Mumbai attack trial begins in US, Headley bares ISI role
http://news.in.msn.com/international/article.aspx?cp-documentid=5171476&page=2
Mumbai attack accused David Coleman Headley testifies, says he "disliked India".
Chicago: Pakistani-American David Headley, who has pleaded guilty, said in court today that LeT founder and 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed motivated him for jihad against India.
In a statement that incriminates Pakistan's ISI, headley said that terrorist groups Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammad, in fact, functioned under the ISI, and that the ISI provided military and financial support to these groups.
As the trial goes on, Headley is likely to discuss allegations that Pakistan's government knew or possibly helped plan the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, a Chicago court was told Monday.
Headley, who in a plea deal to avoid the death penalty has confessed to scouting targets for the attack, will testify during the trial of his co-accused, Pakistan born Tahawwur Rana, Assistant US Attorney Sarah Streicker said in her opening statement in the federal court here.
"This is a case about the defendant's support of two terror plots," Streicker told a jury of four men and eight women.
"One that sadly happened, one that was stopped," she said, referring to the foiled plot to attack a Danish newspaper that had published cartoons of Prophet Mohammed.
Rana provided cover for his friend Headley, who took photos and video of targets in Mumbai. It was Rana who led Headley to pose as a representative for his Chicago-based immigration business, she said.
Describing Headley as a clean cut man who could have been any tourist with a camera in Mumbai, the prosecutor suggested that it was Rana who approved of the plot to attack Mumbai at the behest of Lashkar-e-Taiba.
Those charged with Rana include Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed, allegedly a retired Pakistani Army officer, Ilyas Kashmiri, who, the US said, commands Harakat-ul Jihad Islami, a Pakistan-based terrorist group with ties to Al Qaeda, and another man identified only as "Major Iqbal," who reportedly helped plan the Mumbai assault and used Rana to relay messages to Headley.
Rana's trial is being closely watched worldwide for testimony that might reveal suspected links between LeT and the Pakistani spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI).
Rana, 50, has pleaded not guilty. His attorneys say their client was simply duped by his longtime friend Headley, whom he first met at Pakistan's top military boarding school.
Rana claims he did not know about the plot for the Mumbai attack that killed more than 160 people including six Americans.
Monday, 23 May 2011
ISI is the best secret agency, is it?
ISI is the best secret agency, is it?
Dr Shabir Choudhry 23 May 2011
Over the past few years big targets related to security services and other military institutions in various parts of Pakistan have been attacked by terrorists. They even attacked Head Quarters of the Pakistan Army, held many officers hostage for twenty hours and killed many people including a Brigadier and Lt. Colonel. Despite this obvious blunder or security lapse no one accepted that there was a security lapse or an intelligence failure.
However, after Abbotabad incident, which totally exposed the Pakistan army and their secret agencies, an attempt is made to promote the ISI as the best secret agency of the world. I don’t know what criteria were used but some institutions have put the ISI as the best secret agency in the world; but others have put it as the second or the third best.
Other secret agencies which are among the top ten are: CIA (America), MI - 6 (Britain), Mossad (Israel), BND (Germany), FSB (Russia), MSS (China), DGSE (France), RAW (India) and ASIS (Australia).
Pakistan army is also presented as one of the best professional army in the world. Professionalism of any army is tested by its ability to defend national borders and defeat enemy. History proves that despite much acclaimed professionalism and bravery of the Pakistan army they have not won any war, if anything, they lost East Pakistan and resulted in the biggest surrender in the world history.
Role of secret agencies is to work as ear and eyes of the government and armed forces that they can protect its borders and other national interests. Role of the intelligence services has become extremely crucial in defence of the national interests; and helping to devise policies to protect its people, or at least protect its own safe houses and military installations.
Performance of secret agencies are not judged by their behaviour to the unarmed civilians. Even most inefficient and corrupt secret agencies have the ability to harass, intimidate, oppress, kidnap and kill its own civilians; and in civilised societies that is seen as a stigma and not actions worthy of praise and medals.
Therefore, performance of the ISI should not be judged by its ability and actions committed against citizens of Pakistan, whether they were kidnapped from outside the prisons after being released by courts or abducted from their homes. Also its performance should not be judged by number of people they arrested and then ‘sold’ to the CIA for dollars.
Furthermore, performance of the ISI should not be measured by its complicity in invasion of the Pakistani capitals; rigging elections, defaming politicians and bringing down democratically elected governments.
In view of the above, if Pakistan has lost all the wars, no doubt army is responsible for that, but how could ISI escape blame, as it is the premier secret agency and it must share blame for those failures. Similarly secret agencies, including the ISI are also responsible for failure to protect army’s GHQ and other security and military related installations.
It is strange that after each big success of the terrorists or after each big intelligence lapse or failure, no government official, no minister, army Chief or security Chief has accepted responsibility for anything. They have always claimed that there was no security lapse or intelligence failure; and that security services and other law enforcing agencies cannot be at every nook or corner of the country.
On the night of 22 May terrorist inflicted the biggest blow to prestige and power of the Pakistan army in Karachi where only six people managed to enter PNS Mehran, killed 12 navy and rangers personnel, destroyed billions worth of property, including planes, helicopters, fought them for 16 hours and still two of them managed to escape. And tragedy is no one is held responsible for this failure; and while other government top officials and army officials are tight lipped about this tragic incident, some officials like Home Minister, Rehman Malik are hailing it as a big success of those fighting terrorism.
Naval Chief, instead of explaining its failure praised the training and weaponry of those who attacked the naval compound. This praise resulted in one commentator saying when are you going to send your lot to be trained by these terrorists.
In view of those who are in charge of security and protecting national interest and protecting life and dignity of citizens and that of Pakistan, like previous occasions claimed that there was no security lapse and no intelligence failure. If that is true, then how these six men, armed to teeth, managed to get in this supposedly very secure area, inflict so much damage, kill armed personnel, fight for 16 hours and still escape when this area was completely surrounded by army men.
I agree it is not a security lapse; it is much more than that. This blunder deserves a new name or terminology to elucidate the degree of damage it has inflicted. Moreover, one wonders if some kind of inside help and support was available to these terrorists, who directed them to the target and helped them to escape.
If this is not a security lapse or intelligence failure then what is a security lapse or intelligence failure? Perhaps meaning of the security lapse and intelligence failure is different in Pakistan than in other countries of the world. There is no tradition of accepting any responsibility or resigning over these blunders, as it happens in civilised and democratic countries.
One wonders, despite all the big failures which are associated with the ISI, one wonders why the premier agency of Pakistan is being promotes as the best in the world? Why they are pampered as the best secret agency when the performance related to protecting national interest of Pakistan; and even protecting its own safe houses is disappointing.
Unlike secret agencies of other countries, Pakistani ISI is also closely associated with the foreign policy related to ‘jihad’ in Kashmir and Afghanistan. We all know how they have messed up both issues and how many people have lost lives because of their wrong policies and wrong strategies.
So one can see the record of the ISI, be it related to Kashmir, Afghanistan and protecting national interests of Pakistan; and even protecting its own security related institutions is extremely disappointing. Despite that some people are urging every one to stand behind them and support them; but question is support them in what? No one is against these institutions, every country has them and needs them, and criticism is not on their existence but on their role and performance.
After 9/11 and after invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, America, Britain, France and other Western countries were perceived as waging a war against Muslims and Alqaeeda declared a war against them. Despite war on terrorism, invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, America has ensured that no terrorism takes place inside the American territory. Yet some Pakistani writers and TV anchors, in their attempt to cover failures of the ISI criticise CIA for failing to predict Russian invasion of Afghanistan.
These anchors don’t know that in view of some experts CIA manoeuvred situation that Russia invades Afghanistan – a ‘bear trap’ – that a score of Vietnam could be levelled. In any case, the American secret agencies have managed to keep terrorists away from their shores and one should judge them on that performance. Similarly record of secret agencies of other countries like Britain, France, Germany and Australia is remarkable.
Pakistani secret agencies, on the other hand, have worked hard to make America’s war ‘their own war’, that has resulted in death of more than 35,000 Pakistanis and destruction of property worth more than 55 billion and enormous loss to economy; and still people are told that Pakistanis should be proud of the role of ISI.
Both Pakistan army and the ISI have some brilliant and loyal officers; but one at times wonder if those who are entrusted with making policies or deciding priorities know what they are doing. Unlike professional armies of other countries, professional army of Pakistan, despite other duties is also closely associated with running other important institutions like Housing Societies, cement factories, banks and many other business enterprises.
If army and the ISI limit their role to their professions, stop thinking themselves above the law, and make them accountable to the civilian rule, then surely with help and support of the people they will weather the storm. If on the other hand, old policies with some cosmetic changes continue then surely it will bring a disaster to the entire region.
Writer is Head Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
View my blog and web: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com
www.k4kashmir.com
Dr Shabir Choudhry 23 May 2011
Over the past few years big targets related to security services and other military institutions in various parts of Pakistan have been attacked by terrorists. They even attacked Head Quarters of the Pakistan Army, held many officers hostage for twenty hours and killed many people including a Brigadier and Lt. Colonel. Despite this obvious blunder or security lapse no one accepted that there was a security lapse or an intelligence failure.
However, after Abbotabad incident, which totally exposed the Pakistan army and their secret agencies, an attempt is made to promote the ISI as the best secret agency of the world. I don’t know what criteria were used but some institutions have put the ISI as the best secret agency in the world; but others have put it as the second or the third best.
Other secret agencies which are among the top ten are: CIA (America), MI - 6 (Britain), Mossad (Israel), BND (Germany), FSB (Russia), MSS (China), DGSE (France), RAW (India) and ASIS (Australia).
Pakistan army is also presented as one of the best professional army in the world. Professionalism of any army is tested by its ability to defend national borders and defeat enemy. History proves that despite much acclaimed professionalism and bravery of the Pakistan army they have not won any war, if anything, they lost East Pakistan and resulted in the biggest surrender in the world history.
Role of secret agencies is to work as ear and eyes of the government and armed forces that they can protect its borders and other national interests. Role of the intelligence services has become extremely crucial in defence of the national interests; and helping to devise policies to protect its people, or at least protect its own safe houses and military installations.
Performance of secret agencies are not judged by their behaviour to the unarmed civilians. Even most inefficient and corrupt secret agencies have the ability to harass, intimidate, oppress, kidnap and kill its own civilians; and in civilised societies that is seen as a stigma and not actions worthy of praise and medals.
Therefore, performance of the ISI should not be judged by its ability and actions committed against citizens of Pakistan, whether they were kidnapped from outside the prisons after being released by courts or abducted from their homes. Also its performance should not be judged by number of people they arrested and then ‘sold’ to the CIA for dollars.
Furthermore, performance of the ISI should not be measured by its complicity in invasion of the Pakistani capitals; rigging elections, defaming politicians and bringing down democratically elected governments.
In view of the above, if Pakistan has lost all the wars, no doubt army is responsible for that, but how could ISI escape blame, as it is the premier secret agency and it must share blame for those failures. Similarly secret agencies, including the ISI are also responsible for failure to protect army’s GHQ and other security and military related installations.
It is strange that after each big success of the terrorists or after each big intelligence lapse or failure, no government official, no minister, army Chief or security Chief has accepted responsibility for anything. They have always claimed that there was no security lapse or intelligence failure; and that security services and other law enforcing agencies cannot be at every nook or corner of the country.
On the night of 22 May terrorist inflicted the biggest blow to prestige and power of the Pakistan army in Karachi where only six people managed to enter PNS Mehran, killed 12 navy and rangers personnel, destroyed billions worth of property, including planes, helicopters, fought them for 16 hours and still two of them managed to escape. And tragedy is no one is held responsible for this failure; and while other government top officials and army officials are tight lipped about this tragic incident, some officials like Home Minister, Rehman Malik are hailing it as a big success of those fighting terrorism.
Naval Chief, instead of explaining its failure praised the training and weaponry of those who attacked the naval compound. This praise resulted in one commentator saying when are you going to send your lot to be trained by these terrorists.
In view of those who are in charge of security and protecting national interest and protecting life and dignity of citizens and that of Pakistan, like previous occasions claimed that there was no security lapse and no intelligence failure. If that is true, then how these six men, armed to teeth, managed to get in this supposedly very secure area, inflict so much damage, kill armed personnel, fight for 16 hours and still escape when this area was completely surrounded by army men.
I agree it is not a security lapse; it is much more than that. This blunder deserves a new name or terminology to elucidate the degree of damage it has inflicted. Moreover, one wonders if some kind of inside help and support was available to these terrorists, who directed them to the target and helped them to escape.
If this is not a security lapse or intelligence failure then what is a security lapse or intelligence failure? Perhaps meaning of the security lapse and intelligence failure is different in Pakistan than in other countries of the world. There is no tradition of accepting any responsibility or resigning over these blunders, as it happens in civilised and democratic countries.
One wonders, despite all the big failures which are associated with the ISI, one wonders why the premier agency of Pakistan is being promotes as the best in the world? Why they are pampered as the best secret agency when the performance related to protecting national interest of Pakistan; and even protecting its own safe houses is disappointing.
Unlike secret agencies of other countries, Pakistani ISI is also closely associated with the foreign policy related to ‘jihad’ in Kashmir and Afghanistan. We all know how they have messed up both issues and how many people have lost lives because of their wrong policies and wrong strategies.
So one can see the record of the ISI, be it related to Kashmir, Afghanistan and protecting national interests of Pakistan; and even protecting its own security related institutions is extremely disappointing. Despite that some people are urging every one to stand behind them and support them; but question is support them in what? No one is against these institutions, every country has them and needs them, and criticism is not on their existence but on their role and performance.
After 9/11 and after invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, America, Britain, France and other Western countries were perceived as waging a war against Muslims and Alqaeeda declared a war against them. Despite war on terrorism, invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq, America has ensured that no terrorism takes place inside the American territory. Yet some Pakistani writers and TV anchors, in their attempt to cover failures of the ISI criticise CIA for failing to predict Russian invasion of Afghanistan.
These anchors don’t know that in view of some experts CIA manoeuvred situation that Russia invades Afghanistan – a ‘bear trap’ – that a score of Vietnam could be levelled. In any case, the American secret agencies have managed to keep terrorists away from their shores and one should judge them on that performance. Similarly record of secret agencies of other countries like Britain, France, Germany and Australia is remarkable.
Pakistani secret agencies, on the other hand, have worked hard to make America’s war ‘their own war’, that has resulted in death of more than 35,000 Pakistanis and destruction of property worth more than 55 billion and enormous loss to economy; and still people are told that Pakistanis should be proud of the role of ISI.
Both Pakistan army and the ISI have some brilliant and loyal officers; but one at times wonder if those who are entrusted with making policies or deciding priorities know what they are doing. Unlike professional armies of other countries, professional army of Pakistan, despite other duties is also closely associated with running other important institutions like Housing Societies, cement factories, banks and many other business enterprises.
If army and the ISI limit their role to their professions, stop thinking themselves above the law, and make them accountable to the civilian rule, then surely with help and support of the people they will weather the storm. If on the other hand, old policies with some cosmetic changes continue then surely it will bring a disaster to the entire region.
Writer is Head Diplomatic Committee of Kashmir National Party, political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com
View my blog and web: www.drshabirchoudhry.blogspot.com
www.k4kashmir.com
Another Azad Kashmir becomes a victim of ISI butchery
Another Azad Kashmir becomes a victim of ISI butchery
London 23 May 2001
Dr Rizwan son of Mohammed Sarwar resident of Muzaffarabad was kidnapped by officials of ISI on 7th May 2011 from his house; and today on 23 May, he was killed.
No case was registered against Dr Rizwan and he was kept in the torture cells of the ISI. The local police demanded family of the deceased to pay them 60,000 rupees and they will release him. While the family struggled to make arrangements for this money, today to their horror they discovered that they have killed innocent Dr Rizwan.
The police are not even releasing body of the deceased and the local people are extremely angry about this and having a demonstration against this terrorism of the ISI.
While speaking to Dr Shabir Choudhry, Afzaal Suleria, President of Kashmir National Party- Azad Kashmir Chapter said: ‘Another innocent Azad Kashmiri has become a victim of the ISI. We people are constantly harassed and victimised because we oppose the Pakistani occupation of our motherland.’
Afzaal Suleria said, ‘Those people who still think Pakistan and their agencies are our friends and brothers need to wake up and understand that Pakistani rule here is imperial in nature and we need to oppose their oppressive and colonial rule. Our struggle for independence is peaceful and yet we are subject to this kind of oppression and killings.’
Afzaal Suleria said: ‘All those who believe in human rights and rule of law must condemn this act of butchery and protest against it.’ He categorically asserted that, ‘Despite this cruelty and victimisation, out struggle for united and independent Jammu and Kashmir will continue. We want people of Jammu and Kashmir living on the Indian side of divide need to understand that we are also occupied and victims of the Pakistani oppression.’
KNP leaders, Abbas Butt, Dr Shabir Choudhry, Asim Mirza, Nawaz Majid, and others have strongly condemned this brutal killing and demanded those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.
KNP leaders said, ‘Our struggle is peaceful, but Pakistani secret agencies are forcing people to taking up arms against them that the ISI can crush them by calling them terrorists.’
They further said, ‘Pakistani agencies should try to save Pakistan from their out of date and bankrupt policies which have landed Pakistan in this difficulty instead of targeting innocent Kashmiris.
Issued by Dr Shabir Choudhry
Tel: 0044 77909 42471
Email: drshabirchoudhry@googlemail.com
London 23 May 2001
Dr Rizwan son of Mohammed Sarwar resident of Muzaffarabad was kidnapped by officials of ISI on 7th May 2011 from his house; and today on 23 May, he was killed.
No case was registered against Dr Rizwan and he was kept in the torture cells of the ISI. The local police demanded family of the deceased to pay them 60,000 rupees and they will release him. While the family struggled to make arrangements for this money, today to their horror they discovered that they have killed innocent Dr Rizwan.
The police are not even releasing body of the deceased and the local people are extremely angry about this and having a demonstration against this terrorism of the ISI.
While speaking to Dr Shabir Choudhry, Afzaal Suleria, President of Kashmir National Party- Azad Kashmir Chapter said: ‘Another innocent Azad Kashmiri has become a victim of the ISI. We people are constantly harassed and victimised because we oppose the Pakistani occupation of our motherland.’
Afzaal Suleria said, ‘Those people who still think Pakistan and their agencies are our friends and brothers need to wake up and understand that Pakistani rule here is imperial in nature and we need to oppose their oppressive and colonial rule. Our struggle for independence is peaceful and yet we are subject to this kind of oppression and killings.’
Afzaal Suleria said: ‘All those who believe in human rights and rule of law must condemn this act of butchery and protest against it.’ He categorically asserted that, ‘Despite this cruelty and victimisation, out struggle for united and independent Jammu and Kashmir will continue. We want people of Jammu and Kashmir living on the Indian side of divide need to understand that we are also occupied and victims of the Pakistani oppression.’
KNP leaders, Abbas Butt, Dr Shabir Choudhry, Asim Mirza, Nawaz Majid, and others have strongly condemned this brutal killing and demanded those responsible must be held accountable for their actions.
KNP leaders said, ‘Our struggle is peaceful, but Pakistani secret agencies are forcing people to taking up arms against them that the ISI can crush them by calling them terrorists.’
They further said, ‘Pakistani agencies should try to save Pakistan from their out of date and bankrupt policies which have landed Pakistan in this difficulty instead of targeting innocent Kashmiris.
Issued by Dr Shabir Choudhry
Tel: 0044 77909 42471
Email: drshabirchoudhry@googlemail.com
killing of pundits acknowledged by Bita Karatae
http://www.facebook.com/l/07e11/www.youtube.com/watch?v=fH6gaY9XoKE
http://www.facebook.com/l/07e11/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bub_%28film%29.
http://www.facebook.com/l/07e11/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bub_%28film%29.
Sunday, 22 May 2011
Threats To Pakistan: The Scenario And The Response
Threats To Pakistan: The Scenario And The Response
SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2011
94Share
ADDED JAN 6, 2010, UNDER: GEOPOLITICS , PAKISTAN , SECURITY
Najam Mahmud | TX Desk
This short paper will look at the current geo political situation that Pakistan faces. The aftermath of the “Osama” event has raised the threat levels for Pakistan and brought out in the open the atrocious designs of our so called strategic partner, the USA.
The threats are multiple and complex, the response has to be equally befitting and effective to counter the perilous security environment that is being created in and around Pakistan.
Three Prolonged Threats:
1. ISRAEL
The transformation of Israel from a midget to an ugly giant is in the making. The grand design of Zionist expansionism is to seize all the oil-rich lands from the shores of the Euphrates to the banks of the Nile. The current chaos in the Middle East must be understood with this Zionist plan. No doubt many of the people taking part in the Middle East uprisings are genuinely doing so for their natural rights but Israel has full plans to manipulate the chaos in order to create an environment and an excuse for the nest big war in the Middle East.
The Americans as usual will blindly support Israel like a slave fulfills every wish of his master however before Israel can impose another war it has a problem that is still stopping it from moving ahead. This problem is not Iran nor Syria it is the nuclear deterrence of Pakistan, plus the advance missile technology and highly well-trained and ideologically-motivated Pakistan armed forces.
Israel has always tried to sabotage the Pakistani nuclear program but miserably failed; now it is trying again through the Americans who have staged the Osama drama to put pressure on Pakistan and create a serious threat to its nuclear installations. The US at the behest of Israel is using its corporate media to spread negative propaganda about the safety of the Pakistani nuclear assets and some reports have even suggested that if things were to become volatile in Pakistan, the Americans will physically move in to secure the nuclear assets. This is easier said than done and the Pakistan Armed forces have made all the contingency plans to counter such nefarious US designs.
The reader must understand that all the hue and cry about the ISI and all the fake reports planted in the media that exaggerate the reports of militants' power is nothing more than a carefully conceived deception to convince the large ignorant public that the Pakistani nuclear program is 'a threat'. The fact of the matter is that all the Pakistani strategic installations and assets are well protected and no one can get close to the installations, let alone infiltrating them.
The proposed map of a "Greater Israel"
Israel is planning to wage a grand war in the Middle East as it hopes to fulfill its plan of creating what it calls a ‘Greater Israel’. A significant spoke in the wheels for Israel is the nuclear capability of Pakistan. Israel understands that unlike the easy targets in the Middle East, Pakistan not only has the strategic arsenal but also the capability of posing a serious threat to Israel’s future hegemonic plans in the region.
The humiliating defeat that the Americans now clearly see in Afghanistan is making Israel panic and pushing it towards a new misadventure. In the fast changing Middle East scenario and the final show down in Afghanistan, Pakistan must be ready to respond to and efficiently counter all possible threats.
2. The United States of America
It is obvious to the world that the American military industrial complex like all the previous empires that tried to conquer Afghanistan are failing and now looking for a face-saving exit. The staged hoax at Abbottabad was also done for this purpose so that the American president can tell his people "the mission’ has been accomplished". There is no need to go into too much detail, it sufficient to note that various independent sources over the years have confirmed that Osama died many years back. The failure of the US administration to provide any proof only goes to confirm that the recent claims are nothing more than well staged lies
The Americans know they have to leave, with the spring offensive “Operation Badar” now well underway the Afghan Taliban have launched major offensives which are raising the cost of war for the Americans both in human and monetary terms.
Map of Afghanistan (red regions are Taliban strongholds, pink regions are areas with Taliban activity and minimum government control)
The US wants to damage Pakistan before it leaves Afghanistan. In addition, it still dreams of somehow causing harm to Pakistan' nuclear deterrence and it is for this purpose that the CIA has been stabbing Pakistan in the back and playing a double game with the ISI.
The Americans have also been engaged in questionable activities inside Pakistan and the increased tensions between ISI and CIA have reached unprecedented levels. It is encouraging to see that finally the defence establishment in the country has effected a reduction in the US military/ intelligence staff in Pakistan.
3. India
Those who closely monitor Indian defence and foreign policy understand very well that India always attempts to harm Pakistani interests whenever any opportunity arises. India has and will always try to stab Pakistan in the back. Majority of Pakistanis understand the sinister Indian designs and also realize that any moves to normalize the relations between the two countries hold no real value for if a country’s defence and ideological doctrine is based on damaging your country and threatening your very existence, then peace is nothing more than wishful thinking. Indeed, a few Pakistanis fall for such moves like 'Aman ki Asha'; some out of pure naivety while some who are traitors in the ranks and guilty of treason.
The pragmatic and patriotic elements in Pakistan understand the Indian subversive activities being carried out in Pakistan. There is irrefutable evidence that India has been trying to destabilize Pakistan and therefore no talk of peace can be taken seriously by a neighbor that spends billions in trying to harm your country.
While the threats from India must never be underestimated, it is also important to make India realize that attacking Pakistan will not be in India’s own interest and may result in consequences that bring the end to its existence. The reader will understand that I am alluding to the separatist movements in India which can easily flare up if any sort of conflict is to erupt between the two nuclear states. The separatist movements in India have the potential to weaken the federation and eventually disintegrate it. The dynamics can take a much more dire turn in case India engages in any future conflict with Pakistan.
The Response:
We have briefly discussed the threats being faced by Pakistan. The situation is critical and the response has to be befitting to reduce the threat level. It must be understood that a dangerous game is being played by the three states, lead by our so-called friend and ally, the United States of America. However, the facts on the ground are now obvious to everyone and minus a small minority of ignorant or insincere elements, the majority of the people of Pakistan understand that the US has been an enemy in the guise of a friend and stabbing us in the back along with India while Israel has been playing its role by its lobby's influence in the US. It is fairly well understood that Washington's foreign policy is dictated by Tel Aviv.
Now we look at the Pakistani response to the threats:
1. Nuclear Deterrence
The Pakistani nuclear program has gone from strength to strength, and Pakistan has also now ensured that it has the means of sustaining a surprise attack and still manage to retaliate by deploying a second strike capability. In this regard the key achievements are:
> Pakistan now has deeply buried storage and launch facilities to retain a second strike capability in a nuclear war.
> Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal has been redeployed at new secret locations. There is also expansion taking place to augment the program and maintain the level needed for strategic deterrence.
> In terms of the delivery mechanism (in case the weapons need to be used), Pakistan has multiple means delivery: Fighter aircraft of Pakistan Air Force and surface-to-surface missiles controlled by the Pakistan Army.
> Pakistan has also accelerated its own missile development program and now has various types of ballistic missiles which are capable of carrying nuclear payloads. Pakistan is also developing nuclear-capable cruise missiles with ground, sea and air-launched versions. Pakistan continues to carry out ballistic missile tests after regular intervals.
Nuclear Doctrine
Pakistan's Nuclear Doctrine is formulated to counter the Indian threat and given the level and nature of this threat, Pakistan maintains the option of first-strike. In other words in case of aggression by India, we retain the option to use nuclear weapons first, even if the attack is with conventional weapons.
Pakistan's nuclear policy is clear that a “minimum credible deterrent” must be maintained again as a deterrent to Indian military threat. Pakistan strategic assets have to be maintained at a level where they can achieve the following strategic imperatives:
> Thwart external aggression
> Thwart incoming attacks through a combination of conventional and strategic forces
> Ensure retaliatory capability by securing strategic weapons
> Ensure strategic deterrence as a contribution to South Asia's general defence
2. Strategic relations with China
In the entire Osama saga, China was the one country that stood by Pakistan and not only sent the US a clear message on what it thought of the violation of Pakistan's sovereignty but also stepped up visible physical support by announcing the supply of fifty JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft to Pakistan on an emergency basis.
The following statement by the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, was not just a message to Pakistan but also to the world especially the Americans: “I wish to stress here that no matter what changes might take place in the international landscape, China and Pakistan will remain forever good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers”
In addition, Pakistan and China have also decided to conduct joint military exercises in China’s Xingjian province.
Xingjian’s deputy Chief of Staff recently met with Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani and discussed the details of the drills.
General Kayani sent a clear signal when he said ”Pakistan and China will further increase their defense cooperation, these military exercises will help Pakistani troops learn professional expertise from the Chinese forces”
The support from China has historical reasons but there are also strategic reasons why it will be permanent and unaffected by any changes in the international scene; when a US delegate once confronted a Chinese diplomat about Beijing's unconditional support for Pakistan, the Chinese responded with a befitting sarcastic remark: "Pakistan is our Israel". This phrase explains the whole back ground to the Pakistan-China relationship; the Pakistani nation must value this support and use it to counter the moves being made by our hidden and obvious enemies.
There have also been reports that China has told the US in unequivocal terms that it will not stay neutral in case of armed aggression against Pakistan.
3. Strategic relations with Saudi Arabia
Excerpts from the Terminal X report 'Concerns over the nuclear deterrence of Saudi Arabia':
In February 2011, Pakistan's then Foreign Minister Qureshi stated "We will stand by Gulf countries in case any security situation arises. Pakistan gets affected if there is any security problem in any of the GCC states".
Increasing geostrategic partnership between Rawalpindi and Riyadh has been causing concern to the Americans as well the Israelis.
It was Pakistan’s idea to create a Pakistan-GCC Security Council to collectively combat internal/external threats. In March 2011, Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council held a joint strategic conference highlighting collaboration in the field of economics, agriculture, education but most importantly, defence and intelligence cooperation.
It is no secret that the Saudis have started to look towards Pakistan for support and also increased contacts with the Chinese in order to reduce their dependence on the US. The Saudi military and intelligence officials have discussed their concerns with Pakistan's GHQ and ISI, the concerns centre around the protection of the kingdom's sensitive assets. It is also pertinent to note that there are already a significant number of Pakistani SSG commandos and army units stationed in Saudi Arabia particularly near the Holy Sites of Makkah and Madinah.
The Sino-Pak-GCC strategic defence collaboration is the need of the hour and must be developed and made more effective to counter the dangerous game being played in the Middle East and Pakistan.
It was encouraging to read the reports that Secretary-General of Saudi Arabia's National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan paid a visit to China and finalized a deal for CSS-3 DF-3 ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
4. Relations with Turkey
Pakistan and Turkey enjoy very close and cordial relationship in ideological, political, economic, defence and technical fields but these need to be further strengthened particularly in the field of defence. In 2010, the Turk President Abdullah Gul stressed the need for initiating joint defence production projects between Pakistan and Turkey.
President Gul said the existing strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkey provides an opportunity for joint ventures among the defence production organs of the defence forces of Pakistan and Turkey. He also showed keen interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder aircraft.
Pakistan and Turkey must further boost their strategic partnership and intensify political and economic cooperation. It is a positive change that Turkey has distanced itself from Israel, eventually this relationship should end and Turkey should foster strategic ties with camp that is to challenge the Israeli/American nexus.
5. The Russian factor
Russia and Pakistan are expanding their cooperation, with a package of recent agreements on a number of key directions such as energy, transport and agriculture, signed at a summit in Moscow recently. Apart from that, President Dmitri Medvedev upheld Pakistan’s desire to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Assessing the outcome of negotiations at Moscow, the Russian head of state stressed their importance and urged the promotion of bilateral ties:
“Overall, relations between Russia and Pakistan have been progressing consistently and steadily. We have seen interest in mutual cooperation from our business communities, regional authorities and public organizations. I therefore see excellent prospects for our cooperation. I believe we should step up our economic cooperation, and certain steps have been taken already but more needs to be done in various areas”
There are also reports that Pakistan is in talks with Russia for purchasing fighter aircraft. This is a good move to reduce dependence on American weapons and must be pursued successfully and swiftly.
Finally, it is also a positive sign that China and Russia have also agreed to promote the sustained growth of their strategic partnership over the next decade. The equation of China-Russia-Pakistan is one that can more than counter any American moves in the region and beyond.
Concluding Remarks
Pakistan is facing unprecedented threats from multiples sources. The situation is extremely sensitive and volatile and the response has to be carefully calculated and managed. An emotional or hasty response can compromise the national interest and our strategic assets. The ISI and the armed forces confront the enemies. The nation must wise up and avoid falling into the trap being laid by the enemy.
Vicious media campaigns, half-baked truths and twisted facts are being used not only by the American and Zionist media but also by their agents planted in our local media houses. People must not accept all the news given to them on popular channels. They have to make the effort of corroborating news and information from independent sources to understand the complete picture. Partial truth is often as dangerous as total lies; twisted news is often made up of facts mixed with some fictional elements.
It might not be farfetched to assume that a war may be imposed on Pakistan by the US, its form might be direct or indirect but the nation must be ready for any eventuality. India will also offer itself to be used and may go for a limited strike however the guaranteed response of our armed forces must make it think twice before any misadventure.
The nation must be ready to face any threatening development and everyone must stand firm with the Armed forces.
I end this paper with a quote from the founder of Pakistan, M.A. Jinnah:
“Pakistan has come to stay and no power on earth can destroy it”.
Najam Mahmud is a resident analyst and commentator for Terminal X. He specialises in geopolitical and geostrategic analyses and holds a Masters in Intl. Conflict Analysis from the University of Kent and can be reached at: nmahmud71[at]yahoo.com
Read more: Threats to Pakistan: The Scenario and the Response ~ Terminal X http://www.terminalx.org/2011/05/threats-to-pakistan-scenario-and.html#ixzz1N4qBh1G3
SUNDAY, MAY 22, 2011
94Share
ADDED JAN 6, 2010, UNDER: GEOPOLITICS , PAKISTAN , SECURITY
Najam Mahmud | TX Desk
This short paper will look at the current geo political situation that Pakistan faces. The aftermath of the “Osama” event has raised the threat levels for Pakistan and brought out in the open the atrocious designs of our so called strategic partner, the USA.
The threats are multiple and complex, the response has to be equally befitting and effective to counter the perilous security environment that is being created in and around Pakistan.
Three Prolonged Threats:
1. ISRAEL
The transformation of Israel from a midget to an ugly giant is in the making. The grand design of Zionist expansionism is to seize all the oil-rich lands from the shores of the Euphrates to the banks of the Nile. The current chaos in the Middle East must be understood with this Zionist plan. No doubt many of the people taking part in the Middle East uprisings are genuinely doing so for their natural rights but Israel has full plans to manipulate the chaos in order to create an environment and an excuse for the nest big war in the Middle East.
The Americans as usual will blindly support Israel like a slave fulfills every wish of his master however before Israel can impose another war it has a problem that is still stopping it from moving ahead. This problem is not Iran nor Syria it is the nuclear deterrence of Pakistan, plus the advance missile technology and highly well-trained and ideologically-motivated Pakistan armed forces.
Israel has always tried to sabotage the Pakistani nuclear program but miserably failed; now it is trying again through the Americans who have staged the Osama drama to put pressure on Pakistan and create a serious threat to its nuclear installations. The US at the behest of Israel is using its corporate media to spread negative propaganda about the safety of the Pakistani nuclear assets and some reports have even suggested that if things were to become volatile in Pakistan, the Americans will physically move in to secure the nuclear assets. This is easier said than done and the Pakistan Armed forces have made all the contingency plans to counter such nefarious US designs.
The reader must understand that all the hue and cry about the ISI and all the fake reports planted in the media that exaggerate the reports of militants' power is nothing more than a carefully conceived deception to convince the large ignorant public that the Pakistani nuclear program is 'a threat'. The fact of the matter is that all the Pakistani strategic installations and assets are well protected and no one can get close to the installations, let alone infiltrating them.
The proposed map of a "Greater Israel"
Israel is planning to wage a grand war in the Middle East as it hopes to fulfill its plan of creating what it calls a ‘Greater Israel’. A significant spoke in the wheels for Israel is the nuclear capability of Pakistan. Israel understands that unlike the easy targets in the Middle East, Pakistan not only has the strategic arsenal but also the capability of posing a serious threat to Israel’s future hegemonic plans in the region.
The humiliating defeat that the Americans now clearly see in Afghanistan is making Israel panic and pushing it towards a new misadventure. In the fast changing Middle East scenario and the final show down in Afghanistan, Pakistan must be ready to respond to and efficiently counter all possible threats.
2. The United States of America
It is obvious to the world that the American military industrial complex like all the previous empires that tried to conquer Afghanistan are failing and now looking for a face-saving exit. The staged hoax at Abbottabad was also done for this purpose so that the American president can tell his people "the mission’ has been accomplished". There is no need to go into too much detail, it sufficient to note that various independent sources over the years have confirmed that Osama died many years back. The failure of the US administration to provide any proof only goes to confirm that the recent claims are nothing more than well staged lies
The Americans know they have to leave, with the spring offensive “Operation Badar” now well underway the Afghan Taliban have launched major offensives which are raising the cost of war for the Americans both in human and monetary terms.
Map of Afghanistan (red regions are Taliban strongholds, pink regions are areas with Taliban activity and minimum government control)
The US wants to damage Pakistan before it leaves Afghanistan. In addition, it still dreams of somehow causing harm to Pakistan' nuclear deterrence and it is for this purpose that the CIA has been stabbing Pakistan in the back and playing a double game with the ISI.
The Americans have also been engaged in questionable activities inside Pakistan and the increased tensions between ISI and CIA have reached unprecedented levels. It is encouraging to see that finally the defence establishment in the country has effected a reduction in the US military/ intelligence staff in Pakistan.
3. India
Those who closely monitor Indian defence and foreign policy understand very well that India always attempts to harm Pakistani interests whenever any opportunity arises. India has and will always try to stab Pakistan in the back. Majority of Pakistanis understand the sinister Indian designs and also realize that any moves to normalize the relations between the two countries hold no real value for if a country’s defence and ideological doctrine is based on damaging your country and threatening your very existence, then peace is nothing more than wishful thinking. Indeed, a few Pakistanis fall for such moves like 'Aman ki Asha'; some out of pure naivety while some who are traitors in the ranks and guilty of treason.
The pragmatic and patriotic elements in Pakistan understand the Indian subversive activities being carried out in Pakistan. There is irrefutable evidence that India has been trying to destabilize Pakistan and therefore no talk of peace can be taken seriously by a neighbor that spends billions in trying to harm your country.
While the threats from India must never be underestimated, it is also important to make India realize that attacking Pakistan will not be in India’s own interest and may result in consequences that bring the end to its existence. The reader will understand that I am alluding to the separatist movements in India which can easily flare up if any sort of conflict is to erupt between the two nuclear states. The separatist movements in India have the potential to weaken the federation and eventually disintegrate it. The dynamics can take a much more dire turn in case India engages in any future conflict with Pakistan.
The Response:
We have briefly discussed the threats being faced by Pakistan. The situation is critical and the response has to be befitting to reduce the threat level. It must be understood that a dangerous game is being played by the three states, lead by our so-called friend and ally, the United States of America. However, the facts on the ground are now obvious to everyone and minus a small minority of ignorant or insincere elements, the majority of the people of Pakistan understand that the US has been an enemy in the guise of a friend and stabbing us in the back along with India while Israel has been playing its role by its lobby's influence in the US. It is fairly well understood that Washington's foreign policy is dictated by Tel Aviv.
Now we look at the Pakistani response to the threats:
1. Nuclear Deterrence
The Pakistani nuclear program has gone from strength to strength, and Pakistan has also now ensured that it has the means of sustaining a surprise attack and still manage to retaliate by deploying a second strike capability. In this regard the key achievements are:
> Pakistan now has deeply buried storage and launch facilities to retain a second strike capability in a nuclear war.
> Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal has been redeployed at new secret locations. There is also expansion taking place to augment the program and maintain the level needed for strategic deterrence.
> In terms of the delivery mechanism (in case the weapons need to be used), Pakistan has multiple means delivery: Fighter aircraft of Pakistan Air Force and surface-to-surface missiles controlled by the Pakistan Army.
> Pakistan has also accelerated its own missile development program and now has various types of ballistic missiles which are capable of carrying nuclear payloads. Pakistan is also developing nuclear-capable cruise missiles with ground, sea and air-launched versions. Pakistan continues to carry out ballistic missile tests after regular intervals.
Nuclear Doctrine
Pakistan's Nuclear Doctrine is formulated to counter the Indian threat and given the level and nature of this threat, Pakistan maintains the option of first-strike. In other words in case of aggression by India, we retain the option to use nuclear weapons first, even if the attack is with conventional weapons.
Pakistan's nuclear policy is clear that a “minimum credible deterrent” must be maintained again as a deterrent to Indian military threat. Pakistan strategic assets have to be maintained at a level where they can achieve the following strategic imperatives:
> Thwart external aggression
> Thwart incoming attacks through a combination of conventional and strategic forces
> Ensure retaliatory capability by securing strategic weapons
> Ensure strategic deterrence as a contribution to South Asia's general defence
2. Strategic relations with China
In the entire Osama saga, China was the one country that stood by Pakistan and not only sent the US a clear message on what it thought of the violation of Pakistan's sovereignty but also stepped up visible physical support by announcing the supply of fifty JF-17 Thunder fighter aircraft to Pakistan on an emergency basis.
The following statement by the Chinese premier, Wen Jiabao, was not just a message to Pakistan but also to the world especially the Americans: “I wish to stress here that no matter what changes might take place in the international landscape, China and Pakistan will remain forever good neighbours, good friends, good partners and good brothers”
In addition, Pakistan and China have also decided to conduct joint military exercises in China’s Xingjian province.
Xingjian’s deputy Chief of Staff recently met with Pakistan Army Chief General Kayani and discussed the details of the drills.
General Kayani sent a clear signal when he said ”Pakistan and China will further increase their defense cooperation, these military exercises will help Pakistani troops learn professional expertise from the Chinese forces”
The support from China has historical reasons but there are also strategic reasons why it will be permanent and unaffected by any changes in the international scene; when a US delegate once confronted a Chinese diplomat about Beijing's unconditional support for Pakistan, the Chinese responded with a befitting sarcastic remark: "Pakistan is our Israel". This phrase explains the whole back ground to the Pakistan-China relationship; the Pakistani nation must value this support and use it to counter the moves being made by our hidden and obvious enemies.
There have also been reports that China has told the US in unequivocal terms that it will not stay neutral in case of armed aggression against Pakistan.
3. Strategic relations with Saudi Arabia
Excerpts from the Terminal X report 'Concerns over the nuclear deterrence of Saudi Arabia':
In February 2011, Pakistan's then Foreign Minister Qureshi stated "We will stand by Gulf countries in case any security situation arises. Pakistan gets affected if there is any security problem in any of the GCC states".
Increasing geostrategic partnership between Rawalpindi and Riyadh has been causing concern to the Americans as well the Israelis.
It was Pakistan’s idea to create a Pakistan-GCC Security Council to collectively combat internal/external threats. In March 2011, Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council held a joint strategic conference highlighting collaboration in the field of economics, agriculture, education but most importantly, defence and intelligence cooperation.
It is no secret that the Saudis have started to look towards Pakistan for support and also increased contacts with the Chinese in order to reduce their dependence on the US. The Saudi military and intelligence officials have discussed their concerns with Pakistan's GHQ and ISI, the concerns centre around the protection of the kingdom's sensitive assets. It is also pertinent to note that there are already a significant number of Pakistani SSG commandos and army units stationed in Saudi Arabia particularly near the Holy Sites of Makkah and Madinah.
The Sino-Pak-GCC strategic defence collaboration is the need of the hour and must be developed and made more effective to counter the dangerous game being played in the Middle East and Pakistan.
It was encouraging to read the reports that Secretary-General of Saudi Arabia's National Security Council Prince Bandar bin Sultan paid a visit to China and finalized a deal for CSS-3 DF-3 ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
4. Relations with Turkey
Pakistan and Turkey enjoy very close and cordial relationship in ideological, political, economic, defence and technical fields but these need to be further strengthened particularly in the field of defence. In 2010, the Turk President Abdullah Gul stressed the need for initiating joint defence production projects between Pakistan and Turkey.
President Gul said the existing strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkey provides an opportunity for joint ventures among the defence production organs of the defence forces of Pakistan and Turkey. He also showed keen interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder aircraft.
Pakistan and Turkey must further boost their strategic partnership and intensify political and economic cooperation. It is a positive change that Turkey has distanced itself from Israel, eventually this relationship should end and Turkey should foster strategic ties with camp that is to challenge the Israeli/American nexus.
5. The Russian factor
Russia and Pakistan are expanding their cooperation, with a package of recent agreements on a number of key directions such as energy, transport and agriculture, signed at a summit in Moscow recently. Apart from that, President Dmitri Medvedev upheld Pakistan’s desire to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).
Assessing the outcome of negotiations at Moscow, the Russian head of state stressed their importance and urged the promotion of bilateral ties:
“Overall, relations between Russia and Pakistan have been progressing consistently and steadily. We have seen interest in mutual cooperation from our business communities, regional authorities and public organizations. I therefore see excellent prospects for our cooperation. I believe we should step up our economic cooperation, and certain steps have been taken already but more needs to be done in various areas”
There are also reports that Pakistan is in talks with Russia for purchasing fighter aircraft. This is a good move to reduce dependence on American weapons and must be pursued successfully and swiftly.
Finally, it is also a positive sign that China and Russia have also agreed to promote the sustained growth of their strategic partnership over the next decade. The equation of China-Russia-Pakistan is one that can more than counter any American moves in the region and beyond.
Concluding Remarks
Pakistan is facing unprecedented threats from multiples sources. The situation is extremely sensitive and volatile and the response has to be carefully calculated and managed. An emotional or hasty response can compromise the national interest and our strategic assets. The ISI and the armed forces confront the enemies. The nation must wise up and avoid falling into the trap being laid by the enemy.
Vicious media campaigns, half-baked truths and twisted facts are being used not only by the American and Zionist media but also by their agents planted in our local media houses. People must not accept all the news given to them on popular channels. They have to make the effort of corroborating news and information from independent sources to understand the complete picture. Partial truth is often as dangerous as total lies; twisted news is often made up of facts mixed with some fictional elements.
It might not be farfetched to assume that a war may be imposed on Pakistan by the US, its form might be direct or indirect but the nation must be ready for any eventuality. India will also offer itself to be used and may go for a limited strike however the guaranteed response of our armed forces must make it think twice before any misadventure.
The nation must be ready to face any threatening development and everyone must stand firm with the Armed forces.
I end this paper with a quote from the founder of Pakistan, M.A. Jinnah:
“Pakistan has come to stay and no power on earth can destroy it”.
Najam Mahmud is a resident analyst and commentator for Terminal X. He specialises in geopolitical and geostrategic analyses and holds a Masters in Intl. Conflict Analysis from the University of Kent and can be reached at: nmahmud71[at]yahoo.com
Read more: Threats to Pakistan: The Scenario and the Response ~ Terminal X http://www.terminalx.org/2011/05/threats-to-pakistan-scenario-and.html#ixzz1N4qBh1G3
Saturday, 21 May 2011
Peace, not war
Peace, not war
India and Pakistan seemed to realise the necessity of peace than to indulge in political bickering
Bashir Assad
Deceptive and fragile state policies have achieved nothing and I am sure, the policy makers at the highest level in South Asia have now realised the futility of questing peace in pieces. Since September last year, peace messengers from across the country have been visiting Kashmir off and on for assessing the ground situation and for exploring people-to-people contacts to remove the distrust.
Conferences, seminars and conventions are being held to spread the message of peace. I as an ordinary Kashmiri having stakes in peace, appreciate the Indian civil society for taking initiative to reach out to their fellow Kashmiris. The members of Indian Civil Society, who claim to be the real face of Indian democracy, have of course, turned a new-leaf of peace building in Kashmir. However, to feel difference on ground certain things need to be taken care of for clarity in thoughts and approach and to get desired results out of this cumbersome exercise.
First, there are umpteen organisations claiming to be working for peace and reconciliation. All of these aim at the civil society in both the countries. The track-II, the back channel, and the overt and covert diplomacy. No matter how hard one tries the civil society fails to muster the strength to over ride the internal political compulsions on two sides. The vested interests on two sides are more powerful than the civil societies. However, having said this I must tell you that the way forward towards peace is not meeting of high flown civil society but the coming together of the common people. It would be more useful in the long run if the civil society keen on establishment of peace in South Asia wholeheartedly works for bringing together the common people in the region. We have to go beyond the symbolic confidence building measures presently being implemented for diplomatic and political consumption. The elite society on two sides has no mistrust. It is the common people who need their mistrust created by the propagandist media to be removed. Once in a blue moon lectures and seminars may highlight the problem but the real road to peace is the bringing together of the common people by forcing the governments to remove unreasonable restrictions on travel and trade. Umpteen high society delegations travelling between the two countries will not solve the problem. It is the everyday travel by thousands of common people which will ease the situation. Peace in South Asia is possible only if the civil society musters the power of the common people to break the barriers of mistrust.
The irony of our polity is that South Asian countries try to befriend people in distant lands and totally neglect the neighbours. It is a pity that due to mutual bickering among the South Asian neighbours, the outsiders from distant lands were getting a chance to come here as the global peace brokers. We fail to realise that the so called peace envoys are in fact the very people who are responsible for the discord in this part of the world. They know that we have failed to look within and are looking outside for establishing peace in this region. In fact, they create as well as manipulate the situations to suit their aim. My question to all the distinguished delegates who have assembled here to discuss peace in the South Asian context is how one can discuss peace in South Asia when the governments in the area are looking at war mongers who have unleashed a rein of terror on many civilizations in and outside this part of the world. Is this not a great dichotomy in our part of the world? Whatever we do has two facets. We talk of peace and at the same time look at the war mongers for peace.
Second, we have been repeatedly pronouncing that the idea of war is preposterous as it will destroy not only the sub-continent but the entire South Asian region. At the same time we keep all our options open by overtly and covertly promoting animosity between the neighbours in media. I am afraid that the foreign policies in at least our two countries of India and Pakistan are determined by corporate houses enjoying control on media.
Third, the events of past orchestrated by the vested interests rather the enemies of peace have derailed the once declared “irreversible peace process” between the two countries and the vested interests have still the potential to create a wedge between the peace loving people. We all know that the political leadership of the times lack courage to withstand the pulls and pressures. In such a situation the question: is peace possible in South Asia becomes very relevant. The peace process which had been meticulously built over the years by the efforts of the progressive people on two sides as well as by the active participation of the civil society received a tremendous setback by the events of past couple of years. My point is essentially that peace has to come from below and the people’s yearning for peace should be the bed-rock.
Now coming to the peace in the region in the context of Kashmir, there are the bitter past experiences that made the parties to Kashmir conflict realise that in peace, not war, lies the future of the Indian subcontinent. Needless to say, it is the people of Kashmir who have suffered most in this violent conflict. Though the people of Kashmir from both sides played the key role during the last peace process set in motion by the two countries in persuading both India and Pakistan to find ways for a win-win people centric resolution of the conflict, the truth is that people of this conflict ridden state could not and cannot help unless the two countries agree for a pact that can lead to an amicable solution.
Derailment of the pre 26/11 peace process which was declared irreversible stands witness to it that the process got disrupted despite the people in Kashmir yearning for peace. So we as Kashmiris can hope for peace but I am sorry to say cannot bring it without the support from the two countries. But at the same time, you cannot think of peace without a peaceful Kashmir and peace in Kashmir is illusive unless you address the issue. True that the peace process particularly on the Delhi-Islamabad track has helped in building up capacity and confidence of average Kashmiri to attribute on issues crucial to both development and peace.
In the above context one is prompted to draw certain insights from the post 2004 peace-process. First it was by any yardstick a composite dialogue process moving forward tangibly on all fronts. Second the benefits of this process were useful in further deepening the process as the Kashmir problem was somehow put in a rationale context by the then leadership of the two countries. The process had in a way straightened certain sharp curves in the Kashmir conundrum. In 2004, both the countries resumed talks that had been stalled after the attack on Indian Parliament in 2001; in April 2005 the first bus rolled out from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, in October 2005 both the countries opened the LoC to facilitate relief operations and later for movement of the people. The earthquake in October 2005 in a way showed the necessity of joint cooperation to tackle many issues of common concern. It was a tragedy for both, but it was tragedy with lessons.
Both the countries seemed to realise the necessity of peace than to indulge in political bickering. Pakistan giving up its insistence on the UN resolutions and India’s softening stand towards making the LoC ‘irrelevant’ are among the remarkable developments that could have been hardly imagined possible a decade earlier. Both India and Pakistan came to realise the value of living in peace, because the peace-dividends are more valuable than the results of war and violence.
Feedback at bashirassad@rediffmail.com
India and Pakistan seemed to realise the necessity of peace than to indulge in political bickering
Bashir Assad
Deceptive and fragile state policies have achieved nothing and I am sure, the policy makers at the highest level in South Asia have now realised the futility of questing peace in pieces. Since September last year, peace messengers from across the country have been visiting Kashmir off and on for assessing the ground situation and for exploring people-to-people contacts to remove the distrust.
Conferences, seminars and conventions are being held to spread the message of peace. I as an ordinary Kashmiri having stakes in peace, appreciate the Indian civil society for taking initiative to reach out to their fellow Kashmiris. The members of Indian Civil Society, who claim to be the real face of Indian democracy, have of course, turned a new-leaf of peace building in Kashmir. However, to feel difference on ground certain things need to be taken care of for clarity in thoughts and approach and to get desired results out of this cumbersome exercise.
First, there are umpteen organisations claiming to be working for peace and reconciliation. All of these aim at the civil society in both the countries. The track-II, the back channel, and the overt and covert diplomacy. No matter how hard one tries the civil society fails to muster the strength to over ride the internal political compulsions on two sides. The vested interests on two sides are more powerful than the civil societies. However, having said this I must tell you that the way forward towards peace is not meeting of high flown civil society but the coming together of the common people. It would be more useful in the long run if the civil society keen on establishment of peace in South Asia wholeheartedly works for bringing together the common people in the region. We have to go beyond the symbolic confidence building measures presently being implemented for diplomatic and political consumption. The elite society on two sides has no mistrust. It is the common people who need their mistrust created by the propagandist media to be removed. Once in a blue moon lectures and seminars may highlight the problem but the real road to peace is the bringing together of the common people by forcing the governments to remove unreasonable restrictions on travel and trade. Umpteen high society delegations travelling between the two countries will not solve the problem. It is the everyday travel by thousands of common people which will ease the situation. Peace in South Asia is possible only if the civil society musters the power of the common people to break the barriers of mistrust.
The irony of our polity is that South Asian countries try to befriend people in distant lands and totally neglect the neighbours. It is a pity that due to mutual bickering among the South Asian neighbours, the outsiders from distant lands were getting a chance to come here as the global peace brokers. We fail to realise that the so called peace envoys are in fact the very people who are responsible for the discord in this part of the world. They know that we have failed to look within and are looking outside for establishing peace in this region. In fact, they create as well as manipulate the situations to suit their aim. My question to all the distinguished delegates who have assembled here to discuss peace in the South Asian context is how one can discuss peace in South Asia when the governments in the area are looking at war mongers who have unleashed a rein of terror on many civilizations in and outside this part of the world. Is this not a great dichotomy in our part of the world? Whatever we do has two facets. We talk of peace and at the same time look at the war mongers for peace.
Second, we have been repeatedly pronouncing that the idea of war is preposterous as it will destroy not only the sub-continent but the entire South Asian region. At the same time we keep all our options open by overtly and covertly promoting animosity between the neighbours in media. I am afraid that the foreign policies in at least our two countries of India and Pakistan are determined by corporate houses enjoying control on media.
Third, the events of past orchestrated by the vested interests rather the enemies of peace have derailed the once declared “irreversible peace process” between the two countries and the vested interests have still the potential to create a wedge between the peace loving people. We all know that the political leadership of the times lack courage to withstand the pulls and pressures. In such a situation the question: is peace possible in South Asia becomes very relevant. The peace process which had been meticulously built over the years by the efforts of the progressive people on two sides as well as by the active participation of the civil society received a tremendous setback by the events of past couple of years. My point is essentially that peace has to come from below and the people’s yearning for peace should be the bed-rock.
Now coming to the peace in the region in the context of Kashmir, there are the bitter past experiences that made the parties to Kashmir conflict realise that in peace, not war, lies the future of the Indian subcontinent. Needless to say, it is the people of Kashmir who have suffered most in this violent conflict. Though the people of Kashmir from both sides played the key role during the last peace process set in motion by the two countries in persuading both India and Pakistan to find ways for a win-win people centric resolution of the conflict, the truth is that people of this conflict ridden state could not and cannot help unless the two countries agree for a pact that can lead to an amicable solution.
Derailment of the pre 26/11 peace process which was declared irreversible stands witness to it that the process got disrupted despite the people in Kashmir yearning for peace. So we as Kashmiris can hope for peace but I am sorry to say cannot bring it without the support from the two countries. But at the same time, you cannot think of peace without a peaceful Kashmir and peace in Kashmir is illusive unless you address the issue. True that the peace process particularly on the Delhi-Islamabad track has helped in building up capacity and confidence of average Kashmiri to attribute on issues crucial to both development and peace.
In the above context one is prompted to draw certain insights from the post 2004 peace-process. First it was by any yardstick a composite dialogue process moving forward tangibly on all fronts. Second the benefits of this process were useful in further deepening the process as the Kashmir problem was somehow put in a rationale context by the then leadership of the two countries. The process had in a way straightened certain sharp curves in the Kashmir conundrum. In 2004, both the countries resumed talks that had been stalled after the attack on Indian Parliament in 2001; in April 2005 the first bus rolled out from Srinagar to Muzaffarabad, in October 2005 both the countries opened the LoC to facilitate relief operations and later for movement of the people. The earthquake in October 2005 in a way showed the necessity of joint cooperation to tackle many issues of common concern. It was a tragedy for both, but it was tragedy with lessons.
Both the countries seemed to realise the necessity of peace than to indulge in political bickering. Pakistan giving up its insistence on the UN resolutions and India’s softening stand towards making the LoC ‘irrelevant’ are among the remarkable developments that could have been hardly imagined possible a decade earlier. Both India and Pakistan came to realise the value of living in peace, because the peace-dividends are more valuable than the results of war and violence.
Feedback at bashirassad@rediffmail.com
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