Terrorist Islamic Republic of Pakistan - July 07, 2009

[Philip]

Kuldip Nayar the miserable nomad,trying to reach the promised land of "Peace" with Pak.Like Moses,he has been allowed to only see the promised land,but he will die before it comes to being.That event too will last far longer than the 40 years the "Children of Israel" endured in the wllderness! We are already 60+ years after Partition.The atrocities against India from Pak keep on mounting and with increasing ferocity,the attack on the Indian parliament and the attacks last year on 26/11.There are daily encounters in Kashmir and despite all the tilting that Surrender Singh has made towards the US,in the hope that it would restrain Pak,Pak carries on merrily with its terrorist campaign.How many more precious Indian lives are to be lost to Pak before a true patriotic ruler emerges to act boldly and decisively with Pak?One thing is ceratin,that under "Surrender Singh",more Indians are going to die due to Pak's perfidy.

[SSridhar]

The real Taliban kill 18 pro-sarkari fake Taliban

The sources said Ismatullah Shaheen—a close aide of Baitullah Mehsud—took away with them the bodies of 11 extremists.

It should be pertinent to mention here that the supporters of Baitullah Mehsud and Turkistan are locked in hostilities with the latter group on the side of the government.

[SSridhar]

From SUCH GUP of this week's TFT

Projecting power

A big foreign telecommunications company is packing up and leaving Pakistan because it has made a huge investment in India. The latter have laid down the law: you can either do business with India or Pakistan. So, the company has opted for India and out of Pakistan. This is called projection of power – with India now influencing direct foreign investment in Pakistan.

[SSridhar]

From NUGGETS

Seraiki province will have 21 districts

A map published in Khabrain by the Seraiki Party contained 19 districts of Punjab and two from the NWFP. From Punjab, Pakpattan, Sahiwal, Chiniot, Jhang, Sargodha, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Layyah, Khushab, Muzaffargarh, DG Khan, Rajanpur, Khanewal, Multan, Vehari, Lodhran, Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar and Rahimyar Khan. Seraikistan will take Dera Ismail and Tank from the NWFP while 20 million Seraiki people lived in Sindh and Balochistan.

[SSridhar]

Contemporary Art Scene in Pakistan - An Interview from TFT

Pakistani curator Sameera Raja of Canvas Gallery spoke at the opening about the contemporary art movement in Pakistan. I sat down with her after the show to find out where we are on the international art scene.

TFT: What have you learnt from this trip?

SR: This trip was very productive professionally, because I got to see how New York Galleries work, and what the response to Pakistani art has been. Apart from the Aicon show there are other Pakistani exhibitions, and it was interesting to note how the American audience is responding to them. I really feel that we are on the brink of being discovered and Pakistani contemporary art will be the next big thing like Indian art, like Vietnamese art, like Chinese art.

TFT: Which artists are on that brink?

SR: The younger Pakistani artists. The international audience is not interested in modern masters. It’s only the nonresident Pakistanis (NRPs) who are interested in the Naqshs, Gulgees, Sadequains and Allah Bukshs because they are still in that frame of mind. The international market is looking for cutting edge, very contemporary work.

TFT: Can you name some of these artists?

SR: Well, Shazia Sikander is one who has brought Pakistani art into the international scene. After her there’s Rashid Rana, Mohammadali Talpur, Ayaz Jokhio, Ahmed Ali Manganhar, Risham Syed, Nausheen Saeed, Adeela Suleman, Naiza Khan, Amjad Ali Talpur, Mohammad Zeeshan, Imran Qureshi, Aisha Khalid and Hasnat Mehmood among others.

TFT: At Aicon you mentioned the influence of nonresident Indians (NRIs) on Indian art. What should the NRPs be doing to promote Pakistani art?

SR: NRIs have really contributed to projecting Indian art to where it is today. They are very nationalistic and very patriotic and they make sure that whatever comes out of India is projected and marketed well. Unfortunately, most NRPs don’t have that kind of vision. Most of them think of the Pakistan they left behind twenty years back so they don’t really see how Pakistan has evolved since then. I think they need to patronize and promote the contemporary art scene of Pakistan. Contemporary art is a depiction of the times we live in and it’s the visual vocabulary of the times we live in. You have to be in touch with the times and see what is happening. The NRPs really need to understand this. They are willing to put down thirty, forty thousand dollars for a modern master but will not put down three to five thousand dollars for a contemporary artist because they don’t understand him or her.

TFT: How do you differentiate between Indian and Pakistani art when you are talking to a Western audience?

SR: I think there is a tendency to lump everything from Pakistan into India. Our visual vocabulary is different in art because of our experiences. Of course there are a lot of similarities between India and Pakistan, but the trying times that our nation is experiencing, where even our entire identity is questioned, is different. We are lumped as extremists and fanatics and people who indulge in sexual discrimination, and to come out of that with a language, with work that says, this is who we are and we’re as good as the rest of the world, I think that’s very interesting. Whatever the governments may feel about each other, I work with an Indian art gallery here, and they show South Asian art and there are no geographical demarcations, and that is a spirit that needs to be incorporated.

TFT: Are images of Pakistan that depict fanaticism more popular in the West?

SR: Of course they are. There are artists who pander to the gallery. So if you’re in Pakistan, you will pander to a certain gallery; it depends on who your audience is. It’s the quick fix. But if artists are really committed and honest to themselves they will realize what they should be doing. They should be passionate about what they do. If you’re an artist committed to showing gender discrimination in Pakistan and it’s something you feel very strongly about and you do the same work in Pakistan and abroad, I can understand that. That is your identity and that’s the issue you are trying to tackle. But if you are thinking, I’m going to New York and I want to do a show that puts me up there, you might be up there for a short time but it’s not going to sustain you.

[Anantha]

Kuldip Nayar on Wagah & Candles

People in both countries should light a candle outside their homes on the night of Aug 14-15 to demonstrate their commitment to friendship between the two nations. {BS}

This is the most disturbing part of the article. Indians have several other things to do on 15th Aug (and rest of the year) than think about friendship with Pakistan. He is encouraging all Indians to constantly think about Pakistan and its welfare. Even for a non Jingo Indian, why should one think about them.

[krithivas]

Partition is an Indian holocaust. To ask Indians to "demonstrate their friendship" is to ask them to forget the holocaust. Pakistan (Muslims) demanded partition, and their perverted morbid insistence led to the death of 5 million Indians (Muslims and Hindus). They continue to ingrain anti-Hindu anto-India mindset to their children.

As a regular exercise, both my sons have to go through a Holocaust lesson as part of their schooling in Arizona. There are many children who snicker and question that drill/conditioning.

But it is also clear now that if we don't do that - Some Kuldip Nayar would ask for Jews to light a lamp on the day of Hitler's death.

Mr. Nayar cannot be that cavalier.

Thanks,
R. Krithivas

Kuldip Nayar on Wagah & Candles

This is the most disturbing part of the article. Indians have several other things to do on 15th Aug (and rest of the year) than think about friendship with Pakistan. He is encouraging all Indians to constantly think about Pakistan and its welfare. Even for a non Jingo Indian, why should one think about them.

[BijuShet]

From SUCH GUP of this week's TFT

Projecting power

A big foreign telecommunications company is packing up and leaving Pakistan because it has made a huge investment in India. The latter have laid down the law: you can either do business with India or Pakistan. So, the company has opted for India and out of Pakistan. This is called projection of power – with India now influencing direct foreign investment in Pakistan.

The original Article I could find is here:
Telenor in Crisis Globally, Loss in Pakistan, Ban in Russia & Restriction in India By Mudassar J. Mufti, 30-07-2009

Telenor Pakistan faced an operating loss of $14.3 million in the first quarter of 2009, following a loss of $ US 49 million in 2008.
...
Just yesterday, decision has been taken to give clearance to Telenor for its Indian operations (Unitech Wireless) where it can raise its shares to 74% on the terms that no employee from the Pakistani operations of Telenor will be inducted, reports economic times.
Home ministry officials were categorical that the security concerns of the agencies needed to be addressed while granting the go-ahead.

It also means that anyone from staff working in the countries other than the Pakistan but has served at some point in Pakistan will face the BAN. Nevertheless, a manager working in Indian operations can always go to Pakistan on the condition that he/she will never return back.
Keeping human assets of the Indian and Pakistani arms of Telenor separate is expected to take care of risks such as spying and subversion.
...
As 3G being delayed in Pakistan by the authority and a strong resistance from few of the operators and other losses in Russia and Bangladesh, Telenor find India as its next home. In order to further raise its share to 74% in India, Telenor is in talks with a consortium of banks for a further loan of US $ 2 bn.

Some comments from the articles comments section :

M Hanif: (30-07-2009)
Every thing is as a part of business part but what the hell India is doing with all this
issue, they have imposed a ban even on those who have only worked in Pakistan, bloody sick
minded Indians.

Ali Imran : (30-07-2009)
It is totally inhuman and discriminatory that no employee from Telenor Pakistan will be
inducted in Telenor India. This is an effort from India to isolate professionals from
Pakistani telecommunication industry. Especially, in a scenario where Pakistani telecom
professionals are getting good offers and moving towards international telecom market on
challenging positions. Take the example of Ahar Yaqoob Khan, previous Head of Marketing
Ufone who has moved to Banglalink (an Orascom / Mobilink company) as Chief Commercial Officer.
Previously Rashid Ali Khan, CEO, Mobilink had also served in Bangladesh. This shows Pakistani
telecom professionals have tremendous potential but putting ban on Pakistani to work in India
is an effort to isolate Pakistanis and Telenor has become a part of this effort.

Mudassar: (30-07-2009)
Well..much is talked about..but the thing is they should get stronger as we strong players
like them in Pakistan. What happened in Russia or whatever is happening to them in Bangladesh
is a two way traffic, but in Pakistan they should grow. And how the hell Indians can dictate
someone to do things that hits us. Ali...you are right that our professionals are as reputed
and intelligent as the rest of the world. On one hand our govt. is doing friendly talks with
Indians and on the other hand their response is so negative.I should not be tolerated.

Economic Times Article on the same

[ramana]

From J&K Issues Thread.

Movements wax and wane.

They require nurturing by interested parties.

The Taliban movement too would die a natural death, but for the ideological and financial assistance of the Saudis.

It would go the same way as the LTTE!=

RayC sir,

There are important differences with LTTE. LTTE derived its power from ethnicity, from ethnic division. TTP derives its strength from religion, from religious purity.

TTP is more than a movement. It is actually the culmination of the Pakistani movement having gone wrong.

TTP will not wither away like LTTE. The chaos in Pakistan goes deep, very deep. It is perceptible in misgovernance, corruption, nepotism, lawlessness, extremism, violence, sectarianism, inflation, poverty, injustice, disempowerment, illiteracy, population explosion, political instability, external intervention. Whereas in other countries this terminology is also used, in Pakistan, each term is acutely perceptible. After a country has arrived at a particular juncture, there is no going back. Pakistan has already crossed this juncture. Pakistan simply does not have the resources to even stem the tide. No. All these factors will keep on increasing and magnifying each other. Islam would not allow any improvement. Chaos is God-given for the clergy. Why would they help the Government fight the decline.

So Talibanism will only increase. So would the pressure from the Americans, and even Chinese.

There is no escaping the dynamic.

Also TTP is the Pakiban and is based on ethnicity. It will go away only when Greater Pashtunistan is achieved. B. Mehsud is like Sir Roger Casement of Ireland. Pashtuns need their Eamon De Valera.

What is needed is concentrate on Sarkari terrorists or Army of Allah that is sponsored by TSPArmy.

[BijuShet]

From the Dawn : A security drill shrouded in mystery By Baqir Sajjad Syed & Munawer Azeem - Friday, 07 Aug, 2009 | 04:54 AM PST |

ISLAMABAD: A Danish embassy security consultant on Thursday tried to get closer to the residence of Indian high commissioner with a ‘fake bomb’ strapped under his car to ‘test the level of alertness’ of security personnel, only to find them braced up for such an occurrence.

‘Chris Jones, who is responsible for the Danish Embassy security, was caught by a police cop while trying to drive into the street where the Indian high commissioner’s residence is located,’ a senior security official told Dawn.

‘An assistant sub-inspector deputed at one of the pickets in the street stopped the car bearing a private number and on scanning it, he found wires and some device fixed beneath the car, after which the cop immediately got hold of Chris,’ an eye-witness said while narrating the incident.

On his arrest, the security consultant claimed he was on a mock exercise to check the vigilance of the security staff.
...

Why is the Danish embassy guy trying to test Paki Security for the Indian High Commissioner? He should be charged for public endangerment for such a reckless act. I did not see our DDM report this incident at all.

[ramana]

He could be an uncle or aunty guy. See his name- Chris Jones. never heard of Danish name like that.


--------------------
Google says there is an Aussie firm with that name which is in security consulting.

Most likely the guy was coping for the aussie secret services. To what purpose dont know.

Website blocked. So if coemone can read post details. Eg. what is the speciality and past experience? and bio-data.

[John Snow]

interesting that I found US consulate/embassies nect to Indian consulates/embassy in many African countries.

I have some pictures of that in Mupoto Mozambique.

It could be the case that US & Indian embassies are close in proximity?

[BijuShet]

interesting that I found US consulate/embassies nect to Indian consulates/embassy in many African countries.

I have some pictures of that in Mupoto Mozambique.

It could be the case that US & Indian embassies are close in proximity?

That may be the case but I still cannot understand why they would test Paki security for our embassy unless they had us informed in advance. What if the car broke through the Paki security cordon and Indian security were faced with the decision to deal with this car at their gate. If this guy is shot dead by us then do we get labelled as the bad guys for shooting an innocent. Besides if you read the article the Paki higher ups were aware of this test run where as nowhere does it mention that the Indians were on board hence my concern.

[Hari Seldon]

Also TTP is the Pakiban and is based on ethnicity. It will go away only when Greater Pashtunistan is achieved. B. Mehsud is like Sir Roger Casement of Ireland. Pashtuns need their Eamon De Valera.

What is needed is concentrate on Sarkari terrorists or Army of Allah that is sponsored by TSPArmy.

When the lion of panjsher - Ahmed shah massoud - was assasinated by the AQ-ISI nexus, the northern alliance pretty much never quite recovered. Twas only after US air bums took out talib defenses north of kabul did they gather enough grit to move south.

My concern is that baitullsh'd killing could similsrly damage the legitimate aspirations of the pushtu people on the wrong side of the durand.

[BijuShet]

On a Lighter note : Econ 101 for Paki comes from Hollywood

Letters from Dawn Going to IMF

I JUST finished reading ‘Going To IMF’ (Aug 4) by Nowsherwan G. Irani. I couldn’t but feel sad at the state of affairs we have put Pakistan in.

What is, however, worse is the fact that we are taking it towards a bigger disaster. If anyone has watched the movie ‘The International’, one of the actors comments that one of the biggest advantages of war is the debt it creates, you control the debt, you control the country under the debt.

Somehow, the IMF seems like a power-hungry engine giving out debt to us, and our esteemed politicians, their most humble and loyal agents, making sure we stay on the IMF compliant path. I am sure, however, that there is a way out, yet somehow we are far from it.

A WORRIED PAKISTANI
Via email

[BijuShet]

Torn Shirt Open fly argument for all those who complain of Air Parasite.
Letters to Dawn :No fond memories of PIA

JUST like the incoherent and rather confusing policies of the Pakistan government, the national flag carrier’s service baffles me equally. At a time when customer retention is crucial for the airline, it continues to disappoint on every conceivable front.

My relationship with PIA began 24 years ago, and while I have used the airline many, many times in those days, I can assure you that I have had no fond moments to look back on. During my childhood, I would travel on the airline as a non-revenue passenger, and while the airport staff would mistreat me because of this, I had to live with it because tickets were cheap.

Today, I am a fully paying revenue passenger, and committed the horrendous error of flying PIA from Karachi to London and back. To begin with, I was perplexed to find that while major airlines such as Emirates and Etihad are using Boeing 777 aircraft on this sector (Emirates, in fact, is now using the world’s largest commercial jet, the Airbus A380, on this route), our airline has decided to downgrade it to an Airbus A310.

Travelling for eight hours in a cramped seat for someone who is 6ft 2” is difficult enough at the best of times, but the airline staff managed to, somehow, make it even worse. Despite requesting a seat with extra legroom, and being assured that I would, indeed, be given such a seat by the agent at the check-in desk, I was put in a regular seat. In itself, this is not terrible, but to add insult to injury, the seat was actually broken from one side, and the recliner was also not functioning. Sleeping on the flight was, therefore, out of the question.

Staying painfully awake, I decided to browse through the in-flight entertainment, and to my amusement there was just one channel playing some random Pakistani drama, and the other 20 channels on the flight were inactive. There were no audio channels either. Staring around the cabin, I decided to call the steward to ask for a blanket, because I was feeling cold. As he arrived with a rather grumpy look on his face, he informed me that between the four people sitting in my row, only one quilt would be given, because there was a shortage.

The horror did not end there. Soon after, dinner was served. I had pre-booked a fish meal and instead I was served uncooked rice with chicken. Out of the four bathrooms available in the ‘pleasant’ smelling economy class, only one was functional, and that too without any supply of water. Once fellow passengers had rendered even that one inoperative after throwing tissues down the toilet, the cabin crew decided to open one of the “non-functional” bathrooms. All of a sudden it was working! Similar to the other bathrooms, however, it did not have any supply of water either.

Somehow, the journey drew to a close and the announcement of landing in Karachi was made. The cabin crew continued the announcement by saying that if any passenger wanted to make any comments about the service, the comment card was in the pocket of the seat in front of them. I immediately searched for it and it wasn’t there! I asked the passengers sitting next to me if they could check and they didn’t have one either.

I don’t think I have any way of concluding my story apart from saying that I hope never to make the mistake of flying PIA ever again. I would recommend fellow passengers to do the same. Besides, tickets on the other airlines are far cheaper!

VASSEH AHMED
Karachi

[Kakkaji]

From 'Such Gup' section of this week's TFT. My apologies if already posted:

Holy cow

Double A Seven, leader of the Lawyer’s Movement and consigliore of the Chief Adjudicator is said to have met Canny at his house in Pindi recently. The matter under discussion was Mush ’s summons and the Chief Adjudicator’s plans to pillory him. Canny apparently told Double A that since Mush was keeping his side of the “bargain” by sitting it out, it was in the fitness of things that they should keep theirs. And, Canny added for good measure, if Mush is to be pilloried then so should all his collaborators. Mush’s cohorts, lest we forget, are all occupants currently of the Olympian heights of high Khakidom. Thereafter we hear Double A beat a hasty retreat, and once again, it was borne out that high khakidom is indeed a holy cow.

Am I right in decoding:

Canny = Kiyani?

[ramana]

And to confirm that here is Nightwatch take

Pakistan: A thoughtful editorial in the Daily Times about the move to try Musharraf for high treason made the following point:

“The Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz wants revenge, and a powerful section of the media by and large endorses it. The Pakistan Peoples Party, accused of being “an extension of Musharraf rule” by people moved by the human instinct of getting even, is reluctant to proceed to trial for very pragmatic reasons. “


“The November 2007 emergency order of General Musharraf names some people as ‘consultees’, and among them are the officers in the military high command, including the current army chief (General Kiyani). The rumor is that the army has communicated its view about any trial of General Musharraf to the Supreme Court through a leader of the lawyers’ movement.”

Musharraf will never be tried for treason because the opposition will never obtain enough votes to pass a resolution ordering a trial. The issue is not popular, except among the media. The Pakistan Army’s steadfast opposition to the trial of one of its own will triumph and that is probably a good thing for internal stability. However, the vote of members on the issue will be used against them in future elections.

.....

[BijuShet]

From 'Such Gup' section of this week's TFT. My apologies if already posted:

Holy cow

Double A Seven, leader of the Lawyer’s Movement and consigliore of the Chief Adjudicator is said to have met Canny at his house in Pindi recently. The matter under discussion was Mush ’s summons and the Chief Adjudicator’s plans to pillory him. ... once again, it was borne out that high khakidom is indeed a holy cow.

Am I right in decoding:

Canny = Kiyani?

Thats how I read it too.

[Bhima]

Where now for Pakistan's Taliban?

[Gerard]

70 murders, yet LJ hitman close to going free

Fida Hussein Ghalvi testified 12 years ago against Malik Ishaq – a founding member of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi charged with 70 murders, including the killing 12 of Ghalvi’s family members – but the imminent release of the terrorist leader has added horror to Ghalvi’s life of grief, already reduced to the limits of his house in Multan, reports New York Times.

[svinayak]

interesting that I found US consulate/embassies nect to Indian consulates/embassy in many African countries.

I have some pictures of that in Mupoto Mozambique.

It could be the case that US & Indian embassies are close in proximity?

What about UK offices

[anupmisra]

Spin factory
Peddling it.

Indian hand in Balochistan unrest to be exposed: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said the government would disclose evidence regarding India’s involvement in Balochistan diplomatically at the right time.

To a question about induction of over 1,000 Marines by the US embassy into Islamabad, the minister said: “The US embassy is reinforcing its personnel for strengthening its security.” He said it should be taken as a message from the US that it wanted long-term relationship with Pakistan.

He said Pakistan had been seeking to develop ties with India based on equality, mutual respect and non-interference.

Commenting on Pakistan-Afghan relations, the minister said unstable Afghanistan would continue to export extremism, narcotics and instability across the vast Asian landmass, and beyond.

What alse? The 2012 alignment of the star systems to earth's axis will make Paki land center of global wealth and learning?

[ramana]

The 1000 marines cold be to serve as advance trip wire troops like in Western Europe as TSPA cant take care of its territory. The TSPA has failed in its core mission to defend the country when they became occupiers and then rentiers. So now US has to commit troops to defend TSP. Off course the charitable expalnation is they are there to prevent nukes falling into jihadi hands and/or anti coup battalion to take on the corps commanders.

If one TSPA = 10 yindus, One marine = 10 TSPA.

[hnair]

This "1000 marines with APVs" is a good old fashioned invasion by US. They just managed the imagery better with this effort. They already have good aircover and logistics in place. They probably tried color revolutions with the lawyers, but looks like no powercenter got formed after Mush got canned (other than Droopy Kiyani and his listless style). The taliban, hopefully, will not stay idle and deny Obama his pre-election wish of fighting inside Pakistan.

[Hari Seldon]

The unkil-leaning news channel(s) were all breathless lauding Baiullah's death - "killer of hundreds in suicide bombings" etc.

Fail to see how Sri Baitullah ever harmed Indian interests with his diabolical activities only. Why should Dilli celebrate his houri journey?

[shiv]

The unkil-leaning news channel(s) were all breathless lauding Baiullah's death - "killer of hundreds in suicide bombings" etc.

Fail to see how Sri Baitullah ever harmed Indian interests with his diabolical activities only. Why should Dilli celebrate his houri journey?

It's a bit like the Uighur discussion..



Anyway internecine conflict in Pakistan is always good news...

[svinayak]

This "1000 marines with APVs" is a good old fashioned invasion by US. They just managed the imagery better with this effort. They already have good aircover and logistics in place. They probably tried color revolutions with the lawyers, but looks like no powercenter got formed after Mush got canned (other than Droopy Kiyani and his listless style). The taliban, hopefully, will not stay idle and deny Obama his pre-election wish of fighting inside Pakistan.

Country like Pakistan does not need a power center. You need to understand this.
The army keeps the facade of the country and power center. That "homogeous" entity is what keeps the country still intact.

But others can come and execute their policies for the state and bureaucracy. That is the nature of defunct countries.

[shiv]

Country like Pakistan does not need a power center. You need to understand this.
The army keeps the facade of the country and power center. That "homogeous" entity is what keeps the country still intact.

But others can come and execute their policies for the state and bureaucracy. That is the nature of defunct countries.

This is a very astute observation and we are gradually going to have to change the way we deal with Pakistan based on this realization and the gradual weakening of the Pakistan army's power. IMO

[Prem]

Which way the Paki oonth gonna sit in few years will be indicated by 2 more such US Consulates ,in Karachi and Quetta .
Lets hope we hear the good news soon.

[Singha]

but the clincher is going to be shape and size of proposed US embassy (aka vietnam era firebase) in peshawar - belly of the beast.

if I'bad needs 1000, karachi and quetta would need 3000 and peshawar imo needs a campus of 100s of acres and around 5000 regular US army troops, supported by special forces and airborne component in a greenfield or donated airbase to bring in supplies from the gulf depots. JV predator
flights can then operate from quetta and peshawar round the clock with
short transit times to where they need to be.

[pgbhat]

^^^^

Imagine having 2000 troops each in K'chi, Isloo, Peshawar and Lahore... It will be the softest military invasion ever by unkil.

[NRao]

:scratch-head:

Uncle has had more than 50,000 on TSP ground since 911.

No Paki can get in or out of ANY main Paki international terminal without going through a US based face recog system. One entire PAF air base is occupied by the US!! I am not sure now, but air traffic was controlled by the US - I am fairly confident that it still is. Predators regularly take off from Pakistani soil. Even today.

[Gerard]

She's Back

End Of Baitullah Mehsud?

[John Snow]

Baitullah whereabouts was handed over by ISI to unkil.
Baitullah would have corrobrated Mushy involvement in BB killing.
Baitullah turned renegade and had to be put out of business.
Also ISI gets two birds in one shot, blame Amrikhans to Taliban supporters , and at the same time curry favors with Big O admin and good riddence of a renegade.

****
PS I did not read B. Raman garu article prior to posting the above

[pgbhat]

Indian hand in Balochistan unrest to be exposed: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi on Friday said the government would disclose evidence regarding India’s involvement in Balochistan diplomatically at the right time.

To a question about induction of over 1,000 Marines by the US embassy into Islamabad, the minister said: “The US embassy is reinforcing its personnel for strengthening its security.” He said it should be taken as a message from the US that it wanted long-term relationship with Pakistan.

[Satya_anveshi]

-Suspected Drone attack (point being it could not have been a suicide bombing, second being that it is US that has killed Baitullah, It is important to be percieved that Pak didnot kill Baitullah to effectively control his militia)

- Unconfirmed reports of his death

- One of the reasons to identify him was the use of the car that he regularly used..duh?

- For over a month now, there have been no reports of Baitullah Mehsud and suicide bombings virtually stopped since the beginning of June09 (?)

- Reserved statements almost bordering on optimism by Paki NSA, Rehman Malik, and even by reporters, have a subtle twist that the message being driven into people is "Baitullah is no more"

- The whole of Taliban top brass is missing and Pakis got their #1..Baitullah visits his wife and MIL when he is supposedly hunted 24/7? how convenient?

- This news coming pretty much 24 hours after Pakistan bans many so called "freedom" fighting terrorist organizations.
Pakistan might have grown quite a big balls to achieve all this in that quick succession.

Considering these together, it doesn't give me confidence in the story of Baitullah being dead yesterday. He may well have been killed a while ago when there was bombing at the funeral ceremony and the story wasn't reported to uncover more links. Or it is possible that the current story of his being dead is floated to smoke him out and using the confusion to install Pak's piddu as the next leader and control the militia.

Let's see what kind of story and how soon they will create on Mullah Fazlullah..obvious next target?

[Hari Seldon]

I don't see why unkil planning bases and massing troops inside TSP is a welcome development from India's POV.

IMO, the yanks with their heavy presence will only keep TSP afloat longer than it otherwise would have survived.

[Gagan]

interesting that I found US consulate/embassies nect to Indian consulates/embassy in many African countries.

India was regarded as a very dear friend, and a world power to rekon with in many African nations, during the years when the Non aligned movement was active with India as the leader. Perhaps this is why the best property was given to the two main powers in african countries.
These days, chinese inroads into africa is threatening India's influence there.

[Rishi]

Op-Eds:

Pakistan's two-faced game

If anything has been proven by the reported killing on Wednesday of Pakistani Taliban leader Baitullah Mehsud, it is that Pakistan is fully capable of liquidating Islamist terrorists operating on its soil -- when it wants to. Unfortunately, Pakistan targets only those murderers who, like Mehsud, threaten the regime in Islamabad -- not those who seek to wage jihad in neighbouring India or Afghanistan.

The Pakistanis have long been playing a two-faced game. They pretend to be partners in the War on Terror when it suits their own purposes, then pretend not to know what is going on in their own tribal provinces when they would rather not be drawn into the war against radical Islam.

Why did they co-operate in the killing of Mehsud? Because he is believed to have been behind the 2007 bomb attack that killed former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. Bhutto's widower, Asif Ali Zardari, is now Pakistan's President. Revenge was almost certainly a motive for Islamabad's teamwork.

....

It is not clear how much of a connection there is between the Afghan and Pakistani branches of the Taliban. Pakistan's security service, the ISI, created the Taliban in the 1990s, gave it cash, weapons and training and sent it into Afghanistan to establish a fundamentalist Islamic regime friendly to Islamabad. It continues to this day to supply the Afghan Taliban with money, information and foot soldiers. Still it is unlikely that Mehsud had much influence over the Taliban's strategies against our troops and those of our allies in Afghanistan.

Mehsud's main leverage was his attacks against Pakistani targets and government troops. Mehsud's followers are believed to have been behind the suicide bombing that killed 50 at the Islamabad Marriott last September, plus scores of other suicide explosions in markets and mosques.

....