Monday, December 26, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Friday, December 23, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
قومی ترانے کے خالق حفیظ جالندھری کی اَج 29 ویں برسی
قومی ترانے کےخالق حفیظ جالندھری کوہم سے بچھڑے انتیس برس بیت گئےان کی یادیں آج بھی ہرپاکستانی کےذہن میں تازہ ہیں۔ پاکستان کوقومی ترانےجیسابیش قیمتی سرمایہ نوازکرامر ہوجانے والےحفیظ جالندھری 14 جنوری 1900 کوپنجاب کے شہر جالندھر میں پیداہوئے۔
ملکی خراب حالات کےباعث وہ اپنی تعلیم جاری نہ رکھ سکےاوران کی اکیڈمک ایجوکیشن ساتویں جماعت تک ہی محدود رہی۔ اس کےباوجودانہیں خدانےایسی پوشیدہ صلاحیتوں سےنوازاتھاکہ صرف سات سال کی عمرمیں اپناپہلاشعر کہااور پہلی غزل چھٹی جماعت میں کہی۔ ادبی تعلیم کےلیےقادرالکلام فارسی کےمعروف شاعرمولاناغلام قادربلگرامی کی شاگردی اختیارکی ۔قیام پاکستان کےبعدلاہورتشریف لائےاورپھرآخری دم تک لاہورکورہائش کااعزازبخشا۔ایک وقت آیاکہ افواج پاکستان میں ڈائریکٹرجنرل آف مورالزاورامورکشمیرمقررہوئےانہیں حکومت پاکستان کی جانب سےہلال امتیازاورحسن کارکردگی کےصدارتی ایوارڈ سےبھی نوازاگیا۔ حفیظ جالندھری کاناقابل فراموش کارنامہ ان شاہ نامہ اسلام تخلیق ہوناتھاجوادب میں ہمیشگی اختیارکرگیاحفیظ جالندھری نے کئی مشہورگیت، غزلیں اورنظمیں بھی کہیں جن میں نغمہ زار،سوزوسازشامل ہیں۔ افسانوں کامجموعہ ہفت پیکرکےنام سےچھپاایک معلومات افزاکتاب چیونٹی نامہ بھی لکھی21 دسمبر1982 کوقلیل علالت کےبعدحرکت قلب بند ہوجانے سےوہ خالق حقیقی سےجاملےاورانہیں مینارپاکستان کےسائے تلےدفن کیاگیا۔
ملکی خراب حالات کےباعث وہ اپنی تعلیم جاری نہ رکھ سکےاوران کی اکیڈمک ایجوکیشن ساتویں جماعت تک ہی محدود رہی۔ اس کےباوجودانہیں خدانےایسی پوشیدہ صلاحیتوں سےنوازاتھاکہ صرف سات سال کی عمرمیں اپناپہلاشعر کہااور پہلی غزل چھٹی جماعت میں کہی۔ ادبی تعلیم کےلیےقادرالکلام فارسی کےمعروف شاعرمولاناغلام قادربلگرامی کی شاگردی اختیارکی ۔قیام پاکستان کےبعدلاہورتشریف لائےاورپھرآخری دم تک لاہورکورہائش کااعزازبخشا۔ایک وقت آیاکہ افواج پاکستان میں ڈائریکٹرجنرل آف مورالزاورامورکشمیرمقررہوئےانہیں حکومت پاکستان کی جانب سےہلال امتیازاورحسن کارکردگی کےصدارتی ایوارڈ سےبھی نوازاگیا۔ حفیظ جالندھری کاناقابل فراموش کارنامہ ان شاہ نامہ اسلام تخلیق ہوناتھاجوادب میں ہمیشگی اختیارکرگیاحفیظ جالندھری نے کئی مشہورگیت، غزلیں اورنظمیں بھی کہیں جن میں نغمہ زار،سوزوسازشامل ہیں۔ افسانوں کامجموعہ ہفت پیکرکےنام سےچھپاایک معلومات افزاکتاب چیونٹی نامہ بھی لکھی21 دسمبر1982 کوقلیل علالت کےبعدحرکت قلب بند ہوجانے سےوہ خالق حقیقی سےجاملےاورانہیں مینارپاکستان کےسائے تلےدفن کیاگیا۔
Islamabad: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to prepare a comprehensive report regarding the voters’ lists.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing the constitutional petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan regarding voters’ lists. The court directed that late Benazir Bhutto’s application be also attached with the Khan’s petition.
Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan said that ECP was supposed to complete the voters’ lists by December 16, but it has not even tabulated the interim lists so far.
Chief Justice in his remarks said four retired judges and chief election commissioner are working in the ECP who are capable members.
He said that the preparation of electoral lists should not be taken easy and the task can be delegated to National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) if ECP failed to compile lists.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing the constitutional petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan regarding voters’ lists. The court directed that late Benazir Bhutto’s application be also attached with the Khan’s petition.
Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan said that ECP was supposed to complete the voters’ lists by December 16, but it has not even tabulated the interim lists so far.
Chief Justice in his remarks said four retired judges and chief election commissioner are working in the ECP who are capable members.
He said that the preparation of electoral lists should not be taken easy and the task can be delegated to National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) if ECP failed to compile lists.
Islamabad: The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to prepare a comprehensive report regarding the voters’ lists.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing the constitutional petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan regarding voters’ lists. The court directed that late Benazir Bhutto’s application be also attached with the Khan’s petition.
Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan said that ECP was supposed to complete the voters’ lists by December 16, but it has not even tabulated the interim lists so far.
Chief Justice in his remarks said four retired judges and chief election commissioner are working in the ECP who are capable members.
He said that the preparation of electoral lists should not be taken easy and the task can be delegated to National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) if ECP failed to compile lists.
A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry was hearing the constitutional petition filed by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan regarding voters’ lists. The court directed that late Benazir Bhutto’s application be also attached with the Khan’s petition.
Khan’s counsel Hamid Khan said that ECP was supposed to complete the voters’ lists by December 16, but it has not even tabulated the interim lists so far.
Chief Justice in his remarks said four retired judges and chief election commissioner are working in the ECP who are capable members.
He said that the preparation of electoral lists should not be taken easy and the task can be delegated to National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) if ECP failed to compile lists.
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Maryam Nawaz start Politics in Pakistan BUT ....
PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif has allowed another women of his family to take part in politics. After accidental induction of Kulsoom back in 1999, Maryam Nawaz is now active in field of politics. Her addition can give PML-N a young and new face for leadership but for Pakistani Nation it has the same story that starts with the same old tactics to bring the crowd. Students and Teachers of different Government Colleges were brought to listen her first political speech here in Lahore.
US equipment vacated from Shamsi air base
QUETTA: All equipment belonging to US officials has been vacated from the Shamsi air base and five drones have been shifted to Afghanistan and other locations, Geo News reported.
It is expected that UAE officials will take control of the air base from Saturday.
According to sources American barracks at the base have also been destroyed and FIA officials are present to check the immigration of US citizens.
The Americans had also increased the runway of the air base in order to allow the landing of large aircrafts.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
Sindh govt yet to grant permission for Karachi rally: Imran Khan
LAHORE: While Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters gear up for what has been billed as a mega-rally in Karachi on December 25, their party chief announced on Thursday that theSindh government has not yet approved an application submitted earlier by the party in which it sought approval for holding the rally at Mazar-e-Quaid.
Imran Khan made this announcement while speaking to the media at the Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, but pacified supporters by adding that the PTI will explore other options, such as legal action, to obtain permission for its public gathering in the metropolis.
Khan also said that the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led coalition government might not complete its constitutional term and demanded that a neutral setup be formed for holding general elections in the country.
Khan said that the current crisis might not allow the government to complete its legal term. He said that only those governments which have public support have come out successful from crises. Khan criticized the PPP for “seeking support from US” in this regard, adding that it was unfortunate that the current government was taking this route.
He said that a neutral set-up in which no there is no involvement of any political figure, should be constituted soon.
Khan disclosed that many resignations were expected and asked the people of Pakistan to be mentally prepared as they would witness the resignations coming from other politicians.
Khan said that people have had enough of the old political parties which have failed to deliver for the betterment of people and said that they want to see PTI in power.
He said that corruption, inflation, dishonesty, poor law and order situation and bad governance are the setbacks of PPP-led government and PML-N’s government in Punjab. He also said that leaderships of both parties are incompetent to address the basic issues of people.
’کراچی جلسےکی اجازت کیلئےزورلگادیں گے‘
لاہور: تحریک انصاف کے چئیرمین عمران خان نے کہاہےکہ اببھی تک انہیں کراچی کے جلسے کی اجازت نہیں ملی ہے ان کی جماعت جلسے کیلئے پورا زور لگادئے گی۔
لاہور ائیر پورٹ پر میڈیا سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے تحریک انصاف کے سربراہ نے کہاکہ ملک کے حالات بڑی تیزی سے خراب ہورہے ہیں حکومت کیلئے مدت پوری کرنا مشکل ہوتا جارہا ہے اس لیے میں مطالبہ کرتا ہوں کہ انتخابات کیلئے غیر سیاسی شفاف نگراں سیٹ اپ لایا جائے۔
عمران خان نے کہاکہ ملک کی ترقی کیلئے ضروری ہے کہ انتخابات بروقت اور شفاف کروائے جائیں جب کہ جعلی ووٹوں کے اندراج کا لائحہ عمل واضح کیا جائے کیونکہ گذشتہ الیکشن میں 45 فی صد ووٹ جعلی تھے۔
ان کا کہنا تھا کہ اگرحکومت کی جانب سے شفاف انتخابات کا انعقاد نہ کیا گیا تو ملک میں خون و خرابہ ہوگا جس کی ذمہ داری انتظامیہ پر عائد ہوگی۔
عمران خان نےمیڈیا اور عوام میں موجود اس تاثر کو رد کردیا کہ تحریک انصاف میں پرانے چہرے شامل ہورہے ہیں۔
زرداری واپس نہیں آئیں گے،نجم سیٹھی
کراچی: پاکستان کے ممتاز تجزیہ نگار اور امریکی حلقوں میں اثر و رسوخ رکھنے والے نجم سیٹھی نے کہا ہے کہ صدر مملکت آصف علی زرداری کی روانگی سیاسی تھی، وہ وطن واپس نہیں آئیں گے۔
پاکستانی ٹی وی چینل جیو نیوز کے پروگرام ’آپس کی بات‘ میں واشنگٹن سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ صدر زرداری کی طبیعت ٹھیک نہیں ہوگی، وہ دبئی بلاوجہ نہیں گئے اور ایسے ہی واپس نہیں آئیں گے۔
نجم سیٹھی نے کہا کہ میمو گیٹ اسیکنڈل پر 15اور 16تاریخ بہت اہم کا حامل ہے،ن لیگ ، عمران خان ، شاہ محمود قریشی اور فوج یہ سمجھتی ہے کہ صدر آصف زرداری اس سازش میں ملوث ہیں۔
انہوں نے کہا کہ آصف علی زرداری کی پاکستان سے روانگی طبعی معائنے کے بجائے سیاسی تھی، وہ ملک سے باہر رہ کر فیصلے کا انتظار کریں گے اور اگر ان کے خلاف نتیجہ برآمد ہوا تو وہ مستقل خود ساختہ جلاوطنی اختیار کیے رکھیں گے۔
سیٹھی کے مطابق صدر مملکت کے مستعفی ہونے کا کوئی ارادہ نہیں، وہ حالات کے اترا چڑھاؤ پر بیرون ملک رہ کر ہی پارٹی کے معاملات چلائیں گے، یہی وجہ ہے کہ پیپلزپارٹی کے چیئرمین بلاول بھٹو کو متحرک کرنے کا فیصلہ کیا گیا ہے۔
پاکستانی تجزیہ نگار کے بقول میمو اسکینڈل پر فوجی بغاوت کی صورت میں بلاول زرداری کو سندھ میں ردعمل پیدا کرنے کے لیے استعمال کیا جائے گا، پیپلزپارٹی نے اس حوالے سے تیاریاں شروع کردی ہیں اور وزیراعظم یوسف رضا گیلانی فوجی اقدام کے خلاف احتجاجا استعفی دیں گے جب کہ پی پی کے دیگر ارکان پارلیمنٹ سے بھی استعفے طلب کرلیے گئے ہیں۔
نجم سیٹھی نے یہ بھی کہا کہ پاکستان کے قانون ساز ادارے ایوان بالا سینیٹ کے چیئرمین فاروق ایچ نائیک قائم مقام صدر کے طور کام کریں گے۔
Kasuri may join PTI
Lahore - Former foreign minister Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri was likely to join the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) and has been in contact with PTI Chairman Imran Khan in this regard, Pakistan Today learnt on Wednesday.
According to the PTI sources, it was expected that Kasuri would join the PTI, adding that Kasuri had called on Imran Khan a couple of days ago in Islamabad. Kasuri had not disclosed his decision but it seemed that he was interested in joining PTI and the Islamabad meeting was not the first meeting between the two leaders, the sources said.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
U.S. Senators Urge Review of Pak Aid
The United States must “fully review” its ties with Pakistan and consider cuts or new restrictions to military and economic aid, Republican senators John McCain and Lindsey Graham urged on Dec. 5.
A joint statement from the veteran American politicians conveyed the depth of feeling felt by many of their contemporaries in Washington about the need to re-evaluate a decade-long strategic relationship that has foundered this year.
“The United States has been incredibly patient with Pakistan. And we have been so despite certain undeniable and deeply disturbing facts,” they said. “The time has come for the United States to fully review its relations with Pakistan. We must assess the nature and levels of our support.”
McCain serves as the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee, while Graham is a member of that panel and is the top Republican on the committee that allocates U.S. foreign aid. “All options regarding U.S. security and economic assistance to Pakistan must be on the table, including substantial reductions and stricter standards for performance,” they said.
The senators then cited alleged support from Pakistani army and intelligence officials for the Haqqani network “and other terrorist groups” blamed for attacks on U.S. targets in Afghanistan “that are killing U.S. troops.”
Such actions require that “U.S. policy toward Pakistan must proceed from the realistic understanding that certain actions of Pakistan’s military are contributing to the death and injury of our men and women in the military and jeopardizing our national security interests,” said the senators.
Ties between Washington and Islamabad plummeted after a U.S. commando raid killed Al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in Abbottabad in May. Relations slid to a new low last month when NATO airstrikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers on the Afghan border, prompting Pakistan to boycott the Bonn Conference on Afghanistan’s future.
Islamabad officials have also refused to cooperate in a U.S. investigation into the Nov. 26 incident. President Barack Obama offered condolences and assured the Pakistanis that their troops were not deliberately attacked.
McCain and Graham also offered their “deep condolences” over those killed in what they called an “unfortunate and unintentional” strike and predicted the investigation would “clarify the circumstances of this terrible tragedy.”
“The Pakistani government’s response to these events, however, has been deeply troubling and has added to the continued deterioration of our relationship,” they added. They were referring to Pakistan’s decision to prevent NATO supplies from reaching Afghanistan, ordering U.S. intelligence officers to leave the country, and boycotting the Bonn conference, and reports that Islamabad may have decided to suspend all bilateral counter-terrorism agreements. “Such steps by the Pakistani government would mark a new low for our relationship,” they warned.
Bruce Riedel, a former CIA officer who led an interagency review of U.S. policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan in early 2009, also said on Dec. 5 that the United States should give greater weight to containing the Pakistan Army. Speaking at a panel discussion in the U.S. capital, he said that for now, Washington was “not doing enough on the containment part. We’re slipping and sliding into it, but I think without a coherent framework.”
According to Riedel, the Pakistani Army is gradually installing a new military dictatorship, without even needing to resort to a coup. “The new military dictatorship that is emerging in Pakistan will be very different from its predecessors,” he said. “The facade of civilian government is likely to continue to go on ... with very little real power. The media will continue to be very active and alive, except when they criticize the military.”
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Imran Khan Jalsa Preparation Meeting with ISF in Khanpur
PRESS RELEASE
Imran Khan Jalsa Preparation Meeting with ISF in Khanpur
Haripur December 5 2011:
Insaf Students Federation delegation met Dr. Raja Amir Zaman in Khanpur in which organizational tasks were given. The meeting was attended by Mr. Ehsen Naveed (ISF Hazara Coordinator), Mr. Malik Bilal (ISF Assistant Coordinator Haripur), Mr. Ikram Ghazi (ISF Assistant Coordinator Hazara), Mr. Arfat Khan (ISF Coordinator Haripur), Mr. Taimur Khalid (ISF Coordinator Abbottabad), Mr. Sardar Mustafa (ISF Deputy Coordinator Abbottabad), Mr. Faizan Khursheed, Mr. M Tayyab (ISF Assistant Coordinators Abbottabad), Mr. M Ali (ISF Media Cell In charge Hazara) & Mr. Imad Shah (ISF Media Cell Haripur).
In the meeting organizational tasks for ISF were discussed, the task of live streaming of the Jalsa was given to ISF Media cell along with the advert promotion on social media. While ISF representatives of Hazara assured full presence in Jalsa with full strength on Imran Khan’s Jalsa on 15th December 2011 & said that once students played their role in creation of Pakistan now students of Pakistan have to save him.
Media Cell,
ISF Hazara, Pakistan
Mohammad Ali
Email : Isf.Hazara@Insaf.Pk
Web : www.Facebook.com/ISFHazara
Insaf Students Federation delegation met Dr. Raja Amir Zaman in Khanpur in which organizational tasks were given. The meeting was attended by Mr. Ehsen Naveed (ISF Hazara Coordinator), Mr. Malik Bilal (ISF Assistant Coordinator Haripur), Mr. Ikram Ghazi (ISF Assistant Coordinator Hazara), Mr. Arfat Khan (ISF Coordinator Haripur), Mr. Taimur Khalid (ISF Coordinator Abbottabad), Mr. Sardar Mustafa (ISF Deputy Coordinator Abbottabad), Mr. Faizan Khursheed, Mr. M Tayyab (ISF Assistant Coordinators Abbottabad), Mr. M Ali (ISF Media Cell In charge Hazara) & Mr. Imad Shah (ISF Media Cell Haripur).
In the meeting organizational tasks for ISF were discussed, the task of live streaming of the Jalsa was given to ISF Media cell along with the advert promotion on social media. While ISF representatives of Hazara assured full presence in Jalsa with full strength on Imran Khan’s Jalsa on 15th December 2011 & said that once students played their role in creation of Pakistan now students of Pakistan have to save him.
Media Cell,
ISF Hazara, Pakistan
Mohammad Ali
Email : Isf.Hazara@Insaf.Pk
Web : www.Facebook.com/ISFHazara
100 local leaders join PTI at NA 250
Pakistan Tehreek -e- Insaf - NA 250 team organized a ceremony on 4th December at DHA - Phase 4, presided by Engr M Najeeb Haroon where a huge group of political workers joined PTI. Mr. Yousuf Gabool Central Vice President, Mr. Samar Ali Khan (PCO 113) and Mr. Faisal Malik were also present on the occasion. The entire group under the leadership of M Najeeb Wali Ex VicePresident of Clifton Cantt board comprised the followings:
1. Two ex councilors of Cantt board (Cdr Ishaq & Noor khan)
2. The entire Punjab Colony Muntizima Committee
3. All leaders of Hazara colony's Youth wing.
4. All main leaders of lower Gizri association
5. All main leaders of jamhoria colony welfare committee
6. President and office bearers of minorities welfare association
There were more than 100 joinings yesterday and the venue was enchanted with slogans and Naras of Imran Khan & PTI.
It's a great success of PTI NA250 team. Now the next program is to organize a big jalsa in Hazara colony with a rally to be followed by the biggest rally in Karachi from NA250 for the 25th jalsa.
We are developing a working group of the entire colonies to be chaired by Engr M Najeeb Haroon.It's time to say with a high degree of confidence that NA 250 will be won by PTI inshallah.
Monday, December 5, 2011
Imran is not greedy, says Jemaima
LONDON: Jemima Goldsmith has said that she loaned Imran Khan money in 2003 but he return all after selling the flat in London, in order to pay for his house outside Islamabad.
In a message via social networking site, Jemima clarified that she initially paid the money for the house until he sold his flat and then paid her back.
She said, "Can't believe we're divorced and I'm still Imran's Achilles' heel. He has faults but greed is not one of them, unlike many in Pakistani politics."
Jemima said that Imran was known as an honest man who never tried to take any financial benefits from his rich wife.
ملتان :پاکستان کے بغیر بون کانفرنس ادھوری ہے:شاہ محمود قریشی
سابق وزیر خارجہ اور پاکستان تحریک انصاف کے وائس چئیرمین شاہ محمود قریشی نے کہا ہے کہ پاکستان کی عدم موجودگی کے باعث بون کانفرنس ادھوری ہو گی۔
ملتان میں حسینیہ کانفرنس سے خطاب اور میڈیا سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ نیٹو فورسز کی کاروائی پر امریکہ کو اپنے فیصلے پر نظر ثانی کی ضرورت ہے، کیونکہ اس واقعہ سے پوری قوم میں غم و غصہ پایا جاتا ہے۔صدر زردار ی اور وزیر اعظم گیلانی کا ایک ہی مقصد ہے کہ کسی طرح اقتدار بچ جائے۔موجودہ سیاسی قیادت پر لوگوں کا اعتماد اٹھ چکا ہے۔نواز شریف کا میمو معاملہ پر سپریم کورٹ جانے کا فیصلہ بالکل درست ہے۔انھوں نےکہا کہ وزیر اعظم ایک ہی ضلع میں خود، دو بیٹوں اور ایک بھائی کو الیکشن لڑوانا چاہتے ہیں ۔
Cycling for a Cause - “Tabdeeli Ka Safar”
Cycling for a Cause - “Tabdeeli Ka Safar”
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”. Great things in life can never be achieved without enthusiasm; enthusiasm to bring change, which is frantically needed in Pakistan and is something that the whole nation is waiting for.
It’s important to realize that nothing can reduce our concerns and distress faster than our own actions, nothing can be changed from the past but anyone can begin today for a better future.
Here I share with you a story of a PTI enthusiast Mr. Muhammad Rafiq from Quetta, Balochistan, who took that one important step to make his contribution towards that change. His courage and confidence is an example for all of those who think resources are an issue to bring change. Mr. Muhammad Rafiq declares his cycling initiative as an important tool for public awareness about PTI and its agenda, all over Pakistan.
On 12th November 2011, he started his journey of change from Quetta Press Club, on a bicycle, with a motive to spread the message of PTI to all corners of Pakistan. Many other PTI workers were also present with Mr. Muhammad Rafiq to show their support and solidarity for his courageous journey of change, (Reported by Daily Express Century, Quetta on 14th November 2011).
Mr. Muhammad Rafiq planned his journey from Quetta, Balochistan to Peshawar, KPK and then Punjab, where he wishes to end his journey at Minar-e-Pakistan, Lahore. He reached Central Secretariat Islamabad on 22nd November, 2011 where he was welcomed by other PTI members. Currently, he continues his journey of change to other areas of Pakistan.
We will provide further updates of his journey on this blog and we wish him all the best for his journey of change.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Using the PAF?
Post-May 2 unilateral action by the United States in Abbottabad as well as in the wake of the US firing on Pakistani posts at Salala in Mohmand, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has come under criticism fornot acting and taking out US aerial platforms. There have been witty but misplaced tweets and the PAF’s silence has only added to people’s anxiety about what the force can or cannot do. Briefings have come from the army high command with the PAF, which has the best knowledge of its functioning, keeping a low profile.
While it is up to the air force to package some of those details for the understanding of informed generalists, being no expert in such technical and operational details, let me present here some broad points apropos of higher strategy.
As I have written before, a weaker state should avoid a direct response. The air force is an offensive force. Its use, therefore, for a weaker state would mean a much higher climb on the escalation ladder. That is always to the advantage of a stronger adversary who is likely, to put it in Herman Kahn’s words, to enjoy a marked advantage in a given region of the escalation ladder for several reasons, most importantly, sustainability. The ‘jet effect’ of an offensive action is always more difficult to sustain for a weaker state than a stronger one.
Let me translate it. The use of the PAF would mean going on the offensive. The PAF will decide its targeting strategy and, as a senior air force officer I was discussing the issue with said, carry its own air superiority to those targets and destroy them. The PAF can do it to a fairly effective degree but the US can do it even more effectively because of its greater resources and the ability to sustain such a campaign much longer, not just on the military side but by combining it with coercive diplomacy that isolates Pakistan.
Any such decision by Pakistan will also have to keep in mind other hostile states in the region, their responses and the level of threat Pakistan faces from them. In other words, the issue is not just taking on the US Air Force and bearing the consequences of that decision but also determining the space such a decision would give to other hostile states and what advantage they could derive from such confrontation.
Higher strategy is a function of developing responses that suit oneself rather than the other actor(s). The guerrilla wins against a stronger adversary by operating along his own strengths, by his ability to elude the sledgehammer of the stronger force and develop his asymmetrical advantage over a superior force. Why should Pakistan resort to offensive use of air force when it can use other threats more effectively if the push comes to the shove?
States do not have the guerrilla’s advantage. They present an identifiable target. Talking about US military hegemony in a 2003 article titled “Command of the Commons”, Barry R Posen noted that while the US cannot be challenged on sea, in space and in the air, its military advantage is largely blunted in a ‘contested zone’. That’s what we saw in Vietnam, in Iraq and are witnessing now in Afghanistan. In the contested zone, argued Posen, the US can have selective engagement but not enjoy primacy.
Pakistan developed its military strategy against India, not the US. The mainstay of the PAF is the F-16, the latest being the Block 52 fighters. If the threat from the US increases, Pakistan will have to rethink its military strategy, which cannot be done in isolation from its national security strategy, which is the overhang under which the national military strategy must be worked out.
Those who are agitating the issue of the Jacobabad airbase need to understand that the base houses the Block 52 fighters along with US military and non-military personnel, mostly Lockheed contractors, responsible for training PAF personnel in flight and shop line training and, at an advanced level, depot line training. Their presence on the base is part of the F-16 Block 52 deal.
If, in theory, Pakistan were to get into a confrontation with the US, its equipment and armament acquisition for the PAF will have to undergo a drastic change and that is a long-haul process. Therefore, the US and Pakistan, for their own compulsions, share certain risks and have to play the game short of the outcome Thomas Schelling would brand as ‘disaster’.
There are many other complexities that cannot be discussed in an 800-word piece but let it be said that Pakistan has many other options, non-military and, if need be, military, to deal with the US without keeling over the brink or resorting to a direct confrontation which is a function of the use of air force.
PMl(N) has Done Deal With Establishment
Sohail Warraich who is known to be someone with a Pro-Pml(N) stance is also admitting that PML(N) has done deal with establishment in their desperate attempt to get into Power...Nawaz Sharif who was made by Gen Jillani and Gen Zia has again done a deal with Establishment.
Imran Khan declares assets, calls on political leaders to follow suit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan, while declaring his assets during a press conference in Islamabad, challenged all political party leaders to do the same reported Express News on Sunday.
“I’m presenting all the documents in front of the media in a hope that other party leaders will follow… This is the only way through which corruption can end in Pakistan and taxes can be collected,” Khan said.
While clearing allegations about the taxes he had paid this year, he said that he made around Rs20 million this year through the World Cup but the money that came to him was tax-free according to a law that was drafted by Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif himself.
“In 1992, Nawaz Sharif made a law which stated that all money coming from abroad would be tax-free and would be not questioned by anyone… He made this to law to help him with money laundering,” said the PTI chief.
“I, myself, am against this law as it is being used for the wrong reasons, and the PTI will help get rid of it.”
Khan declared that all of his assets were present in Pakistan and were under his name. He also cleared allegations against him regarding the money that is involved in the administration of his charity hospital Shaukat Khanum.
“I received two plots by Nawaz Sharif after the 1992 World Cup and I have given both of them to the hospital.”
He claimed that he will quit politics if it is proved that he has cheated, while adding that the PTI’s central executive committee members will also be declaring all their assets.
He said that the declaration of assets was not a personal issue but a national one which will determine whether Pakistan will remain viable or stay bankrupt.
Haqqani, Zardari were previously aware of Abbottabad operation: Mansoor Ijaz
Mansoor Ijaz, a Pakistani-American and a key player in memogate controversy, has again levelled serious allegations against President Asif Ali Zardari and former Pakistan ambassador to the United States, saying in his understanding both the personalities were previously aware of US operation in Abbottabad on May 2 that led to killing al-Qaeda Chief Osama bin Laden. He said that it was Zardari’s plan to sent secret memo to Mike Mullen and he has given full authority to Haqqani to handle the memo that was sent to the US joint Chiefs of Staff Committee Admiral Mike Mullen, seeking US operation to stop a military coup in the wake of Abbottabad raid.
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Pakistan official denies OK given for NATO air strike
A Pakistani official on Friday denied a Wall Street Journal reportthat Pakistani officials gave the go-ahead to a NATO air strike that killed 24 troops, unaware that their own forces were in the area.
Last weekend’s cross-border attack has caused public outrage in Pakistan, the government has pulled out of next week’s international conference on Afghanistan and threatened to end support for the US-led war there if its sovereignty is violated again.
A Pakistani military official categorically denied the Journal’s account, saying the aircraft had already engaged when Pakistan was contacted.
“Wrong information about the area of operation was provided to Pakistani officials a few minutes before the strike,” said the official, who was not authorized to speak to the media.
“Without getting clearance from the Pakistan side, the post had already been engaged by US helicopters and fighter jets. Pakistan did not have any prior information about any operation in the area.”
The US officials, giving their first detailed explanation of the worst friendly-fire incident of the 10-year-old war, told the Wall Street Journal an Afghan-led assault force that included US commandos was hunting Taliban militants when it came under fire from an encampment along the border with Pakistan.
The commandos thought they were being fired on by militants but they turned out to be Pakistani military personnel who had established a temporary campsite, they were quoted as saying.
According to the initial US account from the field, the commandos requested air strikes against the encampment, prompting the team to contact a joint border-control centre to determine whether Pakistani forces were in the area, a US official said.
The border-control centre is manned by US, Afghan and Pakistani representatives. But the US and Afghan forces conducting the November 26 commando operation had not notified the centre in advance that they planned to strike Taliban insurgents near that part of the border, the official said.
When called, the Pakistani representatives at the centre said there were no Pakistani military forces in the area identified by the commandos, clearing the way for the air strikes, the US officials said.
Washington has called it a tragic accident and offered its condolences, promising a full investigation. It has not apologised.
“There were lots of mistakes made,” the newspaper quoted an official as saying.
The Journal said US officials have in the past expressed reservations about notifying the Pakistanis about operations, concerned the missions’ details could leak out.
It added that the officials cautioned that the preliminary account was based mainly on interviews with members of the commando team and could change as more information is gathered.
A formal report on the incident is due to be completed by US military investigators by December 23.
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