Holy Qur’an burning: Sacrilegious acts of American troops

 As sensitivities of Muslims in Afghanistan as well as other parts of the world have badly been injured by sacrilegious acts of American troops, Republican presidential hopful Rick Sanatorum has churned has churned out a statement that amounts to adding fuel to the fire and rubbing salt into the wounds. The candidate has not only criticized Pressident Barack Obama for offering apology on the incident but come out with a strange logic that the apology instead should have been made by Afghanistan.
_________________________________________________________

After the burning of the Holy Qur’an five days ago at a US base in Afghanistan, country-wide demonstrations continue in which 30 people have been killed, including four US soldiers, and more than 200 have been injured. NATO and the British government recalled their international advisers from Afghan ministries late Saturday after two US military advisers – a lieutenant colonel and a major – were found dead in their office with shots to the back of their heads. A spokeswoman for NATO’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) confirmed two of their servicemen had been shot dead in Kabul by an individual who turned his weapon on them. She declined to say if the killer was a member of the Afghan military or police. An Afghan security source said the shooting of the two Americans in the Interior Ministry could be connected to the burning of the holy Quran. The US and the West claim to be upholders of democratic traditions and preach tolerance for others faiths and views, but negate the very concept when they show no respect for Islam and Muslims.

Last year, controversial Pastor Terry Jones, a blot on the name of humanity, had acted as a judge in a mock trial that ended with burning a copy of Quran at his Dove World Outreach Center in Gainesville, Florida. The US had strongly condemned the burning of Quran by the radical pastor, and the spokesman had said the Obama administration was deeply concerned about all deliberate attempts to offend members of any religious minority. But this condemnation is not enough, and unless the US invokes hate crime and put the perpetrators of heinous crime in the dock, the desecration of the holy book and acts of blasphemy would continue hurting the Muslims. In 2010, Terry Jones had called off the event after criticism from U.S. religious leaders, violent protests abroad and pressure from President Obama and then Secretary of Defense Robert Gates. However, on actual burning of the holy Qur’an last year, American politicians, media and intelligentsia remained silent on the despicable and abhorrent desecration, which glaringly exposed their hypocrisy and double standards.

On September 30th 2005, blasphemous caricatures of the Holy Prophet [PBUH] were published in Danish newspaper hurting the feelings of Muslims that make about 23 per cent of the world population. Danish Muslim organizations had objected to the depictions responded by holding public protests attempting to raise awareness of Jyllands-Posten’s publication. The caricatures were also reprinted in newspapers in more than 50 other countries, and this led to protests across the Muslim world, some of which escalated into violence with instances of firing on protestors resulting in a total of more than 100 reported deaths, including the bombing of the Danish embassy in Pakistan and setting fire to the Danish Embassies in Syria, Lebanon and Iran.

Crowds had stormed the European buildings, and burned the Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, French and German flags in Gaza City. There is a perception that they intentionally provoke Muslims and when they react or retaliate they dub them as rebel rousers, extremists and terrorists. However, the publishers of the newspapers took refuge under so-called freedom of expression. As recently as in January 2010, US Marines were shown urinating on the dead bodies of the killed Taliban fighters in a You Tube video. Such desecration of Muslims is tantamount to crimes, and stir anti-US sentiments in the entire Muslim world. Taliban would use such videos to recruit more fighters to fight US-led coalition in Afghanistan. Human dead bodies deserve respect and reverence even if they belonged to enemy ranks and had kinship in the opposing camps. Reportedly, America has apologized for recent desecration of the Holy Quran in Afghanistan. However, US and Western media had remained silent on the dead bodies issue and failed to condemn such inhuman acts of US Marines on disgracing the dead bodies of their opponents. Unfortunately one of the men was shown saying to dead bodies while urinating over them, “Have a great day, buddy”, while another soldier inquiring if they were being filmed. It is a clear case of war crime against US combat-ready soldiers who are implicated in disgracing the dead bodies.

American and European intellectuals and the people in general continue demonizing Islam for the acts of terrorism by a very small minority of fanatics, extremists and terrorists. As a matter of fact, the tirade against Muslims and Islam had started with Samuel P. Huntington’s article on inevitability of clash between civilizations. It appears that after disintegration of the USSR, the West needed another myth to keep the West united.

The “Clash of Civilizations” was published in the journal Foreign Affairs in the summer of 1993, which helped formation of series of attitudes opposing Islam. Given its intellectual and doctrinal nature, it had the greatest negative impact on the governments and the people of the western countries. He wrote: “The fundamental source of conflict in this new world will not primarily be ideological or economic…The most important conflicts of the future will occur along the cultural fault lines separating the civilizations from one another”. But the fact of the matter is that majority of the people are inclined to promote better understanding and mutual respect among followers of different civilizations. Majority of Muslims stand for inter-religion harmony, as the Holy Quran enjoins on Muslims to show respect to the Christ and other prophets that are revered by the Jews. The Organization of Islamic Conference should appeal to the US and the West that they should not ignore the social, political and economic realities, which give rise to extremism. If the western countries continue to misuse the right of freedom of speech to hurt Muslims and followers of other faiths, then they would make this world unsafe for the present and the coming generations. The people of Asia, Africa and Latin American countries that were colonized in the past by the western powers have not forgotten repression and exploitation of their resources. Despite the fact they got independence from the colonizers they were subjected to neo-colonialism through economic domination. This has resulted in poverty, hunger and disease in these countries, and such conditions spawn crimes, extremism and terrorism. Through acts of blasphemy, they inflame the sentiments of the people especially Muslims.

Those who misinterpret Islam as a dogmatic, conservative, upholder of obscurantism in fact deviate from the simple, rational and humane spirit of Islam, and are, indeed, enemies of Islam. In holy Quran, Islam advocates religious liberalism: “Let there be no compulsion in religion” (2:256). If anybody had transgressed such command in the past, then Islam should not be blamed. As a matter of fact all religions gave the message of peace and love. And all the Prophets were assigned with the task of making human beings humane, kind and tolerant so that people could live in an atmosphere of peace and amity to achieve intellectual, spiritual and material welfare. But there are enemies of peace everywhere. Former president Bush was also responsible for the interfaith-disharmony due to his perpetual criticism of Muslims by using terms like “Islamo-fascism” aimed at demonizing Islam. Being provocative in nature, such terms have created more hatred against the US in the Muslim world.
_____________________________________________________

Pakistan Observer

Tweet

The military potential of the Islamic Republic of Iran

A military campaign against Iran will become a heavy burden on the global economy, experts warn meanwhile, Iran is creating cyber protection forces, strengthening the defence of nuclear faclities and contermplating a preemptive strike against the enemy.
____________________________________________________________

The military potential of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) consists of two parts: the IRI Armed Forces (the Army, the Air Force and Missile Defense and the Navy) and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, which in effect is parallel to the IRI Armed Forces. The data on the structure and the quantity of the IRI military potential are secret differ a lot between various sources. Experts are unanimous in their assessment that Iran has the most numerous and powerful army in the region, although its military budget is way below that of its neighbors (between 7 and 10 billion USD).

 The IRI Armed Forces

The Army is equipped with numerous portable anti-aircraft missile complexes as well as antitank self guided missiles of Soviet and Russian design.

The “trumps” of the IRI Navy are three Russian submarines of the “Paltus” Project made in early 1990s.

The missile defense consists of Soviet/Russian design missiles - at least 10 surface-to-air missiles S-200, 45 S-75 missiles, 29 «TOR-M1» and 30 British Rapier short-range missiles. It was reported that a few S-300 missiles were brought from Belorussia.

 The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps

In the event of a full scale military conflict it is the Navy of the Revolutionary Guard Corps and the national Navy that are designated to strike back at the aggressor in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz.

According to the US data received from open sources the combination of light fast naval ships, small aircraft, missiles and mines that is currently taking shape can incur severe damage to the Iranian enemy's Naval fleet. As the Cato Institute military analyst David Isenberg wrote in the Asia Times, as the large scale US Naval exercise in the Persian Gulf in 2002 showed, in the event of a sudden massive attack up to 16 US naval ships would be destroyed (including 10 cruisers and 5-6 landing craft) and over 20 thousand US military personnel would be killed. The exercise that included practical maneuvers and computer modeling were conducted under the command of the Marine Corps' Lieutenant General Paul Van Riper. The expert mentioned that «in the years that followed Iran invested a lot in order to facilitate the use of the Riper strategy».

 Possible counter actions of Iran in the Persian Gulf basin against the US Naval forces supported by the NATO ships and aircraft (potentially also Israeli):

The Persian Gulf is an area of responsibility not of the Iranian Navy but of the Revolutionary Guards that have seven important bases there (Bandar e-Abbas, Khorramshar, Larak, Abu Musa, Al Farsiyah, Halul, Sirri). 

In total the Revolutionary Guards' Navy has no less than 55 missile, torpedo and patrol boats, including those of Iranian design and construction, with anti-vessel missiles and 100 speed-boats also equipped with hand held surface-to-air missile complexes. The boats are hard to detect by the radars.

Iran can place mines in the Persian Gulf. Iran has at least 2000 mines (2004 year estimate) that can be deployed from small vessels, boats and commercial ships. Iranian military swimmers have special submersible vehicles for secret transportation of mines, torpedoes and enlisted men.

According to the CIA estimates, Iran has at its disposal the Chinese EM52 anti-vessel reactive mine, as well as potentially modern Russian mines of magnetic, acoustic type or based on the principle of change in pressure. Iran also produces its own explosive devices even if they are not so technically advanced... The mines are the key threat. Usually the US deploys in the Gulf few means to combat the mines. As far as the other Arab countries in the region go, they have only five Saudi mine layers and several helicopters of various levels of combat readiness and preparation of the military personnel.

The Iranian Navy can employ three diesel submarines of the «Paltus» Project of Soviet/Russian design (another name is «Varshanyanka» which coincides with the NATO «Kilo» classification). Even according to the world standards those are the least detectable submarines. The submarine is equipped with 18 torpedoes, 24 mines, as well as six «Strela-3M» surface-to-air missiles. There is an unknown number of Iranian mini-submarines Ghadir-SS-3; they all can carry the «intelligent» torpedoes and mines. Various sources estimate that Iran can possess up to 16-19 submarines of this type.

The Revolutionary Guards' Air Force can strike from the air. The Revolutionary Guards' Air Force has various types of drones at their disposal and control Iran's strategic missiles units. By the year 2010 Iran designed Karrar and R’ad drones. Both aircraft have a range of over 1,000 km and can destroy targets with guided missiles. Not only drones can attack the enemy, but also hydroplanes, planes and helicopters. Besides that, the Revolutionary Guards' Air Force has one brigade of short-range ballistic missiles Shahab-1 (300-500-700 km) comprising of 12-18 launching units; one battalion of medium-range ballistic missiles Shahab-3 (1200-1280 km), comprising of 6 launching units with 4 missiles each. They can strike at the US Navy's military targets on land.

The Revolutionary Guards can try to employ their intelligence and sabotage units, including the special operations unit for foreign operations called “Kods” (5 to 15 thousand people), in order to organize sabotage and scouting missions as well as assault operations against the military bases and key infrastructure objects of the enemy on the Persian Gulf coast.

Chances are good that a massive forestalling attack on Iran by the aircraft and ballistic missiles of the Navy and Air Force of the US/France/Great Britain/Israel can deprive the IRI of its “trumps”, for example, such as the ballistic missiles.

Consequently, our next material will discuss the current state and future perspectives of the Iranian Air Force and missile defense and their ability for resistance.

__________________________________________________

Voice of Russia

Tweet

The Balochistan squeeze

 Foreign intervention in Balochistan could spark a terrible new war in the region. The breaking away from Pakistan of Balochistan, complicated by an increasingly hands on US approach to Iran, could well set in place circumstances which could precipitate in another world war.
_________________________________________________________

Balochistan is under tremendous squeeze. Internal weaknesses have encouraged the external actors to play their provocative and disruptive role. From a behind the scene role covered under the smoke screen of denials, these actors have now picked up the courage to come to fore openly. Pakistan’s reaction has been quite appropriate. Two demarches’ to the American ambassador within a week would radiate amply strong message to others who are too prompt to kowtow American line on such issues. Ambassador Sherry Rehman needs to take charge of the situation and employ potent lobbyists, otherwise this campaign would snowball. Before long the issue would be raised in the House of Commons and later in the European Union etc. War in Afghanistan is impacting the Balochistan situation in a number of ways. This war has facilitated several foreign actors to influence the developments in the region and complicate the issue. Nevertheless, internal scrutiny is in order, for external seize can only be blown off through a pressure created by the political will radiated in the form of national consensus. Point of concern is the inability of the democratic setup to rectify the situation for over four years, that too when same party governs the federation as well as the province.

Resource provision has not been an issue. A candid estimate has it that cumulative flow of development intended cash to the province during the last four years has been of the tune of eight billion rupees. This huge funding, at the cost of well being of the people of other provinces, does not show up in the form of projects; there is hardly any measureable change on the ground. Miseries of a common Baluch have not reduced. Policy of political appeasement has not been able to buy out calm in Balochistan . A province of 30 districts has around 60 minsters, each having annual development fund of Rupees 25 Crore. APC needs to find out the utilization of these funds. Love for money and the rot of political appeasement was amply visible during the passage of 20th constitutional amendment by our Senate that has cost the national exchequer Rupees 46 crore. Senators refused to vote for the amendment untill they were prepaid on the account of PDP I&II and their life time VIP status was notified. Knowing how much out of development funds are actually spent by the majority of our legislators, it is too naive to think that pumping in of money through ministers/ MPAs of Balochistan would generate desired effects at the grass root. Around 70 percent hospitals in the province do not have staff and medicines while 70 percent schools have been closed down. In fact most of these very MPAs are the biggest hindrance to development of rural Balochistan . Publicly they present a different face and propagate the deprivation of a common Baluch; whereas privately they obstruct any meaningful attempt aimed at the well being of a common Baluch. Situation in Balochistan has come to such a pass due to faulty policies of successive governments, both civilian and military. For them, political expediencies and narrow legitimacy goals are the primary objectives; larger national interests are generally pushed to the back seat.

Unfortunately, we are still following the colonial model of administration in Balochistan . They used to purchase the title holders and notables; barter terms and conditions were complete internal autonomy to them in exchange for maintenance of ruthlessly effective law and order. Common Baluch never figured in colonial calculus; for local chieftains a commoner had only one role and one choice: to go along with the colonial design in exchange for his right to live. Not much has changed. Even today, for the purpose of law and order, Balochistan is categorised into ‘A’ and ‘B’ areas. “A” area, 5% of total land mass, falls under the jurisdiction of police and FC. “B” area (remaining 95%) is under the levies. Levies are employed and equipped by tribal chieftains. Levies personnel are paid by the provincial government through respective chieftain. Through a bold decision by the previous government entire Balochistan was declared “A” area, but surprisingly the decision was reversed soon after the takeover of present Government, mainly to appease the tribal chiefs. Hence a common Baluch was handed back to the wolves. Since then the law and order in on a nose dive.

 It is unfair to blame FC for all the woes of Balochistan , while it has partial jurisdiction over only 5 percent of the area. IGFC Balochistan has recently stressed for collective political efforts alongside socio-economic development to address the current precarious law and order situation. Although the present situation is largely a result of political vacuum, IGFC needs to take stock of the highhandedness of his force, and evolve a culture whereby FC could acquire a people friendly image. He could take some cues from the Motor way police. Though there is no ongoing army operation in Balochistan , public perception to the contrary is rather overwhelming.

Situation in Balochistan needs immediate attention of all stakeholders; it warrants a comprehensive approach and a strategy backed by national consensus. Constitutional structures in Balochistan need a review. Existing structures are not suited to the tribal environment of Balochistan . May be a bilateral legislative setup suits Balochistan better, whereby an upper house could act as a council of advisers; this house could comprise of tribal elders and other people of prominence, some could be elected, some nominated, title holders could have ex-officio hereditary representation. On the front of economic development, project of Kachhi canal needs revival and speedy completion. This canal could carry 6000 cusecs of water and irrigate 700,000 acres of land in Balochistan . This canal was scheduled to complete in 2010, which could have provided livelihood to scores of Baluch youth. Unfortunately the project has been made dormant to appease the tribal chiefs, because job for youth means a decline in their influence, and eventual fall of their fiefdoms. National strategy should be evolved to ensure job availability to each youth of Balochistan . Youth is yearning to get out of the suppressive environment of tribal chiefs, the nation must support their struggle, federal and provincial governments should not strengthen the wrong party—tribal chieftains. National leadership should recall that our visionary Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto had abolished the Sardari system of Balochistan back in the early seventies.

 Above all, Balochistan does not belong to Baluch community only; they represent only half of the population of the province. A workable power sharing arrangement needs to be evolved whereby the Pushtun population and the settlers have guaranteed representation in all spheres of life, proportionate to their numbers. Though the situation in Balochistan is deteriorating, it is also being over projected. Out of 30 districts, only five - Quetta, Sibbi, Dera Bugti, Turbat and Khuzdar- have volatile situation, rest of the province is calm. Effort of Pak Army in bringing the Baluch youth into national mainstream need political ownership, otherwise even its positive outcomes would continue to carry negative tags. At diplomatic front, a concerted campaign should be launched to expose the blatant involvement of CIA, RAW, Mossad, RAAM, MI5/6 etc. Balochistan situation is manageable, national consensus and political will can bring and early calm to the area. Piecemeal political appeasement must be avoided. A meaningful ‘All Parties Conference’ could be the starting point, followed by effective implementation of its decisions.
____________________________________________________



By Cdre Khalid Iqbal (R)

The writer is Consultant Policy and Strategic Response, IPRI Islamabad. He is a former assistant chief of air staff of Pakistan Air Force.

Pakistan Observer
p

Tweet

US Blatant Intervention in Balochistan

The Balochistan issue is not a simple case of deprivation. It is a veritable imbaroglio that hides within itself foreign interference, that lends it a grave dimension. The Foreign Office is, apparently, in possession of credible evidence of outside interference in destabilising the province. Its spokesman Abdul Basit, replying to question at his media briefing on Friday, said that Foreign Minister Khar had raised the issue with her British counterpart.
_____________________________________________________

According to various international laws and declarations, the principle of non-intervention involves the right of every sovereign state to conduct its affairs without outside interference. In this regard, Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter prohibits “interference in the internal affairs” of a state.

But setting aside international laws, and the UN Charter, Dana Rohrabacher introduced a House Concurrent Resolution in the US House of Representatives on February 17 this year, calling upon Pakistan to “recognise the right of self-determination for Balochistan.” The resolution has noted that “Baloch people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killings.” Earlier, the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs convened unprecedented hearing which was attended by the supporters of Baloch separtism and American scholars including human rights activists. It was chaired by Rohrabacher who allegedly said, “Balochistan is a turbulent land, marred by human rights violations”, requiring urgent attention. Recently, he has also co-authored an article, favouring an independent Balochistan. While other speakers accused that Pakistan’s security forces and its intelligence agencies were involved in extrajudicial killings and the forced disappearance of ethnic Baloch.

However, the Pakistan government has lodged a strong protest against the resolution on Balochistan. In this respect, Pakistan’s Foreign Office termed, the US Congress bill as violation of international laws, calling it as a clear interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani remarked that the US Congress resolution on Balochistan is against Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, members of the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh Assemblies also condemned the Congress resolution. Besides, other political and religious leaders including members of the civil societies and political analysts have strongly condemned the US Congress resolution as a “conspiracy against Pakistan”, “provocative”, and “intervention in country’s internal matters.”

It is notable that Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman has stated, “It is deeply regrettable that the legislature of a country that calls itself a friend of Pakistan should allow itself to be used as a platform by those advocating the dismemberment of Pakistan and provide justification to terrorists attempting to hold Balochistan, and Pakistan, hostage.” She added that this “will add to suspicions in Pakistan about American motives.”

In this connection, American motives have openly been exposed after this resolution. Notably, on August 14, 2009, Financial Times (online) had reported “Settlers from other parts of Pakistan, especially Punjab, have been given deadlines to leave.” As a matter of fact, this is what US-led India and Israel wanted by inciting the general masses of Balochistan to openly speak against the federation of Pakistan and the Punjabis for all the injustices, created by the Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) who have been fighting for their own so-called status, prestige and influence. They were running their own private jails and farrari camps, and resisted the government development projects as they did not want to give up the old system of feudal lords, while working on the American agenda.

Although Pakistan’s security forces have successfully been coping with the Taliban militants in the tribal areas, yet situation has deteriorated in Balochistan where subversive events and human rights violations have intensified. In fact, the US-led India and Israel have been supporting feudal lords of Balochistan to oppose country’s federation, providing arms and ammunition to the Baloch separatists.

 It is noteworthy that the agents of American CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mosssad are well-penetrated in various NGOs and human rights organisations which are being used for vile propaganda against Pakistan’s security forces. In this respect, on July 31, 2011, a rally was organized by Baloch Human Rights Council in UK in front of the US Embassy in London, which raised false allegations such as inhuman torture and extrajudicial murder of the Baloch intellectuals by the Pakistani army and ISI.

On August 3, 2011, ISPR spokesman, Maj-Gen Athar Abbas, while rejecting human rights groups’ reports about Balochistan as a conspiracy against Pakistan, called for probing the funding of these organisations as this could be traced back to those forces which want to destabilise Pakistan.

It is notable that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and an another group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from RAW and CIA, and are also trying to sabotage Pakistan’s relationship with China and Iran. In the past few years, their militants kidnapped and killed many Chinese and Iranian nationals in Pakistan. Jundollah also arranged a number of suicide attacks in Iran, while Tehran had directly named CIA for assisting those terrorist attacks.

In fact, these militant groups which are responsible for extrajudicial killings also kidnapped and murdered many innocent people of Pakistan and the security personnel in the province. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for subversive acts and forced abductions. Besides, many missing persons of Balochistan were murdered by foreign secret agencies in order to implicate Pak Army and ISI. But media and so-called NGOs including human rights groups not only exaggerate the figures of the disappeared persons, but also accuse Pak Army and ISI for extrajudicial killings. These entities have failed to provide details about the missing persons, spreading sensationalism and conducting press conferences without obtaining real facts.

Particularly, Balochistan’s geo-strategic location with Gwadar seaport, connecting rest of the world with Central Asia has irked the eyes of America and India because China has already invested billion of dollars to develop this seaport. However, it is due to multiple strategic designs that the US which signed a nuclear deal with India in 2008, seeks to control Balochistan in containing China and subduing Iran. Balochistan has also shifted the Great Game to Pakistan. This is also owing to the mineral resources of Balochistan—especially gold and copper that US-led India and Israel have accelerated their subversive acts such as target killings, hostage-takings, suicide attacks, fueling sectarian and ethnic violence in Balochistan by assisting their affiliated insurgent groups. In this context, CIA, RAW and Mossad which have well-established their network in Afghanistan to weaken Pakistan have been sending highly trained militants to Balochistan, who commit various acts of sabotage on regular basis. Their main aim is the dismemberment of Pakistan by separating the province of Balochistan.

Notably, on April 23, 2009 in the in-camera sitting of the Senate, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had displayed documentary evidence of foreign-backed militants’ infiltration from Afghanistan to Balochistan. The main aim of the in-camera session was also to show the engagement of American CIA in the province.

It is worth-mentioning that in August, 2011, US ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter had requested Pakistan government for opening a US consulate in Balochistan. But knowing the real intentions of America, Islamabad had flatly rejected the offer.

In the recent years, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has made strenuous efforts to develop the infrastructure in Balochistan, providing the people employment opportunities to bring the Balochis in the mainstream of the country. In this regard, Pak Army has not only established schools and colleges, but also set up technical and industrial institutes in the province, besides giving military training to the youth.

On October 11, 2011, Prime Minister Gilani highlighted the major development projects in Balochistan, aimed at the socio-economic uplift of its people so as to bring about a positive change in the area. He disclosed that the federal government would provide 30 percent of its shares of the Saindak Project to the Balochistan government, and planned to provide jobs to 20,000 youth from Balochistan, adding that under the NFC award, fund transferring has been increased. While Prime Minister Gilani who stated on February 15 that the government would soon convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to address the issues of Balochistan, has already declared 2012 the ‘Year of Balochistan.’

Nevertheless, this is the right time for the government that its announced policy for political, social and economic reforms must be implemented so as to remove sense of deprivation among the Balochis. And our politicians and media must convince the people, especially the youth that their Sardars want to restore old system of feudalism in the province, and are playing in the hands of foreign enemies, especially the US.

Nonetheless, Balochistan is an integral part of the Pakistan, with an elected government, so the US resolution is an insult to the mandate of masses of Balochistan. No doubt, hearing on Balochistan by the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs has clearly exposed the US blatant intervention in the province and support to the Baloch separatists.
____________________________________________________

By Sajjad Shaukat

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com  (KashmirWatch)

Tweet

Ending the cases against the disgruntled Baloch leaders

The Sui gas royalty is concerned, is directly goes into a Bugti scio s pocket. Note a dime is going to the Bugti tribes betterment and welfare. No school, no public service has been developed from this fabulous money he recevies. In fact, one should question the political eminences for supporting dissident sardars demanding the right of self.determination.
______________________________________________________

. IN a major development, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, after a high level meeting in Islamabad on Thursday, announced amnesty for Baloch leaders and withdrawal of all cases against them. He told newsmen that cases against Brahamdagh Bugti, Barbayar Marri and other Baloch leaders living abroad would be quashed in line with the policy of reconciliation and urged these leaders to come back and play their role in political and development process in the province.

In fact, it was not just amnesty for some estranged leaders but also a number of incentives have also been announced to attract Baloch youth to take part in nation-building. These include 15,000 internships for graduates and post-graduates under Prime Minister’s Internship Programme; filling of 2,400 Federal Government jobs on merit with the assistance of members of the National Assembly and Senate from Balochistan, one step promotion to Baloch officers on deputation to Islamabad, fresh recruitment in Levies and doubling of number of beneficiaries under Benazir Income Support Programme. There are several other steps like award of scholarship to brilliant student and allotment of plots by CDA that make it an attractive package for people of Balochistan, which would surely help remove the sense of deprivation. The real question is, however, its implementation in letter and spirit and we hope that it would be done on priority basis taking elected representatives from the province on board. We have heard on a number of occasions both from the Prime Minister and the Interior Minister that talks would be held with estranged elements and that so many posts would be filled but renewal of the proposals is a clear manifestation that so far no progress has been made towards that end. Why the Government should have waited for taking up of the issue in the US Congress to announce withdrawal of cases and other incentives? Media as well as saner elements of the society have been urging the Government for the last four years to take practical steps but it fell victim to inaction. We would also like to point out that the overall focus of the Government has all along been on pacifying Bugtis and one or two other estranged leaders. We are sorry to say that Bugti brothers and some other elements engaged in Pakistan-bashing and even talking about separation of Balochistan are not the whole of Balochistan. No doubt, this and that army of several hundred disgruntled elements has been raised with the assistance of some foreign countries but this doesn’t mean that they represent the mainstream Baloch not to speak of a large number of Pakhtoons and others living in the province. There needs to be a paradigm shift in the policy of the Government with focus on socio-economic development that would not only help address the problem of backwardness and poverty but also create necessary awareness among ordinary Baloch about their rights, which have so far been denied to them by powerful Sardars and clan leaders.
_________________________________________________

Tweet

Diplomacy Behind Pak-Iran-Afghan Cooperation

 These three Muslim neighbouring countries would ready to fight against US pressure which is continuously exerting on them in the shape of drone attacksa, potent Israeli threat of attacking, American sanctions on Iran, cutting down of economic aid to Pakistan, opposing Pak.Iran Gas pipeline project, interfering in Balochistan and interest of her establishing airbases even after leaving Afghainstan.
____________________________________________________

Diplomacy is employed for both positive and negative purposes. In positive sense, it is used to resolve an issue peacefully, and in negative sense, it is applied by states to gain selfish ends without caring for peace. Secret diplomacy always thwarts the aims of peace diplomacy. Let us analyse the new determination of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan for regional cooperation in wake of emerging geo-political scenario in the region.

In the third trilateral summit at Islamabad, on February 17 this year, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai put their heads together to forge regional cooperation in multifaceted areas. They pledged to strengthen cooperation to eradicate terrorism and militancy from the region. The leaders of the three neighbouring countries declared that they would not allow any threat emanating from their respective territories against each other.

Zardari vowed to fight the external pressure on the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, saying that the “external forces can not undermine bilateral relations.” Notably, recently Islamabad rejected US duress to abandon this pipeline project. Pakistan also assured to support Tehran, if the US launches a military attack on Iran..While hinting towards the US, the Iranian president disclosed that the problem in the region had no local roots but it was imposed from external fronts.

In response to Afghanistan’s blame game against Islamabad regarding cross-border terrorism, Zardari clarified, “I deny this notion that any of our armed forces are directly or indirectly involved.” He revealed, without naming America, “Who was the owner and financer of former chief of Tehreek-e-Talban Pakistan Baitulllah Mahsood.”

Reports suggest that Afghan President Hamid Karzai asked for access to Taliban chief Mullah Omar during his visit to Islamabad. Islamabad denied that the Taliban leadership is based within its borders. On February 17, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar cautioned against Kabul, indicating that her government was still uncertain on exactly what Afghanistan wanted, and “have not conveyed clarity to us.”

As regards the Afghan peace process and regional cooperation, President Karzai called for action rather than mere words.

In fact, both Pakistan and Iran are quite sincere about regional cooperation among the three countries including stability in Afghanistan, but Hamid Karzai has been forced to follow an ambivalent policy due to American secret diplomacy. Confused in his goals, President Karzai, in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, remarked that besides US, the Afghan government was indeed involved in the dialogue with Taliban in Qatar. On the other hand, the Afghan Taliban clarified that they never talked to “the puppet regime of Karzai.”

However, America will sabotage the regional cooperation among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. In this respect, after the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014, US has decided to establish six military bases in Afghanistan, having eyes on the energy resources of Central Asia, with multiple strategic designs against Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia.

Notably, on January 5, 2012, US President Obama unveiled a new defence strategy which calls for greater US military presence in Asia, after cutting troops from Europe—the strategy calls for the US military to “rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region...even US troops continue to fight in Afghanistan, the tide of war is receding.” During his trip to Australia, on November 17, 2011, Obama, while sending an unmistakable message to Beijing said, “The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay,” In this context, America has also troops and security relationships with some Gulf countries.

Nevertheless, US new defence strategy is part of Indo-US hidden agenda in Afghanistan. First of all US seeks to protect the puppet regime of Karzai and Indian influence in Afghanistan under the umbrella of its military presence because it knows that otherwise, Taliban militants will topple the Karzai regime, also forcing India to withdrawal its network from Afghanistan. India which has already invested billion of dollars in Afghanistan, signed a strategic partnership agreement with that country on on october 5, 2011, wants to further fortify its grip there to get strategic depth against Islamabad.

US bases in Afghanistan and the Gulf will enhance its ability to gather intelligence on Iran. In December, 2011, Iranian authorities recovered a CIA surveillance drone that had been launched from Afghanistan. Now war-like situation exists between Iran and America over the Persian Gulf and nuclear programme of Tehran. The American aircraft carrier on February 15, 2011 joinined another US battle group already positioned in the region. In response to this development, Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi already stated on February 14, that the US buildup and its military presence has “turned the Gulf into a weapons depot.” Russia, on January 18, 2012 rejected the tough US-led western strategy of sanctions over Iran and Syria. Both Russia and China have asked the US to resolve the question of Iran’s nuclear programme peacefully.

As part of its secret diplomacy, especially America has been supporting cross-border infiltration in Pakistan with the assistance of American CIA, Indian intelligence agency, RAW and Israeli secret agency, Mossad which have well-established their tentacles in Afghanistan to ‘destabilise’ and ‘denuclearise’ Pakistan. For this purpose highly trained militants, equipped with sophisticated weapons are being sent to Pakistan’s various places, who are regularly conducting suicide attacks, targeted killings, ethnic and sectarian violence in Pakistan.

America and India are particularly assisting Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and another separatist group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers). Jundollah has kidnapped and murdered a number of Chinese and Iranian nationals in Pakistan. This insurgent group has not only been committing acts of sabotage in Pakistan, but also in the Iranian Sistan-Baluchistan. Particularly, Balochistan’s mineral resources and geo-strategic location with Gwadar seaport, connecting rest of the world with Central Asia have further irked the eyes of the US and India because China has already invested billion of dollars to develop this seaport. However, it is due to multiple strategic designs that the US which signed a nuclear deal with India in 2008, intends to control Balochistan, contain China and subdue Iran. Besides, America which has emerged as a potential military supplier to India, has lifted sanctions on New Delhi to import nuclear technology. America also agreed to sell India the most expensive—the new F-35 fighter jets and other latest equipments.

It is mentionable that on February 17, 2012; Dana Rohrabacher introduced a House Concurrent Resolution in the US House of Representatives, calling upon Pakistan to “recognise the right to self-determination for Balochistan.” Recently, he has also co-authored an article, favouring an independent Balochistan. On the other side, Pakstan’s Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, foreign office spokesman and other political leaders have strongly condemned the US Congress resolution, calling it, “provocative, “against Pakistan’s sovereignty” and intervention in country’s internal matters.”

US double game with Pakistan could be judged from the fact that at present, Islamabad is redefining its relationship with Washington after the US-led NATO air attack on Pakistan Army border posts in Mohmand Agency. While, America has also requested Islamabad to play a key role in the peace talks with the Afghan militants, recognising the fact that without Pakistan’s help, stability will not be achieved in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014. On the other side, US has again started drone attacks on Pakistan’s tribal areas, which have killed several people the past few weeks.

After assessing the emerging ground realties, and sinister designs of America, a shift has already occurred in the foreign policy of Pakistan. In this respect, Islamabad which have already strengthened its relationship with China—signed a number of agreements with Beijing in various sectors including defence has also cultivated its relations with the Russian Federation. During the trip of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to Russia, on February 9, this year, she stated that Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was an exceptionally important forum within the region to counter regional challenges. Moscow and Islamabad also agreed to enhance the bilateral relations in diverse fields. In the subsequent summits, the leaders of the SCO, especially China and Russia have displayed strength against the US dominance in the region and NATO’s military presence in Afghanistan, near the region of Central Asia.

Nonetheless, although Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan seek to promote regional cooperation for the development for their nations, yet US secret diplomacy is likely to sabotage their positive approach.
___________________________________________________

By Sajjad Shaukat.  Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

 Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Tweet

Exposed hands behind Balochistan conspiracy

US and India are deliberating promoting anarchy, sheltering and funding some of anti Pakistan elements. In the first week of August 2011, US Ambassador Cameron Munter while talking to media stated that they have an eye on Pakistan particularly Balochistan since the province is strategically very important to U.S. On August 12, 2011 Mr Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan while talking to the media,  confirmed that foreign hands are involved in the unrest of Balochistan. He also claimed that he has the names and telephone number of those locals who get instructions from abroad for causing anarchy in Balochistan. Thus, without any doubt on can say that US is openly carrying out interference in Pakistan internal affairs.
=====================================================

The cat is out of bag. The much protected conspiracy against the Pakistani Baloch nation, costing billions of dollars to western world, has been made public at premature stage. Somewhere someone has conspired within the team of US policy makers that this unpardonable mistake occurred. US’ Republican leader, Dana Rohrabacher moved the bill in the House of Representatives on 17th February, which read: “The Baloch people have the right to self-determination and to their own sovereign country and they should be afforded the opportunity to choose their own status.” It is no more a secret venture and water seems to have crossed the danger mark. No alarm bells, no sirens and not even hooters but something very dangerous has happened. Some country has openly violated United Nations charted by interfering in the internal affairs of another peace loving country. This country is none but US’ own declared Major Non-NATO ally, who has sacrificed thousands of its personnel and millions of civilians in notorious “War on Terror”. Washington is bent upon taking the revenge from its own partners to cover shameful and humiliating defeat at the handful of Mujahideen in Afghanistan and Pakistan. What is next; a “Friend” first tried to become “Big Brother” and now is trying to become a “Father” which is not going to be tolerated. The US military intervention and occupation in Afghanistan, routine attacks inside Pakistan killing tens and thousands of innocent Pakistanis and Afghan without trial, on going military presence in Indian ocean and direct overt and covert threats to the sovereignty and political independence Pakistan aims at overthrowing Pakistan’s legitimate elected government. We have Charter of United Nations as well as Resolution 2734 (XXV) of 16 December 1970, containing the Declaration on the Strengthening of International Security, resolutions 31/91 of 14 December 1976, 32/153 of 19 December 1977, 33/74 of 15 December 1978, 34/101 of 14 December 1979 and 35/159 of 12 December 1980 on non-interference in the internal affairs of States, Resolution 2131 (XX) of 21 December 1965, containing the Declaration on the Inadmissibility of Intervention in the Domestic Affairs of States and the Protection of their Independence and Sovereignty and dozens of other recent documents. It would be a big mistake, if Washington thinks that by passing recent resolution, UN Resolution, “Nothing in this Declaration shall prejudice in any manner the right to self-determination, freedom and independence of peoples under colonial domination, foreign occupation or racist regimes, and the right to seek and receive support in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations.” will be applicable. Washington must have shared intelligence inputs and requisitions with its Major-Non-NATO Ally, which is enough evidence of US and Pakistan’s neighbour’s involvement in Balochistan. Today Washington has led the international situation tense and there is increasing threat to international peace and security owing to US’ interference in the internal affairs of Pakistan. The direct sponsoring of media groups and fifth columnists, establishment of Intelligence network through NGOs and International Organizations and use of undemocratic methods against elected legitimate government in Pakistan is uncalled for and breach of International Law. Pakistan is thankful to thousands of foreign and local NGOs and Internal Organizations, who have declined to be part of this international conspiracy and still working for the greater interests of marginalized communities. On the condition of anonymity, executives of some of the foreign NGOs disclosed that they are being pressurized to wind up their projects in Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber PK provinces but they are resisting. Clues have come to light that foreign agencies have chalked out a plan to kidnap or harm and pressurize them to compel them to quit the country. In such a circumstance, the institutions in Pakistan need to adhere to their defined role in the Constitution of Pakistan. Rather there is a time to strengthen the existing political government. The foreign conspirators have only way to interferer in our internal affairs; if political government is endangered and the country is taken over through coercive forces by non-democratic forces. We must learn from history as well as events around the world and be prepared to give a crushing defeat to any one who dares breach our sovereignty and integrity. Over all these decade, immediately before and since the death of Emperor Aurangzeb Alamgir (1658-1707), Britain and other western nations had been trying to change the religio-political canvas of the region in order to divide the Muslims by imposing a minority segment over majority but it failed. Baloch and other patriotic Muslims during the British rule were ruthlessly killed and dubbed as traitors. Unfortunately, some of the supporters of western secularism, free world and their values are still working against them to exclude them from participating in main stream nation building. People of Balochistan and Khyber provinces were the major source of resistance to western imperialists and capitalists against their attempts to occupy this country. We have great Baloch poets including Mir Chakar Rind, Mir, Gauhram Lashari, Raham Ali Marri and Muhammad Khan Marri, who resisted western conspirators before the coming of British and the period after their occupation and dubbed them as enemies of the Baloch and Islam. One such translated extract is reproduced, “Early in the morning, I was sitting in the mansion and I saw a plane. I cried, O Marris! Prepare your army and pray for martyrdom, perfume your beautiful beards and say goodbye to your dear ones. The gardens of Paradise are worth your visit but only if you lay down your lives. Those killed in the battles of Gumbaz and Kochali are the flowers of Paradise. Swings are waiting for them in the dense gardens of heavens…” and “Those who have forsaken the Baloch people in the face of the British atrocities are cheats. But we are here to stay on the same rocks to face the same aggression that we have been victim of thousand times before. Our bravery and courage have not given way but you people have lost your Baloch honour just for a few rupees that you get in serving these infidels.”Balochistan conspiracy is today open like a book. Washington has officially admitted that it is behind the game. One wonders great people of Balochistan must have know by now that who is behind their murders and kidnappings and why Pakistan is being pressurized for operation against patriotic people of this part of country. Of course, it is western forces and their handful purchased traitors, who are not allowing the Baloch to live in peace. Enough is enough; to solve the Balochistan issue there is need to arrest alive at least one person, who is hiding in western countries. No doubt, he is going to waffle out everything and confess that hands of foreign conspirators were behind the killing of great patriotic leaders like Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti and others. Today, western countries are protecting the murders of brave Baloch Pakistanis and claims to be loyal to them. You never, know that most of the missing people are detained in illegal torturing cells run by western intelligence agencies and their pet locals employed in private companies. Probably, US and allies are underestimating Pakistani Baloch nation, hoping that western educated doctors, engineers and personnel of agencies would form transitional government of Balochistan without bloodshed. Some of the vocal Baloch leaders in Quetta have issued statements that if any attempt is made to subdue Pakistani nation and war is announced, this time the Baloch and other Pakistanis would like select USA as theater of war.
______________________________________________________

 By Afshain Afzal (afshainafzal@yahoo.com)

Tweet

Missing Persons: Reality vs Evidence

The situation of Balochistan is of particular attention, where acts of sabotage like bomb blasts, target killings, destruction of gas piplines, forced abductions, ethnic and sectarian violence have become every day occurrence. Everyone knows that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and another group, Jundollah which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from American CIA and Indian RAW. These militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province. Beside, a number of missing persons went to Afghanistan and India as they were serving their external secret agents .
======================================================

Thinkers, researchers and writers always pay attention to reality, while describing factual position of any development, event or incident. But on the other hand, learned advocates in most of the cases produce fake evidence in order to win the case, even then the reality of the event exists. While giving arguments in the court, no lawyer will agree with his rival, otherwise, he will lose the case.

In these terms, it is better to discuss the case of the missing persons, which is now-a-days, being heard by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. In this regard, recently, the apex court had ordered Raja Muhammad Irshad, the council for Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI) to produce the 11 missing persons. Intelligence agencies on February 13, 2012, produced seven men. In this respect, Raja Irshad had told the Supreme Court on January 30, last year that that four of the 11 persons of Adiala Jail, Rawalpindi, who were picked up by intelligence personnel in 2010 for investigation into their role in the October 2009 attacks on the GHQ and ISI Hamza Camp in Rawalpindi, had died. According to press reports, four of them have expired in the custody of agencies, but Raja Irshad pointed out that they died in Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.

Media reports suggest that detainees were taken away from Adiala Jail by their own terrorist-masters, under the guise of intelligence persons, to FATA. After relentless efforts, they were again tracked and caught from FATA, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the secret agencies. These detainees were not convicted by Anti-Terrorist Court of Rawalpindi, but released due to lack of evidence, which was essential for the court, while the witnesses were afraid to appear before the court because of threats. Even the heirs of detainees used to threaten the judges of the court including superintendent and staff of the jail. However, it is a common practice that the key witness is always given death threat by perpetrators of terrorist attacks. But court requires evidence as its is not concerned with realtiy.

Quite opposite to the fabricated evidence, reality is that these suspected militants were arrested on charges of terrorist assault on former president General (retd) Pervez Musharraf, attacks on GHQ, Kamra Base and Hamza Camps, while suicide jackets, weapons and hand grenades were also recovered from them.

Nevertheless, best treatment was provided to the four suspected terrorists in CMH and Lady Reading Hospital Peshawar, but they died natural deaths due to some serious diseases. Their dead bodies were handed over to their families by hospital authorities. And their bodies were dispatched with full respect. Notably, families of the militants were asked for autopsy, but the same was refused by them.

Nonetheless, at no stage, it was indicated that they died owing to torture or poisoning as accused in the writ petition and highlighted in the media campaign against PAK Army and ISI. Even death certificates of the deceased given by the doctors of the concerned hospitals clear prove that they were not tortured or poisoned during the detention period.
Taking cognisance of the linkages of these suspects with terrorist groups in FATA, they were interned under “Action in Aid of Civil Power Regulation 2011 for FATA. Pursuing the orders of Supreme Court, meetings of the suspects with the families were also arranged under the extremely dangerous security environment.

Since prevailing security environments in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA impose restrictions on freedom of actions therefore, it took relatively longer time to establish that sufficient evidence is not available to try these suspects under Pakistan Army Act. Fabricated and concocted evidences were not created to initiate legal proceedings under Pakistan Army Act.

The question arises in the mind of every sensible person that as to how justice will be given to the heirs of over 50 innocent individuals who have been victims of terror-attacks at Raja Bazar, Hamza Camp, GHQ, and Kamra Base.

It is notable that in the aftermath of 9/11 tragedy, more than 35,000 innocent civilians and 5,000 personnel of the security forces including several police men were killed in varous subversive acts conducted by the insurgents such as attacks on markets, shopping plazas, school children buses, places of worship etc. Moreover, ISI sub-headquarters, located in Lahore, Multan and Peshawar were also targeted by the militants besides their personnel at various places. In this context, in the recent past, BBC, while quoting ISI DG, Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha revealed, “Nobody expressed their condolences over the 78 officials of the ISI who have been killed.” While during the past few years, various forms of subversive acts like suicide attacks, hostage-takings, beheadings, target killings etc. have been continuing by the insurgents in various parts of Pakistan. Again question arises that as to how justice will be provided to the concerned families of all these brutally murdered persons. No doubt, reality of all these incidents exists, but court needs evidence.

It is due to the loopholes in the existing legal system, anti-terrorism law—lack of evidence, as a result of which terrorists are freed from the courts and then they again continue playing with the blood of the innocent people and the security forces and agencies.

Pakistan intelligence agencies, especially ISI have made relentless efforts and unearthed the terrorist networks. We should appreciate these agencies which foiled planned terror activities by capturing the terrorists, and thus saved hundreds of other innocent lives.

While discussing reality and evidence, it is also mentionable that Pakistan’s media is still crying for the four dead detainees who were party to the hideous crime which costed thousands of innocent lives. In this context, negative approach of our media anchors can be judged from the fact that on June 15, 2011, hundreds of journalists and human rights activists from across the country had marched in Islamabad, while accusing ISI for the murder of Journalist Syed Saleem Shahzad. Human rights activist Asma Jehangir who is pro-American had also filed a case in the Supreme Court of Pakistan in this connection, openly blaming this intelligence agency regarding Saleem’s assassination. Some American high officials had also expressed similar thoughts. But the report of a high-level judicial commission which was released on January 12, 2012 to probe the killing of Saleem Shahzad found no proof about ISI in this matter.

Regarding the cases of missing persons, the situation of Balochistan is of particular attention, where acts of sabotage like bomb blasts, target killings, destruction of gas pipelines, forced abductions, ethnic and sectarian violence have become every day occurrence. Everyone knows that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and another group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from American CIA and Indian RAW. These militants kidnapped and killed many innocent people and the security personnel in the province. Besides, a number of missing persons went to Afghanistan and India as they were serving their external secret agents. Some of them were murdered by foreign secret agencies in order to implicate Pak Army and ISI. Notably, since 2001, a majority of Pakistanis also left for Afghanistan for Jehad purposes, without informing their families. But media and so-called NGOs including human rights organisations not only exaggerate the figures of the missing persons, but also accuse Pak Army and ISI for extra-judicial killings. These entities have failed to provide details about the missing persons, spreading sensationalism and conducting press conferences without obtaining real facts.

It worth-mentioning that on February 8, 2012, the hearing of the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Dana Rohrabacher discussed target killings and human rights violations in Balochistan. He has also co-authored an article a few days ago, favouring an independent Balochistan. It has exposed US support to the Baloch separatists.

In fact, the agents of CIA-led RAW and Mosssad are well-penetrated in media, various NGOs and human rights groups which are being used for vile propaganda against Pakistan’s security forces and secret agencies in relation to the human rights violations, particularly about the missing persons.

In light of our earlier discussion, our legal system and anti-terrorism law should be reformed so that Pakistan’s judges should grasp reality instead of depending upon fake evidence, produced by the lawyers. In this regard, appropriate training should also be given to the journalists and reporters so that they could cover an event—especially on the sensitive issue in accordance with reality. Similary, action should also be taken against the so-called NGOs and human rights groups which are following the foreign agenda in distoritng the image of Pakistan and its security agencies by ignoring the facts. Nonetheless as regards the missing persons, reality exists, but there is no evidence as the same is concealed or concocted.
__________________________________________________________




By Sajjad Shaukat (KashmirWatch)

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

Tweet

Implications of Iranian-Afghan leaders visit Pak

President Asif Ali Zardari, Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Karzai would focus on expanding relation, economic ties, regional peace, guarding common interests, counter-terrorism, transnational organised crime including drug and human trafficking, border management and trade issues, and enhanced cooperation with each other.

Pakistan, Iranian and Afghan leaders will sat together in Islamabad from February 18, 2012 for a regional summit at a key juncture in peace efforts with the Taliban and amid rising tensions between Tehran and Israel. The leaders will definitely try to evolve strategy which should be viable for establishment of regional peace. Peace process in afghan region is already under it way particularly after US announcement of her Exit strategy. In this connection US-Taliban negotiations have been started in Qatar. Pakistani Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar visited Kabul this month on a fence-mending visit amid reports that Kabul and Islamabad felt isolated by contacts between the United States and the Taliban in the Gulf state of Qatar. Afghan President Karzai termed Pakistan's support as "critical to the success" of an Afghan-owned and Afghan-led peace process and the reconciliation.
President Asif Ali Zardari, Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Karzai would focus on expanding relations, economic ties, regional peace, guarding common interests, counter-terrorism, transnational organised crime including drug and human trafficking, border management and trade issues, and enhanced cooperation with each other.

The revealed objectives would be attainable if these three Muslim neighbouring countries would ready to fight against US pressure which is continuously exerting on them in the shape of drone attacks, potent Israeli threat of attacking, American sanctions on Iran, cutting down of economic aid to Pakistan, opposing Pak-Iran Gas pipeline project, interfering in Balochistan and interest of her establishing airbases even after leaving Afghanistan.

Pakistan and Iran both have dented relationship with US. In this regard Pakistan, the historic ally of the Taliban, although ready to support an Afghan-led peace process, but has wide degree of scepticism in Afghanistan and the United States about its sincerity. The relationship between two countries have gone worst particularly after US unilateral raid of May 2, 2011 against Osama bin Laden and attack on Salala Check in which 24 soldiers have been killed. On February 16, 2012 US has also carried out two drone attacks on Pakistan territory and killed 21 Pakistani persons. In another suicidal attack in Parachinar 24 individuals has been killed on February 17, 2012.

The attacks went on when three head of states were present in Islamabad to negotiate peace process and other common interests. Again on February 17, 2012, US House of Representatives has tabled a bill which called upon Pakistan to recognize the right of self-determination for Balochistan. The bill was introduced by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) who indirectly tried to make an effort of materializing earlier set CIA agenda of “Greater Balochistan” which include territory of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. Therefore, we can say that US drone attacks on Wazirstan at the occasion of trilateral talks and introducing the bill of “Greater Balochistan” clearly indicates that US has given the signal to the negotiators that she doesn’t care and respects the sovereignty of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan.

Similarly, she is not ready to digest Pak-Iran Gas pipeline deal and pressurizing Pakistan to forego with the mentioned agreement. Moreover, US has also anchored her aircrafts carrier in Indian Ocean, from where its jets are flying over “Strait of Hormu” to deter Iran. Israel has also ready to launch an aggression against Iran. In this regard India has assured Israel for provision of her airstrips and space in case of attacking Iran.
It is notable here that India is one of the major oil buyers of Iranian oil. But she is also convinced that time is coming when she will be unable to purchase the fuel as result of strict future embargo on Iran and defence pact with Israel. Nonetheless, Indian leadership moved towards Saudi Arabia for completion of her forecasted energy crises as a result of attack or sanctions on Iran. To enhance bilateral ties with Saudi Arabia Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony visited India on February 14, 2012 and have decided to form a joint committee on defence cooperation to work out the contours of future collaboration. Saudi Defence Minister Prince Salman bin Abdulaziz met Antony in the presence of Deputy Minister of Defence Prince Khalid bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz.

Antony was accompanied by a high-level delegation that included Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, Indian Army vice chief Lt. Gen. S.K. Singh and Indian Navy deputy chief Vice Admiral Satish Soni.

However, Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan are well aware of that Israel is determined to attack Iran and Indian move of cashing Saudi Arabia in case of Israel-Iran War. Reportedly, numbers of times Mossad head Tamir Pardo's visited Washington for the number of times to evaluate that how the United States would react, if Israel decided to attack Iran's nuclear facilities on its own (Newsweek magazine reports this week). In this connection, a senior American official quoted in the story said that Mossad Intelligence Chief, Pardo had come to Washington to "check the pulse" of the Obama administration and to ascertain the degree to which Washington opposes an Israeli strike. Israel this week accused Iran of targeting its diplomats in Georgia, India and Thailand, against a backdrop of speculation that the Jewish state or the United States could be months from launching military strikes against Iran.

Anyhow, the positive results of talks can only be achieved, if participants of trilateral negotiations should display harmony and get united to meet the challenges facing to them. Troika must: ask US to leave the region, Indian, Israel and US joint ventures should be strongly condemned, sanctions on any one of the country should not be accepted, anti state actors should not be allowed to foment terrorism against any one of them while using territory each other territory, Afghanistan should evict the terrorist’s camps which are giving training to anti-Pakistan elements for carrying out militancy in Balochistan and remaining parts of Pakistan. Troika should show concern over Indian hegemonic design and her future role in Afghanistan. Any effort of isolation of Iran or Pakistan has to be strongly resisted and condemned. Pakistan and Iran should speed up her “Gas Pipeline Project. In this connection, Pakistan has said that multi-billion-dollar project to build a gas pipeline to import fuel from Iran would be completed without accepting US pressure. In short Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran should make a joint effort to extend their cooperation with each other and other regional countries like China, Russia, Turkey, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Matters of common interests can be discussed and guarded jointly from such a platform. Implications of trilateral talks can only be materialized if these countries start implementing on the set objectives with true letter and spirit.




By Zaheerul Hassan  KashmirWatch

The writer can be approached through zameer36@gmail,com

Tweet

The Great Game in the Balochistan

 Why this resolution is being made:First,the USA whishes to tackle Iran,and to dismember it. If there isa move for an independent Balochistan, it will have to involve Iranian Balochistan as well. Second, the USA is interested in producing a regional counterweight to China, and thus it wants to help India with its regional agenda. This agenda includs the weakening of Pakistan.

________________________________________________________________

As three Republican panjandrums moved a resolution in the US Congress for self-determination for the Baloch people, the media reported excitedly that our foreign office has promptly rejected the move. So what? Will this rejection preempt the ripple effect of this stark US adventurism that it is bound inexorably to generate internationally as well as here domestically for us to contend with? Already, a clutch of exploitative sardari scions, for quite a time parading cunningly in their havens abroad as the champions of their suppressed and oppressed Baloch serfs and slaves on whose toils and sweat have they flourished phenomenally, are bandying about a Balochistan independence charter that their handlers and financiers have pushed into their hands.
Waving this charter they are moving around frantically, telling tales of injustices to the Baloch people, as if in which they have had no part whereas in reality they have had no lesser part. While on their enslaved Balochs’ hard labours have they been prospering by leaps and bounds throughout, not even a clinic or a school have they built to the wretched humanity living under their thumbs to benefit from. They have been in the governments too, as are they now. Yet even that official position they have verifiably employed for their own good, not for the good of the Baloch commoners whose protectors and defenders they are posing to be so deceitfully now. The usurpers of the Baloch people’s rights, freedoms and liberties have they been and still are.
Predictably, they will now be joined up by the stooges that the American panjandrums and the allies of their elk are sure to set up to further their geopolitical objectives in this country and in this region. And get no surprised either if the Congress-sanctioned monies start pouring into their war chests clandestinely when this US state arm is not unknown for financing ‘dissidents’ and ‘exile groups’ they want to use for perpetuating their objectives in a particular state. But has our official mandarinate to be so naïve or circumspect as has it showing itself to be all through these times?
War games definitely are not played for fun. They are a very serious thing, meant seriously and taken seriously. Yet when not long ago, world maps, showing Pakistan all splintered up into extinction with its Balochistan province together with Iran’s Sistan-Balochistan region becoming a Greater Balochistan, surfaced from American military think tanks, amazingly enough our official hierarchy spurned them dismissively. None out there took them any seriously. And now by speaking of the Baloch people’s dispersal on the territories of Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan in their resolution, the three Republicans have though left no doubt about what the ultimate they have in their minds.
But by focusing on our Baloch compatriots they have made it clear what area is of their immediate interest for the fructification of their dream of a Greater Balochistan. And every independent account, this great game of the US strategic map-makers has been for pretty long in full play in our Balochistan province. Dollars in bagfuls have been flowing in to poach on raw Baloch youths and buy up influential loyalties. Weapons and munitions too in quantities have been making surreptitious influx.
Furthermore, foreign and local rights groups as well as a national palmed-off media gentry have been feverishly engaged in projecting the alleged atrocities of the state security agencies on the Baloch people, while simply glossing over no lesser callous killings and maiming of our Baloch compatriots, including chil­dren and women, in the insurgents’ landmines’ and improvis­ed explosive devices’ deadly blasts, the systematic ethnic cleansing of Punjabi settlers and Urdu-speaking migrants as well as the bundling out of the Pakhtuns residents from the Baloch belt.
By every reckoning, a lot of softening up has taken place in Balochistan. And our officialdom certainly knows all this. Yet it is puritanically keeping mum, leaving one wondering what fear is it that is holding it back from speaking out the truths, even as when the national territorial integrity quite perceptibly is at so great a risk. Vaguely, it says the wellsprings of insurgency in Balochistan lie in Afghanistan. But even Mary’s aunt knows all through Bush’s presidency the overlord in Afghanistan was the CIA. Not a leaf on the security plane could flap without its consent.
Even under the Obama administration, this American intelligence agency is quite a potent force in Afghanistan, with its funded- and -trained Afghan spy service, the National Directorate of Security (NDS), acting as its subordinate hatchet worker. And never ever are the NDS spooks shy of publicly bragging of their exploits of infesting the Pakistani territory in Afghanistan’s close proximity. So what does it tell if not that a great game has been going on in our territories, including Balochistan where the Indian intelligence operatives too couldn’t be active from Afghanistan without the CIA’ consent, even its collusion?
But will ever the sleepwalking officialdom of Islamabad and the provincial hierarchy of Quetta wake up and act to counter this ongoing great game that has now been intensified, as is evident from this Congressional venture of the Republican panjandrums? If our agencies are not involved in torture killings or mysterious disappearances, they must tell whose handiwork these are in order to come clean? And will ever the federal and provincial hierarchies rise up to patronise, nourish and promote the Baloch youth, flush with enormous untapped energy, talent and capability? He is the real indomitable bulwark against the ongoing stepped-up demonical great game in the province.

 (Frontier Post)

Tweet

US Congress Interfering in Pak Balochistan

The government must accept the need to do something concrete about Balochistan. It must adopt a two-pronged strategy that must address the sencse of deprivation among the local resident, while exposing all elements working against Pakistan. There must also be an end to killings and disappearances, and to all other forms of lawlessness that are plaguing the province. The government must treat this problem as a top priority, for Balochistan is not only mineral-rich, of immense geostrategic importance and the country largest province by far, it is also an integral part of Pakistan.
==============================================
 

By Zaheerul Hassan

On February 17, 2012, US House of Representatives has tabled a bill which called upon Pakistan to recognize the right of self-determination for Balochistan. The bill was introduces by Rep. Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA) who indirectly tried to make an effort of materializing earlier set CIA agenda of “Greater Balochistan” which is comprising of territory of Pakistan, Iran, and Afghanistan. He alleged Pakistani security forces for violence and extrajudicial killing.

He totally tried to give wrong perception about Balochistan History while declaring that it was an independently governed entity known as the Baloch Khanate of Kalat, which came to an end after invasions from both British and Persian armies. Whereas, the actual fact is that in 1947 was annexed with the Pakistan as per desires of the Baloch.

Nonetheless, enriched with natural resources Balochista n area wise is one of the largest province of Pakistan and remained part of united India till partition of 1947. The British normally used this region as staging ground for invaders during various Afghan - British War. The 1876 treaty between the Khan of Kalat and Robert Sandeman accepted the independence of the Kalat as an allied state with British military outposts in the region. However in 1878 Afghan War, the British rule established in Balochistan. At that time the provincial entity was included on the municipality of Quetta, Kalat, Makran, and Lasbella.

Thus, the above narrated facts proved that Balochistan never been an independent region of South Asia after 1840 and very much remained under the jurisdiction of English government at the time of partition. It is further added here that divisions of Kalat, Makran Quetta and Lasbella have become integral part of Pakistan as per partition plan. However Baglar Begi Khan haphazardly declared the independence of Kalat on August 15, 1947. He assured the neo-state of Pakistan that Kalat will participate in the defense and infrastructure but will be autonomous. I want to highlight here that declaration of independent Balochistan by Khan of Kalat have never been well received by the population of Makran, Quettat, Lasbella and even Kalati people. Pakistani army entered the region to occupy the area immediately. On Mar 27, 1948, the Khan of Kalat gave in to the State of Pakistan. His brother Abdul Karim Baloch refused to surrender and revolted until his arrest in 1950. Balochistan was put under Governor General control and no elective body formed in Balochistan until 1973.

Anyhow, earlier too, on February 8, 2012 US Congress Committee discussed the situation of Balochistan opposed its emancipation but shown concern over security problem and killing of the people.

While addressing to media, foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit responded on February 8 and 17 said that Pakistan had conveyed its reservations to the US in Islamabad and Washington regarding the talks and presentation of resolution on Balochistan by the US Congress. In a question he also very rightly sent a clear message to Washington that “Pak-Iran gas pipeline project was not abandoned and it would be completed till 2014.” Pakistan’s ambassador to Washington Sherry Rehman raised the issue of an exclusive hearing on Balochistan by a House Foreign Affairs sub-committee in her meetings with the members of the Congress and senior officials of the US administration. Ms Rehman also stated that Islamabad strongly rejects the purpose and findings of the hearing and considers it an “ill-advised and ill-considered” move that will have serious repercussions for the bilateral relations. She also added that “Pakistan views this hearing with serious concern and considers it unacceptable in no uncertain terms. This kind of an exercise constitutes interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. The hearing will be detrimental to building mutual trust and confidence and will add to suspicions in Pakistan about the US motives in the region and concerning Pakistan,”.

The committee made security agencies responsible for abduction and killing, instead of recommending her government (US) to control CIA and its sisters agencies (RAW & Mossad) from interfering in Balochistan. It would not be wrong in saying that CIA has decided to gear up her project of establishing “Greater Balochistan” which was actually designed in “Bush era”. Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani on Saturday said that there is no military operation being carried out in Balochistan and not a single soldier is involved in any operation in the province. In fact, US thinks that holding, capturing or creating independent state in Balochistan Region will provide her remunerative strategically advantages like easy excess to Gulf through Gawdar Port, disintegration of lonely nuclear Islamic state, dominance over China, Russia, Persian Gulf and other Islamic countries.

Moreover, Israel would also be facilitated in attacking Iran. In this regard, likely chances are there that India will provide her air bases to Israel on attacking Iran. US desire can also be confirmed from US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta statement, according to that he owes an explanation to the world as his aggressive posture against the Muslim world / Islam is being projected by the defence forces he commands. Another view point of US intrusive could be that US and its unholy alliance has a desire to keep this region instable and establish her bases even after culmination of “Unsuccessful Afghan Mission” which is going to be end by 2013 according to US Defence Sectary (former CIA Chief) Mr. Panetta.

Interference in Pakistani Balochistan is her primary aim because it can give space of exploitation towards Afghanistan and Iran for shaping her revealed project. US and India are deliberating promoting anarchy by helping, sheltering and funding some of anti Pakistan elements. In the first week of August 2011, US Ambassador Cameron Munter while talking to media stated that they have an eye on Pakistan particularly Balochistan since the province is strategically very important to U.S. On August 12, 2011 Mr. Rehman Malik, Interior Minister of Pakistan while talking to the media , confirmed that foreign hands are involved in the unrest of Balochistan. He also claimed that he has the names and telephone numbers of those locals who get instructions from abroad for causing anarchy in Balochistan. Thus, without any doubt one can say that US is openly carrying out interference in Pakistani internal affairs.

US Congress, Champions of Human rights activists and organizations, of Western media are need to clarify that why they remained silent over US Marines acts of urinating on the dead bodies of killed Taliban soldiers in so called military operations in Afghanistan.

US and Western media are silent and failed to condemn inhuman acts of her allies (India and Israel) against Christians, Sikhs Maoists, Kashmirries, Negros and Palestinian. It is advice to US leadership and congress to take care of her “Negroes” who are fighting for the rights of self determination since 1930 instead of interfering in Pakistan. As per the report 233 people lost their lives in violent incidents involving Indian security forces in the year 2011. Among those who were killed, 11 were students, 7 minors and 6 women. The troops also subjected three Kashmiris to custodial disappearance and disgraced 34 women during the period. Kashmiri youth is determined in their resolve to get Indian occupation forces withdrawn from Kashmir and are continuing with their efforts to get their rights of self-determination / freedom. The security forces employed to suppress the freedom movement commit atrocities against the innocent civilians. Worst hit are the women folk who are dishonored in the presence of their husbands, brothers and parents.

US supported NATO’s deliberate attack on Salala Check Post and killing 24 soldiers was the worst violation of human rights for which US top brass did not extend apology. In short, US policy makers must extend an apology to the Muslim world on such unbecoming behavior by US troops. Such acts of disgrace have actually endangered American soldiers and civilians in Afghanistan. India and Israel be asked to stop brutality against Sikh, Kashmiries, Christians and Maoists. American and Indian dream of capturing the region will not be fulfilled since Pakistan, China, Russia, Iran, and Central Asian States are well aware of unholy alliances’ hegemonic design. Unfortunately, some of the local electronic media group has also joined hands of “U.S. unholy alliance” for fueling of already deteriorated security and political situation of the country. However, the government should take all patriotic Baloch lords on board and rush down for the speedy development of the largest province of Pakistan. Moreover, the steps taken for the welfare of Baloch nation by government and Pak army should be communicated through electronic and print media for the consumption of general masses.

The writer can be approached zameer36@gmail.com

 (KashmirWatch)

Tweet