POORLY CAPITAL POLICE

POORLY ARMED CAPITAL POLICE

Terrorist strikes in Islamabad on Monday, the Islamabad police high-ups are reluctant to adequately arm the police force with semiautomatic assault rifles that are widely available to police officials in many of the world’s other major capitals.

The policemen in Islamabad are finding it hard to encounter well trained terrorists in the city due to lack of automatic and modern weapons, with obsolete weapons it is a very difficult task for the police to overcome terrorists attacks.  The Islamabad police force not easily defend against an attack by well-armed terrorists but the absence of weapons could actually make the city a target.

The lack of manpower, the shortage of sophisticated weapons also remains an issue in the sensitive spots. It is also informed that most of the police official’s working at Islamabad police force in untrained and could not understands sensitivity of the situation. In situation of Monday’s terror attack in Islamabad, the Islamabad police had not taken concrete steps to stop the entry of militants  into parts of the capital city from Rawalpindi despite repeated terrorist attacks and bomb blasts in nearing areas of Rawalpindi which also spread panic in Islamabad.

It is also intimated that since recruitment police officials get no proper training and are deputed to counter terrorists. Most of the police officials at Islamabad police were untrained and has not understanding how to encounter terrorists according to giving the reference of eyewitnesses that three terrorists behind the attack at Islamabad courts managed to flee due to the outdated weapons and ammunition of the police.

Trained policeman with modern weapons would never have let terrorists to flee or blow themselves up. The capital police ahs 12 quick response force units and five counter terrorism squads each having a sniper and a 12 member crisis response team whose personals are well trained and they have got sophisticated weapons. Eyewitnesses were of the view that instead of passing 45 minutes the police team could not reach at the site of attack.

Archaeologists Discovered a Tomb

DISCOVERY OF A TOMB IN EGYPT

Archaeologists have discovered the nearly 3600years old tomb of a royal stable master form the pharaonic era in the famed temple city of Luxor in Egypt.  

The tomb was found by Egyptian, Italian and Spanish archaeologists while excavating another tomb on Luxor’s western bank, according to the Egyptian ministry.

The tomb belongs to an important statesman from the 18^th dynasty called Maai. It was found when diggers made an opening in the wall of the other tomb.

Maai, apart from being the stable master in charge of the army’s horses, was also supervising the royal family’s farms and livestock. The visible inscriptions (on the tomb’s walls) are very important as they reveal details about the daily life of the tomb’s owner, his family relations and the lifestyle of senior statesmen at this time.

One of the scenes shows Maai and his wife Nefret, another shows men and women sitting at banquet tables and a third shows sacrificial rituals the statement said Luxor a city of around 500000 residents on the banks of the Nile in southern Egypt is an open-air museum of intricate temples tombs of pharaonic rulers and landmarks such as the Winter Palace hotel. 

Popular Blogger Jailed

POPULAR BLOGGER JAILED ON ANTI-STATE CHARGES

A popular blogger and journalist of Vietnamese was jailed for two years on Tuesday for posting critical articles of the Communist government and leaders.

Mr. Truong Duy was found guilty of abusing democratic freedoms to infringe on the interests of the state at a half day trial in his native city of Danang on the central coast. The broad anti-state charges can carry a maximum of seven years in jail.  

He strongly denied the charge, claiming that he is innocent and was a journalist working for several state-run papers before he quit and set up the popular blog. Mr. Truong ‘s posts frequently dealt with highly sensitive political issues and offered alternative commentary to the staid official press.

He was taken into police custody in May that year and his blog was shut down. His articles were not true and defamed leaders of the party and state, creating a one-sided pessimistic viewpoint. Mr. Truong said he should have been appreciated for being a good citizen as it is normal to criticize party and state leaders. On Monday New York based Human Rights Watch called on the government to let Mr. Truong walk free, saying he could not be jailed merely for disagreeing with the government and the party.

Reporters without Borders said Vietnam was second only to China in the number of bloggers it detained, with at least 34 currently behind bars. In February the country was criticized at the UN Human Right Council in Geneva during its periodic review over its treatment of regime critics. Vietnam still harasses and detains those who exercise universal rights and freedom such as freedom of expression and association. On the other hand, US representative Peter Mulrean told the assembly calling on the country to release all political prisoners. 

Iran Oil Debt to India

INDIA DENIES TO PAY IRAN OIL DEBT

According to the Indian officials, dismissing Iranian media reports it is said that they had not yet paid any oil money to Iran under a deal that provides Tehran some relief from Western sanctions.

Under a landmark deal signed on Nov. 24, Washington and the European Union agreed to let Iran access $ 4.2 billion in oil revenue that had been frozen in accounts abroad. Iranian oil ministry said India had deposited some of the money in a Central Bank of Iran account. He said that 45 percent of the money had been deposited in Indian rupees and 55 percent in Euros.

Indian government and industry sourced told Reuters on Tuesday that India had yet not made any payments. As part of a limited relaxing of sanctions over Iran’s disputed nuclear programme the funds are expected to be paid  in  eight transfers with the first made by Japan on Feb 1. Indian officials said that late last month that they were ready to say $ 1.5 billion to clear part of a backlog of payments following the partial easing of western sanctions on Tehran. 

SINGAPORE IS WORLD’S COSTLIEST CITY

SINGAPORE WORLD’S COSTLIEST CITY

The soaring cost of cars and utilities as well as a strong currency have made Singapore the world’s expensive city, toppling Tokyo from the top spot, according to a global survey.  Tokyo’s weakening yen saw it slide to sixth place, the position previously occupied by Singapore, in the 2014 Worldwide Cost of Living survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit.  According to the report, Karachi & Mumbai are the cheapest cities of the world.

Singapore’s rising price prominence has been steady rather than spectacular. It is said that 40 percent rise in the Singapore dollar along with solid price  inflation pushed the country to the top of the twice-yearly survey from 18^th a decade ago. The survey, which examines prices across 160 products and services in 14-0 cities, is aimed at helping companies calculate allowances for executives being sent overseas. Singapore’s curb on car ownership, which include a quota system and high taxes made it significantly more expensive than any other location when it comes to running a car.

Overall transport costs in Singapore are almost three times higher than those in New York. In addition as a city-state with very few natural resources to speak of Singapore is reliant on other countries for energy and water supplies, making it the third most expensive destination for utility costs. It is also noted that Singapore is the priciest place in the world to buy clothes, as malls and boutiques in its popular  Orchard Road retail hub import luxury European brands to satisfy a wealthy and fashion conscious consumer base. Singapore has one of the world’s highest concentrations of millionaires relative to its 5.4 million population. It per capita income of more than $55000 in 2012 masks a widening income gap between the richest and poorest. In Europe, Paris rose six places to become the world’s second most expensive city a trend the EIU and indicative of recovering European prices and currencies. 

UKRAINE – RUSSIA TENSION

UKRAINE – RUSSIA TENSION

Russian president has calmed fears on an imminent war between Russia and Ukraine and Moscow has no intention of loosening its new grip on Crimea in defiance of Western anger.

The standoff between Moscow and the new-pro-West leadership had prompted apocalyptic fears of Russian tanks rolling across Ukraine’s eastern borders in a conflict that could draw in NATO.  

As Russian president commented that Russia would not give up its newly acquired control over Crimea, a region with a majority Russia speaking population.

The Russian president made clear that they will not be a extensive war – least such a radical scenario has been set aside. But he will not leave Crimea and he is going to preserve real control there.

Russian president also denied that Russian troops were already in Crimea and said that it was local self defence forces who were in control of the Black Sea peninsula.

Russian president also eyeing the situation in the largely Russian speaking east of Ukraine but that region would prove a far bigger and more dangerous mouthful for the Kremlin.

Mr. Putin a week ago was soaking up praise for Russia’s smooth organization of the Sochi Olympics but showed remarkable little concern about the international repercussions, shrugging off Western threats not to show up to the G8 summit Russia is due to host in Sochi.

At last the reaction of the West is currently weak, it does not bother him. He is not worried by the declarations and sanctions of the United States.

If Ukraine has decided to leave the Russian embrace, then Mr. Putin is going to want to keep a piece of Ukraine as a souvenir at least Crimea or maybe the east. 

Israel Needs Tough Decision

Israel Tough Decisions against Palestinians

The US president warns Israel’s PM that Israel needs to take tough decision if peace talks with the Palestinians are to have  a future.

During a joint address at the White House as a major snow storm blanketed the city, the two leaders who have struggled to overcome mutual antipathy once again found themselves very publicly at odds.

The US President pushed for a decision on the peace process, while Netanyahu insisted Israel had done its part and said Iran is now the  most urgent threat.

Israel and the Palestinians have been engaged in seven months of direct peace talks which are due to expire at the end of April.

The Israeli leader hit back telling the president that Israel had taken unprecedented steps to advance peace over the last 20 years and that the ball was now firmly in the Palestinians court.

The greatest challenge, undoubtedly is to prevent Iran from acquiring the capacity to make nuclear weapons.

The US leader looked o impassively nodding almost imperceptibly at several points, resting his clenched jaw on his hand.

On the other hand,  Washington may demand a partial settlement freeze to try and ensure the Palestinians remain at the negotiating table.

Obama’s most significant entry into peacemaking since 2010 when his first attempt at Middle East mediation collapsed after just three weeks in a bitter dispute over settlements. 

War Between Russia & Western

COLD WAR AGAINST RUSSIA

The crisis in Ukraine is increasingly taking a dangerous turn that some are warning could trigger a new cold war between Russia and the west. The crisis began with protests against the elected but widely considered corrupt government of former President  Viktor when he plumped for closer ties to Russia rather than the European Union. The mediated compromise agreement between Viktor and the opposition in the streets on 21^st Feb 2014, brokered by Germany, Poland and France, unraveled even before the ink was dry on it and this finally led to the ouster of the president and his flight to Russia, where he has been given protection. Meanwhile the Crimean peninsula where the Russian Baltic Fleet is stationed has been taken over by pro-Russian elements. Eastern Ukraine, overwhelmingly inhabited by people of Russian ethnic origin, could be the next pawn on chessboard. The fracturing on ethnic and political lines of Ukrainian national unity between pro-23st and pro-Russian groups spells either a breakup of the country or as Russia may be trying to achieve a federal solution that prevents Ukraine from turning wholesale from what Moscow sees as a Ukraine that is not Russia into a Ukraine in Opposition to Russia. Russia’s mobilization of 20000 troops after the duma gave President VIadimir permission to invade Ukraine if necessary to protect Russian-co-ethnics, defend the Russian Fleet’s base in the Crimea and ensure Ukraine does not become a hostile neighbor at the behest of the west has evoked a military mobilization in Ukraine by the interim government that replaced Yanukovyeh.

However no one has any doubts that the Ukrainian armed forces are no match for Russia’s might. US president and Secretary of State have warned Russia of the cost to be paid for its actions so far as well as if it invades Ukraine. These would include a likely cancellation of the impending G8 summit in Sochi in June, economic sanctions and a pullout of US and other western businesses from Russia. This threat seems unlikely to deter Putin, who since his rise to power has been battling western attempts at encroachment and worse in the near abroad, Russia’s neighbours that are former Soviet states. Since the implosion of the Soviet Union in 1991, the west has felt free to carry out military and subversive interventions in a host of countries to bring about regime change that suits its interests.

The US led west’s new-imperialism through direct military intervention or subversion through paid trained proxies on the streets is causing enough trouble all over the world. In the case of Ukraine it could engender a new conflict and even the beginning of a new cold war. The promise of peace, cooperation and progress after the end of the cold war has been dashed by western countries unabashed desire to subjugate the globe through military might and the power of capital. History suggests the west may be overplaying its hand and threatening humanity the world over with the unbridled ambition of dominance that cannot but engender enormous new tensions and conflict in a war weary world.

NEWS OF INDIAN NUCLEAR PLAN

INDIAN NUCLEAR POSTURE

Indian nuclear weapons programme was originally motivated more by the prestige factor than as a necessary means to meet real security threats a gradual shift in India’s nuclear posture over the past few years has been viewed as worrisome by the community of strategic thinkers. The statements of Indian policymakers and military generals  suggest a significant departure in its declaratory, if not its operational variation, from the official nuclear doctrine as revised in 203.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT NO NUCLEAR STATE IN THE WORLD IS TOTALLY IMMUNE TO SECURITY THREATS TO ITS NUCLEAR ASSETS, OR TO THE SIMPLE RISK OF SAFETY RELATED ACCIDENT. 

Influenced by a strong scientific community, India is moving away from its unequivocal policies of no first use (NFU) and maintaining a credible minimum deterrent, India’s development of its nuclear delivery capabilities can further play a destabilizing role by triggering a nuclear arms race in the region. Because of its geopolitical weight, New Delhi’s choices will have significant implications both for deterrence stability in the region and the future of the evolving world nuclear order.

The Indian nuclear establishment has also ditched its long-held claim of maintaining a credible minimum deterrent. Although much confusion surrounds what minimum means  in numbers credible minimum deterrence is no longer the driving aim of India’s nuclear doctrine. Achieving a credible minimum deterrent towards both of its primary strategic adversaries, China and Pakistan means substantially different levels of capability. What is credible toward China will not be minimum toward Pakistan and what is minimum toward Pakistan cannot be credible toward China. The probability of a major war with China is not very high so India’s nuclear posture should be framed keeping in view its primary deterrent adversary which is Pakistan and against whom they initially wanted to build a credible minimum deterrent. In addition, China is so advanced in nuclear capability that perhaps India will never be able to match China’s nuclear arsenal or delivery capability. But the prevailing attitudes toward nuclear weaponry among Indian nuclear security managers betray an over-obsession with China. such attitude will achieve nothing and start an unending nuclear arms race in South Asia. India’s conventional superiority could easily deter Pakistan from any attack against India, so India’s nuclear capability never had a strategic justification but was a desire for prestige.

There is no gainsaying the fact that India’s nuclear establishment is going down this potentially dangerous path due to the overriding influence of nuclear Scientifics and technical bureaucracies. Like Pakistan, the Civilian  political leadership due to complications of domestic politics, is not in a position to exercise authority over India’s vast  nuclear establishment.

On the other hand, the security of Pakistan’s nuclear programme has always received attention in the international media due to domestic political instability and growing international militant threats. There is little public discussion about  threats to the security of India’s huge civilian and military nuclear infrastructure. Instead, an overriding assumption exists that relevant agencies in India provide enough security to nuclear infrastructure. The fact of the matter is that no nuclear state in the world is totally immune to security threats to its nuclear assets, or to the simple risk of safety-related accidents. Giving the rapid growth of India’s nuclear arsenal over the past few years, different homegrown insurgents and militants have the potential to compromise India’s nuclear security. But there is no public information available about practical measures taken by New Delhi to counter internal threats to its nuclear weapons.

The current changes in India’s strategic posture and deployment patterns, whether politically sanctioned or not will surely force China and Pakistan to respond in ways that will likely prove determinate to  Indian and global security. India has been modernizing and expanding its forces both vertically and horizontally. Despite the world attention focused India’s nuclear doctrine may convert the terrorism. The mad pursuit of research Defense is totally inconsistent with anodic ability and uncertainty. Both India and Pakistan should halt expansion of their nuclear arsenals in order to enhance regional security.

AFGHANISTAN RAGES AGAINST UNITED STATES

AFGHANISTAN STEP DOWN AGAINST US

Afghan President has expressed extreme anger towards the United States as it prepares to end its 13 years war in Afghanistan, intensifying his criticism in his final months in power. Karzai has taken an increasingly antagonistic view of the US role in Afghanistan, despite formerly being a close all and accepting billions of dollars in aid since he took office after the fall of the Taliban regime in 2001.  

The president who will stand down after elections on April 5, lashed out at the US government and described Al-Qaeda, the Islamist militants behind the 9/11 attacks as more a myth than a reality. To the American people given them my best wishes an my gratitude to the US government give them my anger my extreme anger, Karzai the Washington post in an interview on Monday.

But there was no immediate response from the US embassy in Kabul, but relations between  the two countries have plunged to a new low as the final 55000 US-led NATO troops prepare to head home and Karzai enters his final months in office.

The Afghan president made a surprise decision late last year not to sign an agreed deal that would see 812000 US troops stay in Afghanistan after this year on a training an counter-terrorism mission.

It is good for them (the US) to sing it with my successor, he said in an interview Karzai vented his fury over civilian causalities caused during the war against the Taliban, who had sheltered al Qaeda while in power in Kabul from 1996-2001.

Why is American here? I cannot answer for America. The American president says they are here to fight extremism and terrorism and to secure America.

If they way toward securing America is raiding Afghan homes, fighting in Afghan villages well that will  not secure America. 

Afghan president refusal to sign a security deal with Washington that would permit foreign troops to stay in Afghanistan beyond this year has frustrated the White House, and President Obama has told the Pentagon to prepare for the possibility that no US troops will be left in Afghanistan after 2014.

Obama told Karazi in a phone call on Tuesday that he had given the order to the Pentagon. The Phone call was  the first substantive discussion between the two leaders since June.

But staking out a new position, the White House said in a statement it would leave open the possibility of concluding the bilateral security agreement later this year. It is  good for them to sign it with my successor.

On the other hand, The NATO-led force in Afghanistan has a current strength of more than 50000 soldiers including 33000 US troops, more than 34000 coalition forces have been killed in the fight against the Taliban including US troops.

While Afghanistan’s police and army are seen as having made big strides in their remain about whether they can keep a still – potent Taliban at by, especially in remote areas.

It is also stated by the Afghan leader that he was deeply troubled by the war’s causalities, including those in US military operation and felt betrayed by what he described as an insufficient US focus on going after Taliban sanctuaries in Pakistan rather than in Afghan villages.

NUCLEAR STOCK OF IRAN

NUCLEAR STOCK OF IRAN

Iran is reducing its most proliferation prone nuclear stockpile as required by its landmark deal with world powers but much work remains to be completed to resolve all concerns about Tehran’s activities.

Among measures Iran is taking sincere the interim agreement took effect on Jan 20 is the dilution of its stock of higher enriched uranium to a fissile concentration less suitable for any attempt to fuel an atomic bomb.

Iran is living up to its part of the six month accord in curbing its disputed nuclear programme in exchange nuclear programme in exchange for some easing of sanctions that  have impaired its oil-dependent economy. As of today measures aged under the Joint Plan of Action is being implemented as planned.

Under the accord Iran suspended enrichment of uranium to 20 percent fissile concentration a relatively short technical step away from the level step away from the level required for nuclear bombs and is taking action to neutralize its holding of the material.

Iran is gradually winning access to 4.2$ billion of its oil revenues frozen abroad and some other sanctions relief. The funds will be paid out in eight transfers on a schedule that started with a $ 550 million payment by Japan on Feb.1

Separately the IAEA is investigating suspicious largely believed to be based on intelligence provided by Western gates and Israel, that Iran has researched how to construct an atomic bomb, a charge Tehran denies. Iran says it is Israel’s assumed  nuclear arsenal that threatens Middle East peace.

Amano made clear his determination that those allegations alleged experimentation and tests to develop the expertise needed to turn fissile material into a functioning atomic bomb must be cleared up. 

Bomb Blast in Islamabad

TERROR STRIKE IN ISLAMABAD

The gunmen burst into a courthouse complex in the heart of capital of Pakistan on Monday spraying bullets on every one, hurling hand grenades and later exploding their suicide blasts. During which at least 12 people including a senior judge of the court were killed and another 25 injured in the incident of suicide blasts. But on other hand, severe blow to the already stalled peace process with Taliban that was likely to see light of the day after both sides agreed to ceasefire just a day earlier.

Taliban were quick to distance themselves not only from the attack in Islamabad’s main court complex but also a separate bombing in KPK tribal region which killed two soldiers on Monday.

According to Taliban statement, they have already declared a ceasefire and they strictly adhere to their deal with the government. Their colleagues in the organization also cannot violate this agreement.

According to the eyewitnesses the attackers were armed with automatic weapons including Kalashnikovs and hand grenades hidden under the shawls they were covered with. They were wearing shalwar kameez bearded and had long hair.

According to the report, only two attackers were involved in the attack who later exploded their suicide jacket when confronted by the policemen. One of the attackers reportedly entered the courtroom of Sessions Judge where a hearing had just started, fired bullets at him and exploded himself when policemen on duty challenged him. The judge was killed on the spot. The other attacker blew himself up outside the chamber of a lawyer leader after killing and wounding scores of people with gunfire.

However some eyewitnesses were of the view that at least three of their companions fled in jeeps as fresh contingents of police armed.

Pools of blood, charred body parts and broken glass  scattered everywhere in the courtroom, chambers of the lawyers and the site of the suicide blasts.

It was the deadliest attack in the capital of Pakistan since September 2008 when a truck bomb killed 60 people at a five star hotel some years ago.

CHILD MARRIAGES IN PAKISTAN

CHILD MARRIAGE MUST BE STOPPED

Child marriages were common in human history of the world. Princess Emilia of Saxony, who was the daughter of Duke Henry of Saxony and his wife Catherine of Mecklenburg, in 1533, at the age of 16 years, married George the Pious, Margrave of Brandenburg-Ansbach and then 48 years old. Before modern history, child marriage was common everywhere in the world but with the advent of the 20^th century, immense decline has been observed around the globe. It is not worthy to mention that although the ratio of child marriages is declining across the world some countries in Africa and Asia still allow child marriages due to various reasons.

At first glance, it is pertinent to first find out what is meant by marriage in plain words. According to the UNICEF report of 2011 defines child marriage as a formal marriage or informal union of individuals before reaching the age of competency, which is normally 18 years.  In 2013 the first United Nations Human Rights Council resolution against child, early and forced marriages was adopted. It recognizes child marriage as a human rights violation and pledges to eliminate the practice as part of the UN post 2015 global development agenda. Child marriage is observed in almost every country in Africa and Asia except some. It is a reality for boys and girls both but girls are the most affected by the practice, most of whom are in poor socioeconomic situation.

It was claimed that the rate of marriage of eight to 13 years old girls exceeds 50% in the northwest regions of Pakistan. another custom in Pakistan, called vani, involves village elders solving family disputes or settling unpaid debts by marrying off girls. The average marriage age of swara girls is between five and nine. Similarly the custom of watta satta has been cited as a cause of child marriages in Pakistan. according to the population council, 35%  of all females in Pakistan become mothers before they reach the age of 18 and 67 percent have experienced pregnancy out of which 69 percent  have given birth before they reach the age of 19. Less than four percent married girls below the age of 19 had some say in choosing her spouse, over 80% were married to a near or distant relative.

Child marriage rates in Bangladesh are amongst the highest in the world. Every two out of three marriages  involve children. According to statistics from 2005 , 45 percent of women then between 25 percent and 29 percent had been married by the age of 15 in Bangladesh. According to the State of the World’s Children 2009, all women aged 20 to 24 were married before they were 18. The ministry of women and children’s affairs in making progress in increasing women’s education and employment opportunities. This combined with specific education about child marriage and cooperation with religious leaders is hoped to decrease child marriage.

In culmination it is submitted that child marriage is a reality and there is a need to enact laws that prohibit child marriages. This child marriage ratio is much higher in the subcontinent but even exists in Europe and the US. It is further said that child marriage is a violation of human rights in the advanced world. The constitution of Pakistan demands equality and promises no discrimination at all but child marriages happen in Pakistan every day, which shows that the social structure of Pakistan has not reached the point where it considers child marriages to be prohibited unions.

AIR STRIKES AGAINST TALIBAN STOPPED

PAKISTAN GOVERNMENT STOPPED 

AIR STRIKES AGAINST TALIBAN

in a balancing act, Pak government matched the Taliban’s on month ceasefire with announcement to suspend air strikes in the volatile tribal areas that have left more than 100 terrorists dead so far.

The announcement by the government of Pakistan to ground its fighter jets comes a day after Taliban announced they had decided not to carry out any activities for one month following a positive response from the government, an appeal from religious scholars in honour of the representative committee and in the greater interest of Islam and Pakistan.

Taliban statement is as like; (We announce a month long ceasefire from today and advise all our companions and subgroups to respect the decision of government of Pakistan and completely refrain from all jihad activities during this time period.)

Government of Pakistan considered Taliban’s announcement of ceasefire as a positive development. After the positive announcement by the Taliban the government of Pakistan has decided to halt the air strikes against militants which were continuing for the past few days. However it is also warned that government would effectively retaliate to any act of violence by the Taliban. Government and the army reserve the right to effectively respond to any act of violence.

As a result it is yet to be seen how Taliban react to government’s announcement of hitting back in the advent of any terrorist activity by the terrorists. Taliban groups opposed to peace talks may also try to derail the process. Where Taliban needs to effectively implement their ceasefire decision and ensure that none of its affiliates or even the dissidents indulge in a terrorist activity, the civilian leadership of the country will also have to join heads with the military leadership to take them into confidence bring them on the same page and devise a plan to make the peace initiative productive. The only thing is clear, the ceasefire announcement between government of Pakistan and Pakistani Taliban ha at least allowed the government to isolate and wipe out those opposed to the dialogue process.

ALQAEDA MEMBER IN NEW YORK

OSAMA BIN LADEN SON-IN-LAW 

ON TRIAL IN NEW YORK

Son-in-law of Osama bin Laden and former al Qaeda spokesman goes on trial in New York, accused of complicacy to kill American and supporting terrorists. Suleiman who spent time with bin Laden in Afghanistan, is best known for making incendiary threats in the immediate aftermath of the 9/11 attacks that killed 3000 people in New York.

The 48 years old suspect from Kuwait is one of the most senior alleged al Qaeda members to face trial in the United States and faces life behind bars in an American prison if convicted. His trial, which could feature testimony from the self-declared mastermind of the 9/11 attacks will be watched closely by those pushing for all terror suspects to be tried in civilian courts. The defendant is best known for appearing alongside bin Laden and the current leader for al Qaeda.

He was married to bin Laden’s daughter Fatima, US prosecutors say Suleiman worked for al Qaeda until 2002, when he fled the US military presence in Afghanistan for neighboring Iran. The prosecution claims he was complicit in the December 2001 plot to bring down an airliner flying from Paris to Miami.

British al Qaeda recruit is serving a life sentence for trying to blow up the jet with bombs hidden in his shoes. But the defense says the United States has  no evidence that Suleiman was involved for even aware of such plots.

The defendant pleads not guilty to all three counts against him. Highlights in the trial are likely to be two witnesses testifying by video link from Britain and Yemen.

The defense tried repeatedly to delay the trial, most recently on the grounds of mistaken identity, but Kaplan ruled that selection for the anonymous jury will begin on Monday.

The trial in the US federal court in lower Manhattan is expected to last a month. Lawyers claims that Suleiman has effectively been declared guilty on the basis of his mere association with bin Laden and that he was tortured while being brought to the United States.

A string of terror cases has been transferred to New York in the last two years as US President has promised to close down the military prison at Guantanamo Bay. The same US federal court in Manhattan will put on trial radical preacher Suleiman who was extradited by Britain in 2012 and indicated on 11 terror counts that include kidnapping.

Pak-Saudi Arabia Strengthen Ties

PAKISTAN WANTS TO STRENGTHEN TIES WITH SAUDI ARABIA

Saudi Arabia is a great friend of Pakistan and has stood by it in every hour of need.

All it is discussed between the ambassador of Saudi Arabia and Chief Minister of Punjab, here in Lahore.

People of the two countries have deep affiliation with each other. Pakistan attaches high importance to its relations with Saudi Arabia. Historical fraternal relations between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia were turning into useful economic ties. Energy crises and extremism would be rooted out  and Pakistan be put on the road to progress and prosperity. Economic and trade relations between Saudi Arabia and Pakistan were strengthening and people of the two countries were bound together in deep rooted religious and fraternal ties.

The Saudi Arabian government, Khadim-e-Harmain Sharifain Abullah Bin Abdul Aziz and people of Saudi Arabia had helped Pakistan in every moment of trial. Pakistan had further strengthened brotherly relations between the two countries. Having to the problems being faced by Pakistan, the country was beset with the energy crisis and extremism; however it was determined to overcome these issues and had been making sincere efforts in this regard.

Saudi Arabia considers its relations with Pakistan “highly important” the ties between the two countries were strengthening and their friendship had stood the test of time. The public welfare programmes being implemented under the leadership of PM of Pakistan would help achieve the objectives of progress and prosperity of the country.

At last, it is said that Saudi Arabia would continue to support Pakistan in the future as well.

TAJ MAHAL IN PAKISTAN

NEWS ABOUT BEAUTIFUL HISTORY OF PAKISTAN

The highly controversial nature of how history is constructed in Pakistan allows for multiple competing narratives.

This is an absurd question. How on earth could the Taj Mahal be Pakistani and claim a nationality which was only imagined 400 years after the mausoleum was constructed and one hopes that no one in their senses would ask such a preposterous question.  

When in a class of undergraduate students at one of Pakistan’s best universities, precisely this question was animatedly debated during a session on Pakistan’s history, with some students stating that the Taj Mahal was part of Pakistan’s history, and others implying that it was Pakistani.

These students had all taken a course in Pakistan Studies prior to starting their undergraduate degree. Clearly the highly controversial and contested nature of how history is constructed in Pakistan, given the numerous possibilities of framing a history of Pakistan, allows for multiple competing narratives, including a claim to the Taj Mahal being Pakistani.

Pakistani history has been a contentious topic where different sets of narratives give differing accounts of what Pakistani history is and hence how one imagines Pakistan.

Given the eventual partition of British India and the creation of Pakistan, some historians have claimed that Pakistan was created in 712 AD when an Arab invader came to what is now part of Pakistan.

This incorrectly called the beginning of Muslim contract with what is now referred to as South Asia, yet it supports one of the many official narratives of when Muslim consciousness and identity were created in this region.

Other competing narratives look to the Delhi Sultanat, or the Mughal Empire or events in the 19^th century and 1857, crystallizing into a separate Muslim identity which inevitably led to Muslim separatism and to the ration of Pakistan.

The question about the creation of Pakistan, when was Pakistan created, is one  which simply works around a Muslims are different from Hindus discourse, culminating in a separate homeland.

Hence if the history of Pakistan is the history of Muslims in India and just as Mohammad bin Qasim can become part of a certain legacy and heritage and can be caricatured as the first Pakistani, so too can the Taj Mahal as being Pakistani. Pakistani history and a history of Pakistan’s people and their land become two conflicting narratives.

as a consequence, Pakistani history, ignores the history of the people who live in what was Pakistan (West and East) and what is left of it. Mohenjodaro, Harappa, and the history of the people of Pakistan is dominated by a north Indian (largely Hindustani) Muslim history and that too only of kings and their courts.

The Pakistan freedom movement of course and not the movement for independence from British colonialism for all Indian peoples – shapes this discourse more teleological once politics dominate undivided India in the 20th Century.

The actors, or at least the heroes are almost always Muslim, and students seldom hear about the role Nehru, Gandhi, Ambedkar, Patel and Bose played in bringing about freedom for the 300 million Indians under colonialism.

One only hears of a handful of Muslim men who brought about freedom for Muslims from a Hindu majority. The British imperialists are inconsequential in this narrative, and are only responsible for making a mess of partition by not giving Pakistan many of the districts which are claimed on the basis of them being Muslim-majority areas.

Moreover, if this claim that Pakistan’s history lies outside its borders’ is valid and indeed in many critical ways this is certainly the cases, it also implies that the country which came into being called Pakistan in this hegemonic notion of history really has no history of its own. The so-called freedom movement was fought in a foreign land the land of the Taj Mahal not the land of the people who inherited a country called Pakistan where their ancestors had lived for millennia.

Ascribing a status of nationality to brick and mortar even the Taj Mahal poses numerous challenging epistemological questions yet the question of what Pakistani history is remains unaddressed in a land still searching for  understanding. Depending on how one answers this question, one is led through many ideological labyrinths and some geographical ones as well.

If Pakistan is imagined ideologically then all one has to do is determine when Pakistan came in to being, clearly so easy task, and limiting oneself to a history of the Muslims in India, or a history of Islam in South Asia. If Pakistan is imagined geographically, the connotations of how the history of the peoples and lands of Pakistan is taught and under stood varies hugely. 

KILLING OF AFGHAN IN PAKISTAN

AFGHANS KILLINGS IN PAKISTAN

Peshawar to Chaman and Quetta, Karachi  and Islamabad with likely many unknown places in between a spate of mysterious killings of Afghans in Pakistan has been taking place. The most recent death was in Chaman, where an Afghan customs official believed to be close to an Afghan government commander was killed on Thursday. With none of the deaths investigated so far, all that exists are theories of what may be happening. Privately, Pakistani officials blame the Afghan security apparatus for many of the killings, arguing that it is part of score-settling and posturing ahead of the Afghan transition to a new government and security paradigm. That theory could very likely account for at least some of the killings. But it doesn’t necessarily explain all of the deaths.

Hence further theories in the blame game that is often Pak-Afghan relations, there are some on the Afghan government side, particularly within the Karzai government that blame Pakistan itself for the killings. The explanation, or allegation as the case may be: some of the deaths involve Afghan Taliban figures who are believed to have either been open to talks with the Karzai government or already had channels of communication open and in doing so attracted the displeasure of elements within the Pakistani establishment who want any reconciliation with the Afghan Taliban to be routed through Pakistani channels. Certainly, the Afghan side often levels wild allegations against the Pakistani state, particularly the security establishment but in the murkiness of Pak-Afghan-Taliban relations nothing can ever be ruled out.

There is a third possibility, also likely responsible for  some of the deaths: hardliners smong the Afghan Taliban opposed to reconciliation are killing both Afghan government officials and Afghan Taliban interested in a negotiated settlement. Taking all together the theories do add up to one inescapable reality – that the next couple of the year will put new and unpredictable strains on the Pak-Afghan relationship that will require clear headedness, policy clarity and firm resolve on the part of both sides if the strains are not to overwhelm the relationship and cause it to spiral out of control again. For Pakistan, wrestling as it is with a domestic insurgency that is tenacious and resilient, getting drawn into a vicious tit-for-tat exchange with Afghanistan would be doubly harmful. Perhaps properly investigating the killings would be just the step Pakistan needs to take to help lessen these new tensions between both the countries.