Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Pakistan acts to counter Indian influence in Afghanistan

Pakistan has successfully mobilised the defunct six-plus-two talks formula to counter the US pressure regarding giving India a “greater role” in warn-torn Afghanistan’s rehabilitation. Afghanistan’s immediate neighbours – Pakistan, Iran, China, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, as well as the US, are meeting today (Tuesday) in Turkey to discuss the situation in Afghanistan and to take stock of measures for the restoration of peace in the country.The original “six-plus-two” also included Russia, but in the new set up Moscow representation has been replaced by the United Kingdom.The Chinese foreign minister and senior officials from Iran, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Pakistan and Afghanistan will attend the conference, which will also be attended by British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and US Special Envoy Richard Holbrooke’s deputy, Paul Jones.Diplomatic sources said Pakistan has been lobbying for the renewal of talks among Afghanistan’s neighbours in order to foil Indian designs of gaining a foothold on Afghan soil. Pakistan believes India is not an immediate neighbour of Afghanistan and therefore should have limited role in the country.Turkey has been asked to convene the meeting, as it enjoys the backing and trust of Pakistan and is accepted as a neutral party for promoting a common approach to the conflict. The conference will urge regional players to work together in order to stabilise Afghanistan and the region.The revival of the talks group has come at a crucial juncture – on Thursday, around 50 nations will be meeting at the London Conference to discuss the Afghan issue and deliberate on measures to help the war-ravaged nation.The organisers of the London Conference, like the US, are trying to convince Pakistan on accepting the greater Indian role in Afghanistan.Destabilisation: “It is not possible for us to give India a role in Afghanistan as it is using Afghan soil to destabilise Pakistan. Also, India has been traditionally aligned with Russia and played a part in the destruction of Afghanistan,” sources said. They said the last meeting of the six-plus-two group was held before the 9/11 attacks and the Taliban had agreed to give 80 percent of representation in the Afghan government to the Northern Alliance. “Since then, fortunes have reversed and the Taliban have lost the government. Now the six-plus-two group will try to pave the way for the participation of the Taliban in the new government,” sources said. The coalition forces badly need breathing space in Afghanistan following a deadly 2009, in which the force lost at least 504 soldiers, including 305 US and 108 British troops. Sources said US-led forces were giving a thought to Pakistan’s viewpoint on the Afghan conflict, an idea substantiated by US Defence Secretary Robert Gates’ statement during a recent visit to Pakistan that said that Washington was with Pakistan and supported its efforts for peace in Afghanistan.The presence of both the UK and the US at the Turkish initiative speaks volumes about their interest in a regional solution.

Thursday, January 21, 2010

Indians Kill ‘Aman Ki Asha’ Campaign At IPL Auction

· None of the 11 Pakistani cricketers hired by Indian celebrities in IPL auction

· Chhota Rajan’s mafia Gang of RAW, Shiv Sena forced bidders, organizers to ignore Pak cricketers

· IPL Chief Lalit Modi dances to the tunes of Hindu Extremists, drug racketeers & match fixing mafia

· Modi emerges as Mafia’s top facilitator for drugs trafficking —IPL Chief convicted in drug cases while charged for cheating, forgery

· Shiv Sena men torched Modi’s home for pressurizing him to arrange slaying of Pak cricketers from IPL-3

· Rajan Gang’s Ramesh Gupta alias Pappu remained attached with Modi in South Africa edition of IPL http://www.daily.pk/indians-kill-%e2%80%98aman-ki-asha%e2%80%99-campaign-at-ipl-auction-15039/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailypk+%28Pakistan+Daily%29

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

India underestimates Pakistan’s defence capability

Gen Kapoor realises Pakistan forces superiority by retracting his rhetoric; Proposes celebrating Pakistan Armed Forces Day Former Prime Minister of AJK and President of ruling All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said here on Monday that the recent statement by Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor was ridiculous as the Indian General under-estimated the defence capability of Pakistan. In an exclusive interview, he said Pakistan armed forces had proved their mettle in 1965 war. As for 1971 war, he said it could not be termed as a war in real sense. It was a conspiracy against Pakistan. Sardar Attique said, General Kapoor’s statement is in fact a message to the US and European countries that it is India which has picked up the courage to challenge any country in the region including China. It is an indication of India’s inner wishful designs to conquer neighbour-ing countries. He said, India is faced with grave internal crisis and Ka-poor’s statement is to divert the attention of Indian people through such tall talks. “Another aspect of the statement is that India wants to take advantage of Pakistan’s domestic situation at a time when it is faced with political instability and engaged in the war against terror. But it should dawn upon India that the people of Pakistan are fully committed as ever to defend the country.” The former AJK Prime Minister said through issuing threatening statement by General Kapoor, India was testing the political muscles of our leadership. The people of Pakistan have demonstrated their will and skill in such like situation. The people of Pakistan have proved this in the past and are ready to defend their motherland. They have and will always stand like a rock behind their armed forces, which are fully capable of repelling any aggression. “Let there be no doubt in anybody’s mind” he warned. He regretted that Pakistan’s political leadership has not come up to the level, as they remained silent over General Kapoor’s warmongering. “That was why the country’s military leadership had to take the notice of the Indian threat.” In this context, he mentioned the response to Kapoor’s threatening posture by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid and Chief of Army Staff General Kayani who were the first to warn India against any misadventure. They also warned India not to underestimate the capability of Pakistan armed forces and that India would get a befitting and hard hitting swift response to its misadventure. Sardar Attique said, General Kapoor’s claim to take on Pakistan and China simultaneously is ridiculous as he has deliberately overlooked the size and military might of China. “India would be well advised to refrain from such warmongering and issuing jingoistic statements which only serve to vitiate the atmosphere in the region.” He regretted that it was unfortunate that during the Zardari regime efforts were being made to create a distance between the people and the army. “By their attitude and their actions, they are sending silent message through their speeches at party meetings and by asserting that there is and there will be no threat to Pakistan from India,” he added. Sardar Attique asked if there is going to be no threat to Pakistan, then what is the need of maintaining a huge army with nuclear arsenal. He said Pakistan army which is engaged in fighting terrorism and defending the country’s borders is not even getting the moral support from the political leadership. The President is on the other hand engaged in party politics instead of maintaining the sanctity of the President’s office which used to be the symbol of the federation and unity of the country. Sardar Attique said at this critical juncture he would appeal to the collective leadership to demonstrate solidarity of the people with the Pakistan army. He said “going ahead a step further, I would suggest that Pakistan Army Day should be annually celebrated throughout the country. This would demonstrate complete solidarity of the people with the Army and at the same time send a strong message to the Indian leadership and other extremist elements in that country that in case of any misadventure by India, the whole nation from Khyber to Karachi will stand with the army like a rock and defend every inch of Pakistan against any aggression. He said Pakistan is passing through most critical juncture in its history. But unmindful of the threat posed to the country, President Zardari addresses the party leaders from his official drawing room. As opposed to it, the Chief of Army Staff General Kayani has been frequently visiting the battle field in South Waziristan and other terror affected areas holding “Darbar” in the open to boost the morale of the soldiers. He said this is food for thought for the common man to think about the present leadership and its approach and commitment to address defence issues. Sardar Attique Ahmed said Indian General Kapoor has realised the hollowness of his threat to Pakistan by stating that Pakistan armed forces have overwhelming night vision fighting capability and in better fighting position than India. He said he was glad that China has ignored Kapoor’s warmongering statement with the contempt it deserved. Tanvir Siddiqi

India underestimates Pakistan’s defence capability

Gen Kapoor realises Pakistan forces superiority by retracting his rhetoric; Proposes celebrating Pakistan Armed Forces Day Former Prime Minister of AJK and President of ruling All Jammu and Kashmir Muslim Conference, Sardar Attique Ahmed Khan said here on Monday that the recent statement by Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor was ridiculous as the Indian General under-estimated the defence capability of Pakistan. In an exclusive interview, he said Pakistan armed forces had proved their mettle in 1965 war. As for 1971 war, he said it could not be termed as a war in real sense. It was a conspiracy against Pakistan. Sardar Attique said, General Kapoor’s statement is in fact a message to the US and European countries that it is India which has picked up the courage to challenge any country in the region including China. It is an indication of India’s inner wishful designs to conquer neighbour-ing countries. He said, India is faced with grave internal crisis and Ka-poor’s statement is to divert the attention of Indian people through such tall talks. “Another aspect of the statement is that India wants to take advantage of Pakistan’s domestic situation at a time when it is faced with political instability and engaged in the war against terror. But it should dawn upon India that the people of Pakistan are fully committed as ever to defend the country.” The former AJK Prime Minister said through issuing threatening statement by General Kapoor, India was testing the political muscles of our leadership. The people of Pakistan have demonstrated their will and skill in such like situation. The people of Pakistan have proved this in the past and are ready to defend their motherland. They have and will always stand like a rock behind their armed forces, which are fully capable of repelling any aggression. “Let there be no doubt in anybody’s mind” he warned. He regretted that Pakistan’s political leadership has not come up to the level, as they remained silent over General Kapoor’s warmongering. “That was why the country’s military leadership had to take the notice of the Indian threat.” In this context, he mentioned the response to Kapoor’s threatening posture by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid and Chief of Army Staff General Kayani who were the first to warn India against any misadventure. They also warned India not to underestimate the capability of Pakistan armed forces and that India would get a befitting and hard hitting swift response to its misadventure. Sardar Attique said, General Kapoor’s claim to take on Pakistan and China simultaneously is ridiculous as he has deliberately overlooked the size and military might of China. “India would be well advised to refrain from such warmongering and issuing jingoistic statements which only serve to vitiate the atmosphere in the region.” He regretted that it was unfortunate that during the Zardari regime efforts were being made to create a distance between the people and the army. “By their attitude and their actions, they are sending silent message through their speeches at party meetings and by asserting that there is and there will be no threat to Pakistan from India,” he added. Sardar Attique asked if there is going to be no threat to Pakistan, then what is the need of maintaining a huge army with nuclear arsenal. He said Pakistan army which is engaged in fighting terrorism and defending the country’s borders is not even getting the moral support from the political leadership. The President is on the other hand engaged in party politics instead of maintaining the sanctity of the President’s office which used to be the symbol of the federation and unity of the country. Sardar Attique said at this critical juncture he would appeal to the collective leadership to demonstrate solidarity of the people with the Pakistan army. He said “going ahead a step further, I would suggest that Pakistan Army Day should be annually celebrated throughout the country. This would demonstrate complete solidarity of the people with the Army and at the same time send a strong message to the Indian leadership and other extremist elements in that country that in case of any misadventure by India, the whole nation from Khyber to Karachi will stand with the army like a rock and defend every inch of Pakistan against any aggression. He said Pakistan is passing through most critical juncture in its history. But unmindful of the threat posed to the country, President Zardari addresses the party leaders from his official drawing room. As opposed to it, the Chief of Army Staff General Kayani has been frequently visiting the battle field in South Waziristan and other terror affected areas holding “Darbar” in the open to boost the morale of the soldiers. He said this is food for thought for the common man to think about the present leadership and its approach and commitment to address defence issues. Sardar Attique Ahmed said Indian General Kapoor has realised the hollowness of his threat to Pakistan by stating that Pakistan armed forces have overwhelming night vision fighting capability and in better fighting position than India. He said he was glad that China has ignored Kapoor’s warmongering statement with the contempt it deserved. Tanvir Siddiqi http://www.daily.pk/india-underestimates-pakistans-defence-capability-14995/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailypk+%28Pakistan+Daily%29

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

China tried to hack our computers, says India’s security chief

Chinese hackers are believed to have attempted to penetrate India’s most sensitive government office in the latest sign of rising tensions between the two rival Asian powers.M. K. Narayanan, India’s National Security Adviser, said his office and other government departments were targeted on December 15, the same date that US companies reported cyber attacks from China. “This was not the first instance of an attempt to hack into our computers,” Mr Narayanan told British newspaper in a rare interview. He said that the attack came in the form of an e-mail with a PDF attachment containing a “Trojan” virus, which allows a hacker to access a computer remotely and download or delete files. The virus was detected and officials were told not to log on until it was eliminated, he said. “People seem to be fairly sure it was the Chinese. It is difficult to find the exact source but this is the main suspicion. It seems well founded,” he said, adding that India was co-operating with America and Britain to bolster its cyber defences. China has denied any role in the hacking attacks, which began on December 15 and also targeted US defence contractors and finance and technology companies, including Google. “Hacking in whatever form is prohibited by law in China,” said Jiang Yu, a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman.

Friday, January 15, 2010

Afghan soil being used against Pakistan: DG ISI

Source: Dawn News KARACHI: Director General ISI Ahmad Shuja Pasha said on Tuesday that Afghan soil is being used for terrorist activities in Pakistan, adding that peace cannot be established in Pakistan unless infiltration from Afghan border is stopped. Pasha's statement came in the backdrop of increased US pressure to launch a parallel operation in North Waziristan. Briefing the parliamentary committee on national security, the DG said that the drug mafia in Afghanistan is supporting terrorists who are creating unrest within Pakistan. According to reports, the committee members believe that the Pak-Afghan border should be fenced and movement across the border should be strictly monitored. The members also called for the need to enhance security along the Pak-Afghan border. After the meeting, Senator Raza Rabbani the chairman of the Parliamentary committee on national security briefed the media during which he informed that the committee members condemned the screening of Pakistani citizens at US airports, terming it a 'violation of international Human Rights Declarations.' –DawnNews

Monday, January 11, 2010

India Terror: Indian RAW targets Nato forces

There is no doubt that while fighting against the occupying forces, the Taliban have been conducting assaults and suicide attacks on the Nato forces and claim responsibility. Last year, Western commanders and high officials have admitted that level of insurgency has increased in Afghanistan. In fact, Indian intelligence agency, RAW has been availing this golden opportunity of perennial militancy — to target the Nato troops and military installations in Afghanistan. Such acts of sabotage are also being conducted inside Pakistan, which also include attacks on the Nato’s supply-trucks and containers passing through Pakistan. A question arises in the mind of people as to how RAW can conduct subversive activities against the US-led Nato interest both in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The reply is quite clear, which can better be understood by students of international relations. All the developments in Afghanistan cannot be seen in isolation because they have a co-relationship with Indian other regional designs. India is determined to become a greater power of Asia, and wants to go even to the extent of war with nuclear power like Pakistan and China. In this context, Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor vocally said on December 29, 2009 that Indian Army “is now revising its five-year-old doctrine” and is preparing.

Monday, January 04, 2010

Indeed Gen Kapoor lacks strategic vision

AFTER the statement of COAS General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, the Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid has very rightly described the utterances of Indian Army Chief, portraying that his army can take on Pakistan and China simultaneously, as rhetoric and showing his lack of strategic acumen. The Chairman JCSC, who has complete command, in-depth knowledge and fuller grasp of the defence capabilities of the two countries told the Indian General that he (Kapoor) knows very well what the Indian Armed Forces cannot and Pakistan Armed Forces can pull off militarily. People of Pakistan and India want peace and resolution of their problems through dialogue and not by wars. It is strange that the Indian leadership did not take any notice of the boasting of warmongering army chief. General Tariq, though doubted the veracity of Indian media report attributed to General Kapoor by saying that he could not be so outlandish in strategic postulations to place India on a self destruct mechanism. By this the worthy Chairman JCSC was definitely referring to the lethal nuclear deterrence that Pakistan has at its disposal. Pakistan has made tremendous sacrifices and acquired mastery over the sophisticated technology not to keep it as a show–piece but for the preservation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Any how, General Kapoor’s ignorance of Mutually Assured Destruction and his inability to grasp the consequences of rash actions across borders shows his juvenile mindset and vacuity of thought. At the same time the new Indian doctrine along with the earlier restructuring of the Command structure, particularly the operationalisation of South West Army Command has increased manifold threats to Pakistan. Therefore we believe that the whole security paradigm for Pakistan has to be revisited in the light of the emerging threats to face any aggression due to folly of an insane Army Commander on our eastern front.

http://www.daily.pk/indeed-gen-kapoor-lacks-strategic-vision-14028/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+dailypk+%28Pakistan+Daily%29

West ignores Pakistan sacrifices

Whenever any terror-incident takes place or any plot is foiled in Europe and America, their high officials deliberately links it with Pakistan in one or the other way. Notably, when more than 12 Pakistani students were arrested in UK last year in connection with terrorism, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown had sated that the most dangerous plot had been foiled by the police. Afterwards, British authorities admitted that the students had no link with terrorism. A few months ago, some suspected white nationals were arrested in Germany. Again, German and American intelligence agencies tried to link them with the tribal areas of Pakistan, despite the fact that there was no such evidence. It is pertinent note that on December 26, 2009, a Nigerian, Umar Farouk-the alleged Al-Qaida agent tried to blow up a plane as it was about to land in Detroit, America. US law enforcement officials have shown his connections with Yemen. The government of Yemen also confirmed that he was in the country earlier this month. After this terror-attempt, US President Barack Obama pledged to “disrupt, dismantle and defeat the violent extremists who threaten” Americans, adding that whether they are from Afghanistan or Pakistan, Yemen or Somalia.” Every one knows that Umar Farouk has no connections with Pakistan, but Obama also mentioned the name of this country without any logic. In the last three years, western leaders and media have continuously been propagating against Islamabad through various concocted stories. Besides other accusations, sometimes they say that white terrorist’s training camps exist in Pakistan’s FATA regions, and sometimes they indicate that a plot to attack American homeland and Europe has been planned in these areas. In the recent series of allegations, American and British high officials have blamed that Osama and top leadership of Al Qaeda have taken shelter in Pakistan’s tribal areas and Balochistan. To what extent, Osama could be used to gain political aims against Pakistan can be judged from the statement of British PM Brown who revealed on November 29, 2009, “We believe, he is in Pakistan.” As a matter of fact, in line of Obama’s new Afghan strategy, Brown wanted to justify 500 additional troops for Afghanistan in face of demestic pressure. Meanwhile, the US National Security Adviser Gen. James Jones has also expressed similar view. Pakistan while refuting west’s accusation, remarked that the US and UK should share evidence with Islamabad regarding bin Laden’s presence in Pakistan, but they did not provide any proof in this respect. In the recent days, Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki admitted that Osama Bin Laden’s daughter Iman is currently staying in Tehran. In this connection, The Bangkok Post revealed on December 23, “six of Osama bin Laden’s children and one of his wives, missing since the 2001 invasion of Afghanistan, are under house arrest in Iran.” Bin Laden was a wealthy national of Saudi Arabia, who also lived in Yemen and Qatar. In this context, it is also of particular attention that all the alleged terrorists who planned the 9/11 catastrophe were from Arab countries. The posters of the most wanted terrorists regarding that tragedy were Arabic in appearance. Quite contrarily, US and European leaders only want to use Osama Bin Laden as a scapegoat to target and destablise Pakistan because it is the lonely nuclear country in the Islamic World. While Mullah Omar including other core leadership of Al Qaida cannot take shelter in Pakistan where CIA-operated drone strikes have killed a number of renowned commanders of the Taliban, especially Naik Muhammad and Baitullah Mehsood. Moreover, since 9/11, Pakistan’s security agencies have also killed or captured many militant commanders which also include the masterminds of Al-Qaeda, namely Khalid Sheikh and Abu Faraj entailing other key leaders. Owing to these developments Taliban leaders had already decided to go to Afghanistan where they have control over more than 70 percent of the territory. Especially, during the successful military operations in Swat and Malakand Division, the Taliban commander, Maulana Fazalullah escaped to Afghanistan who was recently seen in a video-tape, telecasted by some TV channels. Since the recent military action started in South Waziristan, various middle and lower level commanders of the insurgents have also run to Afghanistan. In this respect, question arises as to how Osama could be hiding in Pakistan, while Al Qaeda or Taliban commanders prefer to live in Afghanistan where they are more safe, and where they have been fighting against the US-led NATO forces, and where level of militancy has increased in 2009 as admitted by the western military commanders. Nevertheless, if we judge the losses of any country regarding war against terrorism in the last eight years, Pakistan as a frontline state has given great sacrifices in terms of human life, collateral damage and economic losses. In this context, on November 14, 2008, a statement of Pakistan’s Finance Division indicated that the country’s economy suffered a loss of Rs2.1 trillion due to the global war on terror. It elaborated that the economy suffered direct and indirect losses in terms of exports, foreign investment, privatization and industrial production. Chairman Pak-US Business Council and VP SAARC CCI Iftikhar Ali Malik had pointed out on March 24, 2009: “Pakistan’s economy has suffered irreparable loss of $68 billion due to turmoil in Afghanistan—more than three million Afghan refugees harbouring in the country are also posing security risk.” According to an estimate, Pakistan’s national economy is exclusively suffering a net loss of $7 billion annually as fallout of the war against terror, which has displaced thousands of people. No doubt, Pakistan has sacrificed more than NATO and USA owing to this new style conflict. Besides other losses like suicide attacks and lawlessness in the country, more than 2000 personnel of the security forces have been martyred during war against militancy. In fact, Indian secret agency, RAW which has established its clandestine networks everywhere in Afghanistan in connivance with the Indian army and additional consulates has regularly been sending well-trained militants in Pakistan so as to target the security agencies and to commit suicide attacks. Perennial support to separatism in Balochistan, and insurgency in the Frontier Province are part of this plot against Pakistan. During the Swat-Malakand and South Waziristan operations, ISPR spokesman, Maj-General Athar Abbas has shown to the media, huge cache of arms and ammuniton, entering Pakistan from Afghanistan. Recently, Pakistan’s prime minister and foreign minister have disclosed that India is backing the militancy in our country. India whom America wants to make a super power of Asia has spent millions of dollars in Afghanistan to strengthen its grip, and to get strategic depth against Pakistan, while also acting upon anti-China policy. For these secret strategic goals, India is determined to keep its security agencies there permanently under the cover of the US-led allied forces. While, the US and some western countries praise the successes achieved by Pakistan’s armed forces during the military operations against the Taliban militants, but still emphasise to do more in this regard. They also propagate that the nukes of Pakistan are unsafe. Meanwhile, by ignoring the role of Hindus and western nationals in relation to the nuclear black market, revival of blame game about Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan’s network is also part of deliberate campaign against Islamabad. In this context, The Washington Post, citing a previous account of Dr. Khan reported on December 27, “Pakistan helped North Korea with vital machinery and technical advice for enrichment of uranium in addition to making plutonium for bombs.” On the other side, Islamabad has strongly denied these accusations about Khan and North Korea. However, these false allegations are part of a conspiracy against our country. Particularly US which tactically favours anti-Pakistan campaign of India has been playing a double game with Islamabad. It could also be assessed from some latest developments. In the aftermath of Obama’s decision to increase additional 30,000 troops for Afghanistan, on December 27 last year, America’s B-52 heavy bomber aircraft which can carry nuclear and conventional ordnance was again seen hovering over Pakistan’s tribal areas. Furthermore, Obama did not consult Islamabad for new Af-Pak strategy. All these moves against Islamabad indicate that some US-led countries can conduct full-fledged air strikes on our FATA regions. Although fact remains that in the last eight years, unlike other countries, Pakistan has borne the brunt of major losses during war on terror, yet America and its western allies ignore the sacrifices of our country. Sajjad Shaukat