The Fire Within

Burning of Quran: The Continuing Conduct Unbecoming of US Troops in Afghanistan

2012-02-22T15:03:00.001-08:00

The people of Afghanistan have never reconciled the presence of foreign troops on their soil since the Russians marched in in the early 80s. But foreign troops continue to violate their sovereignty even after decades. After Russians, now it is the NATO troops under the so called UN ambit who are trying to subdue them. The ISAF troops, mostly US have committed atrocities of every kind by killing innocent civilians and never feeling ashamed of their deeds.

Rather they always come up one flimsy explanation after the other to justify their stand and actions. And the world community always buys the US story.

Although the Allied Armies have been shown being garlanded in the WW-II movies and other propaganda films, they have never been angels. Although portrayed so, since the media in those days was under strict control and no leakage occurred of what the allied soldiers did to the Germans, Italians and the Japanese.

Now that the media is free and interdependent, any acts of aggression and violation of human rights is noticed by independent media and published immediately. And this how the world has now come to see the Dr Jackal face of Mr Hyde clearly with gory details.

The killing of innocent civilians through drone attack and other means in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and even Libya has many times been exposed but USA has always one story or explanation up their sleeves to justify their acts. They even brushed aside the atrocities committed in the notorious Abu Gharib prison, where even the female soldiers joined in to strip naked the prisoners and made them perform inhuman acts and had the sagacity to photographs with the poor prisoners completely naked with big smiles on their faces.

Then came a group of US soldiers urinating on dead bodies of the Afghans - and yet their conscious did not prick for they are the masters over poor Afghans. It is not easy to understand now what atrocities the Us and Allied troops may ave committed in WW-II which must have been given blanket cover since the so called deliverers could not have been expected to do inhuman acts.

The US high command even did not apologies for killing Pakistan soldiers twice in tow separate incidents in cross border firing and even did not take any actions against those violating the agreed upon charter of joint operations.

Burning of Quran by US troops: The aftermath

But this latest incident of Quran burning is something that cannot be forgiven and forgotten. Even those who have been supporting US invasion of Afghanistan feel that such acts are not only deliberate but also provocative. No solder soldiers or officers could be that naive that they cannot differentiate between ordinary books and the Muslims holy book of Quran. The burning of Quran in the incinerator in cannot be taken as a mistake. It is the same adventure of Abu Gharib prison or urinating on the dead bodies, which is taken as lightly by a few soldiers in a 'jolly good mood.'

It may be added here that the Quran is the most sacred object in the daily lives of Muslims and burning it is considered an offense against God. The Quran is so important in the faith that Islamic teaching spells out how it should be handled, including directing anyone who touches it to be in a state of ritual purity. Muslims can only dispose of Quran in very specific ways, including burning or burying those that have been damaged or corrupted to prevent God's word from being defiled.

The so called 'prompt' apology by none other than the top U.S. and NATO commander, Gen. John Allen is nothing but cosmetic and rendering apologies is very easy to do after a misadventure by the soldiers of the biggest democracy of the world. In fact such inhuman acts every day expose the level of morals the US soldiers have and the respect they carry over the laws and flouting the religious sentiments of the local population.

Soldiers it seems have learnt good lessons from the priests back home who burnt copies of Quran in public not long ago to display their hatred towards Muslims. Even moderate Muslims like myself would not buy the story that the act of burning Holy Quran was by'mistake.' The act is similar to other conduct unbecoming which the US soldiers have committed since they jumped in to fight the war on terror.

The Afghans have every right to protest on the issue and it is time that US soldiers learn to respect the religious sentiments of the people who consider them as foreign troops violating their values, culture and religious beliefs.

And after the incident, it is rather strange for Gen. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, to be hopeful he incident would not rupture relations with the Afghan government.

such like unbecoming conduct by the occupational forces have trig erred incidents in which A rising number of Afghan security forces, or militants wearing their uniforms, have shot and killed U.S. and NATO service members on a number of times. As late as Monday, gunmen in Afghan police uniforms opened fire on NATO troops in southern Afghanistan, killing an Albanian soldier. Last month, France suspended its training program and threatened to withdraw its forces a year ahead of schedule after an Afghan soldier shot and killed four French soldiers on a base in the east.

Although Gen Allen has issued a new directive ordering all coalition forces in Afghanistan to complete training in the proper handling of religious materials no later than March 3. The training will include the identification of religious materials, their significance, correct handling and storage. But shouldn't this had been done before occupational forces entered Afghanistan?

It is time now that US soldiers are asked to remain within the norms of military and Geneva convention rules and respect the local laws and religion sentiments if the want to be respected by the locals. Otherwise quitting honorably from Afghanistan is likely to become a nightmare for the NATO troops. Also those found guilty of such crimes must be punished adequately so as to serve as warning for the others for repeating such like acts.

Balochistan – the final destination of USA to subdue China and Iran

2012-02-18T23:08:00.000-08:00

Many would remember the circulation of map by an American Colonel Ralph Peters sometime back on the internet in which he had ‘envisioned’ new borders for many Muslim countries of Middle East and Asia including Pakistan as shown herein under:

As per the map, a large portion f Balochistan which is spread over Pakistan and Iran has been shown as the Independent Balochistan and the remaining Pakistan is shown like a shrunk lady finger, mostly consisting of Punjab and a part of Sindh province. And Colonel Peters calls all countries with red borders as losers that includes Pakistan and Iran. At that time many shrugged off the map as an individual’s innovative mind of how he saw the world from his perspective. But some cautioned that nothing comes out in the open unless it has routes back into the secret world of CIA. And they were right.

The recent tabling of the motion in the US Congress about the status of Balochistan and atrocities being committed to the Baloch people should serve us as an eye opener. It is something that our Foreign Office and agencies should have given due attention even before the publication of the Ralph Peter’s map, feeling the pulse of the CIA. Now even if we missed the bus then, now is the most appropriate time that we really get serious about the whole issue.

Why suddenly Balochistan has figured out so prominently in the US Congress – something very serious about a country they claim the US cannot win war against terror. A country which has supported their war of terror for the last over one decade at the cost of the collateral damage that spilled over to our side of the border, that has resulted into killing of countless innocent civilians, mostly women and children, during the drone attacks and those who were killed and maimed for life during a continued spate of suicide bombing throughout Pakistan.

The Americans did not even spare the Pakistan Army personnel and twice attacked proper Pakistan Army check post and martyred 30 uniform personnel, the Salala check post incidence the latest in which 26 personnel were martyred. This is the same US Army under cover the ambit of NATO / ISAF for which we have allowed the usage of our roads for transportation of supplies for their sustenance. Since the Salala incidence, the NATO supplies have been closed by Pakistan, which is hurting the NATO troops, ostensibly the US troops badly.

Perhaps the Salala incidence was part of a well-planned game plan so as to coerce Pakistan to close the NATO supply route and then blame Pakistan for hindering the efforts of the ‘world community’ to fight terrorism and then implement their some code named operation for ensuring the sustained supplies to the US troops through Pakistan’s liberated Balochistan. But this is just the beginning.

The lust for Balochistan started when large deposits of gold and copper were discovered in Balochistan which run into billions of dollars. A place rich in mineral deposits, leading to frontiers of China, could not have been less lucrative for the USA.

If Colonel Peter’s proposed plan is implemented, US accrue following benefits from it:

Possession of Gawadar Post by USA – a strategically placed warm water port on the mouth of Strait of Hormuz and Persian Gulf which when in US control can easily put US Navy in commanding position to monitor all oil carrying cargo traffic from the Arab countries besides Iran and block to economically strangulate the oil producing countries of the area, while drawing maximum advantage of controlling the world oil trade.

Secondly, the occupation of Balochistan of Pakistan will provide a cushion to the US forces under the ambit of UN, to expand its borders inside the Iranian oil rich Balochistan. This would not only separate two Islamic countries or in the words of one American write the two rouge states but also provide a jumping pad to invade Iran at an opportune moment.

Thirdly, the independent Balochistan connected to Afghanistan, provides a direct route to China. This will allow the US to threaten China and even go for any adventure as per thus-far hidden secret US plan. This will also neutralise any Chinese effort to have access to the warm waters of the Arabian Sea through Gawadar port.

Fourthly and needless to mention, the entire natural resources of Balochistan will fall freely in the hands of USA, which will be fleeced away as once the British Empire took away the wealth and resources of India when it came here under the garb of trade in the 1800s.

As for the few Baloch leaders, who saw for themselves the rule of independent Balochistan, they will soon have nothing left in their ‘country’ and will be at the mercy of their new rulers, who will treat them with no less ruthlessness when under their feet.

Our friend Iran has already fallen into the hands of the great American game when it became part of Indian plan for the development of a south-north road network inside Afghanistan to be connected to the Iranian port of Chah Bahar – something that provides yet another route to Afghanistan and the Central Asian Republics. Once the so called independent Balochistan expands, Chah Bahar is also likely ot be enveloped into it, providing USA not one, but two warm water ports in the Persian Gulf and Arabian Sea.

Keeping in view above options and strategy ostensibly carved out by the USA with support of a few Baloch leaders, time is now that we as a nation really get united and focus our attention on the precarious situation in Balochistan. The recent uprising which is gaining momentum can be taken full advantage of by the USA and with the UN consent a Libya like NATO interference could be launched in Balochistan to liberate the ‘supressed Baloch people’ from the clutches of Pakistan – this is something that is through a very detailed programme of subversion, is being inculcated in the minds of the innocent Baloch people to turn against the law of the land and create conditions for a US touted UN/NATO intervention into Balochistan for the realisation of US interests in this region.

We need to engage the Balochi people at national level and at present all our efforts should be focused on resolving their grudges and misgivings. We need to hold live TV debates incorporating Baloch leaders and people and find out solution to their problems. Had the initiative taken by the present government under the ambit of ‘Aghaze-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan’ (Commencement of Rights of the Balochistan) implemented in true letter and spirit, we would have made a considerable headway in resolving the issues concerning the misgivings of the Balochistan. Time is now that our politicians get together and pursue all out efforts to help resolve the Balochistan issue.

And at the same time, Pakistan must protest to the UN and the world community in as much hard words as possible to condemn the US for meddling into the internal affairs of Pakistan – a country to which USA attaches much importance and has always been asking to do more to support her war for her interests. Something which Pakistan has been doing, much to the annoyance of its people, as everyone in the streets knows that US has never been and never would be a friend of Pakistan. Rather Pakistan has always been used for the sake of US interests since the independence of Pakistan. Pakistan even sided with USA against the then USSR in joining organizations like SEATO and CENTO and even allowing use of its Bada Ber airfield near Peshawar for U-2 flights over Russia till one was shot down by Russia and an angry Khrushchev put a red circle around Peshawar and threatened Pakistan of dire consequences if it further continued to allow US for us of its bases against USSR.

Such has been our contribution towards US interests. Now having suffered so much, if USA is till not sincere to Pakistan, it is time that we openly denounce our relations with USA and enter into a long term strategic partnership with China, for any sinister moves by USA in Balochistan will invariably be aimed at China and Iran in NEAR FUTURE.

An apathy of its own kind: Forgetting the Disables and Handicapped

2012-02-16T00:21:00.000-08:00

Yesterday all eyes in Pakistan were focused on the 2nd ODI being played between Pakistan and England at Dubai. Having lost the first ODI against England, everyone was praying for Pakistan to win for an equalizer. But did any one any idea that in the same area, another cricket match of a different kind was being played - between Pakistan and England. Perhaps many did not know.

The match was part of a three series ODI being played in the UAE at International Cricket Council Global Cricket Academy Oval ground in Dubai, between the Disability Cricket teams of Pakistan and England. And what is more interesting is that while Pakistan national team lost the 2nd ODI to England, our disable players gave a tough time to England and won by a large margin of 79 runs.

Pakistan’s Matloob Quraishi (left) and Hasnain Alam during the match against the England in Dubai Wednesday [Image Credit: Pankaj Sharma/Gulf News]

Pakistan simply outplayed England and won the first of the three matches by a large margin of 79 runs. Hasnain and Matloob from Pakistan hit impressive centuries despite their disability. Hasnain, who lost his left foot in a mine blast, cracked 136 off just 105 balls with the help of 19 boundaries and a six, while Matloob whose right hand had to be amputated following a road accident, hit an unbeaten 110-ball 113, as Pakistan put up 285 for five in their allotted 40 overs.

England had a difficult target to chase and none of its batsmen could replicate the superb performance of Hsnaain and Matloob and lost by 79 runs.

And the sad part is I hardly found any mention of this win anywhere in today's newspapers. Do we know that such a series was going on in Dubai? Did PCB had it advertised the same way the national of 'normals' has been given coverage in the newspapers? Do we know when the team departed and who are the team members? Perhaps not many would say they do.

Even the website of Pakistan Disable Cricket Association has not been updated beyond 2010.

Now for the information of those who are reading this post, I may add that the team of Pakistan Disable players under Salim Karim is playing three three 40-over matches and two Twenty20s at the ICC Global Academy.

It may be added that Pakistan skipper Karim right leg is withered by polio and his left leg was damaged in an accident. He has been a driving force of the Pakistan team which he assembled in 2006 by funding that team's activities out of his own pocket. While Farhan Saeed, the fast bowler who hais from Karachi is an amputee, but generates extraordinary pace jumping onto a crutch when coming to ball.

While Former Test captain Rashid Latif has been coaching and supervising the training of the team, Younus Khan may also be credited for having launched the Pakistan national team for physically disabled cricketers. Younus even supports their initiative.

The Pakistan squad includes:

Saleem Karim (captain), Major Hasnain Alam (vice-captain), Matloob Qureshi, Arif Richard, Altaf Ahmed, Farooq Ahmed, Danish Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Rao Javed, Jahanzaib Tiwana, Nihaar Alam, Abdullah, Farhan Saeed, Mohammad Kalam, Mehdi Hasan, Fayyaz Ahmed, Ameer Ahmed.

With their first win, we should send our best wishes to the team and pray for their efforts to bear fruit and have winning spree throughout the on going series of three 40-overs matches and two T20 matches.

Sources: Jaho Jalal | Gulf News | Dawn News

are you broken-hearted on valentine Day today? Go to destinations that are specially for you

2012-02-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

Valentine Day is celebrated throughout the world on 14 February each year to express love specially for the lovers and spouses. Lovers exchange roses, chocolates, cards and gifts to shower one's love and try one's best to express the fathomless love to make the loved feel happier, and hearty.

But what about the broken hearted? What should they do? Should they lock themselves in their bedrooms and cry in solo while the lovers out in the streets honk loudly, date, exchange gifts and make future commitments? That would be killing, really and more depressing.

But now there are good news too and there is light at the end of the dark tunnel. There are places around the world that are specially for the people with a broken heart and those who feel lonely with no one to hold their hand. In fact some destinations are 'tailor made' for the broken hearted.....

Read details: Jaho Jalal

Watch Live Online from Abu Dhabi: First ODI Pakistan vs England - 13 February 2012

2012-02-12T17:42:00.000-08:00

Pakistan takes on rather subdued England in the first ODI in Abu Dhabi today, 13 February 2012.

Pakistan has had a tremendous morale boosting ascendancy over England after an enormous 3-0 win the est series. Pakistan has a spinner heavy bowling side with the coming back of Shahid Afridi who will join Saeed Ajmal and Abdur Rehman in today's ODI.

However, with Afridi back in the side, Rehman could miss out on selection as the former skipper, along with Hafeez and Ajmal are the favoured spinners. Umar Gul is one of the best ODI bowlers in world cricket - it remains to be seen who joins him for the attack from amongst Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan and Aizaz Cheema.

Alastair Cook takes over as captain of the British team from Andrew Strauss and leads a squad that welcomes Samit Patel, Tim Bresnan, Jade Dernbach, Craig Kieswetter, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler and Danny Briggs.

Cook, who had a 5-0 bashing from India, seems confident to make it over for the demoralized English squad and fans back home:

"It's been a tough five weeks as a Test tour but this is now a different, fresh side and hopefully we can bring that enthusiasm into the game tomorrow."

The last 5- series ODI between Pakistan and England in 2010 favoured England who won the series 3-2. But those were different times and different team members. For now, Pakistan teams seems well settled, cohesive, highly motivated and in the most superb winning form. We look forward to an interesting 4-ODI series starting today, Monday.

Probable Squads

Pakistan:
Misbah-ul-Haq*, Abdur Rehman, Adnan Akmal†, Aizaz Cheema, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Hammad Azam, Imran Farhat, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Saeed Ajmal, Shahid Afridi, Shoaib Malik, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz, Younis Khan

England:
AN Cook*, JM Anderson, JM Bairstow, RS Bopara, TT Bresnan, DR Briggs, SCJ Broad, JC Buttler†, JW Dernbach, ST Finn, C Kieswetter†, EJG Morgan, SR Patel, KP Pietersen, GP Swann, IJL Trott

The match is scheduled to begin at 15:00 local time (11:00 GMT)

The free live streaming links for the first ODI between Pakistan and England are given as herein under:

Link

[ Shared via Jaho Jalal ]

Fantasy Frontiers of Jammu and Kashmir

2012-02-12T03:08:00.000-08:00

Once new countries are born or trampled by warring armies, many problems sprout that have far reaching ramifications. Kashmir is one such area on the world map which has become a jumping pad of wars between India and Pakistan since the British left their Empire to two independently carved out states from the British India.

Much has been written on the genesis of the problem, but the fact remains that there was a foul play when demarcating boundaries on the very night of the independence against the agreed upon formula between the British and the leaders of the Indian National Congress and Pakistan Muslim League.

Pakistan and India thus went to a war soon after the Independence as both countries justified their legal rights over the area of Jammu and Kashmir. The dispute is not restricted to Pakistan and India alone - China is yet another contender who claims a portion of the disputed territory as her own.

Jammu and Kashmir - the Fantasy Frontiers [ Map: The Economist ]

I recently came across an interesting article on the status and frontiers of Jammu and Kashmir as it is claimed by China, India and Pakistan. The interactive map shows the status and extent of claims by each country along with commentary on the disputed territory.

The post also throws light on the disputed territory of the Arunachal Pradesh, presently under Indian control, but largely claimed by China.

Read details / see interactive map: The Economist

Da'wat-e-Shiraz(i) at LSE

2012-02-11T03:30:00.000-08:00

Many would wonder why Dawat-e-Shiraz(i) or a lunch at an educational institution is important and worth writing a blog post about? Well for not good reason for me either as I never studied at Lahore School of Economics (LSE) nor my did my two siblings. So why have a lunch at LSE after-all?

Lahore School of Economics

I was in Lahore yesterday for a very quick visit. I went to Lahore along with my younger son by Daewoo and were in much hurry to have the thnigs done as early as possible and be back in Islamabad before sunset. And it so happened that LSE was within a few kilometres of our zone of activities. after we were finished with the the purpose we had gone to Lahore, I rang up my friend Syed Asghar Javed Shirazi, who is the deputy controller examination at the LSE. Without wasting his breath, he asked me to join him over lunch at LSE. Since it has been a long time that he has been asking me to come over to LSE whenever I go to Lahore, I decided to finally make it up and should not turn down his kind offer of lunch, as we were otherwise famished and needed some grub to munch.

Going to LSE wan't easy as the premises is on the other end of the criss cross of under developed huge DHA of Lahore. In fact if I say that the LSE has been intelligently designed and placed in between the thriving Lahore city (at its back) and the rural Lahore (where the main entrance faces), I may not be wrong. For the students of economics, nothing could have been so very well sited - an institution situated on the economic divide of a modern thriving economic Lahore and funds starved rural area.

Since Shirazi has sent over a guide, it was easier to find way to LSE. The building was obscured from outside with wall covered with green plants, so one couldn't find out what actually is inside the walled compound - I was soon to find out.

After parking the car in the huge parking lot, our guide started walking ahead of us and we followed. We walked and walked and my bones started to ache as we continued to walk. It seemed as if the paths and lawns would never end. Finally after lot of pre-lunch exercise, we saw a familiar face and we had a sigh of relief. Shirazi with his familiar smile, which his greyish mustaches failed to hide, met us outside his single story office building and took us inside. Since we had no time for any formal gup shup, we decided to go for the lunch and have gup shup over the lunch. We came out of his office and started walking once again.

Again after lot of walking, now joined in by crowds and pairs of students walking and sitting in the green lawns, enjoying the beautiful sun in the cold Lahore afternoon, we finally came to the cafe or the staff canteen. The cafe had lunch tables nicely laid and a few faculty members were already having their lunch. A menu was ordered, but I left it to the host to whatever he 'deemed' fit for the two famished Isloos to be served with. So for me a 'biryani' was ordered while for my son french fries and fried chicken was called for. As humble as he is, Shirazi ordered for himself a very modest lunch of 'Mong ki daal and chapatis.'

Da'wat-e-Shiraz(i): Top -Chicken Biryani (L), Chicken fried (R), Bottom - Mong ki Dall (L) and fuming oven fresh rotis (R)

While the lunch arrived, we had our gup shup unleashed. In the meanwhile a sober and decent looking guy came in and sat on our table. But finding unfamiliar faces except Shirazi, he decided to change over to the other table where a few faculty members were already engrossed in a post-lunch conversation. I was told that the man none other than the rector of LSE. I was impressed by his simplicity and the diginity with he carried him. Had Shirazi introduced him to me, I would not have missed enjoying a few moments in the company of a learned man.

The lunch finally came and I envied Shirazi for having ordered for himself as the fuming hot oven-fresh rotis made me leave my biryani and share what Shirazi was eating - it was actually a 'da'wat-e-Shiraz(i)'. 'Da'wat' means calling someone over a formal lunch or dinner. Da'wat-e-Shiraz thus means a lunch of Shiraz, a place in southern Iran, famous for its archaeology of ruins of old Persian empire. And what Shirazi was eating exactly constituted the 'dish' mentioned in the famous Da'wat-e-Shiraz ( I will talk about it later).

After the very delicious lunch, for which I envy the faculty of LSE, we 'walked back' to Shirazi's office, where already a large crowd of students was waiting for him for usual office dealings. So we thanked Shirazi for the 'da'wat' and again walked back amidst the crowds of students and left Lahore with the wonderful memories of da'wat -e-Shiraz(i) at LSE.

Shared from Jaho Jalal

How military leaders have let us down: US Colonel speaks out about Afghanistan

2012-02-06T21:38:00.000-08:00

Colonel Daniel L Davis, an armoured corps officer of the US army, who landed in Afghanistan in 2010 has spoken out his mind and the 'truth' behind the US operations in war torn Afghanistan and has accused the US military of painting a misleading picture of progress in the war in Afghanistan while glossing over the Kabul government’s many failings.

Daniel says that he stayed almost a year in Afghanistan, traveled widely in support of many operations by the US army, but says what he saw bore no resemblance to rosy official statements by U.S. military leaders about conditions on the ground.

In an article 'Truth, lies and Afghanistan - How military leaders have let us down' posted in the Armed Forces Journal (AFJ), Colonel Daniel writes:

Much of what I saw during my deployment, let alone read or wrote in official reports, I can’t talk about; the information remains classified. But I can say that such reports — mine and others’ — serve to illuminate the gulf between conditions on the ground and official statements of progress.

Talking of the credibility gap, Colonel Daniel quotes:

A January 2011 report by the Afghan NGO Security Office noted that public statements made by U.S. and ISAF leaders at the end of 2010 were “sharply divergent from IMF, [international military forces, NGO-speak for ISAF] ‘strategic communication’ messages suggesting improvements. We encourage [nongovernment organization personnel] to recognize that no matter how authoritative the source of any such claim, messages of the nature are solely intended to influence American and European public opinion ahead of the withdrawal, and are not intended to offer an accurate portrayal of the situation for those who live and work here.”

When it comes to deciding what matters are worth plunging our nation into war and which are not, our senior leaders owe it to the nation and to the uniformed members to be candid — graphically, if necessary — in telling them what’s at stake and how expensive potential success is likely to be. U.S. citizens and their elected representatives can decide if the risk to blood and treasure is worth it.

Now that the US is all set to leave Afghanistan, leaving behind a more destabilized country than it was when US along with the support of its allies stormed it almost a decade ago, many questions arise in onlookers mind which when viewed in the confessions of Colonel Daniel above, paint a gory picture of the state of affairs in Afghanistan, contrary to all assertions and propaganda through official channels.

The US despite its military might could not subdue determined Vietnamese in the 60s and 70s and were forced to abandon Vietnam War with much humiliation and shame. Now after a decade, isn't the US abandoning Afghanistan in a much more disgusting and humiliating mode? The ongoing efforts to engage Taliban in talks says it all.

You may read the complete article at Armed Forces Journal
Note: A non-classified version is available at Afghan Report

Watch This Video - You will definitely share this with others

2012-02-02T18:41:00.000-08:00

No words - no explanations. But just watch the video below. I am sure you would find it moving !!

And would definitely share it for others to see

Ron Paul – The American for Real Change

2012-01-24T02:17:00.000-08:00

by Nadir Mir

Ron Paul, among Republican Party Candidates for 2012 US Presidential elections, is the American for real change. Reminding the world of virtues which had made USA a model for the world in yesteryears. Like many Great Americans, he is honest, brave, smart, honourable, generous and futuristic. Ron Paul a suave politician reminds folks of the American Revolutionary Spirit of 1776. Of the courage to stand up for truth, challenging conventional wisdom and chiseling a pragmatic road map for the future.

Cognizant of the fact that Neo-con led decade of 2000-2010 had ruined America, he advocates Neo atonement and redemption. As a patriotic American, he knows the good hearted people of USA were again being led astray by the pied pipers cabal of Globalists, Military-Industrial Complex and Neo- con remnants. This time the issue is more serious than declining at home and being over stretched abroad. If the War Lobby-cum Globalists have their way, they may drive USA into a World War (as a Ron Paul supporter, Benton exclaimed. ‘We need another armed conflict, like we need a hole in the head!)

Attacking Iran or Pakistan will be crossing the Rubicon. Putin had even earlier reportedly told his Generals ‘Prepare for Armageddon!’ Now after alleged interference from the west in Russian Politics has been termed as ‘an act of war’ by some Moscow Quarters (Imagine the mood in the Kremlin). The Chinese Navy was recently put on high alert by Beijing. Russia – China had coordinated their stance on Syria, to block the NATO onslaught. War beyond Syria, into Iran and Pakistan will spiral out of control regional war – Nuclear World War.

All this is taken into account by Ron Paul’s Geopolitical vision. He vehemently believes that the world does not need more wars. He also bravely accepts that one of the Nations which need rebuilding is called ‘United States of America’. His foreign policy is not simply isolationism, but of reducing Washington’s’ insatiable appetite as the Global Police Cop. He understands like many smart Americans do that USA can lead the world through its soft power, without recourse to hard power, or aggressive wars. (No matter how they are sugar coated, or made palatable on the basis of ‘American Exceptionalism or more recently ‘Terrorism Lexicon’)

Ron Paul and his supporters understand that even after building one aircraft carrier, the Chinese will face eleven US Carriers in the oceans (and bigger ones of Carl Wilson, class). They also remember that America won the decisive naval Battle of Midway, Second World War, with two aircraft carriers while sinking four Japanese Carriers, turning the tide in the Pacific. Even if Iran, builds ten nuclear bombs, Israel has hundreds and America can deploy thousands of nukes. Besides in high- hyper tech war no one match USA. No State Actor can hope to get away, after attacking America. The only Non State Actor Al-Qaeda is on the sights of US military power since a decade for this attempt. With two oceans for safety on the flanks, soft neighbours in the North and South, the USA has no one to fear- Except Itself. (Going overboard in its endless foreign wars, amidst a dwindling economy at home)

Ron Paul’s stance is based on courage and hope, not ‘instigated fear’. Historically USA would never have become such a great Nation without these virtues. From the ‘May Flower sailing to New England, the Thirteen Colonies seeking Independence, Boston Tea party, Lexington, Bunker hill, the star spangled banner, till the fall of Yorktown, the declaration of Independence was all about American Courage and Hope.

With fluctuations, this continued till the Cold War. Ironically after American Victory in the Cold War (termed by Francis Fukuyama as ‘End of History’) the ‘Fear Factor’ set in. Paul Kennedy had termed USA as a declining power (rise and fall are natural, as no nation can keep rising for ever). Still fear of America’s decline, or greed for foreign conquests, (corporate led) has made the ‘fear factor’ predominant in US Politics – Geopolitics. The last decade saw the ‘terrorist fear’ (exploited by Neo-Cons) taken to extreme. Obviously USA had to be made safe from all forms of foreign attacks, by Washington, but without losing balance (In the event the Americans lost their civil liberties, economic progress and are not winning their wars either)

As the American people (despite their diligence) face economic deprivation, the Germans in Europe, and Chinese in Asia are laughing all the way to their banks. The Germans and Chinese are role models of prosperity, (even as Turkey and Brazil join the new rich group). While the Americans are cursed globally for everything which goes wrong! (Due to America’s overextended Global Cop Role, it would be poorer at home and demonized abroad)

Great Americans who have been traditionally smart and futuristic know this is the wrong road. Time to change track! America needs fresh thinking –A New Narrative.

Ron Paul’s’ vision outlines a new America. The Ron Paul philosophy encompasses.

· Bringing US troops back home from Iraq, Afghan Wars, rather than starting new wars.

· Solving the Iran issue by means other than war.

· Building American Economy and reducing national debt.

· A relatively non interventionist stance in over all US foreign policy.

· Improving the lives of Americans at home and raising their prestige abroad. And a lot more!

(Many US war veterans having seen protracted and futile war at close quarters support Ron Paul) The Ron Paul theme is current, and populist. A radical thinker, albeit too radical for Republican tastes. Before Ron Paul contests the Democratic Party and President Obama, he has to match his own party mates. His concept for America is sound, the question –‘Is USA prepared for him’? Is the Ron Paul idea whose time has come? Or is he ahead of his times! Historically the Americans were revolutionaries in infancy, then turned conservative and now may see revolutionary cycle again.

After the First World War, the Americans became isolationists again! Isolation in American parlance however today has an entirely different context. Post First World War, when US GIs returned home it was 1919-1920 onwards. Today almost nine decades later a global world is an economically integrated world. It is US Geo-strategy which needs to be truncated and re chiseled not Geo-economics. America’s economic relations with Germany or China and the rest of the world would grow and not be curtailed, by saying good bye to new, unwanted wars. A new era of peace and prosperity can be ushered. America can grow rich, strong and prestigious even without the military- industrial complex going in overdrive! That is the new idea!

Ironically Ron Paul is feared by fellow Republicans and assailed by opposing Democrats. Both the Elephant and the Donkey (the two party symbols need a new rider. The American people have to decide who that will be) Ironically it is already being said that US Presidential Election 2012 is boring, routine and uninspiring except for Ron Paul (of course this may not be true).

In the mean while, new radical thinking against the elite, or unbridled capitalism has also seeped in. ’Occupy Wall Street, LA’ etc though it still a minority. Will this become a tidal wave? Meanwhile US elections-politics is mostly conservative. As one foreign resident of USA said – ‘If they do not elect Ron Paul then God help America!’

If Ron Paul is elected president, a change towards peace and prosperity for USA and the world is expected. At least Third World War, towards which the world is edging, would most likely be averted. If the Republicans or Americans do not elect Ron Paul, he would still be credited with having tried his ideas for peace and prosperity.

Many great Americans did not become the President of the United States, but they stands tall, their stature undiminished. Ron Paul may then be one of them!

About the Author: Brig Nadir Mir (R) is the author of the book “Gwadar on the Global Chessboard” and maintains a blog Pakistan and Geopolitics. Nadir Mir speaks his mind about the gravity of situation in the Baluchistan province of Pakistan and sinister designs of foreign powers to take advantage of the situation to their benefit.

US Soldiers Bludgeoning A Sheep To Death: The Next Military Video Scandal

2012-01-18T09:13:00.000-08:00

Days after the US Marine Corps faced critics over an alleged video showing Marines urinating on Taliban corpses, the US Army is facing some tough questions following the release of a video that seems to show soldiers beating a sheep.

The video has been posted on LiveLeak since November, and it's truly appalling — too graphic to post here.

Watch Live Online: 2nd Day's Play between England and Pakistan [ First Test Match Dubai ]

2012-01-18T00:32:00.001-08:00

‎
Team Pakistan's Doosra-Master Saeed Ajmal, leftthe English Batsmen Helpless in front of hisclassical Doosras and Teesras as he grabbed a career-best 7/55 in the first innings of the 1st Test.

Close of play- day 1 - Pakistan 1st innings 42/0 (Mohammad Hafeez 22*, Taufeeq Umar 18*, 15 ov)

Match Team Line up for Pakistan:

Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Adnam Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Aizaz Cheema

Match Team Line up for England:
Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett

Match Officials:
Umpires: BF Bowden and BNJ Oxenford
Tv Umpire: SJ Davis
Match Referee: J Srinath
Reserve Umpire: Ahsan Raza

Series: England tour of United Arab Emirates, Jazz Cup 2012
Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Match date/time: Tuesday, January 17th-21st , 2012 6:00 AM GMT

Live Streaming links for the match between Pakistan and England are given as follows:

Links
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Watch Pakistan vs England Test Match Online [ Free Live Streaming ]

2012-01-16T17:37:00.000-08:00

Probable Match Team Line up for Pakistan:

Mohammad Hafeez, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq, Adnam Akmal, Abdur Rehman, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Wahab Riaz

Probable Match Team Line up for England:
Andrew Strauss, Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett

Last Five Matches:
Pakistan WWDWD
England WWWWW

Current ICC Ranking:
Pakistan # 5
England # 1

Series: England tour of United Arab Emirates, Jazz Cup 2012

Venue: Dubai International Cricket Stadium
Kick off date/time: Tuesday, January 17 , 2012 6:00 AM GMT

Live Streaming links for the match between Pakistan and England are given as follows:

Links

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Arfa Karim, world's youngest Microsoft Certified Professional passes away

2012-01-14T17:33:00.000-08:00

Arfa Karim Randhawa, the world's youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) loses the race of her life Saturday 14 Jan in Lahore.

She was admitted in the Combined Military Hospital on 22 December 2011 and was since on ventilators and doctors had very little hope for her survival. At one stage, on 29 December doctors were of the opinion to switch off her ventilator as they did not find any visible signs of recovery.

But from then on she showed some signs of life and everyone hoped of her revival. She showed the Plantar Reflex when her foot was stimulated as late as yesterday and her toes curved slightly downward when her foot was tickled. She is also said to have blinked her eyes a few times. But Saturday 14 Jan 2012 was the sad day when she breathed her last at 9:50 PM (Pakistan Standard Time) at Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Lahore.

A genius in the making is now on her way to eternity ... may God bless her soul. Ameen.

[ via Imposing Headlines ]

Arfa Karim (Wikipedia)

World's youngest MCP in critical condition (Imposing Headlines)

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Democratic Urination [ Beware Graphic Content ]

2012-01-13T03:57:00.000-08:00

The readers may forgive me for choosing to name this post a little 'graphic' - but the events that usually ooze out of the biggest democracy of the world really hurt.

USA takes upon itself not to lose a single moment to condemn 'atrocities' being committed anywhere in the world, either agaisnt a group or individual, and so does the Amensity Internal. Whether it is flogging of a girl in Afghanistan, or cutting of a nose of a woman elswhere. Such news make headlines in USA and the American peublic is made to believe that other than USA, the entire world consists of barbarians and cannibals.

But perhaps that is to curtain the atrocities its very own democratic and peace loving people do, specially when it comes to US soldiers operating internationallly.

I grew up watching the movies of the WW-II, in which Germans were shown as ferocious, barbaric and atrocious while the Allies, mainly Americans were shown as the deliverers - the good guys. Too bad that Germans lost, which resulted into emergence of such movies, completely shielding atrocities committed by the Allied troops.

Atrocities at Abu Gharib

But the media today is far more independent and digging. Thanks to those courageous reporters who risk their lives and bring about the hidden truth and something which the allies of today wouldn't tell the world on their own. The atrocties and shameless handling of prisons at the notorious Abu Gharib prison is one such feat and feather in the caps of those who brought the dirty faces that even included the female officer of the prison who dragged the prisoners naked and made them to do abhorring sexual acts.

Then there are countless photos of the US soldiers storming the mosques in Iraq with their boots on, showing no respect to the worship places and keep the sanctity intact.

Democratic urination

But the latest act of a the US Marines, caught urinating on the dead bodies of the Afghans is one such act that makes wonder what kind of people are Americans anyway. Don't they have regards even for the dead? Such disgraceful acts of conduct unbecoming have been attributed to the worst of the war mongers of the past and lately to the Germans and the Japanese just after the WW-II.

How would the Americas, the drum beaters of democracy explain this gory and abhorring act of their soldiers? This is one such thing that got public - there may be countless more that have been hidden or censored away. I pity the parents whose sons have done this - I pity the nation whose sons have gone beyond the imaginable limits of decency and humanity.

And like the previous acts, the US authorities have 'promised' to investigate the matter. But what happened to those who violated rights of Abu Gharib prisons? I hear they got away with very linient punishments which were far less the gravity of the crimes they committed. And I am sure the democratic urinators will also go free for they had killed the enemy and had every right to do whatever they 'deemed fit' to their war trophies.

Candle lit welcome awaits New Year 2012

2011-12-31T09:33:00.000-08:00

I just watched the luminous welcome of the New Year 2012 by the the people of Sydney, Australia. When the clock struck 12, the entire Sydney Beach blew up millions of hues of the fire works with crowd cheering, their faces glowing in the wonderful lights and in a hope of a better and brighter 2012.

People of Sydney welcome New Year 2012 with a firework worth 4 million pounds

Having watched the magnificent fire work display, which cost Sydney 4 million pounds, I just pondered over how we were going to welcome the New Year - and exactly at that time, the lights went out on account of the never ending load shedding in our country. And I got the answer to my earlier question too: we will welcome the New Year 2012 in a candle lit night.

When New Year arrives, most of the areas will be plunged in darkens of load shedding

And as I said before, while people of Australia were happy and glowing to start the new year with new aspirations and hope, bombshells await us as the new year commences. The government has already announced enhancement of tarrif of electricity, CNG and LPG. While we will be paying much more than what we did in 2011, we shall still not have electricity or CNG.

I do not know how the economic and financial managers look at the crisis - even despite raising electricity tarrif many times during the 2011, there is no sign of relief pf getting rid of the menace of lead shedding. Nor there seems to be an end to the CNG crisis in the country.

The state run organs like PIA, Railways and the Pakistan Steel are already on the lowest level of their efficiency, their performance marred by delays and subsequently cancellation of flights and trains. People are losing hope day by day - and they don't find good days in sight for a foreseeable future - this goes on amid rhetorical claims of 'changing the life of the poor' by those in power.

Happy New Year 2012 (Photo: Jalalspages)

I gotta finish this post to find some candles to be ready fro the new year welcome - at least the new year will not find me sitting in darkness. I wish you, my fellow countrymen Happy New Year 2012.

An Interesting Correlation: Point to Ponder

2011-12-29T23:23:00.000-08:00

I received this self-explanatory photo without any remarks - so I am doing the same:

World's youngest MCP in Critical Condition

2011-12-29T04:53:00.000-08:00

READERS ARE REQUESTED TO PRAY FOR THE LITTLE GENIUS ON VENTILATOR

[ via Imposing Headlines ] 29 Dec

Aarifa Karim, a Pakistani girl from Faisalabad who became the world’s youngest Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in 2004 at the age of nine, is in a critical condition in a hospital in Lahore, Express News reported on Thursday.

Aarifa Karim at Microsoft (Photo: Proud to be Pakistani)

Karim’s father told Express News that she had an epileptic attack on December 22 which damaged her heart and her brain.

Doctors said that she is on a ventilator and they might have to unplug her machines as there are hardly any chances of saving her, but they cannot take any decision against the family’s will.

Karim had also earned the Fatima Jinnah gold medal and Salam Pakistan Youth Award in 2005 over her achievement, and was also invited to the Microsoft Headquarters in the US by Bill Gates for being the World’s youngest MCP.

Karim earned her first flight certificate by flying a plane at a flying club in Dubai at the age of 10, and was invited by Microsoft in 2006 to be a key-note speaker at the Tech-Ed Developers Conference, where she was the only Pakistani among over 5,000 developers.

US admits mistakes over killings of Pakistan troops

2011-12-22T17:39:00.000-08:00

[ via Imposing Headlines ]

The US military has admitted it bears significant responsibility for last month's air strike on the Afghan border that killed 24 Pakistani soldiers. A Pentagon spokesman later expressed "deep regret" over the incident.

Coffins of the martyred Pakistan Army soldier (L) - Smoke from the destroyed Pakistan Army Posts attacked by NATO

A statement said US and Afghan troops acted in self defence, but conceded there had been a lack of proper co-ordination with Pakistani forces. According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, US and Afghan commandos made a series of mistakes on 26 November.

They incorrectly concluded there were no Pakistani forces in the Afghan border area where the coalition was conducting an operation - which cleared the way for a Nato air strike that devastated Pakistani positions.

After the initial strike, the US compounded its mistake by providing inaccurate data to a Pakistani military representative at the border co-ordination centre, missing an opportunity to stop the fighting.

Read details at BBC News Asia

How US can improve its image in Pakistan?

2011-12-19T02:35:00.000-08:00

[ via Opinion Maker ]

by Brig Nadir Mir

Regardless of US, Pakistan remaining allies or not, they were never destined to be enemies. Yet anti Americanism grows in Pakistan and frustration with Pakistan increases in America. Even though 'disenchanted allies' for long, the last decade, post 9/11 has resulted in a growing animosity. This is a result of American geopolitical naiveté, Pakistani wishfulness and Indians deceit creating an explosive brew. Yet there is a clear distinction between US and Pakistani global perceptions. US being a global albeit sole super power has to worry about a long list of geopolitical rivals, allies, surrogates and fence sitters.

Pakistan's case is much simpler. Its geopolitical world is limited. Indian threat, Afghanistan issues and American relations are key subjects for now. Afghanistan the geopolitical square on the global chessboard for testing both!

American stock in Pakistan has plunged to the lowest depth. America needs Pakistan, while it is in Afghanistan. But Washington will need Islamabad even more ....

Read full post here...

Bonn conference to yield nothing: Musharraf

2011-12-04T02:29:00.000-08:00

[ Pakistan Today ] 4 Dec

While there is much uproar of Pakistan's decision not to attend the Bonn conference on Afghanistan as a consequence to deadly NATO attack on Pakistan's military check-posts, leaving 24 soldiers dead, the former President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf says that the Bonn Conference will not produce any magical results that could solve the Afghanistan issue.

Expressing his views in a television interview he said that no one knows who is leading the Taliban and who holds sway over them.

“Who is the real commander of Taliban? This is an important question. Mullah Umer or Gulbadin Hikmatyar or Haqqani? So who should be talked to? ”

[ via Imposing Headlines ]

Beware Headers !! Too many heads can be fatal

2011-11-29T09:51:00.000-08:00

BBC Health 29 Nov

A new study comes as a forewarning for the football players: Too many heads can lead to brain injury. The doctors warn that they have found proof on brain scans. The study is based on imaging of 32 keen amateur players revealed patterns of damage similar to that seen in patients with concussion.

Headers in football can be fatal (Photo: Live Leak)

It may be added that "Heading" is believed to have killed the English footballer Jeff Astle. Astle, 59, who died in 2002, developed cognitive problems after years of playing for England and West Bromwich Albion.

Read BBC Health for details

Point to Ponder

2011-11-27T22:52:00.000-08:00

Pakistan has done more than MORE at the behest of USA, NATO and ISAF for peace in Afghanistan - but what have we got in return? Asking us to do more and more and still more. And along with it come continued drone attacks, killing 90-95% innocent as a result of collateral damage - killing by people like Raymond Davis in broad day light and still making an exit.

Attacking army post in September 2010, leaving three soldiers perished. Now the latest incident of attacking a Pakistan Army post in which 26 soldiers, including a major and a captain perished and 16 injured. How long can we go on doing more?

NATO toning down the Deathly Air Attack on Pakistani check post “Grammatically”

2011-11-27T08:13:00.000-08:00

It is just appalling and awesome – you kill people deliberately then “mince” your response in a manner that few can understand, thus confusing a majority. The Saturday morning’s air attack on a Pakistani check post by NATO helicopters that left 26 dead and 14 wounded was a gruesome act by the so called “allies on the war of (t)error.”

Now instead of out rightly being apologetic of this shameful act of stabbing friends in darkness, the NATO is trying to use words that may confuse the readers and make them feel as if nothing much has happened. The ISAF spokesman uses the first confusing word of development of a “tactical situation” on ground, calling for close air support. Then it says it is “highly likely” that the air support “that was brought forward” caused the incident.

Brigadier Jacob, ISAF spokesman adds that he regrets the loss of life but cannot offer any apologies until the probe is completed.

On the other hand, US spokesman, quoting Ms Clinton and the US Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff adds: "These US diplomatic and military leaders each stressed -- in addition to their sympathies and a commitment to review the circumstances of the incident -- the importance of the US-Pakistani partnership, which serves the mutual interests of our people," the US statement said.

If we recall, in a similar air raid in September last year, the same very words were used, and a “full investigation” was vowed by the US, NATO and ISAF, when Pakistan threatened to cut of LOC of NATO. But nothing conclusive came out and a mere apology was aptly worded to close off the case. Like was the case of notorious Raymond Davis, who brutally and cold bloodedly killed three Pakistanis in broad daylight in Lahore and was siphoned off the country with tacit deals and yet no inquiries were conducted against him. And even if some questioning was made, it was not made public.

The Saturday raid has left 26 families lamented for the rest of their lives. God knows how many women have been widowed or how many children, may be some unborn, have been orphaned. Even those who are injured must be in pretty bad shape. May be many of them have lost their limbs forever or have deep scars, never to be healed.

This confusing War of (T)error continues with more casualties in Pakistan than in Afghanistan or of NATO and ISAF troops. While Pakistan has done much more than it should have, it is still being pressed to do more, even more and still more every day. How can a force fight on when its own ranks are being killed by the forces they are supporting?

The outrage by Pakistan is very obvious and logical. The rise of Taliban is a direct outcome of the NATO invasion of Afghanistan. The US having found its inability to achieve its objectives in Afghanistan is already packing off and in a hurry to leave war torn Afghanistan before it becomes another Vietnam for the USA. And when US exits, it leaves behind a more shattered and unstable Afghanistan than it was before US involvement in the region.

Its time now that our politicians sit down together and work out a clear cut approach on our involvement in this nonsense war and give its armed forces a clear cut mandate to retaliate if such like incidents happen again. There is no fun of calling emergency meetings every time such incidents take place and then hurriedly buy an apology from a low US official and start helping the NATO again. Let us for the sake of our future generations take decisions that are taken keeping in view the aspirations of our people and ensuring integrity of our country.

Let not mere words, articulately worded, tacitly framed, fool us every time an incident involving the national integrity of Pakistan takes place.