Terroristan - October 8, 2018

[ArjunPandit]

^^with the case, they have burnt bridges. BCCI is an organization like IAS lobby with institutional memory, unlike govt. it may forgive partially but never forgets. Kapil dev and zee are still reaping for what they did. So did the pakis and south africans who went ahead and joined the zee league. BCCI has thrived even without playing with them. They will manage afterwards too.

[Peregrine]

What IMF expects from Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund have almost agreed on a programme for a period of three years and agreement in this regard is likely to be inked in June before or soon after budget 2019-20, The News reliably learnt on Sunday. Further details of the agreement finalised will not be made public till the agreement is signed.

IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan promised to support Pakistan’s economic reforms when both met on the sidelines of World Government Summit in Dubai.

Sources close to the finance ministry confided to this correspondent that IMF had previously asked for strict measure on policy rate, rupee value against dollar and tax collection target by the FBR. Though most of the modalities have been agreed between Pakistan and IMF but lot of work would have to be done before a final agreement is reached by May/June. Most of the actions, on demand of the IMF would be part of the next year budget, said officials involved in dialogue with the IMF, adding that “broad understanding had been reached in Dubai”. The sources further revealed that the revenue collection target for next budget would be fixed by the IMF and could be well above Rs4.7trillion. Further, upward adjustments in SBP’s policy rate and exchange rate depreciation would also be worked out, The News learnt. Then prices of utilities will also be worked out before the next budget and will be shown as budget decisions instead of IMF demand. Pakistan has also come up with a plan to get relief of subsidy given to public sector entities before the agreement and details in this regard have already been agreed in dialogue with IMF team, it was further learnt.

“There was a convergence of our views on the need to carry out deep structural reforms to put the country on the path of sustainable development in which the most vulnerable segments of society are protected,” tweeted Prime Minister Imran Khan after his meeting with IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde in Dubai.

A press release issued by the IMF stated that Ms Lagarde told the prime minister that IMF is ready to support Pakistan as she highlighted that decisive policies and a strong package of economic reforms would enable Pakistan to restore the resilience of its economy and lay the foundations for stronger and more inclusive growth.

The IMF head further said the two sides discussed Pakistan’s economic prospects in the context of a possible IMF-supported programme. “Protecting the poor and strengthening governance are key priorities to improve people’s living standards,” she added.

Sources in the finance ministry stated that most of the points were agreed upon in a video conference between Finance Minister Asad Umar and IMF team in Washington before reaching Dubai to attend the World Government Summit.

A statement issued by ministry of finance said prime minister and IMF chief Lagarde had a meeting on the sidelines of the World Government Summit. The premier appreciated IMF’s support to Pakistan and shared his vision for nation-building. He explained the government’s commitment for undertaking structural and governance reforms. The statement said the IMF chief “acknowledged the steps taken so far by the Pakistani government for stabilising the economy and said the IMF will remain engaged in supporting Pakistan in sustaining its economic recovery.

The two sides agreed working together on policy priorities and reforms aimed at reducing imbalances and laying the foundations of a job creating growth path in Pakistan. In this connection, deliberations between Pakistani authorities and IMF staff will continue to finalise an agreement on the contours of a programme, the statement said.

In a separate statement issued by the IMF headquarters, Ms Lagarde was quoted as saying she “had a good and constructive meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan, during which we discussed recent economic developments and prospects for Pakistan in the context of ongoing discussions toward an IMF-supported programme”.

Cheers

[ArjunPandit]

what happened to talks of CPEC contracts laid bare and funding china indirectly through IMF?

[Peregrine]

what happened to talks of CPEC contracts laid bare and funding china indirectly through IMF?

ArjunPandit Ji :

That IMHO will will negotiated after the "Loan" is Fully Agreed.

Cheers

[Bart S]

what happened to talks of CPEC contracts laid bare and funding china indirectly through IMF?

US-Taliban talks allowed the Pakis to worm themselves back into relevance. The Americans and Pakis truly do deserve each other.

[Bart S]

Paki delusions reach stratospheric levels

How Pakistan can get Kashmir.

what Pakistan needs to do is to formulate its Kashmir strategy based on realism. India and the world will take Pakistan seriously only when we unleash our true economic potential and create stakes in international trade.

Pakistan should 'create a situation where India asks us to play': PCB director.

Pakistan Cricket Board's newly appointed managing director Wasim Khan believes the national team needs to "create a situation where India asks us to play" instead of vice-versa.

You missed this one from the earth-e-shaster:
Dream of becoming great power deters India from joining CPEC
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1907742/2- ... ning-cpec/

[ArjunPandit]

I seriously dont want these guys to get IMF money. For that has a remote possibility of reforming these guys. They should get more chinese and ummah money.

[Prem]

Either his has been killed or exchange happened

[Peregrine]

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Cheers

[Rohit_K]

***NSFW/NSFL***

Video: TSPA thugs bring a Baloch youth out of a house and gun him down
https://www.reddit.com/r/pakistan/comme ... lessly_at/

Recommend downloading & disseminating before its taken down by TSP mods of Reddit

[Peregrine]

Pakistan ‘very close’ to securing IMF bailout

Cheers

[Peregrine]

In a huge embarrassment, PCB pays fine of Rs 120 million to BCCI - 9 Feb, 2019

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has paid Rs. 120 million to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as per orders from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The international cricket governing body had ordered PCB in December last year to bare bear 60 percent of the cost incurred by BCCI during the two boards’ legal battle over a bilateral series agreement.

It all started when the Indian cricket board denied visiting Pakistan as per ‘the agreement’ PCB claimed was signed in 2014. The two board tried to sort it out mutually, and upon failure, former chairman PCB decided to take the matter to ICC’s dispute panel and demanded a $71 million compensation.

Cheers

[Bart S]

In a huge embarrassment, PCB pays fine of Rs 120 million to BCCI - 9 Feb, 2019

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has paid Rs. 120 million to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) as per orders from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The international cricket governing body had ordered PCB in December last year to bare bear 60 percent of the cost incurred by BCCI during the two boards’ legal battle over a bilateral series agreement.

It all started when the Indian cricket board denied visiting Pakistan as per ‘the agreement’ PCB claimed was signed in 2014. The two board tried to sort it out mutually, and upon failure, former chairman PCB decided to take the matter to ICC’s dispute panel and demanded a $71 million compensation.

Cheers

I have a suggestion for the BCCI (who certainly don't need this small change): Please donate it in a very visible and public manner, to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terrorist attacks!

[Manish_P]

Zartaj Gul Wazir (Bakistan Climate Change Minister) - India indulging in unconventional warfare

Smog is a major environmental concern in Pakistan. And we have to accept and acknowledge that it's connected to the unconventional warfare we're embattled in with our eastern neighbour, India.

Twitter link

[arun]

Zartaj Gul Wazir (Bakistan Climate Change Minister) - India indulging in unconventional warfare

Smog is a major environmental concern in Pakistan. And we have to accept and acknowledge that it's connected to the unconventional warfare we're embattled in with our eastern neighbour, India.

Twitter link

Citizens of the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Minister of State For Climate Change Zartaj Gul Wazir included, love making up stories of Hindu,Yahudi and Nasara "Saazish" to nobble the Islamic Republic.

On the plus side at least the Pretty Young Thing has not gone the whole hog with the Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan’s love of a Hindu, Yahudi and Nasara "Saazish" to nobble the Islamic Republic and said that the "unconventional warfare" "connected" smog is an offshoot of the High-frequency Active Auroral Research Program aka HAARP that caused Flooding back in 2010:

Pakistani Websites Accuse CIA of Causing Pakistan Flooding: U.S. Research Program 'HAARP is being Used in Pakistan [to Cause Artificial Floods]'; 'They Can't Win a War with Nuclear-Armed Pakistan ... So They Have Other Ways to Do It'

[arun]

Ala Ham Sandwich! Is this Halal?

The Mohammadden Terrorism Fomenting Islamic Republic of Pakistan “published highly objectionable remarks” about Freedom Fighter Mujahidden from Brotherly Momin Ummah country of Bangladesh, namely “Bangabandhu” Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Meanwhile surprised to learn that the “defence.pk” forum {aka Deaf and Dumb Forum (?)} which is cited as the offending website, is “mainly administered by the Pakistan government”.

From Bangaldeshi Newspaper The Daily Star:

'Derogatory Remarks on Bangabandhu': Dhaka summons Pak envoy

[Bart S]

This is hilarious. The Pakis GUBO'ing to an international pariah.
https://www.dawn.com/news/1463607/twin- ... -mbs-visit

Twin cities to see airspace closure, partial suspension of cellular services during MBS visit
Tahir Naseer | Naveed Siddiqui | Dawn.comUpdated February 13, 2019 Facebook Count
Twitter Share
37
Airspace will be shut down, cellphone services partially suspended and main routes closed to heavy traffic in Islamabad and Rawalpindi over the weekend to ensure security during Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman's upcoming two-day visit to Pakistan, police sources told DawnNewsTV on Wednesday.

The crown prince, at the invitation of Prime Minister Imran Khan, will visit Pakistan on Feb 16 and 17. Mohammad bin Salman will be accompanied by a high-powered delegation including other members of the royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.


As part of security measures planned for the crown prince's visit, there will be over 1,000 check points set up in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and law enforcement officials will be posted along the twin cities' main routes, from which heavy traffic will be barred for two days. The metro bus service will remain restricted to Rawalpindi, the sources said.

Additionally, shoot-on-sight orders have been issued for drones and other remote-controlled aviation toys, the sources added.

Arab News reported that Saudi security and intelligence officials are expected to be present across the capital for the two days that the crown prince is visiting.

According to security sources, luxury vehicles from Saudi Arabia were brought to Nur Khan Airbase on Wednesday on two C-130 aircraft. The cars include seven BMW 7 series and one Land Cruiser.

The crown prince's personal belongings have been transported to Prime Minister House in eight containers, sources told DawnNewsTV.

Sources said as many as 750 rooms have been booked in eight Islamabad hotels for the Saudi guests. The hotels have been given orders to cancel advance bookings. A day before the Saudi delegation's arrival, the hotels will be closed for security clearance and officials will take control of the hotels' security. No one will be able to use the hotels until the delegation's arrival, the sources added.

They said the crown prince will be accompanied by a 40-member delegation and a contingent of royal guards on the plane when he travels to Pakistan.

The Islamabad Expressway will be shut for the VVIP movement, while the route from Koral Chowk to Faisal Avenue 15 u-turn will be shut down at various times.

Murree Road ─ from the Faizabad Interchange to Serena Chowk will remain closed, while Shahrah-i-Dastoor will be shut down from Radio Pakistan to Serena Hotel.

Traffic from Peshawar, Kahuta and Murree will be diverted to an alternative route, the sources said.

Sources in the capital administration suggested that those going to offices or schools leave their homes earlier than usual in order to avoid facing inconvenience.

[ArjunPandit]

^^I happy with them getting ummah money, IMF would have some chance of them set on reforms path. We might be lucky generation who would see early glimpses of old glory

[Vips]

Check the various talk shows on paki channels. All the hosts and the 'anal'ysts are going crazy and behaving as if its a big achievement that the saudi prince is visiting pakistan. The pakis are salivating and are being told that they are about to get $20 billion + in investments from Saudi very soon

[Peregrine]

Check the various talk shows on paki channels. All the hosts and the 'anal'ysts are going crazy and behaving as if its a big achievement that the saudi prince is visiting pakistan. The pakis are salivating and are being told that they are about to get $20 billion + in investments from Saudi very soon

Vips Ji :

The Saudis are very astute. The will take all the meow meow and boys singing "Peechay Say Aana Baghiyan Mein Raja" but for every U S Dollar they give they will take "Ten Times" the Worth!

Yes Indeed, Terroristan is in for a Hard Time!

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Pakistan, India hope to reap investment from Saudi prince’s visit

Pakistan-India-hope-to-reap-investment-from-Saudi-prince’s-visitSaudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to announce investments in energy and infrastructure during a visit to Pakistan and India in coming days as part of his efforts to wean the Saudi economy off oil exports.

He is also expected to visit China, Malaysia and Indonesia during a tour that will be his first through the region since the storm over the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Washington Post columnist, at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in October.

Prince Mohammed is expected to sign agreements, mostly linked to a refinery and the power sector, during the trip to Pakistan this weekend, Pakistani officials said. The memorandums of understanding will include renewable energy projects and investments in petrochemicals and mineral resources, Saudi state news agency SPA said.

The prince is expected in New Delhi next week, along with leading Saudi businessmen, at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday.

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was among a handful of leaders who attended an investment conference in Saudi Arabia in October, an event boycotted by many companies and world leaders in protest over Khashoggi’s killing. Modi met the prince in November, when they were both in Argentina for a Group of 20 summit. Saudi Arabia is India’s top supplier of crude oil but the two countries have expanded ties beyond energy, and their governments have agreed to build a strategic partnership, the foreign ministry said.

In a statement, it cited cooperation in areas including energy security, trade and investment, infrastructure, defense and security.

India is expecting Prince Mohammed to announce an initial investment in its National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF), a quasi-sovereign wealth fund, to help accelerate the building of ports and highways, an Indian official said.

Saudi Arabia has also flagged a desire to invest in India’s farm sector, with products to be exported to Saudi, another official at the trade ministry said. However, progress on a $44 billion refinery that Indian state-run oil companies agreed to build with Saudi Aramco on India’s west coast has been held up by strong opposition from mango farmers who will lose their land.

As a fellow Muslim country, Pakistan has long maintained strong ties with Saudi Arabia. In late October, Riyadh offered Pakistan a $6 billion loan to help keep its ailing economy afloat. Saudi Arabia has also announced plans for a $10 billion refinery and petrochemical complex at the coastal city of Gwadar, where China is building a port as part of its vast Belt and Road Initiative.

“They’re looking at the energy sector, at some of our privatization plans that they might bid for through our privatization process,” Pakistani investment minister Haroon Sharif said. Sharif, who chairs Pakistan’s Board of Investment, said there was also Saudi interest in Pakistan’s mining sector. “Saudi Arabia has huge resources. Their investment fund is over $1 trillion, so we want just a fraction of that,” said a second Pakistani minister, who did not wish to be named.

Saudi state news said Saudi officials will discuss investments with China, South Korea and Indonesia, in sectors including healthcare and telecommunications, without giving further details.

Cheers

[disha]

Saudi Barbaria's $44 Bn investment in India will be a major win for South Asia.

[Peregrine]

Meanwhile back at the "Looting Shop":

]PTI govt adds Rs2.42tr i.e. US$ OVER 17 BILLION to debt in six months - Shahbaz Rana

ISLAMABAD: The federal government’s debt has grown at a double-digit pace to Rs26.64 trillion — a net addition of Rs2.42 trillion in six months — as it struggles to introduce policies in an effort to control the ever-increasing ballooning public debt.

From July through December 2018, the government on an average added Rs13.5 billion a day to its debt that included almost four-and-a-half-month of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government, according to the State Bank of Pakistan’s statistics.

Overall, the federal government’s debt increased to Rs26.64 trillion — a net addition of Rs2.42 trillion from July through December. It was higher by 10% when compared with June 2018 statistics.

The accumulation of debt is the direct result of the gap between expenditures and revenues that is widening due to inelasticity in debt and defense servicing on the one hand and the FBR’s failure to enhance revenue collection on the other.

Moody’s assigns a negative outlook to Pakistani banks

The government’s estimates show that nearly 69% of the total budget will go to debt and defense servicing, which is higher than the net revenues of the federal government.

Due to this trend, the International Monetary Fund has proposed to target the primary budget balance, which means that the current expenditures, excluding debt servicing, should not be more than the revenues.

But this can only be achieved either by cutting defense budget or further slashing the development spending — an option that the PTI government is not willing to take at this stage.

The IMF believes that achieving primary balance is the only way to stop the accumulation of debt and come out of the debt trap.

The FBR’s tax collection grew at a pace of less than 4% during the first half that was even lower than the nominal Gross Domestic Product growth rate.

The debt figures also underscore that refinancing and interest rate risks have rapidly grown in the past six months as the federal government’s short-term debt has grown to 58.6% of the total domestic debt.

In December alone, the government added nearly Rs200 billion in the debt. But the pace of accumulation of debt in December was slow due to a relatively stable exchange rate.

IMF asks Pakistan to take decisive actions

The overall increase in the central government debt seems not in line with the budget deficit requirements due to currency depreciation.

The increase in interest rates by the State Bank of Pakistan has also added at least Rs500 billion into the cost of debt servicing.

The external debt of the central government increased by 16.7% to Rs9.1 trillion in the first half of the current fiscal year. There was a net increase of Rs1.3 trillion in the external debt, largely due to currency devaluation.

In June 2018, the value of a dollar was equal to Rs121.54 which reached Rs138.792 by December 31, according to the central bank. But it was better than Rs140 parity with the dollar at the end of November.

The figures do not include loans of $7 billion acquired from China, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Those loans are the responsibility of the central bank.

The ballooning public debt remains a concern due to the previous government’s inability to attract non-debt creating inflows and enhance tax revenues.

The PTI government has not yet changed the course of the fiscal policy and it is largely implementing the policies followed by the previous Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) administration.

SBP’s latest debt bulletin showed that the most worrisome aspect was the continued growth in the short-term domestic debt that exposed the government to refinancing and interest rate risks.

The federal government’s total domestic debt increased to Rs17.54 trillion, an addition of Rs1.11 trillion or 6.8% in five half of the fiscal year.

The share of short-term public debt increased alarmingly to 58.6% or Rs10.3 trillion by the end of December.

In June last year, the short-term domestic debt stood at 54.1% or Rs8.9 trillion. The short-term debt grew Rs1.4 trillion or 15.7% in six months.

In the first half of the current fiscal year, the federal government’s debt got through market treasury bills (MTBs) from commercial banks marginally increased.

The government’s total borrowing through MTBs increased by Rs23 billion to Rs5.31 trillion. The MTBs issued to borrow from the central bank rose to Rs4.97 trillion, a net addition of Rs1.4 trillion or 38.3% from July through December.

The retirement of the central bank debt may become one of the sticky points between Pakistan and the International Monetary Fund future arrangement.

In contrast to the short-term debt, the country’s long-term debt decreased by 3.7% to Rs7.2 trillion. Its share was 46% in the total domestic debt at the end of June 2018, which fell to 41.4% by December.

Cheers

[Rohit_K]

News from Tuesday. DI Khan abuts Pakjab.

Four police killed in Pakistan ambush claimed by Taliban splinter group
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-paki ... SKCN1Q119Y

DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Pakistan (Reuters) - Taliban gunmen opened fire on a police vehicle and killed four officers in northwestern Pakistan on Tuesday, officials said, in a region once riven by militant violence but since cleared following military crackdowns.

The ambush, claimed by the Hizbul Ahrar, a splinter group of the Pakistani Taliban, was the first major attack in the Dera Ismail Khan district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since a suicide blast killed a candidate in the lead-up to the July general election.

“The officers were out patrolling the area when six to seven people who were waiting for them opened fire on their vehicle,” senior police official Mohammad Iqbal told Reuters.

[venug]

If Balochistan gets destabilized by miscreants, South Asian can benefit even more from Prince's visit.

[Rohit_K]

Pashtuns gunned down in Sindh on Wednesday

Three labourers gunned down in Larkana
https://www.dawn.com/news/1463638/three ... in-larkana

LARKANA: Three labourers travelling in a Qingqi rickshaw heading to Madeji town near Naudero Sugar Mills bypass were gunned down by unidentified motorcyclists on Wednesday. Those killed in the firing were identified as Waheed Gul, 60 and Raees Khan, 41 and a seriously wounded person, Arab Gul, 36, who was immediately taken to the Chandka Medical College Hospital, but could not survive. The alleged killers after committing the crime sped away on the bike.

The victims hailed from village Khar of Bajaur (Khy­ber Pakhtunkhwa) and had been trading in domestic utensils here, he said.

Khair Mohammad Shaikh, general secretary PPP Lark­ana district, arrived at the scene and condemned the brutal killings and termed the incident a conspiracy against the PPP and the Sindh government. “We are with our Pathan brothers,” he said, adding that the conspiracy would be unmasked. Asad Pathan of the Path­ans Association also reached the spot and condemned the incident.

[Peregrine]

X Posted on the J&K News and Discussion

MFN status to Pakistan revoked after Pulwama attack: What it means

NEW DELHI: India on Friday withdrew the 'most-favoured nation' or MFN status to Pakistan after a terror attack which took lives of at least 38 CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel in Jammu and Kashmir.

This is one of the deadliest terror attacks in Jammu and Kashmir when a suicide bomber rammed a vehicle carrying over 100 kg of explosives into their bus in Pulwama district.

The move to remove MFN status would enable India to increase customs duty on goods coming from the neighbouring country.

When was it given to Pakistan:

India granted the MFN status to Pakistan way back in in 1996, but the neighbouring country has not yet reciprocated.

The MFN status was accorded under WTO's General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Both India and Pakistan are signatories to this; and are members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), which means they have to treat each other and the other WTO member countries as favoured trading partners in terms of imposing customs duties on goods.

What happens when India removes MFN status:

Removal of this status means India can now enhance customs duties to any level on goods coming from Pakistan, a trade expert said.

Last year in November, a senior aide to Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan had said that the country has "no immediate plans" to grant MFN status to India. Pakistan allows only 137 products to be exported from India through the Wagah border land route.

Total India-Pakistan trade has increased marginally to $2.41 billion in 2017-18 as against $2.27 billion in 2016-17. India imported goods worth $488.5 million in 2017-18 and exported goods worth $1.92 billion in that fiscal.

Under MFN pact, a WTO member country is obliged to treat the other trading nation in a non-discriminatory manner, especially with regard to customs duty and other levies.

What India imports and exports:

India mainly exports cotton, dyes, chemicals, vegetables and iron and steel; while it imports fruits, cement, leather and spices.

For instance, when the export of materials like cotton and chemicals from India will stop, it will push up production cost for the mentioned Pakistani industries.

The step was announced after a meeting of the cabinet committee on security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to discuss the security scenario in J&K in the wake of the terror attack.

Pros of MFN:

MFN status is helpful for the developing nations. The countries with the status have broader access to a market for trade goods, reduced cost of export items owing to highly reduced tariffs and trade barriers.

It also reduces the bureaucratic hurdles and varied kinds of other tariffs for imports. It then increases demands for the goods and giving a boost to the economy and export sector.

Cheers

[Rohit_K]

Two PTI workers shot dead in Karachi
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1911038/1- ... d-karachi/

Two workers of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) were shot dead in separate targeted attacks in Karachi, Express News reported. The fatal shootings were reported within an hour’s span on Thursday night. The first attack was in Bhawani Chali, SITE Area, in which 27-year-old Abdul Rehman was shot dead.

As per reports, the PTI worker was targeted by three unidentified assailants and was shot multiple times at close range. Less than an hour later, a second attack on a PTI worker was reported in Karachi’s Orangi Town area. The victim was identified as 55-year-old Shafqat and witnesses said he was targeted by two men.

[Peregrine]

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Cultural exchanges between India, Pakistan cannot carry on: Shabana Azmi

Earlier today, lyricist Javed Akhtar had announced that he along with his with his wife Shabana Azmi have cancelled their visit to Karachi amid Pulwama attack.

The couple was all set to visit the country for Kaifi Azmi Literary festival, which was scheduled to take place on February 24 and February 25, in Karachi.

After Akhtar, Shabana also took to twitter to share her thoughts on the matter.

“I am filled with pain and grief and all else ..by the dastardly Pulwama attack . For the first time in all these years, I feel weakened in my belief that people to people contact can force the Establishment to do the right thing. We will need to call halt to cultural exchange.”

She went on, “There is no way we can carry on with cultural exchanges between India and Pakistan even as our martyrs are laying down their lives for us. I stand in solidarity with the grieving families.”

The Tehzeeb actor further wrote, “But lets not lose sight of the fact that there is a difference between the Pakistani Establishment and the people of Pakistan and vice versa. On both sides of the border sisters and brothers are divided by circumstances with which they had nothing to do with.”

Cheers

[Peregrine]

Cheers

[SSridhar]

It is worth recalling, at this stage, some recent happening. A synopsis.

The September 18, 2016 attack by JeM-terrorists on the Brigade HQ of the Indian Army at Uri which killed 20 soldiers of the Indian Army and left nearly two dozens injured, was the last straw and there was a paradigm shift in the approach of the NDA government. This was the deadliest attack on the Indian Army by Pakistan-based terrorists in a decade. The fact that the attack climaxed nearly three months of Pakistan-induced terrorism, stone-pelting and grenade-throwing on Indian police & CRPF persons leading to injuries to & death of armed forces and civilians, angered India enormously. There has been a series of attacks on the army units in earlier months starting from the Bijbehara Green Tunnel attack (Anantnag District) on CRPF on December 7, 2015, the Pathankot AFB attack on January 2, 2016 at Pathankot killing seven armed forces personnel, and the Pantha Chowk, Pampore attack on June 25, 2016 once again on CRPF personnel killing 8 and injuring 20 soldiers.

India accused Pakistan as a Terrorist-sponsoring State in the UNGA meeting in late September, 2016, began to review the Indus Water Treaty (IWT), started talking of withdrawal of airlinks and overflight facilities to Pakistan airlines, and its award of MFN status under WTO to Pakistan. It withdrew from the upcoming Islamabad SAARC summit (which led to Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan and Sri Lanka also doing similarly leading to cancellation of the meeting) in November 2016.

But, the most dramatic of all was the surgical strike on the intervening night of 28th & 29th September 2016 when Indian Para-special forces (200 commandos from Para-SF units) mounted five surgical strikes inside POK at launch-pads of terrorist camps located at depths of 1.5 to 6 Kms where dozens of terrorists were waiting to infiltrate into India. The real-time area-of-interest (AoI) images from India’s Cartosat-2C made the attacks possible. The Indian Army also mounted "concentrated fire assaults" on two other launch pads and three Pakistan army posts across the LoC. Each launch-pad typically has 10-20 terrorists, 4-5 guides and 5-10 assistants. The DGMO, Indian Army, Lt. Gen Ranbir Singh justified the action by citing "specific and credible' inputs (from UAVs and HUMINT) of terrorist teams positioning themselves at launch pads at LoC "to carry out infiltration and conduct terrorist strikes inside J&K and in various metros". He also disclosed that he called his Pakistani counterpart to inform him of the raids after they were over and that the "operations [were] aimed at neutralising terrorists" and had ended. India thus gave up its ‘strategic restraint regime’ and decided to cross a self-inflicted redline. This also set a precedent for the future clearly articulating the Indian resolve to mount counter-terrorism operations whenever either India was attacked or to pre-empt such attacks.

A stung Pakistan refused that any ‘surgical strike’ had happened at all and convened a joint session of Parliament where discussions took place on an ‘enexplianed’ but ‘aggressive’ Indian action at the borfder. However, the summary sent to the Pakistani President seeking his approval for an emergency joint session of the Parliament mentioned that it was to discuss the ‘surgical strike’ by the Indian Army!! The Sindh Assembly passed three resolutions condemning the Indian attack though it was unclear why the attacks should be condemned if they purportedly never took place! Pakistan also accused India of needlessly blaming it with Uri attack when there was no ‘evidence’ to prove it. However, a month after the Uri attack, posters in Urdu appeared in Pakistan for the ‘funeral prayers in absentia’ of one of the LeT fidayeen terrorists killed in the Uri attack.

[Peregrine]

Pakistan to take another $1.4 bln loan to curb power sector arrears: report

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan plans to borrow another 200 billion rupees ($1.44 billion) to help clear power sector debt destabilising the finances of the government and private power producers, Reuters reported on Friday, quoting a senior official tasked with energy reforms.

Cheers

[chetak]

Joke of the week

Rumour has it that when The Great Khan met the IMF’s Managing Director and Chairwoman, he invited her to visit Pakistan’s capital.

“Oh” she said, “where is Pakistan’s capital?”

“In Swiss banks”, replied The Great Khan.

[Neilz]

Earlier today, lyricist Javed Akhtar had announced that he along with his with his wife Shabana Azmi have cancelled their visit to Karachi amid Pulwama attack.

The couple was all set to visit the country for Kaifi Azmi Literary festival, which was scheduled to take place on February 24 and February 25, in Karachi.

Looks like Madam is down with swine flu from Feb 13 and may be the actual reason for not going...

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ma ... 970070.cms

[chetak]

Earlier today, lyricist Javed Akhtar had announced that he along with his with his wife Shabana Azmi have cancelled their visit to Karachi amid Pulwama attack.

The couple was all set to visit the country for Kaifi Azmi Literary festival, which was scheduled to take place on February 24 and February 25, in Karachi.

Looks like Madam is down with swine flu from Feb 13 and may be the actual reason for not going...

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/ma ... 970070.cms

Of course, it is true that the trip was cancelled because madam has the (gasp!!) swine flu.

this is sheer taquiya and blatant lying by the rabidly islamic, viciously anti Hindu and jehadi husband and wife duo.

She has got it from her own eminently porcine patidev (or the jehadi equivalent of patidev)

[Peregrine]

‘In the long run we are all dead’- M Ziauddin

No sensible Pakistani would ever suggest taking liberties with our defence expenditure considering the country’s multidimensional vulnerabilities.

But no rational Pakistani would also suggest entering into an arms race with India. Man to man, equipment to equipment, tank to tank and aircraft to aircraft, etc, etc, we cannot catch up with our eastern neighbour, far larger than Pakistan in size, in population and economy.

Here is a passage from a book Not War, Not Peace? by George Perkovich (Vice President for Studies at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) and Toby Dalton (Co-Director of Nuclear Policy Program at Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) which makes it abundantly clear that defence-wise India and Pakistan have reached a point where they are left with no option but to come to terms with the ground realities: “India and Pakistan are approaching rough symmetry at three levels of competition: sub-conventional, conventional, and nuclear.

One of the countries may be more capable in one or more of these domains, but each has now demonstrated enough capability in all three domains to deny the other confidence that it can prevail at any level of this violent competition without suffering more costs than gains. This condition of rough balance and deterrence across the spectrum of conflict amounts to an unstable equilibrium.

Any number of actions by leaders and/or non-officials, taken by mistake or on purpose, could destabilise it. But at the same time, the existence of basic balance creates an opportunity for leaders to take steps to stabilise and pacify the Indo-Pak competition.”

So what we need today in view of the above and also because of the acute resource constraints that confront us is not any increase in the defence budget but a sensible and intelligent rationalisation of the expenditure on sub-conventional and conventional preparedness without, of course, blunting the teeth.

Meanwhile the positive change of almost 180 degrees that seems to be taking place across our northwestern borders has the potential to turn into an opportunity for us.

Of course, it would not be wise at this juncture to predict, one way or the other, the final outcome of the ongoing negotiations between the Afghan Taliban and the US. Sill the progress that has been made so far has isolated Ashraf Ghani who — riding the anti-Pakistan US high horse has made life very difficult for Pakistan. He had joined hands with Indian PM Modi in trying to isolate Pakistan and at the same time use the TTP to destabilise Pakistan with terror tactics.

With the merger of Fata with K-P province, the chances of the Durand Line being exploited by mischief mongers from across the border are likely to be considerably lessened. This in turn is likely to allow Pakistan to bring our troops back to the barracks from along the north-western borders while easing pressure on the defence budget.

These changes seem to be taking place at a slow pace because it has taken long for the Afghan Taliban to finally realise that their past cannot be their future and that they would need to make do with sharing power in Kabul.

Similarly, the state of Pakistan too seems to have finally realised that there is no future in choosing to remain perpetually on the wrong side of the US. Perhaps even China was not too comfortable with the position Pakistan had chosen vis-à-vis the US. Therefore, the hope of a new dawn.

But this new dawn is not likely to come if we enter into another IMF stabilisation programme whose fruits, we are told, we would surely enjoy in the long run. But as Keynes said: In the long run we are all dead. So, what is the alternative? Spend our way out of the mess? Yes. But not through the unreliable, rent-seeking private sector. Through the public sector? Yes, but manned by those highly efficient and accountable. I doubt if Terroristan has such animals!

Cheers

[Peregrine]

X Posted on the Terrorist State of Pakistan : Media Digest Thread

Cash-strapped Pakistan rolls out red carpet for Saudi crown prince – PTI

ISLAMABAD: Amid heightened security, cash-strapped Pakistan on Sunday received Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman, whose maiden trip to Islamabad was delayed by a day for unknown reasons.

Unease ran in the government circles in Islamabad that the Saudi prince might call off the trip due to security reasons after building up of tensions between Pakistan and India following a terror attack on soldiers in Kashmir on Thursday, according to officials privy to the developments.

But there was a sigh of relief when the Foreign Office announced on Friday night that the de-facto ruler of the Gulf Kingdom will arrive on Sunday.

A formation of JF-17 thunder jets and F-16 fighter jets escorted the plane of the Saudi royal after its entry into the Pakistani airspace. The crown prince was given a 21-gun salute upon arrival.

As Muhammad bin Salman, colloquially known as MBS, stepped down from the aircraft after landing at the Nur Khan Air Base in Rawalpindi, he was warmly welcomed by Prime Minister Imran Khan. The premier's cabinet members and Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa were also present at the air base to receive the Saudi guest.

In a break from protocol, the Pakistani premier personally drove the crown prince to PM House, where a welcome ceremony was held in his honour. MBS has a new Slave - A Terroristani Chauffer!

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir landed at the air base ahead of the crown prince's arrival in a separate airplane. Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi was present on the tarmac to welcome his Saudi counterpart.

The crown prince was due to reach Pakistan on Saturday, but his arrival was delayed for a day.

No reason was given for the rescheduling of the planned arrival of the prince.

However, the duration of two-day was not curtailed, nor the meetings and investment plans.

Saudi Arabia on Friday said it stood with India's fight against terrorism and extremism and denounced as "cowardly" the attack carried out by Pakistan based Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror group in Jammu and Kashmir that killed at least 40 CRPF soldiers.

According to official media, the crown prince is accompanied by a high-powered delegation, including members of Saudi Royal family, key ministers and leading businessmen.

This is his first official visit to Pakistan since his elevation to the position of crown prince in April 2017.

During his visit, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia will sign a number of agreements and MoUs in diverse sectors.

According to Advisor to PM on Trade, Razzak Dawood, agreements worth between USD 10-15 billion will be signed, including one about Saudi investment to build an oil refinery. The refinery once ready will help to save about USD 1.25 billion in imports bills.

The two sides will also set up an advisory council led by the crown prince and the prime minister of Pakistan to follow up the agreement singed so that they are implemented on time.

Special arrangements were made in Islamabad to accord a warm welcome to the prince and his entourage on their arrival.

Big portraits of MBS, King Salman, Prime Minister Khan and President Alvi have been erected on Constitution Avenue in Islamabad.

Banners and posters inscribed with slogans of Pak-Saudi friendship and fraternity have also been put on display along the roads.

A big portrait of the crown prince, 120 feet tall and 45 feet wide, was also installed on the parliament building.

Elaborate security arrangement were made and the routes leading to Red Zone where all important government offices and diplomatic missions were located was sealed for common public.

A four-tier security arrangements have been made for the prince. The outer most tier will be manned by police, the second by paramilitary Ranger, the third by the army and the fourth and inner most by the royal guards of the prince.

The prince will also use about 130 royal guards. A 235-member delegation of the Islamic Military Counter-Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), led by Pakistan's former army chief General Raheel Sharif welcome to the prince and his entourage on their arrival. Big portraits of MBS, King Salman,

A holiday was declared for Monday to avoid tension for workers and students as more than 1,000 security check points were set up in the city and at entry places.

Cheers