It is Time for Gulf Colonialism

During a period when European colonialism was met with armed resistance, Algerian-born French writer Albert Camus’ suggestion that an Arab colonialism replace the French one was controversial. From a different angle, the idea of replacing one system with another is now legitimate after the Arab Spring. The differences in the comparison are considerable, but the point is the same: revolting nations are not interested in exchanging their dictators for Gulf-funded governments the way colonialism was replaced with authoritarian states.
In a past post, I spoke of the new Qatar being a mysterious country funding political Islam in the region after the Arab Spring. Several readers were bothered by the questions asked, but did not note that the whole idea of the post was to raise questions about a closed country turning revolutions into political and economic investments, its tools being a media network, an ambiguous foreign policy, and huge projects that seem too massive and unnecessary.
Qatar’s role has been underestimated, but now, its dominance is a reality that can no longer be ignored.
For decades, the Wahabi project in Saudi Arabia has been the subject of academic focus. The role of the kingdom is evident in funding Islamist movements and supporting regimes that do not clash with their interests. The Palestinian Authority, the Bahraini regime, and Yemen’s former president Saleh are a few of the many benefactors of the Saudi project.
The birth of Qatar as a regional power does has produced a power struggle with Saudi Arabia, with Qatar seen as an intimidating force in the manner of Iran.
With sectarianism successfully taking hold in the Gulf after the Bahraini revolution, Iran was portrayed as possessing grand powers. Saudi Arabia was never going to give importance to its opponent, but now that a ‘foreign monster’ is needed to keep the people silent, Iran is depicted as being all-powerful.
On the other hand, Iran is making use of this image to keep the focus away from the voices speaking out against a theocratic dictatorship. Qatar, however, is playing wisely with both opponents.

Pakistan Tests Automated Strategic Command Control & Support System

Pakistan's Army Strategic Force Command has successfully tested National Command Authority’s fully automated Strategic Command and Control Support System (SCCSS) during the recent test of the Hatf V Ghauri I Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM).

Automated Strategic Command and Control Support System has been developed for the robust Command and Control capability over all the nuclear weapons and their delivery systems of Pakistan.

Hatf V Ghauri I Medium Range Ballistic Missile (MRBM) is the only liquid fuel missile in Pakistan's inventary and it has range of around 1300 kms.

CM-400 AKG Supersonic Long Range Anti Ship/Land Attack Missile

The supersonic CM-400 AKG long range anti ship and land attack missile was first displayed along with the at the JF-17 Thunder /FC-1 Xiaolong fighter jet at the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition, Zhuhai 2012 Air Show.

The CM-400 AKG missile ha been developed by the China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC) as a light weight, high speed, long range, air launched missile capable of destroying ground and maritime targets with precision.

The CM-400AKG missile is a fire and forget weapon with range of 180 to 250 kilometers. It is available with different seeker options depending upon the mission profile. Chinese side seems to be offering an active radar seeker and an imaging infrared seeker capable of target-recognition (TR).

Pakistan Successfully Tests Hatf-VII Babur Land Attack Cruise Missile

Pakistan has successfully tested the Hatf-VII Babur Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) today. Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) has announced that Hatf-VII Babur was test fired against the target at a range of 700 kilometers.

Hatf-VII Babur Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) has a maximum range of 750 kilometers km and longer range version with range of 1000km is also under development.  Hatf-VII Babur Land Attack Cruise Missile features stealth shaping and low flying capability to avoid detection by the enemy radars.

Hatf-VII Babur Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) was test fired from a new multi tube Missile Launch Vehicle (MLV) which carries three tube MLV allowing Pakistan Army to rapidly engage its targets with surgical precision.

Hatf-VII Babur Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) uses Terrain Contour Matching (TERCOM) and Digital Scene Matching and Area Co-relation (DSMAC) to achieve circular error probability (CEP) of less then 3 meters.

President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani have congratulated the scientists  of the National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) on the successful test of the Hatf-VII Babur Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM).

National Engineering and Scientific Commission (NESCOM) started the development of the Hatf-VII Babur cruise missile in late 1990 in order to counter the Indian efforts to license produce the improved version of Russian Yakhont cruise missile which has been modified for land attacks.

Pakistani Warships PNS Tippu Sultan and PNS Nasr visit Cape Town

Two Pakistan Navy vessels have arrived in the naval port of Simon’s Town for a short port visit. The destroyer PNS Tippu Sultan and the combat support ship PNS Nasr are visiting from 10 to 13 December 2012. Their entry into the port was slightly delayed by a strong South Easter wind blowing in False Bay. The purpose of the ships’ visit is to maintain the Pakistan Navy’s international contact with the South African Navy and also to enhance bilateral relations between Pakistan and South Africa.

 According to the South African Navy (SAN), the relationship between the two navies has been improving steadily and this visit to Simon’s Town by the Pakistan Navy ships presents an ideal opportunity to further strengthen the existing ties between the two navies. To further cement the closeness between Pakistan’s and South Africa’s navies, Chief of the Staff, Pakistan Navy, Admiral Mohammed Asif Sandila will also be visiting South Africa in the same timeframe. 

Indian Army's Flying Snipers During Exercise Sudarshan Shakti

Images of the Indian Army's Snipers During Exercise Sudarshan Shakti. This massive military exercise of the Indian Army involves over 50,000 soldiers, hundreds of T-90S &  Arjun tanks, artillery guns, transport & gunship helicopter and fighter jets. 

Police arrest TTP militants planning sectarian attacks

Pakistani police said on Saturday they had arrested five Taliban militants who were planning “terror attacks” in the central city of Multan and other towns in the region.
“The terrorists belonging to Noor Gul group of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) were arrested on an intelligence tip off,” city police chief Aamer Zulfikar told reporters.
The ‘Noor Gul’ group has not been heard of previously, and Zulfikar did not say where or when the arrests were made.
“They were planning to carry out terrorist activities on the eve of the martyrdom anniversary of Hazarat Ali, the fourth caliph of Islam, falling next week,” he said.
He added that the group was active in the southern part of the Punjab province, and had planned to target other towns and cities in the region.
The police also seized heavy weapons and ammunition including pistols and assault rifles from the militants.

Malik offers olive branch to estranged Baloch youth

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Saturday extended an olive branch to the estranged Baloch youth, pledging that the government would bring them in the mainstream and provide them jobs.
Welcoming a statement of Brahamdagh Bugti, the minister told a press conference that the junior Bugti had said that his party had no militant wing and rather it was a political party.
Brahamdagh Bugti had stated that he has a political party which had no militant wing. “Now Brahamdagh should disown his deputy, who is operating from Kandahar and is involved in militant activities in Balochistan,” said the interior minister.

PTV chief receives fake SC letter

A letter bearing the ‘signature’ of a Supreme Court official and received by the managing director of Pakistan Television (PTV), Yousuf Baig Mirza, has turned out to be fake.
The letter dated July 25 and bearing number HRC-35997-G/2010 was ‘issued’ by the Human Rights Cell of the court to the MD to halt recruitments without first advertising them in the media. “Otherwise, strict legal action would be taken,” the fake letter said.
Additional registrar of the court Sajid Mehmood Qazi, when contacted, confirmed that the letter purportedly issued by the Supreme Court office was counterfeit, also conceding that this was not the first time that such an incident had taken place since similar fake letters in the name of the Supreme Court had been received by different departments in the past.
Last year, the Supreme Court office issued a letter to the Cabinet Secretariat advising them to confirm whenever they received any directives on behalf of the court. Similar directives were also issued to police officials in the past, asking them to be careful.
A source in the court confided that the court might register a complaint regarding the issuance of the fake letter since no computer record was available to show that it had been generated from the office.
Sources in the PTV told Dawn that after receiving the letter, the MD consulted his legal team and senior officials and soon it transpired that it was fake. They said the letter carried many mistakes and contradictions.
At the beginning it asked the MD to stop hiring and at the end asked him to continue with postings. Moreover, they said, upon checking, it was found that the letter was not on the order sheet of the court. When the Supreme Court registrar was contacted,

Pak-US operation to stamp out Haqqani network

Following intensive meetings between ISI chief Lieutenant General Zaheer-ul-Islam and his CIA counterpart David Petraeus, the two spy chiefs agreed on joint counter terrorism campaigns and operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, the Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday.
During the series of meetings that also involved senior State Department and Pentagon officials, US and Pakistani officials hoped that the latest move would mark an upswing in cooperation after more than a year of “rancorous” relations, the major American newspaper reported.

“The campaigns would be intended to help stamp out major security threats facing each country, targeting what the US says are sanctuaries for the Haqqani network, and what Pakistan says are sanctuaries for the Pakistani Taliban in Afghanistan,” the report said in a dispatch on the talks between senior officials.

The plans are considered, at best, promising, the dispatch said, pointing out that US officials have long pressed their Pakistani counterparts to target the Haqqani group, but without success.

The Wall Street Journal also quoted Pakistani Ambassador to the United States Sherry Rehman as saying, “Pakistan’s democratic government is committed to moving forward with the US in many shared goals.” The envoy added that her government was working to reshape its relationships in the region. “Better ties with the US can help us in this broader goal of creating equities for peace instead of volatility in a region that is going through many security transitions.”

“It’s a good beginning,” Vali Nasr, a former top State Department official who is currently dean of the School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) at Johns Hopkins University, said. He pointed out that in previous joint campaigns, Pakistan had requested that it be involved in all aspects of intelligence gathering. But the United States has been sceptical about Pakistani requests to share information about potential raids. “It’s always been a sticking point,” said Nasr, an American of Iranian origin.

Also discussed during the meeting was Pakistan’s demand for a halt to CIA drone strikes in Pakistan, but no agreement was reached on any changes to the programme, the Journal said, citing officials.

According to the dispatch, US and Pakistani officials both described this week’s meetings as productive and indicative of a higher level of trust than in previous meetings. Until now, counter terrorism negotiations between the sides have been largely on hold after US forces killed 24 Pakistani troops near Afghanistan’s border in November. As tensions rose over the US refusal to apologise for theincident, General Islam, the new Pakistani intelligence chief, deferred a June invitation from the CIA to visit Washington. A US decision to apologise for the Pakistani soldiers’ deaths jump-started talks over the highly contentious CIA drone programme.

Pakistan then announced that General Islam would make his first trip to Washington since becoming chief of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence agency in March. On Wednesday, Ambassador Rehman hosted a dinner at her residence for Lieutenant General Islam, CIA Deputy Director Michael Morell and top lawmakers on the House and Senate intelligence committees. There they discussed “mutual challenges” according to one participant cited by the WSJ.

Pakistani youth in Chitral joining Afghan army

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa home department is concerned over the reports that jobless youth in Malkand Division near Afghan border has been joining the Afghan National Army.

After receiving information that a number of youth in Chitral and other border areas have joined the Afghan army, the home department has directed the Malakand Division Commissioner to get more formation about names, religion and addresses of the youth.

The home ministry said it would action as per after a thorough investigation.

Pakistan Army Playing ‘Double Game’ in Bara – Says Washington Post

The growing influence of the Taliban and continued fighting in various parts of the Khyber Agency, and in particular the Bara district, was described by The Washington Post Thursday as the alleged result of a long-standing “double-game” in which the Pakistani military establishment sought to protect certain Taliban groups to ensure their influence and sway in a future Afghan government following the US withdrawal.

According to the report, at least 61,000 refugees currently occupied the UNHCR’s Jalozai camp, and as a result of continued instability in the Khyber Agency, more than 3,50,000 people from the Bara district — a long-time commercial hub — had been forced to flee to Peshawar, the closest relatively safe metropolis. In Bara, where fighting had levelled homes, shuttered hospitals and businesses and impoverished those who remained, the Pakistani Taliban’s influence was said to be growing, according to some residents. This was particularly worrisome because convoys carrying Nato supplies to Afghanistan travelled slowly through the surrounding areas, vulnerable to attack. Gunmen on Tuesday killed a truck driver in the first such attack since Pakistan ended its Nato-routes blockade three weeks ago; the Pakistani Taliban claimed responsibility.

Hard-core militant ranks are believed to number about 500. Estimates of troop strength on the Pakistani side — mainly the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) commanded by Pakistani army officers — top 5,000, but neither figure has been independently confirmed.

“Not a single village has been cleared by security forces,” said Abdul Wahid Afridi, a leader in the secular Awami National Party (ANP). “The militancy could be collapsed. All the people are asking why can’t the army eliminate them? Why not, after three years?”

To Haseebullah Khan, 37, a refugee from Bara, the answer is simple. “They don’t want to do it,” he said. “This is beyond our thinking.”

‘Change’ Through Vote, Not Military

The kind of situation both the Pakistani state and the Pakistani nation is going through requires a desperate change to make matters better and to stop them from worsening. However, there is no such thing as a quick fix when to it comes to political affairs in this country. Being a democracy, rule of law and people’s voice should be the elements considered foremostly prior to making any policy or strategy. But interest of the Pakistani nation has seldom been considered at the very core of these foreign and domestic policies by the country’s multiple times tried-and-failed politicians.

This has led people to lose their faith in this democracy. Nothing works under the rule and nothing works in their favour. The rules have been made to support those who already have power. Status counts a lot in this country. Pakistan has been known to shout Islamisation in the world arena, but practices actually none of it in essence. The desire to see law and order in people has turned them to military leadership to make Pakistan a strong country with economic
and social prosperity.

Over four times Pakistan has had military dictatorships and people have always voiced that they were better off during these years under military governance than when the civilian leadership was in the country. With reportedly more than $18 billion lost in foreign investments in the past three years, this current government  has given nothing but political turmoil and economic instability. Today, people no more ask even the Pakistan military to take over, they ask simply for change with no leadership to orient it, which is an impossible wish. They have trust in no one, but in their own abilities, which through nepotism and corruption has taken them nowhere, but made life for a socially aware, sensitive and self-conscious man even more difficult.

Balochistan’s Situation and Pakistan Military’s Role

Recently, the Director General Military Operation (DGMO), Major General Ishfaq Ahmed Nadeem assured through the media that there is no single operation being carried out now in Balochistan and every soldier is in his barracks. He called such a notion part of propaganda against the military, which can only worsen its image, and not just amongst the Balochs but also the rest of the country.

The development work taking place on Chamalang Coal Mines has provided employment to thousands of Balochs and is being looked upon as a way by the military to bring peace to the region. There are many seminars and conferences as well as workshops held across Pakistan to assess and explain the situation in Balochistan. But there seems to be not many ways out of what had happened. Never the less, Balochistan’s question remains to be solved through political
means and the military has made itself very clear as to where it stands. Pakistan military strongly supports a political solution to the Balochistan issue.

The need of the time asks for everyone to work together rather than approach the issue in an escapist way. The issue of the missing persons in the province is clearly a blame game where the Frontier Corps (FC) is being dragged into. FC cannot operate independently without prior orders from the provincial government. Pakistan military has identified a lot of these missing persons to be in the Ferari Camps (separatist camps) and involved in criminal activities, because of which they are facing jail in Afghanistan.

Nine Militants Killed in Clash With Force

At least nine militants were killed in a clash with security forces in Pakistan’s northwestern tribal region of Orakzai,  said local media reports on Wednesday.

The clash took place in Orakzai’s Dabori area, in which two security men were also injured, said government sources.

Security sources say the military operation in the tribal region has been able to recover 92 percent of its area from militant control. However, pockets of resistance still exist in parts of Orakzai.

In another incident, unidentified assailants blew up two primary schools for girls in the Mohmand tribal region’s Saafi tehsil.

Pakistan Army Creating Sanctuaries For Taliban – Afghan Intelligence Chief

Afghan intelligence, National Directorate for Security (NDS) Chief Rahmatullah Nabeel on Wednesday accused Pakistani army for entering Afghan soil and construct sanctuaries for the Taliban militants.

Rahmatullah Nabeel Afghan NDS Chief and Zalmai Rassoul Afghan foreign minister said Afghanistan has failed to resolve cross-border attacks through diplomatic negotiations and urged for public revolution in this regard.

NDS Chief Rahmatullah Nabeel said Afghan public forces should be based on the bordering regions between the two countries and the cross-border attack issues cannot be resolved by deploying a number of Afghan national security forces.

He said at least 21,000 heavy artillery shells have been fired in bordering Kunar, Nuristan and Nangarhar provinces of Afghanistan since the beginning of the year and Pakistani army have moved forward inside the Afghan soil from Kunar, Nuristan, Nangarhar and Paktia provinces of Afghanistan, and are creating security check posts.

South Punjab TTP head killed in encounter

A militant, reportedly the head of banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), south Punjab chapter, was killed on Wednesday in Dera Ghazi Khan in an encounter with police and law-enforcement agencies, according to a handout issued by the Punjab police.

Abdul Ghaffar Qaisarani, of Taunsa, who was wanted in a terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore in 2010 and a bank robbery in Taunsa in 2011, was killed in the operation near Ghazi Ghat, 19km from Dera Ghazi Khan, in the Drahma police remits.

Law enforcers had learnt that Ghaffar was traveling in a bus from Khanpur to Rajanpur. The personnel picketed Ghazi Ghat on the Indus and started checking vehicles.

During checking of the bus, Ghaffar threw a grenade and tried to escape. The grenade did not explode. Ghaffar then tried to flee while firing. Law enforcers shot and killed him before he could target any one.

A member of the operation team seeking anonymity told Dawn that Qaisarani had a hand-grenade and two sophisticated guns on him. He said Qaisarani, alias Saifullah, was associated with the banned TTP. He had been tasked with raising funds through bank robberies.

Security on high alert after at least 20 injured in Lahore blasts

Two separate remote-controlled blasts on Wednesday injured at least 20 people in Badami Bagh Fruit Mandi of Lahore. Security of the Punjab’s capital set on high alert, DawnNews reported.

According to initial reports, the first blast took place at the entrance of the market. Eye-witnesses said that the bomb was planted in a push-cart.

The second blast, reports said, took place at a nearby truck stand.

The injured were being shifted to Mayo and Mian Munshi Hospitals. Emergency has been imposed at all hospitals of the city.

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, by taking notice of the incident, ordered a report from Inspector Genreal (IG) Police Lahore and instructed authorities to provide first-rate medical services to all those injured during the blasts.

ISI chief in first US trip in a year

The new chief of Pakistan’s powerful spy agency held talks in the United States on Wednesday after a prolonged gap as the countries look to renew their uneasy cooperation in battling extremists.

Lieutenant General Zaheer ul-Islam is the first head of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency to visit Washington in a year. He comes just after Pakistan agreed to give Nato convoys access to its border with Afghanistan.

Islam held meetings Wednesday at the Central Intelligence Agency headquarters in Langley, Virginia, a person familiar with his trip said.

Spokespeople for the CIA and Pakistani embassy declined comment.

The ISI and the military have long been major power centers inside Pakistan and both were deeply embarrassed when US forces carried out a secret raid in May 2011 that killed Osama bin Laden in the military city of Abbottabad.

Islam was appointed in March after the retirement of ISI chief Ahmed Shuja Pasha, who led the agency since September 2008.

Pakistan agreed to support the United States in Afghanistan following the September 11, 2001 attacks but shut its border to Nato convoys in November last year after a US air strike killed 24 Pakistani troops.

Islamabad reopened land routes seven months later after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said sorry over the deaths.

Unabated Corruption of PPP Government

The most corrupt regime of Zardari Government is facing its twilight now days. Almost each and every institution is bankrupt due to the frail and self-benefiting policies of this incumbent government. One should wonder where our taxes, added with foreign aids going? So here is the glimpse of Zardari’s Assets all over the world. This long list clearly depicts that this tyranny is nothing but a bunch of bogeys who are looting the nation with both hands, just to hoard their assets.

ZARDARI’S LOCAL ASSETS ARE:

1. Plot no. 121, Phase VIII, DHA Karachi.
2. Agricultural land situated in Deh Dali Wadi, Taluka, Tando Allah Yar.
3. Agricultural property located in DehTahookiTaluka, District Hyderabad measuring 65.15 acres.
4. Agricultural land falling in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 827.14 acres
5. Agricultural land situated in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 293.18 acres
6. Residential plot No 3 (Now House) Block No B-I, City Survey No 2268 Ward-A Nawabshah
7. Huma Heights (Asif Apartments) 133, Depot Lines, Commissariat Road, Karachi
8. Trade Tower Building 3/CL/V Abdullah Haroon Road, Karachi
9. House No 8, St 9, F-8/2, Islamabad
10. Agricultural land in Deh 42 Dad Taluka/ District Nawabshah
11. Agricultural land in Deh 51 Dad TalukaDisttNawabshah
12. Plot No 3 & 4 Sikni (residential) Near Housing Society Ltd. Nawabshah
13. CafTSheraz (C.S No.. 2231/2 & 2231/3) Nawabshah
14. Agricultural land in Deh 23-Deh Taluka& District Nawabshah
15. Agricultural property in Deh 72-A, NusratTaluka, Nawabshah
16. Agricultural land in Deh 76-Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah
17. Plot No. A/136 Survey No 2346 Ward A Government Employee’s Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, Nawabshah
18. Agricultural land in DehJaryoonTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
19. Agricultural land in DehAroroTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
20. Agricultural land in DehNondaniTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
21. Agricultural land in DehLotkoTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
22. Agricultural land in DehJholTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
23. Agricultural land in DehKandariTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
24. Agricultural land in DehDeghiTalukaTando Mohammad Khan
25. Agricultural land in DehRahookiTaluka, Hyderabad
26. Property in DehCharoTaluka, Badin
27. Agricultural property in Deh Dali WadiTaluka, Hyderabad
28. Five acres prime land allotted by DG KDA in 1995/96
29. 4,000 kanals on Simli Dam
30. 80 acres of land at Hawkes Bay
31. 13 acres of land at MajGulradi (KPT Land)
32. One acre plot, GCI, Clifton
33. One acre of land, State Life (International Center, Sadar)
34. FEBCs worth Rs. 4 million

SHARES IN SUGAR MILLS INCLUDE:

1. Sakrand Sugar Mills Nawabshah
2. Ansari Sugar
3. Mills Hyderabad
4. Mirza Sugar Mills Badin
5. Pangrio Sugar Mills Thatta
6. Bachani Sugar Mills Sanghar

Chitral jobless youth join Afghan Army

A report has surfaced that a large number of unemployed youth of Chitral had joined Afghan National Army, prompting the Home Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to seek details in this regard from Commissioner Malakand.

According to a statement issued here at KP Home Department, strict notice has been taken of the report that jobless youth of Chitral had joined Afghan Army. A report has been sought on emergency basis from Commissioner Malakand about the details of such people who had taken such a step, it added.

Chief of Naval Staff Calls on PM

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Muhammad Asif Sandila called on Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf at Prime Minister House here on Monday.

Chief of Naval Staff congratulated the Prime Minister on assuming the office of chief executive of the country.He also discussed professional matters pertaining to Pakistan Navy with the prime minister.

Zardari to attend special OIC summit in Saudi Arabia

Islamabad—Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari will attend an extraordinary two-day summit of the Organisation of the Islamic Cooperation to be held in Saudi Arabia next month to discuss problems facing Muslim nations.

The summit has been convened by Saudi King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz to discuss the current situation in the Muslim world, including the threats of “fragmentation and sedition”.

Pakistani officials confirmed that Zardari would represent Pakistan at the summit to be held in Makkah during August 14-15.

Foreign minister Hina Rabbani Khar and senior officials will be part of the President’s delegation, officials said.

Zardari is expected to brief leaders from the Islamic world about Pakistan’s efforts to usher in peace and stability in Afghanistan and the threats being faced by the country.

He will also talk about Pakistan’s decision to end the seven-month blockade of NATO supplies to Afghanistan.

Gen Asif replaces Nargis as defence secretary

ISLAMABAD, July 27: The government appointed on Friday Lt-Gen (retd) Asif Yasin Malik as new defence secretary in place of Nargis Sethi who had been given the additional charge of defence ministry’s top bureaucrat in January this year.
Ms Sethi was assigned the job after the dismissal of Lt-Gen (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi at the peak of a civil-military standoff over the infamous memogate affair.
Gen Asif Malik retired from active service last December as commander of the Peshawar-based 11 Corps. While commanding the corps, he oversaw counter-insurgency operations in tribal areas.
The new defence secretary, who had attended training courses in the US, will hit the ground running with signing next week a bilateral MoU with the US on transit of cargo.
The MoU was approved by the federal cabinet this week.

ISI, CIA chiefs to meet in August: drone attacks will be main agenda

Director General Inter Services Intelligence (ISI) Lieutenant General Zaheer-u-ul Islam will hold talks in Washington on August 1-3 with his CIA counterpart, a military statement said, with drone strikes expected to be a major issue.
It is the first time in a year that the chief of the Pakistan military’s powerful ISI will make the trip, signalling a thaw in relations after US troops found and killed Osama bin Laden in Pakistan in May 2011.
Lieutenant General Islam, who was appointed in March, “will visit USA from 1st to 3rd August. This will be a service-to-service bilateral visit,” the statement said.
“He will meet his counterpart General David Petraeus, director CIA.” The short statement gave no other details, but a senior Pakistani security official earlier told AFP that the pair would discuss counter-terror cooperation and intelligence sharing.
The ISI chief would also demand an end to US drone attacks against the Taliban and al Qaeda, and again ask for the means for Pakistan to carry out the attacks instead, the security official said.
It had been expected that Islam would visit the US in late July. It was not immediately clear why that trip did not happen.

Asghar Khan case: Former ISI chief names officials involved in rigging

The former chief of the Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), Lt-Gen (Retd) Asad Durrani has submitted documents to the Supreme Court, including a list of officers alleged to have illegally distributed money to politicians in the 1990 elections.
A three member bench of the SC, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S. Khwaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, has taken up a 1996 petition of Tehrik-i-Istiqlal chief Air Martial (retd) Asghar Khan who accused the ISI of financing politicians in the 1990 elections by dishing out Rs140 million to create the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) and prevent Benazir Bhutto’s PPP from winning the polls.
Durrani was asked by the court to submit the list he had promised containing the names of ISI officials involved in the operation to substantiate the doling out of funds among different politicians.
The former spy chief claims that the names of politicians were obtained from the Presidency through Ijlal Haider Zaidi, a member of then president Ghulam Ishaq Khan’s election team, while the “donations” were doled out to the politicians at the directions of then Army chief Mirza Aslam Beg.
Durrani claimed that 70 out of the Rs 140 million were distributed through him while the remaining amount was submitted to the ISI’s secret funds. Durrani further said that all the officers who had distributed the funds belonged to the Military Intelligence (MI).
The apex court is to take up the case again in its next hearing on July 30.

china Consulate blast: Suspect sketch released

 Karachi police have released a sketch of the suspect allegedly involved in the blast near Chinese Consulate.

According to CID officials, the motorcycle used in the blast and the other one found abandoned near the Chinese Consulate the other day with explosives strapped on it had been bought by the same man identified as Qasim.

The explosives on the second motorcycle had been successfully made ineffective. The investigation has revealed that the suspect had bought this motorcycle from a shop located along Akbar Road.

The CID police have drawn out the sketch of the suspect with the description provided by the shopkeeper.

According to police, the suspect is a resident of Manghopir area, Pirabad.

Clashes leave 13 dead in Orakzai

 Dozens of armed militants raided a paramilitary checkpoint in Orakzai area on Wednesday, sparking clashes that left three soldiers and at least 10 attackers dead, officials said.

The area on the Afghan border -- branded by Washington the most dangerous place on Earth and the global headquarters of Al-Qaeda -- is cut off to journalists and aid workers and it was not possible to confirm the death toll.

"More than 30 militants attacked a Frontier Corps checkpost in Dabori area of Orakzai tribal region on Wednesday afternoon and killed three security persons," a security official told AFP in Peshawar.
"The security forces responded to the attack with full force and used helicopters for shelling on the militants. At least 10 militants were killed in the response."

British tabloid’s ‘passport scam’ report fake, Nadra investigation reveals

Pakistan’s federal cabinet, on Wednesday, decided to take legal action against a British tabloid for publishing a fabricated report on Pakistan’s passport-issuing authority.
The cabinet announced its decision to sue UK-based tabloid “The Sun” for a story published in the paper on Monday, July 23, which alleged that a group of travel agents and a politician were involved in a scam, which allowed anyone to travel with the Pakistani Olympic contingent as support staff if they pay a certain amount of money.
However, an investigation conducted by Pakistan’s National Database Registration Authority (Nadra) dismissed The Sun’s claims and called its report a “fake scam.”
“There was no fraud or illegal activity done while obtaining the ID cards and passport of “the Sun Man” Mohammad Ali Asad,” a Nadra statement said.
According to the tabloid’s report, their “man” was able to get a fake passport issued in his name by bribing officials at Nadra.
Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira said “dirty propaganda was unleashed against Pakistan”. “The cabinet ordered the Nadra to file a defamation suit (against the paper) after consulting the law ministry,” Kaira told reporters.

Gunmen kill TTP commander in South Waziristan

Gunmen shot dead a Pakistan Taliban commander linked to an attack on a volleyball tournament in northwest Pakistan in 2010 that killed almost 100 people, officials said on Wednesday.
Maulana Ashraf Marwat was killed in Pakistan’s Shaktoi area of South Waziristan near the Afghan border on Tuesday, said mourners at his funeral.
The identity of the gunmen was unclear.
Police blamed Marwat for helping organise the deadly 2010 attack on the Shah Hasankhel village in the northwestern Lakki Marwat district in which a truck packed with explosives was detonated at a volley ball tournament.
Marwat was linked to the Pakistani Taliban, said a leader of a local pro-government militia.
The police also say Marwat killed another Taliban commander, Maulana Iftikhar Marwat, reportedly because of his association with the Afghan Taliban.
The dispute between the two men highlighted tensions within the insurgency.
Iftikhar Marwat had apparently urged militants from his native Lakki Marwat district to focus their fight on foreign forces in Afghanistan instead of against Pakistani security forces.
That angered Ashraf Maulana, who wanted to continue attacks in Pakistan.

Federal Cabinet forms committee over Balochistan situation

 Federal Cabinet on Wednesday formed a committee over Balochistan situation. The committee would present its report in a week, DawnNews reported.
The cabinet meeting, headed by Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, discussed the law and order situation of Balochistan.
The cabinet formed a committee headed by Defense Minister Naveed Qamar.
The committee also includes Minister of Water and power, Minister of Science and technology, Minister of postal services, minister of information and broadcasting and Advisor to the prime minister on Interior.
The committee would present its report to the cabinet in a week.
The cabinet members decided that the next cabinet session will only discuss Balochistan issue.
The federal cabinet also approved the draft which proposed to have a written agreement with the Nato.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ashraf took the cabinet in confidence over his latest visits to Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.

27 SSG Commandos Injured in Road Accident

Twenty-seven commandos of Special Services Group (SSG) have sustained severe injuries in a road accident.
The incident occurred at Nowshera GT Road when the SSG vehicle was travelling to Attock from Peshawar early Monday morning.

The accident occurred due to over-speeding.

The eight injured shifted to CHM were in critical condition , Among the severely injured are driver LED Muzammil, Zafar Iqbal, Naik Arif, Ali Raza Khanum, Shahid, Bakht Shad, and Lance Naik Muhammad Imran. Others were discharged from hospital.

Sensitivity of Balochistan Issue Needs Attention

On 21 July 2012, Foreign Sponsored elements are hit a security checkpost located
in Pishukan area of Gwadar. In this militant attack, six security personnel were killed
and four others injured when unknown terrorists fired rockets at security. The local
administration and Levies personnel reached the scene and shifted the injured to
hospital. The security forces cordoned off the area after the attack and launched search
operation to arrest the culprit

Notably, sudden increase in blast waves, militancy in Karachi and resumption of drone
attacks just after restoration of Nato supply, beheading of soldiers after abduction from
FATA, interference in Balochistan, killing of Pakistani soldiers on Chenab River Bank,
raiding under training security elements in Lahore and now attacking security checkpost
in Gwadar Port (Balochistan) on 21 July 2012, are clear cut indications of involvement
of hands in militancy in Pakistan. All these subversive activities are being controlled
by CIA, RAW,MI-6 and Mossad. Afghan National Security Council is providing and
facilitating CIA, RAW and other intelligence agencies for launching their agents in
Pakistani area.

U.S. and her allies are working for grater Balochistan. They are interested in causing
instability in Balochistan through terrifying locals and settlers. As per set foreign
agenda local lords of Balochistan immediately allege country’s intelligence agency
for any murder and abduction of innocent Baloch. Whereas, it has been found that
abduction of people for ransom and killing them have become the routine of daily life in
Balochistan. Few days back, honorable Chief Justice visited Balochistan for hearing of
missing person case. He has also shown concern over abduction and killing of innocent
persons. It is suggested that Chief Justice should take some more visit of Balochistan
for punishing the terrorists.

Involvement of foreign hands particularly of Americans, British’s and Indian cannot be
denied since prevailing adverse security situation and unrest of Balochistan directly
linked to international politics due to the development and operation of strategically
important Gwadar Port.

Afghanistan warns Pakistan over cross-border shelling

Afghanistan warned Pakistan Sunday that any further cross-border shelling could significantly harm relations, just days after the leaders of the two strife-torn neighbours met to talk peace.
More than 300 heavy artillery shells and rockets were fired from Pakistan into Dangam district of eastern Kunar province on Friday and Saturday, killing at least four people, provincial spokesman Wasifullah Wasifi told AFP.
Last month, a barrage of cross-border fire from Pakistan into Kunar forced thousands of villagers to flee their homes, officials said, after Islamabad accused Kabul of giving safe haven to militants who infiltrated to kill 13 Pakistani soldiers.
Afghanistan and Pakistan typically blame each other for violence by Taliban militants plaguing both sides of their porous border.
Afghanistan’s Deputy Foreign Minister Jawed Ludin on Sunday summoned Pakistan’s ambassador in Kabul to discuss the latest barrage of periodic shelling across the Durand Line, a foreign ministry statement said.
“Any continuation of such reported shelling against Afghan villages could have a significant negative impact on bilateral relations,” the statement quoted Ludin as telling ambassador Mohammad Sadiq.

Malik orders immediate arrest of coast guards killers

Senior Advisor to Prime Minister on Interior Rehman Malik Sunday ordered all law enforcement agencies to immediately arrest the miscreants who had killed seven coast guards attacking their camp in Gwadar.
The interior advisor has condemned the killing in Balochistan and ordered the authorities concerned to bring all culprits to justice without any delay.
Rehman Malik also directed the Director General Pakistan Coast Guards to review the security arrangements for the PCG officers and officials deputed in Gwadar and take steps for their foolproof security.

BALUCHISTAN: THE MISSING CENTRE OF GRAVITY

Air Commodore (R) Khalid Iqbal
Baluchistan is rightfully a matter of focus in our national discourse. Various options are being debated to reach an amicable win-win solution. Unfortunately most of the options being floated are piecemeal, have parochial biases and are being prompted by interest groups. These vary from oversimplifications to doomsday scenarios. Realism is missing from most of the analyses. No wonder the void is filled with narratives and counter narratives raising more questions than answering.
Key issue is to identify as to where resides the political force in Baluchistan? Who is a reliable, credible and influential dialogue partner whose satisfaction would mean satisfaction of the Baluch people at large? Claimant to this status are many; hereditary feudal-tribal chieftains, provincial assembly & government, separatist elements, non-separatist but angry youngsters etc. In the absence of identifying the credible bargaining agent on behalf of Baluch people, the federation would continue to remain besieged and its initiatives would continue to go down the drain.
Presently, federation is under vicious blackmail by vulture like entities, each of these not content with claiming proverbial ‘own pound of flesh’, but setting eye on the entire flesh. Nation has watched with dismay how very bold initiatives like NFC award, Aaghaz-e-Haquq-e-Baluchistan, 18^th constitutional amendment, phenomenal development funds through MPAs/ provincial ministers and a number of political efforts in the form of committees, and commissions have not been able to jump start the dysfunctional political process in Baluchistan.
Policy of appeasement has not worked as it has been misdirected and its benefits have been
hijacked by political middlemen; a common man of Baluchistan is left high and dry.  Government in the province consists of almost all political forces of the province, yet it is dysfunctional, and least bothered about all that is happening right under its nose.

Yellow Journalism Percolation in Pakistani Media

We have been through the menace currently intruded in our hearts and minds by the infant media of Pakistan, who has yet to conquer many frontiers before intrepid and invariable roles played by it in protection of national interests and public welfare at large. From its conception to this date i have never been as enthusiastic about its goals as conceived by the government. Despite its vast projection and influential capabilities, our media is busy in minting money through flouting basic tenets of our ideology and airing controversial programs that has not only instrumental for bringing disdain to the audience but also provoking communal strains.
The spectrum of its obnoxious activities has gone beyond the limits, where one can easily identify its ulterior motives and agenda. Not surprisingly media tycoons are deliberate in their choice of what to be focused and what to be maligned.

On the brink of a Third World War

Brig. (R) Nadir Mir

It seems that 2012 onwards, the world is on the brink of Third World War. All sane and peace loving men would pray that it is averted. For, the horoscope of the times, points towards a global catastrophe in the making. The guns of August 1914 – First World War – paled in front of the Panzer Blitzkrieg of September 1939 – Second World War. The Third World War during the Cold War was averted between the Nato and the Warsaw Pact forces. If a war breaks out in 2012 onwards, nukes shall speak and, tragically, billions may die; it will most likely be global. This apocalyptic scenario may yet come to pass, unless it is stopped in its tracks.

Opposing alliances: The US globalists-led Nato still wants to dominate the world, despite the disaster in Iraq and Afghanistan. It is not only that the Western world’s global dominance stands challenged, but also the march of history may be reversed. Since the 1500s scientific discoveries, industrialisation, political revolutions, colonialism, and technological ascendency, the world has been controlled by Western powers. The British Empire, Napoleon’s France, Hitler’s Germany and, more recently, the US have all been part of the Western world’s bid for global hegemony or control. Now the West is really in decline. The USA – the great power and land of mass production – faces economic stagnation, if not full decline. The EU faces its own economic predicament. Against this backdrop, some Europeans and Americans find the idea of a powerful Germany leading Europe as unacceptable, so far. The two wars were fought – among other reasons – mainly to prevent Germany from its rightful place under the sun. An intra-European conflict may be brewing for the leadership of Europe, even as the US-Nato alliance conflicts with the Russia-China dialectic alliance.

The US geostrategy has been embroiled in Afghanistan and Iraq; now it seeks to extend the war to Iran-Pakistan. Of course, the real war is against Russia and China, the opposing alliance. Washington sees China rising, Russia resurgent, Islamic world defiant (with Arab Spring likely to turn anti-West), Israel endangered, besides Western economic decline.

The presidential elections in America are upping the war ante, forcing President Barack Obama to strike Iran. New Delhi seeks Washington’s support to denuke, balkanise, and de-Islamise Pakistan, before USA’s departure from Afghanistan. Meanwhile Israel is straining at the leash before Iran develops the nuclear arsenal. This will change the strategic balance followed by nuclear Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt.

In Afghanistan, the US seeks to retain a 25,000 strong force for the denuclearisation of Iran and Pakistan. It may seek independence of Balochistan (with Indian support). A clash with Pakistan is likely though not inevitable. Delhi wants to use American power to fight Pakistan, but absurdly believes it can escape the nuclear conflagration. The war with Iran is even nearer – perhaps, 2012. The US and Nato may attack Iran followed by Pakistan or both at the same time. An Israeli attack on Iran is even more likely and Indian attack on Pakistan (Cold Start) always remains a possibility.

Russia and China are allies against the US-Nato geo-strategy (Iran and Pakistan are joining this alliance). China is rising economically, and Russia is resurgent strategically. After Iraq and Afghanistan, they have seen the US-Nato model of regime change in Libya and Syria by sponsoring local militants. In Russia, President Putin accused the US of instigating the opponents of United Russia; in China, it used India to ferment trouble in Xinjiang, Tibet etc. All this is unifying the alliance of Heartland powers Russia-China and Rimland state actors Iran-Pakistan into anti-US-Nato alliance. But the events are moving too fast! The Mayan Prophesy of 2012 as a ‘catastrophic year’ approaches. The US-Nato-India clash with Pakistan or US-Nato-Israel clash with Iran will lead by default or design to a multi-regional war.

The combined geopolitical space of Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran-Iraq backed by Russia-China is beyond the US-Nato reach. A war against Iran could be catastrophic, but against Pakistan it could be dooms day! In fact, a war against Pakistan is very complicated plus suicidal!

Firstly, Pakistan is neither threatening, nor attacking anybody. It is on high moral ground, despite USA’s propaganda about the security of its nuclear arsenal.

Secondly, Pakistan will defend itself at any level – sub conventional (asymmetrical), conventional (armed forces), above conventional (nuclear –WMD).

Thirdly, Pakistanis are united to defend the motherland and fight the foreign invaders. The people and political parties want an end to the Afghan war and peace in Pakistan.

Fourthly, Iran, China, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Russia will support Pakistan, despite diverse strategic interests.

Peace in Afghanistan and the Good American

By Brig Nadir Mir

Geopolitics of Peace is an Endeavour by Nadir Mir

The world needs peace in Afghanistan (which of course starts with a US troop withdrawal). America’s Vice President Joe Biden recently stated – “The Taliban per se is not the enemy” .This is a step towards peace, which should be welcomed by everybody. The ‘Good American’ Vice President Joe Biden has always been known for his upright character and forthright views. Even after 9/11, during Bush Administration, and Dick Cheney’s blustering, Joe Biden voiced his independent views. Among America’s elderly statesmen, he hopefully understands Afghanistan’s need for Peace. The World also needs to hear some Common Sense if not Geopolitical Sense from others in Washington!

Ironically Biden’s statement was assailed from a number of quarters within USA. The Washington Post was skeptical, others were critical.’ Biden Does It Again’ was Fox News. (Anyone who speaks the truth or logic or preaches peace is to be ridiculed by American Globalist Media, even if it is Vice President of USA!) War lovers termed it as” Biden’s Jaw Dropping Gaffe”. The Times of India was perplexed by Biden’s Olive Branch to Taliban! (Delhi had earlier absurdly convinced itself of Washington’s’ perpetual animosity for Taliban and was now amazed by its perfidy. Delhi has yet to learn Real Politik American Style!). US official sources soon clarified the contents implying Biden meant something else, even as Jay Carney defended it from the White House! Karzai from Kabul welcomed Bidens’ pragmatic statement, clarifying the need for ending the feud with Taliban.
The fact of the matter is that if Taliban are to be constantly demonized (A propaganda requirement after 9/11) and are undefeated, how does US Army withdraw from Kabul? (And also save face) If American troops do not leave (they cannot win anyway, even if they do not lose Dien Bien Phu fashion) the war gets protracted. As long as US troops remain, the Talibans resist. (The rest of NATO European Troops do not even count in Taliban Calculations) Not only Afghanistan is tragically destroyed by war (First Soviets now Americans) but Pakistan is destabilized. US- Pakistan relations have nosedived from ‘unstinted support’ to going conflictual. With Iran ‘A Point Of No Return’ according to the Atlantic and numerous other world views (Including this scribe’s ‘Next War Iran’ published in Pravda Ru.) The region is boiling!

Balochistan Problem and Solutions by Brigadier (R) Nadir Mir

Balochistan Problem and Solutions by Brigadier (R) Nadir Mir, a resolution was passed in the US Congress to divide Pakistan and carve out an ‘independent Balochistan’. With this, an old neocon dream was revived. This time the so-called globalists and propagandists, masquerading as human right activists, are the cheerleaders. Against this backdrop, Colonel Ralph Peter’s map of the ‘New Middle East’ truncating, balkanising every country – Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan – was reproduced. Despite the fact that it was scorned and reviled even at the time of its earlier exhibition.It seems that the neocons and influential globalists of America desperately want to initiate World War III. Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger’s interview, If you can’t hear the drums of war, you must be deaf, with Alfred Heinz on November 27, 2011, is a clear expression of this desire. The neocon-globalist geopolitical wish list – the rationale for the so-called ‘independent Balochistan’ is as under:

• Cripple Pakistan by separating Balochistan (46 percent of its territory with large mineral resources, besides the future global port of Gwadar).

• Balkanised Pakistan forced to give up its nuclear arsenal.

• Establish India’s hegemony over Pakistan.

• Leftover US forces in Afghanistan and US controlled ‘new Balochistan’ to act as strategic central position for multi-regions.

• US controlled Afghanistan-Balochistan to link the Central Asian energy oil and gas pipelines with Gwadar.

• Delink Pakistan and Iran by carving out Balochistan and obviate the Iran-Pakistan energy/gas pipelines.

• Establish US military presence in Balochistan for upcoming US-Israeli war against Iran.

• Block Russia-Pak cooperation with Gazprom (Russian Gas Company) reaching Gwadar.

• Balochistan and Kurdistan to be artificially created to have imperialist bases in the heartland of Islam.

Improving US Image in Pakistan:The Hows of it!

Brig Nadir Mir
Regardless of US, Pakistan remaining allies or not, they were never destined to be enemies. Yet anti Americanism grows in Pakistan and frustration with Pakistan increases in America. Even though 'disenchanted allies' for long, the last decade, post 9/11 has resulted in a growing animosity. This is a result of American geopolitical naiveté, Pakistani wishfulness and Indians deceit creating an explosive brew.
Yet there is a clear distinction between US and Pakistani global perceptions. US being a global albeit sole super power has to worry about a long list of geopolitical rivals, allies, surrogates and fence sitters.
Washington has to relate to Putin’s Russia, China's rise, the Middle East Arab Spring, Turkish growth and independence, keeping Israel on a tight leash, Iran’s defiance, North Korean wild card antics, European economic gloom and doom (of EU), India unreliable both as friend or foe etc. Besides the mess American Neo Con policy resulted in at home and abroad (bankrupt at home and over stretched abroad).
Pakistan's case is much simpler. Its geopolitical world is limited. Indian threat, Afghanistan issues and American relations are key subjects for now. Afghanistan the geopolitical square on the global chessboard for testing both! American stock in Pakistan has plunged to the lowest depth. America needs Pakistan, while it is in Afghanistan. But Washington will need Islamabad even more later. Pakistan's geography is globally pivotal. (This scribe’s book 'Gwadar on the Global Chessboard' makes it quite evident). Pakistan’s demography will be the most numerous in the Muslim world (3 billion Muslims by 2030). Pakistan may be the world's 3rd or 4th most populous state decades from now. According to Mr. Bruce Riedel (former CIA and advisor to President Obama) Pakistan will possess the world's 4th or 5th biggest nuclear arsenal in the next decade. The key question Americans should address – how to improve its image in Pakistan?
A few cardinal points to ponder are presented here:
People
The only people who are duped by Fox TV, Neo Con plus Globalists Media etc are some gullible Americans. The rest of the world including Pakistanis are quite clear about these issues. Even if the majority of Pakistanis lack high end education, there is ample rustic wisdom in the Pakistani Nation. America’s constant reference to Pakhtoons, Baloch, Punjabis, Sindhis, Sunni, Shia etc, are seen as attempts to divide the Pakistani people. As is US patronage of dictator dispensation and elite, viewed as corrupt plus treacherous by many in Pakistan. Washington's investment in Pakistani liberals is also a complete waste as far as containing extremism is concerned. Pakistani Nationalists with moderate views are the best recipe for dealing with extremists of various hues. Pakistan's liberals are frequently and often correctly seen as puppets with self aggrandizing agendas. Many NGOS have been discredited due to American links. Even European or other western NGOS, organization have fallen in disrepute (for no fault of theirs) as being fronts and full filling US agenda.
Bottom line: ‘Befriend the people of Pakistan'.

Militants commence Ramazan campaign

Militants welcomed Ramazan with a string of attacks on Saturday that claimed 21 lives and injured at least two dozen people, DawnNews reported.
Nine people, including five children, were killed and more than 15 others were injured when a suicide bomber struck the main headquarter of anti-TTP militant commander Maulvi Nabi Hanfi in Spin Thall area on the border of the tribal regions of North Waziristan and Kurram, official sources said.
Official and intelligence sources said that the suicide bomber on foot entered Mullah Nabi Hanfi’s headquarter located near Thall Tehsil of the Hangu district on the border of Kurram and North Waziristan and blew himself up.
Official sources added that those killed in the explosion included four suspected militants hailing from the Maulvi Nabi group.
Moreover, the injured had been shifted to hospitals in Hangu.
Maulvi Nabi was once part of the banned Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) but had parted ways with the organisation upon developing some differences.
In another attack, four people,including three of the same family, died of an IED explosion in Doog Darra area of Upper Dir on Saturday morning whereas eight others were injured in the attack.
The improvised explosive device “was detonated using a remote controlled device” near the town of Dhog Darra in Upper Dir district, regional police chief Ehsanullah Khan said.

Security forces blitz militant hideouts in Orakzai

Three militant hideouts were destroyed in the attacks.  

PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s security forces’ fighter jets pounded militant hideouts,  killing a dozen militants and injuring another five in various areas of Orakzai agency on Sunday, DawnNews reported.
Three militant hideouts were destroyed in the attacks.
The airstrikes targeted four hideouts in the remote Ghaljo and Dabori areas of the northwestern Orakzai tribal region, military officials said. The locations were being used by members of the Pakistan Taliban.
The death toll could not be independently verified and militants often dispute official figures.

Gas pipeline blown up in Quetta

QUETTA: Suspected militants blew up a gas pipeline near Quetta’s Western Bypass on Sunday, DawnNews reported.
A one-foot piece of the pipeline was totally destroyed as a result of the explosion, suspending the supply of gas to various areas.
Police said that some unidentified miscreants had fitted the explosive device on the gas pipeline which blew up with a huge explosion.
Security forces cordoned off the area as investigations int the sabotage attempt went underway.

People Of Chitral Appreciate Pakistan Army For Opening Lawari Tunnel Road

Chitral - Services of 101 Engineering Battalion of Pakistan Army was highly appreciated by social and political cicle of Chitral according to Ground Report. Lawari top is the only land route connecting Chitral to other parts of the country which was remaining close for all type of vehicular traffic for weeks during winter season after snowfall.
But after handing over maintenance of road and construction of Lawari tunnel to Frontier Works Organization (FWO) and 101 Engineering Battalion of Pakistan Army it remain open day and night for all type of traffic.
Cops of 101 Engineering under auspices of Lt Col Usman commanding Officer working day and night and remove snow and glaciers (slides ) from main road. As well as their bulldozer pushing loaded trucks and pulling small vehicles when ever they strain in slippery snow bound road.

Laptop With India's Sensitive Nuclear Data Still Not Found

Islamabad: An Indian nuclear scientist’s laptop with classified nuclear data was stolen from a passenger rail car and is still missing raising serious alarm all over India.

According to a report the Indian nuclear researcher raised an alarm when his laptop, reportedly filled with critical data, was stolen on March 15, 2012 and remained missing till date.

India Blooms News Service reported that the scientist, who is reportedly involved with the Kaiga atomic power plant in Karnataka, demanded that train officials find his laptop and other stolen personal effects that included identifying documents. It is believed that the laptop contained secret nuclear codes and possibly the blue-print of Kairga Atomic Plant.

The report added that Thiruvananthapuram-bound train was stopped and several passengers were searched and interviewed but the laptop could not be found. Rajdhani Express was forced to have emergency

halt at Ratnagiri Station (Maharashtra) when a nuclear scientist’s laptop containing vital information was stolen.