The Pakistan Air Force has unveiled plans to purchase, build and fly more than 150 J-10 planes, one the finest flying birds in the Chinese inventory. This acquision (which includes shared development, improvement in design, and local manufacting in Pakistan) will add unprecedented fire power to the PAF which is continueing to build, and export the JF-17 Thunders. Islamabad plans to build more than 500 JF-17 Thunders and keep at least 250 of these for its own use.

Some versions of the redesigned J-10s will take off in 2009, however the official flight date for the Pakistani FC-20s is 2015, but in actuality the Pakistanis are way ahead on the schedule and working beyond the J-10 redesigns. The PAF is looking beyond the JF-17 thunders and the J-10s. The design for the next generation of Pakistani aircraft has already begun. The Chinese J-10s are ready for export now. The rediesgn and upgrade of the FC-20s will take about five more years. Here is a report by Defense Industry Daily, a very respectable news source on defense equipment.

Pakistani FC-20s--improved and redesigned versions of J-10s made per Pakistani specifications--will be manufactured in Pakistan: In November 2009, a long-rumored deal was announced for China’s Jian-10/ FC-20 4+ generation fighter, whose overall performance compares well with the F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft that Pakistan has ordered from the United States.

Pakistan and China have been cooperating for a number of years on the JF-17/ FC-1 Thunder, a low-medium performance, low-cost aircraft that has attracted interest and orders from a number of 3rd World air forces. In November 2009, a long-rumored deal was announced for China’s Jian-10/ FC-20 4+ generation fighter, whose overall performance compares well with the F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft that Pakistan has ordered from the United States.

The J-10 has been reported as a derivative of the 1980s Israeli Lavi project, and reportedly incorporates an Israeli fly-by-wire control base that was transferred in the project’s early years. The change in relations that followed the Tienanmen Square massacre hurt the J-10 project badly, however, forcing the replacement of planned Western avionics and engines with Chinese and Russian equipment. The required redesign was very extensive, affected all areas of the airframe, and took over a decade, amounting to the development of a new aircraft. The first operational J-10 unit entered service with the PLAAF in July 2004.

China has reportedly ordered 100 J-10s to date. The initial Pakistani order is for 2 squadrons, but could expand as technical cooperation and orders increase. The $1+ billion sale represents the J-10’s first export order… but almost certainly not its last.

Contracts and Key Events

Nov 11/09: Widespread reports surface that Pakistan has signed a $1.4 billion contract for 36 of CATIC’s Jian-10 fighters, which will be known as FC-20 in Pakistan. The deal is described as a preliminary agreement, and there are reports that Pakistan may eventually be interested in acquiring up to 150 of these aircraft. Retired Pakistani general Abdul Qayyum is qoted as saying that:

“The agreement should not simply be seen in the narrow context of Pakistan’s relations with China…. There is a wider dimension. By sharing its advanced technology with Pakistan, China is … also saying to the world that its defence capability is growing rapidly.”

The UK’s Financial Times echoes this theme, noting that the $21.7 billion Aviation Industry Corporation (AVIC) group is rapidly emerging as a big military goods exporter. The group is also involved in China’s civilian aircraft program, and gives only total revenue figures, but the Financial Times quotes industry sources who believe a recent remerger of 2 split-out groups late in 2008 was aimed at creating a bigger and internationally competitive player.

It is not clear whether Pakistan’s FC-20s will carry Russian Salyut AL-31FN turbofans (17,130/ 27,557 pounds dry/afterburner thrust) that are similar to the engines in many SU-27 family aircraft, or the larger Chinese WS-10A derivative (reportedly a lesser 16,523/ 24,729 pounds dry/afterburner thrust) developed by China’s AVIC Aviation Engine Institute and Shenyang Liming Aero-Engine Group. Pakistan’s Daily Times | IBN Live | Press Trust of India | Times of India | UK Financial Times.

Pakistani FC-20s improved the J-10B: Nov 11/09: Widespread reports surface that Pakistan has signed a $1.4 billion contract for 36 of CATIC’s Jian-10 fighters, which will be known as FC-20 in Pakistan. The deal is described as a preliminary agreement, and there are reports that Pakistan may eventually be interested in acquiring up to 150 of these aircraft. Retired Pakistani general Abdul Qayyum is qoted as saying that:

March 7/09: The Associated Press of Pakistan reports that a contract for 42 co-produced JF-17/ FC-1 fighters has been signed in Islamabad by China’s CATIC and the Pakistani Air Force, financed by “seller’s credit.” Production capacity is listed at 15 aircraft in the first year, rising to 30 aircraft per year thereafter. Pakistan has been flying 8 aircraft to work out tactics, techniques, and procedures, and expects to stand up the first JF-17 squadron before the end of 2009. The aircraft will be based at Peshawar, alongside existing Chinese-made Q-5/A-5C “Fantan” fighters that are a hugely modified Chinese derivative of the MiG-19, and their accompanying JJ-6/FT-6 MiG-19 trainers.

The article adds a quote from Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed. He reiterates that cooperation on China’s canard-winged J-10/FC-20 is also progressing, with first deliveries to Pakistan expected in 2014-15. CATIC’s President MA Zhiping reportedly added that the first FC-20 aircraft built under that agreement would fly in 2009. APP | Pakistan’s The News.

March 29/07: Pakistan’s The News International references an interview that Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed gves to Jane’s:

“On other important projects with China, the Pakistani air chief also revealed that Pakistan is well advanced in negotiations with China on the possible acquisition of up to 40 J-10 fighters which are the most advanced fighter aircrafts so far produced by China. Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf was given a detailed briefing on the J-10 during his last visit to China.

“We are serious in our discussions and, as air chief, I look forward to getting this programme (of the J-10) to a stage where we can contract this. I am looking at two squadrons of aircraft, anywhere between 32 and 40 platforms,” said the Air chief.” Defense Industry Daily

Noticias de Rupia | Nouvelles de Roupie | Rupiennachrichten | новости рупии | 卢比新闻 | Roepienieuws | Rupi Nyheter | ルピーニュース | Notizie di Rupia | The Dawn | Military Strategy | Strategic Thinking and Policy Institute | Failed States | Pakistan Historian | Gandhi Unmasked | PAKISTAN LEDGER | پاکستاني کھاتا | RUPEE NEWS | May 8th, 2009 | Moin Ansari | اخبار روپیہ | معین آنصآرّی | Updated November 11, 2009

The Pakistan Airforce has become an essential ingredient in the design and manufacture of Chinese aircraft. The Sino-Pakistani symbiosis is developing some of the best planes anywhere–at a fraction of the cost. The original metallurgy was Chinese, but now the manufacturing expertise developed in Kanbra and Sargodha provide valuable feedback to Beijing about the viability of the redesign. The PAF places tremendous pressure on the PLA Airforce on upgrading the aircraft to world class standards. The basic designs of the aircraft are taken from Russian prototypes, but the avionics, cockpits, and aerodynamics are provided by the PAF to the PLA Airforce. The joint ventures assist both countries in producing world class aircraft in record time.

In December 2008, rumors were rife of the J-10’s latest incarnation, the J-10B, had taken off for the first time. Now in April 2009, we see the initial leak of images for this plane. The J-10B appears as the next iteration of China’s vaunted 4th Generation fighter and looks to take the J-10 to the 4.5 Generation level.Grande Strategy

Why did Pakistan refuse the F-16s? There are three reasons for this location, location and location. The J-10s come with TOT (transfer of technology) while the F-16s come with stringent rules and regulations. The earthquake in Azad Kashmir allowed Pakistan a prefect opportunity to dump the F-16s and place an order for the J-10s also known as the FC-20s. Now, the time is near for receiving the FC-20s.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has shown a great deal of interest in the J-10 project as a possible substitute for Western combat aircraft for its high end requirements. The PAF, however, wanted a more modern version. Just as the FC-1s (and before the FC-1, the F-7s) were significantly upgraded due to the PAF’s push for improvements, the J-10 appears to be going through a similar phase. The reason for this is that the PAF has a far closer view of Western technologies and trends and thus can provide deeper insight than more insulated Chinese expertise. The J-10B in all likelihood has had major input from the PAF and is the FC-20 that the PAF has ordered. Grande Strategy

Is there a difference between the J-10s and the FC-20s. There is a world of difference. The Pakistan Airforce is one of the few Airforces in the world that flies Chinese and US equipment. The PAF has a lot of experience with F-86s Sabres, F-104s, and of course the F-16s. The Chinese have neither the experience nor the US equipment. Therefore it is very important for the PLA Airforce to partner with the PAF in designing and upgrading Russian designs. The PAF has been instrumental in helping the Chinese improve the basic deisgn of the FC-10s which emerged as the JF-17 Thunder. The PAFs role in improve the J-10s is recognized by the Chinese. The FC-20 is a vastly superior plane than the original J-10.

Chinese experts were observed giving exhaustive information on the J-10A to military delegations from Angola, Nigeria and Venezuela at the air show. Venezuela seemed most interested in the aircraft.

The first foreign buyer of the J-10A will be Pakistan, a source from the Chinese aviation industry said. In March, Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshall Tanvir MehmoodAhmed confirmed that a deal with China had been reached, and the aircraft would be delivered in 2014 and 2015. The version for Pakistan will be called the FC-20. UPI Asia. (Andrei Chang is editor-in-chief of Kanwa Defense Review Monthly, registered in Toronto, Canada. John Wu is a reporter for the same magazine.)

Pakistan used the earthquake as the perfect opportunity to gently turn down the offer of 60 F-16s (block 50) to Pakistan and reduced the number of American planes to be purchased. The Pakistanis then further diversified the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). In Pakistani minds, the US is an unreliable arms supplier. Pakistan has suffered many times by American sanctions. President Musharraf and PAF head was invited to China to evaluate China’s latest toy, at the time, the J-10.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has shown a great deal of interest in the J-10 project as a possible substitute for Western combat aircraft for its high end requirements. The PAF, however, wanted a more modern version. Just as the FC-1s (and before the FC-1, the F-7s) were significantly upgraded due to the PAF’s push for improvements, the J-10 appears to be going through a similar phase. The reason for this is that the PAFhas a far closer view of Western technologies and trends and thus can provide deeper insight than more insulated Chinese expertise. The J-10B in all likelihood has had major input from the PAF and is the FC-20 that the PAF has ordered. Grande Strategy

Pakistan is in midst of building about 500 JF-17 Thunder fighters, probably the biggest build up of planes in the history of the world. This is one of the greatest achievements of the Pakistani government in the past 8 years. This project removes the Pakistani defense from the shackles of foreign government. One can argue about the comparison with 4thgeneration American state-of-the-art planes, but this much is clear—it was designed for Pakistan, and is being produced in Pakistan. Serious plans are underway to upgrade the plane to new levels.HongKong, China — China is aiming at a substantial share of the international market for third-generation fighter aircraft, with a particular eye on oil-rich third-world countries as part of its arms-for-oil strategy. This was evidenced by the high-profile display of its J-10A fighter at the 2008 Zhuhai Air Show last November.

China did have its own indigenous engine on display at the show, the Taihangturbofan engine, with a thrust power of 13,200 kilograms – although some experts say it is only 12,800 kilograms. The Taihang’s exterior design and modular structure, as well as the processing and polishing technologies of the core machine and engine blades, seem to be an improvement over China’s previous aviation engines, but it is still far behind similar systems from Russia and Western countries.

Pakistan, on the other hand, is not a traditional client of Russian aircraft. Therefore Russia allowed its engines to be used on the JF-17 fighters China is developing with Pakistan. The same arrangement may therefore hold for the J-10A. UPI Asia

India, which according to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is supposed to be a friend of Pakistan and not an “enemy” has been meddling with the Chinese and the Russian deals on aircraft exports. Delhi unsuccessfully tried to halt the export of the Russian engines to Pakistan when it was manufacturing the JF-17 Thunders. Delhi failed to convince Moscow and Pakistan got the Russian engines. There is a Pakistani plan to upgrade the JF-17 Thunders with Chinese made engines ultimately manufactured in Pakistan.

The J-10B incorporates a new small ECM housing on the vertical stabilizer and this stabilizer also appears to be longer and ending in a “shark-fin”. The ECM housing is similar to the housing on the JF-17. The two ventral fins are also extended further and are larger irrespective of the shark-fin. The aerodynamic refinements of the longer vertical stabilizer and the ventral fins appear to be a result of the DSI intakes which create greater lateral forces on the aircraft.

The wide angle HUD featured on the J-11Bs seem to have also appeared on the J-10B. While it cannot be confirmed, it appears that the cockpit itself has been redesigned extensively. Other than the new ECM housing on the vertical stabilizer, new MAWs appear on the tail bump. Just below these, curious breaks appear on the fuselage that some observers are referring to as possible formation lights “slime lights”, but expert opinion from a Lockheed Martin source suggest that they are FLIR sensors. A redesigned satellite communication unit appears right behind the cockpit.

A retractable refueling probe is likely, given the development of the J-10 thus far, and is possibly located on the port side, not visible in the latest photographs. The photographs also suggest new under-wing pylons. These appear to be strengthened for a variety of possible uses, ranging from larger drop tanks to ASMs.

The engine is likely to be either a redesigned WS-10A (B?) or possibly the WS-15, a new generation engine currently in advanced development. This would not only have higher thrust than the AL-31s, but also feature TVCs, giving the J-10Bs vaunted agility an even greater boost. The actual engine on the aircraft presently on the released pictures, is the AL-31. Grande Strategy

Both China and Pakistan want to build the FC-20s with Chinese Engines and Pakistani technology on license from Europe. Thus the upgraded FC-20 will truly be a different plane than the original J-10.

The J-10A is currently equipped with Russian-made AL-31F aviation engines. It is unclear whether Russia will permit China to install these engines on its aircraft and then export them to Pakistan. Such a move would have not only economic but also political repercussions, considering that Pakistan’s rival, India, is a major purchaser of Russian arms.

For this reason, the export version of the J-10A fighter is still under design. Both the engine and the weapon systems on board will be different from the domestic version, according to the source from the Chinese aviation industry. UPI Asia.

India’s unnecessary interference in the JF-17 Thunder deal did not delay the design to manufacture of the Thunders. The first squadron of the Thunders was recently placed in combat operations in Peshawar Air base. While Bharat is purchasing $10 Billion worth of airplanes because it cannot produce its own, the Pakistanis are now in the forefront of aircraft development.

India has been using the Russian AL-31FP engine extensively in its fighter aircraft. If China exports large numbers of J-10P/FC-20 fighters outfitted withRussian engines to Pakistan, India will be much more concerned over this deal than with China’s earlier export of JF-17 2.5-generation fighters to Pakistan. As a third-generation combat aircraft, the J-10A will pose a real threat to the Indian Air Force.

With this concern, India sent a strong delegation to the Zhuhai Air Show to expand its contacts with the Chinese, led by its air chief of staff. The Indian Air Force’s aerobatics demonstration team also put on a performance at this event. UPI Asia

Curiosity killed the cat. The Bharati generals are curious about what Pakistan has been able to do with a basic Chinese design, and which to their chagrinthey have been unable to do with Russian equipment. Bharat’s LCA and Tejas fighters have been in development for the past two decades with no end in sight while the JF-17 Thunders have already been operationalized with a squadron ready for combat in Peshawar. 450 more are on the way.

At the Singapore Air Show earlier last year, Indian Air Chief Marshall Fali Homi Major had already carefully inspected the simulation cockpit of the JF-17, which is being jointly developed by China and Pakistan. His trip to Zhuhai was to examine the J-10A/ FC-20 fighter. UPI Asia

The Russian-Indian arms relationship has been in the doldrums, the victim of geopolitical wrangling as well as Russian reluctance to transfer technology to Delhi. The case of the Russian Aircraft Career is a classic lesson in a relationship that has gone sour. The Russians keep escalating the price of the carrier, the Indians keep complaining and there is no agreement on the delivery of the Admiral G.

In contrast to India’s increased interest in engaging with China, Russia sent a much smaller delegation than usual to Zhuhai. For the first time, Russia did not exhibit any combat aircraft or radar systems at the air show. Some representatives of Russian enterprises even cancelled their planned trips to China at the last minute.

Since China has achieved technological independence it does not bank on Russian planes or technology.

The J-10B incorporates a new small ECM housing on the vertical stabilizer and this stabilizer also appears to be longer and ending in a “shark-fin”. The ECM housing is similar to the housing on the JF-17. The two ventral fins are also extended further and are larger irrespective of the shark-fin. The aerodynamic refinements of the longer vertical stabilizer and the ventral fins appear to be a result of the DSI intakes which create greater lateral forces on the aircraft.

The wide angle HUD featured on the J-11Bs seem to have also appeared on the J-10B. While it cannot be confirmed, it appears that the cockpit itself has been redesigned extensively. Other than the new ECM housing on the vertical stabilizer, new MAWs appear on the tail bump. Just below these, curious breaks appear on the fuselage that some observers are referring to as possible formation lights “slime lights”, but expert opinion from a Lockheed Martin source suggest that they are FLIR sensors. A redesigned satellite communication unit appears right behind the cockpit.

A retractable refueling probe is likely, given the development of the J-10 thus far, and is possibly located on the port side, not visible in the latest photographs. The photographs also suggest new under-wing pylons. These appear to be strengthened for a variety of possible uses, ranging from larger drop tanks to ASMs.

The engine is likely to be either a redesigned WS-10A (B?) or possibly the WS-15, a new generation engine currently in advanced development. This would not only have higher thrust than the AL-31s, but also feature TVCs, giving the J-10Bs vaunted agility an even greater boost. The actual engine on the aircraft presently on the released pictures, is the AL-31.

Like the J-10S, a J-10BS is also eventually likely. This would be an advanced trainer with the 360 degree view similar to the J-10S. EW/Wild Weasel variants could also eventually be possible.Grande Strategy

Now reports are surfacing that China has been able to duplicate the SU-27, the most lethal bird in the air. The Chinese version of the Sukhoi SU-27 (Flanker) is now called the J-11. The Su-30MKI (another derivative of the SU-27), a heavy-class fighter, with the F-16C Block 50, F-16C Block 60, and F-18E/F aircraft is largely theoretical. The American Fighters belong to conceptually different fighter classes and have their own, preferential areas of combat employment. The F-18E/F version, owing to the F/A-18 basic design, features a more pronounced strike-mission capability, while in terms of dimensions, this aircraft is close to the Russian fighter.The basic price for the J-10A is about US$29.3 million, according to the Chinese source. Considering that China aims to sell this fighter primarily to oil-producing countries – and is prepared to trade it for oil and other natural resources – it could be an attractive option for such countries.

A general assessment of the export version of the J-10A fighter can concludethat its engine has less thrust than the F-16 Block 52, while its radar system is more or less on a par with the Zhuk-ME multifunction radar on the Russian MiG-28 SMT. This is because Russia’s Phazotron Design Bureau exported to China three sets of its Zemchung multiroleradar systems after 2001, allowing China to come up with its own version of the Zhuk-ME radar. This radar has a detection range of 120 kilometers for 5m2 aerial targets and can attack four targets in the air simultaneously.

China crosses Military Technology Independence Threshold

there is no doubt that the PAF sees its future inextricably linked to the J-10Bs/FC-20s. Informed sources suggest that PAF is not only looking to purchase, but to set up the necessary infrastructure to maintain and upgrade these birds. According to well informed sources, the aforementioned delay is primarily as a result of engine issues. The AL-31 would create maintenance and logistics problems for the PAF, given the lack of a working relationship with Russia.

The delay in procurement is critical for PAF as it needs a quality high end to counter the larger IAF with her MKIs, Mirage-2000s and MRCA. With a new sensor rich environment dominated by AWACS on both sides and a large number of BVR platforms, higher altitude BVR engagements would become vital. J-10s are ideally suited for such combat given their aerodynamics including low wing loading in an A2A configuration. The instantaneous turn rates achievable on the J-10 (or the Euro canards) are likely to give an advantage in such engagements, as opposed to the high wing loadings on the over-evolved F-16s which were essentially designed for turning dog fights rather than high altitude BVR slash and dash maneuvers.

With the AESA equipped new J-10Bs, higher thrust engines and better EW/Avionics, PAF would reclaim the qualitative edge over the IAF. These J-10s would be superior in air combat than anything that the IAF fields today and would only be matched by a possible MRCA acquisition by India. Even then, with the 5 present contenders left in the MRCA, only the Eurofighter (assuming AESA radars) would be able to match the J-10 in air-to-air combat. Grande Stretegy.

The Pakistanis are tight lipped about the new Chinese fighter and whether Pakistan is going to acquire any. The Chinese in a sweet deal of $2.5 Billion with the Russians purchased the right to produce the SK-27. The J-11 is a “third generation” aircraft.

What’s Cooking in Chengdu

There are indications that Chengdu is becoming a major cooperation hub for Pakistan and China. Hints are flying that more is brewing at Chengdu than the FC-1 and the J-10 sourced from the ever reliable pshamim of pakdef. Apparently a consulate and a halal restaurant is opening up to accommodate the soft side of all these project ventures. Personally I would like to see a single engined stealth fighter come out of Chengdu, as much as the reports are that its going to be a twin engined plane. Whatever is cooking in Chengdu, its likely to be halal for the PAF.

Future Modernization Roadmap

I think the future modernization of the JF-17 in PAF service will be along two more blocks – first 50, next 100 and final 100. It may be that the first 50 will be modernized after the last block.

The first 50 will include Chinese avionics and weapons, RD-93 engines and at best a foreign IR missile. The second block is likely to incorporate the WS-13 engine, Western radar and missiles and various augmenting sensors. These may include the Selex Vixen radar and the MBDA Meteor or perhaps the AMRAAM. The reason for this is that the SD-10 is untested, and AESA radar development is still not mature in China. Further, the SD-10 is a bit heavier than its Western counterparts and is less suited for the light fighter class than say, the Mica or the AMRAAM would be. AMRAAMof course would be ideal given that there would be commonality with the F-16s. Even if an AESA is not bought for the second batch, a western radar that allows the integration of the AMRAAM, even if it is not necessarily more advanced than the KLJ-7 would definitely be welcome. A HMD/S such as the Guardian or the Cobra with a HOBS missile would also be something the PAF is likely to be looking at. Some minor stealth features may also be incorporated in the second block.

The third block would possibly incorporate a Chinese AESA and perhaps a Chinese ramjet BVR missile (given that the speculated Meteor buy does not go through).

It is also likely to be more stealthier than any previous blocks. I would personally like to see provision for two BVRs to be kept semi-recessed, centerlineand one behind the other, while the IR missiles stay on the wing tip. This could be a good trade-off between stealth and performance on a limited airframe.

A few readily available upgrades can also be borrowed from the J-11 program, including the new 3D holographic wide angel HUD and the optical missile approach-warning receiver. These should go into the JF-17s from the very first block.
RD-93 / WS-13

One of the bigger issues withthe RD-93 is its inability to be completely smoke free. While it has been significantly decreased, some smokiness still remains. No such problem is likely to exist with the WS-13. Reliability and MTBF as well as better fuel efficiency are key elements where the WS-13 also likely trumps the RD-93.
What is however truly impressive about the RD-93 and even considering all its misgivings, is the acceleration and quick response it can achieve. The engines’ response is virtually instantaneous. Whether the WS-13 can match this would be interesting to note, although perhaps not as relevant or important. Below are the available specifications of the WS-13 and the RD-93.

Now, the efforts in China and Pakistan are underway to move to the air-forces to the latest planes like SU-27K which is now called SU-33. It was the PAF which prevented Bharat from invading the holy land of Pakistan in 2002 and 2008. The Indian generals clearly told the government of Manmohan Singh that they could not guarantee success and Steven Cohen’s Cold War Strategy should be put into clod storage.

…. The-air-to-air missiles loaded on the J-10A fighter at the Zhuhai exhibition were SD-10A AAMs with compound hardpoints. The SD-10A is a medium-range active radar-guided air-to-air missile upgraded from the SD-10, withits maximum range extended to 70 kilometers. Its length is 3.9 meters, diameter 203 millimeters, weight 198 kilograms, and maximum speed Mach 5.

The PL-12 air-to-air missiles currently in service in the PLA Air Force have undergone similar upgrading. Short-range missiles include the new-generation PL-5EII and PL-9C. The PL-5EII is equipped with a multichannel infrared seeker, the latest laser proximity fuse, and a rocket motor with a non-smoke propellant.

The air-to-ground weapons on the J-10A mainly include the LT-2 laser-guided bomb and the FT series of global positioning system-guided bombs. In recent years China has been imitating U.S. aviation combat weapons, a trend that is reflected in the weapon platforms on the J-10A, including its imitation U.S. joint direct attack munition serial bombs.

At the most recent Zhuhai show, China put on open display its FT-5 GPS-guided bomb. The FT-1 and FT-3 500/250-kilogram-class GPS-guided bombs were on display at the previous show in 2006. China also showed off its 500-kilogram-class FT-2 withgliding fins added. The FT-2 has an effective range of 15-90 kilometers, a circular error probability of 20 meters and an air-dropping altitude of 3,000 to 12,000 meters.

The FT-5 small-diameter bomb copies the latest design of the U.S. military. A designer of the system said that the FT-5’s warhead has a weight of 35 kilograms and a circular error probability of 15 meters. It was developed mainly for unmanned aerial vehicles. The effective range of the FT-5 is 2-5 kilometers when launched from a UAV and 3-35 kilometers when launched from a J-10A.

China has also developed the LT-3 GPS+ terminal laser-guided air-to-ground missile for the J-10A, which is very similar in structure to the U.S. Army’s JDAM+ laser-guided bomb.

These imitations provide evidence that the Chinese military has been tracking U.S. technology, viewing the United States as both a presumed enemy and a competitor in the arms export market. Of course China’s imitations are not limited to U.S. military equipment, but it is certainly learning from U.S. technology as well as military combat doctrines.

China is now paying close attention to the development of anti-GPS-jamming multiple-guidance weapons. Its Sekong Company has developed a 570-kilogram-class guided bomb based on the Russian Krasnopolelaser-guided projectile’s seeker technology. China plans to promote this guided bomb along withthe J-10A. A designer says that this bomb has a circular error probability of 3.1 meters and an air-release altitude of 500-10,000 meters.

It is not clear whether the LT-3 has ever been test-fired, as China did not show video footage of this guided bomb under test.

As for anti-ship weapons, Chinese promoters of the J-10A claim that the fighter can carry 75-kilometer-range new-generation C-705 anti-ship missiles or C-802A anti-ship missiles with a range close to 250 kilometers. The C-705 was also on exhibit for the first time. The C-705 is a modified version of the C-704, with a turbojet engine and two flight fins. The weight of its warhead is 110 kilograms and it has a minimum flight altitude of 12 meters.

The Pakistan Airforce strategy is consecrated in a document called the AFFDP-2019 which is a blueprint of the PAF strategy for this and the next decade. The PAF is one of the few Airforces in the world that has been been to keep the schedule and costs under control. It is also one of the few Airfoces on the planet that has been able to design and operationalize aircraft in minimum time.

The PAF is looking for a total of 150 high end aircraft like the F-16 Block 52s and the FC-20 (J-10Bs or J-10Ps). The FC-20s could be procured in greater numbers, depending on relations with the U.S. and the operability of the F-16s. The J-10Ps and the JF-17s make a perfect pair – one ideal for high altitude air superiority and deep strike missions while the other ideal as a true multirole fighter. Where the J-10 lacks in deep strike, the F-16s make up for it. Where the J-10s lack in CAS, the JF-17s make up for it. Where the JF-17 lacks in high altitude BVR engagements, the J-10s make up for it.

The J-10s, F-16s and JF-17s also fit into the AFFDP-2019 requirements. The AFFDP-2019 is the core document on the strategic planning of Pakistan’s armed forces over 15 years. While this document is not available in the public domain, informed sources note that the PAF has been assigned procurement of only single engine combat aircraft. The J-10Ps/FC-20s coupled with the JF-17s and F-16s thus ideally meet these requirements. Grande Strategy

Pakistan wants to replace the F-16s in 2020 with the F-35s: PAKISTAN TO REPLACE THE F-16s with the F-35 in 2020: Lightning II is a single-seat, single-engine, stealth-capable military strike fighter, a multi-role aircraft that can perform close air support, tactical bombing, and air-to-air combat. The F-35 is descended from the X-35 of the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program. Its development is being principally funded by the United States withthe United Kingdom and other partner governments providing additional funding. It is being designed and built by an aerospace industry team led by Lockheed Martin with Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems as major partners. Demonstrator aircraft flew in 2000;15 December a production model first took flight on 2006. The United States Air Force plans to acquire 1,763 aircraft.

The J-10A fighter has 11 hardpoints, two of which are of compound structure, making the total number of hardpoints 13.

The PLA Navy seems to be assessing the possibility of acquiring J-10As for its combat ships. A Chinese source said that the navy liked its price and its aerial refuelling capability. This source also disclosed that the J-10A’s combat radius is 800 kilometers. …The J-10A is already fitted with an arresting hook imported from Russia for shipboard landing drills. However, the same source said no decision had as yet been made as to whether the PLA Navy will employ the J-10A as a ship-borne combat aircraft. UPI Asia. (Andrei Chang is editor-in-chief of Kanwa Defense Review Monthly, registered in Toronto, Canada. John Wu is a reporter for the same magazine.)

India envious of Pakistan nukes–jittery about Pakistan Plutonium capability

Pakistan’s as Nuclear power: 350 bombs

Pakistan’s Plutonium based Tritium H-Bombs deter Indian agression

Nukes: Don’t mess with us–Islamabad’s defiant rebuke to threats

Why the US can never attack North Korea: Peek into Pakistan’s Nuclear planning

Pakistan’s robust Nuclear & Missile prowess growing fast–US scientists

Nuclear deterrence & Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) blunts Bharat’s Cold Start Strategy

Military Strategy

PakSat II, PakSat III PakSat IV using Chinese and Turkish technology

Pakistan Space Agency (SUPARCO) to launch 3 satellites in 3 years

Pakistan indigenous Satellite launch Vehicle & PakSat launch in 2011

Pakistan’s Augusta Subs, Orion P3Cs, Mirage fighters, & now Tiger choppers

Pakistani defense based on missile nuclear deterrent. Hatf, Shaheen, Ghauri, Babar and Abdali are far more advanced then previously thought

Pakistan’s “214 Subs” made in Karachi 5th Generation Su-35 spinoffs made in China as J-11s
Pakistan rapidly moving beyond basic JF-17 Thunders. The J-10s J-11s and newer versions of JF-17

Jointly Redesigned and upgraded Chinese J-10Bs built in Pakistan as FC-20s to be operationalized before 2015

The Pakistani hawks in the sky: Y-89 AWACS

Nothing succeeds like success: Hataf, Ghauri, Babar, Abdali missiles

JF-17 Thunders: Designed, built and operationalized in a record time of 4 years. Custom built for Pakistani needs The impact of Pakistan’s first indigenous JF-17 Thunder Squadron deployment

Serial production of JF-17 Thunder expedited:30-50 per year to 100 per annum
Beyond the Pakistani made JF-17 Thunder Fighter Plane, Chinese made J-10s.PAF next acquisition the J-11s?

Hamza: Pakistan’s Augusta class Subs made in Karachi Pakistan’s 500 Al-Khalid tanks have been in production since 2001. Next generation tanks exported via IDEAS Pakistani made UAVs: Uqaab & Jasoos

3 New shipyards support Pakistani ship building & Frigates

Pakistan’s F-22 Frigates made in Karachi Chinese SAMs S-300s for Pakistan

Strategic Assett: Pakistan Steel Mill to triple itself

Pakistani ASBMs: Vikram killer weapons

Why did Pakistan buy fewer F-16s?

PAF: Nuclear armed deterrent to hegemony

Pakistan already has a Nuclear Deal with China! India tried to raise expectations to portend failure!

IAF vs PAF: Defined by IAF

Tanks: Bharati Arjun vs. Pakistani Al Khalid

Pakistan’s 250 JF-17s, 50 F-16: Indias panicky “concern”

When with Iranian S-300s be operational?

Russian 5th generation Su 35s spinoff of Su 27 Made in China as J-11

China achieves techonological independence in arms production

Russian Arms–Made in China

With $30 Billion China building Jxx 5th Generation Fighter

Indian missile failures

Why doesn’t Russia transfer plane technology to India?

When will Delhi ground the New Flying Coffins?

Indo Russian bickering disputes delay FGFA to stretch target in 2017

How Abdul Kalam stole US NASA secrets for India

Indian Airforce crying wolf? or facing shortage of jets?

Indian Airforce crying wolf? or facing shortage of jets?

South Asia Air Forces: PAF counters IAF strategy

The declining Indo-Russian relationship leaves Delhi scrambling for new arms sources—but they come with strings

Are Are the F-35s totoal failures like the scrapped F-111s? The Australians think so

Indian duds in Pokhran: Dr. Santhanam exposes nuclear fizzle ‘Naked’ India needs Nuclear tests to deal with China: Santhanam Indian Army chief Malik unsure about Nukes doubts Kalam The entire Indian establishment has been lying about the Pokhran duds for a decade India’s Pokhran duds blow up 11 years later: Huge political fallout India’s ‘98 Nuclear duds complicate 123 deal with USA and CTBT signing

The Delhi Dud Report video

How Abdul Kalam stole US secrets for Delhi’s rockets

Indian “Nuclear Sub” not “Nuclear”: Sailing empty hull without reactor Rust bucket Arihant: Delhi’s clunky, noisy Soviet era Charlie class tub assembled from Russian submarine kit India’s Bullock Cart Space program Made in USA & Russia More Duds: The fiasco of the IAFs Mig 29s The Delhi Dud Report on Indian Defense: Arms that don’t work Rust bucket Arihant: Delhi’s clunky, noisy Soviet era Charlie class tub assembled from Russian submarine kit Delhi Duds: The fiasco of the IAFs Mig 29s

The Delhi Dud Report on Indian Defense: Arms that don’t work

Indian Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), continues to falter even after 25 years Tejas 1983: A dismal failure which became obsolete in the design phase

Helicopters for India?

The Admiral Gorshkov ripoff

How Abdul Kalam Stole US secrets for Delhi’s rockets Delhi’s Tejas World Record: 500th Flying coffin crashes Russian FGFA: Tricolor paint

More Flying coffins?

$10 billion for which plane?

F-16s or F-35s

Lockheed’s bait and switch

Moscow sale to Delhi: Russian Mig 35s are simply Mig 29s with new decals

Delhi’s missiles Brahmos: Faster than the speeding bullet Abject failure in indigenous arms production forced Delhi to buy weapons without Transfer of Technology

After Moscow’s grounding, when will Delhi ground the New Flying Coffins?

Delhi’s deeply frozen Israeli Missiles: Windfall profits for Delhi politicians but no Baraks

Unmitigated failure: Indian Tejas scrapped. New Snecma plane?

Aircraft Carrier “Admiral Gorshkov”: Delhi wanted a Lada, & now demands a Mercedes

More Flying coffins?

$10 billion for which plane?

F-16s or F-35s

Lockheed’s bait and switch

Moscow sale to Delhi: Russian Mig 35s are simply Mig 29s with new decals

Delhi’s missiles

Brahmos: Faster than the speeding bullet

Abject failure in indigenous arms production forced Delhi to buy weapons without Transfer of Technology

After Moscow’s grounding, when will Delhi ground the New Flying Coffins?

The CAG Report on Indian duds video

Who is responsible for the duds in the Bharati Defense establishment. VIDEO

Duds in the Bharati Defense establishment. Part II VIDEO

Comedy of errors: IAF bombs Gandhi canal in Jaisalmir-India

Russian FGFA: Tricolor paint

If the US can sell Junk jets to Japan why not Bharat?

India’s Nuclear proliferation

India’s inadequate aircraft strength: it is not enough: IAF Chief P V Naik

Indian Space Program stole NASA secrets using Israeli spy

FORMER Afghan Prime Minister Gulbadin Hekmatyar has said that Mr Osama bin Laden is alive, in a video message reported by a private TV channel on Monday. Mr Hekmatyar’s statement does two things at the very beginning: first, it establishes that Mr Hekmatyar knows of the health of bin Laden, and second, it shows that all US efforts, which have included raining down missiles on the territory of a state supposedly an ally in violation of its sovereignty, have failed.

Mr Hekmatyar has also said that he has no link with the Haqqani network, and claimed that his network is spread across Afghanistan. He should keep in mind, from his struggle against the USSR, that mujahideen groups operating on their own will not have the desired effect, but must show unity in their operations, which have succeeded enough to oblige the USA to consider seriously a troop surge. Again, it is his memory of the expulsion of the Soviet invader that probably prompted him to offer the USA a safe exit from Afghanistan, but he should remember the consequences of giving the Soviets a safe exit: the Taliban came to power, as the mujahideen factions, including Mr Hekmatyar’s, degenerated into the brawling which prevented Mr Hekmatyar from entering his capital as Prime Minister. It is that which adds interest and context to his remark that the Taliban were toppled because of Al-Qaeda’s wrong strategy.

Mr Hekmatyar also denied that the Pakistani agencies were assisting the mujahideen of today, who were resisting the US occupation. This was of deep interest, because Mr Hekmatyar was rated the mujahideen leader most closely linked to Pakistan. The solution to the Afghan problem lies in Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan all joining hands to prepare a post-US scenario in Afghanistan, and bringing about stability in the region by excluding from it all foreign troops. Mr Hekmatyar, indeed no Afghan, can go it alone. Therefore, the region’s other powers must also be involved. This should be the basis of Pakistani policy, not a slavish adherence to the US diktat. Shireen Mazari. The Nation

The capital is buzzing with rumors about the Minus one formula. Mr. Ahsan himself did not kill the rumors. He did say that Mr. Zardari’s wings are about to be clipped (58-2b).

Mr. Ahsan has not denied the rumors.

Ahtizaz Ahsan is one of those mercurial figures that rose to prominence on the back of the old guard of the Pakistan Peoples Party. He is a consummate PPP stalwart and refused to resign the party despite being rebuffed by Mr. Zardari and despite the fact that his party’s leadership was a major impediment to the restoration of the judiciary.

I used to be a great fan of Mr. Ahsan—his book “The Indus Saga” was exactly what I had been writing about for decades. His first edition of the book is very patriotic and brings out another dimension of Pakistani unity and nationhood—which I labeled the “Geographic Two Nation Theory”. The Geographic TNT basically states that the Pakistan has been in existance for 5000 years and the nomenclature and current state of Pakistan is the latest avatar of the Indus Valley.

Mr. Ahsan’s book based on on local and regional nationalism says the same thing. Of course Mr. Ahsan wants to propagate the secular perspective, and the 2nd edition of his book dilutes the nationalistic banner that he carried in the first edition.

I would like to state an interesting anecdote. We were in front of the UN protesting the rule of Mr. Musharraf and the restoration of the judiciary. I asked his son to autograph his book and give it to me. Just to remind him, I forced a ten dollar bill on the young Ahsan. I saw him a year later and asked him “you owe me ten dollars”. He smiled and said the book was out of print and he was trying to get it.

I must admire the man, he never said no.

A few months later I met Mr. Ahsan at a Chaudhry Iftikhar rally in New York. I asked him about the book. He said his son had requested the autograph but the book was out of print. A few more months passed. One day, a package arrived with a fresh off the press brand spanking new book—duly autographed by Mr. Ahsan for me. The book had Mr. Ahsan’s son’s card. He works for an American consulting company in strategy. But the fun part was that the young Ahsan had stapled a ten Dollar bill to his card with a sincere apology about the delay.

Of course the book is one the treasures in my book collection.

The anecdote goes to show the honesty of the man and his son. They actually got the book republished because this unknown fan had asked for it. What a guy!

Aitzaz Ahsan for the first time in nine months met the top leaders of the party in the backdrop of the current political situation.—Photo by Reuters

ISLAMABAD: Aitzaz Ahsan, a senior PPP leader who has been sidelined by his party for the past two years, met President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani on Thursday and was reported to have been offered the offices of the attorney general and the Punjab governor.

However, in an interview to a private TV channel, Mr Ahsan neither confirmed nor denied the offer.

‘He has been offered the office of attorney general and now it is up to him to accept it or not,’ a senior member of the PPP told Dawn.

Political analysts termed the meetings significant, especially against the backdrop of the current political situation and removal of Latif Khosa as attorney general.

These were the first formal meetings between Mr Ahsan and top leaders of the PPP in nine months after the party had suspended his membership of the Central Executive Committee on ‘disciplinary grounds’ in February.

Political observers believe he was suspended for supporting Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry during the emergency and his suspension by former president Pervez Musharraf.

Mr Ahsan, who had met Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani three months ago, advised the president to transfer all his ‘politically undesired powers’ to institutions.

‘This is the only way to save the system and democracy.’ Talking to reporters before the meetings, Mr Ahsan said the president enjoyed immunity under Article 248 of the Constitution even if the controversial National Reconciliation Ordinance lapsed.

His tone was soft and remarks were favourable for Mr Zardari when he said no court could summon the president in any case.

‘If NRO is abolished, all cases suspended under it will revive. The state machinery, including police and the National Accountability Bureau, can also take action, but no court can summon the president,’ he said.

In reply to a question about the cases against President Zardari outside the country, Mr Ahsan said the president would have the protection under the ‘principal of sovereign immunity’ and no court could summon him.

On being reminded that the president did not enjoy immunity in the case of mala fide acts, he referred to a LHC’s judgment of 1979 on Sadiq Qureshi’s case and said that if it was proved that any action of the president was mala fide, only then he could not get immunity under Article 248.

‘But this has nothing to do with his (president) actions prior to holding the office of the president,’ he added.

Mr Ahsan said he had always opposed the NRO and also suggested to PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto not to get benefit under the ordinance. Aitzaz offered post of governor or AG By Syed Irfan Raza Friday, 06 Nov, 2009

I fully support Mr. Ahsan for the Attorney General’s position—it will be a great honor for Pakistan to nominate one of its best lawyers as the Attorney General. Of course, the next step would be the leadership of the Pakistan Peoples Party. Ahsan is no Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto but he is a true populist, and his feelings for the poor of Pakistan overcomes his perceived lack of patriotism.

Its time to try a new face. We have had no luck with the present NRO and SRO lot.

RICHARD Holbrooke has, in a recent interview, once again reiterated the periodic US statement on the need for a lowering of tensions between Pakistan and India and for seeking a resolution of the Kashmir dispute. According to Holbrooke Pakistan has made it clear to the US that unless Kashmir is resolved, the “war on terror” cannot be won. The US also fears that if Pakistan-India tensions continue Pakistan will reduce its efforts in the war on terror and may even withdraw from it altogether. Worse still, a new conflict could commence in the region. Apparently, President Obama has decided to adopt “covert diplomacy” – presumably similar to our own “backdoor” diplomacy – with Hillary Clinton as spearheading it.

This is all very well but we have been hearing such declaratory statements coming from Washington since Obama took office. In fact, even earlier he had focused on Kashmir and suggested he appoint a special envoy for the issue, but the Indians pressured him into giving up on that thought. That is where the problem lies in terms of US pushing its ally India into moving away from its hostile Pakistan policies. Post-9/11 India has contravened the Indus Waters Treaty with impunity and has chosen to target Pakistan at every opportunity, as well as aiding and abetting low intensity conflict within NWFP, FATA and Balochistan. Now there is concrete proof that Indian weapons are reaching the TTP in South Waziristan. All the US seems capable of doing is to make the regular statement on the need for Pakistan and India to dialogue and resolve their conflicts, especially Kashmir. But these words are ringing hollow and have little worth when the US is not prepared to move and translate its words into action. After all, there is a dialogue process framework that the US can push India into restarting. Of course, the dialogue itself will only be meaningful if it moves towards conflict resolution rather than simply conflict management. Even more relevant is the fact that for the resolution of the Kashmir dispute the blueprint already exists in the form of UN Security Council resolutions calling for a plebiscite whereby the Kashmiris can exercise their right of self-determination. This principle has been enshrined in the UN Charter as well as in the specific UNSC Resolutions on Kashmir. So there is no reason to first seek a conflict resolution model. Pakistan, which is a party to the dispute, has also declared that it will concede to the wishes of the Kashmiri people when they are allowed their right of self determination. So the US, which has effectively been in control of the UNSC post the Soviet demise, can bring into play the path to resolution of the Kashmir dispute which will establish peace and security in the region. After all, that is surely what the international community would want in this nuclearised region. Shireen Mazari. The Nation November 11th, 2009

The noted epigraphist Iravatham Mahadevan made some sound observations which echo the writings of one of the most prominent historians of our time Dr. Dani. Like Dr. Dani Dr. Mahadevan clearly says that the Hindu Aryan culture was distinctly different than the culture of the Indus Valley Civilization which was not Hindu. The IVC did not worship the “Hindu” Pantheon in any sense of the word. The IVC was mostly restriction to the valley of the Indus—however at the tail end of the civilization some of it dispersed into areas beyond the IVC. The map of the original IVC resembles the map of Pakistan as it exists today.

TIRUCHY: The Indian society was composed of elements inherited from groups speaking different languages, because of which it was a composite entity, observed Iravatham Mahadevan, noted epigraphist.

Delivering the History Congress endowment lecture at Tiruchy on Friday, he said that the Indus Valley civilisation predated the Aryan civilisation. While this civilisation was urban, the Vedic culture was rural and pastoral, he added. The Indus seals depicted many animals, like horses and chariots with spoked wheels, which were defining features of the Aryan-speaking society.

Religious worship in the Indus valley focussed on a buffalo-horned male god, mother goddesses, the pipal tree and the serpent, he said.

He added that these practices were known to have been derived from the aboriginal population and were totally unknown to the religion of the Rig Veda.

He explained that the Aryan mode of worship was centred on the fire altar, while the Dravidians had water as the base. He said the Great Bath at Mohenjodaro was a direct forerunner of the temple tanks of Hinduism.

The decline and fall of the Indus valley civilisation is generally attributed to natural causes, such as adverse climatic conditions, tectonic upheavals, changing and dried-up river courses, lowered fertility due to over-exploitation and increased salinity of the soil, he explained. Loosening of social and ideological bonds and internal strife could be other factors that had contributed to the eventual disintegration of the Harappan community, he added.

He said there had been fewer Aryans who had migrated and that they were considerably less in number to the vast indigenous population of the Indus valley civilisation. But, he added, the Aryans became dominant when the Harappans fragmented into smaller units in the absence of a central leadership.

A part of the Harappan population also migrated southwards from the Gangetic region, which is recorded in old Tamil literature, he said.

They gained prominence among the late Neolithic people in south India and later founded the Megalithic and Iron Age civilisations, which formed the base for the Chera, Chola and Pandya kingdoms, he said.

He discussed Aryan and Dravidian legacy in the linguistic sense, without a racial or ethnic connotation. The two cultures intermingled and merged, giving rise to a composite society, he said.

He said that some experts pointed to the presence of only a few Dravidian words in the later sections of the Rig Veda and as such it was deduced that the Indus valley civilisation was Dravidian.

Explaining this anomaly, he said that the highly trained priests of the Vedic age would not have preferred loan words in sacred hymns. ‘Indus Valley predated Aryan culture’. Express News Service. First Published : 11 Oct 2009 03:14:00 AM IST. Last Updated : 11 Oct 2009 07:59:17 AM IST

Commenting on the question of how much the US really knew about Pakistan’s nuclear security plan, General Tariq responded, ‘only that much as they can guess and nothing more.’ – APP/File photo

World

Iran charges three Americans with espionage

Iran charges three Americans with espionage

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s military chief said that his country did not need any foreign help in guarding its nuclear facilities because they were already well protected.

Islamabad angrily rejected a media report in the United States that raised fears of a militant seizure of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons and suggested that the US had a hand in protecting the arsenal.

Pakistan’s Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid in a statement called the report ‘absurd and plain mischievous.’

‘We have operationalised a very effective nuclear security regime which incorporates very stringent custodial and access controls,’ Majid said, adding that: ‘As overall custodian of the development of our strategic programme, I reiterate in very unambiguous terms that there is absolutely no question of sharing or allowing any foreign individual, entity or a state, any access to sensitive information about our nuclear assets.’

In the latest issue of The New Yorker magazine, investigative journalist Seymour Hersh wrote that US officials had negotiated pacts with Pakistan to provide security for the nuclear arsenal in extreme circumstances.

Majid clarified that Pakistan’s engagement with other countries directly or through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) was meant only to learn more about best practices for security of such assets.

The general said that these engagements were based on ‘two clearly spelt-out red lines – non intrusiveness and our right to pick and choose.’ He added: ‘Also, our security apparatus has the capacity and is fully geared to meet all conceivable challenges, therefore we do not need to negotiate with any other country to physically augment our security forces, which in any case, we believe, are more capable than their forces.’

Larry Schwartz, a spokesman at the US embassy in Islamabad, told AFP that ‘the United States has no intention to seize Pakistani nuclear weapons or material. ‘Pakistan is a key ally in our common effort to fight violent extremists and foster regional security,’ said Schwartz.

Commenting on the question raised through an article captioned ‘Pakistan Nuclear Security Plan: How much does US really know?’ which appeared in ‘The News’, Islamabad on 9 November 2009, General Tariq responded, ‘only that much as they can guess and nothing more’—AFP/DawnNews. Gen Tariq Majid calls Hersh article ‘mischievous’ Monday, 09 Nov, 2009 

Pakistan’s nuclear weapons are safe

Sunday, 08 Nov, 2009

A Pakistani soldier speaks on a military field radio as a Mi-17 helicopter lands on top of Kund mountain near Kotkai village in South Waziristan during an operation against Taliban militants. – Reuters

Pakistan

Gen Tariq Majid calls Hersh article ‘mischievous’

Gen Tariq Majid calls Hersh article ‘mischievous’

LONDON: Pakistan’s nuclear installations are so well guarded that militants behind a wave of violence in the country’s heartland would find it very hard to storm them and steal material for a nuclear bomb, analysts say.

But the sophistication of recent attacks and their proximity to Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure suggest this risk, while low, remains a cause for worry.

‘I don’t think it is realistic any more to say there is no threat to these weapons, that they are totally safe,’ said Professor Shaun Gregory at Britain’s University of Bradford.

Heavy conventional guarding, a blanket of secrecy, deliberate deception, the separation of warheads from missiles, and security practices adopted from the United States are all used to protect weapons and nuclear installations.

The nightmare scenario would be of militants using a suicide bombing as a diversionary tactic in order to send in a team of commandos – similar to those who attacked the Pakistan Army’s own headquarters last month in the city of Rawalpindi.

Then, and given the secrecy surrounding Pakistan’s nuclear programme this would need collusion and information from inside, they would try to grab fissile material for a nuclear bomb.

‘If commandos managed to penetrate a nuclear installation, that would be a very serious breach,’ said Sharon Squassoni, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington.

‘It’s likely they would fail, it’s very likely they would fail, but that would be a bit too close for comfort.’

It is a scenario the army, which guards its nuclear assets as its best defence against Pakistan’s bigger neighbour India, will do everything in its power to avoid.

‘If the Pakistan Army does one thing, it will be to ensure the nuclear assets stay with them,’ said Rahul Roy-Chaudhury at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London.

‘These are the key strategic assets of the Pakistan Army. This is what prevents India from attacking them, in their view.’

Indeed so well guarded are the nuclear weapons that in the event of war, no outside power could take them out.

‘The Americans, the Indians, the Israelis do not have any chance of spiriting these weapons away except with the help of the Pakistan Army,’ said Gregory.

The military has also long been aware of the need to keep militant sympathisers away from the nuclear weapons programme – a concern frequently cited given close links in the past between the army and various militant groups.

General Khalid Kidwai, head of the army’s Strategic Plans Division which runs the nuclear programme, conducts intensive personnel vetting modelled on US personality profiling.

‘He is very much in control of things,’ said Roy-Chaudhury. ‘I believe he runs a strong counter-intelligence programme. Anyone employed is closely vetted; senior officers are selected personally by him.’

According to analysts and research reports, the warheads are not mated with aircraft and missile delivery systems.

Nor are they moved except in times of crisis – as happened in 1999 and 2001/2002 during confrontations with India.

Other security measures cited by analysts, but hard to confirm, include the separation of warheads from detonators.

They also say the army is believed to have developed a rudimentary system to electronically lock its nuclear weapons, modelled on the US Permissive Action Link (PAL).

Nonetheless, the ability of militants, some linked to al Qaeda, to strike apparently at will in Pakistan’s heartland Punjab province, give pause for thought.

Both Rawalpindi and Islamabad, respectively the military and political capitals, have come under attack in recent weeks.

Last month’s attack at army headquarters in Rawalpindi demonstrated a sophistication in tactics which could be developed further for an assault on a nuclear installation.

The gunmen, wearing army uniform, were able to break through a security gate, and take hostages.

The raid, and the drive-by fatal shooting in Islamabad of a brigadier on leave from peacekeeping duties in Sudan, also suggested militants had good intelligence on the military. Two other brigadiers were shot at in Islamabad, but survived.

According to Gregory, over the last few years militants had launched attacks outside bases believed to be involved in part of Pakistan’s nuclear infrastructure – including the manufacture and assembly of components.

They had also evolved forms of attack which could combine suicide bombers with ground assault teams. ‘This tactic could be used to penetrate even highly defended sites,’ he said.

And while Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals are thought to be stored deep within the country, possibly in Sind and Baluchistan provinces, nuclear weapons production sites in Punjab, scene of much of the latest violence, could prove more vulnerable.

This would not mean the attackers would obtain a functioning nuclear bomb. And even if they were able to penetrate a nuclear production site, they would still have to manage the logistics under fire of removing the 25 kg (55 lb) of fissile material needed to make a nuclear bomb.

But they could seize material for a dirty bomb – which causes relatively few casualties but major environmental damage – and valuable technology while scoring a propaganda coup. – Reuters

ISLAMABAD – US Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson has termed false the allegations published in the press that the United States has been negotiating “understandings” with the Pak military about the security of Pak nuclear arsenal.
“These allegations are completely false. The US has no intention to seize Pak nuclear weapons or material. Pakistan is a key ally in our common effort to fight violent extremists and foster regional security. We work cooperatively on a wide range of security assistance initiatives, including significant efforts focused on strengthening counterinsurgency capacities to foster stability,” she said in a statement issued here on Sunday.
“The US has confidence in Pakistan’s ability to protect its nuclear programmes and materials, as Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said during her recent visit to Pakistan.”

The Iranian tentacles reach the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan, the Shia clerics of Pakistan, the militants of Hizbullah in Iran, and the Shias of Yemen. Across all this vast region the neighbors accuse Iran of interference. In some cases the interference is welcomed by the Muslim world. However this reach across borders is a double edged sword. The Iranian mullahs have taken a just stand on Palestine, and Kashmir. However they want to topple Arab governments which scares many of the Arab states.

The West of course paints this a Shia Sunni schism—where as in fact this is simply geopolitics. The Iranians were at odds with Pakistan in Afghanistan not because of Shia or Sunni rifts000it was a matter of territory. In Yemen, Iran sees a window of opportunity to destabilize the kingdom of Saudi Arabia which is seen by Tehran as heretic dictatorship of a family of Saud. In the Gulf States Iran sees the khalifas and the potentates as vestiges of colonialism which need to be replaced with popularly elected leaders. Sound motives, but who will bell the cat and can it be done peacefully through evolution instead of revolution.

The Islamic revolution on the verge of atomic power has a new found confidence which is ready to challenge the Western paradigm.

TEHRAN, Nov. 10 (UPI) — Tehran called on regional leaders to avoid meddling in the internal affairs of Yemen amid reports of Saudi military raids on rebel posts in Yemen.

Al-Houthi rebels in north Yemen clashed with Saudi military forces along the shared border in recent days. There are claims the Saudi military has used white phosphorus munitions on the rebels. Al-Houthi fighters, for their part, claim they captured a member of the Saudi security forces.

Yemen launched a scorched earth campaign against al-Houthi rebels in the north of the country in early August. The government there accuses Iran of supporting the Shiite rebel movement as Riyadh backs the military campaign.

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki called for all parties to abstain from getting involved in the conflict, Iran’s state-funded broadcaster Press TV reports.

"We strongly advise regional and neighboring states not to interfere in Yemen’s internal affairs and try to restore peace and stability to the state," he said. "Stability in Yemen will contribute to regional stability."

Mottaki went on to warn the escalating conflict in Yemen had the potential to spill over to engulf neighboring states in the region.

"What we are trying to do is to help restore peace and stability to regional countries," he added.

The problems in Yemen can’t be wished away. Neither can the issues of Lebanon, Palestine and kingdoms be resolved overnight. The best answer is to work with the states and resolve issues amicably and through the OIC. If the West is called in, it will result in bloodshed of the Muslims. Iraq is a case in point.

It used to be that journalists used to write and truth and stand behind their stories. Today the “so called opinion writers” simply regurgitate false stories, quoting nebulas sources and shady characters. The story published in the independent is full of holes. Mr. Waraich may have an exe to ground, but the least he could have done was quote Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto correctly. Mr. Waraich didn’t even get the most simplest of his tasks right. Mr. Waraich’s entire story is based upon the Seymour Hersh, whom he calls “a respectable journalist”.

Mr. Hersch writes for a magazine that oscillates between the National Inquirer and the written version of the elitist NPR. What can one expect from a magazine that bills itself “the best magazine in the world—perhaps that greatest that ever was”.

Mr. Hersh is “respectable” in fits and starts. His claim to fame was the sensational expose of the Mail Lai massacre of innocent villagers in Vietnam. Since then his pieces are replications of same of similar articles. For example Mr. Hersh’s current article on Pakistani nukes closely resembles the article he wrote while President Pervez Musharraf was in office. That article caused much consternation between Islamabad and Washington with president Musharraf confronting the American president with a copy of the New Yorker. Mr. Bush vehemently denied that any “Delta Force” was poised to take over Pakistani. That story by Mr. Hersh turned out to a lot of bluster. Mr. Hersh’s articles on Tehran’s Nuclear program and the impending US attack on Iran also were of the sensational variety. Mr. Hersh tells a good yarn. For the past three or four years Mr. Hersh has repeatedly published stories about how the US and or Isreal was about to attack Iran. Mr. Hersh’s articles seemed to be well researched and identified the warship movements (real or imaginary), the trips of US officials to various capitals (incidental or deliberate), the placement of US and Israeli war planes (cross-referenced or creative license, and the so called Saudi complicity in the Israeli attack. Well it has been eight years since we have reading Mr. Hersh on the attack on Iran—the Bush presidency came and went and the Obama presidency is will into its first term. However the attacks have not really materialized—except for the subversive activities that have been conducted by Mossad, the CIA and MI6 in Khuzistan (Arabistan) and Sistan.

Mr. Hersh after commenting on the story on the Abu Ghraib prisons made the wild accusation that he had proof of women’s rape centers in Iraq, and once the pictures of the raped women were exposed, the entire Middle East would explode. The pictures or proof of the “women’s Abu Ghraib” never actually materialized.

So on balance one doesn’t know what to believe. 

Both the US and the Pakistani governments have denied the stories.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 11 (UPI) — The United States has no intention of taking control of the Pakistani nuclear arsenal as Islamabad deals with a growing insurgent threat, Washington said.

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Seymour Hersh writing in The New Yorker implies Washington and Islamabad have made arrangements that "would allow specially trained American units to provide added security for the Pakistani arsenal in case of a crisis."

Gen. Tariq Majid, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff for the Pakistani military, bluntly rejected the allegations, noting Pakistan had the resources to protect its nuclear material, Pakistan’s Dawn newspaper reports.

"Our security apparatus has the capacity and is fully geared to meet all conceivable challenges, therefore we do not need to negotiate with any other country to physically augment our security forces, which in any case, we believe, are more capable than their forces," he stressed.

His comments were echoed by Ian Kelly, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, who told reporters that while Washington does offer assistance in terms of security and other initiatives, there are no plans to seize Pakistani nuclear materials.

"We have confidence in the ability of the Pakistani government to provide adequate security for their nuclear programs and materials," he said. "And we have a number of security assistance initiatives that are focused on strengthening counterinsurgency capacities to foster stability."

Mr. Warachi’s article in Reuters should of course be re-classified as opinion and taken out of the news story arena.

REUTERS

Pakistan’s nuclear-capable air-launched Ra’ad cruise missile is paraded in Islamabad during National Day in 2008

Pakistan’s military has angrily insisted that its nuclear weapons arsenal is safely protected and denounced claims that it is secretly negotiating with the United States to allow teams of American specialists to provide added security in the event of a crisis.

In a rare public statement, General Tariq Majid, chairman of Pakistan’s Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, said claims that it was discussing "understandings" with the US that could even see the specialists spirit sophisticated nuclear triggers out of the country to prevent them falling into the wrong hands were "absurd and plain mischievous". "There is absolutely no question of sharing or allowing any foreign individual, entity or state, any access to sensitive information about our nuclear assets," he added.

His comments came after the publication of an article in The New Yorker by the respected investigative reporter Seymour Hersh which claimed that deepening concern within the Obama administration about the situation inside Pakistan had persuaded Washington that more needed to be done to protect the stockpile of a country that it considers an important regional ally.

The article also claimed that the threat could come from Islamist elements within the military or intelligence establishment as well as militants. It quotes a former US intelligence official as saying: "The Pakistanis gave us a virtual look at the number of warheads, some of their locations, and their command-and-control system … We got their security plans, so we could augment them in case of a breach of security."

Mr. Warachi took the Hersh article and applied what would be called “mirch masala” (spices) using creative license and pronto he had an article for the Independent—another paycheck earned.

What Mr. Warachi forgot to mention is the fact that most of the Omar quotes are actually false. Pakistani nuke facilities have not been attacked thrice. There is no truth to this charge. One attack on the employees of PINSTECH riding in (Saddar Rawalpindi not withstanding).

This is not the first time that concerns have been raised about the security of Pakistan’s arsenal, estimated to contain between 80 and 100 warheads, as the country continues to be rocked with militant violence. Earlier this year it was claimed that facilities connected with the nuclear programme had been attacked on three occasions in the past two years, leading Pakistan to insist that there was no danger to its weapons.

Professor Shaun Gregory, director of the Pakistan Security Research Unit at the University of Bradford, whose report earlier this year was dismissed by Islamabad, said there were two main threats: from militants carrying out increasingly sophisticated attacks and seemingly armed with inside information, and from the "collusion" of those inside the military with militant Islamist sympathies. "If you look at the military there is no doubt that it is shot through with Islamist sympathisers and has increasingly moved away from the West as it has been asked to turn its guns on its own people," he added.

Pakistan has long bristled at suggestions that its nuclear arsenal, guarded by a half-million-strong army and a three-layer National Command Authority security system, could slip into the hands of Taliban militants. Government officials point to statements from senior American and British counterparts as proof that the Islamic world’s only nuclear deterrent is not imperilled.

Beating a  dead horse is a favorite past time of negligent writers who want to sensationalize old dead stories. The bogey of the Pakistani nukes always fills dead space on a slow news day. Mr. Waraich can keep brining up the meeting minutes of the “Flat earth Society”—that won’t make the issue pertinent to the planet. If Mr. Warachi had any semblance of journalistic ethics he would have checked out the false stories he quoted in a cavalier manner. Mr. Waraich also did not have the courtesy of contacting the Pakistani Defense Department of the Ministry of Foreign affairs and get their side of the story. Of course he has an agenda—he is a tool for the dissemination of bad propaganda against Pakistan. The same newspapers pushed the “proof” of WMDs in Iraq. Today these very same pages “find” new scoops on Pakistani or Iranian nukes.

But the question is a nagging one, and returned last month after militants subjected the Pakistani army hq in Rawalpindi to a 22-hour siege. While the US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said that the attack was evidence that militants "are increasingly threatening the authority of the state," she insisted: "We have confidence in the Pakistani government and military’s control over its nuclear weapons." Mrs Clinton’s "confidence" may owe something to the fact that since the attacks of September 2001 the US has done much to help Pakistan secure its arsenal. Two years ago it was reported that Washington had spent $100m to boost security and improve the vetting of those working with nuclear weapons. Such efforts may have been hampered by legal restraints in aiding a country that has not signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, but there was also concern about sharing too much sensitive technology – including the so-called "permissive action links" or Pals, a system used to prevent a device from detonating without proper codes.

The New Yorker report, which has also been denied by Anne Patterson, the US ambassador in Islamabad, claimed that this summer a highly classified military and civil emergency response team was put on alert after getting a report that a Pakistan nuclear component had gone missing. The team, Hersh claimed, was scrambled from Andrews Air Force Base, outside Washington, and apparently dispatched to Pakistan. By the time it was revealed that the report was false the team had already reached Dubai.

A Pentagon spokesman in Washington confirmed that the US was providing some training and equipment to Pakistan to improve its nuclear security but denied any intention to seize its nuclear arsenal. And analysts said it was all but inconceivable that Islamabad would acquiesce. One Western expert on Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal, who asked not to be identified, said: "The Pakistanis would not share this nuclear information with the US. And to believe you can send in a couple of helicopters full of snake-eaters [special forces troops] and get the weapons simply does not work."

Mr. Warachi the effulgent Google jockey has once again proved the axim “a little knowledge is a dangerous thing”. This particular article is of the couch potato variety has little to offer except regurgitation of old hackneyed rhetoric that is dated and incorrect.

The Islamic bomb: Pakistan’s pride

* Zulfikar Ali Bhutto was determined to deny rival India a nuclear monopoly. In 1965, the future prime minister said: "If India builds the bomb, we will eat grass or leaves, even go hungry." In 1972 he gave the go-ahead to a nuclear programme. Today, Pakistan is estimated to have 80 to 100 weapons.

* Bhutto was toppled in 1977, but the dictator who hanged him followed the same nuclear compulsions. During General Muhammad Zia-ul-Haq’s rule, Dr A Q Khan, the "father" of Pakistan’s bomb, boasted to a senior Indian journalist that Pakistan was "a screwdriver’s turn away from developing an Islamic bomb".

* Strenuous US efforts to halt the programme failed in the 1990s. When in 1998 India staged tests, Pakistan responded in kind. Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s popularity briefly soared, but severe sanctions ensued.

* In 2004, Dr Khan tearfully confessed that he had sold nuclear secrets to Iran, Libya and North Korea. He was dismissed but later pardoned; the US was barred from interrogating him. Today he is no longer under house arrest, but his movements remain restricted. UK Independent. US ‘wants to guard Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal’. Omar Waraich

US wants to guard Pakistan’s Nucleaer weapons. Concern that weapons could fall into enemy hands prompted drastic plan, claims ‘New Yorker’ report By Andrew Buncombe and Omar Waraich in Islamabad Wednesday, 11 November 2009

Mr. Waraich banks on unconfirmed reports and innuendo. A similar article on the Israeli Nuclear plant got the journalist life imprisonment from which there is no escape. If Mr. Waraich had sensationalized the US or UK nukes in the same manner, he would have either been sent to Gitmo or been a victim of the Patriots Act—never to be heard from again.

His attack on a vulnerable country has huge implications for all people of Pakistani origin. Mr. Warach does not realize that it is exactly this sort of nonsense that creates Anti-Pakistanism and Pakistanphobia which impacts people’s earning power, employment and affect the lives of millions.

The Huffington Post is a left leaning blog. It was started by Ariana Huffington. It has a strong anti-establishment, pro-Democratic and anti-Republican bias. Actually it caters to the leftist core of the Liberals. So far so good. For reasons known only to Zeus and Apollo, “The Huff” is also very anti-Pakistani. Its always been that way. There are several reasons for it. Arian Huffington is of Greek origins, so she may hate all Muslims. There are many Jewish democrats who write for the Huff. Now these Pakistanphobes have found a little brown boy to do their bidding.

When Brown-trash begin to speak English they immediately dive into “gora worship”. These wannabe WOGs “Western Oriental Gentlemen” are so enamored by Washington and London that they sell their country and their souls for a hay-penny (half-penny). It is incredible that an army that has lost 5000 of its soldiers with ten of thousands injured would be called a “half hearted” participant in a war that kills Pakistani children everyday. It is all the more astonishing that a Pakistani sitting in Islamabad would publish weekly diatribes against the very people who are definding this guy. Only an ignoramus who has been totally brainwashed would say the things Mr. Saad Khan says—or someone who is doing it for profit.

Pakistan has lost 5000 sons and daughters in the line of duty. More than a thousand civilian lives have been wasted because of America’s war in Afghanistan. Thousands have been injured. See this report from Reuters (http://www.reuters.com/article/latestCrisis/idUSCOL515980). “Half hearted effort”—my ***. There was no terror in FATA, Swat and Pindi before 2004 when the drones began. Mr. Saad Khan needs to get a life.

“Ingrate Inc.” (a conglomerate of Neolibs, Neocons, Indophiles, Pakistanphobes and their 5th column acolytes) do not recognize the sacrifices of the Pakistan people. They will continue the “do more mantra”. Mr. Saad Khan simply parrots his masters voice in his columns in the Huffington Post. Anti-Pakistanism is profitable business. Being Islamphobic is even more profitable. He has found a small corner of fame and is milking it for all its worth.

Of course Mr. Khan would have his readers believe that those who walk the minefields of Swat and FATA and those who brave the rain of bullets in Tank and Waziristan are somehow making half hearted attempts.

There is a war raging in Peshawar, Islamabad, Quetta, Lahore and Karachi. The innocent civilians are dyeing. All Mr. Khan has to say is to delve in treacherous rhetoric against Pakistan.

Mr. Saad Khan’s “column” is a literal transcription of the daily talking points from the US State Department and 10 Downing Street. If one wants to read the talking points, read them from the original. The Neocon and Neolib copies are not as good as good and not as spicy.

If Mr. Saad Khan had any decency

The Pakistani military has launched a major offensive against the Taliban in the South Waziristan region. The area is home of the Pakistani Taliban; a terrorist outfit that conducts sabotage activities in Pakistan but remains aloof from the Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan. North Waziristan, on the other hand, is the hub of the Afghan Taliban and they maintain cordial relations with Pakistani intelligence agencies and even get some tactile support. Although the Pakistani military is claiming victory and has faced minimal resistance but there are no independent resources to verify these reports. The area has been walled off for journalists and they have to rely on government handouts.

30,000 soldiers in the heart of the TTP territory is by itself a victory, but “skeptical Suzy” (actually skeptical Saad) of course would rather believe it, if it came from the lips of Mullen and McChrystal. After all the old colonial masters used to speak English—the gospel of truth (WMDs in Iraq notwithstanding)

Additionally, there is a major crisis of people that have been displaced from the war-torn region. Secretary Clinton announced aid for the internally-displaced persons (IDP) and the Pakistani government has also announced a meager aid to these people. American military is also secretly complimenting the offensive by providing modern weapons and gadgetry to the Pakistani army. This is in addition to $7.5 billions given under the Kerry-Lugar-Berman legislation.

Give a little and talk a lot about it. Expect the other to die for it. The meager “gadgetry” given to the Pakistan army is a joke. Pakistan needs 100 choppers, 100,000 machine guns, 100 drones, 150,000 bullet proof vests, 15,000 MARVs, 300,000 night vision glasses (for the Frontier Corp and the Frontier Constabulary)—all it got was a few USSR vintage obsolete choppers that do a half-assed job of surviving in the air. The so called “aid” (should be called stimulus package for US consultants under the nomenclature “aid to Pakistan”) is another joke. Half of it stays in the hands of US consultants, one fourth is spent on logistics—the $100 million or so that finally makes it to Islamabad is handed over to the Ambassador’s favorite NGO. While the US wasted $605 billion in Iraq, and $143 billion in Afghanistan, Pakistan the front line state gets $650,000 (actually only one fourth of that makes it to Pakistan)

Mr. Khan is simply quoting the US line—hook line and sinker. If Mr.Saad had been writing similar articles about the US army in Afghanistan, he would have already been sent on a grand vacation on the island paradise of Gitmo, and locked up in a monkey cage. Mr. Khan lives in Islamabad where the authorities may not have read his articles. Mr. Khan’s nonsense has to be challenged intellectually. What he says does not have merit.

What compels youth in Islamabad to succumb to pressure to write Pakistanphobic articles. Bad upbringing—poor academic performance, a few pegs of Red Label, a possible smile from a “goree”, magnetism of the almighty Dollar–and of course the lure of a possible Green Card. A few pennies can buy a dozen Saad Khans. the names of Mir Jaffer and Mir Sadiq will live in infamy. The name of Saad Khan will of course wither away in a few weeks. The harm he has caused will of course stay. All the Huff needs is a Muslim sounding name to write under—and Saad Kahn foots the bill. Patriotism is a rare quantity—and being Islamphobic is profitable. It was profitable for Hussain Haqqani, it was profitable for Pervez Hoodbhoy, and Ahmed Rashid–so it must be profitable for the young punks of Islamabad who hang out on Jinnah bucking for a drag on their favorite pot or a sip of their favorite whiskey (tharra—never Red label).

The bigoted readers need to confirm their Islamphobia—the ignorant ones don’t know any better—they all read the Huff—because it mostly reports on the Liberal left.

There are more than 80 TV channels in Pakistan. Most of them are news channels, the news channels outnumber the entertainment channels. Eight major outlets of the Pakistani media has self-imposed a code of conduct—without government interference. This deals with showing dead bodes and reducing the number of “breaking news stories”. Mr. Saad mischievously calls it censorship. Only imbedded reporters were allowed in Iraq and Afghanistan—there was no free press. Why is Pakistan criticized for conducting the war in a professional manner without the intrusion of the likes of Mr. Saad Khan.

Despite an all-out effort by the US government, the Pakistani military is still reluctant on taking the Taliban challenge head-on. There have been reports in independent media — Pakistani media face a lot of restrictions to reveal secrets and have just self-imposed a tougher censorship policy — that the Pakistani military tipped off the Taliban before the offensive. According to a report in BBC Urdu, Pakistani intelligence agencies might have struck a deal with the Taliban in this regard.

It appears that the Pakistani military entered a deal with the Taliban where they agreed to avoid any "lose-lose" position. Pakistani military recaptured the territories while the Taliban retained their cadre, ammunition and organizational structure.

If the Pakistan Army took steps to avoid bloodshed, isn’t that good? Why the Yanks are doing the same in Falujah and Helmand? Didn’t they go to Mazaar Sharif with millions of Dollars in suitcases to win over the Northern Alliance? What is wrong with Pakistan talking to its own citizens? If peace deals fail, one should try again—after using the minimum amount of force.

Mr. Saad, Pakistanis bleed the same red blood as the blondes do. Pakistani blood is not for sale. Pakistan will only do what is in its own interest (Zardari notwithstanding).

Are the jawans of the Pakistan Army indentured servants of other flags. Did the generals not swear allegiance tot he Pakistani flag and the Pakistani flag alone? If the US and Afghanistan government can hold talks with the Taliban, why is such a big deal that Pakistan makes deals with its own citizens? Why are Pakistani peace deals considered capitulation to terror and Afghan, British and US peace deals considered overtures to win the hearts and minds of the people. Can Mr. Saad Khan not see the double standards here? Is is deaf and blind to the interests of Pakistan? Has he been so brainwashed that he now thinks of other interests as supreme and Pakistani interests subservient to other flags.

Did the Pakistani jawans sell their bodies for a few Dollars. Should the orders emanate from Islamabad or other world capitals. Shouldn’t the army take note of its own interests and the interests of Pakistan. Are the goals of the US and the Pakistani goals congruent. Should they be? If so, then why did the US install an anti-Pakistan government in Kabul and why does India have free reign in Afghanistan to plot, train, sponsor and arm mercenaries who are then sent to Pakistan.

In any case, South Waziristan offensive was announced in May but it actually started after a delay of five months. It was enough time for the Taliban to finalize their combat strategies i.e. tacitcal retreat. The Pakistani military has benefited from this deal but not the common Pakistanis. Terrorist attacks have become a daily affair and hardly a day passes when dozens of people do not lose their lives.

The “American Charge of the Light Brigade” in Afghanistan had obvious results—total defeat and annihilation of ISAF forces—more than 80% of Afghanistan is in the hands of the Taliban. If Mr. Khan had any clue about military tactics, he would have known that armies do not move on a dime. The logistics had to be arranged, and the targets chosen very carefully. Its not a US drone that sees a man with a turban a beard and a stick and begins dropping bombs. The Pakistan Army actually does ground work, and monitors the area planting spies, scouting the terrain, working with the locals—it then goes in.

Mr. Khan’s weekly diatribe against Pakistan is pretty disgusting. The stale putrid smell of treacherous treason stinks up the entire space—as bad as a skunk who spoils the ride of thousands of drivers. Raising the  Haqqanis bogey and trying to malign the Pakistanis about the TTP is a favorite technique of those who have lost the war in Afghanistan. Now they need patsys—someone to blame the defeat on. They seek the ephemeral “Ho Chi Minh” trail in Pakistan and try to discover “hideouts”—when 80% of Afghanistan is controlled by the Taliban. They talk about safe havens in FATA when Mr. Karzai cannot even control his section of Kabul. Mr. Khan has neither logic nor common sense on his side. He is happy about finding a spot on the Huff. Congrat Mr. Khan you made it—but at what cost. Your Faustian deals with the Huff pay little. Your soul should have more integrity and more value.

North Waziristan Taliban, under the leadership of Haqqanis, are still strong in their bases and gathering support from some elements of the Pakistani military. As the Pakistani Taliban have also joined them in recent weeks, they might launch major attacks in Afghanistan. Although the real perpetrators of this carnage remain in the "open closet", the lack of a concerted effort would hamper any half-hearted attempts of the Pakistani military. Saad Khan. Social and political activist in Islamabad. Posted: November 10, 2009 03:25 PM

Mr. Khan, you had a choice—you could use your writing power to enlighten people about the people of Pakistan. You chose to malign them. The choice is yours. Your fifteen minutes of fame will be over soon—but you have been part and parcel of Islamphobia which affects children of Pakistani origin in the West. Mr. Saad Khan, may God Bless and may he bring the love your own people into your heart. May you live long and prosper.

===========================

I will post this in the comments section of your column—of course you won’t print it—even if you do—the vultures will have at it—reducing the content to one liners…and so it goes

There is an overwhelming body of evidence about the corruption of Mr. Zardari–however the worst part it that his antics are keeping Pakistan from purchasing the best Submarines in the world–the German 214 Subs.

Pakistan’s “214 Subs” made in Karachi

 Mr. Zardari is bent up forcing the Pakistan Navy into buying the Augusta, which are world class submarines too but not as good as the German 214s.

General Kyani and the Naval Chief should take a stand on this matter as it affects the safety of Pakistani ports

PARIS ( DPA) – Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari is suspected of having received millions of dollars in kickbacks from the 1994 sale of three French submarines to the Pakistani Navy, the daily Liberation reported Tuesday.

In addition, investigators believe that the non-payment of the full amount of the agreed kickbacks may have led to the deaths of 11 French nationals in a 2002 terror attack in the city of Karachi.

In the report, Liberation says it acquired documents that allegedly show that Zardari received 4.3 million dollars in kickbacks from the sale of three Agosta 90 submarines for 825 million euros (currently 1.237 billion dollars).

The documents were sent to the Pakistani National Accountability Bureau (NAB) by British authorities in April 2001 and indicate that Zardari received several large payments into his Swiss bank accounts from a Lebanese businessman, Abdulrahman el-Assir, in 1994 and 1995.

According to a former executive of the French naval defence company DCN, French authorities chose el-Assir to act as intermediary in the deal. He allegedly deposited a total of 1.3 million dollars in Zardari’s bank accounts between August 15 and 30, 1994, one month before the submarine contract was signed, and then 1.2 million dollars and 1.8 million dollars one year later.

According to DCN employees who testified in the terror attack investigation, the kickbacks to Pakistan in the deal totalled 10 per cent of the purchase amount, with 6 per cent, or 49.5 million dollars, going to the military and 4 per cent, or 33 million euros, being funneled to political circles.

In 2001, former Pakistani Navy chief-of-staff Mansour Ul-Haq was arrested for his part in the deal and forced to repay 7 million dollars, the daily says.

Legal proceedings against Zardari were dropped in April 2008, several months before he was elected president. However, the husband of the assassinated former Pakistani president Benazir Bhutto was imprisoned from 1997 to 2004 on corruption charges unrelated to this affair.

The Pakistani president is one of his country’s richest men, with a net worth estimated at 1.8 billion dollars.

The ongoing investigation in Paris into the May 8, 2002, terrorist attack that killed 11 DCN employees in Karachi may shed new light on the submarine purchase and his part in it.

The victims were in Karachi to complete work on the three submarines. According to French media, the magistrate looking into the bombing has rejected the theory that it was the work of al-Qaeda.

He is now considering the possibility that it was carried out by Pakistanis, either because only 85 per cent of the agreed kickbacks to politicians had been paid or because of negotiations carried out by French authorities to sell submarines to India, Pakistan’s enemy.

In any case, some French parliamentarians are now demanding to be allowed to look into how the submarine contract with Pakistan was negotiated and executed.