country.

In its quarterly Infrastructure Finance Review in March 2015, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) estimated that Pakistan needs to invest about 10pc of GDP until 2020 to close its infrastructure gaps.

The report said the infrastructure investment as a percentage of GDP currently averages 6pc.

Many blame the absence of private investors in infrastructure development for growing gaps in the country even after 70 years of its Independence.

“Governments worldwide have limited resources to create the kind of infrastructure we require for faster economic growth,” said an official who has worked for both the Planning Commission of Pakistan and the Board of Investment.

“The countries where private capital was facilitated to step in to fill in infrastructure gaps have attained a much faster rate of growth compared with those where the job was left for the public sector to perform.

“Private capital has played a vital role in the creation of physical infrastructure in developed countries unlike Pakistan where the entire burden is borne by the public sector, which has limited means to finance development of road, power, transport, logistics, water and other projects,” he said. “No wonder governments have to borrow money to fund infrastructure development.”

Indeed, it is hard to achieve fast, sustainable economic growth without creating modern infrastructure.

According to Lahore-based analyst Shahid Zia, logistical bottlenecks alone increase the cost of production of goods by 30pc.

“Poor or non-existent infrastructure is a major impediment to economic expansion as it prevents people from contributing to the economy,” he said. “For example, transport impediments are keeping a very large number of women homebound. Similarly, an energy deficit has reduced productivity and increased the cost of production.”

Everyone agrees that a massive opportunity exists for private investment in infrastructure as the gaps are widening.

Still, private investors shy away from undertaking such projects.

“Why have private investors not invested in infrastructure creation in the last 70 years? It’s a very valid question. But there is no easy explanation for this,” says Akber Sheikh, a businessman with interests in textiles and construction.

“The answer to this question perhaps lies in the government policies, regulatory framework and so on, which has always prevented the private sector’s involvement in such projects,” he said.

“If we look at India, almost three quarters of the total investment in infrastructure development comes from private companies and only one quarter from the public sector. The situation in Pakistan is quite the reverse. Here the private sector tends to invest only in projects where profit is guaranteed,” he added.

Another businessman, who doesn’t want to reveal his identity, pointed out that private investors’ involvement in infrastructure development is pinned on commercial gains.

“Unless, incentives are given to lure private sector investment in infrastructure and contracts are honoured by the government, no one will invest in such projects,” he said.

“Take the example of major coal and LNG power projects being set up under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) in Punjab. The government wanted the private sector to invest in those projects but no one stepped up owing to growing inter-corporate debt in the power sector. Finally, the government had to do it from its own pocket,” he said.

“In a country where contracts are not honoured, policies are changed with a change in government and priority is given to politically motivated projects rather than commercially viable and bankable projects, you cannot expect private investors to bring their money in infrastructure creation.”

Syed Nabeel Hashmi, a manufacturer, believes that the private sector has not invested in building social and economic infrastructure because wealth creation in Pakistan is considered a crime.

“The tax and other authorities in Pakistan have a unique skill of making a criminal out of an investor and impeding his growth. How then can you expect businessmen to invest their money in infrastructure?” he wondered.
Cheers

[Falijee]

To deflect the sexting allegations leveled against him by the Pathani MNA, Ayesha Gulalai, the Kaptaan has now come up with his own lame excuse (IMO) that he wanted to marry her. ( and not the female Pakpattani pir, or his ex - Jemima !, or Madam El - Jalebi ) Per this Friday Times Gup-Shup version.
Only lonely
So, when AG that brave Waziri girl came out with her sexting allegations, she pointed the finger not only at The Great Khan but also at his media man. The latter claimed he had honourable intentions, wanting to marry her because he was lonely. When the matter was discussed within the party, a leading member criticised the media man for acknowledging his actions and advised him to tweet that his account had been hacked. The media man, in his naivete did so, which again led to howls of protest, which led to an intra-party fight and feud!

[Falijee]

Pashtun Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai Is Skating On Thin Ice When He Suggests That Pakistan Should Pull Out Of Kashmir First

Pakistan should 'pull out' of Kashmir first, suggests Achakzai
The Express Tribune > Pakistan >

Chief of Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Mehmood Khan Achakzai has said that Pakistan should make the first move and initiate the idea of an independent Kashmir.“Why don’t we adopt a new policy on Kashmir dispute..Let Kashmir be free from both India and Pakistan..Kashmir is the root cause of many issues between both the countries. Why not we take the first step to solve it,?’’ the Pashtun leader told BBC Urdu on Friday.He said that by putting forward this suggestion, Pakistan would be able to tell the world that is sincere in resolving the dispute. If Pakistan was serious in solving the Kashmir dispute, it would have withdrawn its forces from POK, as called by the UN resolution,( as a pre-condition that was required before determining the wishes of the Kashmiri people) .

We need to have better relationship with our neighbours,” Achakzai said. One of the saner voices in Paki politics !

“It would be sheer foolishness on our part to expect zero interference from our opposition. We will not be able to complete the China Pakistan Economic Corridor without peace. We have to make peace with Afghanistan, Iran and India.” So, this non-Pakjabi politico does not buy the usual "Islamic brotherhood" BS, that is pedaled by the Paki Establishment , when it comes to Afghanistan and Iran

The PkMAP chief said the Afghan issue became global when Soviet forces invaded the country. “Now, we should pardon ourselves from such situations,” he said. “America and our establishment is well aware of whoever they have trained, now they should get rid of them, and if they do not take it seriously, this region will burn to ashes”.He said Afghanistan’s autonomy shall be respected, or else destruction can take place. For these candid remarks he will be labelled as anti Pakistan, and pro Afghan !

‘’Please repent, our establishment must step back, must not interfere in elections, kindly put an end to the game of ‘safe havens’, learn to trust people, whoever comes from public mandate must be trusted,’’ Achakzai said.While Islamabad blames Kabul for hosting militants responsible for carrying out attacks in the country, Afghanistan also routinely accuses Pakistan of providing safe haven to the Afghan Taliban. If Pakistan, he added, works with sincerity, 60% of issues with Afghanistan will be resolved. Pakistan wants to see nothing less than an anti-India Govt installed in Kabul. Pakis do not realize that even the Pashtuns of Afghanistan- leave aside the Tajiks, Hazaras and other ethnicities - are "not buying" this nonsense !. And the Pashtuns do not "respect" the Durand Line

Last year, the Pashtun nationalist leader had stoked a controversy after he reportedly said that Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province ‘belongs to Afghans’.In an interview with Kabul-based English language daily Afghanistan Times, Achakza said “K-P belongs to Afghans and they can live there without fear and irritation”.

[Prem]

https://tribune.com.pk/story/1484768/pa ... -achakzai/
Pakistan should 'pull out' of Kashmir first, suggests Achakzai

Chief of Pakhtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Mehmood Khan Achakzai has said that Pakistan should make the first move and initiate the idea of an independent Kashmir.“Why don’t we adopt a new policy on Kashmir dispute..Let Kashmir be free from both India and Pakistan..Kashmir is the root cause of many issues between both the countries. Why not we take the first step to solve it,?’’ the Pashtun leader told BBC Urdu on Friday.
He said that by putting forward this suggestion, Pakistan would be able to tell the world that is sincere in resolving the dispute.We agree on referendum, yet we blame each other. The masses, however, are dying. We need to have better relationship with our neighbours,” Achakzai said.
“It would be sheer foolishness on our part to expect zero interference from our opposition. We will not be able to complete the China Pakistan Economic Corridor without peace. We have to make peace with Afghanistan, Iran and India.”He said Afghanistan’s autonomy shall be respected, or else destruction can take place.‘’Please repent, our establishment must step back, must not interfere in elections, kindly put an end to the game of ‘safe havens’, learn to trust people, whoever comes from public mandate must be trusted,’’ Achakzai said.

[Falijee]

Altaf Bhai Ramps Up Pressure On Paki Establishment

Altaf Hussain meets Khan of Kalat, US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in London

Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain on Thursday met with United States (US) Congressman Dana Rohrabacher and self-exiled Baloch leader, the Khan of Kalat Mir Suleman Dawood Jan, at the MQM's London Secretariat, according to a press release issued through the party's website. The Khan of Kalat joined the latter half of the meeting, which included lunch and lasted over four hours. In "Diplomacy", four hour meeting is considered unusually long. Pretty sure that Altaf and the Khan must have "bad mouthed" the Land Of The Pure for the benefit of this influential (and Pro - India ) Congressman .

Hussain briefed Rohrabacher on what he claimed were "unlawful arrests, torture, abductions, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings" of MQM workers and members of the mohajir community in Karachi and other parts of Sindh by security forces.
He also apprised Rohrabacher of alleged "arrests, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and acts of mistreatment" of Baloch people by security forces.

Congressman Rohrabacher pledged to raise these issues in the US Congress and at other appropriate forums, the press release said.
The Khan of Kalat and Hussain also agreed to "work together" for the rights of the mohajir community and Baloch people. All three agreed to continue holding such meetings in the near future.Congressman Dana Rohrabacher has a history of making anti-Pakistan moves in the US Congress, but has not always been successful in achieving his objectives. Now wait for the predictable "howls of protest" from the Paki Foreign Office ( or the newly minted FO) labelling Altaf and the Khan as anti-Pakistan

Earlier in July, a US Congressional panel titled “Pakistan: Friend or foe?” — where Rohrabacher also spoke — had come close to challenging Pakistan's existence as a state.

The Khan of Kalat had left the country in 2007 on the recommendations of a 'grand Baloch Jirga' after developing serious differences with the state following the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.The Baloch Jirga had been convened in Kalat in September 2006 by the Khan. Tribal leaders and elders from Balochistan were invited to attend the jirga, held for the first time in 103 years, to discuss the situation in the province with special reference to the killing of Nawab Bugti. The jirga had reportedly asked the Khan to leave the country, and “struggle for the rights of Balochistan and its people” from abroad. In recent years the struggle of the Baloch is gaining more media attention thanks to exiled Balochis and activists like Tarek Fateh, based in Canada !

The Khan has since then been provided political asylum by the British government and currently lives in London

[Falijee]

The Khan And Altaf Briefing The US Congressman In London .

[anupmisra]

K'rachi score a century in a new ranking.

Karachi ranked among worst cities of the world to live in

Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) — the research and analysis division of The Economist Group

Karachi maintains its 134th rank in the listing of 140 cities, only managing to fare better than Port Moresby, Dhaka, Tripoli, Lagos and Damascus.

Karachi, on the other hand, has maintained its spot for the third year in a row.

Al Bakistan is a victim of terror and has sacrificed over a ....what! That's another story for another time. You know it is a yindoo/yehudi/yamriki saazish when 20 million pakis happily call k'rachi their home. What's not to like? Hain?

https://www.dawn.com/news/1352353/karac ... to-live-in

[anupmisra]

When asked, Ganja Shr'eef demonstrated how he met his wife in a train.

[anupmisra]

THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE.

AJK pok prime minister summoned to explain 'anti-Pakistan' remarks

The notices were issued after opposition leaders filed references demanding Farooq's resignation for saying that he will have to have to "reconsider" if he wanted to "annex his fate with Pakistan" following the ouster of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif from the prime minister's office.

In their references and resolution, the opposition leaders took an almost identical stance that since the AJK Prime Minister has to swear allegiance to the ideology of (Kashmir’s) accession to Pakistan before entering office, “Haider has violated his oath both as an MLA and as prime minister after propagating against this ideology and impairing the cause of freedom-seeking Kashmiris.”

The truth is finally out. Freedom seeking cashmerees must sign an oath and "swear allegiance to the ideology of (Kashmir’s) accession to Pakistan". So, it was never about the cashmerees.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1352350/ajk-p ... an-remarks

[Falijee]

All Is Not Well At The So-Called Game Changer CPEC, According To This Foreign Newspaper Report

China’s plans to rule the seas hit trouble in Pakistan
By Saim Saeed

China’s strategic ambition to extend its maritime power across the Indian Ocean is hitting severe obstacles in the giant, volatile Pakistani province of Balochistan.Beijing’s priority is to develop the sleepy Baloch fishing port of Gwadar, 300 miles west of Karachi, to project its commercial and naval influence further west. But kidnappings, drive-by shootings and bomb attacks in the past few weeks and months offer a chilling warning that China will have to pay a high price for a deep-water harbor near the mouth of the Persian Gulf. The Baloch have been fighting for their rights and their dignity for the last 70 years !

For the Chinese, there are clear reasons to run the risks of investment in Balochistan, one of the world’s wildest frontier regions. Gwadar will be a critical addition to Beijing’s so-called string of pearls: a ring of ports around the Indian Ocean, including in Sri Lanka, Djibouti and the Seychelles, which are intended to outflank China’s nuclear-armed rival for supremacy in Asia: India.Balochistan is not for the faint-hearted. A mountainous, desert province bordering Iran and Afghanistan, it is not only wracked by terrorism and separatist rebellion, but is also a focal point for smuggling guns, fuel and drugs.

Violence over the past few months has left Beijing in no doubt of the risks. In June, Islamic State militants killed two Chinese language teachers, who were snatched from the streets of Balochistan’s capital, Quetta, by men disguised as police officers. That came only weeks after two gunmen on motorcycles shot dead 10 laborers building a road linked to the Chinese investments around Gwadar. More than 20 people have died in bomb attacks against military units in the past few days. And the atrocities against the locals continues in the remote areas as well !

.

It is little wonder, then, that Pakistan’s new prime minister is scrambling to convince the Chinese that their investments are safe. The murder of the teachers was the most direct attack on Chinese citizens since three engineers were murdered in Gwadar in the early days of Beijing’s interest in the region in 2006. On only his third day in office, on August 3, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi met the Chinese ambassador to reassure him that Beijing has no reason to worry about its $62 billion spending plans, earmarked for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project. China has committed thousands of engineers to this pharaonic infrastructure plan and is halfway through the first $28 billion investment cycle, which includes the development of Gwadar and the roads linking it to the rest of country.Abbasi told Beijing’s envoy he would “personally supervise the speedy completion of all the projects under CPEC.” The no nonsense Chinis would not too pleased with these hollow assurances !

Pakistan has sought to cast the murder of the teachers as a one-off, saying they were targeted because they were missionaries, not because they were Chinese. Beijing has also doubled down on its commitment to Pakistan after their deaths. The foreign ministry has vowed to support Islamabad’s battle against terrorism and Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong insisted the relationship with Pakistan has “attained new heights, which will be further strengthened in days to come.”.To underline the show of solidarity, Chinese Vice Premier Wang Yang travelled to Pakistan on Monday to join the celebrations for the country’s 70th independence day. The Chinese are well known for their hard nosed diplomacy, although in public, they are all smiles and positive words.

Only slightly smaller than Germany, Balochistan forms 45 percent of Pakistan’s landmass, but has only 6 percent of the population: some 13 million people. That population is Pakistan’s least educated, least connected, and most deprived. Three-quarters of women are illiterate. Half the province does not have electricity. It is also plagued by political violence. Islamic State claimed responsibility for a bomb attack against an army vehicle in Quetta on Saturday that killed 15 people, including eight soldiers, and injured dozens. On Monday, eight more soldiers died in an attack in Harnai, 100 miles east of Quetta. Pakistan is also to change the demography of the region by settling Non -Baluchis specially Punjabis !

Andrew Small, an expert on China-Pakistan relations at the German Marshall Fund, said the scale of the Chinese investment was so vast that it was bound to bring benefits. Thousands of Chinese engineers, laborers and even chefs are working across the province. A road link between Gwadar and Quetta is imminent and more power plants, which receive the biggest share of the $62 billion pie, are coming online to address Pakistan’s electricity needs, conveniently in time for next year’s election.

Baloch separatists accuse the country’s military — and particularly a paramilitary force called the Frontier Corps — of conducting extrajudicial killings and “disappearing” opponents. It is difficult to independently verify estimates of casualties in the “dirty war” between the insurgents and the security forces, which has been going on for years. Official statistics indicate that more than 4,500 bodies of forcibly disappeared people were recovered between 2010 and 2015.

For China, a strengthened Pakistan helps muscle out India, which has long been Beijing’s main foe across the Himalayas. The two countries fought a war in 1962 and soldiers again clashed along the Himalayan border this week. According to Small from the German Marshall Fund, a strong Pakistan would “distract India on its western border and keep it tied down in South Asia.”.While there is no formal military dimension to the agreement over Gwadar, Small explained that the relationship is so close “they don’t need it.” He predicted that Chinese naval ships would use the port informally, docking there whenever they need to.

There is also a soft-diplomacy dimension to China’s investments. A television advertisement that went viral in Pakistan — and spawned parodies — shows a Chinese woman bonding with her Pakistani neighbors over a spicy platter of biryani. More Pakistanis are also learning Mandarin than ever before. Chinese performers sing patriotic Pakistani songs on Chinese TV, and China Radio International launched a new station on Pakistani airwaves called “Friendship Channel.” The Chinese Embassy in Islamabad did not respond to a question on how many Chinese residents there are now in Pakistan, but the number is easily in the high thousands. Still, amid the bonhomie, it’s impossible to discount the core strategic worries. There are vast cultural differences between the religious Pakis and the atheistic Chinese. The crackdown by the Chinese on their own Muslim citizens is surely a cause of concern to the powerful Islam Lobby Of Pakiland !

Kakar said the war in Afghanistan next door was partially responsible for instability in the wider region. “[Even] with the presence of U.S. troops … just round the corner, hundreds are being killed even there [in Afghanistan], so … five soldiers being killed on Balochistan’s soil is not acceptable but … not unusual.” The state is trying to meet the security challenge. In addition to its regular and paramilitary forces of some 650,000, Pakistan assembled a 15,000-strong force called the Special Security Division specifically instructed to protect the Chinese-backed projects and the people working on them. Small predicted that number could rise to 30,000 — the size of Belgium’s entire armed forces — as work on the projects intensifies. Kakar argued that kind of show of force should put fears to rest about investment in Balochistan by the middle of 2018.“Probably the next six months to a year would be the timeline where we could be more confident and within a comfort zone to tell the rest of the world that the situation is almost 100 percent in our control.” Chinese influence in Pakistan is growing day by day. Chinese companies are buying Paki companies ( eg Chini investment in Paki Stock Exchange ). Paki schools are introducing Chinese language and the Chinification of Pakistan is surely under way !

[anupmisra]

Something is afoot.

Altaf Hussain meets Khan of Kalat, US Congressman Dana Rohrabacher in London

...at the MQM's London Secretariat

Hussain briefed Rohrabacher on what he claimed were "unlawful arrests, torture, abductions, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings" of MQM workers and members of the mohajir community in Karachi and other parts of Sindh by security forces.

He also apprised Rohrabacher of alleged "arrests, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and acts of mistreatment" of Baloch people by security forces.

Congressman Rohrabacher pledged to raise these issues in the US Congress and at other appropriate forums, the press release said.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1352344/altaf ... -in-london

[Falijee]

Achakzai Criticizes Paki Generals

Was Pakistan created to protect generals, asks Achakzai

ISLAMABAD: Pashtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) Chairman Mahmood Khan Achakzai on Friday asked if Pakistan was created to provide immunity to military generals. He asked the question during the National Assembly session on Friday. Achakzai said that 28 prime minister have been disqualified in the history of Pakistan. ‘The ousted premiers did not serve terms equal to three military generals,’ he added. He went on to say that not a single free and fair election took place in Pakistan after 1970. “Long live those generals who respect the constitution,” PkMAP chairman said. He went on to say that he did not respect those military chiefs who do not accept the constitution. While others ( Immy, The Jamaatis ) have been criticizing Ganja Sharif, Achakzai came out in support of Nawaz citing the unconstitutionality of removing him on the "pretext of corruption" !

[Bart S]

Achakzai Criticizes Paki Generals

Was Pakistan created to protect generals, asks Achakzai

It's a rhetorical question, but the serious answer is yes. Maybe not the Pakistan of 1947 but the Pakistan of the 50s onwards certainly.

[Falijee]

Pakistan Puts Portrait Of Burhan Wani On Celebratory Train

Pakistan puts portrait of U.S. designated terrorist on celebratory train

On Wednesday the U.S. State Department designated Hizb-ul-Mujahideen as a Foreign Terrorist Organization as Pakistan celebrated the terror organization by placing a portrait of Hizb leader on a celebratory train. As part of Independence Day celebrations, Pakistan ran a special ‘Azadi’ train from Islamabad on August 12 which reached the central city of Lahore on August 16th. The ‘Azadi’ or Freedom train had floats and carriages showcasing culture and traditions of the different provinces of the country. The train also had a special carriage dedicated to Hizb-ul-Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani, who was killed last July in a gun battle with Indian forces. What kind of message is being conveyed here ?

Formed in 1989, HM is one of the largest and oldest militant groups operating in Kashmir. Hizbul Mujahideen is led by Specially Designated Global Terrorist Mohammad Yusuf Shah, also known as Syed Salahuddin. Hizbul Mujahideen has claimed responsibility for several attacks, including the April 2014, explosives attack in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, which injured 17 people. Last month, on the first anniversary of Wani’s death, Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif paid tributes to the militant commander and said that his death “infused a new spirit in the struggle for freedom” in the Kashmir Valley. Pakistan Army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa also praised the militant commander in a statement released through his spokesperson he said:

[Falijee]

Senator And Ex Information Minister Pervaiz Rashid Hints At Fauji Conspiracy Behind Ganja's Ouster !

Musharraf's 'ghost' behind Nawaz's ouster, claims Pervaiz Rashid

A "ghost" which haunts Pakistan is behind the ouster of Nawaz Sharif, PML-N leader Senator Pervaiz Rashid said in an interview to Samaa TV which aired on Friday. Rashid later elaborated that he was referring to "a particular mindset which needs to change for Pakistan to prosper." Rashid, who was fired from his post as the federal information minister following an inquiry into the Dawn story case, made the remark while responding to a question on whether Sharif's ouster was the outcome of a conspiracy. The "still loyal to Ganja" Ex Minister was made a sacrificial lamb at that time

"It [the ghost] is present in politicians, political minds, and some institutions," he said, refusing to name any institution in particular but saying the ghost belonged to Pervez Musharraf, former president and military ruler.

He also accused the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) of being "a mere pawn" in the conspiracy hatched by those under Musharraf's influence, and criticised it for not reflecting on what that entails. The ghost and its influence aside, Rashid maintained that the PML-N had endured. "Whenever prime ministers were sent home before this [Nawaz's recent disqualification], people wouldn't even remember their names in the next few months," Rashid said; adding that, however, there was an immediate public response when Nawaz was deposed. Rashid avoided answering a question asking why he was removed from office, but said that his "sacrifice" was for democracy.

The former minister also took a surprising jab at one of his former colleagues on the treasury benches.
"Decisions have been taken against us while the interior [minister] was in power; JITs were created and 'Whatsapps' [private messages] were also exchanged while the interior [minister] was there," he said referring to former interior minister Chaudhry Nisar. The former Interior Minister has now distanced himself from Ganja and is mulling all options !

The joint investigation team (JIT) reference seemed to be a callback to the PML-N's allegations that a biased team was deliberately put together to influence the investigation of the deposed prime minister and his family on charges of financial misappropriation.Similarly, the 'Whatsapps' comment seemed to refer to the controversy surrounding the revelation that some members of the JIT had been 'handpicked' by the Supreme Court Registrar through messages sent from the private messaging service. There is no doubt that "someone was pulling the strings" behind the scene with selected leaks !

The Supreme Court had strongly rubbished the allegation that the registrar had been acting on someone's directions, saying that the messages were actually sent on the orders of the three-member bench and that the names recommended were based on an assessment of the ability of the candidates who had been nominated for the JIT.The senator's statements come at a time when Sharif and the PML-N have been openly criticising the Supreme Court's Panamagate verdict, repeatedly suggesting that a conspiracy is afoot against democracy, and portraying themselves as on a 'mission' to protect the sanctity of the ballot from forces acting against democracy. As they say, pox on both of these parties

In a recent interview, Sharif had made similar remarks about Musharraf's supposed 'influence', saying: “When Musharraf imposed martial law, he and a few of his [fellow] generals were against me — not the entire army. The army was not even aware that martial law had been imposed." "Whatever has been done with this country, mainly by dictators, is a recipe for disaster," he had added.

Rashid's statement about the interior ministry prompted the former interior minister to issue a strong-worded response."Don't know why some people put the blame of their faults on the interior ministry. It seems that they are obsessed with the interior ministry and the former interior minister," Chaudhary Nisar was quoted as saying by his spokesperson. In his statement, Nisar also said that Rashid should have elaborated on what type of help he was expecting from the interior ministry. If the shoe chappal fits Nisar, he should wear it

[Peregrine]

Trump to 'cut all military aid to Pakistan', thinks Washington is being 'ripped off' by Islamabad: report

US President Donald Trump is mulling cutting off all military aid to Pakistan because ‘Washington is being ripped off by Islamabad’, claims a Foreign Policy report.

As Trump reviewed an array of options for a strategy on Afghanistan with his top national security aides at Camp David, he made no decision on whether he would commit more troops to America’s longest war. Committing more troops would also significantly affect the United State’s relationship with Pakistan.

The FP report quoted a White House official as saying that “the President thinks we’re being ripped off by Pakistan. The president wants to cut off all military aid to Pakistan. That’s part of the strategy”.

The official further said that the Department of Defence view Pakistan and the United State’s relationship as ‘troubled’.

During the discussions at Camp David, there were differences of opinion over taking a harder line on Pakistan for failing to close Afghan Taliban sanctuaries and arrest Afghan extremist leaders. US officials say the Afghan Taliban are supported by elements of Pakistan’s military and top intelligence agency, a charge Islamabad denies.

Pentagon has already frozen support to Islamabad under the coalition support fund, which provides Pakistan with payments to finance counter-terrorism operations. Mattis claims he could not find evidence that Pakistan had taken enough action against the Haqqani network.

Amid relentless criticism of Pakistan from the Trump administration, army chief General Qamar Javed Bajwa has told a top US military commander that Pakistan doesn’t need aid, all it wants is acknowledgement of its efforts in the fight against terrorism.

“More than financial or material assistance, we seek acknowledgement of our decades-long contributions towards regional peace and stability, understanding of our challenges and most importantly the sacrifices the Pakistani nation and its security forces have rendered in [the] fight against terrorism and militancy,” he told Centcom chief General Joseph L Votel during a meeting at the GHQ on Friday.

Pakistan argues that it has done a great deal to help the US in tracking down terrorists and points out that it has suffered hundreds of deaths in militant attacks in response to its crackdowns.

Cheers

[sum]

Didnt tsp just recieve their brand new highly advanced Viper gunship helos for free just 2 days back with more to come?

[Peregrine]

Didnt tsp just recieve their brand new highly advanced Viper gunship helos for free just 2 days back with more to come?

sum Ji :

US Navy orders nine AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters for Pakistan April 05, 2016

WASHINGTON: The United States (US) Navy awarded a $170 million contract for the manufacture of nine AH-1Z Viper Attack Helicopters to Bell Helicopter, the US Department of Defense said in a statement on Monday.

The combat helicopters will be manufactured and delivered to Pakistan under the Foreign Military Sales Program, the statement said.

The Bell AH-1Z Viper is a twin-engine combat chopper based on the previous SuperCobra model developed for the US Marine Corps, Sputnik reported. It has a top speed of 420 kilometres per hour and a range of 610km.

The contract awarded "for the manufacture and delivery of nine AH-1Z aircraft and nine auxiliary fuel kits for the government of Pakistan" is "expected to be completed in September 2018".

Cheers

[sum]

And all thiz for free while we pay through our nose and @$$ combined for a similar small number of Apache gunships

[Falijee]

Comic Books Being "Used" To Bring Trangenders Of Pakistan (AKA "Hijras" ) In The Mainstream Of Paki Society . Apparently The Mullah Brigade Has Not Reacted Yet To This UnIslamic Brainwashing

[Falijee]

Diesel Supporter Shot Dead In D.I. Khan

JUI-F leader shot dead in Dera Ismail Khan

A local leader of the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan district early Saturday, police said. The gunmen targeted Maulana Syed Ataullah Shah while he was walking home after offering Fajr prayers near Banu Ada area of D.I. Khan, according to police. Shah, who was serving as the khateeb (sermon-giver) of a local mosque these days, was considered to be a prominent leader of JUI Dera and a close aide of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Maulana Fazl (AKA Diesel) is a prominent supporter of the (Afghan) Taliban movement and has his own "enemies" !

The past few days have seen several incidents of targeted killing in Dera city. Four people including two policemen were killed and one civilian injured in four such incidents in a span of one week this month. Two police constables were gunned down on August 11 near Kotli Imam Hussain Imambargah. Two days later, a government servant was shot dead at his doorstep in Maryali area. A milk-seller was critically injured due to firing in Eidgah on August 17.

[anupmisra]

Achakzai Criticizes Paki Generals

Was Pakistan created to protect generals, asks Achakzai

It's a rhetorical question, but the serious answer is yes. Maybe not the Pakistan of 1947 but the Pakistan of the 50s onwards certainly.

Bakistan was manufactured by the rich muslim landlords and nabobs of UP who propped up djinnah and his whiskey swirling ilk as their megaphone and, once the moth eaten product was delivered on a kashkol, the rich muslim landlords of pakjab created the pakjabi army to protect their landed interests.

[anupmisra]

Put it on my tab, my iron birather.

Chinese companies to assemble trucks, buses in Pakistan

Chairman Paapam Mashood Ali Khan said Sinotruck officials are conducting a survey of the Pakistani truck market and will submit a report to their higher-ups.

He informed the auto- part makers that his company had already exported 2,400 completely built-up trucks to Pakistan.

In the first phase, some 100 Sunlong buses would be imported in next six months

Malik Khuda Baksh, chairman of Malik Group of Companies, said his company has decided to import modern passenger buses from China after successfully negotiating with banks and leasing companies.

Chini products made in china by chini labor and leased to the pakis by loans by the chini leasing companies. That just about sums it. So, how will the pakis pay for all this? Just put it on their tab called SeePak.

https://www.dawn.com/news/1352391/chine ... n-pakistan

[kancha]

Folks, putting out a three part blog series titled 'State Sponsored Radicalization in Pakistan’s School Curriculum.'

Posted the first of the three short blog posts just now. Do have a look

Blog Link

Twitter Link

[Falijee]

Mush's Speaking Event Disrupted And Cancelled At Nobel Peace Center

[Aditya_V]

So this so called people who give Nobel peace prize host a war criminal and still so many Indians go gagga over these Nobel peace prizes

[Falijee]

"Zero Loadshedding" In La-Whore - A Load Of B.S.

Outages intensify as 1180MW Bhikki plant stops production

LAHORE - The Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has intensified power loadshedding for industrial as well as domestic consumers to more than eight hours as the shortfall has crossed 4,000MW after the newly-built 1180MW Bhikki power plant has stopped power generation. Industry sources rejected the government claim of zero-loadshedding, saying the industrial estates in provincial capital are suffering from at least four hours power shutdown along with low voltage, tripping and other technical issues causing serious damages to the industrial machineries. Official sources said that during last week different newly established power plants including Sahiwal coal-fired plant, Havaili Bahadur Shah and Balloki RLNG plants stopped producing power at their full capacity due to technical faults, resulting into increase in scheduled loadshedding hours. However, some of their units have now started power generation partially, reducing intensity in loadshedding as compared to the last week when power shutdown period has reached to almost 10 hours a day. When is the 'Chini blothel" coming to the rescue

The consumers of provincial capital for the last one week are facing severe power breakdowns as the major newly-built state-owned thermal power plants stopped electricity generation due to faults. The power shutdowns in some areas have crossed more than eight hours duration due to record shortfall in this Disco. Officials said that presently Lesco is getting less power supply to maintain the scheduled power loadshedding, as old power plants of GENCOs have stopped working due to some technical faults. euphemism for technical incompetence, lack of funds, etc etc !

Presently, the newly-built plants including Sahiwal coal-fired plant, Havaili Bahadur Shah and Balloki RLNG plants are not producing power at their full capacity due to technical faults, resulting into increase in scheduled loadshedding hours. They said that the situation would persist until full hydel generation at the Mangla and Tarbela Dams is started following the maximum water filling level by the end of this month.

Various areas of city faced a worse situation of constant power breakdowns of up to eight hours when 132kV grid stations stopped functioning due to overloaded system. Several areas including Thokar Niazbeg, Raiwind Road, Multan Chungi, Johar Town, Fatehgarh, Harbanspura, Mughalpura and Baghbanpura faced constant electricity shutdown for hours after various grid stations were switched off due to technical issues and they were forced to remain without electricity for long duration. The people in these localities spent their nights without electricity after a power breakdown disrupted the distribution system of the 132kV grid station. So, Pakistan's plan to become a mini-super-power (WTF that is !) by 2025 should now be put on hold

The Lesco officials said that they observed shutdowns in many areas after the National Power Control Centre forced the Disco to stop various 132kV grid stations. When asked, Lesco officials agreed about frequent power breakdowns being done in unscheduled manner in Lahore. Giving reasons behind electricity failures for long hours on Friday, they said that problem had occurred in main supply line which occurred due to overload. Due to hot and humid weather, people utilise electrical appliance like air conditioners and room coolers to beat the heat as a result of which load on power lines exceeds which creates fault in main supply line of 220 KV. Now work on rectifying fault in main line has been almost completed because of which the problem of power outages in unscheduled way would end. Promises, promises and then excuses, excuses

The consumers demanded the government to take serious notice of the matter and take practical and effective measures to cut power outages duration and to end practice of unscheduled loadshedding.

[Falijee]

Immy's Second Ex Goes After Him, Lock, Stock And Barrel

Reham points at irregularities in KP govt’s Billion Tree Tsunami

ISLAMABAD: Reham Khan, journalist and ex-wife of PTI chairman Imran Khan, took to Twitter on Thursday night to pinpoint irregularities in the Billion Tree Tsunami programme of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government.

She accused PTI of spreading lies about planting one billion trees, as it was technically impossible to plant trees in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa all year. “Tree experts confirm that our climate in KP only permits 3 or a max of 4 months of tree plantation so 365 days is not possible,” she tweeted. So, it now appears that she has made Pakiland her permanent home, shelving her earlier plan to "resettle" in Bartania . And she is going after the Kaptaan - like a woman scorned

A follower objected to her observation by tweeting, “Let's not spread negativity about one of the most incredible success stories in Pakistan that is critical for our long term sustainability.” Reham replied with another tweet, “Come & see KP for yourself. We want to see where these trees are? I report as I see.”

So, this is not your typical Paki Ayesha, meek and mild - the "Pathani anger" against Imran comes out in the aggressive tweets !

Reham tweeted that instead of billion trees, there were ‘billlion coverups’ as a corruption scandal comes to surface. Ecologists have also expressed concerns about the plantation scheme. They say that wrong species of trees were planted which were not suitable according to the climate of KP. The survival rate of the new plantations is yet to be seen. So, Reham is not "buying" the billion Tree "story" propagated by the Kaptaan !

[Falijee]

"PTI Tigress" Defends Imran Khan Against Harassment Allegations That Are Being Currently Leveled Against Him !

Daily Pakistan exposes truth behind pictures of Imran Khan with female party leader

Immy's carefully cultivated romeo image is now coming to haunt him- rightly or wrongly - in the Islamic environs of Pakiland

[anupmisra]

So this so called people who give Nobel peace prize host a war criminal and still so many Indians go gagga over these Nobel peace prizes

This Nobel Prize Group did not host mushy. Mushy's followers showed up and engaged in a verbal duel with the other non-mushy side.

Indians still go gaga over mushy for a variety of reasons. Big-brother-still-loves-little-wayward-brother attitude, mushy hamara "dilliwala" bhai hai and "kicking his family out from their humble old diili home" remorse, and then there is a vast left over ex-refugee population in Delhi that still believes in "once upon a time oneness". Most non-dilliwalas will not get the last part. You have to know a few ex-DIK, ex-pindi and ex-l'hori families in Delhi to recognize this fault even though they lost their families in the carnage that the local pakjabi muslims rained on them. Many of them still hark over the "teen manzili kothis and landed jagirs" which their ancestors once (supposedly) owned.

The same attitude is also shown by those fat aunties who still remember immy the dimmy from his cricketing heydays.

[Falijee]

Paki Mullah's Persuasive Skills Again In Demand

JUI-F chief reportedly to play role for bringing Nawaz Sharif, Asif Zardari closer

LAHORE – Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam (F) chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, a strong ally of PML-N, has reportedly refused to cooperate with the party for removing Article 62 and 63 from the Constitution of Pakistan.Islam first ! The Maulanas of Pakistan are the first line of defense against "western materialistic ideology" (never mind that they are the "first" to stand in line for free-bees to Londonistan and Massaland )

The information follows a 40-minute long meeting between Fazlur Rehman and former prime minister Nawaz Sharif at his Jati Umra residence here.

Dawn News quoting sources has stated that Fazlur Rehman declined to support PML-N’s bid to revoke Articles 62 and 63 that led to the ouster of Nawaz Sharif.

The sources further claimed that the meeting also suggested that Rehman should struggle for eliminating differences between Nawaz Sharif and former president Asif Ali Zardari. Dus Percenti has ruled out any cooperation with the Ganja !

[anupmisra]

Immy's carefully cultivated romeo image is now coming to haunt him- rightly or wrongly - in the Islamic environs of Pakiland

Im the Dim with Reham Khan at three key stages of her life:

Before marriage


At marriage


After divorce

[Falijee]

Hindu Girl Recites "Kalma" In Isoo High Court To Show Willing Acceptance Of Malsi. Case Closed

Girl substantiates willing conversion to Islam by reciting Kalma in court ( Khulbushan Jadav also confessed on video !)

ISLAMABAD – A ‘Hindu’ girl whose family claimed that she was kidnapped, forced into marriage with a Muslim man and forcibly converted to Islam recited the Kalma in court room to prove to her family that she had willingly converted to Islam.

Twenty-one year old Maria, while appearing before Justice Shaukat Aziz Siddiqui of the Islamabad High Court contended that she had converted to Islam of her own volition and no one compelled her to do so. At this moment, an uncle of the girl named Kishan Lal requested the court to keep her in Darul Aman and a meeting between the girl and her parents should be arranged before recording her statement. This "movie", IMO, has been played many times before, and will most probably be "screened" again in another Paki Court - with different characters

While referring to the minority status of Hindus in Pakistan, he said that thousands of Hindus were living in Pakistan; their girls were being kidnapped and converted to Islam which is “injustice” and should be redressed. “We are also Pakistanis, we should also be provided justice,” he said. To this, Justice Siddiqui remarked that all the citizens belonging to any religion were equal before the law.

He, however, inquired ‘when will Karo-Kari end’ adding that a girl should not be killed just because she has accepted Islam and exercised her free will to marry. Remarks unrelated to the case !

On the request for a meeting with parents, Justice Siddiqui directed to arrange a meeting between the girl and her parents on the next date of hearing – August 25 and ordered police protection for the couple till then. Doubt that the meeting will take place in a private setting !

Justice Siddiqui also issued a notice to the secretary Ministry of Interior with directions to depute a responsible officer to appear before court and explain the arrangements that could be made to protect the lives of the couple. In compliance, a deputy secretary of MoI appeared before the court whom the court directed to contact IG Sindh and home secretary and convey court’s directions. In view of the above farce, Modi-ji has taken the right step in expediting Indian residency and ultimately citizenship for minorities fleeing Pakistan !

[anupmisra]

Hindu Girl Recites "Kalma" In Isoo High Court To Show Willing Acceptance Of Malsi. Case Closed

In view of the above farce, Modi-ji has taken the right step in expediting Indian residency and ultimately citizenship for minorities fleeing Pakistan !

Israeli law: The Law of Return was enacted by the Knesset, Israel's Parliament, on July 5, 1950. The Law declares the right of Jews to come to Israel: "Every Jew has the right to come to this country as an oleh." ... Those who immigrate to Israel under the Law of Return are immediately entitled to gain citizenship in Israel.

Any Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, or Buddhist that lands in India from pakistan or bangladesh should be offered a chance to get a residency permit, automatically. It should be stapled to the immigration declaration form.

[arun]

Diesel Supporter Shot Dead In D.I. Khan

JUI-F leader shot dead in Dera Ismail Khan

A local leader of the Jamiat Ulema Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) was shot dead by unidentified assailants in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa's Dera Ismail Khan district early Saturday, police said. The gunmen targeted Maulana Syed Ataullah Shah while he was walking home after offering Fajr prayers near Banu Ada area of D.I. Khan, according to police. Shah, who was serving as the khateeb (sermon-giver) of a local mosque these days, was considered to be a prominent leader of JUI Dera and a close aide of JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman. Maulana Fazl (AKA Diesel) is a prominent supporter of the (Afghan) Taliban movement and has his own "enemies" !

The past few days have seen several incidents of targeted killing in Dera city. Four people including two policemen were killed and one civilian injured in four such incidents in a span of one week this month. Two police constables were gunned down on August 11 near Kotli Imam Hussain Imambargah. Two days later, a government servant was shot dead at his doorstep in Maryali area. A milk-seller was critically injured due to firing in Eidgah on August 17.

X Posting news of the same event from the Islamism thread but from another news source.

In an act of Green on Green Intra Mohammadden bloodletting as I see it as being most unlikely that a Buddhist, Confucian, Christist, Hindu, Jain, Jewish, Sikh, Shinto, Taoist or Zorastrian was present in Dera Ismail Khan in the Mohammadden Terrorism fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakista and carried out this act, a Mohammadden belief keeper of the Sunni sect is gunned down. The Sunni Mohammadden belief keeper, one Maulana Attaullah, is reported as having been a teacher of Maulana Fazlur Rehman aka Mullah Diesel who heads the Sunni Deobandi Mohammadden belief based political party that operates in the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the Jamiat Ulema-e Islam(F) aka JuI-F.

The only question that now remains is if this gunning down constitutes a case of Shia on Sunni Green on Green Sectarian based Intra Mohammadden bloodletting or a Sunni on Sunni Green on Green Sub-Sectarian based Intra Mohammadden bloodletting:

Pre-dawn ambush: Religious scholar killed in DI Khan attack

[Peregrine]

No good news for Pakistan in US new Afghan policy

ISLAMABAD: President Donald Trump has finally made a decision on his new policy for Afghanistan and the region but is keeping it under wraps, though the White House says an official announcement in this regard will be made shortly.

There is certainly no good news for Pakistan with several US media outlets reporting that officials are speaking about Trump’s strategy which sees sending nearly 4,000 additional troops to Afghanistan while all military aid to Pakistan could also be stopped.

Trump an addict of Twitter through which he announces all major policy decisions said in a Tweet, “Important day spent at Camp David with our very talented Generals and military leaders. Many decisions made, including on Afghanistan”.

However, the Foreign Policy has reported that one of the reasons that draws Trump into this land-locked country is “abundant natural resources”.

The FP speaks about a meeting in July with the head of an American chemical company that transformed his view of the US military presence in Afghanistan.

Exploiting the country’s abundant natural resources could result in an incredible economic windfall, Trump was told.

The publication points out that it was in this meeting that “Trump learned of the enormous wealth buried beneath Afghan soil: perhaps more than $1 trillion in untapped mineral resources in the form of copper, iron, and rare-earth metals.”

“Trump wants to be repaid,” said a source close to the White House. “He’s trying to see where the business deal is”, notes FP.

According to the publication in May, Erik Prince published an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal calling for an “East India Company approach” with a “viceroy” and private contractors.

Prince, whose idea captured the eye of Trump’s chief strategist, Steve Bannon, and other officials, was invited to the White House to outline his ideas.

Prince has since presented his case to lawmakers on Capitol Hill and in a Washington media blitz, arguing that it’s time for a new model after years of failure and frustration.

The tantalizing idea that Afghanistan’s mineral potential could transform the country and save the fragile Kabul government has proved elusive.

Gen. David Petraeus, who was commander of US-led troops in Afghanistan in 2010-2011, touted the country’s mineral wealth as offering “stunning potential.” But Afghanistan lacks the infrastructure of roads, trains, and bridges needed to extract the minerals, not to mention the security required to ensure private companies can operate safely the report adds.

Coveted rare-earth minerals in Afghanistan are located in Helmand province in the country’s southwest, most of which is now controlled by Taliban.

Moreover, commodity prices for iron and copper have sharply declined in recent years, and the Afghan government has been accused of corruption in some of its mining ventures.

“Whichever military proposal wins out, the mining idea remains a top priority for Trump. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross is currently conducting an overall assessment of mining opportunities in Afghanistan, while Tillerson, the former head of ExxonMobil, is looking at whether the country would be stable enough for long-term American investments”, notes FP.

Silver, the chemical executive who pitched Trump on the idea, said Afghanistan’s mineral wealth could provide a similar boost to the one China experienced during the 1990s.

“When China opened to the world in the early ’90s under Deng [Xiaoping]’s policy of global engagement, the sale of minerals formed the backbone of their GDP growth,” Silver told FP.

But the report cautions that though “Trump may want a deal that brings peace to Afghanistan, paving the way for economic opportunities, but it’s unclear how the White House believes it can persuade Kabul, regional powers, and key players — including Pakistan, Iran, China and Russia — to help broker a peace agreement.”

Cheers

[Falijee]

After Feasting Himself On Nihari, Biryani, Paaya And Other Delicacies , On His Recent Homecoming, Ganja Sharif Now Decides To Depart To Londonistan For Medical Check-up

Nawaz Sharif to leave for London on Aug 24.

ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif will leave for London on 24th August for his medical checkup, ( As Imran had once sarcastically remarked - what is "wrong" with Pakistani Doctors and Pakistani Haspitals ! ) sources told Dunya News on Sunday. This is Sharif’s first visit to London after his removal from power by the Supreme Court after months of hearings on corruption charges against Sharif family. Earlier today, the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) team summoned Nawaz Sharif, his sons – Hassan and Hussain Nawaz – his daughter Maryam Nawaz and Captain (r) Safdar to appear before it at 11:00am, however, none of them appeared before the investigators.

It may be mentioned here that ex-premier’s wife Kulsoom Nawaz is already present in London. She left Pakistan on Thursday despite receiving a summon from the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for scrutiny of her nomination papers for NA-120 by-polls in Lahore. In all the photus that have since been published in the Paki Media, Ganja Sharif, IMO, appears "fit as a fiddle". This "medical checkup" (although he may call on his Cardiologist ) thing is just an "excuse" for a family reunion in Londonistan and ponder future options ( away from the watchful (electronic !) eyes of the "Deep State" ( Note : Bakra Eid starts on Aug 31, 2017 !) and to garner sympathy against the "NAB hounds" - see above- who are after him, rightly or wrongly. ! I would not be surprised if one of his "fans" see him shopping at Harrods and snaps and posts his picture on social media

[Falijee]

Pakis have a choice between these two "senior aunties" in the La-Whore MNA Bye Election ( in the wake of Ganja's dismissal )




PS: One of the candidates is presently "enjoying herself" in the cooler climes of Londonistan, and is basically "depending" on the "sympathy factor" for her win !

PPS: The contrast between the two candidates- in the above poster - is obviously "manufactured" by Immy's PTI

[Falijee]

What A Contrast Between The "Innocent Looking" "Begum Sharif" Vs The "Firebrand" Dr. Rashid

NA-120 by-poll: PTI moves LHC against Kulsoom Nawaz’s nomination

LAHORE – Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf has challenged the candidacy of Kulsoom Nawaz – former first lady – in the Lahore High Court days after a returning officer accepted the PML-N candidate’s nomination papers for the upcoming NA-120 by-election. If, just going by the picture, there is absolutely no doubt who will win the (physical ) fight

PTI leader Andaleeb Abbasi filed an application in the high court, maintaining that Kulsoom’s nomination papers contain a lot of contradictions yet the returning officer accepted them despite her disappearance.

“Numerous laws were violated while accepting Kulsoom’s nomination papers, which is why they should be rejected by overturning the returning officer’s decision,” the application says. The Election Commission of Pakistan’s (ECP’s) returning officer for the constituency had accepted Kulsoom’s nomination papers on Thursday after Senator Asif Kirmani appeared in her place to respond to reservations.

In the Paki cultural milieu, it is not "recommended" that an unaccompanied female appear alone in front of a male, hence the absence

The NA-120 constituency, Lahore-III, fell vacant after the Supreme Court disqualified then prime minister Nawaz Sharif in the Panama Papers case on July 28. The former prime minister had earlier announced his younger brother and Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s name as the party candidate. His name was later withdrawn as party members deemed his presence in Punjab too important.

The heart of the homeland ( Pakjab) cannot be left in the hands of an "unknown quantity" )

In the May 2013 general election, Nawaz Sharif beat the Dr Yasmin with a margin of around 40,000 votes. The firebrand Dr Rashid did however manage to get 50,000 votes – by far the highest by a candidate contesting against Nawaz Sharif in the constituency. She sure looks a "formidable" candidate, from the sheer size of her girth.