Gauging PPP’s 5 year performance

Is third time really a charm in Pakistani politics?

Democracy has been a tough challenge for Pakistan. In its 65 years of history, the democratic process has been hijacked four times by military coups. When elected governments did manage to acquire power, they failed to complete their term. This time was different. This time a democratically elected government was successful at completing its 5 year tenure. 

While this is surely a monumental achievement, it is not enough. How much the PPP government work to improve the economy, security and international standing of Pakistan and how far was it successful?

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Conversations with Badami Bagh residents

Badami Bagh is no less than a ravaged town awaiting life once again. Along the sides of the roads are little yellow tents set up for the Christian families who lost their homes when an angry mob set fire to the entire residential area.

These little tents are filled with people. It is as if the little tents have become portable homes for the citizens who have nothing else left. Little toys, water bottles, a pile of clothes – Badami Bagh residents have begun to reconstruct their lives within the temporary homes provided to them since there is no knowing when their real homes will be ready for them to go back to. 

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Parveen Rehman and the growing might of Land Mafia

No militants, no ethnic drama, Parveen Rehman’s death was a consequence of the land mafia politics that has consumed Karachi to the core. Parveen, an architect by profession, switched her field under the guidance of her mentor since, Akhter Hameed Khan, the founder of Orangi Pilot Project. Since 1982 Rehman had worked her way up the ladder at OPP, uplifting slum communities using microfinance, minimizing the need for World Bank loans building bridges between the government and the community.

The nature of violence in Pakistan, and especially Karachi has been labeled ethnic and political one after the other. According to Parveen Rehman the bloodshed was not ethnic, but land related. A bold social worker, though media shy, she openly criticized the establishment, and the police forces for being party to the land mafia. Drug mafia armed the people. The news of a pathan firing spreads like fire in the media, but seldom do people ask: who armed them? The drug mafia disappears when they sniff an operation and ambiguous claims of ethnic and sectarian differences fill the empty spaces.

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PAKISTAN SHAMED!!

The picture on top says it all. A mob in the background and an exultant youth in the foreground with smoke,fire and burning homes all around. This was the scene in the heart of Lahore when Christian homes were set on fire because of alleged blasphemy by a Christian who had already been booked under the Blasphemy Law by the police on the complaint of a Muslim. The mob that went on the rampage looting and burning homes was apparently venting their rage. No one died and no injuries were reported but Pakistan’s image was destroyed beyond repair—collateral damage from the point of view of the bigoted and the intolerant but a mortal blow to Pakistan for those whose heads hung in shame.

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English Medium only

This spring yellow kites were replaced by yellow balloons and a rush of language and pros that Lahore has long awaited. As the hub of cultural commotion for centuries, and the birthplace of many internationally recognized writers and poets like Bapsi Sidhwa, Mohsin Hamid, it is quite bizarre that such an event has never been held before. Literary Festivals have become the rage in South Asia since the Jaipur festival was established in India in 2005. Festivals have sprouted all over the region since.

The festival was held in Alhamra Arts Complex, and more than 30,000 people showed up for the various panel discussions that covered topics from literature, arts, and poetry to social issues and political dilemmas. Who would have thought a female Kathak dancer (Naheed Sidiqqui) would lure the audience with her elegant moves from an art lost in the Mughal era, in the middle of a terrorist-fest state? For the New York Times and other mainstream newspapers and journals a literary, artsy ambience propping up in Pakistan was odd, amusing and unforeseen. After all where do ‘books’ fit into the Mullah and Militant outlook that is seen.

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Tsunami version 2.0

Elections in Pakistan have a terrifying effect. Like a lie detector, it has been known to expose true sentiments, rivalries, morals and ruthless strategies to guarantee victories. It seems to be doing the same with Pakistan’s rising star, PTI. News about disruptive behavior and violence at PTI’s intra party elections has been popping up time and again. While rival politicians preyed on this disorder as proof of PTI’s poor management skills and experience, the civil society questioned the party’s competence in participating in elections and if elected, its ability to lead democratic processes in the country. 

It wasn’t long ago when Imran Khan had taken Pakistan by storm, or in his terms, by a “tsunami”.  Since then he and his party have been trying to clean the corrupt system and revolutionize democracy. So far they have introduced an economic, educational and industrial policy. They have refused to form alliances with other parties at the risk of compromising their stand against violence, corruption and inequality.

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Sehbai on Kayani: Can’t Live…with or without you

It seems Mr Sehbai is not clear in his own mind about the role he wants the Army to play. He blames Gen Kayani for sitting on the sidelines and letting the country slide into the current mess. Yet he blames 10 years of Army rule which incidentally except for first three years of Musharraf was actually run by politicians allied with Musharraf ,for a bad legacy for the current rulers. He calls Gen Kayani a Gorbachev for letting Pakistan reach this failed state situation but at the same time is against Army intervention. It seems he is constrained by the oft repeated slogan of Democracy is our future irrespective of the results that we are reaping. I think Gen Kayani has done well to clarify so many doubts sown about the Army actions/ inactions spread by our media. By talking directly to the media and clarifying the Army role in the last 5 years,he has briefed them about the true state of affairs. Hopefully this should at least reduce the unjustified criticism and doubts about the Army,s role and specially his own role as Chief . Let this election bring up some fresh and well meaning leadership for if that does not happen,we should have a fresh look at our systems specially our brand of parliamentary democracy which has failed again and again in providing good Government to the country. Gen Kayani has brought some truths to the notice of our opinion makers. Let it not be said by any one that he/ she did not know these things. Now it is upto our media to educate our public on all major issues facing the country.

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Propaganda: the (blatant) Indian way

Indian media can be called many things - free, vibrant, opinionated – but if there is one thing it cannot be called is subtle. The Indian media has had a long history of bias, Pakistan-bashing and a general lack of uniformity on national issues.

When the gang rape story broke in December, there was an intense media debate in India about the consequences of the tragedy on the country. The Indian Express advocated reform and called for a safe environment in the country on its Op-Ed pages. The Hindu, on the other hand, took off on a different tangent and discussed the need for death penalty and castration for rapists. The Times of India chose to remain on the fences, calling for “long term solutions.” The Asian Age focused on the political fall-out of the gang rape. Navbharat Times, on the other hand, filled its Op-Ed pages with a debate on the oppressed classes of the Indian society and raised an entirely existential question. Nai Dunya, went off in a completely different direction, and called for an end to protests since laws could not be “made over night.”

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The Civilized West!

Denmark is involved in a shameful practice. The sea is stained in red and currently it’s not because of the climate effects of nature.

It’s because of the cruelty that the human beings (civilised human) kill hundreds of the famous and intelligent Calderon dolphins.

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Standing strong with our Hazara brothers

Quetta was still recovering from the heart wrenching January attacks when it suffered another tragedy last week. A Sunni militant organization, Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, planned a horrific bomb blast which left at least 80 people dead and more than 200 people injured. Their targets were the Hazaras.

Sectarian violence against the Hazara community goes backs to the late 1970s and even today they continue to be victims of terrorism. Its people live in perpetual fear; staying in their homes would make them the target of bomb attacks and venturing out in the world means they can be taken hostage, dragged out of buses and shot dead.

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The questions behind indiscriminate droning

How successful has the US drone program been? Even without the use of statistics, one could argue that victories with the drones have been very limited. They did not do much to help the United States in their post-war agendas in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraq is far from a pro-US democracy – it is in the grip of increasingly polarized conflict and the country, it seems, is leaning much closer to Iran than it is to the United States. Similarly, no stable democracy exists in Afghanistan, nor have the Taliban been exterminated. This just goes to prove, as Stephen Walt put it, technological wizardry does not always translate into strategic success.

Having said that, one can understand why the United States does tend to continue to defend its drone policy. For them, it seems to work. The American generals are happy, and the American citizens feel safe knowing they have a remote-controlled technology that can wipe out dozens of people who may be a threat to them or to their principles. Perfectly understandable.

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The boy who cried wolf

The announcement for the annulment of assemblies on March 16th was a wakeup call for political parties all across Pakistan. The clock is ticking and the time to make changes, stir up electoral issues and leave a lasting impression on voters in now here. It is thus quite remarkable how projects like the Metro Bus in Punjab, the promise of target operation against religious extremists in Quetta and MQM’s concern for Karachi’s insecurity transpired at this momentous time.

Withdrawal of murder cases of Lyari’s criminal gang members’ specifically those belonging to the Peoples Aman Committee and the failed implementation of Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) in Karachi were the last straw for MQM. In a televised briefing on February 16th, Dr. Farooq Sattar, MQM Coordination Committee Deputy Convener, officially terminated MQM’s alliance with PPP at both the federal and provincial level. He accused PPP of delaying the process of justice by harboring criminals identified as absconders by the courts. MQM had expressed its reservations a few days earlier too but PPP representatives either denied the withdrawal order for or gave reassurances of reconciliation efforts.

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My freedom fighter, your terrorist

One man’s freedom fighter is another man’s terrorist. Afzal Guru remains one such example, who was hanged on 9 February 2013, convicted for attacking the Indian Parliament in 2002. Guru’s hanging has caused some disturbance in the civil and social order. The Muslim minority of India that enjoys a majority in the Kashmir Valley sparked out in protest of the hanging. Three youngsters have died in these protests and Yasin Malik (chief of Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front), a charismatic leader, went on a hunger strike in Islamabad, urging Indian Civil Society to speak out against the inhumane treatment of Guru. But one rotten apple threatens the stock, and for the Indian government Malik poses a threat. He leads the Muslims of Jammu and Kashmir in changing lines of citizenry. What government can tolerate that?

The right to self determination of Kashmiris is theoretically undeniable, yet so little has been done to materialize it. We can go back to 1947 when the United Nations never held the much awaited plebiscite, and the Muslim majority of Kashmir, who had voted for Pakistan, was forcefully occupied by the Indian Army. What started as a nascent freedom struggle in 1947 has progressively intensified with the simultaneous deployment of Dogra guards, provincial armed constabulary, Air force squadrons and Army brigades (with a strength of 9 divisions in the Valley alone). With such policing tactics being established on the Indian government’s orders, it is highly doubtful that the Muslims of Kashmir can ever integrate as normal citizens in wholehearted Mother India.

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Sikh Genocide in India And Beyond

If you want to see what happened to Buddhism, just check out what has been happening to Sikhism. Legally Sikhs do not exist in India but are just Hindus. Sikhs refused to sign the Indian constitution due to that. Sikhs were declared a criminal tribe as soon as the British left. In the 80s and 90s, hundreds of thousands of Sikhs were slaughtered, mainly the Amritdharis.

So it became very scary to be a Sikh.

Then all this preaching by people like the RSS started, to declare Sikhism a part of Hinduism. They don’t just go preach, they also commission art showing the Sikh Gurus to be Hindu gods basically and have written all sorts of books to distort Sikh history.

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Sheikh Waqas speech against “sipah sahaba”Mullahs

An extremely powerful speech by a Pakistani Politician against religious extremists and hypocrites pretending to be saviors of Islam and Pakistan.

Show solidarity with your Shia brothers and sisters

I request/urge/recommend/plead/ask you to show solidarity with your Shia brothers and sisters. Please take similar photos of yourself and remind these oppressors that we stand as ONE … that they are not eliminating Shias…but merely increasing their strength.

I’m not concerned about the Government that sees nothing…I’m not concered with the Media that says nothing…and I’m not concerned about the Judiciary that hears nothing…I am concerned with the Soul that feels nothing. I am ashamed not that my Pakistani brother pulled the trigger… I am ashamed that my life goes on…

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PAKISTAN HAS NO ENEMIES

As of now Pakistan has no enemies. Even those who hate us and want to do us in are not really our enemies. Take India for example---basking in the glow of its many achievements it is gloating as Pakistan stews in its own juices. All it has to do is wait for juicy morsels to be thrown up by Pakistanis themselves so that it can tweak them and splash them all over the world. The recent plethora of whistle blowers is manna from heaven for the Indian media, establishment and politicians so these whistle blowers are encouraged to spew out more and more poison against their own country and they are falling for it in pursuit of their own warped ambitions.

Consider Afghanistan. It can talk publicly about a strategic relationship and need not be an enemy. It encourages the Pakistanis who have joined hands with others to kill other Pakistanis not just in the western border areas but deep in the heart of Pakistan. Now and then they inspire the misguided Pakistanis who think they are struggling for their rights and freedom by killing their brethren who may be of a different sect or by blowing up the people who are their saviors and by damaging precious assets of the State. There are many who then take on the task of stoking the fires and exploiting the vulnerabilities that emerge. It helps that Pakistanis raise their own voices to condemn their own law enforcers.

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Who will provide affirmative action in India?

Consumed with weapon purchases, maritime capabilities and external threats from China and Pakistan, India has it seems neglected to peek at the state of affairs within its own boundaries. In the past few months, multiple incidents infringing the right of freedom of speech have occurred which has prompted writer Salman Rushdie to smear India with his “cultural emergency” allegation. 

Although Rushdie’s credibility is uncertain and his agenda equally debatable, his accusation rings of the truth.  India’s cultural intellect, its writers, poets, film makers and artists are being censured if their opinion and expression does not conform to the mainstream perceptions of India. Recently, a Tamil film called Vishwaroopam was condemned by Muslim religious groups in Tamil Nadu since it projected Muslims in a negative light. The government decided to ban the release of the film claiming that they lacked sufficient police forces to monitor all cinema houses for riots. Vishwaroopam’s producer, Kamal Haasan was so disillusioned that he threatened to leave India for a secular state abroad. Eventually, he agreed to cut some scenes from the film. 

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Tacstrat Analysis: Procrastination over the Pipeline

Conceived by a Pakistani civil engineer in the 1950s, and brought on the table between the concerned parties in 1995, the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline project has remained on the forefront, and brushed aside with an unbecoming ease. The pipeline that aims to connect Iran’s biggest gas field in South Pars with neighboring Pakistan and India has become a matter of global interest. Pakistan’s energy crisis and Iran’s economic boycott, owing to the Khomeini regime’s adamancy with respect to their nuclear program, make the pipeline a win-win bargain for the two. Yet, with Pakistan’s instability, and an inability to pick a side, the pipeline, as we enter 2013, remains a far fetched thought. Despite recent positive angle, and signing of contracts on 4 February 2012 between the two governments, we realize this is not the first time Pakistan has come so close and withdrawn.

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Integrating Kashmir

Being celebrated since 1990, Kashmir Day reminds people all over the world about the violence in a disputed segment of India and Pakistan which has claimed and continues to claim thousands of lives. Atrocities and violence from both sides have resulted in the loss of lives of approximately 93,714 Kashmiris in the last 20 years. Children have lost their parents and siblings to target killings, rape and inhumane laws imposed by the Indian government in Kashmir. The place that was once quoted by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan to be “Heaven on earth” is today the most militarized area in the world with a 1:17 soldier to civilian ratio. Ill will, mistrust and conspiracies have complicated the relationship between Pakistan and India. Both point fingers at each other. But how far is Pakistan really concerned with the issue of Kashmir?

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Who speaks for the Baloch of DG Khan?

As our government mulls over the questionable fate of the Seraiki province, protests have erupted all over the country with calls for all kinds of provinces – provinces based on ethnicities, provinces based on “administrative grounds”, provinces based on linguistic differences. So while there are calls to permanently damage Pakistan’s already-frayed map, here are two scents on a concern Maula Fazalur Rehman raised at the meeting where the commission came up with recommendations for the new province.

A brief history of Dera Ghazi Khan is in order. The city goes back as far as 1476 when Baloch chieftain Nawab Ghazi Khan Mirani declared independence from the Langah Dynasty of Multan. Along with two other deras (encampments) – Dera Ismail Khan and Dera Fateh Khan – Derajat was born.

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BATS IN THE BELFRY

In response to an article published in Times of India:ISI gave Rs 5 lakh to man who beheaded Indian soldier.

The Indian media continues its mad tirade against Pakistan. Their latest canard is a seemingly meticulous piece of intelligence work by the Indian Military Intelligence (MI). Under the photo of the unfortunate soldier who was found beheaded on the Indian side of the LOC is a detailed account of the planning on the Pakistani side that led to this atrocity. The culprit identified by MI is of course the ISI—their nemesis. Once you assume this the rest is easy –add ranks and names of the military personnel involved,give dates time and places where conferences were held,throw in an odd local civilian name and chart out a route from the Pakistani side to the site of the incident. Throw in a mention of cash flows and voila the intelligence report is complete.

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Reason versus the Patriot

Patriotism does not require reason;it is a feeling that holds the ability to perpetuate success,like pride. In today’s world it takes a real hero to represent a nation that has been abused,belittled and coerced into conforming to what the high handed ones want;A nation that suffers from dogma,depression,delusion and failure. Labeled the underdog,the terrorist and the pest. We don’t need cynicism. Not even to get ‘real’. We have enough on our platter presently to feel the need to look into our past and say we’ve been bad. I don’t have strong moral backing for this suggestion,but because that’s the only way out. We have every problem:economic,security,political,social,you name it. And yet individuals choose to carry this ‘battered’baggage and represent it. Most face humiliation.

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Pakistani exports exceed imports in trade with India

The Indian High Commission said on Tuesday that Pakistan’s exports to India had grown faster than imports  despite missing of a deadline of Dec 31 for complete trade liberalisation regime between the two countries.

A recent tension between Pakistan and India over Line of Control led to suspension of revised visa regime along with cross-border bus service in Kashmir. After signs of easing of tension, bus service between Poonch and Rawalakot was resumed on Monday.

For the commerce ministry in Pakistan, the delay in complete liberalisation was because of procedural hiccups along with political compulsion, but for the skeptics in Pakistan, the LoC tension provides an opportunity to propagate for reversal of all those measures taken so far for complete liberalisation of trade regime with India.

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The New Emerging Global Economic Order: Taking the U.S.-India Example

Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, Bureau of Economic, Energy and Business Affairs.

As prepared for delivery

Thank you for that wonderful greeting. I am honored to accept your invitation to participate in the Partnership 2013 Summit. For me this is an excellent opportunity to learn from so many distinguished women and men from across India and from around the world.  To be back in Agra, against the backdrop of one of the great works of art and love of mankind, the Taj Mahal, is a distinct and profound pleasure.  I am always happy to be in India.  On Saturday, I fulfilled a long held wish, when I was able to witness Republic Day in all of its splendor.  It is a remarkable event that I will long remember.

I first came to India as a young man. I traveled the Grand Trunk Road and discovered for myself “incredible India” – long before that term became a common one. My month-long journey on buses and trains – and sometimes on top of buses and trains – was one I have never forgotten.  I saw up close and in action this country’s vibrant democracy, and rich, diverse, creative society. I was left with a deep and enduring affection for both India’s people and its indomitable spirit.

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“Myth of Mohandas K. Gandhi”

Dr. Martin Luther King,Jr. might have heard the word of non-violence from Gandhi,but it is certain that Dr. King did not know the true colors of Mr. Gandhi. From the beginning to the end,M.K. Gandhi was loyal to imperialism. The Western news media and their Indian allies by a massive propaganda exercise created the illusion of sainthood around Gandhi and made people believe that he fought Apartheid in South Africa,and in the process of doing so developed a new method of non-violent struggle called satyagraha. Nothing is farther from the truth.

Gandhi,for the major part of his life,worshipped British imperialism and too often proudly proclaimed himself a lover of the Empire. He was Kipling’s Gunga Din in flesh and blood.

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Obama’s four more in foreign policy

“Fecklessness and timidity disguised as false humility won’t do; we are expected to lead whether we are asked to or want to.” – Paul Bonicelli

The thing about grand illusions is that they are the often just that – grand illusions. And illusions of grandeur hardly make for implementable solutions and policies. A black man leading the world’s most powerful nation is no longer a distant dream for Americans, nor is it achievement that points to greatness of the country when the said leader is facing a difficult second term with regards to foreign policy.

Obama’s second term seems to be shifting the focus from international politics to domestic crisis. In less than two months of being elected, Obama has had to face two serious challenges against the Republican front; the gun control laws and the fiscal cliff. At the same time, American troops are ready to begin withdrawal from Afghanistan and the two governments are in the process of wrapping up final details of the role of US in Afghanistan after 2014.

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The Rising Left: Bibi’s re-election

Despite Bibi’s centre-right posture, an undeniable rise in the Left brings the new Knesset closer to a peace deal.

22 January 2013: Benjamin Netanyahu has been re-elected for a second term as Prime Minister. With floundering claims of tightening the leash for the ultra orthodox, and working towards genuine peace with Palestine, Bibi was trying to appeal to the new wave of ‘Leftist’ awakening. For the Likud party a coalition with the freshly popular Yesh Atid, or ‘There is a Future’, a party headed by political newcomer Yair Lapid showed surprising strength. Lapid’s inclination towards genuine economic reform, and awareness of Palestine’s colonization as immoral and an economic drain on Israel’s resources resonated well with the growing tide. Netanyahu, keeping in mind Likud party’s right-centre posture, and trending ‘welfare’ ‘justice’ clad political reformers decided to assure a broad coalition agenda which would assure this rising wave of leftist politik that a blocking majority is not part of this term’s contract.

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The LOC Lesson

The India – Pakistan scene is littered with the debris of past events and each side has its own version of those events. There was the 1965 war rooted in the Kashmir situation at that time, then the 1971 exploitation of Pakistan’s predicament in East Pakistan that led to its secession, the 1984 aggression by India that created the still unresolved Siachen issue, there was the attack on the Indian Parliament that triggered a confrontation that could have led to war between the two nuclear weapon states, there was the Kargil attack from Pakistan, then the terrorist attack in Mumbai in 2008 and the latest is the cease fire violation on the Line of Control (LOC).

Like all previous events much has been written and spoken about the latest LOC situation. The media on both sides — but much more on the Indian side — has spewed venom and demanded action. Indian military leaders have spoken publicly in threatening tones delivering totally unwarranted warnings and politicians in India have exploited the situation to bring pressure on the government. Sanity seems to have prevailed at last and both sides are stepping back from the brink — there really being no other option. In Pakistan there is rare consensus that the situation was handled with restraint with the military abstaining from provocative statements and our Foreign Minister saying just the right things.

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NAB investigation officer in RPP case found hanging from a fan

ISLAMABAD: An officer involved in the investigation of the Rental Power Projects (RPP) case was found dead at the federal lodges number 2 in Islamabad, DawnNews reported.

Kamran Faisal who held the position of assistant director in the NAB allegedly committed suicide.

Faisal’s body was found hanging from a ceiling fan, police said, whereas sources told DawnNews that he was reportedly under extreme pressure during his investigation of the RPP case.

Police added that Faisal’s body had been taken to investigate the cause of death.

Inspector General Islamabad Police said Faisal’s death appeared to be a suicide.

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The Qadri Intervention

From a largely forgotten cleric Dr Tahirul Qadri has become a household word and a familiar sight on TV screens and the front pages of newspapers. TV anchors and the participants in endless analyses and debates have sought to discern his past, his future and his ambitions, and above all who drives him to do what he is doing. No one believes that his agenda is purely reformist — everyone believes that after or during the reformation will emerge a political ambition. No one believes that his is a solo flight — everyone believes that his flight is guided and precision guided at that. If Dr Qadri and perhaps others think his venture will reach the conclusion he seeks then they are in for a disappointment because he has mounted a challenge to the state and its institutions on the basis of the inept performance of an elected government and a flawed political system. In a democracy such corrections come from free and fair elections and on that event the whole country is totally focused with the Supreme Court in an over watch role. This fact could not have been lost on Dr Qadri and those who support him.

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The Amazing Indian Army

Though western media have a soft corner for India,as they consider it a largest democracy of the world and a secular state,reports abound that India’s security forces use torture and rape as a weapon to punish,intimidate,humiliate and degrade the victims in Kashmir and elsewhere in India. The pattern of Army’s misconduct is also glaringly observed when contingent of Indian army performs duties as UN peacekeeping mission abroad. In Congo, army personnel raped women that resulted in unlawful pregnancies. Twelve officers and thirty-nine soldiers were probed in Meerut,Uttar Pradesh,India,for sexually abusing the local women and for having fathered children while on UN peacekeeping mission in Congo in 2008. UN Commission found DNA evidence of children born to Congo women,having distinct Indian features. UN authorities are putting pressure on Indian Government to investigate the issue. Unfortunately Indian media insinuated Pakistani spy agency “ISI” to protect a career officer of Indian Army employed as Instructor in Bangladesh Staff College who was caught with his pants down with a Bangladeshi woman by some vigilant eye of camera.

The Indian soldiers had exploited the war torn women of Congo,and sexual abuse cases reached into hundreds. These girls and women were raped either through coercion or under deceit of food items and Indian-made cosmetics. Indian brigade commander in Congo accused Pakistani soldiers of such violations to avert the blame. UN authorities ordered DNA tests. UN authorities informed Indian government and asked for legal proceeding against these officers and soldiers. Indian efforts of accusing Pakistani soldiers were refuted due to DNA test. Following the allegations,the regiment in which the officers and soldiers were serving was recalled from the Congo and attached to the Western Command headquarters. Earlier too,there have been allegations of sexual abuse and graft against Indian Army officers and soldiers serving in UN missions in the Congo. In March 2008,three officers were charged with sexual abuse of a local woman while on a holiday in South Africa. In 2007,there were allegations that some of the Indian peacekeepers had exchanged food and information with the locals for obtaining gold from rebels in North Kivu in the Congo.

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MQM chief Altaf Hussain’s Drone Attack

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Plan B for Iran

Just two days after the US government imposed a new round of even more brutal sanctions on Iran’s economy, Saeed Jalili, Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council expressed his nation’s desire to hold talks with the P5+1 nations this January. Iran had shown interest back in October 2012 but decided to wait for the US presidential elections to happen. One then wonders why the United States decided to act antagonistically? Did America doubt Iran’s intentions so much that it felt the need for additional sanctions to deliver the final nudge to bring Iran to talks?

History has witnessed the course of action US and its European allies have chosen when their efforts to engage with Iran have failed, namely sanctions. Recently however many dominant Asian powers have also agreed to resort to this method. America’s use of sanctions against Iran dates back to 1979. Over the years, it has refined the sanctions to target Iran’s nuclear and missile technologies as well as all those parties affiliated with this program. A number of financial sanctions have frozen any American assets held by these parties. It has also extended the sanctions to include any foreign entities engaged in aiding Iran’s nuclear aspirations. Since 2006, Iran’s major banks like Bank Saderat and Bank Melli, have also been subjected to sanctions. Companies having links to groups banned by UN sanctions were also targeted.

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Extreme Human Rights Abuses by Indian Army

The rape in Delhi has shocked India. Has it really? Or was it the sight of thousands of young students, male and female, demonstrating on the streets and being assaulted by the police for daring to demonstrate that made some Indian citizens think seriously about the problem? As for the Congress government that has, like most of the opposition parties, tolerated this for decades, it was the bad publicity abroad that finally did the trick, but only as far as this case is concerned.

Rape takes place in police stations, in military barracks, in the streets and occasionally in some provincial parliaments. The feminist Communist parliamentarian Brinda Karat, who has long campaigned on the issue, pointed to the assault of a member of the Trinamool assembly by a male oppositionist on 11 December last year. ‘Women were not safe even inside the assembly,’ she said.

Legal activists in Kashmir and Manipur, occupied by the Indian Army, have produced report after report highlighting cases of women raped by soldiers. Response from the top brass: nil. In a country where the culture of rape is so embedded, only a determined effort on every level can change things. This will not happen if this case and others are forgotten.

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THE PUZZLE

The Pieces of the Puzzle

#1—Renewed interest by Scotland Yard in the Imran Farooq murder in London

#2—The unconditional and abject apology by the MQM before the Supreme Court of Pakistan

#3—The Qadri intervention

#4—MQM’s prompt and total support of the Qadri intervention.

#5—Surge in US Drone attacks with TTP being targeted.

#5—Pakistan military’s changed threat perception with the internal threat identified as the main threat and a public announcement of this realization.

#6—US/UK/NATO compulsion to exit Afghanistan in an orderly manner and the need to protect Afghanistan from external inroads in the vulnerable post exit period

#7—Pakistan’s centrality in the entire exit strategy including safe passage for logistic movement.

#8—The political situation in Pakistan and the US/UK desire for status quo so that their exit strategy continues to get support.

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Af-Pak security conundrum

Pakistan’s official stance on the US presence in Afghanistan has been clear for many years: American troops must withdraw from the war-torn country as soon as possible and leave national matters in the hands of the elected government. The year of the US withdrawal is almost here and there is a serious debate among analysts, media personnel and governments alike over the number of troops US will leave in Afghanistan to continue to train police personnel, launching strikes against militants and slimming Al-Qaeda presence in the country.

There are unconfirmed media reports US plans to cut the post-withdrawal US facilities in the Afghanistan from 90 to a mere 5. This has raised the question of the US presence in Afghanistan being more vulnerable to attacks from militants. This question has also been evident from the White House-Pentagon deadlock over the number of US soldiers that should be present and the number that Obama is willing to send to help the transition process.

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Foreign elements in domestic terrorism

Blocked roads, police check-posts and a heavy presence of armed forces has become the norm in northern areas of Pakistan. Terrorism has become so deeply entrenched in these areas that it is difficult to differentiate between friend and foe. National and International security analysts inevitably try to blame government's policies and law enforcement agencies. But Pakistan might not be solely at fault for the pervading state of insecurity within its borders.

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Middle Eastern politics: of Power, Oil and Puppet Regimes

“Today I tell you, and I declare it to the whole world, that we accept to live with you in permanent peace based on justice.” –Egyptian President Anwar al-Sadat became the first Arab Leader to recognize Israel in 1977

2011 and 2012 have been tough years for Israel. While the unconditional support from their biggest ally, and billions of dollars flowing into the country strengthening military and economy, the tide has turned drastically against their favor. The bottom line is: no matter how many safety nets the West provides for their strategic ally, Middle Eastern politics remains far too unruly to be controlled or predicted even. Simultaneously, the momentous social media revolutions and revolutionaries gained popularity in the West so rapidly that the only option remaining for the US was to support and use backdoor channels to fine tune. The only ‘enemy’ that could openly be called out on remained Iran. And despite harsh anti-Iran rhetoric through the months approaching US 2012 election, the Republicans were reduced to second best.

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Thugs are not revolutionaries

MQM’s Altaf Bhai is walking on a tightrope and he is managing this delicate task with political skill one would not have expected from the loud,often eccentric,politician. How does one plan a long march against the very government they have a coalition with,and at the same time assure them that there shall be no parting of ways? Apparently,MQM can.

It is easy to see MQM’s game in the entire Tahir ul Qadri saga. Here is a political party largely unpopular in most quarters of Pakistan,securing its constituency via dirty tactics that has caused its leader to flee the country. Often the butt of political jokes,MQM is not a force one takes seriously in national politics unless Karachi is specifically analyzed. This has changed with the new love affair between Qadri and Altaf. While Qadri’s agenda might be questionable,MQM’s agenda is not. Hop on the bandwagon,take a long march to Islamabad and try to get some leverage and position in the interim government negotiations. If that fails,hey,there is still a coalition with the country’s largest political party to fall back on.

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Role of Jews in world history

Interesting revelations!! What is the ultimate truth only God knows!!

Commentary By Jayne Gardener

I always used to wonder what it was about Jews that made people throughout history despise them. If they were indeed “God’s chosen” I thought, they had to be the unluckiest people in the history of the world.

Why were they persecuted throughout history? Why had the Nazis herded them into cattle cars and taken them to “extermination camps” to dispose once and for all of the “Jewish problem?”

I suddenly recognized that if Hitler had developed a “Final Solution” to the Jewish question, that there had to have been a “Jewish Problem.” Could the Jews have in any way behaved in such a manner that would make the countries in which they resided turn against them, or were they just unfortunate, innocent victims?

I set out to find answers for my questions, mainly turning to the Internet, but also reading various books on the subject. What I found became increasingly disturbing to me. I had not known that throughout history, the Jews had been expelled from 79 countries, some countries more than once. I had not known that many of the claims they made about the Holocaust that I had believed unquestioningly for so long were in fact fraudulent.

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