Munaeem's Blog: Pakistan

Dr. AQ Khan is free man, says Shujaat

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 00:31:00 GMT

Pakistan Muslims (Q) President told media that Dr. AQ Khan was no more under detention. His disclosure has sent a shock to the US Administration. Analysts are saying this change in thinking is giving signal to the US that they are fed with their dictation.

In my opinion, the US Administration has lost another good ally in the region because of their petty election politics. It will take years to make rapprochement. The US lawmakers unnecessarily criticized Pakistan to build their political image at home. Now it looks their petty politics have cost them dearly. There are reports that relationship between China and Pakistan in defense related projects are increasing day by day.

Commentary: Pakistan's Sharif fails to clinch boycott pact

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 21:20:00 GMT

Former Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif failed to persuade opposition parties to boycott poll.

The All Parties Democratic Movement which met in Lahore to make a decision to discuss to boycott the upcoming elections could not agree on a joint position.

I have repeatedly said Pakistani politicians are corrupt to core. They only think about their interests.

Those were planning to isolate Musharraf have failed.

It appears that Musharraf has succeeded in dividing the opposition. The participation of all parties in the election will legitimize it.

Commentary: US may boost accountability for aid to Pakistan

Sun, 09 Dec 2007 10:56:14 GMT

Islamic Republic of Pakistan has been receiving millions of dollars in aid from the US to for developing education and health facilities in Pakistan. This aid package also included military package.

The US lawmakers feel these funds are being used to suppress opposition in Pakistan. Now the State Department has decided to give funds through specific development projects to allay the fears and concerns of these law makers.

Whatever ever aid Pakistan receives from the US goes into the pocket of corrupt politicians and generals. These aids do not benefit ordinary people. So change of mode of payment will not affect ordinary people. These corrupt politicians and generals will devise new ways to pressurize Americans to release aids.

Commentary: Aid cut to harm terror war

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 06:06:00 GMT

Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher appraised a Senate panel on Thursday that suspension of aid to Pakistan would harm the ongoing war on terror. The debate in the Congress indicates that US will not cut military aid to Pakistan.

In my opinion, if US continues its military aid to Pakistan , it will not able to bring democratic reforms. The continuation of military will keep the pockets of Pakistani military general full of money and they will not think about democratic reforms.

It looks the US is only about its interests in the regions. All their rhetoric about bring reforms in dictatorial regimes are ploys to please American public.

Commentary: Benazir, Nawaz to boycott polls if demands

Tue, 04 Dec 2007 05:53:00 GMT

Benazir and Nawaz , the two arch enemies, has said that they would boycott the polls if their are demands are not. They think that free and fair elections cannot be held under the present setup.

They have not finalized their demands yet. They say that they have formed a committee to draft it.

Meanwhile, American ambassador to Pakistan is making hectic efforts to persuade these political parties to participate in the polls.

As a Pakistani, I think these two leaders are once again making the wrong political moves.

They must release that if they succeed in toppling Musharraf they will face tough time ahead. Whoever comes to power will have to do the dirty assignments of Americans. They will have to fight to Taliban in the tribal belt and extremists in all parts of Pakistan.

Their actions will only destabilize the country and make the task of western powers easier to break Pakistan.

There is not doubt Musharraf is a dictator. But he had kept the dangers at bay from Pakistan. Now it is up to Pakistani Army to decide whether they support the Punjabi Nawaz or CIA favourite Benazir.

Both these leaders have become threat to the security of Pakistan. Both are being helped by outside powers.

Commentary : Nazwaz assures full support to Judiciary , media

Wed, 28 Nov 2007 17:32:00 GMT

Former Prime minister Nawaz Sharif spoke in support og judiciary and media. He told them as they are fighting for a national , he and his party would extend them their full support.

I urge lawyers and media people not depend on his support. His words are ploy to garner public support for election.

People of Pakistan might have not forgot the incident in which his party loyalist and cabinet ministers attack the supreme court and mistreated the chief Justic Shah over the appoint of judges.

Media people should not forget how treated Mr. Sethi , editor Daily Times during his rule. He was picked up the agencies, gagged and detained for month. He was released after an international outcry.

This man is a ruthless feudal lord. He does not believe in anything good thing.

Musharraf’s days are over

Tue, 27 Nov 2007 09:31:00 GMT

Musharraf will relinquish the post of chief of the staff on Thursday. This was the demand of our donors(US and Britain) and Pakistan’s opposition parties.

It is too early too say whether he will be able to keep his grip on power or not.

However, media reports and comments expressed by analysts indicate that he would be replaced by a new president.

Robert Oakley and Joshua Yaphe recommend that he should be replaced by an interim civilian president. Mr. Oakley has served as ambassador to Pakistan.

They are of the opinion that Nawaz’s return marked the end of Musharraf’s career. They think Nawaz has strong following in the army and the intelligence agencies. As far as Ms. Bhutto is concerned they think she destroyed her political career by entering into negotiation with Musharraf.

Commenatry: 32 Killed as suicide bombers target ISI’s building

Sun, 25 Nov 2007 16:15:00 GMT

Once again suicide bombers targeted the army people in Pakistan. A suicide bomber rammed his into a bus carrying employees of Pakistan's premier intelligence service ISI.

It was shocking to know that suicide bomber was aware of security arrangements of that area. The bomber tried to sneak into the gate used by senior army officials, using secret signals. Luckily as he approached the gate the secret signal had been changed. When he could enter into the building he rammed his car into the bus, which killed 32 personnel.

The secret signals were used senior army intelligence officers to get in and out of the building.

It looks that extremist belonging to al qaeda has infiltrated our security agencies. The government should try to find out these moles on priority basis.

Commentary: Court validates Musharraf’s re-election

Sat, 24 Nov 2007 20:07:00 GMT

Musharraf’s handpicked judges have given verdict in his favour. Now he can take oath as the President of Pakistan.

The way he manipulated the affairs to get himself elected is disgusting. The sycophantic reviews published in the media to justify his actions make me sick. He cannot be called a democratically elected President of Pakistan. He coerced and bribed people to make him the president.

Musharraf tried to impress upon the people of Pakistan that his re-election will rid the country of extremism and militancy. No one bothered to ask him why he was not able to control extremism and militancy despite that he was at the helm of affairs for 8 years It means he has proved to be an incompetent ruler like his predecessors. Those who imposed this incompetent President on the nation so that they can carry on their loot and plunder are criminals. Pakistani nation should stage a revolt against these people.

Pakistan suspended from the Commonwealth

Fri, 23 Nov 2007 00:01:00 GMT

Pakistan’s commonwealth’s membership has been suspended because of the imposition of emergency by President Musharraf.

The Commonwealth, which is made of Britain and its former colonies, does not have any influence in the international affairs. Its membership only brings in some benefits through the Commonwealth Fund for Technical Cooperation.

So it will have not much affect on Pakistan. Canada , which recommended Pakistan suspension from the Commonwealth , will get into trouble. Its forces are fighting militants in Afghanistan.

Western powers are not in a position to dictate anything to Pakistan after 9/11. Pakistan and its army has become very important for the Muslim world. If western military aid is stopped , Pakistan will be aided secretly by Muslim countries to fulfill its military needs.

Taliban to annouce their government in November 2008

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 20:39:00 GMT

The Guardian reports that 54% of Afghanistan is under Taliban control and they are getting closer to Kabul. They are of the opinion that soon the country will fall into the hands of Taliban.

Their reports are absolutely true. Taliban now control 90% of the Afghanistan. The US backed government has been confined to Kabul. The reports published in the western media about NATO success are untrue. The fact is that Taliban has severely crushed NATO and American forces. American and NATO forces are hiding the actual figure of the soldiers died in action. According to the special report of Arabic magazine ‘Al-ittehad’ , Taliban will announce their government in November , 2008.

Commentary: Sectarian clashes leave over 100 dead in NW Pakistan's tribal area

Tue, 20 Nov 2007 10:08:00 GMT

In a fresh outbreak of sectarian violence, which left 100 people dead in Parachinar. Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim tribesmen used mortars, rockets and heavy weapons.

There are conflicting reports about the outbreak of violence. AFP reported that fighting started when Sunni Mengal tribe allegedly fired on a passenger vehicle, killing two people.

AP reported that unidentified persons attacked the people coming out of a mosque in Parachinar.

We can see that no one knows how the fighting started. These Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim tribesmen started to kill each without bothering to investigate about the incident.

Could the Pakistan Army elite go against Musharraf?

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:11:00 GMT

Political pundits are giving importance to Negroponte’s meeting with Vice Chief of the Pakistan Army. They are of the opinion that the US is trying to reach pro-western army officers to oust Musharraf.

They think that there is unrest in the Pakistan Army about the way Musharraf is handling the affairs of the country. They think that the threat of suspension of military aid will compel them to go against Musharraf.

They are sadly mistaken if they think that Pakistan army elite will go against him. He is paying them handsomely so they will not go against him. Look at the organization like NADRA and see the posts given to retired army officials. They know if civilian government of Ms. Bhutto or Nawaz come to power that will have to abandon these perks. They will do everything to bring PML-Q into power so they can enjoy their perks.

Commentary: Musharraf shuts down Geo TV

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 20:55:00 GMT

Media reports say that authorities in Dubai has ordered GEO TV to wind up its operations in Dubai. The GEO TV told media that the authorities did not give any reason for closure order. But GEO TV said that their operations were shut down by Dubai authorities at the behest of Pakistan government.

Kamran Khan.a senior journalist from Geo news channel, said that Dubai government succumbed to pressure because they feared that UAE companies , which have made huge investment in Pakistan would be target if they did not comply with their request.

When the media contacted Amina Rustamani, head of Dubai's media watchdog, about the closure, she failed to explain why they were ordered to close their transmission.

GEO TV has been operating from Dubai Media City, a free zone where scores of regional and international news organizations are based.

Shahid Masood, Group Executive Director of Dubai-based GEO TV told media that they were holding talks with the Dubai authorities about the resumption of their transmission.

Dubai authorities should realize that their action has sent send wrong signal to other companies based in Dubai Media City.

Commentary : Resolution in US Congress for suspending Pak military aid

Sat, 17 Nov 2007 05:19:13 GMT

New York Democratic Congressman Gary Ackerman, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and South Asia, has introduced a resolution the in Congress to suspend military aid to Pakistan.

There is no doubt senator is very influential lawmaker. They must understand that Musharraf imposed emergency with support of the Pakistan Army. This type resolution will strain bilateral relations. The US is not in position to dictate anything.

Pakistan and China are working on their own plan to counter the US hegemony in the region. China will provide every kind of military to Pakistan in return for access to Sea Port of Gawadar.