Terrorist Islamic Republic of Pakistan (TSP), Feb. 26, 2010

[vera_k]

Indian minister for higher level talks with Pakistan

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=27789
The minister expressed her ignorance when asked why when Pakistanis filling visa forms, they had to fill in a “religion” column specially when India professed that it was a secular state.]

I hope that a MEA LDC explains that secularism is a right and privilege that India extends for its citizens. Pakistanis and other foreigners have no rights in India and must grovel if India wants it so as a condition for a visa.

IMO, this is further confirmation that the Pakis psychologically believe they rule India instead of understanding they have no more rights than any other beggar.

[sanjaykumar]

I hope they do write Muslim on Indian passport forms. Of course Bohras, other Lohana Muslims (Memoms), Ahmediyas and often Shias can be identified by their names. I am sure they have a much easier time getting into India on a visa.

[sanjaykumar]

IMO, this is further confirmation that the Pakis psychologically believe they rule India instead


Actually it is evidence that Pakistanis have a hard time seeing themselves as anything but a superior kind of Indian.

[svinayak]

I hope they do write Muslim on Indian passport forms. Of course Bohras, other Lohana Muslims (Memoms), Ahmediyas and often Shias can be identified by their names. I am sure they have a much easier time getting into India on a visa.

Pakistani is also afraid that India by creating a grading system can put the Pakistani Sunni below the Ahmedi and the Shia. This could be real H&D blow

[Prem]

I hope they do write Muslim on Indian passport forms. Of course Bohras, other Lohana Muslims (Memoms), Ahmediyas and often Shias can be identified by their names. I am sure they have a much easier time getting into India on a visa.

If these guys ask for asylem etc , it can be game changer in term that Pakistan was made for Musalmans and now these Musalmans are opting for asylem in India . Paki can explain away Shia kaffir, Ahmadi Kaffir and Bohra kaffirs and keep pretending no Muslim seeking asylem.
Just the very fact the question was asked reveals lot of underlying anxiety. Has the situation been deteriorating so fast?

[SSridhar]

What ‘Punjabi’ Taliban?

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=229169

‘Punjabi Taliban’ is another misnomer that serves the same agenda of forcing Pakistanis to see one another through lingo-ethnic glasses. There is no such thing in Pakistan.

The term 'Punjabi Taliban' was used by Afghan Taliban itself in later half of 1990s to distinguish the local Taliban from the HuJI group that was also embedded with them. Qari Saifullah Akhtar, the Amir of HuJI, was close to Mullah Omar. After the PA discovered 'Operation Khilafat' - a coup attempt - lead by Qari Saifullah Akhtar, Maj. Gen. Zaheerul Islam Abbassi and Brig. Mustansar Billah in Sep 1995, the Qari became an approver and was released shortly thereafter. Immediately, he went to Kabul in 1996 and became an advisor to Mullah Omar. He was given important ministerial-level posts in the Taliban cabinet, the only Pakistani to be given that respect. His followers were also absorbed in the Talibani police and army units. The Qari is himself a Pashtun from South Waziristan. While being part of the Mullah Omar cabinet, he and his followers were given the moniker 'Punjabi Taliban'.

Not all were on board with the 'Punjabi Taliban'. Particularly, the IMU (Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan) lead by Namangani and later Tahir Yuldashev detested the 'Punjabi Taliban'. They thought that they worked in collusion with the Pakistani Army. This lead to a huge spat in 2007 in South Waziristan when there was a large influx of these 'Punjabi Taliban' there, places where the IMU were safely ensconced. Maulvi Nazir joined the Punjabi Taliban to thrash the IMU which then took refuge in North Waziristan under the patronage of Haqqani.

[Avinash R]

Govt believes it's best to keep talking with 'plotter' Pakistan
Seema Guha

New Delhi: There are many in the Indian establishment who believe the government is wasting its time engaging with Pakistan without Islamabad doing its bit to crack down on terror outfits operating from its soil.

This view is being reinforced by Anti-Terrorism Squad revelations about a planned terror attack on major installations in Mumbai and the fact that one of those arrested spoke about being trained in Pakistan.

But increasingly, the government believes that it is best to keep dialogue between India and Pakistan intact, despite the fact that the last round of preliminary talks between foreign secretaries yielded little.

Pakistan is now interested in the foreign ministers of India and Pakistan meeting to announce the composite talks. Prime minister Manmohan Singh has taken a major risk in deciding to engage with Pakistan after being badly bruised by the Sharm-el-Sheikh joint statement.

A meeting at the highest political level is likely when prime minister Manmohan Singh travels to the US for the nuclear summit called by president Obama in April. The Pakistani prime minister is also attending.

[abhishek_sharma]

US personnel facing threat, ambassador tells FM

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/daw ... -530-hh-05

The US ambassador has expressed concern over ‘security threats’ to American personnel in Pakistan and said that any attack on American diplomats in Lahore might have ‘alarming’ effects on bilateral relations.

According to sources, Ambassador Anne W. Patterson has written a letter to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, saying that she is concerned about some media reports in which residences leased by some Americans in Lahore have been identified .

[biswas]

US personnel facing threat, ambassador tells FM

http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/daw ... -530-hh-05

The US ambassador has expressed concern over ‘security threats’ to American personnel in Pakistan and said that any attack on American diplomats in Lahore might have ‘alarming’ effects on bilateral relations.

According to sources, Ambassador Anne W. Patterson has written a letter to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, saying that she is concerned about some media reports in which residences leased by some Americans in Lahore have been identified .

** Deleted **

[Gagan]

If you remove the burden of Pakis' "poor masses" from the RAPE then the freedom of the RAPE to do what they usually do actually increases. They have a smaller internal troubles burden to look after. For this reason it may be important top allow Pakistan to fight to retain the loyalty of its provinces even as the rebels are given encouragement. If the new country actually gets formed - it could be more of a problem for India because a consolidated Punjab/Sindh will be more compact and more wealthy. But this is an assumption based on the theory that Pakistan agricultural and industrial wealth are mainly from Punjab and Sindh. I need to find figures on this.

Very nice post!

This line of thought suggests that while splitting Pakistan will be like a balm on indian jingos, to really really have proper payback for Pakistan is to keep it burdened with non productive provinces, mired in internal strife, and yet serving as a buffer state for India's western borders.

So when an Indian leader says that a united pakistan is in India's interest, he does not mean well for Pakistan? That's uber chankiyan!

[shiv]

In an case Gagan, Arun Gupta has come up with some eminently archivable statistics that show that no matter which Paki province you look at - there is virtually no difference in poverty and non-productivity. Unlike my mistaken assumption, the more populous provinces of Pakistan have "walked that extra mile" to keep the same percentage of people poor and screwed up as any other province. Pakistan is an egalitarian state indeed.

So the act of breaking Pakistan into "poorer" and wealthier provinces like my example of Splitstan won't be easy. So much the better.. An intact Pakistan is in everybody's interest. No?

[Atri]

There was once a hypothetical country (I am tempted to call it "Hyc**t", but let me call it Splitstan). Here is a cooked up allegorical story

Splitstan had 200 million people. A lot of people. People were its main export. The country had a northern half with 100 million people who were largely rural and poor. There were 90 million poor and 10 million relatively well off. The Southern half of the country had 100 million people. It had all the cities and industries, even the sea ports. The Southern half had 60 million rich and 40 million poor.

So in total. Splitstan had 200 million people. 70 million (about 33%) were rich and 130 million (about 70%) were poor. A lot of the money generated by the 70 million rich was being spent on the 130 million poor.

But one day there was great strife, and when the troubles ended, Splitstan was divided into two nations. North Splitstan and South Splitstan.

North Splitstan, with 100 milion people. 10% were rich. 90% were poor.
South Splitstan also had 100 million people, but 60% were rich and 40% were poor.

Immediately, the 60 million wealthy of the South were relieved of the need to contribute to the security and well being of the 90 million poor of North Splitstan. Simultaneously the North got a huge burden of poor people - which would leave the country poor for decades.

I tell this hypothetical tale with a hypothetical scenario in mind. The rich argicultural provinces of Punjab and Sindh would be better of if they did not have to cater for the security and well being of the people of NWFP and Balochistan. The latter two provinces (although of low population) are more rural and less productive industrially although they have mineral wealth. Together NWFP and Balochistan account for less than 20% of Pakistan population. I am not sure ho much they contribute to Pakistan's industrial production. But Balochistan is mineral rich.

If you remove the burden of Pakis' "poor masses" from the RAPE then the freedom of the RAPE to do what they usually do actually increases. They have a smaller internal troubles burden to look after. For this reason it may be important top allow Pakistan to fight to retain the loyalty of its provinces even as the rebels are given encouragement. If the new country actually gets formed - it could be more of a problem for India because a consolidated Punjab/Sindh will be more compact and more wealthy. But this is an assumption based on the theory that Pakistan agriculrutal and industrial wealth are mainly from Punjab and Sindh. I need to find figures on this.

Very nice article, Shiv ji...

I have a doubt though.. Are there enough people in Balochistan and Sindh to be a burden on RAPE? forget about poor people, there aren't enough people there.. Most of the burden on RAPE from Pakjab and Sindh comes from internal poverty.. There is magnanimous poverty in Pakjab and Sindh itself. It is further amplified by the stupid and selfish water policies of Pakjab vis-a-vis Sindh.. The people who ate grass to make bomb and got poorer were mostly mango-abduls from Pakjab and Sindh.. NWFP was always poor and state of perpetual disharmony.. Same is the case with Balochistan.

The antagonism between frontier provinces and Punjab dates back to the days of Mahabharata and Rigveda itself. It might also be viewed that relieving them (the people from NWFP, AFG and Balochistan) from Pakjabi yoke might further enervate Pakis. It is pattern of a strong AFG to screw Punjab, time and again.

[shiv]

I have a doubt though.. Are there enough people in Balochistan and Sindh to be a burden on RAPE? forget about poor people, there aren't enough people there.. Most of the burden on RAPE from Pakjab and Sindh comes from internal poverty.. There is magnanimous poverty in Pakjab and Sindh itself. It is further amplified by the stupid and selfish water policies of Pakjab vis-a-vis Sindh.. The people who ate grass to make bomb and get poorer were mostly mango-abduls from Pakjab and Sindh.. NWFP was always poor and state of perpetual disharmony.. Same is the case with Balochistan.

The antagonism between frontier provinces and Punjab dates back to the days of Mahabharata and Rigveda itself. It might also be viewed that relieving them (the people from NWFP, AFG and Balochistan) from Pakjabi yoke might further enervate Pakis. It is pattern of a strong AFG to screw Punjab, time and again.

Well Chiron I was worried that Pakjab and Sindh were doing far better than the NWFP and Baluchistan - but the Pakis appear to have an equal distribution of wealth and poverty everywhere. I wonder if this is a result of feudal land ownership

NWFP and Baluchistan form 20% of the population of Pakistan they have about 30 million people. Even though those 30 million are not "extra poor" making it useful to hive off a poor province. I was bothered about the idea that the US may eventually help hive of those 2 provinces and then pump massive aid to both Pakjabistan the rump state and the new NWFP-Baloch state that would have the road from Central Asia to Gwadar. A Pakjabistan that is relieved of the burden of maintaining security in NWFP and Balochistan will have the means to be a bigger problem for India.

Fortunately it may not be that simple for several reasons.

1) The US cannot control NWFP/Balochistan on its own, It needs the Paki army to do that. The Paki army has to be brutal in NWFP and Balochistan to do the US's work - so they are trying to escape frm their responsibility for which they are taking money from the US. if the Paki army does not deliver, the funds dry up, but if they deliver, there is more anger in NWFP/Balochistan, and in Pakistan itself. So the Paki army has to be both involved and not involved - and as long as the Paki army suffers in this manner, it is good for us.

2) Again fortunately Zia and Bhuttos Islam combined with modernity have done their work well and Pakistan now has a currently irreversible rate of population growth. If the Pakjabi army cannot control NWFP and balochistan, the Islamic extremists will take refuge in those areas.

3) As reported in this thread earlier Northern Afhanistan is getting "consolidated" and the Taliban who cannot gt Kabul or the North will only have their brethren across the border in Pakistan. If Pakistan supports them, Pakistan will in effect be supporting Paktunistan, and if Pakistan opposes them they will use their bases to attack Pakistan.

Of course the situation is fluid, but allowing the Pakistan army to be busy against its own people for the foreseeable future can only be good for India.

The open acknowledgment of the LeT as a faction of Pakistani army is, IMO a sign of desperation and pressure. Until now the Pakistani army could escape any blame that was laid against LeT. That will get more difficult. Pakistan's anti India hatred is sought to be whipped up - apparently to "cause war between India and Pakistan". But I am increasingly beginning to feel that such a war may not benefit Pakistan at all. In fact it may actually reduce the cards and the leeway that the Paki army has now that the LeT is seen as an extension of the Pakistan army.

Pulling out Paki troops from the west to fight India is, IMO not going to put off the US that easily. Technically the US can use any war that the Pakistan army fights with India to force an increased presence and clout in Pakistan in the guise of assisting Pakistan.

The best short to medium term route for the Paki army might be to give up all notions of sovereignty and quietly continue committing genocide in NWFP and Balochistan with US assistance, and keep getting paid by the US in money and arms to do that.

That would keep the US happy. It would keep Pakistan intact but in turmoil and that turmoil would be useful for India.

Just guessing some alternate scenarios...

[SSridhar]

Next Foreign Secretary Level talks in Islamabad: GoI

“The Foreign Secretary of Pakistan came here for the talks. So, perhaps it is the turn of Indian Foreign Secretary to go to Pakistan. So, let us move step by step,” External Affairs Minister S. M. Krishna said on the sidelines of the India-Africa conclave here {New Delhi}.

There is speculation that talks between the two sides could take place later this month.

Mr. Krishna said, “Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has taken an initiative in good faith to hold Foreign Secretary-level talks with Islamabad.”

Asked if Dr. Singh would meet his Pakistani counterpart in Washington in April on the sidelines of the nuclear security summit, the minister was non-committal, saying “Keep speculating.”

[SSridhar]

Punjab Governor blasts Shahbaz Sharif

Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer said that with the entire country facing the threat of terror, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has indirectly pledged support for Taliban by saying they should not target Punjab, thereby creating a negative distinction with the rest of the country.

Reacting strongly to Sharif's statement in Jamia Naeemia on Sunday, Taseer said that Punjab has been embarrassed, and that such statements will only embolden Sipah-e-Sahaba and the Taliban. He said that he feared the Punjab Government wanted to Talibanise Punjab.

Taseer alleged that the federal government is in the dark about safe houses and alleged that they were being run by Punjab Law Minister, Rana Sanaullah.

He said deciding the foreign policy of the country is not responsibility of a chief minister. The governor said all parties should join hands against sectarianism. He said the crime rate in the province has increased by 30 to 40 percent.

[Patni]

Phone calls to arrested terror suspects traced to Karachi

The phone calls received by two terror suspects, arrested on charges of planning terror attacks in the city, have been traced to Karachi in Pakistan, an official from Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) said on Monday.

“The phone calls the duo were receiving have been traced to Karachi in Pakistan. They had received calls on a regular basis, in which they were instructed to ensure that the targets get reduced to ashes,” said the official on the condition of anonymity.

The duo, Abdul Latif alias Guddu (29) and Riyaz Ali alias Rehan (23), residents of suburban Bandra and Dahisar respectively, were arrested near Matunga railway station in central Mumbai on Saturday.

ATS chief Raghuvanshi had said that preliminary probe suggested the duo were getting instructions from someone called ‘Uncle’ from Pakistan to execute their activities here.

Both had conducted recce of three targets — headquarters of petroleum company Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Thakkar Mall and Mangaldas Market — and were planning to carry out attacks, which included sabotage and setting them on fire.

[SSridhar]

Double Whammy

This needs to be read. The author, who is a Retd. Air Vice Marshal of PAF and also Pakistan's Ambassador, has a bizarre theory. He says that Pakistan had such a domineering presence over India in Cricket & Hockey in the 80s and 90s that it gave a sense of confidence to that country. India set about to redeem the glory in a systematic manner and reached better positions vis-a-vis Pakistan in both these games. That has boosted the Indian confidence. It has also rubbed off on their economy. He feels that if Pakistan can somehow miraculously inject energy into these two sports, its economy will also improve, a la India.

Such are the people who occupy higher positions in the armed forces, governments and think-tanks of Pakistan.

[biswas]

Double Whammy

This needs to be read. The author, who is a Retd. Air Vice Marshal of PAF and also Pakistan's Ambassador, has a bizarre theory. He says that Pakistan had such a domineering presence over India in Cricket & Hockey in the 80s and 90s that it gave a sense of confidence to that country. India set about to redeem the glory in a systematic manner and reached better positions vis-a-vis Pakistan in both these games. That has boosted the Indian confidence. It has also rubbed off on their economy. He feels that if Pakistan can somehow miraculously inject energy into these two sports, its economy will also improve, a la India.

Such are the people who occupy higher positions in the armed forces, governments and think-tanks of Pakistan.

The funniest thing is, how they can make the article sound almost credible, almost.

[Hari Seldon]

^^ Dunno why these theories that somehow uncontrolled population explosion (as opposed to IED explosion) in TSP is even indirectly good for Yindia seem suddenly in vogue.

Take what happened when the Islamic rate of growth (as opposed to the Hindu rate of growth) in neighboring BD totally exceeded the land's capacity to hold and entertain them - they spilled over into Yindia. In another few yrs they would have successfully overrun lower Asom as well as other distts in the Northeast and WB.

Why think it'll somehow be magically different with TSP than with BD, I wonder?

[Klaus]

Indian hockey too has changed significantly. It is more scientific, appropriate to the surface the game is played on, and their players are fitter and stronger, almost like the Europeans.

I'll bet that he was thinking that yindia has done some crazy genetic experiments to make TFTA's out of cowering SDRE's while penning the above line.

they are the ones with their tails up now, laying claim to a global mantle; a bit too soon, but making a bid alright.

BTW, who gave him licence to decide or judge when yindia will or will not lay claim (or claim) a global mantle. After all, the world's our oyster and we choose what to do with it.

[muraliravi]

^^ Dunno why these theories that somehow uncontrolled population explosion (as opposed to IED explosion) in TSP is even indirectly good for Yindia seem suddenly in vogue.

Take what happened when the Islamic rate of growth (as opposed to the Hindu rate of growth) in neighboring BD totally exceeded the land's capacity to hold and entertain them - they spilled over into Yindia. In another few yrs they would have successfully overrun lower Asom as well as other distts in the Northeast and WB.

Why think it'll somehow be magically different with TSP than with BD, I wonder?

Some Reasons

1. Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat are not West Bengal, nor are Punjabis, Rajasthanis and Gujjus the same as Bengalis.

2. The borders along Porkistan are well fenced.

3. The border even on the Bangla side is getting fenced much faster than expected. The western border has patrolling and fencing.

4. While 0 infiltration is hard to guarantee, it will never reach the 10 million figure of the bangladeshis who have creeped in

[shiv]

Why think it'll somehow be magically different with TSP than with BD, I wonder?

The magical part is that you and I are going to be able to do nothing about it. Need to enjoy it when it comes and not make it come to you and me by invading and reclaiming territory imaging that greater magic will happen and the people will disappear and occupy djinnland while we "rescue" greater India.

[Hari Seldon]

The magical part is that you and I are going to be able to do nothing about it. Need to enjoy it when it comes and not make it come to you and me by invading and reclaiming territory imaging that greater magic will happen and the people will disappear and occupy djinnland while we "rescue" greater India.

Aha.

I see. I agree that pipedreams of invading TSP and reclaiming Pakjabi land sans the people are impractical only. I hope we never hold TSP territory in any form whatsoever. Might get saddled with the 'moral and diplomatic' responsibility of providing roti, kapda makaan and in due course NREGS too, to the packees. PoK and NA are Indian territory legally, of course. The rest can rot. Period.

In any case, since we can't do anything about it, why bother.

[A_Gupta]

Shiv,

Here is a hypothesis for you - we keep saying that the RAPE don't give two hoots for the Mango Abdul. What if it is that the civilian RAPE can't do much for the Mango Abdul even if they want to? What percentage of government revenue is off-limits to the civilian RAPE government - because it either goes into defence or into the various Fauji enterprises? How much is tax policy governed by the military RAPE? How much of industrial policy is not changeable because again of the various military enterprises?

One would expect that merely darwinian processes and natural selection in the arena of elections will lead some civilian politicians to economic populism. Of course not having regular elections is one problem. But maybe there is a second problem here.

-Arun

[rkirankr]

Shivji,

Is it not better that pakistan is always divided into different countries? Your argument that the RAPE will have lesser problems will be balanced by wars from the new countries (ofcourse sometimes egged on by evil Yindia) for water, space etc. The prospect for Pakjabis of facing pakthun army , the baloch army and the sindhudesh army from 3 different sides along with evil Yindian army will be too much. With no access to sea and dependent on the the land routes , I think it willnot be long before the RAPES will give up their wet dreams of reviving mughal empire. JMT

[Akshut]

Double Whammy

This needs to be read. The author, who is a Retd. Air Vice Marshal of PAF and also Pakistan's Ambassador, has a bizarre theory. He says that Pakistan had such a domineering presence over India in Cricket & Hockey in the 80s and 90s that it gave a sense of confidence to that country. India set about to redeem the glory in a systematic manner and reached better positions vis-a-vis Pakistan in both these games. That has boosted the Indian confidence. It has also rubbed off on their economy. He feels that if Pakistan can somehow miraculously inject energy into these two sports, its economy will also improve, a la India.

Such are the people who occupy higher positions in the armed forces, governments and think-tanks of Pakistan.

The funniest thing is, how they can make the article sound almost credible, almost.

From the article

The Indians copied the Australian model of cricket and went about teaching their chosen players not only cricket, but also some basics of English language, etiquette and manners.

"Congrats to BCCI for telling Indian players not to eat balls!"

Ishant Sharma has learnt to express himself adequately in English and does not cow down to the whites easily,

And now
Pakistan's biggest joint military exercises High Mark 2010 begins today

The newly developed JF-Thunder air crafts would be participated in the war exercises. The flat of JF-Thunder also participate in the exercises with later and spirit.

[Aditya_V]

The PAF and Navy exercises are bit disturbing, with the snows beging to melt in March April, are the pakis preparing for brilliant miltary operation. Seems likely, we should be on alert.

[Bheem]

Re Shiv

You have to factor is some more problems for Punjabisatan like river water, sea access, border disputes with new neighbours, migration of population, re-settlement disputes read genocides, absense of subsidised natural gas which means lot of blood will be spilled daily with new neighbours. It will take decades to consolidate the new nation by which time India would many more times ahead.

[chetak]

Double Whammy

This needs to be read. The author, who is a Retd. Air Vice Marshal of PAF and also Pakistan's Ambassador, has a bizarre theory. He says that Pakistan had such a domineering presence over India in Cricket & Hockey in the 80s and 90s that it gave a sense of confidence to that country. India set about to redeem the glory in a systematic manner and reached better positions vis-a-vis Pakistan in both these games. That has boosted the Indian confidence. It has also rubbed off on their economy. He feels that if Pakistan can somehow miraculously inject energy into these two sports, its economy will also improve, a la India.

Such are the people who occupy higher positions in the armed forces, governments and think-tanks of Pakistan.

They are going to kill us all with kirket and hockey onlee.

Unwashed paki abduls to be sent off to swiss finishing schools.

Not PVN but our cricketers are the REAL reason that the economy has taken off.

The author is not just a retired air vice marshal but actually a retired hot air vice marshal

[arun]

"Congrats to BCCI for telling Indian players not to eat balls!"

Speaking of Shahid Afridi this should come as a great relief to him as with the ban in place he could very easily have been done in by one of the pious of his own Qambarkhel Afridi tribe.

Bearing the cricket ban in mind, perhaps the infamous ball biting incident in the Perth ODI was just Shahid Afridi checking out that one of his more pious Afridi tribe members had not substituted the cricket ball for a hand grenade .

Meanwhile the organisation that put out the ban on cricket has a really Orwellian title:

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Militants lift ban on cricket

By our correspondent

BARA: The banned militant outfit Amr Bilmaroof Wa Nahi Anil Munkar (promotion of virtue and prohibition of vice) has lifted the ban on cricket in Qambarkhel area of Bara sub-division, local sources told The News on Saturday. National cricketer Shahid Afridi belongs to the same clan of the Afridi tribe. The sources said that acting head of the organisation, Haji Darya Khan, announced lifting of the ban during his speech on FM radio three days ago. The late head and founder of the organisation, Haji Namdar, had imposed a ban on cricket in Qambarkhel area some two years ago. Namdar was quoted as saying that cricket was not a useful game as it did not contribute to promotion of Jihad and its philosophy. The sources said that the militant organisation reviewed its decision after pressure mounted by members of the Qambarkhel Afridi tribe against the ban. The local people welcomed the decision and started playing cricket again.

The News

[Gagan]

The pakistani nation is in mourning over the severe dent to echendee over the one great source of echendee (Cricket/Hockey teams and Pakistan Army).
First it was the bashing given to the cricket team by the aussies down under, in the middle of which was the inability of the pakistani cricketers to 'sell' themselves to the IPL teams.
Then it was the hockey team winning the wooden spoon and finishing last in the hockey world cup and that too, horrors of horrors in front of an Indian audience.

All sorts of reasons and explanations will be put forward, from the slightly more scientific one here to the religious (green sole of the shoes).

But no one is going to come forward and say it like it is in reality, that the pakistanis can't afford to have world class equipment and training, that their players, like the rest of their countrymen are an indisciplined, foul mouthed, and non-law abiding rag-tag bunch.

Typical of the mindset that a begger has, a begger is most concerned about his honor and dignity. Ditto for the pakistani nation. Upar se fit-faat, andar se mokama ghaat

[arun]

X Posted. This incident speaks volumes about the prevailing ambivalence in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan towards Islam inspired terrorism and terrorists.

The Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan thinks nothing about extending condolences for the death of a cleric belonging to the banned Islamic organization, the Sipah-e-Sahaba Pakistan (SSP) which specialised in killing fellow Muslims of the Shia / Shiite sect:

Gilani condoles demise of Maulana Ghafoor

This is not the only demonstration of ambivalence regards Islam inspired terrorism and terrorists by those holding leadership positions in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan nor is this ambivalence restricted to the PPP political party.

Over the last fortnight there have been reports that Punjab province Law Minister Rana Sanaullah who belongs to the PML(N) political party has also been consorting with the banned Sipah e Sahaba Pakistan ( Sanaullahs links with banned outfit leader surfaced).

Seems to me that anything or any body that carries a stamp of Islam is entitled to the highest degree of consideration in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan with the Islam stamp sufficient to wash away the taint of even the most egregious of crimes.

[arun]

X Posted. The Punjabi’s of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan are getting creative in their efforts to persuade their Sindh and NWFP located compatriots to support dam building that will allow the Punjabi’s to pilfer yet more water, by playing the Indian card.

Thus even as India is supposedly funding NGO’s in the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to oppose Dam Construction there, the US, Israel, Eurrope and the IMF have supposedly provided India USD 212 Billion to build dams “on Pakistani water share” :

'India funding NGOs to oppose hydel power plans'

Will love of a good conspiracy theory involving Kaafir Hindu India, Kaafir Christian Crusader US and Kaafir Jewish Zionist Israel prove a productive ploy to permit Punjab to get Sindh and NWFP to forget their self interest in not pandering to Punjab’s water gluttony?

[A_Gupta]

Double Whammy

This needs to be read. The author, who is a Retd. Air Vice Marshal of PAF and also Pakistan's Ambassador, has a bizarre theory. He says that Pakistan had such a domineering presence over India in Cricket & Hockey in the 80s and 90s that it gave a sense of confidence to that country. ...

This is line with what seems to be the prevailing ethos of Pakistan - where the surface results are taken to be the root causes. i.e., Taliban are really a PR problem that can be solved if the right firm in Washington DC can be found; that economic success comes from accolades on the sports field; that character in public life comes from being well-dressed and well-groomed; if they are Islamic enough they can put a man on the moon in five years and so on. Please add on examples - I'd love to compile a complete list. I would expect that such a society would place a premium on successful hypocrisy.

[Gagan]

Yet another Najam Sethi video. This time on Pakistan's relations with the US. He really rubs it in this time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75Gi97-Z1n0

[shiv]

Shiv,

Here is a hypothesis for you - we keep saying that the RAPE don't give two hoots for the Mango Abdul. What if it is that the civilian RAPE can't do much for the Mango Abdul even if they want to? What percentage of government revenue is off-limits to the civilian RAPE government - because it either goes into defence or into the various Fauji enterprises? How much is tax policy governed by the military RAPE? How much of industrial policy is not changeable because again of the various military enterprises?

One would expect that merely darwinian processes and natural selection in the arena of elections will lead some civilian politicians to economic populism. Of course not having regular elections is one problem. But maybe there is a second problem here.

-Arun

This is my take on this.

What is the evidence that RAPE and other Pakis are actually aware that there is a mango Abdul problem and geometric progression of population growth, leave alone planning to do something about it (like allocating funds from a budget)

It appears to me that most Paki RAPE/feudal rich are unaware of the problem and its magnitude. Why do I say that?

1) There are very very few Pakistani publications that refer to this problem. the vast majority are publications by "world organizations" and other researchers. There are Pakis among these researchers but any truth they tell is chosen to be ignored

2) Most Pakistanis insist that they are well developed and far ahead of India. In general tell a Paki "Poverty" and he will say "India". Tell him wealth and development and he will say "Pakistan". Even today any mention of poverty in Pakistan is always in conjunction with the overall poverty of South Asia. I have referred to this problem in my e book. Basically if there was a country called "South Asia" this poverty and population growth would have to be handled by the government of "South Asia"

As it turns out, there is no country called "South Asia". There is India and India is doing plenty to acknowledge the presence of a population problem and address it head on. And there is a country called "Pakistan" which is doing nothing. Every medical student in India for example is handed a textbook that tells him all there e is to know about population and human development statistics in India - and that has been going on for the last 5 decades at least.

Over the last 5 decades all the India indicators have become better while the Pakistan indicators have become worse. if there was any concern in Pakistan (leave alone the intention to ask for funds) it should show up in Pakistani publications and the media.

It does not.

So in Pakistan there is not even any concern or widespread awareness of how many poor people they have and how those poor people are proliferating. This situation would have been impossible in a democratic system, and Pakistan's blindness and denial are indicative of an attitude like the proverbial "let them eat cake"

I am positively astounded by the scams and open lies that appear from Pakistan. It is not possible to have "an industrial policy" based on lies where investment is attracted merely for the process of embezzlement. Recall the Maglev of Karachi. The "worlds tallest building" in Karachi? The "indigenous" satellites? The Pakistan developed JF 17. these are not lies from low down functionaries. the government, RAPE and army are telling the lies. ruly

i don't think even the most Paki hating BRFites who frequent the military forum and curse India's slow procurement and admire Pakistan's quick fire decisions are aware that every single Paki aquisition of arms is based on healthy multimillion dollar kickbacks regardless of quality, compatibility or upgradeability. I have cites for this - but in book form.

From time to time a Paki article posted here has complained of dishonesty and lies. These articles do not appear in isolation. Pakistani society is in deep trouble. The wealthy are wealthy by unfair means that would not hold in a democratic society and they do not recognize or acknowledge the number of the poor they have. Pakis like to imagine that poverty and overpopulation are an Indian problem. They lie to themselves about the "real Pakistan"

Zaid Hamid's "real Pakistan" is a technological powerhouse powered by Allah

Some other guys "real Pakistan" is a Paki fashion show in Lahore in a week when a dozen bombs have gone off in the city.

Pakis are a nation in denial, when its not ignorance. But the ignorance runs deep too - so its not all denial. The RAPE are in cahoots with the army. Their extended family are part of the army and I am certain that they are not even demanding funds for development.

You used the right phrase "Natural selection". In a system in which "natural selection" allows the most greedy and the most corrupt, there is no rod for honesty. In essence dharma is absent and I say that at the risk of going OT - but it's a fact.

[Pranav]

If you remove the burden of Pakis' "poor masses" from the RAPE then the freedom of the RAPE to do what they usually do actually increases. They have a smaller internal troubles burden to look after. For this reason it may be important top allow Pakistan to fight to retain the loyalty of its provinces even as the rebels are given encouragement. If the new country actually gets formed - it could be more of a problem for India because a consolidated Punjab/Sindh will be more compact and more wealthy. But this is an assumption based on the theory that Pakistan agricultural and industrial wealth are mainly from Punjab and Sindh. I need to find figures on this.

Very nice post!

This line of thought suggests that while splitting Pakistan will be like a balm on indian jingos, to really really have proper payback for Pakistan is to keep it burdened with non productive provinces, mired in internal strife, and yet serving as a buffer state for India's western borders.

So when an Indian leader says that a united pakistan is in India's interest, he does not mean well for Pakistan? That's uber chankiyan!

Provinces like Balochistan are not at all a burden to the Pakjabis ... if the natives get restive they can easily be dispatched with bullets through their skulls. Cost of a bullet to dispatch a Balochi is insignificant compared to the gas revenues that accrue to the Pakjabis.

[A_Gupta]

Shiv,

It is in line with a Geo TV program I watched where lots of college students were accumulated in an auditorium and asked "What is Pakistan's most pressing problem?" and the answer most gave was "lack of education".

Anyway, here is Huma Yusuf in Dawn about population policy.

In many ways, the story of Pakistan is one of a failure of family planning. Although the Family Planning Association of Pakistan was set up as early as 1952, we have seen a five-fold increase in our population between 1951 and 2009, from 34 million to 171 million.

Will try to see where Pakistanis discuss what we see as Pakistan's real problems.

-Arun

[shiv]

Shivji,

Is it not better that pakistan is always divided into different countries? Your argument that the RAPE will have lesser problems will be balanced by wars from the new countries (ofcourse sometimes egged on by evil Yindia) for water, space etc. The prospect for Pakjabis of facing pakthun army , the baloch army and the sindhudesh army from 3 different sides along with evil Yindian army will be too much. With no access to sea and dependent on the the land routes , I think it willnot be long before the RAPES will give up their wet dreams of reviving mughal empire. JMT

This is how I see it: (in fact I have mentioned it in an earlier post but I have been having Pakistani diarrhea for a few days and you may have missed it)

When Pakistan is attacking a separate country with which Pakistan shares a border - the Paki army need not care one bit about civilians or anything. They can bomb the crap out of anything that lies across the border knowing that everyone is an enemy. And anyone trying to enter across the border into Pakistan can be shot as an intruder. This is in fact how India treats "infiltrators". But not Naxalites.

When you are fighting people in your own country your tactics must be different. india learned that the hard way and indian soldiers had to fight insurgents with one hand tied. The "fighting" also involved being careful not to inflict excess civilian casualties (at the risk of military casualties) and to rebuild damaged buildings and lives. People on this forum used to ask silly questions like "Why 100 soldiers for 2 terrorists" or "Why 96 hours for two terrorists". The reason was to minimize civilian casualties (time for evacuation plus enough forces to prevent the escape of terrorists, and time to tire them). Sadly too many of us spend too much time admiring Israel and the US to admire what a great job our forces have done. We even admire Pakistan before acknowledging our own.

If you are fighting insurgents in your own country you must do this. if you do not do this you will end up indiscriminately killing and alienating your own population. if you alienate your own population - what are you then going to do? Are you going to put a fence between you and your own population and say they are "foreigners"? That is silly because that means you are breaking off your own country and creating a new country out of what was your own territory. A self goal.

If a foreign power divides Pakistan by force, the Pakistani army may be unhappy (like they were after Bangladesh was formed) but peace is imposed and the costs of continuous fighting are removed for the Pakis (as well as for the new country). The new fragment country may want development - but Pakistan rump state will still be free to fight someone else - with peace having been imposed on its new borders by a foreign power. The defeated Pakistani army will not be blamed for losing territory; they will instead blame the foreign power.

A far better option is to let the Paki army keep on fighting its own people within its own territory. Unless the Paki army starts "development" in addition to fighting, it will never stop the fighting. And as long as it fights it perpetuates enmity with its own people. But if it changes course for "development" then it has to do things like "land reforms, birth control, schools, human rights etc. but Pakistan has never ever done any of these things. these things are alien to Pakistan.

An intact Pakistan is currently in India's interest. Let the Paki army fight and alienate ts own people. Or let it eat into its own budget and islamic ideology to start schools and birth control I love it. We live in interesting times.

[Anujan]

They are going to kill us all with kirket and hockey onlee.

Unwashed paki abduls to be sent off to swiss finishing schools.

Not PVN but our cricketers are the REAL reason that the economy has taken off.

The author is not just a retired air vice marshal but actually a retired hot air vice marshal

I have found a serious flaw in this argument. Basically he says Pakistan can be fixed if cricket and hockey are fixed. But they have been fixing cricket and hockey matches for a long time and nothing has happened yet