Pakistan Politics

at 12:26 AM

The media has successfully painted Gaddafi as a hard-core dictator, tyrant whatever you want to call him. However, the media as usual has also failed to show the kind, giving Gaddafi we never heard of. Gaddafi unlike most dictators I will refrain from naming them has managed to show his humane side, the very side we dream of seeing in other dictators who just talk and talk.

I consider Libyans lucky to a certain extent and one wonders with the new democratic rule they cry for will it improve or worsen life for them. Yes, Gaddafi has spent millions of Libya`s money on personal ventures but is the average Libyan poor? We know others who take a country and destroy it until you feel like there is no hope of restoring this country… looting some prefer to call it. Did Gaddafi loot Libya in any way?

Now let us get to the unknown facts about the Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi:

1. There is no electricity bill in Libya; electricity is free for all its citizens.

2. There is no interest on loans, banks in Libya are state-owned and loans given to all its citizens at 0% interest by law.

3. Home considered a human right in Libya - Gaddafi vowed that his parents would not get a house until everyone in Libya had a home. Gaddafi's father has died while him, his wife and his mother are still living in a tent.

4. All newlyweds in Libya receive $60,000 Dinar (US$50,000) by the government to buy their first apartment so to help start up the family.

5. Education and medical treatments are free in Libya. Before Gaddafi only 25% of Libyans are literate. Today the figure is 83%.

6. Should Libyans want to take up farming career, they would receive farming land, a farming house, equipments, seeds and livestock to kick-start their farms - all for free.

7. If Libyans cannot find the education or medical facilities they need in Libya, the government funds them to go abroad for it - not only free but they get US$2,300/mth accommodation and car allowance.

8. In Libya, if a Libyan buys a car, the government subsidized 50% of the price.

9. The price of petrol in Libya is $0.14 per liter.

10. Libya has no external debt and its reserves amount to $150 billion - now frozen globally.

11. If a Libyan is unable to get employment after graduation the state would pay the average salary of the profession as if he or she is employed until employment is found.

12. A portion of Libyan oil sale is, credited directly to the bank accounts of all Libyan citizens.

13. A mother who gave birth to a child receive US$5,000

14. 40 loaves of bread in Libya costs $ 0.15

15. 25% of Libyans have a university degree

16. Gaddafi carried out the world's largest irrigation project, known as the Great Man-Made River project, to make water readily available throughout the desert country.

Which other dictator has done much good to his people besides Gaddafi?

at 10:06 PM

Tacstrat

Washington seems to have gone into damage control. In what would be considered an official response to the wild and crazy accusations by a defeated general who wanted his excuses for the defeat recorded on the eve of his retirement-the Greg Miller and Karen DeYoung have written a front page column in the Washington Post which is todays's Washington Post headline "Mullen's Pakistan remarks criticized". Interestingly enough, the headline for the paper is different than the headline of the articles which says "Adm. Mullen's words on Pakistan come under scrutiny."

The criticism of Admiral Mullen's statements come from Pentagon sources. The backtracking is subtle, measured and nuanced, however there is some level of withdrawal from the position that the "Haqqani Network is a veritable arm of the ISI". According to DeYoung and Miller, officials in the Pentagon say that while the Pakistan provide the Haqqanis "santuaries", "funding" and "support", it may be a stretch to say that the Haqqanis are a military unit of the ISI which takes its orders from the ISI.

The Washington Post story identifies "the internal criticism by the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to challenge Mullen openly, reflects concern over the accuracy of Mullen's characterizations at a time when Obama administration officials have been frustrated in their efforts to persuade Pakistan to break its ties to Afghan insurgent groups".

To the ordinary layman the subtle difference may be lost, but it surely does describe a difference. The very fact that the WP carried a story which is critical of the person in charge of the war in Afghanistan leads analysts to believe, that his parting shot at Pakistan is being taken with a pinch of salt. What is important about the story is the fact that it prompted "new levels of indignation among senior officials in both the United States and Pakistan". What is important in the story is the fact that it highlights that there is indignation in Washington over Mullen's remarks. The Pakistanis of course have reacted to the accusations as almost a "declaration of war." and are busy preparing a diplomatic and national response. All political parties have been invited to a All Party Conference in Islamabad and the army top brass got together to mull over the options.

The US may have been trying to put pressure on Pakistan, and Young and Miller say that Mullen may have crossed the line, ever so gently in the application of pressure, to blatant accusations. The US wants the pressure on Islamabad, and it does want Pakistan to chase out the Haqqanis, but somewhere in the pressure is a fine line, which in the eyes of the Pentagon officials-Mullen may have crossed.

The WP story says "Mullen's language 'overstates the case,' said a senior Pentagon official with access to classified intelligence files on Pakistan, because there is scant evidence of direction or control." While Mullen's statement may have given the impression that there is "direction and control, Pentagon and Washington sources seem to backtrack from that accusation.

In effect, the US is clearly saying that the ISI did not direct the Kabul attacks "The Pakistani government has been dealing with Haqqani for a long time and still sees strategic value in guiding Haqqani and using them for their purposes," the Pentagon official said. But "it's not in their interest to inflame us in a way that an attack on a [U.S.] compound would do."

U.S. military officials said that Mullen's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee has been misinterpreted, and that his remark that the Haqqani network had carried out recent truck-bomb and embassy attacks "with ISI support" was meant to imply broad assistance, but not necessarily direction by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

"Can they control them like a military unit? We don't think so.

The WP story clearly says "But Mullen's pointed message and the difficulty in matching his words to the underlying intelligence underscore the suspicion and distrust that have plagued the United States and Pakistan". The WP story and the Pentagon officials quoted in the story seem to suggest that Mullen's testimony has not been bought by all arms of the US government, including the Pentagon. Words of a defeated general are being weighed in the crucible of facts, and it seems that Mullen seems to have stretched the truth or just lied.

The Pakistanis have been yelling at the top of their voices that they have contacts with the Haqqanis, just like the US has contacts with the Talibs. How else would the US be talking to the Talibs.

Pakistani officials acknowledge that they have ongoing contact with the Haqqani network, a group founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, who was one of the CIA-backed mujaheddin commanders who helped drive the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Now in poor health, Haqqani has yielded day-to-day control of the network to his son, Sirajuddin.

Whatever the US does to dampen the damage done by Admiral Mullen, the fact is that the Pakistanis have taken this to be a threat from an unreliable ally. The firestorm in the Pakistani media is reflective of the anger felt in Pakistan. The fiery speeches in the "All Parties Conference" and the discussions in the local and National assemblies in Pakistan are proof on how the Pakistanis feel. All this strengthens the hawks in Pakistan that want to break military relations with Washington and want to focus on an alliance with Iran, China and Russia and the region.

at 4:06 AM

By: Michael Krepon

Admiral Mike Mullen, the outgoing chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, spoke unusually bluntly about Pakistan's military and intelligence services during his last appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Sept 22.

He said: "The fact remains that the Quetta Shura and the Haqqani network operate from Pakistan with impunity. Extremist organisations serving as proxies of the government of Pakistan are attacking Afghan troops and civilians as well as US soldiers.

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at 10:23 PM

ZoneAsia-Pk

Like Palestine, Jammu Kashmir also a troubled zone on earth where genocides of inhabitants by occupying forces continue unabated while the UNSC continue to pretend it cant see such small things. If the besieged Muslims protest against Indian oppressive methods and brutalities, they are quickly condemned by India, USA and UNSC as terrorists and nasty "sanctions" are slapped immediately on them.

For unknown reasons, other than projecting its colonial identity, India treats Jammu Kashmir the most sentimental issue and USA makes best use of this fanatic predicament of New Delhi with regard to its former neighbor. Recently, a hard core Republican McCain, one of the foremost US protagonist of state terrorism and promoter of NATO fascism in Islamic world, looting their resources and kill Muslims, made a surprise visit to occupied Jammu Kashmir, most possibly to pressure New Delhi to contribute resources for USA liberally, as Arab nations led by Saudi Arabia have been doing unofficially, to support the NATO terror operations in Islamic world.

One has no clue as what promoted McCain to visit Kashmir and report to New Delhi in the form of a pro-India certificate. McCain vaguely said that Kashmir is "an internal matter" and it was not America or any other nation's place to comment on sovereign affairs of a country. Influential and hawkish Senator from Arizona and 2008 Republican presidential candidate, McCain said the Kashmiri locals were living more normal lives and there was better handling of issues by the authorities. McCain held discussions with J&K Governor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on various issues of "mutual interest" but what is the basis of these mutual interests is not clear. He said there will be continued tensions as long as the issue remains of significant importance to both countries, India and Pakistan. The US lobbyist also went to Pakistan and had meeting with Pakistan Army Chief Gen Pervez Kayani on ties between America and Pakistan.

The Obama regime, managed even now by hawkish neocon nuts, knows how to pull Indian strings to get what it wants in New Delhi and the Kashmir issue is as vital as anti-Islamism and Al-Qaeda to pursue US economic agenda with precision. When USA needs quick money from India, generally it bluntly threaten puppet Pakistan to "do more" on terrorism. At times it deputes leaders to India to make such threats to Islamabad from Indian soil. This is core US policy for India.

Kashmiris are left out of "talks" between India and Pakistan because India does not want to surrender sovereignty back to kashmiris and as such do not desire the Kashmiris to be on the talking table at par with Indians. Even as the second freedom struggle led by Anna Hazare was going on in New Delhi, Parliamentarians from India and Pakistan met here on 18 August to give a "boost to constituency for peace" and or a "free flowing" discussion on issues concerning people of the two countries, forgetting the fate of Kashmiris trapped in between. The two-day parliamentarians' dialogue which commenced 18th Aug was being jointly chaired by Hindutva MP Yashwant Sinha and Pakistani Senator Mir Jan Mohammad Khan Jamali. For the last 64 years neither of the foreign offices has achieved any success. Two generations have passed and the third one has arrived, so the time has come for parliamentarians to talk. Both governments should be told to build on whatever was achieved so far so that people of Jammu Kashmir regain their lost sovereignty, freedom, human dignity and national glory.

II

Kashmir continues to bleed and India's blood stained hands hug American bosses. World sees the horrendous brutality, unstopped and unpunished barbarities unleashed against the defenseless population. A deliberate, systematic and officially sanctioned massive campaign of brutal oppression launched against the people of Kashmir is still on the increase. There is a deliberate targeting of youth in flimsy hopes to crush a legitimate and popular uprising against occupation.

Indian genocides and arrests of Muslims inside Kashmir have become a routine matter and UN is totally blind on Indian terrorism in Kashmir. Hindus (especially the high caste Pundits trying to control JK regime through the Hindu deputy CM), considered by India as extra important people on earth, are protected by both Indian forces and JK forces. Since all western powers under NATO terror syndicate are Islamic blood thirsty, an innocent looking India only expects their endorsement of its crimes against humanity as well and it obtains even prior sanctions from notorious UNSC for massacre operations of Muslims in occupied Jammu Kashmir at will. UN chief Ban ki Moon was among those that have stood firmly behind Indian state terror leaders in their genocides in Kashmir is a recipient of Indian awards and cash.

On fake encounters resorted by Indian state terrorists and their genocides of innocent Muslims in occupied Jammu Kashmir there is no authentic information except the statements by Indian military guys routed through media as reports from India. On August 7, 2011, Indian army claimed to have killed a Pakistani divisional commander of Lashker-e-Taiba, Abu Usman, after a few-hour "gun battle" at Surankote area of Poonch district in Jammu region. Later, investigation showed that the deceased was a Hindu civilian. The Indian security forces are relentlessly playing an orgy of death and are out to pick and kill Kashmiris using all possible means.

The Indian state terrorists carry out systematic and significant human rights violations in occupied Jammu Kashmir, including extra judicial killings, arbitrary arrest and detention and excessive use of force against innocent Kashmiri civilians. Rape is too often used as a tool to humiliate the population and attempt to break their will. Nazim Rashid, 28, died under policy custody in Sopore district of the Valley. Human Rights Watch wrote on June 30, 2008, "Impunity has led the members of the security forces to believe that they can get away with attacks."

Present JK government performing like puppet has been using strong armed methods to suppress aspiration and wishes of people. Former Chief Minister and central home minister who is also patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said wrong policies being pursued by the Cong-National Conference led coalition have been fueling alienation and creating desperation among youth of the state. Hundreds of innocent youth are languishing in jails due to the oppressive policy of the present government. The alienation is increasing among youth due to such policies. Not even a single person was in jail during PDP-Congress regime. He said that there should be an Anna Hazare in every home of Jammu to fight corruption.

Alleging that agenda of main opposition PDP is to disturb peace in the State, the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the prime minister should not be within the ambit of the proposed Lokpal, and only be subject of the ombudsman's inquiry after demitting office. Omar reiterated that zero tolerance would be shown toward human rights violations in the state and accused the opposition Peoples Democratic Party of jumping to conclusions without waiting for the investigations to be completed.Omar also said the accession of J&K to India was done in very unique circumstances and the solution will also have to be very unique and he doesn't want a solution by taking a single region into consideration.

India target only Muslims in Jammu Kashmir for terror attacks, protecting Hindus with special treatment. India does not allow so much of freedom to Kashmiri leaders to openly seek freedom for rebuilding Jammu Kashmir to serve the Kashmiris. Both Indian regime and its JK puppet government are used to such rhetoric from Kashmiri freedom fighters and they continue to plan conspiracies to eliminate the freedom fighters one by one who don't toe the Indian line and who also still refuse to come together on a single freedom platform, reclaiming sovereign in a sustained manner.

III

Obviously, the US led global stat terrorism (GST) under the NATO terror syndicate has further complicated the freedom efforts of Kashmiris as India could mobilize not just its military prowess against a weak Jammu Kashmir, but also obtained the support of all anti-Islamic powers against Kashmiri Muslims. India has also succeeded in splitting the Kashmiris along regional, religious and anti-Pakistani lines, endorsed by Washington.

With CIA effecitvely controlling the global intellignces and military establishemnts, Washingotn fidns it extremly easy to contorl bboth Pakistan and India and mkae them also fight each other, at least as public stunt, and also use India against Pakisan and also allow them at time to make retrogressive comments against USA that in turn make USA pursue its objectives in Asia where China remains the most powerful nation in all respect. India is traveling extra miles to appease the capitalist cum GST maters.

India reiterates its right to kill Muslims in occupied Jammu Kashmir at par with those inside India. But New Delhi needs to be persuaded to allow an impartial investigation into the recent killings. India must also allow the people of Kashmir to freely express their political views; releasing all political prisoners; repeal draconian laws; and withdraw the troops from urban areas and city centers.

Encouraged by US support for state terror operations against Muslims, India,like Israel, is keen to conduct the "talks" as timepass tool to fool the Pakistanis and threaten them with wars if they insist on resolution of Kashmir issue. As a result, all these time-pass "talks" have only resulted in the killing of about 100, 000 defenseless Muslims in Jammu Kashmir. Although there is no possibility of a Indo-Pak joint conspiracy against Kashmiris with some useful guidance from USA-UK terror twins, it is puzzling that both have failed so far to including Kashmiri leaders in their talks. While Muslims in JK thought Pakistan would take care of their genuine sovereignty interests, it is all long the Hindus in JK who got maximum benefits through the Indian patronage.

When state corruption cum crimes is common between India and Pakistan, no amount of wishful thinking would resolve this outstanding dispute between India and Pakistan. It needs the understanding of the international community in general and the global boss USA in particular, including the full participation of the leadership of the people of Jammu Kashmir in all future negotiations.what kind of "talks" can India have without the presence of Kashmir leaders at the table?

An Observation

Regional stability of South Asia depends entirely on the resolution of Jammu Kashmir issue in favor of Kashmiris who continue their struggle for sovereignty. Earlier, the UN nurtured independence for Chechnya, Palestine, Namibia, brought self-rule to East Timor, helped Montenegro and Southern Sudan gain independence, while the prospects for a plebiscite in Western Sahara still look promising. Kashmir ,like Palestine, being one of the oldest unresolved disputes still pending on the agenda of the UNSC deserves the attention of the world powers in general and the UN in particular to guarantee peace and prosperity not only in Kashmir but also in the region of South Asia and beyond the region. The problem today is that UN, is increasingly and effectively controlled by all global state terror nations, like India, Israel, USA-UK terror twins, and UN general council must take up the case until veto is done away with in UNSC. had brought about happy endings for a number of international disputes.

Unless, Kashmir issue is resolved positively, India would find it difficult to change its anti-Muslim policy pursued so religiously thus far. An arrogant India would continue to vitiate the regional atmosphere. But how long will India continue the massacres of Kashmiri Muslims and why the notorious UNSC and big colonial powers support Indian terror instinct to continue its illegal massacres in occupied Kashmir?

India is still reluctant to end genocides through fake encounters and quit its terror occupation of Jammu Kashmir, expecting the international community to intervene to resolve the issue amicably! Time has already run for India to vacate Jammu Kashmir on its own!

at 4:50 AM

"Few things are as predictable as the excited bleats of Pentagon flacks touting the killing efficacy of new weapons systems every time the U.S. begins a military operation."

In December 2001, President Bush cited the Predator and Global Hawk drones -- which display the 'virtual reality' character of much of the U.S. military campaign in Afghanistan2 -- as examples of the kind of 'transformational' defense technologies whose development the Pentagon must accelerate. But in spite of the recent highly-publicized success of a Predator drone in blowing up a carload of alleged Al Qaeda operatives in Yemen, the system described by the Pentagon as "its eyes in the sky" has for the most part proven to be unreliable and laughably inaccurate.

This New Year was ushered in with yet another Predator falling from the sky into the remote village of Bashir Khan Jikhrani, a few miles from the U.S. air base in Jacobabad, Pakistan.3 Since military operations began in Afghanistan, U.S. forces have lost both of their Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle [UAV] drones as well as six of the smaller Predator RQ-1 unmanned drones -- that is, more than 12 percent of the total Predator fleet of 48 drones has been lost. In early February, the Center for Defense Intelligence reported,

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at 1:27 AM

Tacstrat

Adm. Mike Mullen's assertion last week that an anti-American insurgent group in Afghanistan is a "veritable arm" of Pakistan's spy service was overstated and contributed to overheated reactions in Pakistan and misperceptions in Washington, according to American officials involved in U.S. policy in the region.

The internal criticism by the officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they did not want to challenge Mullen openly, reflects concern over the accuracy of Mullen's characterizations at a time when Obama administration officials have been frustrated in their efforts to persuade Pakistan to break its ties to Afghan insurgent groups.

The administration has long sought to pressure Pakistan, but to do so in a nuanced way that does not sever the U.S. relationship with a country that American officials see as crucial to winning the war in Afghanistan and maintaining long-term stability in the region.

Mullen's testimony to a Senate committee was widely interpreted as an accusation by the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff that Pakistan's military and espionage agencies sanction and direct bloody attacks against U.S. troops and targets in Afghanistan. Such interpretations prompted new levels of indignation among senior officials in both the United States and Pakistan.

Mullen's language "overstates the case," said a senior Pentagon official with access to classified intelligence files on Pakistan, because there is scant evidence of direction or control. If anything, the official said, the intelligence indicates that Pakistan treads a delicate if duplicitous line, providing support to insurgent groups including the Haqqani network but avoiding actions that would provoke a U.S. response.

"The Pakistani government has been dealing with Haqqani for a long time and still sees strategic value in guiding Haqqani and using them for their purposes," the Pentagon official said. But "it's not in their interest to inflame us in a way that an attack on a [U.S.] compound would do."

U.S. officials stressed that there is broad agreement in the military and intelligence community that the Haqqani network has mounted some of the most audacious attacks of the Afghanistan war, including a 20-hour siege by gunmen this month on the U.S. Embassy compound in Kabul.

A senior aide to Mullen defended the chairman's testimony, which was designed to prod the Pakistanis to sever ties to the Haqqani group if not contain it by force. "I don't think the Pakistani reaction was unexpected," said Capt. John Kirby. "The chairman stands by every word of his testimony."

But Mullen's pointed message and the difficulty in matching his words to the underlying intelligence underscore the suspicion and distrust that have plagued the United States and Pakistan since they were pushed together as counterterrorism partners after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

U.S. military officials said that Mullen's testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee has been misinterpreted, and that his remark that the Haqqani network had carried out recent truck-bomb and embassy attacks "with ISI support" was meant to imply broad assistance, but not necessarily direction by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency.

U.S. officials have long accused Pakistan of providing support to the Haqqani network and allowing it to operate along the Afghanistan border with relative impunity, a charge that Pakistani officials reject.

But Mullen seemed to take the allegation an additional step, saying that the Haqqani network "acts as a veritable arm of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence agency," a phrase that implies ISI involvement and control.

That interpretation might be valid "if we were judging by Western standards," said a senior U.S. military official who defended Mullen's testimony. But the Pakistanis "use extremist groups - not only the Haqqanis - as proxies and hedges" to maintain influence in Afghanistan.

"This is not new," the official said. "Can they control them like a military unit? We don't think so. Do they encourage them? Yes. Do they provide some finance for them? Yes. Do they provide safe havens? Yes."

That nuance escaped many in Congress and even some in the Obama administration, who voiced concern that the escalation in rhetoric had inflamed anti-American sentiment in Pakistan.

U.S. officials said that even evidence that has surfaced since Mullen's testimony is open to differences in interpretation, including cellphones recovered from gunmen who were killed during the assault on the U.S. Embassy.

One official said the phones were used to make repeated calls to numbers associated with the Haqqani network, as well as presumed "ISI operatives." But the official declined to explain the basis for that conclusion.

The senior Pentagon official treated the assertion with skepticism, saying the term "operatives" covers a wide range of supposed associates of the ISI. "Does it mean the same Haqqani numbers [also found in the phones], or is it actually uniformed officers" of Pakistan's spy service?

U.S. officials said Mullen was unaware of the cellphones until after he testified.

Pakistani officials acknowledge that they have ongoing contact with the Haqqani network, a group founded by Jalaluddin Haqqani, who was one of the CIA-backed mujaheddin commanders who helped drive the Soviet Union out of Afghanistan in the 1980s. Now in poor health, Haqqani has yielded day-to-day control of the network to his son, Sirajuddin.

U.S. officials see indications that their Pakistani counterparts can exert influence on the Haqqani group in some cases, if not exert control.

Last year, at the United States' behest, the ISI appealed to the Haqqani group not to attack polling stations during Afghan elections, a request that appears to have been honored. The senior Pentagon official declined to say how U.S. intelligence knows that the request was made, except to say, "We were aware of it."

Mullen's testimony was prepared at a time of intense frustration with Pakistan, in the aftermath of the embassy attack and other incidents. His remarks were striking in part because Mullen has long been sympathetic to Pakistan, traveling frequently to Islamabad and meeting more than two dozen times with its army chief, Gen. Ashfaq Kayani.

But with his term as Joint Chiefs chairman about to expire, Mullen has become increasingly frustrated with the failure to get Pakistan to cut ties with Haqqani, and instructed his staff to compose testimony for last week's hearing that would convey a message of exasperation.

In Pakistan, a military official emerged from a meeting of corps commanders Sunday saying they would make no move against Haqqani in the North Waziristan tribal region and warning that a unilateral U.S. action would have "disastrous consequences."

The reaction in the Pakistani press to Mullen's message has been more severe. A column this week by retired air vice marshal Shahzad Chaudry asked, "What could be the possible motives for America's recent diatribes?" It concluded that the United States was intentionally sowing chaos in the region to weaken Pakistan.

In Washington, a senior Obama administration official said that "no one has any interest in walking back" what Mullen said, even while voicing concern over the comments' impact on the fragile relationship with Pakistan.

"If the Pakistanis are finally scared about this, great," the administration official said. "But we don't want to walk [the relationship] over a cliff."

at 11:03 PM

Pakistan is willing to resolve all outstanding issues, including Kashmir with India, with which it is engaged in a "substantive dialogue" process that it hopes should be "uninterrupted", Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said.

Ms. Khar was addressing the 193-member United Nations body on behalf of Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani who could not attend the 66th session due to floods in Pakistan.

The Foreign Minister said Pakistan is reaching out to its "immediate neighbours" with a "sincere" desire to join hands and bring about "durable peace and development, by a win-win approach.

"I am happy to note that both Pakistan and India are now engaged in a substantive dialogue process. A dialogue process that we in Pakistan hope will be uninterrupted and uninterruptable. We certainly intend to make this engagement fruitful and premise it on the promise of a mutually rewarding enterprise that would enable us to optimally avail the complementarities that exist," she said in her maiden speech.

Ms. Khar said Pakistan looks forward to "resolving all outstanding issues including Kashmir," which is among the oldest on the United Nations agenda and has been the subject of several Security Council resolutions.

"A peaceful resolution that accords fully with the aspirations of the Kashmiris is indispensable for durable stability as is the need for safeguarding of their fundamental human rights," she said, adding that Pakistan will "support" the human rights of Kashmiris.

at 10:38 PM

Area 14/8

Speech is innate to all human beings and a precious gift from God to mankind, which a human being acquires at birth. Communication is a fundamental social process, a basic human need and the foundation of all social organizations. It is central to the Information Society. Everyone everywhere should have the opportunity to participate and no one should be excluded from the benefits the Information Society offers. Human beings covey their thoughts by sentiments or expressions, right of expression, therefore, is their basic human right. However, many attempts have been made to restrict freedom of expression by imposing laws or censoring free speech or by asking press to toe government's line even in thriving democracies like India. Then does article 19 (1) (a) exist in India in its nascent form or with some shades of grey?

Surprisingly, the Constitution of India does not mention "freedom of the Press" specifically in the Chapter on Fundamental Rights. Dr. Ambedkar however clarified later that it was not necessary to stipulate it specifically as it is implicit in the guarantees of Freedom of Speech and Expression in Article 19 (1) (a) of the Constitution. Despite the constitutional guarantee, press in India has been inhibited by barriers caused by religious, social, linguistic differences and government restrictions off and on throughout its 64 years of existence.

The first curtailment of press came in India when Mrs Indira Gandhi imposed emergency. She, in the emergency era muzzled press to greater levels. And his son, Rajiv Gandhi also took various measures to curb the freedom of press. Rajiv administration, injured by the revelations on the Bofors affair and other corrupt practices introduced a defamation bill in July 1988, sought to create new offenses of 'criminal imputation' and 'scurrilous writings.' Later it was due to successful nationwide strike by the newspaper industry and increasing popular protests that forced Rajiv Gandhi to withdraw the bill.

On the same Bofors controversy another Stockholm-based journalist of Indian origin, P.L Lakhanpal was denied a visa to visit India in January 1989 in view of his reporting on Bofors issue from Sweden. Since northeast was reeling under conflict, many a foreign journalists were denied visas and were restricted to enter seven Indian states called seven sisters. Though Rajiv administration failed to enforce defamatory bill in 1988 but years later, his government tightly controlled the production, importation and distribution of newsprint and in the succeeding year (1989), government as its tactic muzzled press by raising the prices of the domestic and imported newsprint so sharply that the survival of many newspapers was threatened.

Nevertheless, freedom of expression is essential for the political liberty and proper functioning of democracy but in reality article 19 (1) (a) has lost its meaning and significance over the years due to government's monopoly. After independence, freedom of expression has been transgressed by those in power for their own self interests. And in recent years, there has been marked increase in the number of attacks on journalists by police and unidentified gunmen, operating at the behest of state or local officials or politicians. Further, many states and local governments in India have seriously chilled genuine exercise of freedom of expression by detaining a number of people on scarce suspicion of co-operating with militants and the best example is Kashmir, where due to government restrictions press is in a sorry state, unable to expose truth. Many journalists in Kashmir received serious injuries and dead threats if they exposed government's own terror machinery.

From time to time governments have been harassing press through lawsuits, exploiting restrictive laws governing criminal defamation. To illustrate government's apathy, one of the best example is the treatment of a news weekly magazine Tehelka. In 2001, Tehelka exposed the political corruption behind India's defence contracts. Soon after the revelations, government started bullying Tehelka. The worst that came after this episode was that none of the India's mediat rallied in support of Tehelka, fearing punishment from the government.

In another incident, the government of Tamil Nadu (a state in south of India) filed cases against the Hindu newspaper for 'breach of privilege,' in a move widely seen as another assault on freedom of press. The government of Tamil Nadu sentenced five journalists and the publishers to 15 days in prison for breach of privilege articles without any serious debate or prior notice.

Not only governments but political parties and religious groups also engage themselves in media bashing whenever their own interests are endangered or threatened. In the year 2003, hard-line members of Shive sena (a wing of Bharatiya Janata Party, a leading opposition party in India) attacked the offices of Outlook magazine in Mumbai over the article describing their leader's comments about the Muslim community. So, this was another example of vandalism were article 19 (1) (a) appeared insignificant. On the basis of these above examples it is apparent that 'right to expression' enshrined in article 19 (1) (a) has also faced wrath of those in power or political goons throughout its 64 years of journey.

Besides government monopoly, press is confronting many threats while performing its duties.

Journalist are attacked, killed and intimidated. So far the states of Chhattisgarh and Orissa have been the most difficult states for the journalists to report from. A Nai Dunia (A New World) reporter was killed in Chhattisgarh as the area falls in Maoist control (Rebellion group operating in various states in India). Likewise in Orissa, four attacks and two cases of intimidation have been reported so far. In another example of media intimidation, New Delhi Television (NDTV) team was allegedly harassed by the Adani Group (a Corporate group) while filming a story on mangrove destruction due to the company's port in Gujarat.

According to a veteran Indian journalist, Kuldip Nayyar, the press to some extent is independent in India but not free because the corporate sector has more influence on its content and quality. However in conflict areas like the northeast and Kashmir, the freedom of press in only for name's sake, he said to Indo Asian News Service (IANS).

Also Reporters Without Border, an international organization which works to ensure freedom of press and protect journalists, has put India at the 122th position in terms of freedom of press compared to 2009 when it ranked India at 109th position.

Thus, it is evident that 'freedom to expression' and article 19 (1) (a) is not without pitfalls and doesn't guarantee complete freedom either to press or an individual or a group to express themselves freely in fresh air of freedom. Right of Expression and article 19 (1) (a) has definitely some shades of grey, which makes it weak to perform independently. It is also true in a healthy democracy; the public could rely on free media to step in to expose the countless examples of corruption and abuses of power, provided freedom of expression is allowed to stay in its native form.

at 2:53 AM

Pakistanis should get ready to face an economic jolt, as the prices of petroleum products are likely to be jacked up between Rs 1.83 to Rs 3.60 per litre with effect from the start of upcoming month (October), it has been learnt.

Sources informed this scribe on Sunday that the government is set to increase the prices of petrol, kerosene, Light Diesel Oil (LDO) and High Octane Blended Component (HOBC), adding that while a slight slash is expected in the price of High Speed Diesel Oil (HSD). They said the Finance Ministry is not ready to decrease the ratio of Petroleum Levy (PL), so the already hard pressed consumers would resultantly bear this expected increase in the prices of POL products by next month.

Sources said that a surge of Rs 3.60 in petrol, Rs 2.10 in kerosene, Rs 1.83 in LDO and Rs 3.42 in HOBC has been calculated so far by the authorities concerned. Citing the recent increase in oil prices in the international market, the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra) is likely to send the summary of an increase to the Petroleum Ministry for POL products, the sources added.

Average crude oil prices in international markets have witnessed an increase by around $109 per barrel after August 26, 2011. Additionally, average prices of crude oil in international market have increased around $2.7 per barrel than to the prices of previous month.

Economic analysts when contacted warned about a flood of inflation in the market of commodities after this expected hike and an increase in transportation and production cost is possible. They said that already over burdened Pakistanis would face this severe jolt in the presence of long hour electricity and CNG load shedding in the country. They said in fact this decision was made in an apparent bid to pass on the partial impact of the consistently rising trend in international prices and contain the fiscal deficit within tolerable limits. The prices of most of the commodities and services would also increase in almost direct proportion to the rise in the prices of POL products in the domestic market. It is not hard to imagine the fallout of about 1to 4 percent jump in oil prices in a country, where the growth rate is already stagnant, poverty and unemployment is touching almost intolerable limits and inflationary pressures are accentuating, they argued. Further, they were of the view that Ministry of Finance should kept in mind the woes and worries of common man while setting the ratio of PL for the prices of Petroleum Oil and Lubricants (POL) products of the month of October, 2011.

It is worth mentioning here that petroleum products are the important source of any government's revenue and Pakistan is no exception. But the government levies are much higher than they ought to be and are the cause of high cost of POL products.

at 2:50 AM

Pakistan's diplomatic efforts to counter growing American pressure might get a rare boost when Chinese Vice Prime Minister Meng Jianzhu arrives in Islamabad on Monday to discuss regional security, officials said.

"The visit (by the Chinese leader) has a symbolic as well as substantial value … it will definitely send a message across the Atlantic," an official at the foreign ministry said, describing the tour as a big relief for Pakistan.

A spokesperson for the ministry, however, apparently made an attempt to downplay the trip, saying it was prescheduled and in the context of the 60th anniversary of Sino-Pak friendship.

(Read: Pakistan-China relations)

"It is a very important visit … but it doesn't have to do anything with other developments taking place in the region," Foreign Office Spokesperson Tehmina Janjua told The Express Tribune.

She said Meng, who also holds the portfolio of state security, would be meeting President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and other functionaries.

Officials said the Chinese vice premier is also scheduled to meet military chief Ashfaq Parvez Kayani and Director-General of the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI) Lt-Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha.

At a news conference on Monday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said the visiting Chinese leader, who is his counterpart as well, is coming to Pakistan on an invitation extended by him and that the two will be meeting.

Malik said talks between him and Meng would focus on those Chinese separatists who were arrested by Pakistani law enforcers and handed over to authorities in Beijing.

Officials said China had assured Pakistan of diplomatic and economic support in case the US kept piling up pressure on Islamabad for its alleged inaction against the Haqqani network, a group of Afghan militants allegedly based in Pakistan's North Waziristan tribal region.

"Short of physical intervention, they (Chinese) are willing to stand by Pakistan by all means," said General (retd) Hamid Gul, a former head of ISI who returned from a week-long visit to China over the weekend.

Experts say the support from China or lack of it would determine how well Pakistan can hold its nerves together in the face of mounting US pressure in the run-up to the Afghan endgame.

(Read: The irony of Afghanistan and the real endgame)

Meng is also likely to take part in some ceremonies scheduled to be held in connection with the 60th anniversary of Pakistan-China friendship and will be meeting heads of various political parties.

at 1:33 AM

ZoneAsia-Pk

Pakistan's recent torrential floods, triggered by heavy monsoon rains in different parts of the country, killed at least 412 people and injured 1,172 others besides affecting over 8.2 million more, the National Disastrous Management Authority (NDMA) said.

The floods caused damage to an area of 7.987 million acres and swept away standing cash crops in the whole affected areas of the two provinces Sindh Sindh while floods killed 23 and injured 427 others in southwestern province of Balochistan.

The United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) revealed that 2.7 million children are among the affected flood victims and have been facing many challenges.

According to NDMA, floods have affected about 41,334 villages in all the 23 districts of the Sindh province and completely damaged a total of 630,457 houses while another 848,412 houses have suffered partial damage.

More than 87,608 livestock have been perished by floods in Sindh while crops like cotton, banana, dates, chili and sugarcane on 2,800,000 acres have been destroyed or severely affected.

The first spell of rain started on Aug. 11 mainly affected seven districts of Sindh province, while an ongoing second spell has hit the entire province, including provincial metropolis Karachi, the business hub of Pakistan.

According to officials of the Meteorological Department of Pakistan, during the four weeks of August and September, rains in Sindh province were the highest ever recorded monsoon heavy rains.

NDMA official told that an estimated 709,452 people have been living in some 3,342 makeshift temporary relief camps, including schools and public buildings, across the Sindh.

Some 8.2 million people in different districts of the province have been affected by the floods and thousands of them are camped out on higher ground or on roadsides.

Pakistan Army has also been taking part in rescue and relief operation in the flood hit regions and so far rescued more than one hundred thousand people along with their cattle from various water inundated areas besides providing them with shelters and food.

Pakistan Navy teams are also busy in rescue work in the flood affected areas and evacuated thousands of people.

An international NGO "Save the Children" warned that the lives of two million flood hit Pakistanis, over half of them children, are at severe risk from diseases as devastating flooding continues in Sindh.

The humanitarian organization, in a press note on Saturday, said as rains continue, children in flood-hit areas encounter the increased risk of malaria, diarrhea and other waterborne diseases.

"This is a desperately serious situation. The lives of children are at risk from both malaria and new flood waters contaminated by the sewage. At several camps, hundreds of people are sharing a single toilet," said David Wright, the organization's country director in Pakistan.

Pakistani Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani, who canceled his visit to the United States to address the UN General Assembly due to the floods, visited the floods-hit areas of the Sindh province.

In response to the appeal for flood victims by Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari, China came up with the supply of relief goods worth 4.7 millions U.S. dollars, Iran announced 100 million U.S. dollar aid, Japan 450,000 U.S. dollars and South Korea 200,000 U.S. dollars worth emergency relief goods including tents, water purifiers and medicines.

The European Commission announced 10 million euros for emergency relief and donations by German people also increased to over 210 million U.S. dollars while the Red Cross Society of China donated 50,000 U.S. dollars in cash as an emergency aid.

The UN-led humanitarian community in Pakistan sought 337 million U.S. dollars from donor countries for an emergency response plan to support the Pakistani government to deal with the needs of flood-affected families.

According to the statement by the State Department, the United States has sent food and medical aid to Pakistan for the hundreds of thousands of people affected by torrential rains.

State Dept. spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said that food package was targeted at nearly 350,000 people, while Washington hoped that the medical assistance could reach about 500,000 Pakistanis.

On the other hand, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon formally called on the international community to step foreword to respond to the humanitarian needs of flood victims in Pakistan.

In 2010, Pakistan was hit by the worst floods in the last 80 years of history of the region. More than 2,000 people were killed while estimates by the international institutions said that the damage to infrastructure could be around 15 billion U.S. dollars. The floods left 20 million survivors homeless and destroyed crops at over more than 7.9 million acres besides leaving 200,000 livestock dead.-NNI

and Balochistan, NDMA spokesman Ahmad Kamal said.

At least 389 people, including 209 men, 93 females and 87 children, were killed and 745 were injured in the country's southern province of Sindh while floods killed 23 and injured 427 others in southwestern province of Balochistan.