Showing posts with label RAW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label RAW. Show all posts

Sunday, April 14, 2019

MQM-PTI Ideological Partnership


Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday indicated that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and coalition partners Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) could contest the next elections as allies. "It seems that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf could join hands with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in the next elections," said the premier during his speech in Islamabad at the stone laying ceremony of Hyderabad University. The prime minister said that the PTI and MQM-P have similar ideologies. "I always used to think that MQM's viewpoint — the things that they spoke of — was closely aligned with that of PTI," he said. "Our only problem was that of militancy which we both thought was wrong." MQM and PTI could contest next elections together: PM Khan ( April 04, 2019) https://www.dawn.com/news/1473898 Prime Minister Imran Khan on Thursday indicated that his Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) might contest the next elections from the same platform. Addressing the foundation-stone laying ceremony of Hyderabad University at the Prime Minister Office, he went on to praise the two ministers belonging to the MQM. “Both Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Farogh Naseem are the finest members of the federal cabinet due to their conduct and knowledge,” PM Khan said. PTI, MQM may jointly contest next elections: Imran (April 05, 2019) https://www.dawn.com/news/1474003 MQM-P convener Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and fellow party leaders on Saturday highlighted what they feel is the disproportionate division of resources in Sindh, urging Prime Minister Imran Khan to intervene and invoke Article 149 of the Constitution in order to help the province's urban populace "get their long-deprived due share". Siddiqui, who is also the minister for Information Technology in the federal cabinet, slammed what he described as Sindh's "ethnocentric" government for allegedly hoarding the province's resources and powers. MQM-P urges PM to intervene, 'help' Sindh's urban centres get 'their due share' (April 13, 2019) https://www.dawn.com/news/1475861

Imran Khan explains MQM's Links with India , Indian R and A W and Kulbhushan Jadhav


General Pervez Musharraf's Secret Links with MQM (Meray Mutabiq GEO TV 2009)



Federal Minister Mr Khalid Maqbool on PTI Leaders Azam Swati and Shibli Faraz



Mayor Karachi Mr Waseem Akhtar on Mr Imran Khan and Pakistan Army


Imran Khan's allies Dr Zulfiqar Mirza, MQM and others at each others throats






LAHORE, May 14: Tehreek-i-Insaaf Chairman Imran Khan has accused President Pervez Musharraf and MQM leader Altaf Husain of bloodshed in Karachi and called upon the opposition to unite on one-point agenda of getting rid of Musharraf and dictatorship. Addressing a press conference after presiding over a meeting of the Tehreek central executive committee here on Monday evening, he said the disturbance in Karachi was not unexpected because the issue had been raised in the National Assembly session only a day earlier, but the government did nothing to prevent the bloodshed. “Instead of taking steps for maintaining law and order in Karachi, it got the MQM rally arranged intentionally to sabotage the reception of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry which was expected to be much better than Lahore.” He said President Musharraf was not tired of talking about enlightened moderation on the one hand and had joined hands with “top terrorist” MQM leader Altaf Hussain on the other for remaining in power. “The hardened criminals of MQM set at liberty by the government continued firing bullets at the people but the police and the Rangers did not fire even a single teargas shell at them. Ten PTI men were among those who sustained bullet injuries and were under treatment in hospitals.” The PTI, he said, was consulting lawyers to lodge an FIR against Gen Pervez Musharraf and Altaf Husain for the Karachi killings. PTI to sue Blair for ‘harbouring’ MQM leader May 15, 2007 https://www.dawn.com/news/247030

 Imran Khan praises Altaf Hussain and MQM and this is after 12 May 2007 Massacre in Karachi


MQM Imran Khan Ideological Similarities 



Did Imran Khan visit MQM Head office 90 or Not 




KARACHI, May 26: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has announced that it will collect evidence about the “bad character” of Imran Khan and will submit it in the National Assembly for getting him unseated as MNA under Articles 62 & 63 of the Constitution. “We will also take every possible legal action if needed to unseat Mr Khan from the National Assembly,” MQM MNA Syed Haider Abbas Rizvi told a crowded news conference at the Karachi Press Club on Saturday. He was accompanied by Dr Farooq Sattar, Anwar Alam, Faisal Sabzwari and other MNAs, MPAs, and members of the MQM coordination committee. The press conference was part of a series of briefings being held by the MQM leadership to counter the allegations levelled by Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf chief Imran Khan and his threat to file a case against British Prime Minister Tony Blair in the United Kingdom for giving political asylum to MQM leader Altaf Husain who, according to Mr Khan, heads a fascist organisation. Mr Khan in his press briefings and statements has held President Pervez Musharraf and Altaf Hussain responsible for the May 12 bloodbath in Karachi. Mr Rizvi said the MQM was collecting evidence against Imran Khan and it would take all possible legal and constitutional steps to have him unseated from the National Assembly. He said the MQM always welcomed criticism on party policies or difference of opinion on principles but the character assassination of his leader could not be tolerated. Faisal Sabzwari disclosed that the MQM members in the Sindh Assembly would move a resolution condemning Imran Khan for character assassination of Altaf Hussain. “We will not only move a resolution in the provincial assembly but will expose Imran Khan at every forum. He had destroyed the career in cricket of many youths belonging to Karachi and people had not forgotten it,” he added. Reference: KARACHI: MQM drive against Imran in full swing May 27, 2007 https://www.dawn.com/news/248901

Imran Khan was in touch with not only MQM but Altaf Hussain as well even after 12 May 2007 Massacre


Mr Naeem ul Haq (Political Adviser to Imran Khan) on MQM's Ideology

 

Mayor Karachi Mr Waseem Akhtar on Imran Khan's Secret Alliance with Taliban and TTP



Mr Naeem ul Haq (Political Adviser to Imran Khan) and Zahra Shahid's Murder




Mr Naeem ul Haq (Political Adviser to Imran Khan) and Zahra Shahid's Murder





ISLAMABAD: After years of political animosity, Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Altaf Hussain’s Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) appear to be coming closer as the two leaders held their first telephonic conversation and exchanged good will with each other. In a rare move, Imran Khan called Altaf Hussain on Saturday and appreciated the ‘bold’ stance taken by the latter on national issues, separate but identical statements issued by media offices of both the parties said. The two leaders agreed to bury their past differences and vowed to work together for the betterment of the country, the statements added. PTI and MQM have been considered staunch rivals in the past, at times holding public rallies and resorting to personal attacks against each other’s leadership. Recently, however, the two parties have come closer, mainly due to back-channel efforts by some common friends and political leaders in Pakistan, observers say. The second-tier leadership of the two parties prepared the ground that culminated in direct interaction between their leaders. During their conversation, both sides discussed common agenda points and vowed to work together to achieve their goals. Altaf Hussain has recently started taking a tough stance in public, on issues like unabated US predator attacks inside Pakistani territory, release of CIA contractor Raymond Davis and Dr Aafia Siddiqui. The same issues take centre-stage in Imran Khan, and several right-wing parties’, political agendas. Published in The Express Tribune, March 20th, 2011. Burying the hatchet: Imran calls up Altaf, agrees to work together https://tribune.com.pk/story/135283/burying-the-hatchet-imran-calls-up-altaf-agrees-to-work-together/ ISLAMABAD, May 19: Chairman of the Tehrik-i-Insaf Imran Khan has said that a legal team is being constituted to file a case against MQM leader Altaf Hussain in London for killing innocent people. Addressing a function organised by the Islamabad Bar Association, Imran Khan termed MQM a terrorist organisation and said it had never been a political party but was a group of ‘goondas’ prospering under the patronage of a dictator. On May 12, he said, the MQM has crossed all limits of terrorism in Karachi and killed innocent people with impunity. He said that Altaf Hussain was being sheltered by British Prime Minister Tony Blair, who had killed Muslims in the name of war on terrorism. Criticising the government’s unwise policies, he said while inflation soared, about Rs8 billion to Rs9 billion were being utilised for the construction of the new GHQ and millions of rupees were spent by the government to stage a rally in Islamabad.—Online Case to be filed against Altaf: Imran May 20, 2007 https://www.dawn.com/news/247885 

Who arranged MQM - Imran Khan - Altaf Hussain Meeting and Truce in London




MQM - Imran Khan Ideological Partnership, Jamaat-e-Islami and General Pervez Musharraf





KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement said on Sunday the whole nation knew as to who was providing funds to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan. Commenting on Mr Khan’s remarks earlier in the day that the MQM should approach a court of law against the BBC which had reported that the MQM had allegedly got money from the Indian government, the coordination committee of the MQM said it was for the MQM to decide and not Mr Khan whether to sue the BBC. It said that Mr Khan needed the people of Karachi only for fundraising or at the time of election, as he never tried to know the problems of Karachiites. Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2015 MQM’s rejoinder to Imran https://www.dawn.com/news/1192639 Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has called for the setting up of a technocratic government in the country for a period of two years, DawnNews reported. The demand came as the MQM chief expressed his concern over the present political crisis during a meeting with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar in London. The statement comes amid rumours that differences have developed between Sharif brothers and Sarwar over governance issues and that the latter is planning to resign. Sarwar has denied the rumours saying there was no truth in reports that he was going to resign upon his return from London. Hussain also emphasised on what he believes as the need to divide the province of Sindh into several administrative units. He had earlier suggested that new provinces be created in all existing provinces of the country, including Sindh. Technocrats should govern country for two years: Altaf Hussain https://www.dawn.com/news/1133794 Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has sought formation of a technocrat government for two years, without derailing democracy, for “ruthless accountability” of those involved in looting and plundering the country. “If any of my brothers, sisters or relatives is found guilty they should not be spared. No leniency should be shown towards them,” he told reporters in London late on Monday night after meeting Punjab Governor Chau­dhry Mohammad Sarwar. According to an MQM press release issued on Tuesday, Mr Hussain praised Governor Sarwar and went on to say that he should be made prime minister in the technocrat government. “In my opinion, Chaudhry Sarwar is the only person in Pakistan who has the courage to speak truth.” The MQM chief said he did not support a demand by the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Awami Tehreek for the resignation of the prime minister. “Nawaz Sharif enjoys a two-thirds majority in parliament. If some people think that elections were rigged, an inquiry should be carried out to satisfy both sides. We can solve matters through dialogue,” he added. Altaf seeks formation of technocrats’ government Published in Dawn, September 24th, 2014 https://www.dawn.com/news/1133954 

 PTI, MQM, Musharraf have always plead the case of Technocrat Government



Alliance with Parties like MQM not Possible says Imran



MQM is a Mafia says Imran Khan



PESHAWAR, Sept 7: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain has said that whether President Gen Pervez Musharraf remains in uniform or decides to doff it is a secondary issue because every government in Pakistan has sought protection of the military uniform. Speaking at the Peshawar Press Club's 'Meet the Press' programme here on Tuesday, he said the issue of uniform would be there as long as a people's government was not established in the country. Every ruler in the past had sought the help of the 'uniform' and compromised on principles, he added. He said that former prime ministers, including Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, had formed their governments with the help of the 'uniform'. The Jamaat-i-Islami supported Gen Ziaul Haq, who also was in uniform, for 11 long years, but now JI chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed was opposing a president in uniform to hoodwink the nation. Musharraf's uniform a secondary issue: Altaf September 08, 2004 https://www.dawn.com/news/369907 WASHINGTON, Aug 9: Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s deputy convener Dr Farooq Sattar has urged opposition parties to stop forcing the president to divest his uniform. He was speaking at a gathering in Washington on the party’s 25th anniversary. The MQM’s leader said the present system was not ideal but “even an incomplete and moth-eaten democracy was better than no democracy.” He also urged the opposition parties not to waste their energies on the demand for abolishing the Legal Framework Order because “even removing the LFO will not ensure that there will be no threat to democracy in the future.” Dr Sattar said that in 1999, former prime minister Nawaz Sharif had already removed the Eighth Amendment, becoming the most powerful prime minister in Pakistan’s history. “But in less than 10 months after he removed the Eighth amendment, the parliament was dismissed and Mr Sharif was sacked.” “LFO or no LFO, uniform or no uniform,” said Mr. Sattar, “democracy will remain weak so long as democratic institutions are not strengthened.” Mr Sattar said that the same religious leaders “saw no harm in accepting, even kissing, Gen Zia’s uniform. Then why this aversion to Musharraf’s uniform? If you believe in a principle, apply it equally to all.” “You cannot say that the LFO is OK for participating in elections, even for filing your nomination papers for the prime minister’s post, as Maulana Fazlur Rahman did. But when that process is over, it should be thrown out,” he added. Mr Sattar urged Pakistan’s religious parties to stop doing new “experiments with the country every day. In the present international scenario, the country cannot afford such experiments.” The MQM leader said that in a country where “prime ministers are tailored to meet the needs of the establishment and parliaments are made on order, you cannot have political stability.” He suggested three basic changes for bringing stability to the country: a consistent and sustainable fiscal development policy, constitutional and political reforms and devolution of power and resources. Mr Sattar said that unless the federation’s powers were decentralized and resources distributed equally, there would be no justice and no stability. He said the government took “a 180-degree somersault” when it dumped the Taliban after the 9-11 incident. “A similar decision is now needed to ban jihadi activities at home,” he added. The MQM leader also urged the government to resolve the Kashmir dispute peacefully because unless it is resolved “we will continue to waste our precious resources on unproductive activities.” MQM backs Musharraf on LFO, uniform August 10, 2003 https://www.dawn.com/news/134480

Curious Case of PTI/MQM Joint Leader Minister Farogh Naseem and 12 May 2007 Massacre in Karachi



Mr Imran Khan Explaining the Similarities between PTI and MQM (Geo TV 2007)





MQM, Altaf Hussain and Mehran Bank Scandal 





Islamabad: At a time when Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) formed a new team to record statements of two retired generals in Mehran Bank Scam (Asghar Khan case), Yousaf Memon Advocate made startling revelations about Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) which, according to him, was sponsored by the then Chief of Army Staff General Mirza Aslam Beg. In his statement, Yousaf Memon, who is cousin of MQM Pakistan chief Farooq Sattar, claimed that he came close to Younis Habib, key character in Asghar Khan case, in 1988-89, when he was zonal chief of HBL, Karachi. “He [Younis Habib] called me to deliver a message to Altaf Hussain from [General] Aslam Beg. I was actively involved in MQM and politics by that time as Farooq Sattar was my nephew. He said that General Aslam Beg wanted to meet Altaf Hussain,” Yousaf Memon revealed in his statement recorded by FIA which is all set to summon General (R) Aslam Beg and Lt General (R) Asad Durrani — two key accused in this case who doled out state money among politicians to pollute 1990 elections in Pakistan -- this week. The Supreme Court directed federal government to ensure implementation of the verdict of this case within a week, even though Premier Abbasi can summon cabinet meeting to decide next course of action against the accused. Yousaf Memon, who later joined Pakistan People’s Party, further revealed, “First such meeting [between Altaf Hussain and General Beg] was arranged at central avenue DHA [Karachi]. After courtesies were exchanged the discussion started on political scenario and it was discussed that then prime minister Benazir Bhutto was not running government property. In this regard they had planned a no-confidence motion against Benazir Bhutto government in National Assembly. It was decided that Younis Habib would provide funds for Altaf Hussain/MOM for their support in vote of no confidence. Altaf Hussain said that he needed transportation for his party. In this regard 20 Mehran vehicles and 1 Cultus were bought for MQM.” Afterwards second meeting was held at another house after 15-20 days, Yousaf Memon told FIA investigator. “During this meeting it was decided as to which steps would be taken once no confidence motion was successful. It was I who had brought Nawaz Sharif from Punjab House for the meeting. A final agreement was also signed. In order to keep a proof of this, Altaf Hussain had got the ceremony photographed and kept the two rolls with him. During this meeting asking prime minister Benazir Bhutto to get a vote of confidence was also discussed. President Ghulam lshaq Khan was contacted and it was decided that no confidence motion would be the option chosen. It was I who had typed the text of no confidence motion,” Yousaf Memon continued to reveal. Yousaf Memon, on directions of General Durrani, is accused of distribution Rs70 million among politicians. Yousaf Memon further told FIA that “MNAs present there signed the document and it was introduced in lower house of Parliament. A lot of horse trading was done but eventually the motion was defeated. During this whole process, Nawaz Sharif got wiser and he had realised that if the government did eventually fall, it would be Mustafa Jataoi who would become the prime minister and not he.” He further got recorded in his statement that during this process Altaf Hussain became jittery and tried to contact President lshaq Khan on telephone but the President did not talk to him and Colonel Ajaib, secretary to President, said that the President was asleep. After this General Beg was contacted who advised Altaf Hussain to leave Pakistan and stay in UK, where his stay would be made comfortable. “We were taken in British Airways fight and Saleem Wahidi travelled with us as our escort. He was in 1" class and we were in club class but he also sat with us for some time during the flight. Afterwards immigration was done in UK and a Pakistani High Commission vehicle (Mercedes 500 SEL) was there to receive us.” Yousaf Memon further revealed that they stayed in hotels and it was decided that they must agitate against the Pakistani government and it was suggested that they should either contact Saarc countries or OIC countries. It was upon this issue that differences arose between MQM leadership and him as leadership was in contact with India and therefore, he left UK. “I returned and I was directed to mark my attendance," daily in Nine Zero, the MOM HQ till Altaf Hussain returns. On August 22, Altaf Hussain returned and told that date he complied with the orders given to him. It was during this period that MOM (Haqeeqi) was created. He said that he fought elections against MOM and lost. Later on he joined Pakistan People's Party. He had best of relations with Younis Habib since that time and Rafiq Moon was their common friend he had a working relationship for distribution of funds 1989-90. “I knew during this time that these funds would be used during elections and I was also getting benefit from this activity as I was getting close to General Beg.” Yousaf Memon further said in his statement, “I knew at that time because of my law background that army chief could not enter political activity as per the constitution of Pakistan. I knew about existence of article 6 and its implications as I was a lawyer. I knew that army chief was indulging in political activities. I knew that I was becoming part of the activity and that it was unconstitutional. I also knew the consequences. My motivation was politics and not financial. I was getting close to leadership of the country and I expected this relationship to benefit me in later years as I could have become member of Senate etc. After assembly was dissolved, money started flowing through various accounts. Whenever money was put into some bank account I used to visit Islamabad and used to hand over the receipts to General Beg. My motivation was politics and not monetary as I have already mentioned.” He further revealed, “I was tasked to give money to Javed Hashmi. In the first step I invested Rs187 lacs with him in Cotton Ginning industry. It was my personal money. Later on, a meeting was arranged with Javed Hashmi, once General Beg and Nawaz Sharif had fallen apart over "doctrine of strategic defiance." Army wanted to have a pressure group in the National Assembly. I met General Beg and Younis Habib who gave me a task to take over Javed Hashmi. During this meeting Javed Hashmi also asked for making of a house as he needed to have a place with proper "drawing room" for getting people together and also asked for making funds available for alluring the politicians. Rs149 lacs were given to him for the purpose. He took this information to Shahbaz Sharif who took him to Nawaz Sharif. Upon getting the whole information, prime minister confronted General Aslam Beg.” Reference: Yousaf Memon accuses Gen Beg of sponsoring MQM May 16, 2018 https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/317305-yousaf-memon-accuses-gen-beg-of-sponsoring-mqm by Zahid Gishkori . Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan Wednesday claimed that reopening the Asghar Khan case would help identify the “celestial beings”, against whom former premier Nawaz Sharif and incumbent Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi had said that their party would be up against in the upcoming general elections. Reopen Asghar Khan case to find who ‘aliens’ are: Imran MAY 10, 2018 https://dailytimes.com.pk/238064/reopen-asghar-khan-case-to-find-who-aliens-are-imran/

Tuesday, May 15, 2018

Nawaz Sharif and Treacherous Politics of Pakistan


Asked what he believes is the reason for his ouster from public office, Mr Sharif did not reply directly but steered the conversation towards foreign policy and national security. “We have isolated ourselves. Despite giving sacrifices, our narrative is not being accepted. Afghanistan’s narrative is being accepted, but ours is not. We must look into it.” He continued: “Militant organisations are active. Call them non-state actors, should we allow them to cross the border and kill 150 people in Mumbai? Explain it to me. Why can’t we complete the trial?” — a reference to the Mumbai attacks-related trials which have stalled in a Rawalpindi anti-terrorism court. “It’s absolutely unacceptable. This is exactly what we are struggling for. President Putin has said it. President Xi has said it,” Mr Sharif said. “We could have already been at seven per cent growth (in GDP), but we are not.” ------------------------------------ (October 06, 2016) ISLAMABAD: In a blunt, orchestrated and unprecedented warning, the civilian government has informed the military leadership of a growing international isolation of Pakistan and sought consensus on several key actions by the state. Second, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed that fresh attempts be made to conclude the Pathankot investigation and restart the stalled Mumbai attacks-related trials in a Rawalpindi antiterrorism court. Those decisions, taken after an extraordinary verbal confrontation between Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif and the ISI DG, appear to indicate a high-stakes new approach by the PML-N government. On the US, Mr Chaudhry said that relations have deteriorated and will likely further deteriorate because of the American demand that action be taken against the Haqqani network. On India, Mr Chaudhry stated that the completion of the Pathankot investigation and some visible action against Jaish-i-Mohammad were the principal demands. Then, to a hushed but surprised room, Mr Chaudhry suggested that while China has reiterated its support for Pakistan, it too has indicated a preference for a change in course by Pakistan. Specifically, while Chinese authorities have conveyed their willingness to keep putting on technical hold a UN ban on Jaish-i-Mohammad leader Masood Azhar, they have questioned the logic of doing so repeatedly. At that point came the stunning and unexpectedly bold intervention by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif. Addressing Gen Akhtar, the younger Sharif complained that whenever action has been taken against certain groups by civilian authorities, the security establishment has worked behind the scenes to set the arrested free. Astounded onlookers describe a stunned room that was immediately aware of the extraordinary, unprecedented nature of the exchange. References: For Nawaz, it’s not over till it’s over by Cyril Almeida May 12, 2018 https://www.dawn.com/news/1407192/for-nawaz-its-not-over-till-its-over --- Exclusive: Act against militants or face international isolation, civilians tell military by Cyril Almeida October 06, 2016 https://www.dawn.com/news/1288350/exclusive-act-against-militants-or-face-international-isolation-civilians-tell-military

 Curious Case of Nawaz Sharif's Treachery



ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz) on Saturday claimed that the Indian government knew about the Kargil operation plan in June 1998, about 11 months before it was launched, and it had made preparations to turn the battlefield into a deadly trap for Kashmiri freedom fighters and Pakistan. The claim was made by the PML-N in a 100-page ‘white paper’ on the Kargil operation titled ‘Kargil adventurism: another huge defeat after Dhaka Fall, who is responsible?’ released by its joint secretary Siddiqul Farooq at a news conference here on Saturday. The PML-N leader said it was necessary to constitute a high-powered commission on Kargil debacle that should submit its findings to parliament within six months, adding that it was a national demand. Mr Farooq said a detailed report on the operation had been submitted by the directors of the Indian Intelligence Bureau to the then prime minister, Atal Behari Vajpayee, the interior minister and the DG Military Operations. However, he said, a “naive military adventurer, Gen Musharraf,” launched the operation without proper planning on May 8, 1999 causing loss of life of 3,000 officers and Jawans of the Northern Light Infantry (NLI) and Kashmiri Mujahideen, while India suffered loss of 474 soldiers. Reference: PML-N issues ‘white paper’ on Kargil war August 06, 2006 https://www.dawn.com/news/204768

Lt. General (R) Jamshed Gulzar Kiani on Kargil Operation (Part 1 GEO TV June 2008)


The definitive answer to this question is to be found in the archives of the Research & Analysis Wing (R&AW). In the last week of May, 1999, Musharraf had been to Beijing. He was in daily telephonic contact with Lt.Gen.Mohammad Aziz, the CGS, in Rawalpindi from his hotel room in Beijing. All these conversations were intercepted by the R&AW. The government of Atal Behari Vajpayee decided to release to the media the transcripts of two of these tapes for three reasons. Reference: Who's Telling The Truth? 06 JUNE 2008 by B. Raman https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/whos-telling-the-truth/237597

Lt. General (R) Jamshed Gulzar Kiani on Kargil Operation (Part 2 GEO TV June 2008)


Firstly, the tapes showed that it was the Pakistani Army which had occupied the Kargil heights violating the Line of Control (LOC) and not the Kashmiri Mujahideen as claimed by Musharraf. Second, it was the Pakistan Army which had shot down an Indian Air Force plane and asked the Hizbul Mujahideen to claim the responsibility for it. Third, the tapes showed that Musharraf had launched his operation without the knowledge of Nawaz, many of his Corps Commanders, the ISI, the chiefs of the Air Force and Navy and his Foreign Office. He got nervous after the IAF went into action and there were reports of the Indian naval ships moving from the East to the West coast. Reference: Who's Telling The Truth? 06 JUNE 2008 by B. Raman https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/whos-telling-the-truth/237597

Lt. General (R) Jamshed Gulzar Kiani on Kargil Operation (Part 3 GEO TV June 2008)


Worried over the possibility of the conflict spreading outside Kashmir, Musharraf authorised Lt.Gen.Aziz from Beijing to brief other officers about the operation at an inter-ministerial meeting chaired by Nawaz on May 29,1999. At this meeting, as reported by Aziz to Musharraf, there were objections to Musharraf's keeping others in the dark. According to the account of the meeting as given by Aziz to Musharraf in Beijing over telephone, Nawaz defended Musharraf's action in not informing others as due to the demands of operational secrecy. Nawaz claimed that he himself and other Corps Commanders were informed only a week earlier. He made it appear that Musharraf's action was understandable. Reference: Who's Telling The Truth? 06 JUNE 2008 by B. Raman https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/whos-telling-the-truth/237597

Lt. General (R) Jamshed Gulzar Kiani on Kargil Operation (Part 4 GEO TV June 2008)



A careful examination of the tapes as released by the Vajpayee Government would indicate the following:

  • Musharraf launched the operation without taking the clearance of Nawaz and without the knowledge of most of the senior officers
  • When the Indian Army hit back and the IAF went into action, he lost his nerve and informed firstly Nawaz and then other senior officers and the Foreign Office.
  • Instead of rebuking Musharraf for launching the operation without his clearance and asking him to stop it, Nawaz went along with it hoping that the operation would succeed. When it did not, he flew to the US and sought the US assistance in bringing the fighting to a halt.
It is clear that neither Musharraf nor Nawaz nor Kiani is telling the whole truth. Each is telling only a part of the truth which, they think, would serve their purpose. Reference: Who's Telling The Truth? 06 JUNE 2008 by B. Raman https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/whos-telling-the-truth/237597 Did Musharraf inform Nawaz Sharif about his plans to send the Army to occupy the Kargil heights? If not, why not? If so, when did he inform him? The definitive answer to this question is to be found in the archives of the R&AW.


Curious Case of General (R) Pervez Musharraf's Treachery (Part 1) 





The WikiLeaks documents reveal that Israeli intelligence agency Mossad was concerned for former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf’s well-being and wanted him to remain in power in 2007. The revelation was made in a secret cable message originating from the American embassy in Tel Aviv. It records a meeting between Mossad chief and US Under-Secretary of State Nicholas Burns under the Bush administration. Mr Burns met Mossad chief Meir Dagan on Aug 17, 2007, to give his assessment of the Middle East region, Pakistan and Turkey. The Israeli spy chief said he was concerned about how long President Musharraf would survive. “He is facing a serious problem with the militants. Pakistan’s nuclear capability could end up in the hands of an Islamic regime.” Dagan observed that Musharraf appeared to be losing control and his coalition partners could threaten him in the future. He linked Musharraf’s retaining control over Pakistan to his dual president and commander-in-chief role. The cable says that if Musharraf cannot retain his army role, he will have problems. The Mossad chief referred to attempts on Musharaf’s life and wondered whether he could survive the coming years. Reference: Israelis wanted Musharraf to stay, says WikiLeaks November 29, 2010 https://www.dawn.com/news/587328


Curious Case of General (R) Pervez Musharraf's Treachery (Part 2) 





3. (S) Al-Jubeir expressed considerable "disappointment" in Sharif's broken pledges to the SAG. He stated very clearly that the SAG has worked directly with Musharraf to have Sharif arrested on his return to Pakistan and immediately deported to the Kingdom. "We told Musharraf that we would receive him back and then keep him here as an 'honored guest'," al-Jubeir said. He added that Prince Muqrin had been the SAG's point man in restraining Sharif. Prince Muqrin was allowed to reveal the terms of Sharif's asylum agreement, he noted. Al-Jubeir made it very clear that the SAG would seek to control Sharif's movements in he future, even suggesting that he would be kept in a state only a little less severe than house arrest. 4. (S) Al-Jubeir added that he sees neither Sharif nor former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as a viable replacement for Musharraf. "With all his flaws," he said of Musharraf, "he is the only person that you or we have to work with now." He claimed that Sharif would be unable to control the Pushtun-dominated Islamic insurgency in the tribal region near Afghanistan, while Bhutto would prove to be too divisive a figure to rule the country, which he characterized as "very tribal, much like our own country." 5. (S) Al-Jubeir added that for the SAG, stability in Pakistan is an essential strategic matter. Since Pakistan possesses both nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles, from the Saudi point of view, the policy choice to be made there boils down to a drastic choice: "We can either support Musharraf and stability, or we can allow bin Laden to get the bomb, "he told the Charge'. 6. (S) Comment: As a senior royal advisor who has worked for King Abdullah for eight years now, al-Jubeir's views generally track very closely with those of the King. It seems likely that King Abdullah, Prince Muqrin, and Prince Saud al-Faisal will offer Musharraf pledges of strong support in their meetings today. We note that the Saudis have an economic hold on Nawaz Sharif, sine he was reportedly the first non-Saudi to receive a special economic development loan from the SAG, with which to develop a business while here in exile. We will report further information on these meetings as it develops. End Comment. GFOELLER. References: US embassy cables: Saudi influence in Pakistan Wed 1 Dec 2010 09.48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/130876 WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia wants military rule in Pakistan : King Abdullah and ruling princes distrust Asif Ali Zardari, the country's Shia president, and would prefer 'another Musharraf' by Declan Walsh in Islamabad Wed 1 Dec 2010 10.00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/01/saudis-distrust-pakistan-embassy-cables

Curious Case of Imran Khan's Treachery - 1



Curious Case of Imran Khan's Treachery - 2 




Khan argued that such operations were radicalizing Pakistani youth, not just among the poor but also among the educated, middle classes. Dialogue, policing, and intelligence gathering should be the cornerstone of anti-militancy efforts in the tribal areas instead of the use of military force, Khan contended. Noting that he was recently in Swat, he went on to accuse the Pakistan Army of extrajudicial killings, summary executions, and "sexual humiliation" of residents in some villages. Khan urged the USG to seek "alternative points of views" about what is happening in the tribal areas of Pakistan, and he recommended speaking with General Orakzai, former NWFP Govenor, for starters. Khan charged that the GOP is "blinded by dollars," and consequently lacks an accurate view of what is happening on the ground. He further claimed that the GOP "whips up the threat of the Taliban" in order to get more money from the U.S. He claimed last year's Swat operation, which he termed a "debacle," was one such exaggeration that was "stage managed" in order to gain U.S. funds; there was no imminent threat of militants marching on Islamabad, he said. Khan also claimed that the Lal Masjid operation was similarly stage managed by Musharraf. He called for an end to Pakistan's "insane military action" in the tribal areas, adding that the Army has failed to secure any significant areas of South Waziristan despite GOP statements to the contrary. Reference : CODEL LYNCH'S MEETING WITH PAKISTAN TEHREEK-E-INSAF (PTI) PARTY LEADER IMRAN KHAN Date:2010 February 6, 11:26 (Saturday) https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/10ISLAMABAD301_a.html


ISI has nothing to do with 26/11 : Athar Abbas



"Pasha asked Ambassador to convey to Washington that he had followed up on threat information that an attack would be launched against India between September-November. He had been in direct touch with the Israelis on possible threats against Israeli targets in India," the Oct 7, 2009 cable reported. Reference: WikiLeaks: Pakistan Tipped Off Israel on Terror Threats in India - Pakistan wants contacts with Israel to remain secret in order not to anger anti-government Muslim militants. Barak Ravid and Reuters Dec 01, 2010 7:46 PM https://www.haaretz.com/1.5147672 Report: Mossad Chief Visited New Delhi Days Before Attack on Israeli Officials Times of India claims Tamir Pardo told local officials Israelis felt safer in India than in Turkey or South America, did not provide specific warning of New Delhi attack. Barak Ravid Feb 16, 2012 10:33 AM https://www.haaretz.com/1.5186689 Ex-ISI men likely behind 26/11 attacks, says Athar April 25, 2011 https://www.dawn.com/news/623876

Curious Case of Pakistan Peoples Party's Treachery




(January 08, 2009) But within minutes of the revelation, confusing, and somewhat conflicting, statements started emanating from different sections of the government in Islamabad. While the Indian television channel CNN-IBN quoted Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Mehmud Ali Durrani as saying that Ajmal Kasab’s identity as a Pakistani had been established, Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir told the same channel that it was premature to say anything because the investigation was continuing. In the midst of all this, American news agency APTN quoted Information Minister Sherry Rehman as confirming that Ajmal Kasab in fact was a Pakistani national. The minister later confirmed it to Dawn that “he is Pakistani” and that investigations are ongoing. Similarly, the Foreign Office which at the initial stage appeared either detached from reality or completely out of the loop, admitted by broadcasting through the state-run PTV that Ajmal Kasab was indeed a Pakistani national. -------- April 25, 2011 Military spokesman Maj-Gen Athar Abbas has hinted at involvement of retired ISI officials in the 2008 Mumbai attacks, but categorically denied any role of serving spies. The ISPR chief, in his interaction with the visiting delegation of Indian journalists and in an interview with CNN-IBN, indicated the possibility of some retired officials collaborating with Mumbai perpetrators. This is probably the first time that Pakistan military has suggested possible links between retired ISI men and Lashkar-e-Taiba, though India had in the past accused serving officials of being involved. Maj-Gen Abbas described the group responsible for the attacks as a splinter group of LeT headed by Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi, who is being tried by an anti-terrorism court in Rawalpindi. He denied ISI had any links with the Haqqani Network – an accusation made by Chairman US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Michael Mullen during his visit to Islamabad last week. The military spokesman reiterated the demand for an end to US drone strikes in tribal areas. --------> (April 6, 2008) Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi has detached himself from the little known Balusa Group, a Track II initiative involving well known Pakistanis and Indians, funded by an American, Shirin Taherkheli. A spokesman at the Foreign Office when asked said that since Qureshi had taken charge as the Foreign Minister of Pakistan, he no longer remained connected to the Balusa Group. Another prominent Pakistani, Major General (retd) Mahmud Ali Durrani, who will take charge as the National Security Adviser, has also been part of Balusa, but it is not known whether he would still be part of this initiative after he took over as ambassador to the United States and now after his new charge in Islamabad. Some of the others are Syed Babar Ali, General Farrakh Khan, Shaharyar Khan and Toufiq Siddiqi. On the Indian side, some of the members are General Satish Nambiar, Kuldip Nayar, Raja Mohan, Bharat Bhushan and Salman Haidar. A former RAW official is also part of this group. References: Ajmal’s nationality confirmed by Mubashir Zaidi January 08, 2009 https://www.dawn.com/news/337915 Ex-ISI men likely behind 26/11 attacks, says Athar April 25, 2011 https://www.dawn.com/news/623876 Qureshi quits American-funded Balusa Group https://www.thenews.com.pk/archive/print/104223-qureshi-quits-american-funded-balusa-group (The News April 6, 2008) 'Make the summit Lahore Plus' Saturday, June 09, 2001 http://www.thehindu.com/2001/06/09/stories/0109000a.htm India-Pakistan: need for intelligence cooperation by Amarjeet Singh Dulat and Asad Durrani (JULY 14, 2011) (This is a joint paper by two former heads of intelligence — Amarjeet Singh Dulat of RAW, and Asad Durrani of the ISI — discussed in a Track II setting with current and former policymakers from July 1-4 in Berlin, at the 59th Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs. It now appears simultaneously in The News International and The Hindu . ) -- 

Moral of the Story :




Many Palestinians realized the need to control the movement, so Dr. George Habash founded the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and Yasser Arafat founded Harakat Tahreer Falasteen or Al-Fatah. Habash announced that “the liberation of Palestine will come through Amman [capital of Jordan],” mostly to challenge both King Hussein and a broken Nasser (both of whom came under Israeli hegemony by 1970, something recognized in the US Secretary of State Rogers’ Plan). King Hussein (with help from Zia-ul-Haq of the Pakistani army) sent in his Bedouin army on 27 September to clear out the Palestinian bases in Jordan. A massacre of innumerable proportions ensued. Moshe Dayan noted that Hussein “killed more Palestinians in eleven days than Israel could kill in twenty years.” Dayan is right in spirit, but it is hardly the case that anyone can match the Sharonism in its brutality. The horror conducted by the marginal Black September group against the Israeli Olympians at the Munich games came as “retaliation.” One barbarity followed another. -------- (July 23, 2003) “He told Zia about his experience the previous year when the Israelis had shown him the vast stores of Soviet weapons they had captured from the PLO in Lebanon. The weapons were perfect for the mujahideen, he told Zia. If Wilson could persuade the CIA to buy them, would Zia have any problems passing them on to the Afghans? “Zia, ever the pragmatist, smiled on the proposal, adding, ‘Just don’t put any Stars of David on the boxes.” Reference: Memories of Barbarity, Sharonism and September by VIJAY PRASHAD APRIL 9, 2002 https://www.counterpunch.org/2002/04/09/memories-of-barbarity-sharonism-and-september/ Charlie Wilson’s war by Masood Haider DAWN - Features; July 23, 2003 https://www.dawn.com/news/1064817

Monday, February 19, 2018

Deep Analysis on Middle East In connection with Pakistan and India.


(February 16, 2018) Taking a major decision, the army on Thursday announced that it is deploying troops in Saudi Arabia under an existing bilateral security pact. “In continuation of ongoing Pak-KSA bilateral security cooperation, a Pakistan Army contingent is being sent to KSA on training and advice mission,” the Inter-Services Public Relations announced after a meeting between Army Chief Gen Qamar Bajwa and Saudi Ambassador Nawaf Saeed Al-Maliki at the General Headquarters, which was said to be about “regional security situation”. Gen Bajwa had earlier this month quietly visited Saudi Arabia, where he stayed for nearly three days and his only known meetings were with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Commander of Ground Forces Lt Gen Prince Fahd bin Turki bin Abdulaziz. This was his second visit to the kingdom in two months. Disclosing the size of the deployment for the first time since the decision was announced, Dastagir said a total of 1,000 Pakistani troops are being sent to the Kingdom on a training mission. He said 1,600 Pakistani soldiers are already stationed in Saudi Arabia. February 19, 2018 The defence minister attempted to assure Senate that the troops will not be deployed outside the Kingdom's territory, but Chairman Rabbani expressed a lack of confidence in the assurance, saying this information was already known. "The House is not satisfied with your response," he told Dastagir, while Senator Farhatullah Babar stressed that "all concerns remain despite the defence minister's statement". "Has a decision been taken to deploy troops at the border of [the southern Saudi province of] Sharura," he asked. The Senate chairman told the defence minister that he could not hide any information from parliament, and even offered him the option of briefing the Senate on the issue in detail in an in-camera session."[But] don't give us a lollipop... we are not children," Rabbani told him. However, the defence minister turned down the offer, stressing that he could not divulge operational details of the mission. References : Army says troops being sent to Saudi Arabia by Baqir Sajjad Syed (Dawn February 16, 2018) Govt refuses to divulge 'operational details' of Pakistani troops' deployment to Saudi Arabia by Nadir Guramani (Dawn February 19, 2018)

Pakistan army clarifies on sending troops to Saudi Arabia





Extremist organisations are of two types. There are organisations which have been killing Pakistanis and fighting against the state of Pakistan and other type includes those organisations which have not indulged in any act of terrorism but are blamed by India and US for terrorism in neighbouring countries. Although the Pakistan army is fighting against all those terrorist groups who are fighting against Pakistan yet in order to choke their reinforcements by preventing the ordinary civilians from falling into the hands of terrorists, we do require a counter narrative. For this purpose, certain measures have already been included in our National Action Plan. On the other hand there are certain proscribed organisations who are blamed for sending volunteers to fight against the Indian forces in Kashmir. We know that after 2004, when Pakistan had signed a US brokered agreement with India to keep the LOC calm, these organisations have not indulged in any jihadi activity. In fact most of the militant elements within these groups either formed Punjabi Taliban or joined hands with TTP to fight against Pakistan. The saner elements within these groups, under their erstwhile leadership, changed the name and started participating in relief and welfare activities within Pakistan. To the best of our knowledge these people are not involved in any violent activity but after having been included in the list of UN designated terrorist groups the international perception about these groups is creating problems for Pakistan. Our critics should realise that we neither have any cases against them in Pakistan nor India or US have provided any evidence to prove their allegations against these groups in any court of Law. These people cannot be hanged or thrown into prisons just to please India or US. They are Pakistani citizens and it is our responsibility to divert their energies towards productive and more transparent activities. Hence certain proposals for the de-radicalisation and mainstreaming of these groups were floated which I think are still under consideration with NACTA. Reference: In conversation with Lt Gen Amjad Shoaib: ‘Shouldn’t put all eggs in China basket’ (Pakistan Today SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 BY MIAN ABRAR)

 Swinging Pendulum of Amjad Shoaib on Saudi Arabia (Hum Sub - 12th Apr 2015)



A senior American diplomat who served many years in Saudi Arabia recalled his foreboding upon attending a training exercise at the kingdom's most prestigious military academy, in Riyadh: "It was hot, and I watched the cadets doing drills. The officers were lounging inside a suradiq"_—_a large pavilion—"with cold drinks, calling out orders on loudspeakers. I thought to myself, How many of these young men would follow and die for these officers?" The diplomat said he came away from his most recent tour in Saudi Arabia convinced that "it wouldn't take too much for a group of twenty or thirty fundamentalist enlisted men to take charge. How would the kingdom deal with the shock of something ruthless, small, highly motivated, and of great velocity?" There is little that the United States can do now, the diplomat said. "The Saudis have been indulged for so many decades.They are so spoiled. They've always had it their way. There's hardly anything we could say that would impede the 'majestic instancy' of their progress. We're their janissaries." He was referring to the captives who became élite troops of the Ottoman Empire. "The policy dilemma is this," a senior general told me. "How do we help the Saudis make a transition without throwing them over the side?" Referring to young fundamentalists who have been demonstrating in the Saudi streets, he said, "The kids are bigger than the Daddy." ♦ Reference: King’s Ransom How vulnerable are the Saudi royals? By Seymour M. Hersh Annals of National Security October 22, 2001 Issue The New Yorker, October 22, 2001 P. 35 https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2001/10/22/kings-ransom

Curious Case of Lt General Retd Amjad Shoaib's Memory Loss (DNA 25th Oct 2016 Channel 24)



Commenting over Quetta incident, one needs to keep in mind the geographical location of the city in general and Baluchistan in particular. There are external and internal factors for the incidents of terrorism in and around Quetta which is close to the porous Pak-Afghan border. Since Afghanistan is a hotbed of terrorism and enemy agents are active there for sabotage, it makes Quetta vulnerable for terrorism. The Afghan regime is also not willing to shoulder its responsibility in making the border secure. This adds to the responsibility of the government of Pakistan to be cautious and take as much measures as necessary to secure its bordering areas. However, lack of cooperation from the civilian government is adding to our woes. For instance, the military has requisitioned raising of 100 battalions of Frontier Corps for security of the bordering areas. However, the federal government has been dragging its feet for provision of funds for the same and to date only 20 battalions have been raised which are inadequate for the gigantic task of securing our borders. With this implementation speed, we would need another five years to get these battalions raised. Moreover, other border management measures including construction of gates at border postings, erecting of fence along the border and installation of electronic gadgets would take more time. On the diplomatic front, we are losing the narrative too. The civilian leadership has been reluctant to raise Pakistan’s case at international fora. While Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been publicly threatening Pakistan of dire consequences, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has been reluctant to fight Pakistan’s case. Modi has delivered so many loose balls to Pakistan but we have failed to benefit. Modi has openly admitted Indian role in raising Mukti Bahini for separation of East Pakistan but we did not raise this issue at any international forum. On 15 AugustModi threatened Pakistan of Indian interference in Baluchistan and Gilgit Baltistan but our prime minister has been shying away from pinning him down. Pakistan has strong evidence in many issues from Kulbhushan Yadev to Raw’s role in subversive activities in Pakistan but the same was never raised by our prime minister at any forum. The second factor is the local sleeper cells and facilitators who help the foreigners carry terrorist attacks in Pakistan. The foreigner terrorists mostly come from Afghanistan and have no knowledge of Pakistani areas. Definitely, local facilitators provide them with shelter, weapons and information about the target. As you know, terrorists of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi Al Almi carried out the attack at Police training center in Quetta. Now this banned outfit has origins in South Punjab and interior Sindh. In South Punjab, areas like Jhang, Muzaffar Garh, DG Khan and Bahawalpur are hotbeds of LeJ terrorists while the same banned outfit has also facilitators and supporters in interior Sindh where many terrorist attacks have been conducted. However, Punjab’s chief minister has been refusing to allow Rangers to carry out operations in South Punjab while Sindh chief minister is reluctant to permit Rangers operation in interior Sindh. On the other hand, the international community blames Pakistan for terrorism but they never care how we are targeted by terrorist organisations. Our foreign ministry and civilian leadership have failed in presenting out case to the world. Despite the fact that India has been hurling open threats to Pakistan, we have not been able to hold India accountable. India is openly claiming to provide citizenship to Barhamdagh Bugti, the man responsible for so many terrorist attacks in Baluchistan. But our leadership is silent. Reference: “Our leaders have failed us” – An interview with Lt. Gen (R) Amjad Shoaib (Pakistan Today OCTOBER 30, 2016 BY MIAN ABRAR)


WikiLeaks: Saudi Arabia and UAE funding Terrorism in Pakistan



While the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) takes seriously the threat of terrorism within Saudi Arabia, it has been an ongoing challenge to persuade Saudi officials to treat terrorist financing emanating from Saudi Arabia as a strategic priority. Due in part to intense focus by the USG over the last several years, Saudi Arabia has begun to make important progress on this front and has responded to terrorist financing concerns raised by the United States through proactively investigating and detaining financial facilitators of concern. Still, donors in Saudi Arabia constitute the most significant source of funding to Sunni terrorist groups worldwide. Continued senior-level USG engagement is needed to build on initial efforts and encourage the Saudi government to take more steps to stem the flow of funds from Saudi Arabia-based sources to terrorists and extremists worldwide. The USG engages regularly with the Saudi Government on terrorist financing. The establishment in 2008 of a Treasury attache office presence in Riyadh contributes to robust interaction and information sharing on the issue. Despite this presence, however, more needs to be done since Saudi Arabia remains a critical financial support base for al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, LeT, and other terrorist groups, including Hamas, which probably raise millions of dollars annually from Saudi sources, often during Hajj and Ramadan. In contrast to its increasingly aggressive efforts to disrupt al-Qa'ida's access to funding from Saudi sources, Riyadh has taken only limited action to disrupt fundraising for the UN 1267-listed Taliban and LeT-groups that are also aligned with al-Qa'ida and focused on undermining stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. UAE-based donors have provided financial support to a variety of terrorist groups, including al-Qa'ida, the Taliban, LeT and other terrorist groups, including Hamas. Washington agencies note, however, that they have limited information on the identity of Taliban and LeT donors and facilitators in the UAE. Hence there is limited information to be shared with local interlocutors. Nonetheless, the point can be emphasized that the UAE's role as a growing global financial center, coupled with weak regulatory oversight, makes it vulnerable to abuse by terrorist financiers and facilitation networks. Reference: Terrorist Finance: Action Request For Senior Level Engagement On Terrorism Finance Date:2009 December 30, 13:28 Canonical ID:09STATE131801_a https://wikileaks.org/plusd/cables/09STATE131801_a.html

Saudi Arabia and India (Kamran Bukhari Stratfor)



Saudi-Indian ties have reached a new high with the arrival of an Indian Air Force (IAF) flying contingent at the King Fahd Air Base in Taif. The mission, comprising more than 100 high-ranking IAF officers and airmen onboard Sukhoi MKI fighter aircraft, C-17 Globe Masters, C-130 Super Hercules and IL-78 aircraft, landed in Taif on Sunday on the way back from the UK where they had taken part in a multinational exercise. “This is for first time that fighter aircraft from India have landed in Saudi Arabia,” said senior Indian diplomat Hemant Kotalwar at a press conference in Jeddah. “We want to express our thanks to Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for the support and cooperation that was extended to us during the visit,” said Kotalwar. According to Kotalwar, there have been frequent goodwill visits by the Indian Navy ships to the ports of Jeddah and Jubail. “We have also had transport aircraft transiting Saudi Arabia in the past,” he said. The significance of this particular event is that fighter aircraft from India have landed in Saudi Arabia for the first time. “This indicates the depth of our ties which have been on the upswing for quite some time and which have gained new momentum following King Salman’s visit to India in February 2014 when he was crown prince,” said Kotalwar. “It was during that visit that a bilateral cooperation agreement was signed lending a new thrust to the relationship.” The visit underscored the close defense ties between Saudi Arabia and India. Both countries regularly exchange high level delegations aimed at furthering cooperation between the two armed forces. Officers from both countries have been attending courses in their pursuit of shared learning. In recent months, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly acknowledged and thanked King Salman for helping with the evacuation of Indian nationals from Yemen. “This is a robust testimony to the strength of our bilateral relations,” said Kotalwar. Wing Commander S. Joardar, who also addressed the press conference in Jeddah, said: “In our view, this is called the staging visit. We could have chosen to do this in any country in the region but we chose Saudi Arabia. That indicates the significance we attach to the country.” The contingent was led by Group Capt. A. Srivastava. “We had a wonderful time in Saudi Arabia and we were made to feel at home,” he said. Reference: SAUDI ARABIA Saudi-Indian defense ties soar SIRAJ WAHAB | Published — Tuesday 4 August 2015 http://www.arabnews.com/saudi-arabia/news/786251

Narendra Modi, India, Saudi Arabia and Israel - 1



Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Saudi King Salman on Sunday during his first official visit to the kingdom, home to a large number of Indian workers and a major trade partner that supplies around 19 per cent of India’s crude oil imports. Modi’s visit underscored the major business ties between the two countries, despite Saudi Arabia’s historically close relationship with Pakistan. Saudi Arabia is traditionally India’s largest supplier of crude oil, and India is one of the world’s largest consumers of crude. Trade between the two countries reached $39 billion in 2014, according to a joint statement released after Modi’s meeting with King Salman. Two sides pledge to cooperate in intelligence sharing on terror financing and money laundering and to promote investments. Reference: Saudi Arabia, India sign five agreements (Dawn April 04, 2016) India and Iran on Saturday signed agreements, including Tehran leasing to New Delhi operational control of part of the Iranian east coast port of Chabahar for 18 months. The $85 million project, just 90km from Gwadar port, creates a transit route between India, Iran and Afghanistan, bypassing Pakistan. India is trying to develop Chabahar as a way to gain access to the markets of Central Asia countries as well as Afghanistan. New Delhi, Tehran sign agreements; Modi, Rouhani discuss peace in Afghanistan. Reference: India to get operational control of Iran’s Chabahar port (Dawn / Agencies Updated February 18, 2018) When Narendra Modi visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai last summer, the Pakistani daily Dawn wondered if the Indian prime minister had “stepped into the recent breach between Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates over Islamabad’s refusal to actively join the Yemen war?” The need for the question-mark was removed this week, with the announcement that Abu Dhabi’s crown prince, Mohamed bin Zayed al Nahyan, will be the guest of honour at India’s next Republic Day celebrations. There are plenty of reasons for Modi to make Sheikh Mohamed his chief guest, not least the $60 billion in Indo-UAE trade, and the 2.3 million Indians who live and work in the Emirates. But the timing of the announcement made it especially piquant for Pakistan, for it came in the middle of New Delhi’s campaign to isolate Islamabad diplomatically in the aftermath of the Uri attacks. Reference: Come Republic Day and Pakistan will be squirming uncomfortably (Oct 05, 2016 by Bobby Ghosh Hindustan Times)


Narendra Modi, India, Saudi Arabia and Israel - 2



US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi embraced each other as friends and partners Monday, vowing to work more closely on combating terrorism, the war on Afghanistan and defence cooperation. The two leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries, a statement from the White House said. Trump and Modi also “called on all nations to resolve territorial and maritime disputes peacefully and in accordance with international law,” the statement said. Addressing a small audience at the White House following a bilateral meeting with senior members of their administrations, Trump said both the US and India have been affected by the “evils of terrorism” and the “radical ideology that drives them.” Reference: Trump, Modi call on Pakistan to stem terrorist attacks (Dawn AFP | AP | Reuters June 27, 2017) India-Israel ties Bilateral trade between the countries has skyrocketed from $200 million in 1992, when India and Israel established diplomatic ties, to $4.16 billion in 2016. But that remains far below Israel's nearly $40bn in annual trade with its largest partners, the United States and the European Union. Still there are irritants in the growing relationship. The build up to Netanyahu's visit was soured this month when India called off a deal to buy 8,000 anti-tank guided missiles from Israel's state-owned defence contractor Rafael. The Indian army and the government are discussing ways to revive the $500 million order, which was scrapped when the country's own state-run defence contractor offered to build similar missiles locally. Israel is a major weapons supplier to India, exporting an average of $1bn of military equipment each year, but Modi wants to end India's status as the world's top defence importer. Reference: 'Modi is a close friend of Israel': Netanyahu kicks off historic India tour in Delhi (Dawn AFP | AP January 14, 2018)

 Seymour Hersh- US is funding Al-Qaeda to counter Iran - 1

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnUWcjXvdlo


A strategy of using ethnic minorities to undermine Iran is flawed, according to Vali Nasr, who teaches international politics at Tufts University and is also a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations. “Just because Lebanon, Iraq, and Pakistan have ethnic problems, it does not mean that Iran is suffering from the same issue,” Nasr told me. “Iran is an old country—like France and Germany—and its citizens are just as nationalistic. The U.S. is overestimating ethnic tension in Iran.” The minority groups that the U.S. is reaching out to are either well integrated or small and marginal, without much influence on the government or much ability to present a political challenge, Nasr said. “You can always find some activist groups that will go and kill a policeman, but working with the minorities will backfire, and alienate the majority of the population.” The Administration may have been willing to rely on dissident organizations in Iran even when there was reason to believe that the groups had operated against American interests in the past. The use of Baluchi elements, for example, is problematic, Robert Baer, a former C.I.A. clandestine officer who worked for nearly two decades in South Asia and the Middle East, told me. “The Baluchis are Sunni fundamentalists who hate the regime in Tehran, but you can also describe them as Al Qaeda,” Baer told me. “These are guys who cut off the heads of nonbelievers—in this case, it’s Shiite Iranians. The irony is that we’re once again working with Sunni fundamentalists, just as we did in Afghanistan in the nineteen-eighties.” Ramzi Yousef, who was convicted for his role in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center, and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who is considered one of the leading planners of the September 11th attacks, are Baluchi Sunni fundamentalists. One of the most active and violent anti-regime groups in Iran today is the Jundallah, also known as the Iranian People’s Resistance Movement, which describes itself as a resistance force fighting for the rights of Sunnis in Iran. “This is a vicious Salafi organization whose followers attended the same madrassas as the Taliban and Pakistani extremists,” Nasr told me. “They are suspected of having links to Al Qaeda and they are also thought to be tied to the drug culture.” The Jundallah took responsibility for the bombing of a busload of Revolutionary Guard soldiers in February, 2007. At least eleven Guard members were killed. According to Baer and to press reports, the Jundallah is among the groups in Iran that are benefitting from U.S. support. The C.I.A. and Special Operations communities also have long-standing ties to two other dissident groups in Iran: the Mujahideen-e-Khalq, known in the West as the M.E.K., and a Kurdish separatist group, the Party for a Free Life in Kurdistan, or pjak. The M.E.K. has been on the State Department’s terrorist list for more than a decade, yet in recent years the group has received arms and intelligence, directly or indirectly, from the United States. Some of the newly authorized covert funds, the Pentagon consultant told me, may well end up in M.E.K. coffers. “The new task force will work with the M.E.K. The Administration is desperate for results.” He added, “The M.E.K. has no C.P.A. auditing the books, and its leaders are thought to have been lining their pockets for years. If people only knew what the M.E.K. is getting, and how much is going to its bank accounts—and yet it is almost useless for the purposes the Administration intends.” REFERENCE: Preparing the Battlefield The Bush Administration steps up its secret moves against Iran. By Seymour M. Hersh Annals of National Security July 7, 2008 Issue (The New Yorker)

Seymour Hersh- US is funding Al-Qaeda to counter Iran - 2



URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mmk9FbGZC7U&feature=related


ISLAMABAD Arrest of Jundallah leader Abdolmalek Rigi and his deputy Hamza during a flight from Dubai to Kyrgyzstan marks a lucky break for Pakistan, which has been long accused by Iran of hosting the terror group's ringleader, and offers an opportunity to ease the tense relations between Tehran and Islamabad. Iran, despite repeated denials by Islamabad, always alleged that the group operated from Pakistan's soil and that its leader Rigi was based there and carried Pakistan's national identity card by the name of Saeed Ahmed, son of Ghulam Haider. The militant leader had been educated at Karachi's Binnori Town seminary, which was school to many of the Taliban leaders. Rigi is believed to have camouflaged his nationalist movement in a sectarian colour to curry favour with Pakistani sectarian groups. Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, who visited Pakistan in October following an attack on elite Revolutionary Guards in south-western Sistan-Balochistan province along Pakistan's border, is said to have handed over proofs of Rigi's travel to Pakistan. “We have documents that show (Abdolmalek) Rigi travels readily to Pakistan ... we are here to ask Pakistan to hand over Rigi to Iran,” Mr Najjar had said in a statement. Reference: Rigi`s arrest a godsend for Pakistan (Dawn February 24, 2010)

Seymour Hersh- US is funding Al-Qaeda to counter Iran - 3


URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD6pyqtV9lc&feature=related


The recovery of a Pakistani Computerised National Identity Card from the possession of Abdolmalek Rigi, an Iranian terrorist and head of Jundallah group, has put a question mark on the Nadra's “self-proclaimed secure” registration system. The card was recovered by Iranian security personnel when Rigi was arrested while travelling on a flight heading to an Arab country via Pakistan on Feb 23. The interior ministry claimed that it was a fake card, and not issued by the National Database Registration Authority. Iranian authorities are reported to have informed Pakistan about the recovery of the CNIC carrying photograph of Abdolmalek Rigi and sought an investigation into the matter, but the government did not make it public. However, the interior ministry had to issue its point of view only when a TV channel telecast the news about Rigi's identity card. The recovery of CNIC from the terrorist leader has thrown a challenge to security of Nadra's database and its official slogan “deception no more”. Reference: CNIC on Rigi lands Nadra into trouble (Dawn March 04, 2010)

Seymour Hersh- US is funding Al-Qaeda to counter Iran - 4

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwkrsenuEl0&feature=related


ISLAMABAD Tehran ramped up pressure on Islamabad on Friday to crack down on Jundallah, an Iranian terrorist group alleged to be operating from Pakistan, and hand over its leader Abdolmalek Rigi, claiming that Iran had documentary evidence of his travel to and from Pakistan. Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Mohammad Najjar, who arrived here on Friday at the head of a security delegation and with a clear demand from Tehran for cooperation against Jundallah, met his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik to discuss ways for jointly fighting the terror group. 'We have documents that show Rigi travels readily to Pakistan...we are here to ask Pakistan to hand over Rigi to Iran,' Mr Najjar said in a statement. Not much was revealed by either side about the outcome of the talks focussed on Jundallah -- an issue that has strained ties between the two countries after the weekend attack on the Revolutionary Guards in Sistan-Baluchestan province. Insiders said the Pakistani side had reiterated its desire to help Iran in the wake of the terror strike. However, it was made clear that the government could do little because of its limitations and its security forces having been overstretched by the operation in South Waziristan. The only help Mr Malik could offer was increased intelligence sharing and intensified border patrol. 'Pakistan is committed to eliminating terrorism and it is imperative that Pakistan and Iran work in harmony for peace in the region,' he said. Mr Najjar was reportedly very categorical at the meeting, telling Mr Malik that a row over Rigi was 'not in the interest of the two countries' good neighbourly relations'. According to sources, Iran proposed coordinated operations in the border areas to eliminate the group. But Pakistan did not appear to be amenable to the proposal. Reference: Iran asks Pakistan to hand over Jundallah chief Rigi (Dawn October 24, 2009)


Allama Tahir Ashrai, Foreign NGO and Saudi Arabia



In a wide-ranging discussion with visiting SCA Assistant Secretary Boucher, President Zardari expressed complete satisfaction with his just concluded visit to China, reviewed planning for the Friends of Pakistan, and reiterated his determination to press the fight against extremism and the militancy in the tribal areas. He linked his ability to sustain the counter-insurgency fight to progress on addressing Pakistan,s economic woes, however, and chastised the IMF for only wanting to &take away8 in its negotiations. Zardari alerted Boucher to Iran's offer of concessional oil for Pakistan, an offer he did not believe he could refuse. Boucher reminded him of the Deputy Secretary's recent caution not to allow Iran to gain a toehold in Pakistan. In an aside, Zardari mentioned that Iran has offered to provide Pakistan with concessional oil. How could he go to the National Assembly and tell them Iran had offered the assistance and Pakistan had turned it down, he asked rhetorically. Boucher reminded him of Ambassador Haqqani's recent conversation on this issue with Deputy Secretary Negroponte in which the Deputy cautioned against providing Iran with a toehold in Pakistan. Reference: 2008: Do not to allow Iran toehold in Pakistan: US (Dawn May 23, 2011) https://www.dawn.com/news/631189/2008-do-not-to-allow-iran-toehold-in-pakistan-us -----> WikiLeaks on Saudi Pakistan Ties (Read Saudi Arabia's Influence in Pakistan's Internal Matters) "We in Saudi Arabia are not observers in Pakistan, we are participants." He asserted that the Saudi government (SAG) had offered Sharif a pledge of protection and asylum in the Kingdom after his ouster by Musharraf in return for a promise that he would refrain from political activity for ten years. He added that Sharif had begun to attempt to test the limits of this promise five or six years in his exile. "Sharif broke his promise by conducting political activity while in the Kingdom," al-Jubeir charged. He added that when the SAG had permitted Sharif to travel to London, he first promised the Saudis not to engage in political activity or return to Pakistan, but he then flew to Pakistan from London in a direct violation of his commitment. Al-Jubeir expressed considerable "disappointment" in Sharif's broken pledges to the SAG. He stated very clearly that the SAG has worked directly with Musharraf to have Sharif arrested on his return to Pakistan and immediately deported to the Kingdom. "We told Musharraf that we would receive him back and then keep him here as an 'honored guest'," al-Jubeir said. He added that Prince Muqrin had been the SAG's point man in restraining Sharif. Prince Muqrin was allowed to reveal the terms of Sharif's asylum agreement, he noted. Al-Jubeir made it very clear that the SAG would seek to control Sharif's movements in he future, even suggesting that he would be kept in a state only a little less severe than house arrest. Al-Jubeir added that he sees neither Sharif nor former Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto as a viable replacement for Musharraf. "With all his flaws," he said of Musharraf, "he is the only person that you or we have to work with now." He claimed that Sharif would be unable to control the Pushtun-dominated Islamic insurgency in the tribal region near Afghanistan, while Bhutto would prove to be too divisive a figure to rule the country, which he characterized as "very tribal, much like our own country." Al-Jubeir added that for the SAG, stability in Pakistan is an essential strategic matter. Since Pakistan possesses both nuclear weapons and delivery vehicles, from the Saudi point of view, the policy choice to be made there boils down to a drastic choice: "We can either support Musharraf and stability, or we can allow bin Laden to get the bomb, "he told the Charge'. Reference: US embassy cables: Saudi influence in Pakistan Wed 1 Dec 2010 https://www.theguardian.com/world/us-embassy-cables-documents/130876 WikiLeaks cables: Saudi Arabia wants military rule in Pakistan by Declan Walsh in Islamabad Wed 1 Dec 2010 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/dec/01/saudis-distrust-pakistan-embassy-cables

Geo economics of Saudi Arabia’s NEOM project



URL: https://youtu.be/FE63syd6OSI


The ambitious Saudi NEOM project on the Red Sea near the Gulf of Aqaba worth nearly $500 billion will involve linking Saudi with Egypt. In exchange for billions of dollars of aid, Egypt recognised Saudi sovereignty on the disputed Tiran island in Gulf of Aqaba that will allow road-rail connections between not only the two countries but also with Jordan. That being said, since Israel's southern port of Eilat on Gulf of Aqaba is guaranteed open access to Red Sea since 1974 Camp David Peace Accord with Egypt, Saudi NEOM project will involve Israel in major capacity in order to avoid tensions. This project can then normalise Saudi recognition of Israel if it works. References: CaspianReport is creating reports https://www.patreon.com/CaspianReport Introducing NEOM, The 500 Million-Dollar, ultra-high tech future mega-city of Saudi Arabia https://newatlas.com/neom-saudi-arabia-future-megacity/51893/#p488188