Pakistan News And Discussion-13

11-05-2007, 01:30 PM

US postpones Pakistan defence talks due to state of emergency in Pakistan

11-05-2007, 01:38 PM

Pakistani police prevent lawyer protests

Pakistani judges fighting the Pakistani military junta held incommunicado

11-05-2007, 02:37 PM

Karachi bombings: Bhutto suspects 'child suicide bomber'
QUOTENovember 5, 2007

Giving a new twist to October's Karachi bombings that claimed nearly 140 lives, former premier Benazir Bhutto has said that a "child suicide bomber" followed by a car bomb might have been used in an attempt to assassinate her.

"Although it remains difficult to know for certain, I doubt that a suicide bomber was involved in the attack on me. I suspect, after talking to some of the injured, that the terrorists used a 'small child' as a ploy to get to me," Bhutto wrote in commentary for CNN.

"They (terrorists) were trying to hoist the child -- dressed in the colours of my party's flag -- onto my truck," Bhutto said, adding failing to do so they dropped the child near her vehicle.

"Some witnesses said the child had been rigged as a human bomb. I can't be sure. What followed was a massive explosion, killing scores immediately, tearing many bodies in half and sending blood, gore and flames up into the vehicle," she said.

"In less than a minute a second bomb -- reports later suggested a car bomb -- went off," she wrote.

Bhutto survived unhurt when the blasts killing nearly 140 people took place near her armoured truck in a huge procession she led in Karachi after setting foot on Pakistani soil on October 18 for the first time in eight years.

Questioning as to why the investigation were initially given to a police officer who was present when her husband was nearly tortured to death in 1999, she said the most worrying was the "adamant rejection by Islamabad of any assistance from the state-of-art forensic teams from FBI and Scotland Yard.

It seems like paki terrorists are running out of men to carry out suicide attacks or all the paki men have gone for a taliban party in Swat wearing burkhas.

11-05-2007, 10:10 PM

Today main channels are showing arrest etc, potraying Mushy as dictator.
QUOTEIn fact, it is technically a domestic matter of Pakistan and may not have been discussed by us outsiders. Since the future of Pakistan has its ramifications not only on the entire South Asian region but also on the entire world, we may perhaps discuss the situation and analyze the same.

First stop using "South Asia", this term was created to show world that India, a big mass and 1/3 of humanity or its culture does not exist. Indian should and must use Indian subcontinent. Have some pride.

Secondly, how you can ignore house fire next door, It is a foolish thinking that it is Pakistan domestic matter, Don't you see, everyday bomb blast in India by Islamist.
Pakistan problem will affect India for long term as Afghanistan did, we not only have drug problem, but terrorism is major concern, we know Indian leadership had closed their eyes and shut their minds by saying its Pakistan internal problem.

11-05-2007, 10:19 PM

Rice asks Musharraf to 'take off uniform', defence talks suspended
Why Rice is interested in strip show? <!--emo& Big Grin

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Thousands face down Pakistani police QUOTERana Bhagwandas, a Supreme Court judge who refused to take oath under Musharraf's proclamation of emergency orders, said he has been locked inside in his official residence in Islamabad and that other judges were being pressured to support the government.

"They are still working on some judges, they are under pressure," Bhagwandas told Geo TV in a phone interview.

Yesterday BB warned that people will be on street in next 2-3 days, and drama is going on according to script despite writers strike in US.

11-05-2007, 10:45 PM

Musharraf under house arrest? Rumours grip Pak 
http://www.ibnlive.com/printpage.php?id=...ction_id=2
Reuters

PAK IN CRISIS: General Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of Emergency in Pakistan on Saturday.
Islamabad Pakistanâs deputy army chief on Monday placed military ruler President Pervez Musharraf under house arrest. However, the government has denied rumours sweeping the country.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf denied rumours that he had been placed under house arrest by subordinates unhappy with his decision to impose emergency rule.

"It is a joke of the highest order," Musharraf told Reuters from the Presidency building in Islamabad where he had just met more than 80 foreign diplomats to explain his decision. <!--emo& Big Grin

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11-05-2007, 10:55 PM

http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/05/ed.htm
Editorial from DAWN:
Beyond emergency rule
QUOTEHowever, it comes as a surprise that some of the judges involved in granting bails to those Gen Musharraf referred to as terrorists in his speech â and which he made out to be one of the reasons for putting the Constitution in abeyance â were required to and took oath under the PCO.
 <!--emo& Big Grin

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dhu · 11-05-2007, 11:29 PM

Is there any connection to American elections coming up? Bush is running out of time to implement Iran war for next election cycle.

11-05-2007, 11:58 PM

QUOTE(dhu @ Nov 5 2007, 11:29 PM)Is there any connection to American elections coming up? Bush is running out of time to implement Iran war for next election cycle.
[right][snapback]74946[/snapback][/right]
1) I think there is a connection, all presidential candidates have different opinion about Pakistan, some want to cut aid, some are interested in Mushy, some want to attack Pakistan in place of Iran or Iraq, I think Mushy just panicked, his reaction is more like Indian leadership or Indian media/Babu reacts when any Gora Sahib utter anything.
2) Recent Vardi reshuffle made couple of unhappy vardi.
3) Mushy gave fundoos lot of power, now they are trigger happy within Pakistan after Lal Masjid episode.
4) Mushy is seeing, his days are numbered (another US supported power BB) and he panicked.
5) He is in bed with China. (Now Indians are looking for leftover space in some corner of that bed, Queen was looking for pillow area but I think she will get bed post) <!--emo& Big Grin

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Shambhu · 11-06-2007, 01:33 AM

<!--emo&

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Uneven Cohen was one of the people on the NPR Diane Rheem show today, which was about the current bonhomie in Pak. Now I know I have to buy a new stereo, because I heard uneven say that a solution to the problem US has with Pak is this:

US should form a stronger alliance with India. And India should have a bigger role in managing Afghanistan.

My friends say Pioneer makes good car stereos. Any other suggestions? <!--emo& Tongue

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11-06-2007, 01:40 AM

QUOTE(Shambhu @ Nov 6 2007, 01:33 AM)<!--emo& Big Grin

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Uneven Cohen was one of the people on the NPR Diane Rheem show today, which was about the current bonhomie in Pak. Now I know I have to buy a new stereo, because I heard uneven say that a solution to the problem US has with Pak is this:

US should form a stronger alliance with India. And India should have a bigger role in managing Afghanistan.

My friends say Pioneer makes good car stereos. Any other suggestions?Â <!--emo& Tongue

--><img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/tongue.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tongue.gif' />
[right][snapback]74953[/snapback][/right]
Let me pinch myself again.
I can bet Uneven must be on dope or in my corner they say Herbal medication. <!--emo& Big Grin

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I think ear bud will do better job. <!--emo& Big Grin

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or may be Mercury, planet of communcation is back in straight motion after 15 days of retro. (but for uneven retro lasted for 60 yrs)<!--emo& Tongue

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11-06-2007, 02:58 AM

UPDATE 1-Moody's says may downgrade Pakistan's ratings
they are still thinking. <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif' />

Pakistan's stock market slides only 5%

Shambhu · 11-06-2007, 03:47 AM

@ Mudy: <!--emo& Big Grin

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11-06-2007, 08:21 AM

Uneven was on News hour (PBS) today, he is still promoting Mushy. Basically, he is saying US had to work with Mushy, they have no choice, otherwise terrorist and Afghan mission will be in danger.
So US will not change, they trust, Pakis will stay at home.

Shambhu · 11-06-2007, 08:44 AM

Mush has compared himself to Abraham Lincoln. NPR played parts of his speech where he says "Ibrahim Lincoln suspended the Constitution..blah blah". Then some prof on Constitution from Berkley came on and laid out the real facts, and said, "Mr Musharraf, I ahve studied Lincoln, and you are no Lincoln".
(A la "John Kennedy was my friend, and you are no John Kennedy")

Damn, how can a guy be so shameless? This Mush gets exposed, his bluff gets called, he keeps embarassing himself, he is caught lying on tape, he is a big liability...and hekeeps on lying and farting..

I have heard that there is a camera that turns itself off when its in-built software detects that the subject in the focus field is a match for Musharraf's features. <img src='style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/blink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='blink.gif' />

Shambhu · 11-06-2007, 08:58 AM

Bush has urged Musharraf to give up his uniform. And Mush said, "You want fries with that?"

In other news:

Bush urges hyenas to give up carcasses and stick to salads,
Bush urges apples to fall upwards,
Bush urges Cheney to act civilized,
Bush urges Websters to use "nookoolar" instead of "nuclear"

11-06-2007, 11:16 AM

http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/06/index.htm

Just posting headlines without link to all article. Headline is good enough <!--emo& Big Grin

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Bush urges president to quit military: Rice conveys message
KSEâs black Monday â heaviest ever single-day decline
European Union govts under pressure to act against Musharraf
US suspends defence talks with Pakistan: F-16s sale to be reviewed
UK wants Musharraf to quit army by 15th
Demonstration in UK
Netherlands suspends aid
Canadians advised not to visit Pakistan
 <!--emo& Big Grin

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11-06-2007, 11:19 AM

QUOTEUS spends billions on Pakistan for schools, economic growth, counter-terror reimbursements WASHINGTON, Nov 6 (AP) - U.S. assistance and other payments to Pakistan have totalled $9.6 billion in the six budget years since the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, according to the State Department. The largest payout each year is for Pakistan's help in the global war on terrorism. The reimbursements amount to some $80 million a month, said Defence Department spokesman Bryan Whitman _ or nearly $1 billion a year. On top of those payments, the U.S. also gives Pakistan direct aid for humanitarian programs, economic development, military needs and so on _ well over $700 million in each of the last two years. Pakistan receives military equipment under the assistance programs, as well as by buying some, such as the 36 F-16 aircraft it is purchasing for up to $3 billion . Following is a sampling of how the State Department proposes to spend $785 million on Pakistan in fiscal year 2008: _$342 million for efforts to counter extremists, narcotics trafficking, weapons proliferation and other security issues.-- _$249 million for economic growth. That includes developing infrastructure for transport, power, irrigation and vocational training. _$50 million in humanitarian assistance, including to rebuild hospitals and schools damaged or destroyed in the 2005 earthquake--_$103 million for health, education and water and sanitation. That includes scholarship programs to help the disadvantaged get advanced educational degrees in agriculture and business as well as programs against HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, for mother and child care and to promote family planning.--_Nearly $42 million (euro29 million) for governance and democracy programs. The money is to support democratic practices in political parties and in civil society, promote free and fair elections, develop the media and support the legislative process. The Bush administration budget request noted that elections were planned in 2008, a prospect now in doubt because of the imposition of emergency law over the weekend. (Posted @ 10:25 PST

11-06-2007, 11:31 AM

QUOTEhttp://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/p...istan_too.html
Why Not Dissolve Pakistan, Too?
Ali Ettefagh, Tehran, Iran

Pakistan is not a country. It is a failed British fantasy about the fabrication of a nation-state. It has other failed and failing peers in the Middle East, all fabricated during the 20th century. It is time to seriously review all of these structures and redraw the borderlines.

Pakistan was a phrase coined for an idealistic confederation of five Muslim provinces within the old British-controlled India (Punjab, Northwest Frontier Province or Afghania, Kashmir, Sindh and Baluchistan). However, these are tribal lands with distinct traditions and have very little in common. These provinces were all knocked together, on presumption of a common religion, and a âdominionâ was fabricated within the Commonwealth with self-governance authority akin to independence after World War II. It was all part of the post-war fire sale of territorial control of Britain. The ill-conceived plan even set up a separate territory of East Bengal as East Pakistan, a subcontinent away, with the rough-and-ready argument of common religious beliefs and a majority Muslim population. East Pakistan eventually became independent and renamed itself Bangladesh.

Pakistanâs short 60-year history is full of coups and raw, violent tribal rivalry, peppered by jailing or executing the previous rulers. Most recently, we saw a stark and bold example of such rivalry: a returning Pakistani politician, a former prime minister, was deported from his own country.
There is no commonly accepted language among these tribes and thus the official language of Pakistan is English.

For as long as I remember, Iranâs eastern border with Pakistan has always been a hub of instability, smuggling and violent crime. Pakistan is the main transit route for opium and heroin from Afghanistan, where more than 90% of the worldâs opium supply is produced. In turn, that cash flow encourages money laundering, armed banditry, murder, violence and corruption. Therefore, several conflicting layers of official structure naturally form, each operating as lawless gangs or states within a state. Drug-infested territories have a poor record of development. Power and corruption leads to uneven, Byzantine relations between groups and to opaque alliances. Meanwhile, the masses remain in poverty: according to the World Bank, thatâs about a third of all Pakistanis.

In this kind of political greenhouse of a country, no new politicians or doctrines surface. I wonder why news about Pakistani politics seems to be a game of musical chairs, with familiar names and faces periodically recycled.
There are other issues to ponder, namely a nuclear arsenal, missiles, a brisk small-arms export business (about $250 million a year) and the schizophrenic dual-tracked âfriendshipâ with the U.S., al-Qaeda and Wahhabi extremists. Pakistanâs aimless Kashmir policies are perfect examples of circular political indecision. U.N. peacekeepers have remained stationed in Kashmir for more than three decades.

Pakistan is a relic set up as a counterweight to India -- and its tendency to tilt towards the Eastern Block. I think it is high time to revisit the old composite structure of five provinces combined into one artificial country. A redrawing of borders might serve useful and to cut through the farce. Let each province mature and declare independence. Some will eventually join their long-time tribal allies, leaving two or three independent lands and a more transparent political agenda.

11-06-2007, 05:17 PM

[The latest indications are that the United States will continue to provide economic and material support to the present government of Pakistan. In fact, for the United States there is no other alternative but to support the General for the sake of its war against Islamic terrorists. Many in the US administration may be seeing the writings on the wall yet they have no alternative in the given circumstances. There is no other political or non political outfit within the country who can be assigned the task of fighting the terrorists. The efforts of the Government of Pakistan so far to finish off the terrorists may not have been upto the expectation of the West, but whatever it may have done so far may have been the best that could have been done in the given circumstances.

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