The World Reporter: News Opinion and Analysis

Pakistan's MFN Status to India; Who Will Gain Out of This?

2012-04-24T01:10:00.000+05:30

India and Pakistan at Wagah Border. '
Photo taken by Kamran Ali

India and Pakistan are the two countries who are involved in normal trade with the rest of the world. But when it comes to the neighbourhood, they are hardly trading with each other. Many times opening free trade between the two neighbours was discussed. Pakistan had its own ups and downs in declaring India its most favoured nation, but now the discussion is about who will be benefited more from Pakistan's Most Favoured Nation status to India.

Do you think Pakistan should give India MFN Status?

India and Pakistan, known in the world as major nuclear rival neighbours, always had tensed relations. Within this rivalry many steps towards peace were taken, some of which were successful and some eventually failed. The dialogues between two nations had almost stopped when Pakistan's terrorist organization's involvement in November 2008 Mumbai attacks came in the picture. India maintained a no dialogue policy until Pakistan would take action against the culprits of Mumbai attack.

It was in July 2009 when tourists from around the world in Egypt were diving in Sharm el Sheikh, a beautiful tourist destination facing the Red Sea, there were some really interesting developments happening between India and Pakistan. Indian and Pakistani premiers met in Sharm el Sheikh and had a meeting for the first time after Mumbai Attacks. The outcomes of the meeting were lauded in Pakistan, whereas were chided by Indian analysts, but the most important aspect of the meeting was the resumption of the peace process.

While India has given a good reaction prior to the developments in Pakistan about granting MFN status, Pakistan is giving mixed response. There are analysts who think giving MFN to India is a right decision and there are analysts who have censured this step. The main reason of Pakistan for castigating this step is that India has been very strict to Pakistan in terms of providing its market for Pakistani goods.

India had given MFN status to Pakistan as soon as WTO (World Trade Organization) replaced GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade) in 1995. The MFN rule requires that a WTO member must apply the same conditions on all trade with other WTO members, i.e. a WTO member has to grant the most favorable conditions under which it allows trade in a certain product type to all other WTO members. "Grant someone a special favour and you have to do the same for all other WTO members."

Even after India giving MFN status to Pakistan, India's non-tariff barriers, technical, security and custom standards were so strict that Pakistan couldn't make most out of it. Pakistan on the other hand, which has comparatively less stricter standards, fear that Indian products will burgeon in their markets challenging their local industries if such status is given to India.

India has complex trade barriers not only for export to India, but also for import from India. Dr. Ashfaq Hassan, Dean of NUST Business School, Pakistan shared his experience when Pakistan imported live animals from India during the shortage of meat in the country. He mentioned that custom office had problem because the animals were not vaccinated, and they had to take the animals all the way back to Delhi to get them vaccinated.

However, Federal Secretary Commerce, Zafar Mehmood, who believes that trade should normalize between the two countries, maintains that India and Pakistan were trading normally between 1947 to 1965, and Pakistan's export to India was quite high in number compared to India's export to Pakistan. Regarding non tariff barriers imposed by India, he said they have been working with Indian establishment and Indian commerce minister to sort out all the issues and doubts which can later be problematic for either Pakistan or India.

To make things easy for Pakistani exporters and to make them understand about Indian custom regulation, Pakistan invited Indian trade regulator officers to give presentation to Pakistani exporters in Lahore and Karachi. Pakistan is also interested in signing three agreements with India, which stress on the delay in customs in India, discrimination in evaluation of Pakistani goods in customs, resolving disputes of exporters/importers, recognition of Pakistan's internationally credited laboratory and standards institute in India.

One of the most important thing that Pakistan will gain from giving India the MFN status will be reduced importing costs of machinery and machine parts, for example parts of textile machines, rail wheel, sugar mill machinery, and electric power generation machinery, etc which India produces on par or even better than international level. Thus, often "Made in India" equipment items end up arriving on Pakistani ports when Pakistani industries/companies order from third countries. These parts are then not allowed to pass the Pakistani customs.

This complexity in trade between India and Pakistan has helped trade mafias whose job is to order parts from India in Dubai or Singapore and then remove "Made in India" markings to sell it to Pakistan on higher rates, causing loss to Pakistan's industries. If trade is normalized between the countries, Pakistan will not only save the transportation cost but will also get rid of these trade mafias who sell the same thing for higher rates.

Moreover, Pakistan's textile and textile finishing has high appreciation in India and India is considered as great market for textile industry of Pakistan because of the high quality and similar traditions. Another industry which will gain from giving MFN status to India is Pakistan's Cement industry. Pakistan produces high quality cement in surplus, that is more than what Pakistan needs. Also, while approximate cost of one bag of cement in Lahore is 100 Rupees, the same bag twenty Kilometres across the border costs 500 Rupees, this price difference can be utilized by the Pakistani industries for their benefit.

Various analysts in Pakistan believe that Pakistan's bank sector also has a good opportunity in India. India is believed to be a major market for banks. Many analysts stressed on the fact that international banks are earning more profit from India than from Pakistan.

Pakistan's restricted trade with India is an international obligation which has to be resolved, there is also a huge number of population (nearly 50%) in Pakistan's north eastern and eastern areas which borders with India, this population will gain a lot if trade is normalized. These are some of the main reasons why Pakistan government should consider granting India MFN status.

The two countries share almost similar culture, similar dressing style, similar food and similar language, thus there is a huge opportunity for trade among the two. While India is a powerful economy which can threaten Pakistan's local industry, Pakistan should not forget that India is also a huge market of one billion people from which Pakistani industries can make huge profit.

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Pakistan Real Estate - Pakistani Realtors Are Optimistic About the Future

2012-02-29T11:16:00.000+05:30

High Rise Apartments in Karachi Pakistan,
Image by Edge of Space

The financial crisis of 2008 has affected badly the real estate sectors worldwide. Everybody knows how the spectacular Dubai real estate sector collapsed when global crunch hit Dubai. Despite the fact that Pakistan is a developing country, the financial crisis could not affect it as drastically as it affected other developing nations. Experts believe that one of the reasons behind it is that Pakistan's economy relies less on its real estate sector. The performance of Pakistan's real estate has remained unstable after 2008. Some experts believe that is because the prices of properties have been stagnant for the last six years while others think that the sector is under stress.

Realtors are still pessimist about the future!

The contribution of the construction sector in the country’s GDP has been slashed down to a mere 4%, from 28% in 2009. This shows that developers are reluctant to start new projects, due to the inability of the government to facilitate new gas and electricity connections for the newly build units, the high prices of the construction materials and the low demand of properties determined by people's low purchasing power.

Though people have mixed views about the current performance of Pakistan's real estate, all the industry specialists and Pakistani realtors are optimistic about the future of realty market. This is because the Government of Pakistan is vigilant in fixing the problem of its once spectacular real estate sector as soon as possible. The realtors three main reasons of optimism are as follows:

Better law and order

Though the law and order situation in Karachi is currently weak, causing some of its residents to shift to a city with better law and order i.e. Lahore, yet the government is taking stern actions to stop target killing and blood shed in the city. The Government has appointed rangers and other law enforcement agencies at the public places. Moreover, security measures have been taken on the exit and entry points of the residential colonies to provide a complete secure environment to residents.

Elections are drawing near in Pakistan and with new government, it is expected that bringing a better law and order situation in Pakistan would be its top priority list, which could increase the investment of local people in Pakistan's properties and can bring this sector back to life.

Decrease in interest rate

Currently, the prices of properties in Pakistan are quite high which is merely due to high inflation in the country. Because of the floods of previous three years, prices of commodities have increased drastically, affecting badly the purchasing power of people in the country. The low purchasing power is the main hurdle for people to secure or even apply for a decent mortgage deal. The Government, in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, is not only trying to curb inflation but also decrease the interest rate on home loans.

The State Bank of Pakistan slashed down the interest rate from 14% to 13.50% during 2011. This shows that the government is seriously interested to increase the purchasing power of people to help them secure a better mortgage deal for themselves. Further decrease in interest rate is expected during the following years, which would increase the demand of properties in the country. Diminishing the disparity between demand and supply would bring prices down and set Pakistan's real estate sector back on track.

Author Biography:
William King is the director of Pakistan real estate and mainly deals in Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore real estate. Being an entrepreneur and passionate blogger he likes to share his knowledge and expertise with the industry people by writing for various related blogs.

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US, NATO Attack on Pakistan Affected South Asia's Geopolitics Over a Week

2011-11-30T20:32:00.001+05:30

All Credits to AFP/Getty Images

26th November will now no longer be linked with the Mumbai Attacks by the Pakistani terrorists alone. Early in the morning on 26th November 2011, NATO helicopters opened fire on a Pakistani military post on the Afghan border. Pakistan has termed it as an aggression and has denied it was only an accident.

Two NATO helicopters with fighter jets entered Pakistani airspace up to 2.5 KM (1.6 miles) where they opened fire at two military border patrol check posts killing 28 soldiers and wounding 13 another.

US-Afghan Version and Claims

According to US and Afghan officials, militants belonging to Afghan Taliban attacked the Afghan side with firing which made the Afghanistan call for NATO support. Later the government said that the firing came form the Pakistani military base and not from any Talibani militant. The Afghan government called the NATO attack on Pakistani troop as a defensive action (Source: The Wall Street Journal). Military officials of Afghanistan also said that many times terrorists have used empty Pakistani military posts to stage attacks, thus NATO forces might have misjudged this time.

Pakistani Version and Claims

According to Pakistan, the region was much before cleared by Pakistani forces and there were no militant activities for months. Though there is some ambiguity in the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan, but that particular post was properly marked and was known to ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) as active Pakistani post.

Major General Athar Abbas, spokesperson of Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR), said that the attack continued for two hours even after the personnel had informed the command which had in turn informed ISAF. Pakistan to prove their point has also come with a solid evidence in the form of video to show that the raid done by the NATO was not an accident.

Foreign Minister, Hina Rabbani said today on 30th Nov, 2011 that the attack on the check posts was not an accident and only an apology was not enough. She further added, "Pakistan cannot see its soldiers being killed by allied forces anymore. There is an established mechanism between Pakistan and allied forces working in Afghanistan regarding movement on the border but Nato authorities didn't inform us about their activity before the incident.". She added that Pakistan's role in Afghan peace efforts had been accepted by all but not appreciated, highlighting that it was not the first time when NATO crossed the limit.

Major General Ishfaq Nadeem shared the video with several defence analysts and journalist saying "Four border communication centres had been setup to coordinate operations against militants but Nato and Isaf ( International Security Assistance Force) violated all standard operating procedures (SOPs) on that night."

In the meantime Pakistani military also said that the NATO forces returned second time to attack the post again.

Outcomes and Results

In a strong reply Pakistan has blocked supply to NATO troops. About 40% of non lethal supply to NATO troops pass through Pakistan. The spokesman for the government of Balochistan, Kamran Asad, said the provincial government had banned the entry of NATO supplies.

The very same day Pakistan had ordered NATO to vacate the Shamsi airbase, from where US launches drone attacks in Pakistan and Afghanistan, giving an ultimatum of 15 days.

Pakistani government said the time has come to review its relation with US and to sort out whether US is really an ally or not.

In a protest Pakistan has decided to boycott a vital international conference on the future of Afghanistan next week to be held in Bonn, Germany.

In several public and private gathering across the nation, people raised slogans against US and burned US flags.

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1971 India Pakistan War: Role of Russia, China, America and Britain

2011-10-30T12:37:00.007+05:30

Indian Newspaper Clip

It was in the year 1971 when the two South Asian rivals declared war on each other, causing a great loss to the lives, property and territory in case of Pakistan.

"As the topic sounds controversial, before we begin we would like to tell that every information in this article is sourced. The article was written after a detail analysis of various sources. All the relevant and immediate sources are listed at the end of the Article."

Background

Before 1971, Bangladesh used to be a part of Pakistan as East Pakistan. According to Najam Sethi, a well respected and honoured journalist from Pakistan, East Pakistan always complained that they received less development funds and less attention from the West Pakistan (Punjabi) dominating government. Bengalis in East Pakistan also resisted the adoption of Urdu as the state language. The revenue from export, whether it was from the Cotton of West Pakistan or Jute of East Pakistan, was handled mainly by West Pakistan. Lastly, in an election conducted just some months before the war, the victory was gained by the East Pakistani leader and still he was not given the power, thus fueling the movement in East Pakistan.

Pakistani army started its operation in East Pakistan to contain the movement and anger among the Bengalis. It is reported that the army was involved in mass killing of public and mass rape of women. India was aware of this and was only waiting for a trigger to start the war. India started receiving huge number of refugees which became unmanageable, pushing it to intervene in the situation.

In May, Indira Gandhi wrote to Nixon about the 'carnage in East Bengal' and the flood of refugees, burdening India. After L K Jha (then the Indian ambassador to US) had warned Kissinger that India might have to send back some of the refugees as guerrillas, Nixon commented, 'By God, we will cut off economic aid [to India].'

A few days later, when the US president said 'the goddamn Indians' were preparing for another war, Kissinger retorted 'they are the most aggressive goddamn people around.'

US and China Connection, A Little Known Fact

(All Excerpts and Sources from 929 page long Volume XI of the Foreign Relations of the United States)

US sympathized with Pakistan, because of various reasons. Among them two reasons were that: firstly, Pakistan belonged to American led military Pact, CENTO and SEATO; secondly, US believed any victory of India will be considered as the expansion of Soviet influence in the parts gained by India with the victory, as it was believed to be a pro Soviet nation, even though they were non aligned.

In a telegram sent to US Secretary of State Will Roger, on March 28, 1971, the staff of the US consulate in Dhaka complained, 'Our government has failed to denounce the suppression of democracy. Our government has failed to denounce atrocities. Our government has failed to take forceful measures to protect its citizens while at the same time bending over backwards to placate the West Pakistan dominated government... We, as professional public servants express our dissent with current policy and fervently hope that our true and lasting interests here can be defined and our policies redirected in order to salvage our nation's position as a moral leader of the free world.'

This brought China in the picture. US needed help from China and the messenger was Pakistan. US approached China very secretly on this issue, who was more than welcoming as itbelieved that their relations with US could improve from this onward.

During the second week of July, 1971, Kissinger arrived in Beijing, where he heard the words by then Chinese Prime Minister Zhou Enlai: "In our opinion, if India continues on its present course in disregard of world opinion, it will continue to go on recklessly. We, however, support the stand of Pakistan. This is known to the world. If they [the Indians] are bent on provoking such a situation, then we cannot sit idly by.' On this, Kissinger responded that China should know that the US also backs Pakistan on this issue.

Indira Gandhi, the Indian prime minister in those times decided to tour most of the Western capitals to prove Indian stand and gain support and sympathy for the Bengalis of East Pakistan. On November 4th and 5th she met Nixon in Washington. Nixon straight forwardly told her that a new war in the subcontinent was out of the question.

The next day, Nixon and Kissinger assessed the situation. Kissinger told Nixon: 'The Indians are bastards anyway. They are plotting a war.'

The pressure increased in East Pakistan, which attracted Indian attention. Indians were preparing for war and were concentrated on the Eastern front. To divert the pressure, on December 3, in the dark of night, even before India could attack East Pakistan, Pakistan opened western front and air raided six Indian Airfields in Kashmir and Punjab.

The CIA reported to the US President that Indian Prime Minister believes that the Chinese will never intervene militarily in North India, and thus, any action from China would be a surprise for India and Indian military might collapse in tensed situation caused by fighting in three different fronts (East, North and West).

Hearing this, on December 9, Nixon decided to send the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise into the Bay of Bengal to threaten India. The plan was to Surround India from all four sides and force them to retreat and leave East Pakistan.

On December 10, Nixon instructed Kissinger to ask the Chinese to move some troops toward the Indian frontier. 'Threaten to move forces or move them, Henry, that's what they must do now.' China feared any action on India might attract Soviet aggression. At this, US assured China that any action taken by Soviet Union will be countered by US to protect China.

Pakistani army had somehow maintained their position and resisted Indian advancement. They believed China is preparing to open the Northern front which will slow down or completely stop the Indian advancement. In fact, the myth of Chinese activity was also communicated to Pakistan's army to boost their moral, to keep their will to fight and hope alive. Lieutenant General A A K Niazi, the Pakistani army commander in Dhaka, was informed: "NEFA front has been activated by Chinese, although the Indians, for obvious reasons, have not announced it." But Beijing never did.

In Washington, Nixon analysed the situation thus: 'If the Russians get away with facing down the Chinese and the Indians get away with licking the Pakistanis...we may be looking down the gun barrel.' Nixon was not sure about China. Did they really intend to start a military action against India?

Soviet Union / Russian Role in the Indo Pakistan 1971 War.

As India had decided to go on with the war, and Indira Gandhi had failed to gain American support and sympathy for the Bengalis who were being tortured in East Pakistan, she finally took a hard move and on August 9, signed a treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation with Soviet Union.

The State Department historian says, 'in the perspective of Washington, the crisis ratcheted up a dangerous notch, India and the Soviet Union have signed a treaty of peace, friendship and cooperation.' It was a shock to America as this was what they feared, expansion of Soviet influence in South Asia. They feared that involvement of Soviet Union could sabotage their plan.

On December 4, just one day after Pakistan raided Indian airfields in Kashmir and Punjab declaring war on India, America's proxy involvement in the war was becoming clear. Thinking that the Soviet Union might enter the war if they come to know this, which could cause a lot of destruction to Pakistan and American equipment given to Pakistan, US ambassador to the United Nations George H W Bush [later 41st president of the United States and father of George Bush] introduced a resolution in the UN Security Council, calling for a cease-fire and the withdrawal of armed forces by India and Pakistan. Believing India can win the war and Indira Gandhi being determined to protect the interest of Bengalis, Soviet Union vetoed out the resolution, thus letting India fight for the cause. Nixon and Kissinger pressurized Soviets to a very extent but luck did not support them.

Video Translated by : Ella Salomatina, The World Reporter.

On 3rd December, 1971, the World was shaken by another war between India and Pakistan. Pakistani airforce raided Indian cities and airstrips. The Indian PM, Indira Gandhi, brought the country in the state of emergency and ordered Indian army to reflect the aggression. Fierce military operations developed on the ground, in the air and in the sea.

Historic document: "Confidential. December, 10, 1971. Moscow. For the DM Marshal Andrey Grechko.

According to the information from our ambassador in Delhi, in the very first day of the conflict the Indian destroyer 'Rajput' had sunk a Pakistani submarine with deep bombing. On December, 4 and 9, the speed boats of India had destroyed and damaged 10 Pakistani battle ships and vessels by Soviet anti ship P-15 missiles. In addition 12 Pakistani oil storage were burned in flame."

Confidential - The Commander of the Military Intelligence Service Gen. Pyotr Ivashutin.

"The Soviet Intelligence has reported that the English operative connection has come nearer to territorial India, water led by an aircraft carrier “Eagle” [On December 10]. For helping friendly India, Soviet government has directed a group of ships under the command of contr-admiral V. Kruglyakov."

Vladimir Kruglyakov, the former (1970-1975) Commander of the 10th Operative Battle Group (Pacific Fleet) remembers:

"I was ordered by the Chief Commander to track the British Navy's advancement, I positioned our battleships in the Bay of Bengal and watched for the British carrier "Eagle".

But Soviet Union didn't have enough force to resist if they encountered the British Carrier. Therefore, to support the existing Soviet fleet in the Bay of Bengal, Soviet cruisers, destroyers and nuclear submarines, equipped with anti ship missiles, were sent from Vladivostok.

In reaction English Navy retreated and went South to Madagascar.

Soon the news of American carrier Enterprise and USS Tripoli's advancement towards Indian water came.

V. Kruglyakov “ I had obtained the order from the commander-in-chief not to allow the advancement of the American fleet to the military bases of India”

"We encircled them and aimed the missiles at the 'Enterprise'. We had blocked their way and didn't allow them to head anywhere, neither to Karachi, nor to Chittagong or Dhaka".

The Soviet ships had small range rockets (only upto 300 KM). Therefore, to hold the opponent under the range, commanders ran risks of going as near to the enemy as possible.

"The Chief Commander had ordered me to lift the submarines and bring them to the surface so that it can be pictured by the American spy satellites or can be seen by the American Navy!' It was done to demonstrate, that we had all the needed things in Indian Ocean, including the nuclear submarines. I had lifted them, and they recognized it. Then, we intercepted the American communication. The commander of the Carrier Battle Group was then the counter-admiral Dimon Gordon. He sent the report to the 7th American Fleet Commander: 'Sir, we are too late. There are Russian nuclear submarines here, and a big collection of battleships'.

Americans returned and couldn't do anything. Soviet Union had also threatened China that, if they ever opened a front against India on its border, they will receive a tough response from North.

The war ended with the surrender of Pakistani army as they missed American help due to quick Russians who blocked both America and China from preventing India to advance. With this, a new country named Bangladesh was formed, which was recognized by the whole world and by Pakistan next year on Shimla Agreement.

Sources:
1971 War: How the US tried to corner India

Volume XI of the Foreign Relations of the United States by US State Department

December 1971: Indo-Pakistani conflict at sea - IV

"New Twist In "Crush India" Propaganda Campaign"

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Diplomatic Relations between India and Pakistan Getting Better

2011-10-29T13:49:00.000+05:30

Indian and Pakistani Prime Ministers

India and Pakistan may not be the closest friends or best neighbours of the world as many of the European countries are. Even Europeans fought deadly wars many times, but they are on a stage which is little more matured. France, Italy, England and Germany are now working together in cooperation for the mutual development of the region and hence Europe in turn, despite of being involved in world wars against each other. Japan and US are today strategic partners even after Hiroshima and Nagasaki disaster.

India and Pakistan may not agree or be comfortable with each other on their regional or diplomatic issues, but when it comes to broader view which includes international affairs and diplomacy, India and Pakistan have similar theory. This is the reason why India supported Pakistan for the temporary seat in UN security council for the term of two years. Pakistan, which was challenged by former Soviet republic Kyrgyzstan, was backed by 129 of the 193 member states in the UN General Assembly. Kyrgyzstan polled 55 votes. Earlier it was supposed that India will go with the former Soviet Republic but due to large number of common interest which India and Pakistan shares like settlement of Palestinian conflict, end of US-Iran/Iraq conflict, etc. India is already serving its two years term at UNSC. It is the fourth time when the terms of the two nations will overlap.

In a statement by Islamabad's envoy to the world body Abdullah Hussain Haroon, he said India had played a great role in supporting Pakistan's bid to become a non permanent member at UNSC. This is not the first time when India and Pakistan had supported each other on international forum. It has been a part of diplomacy to maintain good relations. Goodwill gestures from each country do come time to time, but they are often overshadowed by conflicts of past. India has time to time hosted educational as well as medical team from Pakistan for training and learning process. On the other hand various batches of Indian students have visited Pakistan to understand and explore the people and culture often hindered by hardcore media and politics.

Many of the countries that Pakistan had considered as friends were no longer its friends, but India "supported us in becoming a non-permanent member of the 15-member Security Council," Haroon told reporters at the Karachi airport.

Pakistan will be replacing Lebanon for Asia's seat in UNSC whose term will be getting over on January 1, 2012.

"I think we should not be discouraged by the reaction by some of the nations in the UN because I can say the world wants Pakistan to play its positive role in the global scenario," he said

Many countries including US were not in favour of Pakistan in UNSC for non permanent seat, still Pakistan managed to win 129 of the 193 votes. This shows how world is optimistic and understands that Pakistan's internal support is required to root out the extremism from the region.

Diplomatic relations between any two such countries are very sensitive and any goodwill gesture like this is seen as a ray of hope. Recently an Indian chopper due to bad weather had mistakenly entered Pakistan's Airspace from where it was escorted down and all four Indian soldiers were taken into custody. It was the maturity shown by the ministers and officers of both the countries who talked and resolved the issue within few minutes and the chopper was allowed to fly back home immediately.

Now that Pakistan is a declared non permanent member in UNSC from January 2012. India would be looking forward to the support of Pakistan and Pakistan convincing its all weather friend China to allow India to become a permanent member of UNSC with veto power.

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IndiaPolice.in Website Hacked by Pakistan: Kashmiris Finds the Reason Baseless

2011-08-15T21:56:00.002+05:30

In an attempt to create disturbance in Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic of India on its Independence Day, Pakistani hackers hacked and defaced the website www.indiapolice.in with a message to the people of India. “We Observes Black Day with the people of Indian occupied Kashmir on 15th August. Free Kashmir, Freedom is our goal”

The message was structured as to make the people of India loose their faith in the government. India, the so called IT superpower has been a target of many hackers from China and Pakistan in recent days.

The message asked India to free Kashmir and stop their control as soon as possible. While the hackers were quick in notifying Indian Penal Code(Act No. 45 of 1860) CHAPTER-II SEC 18, which says India is Indian territory excluding Jammu and Kashmir, they forgot that Jammu and Kashmir is given special status in India.

This message is not for Indian government but common Indian people who dont know what their government hides. For those of your politicians who boast of Kashmir being an integral part of India read your own law books.

” Indian Penal Code(Act No. 45 of 1860) CHAPTER-II SEC 18: India .India means the territory of India excluding the State of Jammu and Kashmir.”

The 15th of August is special for you because you got freedom on this day yet you should think that do you really deserve to celebrate this freedom if you do not stop the wrong doings in Kashmir. Everyday people are not only being humiliated but killed as well. Fake encounters and rape is the order of the day in Kashmir. Kashmiris have protested time and again against Indian occupation and many people were killed mostly teenagers. When media tried to show it they were banned ( eg PRESS TV ), people were arrested for even protesting on Facebook and still India claims to be the largest democracy in the world. We ZHC will reveal what Your Govt try to conceal, if you really want to be proud of your nation rise for what is right. Support Kashmiris in their dream to achieve Freedom which is everyone’s basic human right.-.- UNITED WE STAND DIVIDED WE FALL -.-

When TWR asked few Kashmiris to comment on the incidence most of them agreed that Pakistan feels anger among Kashmiris for Indian government is the result of their love for Pakistan. Pakistan often mistakes that Indians are allowed to protest against the government. If whole of the India is protesting against the corruption in the government, it doesn't mean they want Pakistan to intervene. Similarly, Pakistan should understand if Kashmiris are protesting for something it doesn't mean they want Pakistan.

According to Article 370 of the India constitution, India grants special autonomous status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. The power of Indian Parliament to make laws for the said State shall be limited to;

i. those matters in the Union List and the Concurrent List which, in consultation with the Government of the State, are declared by the President to correspond to matters specified in the Instrument of Accession governing the accession of the State to the Dominion of India as the matters with respect to which the Dominion Legislature may make laws for that State; and

ii. such other matters in the said Lists, as, with the concurrence of the Government of the State, the President may by order specify.

This article specifies that except for Defence, Foreign Affairs, Finance and Communications,(matters specified in the instrument of accession) the Indian Parliament needs the State Government's concurrence for applying all other laws. Thus the state's residents lived under somewhat a separate set of laws.

On 13th November, 1974 a historical accord between Sheikh Abdullah, then Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and Indira Gandhi was signed whose conclusion was as below.

Agreed Conclusions

1. The State of Jammu and Kashmir which is a constituent unit of the Union of India, shall, in its relation with the Union, continue to be governed by Article 370 of the Constitution of India.

2. The residuary powers of legislation shall remain with the State; however, Parliament will continue to have power to make laws relating to the prevention of activities directed towards disclaiming, questioning or disrupting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India or bringing about cession of a part of the territory of India or secession of a part of the territory of India from the Union or causing insult to the Indian National Flag, the Indian National Anthem and the Constitution.

3. Where any provision of the Constitution of India had been applied to the State of Jammu and Kashmir with adaptation and modification, such adaptations and modifications can be altered or repealed by an order of the President under Article 370, each individual proposal in this behalf being considered on its merits ; but provisions of the Constitution of India already applied to the State of Jammu and Kashmir without adaptation or modification are unalterable.

4. With a view to assuring freedom to the State of Jammu and Kashmir to have its own legislation on matters like welfare measures, cultural matters, social security, personal law and procedural laws, in a manner suited to the special conditions in the State, it is agreed that the State Government can review the laws made by Parliament or extended to the State after 1953 on any matter relatable to the Concurrent List and may decide which of them, in its opinion, needs amendment or repeal. Thereafter, appropriate steps may be taken under Article 254 of the Constitution of India. The grant of President’s assent to such legislation would be sympathetically considered. The same approach would be adopted in regard to laws to be made by Parliament in future under the Proviso to clause 2 of the Article. The State Government shall be consulted regarding the application of any such law to the State and the views of the State Government shall receive the fullest consideration.

5. As an arrangement reciprocal to what has been provided under Article 368, a suitable modification of that Article as applied to State should be made by Presidential order to the effect that no law made by the Legislature of the State of Jammu and Kashmir, seeking to make any change in or in the effect of any provision of Constitution of the State of Jammu and Kashmir relating to any of the under mentioned matters, shall take effect unless the Bill, having been reserved for the consideration of the President, receives his assent ; the matters are:

a.the appointment, powers, functions, duties, privileges and immunities of the Governor, and

b.the following matters relating to Elections namely, the superintendence, direction and control of Elections by the Election Commission of India, eligibility for inclusion in the electoral rolls without discrimination, adult suffrage and composition of the Legislative Council, being matters specified in sections 138,139, 140 and 50 of the Constitution of the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

6. No agreement was possible on the question of nomenclature of the Governor and the Chief Minister and the matter is therefore remitted to the Principals.

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US to Press Pakistan on Terror

2011-07-19T19:47:00.001+05:30

Hillary Clinton, on her visit to India assured that US will press Pakistan hard to control terror activities on its soil.

"We do not believe that there are any terrorists who should be given safe haven or a free pass by any government, because left unchecked the consequences of that kind of terrorist activity or intimidation can become very difficult to manage and control," said Clinton referring to Pakistan.
US and Pakistan are seeing the dark days of their relations. Once the major non-NATO ally, now US doubts whether is Pakistan America's ally or is it really playing a double game? After finding Osama hiding in the Pakistan's army cantonment and now deducting the economic aid to Pakistan after it sent back the american trainers from its soil, has brought the relations of the to country to the downfall.

External affairs minister of India, S. M Krishna and Hillary Clinton in a joint statement underlined the need of shutting down the terrorist camps in Pakistan which are creating the destabilization not only in India and the world but also in Pakistan, a thing which Pakistan is unable to understand and is continuing to be so lenient or supporting these groups in some sense.

Image source: hillary.foreignpolicy.com

She assured that US is ready to work together with India on counter terrorism which includes sharing of information as well as planning an operation. Supporting this, she said "...lot of the terrorist networks that threaten you also threaten us."

She said the US has made it clear to Pakistan that it is willing to have a strong relationship with Pakistan as it is still the key ally in the war against terrorism. But it called for a mutual recognition of terrorism as a zero tolerance factor. She said US cannot tolerate a safe haven for terrorists anywhere in the world. Pakistan's work should be transparent understanding that the terrorists which it has nurtured in past are a threat to its sovereignty.

"We recognise that Pakistan must act on its own behalf first and foremost to protect its own territory and sovereignty and to protect the lives of the people of Pakistan," she said.

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Pakistan Cannot Match India militarily: Pakistan Defence Minister

2011-06-29T18:13:00.000+05:30

In an interview to BBC Urdu, Pakistani defence minister, Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, said that it is impossible for Pakistan to bring its military power on par with India, as it cannot afford it during current financial scenario.

Stressing on removing India from the list of biggest threats to India, he wanted to prove there is no point of considering India as an enemy as we cannot match them or afford to be involved in any conflict with them. He said supporting it with the fact that India's economy is six to seven times bigger than Pakistan and trade five to six times bigger.

He further said that, in earlier days, the capacity of Pakistan and India to fight was twenty to twenty two days. But with the advancement and development in India, India can fight for more than 45 days.

The defence minister is one of the few ministers in Pakistan who believes India, as an enemy, is just a hype and is unnecessarily kept in the list of most threatening to Pakistan.

The minister was positive on the development and progress in the talks between the two nations.

"Slowly the process of meetings has started. People are going across the border. Nobody had ever thought they could walk suitcase in hand to Amritsar via Wagah but that is the reality now and it is happening," he said.

India didn't initiate the war, even after the attacks on Parliament and on Mumbai were traced back to Pakistan. While India won the hearts of international organizations by being so patient, Pakistan had to suffer diplomatically.

Heads of various nations came to India last year including,France, Germany, Russia, China and USA, and signed various agreements but refused to visit Pakistan or to sign any agreement.

The failed diplomacy started to show its results when China, the most trusted friend of Pakistan, said that it will support the entry of India in UNSC for permanent seat. Pakistan was depending on China, as it is the only country in UNSC which it considers as all weather friend. On the other hand, China didn't want to risk its billion dollar worth trade by arguing with India on this point.

It is important for Pakistan to join hands with India in trade, in tourism and in various exchange programs that will help improve the economic conditions in the country, as only a happy and economically sound Pakistan can crush terrorism from its root.

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Pakistan Avoiding International Military Trainers

2011-06-27T22:00:00.001+05:30

After US military secret operation in Pakistan to eliminate Osama Bin Laden, Pakistan has started taking steps to maintain its sovereignty.

Considering US and UK military trainers as potential threat to the security. Pakistan has asked UK to withdraw their trainers, earlier Pakistan has already sent back 120 US military trainers. Pakistan's relations with UK are not as turbulent as they have their relations with US. Falling relationship between US and Pakistan took a steep dive when US launched a secret operation to kill Osama Bin Laden who was hiding in the Pakistan Army Cantonment.

Photo taken by US Army Africa

A large number of foreign force is present in Pakistan providing training to the army to fight against terrorism as well as to train them how to use their weapons.

It is believed by the Pakistani agencies that some of these trainers may also be spying and secretly giving details to their respective headquarters, which might have resulted in the secret operation by the US military to kill Osama Bin Laden.

This step was necessary to avoid any other Osama's death like incidence on the Pakistani soil by the foreign forces. Indian authorities as well as many other international authorities still believes that Pakistan is giving shelter to some of the most wanted criminals as well as terrorists. Though the action was taken to protect its sovereignty many believes that Pakistan is hiding something more and in the fear of it being revealed it is getting rid of all foreign forces from the country. Instead of answering what Osama was doing in a protected house in army cantonment, such an action would raise more doubts in the minds of policy makers around the world.

Pakistan has warned both India and other countries against the surgical strikes on its soil. Pakistan is currently working on the proof of innocence asked by the US authorities just after the Osama's death.

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Pakistan: ISI and Terrorism; A Policy Failure

2011-06-02T10:22:00.000+05:30

People within Pakistan and in neighbouring countries always had doubt and suspected Pakistan's premium intelligence agency, ISI as culprit behind several attacks in the sub continent. But this is happening for the first time that whole world is now suspecting and blaming it for nourishing, supporting, creating and providing shelters to terrorism. It is true that it is not proved yet whether ISI was really involved in 26/11 Mumbai attacks and in sheltering Osama in Pakistan's Army Cantonment Area. But becoming a suspect by world organization and authorities is itself a matter of shame. What is so wrong there? Why Pakistan's government agencies becomes suspected so easily?

According to Indian claims Pakistan changed its policy after the loss in 1971 war where they lost their one arm in the form of Bangladesh. Pakistan's intelligence agency became so active in pushing terrorism and fake currency in Indian society and economy respectively that it wasn't even aware of Osama hiding under their nose.

Power change took place many times in this militaristic society, sometimes civil government or sometimes military assumed the central power in the country which caused a severe instability in the country giving much room for the formation of third pole of power, i.e Islamic Militants.

Pakistan's policy of supporting terrorism as a strategic asset against India and economical asset which allowed them to ask for foreign money as aid failed when their own terrorists started taking revenge from the government for their inability to save Osama from American raid.

It cannot be said to which extent Pakistan was involved in sheltering Osama, as nothing is proved yet. But allowing US to survey the area and interrogate few is a good move by the Pakistani government in the field of cooperation against terrorism.

However, statements made by David Coleman Headley in US has solidified the Indian claims of links of Pakistan military and some government elements behind 26/11 Mumbai attacks which is hardly making any news in Pakistan. 10 Pakistani men handled by low rank officers of ISI, trained by Pakistani Marines came to Mumbai from Karachi via sea and killed 166 people, creating panic in one of the busiest railway station in India and blowing up a small section of hotel Taj.

India, on the other hand instead of taking direct action against Pakistan which threatens India of nuking for any aggressive step, uses diplomacy to counter Pakistan's covert and corrupt plans. Signing billion dollar worth treaty with China, India made China support it for a permanent seat in UN security council which was the only hope of Pakistan that it could use to veto out the application of India for becoming a permanent member of UNSC.

Recently, Indian officials have appealed to US courts to allow them to be a part of case, A top government official said: "India may become party to the lawsuit and provide evidence to the New York court. The matter can be taken up at the government-to-government level as well in support of the lawsuit under existing Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT) between India and US."(Source: 26/11 case: Will India become party to lawsuit in US against ISI?)

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Are Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons in Safe Hands?

2011-05-26T17:33:00.001+05:30

A large number of countries including India and America always had doubt over the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. Time to time countries expressed fears on nuclear weapons falling in the wrong hands like some terrorist organization or in the hands of extremists within the government.

With the increase in the standards of attacks by the terrorists, it is clear that they have now more professional fighters than before. The kind of attack in Mumbai and now in Karachi Naval Air Base, shows that these terrorists now have capability of attacking even highly secured places.

After the Karachi Attack, concerns are growing in India and in western world about the safety of Pakistan's nuclear arsenals. Pakistan has been building more and more nuclear weapons when India has paused and rest of the world is decreasing its stockpile. At this situation it is difficult to understand why Pakistan has been pouring money on its nuclear program when it doesn't have money to feed and to save its own people from extremists.

What will happen if Nuclear Weapons fall in Wrong Hands?

This is the question rising in many minds. Pakistan's nuclear program is due to two reason, one is that to overcome the inferiority to India in conventional war and another is that to be a Islamic nuclear state.

Generally in war nuclear weapons are used at last or when there is no other option remaining. Pakistan at this wont wait for this condition to come and will launch much before or may be at the beginning itself. If nuclear material falls into wrong hands then these extremists can make a small bomb and smuggle into India for detonating. And if extremists get the control of nuclear bomb in the worst case scenario, then they can point it towards Israel and India.

There are elements within the government of Pakistan who don't run on any order or ideology but on the feeling of revenge and religion. At this it becomes very necessary to help the civilian government which formed in the country after many years of military rule, in protecting the nuclear arsenals.

It is believed that US, Israel and some western nations have been planning to dismantle Pakistani nuclear program but nothing has been confirmed till now and Pakistan enjoys no discrimination in continuing its nuclear program unlike Iran. It is true that Pakistan didn't receive nuclear deals from US and other countries other than China unlike India which has bagged nuclear deals with more than 12 countries.

India and Pakistan both are non signatory of NPT, but India has been put on special status which allows it to trade technologies and materials vital for nuclear program. This special status was given to India for its excellent proliferation record and its excellent focus on economy development and building.

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Pakistan Warned India of Doing Anything Like Operation Geronimo

2011-05-05T16:18:00.000+05:30

Admitting that the operation condcuted by Americans resulted into a great achievement, but Pakistan has warned US and India of conducting such strikes ever again in the future.

Saying it will lead to a terrible catastrophe, America or India might have to regret. Foreign Secretary, Salman Bashir told the media, "This cannot be taken as a rule."

"There should be no doubt that Pakistan has a capacity to ensure its own defence," he said.

Indirectly referring to India, he said, "Any other country that would ever act (similarly) on the assumption that it has the might ... will find it has made a basic miscalculation."

Salman Bashir, source: allvoices.com

India has been demanding for 26/11 perpetrators and Dawood Ibrahim responsible for 1993 Mumbai train blasts for a long time. Pakistan earlier denied that 26/11 planning was on its soil, later when it was proved Pakistan went on a denial mode and never took any action. Similarly for Dawood Ibrahim, Pakistan always denied that he was in their soil. But it has been proved by their own media that he stays in a luxurious house in Karachi.

Pakistan is afraid if India will do similar strike to the capture the accused, then it will again have to face embarrassment in front of the whole world.

He added: "We see a lot of bravado in our region... from the military, air force, which state that this can be repeated.

"We feel that sort of misadventure or miscalculation will result in a catastrophe."
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Inside Pakistan: What Should Pakistan Do After Osama?

2011-05-05T11:30:00.001+05:30

Finding Osama in the Army Cantonment of Pakistan and not in the caves have disturbed many people around the world including Pakistan.

If Pakistani Army and ISI was not involved, then it was a big blow to their capabilities which is claimed by them to be the most superior in South Asia. ISI has done many successful missions in the past and is considered more evolved and aggressive than RAW. Army and ISI is one thing in Pakistan on which people have proud. But this new finding has given a shock to the people of Pakistan.

Recently the government of Pakistan in an interview told that it was the intelligence failure of the whole world who couldn't find Osama, he appealed The world community instead of helping Pakistan is now blaming it for keeping the world's most wanted man shielded. The government showed how it was worried when they found that Osama was actually hiding in the home of their Army and were thankful that Osama didn't do anything to them otherwise things would have got much complicated.

courtesy of U.S. Government

A mock up of the compound where

Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan.

Photo by TalkMediaNews

ISI and Army is smart enough to come out of this embarrassment. Real blow this news has given to those in Pakistan who were trying hard to recover its image and improvise the situation. While it has lost the trust of many nations, Pakistan might see a huge political change in their system.

The way international community is behaving is actually pressurizing the leaders too much who are willing to improve the conditions in Pakistan.

While in India, opposition is pressurizing the Indian government to cut-off all the ties with Pakistan, it is unlikely that the government will do so, as it finds a perfect environment to talk to Pakistan, as it needs India too.

As the world is branding Pakistan as a terrorist sanctuary, Pakistan can make them shut their mouth by taking action against the perpetrators of 26/11 Mumbai attacks and handing over the masterminds, operators and Dawood Ibrahim to India.

The time when Pakistan is unlikely to receive any further economic aid from the western nation, it is the high time that India, Pakistan and China should now start a better trading and investment business. Pakistan should exploit the advantage of similar people which they have in India as them, their products, their arts, their music will be rejoiced in India much more than in China.

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People in Pakistan Gather to Pay Homage to Osama Bin Laden

2011-05-04T01:09:00.002+05:30

Some supporters of Osama came out on the streets of Quetta to pay homage to their hero, Osama bin Laden. Raising Anti America slogan, burning American flags and chanting death to America.

According to a news report by The Express Tribune, these participants belonged to a religious party in Quetta which is the capital of southwestern province Baluchistan. the protest was led by federal lawmaker Maulawi Asmatullah.

source: tribune.com.pk;

The protest was peaceful where thousands of supporters sat on the road with a photo of Osama. It was the first rally in Pakistan and anywhere in the world, where thousands of supporters gathered to pay homage in respect of Osama who is considered as the world's deadliest man.

Asmatullah misquoted Osama as the hero of the muslim world.

“Bin Laden was the hero of the Muslim world and after his martyrdom he has won the title of great mujahed (Muslim fighter).”

Whereas the truth is that 100% of the Muslims in India and near 99.99% Muslims in the other nations hated Osama Bin Laden who has only brought a bad name to the religion.

Osama Bin Laden Has Been Killed; Found in Pakistan.

Who Was Osama Bin Laden? A Brief Biography

Osama Bin Laden and Pakistan, A lost Friendship

Reaction of Pakistani Media on Osama Bin Laden's Death

How Did US Managed to Enter Deep in Pakistan?

US Tracked Osama Through Interrogation of Prisoners in Romania, Poland

People in Pakistan Gather to Pay Homage to Osama Bin Laden

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How Did US Managed to Enter Deep in Pakistan?

2011-05-03T22:00:00.001+05:30

When US got the intelligence input that Osama has been hiding in a protective and secured house in the Army Cantonment of Pakistan in Abbotttabad, they came straight to Pakistan without informing anyone to conduct their operation. Even the government of Pakistan was not informed.

Recently Pakistan has charged US of violating its airspace in a move to divert the attention of the world when everyone is asking Pakistan what was Osama doing in their Army's home.

But the real question is, why Pakistan Army and Air force, which considers it superior to all in South Asia, couldn't stop them?

A top US official said that the Pakistan Air Force had detected something unusual in their airspace and even readied their aircrafts to hunt the foreign object down, but before they could do it. Americans did their operation which lasted for 40 minutes and went back avoiding any face to face conflict with the Pakistani military.

The US administration refused to answer how they came so deep without being intercepted by the Pakistani Air Force, but a report suggests that Americans used to radars blind spots and took cover of mountains to reach their destination and complete their operation.

American top official John Brennan, a counter terrorism expert also said that they feared that Pakistan would take the incoming object as an Indian intruder and take a repulsive action against India.

"US was concerned that if the Pakistanis decided to scramble jets or whatever else... They had no idea about who might have been in there, whether it be US or somebody else[India], so we were watching and making sure that our people and our aircraft were able to get out of Pakistani airspace. And thankfully, there was no engagement with Pakistani forces."

Osama Bin Laden Has Been Killed; Found in Pakistan.

Who Was Osama Bin Laden? A Brief Biography

Osama Bin Laden and Pakistan, A lost Friendship

Reaction of Pakistani Media on Osama Bin Laden's Death

How Did US Managed to Enter Deep in Pakistan?

US Tracked Osama Through Interrogation of Prisoners in Romania, Poland

People in Pakistan Gather to Pay Homage to Osama Bin Laden

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Reaction of Pakistani Media on Osama Bin Laden's Death

2011-05-03T18:36:00.001+05:30

There is a moment of mixed feelings in Pakistan after the death of Osama bin Laden who was found in an army cantonment of Pakistan, not in a cave but in a highly secured home looked like some guest house protected by high walls and barbed wires.

Asif Ali Zardari; source: forumpakistan.com

Some are happy that world's most wanted terrorist is dead, some are sad that their main hero who was supporting their interests in Afghanistan and the world and the man who was responsible for Pakistan receiving billions of dollars as aid was dead. And most of them were embarrassed that how come he was in the home of Pakistan Army and still they couldn't find him. How could Pakistani Army couldn't do anything and Americans had to come deep inside Pakistan to kill him.

The News: "The astonishing manner in which the operation that resulted in bin Laden's death...leaves us all gasping in astonishment," The newspaper said "Pakistan's failure to detect the presence of the world's most wanted man here is shocking" and pointed there was "lack of clarity as to what role, if any, our security and intelligence apparatus played in the whole affair".

"Many questions still hang in the air...For Islamabad, the whole business is something of an embarrassment. Despite years of fervent denial, bin Laden has been found on Pakistani soil. And now that the brazen US action in Abbottabad has happened, there may be other attempts to go after key militant figures in different urban centres."

The Express Tribune: "If all of this is true - and it really seems fantastical on the face of it that something like this could have happened without Pakistan's tacit or overt approval/assistance - then the obvious question arises that what was Osama bin Laden doing in Abbottabad, a garrison town, in a house that was a stone's throw from the Pakistan Military Academy."

"In all of this, one thing is clear: Pakistan should have hunted the man down on its own, because America is not the only country that has suffered at the hands of al-Qaida and its allied jihadi outfits."

"Even in death, Osama haunts Pakistan," said the banner headline in The Express Tribune referring to the embarrassment which Pakistan is feeling after knowing that Osama was hiding their for past ten years.

The Dawn: "An era had ended with the killing of bin Laden, whose 9/11 terror attacks in the US had "transformed Pakistan and Afghanistan, dragging them into ideological divides and violence".

"The US raid in Abbottabad had raised a slew of questions about the level of cooperation with Pakistani intelligence and the military."

"Were they taken into confidence? If so, at what point? Were they consulted or simply informed? Did they play a role in the operation?" the newspaper questioned.

Osama Bin Laden Has Been Killed; Found in Pakistan.

Who Was Osama Bin Laden? A Brief Biography

Osama Bin Laden and Pakistan, A lost Friendship

Reaction of Pakistani Media on Osama Bin Laden's Death

How Did US Managed to Enter Deep in Pakistan?

US Tracked Osama Through Interrogation of Prisoners in Romania, Poland

People in Pakistan Gather to Pay Homage to Osama Bin Laden

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Osama Bin Laden and Pakistan, A lost Friendship

2011-05-03T17:29:00.003+05:30

Silence of Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari after the death of Osama Bin Laden is expressing the grief they are having of loosing an old friend who became their best friend in the past ten years.

Evidence and confidence of the claims by international authorities were rising, but Pakistan denied it every time. Pakistan didn't want to loose its interest in Afghanistan, wanted to save its second source of income and wanted to use Osama to take revenge on India of loosing four wars.

A magnificent view of Abbottabad,
an army cantt. of Pakistan where Osama was found

To kill Osama, Pakistan was getting billions of dollars as aid and military equipments. If Osama would have got killed soon, Americans would have stopped pouring money. Pakistan thus tried to limit the war in Afghanistan and prevented American military from reaching Pakistan. Whenever American helicopter or fighter reached near the border, Pakistan forces would repel them with force. This is not a healthy behaviour between the allies.

Americans troops were planning exit from Afghanistan and Pakistan was rejoicing that it had an opportunity of setting up its influence in that country once again with the help of terrorists, and they needed Osama for it. Osama would have then planned something against India in favour of Pakistan to show the honour for saving and caring and supporting him for past ten years.

Pakistan is in extreme condition of dilemma; on one hand they want to take some credit and on the other hand they are scared to do that, since Osama was found in Abbottabad, which is actually an army Cantonment about half an hour of distance from the capital of Pakistan, Islamabad. It is now clear after American President Obama's address that the operation was conducted solely by the American troops and the government of Pakistan was only notified after Osama was killed. It was kept secret from Pakistani government because they didn't want Pakistan to disturb their intelligence sources and shift Osama bin Laden to some other place.

This behaviour of America shows that they knew that Pakistani government could try to save him and shift him somewhere else before Americans could reach. Former high commissioner to Pakistan G Parthasarathy told TOI, "Pakistan stands exposed having harboured the most wanted terrorist in the world. The elimination of terrorist safe havens in Pakistan will now increasingly become an international priority."

"He was not anywhere we had anticipated he would be, but now he is gone," said the President of Pakistan in an opinion piece for the Washington Post. "Although the events of Sunday were not a joint operation, a decade of cooperation and partnership between the United States and Pakistan led up to the elimination of Osama bin Laden as a continuing threat to the civilized world."
While Osama bin Laden is dead, it doesn't mean that problem of terrorism is solved. Terrorism, especially in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Middle East is an ideology. You kill more, they will multiply. It spreads due to hatred and lack of education which is denied in some of these places by Taliban. Incidents of burning and destroying school and girls school is very common in the region.

The man who would have got the biggest relief just like Americans is The president of Afghanistan, Hamid Karzai. Since Pakistan was forcing him to negotiate with Taliban as it was in the interest of Pakistan. Now Afghanistan can have its free government and can work a little more on developments projects without worrying from Pakistan.

For India, the game is not over. India has to remain active and aware, Al Qaeda was much an active and independent group, but those group which pose danger to India are not independent, but are controlled by the Pakistani army and ISI, this claim is not hollow anymore if we study the reports of interrogation of Rana and David Headley properly.

Now, Osama has left this world and so the dreams of Pakistan. The embarrassment which Pakistan would be feeling is understandable. Somebody commented on a forum for Pakistan very well:

"ISI's Stalemate: To claim that ISI took part in the operations against Osama means inviting attacks in Pakistan by the Jihadist. To claim ignorance of Osama's presence means they are in the non-intelligence business To claim that ISI knew about Osama means they supported him which implies no more US aid to Pakistan"

The thoughts expressed in this article are partially of the author and partially the summary of various news articles around the world. Svetlana Petrova is a passionate writer from Russia, who has written many articles on South Asia's diplomacy and nuclear rivalry. You can contact here.

Related Articles:

Osama Bin Laden Has Been Killed; Found in Pakistan.

Who Was Osama Bin Laden? A Brief Biography

Osama Bin Laden and Pakistan, A lost Friendship

Reaction of Pakistani Media on Osama Bin Laden's Death

How Did US Managed to Enter Deep in Pakistan?

US Tracked Osama Through Interrogation of Prisoners in Romania, Poland

People in Pakistan Gather to Pay Homage to Osama Bin Laden

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US Branded ISI as "Terror" group

2011-04-25T21:46:00.000+05:30

Pakistan 1973
Photo taken by KlausKommoss

Secret files obtained from Guantanamo Bay by Guardian reveals that US considers Pakistan's ISI (Inter Service Intelligence) Pakistan state's intelligence agency on par with dangerous terrorists group like Al Qaeda, Hamas, Hezbolla in Lebanon. The list contains a group of 36 such recognized terror groups in which ISI, with its covert operations to destabilize Afghanistan, India and US interests in the region, finds a good place along with Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Ayman al-Zawahiri; the Sabotage Battalion of Chechen Martyrs; the Iranian intelligence services; and the Muslim Brotherhood.

ISI is an important backbone of Pakistan which has along with Pakistani Army has a huge influence on the government's policy. The group was formed to protect the interest of Pakistan and prevent it from any invading forces. After the Soviet's invasion in Afghanistan CIA started helping civilians in Afghanistan to fight against Soviet Army with the help of Pakistan.

After the withdrawal of Soviet's army from Afghanistan, CIA also left the place leaving a great army of civilians who were taught only to fight since their childhood. ISI understood their potential and started nourishing and funding them to use them as a strategic asset against their enemy since birth, India and to grow their influence in Afghanistan so that it has to only concentrate on its eastern borders with India.

US understood ISI's double game only when they made Pakistan join the war against terrorism, the report which guardian found in 2007 reflects some part of it. That the Pentagon was aware that Pakistan on one side is fighting with Taliban to show the world but on the other side it was funding the same organization with the American money which it received as civilian and economic aid.

The report further cites that in January 2003, Pakistan's serving military officers gave bomb making and explosives training to insurgents in the Zabul province of Afghanistan and other terrorists to fight against western forces.

Afghanistan government also blamed Pakistan's ISI of bombing Indian embassy in Kabul.

Presence of India in Afghanistan is a major cause of worry for Pakistan as India's billion dollar worth investment in Afghanistan as aid, development of infrastructure, education, transport etc. has made the government of Afghanistan pro Indian which was a Pakistan's influenced backyard during Taliban's cruel regime.

Taliban had destroyed schools, colleges, theatres, radio stations, and religious places of other religion (the tallest Buddha's statue carved in a mountain) as it considered it against their laws, especially education and entertainment.

It is not very doubtful that Mumbai attacks in 2008 were master minded with the help of Pakistan Marines and ISI.

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LeT Expanding to US; Pakistan on LeT Jihadi Group

2011-04-14T14:42:00.000+05:30

In Memory of a Victim of September 11, 2001

terrorist attack ... a family member holds

yellow roses and an American Flag

Image By Beverly & Pack

Pakistan's strategic asset, Laskar-e-Taiba (LeT) which was formed to raise a holy war against India now is expanding its reach to other countries and continent also for the good of the religion (according to them).

This Pakistan based charity organization (according to Pakistan) has declared jihad on America keeping India as its favourite target. The organization is also trying to expand its reach to Europe, said a top US military commander.

One of the best funded organization which receive money from Pakistan government, religious institutions, public charity and rich Arabian people, LeT was behind the bold attack carried in Mumbai in November 2008, that killed 166 including Americans, and Israelis to preach their ideology.

Chief of the US forces in the Pacific, Admiral Robert Willard blamed Let for attacking US forces in Afghanistan and said that US lawmakers have evidence of the group's comfortable presence in Europe, Asia Pacific, and Canada

US media report confirmed India's claims as reported by TOI saying seeds of LeT were sown and nourished by Pakistan's security establishment two decades ago to wage a guerrilla war against India in Kashmir, since Pakistan after loosing 3 wars against India was unable to fight head to head.

Now when LeT has grown stronger than the government of Pakistan, Pakistan is going through a phase of various internal turmoils. The condition is bad, and the government is perplexed. Perplexed because they don't know clearly how to deal with LeT, for three main reasons

1. LeT with time has grown stronger than the government. The government as earlier used to direct them to strike against India has now no control over this organization.

2. government considers it as a strategic asset against a powerful India. With the help of LeT, Pakistan was successful in pushing fake currency in India and carry out attacks at various places in India to make the Indian economy hollow and bring it down on par with Pakistan.

3. Despite of Let being so helpful to the government of Pakistan, the government is now worried with various attacks going on in its territory and away which is scaring the rare investors away and inviting international military forces and anger.

US started keeping eye on Pakistan since they arrested a Pakistani American David Headley who said in a statement that he had joined LeT to fight in Kashmir but ended up managing an attack in India under the guidance of Pakistani government and ISI. (Read Rana's recent statement for source)

Comments by the public:

"The Americans will never learn a lesson from their past experience. Since long time Let has been a strategic arm or Pakistan Government in their proxy war against India. This was not unknown to the US. Still they closed their eyes since the victim country was India. Their double standard in countering terrorism has now started backfiring. It is an open and known fact that the entire people of Pakistan is against US. Soon they will realize to their chagrin that all the billions of dollars they spend in Pakistan would come back to them in the form of terrorism. And Indians are busy in playing the game of petty politics and many of the leaders are standing in Que in front of Swiss banks. Now it is time for the people of India to act. Some silver lines are visible in the horizon.(Anna Hazare Movement). Let us rise to the occasion." ~ A man from Kochi

"The cowards seeking power on the strength of the guns and bombs they carry! If you really want development of Pakistan, come in the fields, contribute your efforts for the growth of Pakistan's economy. You cannot ask any reasonable person to live just to spread your hatred. Don't you have the fear of Alla at least?" A woman from Mumbai

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Pakistan's JF-17 V/S India's LCA-Tejas; Comparison With Latest Figures

2011-04-13T02:44:00.005+05:30

India's 5th Gen Indigenous
Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft

The major rival brothers in the world, who have been fighting against each other since their birth, used to fight with foreign weapons earlier, but now they want to fight in a new style, that is with their indigenous weapons.

Which Aircraft Do You Prefer?

Pakistan, as a member of US led military pact CENTO and SEATO, started receiving high tech weapons of that time with money to keep an eye on India and launch an assault when needed. Seeing this, India began to import weapons from Soviet Union and started upgrading its force. Both the countries started filling up their inventory at the same time and today both are facing the problems of their ageing fighters aircrafts.

Highlights: Dassualt Rafale Wins 126 MMRCA Jet Fighters Deal With India

India is in urgent need of replacing its ageing MiG 21 whereas Pakistan is in need of replacing its ageing Nanchang A-5 bombers, Chengdu F-7 interceptors and Mirage III/5 fighters.

India decided to start a project of making an indigenous fighter aircraft that can serve in all purposes of the air force, whereas Pakistan joined later an already going on Chinese project of development of a fighter aircraft.

Both India and Pakistan claim their aircraft as indigenous, but as on April 13, 2011 none of the aircraft is 100% indigenous as India is using american GE engine to power the fighter and Pakistan is using almost all the technology from China and engine from Russia in their version of the fighter.

It is believed that when India will complete its Kaveri engine project which was supposed to power LCA earlier, then LCA can be proudly claimed by Indians as an indigenous aircraft. India couldn't use indigenous engine in the prototype of LCA due to a delay caused by technical difficulties in the development of the engine.

If India completes the engine, it will become the fifth country after US, UK, Russia and France who can make their own engine.

Today both LCA and JF-17 are reality and not on papers anymore. Tejas was inducted on 11 Jan, 2011 whereas JF-17 was inducted last year in Pakistani air force.

Both Indians and Pakistani have already started loving their new weapon, but in this new love they commit a mistake of comparing these two planes with each other. JF-17 will be Pakistan's main fighter accompanied by their upgraded F-16s, whereas LCA Tejas will be India's additional aircraft for medium role combat missions after Indo-Russian 5th generation fighter aircraft PAK-FA, Under-development indigenous 5th Gen AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft), Indo Russian 4.5 Gen Su-30MKI and to-be-inducted 126 4.5 Gen MRCA Dassualt Rafael (Multi Role Combat Aircraft).

Comparison According to 2008 Aviation Source Book, Aviation Week & Space Technology, January 28, 2008 and DRDO TechFocus February 2011". DRDO. February 2011. Retrieved 9 April 2011.

While Pakistan and China claim there aircraft as indigenous and result of 50-50 partnership between China and Pakistan, there are lot of foreign companies and organizations involved in making it a success.

After the U.S and European companies cancelled their participation in the development of the westernized Chengdu J-7 variant known as Super 7 which is openly based on MiG 21 design, China launched a program to develop an indigenous evolution of this Mig 21 based design. which was named as FC -1 (Fighter China 1)

To expedite its development, in 1998, China National Aero-Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) purchased the abandoned Mikoyan MAPO Izd 33 design, research and test information and data along with other research and technical assistance which was developed under Project 33. This doesn't mean that the design was now based on Mig 33 or that FC - 1 is the continuation of Soviet Project 33. The Project 33 started in 1980 and was stopped in 1986 taking the note of changing Soviet Union's Air Force's demands. Though later the improved version of the same design was introduced at the 1994 Farnborough Air Show as the briefly used marketing name for the MiG-29ME export model of the MiG-29M.

Although engineers from the Mikoyan Aero-Science Production Group (MASPG) have provided technical, research and design assistance on the FC-1 project, its aerodynamic design is quite different from that of Project 33. The wings are attached at mid-fuselage on the FC-1, whereas the Izd 33 is a low-wing design. The FC-1’s platform resembles that of the F-16, while that of the Izd 33 is similar to the MiG-29. The FC-1’s inlets are 'D'-shaped and angled, but those for the Izd 33 are rectangular and slab-sided. Given the FC-1’s heritage of the 'Super 7', J-7, and MiG-21, some analysts believe that the FC-1’s internal structure is more likely based on the MiG-21 than on the Izd 33, which some have called a “single-engine MiG-29”.

Looking at the pictures one may say that the JF-17 Plane uses Soviet era's MiG 21 airframe which is highly debatable. Although avionics and other basic things are superior in JF-17 than MiG 21.

In October 1995 Pakistan was asked to select a Western company before the end of the year which would provide and integrate the avionics in FC-1 for them (Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1995/10/18/21419/pakistan-nears-fc-1-avionics-decision.html).

Avionics suites were being proposed by FIAR and Thomson-CSF, based on the Grifo S7 and RC400 radars respectively (source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/1999/07/14/53912/china-and-pakistan-agree-on-super-7-fighter-development.html).

Russia's Klimov offered a variant of the RD-33 turbofan engine to power the fighter. Russia earlier had denied China from transferring the engine to Pakistan as it was against Russian policy and India's interest, but later, for some reason, Russia had no issue in China supplying those engines to Pakistan. To international media they replied in diplomatic parlance, Chinese were in such a hurry that they had not heard the last word from Russia on this subject. It is believed that Pakistan is unsatisfied with the engine and a new deal for a different engine, most probably to have Snecma M53-P2 could be finalized.

Rather than using the Ada programming language, which is developed dedicated for military applications, the software for the aircraft is written using the popular civilian C++ programming language which students use to develop programs in high schools, this might give an edge to Pakistan where software industry is not very skilled and C++ resources can be easily trained in large numbers (source: http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/stuck-in-sichuan-pakistani-jf17-program-grounded-02984/).

In India's LCA case: Airframe, Radar, Avionics, Cockpit, landing Gear, Ejection System, Flight Simulator, Software, Propulsion (when Kaveri will come) all are home made.

The pictures below are posted so people can compare JF 17 design with MiG 21 and MiG 29.

JF-17

MiG 21

MiG 29

Images of LCA:

Now among these two aircrafts it is very difficult to comment which one is better, as these aircrafts don't belong to the same category. In terms of development, India's LCA offers something new to the world, new design, new weapons, new systems and, in future, a new engine. While LCA was never made to be Indi's Sukhoi but it does gives the platform to India for further modification and development of new projects Whereas Pakistan's JF-17 is a modification of many previous technologies.

LCA program was started in 1983, whereas JF-17 program was started in 1989 as Chengdu F-7, which was later changed to Fighter China project in 1991. In 1995 Pakistan reportedly joined the project.

Though China has kept development and production of JF-17 on for delivering them to Pakistan and my be to other countries, it prefers J-10 fighters over JF-17 for its own airforce.

Both LCA and JF-17 are 4th generation fighter aircraft, but advanced composite frames and high tech electronics/avionics made international expert call LCA-Tejas a 4.5 Gen aircraft during Aero India 2010, in Bangalore.

While JF-17s are very much needed to serve depleting Pakistani Air Force as a main fighter along with F-16s, LCA is mainly a research project India has carried through these years. LCA was never made to compare with Sukhois, but it has faired very well on international level and now India has a platform and can develop more aircrafts on this platform as the plan of AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, an indigenous 5th gen stealth fighter) has already been cleared by the government.

While India has achieved self reliance in Air Fighter technology, Pakistan has achieved an experience of working in joint venture. It is the first major project of Pakistan with an international joint venture. India has previously worked with Russia in a partnership on development of world's only supersonic cruise missile, Brahmos. Presently, India and Russia are also working on the development of 5th generation fighter aircraft PAK-FA, in a move to regain the air dominance which was taken over by the americans with their 5th gen F-22 which outsmarted Sukhoi 30 MKI, also a product of Indo-Russian partnership. India and France are also working on Surface to Air Missile "Maitri" project.

A Little bit of Fun and Sarcasm

"JF-17 Not as advanced as LCA: Nawaz Sharif, Former Prime Minister of Pakistan"(jpeg)

"I have heard it is very advanced plane, but it is not ready yet." said Nawaz Sharif to retired Air Commodre Pervez Khokhar. Praising the JF-17 without mentioning Chinese cooperation, he further added in light mood, "I am saying you buy this plane from us, though it is not as advanced as your LCA, but it also has a glass cockpit like yours and can drop bombs for you," he said in sarcastic mood.

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Chinese Presence in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is Confirmed: US Report

2011-04-10T12:36:00.004+05:30

Looking east from the top of the ski hill in Gulmarg

at the Himalayas across the Kashmir valley.

Image by batschmidt

When there is a latency of two super giants abreast each other, peace and stability cannot be achieved so easily. So is the case with India and China. They are not just energy and resource hungry two giants, but nations based on two totally different ideologies. While India is a democratic and open country, China maintains a non transparent communist government. (Read: China's Military Presence in Kashmir; Causes and Effects)

It was a cause of worry when India received reports of presence of Chinese troops in huge numbers on its northern borders with Pakistan. India knew about Chinese troops helping Pakistan build Karakoram highway since 2009. But presence of troops now almost in all part of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir is alarming.

Matter was shared a number of times with Chinese authorities and everytime China did nothing but simply denied the Indian claims.

A recent report from US has confirmed India's claims of the presence of Chinese troops in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir along the whole Line of Control, who are indulged in other activities as well than constructing the highway.

Last week, the chief of the Northern Command, Lieutenant General K T Parnaik disclosed openly about the increasing presence of Chinese troops along the LOC (Read: China's Military Presence in Kashmir; Causes and Effects). Chinese foreign minister had denied the claim immediately, but since international authorities and agencies have also confirmed his claims, Chinese ministers are now thinking what to answer and how to respond.

"We have a strong real time intelligence sharing mechanism with the US and they have conveyed the same thing to Indian agencies including RAW – that these troops are stationed all along the LoC in PoK. They conveyed this to Indian agencies independently without us seeking any confirmation from them," said an official to the reporters of TOI, adding that the government at the highest level was aware of the latest developments in PoK.

Saying that this is not the first time US and Indian authorities have raised this issue concerning heightened presence of Chinese troops in the region, but all the time previously their presence was restricted to Gilgit-Baltistan region but that is not the case now. "Their confirmation seemed to be based on technical intelligence. They said these Chinese troops seemed to be involved in construction activities," he added.

In two days (that is on April 12), Prime Minister of India is visiting China for BRICS summit. He is expected to talk on this issue in a bilateral meeting with China as well.

Images from different sources, copyright belongs to their respective owners.

Indian Side of Kashmir

Clockwise: 1. Kashmir Railway. While most of the Kashmir is connected, toughest task is remaining: to connect it with the rest of the Indian railways network. High mountains, difficult terrain and cross-border terrorism makes this project a very difficult task which is now almost 80% completed.

2. NIT, Srinagar. A well known institute of India. NITs comes after IITs and is an advanced engineering college in Indian side of Kashmir.

3. Railway Bridge on Chenab River, the photo itself describes the level of development.

4. A scene of colourful and prosperous homes in the city of Srinagar.

5. Skiing in Gulmarg, World famous skiing paradise, festivals and competitions on international levels held annually. (image from Paradise camping Resort)

6. Kashmir University, centre of education.

7. Army guarding the movement of people in the train from one place to the other.

Pakistani side of Kashmir

Clockwise: 1. Needs no explanation, killing hindus

2. Terrorist training camps, high class professional terrorists are then exported to India, US and Europe

3. Scene of Capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir

4. Children forced to play with guns instead of giving education.

Once again this was an attempt to bring out the reality with images, most of the images are licensed under creative commons, free to reuse. If you think the image belongs to you and it shouldn't be here, kindly notify us. If you think we can keep the images here with a link to your webpage, kindly notify us. Thank You

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China's Military Presence in Kashmir; Causes and Effects

2011-04-06T00:57:00.001+05:30

Indian Kashmir Valley, a paradise. Photo by Cj Roberts

While India is a open, democratic and free country, China is a non-transparent, communist and strict country. So strict that its massive development expansion plans cannot be demurred by anyone even if homes of thousands has to be ravaged for the construction of a dam.

When it doesn't listen to the people of its own, it will not listen to others who will try to come in between. Future wars will not be fought in battlefields but on the oil/resource fields. India and China instead of fighting at the border are now fighting in the jungles of Africa for resources. China had secured many fields much before India actually started looking towards Africa. Now when India is there, China doesn't like it.

The only thing which hinders China from attacking India is the billion dollar worth trade. It doesn't want to jeopardize its economy by assailing another economic superpower.

To contain India and check India's expanding area of influence, China has created a hypothetical ring around India, known as string of pearls, also referred as Chinese String of Pearls Theory.

Pakistani girls gave Chinese President Hu a hearty
greeting by waving six-star red flags. AFP

As of now we only knew that China is involved in various construction projects in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, a disputed territory where things with international loan or help can not be built, but today reports have substantiated that Chinese military presence in the region is adequate to raise alarm in India. The military strength of China is increasing in the region. The Chinese footprints are now way to close for comfort for India.

Chinese presence in North and West Kashmir is a cause of concern among authorities in Kashmir about the fact that if India and Pakistan fall into a state of hostility then what China, being an accomplice to Pakistan would do?

Though China had made it clear that it is not willing to intervene either politically or militarily in Kashmir issue, but Sino-Indian war of 1962 after signing Panchsheel agreement makes Chinese unpredictable and their acts of threats as contingent.

China's all weathered close friendship with Pakistan just because both the nations share common views on India is dangerous. Their links with Pakistan through Occupied Kashmir lends sturdiness to the nexus between the two countries which is a cause of great security concern for India.

This strategic nexus between these two militaristic nations may imperil India's regional strategic interests in the long run. It will facilitate Pakistani Army to prepare and develop itself better and at the time of hostility the presence of Pakistani and Chinese army will outnumber India's

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More and More People Leaving Pakistan; Quit Pakistan Syndrome

2011-04-02T16:11:00.002+05:30

A shocking report covered by The Nation, a Pakistani Newspaper, published on April 01, 2011 says that 10,825 Pakistanis applied for asylum in 44 other countries last year. The number of such applicants stood at 11,287 in 2009.

Severe bad conditions in Pakistan due to war and political cheaters and growing influence of strict religious leaders who follow strict rules against woman and education, citizen of Pakistan are now finding less future hope in this Islamic Republic.

Most of the application were sent to European countries while countries in the list of Pakistani people is anywhere from US to UK to Saudi Arabia or Dubai. The opportunities, facility and freedom is relatively higher when compared to the present day Pakistan. According to a survey conducted by an Islamabad-based organization, 27 per cent of all Pakistanis want to leave the country and settle abroad, as quoted by the Pakistan daily.

The present situation in Pakistan is such that even politicians who are not in power seek shelter in London. These days more and more advertisements of such sorts can be found in various places advertising about agencies which deals in getting the visa cleared for the industrialists, businessman, capitalists and professionals of suitable countries for them.

Image by Edge of Space, flickr

The newspaper further gave details about the rough idea of people who have left or wanting to leave. People are now becoming consultants to offer advice to other citizen to reach their favourite country within least time and with least difficulties. A large number of people have, in fact, already left the country. Cases of hundreds and thousands of others are being processed by some foreign embassies.

As the European countries are becoming stricter to prevent mass migration, it is not clear whether all of them will be able to get a place in their dream land. But one thing is true that the citizens are not happy with what is going on in Pakistan.

"With a huge diversity in dialects and ethnicity of population in Pakistan, most of them are united just because all of then hate India", says a Pakistani man. "But the unity no longer holds when they see their own politicians doing almost nothing for them but everything for America."

In general Pakistani love their country than anything else and can go to any extent to protect the image of the nation, but if such thing is happening in large, then there is some problem in the nation, which we feel is the security. Daily bomb blasts by home grown extremists, has made the problem tough and the place unsuitable for the common gentlemen to live.

Pakistani policy of giving shelter, support and fund to extremists doing their anti India activity has failed by some manner. Today these extremists are stronger than the government, and have formed the third polarity of power, Army, terrorists and Government shares the power in Pakistan in that order.

This needs to be corrected, when Pakistan won independence western world congratulated and predicted that Pakistan will do better than India, due to the presence of highly fertile River Indus delta, a strong forming ideology and it was favourite for businessman and traders.

India was branded as an unstable extra bigger nation of the poor where except the Ganga delta there was nothing, almost barren thar desert, himalayas and deccan plateu.

But today the situation is other way round, India is feeding itself and rest of the world, its service sector is the backbone of major companies around the world. A 4th largest economy, and largest democracy, and one of the very few free societies in South Asia.

A stable Pakistan is in interest of all, but it will not remain stable if these gentlemen will go outside the country.

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Pakistan Now Prefers China Over US for Arm Imports

2011-03-28T23:17:00.002+05:30

After a long strategic arms buy and sell relationship with US, Pakistan is now slowly backing away from US while cozying more with China.

China has proved to be an all time, all weather friend of Pakistan, whereas US was mere a business friend who made India-Pakistan fight so they could sell their weapons to Pakistan.

One of the major reason of Pakistan inclining more towards China is America's less interest in supporting their nuclear weapon as well as power production program. As it fears that nuclear weapons could possibly fall into hands of extremists in the country.

Pakistan has recently in a joint venture with China developed a new fighter aircraft JF-17 on par with international standards. China, the second largest economy, understands Pakistan and its problems better than America and it also shares a common enemy, i.e India.

Apart form the new jet fighter partnership, Pakistan's recently test-fired nuclear-capable missile, short range surface to surface Hatf-2 is also developed with the help of China.

Pakistan's membership in CENTO and SEATO was the main cause of US supporting it and not India. Soon it became the major supplier of arms and weapons even after Pakistan left those groups. A strong nation supporting Pakistan at its back caused India to incline towards Soviet Union, though it never signed Warsaw pact or any other military deal, keeping its non alignment policy intact. India's growing relationship with USSR caused US to support Pakistan even more to keep a check of Soviet influence, thus it became a chain reaction, a cyclic event.

After the 9/11 attack on US and later finding hand of Pakistanis in many other terrorist attacks around the world. The US began to back away from the deals.

While India enjoys carrying nuclear research, nuclear technology development, trade and supply from NSG (Nuclear Supplier Group) legally, Pakistan also requires an international help to support them during the present energy crisis as well as to catch up with India in nuclear technology and the only nation which can fulfill there this requirement is China. Pakistan has also signed a nuclear deal with China which will allow China to support Pakistan's civil nuclear program. The deal though has no international recognition and is against NSG norms.

"The US no longer fully supports the military ambitions of a Pakistan that is being destabilised by an insurgency it cannot control, rising radicalism and anti-westernism, and a government considered by some too weak and corrupt," an unnamed Pakistani officer said., as quoted by Bennet & Coleman Group. "That led Pakistan to replace the US with China as a main source of defence material, at least in terms of arsenal, development and training."

Last year when US delivered the F-16 jets, Pakistan had already ordered further 250 JF-17 jets from China with Chinese SD10 homing missiles and radar system to be equipped in that. These jets, eqipped with missiles and radars are expected to be delivered in Pakistan in next 5-10 years.

Another deal which shows Pakistan love China more than US is a deal worth $1.3 billion USD which allows Pakistan to receive J-10 fighters and six submarines from China.

In 70's Pakistan strengthened its military with American money and weapons, today it is strengthening its Navy, Air force with Chinese weapons, to counter India's rapid expansion of three arms of the force.

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Musharraf Named Accused for Assassination of Benazir Bhutto; Can be Soon Arrested

2011-03-26T19:02:00.000+05:30

Benazir & Musharraf

After almost a decade long rule in Pakistan, Musharraf had agreed to consider conducting of elections in Pakistan in the year 2008.

People of Pakistan who were fed up of military rule welcomed Benazir Bhutto, who came back from self exile in London to contest in election, with slogans like long live our leader, daughter of the East (As she is known to the world).

But the public had no idea that the country which had almost converted into the breeding place of home grown terrorists will eat their own leader. She was shot on 27th Dec, 2007 at the end of the rally, but the main reason of her death was the explosion that caused her head to strike the roof of the vehicle just after the rally was over.

Sooner or later nobody took responsibility of the assassination. The case was also looking as if it has frozen. Some class of people started believing that it might be her husband (Asif Ali Zardari, current President of Pakistan) who got her killed to become President of Pakistan.

Musharraf refused to help much on this case, and set himself in exile in London. At this, theories started to build up of possible involvement of Musharraf in the case of Benazir Bhutto's Assassination.

Soon he was named as an "absconding accused", by Federal Investigation Agency of Pakistan.

Recently during the hearing of Benazir Bhutto’s assassination case on Saturday 26th March, 2011 in Adiala Jail, The Federal Investigation Agency's counsel told the court that letters had been sent to the British home ministry to issue a arrest warrant against former President Pervez Musharraf.

Musharraf, who has formed a political party (All Pakistan Muslim League) with the plan of contesting in next proper democratic election in 2013, will now find it difficult to do so.

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