Bharat Rakshak

By Huma Imtiaz / Kamran Yousaf
Published: September 18, 2011

Admiral Mullen had expressed his "deep concerns about the increasing and increasingly brazen activities of the Haqqani network," to Kayani in Seville.
ISLAMABAD/WASHINGTON:

In a meeting with Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani in Seville, Spain, on Friday, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Admiral Mike Mullen reportedly told his Pakistani counterpart that he would like to see the Pakistani military act against the safe havens of the Haqqani Network in North Waziristan.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Special Assistant for Public Affairs for the CJCS Captain John Kirby said that Admiral Mullen had expressed his “deep concerns about the increasing and increasingly brazen activities of the Haqqani network.”

(Read: Bone of contention)

In a private one-on-one meeting that lasted for over two hours, Admiral Mullen and General Kayani agreed that the US-Pakistan relationship was “vital to the region and that both sides had taken positive steps to improve that relationship over the past few months.” Kirby said the two discussed the state of military-to-military cooperation and pledged to continue to find ways to make it better.

It was the first meeting between the pair since the May 2 military raid in which US Navy Seals, without first notifying Islamabad, killed Osama bin Laden in a compound in Abbottabad.

Pakistan and US relations continued its downward spiral after US Secretary of Defence Leon Panetta said that the US could take unilateral action against the Haqqani network based in Pakistani territory similar to that taken against bin Laden.

Since then, the clamour for Pakistani action against the Haqqani network has increased in US diplomatic circles with the Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee Congressman Mike Rogers and US ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter both stressing that Pakistan needs to take action against the Haqqani Network.

In a twist, Sirajuddin Haqqani in a message said that there were no Haqqani sanctuaries in Pakistan, adding that its members had moved over to the Afghan side.

(Read: ‘No sanctuaries in Pakistan’ – Haqqani network shifts base to Afghanistan)

The Pakistan government on Sunday appeared to shy away from a public rebuttal of American claims.

Though security officials denied the charge, none of them were willing to speak on the record, which apparently suggests Pakistan has been caught off guard by the strong US position taken against the Haqqani network.

“It is unfair and unjust to dump your failures on us,” reacted a senior military official to the US allegations.

However, the official acknowledged that Pakistan, like the US, did maintain contacts with the Haqqani network only for the purpose of peace and the reconciliation process in Afghanistan.

“Even the US is in contact with the Haqqanis and Pakistan’s contact with the group does not in any way mean we are encouraging them to attack on the US forces in Afghanistan,” the official said.

The comments reflect Pakistan’s belief that the Haqqani network has to play a key role in the future political dispensation of Afghanistan.

Another official insisted Pakistan has been doing “what it could to stop the infiltration of militants from across the border.”

“All communication towers in the tribal areas have been shut down since 2009, so if there is any contact between militants from the two sides, it is only possible through mobile towers on the Afghan side,” he explained.

When approached, foreign ministry spokesperson Tehmina Janjua declined to comment on the fresh US allegations and said the issues would be taken up at a meeting between Pakistan Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in New York.

The meeting was scheduled for shortly after midnight Pakistan time on Sunday.

Officials say Pakistan is likely to issue a comprehensive response to US accusations once Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Foreign Minister Khar return home.

Despite strained relations, Pakistan is seen as key to US military operations in Afghanistan, where the US is to trying to beat down a resilient Taliban insurgency.

RajeshA wrote:

I believe Rabbani was in India a few weeks back!

The Afghans should start hunting down Paki suars!

shyamd wrote:Standard ops - they are just ripping apart all of HK's "gang" and his trusted men. First it was the governors of each province - there was some reapproachment there. Then, all the hardcore clique or trusted individuals - Northern Police chief, Rabbani, AWKarzai etc. They are just picking them off one by one. Now the conversation has started as to who is next - this is exactly what the taliban want. They want everyone to be scared. ISI officials must be patting themselves on their backs on the number of high profile attacks they have executed so far successfully.

I wonder what will cause the US to go after TSP hard.... The US just had the bloodiest month in a while. These high profile assassinations. Now imagine whats going on in these afghan govt heads, can the US guarantee security for these guys taking on Afghan govt jobs? Unlikely.... US either has to step up its game and hit TSPA and Haqqani's, the ISI agents where it hurts hard or its game over for everyone. Now or never.

JE Menon wrote: We cannot, for instance, entirely ignore the almost casual bravado with which Erdogan ups the ante in the Middle East and East Mediterranean, while noting that the Turkish state has been getting very cosy with Pakistan over the past few years; even those who prefer conservative analyses of the situation, will have to acknowledge that this has to be seen in the backdrop of Pakistan's nuclear capabilities.

It is America's move.

JE Menon wrote:These killings, though essentially local and apparently of minor players in the global scheme, will have worldwide implications.

A very rough and crude message is being sent by the Pakistani state. Everybody who has half a nut knows this. It is only a question of what the next moves are, and where it will lead. It's an unpredictable clusterfu(k really...

The Pakistani state thinks it is on the verge of defeating the Americans in Afghanistan. They are playing what they assess to be the end-game, and afterwards they will expose in dribs and drabs more and more of their dangerous strategic agenda.

We cannot, for instance, entirely ignore the almost casual bravado with which Erdogan ups the ante in the Middle East and East Mediterranean, while noting that the Turkish state has been getting very cosy with Pakistan over the past few years; even those who prefer conservative analyses of the situation, will have to acknowledge that this has to be seen in the backdrop of Pakistan's nuclear capabilities.

It is America's move.

See this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_sharing

Nuclear sharing is a concept in NATO's policy of nuclear deterrence, which involves member countries without nuclear weapons of their own in the planning for the use of nuclear weapons by NATO, and in particular provides for the armed forces of these countries to be involved in delivering these weapons in the event of their use.

As part of nuclear sharing, the participating countries carry out consultations and take common decisions on nuclear weapons policy, maintain technical equipment required for the use of nuclear weapons (including warplanes capable of delivering them), and store nuclear weapons on their territory.

Of the three nuclear powers in NATO (France, the United Kingdom and the United States), only the United States has provided weapons for nuclear sharing. As of November 2009, Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Turkey are still hosting U.S. nuclear weapons as part of NATO's nuclear sharing policy.[1][2] Canada hosted weapons until 1984,[3] and Greece until 2001.[1][4] The United Kingdom also received U.S. tactical nuclear weapons such as nuclear artillery and Lance missiles until 1992, despite the UK being a nuclear weapons state in its own right; these were mainly deployed in Germany.

Both the Non-Aligned Movement and critics inside NATO believe that NATO's nuclear sharing violates Articles I and II of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which prohibit the transfer and acceptance, respectively, of direct or indirect control over nuclear weapons.

...

The US insists that its forces control the weapons, and that no transfer of the nuclear bombs or control over them is intended "unless and until a decision were made to go to war, at which the NPT treaty would no longer be controlling", so there is no breach of the NPT.[6] However, the pilots and other staff of the "non-nuclear" NATO countries practice handling and delivering the US nuclear bombs, and non-US warplanes have been adapted to deliver US nuclear bombs which involved the transfer of some technical nuclear weapons information. Even if the US argument is considered legally correct, some argue such peacetime operations appear to contravene both the objective and the spirit of the NPT. Essentially, all preparations for waging nuclear war have already been made by supposedly non-nuclear weapon states.

At the time the NPT was being negotiated, the NATO nuclear sharing agreements were secret. These agreements were disclosed to some of the states, including the Soviet Union, negotiating the treaty along with the NATO arguments for not treating them as proliferation. Most of the states that signed the NPT in 1968 would not have known about these agreements and interpretations at that time.[7]

The Haqqani Network ... acts as a veritable arm of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence Agency

In choosing to use terror group as an arm of its policy, Pakistanis jeopardize their prospects at being legitimate regional power...

The Haqqani Network acts as a veritable arm of Paks' ISI -- they conducted truck bomb, attack on embassy, Mumbai, etc.

They may think this is a good bet, but they've already lost that bet. By exporting violence, they're sowing seeds of own instability

Pakistan is supporting terrorists actively and passively and these actions potentially violate international norms and may warrant sanctions

Have you told Kayani that we will maintain a smaller but significant presence in Afghanistan after 2014 and that a smaller presence means that we won't need to rely on supplies coming from Pak?

It's ok if you can't tell us openly what the strike options inside TSP are, but if they are not evident, Congress will be forced to do the only thing it can - cut off all funds to TSP despite regrets about Pressler

ISI is not independent. It is an important part, but it just implements Pak government policy of using terrorism and proxy groups

But this ship is turning, and once it turns, I expect fun times for the Pakisatan...

Rudradev wrote:I have often wondered at the cosiness between the Turks and the TSPA, and all that it implies. To be fair, we haven't seen the Paki policy of nuclear-suicide-bomber blackmail being mirrored by Turkey until recently... but as you say, that is what seems to be happening today.

Gearing up for the uncertain security scenario after the US downsizes presence in Afghanistan by 2014, India has formally approached Tajikistan to allow re-establishment of the famous Indian field hospital at Farkhor on the Tajik-Afghan border.

India had first set up this hospital in 2000-01 to service the Northern Alliance troops fighting the Taliban. The field hospital had even moved in and out of Afghan territory during the war. In fact, Ahmed Shah Masood was rushed to this hospital after being shot by his assassins, who had masqueraded as a television crew.

While Masood could not be saved, the 25-bed field hospital had built a strong reputation and was seen as a symbol of the mutually beneficial relationship between India and the NA forces. However, after the Taliban were ousted, the hospital had been folded up. Nearly a decade later, it is back on priority list in the light of the fast-changing situation in the area.

It’s learnt that an Indian team held detailed discussions on this issue and a range of other proposals with their Tajik counterparts at Dushanbe few weeks ago. Also, both sides sorted out issues emerging from the nature of Indian presence at the Ayni airbase, 10 km from Dushanbe.

This airbase is India’s only foreign military asset which the Air Force has completely refurbished. Of late, Pakistan has been lodging protests with Tajikistan on the presence of Indian troops. Tajik officials have sought to downplay Indian rights to use the airbase in a bid to allay concerns of not just Pakistan, but even China.

Sources, however, confirmed that the Indo-Tajik understanding has not undergone any change. The Indian Air Force contingent stationed at Ayni also participated in the September 9 military parade in Dushanbe. This was done at the invitation of the Tajikistan government.

With the US set to withdraw from the Af-Pak region, New Delhi is doing its best to revive old contacts and increase influence as well as presence among Central Asian republics.

The Taliban's muted response to the assassination of former Afghan president and head of the Afghan High Peace Council Burhanuddin Rabbani, its refutation of early claims of responsibility, and various accusations being tossed about add to what is developing into a genuine whodunit.
- Bashir Ahmad Gwakh

The Taliban’s statement denying involvement in the killing of Burhanuddin Rabbani, head of the Afghan High Council for Peace, is coming on the third day of the incident. Evidently, the Quetta shura thoroughly checked out with various Taliban factions before coming out with this statement. Indeed, the Taliban, uncharacteristically enough, are not on message this time ... - M K Bhadrakumar

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has accepted an invitation to travel to Iran, opening the way for the first visit to the country by an Indian head of government in a decade.

Even though the Prime Minister is unlikely to announce early dates for a visit, which, diplomatic sources told The Hindu, Iran had been pressing for since 2009, the announcement is significant in the context of the growing power of the Islamist insurgency in Afghanistan — the cause of deep concern in both New Delhi and Shi'a-majority Iran.

The United States, though deeply hostile to Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities and its geostrategic ambitions, has been calling for regional states to participate in a dialogue aimed at building a stable future for Afghanistan. Iran has substantial influence with Afghan groups in the country's west and, along with India and Russia, was part of a group of nations which backed the anti-Taliban resistance before 2001.

“Let's put it this way,” a U.S. government source told The Hindu, “whatever our problems with Iran might be, we welcome whatever India can do to persuade Iran to play a constructive role.”

Rabbani evoked respect as an Islamic scholar, while his jihadi pedigree was impeccable. He was admired for the ease with which he criss-crossed Afghanistan's political and ethnic divides although he remained the tallest Tajik leader. Rabbani could be ruthless, but then, he was also incapable of guile and animosities. He amused onlookers with his vanities and his weakness for pomp and flattery.

But he was feared for his political skills and could also be fickle-minded to the point of being unreliable. Above all, he was widely respected as an Afghan nationalist.

[...]

Any attempt to deconstruct Rabbani's assassination should begin with a detached look at the bonds between him and Pakistan's military leadership. No doubt, it was a complex relationship, enriched by Rabbani's networking with the "Islamic" parties in Pakistan and the various jihadi elements in the region and beyond as well as with Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).

Conceivably, Kiani saw Rabbani (an ethnic Tajik) as a potential interlocutor who could help Pakistan reach out to the non-Pashtuns, especially the Panjshiris. Rabbani had complicated equations with Massoud and the Panjshiris, and there were acute moments when the two sides barely tolerated each other.

[...]

Again, his excellent ties with Iran, his sagacity to keep lines open to the Taliban, his virulent "anti-Americanism" - these were also of interest to Pakistan, whose military leadership showed pragmatism by accepting him as the point person in intra-Afghan dialogue. Pakistan assessed that if any non-Pashtun leader had a chance of bringing the Northern Alliance groups on board the reconciliation process and a broad-based settlement, it was Rabbani.

Suffice to say, the repercussions of Rabbani's assassination for Pakistan could be serious. One, the hawkish Panjshiris and other intransigent Northern Alliance groups will use Rabbani's death to block any accommodation with the Taliban, which indeed would mean a disastrous slide toward civil war.

Two, against the backdrop of the US-Pakistan standoff, an axis might develop at some point between these intransigent Northern Alliance elements and the United States on the basis of a congruence of interests. (The Northern Alliance suggested such an alliance in the immediate aftermath of 9/11.)

Equally, a polarization would further isolate President Hamid Karzai. The US agenda to corner Karzai receives a fillip in these changed circumstances. The deck gets cleared now for the US to mop up residual issues relating to the strategic agreement that it is keen to conclude before a peace conference begins in Berlin in December.

The US prefers to directly handle the reconciliation process with the Taliban and set its terms, without involving Karzai (or Pakistan). Surely, the biggest gain for the US from Rabbani's departure is that the idea of the "Afghan-owned" peace process that Karzai spearheaded (which Washington never really favored) has floundered for all practical purposes.

In sum, deconstructing the death of Rabbani produces strange patterns. Those who "gained" include the intransigent Northern Alliance groups and the "alien mercenaries of organized terrorism", as Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad pithily described. What is certain is that Karzai "lost" heavily. He needs to figure out a way forward. Pakistan is pressing him to pick up the threads and resume the joint Afghan-Pakistani peace process.

Some fingers have pointed at Pakistan for being responsible for Rabbani's murder - principally, these are irate Northern Alliance elements ("warlords") who are jostling for political space and are openly courting foreign sponsorship. The US, which is piling the pressure on Pakistan, refrained from linking the ISI with Rabbani's murder - the Taliban have denied involvement.

[...]

Rabbani said the Afghan people opposed foreign occupation, but he justified the US military presence and sidestepped the reality that the military presence was part of the problem. He hinted there were forces that resented his dealings with Pakistan, but he complained that Pakistan wasn't yet cooperating with the peace process - although it had mastery over the insurgents. Rabbani knew that a shroud of strategic ambiguity was inexorably surrounding him and the peace process.

The intriguing part is where he stood vis-a-vis the US, finally. His "anti-Americanism" was apparently mellowing, but his last port of call was Tehran. He juggled far too many balls in the air, which in today's Afghanistan meant inviting trouble - even for an Ustad.

MKB continues to hammer away at the Rabbani murder mystery, asking quo bono? In the process of his detective work, he absolves the Pakis and puts Unkil in the dock.

China-US: Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi on Monday reaffirmed China's position on the United States' arms sales to Taiwan, urging the U.S. immediately to correct its error by revoking its arms sales decision.

Comment: The Chinese Minister referred to the US decision to upgrade Taiwan's F-16 fighter force rather than sell new F-165s that might maintain the balance of capabilities across the Taiwan Strait. So the US has chosen half measures, apparently in the expectation that both sides will be somewhat mollified.

US policies towards China and Taiwan are incomprehensible and contradictory.

Think why? Its Janus faced or blow hot-blow cold}

Pakistan-US: Pakistan will not take military action against the Haqqani network militant group, according to a 25 September meeting of the Pakistan Army corps commanders chaired by Pakistan Army Chief of Army Staff General Kayani at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, The Express Tribune reported 26 September. After the corps commanders discussed the possible implications of a unilateral US operation on Pakistani territory, an unnamed military official said Islamabad told Washington that Pakistan cannot commit to anything beyond its current operations.

Comment: Pakistani civilian leaders led the official denunciations of US official accusations of supporting the Haqqanis. The Pakistan Army leaders were content to hide behind the official denunciations. They neither supported their own civilian leaders nor denounced the US accusations.

{So TSPA CC are playing it safe and not showing their hand. The net result of this standoff is TSPA jihadi credentials are restored after the Abortabad raid and Mehran attack. Something to mull ( ) over.}

US Readers understand that the Pakistani civilian leaders have limited access to the operations of the Pakistan Army. Thus, President Zardari and Prime Minister Gilani are figureheads who have no control of the Pakistan Army. Their comments do not signify. General Kayani or other senior generals have NOT denounced Admiral Mullen's accusations. Mullen wasted his time and was outsmarted in trying to make friends with Kayani.

Pakistan-Saudi Arabia: For the record. Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Directorate chief, Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha, met Saudi intelligence officials at ISI headquarters in Islamabad on 26 September. The Saudi officials went to Pakistan on the special directive of Saudi King Abdallah to ease tensions between Pakistan and the United States, The Nation reported. After the meeting, Pasha flew to Saudi Arabia to meet with Saudi intelligence and armed forces officials.

{So Pasha was summoned to KSA to offer new terms. Most likely Pahsa will send a soosai jihad to KSA to show them their place now that TSP has PRC backing them. BTW KSA has just weakened itself in funddo eyes with rights to women. As I predicted KSA will have to change moderate its Wahabi dogma to face the modern world. Again this bolsters the TSP fundoo characteristics! So 2-0 for TSP }

Comment: The Saudis see Afghanistan moving in a more or less favorable direction so long as the Iranians make no gains. They want Pakistan to focus on larger, strategic concerns, including Palestinian statehood, the stability of the Syrian government, Turkish claims to leadership in the Middle East, containment of Iranian influence. Pakistan remains the nuclear and conventional arsenal of the Muslim world, regardless of what happens in Afghanistan, in the Saudi view.

{What is more important is what does TSP see itself in the ummah? The Islamist world always submitted to the sword since Muhammad's days. Nooks are the swords now even if borrowed.}

Pakistan-China: Chinese Vice Premier Meng Jianzhu will visit Islamabad on 26 September to discuss regional security in a meeting with Pakistani President Zardari, Prime Minister Gilani and other officials, The Express Tribune reported. A Pakistani Foreign Office spokesman said Meng's visit is important but unrelated to other regional developments. Meng is also scheduled to meet with General Kayani and Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) Lieutenant General Shuja Pasha with talks to focus on Chinese separatists arrested by Pakistan and extradited to Beijing.

Comment: The confluence of Chinese and Saudi meetings on the 26th is almost symbolic of the polarity in Pakistani foreign policy. The US is a bit player every decade or so, but Saudi Arabia and China are Pakistan's major benefactors. Saudi Arabia would pull Pakistan into the orbit of the Muslim states of the Middle East, manipulating Pakistan's inability to pay for the Saudi oil it has consumed for decades.

China has armed Pakistan as its proxy in a future sub-continent war against India, a decade or so in the future. The Pakistan Army has been prepared as China's second front force against India in that future war. Only the Pakistani generals seem to fail to understand their limited role in China's Asian strategy.

{The writer is pleading with TSPA not to go over to the darkside to use sci-fi language and waste years of mutally profitable association.}

Meanwhile, China wants stability. The Gilani government has not provided it. China has the same gripe against the Pakistan Army as has the US. Pakistani intelligence and the Pakistan Army support terrorists, in China's case, Uighur Muslim terrorists in Xinjiang, just as they support the anti-government Pashtuns in Afghanistan. The Chinese are less delicate than the Americans in pressing their demands that the Pakistan Army stop its double dealing.

Afghanistan: A US official confirmed that an attack occurred on a building used by the US in Kabul late 25 September. Afghan authorities confirmed reports of gunfire around a building used by the CIA, near the former Ariana Hotel that is in the vicinity of the Afghan presidential palace, but Kabul authorities could not confirm any casualties or injuries.

Comment: The Taliban claimed responsibility for the attack, without identifying the group that attacked. Not even the CIA can defend itself in Kabul. Nobody ever knows when Allah will call a true believer to kill someone in the name of Allah. It can occur at any time with no warning.

Here is the chnace for massa to make a play and send strong message at next cc meeting.}

Saudi Arabia: The King of Saudi Arabia has granted Saudi women the right to vote in town and city elections and the right to run for office.

Comment: What is interesting is that women's rights derive from the King, not from Allah or nature or universal human rights.

By Qaiser Butt
Published: September 27, 2011



As tempers run high between Pakistan and the US over the Haqqani network, Islamabad has launched an international effort to avert the possibility of foreign forces on its soil.

An official source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Pakistan has directed its envoys in western countries, including Nato allies, to muster support that could dissuade the US from taking action, whether military or economic, against Pakistan.

Additional Secretary of the Foreign Ministry Alamgir Babar is in regular contact with the US State Department in an attempt to alleviate tensions, the source told The Express Tribune on condition of anonymity.

Armed hostilities unlikely

Veteran diplomats, however, say armed hostilities are unlikely. “The recently initiated cold war against Pakistan is aimed at cowing down Islamabad, but this threatening posture will not translate into a physical confrontation,” former Pakistani Ambassador to Afghanistan Rustam Shah Mohmand told The Express Tribune. Similar views were expressed by former Pakistan foreign secretary Tanveer Ahmed Khan during a televised interview on Sunday.

On the other hand, both the former diplomats are of the view that Pakistan may face harsh US economic sanctions in case negotiations fail. Both countries are aware that neither can afford an all-out war, Mohmand said, adding that “the problems being faced by Americans in Afghanistan will not allow the US to go beyond a selected strike in Fata.”

Mohmand did not rule out a selected strike, or a short operation by US forces in North Waziristan similar to the Abbottabad raid. “Some adjustment will ultimately occur in the rigid stands and demands of both the countries,” he said.

Where China comes in

Referring to the Chinese role in the Pak-US conflict, the former diplomat said that Islamabad had so far failed to gain help and economic assistance from China.

“Trade between China and India has crossed over $66 billion while we have so far not been able to gain any meaningful support from our friend,” Mohmand said.

The views of former naval chief Admiral Fasihuddin were similar, who said that the war of words was a battle for economic and strategic dominance in the region.

Spill-over possibilities

Fasihuddin did not rule out an army action against Pakistan by the US and warned that “[possible] US strikes in North Waziristan may spill over into urban areas of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa”.

Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar and military brass have taken a strong stance, stating clearly that a unilateral US strike would not be tolerated. It is yet to be seen whether Islamabad will follow through on this message.

Meanwhile, senior officials in the foreign ministry suggested that a physical confrontation, while not imminent, remained possible in the current circumstances.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.

By Irfan Ghauri / Kamran Yousaf
Published: September 27, 2011

Interior Minister Rehman Malik greets Chinese Minister of Public Security Meng Jianzhu upon his arrival at Chaklala airbase in Rawalpindi. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:

Amid simmering tensions between Pakistan and the United States, Islamabad on Monday saw a flurry of diplomatic activity, both overt and covert, directed at defusing the situation.

US Ambassador Cameron Munter, recently returned from Washington, held a meeting with Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir. Under more secrecy, senior Saudi intelligence officials met the ISI chief in an attempt to bridge the divide between Pakistan and the US. To add further speculation, a delegation led by Chinese vice Prime Minister Meng Jianzhu, who is also China’s top security official, landed in the capital and held talks with Pakistani civilian and military leaders.

(Read: Chinese vice prime minister arrives in Islamabad)

In a related development, Army Chief General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani cancelled a trip to the UK, where he was due to meet Defence Secretary Liam Fox. Pakistan Army spokesman General Athar Abbas said the visit had been “postponed indefinitely” but would be re-scheduled. Abbas put the decision down to “the current situation at home” but refused to elaborate further. It is presumed that Kayani called off the visit apparently to continue in-house talks on mounting US pressure for Pakistan to abjure its alleged support for the Haqqani network.

Saudis as intermediaries?

Sources claim that Saudi Arabia is quietly working to mediate between Pakistan and the United States.

The meeting between Saudi intelligence officials and Lt. General Ahmed Shuja Pasha took place at the Chaklala Airbase, sources said. Some media reports claim that the ISI chief, after a “crucial” meeting with the Saudi intelligence officials, dashed to Jeddah for further consultations.

When approached, however, a senior military official confirmed that a delegation of Saudi intelligence officials was on a visit to Islamabad, but insisted it had nothing to do with the ongoing row between Pakistan and the US.

“We have counter-terrorism cooperation with the US and the visit was part of that cooperation,” said the official, who also strongly denied reports that the ISI chief had rushed off to Saudi Arabia.

Munter and Bashir agree on ‘deeper engagement’

Both the US embassy and the foreign ministry attempted to downplay the hype over the issue of the Haqqani network after a meeting between US Ambassador Munter and Foreign Secretary Bashir.

“It was a regular meeting but also indicates the fact that Pakistan and the US have a broad-based relationship,” said Mark Stroh, US Embassy spokesperson.

“Both agreed on dialogue and deeper engagement at all levels,” said foreign ministry spokesperson Tehmina Janjua, adding that the meeting between the two was a follow-up on the three-and-half-hour meeting between US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton and Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar in New York on September 18.

(Read: A meeting in New York)

An American diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Express Tribune that the situation is “still tense and fluid.” He declined to elaborate.

Pakistan and China cooperation

China’s Public Security Minister Meng Jianzhu arrived in Islamabad on Monday and was scheduled to meet senior officials. Although agreements for economic and technical cooperation were signed, there may have also been discussions on Pakistan’s ties with the US.

“China is always there for us,” said Interior Minister Rehman Malik as he welcomed Meng. Presidential spokesman Farhatullah Babar echoed Malik’s views, saying: “The Chinese leader reaffirmed China’s continuing support for Pakistan in its fight against militancy and the promotion of regional peace and stability,”

Babar said that during two rounds of talks, mutual cooperation, the regional situation, the fight against militancy and the recent devastation caused by heavy rains in Sindh were discussed.

“The President said that Pakistan greatly appreciates China’s support for Pakistan on all issues of major concern. He said that the Chinese role was very important to usher in a new era of peace and stability in the region,” he added.

Pakistan and China signed a number of agreements, including those on relief goods, emergency humanitarian assistance and the rehabilitation of some damaged parts of the National Highways network. One of the agreements signed involved approximately $250 million of Chinese assistance.

Later the President hosted dinner for the Chinese dignitary and his delegation that was also attended by some federal ministers and senior officials.

Meeting with CJCSC

Earlier Meng Jianzhu met General Khalid Shameem Wynne, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff committee. According to ISPR, the media wing of the Pakistan Army, both leaders discussed matters pertaining to mutual interests and the emerging geo-strategic situation of the region. Jianzhu appreciated the role played by the armed forces of Pakistan in the fight against terror. Wynne highlighted the converging interest of Pakistan and China, both in security and economic arenas.

Iranian delegation arrives tomorrow

Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar will pay an official two-day visit to Pakistan on September 28-29. “Bilateral meetings have been regularly held between us and the Pakistanis to discuss security and other forms of cooperation,” said Mehdi Mohammadi-Fard, deputy interior minister for parliamentary and international affairs, quoted by the Iranian Fars News Agency. The two countries will sign a security agreement on the sidelines of the visit.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.

shyamd wrote:

Iranian delegation arrives tomorrow

Iran’s Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar will pay an official two-day visit to Pakistan on September 28-29. “Bilateral meetings have been regularly held between us and the Pakistanis to discuss security and other forms of cooperation,” said Mehdi Mohammadi-Fard, deputy interior minister for parliamentary and international affairs, quoted by the Iranian Fars News Agency. The two countries will sign a security agreement on the sidelines of the visit.

Is the last reason why the Saudi's came to haul Pasha in?

“Let's put it this way,” a U.S. government source told The Hindu, “whatever our problems with Iran might be, we welcome whatever India can do to persuade Iran to play a constructive role.”

devesh wrote:about the emerging Criminal/Mullah/Political networks, I think the time is fast approaching when India will have to wage a massive covert war as a preemptive strike against all and sundry Mullah-mafia networks to "convince" the Islamic countries around us that they will have to make accommodations for us in this network on our terms.

all too often, India has experience a scenario where encroachment was allowed too deep, which later brought down any revivalist attempts. a preemptive strike is the only way to enforce our interests this time around. I am talking about a massive round of liquidating the Islamist mafia elements all the way from ME to SEAsia. specifically targeting those who have wagged their tails at us and who have "actively" funded attacks on India.

As tempers run high between Pakistan and the US over the Haqqani network, Islamabad has launched an international effort to avert the possibility of foreign forces on its soil.

An official source from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Pakistan has directed its envoys in western countries, including Nato allies, to muster support that could dissuade the US from taking action, whether military or economic, against Pakistan.

“Trade between China and India has crossed over $66 billion while we have so far not been able to gain any meaningful support from our friend,” Mohmand said

Carl wrote: Recently Gilani flies to his "hometown" Rasht and declares it Multan's sister city. Returns with $100m in "flood-relief" aid from Iran - much more than PRC offered them. Iran and TSP even declare intentions to start a "joint airline".

RamaY wrote:
We all know that Paki-leadership will eat 90% of that aid. So the question is why is Iran paying $90m at this point? What are they expecting to get in return. I smell some radioactive-rat. I hope Indian and Israeli satellites are monitoring Iran-Pak borders very closely.

VikramS wrote:Given what all is going on the Mid-East, TSP chutzpah is amazing.

On one hand they are the bum provider to the KSA. OTOH, they are also working with Iran. They have the US on their case but they are firing from the PLA's shoulder.

They essentially are playing games with all the major powers of the world. Typically smaller powers tend to get trampled when the bigger powers clash. The secret of their survival is to push things as far as possible before tucking the tail; the calibrated escalation knowing very well how much and what the other party will do.

Dealing with the TSP requires irrational and asymmetrical response. Don't do what they expect you to do, become irrational so that the war-gaming which the RAPE have done falls apart.

In other words, become a Paki in your though process.

As a wise man once said on BR, they put the chut in chutzpah.

VikramS wrote:SSjee:

TSP might be playing her cards well, but the game she is playing is one she can never win. She will always be jockeying for leverage and position with no identity of their own.

Karzai arrives here Oct 4. He is expected to hold talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and meet External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna. The two sides are set to discuss the fragile security situation in Afghanistan and the role of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) in fomenting instability in that country.

shivajisisodia wrote:
The Paki has attained a certain degree of success in re-engineering its culture since independence, where the new generations in Paki are begining to feel quite alienated from the Indian culture, notwithstanding the popularity of Indian movies, which really means nothing, they are even popular in Central Asia, Iran, Turkey, Arabia and North AFrica. The Urdu language is being more Arabized, the clothing is being more Arabized, the food is already quite Central Asian (Panjabi food across religious lines, even before independence had major Uzbek and Afghan influences) and of course the thinking is becoming more and more radical. Their education systems has systematically and without check disseminated hatred for everything Hindu, which is really an integral part of every PAki today, which was not entirely the case with the Pakis of the partition generation, notwithstanding the violence during partition.

On the other hand look at India today. I dont think anyone today will call India a traditional Hindu society that it was even 30 or 40 years ago. Even the villages have lost their Hindu way of life and even though the number of temples in India have sky rocketed and thousands flock to these temples, outside the temples, in their day to day life, there are very few traces of traditional Hinduism left. A lot of it has to do with the "secularism" heavily promoted by the Indian government, a lot of it has to do with exposure to television and movies, which only peddles popular culture, which again cannot be traditional Hindu oriented, but the lowest common denomenator secular popular culture. It also has a lot to do with the fact that materialism and greed for money has permeated not only the middle class but also the grass roots, not only in urban but also rural areas and the inevitable result of this runaway materialism is corruption which has also permeated all strata of our society.

Therefore, if we really open our eyes and are honest with ourselves, we will realize that it is the Indians who have lost a lot more of our identity since independence than the PAkis. The Indians are fast losing their genuine "Hinduness" and the Paki are becoming more and more Islamic (unless someone believes the nonsense that Islam is not extreme Islamism and therefore PAkis are becoming less Islamic, by being more extreme). The common refrain that we use to console ourselves vis-a-vis the PAki that at least we know who we are and are secure in our identity, while PAki is not, is really a false proposition, totally baseless nonsense.

Only when we recognize this fact, will we perhaps, wake up and try to reverse this situation.