Terrorist Islamic Republic of Pakistan (TSP): July 07, 2010

[CRamS]

In Pakistan, Echoes of American Betrayal

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/opinion/01hanif.html

Paaki viewpoint

This is not true

Yet it has become very clear that an overwhelming majority of Pakistani people do not share the army’s India obsession or its yearning for “strategic depth” — that is, a continuing deadly muddle — in Afghanistan. They want a peaceful settlement with India over the disputed territory of Kashmir and a safer neighborhood. None of the leading parties in Parliament made a big deal about India, Afghanistan or jihad in their election campaigns. They were elected on promises of justice, transparency and reasonably priced electricity.

Without the collusion of the ordinary Abdul & Islamism, TSPA/ISI would not have been successful in their anti-India Jihad. Plus, I haven't seen any outpuring of sympathy and compassion, nada, zilch from the ordinary Abdul when LET slaughters Indians routinely. Of course, there is no doubt that the TSPA/ISI elite are scotch whisky drinking, western women courting criminals and have the least use for Islam for themselves in their day to day lives, but one cannot deny that they are tapping into the latent hatred that TSPians across the board have for Indians, especially Hindus.

[alok_m]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/opini ... .html?_r=1

Even though it was known to the establishment, now even mainstream US columnists talks of Pakistani connection to the 9/11.

It is more complicated. This double game goes back to 9/11. That terrorist attack was basically planned, executed and funded by radical Pakistanis and Saudis. And we responded by invading Iraq and Afghanistan. Why? The short answer is because Pakistan has nukes that we fear and Saudi Arabia has oil that we crave.

[shiv]

Too little information available to make comments like these here.

Enough info for me. That's all that counts.

[shravan]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/opini ... .html?_r=1

Even though it was known to the establishment, now even mainstream US columnists talks of Pakistani connection to the 9/11.

They cant write much about Pakistan & Saudis connection to the 911 in MSM. Because ISI was having Chai-Biscuits in America & Saudis with links to Al-Quida were flown out of America in Special Flights on 09/13/2001. People will start believeing CT's about 911

[SSridhar]

It is more complicated. This double game goes back to 9/11.

The double game goes back to the early 1950s. Why limit it to 9/11 ?

[alok_m]

They cant write much about Pakistan & Saudis connection to the 911 in MSM. Because ISI was having Chai-Biscuits in America & Saudis with links to Al-Quida were flown out of America in Special Flights on 09/13/2001. People will start believeing CT's about 911

After the wikileaks drama, its a bit hard for these liars to perpetuate old half truths. To retain some credibility with the public, they would whine for a while. Then back to the Brzezinski programming...Pakistan good...India...not a nation...irrelevant.

[CRamS]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/opini ... .html?_r=1

The problem I have with Tom friedman is that he picks up several complicated threads and weaves them with a sleight of hand to fit them into his world view in a simplistic manner. As Jagdish Bhagwati said, he pompously travels first class and tells a story, instead of the more scholarly approach: read and reflect. Please read his books: "The world is flat", and "Hot, flat, and crowded" to understand what I am saying.

Even in this piece he somehow brings his obsession with green technologies to AfPak. Also, he uses the same US journalsitic sophistry, universal principles, to justify a particular policy decision when in fact US is pragmatic to the core in that it has no universal principles. He claims that the reason why US mollycoddles TSP is becasue TSP has nukes and hence US hands are tied. If a country having nukes ties US hands, how is it that US says do this or else I'll kick your ass with countries like North Korea and Iran? They don't get billions of $s in aid, nor do they get equal equal with Souh Korea or Israel respectively.

Finally, I would like ask Tom Friedman that if US is so concerned about TSP nukes falling into terrorist hands, what stops US from taking out Kahuta nuke complex and other facilities where TSP nukes and delivery systems are located? After all, US possesses massive technological military sophistication, and t would be laughable to claim US does not have the wherewithal to do so should it decide to go down that path. And why hasn't US gone down that path? You guessed it, he may or may not know it, but the CIA and Pentagon bosses know it, TSP nukes are loaded and pointed only towards India, and ready to go once Kiyani decides so and CIA/Pentagon bosses nod in approval.

[SSridhar]

Dara Shikoh still persecuted - Mir Mohammed Ali Talpur

It should be understood that the day Aurangzeb succeeded, the die was cast for eventual ascendancy of the bigoted ideology.

History’s false and biased version has fully been exploited for the ulterior motive of strengthening the elite’s hold over all facets of life and implementing their version of Islam. To add to the woes, this distorted history has been made the staple diet of all students since 1947 and has had the expected results. Those who are surprised at the intensity of the bigotry and intolerance that is the hallmark of all relationships in our society should take a closer look at the way history has been presented and revisit the deeds of all who have been projected as heroes of Islamic history.

History, true or fabricated, moulds attitudes, sets values and creates mindsets. The potential of it being instrumental in moulding mindsets has been used in a sinister manner by our rulers and they have created Aurangzebs in their millions. People emulating Aurangzeb certainly cannot be expected to be benevolent to their Daras. And Daras will remain persecuted as long as fabricated history reigns supreme.

[SSridhar]

British Bounty to Pakistan

Pakistan is to become the biggest beneficiary of British aid, with a rise of up to 40 percent in the money it receives . . . Pakistan is likely to emerge as the big winner from a review of the 2.9-billion pounds aid budget that is expected to halve the 90 countries that receive money. Within three years, Pakistan would probably receive more money from the recast budget than any other country, Andrew Mitchell, the British international development secretary

[shravan]

Upper Orakzai: 15 militants killed as jets pound militant compounds in Mamozai.


July - 161 killed in Orakzai by Army/PAF

[James B]

Unpacking ‘Punjabi Taliban’-From TFT

Talks about Punjabi Taliban and the different groups comprising it

In Part IV of this series, Muhammad Amir Rana explains how the ‘Punjabi Taliban’ groups are a product of Pakistan's sudden U-turn on its pro-jihad policy in September 2001

A recently released report, quoting intelligence sources, claims that around 17 banned terrorist organizations are operating in the Punjab, but independent sources claim that there are more then 37 groups operating as Punjabi Taliban.

When Pakistani groups started contributing to the insurgency in Indian held Kashmir, they were titled ‘Afghan Mujahideen’, although most of the militants were from the Punjab and Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa

"Punjabi Taliban” is a brand name for terrorist groups detached from the mainland militant organizations, as well as for the newly emerged terrorist cells with similar causes. There is no ethnic or linguistic word to put the groups into a better context and Punjabi Taliban groups have representation across the country.

It is not a new trend to call these groups Punjabi Taliban. In the Afghan-Soviet war of the 1980s the Afghan Mujahideen used the term ‘Punjabi Mujahideen’ for Pakistani mainland jihad volunteers. When Pakistani groups started contributing to the insurgency in Indian held Kashmir, they were titled ‘Afghan Mujahideen’, although most of the militants were from the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP). In this context, it is not surprising that after the Taliban surge in Afghanistan in the mid 1990s, Pakistani groups were tagged as Punjabi Taliban (just the replacement of ‘Mujahideen’ with ‘Taliban’). Afghan and Pakistani tribal Taliban are still using the same term for them.

More than 37 groups have been tagged as ‘Punjabi’ Taliban, and it includes groups from Karachi and Dera Ismail Khan, the Siraiki speaking district of KP. When these groups launched their terrorist operations inside Pakistan in October 2001, law enforcement agencies tagged them as ‘Lashkar-e-Jhangvi’ (LeJ), a proscribed sectarian organization.

The Punjabi Taliban groups are the products of Pakistan’s sudden U-turn on its pro-jihad policy in September 2001. At that time, 104 militant organizations were operating in Pakistan. The government had arrested their leadership while Al-Qaeda and Afghan Taliban were calling for a greater jihad against the US and allied forces. The mid- and lower-rank militants of these organizations lost contact with their leaders and Al-Qaeda’s call attracted these stray elements. Many of them decided to join the Taliban and Al-Qaeda.

Thus began an erosion of the large militant groups, and smaller groups started terrorist activities inside Pakistan. A classical example of the destruction within militant organizations would be the emergence of Jamaatul Furqan, which was a faction of Jaish-e-Muhammad formed by its supreme commander Abdul Jabbar in 2002. The group was later proved guilty in the terrorist attacks in Taxila, Murree and Islamabad in 2002. The excuse became that it was a betrayal of the cause of jihad to become puppets in the hands of Pakistani intelligence agencies. They also accused Maulana Masood Azhar of spying on the Arab Mujahideen. To counter the allegation, Masood Azhar expelled Abdul Jabbar with his ten associates, while declaring their involvement in terrorist attacks inside Pakistan. Harkatul Mujahideen face a similar kind of rebellion and their important commander Badar Mansoor parted ways and established his own group. It was mainly the Deobandi Pakistan based groups who faced internal destruction while Kashmir based groups remained intact. Pakistani groups, who were involved in Kashmir, lost focus because of the internal disputes.

Typology of the Punjabi Taliban

Although a recently released report (BBC Urdu), quoting intelligence sources claims that around 17 banned terrorist organizations are operating in the Punjab, independent sources counted more then 37 groups operating as Punjabi Taliban.

Among these 37 groups, 24 are breakaway factions of the Pakistani militant groups, who were once engaged in Kashmir and Afghanistan, or were part of the sectarian terrorist organizations in Pakistan. Amongst these, 12 groups are from the Punjab, 4 from Karachi, one each from Balochistan, Kashmir and Islamabad and 2 from KP. 14 new terrorist cells have emerged in reaction to the state’s alliance with the War on Terror, military operations in Pakistani tribal areas, and operations against the Red Mosque in Islamabad. Most of these groups did not have any links with the existing militant or sectarian organizations and comprised 5 to 12 members. These groups directly contacted the Taliban in tribal areas and offered their services as volunteers for jihad. A brief description of these two types of Punjabi Taliban is given below:

Splinters of militant and sectarian organizations

Illyas Kashmiri Group: Kashmiri was the head of Brigade 313 group, a Kashmir focused group. He was arrested in 2004 on suspicion of involvement in the assassination attempt on General Musharraf but released in 2005. After the release, he shifted to South Waziristan and organized a new group comprising the descendents of Pakistani militant and sectarian groups. The group is involved in many terrorist attacks inside Pakistan and mainly targets the military and Inter Services Intelligence (ISI).

Asmatullah Maaviya Group: Maaviya served in many militant organizations in Pakistan including Harkatul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Muhammad. The group specializes in suicide attacks.

Qari Zafar Group: This is a splinter group of LeJ formed by Qari Zafar from Karachi, and is notorious for targeting the security forces especially the police in the Punjab.

Badar Mansoor Group: Commander Bader Mansoor is a resident of Dera Ismail Khan. He was an important commander of Harkatul Mujahideen but in 2005 he formed his own group and moved to South Waziristan. The group is involved in sectarian killings and targeting public places.

Bangali Group: Headed by Farooq Bhai Bangali, this group specializes in suicide attacks. Most of its members are from Karachi’s Bengal and Burmese immigrant community. The group is considered a splinter of Harkatul Jihad-al-Islami (HUIJ).

Amjad Farooqi Group: Amjad Farooqi was the member of HUJI and was involved in the many terrorist attacks in Islamabad including the assassination attempt on General Musharraf. He was killed in an encounter in 2004. His peers formed the group and it is now active in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

Gandapur Group: The group is active in the Mianwali district of the Punjab.

Usman Kurd Group: This group is a Balochistan based LeJ faction. Usman Kurd is the head of the faction. The group has Punjabis and Urdu speaking members in its fold.

Maulvi Rafiq Group: The group is based in Sada, Kurram Agency, and mainly involved in sectarian violence.

Qaleem Ullah Group: The group comprises former members of LeJ from Dera Ismail Khan and Bannu districts of KP.

Gull Hassan Group: This is a splinter of Jaish-e-Muhammad and affiliated with TTP.

Abdul Jabbar Group: A splinter of Jaish-e-Muhammad mainly fighting in Afghanistan.

Qari Yasin Group: This is a splinter group of LeJ. The head of the group belongs to the central Punjab district of Kasur.

Noor Khan Group: Another LeJ splinter group headed by Rana Afzal alias Noor Khan.

Fedayyen-e-Islam: An alliance of a 6 Punjabi Taliban groups. Illyas Kashmiri, Asmat Maaviya, Qari Zafar, Rana Afzal, Qari Hussain and Commander Tariq groups are part of this alliance. The group launches coordinated terrorist attacks inside the country.

Commander Tariq Group: Another LeJ splinter, headed by Tariq Khan Afridi. The group is based in Darra Adam Khel but many of its terrorists belong to the Punjab.

Qari Shakeel Group: This is a splinter of LeJ. The group has associations with Muhmand Agency based Taliban group, led by Omer Khaeed.

Maulvi Kareem Group: The group is active in the Raheem Yar Khan district, Punjab. A former member of HUJI, Maulvi Abdul Kareem heads this group.

Qari Imran Group: The group is a splinter of HUJI and is active in the Punjab.

Qari Saifullah Group: Qari Saifullah was the founding member of HUJI, but after 9/11 his organization broke into pieces and was crushed by law enforcement agencies. Saifullah was arrested in 2004, but when released in 2008, he tried to unite the group again. Now his group is active in Lahore and surrounding districts.

Matiur Rehman Group: Headed by a former member of HUJI, Matiur Rehman alias Samad Sial, the group is active in South Punjab.

LeJ (Malik Ishaq group): Malik Ishaq is in jail and facing trial for involvement in many terrorist attacks, but his group is still active in the Punjab.

Qari Ahsan Group: Crime Investigative Department (CID) Punjab in its 12th edition of its red book, titled ‘Most Wanted High Profile Terrorists’ claims that the group specializes in manufacturing explosives and suicide jackets.

Baba Jee Group: CID Punjab declared this group as the most dangerous in Pakistan. It is operating in Mailsi and Bahawalpur districts.

To be continued…

(The next part will focus on new groups of Punjabi Taliban and their nexus with TTP and foreign terrorists)

[James B]

From TFT

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton was in Islamabad primarily to review the outcome of sectoral meetings under the ambit of the Strategic Dialogue. Foreign Minister Qureshi and Ms Clinton held talks, reviewed the progress made in the Strategic Dialogue and then differed on the issues. Qureshi talked of a loss of Pakistan to the tune of $43 billion during the entire course of the war while Ms Clinton came up with $500 million in aid from the Kerry-Lugar package.

[Dilbu]

This flood looks really bad. TSP will soon beg for F-22 Raptor as aid for flood relief.

[James B]

TFT Editorial on Kayani's extension.

On May 23, a story was put out that the Corps Commanders had reposed their faith in General Kayani and endorsed an extension for him. On July 16, the military leaked a story that the extension announcement was expected within 72 hours, which meant before the arrival of the US Secretary of State, Hilary Clinton, to Islamabad on July 18. However, when quizzed, Mr Gilani parried and Mrs Clinton sidestepped the question, setting tongues wagging. Then three eminent columns appeared in a row to question the wisdom of such a move, followed by a spate of letters for and against, with some wondering whether there might be an “American hand” behind the initiative.

That is when GHQ panicked. It had tried to get a favourable announcement before Mrs Clinton’s arrival on July 18 precisely to thwart any such speculation. But now, with the controversy threatening to get out of hand, it decided to lean on Mr Gilani and obtain a hurried three minute announcement on July 22.

Unfortunately, the tactic backfired. Mr Gilani’s nervous readout at an hour’s notice clearly implied either unbearable pressure from GHQ or the US or, worse still, both. Under the circumstances, the media and public opinion have tilted against the decision. The mainstream opposition PMLN remains opposed to it, while the other parties are only lukewarmly supporting it because it is a fait accompli. Some prominent columnists, whose opinion General Kayani is said to admire, have criticized the decision on one count or another.

But the worst is still to come. One section of the media is already saying that if General Kayani doesn’t back up the SC in its running battle with the government it will mean that he has done an unsavoury deal to ignore Mr Zardari’s shenanigans. Another is espousing exactly the opposite view – that the General will be tempted to prove his independence by secretly supporting the Supreme Court in destabilizing the presidency and government, which would be bad for democracy. Either way he loses.

[James B]

Snapshot on TSP Flood situation

Rescue teams yet to reach several parts of flood-hit areas; flood water receding

800 killed, diseases break out

* Evacuees show signs of fever, diarrhoea and other waterborne diseases
* 19,000 people rescued so far, 26,758 still stranded
* 150 people missing in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
* 3,700 houses swept away by floods
* 90 main roads damaged, out of which 58 closed for all kinds of traffic
* Peshawar, Swat and Shangla cut off from rest of country

[James B]

Groper Gilani whines in Daily whine

Gila-nahi says Cameron should condemn HR violations in Indian Kashmir, had British PM done so, he would have won the hearts of Pakistanis. (Cameron has surely got on the nerves of Pakis and major H&D loss)

We should make a list of what causes Pakis to lose their H&D. So far, exclusion of pakis from IPL and David Cameron's comment on TSP terror support has caused massive H&D loss. Any others...

[James B]

A Paki's breath taking research on TSP Economy

Starts with his startling discovery

Pakistan’s frugal economy reveals a startling fact that I observed during a random study. This splendorous fact is that the size of Pakistan’s economy, measured through GDP-PPP (purchasing power parity), is $439 billion.This figure, by all standards, is a mind-boggling number considering the patchy and fragile image that our economy carries.

And then puts this discovery in (mis)perspective

For those who are oblivious to the significance of this number, the following fact will be a surprise. The fact is that in a list of the most powerful economies in the world, Pakistan is ranked 27th out of 180, way above some of the most stable and scintillating economies of the world, including Switzerland, the UAE, Israel, and New Zealand. (He means TSP economy is TFTA)

And then he expects you to do either of these two things after reading the above

Now anyone reading this would either jump off their chairs in zest or would probably conspire it to be a botch of some mathematical calculation. But one needs to be a complete maniac to challenge either the IMF or the CIA – who are the very source of this information. (I did the first but I believed in the second)

And then the peanut sized brain of Paki lights up with questions

After being amused with the above fact, few questions popped in my mind, which are quite perplexing considering the brilliance our economy has shown over the years. These include – where does all this monumental wealth disappear that Pakistan amasses each year? How come there is never enough for the economy and the nation? Why has there always been a shortage? Why is Pakistan burdened with the frightening amount of loans and why does it never stop begging?

And finally realization dawns upon the Paki

But there were two questions that stood out, one, if Pakistani economy precedes those of countries like the UAE, Israel, New Zealand and Switzerland, then why is there a peculiar variability in the living standards of these glaring nations and Pakistan? And second, why do these nations have a class-less society. The fact stands despite 23 percent of the Pakistani population not even earning $1.25 a day and 60 percent earning less than $2 a day. A rationalisation of these questions was achieved when I explored a list of countries by GDP per capita.

To my dismay, I discovered that Pakistan was ranked 132nd, slightly above countries like Togo, Senegal, Ghana and Zambia.

[Hari Seldon]

Pakistan’s Flash Floods May Have Killed 3,000 People

3k? Thats a lot. But there's no way to confirm these figs. They're more like ISPR releases on '100 Taliban have been killed' kinda BS. With figs like these, the pakees can beg for more money more urgently only.

[rajpa]

Pakistan plays down David Cameron's terror comments

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-10829159

what kind of diplomacy is this?

this should make it clear that tsp can be abused much more. amirkhan and others should start b1tchslapping tsp politicians in public. tsp will naturally come back with the begging bowl.. sometime in the future there is likely a lesson learnt for tspians...

[shravan]

14 dead in two days Karachi targeted killings

KARACHI: Six more people have been killed in separate incidents of targeted killings in Karachi and 16 others wounded on Sunday, raising the toll up to 14 in two days.

[A_Gupta]

Bleak economic outlook:
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/daw ... -180-hh-08

Since Pakistan's government is not able to raise revenues or cut expenditures, the State Bank of Pakistan is increasing the basic interest rate.

While raising the credit price, the SBP has assumed that the government will not be able to control its deficit this year either. The government’s borrowing needs from the domestic market are projected to grow in the wake of the falling revenues and the ‘delays’ in foreign assistance because of its failure to keep its international commitments. Workers’ remittances are also showing signs of deceleration. Thus, laxity on the part of the bank could make macroeconomic stability evaporate in the air. Now we are told that the government has decided “in principle” to cut federal and provincial expenditures by up to Rs280bn and impose reformed sales tax. Few believe it. The government’s credibility is at its lowest. What is certain is that the people will soon be paying more for electricity. After all, that seems to be the easiest way of generating revenues.

[Dilbu]

Begging to go on as planned.
Cameron remarks in India will not hit Zardari's UK visit

[Anindya]

Folks,

During Zia's time, he had openly told US interlocutors about the legitimacy of lying in international agreements. Does someone have a reference to this - and the entire quote.

Thanks for any help on this.

[CRamS]

Another interesting quote from that Paki op-ed in the NYT:

Lately, Americans seem to have woken up to the fact that there is something called a Parliament and a civil society in Pakistan. But even so, it seems that Americans are courting the same ruling class — the military elite’s civilian cousins — that has thrived on American aid and obviously wants an even closer relationship with Washington. A popular TV presenter who interviewed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit later jibed, “What kind of close relationship is this? I don’t even get invited to Chelsea’s wedding?”

Of late, as India gropes in the dark on how to deal with TSP, there is the often made suggestion that no point talking groper and 10% and quereshi. But rather talk to Kiyani and Paasha himself. What is so naive and even pitiful of that is that these civilian clows, except probably 10%, are just TSPA/ISI in mufti. Thats what the Paki is saying.

[anupmisra]

Aunty Agni's advice

Hi Aani
I don’t want to discuss common issues such as love affairs. The matter that has been giving me a headache is that I have become fed up with Pakistan. The issues we have in Pakistan such as no water, no electricity, sky-rocketing inflation, and low quality education. All we have is hatred, selfishness, greediness and poverty. What should I do? Should I flee or should I stay? Should-I-stay-or-should-I-go (isnt there a song with this title?)

Auntiejee's response:

Dear Crib-crib,
Auntie cannot decide for you whether you should flee or stay but what I can tell you is that it is plain wrong to label an entire nation selfish and greedy. Do you realise that your kind of negative thinking is part of the problem? The issues you mention here are very real and agonising for a whole lot of people, but sitting back and cribbing about the government is hardly going to make a dent. People who crib are likely to find things to crib about wherever they flee to. (same as nations who chronically beg will find reasons to beg) Think homesick immigrants who hang on for decades to a past that doesn’t exist anymore even in their homelands. Do migrate, by all means. But don’t do it because you are fleeing a country in trouble. Instead, do it because you want a better future in a country where it will be easier to live. There’s a subtle difference, but if you can understand that, it’ll make a world of a difference to your future.

PS: You might want to try to have a common ‘issue’ such as a love affair. Auntie believes that it will make you feel better about the country…

Aunty Agni for president!

[chetak]

Another interesting quote from that Paki op-ed in the NYT:

Lately, Americans seem to have woken up to the fact that there is something called a Parliament and a civil society in Pakistan. But even so, it seems that Americans are courting the same ruling class — the military elite’s civilian cousins — that has thrived on American aid and obviously wants an even closer relationship with Washington. A popular TV presenter who interviewed Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during her visit later jibed, “What kind of close relationship is this? I don’t even get invited to Chelsea’s wedding?”

Of late, as India gropes in the dark on how to deal with TSP, there is the often made suggestion that no point talking groper and 10% and quereshi. But rather talk to Kiyani and Paasha himself. What is so naive and even pitiful of that is that these civilian clows, except probably 10%, are just TSPA/ISI in mufti. Thats what the Paki is saying.

How do you talk to the paki army and on what basis?

What is the sanctity of any agreements reached??


What if the next paki chief or a "democratically elected" government backs out of it??

By which time kashmir would have been over run with pakis and you will not be able to get them out.

Who exactly are these morons who are advocating talks with the paki army and the ISI??

[CRamS]

David Cameron punched TSP on its right cheeck cuasing so much loss of H&D, and now Anderson pummels TSP on its left cheeck. Will 10% go ahead with his begging bowl? .

Just saw Hussain Haqqani peddle snake oil on Fareed Zakaria's show. He claimed that TSP has brought Mumbai attackers to justice by arresting them, and now its up to India to provide "evidence" so they can be convicted. . And although credit to Fareed bhai for at least bringing in LET, but he was awe struck by Haqqni's claim that he declared that TSP has indeed turned a corner . Looks like Pentagon/CIA bosses called up Fareed and told him to go slow on TSP after complaints from TSP RAPE that he damaging their H&D visa vi India .

[jrjrao]

What is it when it comes to former "CIA officers" and Pakistan? How come they always proffer opinion and solutions that are the exact opposite of what should be done (even from strictly an American interest point of view)?

Here is Bruce Riedel in today's LA Times. He is, of course, not just a "former and long time CIA officer" but also a supposed South Asia expert, and an "advisor to four presidents" and is also currently a senior fellow at Brookings.

Riedel asks these two fundamental questions:

Pakistan is playing a complex double game in Afghanistan. What is not clear from the (Wikileak) documents is why and how we came to this point.

and proceeds to give his answers, which are fabulously foolish:

1). "In poll after poll, Pakistanis say they do not believe America is a reliable ally. They are right." And this low opinion of America in the Paki mind is mainly because in the past the US supported dictators, instead of democracy, and because there were some moments of pause in an otherwise nonstop decades long giving of aid from the US taxpayers to Pakistan. That is it. Fix these two problems, and the Pakis will start loving America.

2). "...doubts persist in Pakistan that the United States is in for the long haul, and the doubts are strongest in the Pakistani army, which has little confidence in America." And why is the Paki army having such little confidence in USA?

Why, because "It repeatedly has relied on American arms to fight its wars, only to find the arms supply cut off when it's most needed." So, lesson learnt, as per Riedel, is that stopping arms supply to the Pakis for starting the 1965 war was wrong, and that the Pakis, when they start a war, and thus when they need the arms supply the most, should not be let down anymore by the US.

3). So, to fix this:

"There are several things America can do now to help strengthen Pakistan's young democracy and wean it from playing both sides. The first is to follow through on our commitments. Pakistan desperately needs helicopters and other military equipment to fight the extremists within its borders, and we must help meet that need.

The U.S. should have no illusions about Pakistan; it is our most important ally in the war with Al Qaeda, but it is also our most difficult ally. We need to be open-eyed, but we also need to be consistent."

In all of this, what is noticeable is that (a) Riedel is totally nonjudgmental about the ill-motives or ill-actions of the Paki army. As far as he is concerned, all the blame lies with past US policies; and (b) since this is the case, then all the obligations on future course of action also lies with the US. The Pakis, and the Paki army needs to correct nothing.

If there is a reason why the US is losing in AfPak, and why that US Air Force base in Dover is unfortunately getting ever so busier, is because the US is acting on idiot advise and policy formulations such as this.

With Pakistan, being consistent is key

[Lalmohan]

not until all the old cold warriors have retired will this mindset change...

[Prem]

Bleak economic outlook:
http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/daw ... -180-hh-08

Since Pakistan's government is not able to raise revenues or cut expenditures, the State Bank of Pakistan is increasing the basic interest rate.

While raising the credit price, the SBP has assumed that the government will not be able to control its deficit this year either. The government’s borrowing needs from the domestic market are projected to grow in the wake of the falling revenues and the ‘delays’ in foreign assistance because of its failure to keep its international commitments. Workers’ remittances are also showing signs of deceleration. Thus, laxity on the part of the bank could make macroeconomic stability evaporate in the air. Now we are told that the government has decided “in principle” to cut federal and provincial expenditures by up to Rs280bn and impose reformed sales tax. Few believe it. The government’s credibility is at its lowest. What is certain is that the people will soon be paying more for electricity. After all, that seems to be the easiest way of generating revenues.

M, please be benign on this as this is for Poaklurkers brought up on the donated diet of equal equal only.
Indian economy moving fast towards $2 trillion mark
http://www.hindustantimes.com/Indian-ec ... 80678.aspx

The Indian economy would grow to $1.72 trillion in 2011-12, moving closer towards the $ 2 trillion mark, according to an assessment by the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC). The country's gross domestic product (GDP) at the market and current prices was measured at $1.31 trillion
2009-10 and is estimated to be $1.52 trillion in the current fiscal, the PMEAC said in its latest economic outlook.
Pegging the GDP growth at nine per cent, the economy would reach a level of $1.72 trillion in 2011-12, it said.

[Prem]

Many Good Poak Gone

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/2 ... troye.html

More than 1,100 people are dead after record-breaking rains and devastating floods swept Pakistan, officials said Sunday.The death toll could rise as another 27,000 people are still trapped by surging waters, and disease threatens survivors in rescue camps."Whole villages have washed away. Animals have drowned and grain storages have washed away," said Latifur Rehman, spokesman for the Provincial Disaster Management Authority, The Associated Press reported.
"I don't know where my family has gone," Hakimullah Khan told the AP. He complained the government had not helped him search for his missing wife and three children."Water is all around and there is no help in sight," Khan said.Authorities have deployed 43 military helicopters and more than 100 boats to try to rescue people trapped by the floods, which began last week, Rehman said.

[Prem]

Ricochet
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeff-danz ... 66534.html


( Unable to fix the image)

[shravan]

BMW’s latest 5 Series model launched in Pakistan

When asked about the BMW’s potential market in Pakistan, Mazhar Khan told us that the manufacturer caters to a select group of 280 families in the country.

[Amber G.]

Fareed Zakaria's interview with Hilal-i-Pakistan John Kerry and Pakistani Ambassador today on GPS is worth watching.

Interesting was Map of Pakistan, shown to Paki Ambassador was with NO part of Kashmir shown as a part of Pakistan (and none described as disputed) and Paki Ambassador, not even once, mentioned, Kashmir, objected to the map, or complained about India's bad designs on Pak, or even a HINT or any qualification of ('false' or even 'alleged' word was not used) role of terror which Pak was involved in Mumbai cased ... NO == to 'Raw inspired terror' (as in 'both' sides involved)... asking that Pak be given a chance, things have or going to be really changed etc... (asking India to trust American 'good boy' pat on the back)..

On one of the Fareed Z's question (asking LET's involvement and ISI/Pak govt involvement per Wiki leaks), his answer was not of the kind "its all rubbish" but rather something to the effect "If he was a history professor his answer would be different (more honest '?') than as an ambassador ..!

In all... worth watching the whole interview...Fareed got even clear (not rambling) answers from Kerry.

[svinayak]

This is good.
The ordinary American people need to understand answers from people who make the decision on Pakistan.
The American leadership is under watch on the Afpak war.
The relationship between the American leadership and Pakistan leadership is also under watch

[Mahendra]

BMW’s latest 5 Series model launched in Pakistan

When asked about the BMW’s potential market in Pakistan, Mazhar Khan told us that the manufacturer caters to a select group of 280 families in the country.

That must be a really expensive car to use on a soosai mission.

[SSridhar]

Folks,

During Zia's time, he had openly told US interlocutors about the legitimacy of lying in international agreements. Does someone have a reference to this - and the entire quote.

Thanks for any help on this.

Anindya, see "The US and Pakistan 1947-2000 – Disenchanted Allies”, Dennis Kux, Oxford University Press, 2002, ISBN 0 19 579656 X Page 292.

Then Zia called Reagan to reassure him about the matter. When the US President asked how Zia would respond to charges that Pakistan was violating the Geneva accords, Zia answered,” We would just lie about it. We have been denying our activities there for eight years. Muslims have the right to lie in a good cause.” To be absolutely sure about the Pakistani position, US Defence Secretary Frank Carlucci also took up the issue on a visit to Islamabad. In his reporting telegram, Carlucci said that when he asked Zia what he would tell the Soviets, the President responded,”I’ll lie to them like I have been lying to them for the past ten years”.

The above was said in the context of continued US arms supply to the mujahideen which was banned under the Geneva accord and how Pakistan would handle the fall out.

[Cosmo_R]

Mahendra wrote: That must be a really expensive car to use on a soosai mission.

It's the Ultimate Shriving Machine

[SSridhar]

Pakistan has as much fissile material as India

Pakistan may already have not just more nuclear warheads than India but also almost as much fissile material as its eastern neighbour to assemble an almost equal number of more nukes. These worrying disclosures for India are a part of a report on world nuclear stockpile by top US nuclear experts and researchers Hans M Kristensen and Robert S Norris for the prestigious Bulletin of Atomic Scientists.

[Amber G.]

Real Headlines and details.. from Paki "ideology.com"
link
ISI operates from within Indian Army {About "major posted in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, who had stored over 2,000 classified and sensitive documents on his personal computer which was “hacked” from across the border earlier this year.

Though some files on Major Santanu Dey’s computer were accessed by Pakistan’s ISI, a joint probe by the Military Intelligence (MI) and National Investigation Agency (NIA) has given the officer himself a clean chit as far as espionage charges against him were concerned...."

and:

USA Bid to Rob Pakistan Nuclear Documents Foiled
..."..A former Pakistani intelligence official reveals a foiled attempt by CIA officials to steal secret nuclear documents ..... Following the investigation, the Pakistani officer was trialed in a martial court and the CIA agents who were deported, were issued a warning that they could face imprisonment if in the future they were found guilty of anti-state activities

ETC...ETC..(Also stories about "What has happened to ghairat of Pakistani leadership after Camrton called them 'complete pack of b*stards..."