Saturday, August 14, 2010
Pakistani flags fly over Kashmir
Srinagar, August : In disputed state of Jammu and Kashmir, the APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani have expressed complete solidarity with the government and people of Pakistan on the flood disasters in the country. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Gilani in their separate statements in Srinagar on the occasion of Pakistan’s 64th Independence Day, today, prayed for the stability, prosperity and progress of the country.
They thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their continued moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris’ just struggle for right to self-determination.
The Crescent and Star flutters in the hearts and the minds of the brave people of Kashmir. No amount of repression and obfuscation can hide that fact. The Kashmiris once again proved it in the dog days of August. What do you say about a people that hoist Pakistani flags and hold freedom rallies on August 14th (Pakistan independence day), and then the next day on August 15th (Indian independence day) they burn Indian flags and host black flags across the state.
It says that the the Kashmiris in their hearts and in their souls are Pakistan. they listen to Pakistani songs, watch Pakistani Television and root for the Pakistani cricket team during the India-Pakistan matches. Pro-freedom, Pro-Pakistan and Anti-Indian demonstrations continue in Srinagar. “They” hide the pictures of the Pakistan flags, but once in a while, they slip up. Keep an eye out, you will find hundreds of green Muslim flags mingled in with Pakistani flags in the crowds, and atop building in Kashmir. You see them burning the Indian flag and kissing the Pakistani flag. They yearn for freedom and they aspire to become Pakistanis. Pakistan is their destiny and “Azadi” (freedom) is their dream.
Every year on 14th Aug (Pakistani Independence Day), Pakistani flag is hosted every where in Kashmir, including the govt. buildings and on 15th Aug, same people burn the Indian flag.
APHC leader, Yasmeen Raja led a big procession in Pampore in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day. A Pakistani flag was unfurled while children sang Pakistan’s national anthem on the occasion.
Hurriyet leaders, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, Aasiya Andrabi, Masarrat Aalam Butt, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Jammu and Kashmir People's Leauge, Tehreek-e-Hurriyet, Democratic Freedom Party, National Front, Peoples Freedom League, Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement, Mass Movement and High Court Bar Association in occupied Kashmir in their statements felicitated Pakistanis on the Independence Day. The APHC-AJK chapter organized a function in Islamabad, today, to extend felicitations to the people of Pakistan on this occasion. It was presided over by Convener, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar.
Meanwhile, despite curfew and stringent restrictions, forceful anti-India demonstrations were staged in Hazratbal, Pattan, Bandipore, Budgam and Seloo. Several people including a 5-year old girl were injured when Indian troops resorted to heavy baton charge and excessive teargas shelling to disperse the protesters in Islamabad, Ganderbal, Pattan, Bandipore and Seloo. Thousands of people, today, participated in the funeral of a youth who was killed in the firing of Indian troops on protestors in Trehgam, yesterday.
On the other hand, Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over will observe the Indian Independence Day, tomorrow, as Black Day marked by complete strike in occupied Kashmir and protest rallies in world capitals. Call for observance of the Black Day has been given by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Gilani. The occupation authorities have made unprecedented arrangements to thwart protest demonstrations on the day. Curfew has been imposed in several cities and towns. (Writer-South Asia)
They thanked the government and people of Pakistan for their continued moral, political and diplomatic support to the Kashmiris’ just struggle for right to self-determination.
The Crescent and Star flutters in the hearts and the minds of the brave people of Kashmir. No amount of repression and obfuscation can hide that fact. The Kashmiris once again proved it in the dog days of August. What do you say about a people that hoist Pakistani flags and hold freedom rallies on August 14th (Pakistan independence day), and then the next day on August 15th (Indian independence day) they burn Indian flags and host black flags across the state.
It says that the the Kashmiris in their hearts and in their souls are Pakistan. they listen to Pakistani songs, watch Pakistani Television and root for the Pakistani cricket team during the India-Pakistan matches. Pro-freedom, Pro-Pakistan and Anti-Indian demonstrations continue in Srinagar. “They” hide the pictures of the Pakistan flags, but once in a while, they slip up. Keep an eye out, you will find hundreds of green Muslim flags mingled in with Pakistani flags in the crowds, and atop building in Kashmir. You see them burning the Indian flag and kissing the Pakistani flag. They yearn for freedom and they aspire to become Pakistanis. Pakistan is their destiny and “Azadi” (freedom) is their dream.
Every year on 14th Aug (Pakistani Independence Day), Pakistani flag is hosted every where in Kashmir, including the govt. buildings and on 15th Aug, same people burn the Indian flag.
APHC leader, Yasmeen Raja led a big procession in Pampore in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day. A Pakistani flag was unfurled while children sang Pakistan’s national anthem on the occasion.
Hurriyet leaders, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi, Aasiya Andrabi, Masarrat Aalam Butt, Farooq Ahmed Dar, Jammu and Kashmir People's Leauge, Tehreek-e-Hurriyet, Democratic Freedom Party, National Front, Peoples Freedom League, Jammu and Kashmir Salvation Movement, Mass Movement and High Court Bar Association in occupied Kashmir in their statements felicitated Pakistanis on the Independence Day. The APHC-AJK chapter organized a function in Islamabad, today, to extend felicitations to the people of Pakistan on this occasion. It was presided over by Convener, Mehmood Ahmed Saghar.
Meanwhile, despite curfew and stringent restrictions, forceful anti-India demonstrations were staged in Hazratbal, Pattan, Bandipore, Budgam and Seloo. Several people including a 5-year old girl were injured when Indian troops resorted to heavy baton charge and excessive teargas shelling to disperse the protesters in Islamabad, Ganderbal, Pattan, Bandipore and Seloo. Thousands of people, today, participated in the funeral of a youth who was killed in the firing of Indian troops on protestors in Trehgam, yesterday.
On the other hand, Kashmiris on both sides of the Line of Control and the world over will observe the Indian Independence Day, tomorrow, as Black Day marked by complete strike in occupied Kashmir and protest rallies in world capitals. Call for observance of the Black Day has been given by Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Syed Ali Gilani. The occupation authorities have made unprecedented arrangements to thwart protest demonstrations on the day. Curfew has been imposed in several cities and towns. (Writer-South Asia)
Thursday, August 12, 2010
There are Kashmiris Who want Freedom from India or Pakistan says Bipasha Basu
By: Sheikh Gulzaar
Srinagar, 12, August: Two years in the making, Bipasha Basu’s Lamhaa is finally up for release today. Though narrated as a thriller, at the core of it, the film carries an issue-based subject. Considering the fact that Kurbaan, which released last year, too was an issue-based film (despite the thriller treatment) and still didn’t work at the box office, isn’t Bipasha worried about the fate of Lamhaa?
Bipasha Basu
“Well, honestly I really don’t know much about such matters. How can one predict? Audiences are very moody and sometimes they ignore even good films. The business of films is so unpredictable and you don’t know how your product is received by the audience. Of course, I do wish though that people watch Lamhaa. There couldn’t have been more topical film than this”, says Bipasha, who is having a mainstream release to her name (if one ignores the atrocious Pankh) close to nine months after All The Best.
“Lamhaa is important because it talks about the country that we are living in and the situation which is prevalent here”, reflects Bipasha. “Today we are talking about Kashmir but the reality is such that this could happen in any state in our country. We constantly hear about how Kashmir is a disputed place and how there are people who want freedom from India or Pakistan. But then we just pause for a second, have those mixed emotions and move on. That’s not fair because we should not be okay with the stalemate situation out there.”
With a definite subject clarity coming from the man at the hot seat, Rahul Dholakia (the director), Bipasha has come to realize the plight of an average Kashmiri in on her own small way. In fact, the character played by her also mouths a statement, ‘Yeh gussa hamein virasat mein milta hai’, which pretty much sums up the core of the film in a big way.
“Absolutely”, Bipasha says immediately, “This dialogue really makes an impact. You can, I can talk about it but would realize the truth behind it only after talking to a Kashmiri. It is a different situation when you actually see their plight”.
On a parting note, she makes a call to the youth of India. “I just hope that youth watches Lamhaa as well other than the frothy films that release practically every week”, she says, “One should watch all kind of films. With the kind of infrastructure, dedication and conviction that has gone into the making of Lamhaa, we should encourage the effort more than ever”. (Writer-South Asia)
Bipasha Basu
“Well, honestly I really don’t know much about such matters. How can one predict? Audiences are very moody and sometimes they ignore even good films. The business of films is so unpredictable and you don’t know how your product is received by the audience. Of course, I do wish though that people watch Lamhaa. There couldn’t have been more topical film than this”, says Bipasha, who is having a mainstream release to her name (if one ignores the atrocious Pankh) close to nine months after All The Best.
“Lamhaa is important because it talks about the country that we are living in and the situation which is prevalent here”, reflects Bipasha. “Today we are talking about Kashmir but the reality is such that this could happen in any state in our country. We constantly hear about how Kashmir is a disputed place and how there are people who want freedom from India or Pakistan. But then we just pause for a second, have those mixed emotions and move on. That’s not fair because we should not be okay with the stalemate situation out there.”
With a definite subject clarity coming from the man at the hot seat, Rahul Dholakia (the director), Bipasha has come to realize the plight of an average Kashmiri in on her own small way. In fact, the character played by her also mouths a statement, ‘Yeh gussa hamein virasat mein milta hai’, which pretty much sums up the core of the film in a big way.
“Absolutely”, Bipasha says immediately, “This dialogue really makes an impact. You can, I can talk about it but would realize the truth behind it only after talking to a Kashmiri. It is a different situation when you actually see their plight”.
On a parting note, she makes a call to the youth of India. “I just hope that youth watches Lamhaa as well other than the frothy films that release practically every week”, she says, “One should watch all kind of films. With the kind of infrastructure, dedication and conviction that has gone into the making of Lamhaa, we should encourage the effort more than ever”. (Writer-South Asia)
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Protesters Fired Upon In Pampore, 12 injured
Srinagar, August 11- 12 more persons were injured today after police and paramilitary forces again opened fire to contain raging protest demonstrations against Indian rule in Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Two muslim women was killed and nine others, including twoIndian Army soldiers, were injured when a passenger bus was caught in cross fire after an Army convoy was ambushed by Mujahedeen in Rajouri district today. Kashmiri resistance groups Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Al-fatha Force jointly Sheikh Aziz's Regiment claimed the responsibility for the attack..
A group of Kashmiri fighters perched on hill tops fired at the vehicle of a Commanding Officer of Rashtriya Rifles. A bus passing through the area got hit in the attack, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajouri, R K Jalla told PTI.
In the firing, two women died and 9 others were injured, two of them Army jawans, reports said.Army troops returned the fire and a heavy gun battle followed which was continuing till last reports came in. The bus passengers have been evacuated and the injured admitted to a hospital in Rajouri.
Thousands of people, men women and children are out in the streets defying stringent curfew and braving bullets and batons in scores of areas across Kashmir. In Shaheed-e-Azemat, Sheikh Aziz's saffron town of Pampore, 20 kms south of Srinagar, Indian forces and police opened fire to quell one such demonstration this afternoon to attend the Sheikh Aziz's 2nd anniversary in Pampore. Come to Pampore call was given by the Sr. Freedom fighter leader Syed Ali Gilani.
Meanwhile, Two muslim women was killed and nine others, including twoIndian Army soldiers, were injured when a passenger bus was caught in cross fire after an Army convoy was ambushed by Mujahedeen in Rajouri district today. Kashmiri resistance groups Jamiat-ul-Mujahideen, Al-fatha Force jointly Sheikh Aziz's Regiment claimed the responsibility for the attack..
A group of Kashmiri fighters perched on hill tops fired at the vehicle of a Commanding Officer of Rashtriya Rifles. A bus passing through the area got hit in the attack, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Rajouri, R K Jalla told PTI.
In the firing, two women died and 9 others were injured, two of them Army jawans, reports said.Army troops returned the fire and a heavy gun battle followed which was continuing till last reports came in. The bus passengers have been evacuated and the injured admitted to a hospital in Rajouri.
Thousands of people, men women and children are out in the streets defying stringent curfew and braving bullets and batons in scores of areas across Kashmir. In Shaheed-e-Azemat, Sheikh Aziz's saffron town of Pampore, 20 kms south of Srinagar, Indian forces and police opened fire to quell one such demonstration this afternoon to attend the Sheikh Aziz's 2nd anniversary in Pampore. Come to Pampore call was given by the Sr. Freedom fighter leader Syed Ali Gilani.
Initial reports said at 12 persons were injured two different places in Pampore, some critically in the firing. According to reports said thousands of people from Konibal, Samboora, Patli Bagh, Aloochi Bagh,Wuyan, Khrewa and adjoining areas chanting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans marched in defiance of curfew in a huge procession towards Pampore, situated on the road this afternoon. The highway remained blocked as sea of people swarmed from surrounding areas to join the demonstration.
Paramilitary forces accompanied by police reached the spot and resorted to heavy shelling of tear smoke canisters and aerial firing.
When procession continued to move ahead they opened direct fire injuring scores of people of whom two have succumbed to their injuries so far. Details are awaited (Writer-South Asia)
Mirwaiz Umar, Sheikh Yaqoob remembers Shaheed-i-Azemat (Martyr of Determination)
Srinagar, August11: Senior Hurriyat Leader and Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League, Sheikh Yaqoob has said that the second death anniversary of Sheikh Abdul Aziz Shaheed-e-Azemat (Martyr of Determination), would be observed across Jammu Kashmir on August 11. Sheikh Yaqoob reiterated that Aziz was imprisoned scores of times for the sole crime of speaking the truth, never compromising his principles and calling for justice. Yaqoob said that the people of Kashmir would never forget the selfless contribution and the tireless efforts of Sheikh Sahib, who has scarified his life for the cause of nation.
Srinagar-Muzaffarabd March
Yaqoob said that the blood of martyrs would not go waste as Kashmir is being discussed in international forums and the world community had taken keen interest in its solution.
"The Kashmir movement is passing through a critical phase and all of us have to resolve our determination towards it. We have to accept the challenges and take the movement to its logical end," Sheikh added
The PL Chairman said that this Day will be observed also in international level like in Pakistan, Brussels, Canada, Australia, etc to reaffirm Kashmiris resolve to continue their struggle against all odds.
Sheikh Yaqoob called upon the world community and international human rights organizations to put pressure on India to halt massive human rights violations in Kashmir and resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiris.
Sheikh Aziz (Martyr of Determination), was killed on 11th August 2008 at Chayal Boniyar Uri, Baramulla while heading a peaceful protest march to LOC in view of the economic blockade enforced on Kashmiris by right wing Hindu organizations of Jammu.
Meanwhile paying rich tributes to senior pro-freedom leader, Saheed-i-Azemat (Martyr of Determination), Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his second death anniversary, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Tuesday said Aziz and others were martyred during the 2008 Muzaffrabad march under a deep rooted conspiracy of suppressing the Hurriyat leadership and weakening the resolve of people towards freedom.
“Shaheed-e-Azmat Sheikh Aziz was a man of courage, sacrifice, commitment and determination,” Mirwaiz said in a statement here. He also pledged not to allow the sacrifices of the likes of Sheikh Aziz (Martyr of Determination),and thousands others to go waste while pledging to take the freedom movement to its logical end.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat faction has organized a seminar titled “ Martyrdom is the goal of a believer” at the Hurriyat’s Rajbagh Headquarters tomorrow at 2 p.m. “ Fateh Khawani will be offered at the martyrs’ graveyard before that,” a spokesman of the amalgam said. (Writer-South Asia)
"The Kashmir movement is passing through a critical phase and all of us have to resolve our determination towards it. We have to accept the challenges and take the movement to its logical end," Sheikh added
The PL Chairman said that this Day will be observed also in international level like in Pakistan, Brussels, Canada, Australia, etc to reaffirm Kashmiris resolve to continue their struggle against all odds.
Sheikh Yaqoob called upon the world community and international human rights organizations to put pressure on India to halt massive human rights violations in Kashmir and resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute in accordance with aspirations of Kashmiris.
Sheikh Aziz (Martyr of Determination), was killed on 11th August 2008 at Chayal Boniyar Uri, Baramulla while heading a peaceful protest march to LOC in view of the economic blockade enforced on Kashmiris by right wing Hindu organizations of Jammu.
Meanwhile paying rich tributes to senior pro-freedom leader, Saheed-i-Azemat (Martyr of Determination), Sheikh Abdul Aziz on his second death anniversary, Chairman Hurriyat Conference (M) Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Tuesday said Aziz and others were martyred during the 2008 Muzaffrabad march under a deep rooted conspiracy of suppressing the Hurriyat leadership and weakening the resolve of people towards freedom.
“Shaheed-e-Azmat Sheikh Aziz was a man of courage, sacrifice, commitment and determination,” Mirwaiz said in a statement here. He also pledged not to allow the sacrifices of the likes of Sheikh Aziz (Martyr of Determination),and thousands others to go waste while pledging to take the freedom movement to its logical end.
Meanwhile, the Hurriyat faction has organized a seminar titled “ Martyrdom is the goal of a believer” at the Hurriyat’s Rajbagh Headquarters tomorrow at 2 p.m. “ Fateh Khawani will be offered at the martyrs’ graveyard before that,” a spokesman of the amalgam said. (Writer-South Asia)
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Glowing tributes paid to martyred Baba-e-Jehad-i-Kashmir
Srinagar, August 09 The 11th August Foundation has paid rich tributes to the martyred Baba-e-Jehad-i-Kashmir, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, who sacrificed his life to get freedom from Indian occupation.
The Chairman of 11th August Foundation, Junid-ul-Islam, addressing a press conference in Pulwama, vowed to continue the mission of Sheikh Abdul Aziz despite all odds. “The sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs centre-staged the Kashmir dispute on international level,” he added.
He said that the people of Kashmir would continue their freedom struggle till the resolution of lingering dispute according to their aspirations. “The use of brute force can not suppress Kashmiris’ resolve to get freedom from Indian oppression,” he maintained.
Junid-ul-Islam appealed to the international community particularly the United Nations and the Organizations of Islamic Conference to take cognisance of the gross rights abuses being perpetrated by Indian troops in the occupied territory. the meeting was attended among others by Sheikh Gulzaar, Sadiq Ahmad, Mushtaq ahmad, Khalil-ul-Rehman, Nasir Bakhtiyar, Rafiq Sahib
Meanwhile, the spokesman of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, in a statement issued after a party meeting in Srinagar, lauded the role of Sheikh Abdul Aziz for the liberation movement and pledged to continue his mission. He said that the people of Kashmir had given matchless sacrifices to achieve their right to self-determination.
It is to mention here that it was on August 11, 2008, when Indian army personnel shot dead Sheikh Abdul Aziz, while he was leading a mammoth march towards the Line of Control in the aftermath of the economic blockade against the Kashmir Valley by the Hindu fanatic groups of Jammu. (Writer-South Asia)
Protest against the murder of Comrade Azad and Hem Pandey , Operation Green Hunt and Indian Expansionism at the Indian High Commission in Aldwych – London on Sunday 15th August between 11 am – 1 pm
New Delhi, Aug 10: The Kashmiris who staged a sit-in outside the Jantar Mantra here on Saturday evening demanded demilitarization of the Valley, revocation of draconian laws AFSPA, J&K-PSA, Disturbed Areas Act and release of all political prisoners arrested in last 21 years.
The participants comprising, teachers, journalists, students, businessmen also demanded allowing of international agencies to investigate into the mass graves in Kashmir and the crimes against humanity committed by armed forces and holding of dialogue with Kashmiris.
Faculty of Delhi University SAR Geelani, who spoke in the meeting was unequivocal about the demand for Kashmir freedom. Revolutionary poet Vara Vara Rao who was an emissary of the present CPI (Maoist) asserted that the people of Kashmir were not alone in their struggle against Indian State. He pointed out that the masses of Dankaranya, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand were with the struggle for freedom of the people of Kashmir.
Noted film maker, Sanjay Kak pointed out that the Kashmiris should stop looking at themselves as victims. Mrigank from the Nav Jawan Bharat Sabha expressed solidarity for the movement of the people of Kashmir. Narender from the Popular Front expressed his organisation’s support for what he termed as the “complete independence” of the people of Kashmir. Kavita Krishnan from the CPI (ML) (Liberation) talked about the atrocities committed by the army on the people of Kashmir as well as the need for a meaningful dialogue.
Sharmila Purkayastha from the PUDR, former Ambassador Madhu Bhaduri, Karen Gabriel from Delhi University, Banojyotsna Lahiri from DSU JNU, Om from AISA JNU, Tara Basumatary from DU also spoke on the occasion.
The participants comprising, teachers, journalists, students, businessmen also demanded allowing of international agencies to investigate into the mass graves in Kashmir and the crimes against humanity committed by armed forces and holding of dialogue with Kashmiris.
Faculty of Delhi University SAR Geelani, who spoke in the meeting was unequivocal about the demand for Kashmir freedom. Revolutionary poet Vara Vara Rao who was an emissary of the present CPI (Maoist) asserted that the people of Kashmir were not alone in their struggle against Indian State. He pointed out that the masses of Dankaranya, Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand were with the struggle for freedom of the people of Kashmir.
Noted film maker, Sanjay Kak pointed out that the Kashmiris should stop looking at themselves as victims. Mrigank from the Nav Jawan Bharat Sabha expressed solidarity for the movement of the people of Kashmir. Narender from the Popular Front expressed his organisation’s support for what he termed as the “complete independence” of the people of Kashmir. Kavita Krishnan from the CPI (ML) (Liberation) talked about the atrocities committed by the army on the people of Kashmir as well as the need for a meaningful dialogue.
Sharmila Purkayastha from the PUDR, former Ambassador Madhu Bhaduri, Karen Gabriel from Delhi University, Banojyotsna Lahiri from DSU JNU, Om from AISA JNU, Tara Basumatary from DU also spoke on the occasion.
Commander Azad killed a prominent forces wrong hands, great tribute to them on their testimony presented. Like all of Kashmir freedom fighter and militant organisations which hosts, including Jaish Muhammad, Hizbul Mujaheedeen, Hurriyat Conference, Al-Fatha Force, Jamit.(Writer-South Asia)
Protest against the murder of Comrade Azad and Hem Pandey , Operation Green Hunt and Indian Expansionism at the Indian High Commission in Aldwych – London on Sunday 15th August 2010
Monday, August 9, 2010
Glowing tributes paid to Sheikh Abdul Aziz: Umar Farooq
Srinagar, August 9: Chairman of All Parties Hurriyet Conference (APHC), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and other pro-freedom leaders and organizations have paid rich tributes to senior Hurriyet leader, Sheikh Abdul Aziz, on his first martyrdom anniversary.
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement issued in Srinagar said, the sacrifices of the martyrs are assets for the liberation movement and will not be allowed to go waste, come what may.
The illegally detained APHC leader and the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Front, Nayeem Ahmed Khan in a statement from Kathua Jail said that all the martyrs including Shaheed-e-Azeemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz were Kashmiris’ pride and asset and it was duty of the people to take the mission of martyrs to its logical end.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League in its statement said, “Sheikh Aziz led the Muzaffarabad Chalo protest rally on August 11, 2008. The rally was attended by lakhs of people. It was the time when fanatics in Jammu had started blockade of Jammu-Srinagar highway. When the rally reached Boniyar in tehsil Uri, Indian troops and police personnel opened fire on the rally as a result of which Sheikh Aziz and others achieved martyrdom.”
The forum patronised by senior Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani paying glowing tributes to Sheikh Abdul Aziz said, “Sheikh Aziz spent major part of his life in jails and finally achieved martyrdom,” adding, “We will continue our struggle till Kashmir achieves freedom.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and Democratic Political Movement, in their separate statements, lauded the contribution of Shaheed-e-Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz in the freedom struggle and his great sacrifice for the Kashmir cause.
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front in its statement said, “Aziz and others laid down their lives for a cause and we pledge to take their mission to its logical conclusion. They have scripted history.”
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq in a statement issued in Srinagar said, the sacrifices of the martyrs are assets for the liberation movement and will not be allowed to go waste, come what may.
The illegally detained APHC leader and the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir National Front, Nayeem Ahmed Khan in a statement from Kathua Jail said that all the martyrs including Shaheed-e-Azeemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz were Kashmiris’ pride and asset and it was duty of the people to take the mission of martyrs to its logical end.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League in its statement said, “Sheikh Aziz led the Muzaffarabad Chalo protest rally on August 11, 2008. The rally was attended by lakhs of people. It was the time when fanatics in Jammu had started blockade of Jammu-Srinagar highway. When the rally reached Boniyar in tehsil Uri, Indian troops and police personnel opened fire on the rally as a result of which Sheikh Aziz and others achieved martyrdom.”
The forum patronised by senior Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani paying glowing tributes to Sheikh Abdul Aziz said, “Sheikh Aziz spent major part of his life in jails and finally achieved martyrdom,” adding, “We will continue our struggle till Kashmir achieves freedom.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Tehreek-e-Hurriyat and Democratic Political Movement, in their separate statements, lauded the contribution of Shaheed-e-Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz in the freedom struggle and his great sacrifice for the Kashmir cause.
Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front in its statement said, “Aziz and others laid down their lives for a cause and we pledge to take their mission to its logical conclusion. They have scripted history.”
Glowing tributes paid to Sheikh Aziz
Washington, August 09 : Kashmir American Council-KAC, Ex Director Dr Ghualm Nabi Fai rich tributes were paid to the Shaheed-e-Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz who has scarified his life for the cause of nation. Sheikh Aziz was ascribed to be amongst the frontline Pro-freedom leaders and was one of the Executive Member of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) - which represents the aspiration of Kashmiris politically, diplomatically and socially.
On August 11, 2008, about 300,000 people from across Kashmir, along with trucks loaded with fruit, began marching toward several points on the 778-kilometer Line of Control to cross over into the Pakistani side of Kashmir, in their bid to reach Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir. Indian security forces opened fire at the marchers at several places to break up their protests, killing 10, including senior Pro-pakistani Kashmiri leader (commonly known as Baba-e-Jehad-i-Kashmir) Sheikh Abdul Aziz who was also a prominent member of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and was also a member of the co-ordination committee of ethnic and religious nationalities struggling for right to self-determination under the chairmanship of Justice Ajit Singh Bains formed in Delhi on March 23, 2008. “Sheikh Aziz was a friend of Sikhs and supporter of Sikh cause for independence,” Over 1,000 people were arrested, and hundreds of wounded were hospitalized at different hospitals across the Kashmir valley. As the protests continued, over 3000 truckloads of fruit were destroyed, allegedly by Indian security forces.
Protests calling for freedom from India continued through August and September in different parts of Kashmir, with dozens killed and hundreds injured. However, a government-brokered agreement with the Hindu protesters of the Jammu region was reached, under which the land allotment to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which had been cancelled due to protests by Kashmiri Muslims, was revived in a different form.
The Jammu and Kashmir government, with the understanding of some Muslim and Hindu leaders, leased the land to the SASB for the limited pilgrimage season, giving them no proprietary or title rights. The Hindu leaders called off their stir after signing the lease agreement. The agreement said: "The Shrine Board may use the land for erecting temporary prefabricated accommodation and toilet facilities and for shopkeepers to set up shops." This second reversal by the government in its decision to allocate the land to the Hindu shrine has been rejected by the Kashmiri leaders, fuelling a continuation of anti-India protests. The demonstrations are the biggest since 11th august, 2008 when violent anti-India protests killed about 72 Kashmiri muslims.
Kashmiri Americans held a peace rally in front of the Indian Embassy to record their protest against human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and to remind Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, that his promise of zero tolerance has not seen the light of the day.
The demonstration was highly impressive and reverberating with the slogans of “Indian army go back.” Protesters were carrying placards demanding ‘Self-determination’, ‘India honour UN pledges’, ‘Stop killing of peaceful protesters’, ‘Stop state terrorism in Kashmir’, ‘President Obama appoint special envoy on Kashmir’ and ‘Kashmiris demand right to life’.
The participants also raised slogans having one singular theme that India quit Kashmir and allow the people of Kashmir to choose their political destiny. All the Diaspora political parties showed unflinching faith in their goal for freedom.
The Executive Director of Kashmir Centre Washington, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai addressing the protesters said, “We demand that Indian Government stop the killings and agree to an impartial investigation into the recent killings, and into the human rights violations going on in Kashmir for the longest time.” He said that to resolve the outstanding Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, the international community in general, the United States in particular, and the full leadership of the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be involved for lasting peace in South Asia.
Ms Sanaa Naqash said, “My heart aches and I feel grieved for the innocent kids brutally being beaten, shot and killed. I can't bear to see such acts done to my people anymore. This needs to end and we need to stand together as one, during this difficult time. Let us pray for our kids, the mothers that lost their sons, the fathers that lost their shields, the sons that lost their fathers, and all the people that have sacrificed their lives for us.”
Attorney Mumtaz Wani implored that the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people will not be allowed to go waste and the world would have to honour their determination for salvation and freedom. He said that the killings of teenagers must shake the conscience of all peace loving people.
Ehtisham Kayani pledged to support the cause of Kashmir till the people achieved their right to self-determination. He said that self-determination is non-negotiable.
Mujtaba Wani made a passionate appeal to the world community to come forward to rescue the innocent people of Kashmir.
Umaid Qureishi made fervent plea to President Obama to use his personal influence to persuade India and Pakistan to settle the dispute over Kashmir and impress upon India to bring an end to the atrocities by Indian troops in occupied Kashmir.
Zubair Khan said that the people of Azad Kashmir were united in their support to the oppressed people of Kashmir. Ms Aneela Khan appealed the audience to continue the struggle at the international level to make the world community aware that Kashmiris would not accept anything short of right to self-determination.
Noorul Amin said that the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir would not go in vain. He asked the world community to come to rescue the people of Kashmir in their hour of need. Zulfikar Khan congratulated the Kashmiri Americans for making the demonstration a grand success. This demonstration he said is a moral booster for those who have said no to Indian occupation. (Writer-South Asia)
On August 11, 2008, about 300,000 people from across Kashmir, along with trucks loaded with fruit, began marching toward several points on the 778-kilometer Line of Control to cross over into the Pakistani side of Kashmir, in their bid to reach Muzaffarabad, the capital of Pakistani Kashmir. Indian security forces opened fire at the marchers at several places to break up their protests, killing 10, including senior Pro-pakistani Kashmiri leader (commonly known as Baba-e-Jehad-i-Kashmir) Sheikh Abdul Aziz who was also a prominent member of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference and was also a member of the co-ordination committee of ethnic and religious nationalities struggling for right to self-determination under the chairmanship of Justice Ajit Singh Bains formed in Delhi on March 23, 2008. “Sheikh Aziz was a friend of Sikhs and supporter of Sikh cause for independence,” Over 1,000 people were arrested, and hundreds of wounded were hospitalized at different hospitals across the Kashmir valley. As the protests continued, over 3000 truckloads of fruit were destroyed, allegedly by Indian security forces.
Protests calling for freedom from India continued through August and September in different parts of Kashmir, with dozens killed and hundreds injured. However, a government-brokered agreement with the Hindu protesters of the Jammu region was reached, under which the land allotment to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which had been cancelled due to protests by Kashmiri Muslims, was revived in a different form.
The Jammu and Kashmir government, with the understanding of some Muslim and Hindu leaders, leased the land to the SASB for the limited pilgrimage season, giving them no proprietary or title rights. The Hindu leaders called off their stir after signing the lease agreement. The agreement said: "The Shrine Board may use the land for erecting temporary prefabricated accommodation and toilet facilities and for shopkeepers to set up shops." This second reversal by the government in its decision to allocate the land to the Hindu shrine has been rejected by the Kashmiri leaders, fuelling a continuation of anti-India protests. The demonstrations are the biggest since 11th august, 2008 when violent anti-India protests killed about 72 Kashmiri muslims.
Kashmiri Americans held a peace rally in front of the Indian Embassy to record their protest against human rights violations in occupied Kashmir and to remind Manmohan Singh, the Prime Minister of India, that his promise of zero tolerance has not seen the light of the day.
The demonstration was highly impressive and reverberating with the slogans of “Indian army go back.” Protesters were carrying placards demanding ‘Self-determination’, ‘India honour UN pledges’, ‘Stop killing of peaceful protesters’, ‘Stop state terrorism in Kashmir’, ‘President Obama appoint special envoy on Kashmir’ and ‘Kashmiris demand right to life’.
The participants also raised slogans having one singular theme that India quit Kashmir and allow the people of Kashmir to choose their political destiny. All the Diaspora political parties showed unflinching faith in their goal for freedom.
The Executive Director of Kashmir Centre Washington, Dr Ghulam Nabi Fai addressing the protesters said, “We demand that Indian Government stop the killings and agree to an impartial investigation into the recent killings, and into the human rights violations going on in Kashmir for the longest time.” He said that to resolve the outstanding Kashmir dispute between India and Pakistan, the international community in general, the United States in particular, and the full leadership of the people of Jammu and Kashmir must be involved for lasting peace in South Asia.
Ms Sanaa Naqash said, “My heart aches and I feel grieved for the innocent kids brutally being beaten, shot and killed. I can't bear to see such acts done to my people anymore. This needs to end and we need to stand together as one, during this difficult time. Let us pray for our kids, the mothers that lost their sons, the fathers that lost their shields, the sons that lost their fathers, and all the people that have sacrificed their lives for us.”
Attorney Mumtaz Wani implored that the sacrifices of the Kashmiri people will not be allowed to go waste and the world would have to honour their determination for salvation and freedom. He said that the killings of teenagers must shake the conscience of all peace loving people.
Ehtisham Kayani pledged to support the cause of Kashmir till the people achieved their right to self-determination. He said that self-determination is non-negotiable.
Mujtaba Wani made a passionate appeal to the world community to come forward to rescue the innocent people of Kashmir.
Umaid Qureishi made fervent plea to President Obama to use his personal influence to persuade India and Pakistan to settle the dispute over Kashmir and impress upon India to bring an end to the atrocities by Indian troops in occupied Kashmir.
Zubair Khan said that the people of Azad Kashmir were united in their support to the oppressed people of Kashmir. Ms Aneela Khan appealed the audience to continue the struggle at the international level to make the world community aware that Kashmiris would not accept anything short of right to self-determination.
Noorul Amin said that the sacrifices of the people of Kashmir would not go in vain. He asked the world community to come to rescue the people of Kashmir in their hour of need. Zulfikar Khan congratulated the Kashmiri Americans for making the demonstration a grand success. This demonstration he said is a moral booster for those who have said no to Indian occupation. (Writer-South Asia)
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Come to Pampore: Syed Ali Shah Gilani
 |
| SASG: In Pampore on 11th August, 2008 |
Srinagar, August 8: Acording to Kashmir Media service, a two-day shutdown will be observed from tomorrow to protest against the killing of innocent protesters by Indian police and troops.
Call for the shutdown has been given by veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani as part of the Quit Kashmir Movement. He urged people to conduct a march towards Pampore town on Wednesday to mark the 2nd martyrdom anniversary of APHC leader, Shaheed-e-Azemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
The Acting President of High Court Bar Association of Kashmir, Aijaz Bedar and senior lawyer, Zafar Shah addressing a press conference in Srinagar, today, said that the occupation authorities had restricted all political activities in the occupied territory, which had forced the lawyers to come on streets. They demanded immediate release of the Bar President, Mian Abdul Qayoom and General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen and all Hurriyet leaders and activists.
The APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who continued to remain under house arrest urged the Organization of Islamic Conference to immediately call a session of its Kashmir Contact Group to deliberate on prevailing situation in occupied Kashmir. The Executive Council of APHC in a meeting in Srinagar said that the liberation movement would continue till the Kashmiris secured their inalienable right to self-determination.
Citizens Forum for Democratic Rights took out a peace march in Jammu to express solidarity with the victims of Indian police and troops in the Kashmir Valley during the last two months. The march was led by Professor Zahoorudin, Anu Radha B Jamwal and Advocate Chowdhry Anwar.
The Washington-based, Muslim Public Affairs Council in a statement posted on its website while calling for an immediate end to the use of force against the civilians in occupied Kashmir demanded an impartial international probe into the recent civilian killings by Indian police and troops in the territory.
Call for the shutdown has been given by veteran Kashmiri Hurriyet leader, Syed Ali Gilani as part of the Quit Kashmir Movement. He urged people to conduct a march towards Pampore town on Wednesday to mark the 2nd martyrdom anniversary of APHC leader, Shaheed-e-Azemat Sheikh Abdul Aziz.
The Acting President of High Court Bar Association of Kashmir, Aijaz Bedar and senior lawyer, Zafar Shah addressing a press conference in Srinagar, today, said that the occupation authorities had restricted all political activities in the occupied territory, which had forced the lawyers to come on streets. They demanded immediate release of the Bar President, Mian Abdul Qayoom and General Secretary, Ghulam Nabi Shaheen and all Hurriyet leaders and activists.
The APHC Chairman, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, who continued to remain under house arrest urged the Organization of Islamic Conference to immediately call a session of its Kashmir Contact Group to deliberate on prevailing situation in occupied Kashmir. The Executive Council of APHC in a meeting in Srinagar said that the liberation movement would continue till the Kashmiris secured their inalienable right to self-determination.
Citizens Forum for Democratic Rights took out a peace march in Jammu to express solidarity with the victims of Indian police and troops in the Kashmir Valley during the last two months. The march was led by Professor Zahoorudin, Anu Radha B Jamwal and Advocate Chowdhry Anwar.
The Washington-based, Muslim Public Affairs Council in a statement posted on its website while calling for an immediate end to the use of force against the civilians in occupied Kashmir demanded an impartial international probe into the recent civilian killings by Indian police and troops in the territory.
JKPL paid homage to Shaheed-e-Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz
Srinagar, August 9: An extra ordinary meeting of Jammu Kashmir Peoples League-JKPL was held today at its central office Rajbagh Srinagar chaired by Mukhtar Ahmad Waza and attended by Senior Peoples League Leaders, which include, Ghulam Qadir Rah Imtiyaz Ahmad Reshi, Shakeel-ul Rehman, Afaaq Ahmnad and Shabir Ahmad. In the meeting rich tributes were paid to the Shaheed-e-Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz who has scarified his life for the cause of nation. Sheikh Aziz was ascribed to be amongst the frontline Pro-freedom leaders and was one of the Executive Member of All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) - which represents the aspiration of Kashmiris politically, diplomatically and socially.
Jammu Kashmir Peoples League said that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs would not be allowed to go waste and their mission would be taken to its logical conclusion. While speaking in the meeting senior Hurriyat Leader and Acting Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza said that Kashmiri martyrs centre-staged Kashmir dispute at the international level. He reiterated the pledge to continue the liberation struggle, despite all odds.
Mukhtar Waza reiterated that mission of martyrs Shaheed.e.Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz will be taken to its logical conclusion despite all odds. He said that the martyred leader remained dedicated to his mission till the day of his martyrdom.
Waza said that “Right from 1947, India has been trying to suppress the voice of Kashmiris by force. But neither they succeeded in the past, nor they would in future,” Mukhtar Waza pointed out that the international human rights organization had been calling upon India from time to time to stop rights abuses in Kashmir but these pleas had been falling on deaf ears.
Waza has appealed to the international community particularly the United Nations and the Organizations of Islamic Conference to take cognizance of the atrocities being committed by Indian troops against innocent people of Kashmir.
Jammu Kashmir Peoples League said that the sacrifices of Kashmiri martyrs would not be allowed to go waste and their mission would be taken to its logical conclusion. While speaking in the meeting senior Hurriyat Leader and Acting Chairman Jammu Kashmir Peoples League, Mukhtar Ahmad Waza said that Kashmiri martyrs centre-staged Kashmir dispute at the international level. He reiterated the pledge to continue the liberation struggle, despite all odds.
Mukhtar Waza reiterated that mission of martyrs Shaheed.e.Azeemat, Sheikh Abdul Aziz will be taken to its logical conclusion despite all odds. He said that the martyred leader remained dedicated to his mission till the day of his martyrdom.
Waza said that “Right from 1947, India has been trying to suppress the voice of Kashmiris by force. But neither they succeeded in the past, nor they would in future,” Mukhtar Waza pointed out that the international human rights organization had been calling upon India from time to time to stop rights abuses in Kashmir but these pleas had been falling on deaf ears.
Waza has appealed to the international community particularly the United Nations and the Organizations of Islamic Conference to take cognizance of the atrocities being committed by Indian troops against innocent people of Kashmir.
Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) for Sale
Hawthorn (Crataegus oxycantha) has been used to treat heart disease as far back as the 1st century. By the early 1800s, American doctors were using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. Traditionally, the berries were used to treat heart problems ranging from irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Today, the leaves and flowers are used medicinally, and there is good evidence that hawthorn can treat mild-to-moderate heart failure.
Animal and laboratory studies report hawthorn contains antioxidants, including oligomeric procyandins (OPCs, also found in grapes) and quercetin. Antioxidants are substances that destroy free radicals -- compounds in the body that damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body and grow in number as we age. Environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, smoking, some medicines, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals are believed to contribute to the aging process (such as wrinkling) as well as the development of a number of health problems including cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants found in hawthorn may help stop some of the damage from free radicals, especially when it comes to heart disease.
Plant Description:
Hawthorn is a common thorny shrub in the rose family that grows up to 5 feet tall on hillsides and in sunny wooded areas throughout the world. Its flowers bloom in May. They grow in small white, red, or pink clusters. Small berries, called haws, sprout after the flowers. They are usually red when ripe, but they may also be black. Hawthorn leaves are shiny and grow in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Hawthorn contains many substances that may benefit the heart. These antioxidant flavonoids -- including OPCs -- may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and protect the blood vessels from damage.
The berries, leaves, and flowers of the hawthorn plant have been used for medicinal purposes. Most modern preparations use the leaves and flowers, which are believed to contain more of the flavonoids than the berries.
Hawthorn is used to help protect against heart disease and help control high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Heart failure
Hawthorn has been widely studied in people with heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to other organs in the body). A number of studies conclude that hawthorn significantly improved heart function. Studies also have found that the herb can improve the ability to exercise in a person with heart failure. Participants in studies have reported that hawthorn significantly improved symptoms of the disease (such as shortness of breath and fatigue). One study found that hawthorn extract (900 mg/day) taken for 2 months was as effective as low doses of captopril (a prescription heart medication) in improving symptoms of heart failure.
A large study found that a standardized hawthorn supplement was effective in 952 patients with heart failure. The study compared conventional methods of treating heart failure (with different medications) with hawthorn alone and in addition to the drugs. After 2 years, the clinical symptoms of heart failure (palpitations, breathing problems, and fatigue) decreased significantly in the patients taking the hawthorn supplement. People taking hawthorn also took less medications for their condition.
Heart failure is a serious condition, and you should never try to self-treat with hawthorn. Ask your doctor if hawthorn is right for you.
Chest pain (Angina)
Some preliminary evidence suggests hawthorn may help combat chest pain (angina), which is caused by low blood flow to the heart. In one early study, 60 people with angina were given either 180 mg/day of hawthorn berry-leaf-flower extract or placebo for 3 weeks. Those who received hawthorn experienced improved blood flow to the heart and were also able to exercise for longer periods of time without suffering from chest pain. However, more studies would be needed to say for sure whether hawthorn was effective.
High blood pressure
Although hawthorn has not been studied specifically in people with high blood pressure, some people think that its benefits in treating heart disease may carry over to treating high blood pressure (hypertension). However, so far not enough research has been done to say whether hawthorn is effective at lowering blood pressure -- and if so, by how much.
In one study, a hawthorn extract was found to be effective for hypertension in people with type 2 diabetes who were also taking their prescribed medicines. Participants took 1,200 mg hawthorn extract daily or placebo for 16 weeks. Those taking hawthorn had lower blood pressures than those taking the placebo.
You should talk with your doctor before taking hawthorn if you have high blood pressure.
Available Forms:
Hawthorn is available in non-standardized and standardized capsules and liquid extracts, along with tinctures and solid extracts. A bitter-tasting tea can also be made from dried hawthorn leaves, flowers, and berries.
Howthron berries/leafs/Palnts/Seeds available at:
For further details please write to:
Chenab Industries
Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR J&K 192121
Mailing address: PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR J&K- 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Call us: 09858986794
e.mail: iirc@rediffmail.com
web: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com
Animal and laboratory studies report hawthorn contains antioxidants, including oligomeric procyandins (OPCs, also found in grapes) and quercetin. Antioxidants are substances that destroy free radicals -- compounds in the body that damage cell membranes, tamper with DNA, and even cause cell death. Free radicals occur naturally in the body and grow in number as we age. Environmental toxins (including ultraviolet light, radiation, smoking, some medicines, and air pollution) can also increase the number of these damaging particles. Free radicals are believed to contribute to the aging process (such as wrinkling) as well as the development of a number of health problems including cancer and heart disease. Antioxidants found in hawthorn may help stop some of the damage from free radicals, especially when it comes to heart disease.
Plant Description:
Hawthorn is a common thorny shrub in the rose family that grows up to 5 feet tall on hillsides and in sunny wooded areas throughout the world. Its flowers bloom in May. They grow in small white, red, or pink clusters. Small berries, called haws, sprout after the flowers. They are usually red when ripe, but they may also be black. Hawthorn leaves are shiny and grow in a variety of shapes and sizes.
Hawthorn contains many substances that may benefit the heart. These antioxidant flavonoids -- including OPCs -- may help dilate blood vessels, improve blood flow, and protect the blood vessels from damage.
The berries, leaves, and flowers of the hawthorn plant have been used for medicinal purposes. Most modern preparations use the leaves and flowers, which are believed to contain more of the flavonoids than the berries.
Hawthorn is used to help protect against heart disease and help control high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Heart failure
Hawthorn has been widely studied in people with heart failure (a condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to other organs in the body). A number of studies conclude that hawthorn significantly improved heart function. Studies also have found that the herb can improve the ability to exercise in a person with heart failure. Participants in studies have reported that hawthorn significantly improved symptoms of the disease (such as shortness of breath and fatigue). One study found that hawthorn extract (900 mg/day) taken for 2 months was as effective as low doses of captopril (a prescription heart medication) in improving symptoms of heart failure.
A large study found that a standardized hawthorn supplement was effective in 952 patients with heart failure. The study compared conventional methods of treating heart failure (with different medications) with hawthorn alone and in addition to the drugs. After 2 years, the clinical symptoms of heart failure (palpitations, breathing problems, and fatigue) decreased significantly in the patients taking the hawthorn supplement. People taking hawthorn also took less medications for their condition.
Heart failure is a serious condition, and you should never try to self-treat with hawthorn. Ask your doctor if hawthorn is right for you.
Chest pain (Angina)
Some preliminary evidence suggests hawthorn may help combat chest pain (angina), which is caused by low blood flow to the heart. In one early study, 60 people with angina were given either 180 mg/day of hawthorn berry-leaf-flower extract or placebo for 3 weeks. Those who received hawthorn experienced improved blood flow to the heart and were also able to exercise for longer periods of time without suffering from chest pain. However, more studies would be needed to say for sure whether hawthorn was effective.
High blood pressure
Although hawthorn has not been studied specifically in people with high blood pressure, some people think that its benefits in treating heart disease may carry over to treating high blood pressure (hypertension). However, so far not enough research has been done to say whether hawthorn is effective at lowering blood pressure -- and if so, by how much.
In one study, a hawthorn extract was found to be effective for hypertension in people with type 2 diabetes who were also taking their prescribed medicines. Participants took 1,200 mg hawthorn extract daily or placebo for 16 weeks. Those taking hawthorn had lower blood pressures than those taking the placebo.
You should talk with your doctor before taking hawthorn if you have high blood pressure.
Available Forms:
Hawthorn is available in non-standardized and standardized capsules and liquid extracts, along with tinctures and solid extracts. A bitter-tasting tea can also be made from dried hawthorn leaves, flowers, and berries.
Howthron berries/leafs/Palnts/Seeds available at:
For further details please write to:
Chenab Industries
Ist Street, Shaheed-e-Azeemat Road, Nambalbal, Pampore PPR J&K 192121
Mailing address: PO Box 667 Srinagar SGR J&K- 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Call us: 09858986794
e.mail: iirc@rediffmail.com
web: http://chenabindustries.blogspot.com
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Writer-South Asia is updated every minute of every hour with the latest news, features,analysis: Go-India go back protests continue across Kashmir
Writer-South Asia is updated every minute of every hour with the latest news, features,analysis: Go-India go back protests continue across Kashmir: "Srinagar, 7 August: Defying curfew, thousands of people protested across the Valley for the seventh consecutive day Sturday against the k..."
Go-India go back protests continue across Kashmir
Srinagar, 7 August: Defying curfew, thousands of people protested across the Valley for the seventh consecutive day Sturday against the killing of unarmed civilians by Indian troops troops and police since last week. At least 37 people were injured in firng and teargas shell of paramilitary forces and SOG personnel..
CRPF, police opens fire in Sopore, injured seven persons. Press Bureau of India correspondent from North Kashmir said that 24-year-old Rameez Ahmad, son of Ghulam Nabi Reshi was among seven people injured when CRPF men and police opened fire upon a group of protesters at Warpora in Sopore. Rameez was hit by a bullet in head. The locals rushed him to Srinagar hospital in a critical condition.
Earlier, thousands of people, mainly youth after offering congregational Friday prayers at Eidgah Qadeem in Baramulla town took out a peaceful procession. Chanting vociferous pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the killing of unarmed civilians by the CRPF troops and police since last week.
As the protesters dispersed peacefully, groups of youth geared up for pitched battles with the forces that were deployed in strength in the area. However, heavy rains aborted the plans of the youth.
Protests against the civilian killings were also held in Sheeri, Khwaja Bagh, Delina, Palhalan and other areas of the district.
CRPF troops and police were heavily deployed in Baramulla district to scuttle pro-freedom demonstrations. Carrying sophisticated weapons and riot gear, troops and police manned roads, streets, lanes and by lanes of the town to restrict the civilian movement. All the vital road links and Bridges connecting the volatile old town with rest of the district were cut off by forces by placing barricades and spools of barbed wire.
Thousands of men, women and children today staged demonstrations in various areas of North Kashmir Bandipore district to protest the killing of 37 innocent civilians by forces in the last one week.
Reports and eyewitnesses said that thousands of people after offering congregational Friday prayers defied a curfew and took out a peaceful demonstration from Arsaln Khan, Nadihla, Lawdara, Gamoora, Papchan, Bapora, Chek and the adjoining villages. Chanting we want freedom, Islam Zindabad Go India Go Backand anti-India slogans, the people led by 90-year-old Muslim scholar Peer Muhammad Afzal Fazili were protesting the killings of civilians by forces since last week.
When the protesters reached near Jamia Masjid Nusoo, CRPF and policemen, deployed in advance resorted to cane charge and burst numerous teargas canisters to disperse the peaceful procession.
The forces action sparked off violent clashes in the area. Angry youth pelted rocks and stones on the troops and police to give vent to their feelings. The pitched battles continued for some time in the area.
Protests and clashes were reported from Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Islamabad districts of South Kashmir.
Reports said groups of youth appeared on streets in Sogam area of Kokernag in Islamabad district this afternoon and staged demonstrations to protest the civilian killings. Besides shouting slogans in favor of freedom, the protesters pelted stones and rocks on the forces. Troops and police resorted to ariel firing when they failed to quell the demonstrators with tear smoke shells. At least four people, reports said were injured in the ding-dong clashes.
Veteran pro-freedom leader, Syed Ali Geelani today led a demonstration of hundreds of people in Hyderpora area of city outskirts.. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
In Lal Bazar, hundreds of people after Friday prayers took out a peaceful procession. Shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters tried to march towards the old city of Nowhatta.
When the procession reached near Bota Kadal, CPRF and police burst several tear smoke shells and fired several shots in air to quell the procession. Protesters later clashed with the forces.
Peaceful protests were held in Harwan, Pampore, Hyderpora, Eidgah, Nowpora, Rainawari and other areas.
In Choun area of Budgam district, police and CRPF fired numerous tear smoke shells to break up the pro-freedom demonstrations that erupted after Friday prayers. At least three people were injured in the clashes between protesters and the forces.
Peaceful protests have also been reported from Chrar-e-Shareef and Chadura areas of the district. At least ten people were injured in renewed clashes between protesters and the forces in South Kashmir.
In South Kashmir said that hundreds of people took to streets in Shopian district this afternoon and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting We want Freedom, Go India Go Back Salam-O-Martyrs,the protesters marched tried to march through the streets of Bon Bazar, Jamia Masjid and main Chowk.
However, CRPF troops and police fired numerous tear smoke shells to disperse the stone pelting youth. The protesters offered stiff resistance and engaged the forces in pitched battles. Troops and police fired rubber bullets when tear smoke shells failed to control the spiraling protests. At least six youth, reports said, were injured in the ding-dong clashes that continued till late evening. A teenager identified as Shakir Hussain was hit by a rubber bullet. However, his condition is said to be stable.
Reports said hundreds of men, women and children defied curfew and staged demonstrations. Shouting slogans, the protesters at Samboora and Lonepora pelted stones and rocks on the forces that were heavily deployed after the death of a youth last evening. CRPF and police fired several teargas canisters and resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesters. At least four people, reports said were injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile, the residents of Tral, Kakpora and Awantipora charged the forces of preventing them from offering congregational Friday prayers. The locals alleged that despite requests, the forces barred them from performing religious obligations.
In Jammu; Poonch, Kishtwar, Ramban and Baderwah districts, thousands of people Friday took to streets and staged a protest demonstration in Doda town. Press Bureau of India correspondent from Jammu said that after offering Friday prayers, thousands of people slogans took out a procession from Jamia Masjid Doda to register their protest against the civilian deaths in Kashmir by police and CRPF firing even as a complete shutdown was observed in the town. . Shouting pro-Azadi slogans like Chahte-Azadi, Jis Kashmir ko Khoon Se Seecha, Woh Kashmir Hamara Hai the protesters marched through the streets of Doda town before dispersing peacefully at the Doda Bus Stand today afternoon. (Writer-South Asia)
CRPF, police opens fire in Sopore, injured seven persons. Press Bureau of India correspondent from North Kashmir said that 24-year-old Rameez Ahmad, son of Ghulam Nabi Reshi was among seven people injured when CRPF men and police opened fire upon a group of protesters at Warpora in Sopore. Rameez was hit by a bullet in head. The locals rushed him to Srinagar hospital in a critical condition.
Earlier, thousands of people, mainly youth after offering congregational Friday prayers at Eidgah Qadeem in Baramulla town took out a peaceful procession. Chanting vociferous pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the people were protesting the killing of unarmed civilians by the CRPF troops and police since last week.
As the protesters dispersed peacefully, groups of youth geared up for pitched battles with the forces that were deployed in strength in the area. However, heavy rains aborted the plans of the youth.
Protests against the civilian killings were also held in Sheeri, Khwaja Bagh, Delina, Palhalan and other areas of the district.
CRPF troops and police were heavily deployed in Baramulla district to scuttle pro-freedom demonstrations. Carrying sophisticated weapons and riot gear, troops and police manned roads, streets, lanes and by lanes of the town to restrict the civilian movement. All the vital road links and Bridges connecting the volatile old town with rest of the district were cut off by forces by placing barricades and spools of barbed wire.
Thousands of men, women and children today staged demonstrations in various areas of North Kashmir Bandipore district to protest the killing of 37 innocent civilians by forces in the last one week.
Reports and eyewitnesses said that thousands of people after offering congregational Friday prayers defied a curfew and took out a peaceful demonstration from Arsaln Khan, Nadihla, Lawdara, Gamoora, Papchan, Bapora, Chek and the adjoining villages. Chanting we want freedom, Islam Zindabad Go India Go Backand anti-India slogans, the people led by 90-year-old Muslim scholar Peer Muhammad Afzal Fazili were protesting the killings of civilians by forces since last week.
When the protesters reached near Jamia Masjid Nusoo, CRPF and policemen, deployed in advance resorted to cane charge and burst numerous teargas canisters to disperse the peaceful procession.
The forces action sparked off violent clashes in the area. Angry youth pelted rocks and stones on the troops and police to give vent to their feelings. The pitched battles continued for some time in the area.
Protests and clashes were reported from Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Islamabad districts of South Kashmir.
Reports said groups of youth appeared on streets in Sogam area of Kokernag in Islamabad district this afternoon and staged demonstrations to protest the civilian killings. Besides shouting slogans in favor of freedom, the protesters pelted stones and rocks on the forces. Troops and police resorted to ariel firing when they failed to quell the demonstrators with tear smoke shells. At least four people, reports said were injured in the ding-dong clashes.
Veteran pro-freedom leader, Syed Ali Geelani today led a demonstration of hundreds of people in Hyderpora area of city outskirts.. The protesters later dispersed peacefully.
In Lal Bazar, hundreds of people after Friday prayers took out a peaceful procession. Shouting pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, the protesters tried to march towards the old city of Nowhatta.
When the procession reached near Bota Kadal, CPRF and police burst several tear smoke shells and fired several shots in air to quell the procession. Protesters later clashed with the forces.
Peaceful protests were held in Harwan, Pampore, Hyderpora, Eidgah, Nowpora, Rainawari and other areas.
In Choun area of Budgam district, police and CRPF fired numerous tear smoke shells to break up the pro-freedom demonstrations that erupted after Friday prayers. At least three people were injured in the clashes between protesters and the forces.
Peaceful protests have also been reported from Chrar-e-Shareef and Chadura areas of the district. At least ten people were injured in renewed clashes between protesters and the forces in South Kashmir.
In South Kashmir said that hundreds of people took to streets in Shopian district this afternoon and staged pro-freedom and anti-India demonstrations. Chanting We want Freedom, Go India Go Back Salam-O-Martyrs,the protesters marched tried to march through the streets of Bon Bazar, Jamia Masjid and main Chowk.
However, CRPF troops and police fired numerous tear smoke shells to disperse the stone pelting youth. The protesters offered stiff resistance and engaged the forces in pitched battles. Troops and police fired rubber bullets when tear smoke shells failed to control the spiraling protests. At least six youth, reports said, were injured in the ding-dong clashes that continued till late evening. A teenager identified as Shakir Hussain was hit by a rubber bullet. However, his condition is said to be stable.
Reports said hundreds of men, women and children defied curfew and staged demonstrations. Shouting slogans, the protesters at Samboora and Lonepora pelted stones and rocks on the forces that were heavily deployed after the death of a youth last evening. CRPF and police fired several teargas canisters and resorted to cane charge to disperse the protesters. At least four people, reports said were injured in the clashes.
Meanwhile, the residents of Tral, Kakpora and Awantipora charged the forces of preventing them from offering congregational Friday prayers. The locals alleged that despite requests, the forces barred them from performing religious obligations.
In Jammu; Poonch, Kishtwar, Ramban and Baderwah districts, thousands of people Friday took to streets and staged a protest demonstration in Doda town. Press Bureau of India correspondent from Jammu said that after offering Friday prayers, thousands of people slogans took out a procession from Jamia Masjid Doda to register their protest against the civilian deaths in Kashmir by police and CRPF firing even as a complete shutdown was observed in the town. . Shouting pro-Azadi slogans like Chahte-Azadi, Jis Kashmir ko Khoon Se Seecha, Woh Kashmir Hamara Hai the protesters marched through the streets of Doda town before dispersing peacefully at the Doda Bus Stand today afternoon. (Writer-South Asia)
Friday, August 6, 2010
The Kashmir situation
Feedback from Sanjay:
Kashmir is back to the boil again. The army had to be called in after 15 years of relative normalcy in the valley. The situation threatens to spiral out of control just when you would’ve thought it was getting better.
How did it all come to this? Where did we go wrong? Where ARE we going wrong?
There has been a lot of discussion about the history of the Kashmir issue – the wars, the UN resolutions, the Shimla accord and so on. What we don’t discuss regularly are the people of Kashmir and their concerns. They include those on the other side of the border, those who live in the valley, those who have been chased out of the valley, and even those who live in the Jammu and Laddakh regions.
Why many of us don’t feel any pain whatsoever when human rights are violated in the region? Why don’t we create the kind of uproar we saw in the Ruchika or Jessica case when similar, if not more disgusting, crimes are committed in Shopain? Why do we go hysterical when a ‘prince’ falls in a bore well but not when a school boy is killed by security forces in Srinagar on his way home from school?
Let’s face it. Those who are out on the streets in Kashmir are not terrorists. They are not even militants. They are ordinary teenagers whom the system has failed. They deserve the same freedoms that we take for granted. If we wouldn’t like our PM telling us not to let our children out on the streets, the Kashmiris shouldn’t be told that too. If we like political freedoms in our colleges and universities, the Kashmiris should have that political engagement too. If we like to live in our homes, the Kashmiris should be resettled in their homes too!
What we need is to show some empathy towards the Kashmiris. If we can’t do that much, we have not right to call Kashmir an integral part of India.
Sanjay Bhat, New Delhi
Kashmir is back to the boil again. The army had to be called in after 15 years of relative normalcy in the valley. The situation threatens to spiral out of control just when you would’ve thought it was getting better.
How did it all come to this? Where did we go wrong? Where ARE we going wrong?
There has been a lot of discussion about the history of the Kashmir issue – the wars, the UN resolutions, the Shimla accord and so on. What we don’t discuss regularly are the people of Kashmir and their concerns. They include those on the other side of the border, those who live in the valley, those who have been chased out of the valley, and even those who live in the Jammu and Laddakh regions.
Why many of us don’t feel any pain whatsoever when human rights are violated in the region? Why don’t we create the kind of uproar we saw in the Ruchika or Jessica case when similar, if not more disgusting, crimes are committed in Shopain? Why do we go hysterical when a ‘prince’ falls in a bore well but not when a school boy is killed by security forces in Srinagar on his way home from school?
Let’s face it. Those who are out on the streets in Kashmir are not terrorists. They are not even militants. They are ordinary teenagers whom the system has failed. They deserve the same freedoms that we take for granted. If we wouldn’t like our PM telling us not to let our children out on the streets, the Kashmiris shouldn’t be told that too. If we like political freedoms in our colleges and universities, the Kashmiris should have that political engagement too. If we like to live in our homes, the Kashmiris should be resettled in their homes too!
What we need is to show some empathy towards the Kashmiris. If we can’t do that much, we have not right to call Kashmir an integral part of India.
Sanjay Bhat, New Delhi
Feedback
My Question: Do you think Lone Sajaad is more powerfull than Gilani ?
Write your feedback:-
Writer-South Asia
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
(Via New Delhi-India)
Ph: 01933-223705
M: 09858986794
e-mail: writerasia@gmail.com
web: http://writerasia.blogspot.com/
by Tanveer Habib: I
am sorry to say that both are strong enough to be compared with each
othjer. While Sajjad is young and dynamic Geelani sahab is more
determined unchanging and sound. Both are needed by the people of
Kashmir very much. last night on CNN-IBN Sajjad sahab himself said that
it was below his dignity to speak against Geelani sahab, so why create a
divide? I was really angry with Sajjad sahab for being in the fray for
elections carried out by India but now i realise he is an asset and we
need him. I would like him to unite with Geelani sahab as soon as
possible. We need him.
Tanveer Habib, Srinagar
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Inside the White House: Letters to the President
Every day, President Obama reads ten letters from the public in order to stay in tune with world's issues and concerns. "Letters to the President" is an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the process of how those ten letters make it to the President's desk from among the tens of thousands of letters, faxes, and e-mails that flood the White House each day.
You can also call or write to the President:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
e-mail address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Please include your e-mail address
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
e-mail address: http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact
NATO Pulls Pakistan Into Its Global Network
 |
| Rick Rozoff |
By Rick Rozoff
Srinagar: August, 5: In four months the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will hold a summit in Lisbon, Portugal. The host country was one of the 12 nations that founded the United States-dominated military bloc 61 years ago reports Intelligence daily.
Srinagar: August, 5: In four months the North Atlantic Treaty Organization will hold a summit in Lisbon, Portugal. The host country was one of the 12 nations that founded the United States-dominated military bloc 61 years ago reports Intelligence daily.
The Warsaw Pact dissolved
The rival grouping that was created six years after NATO’s formation and its expansion into Turkey and Greece in 1952 and the Federal Republic of Germany in 1955, the Warsaw Treaty Organization (Warsaw Pact), formally dissolved itself almost twenty years ago.
NATO's expansion
In the interim since its formation, having grown to 16 members by 1982 with the incorporation of Spain, NATO expanded from 12 to 28 members and absorbed 12 nations in Eastern Europe over the past 11 years. The last dozen were, except for two former Yugoslav federal republics (Croatia and Slovenia), earlier part of the Warsaw Pact and in three instances (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) also of the Soviet Union.
The North Atlantic military bloc’s sole right to maintain its name is that its major powers do largely have coastlines on the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of its members do not. Since the Warsaw Pact’s demise and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, NATO has subordinated all of Europe through full membership and the Partnership for Peace and more advanced programs.
"Partnership for Peace"
The newest members of NATO graduated through successive stages of integration from the Partnership for Peace to Individual Partnership Action Plans and Membership Action Plans to full membership. All supplied troops for the occupation of Iraq and now have forces serving under NATO in the Afghan war zone.
Current members of the Partnership for Peace program in Europe are: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Ireland, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine. Bosnia, Moldova and Montenegro now have Individual Partnership Action Plans and Ukraine was recently granted a special Annual National Program. Russia was a member of the Partnership for Peace from 1992-1999, but suspended participation in that program and the Permanent Joint Council with NATO over the Alliance’s 78-day bombing war against Yugoslavia in 1999. However, in 2002 the NATO-Russia Council was inaugurated and though in abeyance after the 2008 Georgia-Russia war is functioning again.
All three former Soviet South Caucasus states – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia – are Partnership for Peace members. The first two also have Individual Partnership Action Plans and Georgia its own Annual National Program, which NATO awarded it shortly after its five-day war with Russia in 2008.
In Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are in the Partnership for Peace. Kazakhstan is the first country outside of Europe (inclusive of the Caucasus) to receive an Individual Partnership Action Plan.
Middle East and Africa
In the Middle East and Northern and Western Africa, the following countries are NATO Mediterranean Dialogue partners: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. Israel and Egypt each have an Individual Cooperation Program with NATO introduced in the last three years under enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue provisions. Egypt and Jordan have small troop contingents in Afghanistan.
Under the auspices of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative of 2004, NATO has strengthened military ties with the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. All but Oman and Saudi Arabia have formalized military cooperation arrangements with NATO. The United Arab Emirates is one of 46 official Troop Contributing Nations for NATO’s war in Afghanistan and there are also Bahraini soldiers in the war theater.
Contact Countries
The Brussels-based military bloc also has a category of military cooperation called Contact Countries, which to date include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. All four have assisted the war in Afghanistan in various capacities and all but Japan have provided NATO with troops. Other Asia-Pacific states have deployed troops to serve under NATO in Afghanistan and as such are arguably already Alliance partners. Those countries include Singapore, Mongolia and Malaysia.
Tripartite Commission
NATO has initiated a Tripartite Commission consisting of its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the armed forces of Afghanistan and Pakistan. A complement to the U.S.-Afghanistan-Pakistan Tripartite Commission, in 2008 former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Karl Inderfurth referred to it as the Trilateral Afghanistan-Pakistan-NATO Military Commission, which is a more accurate, if not its formal, title.
A tally of 28 full NATO members and the partners mentioned above produces a list of at least 70 of the 192 members of the United Nations which are linked to the Western military bloc in some manner.
NATO's Grip on PakistanOf all those nations, Pakistan is the second largest, its population of 170,000,000 only surpassed by that of the U.S. It is also one of only seven nations that acknowledge possessing nuclear weapons.
NATO’s grip on Pakistan was increased in 2005 when the military bloc became involved in an earthquake relief operation in the country, NATO’s second mission in Asia.
After that Pakistani military officers attended training courses at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany for the first time in 2006. The Pakistani Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time, General Ehsan ul Haq, visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels in the same year.
In 2007 Jaap de Hoop Scheffer became the first NATO secretary general to travel to Pakistan. In the same year Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited NATO Headquarters.
The next year President Pervez Musharraf made the same trip, followed by his Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, ten months afterward.
In January of 2009 NATO chief Scheffer visited Pakistan to meet with newly installed President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Army chief General Kayani.
Returning the favor, Kayani paid a visit to NATO Headquarters in May, and the next month President Zardari, nine months after assuming his post, traveled to NATO Headquarters for a meeting with the bloc’s top governing body, the North Atlantic Council, being the first elected president of Pakistan to do so. In October of last year NATO conducted an international seminar on Pakistan in Brussels which included the ambassadors of all 28 of the bloc’s member states. In December NATO launched an Individual Tailored Cooperation Package to consolidate the integration of Pakistan.
This year Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi was at NATO Headquarters in February to meet with the new secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and to address the North Atlantic Council, and last month Prime Minister Gilani led a large government delegation to the same location, where he also met with Rasmussen and addressed the North Atlantic Council.
On either end of the International Conference on Afghanistan held in Kabul on July 20, NATO Secretary General Rasmussen visited Tajikistan, where French NATO forces have been stationed since 2002 and where recent reports detail plans for the U.S. to open a training center [1], and Pakistan.
On July 19 Rasmussen met with Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev and Security Council Secretary Amirkul Azimov to coordinate a common Afghan strategy.
He arrived in Pakistan on July 21, six days after a twenty-member Pakistani parliamentary delegation completed a four-day trip to NATO Headquarters in Belgium “to share information about the Alliance’s policies and activities and to strengthen political dialogue between NATO and elected representatives of Pakistan.” [2]
The group was also taken to the Allied Command Operations Headquarters, formerly known as Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), the central command of NATO military forces.
While in Islamabad this Wednesday, Rasmussen was accompanied by a large delegation which included NATO Spokesman James Appathurai and Robert Simmons, NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Security Cooperation and Partnership and its first Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia. [3] Simmons was also in Pakistan in May when he spoke at a conference entitled “NATO’s Transition and its Relation with Pakistan.”
His comments at the time included the assurance that “Pakistan is NATO’s valued partner and our common challenge is war in Afghanistan.”
A report of his visit stated, “Simmons emphasized that NATO does not want to limit [itself] to high level dialogue with Pakistan but also to have practical cooperation by making use of the instrument of [an] Individual Cooperation Program to cover civilian and military affairs” [4], the same name as that used by NATO for its advanced partnerships with Israel and Egypt.
On May 21 Rasmussen and other NATO officials met with Pakistani President Zardari and with Chief of Army Staff General Kayani and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid in separate meetings at the military’s General Headquarters. During the meeting with General Majid, discussion “focused on the future NATO strategy for Afghanistan [and] the status of NATO-Pakistan relations including a proposed framework to institutionalize enduring, broad-based and mutually beneficial future cooperation.” [5]
During Zardari’s meeting with Rasmussen, the Pakistani president stated he “appreciated training facilities offered by NATO to Pakistani officers and called for further increasing such facilities,” and “hail[ed] NATO’s intended support for training counter-terrorism units.” [6]
Last year the Pakistani military launched a “counterinterrorist” offensive in the Swat Valley and adjoining parts of the North-West Frontier Province that dwarfed in comparison fighting on the other side of the Durand Line, leading to 3,000,000 civilians being displaced according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Oxfam among other sources. There can be little doubt that the operation was ordered by Washington.
Over the past two years the U.S. has killed over 1,000 people with drone missile attacks in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. There have been reports of NATO helicopter gunship and commando raids in Pakistan launched from Afghanistan.
On July 21 NATO chief Rasmussen said that “Pakistan and NATO enjoy an important relationship and intend to build upon it…it goes beyond Afghanistan.” Indeed. Rasmussen also “commended Pakistan’s operations in the Tribal Areas….He mentioned the tripartite arrangement with NATO and said [NATO] would encourage Pakistan to continue it.” [7]
NATO’s first war in Asia and its first ground war is not limited to Afghanistan. In touting his organization’s “long-term partnership with Pakistan,” the Alliance’s secretary general added that NATO’s presence in Afghanistan and several adjoining nations was “driven not by calendar, but by commitment.” [8]
NATO is in South and Central Asia to stay. In Afghanistan, in Pakistan and in the former Soviet republics of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan following suit and India next in line. (The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, began a two-day visit to India on July 23, and pledged a continued “commitment” to South and Central Asia.)
In November NATO will endorse its new Strategic Concept, the first since it began its Eastern expansion at the fiftieth anniversary summit in Washington, D.C. in 1999. It is NATO’s first 21st century, first avowedly expeditionary military doctrine. It is the blueprint for global NATO, with partners and operations on at least five continents.
References:
1. Afghan War: Petraeus Expands U.S. Military Presence Throughout Eurasia
Stop NATO, July 4, 2010
2. North Atlantic Treaty Organization, July 16, 2010
3. Mr. Simmons’ Mission: NATO Bases From Balkans To Chinese Border
Stop NATO, March 4, 2009
4. Xinhua News Agency, May 21, 2010
5. South Asian News Agency, July 21, 2010
6. Associated Press of Pakistan, July 21, 2010
7. Daily Times, July 22, 2010
8. 8) Ibid
About the author: Rick Rozoff has been involved in anti-war and anti-interventionist work in various capacities for forty years. He lives in Chicago, Illinois. He is the manager of
Stop NATO international.
The rival grouping that was created six years after NATO’s formation and its expansion into Turkey and Greece in 1952 and the Federal Republic of Germany in 1955, the Warsaw Treaty Organization (Warsaw Pact), formally dissolved itself almost twenty years ago.
NATO's expansion
In the interim since its formation, having grown to 16 members by 1982 with the incorporation of Spain, NATO expanded from 12 to 28 members and absorbed 12 nations in Eastern Europe over the past 11 years. The last dozen were, except for two former Yugoslav federal republics (Croatia and Slovenia), earlier part of the Warsaw Pact and in three instances (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) also of the Soviet Union.
The North Atlantic military bloc’s sole right to maintain its name is that its major powers do largely have coastlines on the northern part of the Atlantic Ocean. The majority of its members do not. Since the Warsaw Pact’s demise and the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, NATO has subordinated all of Europe through full membership and the Partnership for Peace and more advanced programs.
"Partnership for Peace"
The newest members of NATO graduated through successive stages of integration from the Partnership for Peace to Individual Partnership Action Plans and Membership Action Plans to full membership. All supplied troops for the occupation of Iraq and now have forces serving under NATO in the Afghan war zone.
Current members of the Partnership for Peace program in Europe are: Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Ireland, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine. Bosnia, Moldova and Montenegro now have Individual Partnership Action Plans and Ukraine was recently granted a special Annual National Program. Russia was a member of the Partnership for Peace from 1992-1999, but suspended participation in that program and the Permanent Joint Council with NATO over the Alliance’s 78-day bombing war against Yugoslavia in 1999. However, in 2002 the NATO-Russia Council was inaugurated and though in abeyance after the 2008 Georgia-Russia war is functioning again.
All three former Soviet South Caucasus states – Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia – are Partnership for Peace members. The first two also have Individual Partnership Action Plans and Georgia its own Annual National Program, which NATO awarded it shortly after its five-day war with Russia in 2008.
In Central Asia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are in the Partnership for Peace. Kazakhstan is the first country outside of Europe (inclusive of the Caucasus) to receive an Individual Partnership Action Plan.
Middle East and Africa
In the Middle East and Northern and Western Africa, the following countries are NATO Mediterranean Dialogue partners: Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. Israel and Egypt each have an Individual Cooperation Program with NATO introduced in the last three years under enhanced Mediterranean Dialogue provisions. Egypt and Jordan have small troop contingents in Afghanistan.
Under the auspices of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative of 2004, NATO has strengthened military ties with the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. All but Oman and Saudi Arabia have formalized military cooperation arrangements with NATO. The United Arab Emirates is one of 46 official Troop Contributing Nations for NATO’s war in Afghanistan and there are also Bahraini soldiers in the war theater.
Contact Countries
The Brussels-based military bloc also has a category of military cooperation called Contact Countries, which to date include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea. All four have assisted the war in Afghanistan in various capacities and all but Japan have provided NATO with troops. Other Asia-Pacific states have deployed troops to serve under NATO in Afghanistan and as such are arguably already Alliance partners. Those countries include Singapore, Mongolia and Malaysia.
Tripartite Commission
NATO has initiated a Tripartite Commission consisting of its International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the armed forces of Afghanistan and Pakistan. A complement to the U.S.-Afghanistan-Pakistan Tripartite Commission, in 2008 former Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs Karl Inderfurth referred to it as the Trilateral Afghanistan-Pakistan-NATO Military Commission, which is a more accurate, if not its formal, title.
A tally of 28 full NATO members and the partners mentioned above produces a list of at least 70 of the 192 members of the United Nations which are linked to the Western military bloc in some manner.
NATO's Grip on PakistanOf all those nations, Pakistan is the second largest, its population of 170,000,000 only surpassed by that of the U.S. It is also one of only seven nations that acknowledge possessing nuclear weapons.
NATO’s grip on Pakistan was increased in 2005 when the military bloc became involved in an earthquake relief operation in the country, NATO’s second mission in Asia.
After that Pakistani military officers attended training courses at the NATO School in Oberammergau, Germany for the first time in 2006. The Pakistani Chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff at the time, General Ehsan ul Haq, visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels in the same year.
In 2007 Jaap de Hoop Scheffer became the first NATO secretary general to travel to Pakistan. In the same year Pakistani Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz visited NATO Headquarters.
The next year President Pervez Musharraf made the same trip, followed by his Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, ten months afterward.
In January of 2009 NATO chief Scheffer visited Pakistan to meet with newly installed President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Army chief General Kayani.
Returning the favor, Kayani paid a visit to NATO Headquarters in May, and the next month President Zardari, nine months after assuming his post, traveled to NATO Headquarters for a meeting with the bloc’s top governing body, the North Atlantic Council, being the first elected president of Pakistan to do so. In October of last year NATO conducted an international seminar on Pakistan in Brussels which included the ambassadors of all 28 of the bloc’s member states. In December NATO launched an Individual Tailored Cooperation Package to consolidate the integration of Pakistan.
This year Pakistani Foreign Minister Qureshi was at NATO Headquarters in February to meet with the new secretary general, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and to address the North Atlantic Council, and last month Prime Minister Gilani led a large government delegation to the same location, where he also met with Rasmussen and addressed the North Atlantic Council.
On either end of the International Conference on Afghanistan held in Kabul on July 20, NATO Secretary General Rasmussen visited Tajikistan, where French NATO forces have been stationed since 2002 and where recent reports detail plans for the U.S. to open a training center [1], and Pakistan.
On July 19 Rasmussen met with Tajik Defense Minister Sherali Khairulloyev and Security Council Secretary Amirkul Azimov to coordinate a common Afghan strategy.
He arrived in Pakistan on July 21, six days after a twenty-member Pakistani parliamentary delegation completed a four-day trip to NATO Headquarters in Belgium “to share information about the Alliance’s policies and activities and to strengthen political dialogue between NATO and elected representatives of Pakistan.” [2]
The group was also taken to the Allied Command Operations Headquarters, formerly known as Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE), the central command of NATO military forces.
While in Islamabad this Wednesday, Rasmussen was accompanied by a large delegation which included NATO Spokesman James Appathurai and Robert Simmons, NATO’s Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Security Cooperation and Partnership and its first Special Representative for the Caucasus and Central Asia. [3] Simmons was also in Pakistan in May when he spoke at a conference entitled “NATO’s Transition and its Relation with Pakistan.”
His comments at the time included the assurance that “Pakistan is NATO’s valued partner and our common challenge is war in Afghanistan.”
A report of his visit stated, “Simmons emphasized that NATO does not want to limit [itself] to high level dialogue with Pakistan but also to have practical cooperation by making use of the instrument of [an] Individual Cooperation Program to cover civilian and military affairs” [4], the same name as that used by NATO for its advanced partnerships with Israel and Egypt.
On May 21 Rasmussen and other NATO officials met with Pakistani President Zardari and with Chief of Army Staff General Kayani and Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Tariq Majid in separate meetings at the military’s General Headquarters. During the meeting with General Majid, discussion “focused on the future NATO strategy for Afghanistan [and] the status of NATO-Pakistan relations including a proposed framework to institutionalize enduring, broad-based and mutually beneficial future cooperation.” [5]
During Zardari’s meeting with Rasmussen, the Pakistani president stated he “appreciated training facilities offered by NATO to Pakistani officers and called for further increasing such facilities,” and “hail[ed] NATO’s intended support for training counter-terrorism units.” [6]
Last year the Pakistani military launched a “counterinterrorist” offensive in the Swat Valley and adjoining parts of the North-West Frontier Province that dwarfed in comparison fighting on the other side of the Durand Line, leading to 3,000,000 civilians being displaced according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and Oxfam among other sources. There can be little doubt that the operation was ordered by Washington.
Over the past two years the U.S. has killed over 1,000 people with drone missile attacks in Pakistan’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas. There have been reports of NATO helicopter gunship and commando raids in Pakistan launched from Afghanistan.
On July 21 NATO chief Rasmussen said that “Pakistan and NATO enjoy an important relationship and intend to build upon it…it goes beyond Afghanistan.” Indeed. Rasmussen also “commended Pakistan’s operations in the Tribal Areas….He mentioned the tripartite arrangement with NATO and said [NATO] would encourage Pakistan to continue it.” [7]
NATO’s first war in Asia and its first ground war is not limited to Afghanistan. In touting his organization’s “long-term partnership with Pakistan,” the Alliance’s secretary general added that NATO’s presence in Afghanistan and several adjoining nations was “driven not by calendar, but by commitment.” [8]
NATO is in South and Central Asia to stay. In Afghanistan, in Pakistan and in the former Soviet republics of Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan following suit and India next in line. (The chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, began a two-day visit to India on July 23, and pledged a continued “commitment” to South and Central Asia.)
In November NATO will endorse its new Strategic Concept, the first since it began its Eastern expansion at the fiftieth anniversary summit in Washington, D.C. in 1999. It is NATO’s first 21st century, first avowedly expeditionary military doctrine. It is the blueprint for global NATO, with partners and operations on at least five continents.
References:
1. Afghan War: Petraeus Expands U.S. Military Presence Throughout Eurasia
Stop NATO, July 4, 2010
2. North Atlantic Treaty Organization, July 16, 2010
3. Mr. Simmons’ Mission: NATO Bases From Balkans To Chinese Border
Stop NATO, March 4, 2009
4. Xinhua News Agency, May 21, 2010
5. South Asian News Agency, July 21, 2010
6. Associated Press of Pakistan, July 21, 2010
7. Daily Times, July 22, 2010
8. 8) Ibid
About the author: Rick Rozoff has been involved in anti-war and anti-interventionist work in various capacities for forty years. He lives in Chicago, Illinois. He is the manager of
Stop NATO international.
Why the US and India Demonize Pakistan's ISI
By Sheikh Gulzaar
 |
| Org. Logo of ISI |
Srinagar, August 5: Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence agency, or ISI as it is popularly known, is seen as their nemesis by those who have tried to undermine the security interests of the country one way or the other. It is no wonder then that in past few years the Americans unleashed a strong ISI-bashing campaign, with India following suit.
The Americans made no bones about their dislike for this agency, blaming it for working against their interests in Afghanistan. The Indians also see an ISI agent behind every rock in Kashmir and in Afghanistan where they are trying to dig their heels. They do not hesitate to pin on ISI the blame for the freedom struggle in Kashmir or for acts of terrorism by Indian extremists. Until recently the Karzai government dominated by the anti-Pakistan Northern Alliance also remained hostile to ISI.
Not too long ago, under intense American pressure the weak Zardari government made an unsuccessful attempt at neutralizing and subduing this agency in disregard to the existing sensitive regional security environment, by moving it out of the army control and placing it under the controversial and embattled Zardari loyalist interior minister - Rehman Malik. This did not succeed for a simple reason. The role of ISI as the eyes and ears of the Pakistan’s military - the bedrock of country’s security, is critical particularly at a time when the country faces multiple threats to its security.
Washington's darling in the Afghan-Soviet war
Ironically, this is the same ISI that was Washington’s darling during the 1980s when it was master minding the jihad against invading Soviet forces in Afghanistan. The role that ISI then played was congruent with American interests. The defeat of the Soviet Union would have meant realization of an American dream - avenging the humiliation of Vietnam. They held ISI in high esteem for its competence and professionalism and gladly funneled arms and funds to the Afghan mujahedeen through it. The ISI strategized the resistance and organized and trained the mujahedeen fighters, working in close collaboration with the CIA and the mujahedeen leaders, forcing the Soviets to retreat.
But as soon as the Americans had negotiated a quid pro quo - Russian withdrawal from South America in exchange for safe Soviet exit from Afghanistan, they disappeared in the middle of the night leaving Afghanistan in a quandary. The political turmoil that followed created chaos and instability owing to the failure of mujahedeen leadership, presenting as a result a security nightmare for Pakistan.
Taliban-US-Pakistan relations and the Indian Threat
In this chaos a group of young Afghan religious students, many of them former fighters from the resistance, calling themselves Taliban (in Pushto language Taliban means students), swept through the country with popular support to establish their rule. Interested to keep their presence alive, the Americans maintained contacts and supported them, ignoring their orthodox beliefs, their harsh rule and even the presence of Al Qaeda in their midst. This continued until it was time for the Americans to overthrow their government in order to serve the changing American interests.
While the Taliban government was in control, Pakistan too maintained friendly relations with them in the interest of keeping its western border secure, extending whatever support it could. The ISI played a role through the contacts it had developed during war against the Soviets.
In the wake of 9/11 things began to change. Having invaded Afghanistan in the name of war on terror, branding Taliban as brutes and their resistance as terrorism, the Americans wanted the Pakistan army and the ISI to join the war.
This posed a serious security concern for Pakistan. It could destabilize the Pak-Afghan border and strain relations with the Pashtun tribes on both sides of the Durand Line, the British drawn boundary that cut through the Pashtun region to divide British India and Afghanistan and which Pakistan had inherited. The fact that Pakistan’s border region, called Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is autonomous where the writ of the Pakistan Government does not prevail made matters more complex.
Pakistan’s military doctrine is based primarily on meeting the main threat from India on its eastern border while maintaining a peaceful border with Afghanistan in the west. A direct conflict with the Taliban would have forced Pakistan to divert its military assets from eastern to the western front, thus thinning out its defenses against India. This was the last thing Pakistan wanted to do because of its unfavorable ratio of 1:4 against India in terms of conventional forces. Understandably, President Musharraf was unwilling to do the American bidding.
U.S. projection of its military failures onto Pakistan
There always is a problem with powers that begin to act in imperialistic fashion. Their vision of the world becomes colored. They tend to believe that pursuit of their imperialist designs takes precedence over the national interests of those who cannot stand up to them, even if that means compromising their own national and security interests. America had also been behaving as one such imperial power and treated its smaller allies more like colonies. President Musharraf was threatened that in case of noncompliance with America’s wishes, “Pakistan would be bombed into the stone-age”. Musharraf was coerced into conceding to American demands.
Despite the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment and military hardware, the US and NATO forces failed to stop the Taliban fighters from moving back and forth into the unmarked Pak-Afghan border that passes through a treacherous mountainous region to regroup and strike on the invading foreign troops. The American commanders reacted by demanding that the Pakistan army engage these fighters and seal the border. Those with even the slightest knowledge of the area would know that the Americans were asking for the moon. This was physically impossible.
Pakistan army’s operations failed. In the process it earned a severe backlash from the local tribes who resented army’s action against their kinsmen from across the border who sought refuge in their area, as it violated the old tribal custom of providing sanctuary to any one who asked for it, even it was an enemy. The Pakistan army paid a heavy price. More soldiers died in this action than the combined number of casualties that the US and NATO troops have suffered in Afghanistan so far.
President Musharraf under advice of his army commanders and the intelligence community called off the action and resorted to persuasion instead. Through jirgas (assembly of tribal elders) effort was made for the tribesmen to voluntarily stop the influx of Taliban fighters. It didn’t succeed either. This was not to the liking of the American commanders. They blamed the ISI for working against their interests.
Washington accuses the ISI of complicity with insurgents
Washington and the American media frequently alleged that elements within ISI were maintaining contacts with the Taliban and attributed the failure of American troops in combating the Taliban to these contacts. Such allegations were also found to be part of the raw, unverified and even fabricated field reports ‘leaked’ in Afghanistan recently and splashed in the western media. The Americans have in the past also described the ISI to be out of control and demanded of the Pakistan government to purge the agency of Taliban sympathizers.
This is ridiculous. Firstly, ISI is a military organization operating under strict organizational control and discipline where officers are rotated in the normal course. It functions according to a defined mandate, unlike armed forces in some other countries and unlike the CIA which is known to be an invisible government on its own. Above all, Pakistan and its military are committed to weeding out religious extremism as a matter of state policy.
Secondly, if the American troops are so incapable of overcoming a rag tag army of Taliban and if the complicity of ISI with the Taliban can be instrumental in changing the course of the American war, then it is a sad day for America as a super power and the strength of NATO forces becomes questionable.
Thirdly, in the world of intelligence, contacts are kept even with the enemy and at all times. CIA keeps contacts within Russia and other hostile countries. Israel, the great American ally, spies on America itself. It is common for all intelligence agencies to do this in the security interests of their countries. Why then should America expect an exception to be made in case of ISI? Why should contacts that ISI developed with the mujahedeen and the Taliban earlier, and which if it does still maintain, become a source of such great concern for the American administration?
Demanding that the ISI subordinate Pakistan security to U.S. interests.
It is strange that America expects ISI to serve the American agenda instead of Pakistan’s interests first. One cannot forget that the Americans have a long history of abandonment of friends and allies and when they repeat this in Afghanistan citing their own national interest, despite their promises to the contrary, why should Pakistan be expected to be caught with pants down? Why Pakistan’s military and the intelligence agency should be expected to abdicate their duty and not do what is necessary to ensure Pakistan’s security in the long term?
It has often been argued that America expects Pakistan to be actively engaged in the Afghan war in return for the military assistance it provides. The answer is quite simple. The American establishment is doing all that needs to be done in support of its own war and not for the love of Pakistan. The war is theirs, not Pakistan’s. Pakistan should do and is doing what is necessary and feasible, without jeopardizing its own security.
As for the assistance, bulk of the $10 billion that America gave in the past and was branded as “aid” was in fact the reimbursement of expenses that Pakistan had already incurred in supporting the war effort. The rest was to meet Pakistan’s needs for operations in the border areas and for fighting terrorism that arose out of the war. The Americans still owe $35 billion to reimburse the losses Pakistan has incurred due to this war. As for the F16s that Pakistan is getting from the US, it pays for them, despite strict restrictions over their usage.
The Indian-Israeli attempt to destabilize Pakistan
While Americans had their issues with ISI, the Indians and Israelis began having their own. The agency exposed the growing Indian and Israeli confluence in Afghanistan to destabilize Pakistan. This happened right under the nose of the Americans and obviously not without their knowledge and consent. India having deployed its troops in the name of infra-structure development in league with Karzai government and with American funding and having established seven consulates along the sparsely populated Pak-Afghan border was engaged in heavily bribing the influential but ignorant and susceptible tribal leaders to spread disaffection among the local tribesmen against Pakistan.
Evidence was also unearthed by ISI about how the Indians bought the loyalties of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a grouping of Pakistani tribesmen from FATA and Uzbek fighters from previous wars who settled in the region. The TTP were influenced by the same orthodox religious beliefs as the Taliban in Afghanistan and were active in propagating them in their own areas. They were recruited to launch terror activities in the urban centers of Pakistan, including the capital Islamabad, and were funded, trained and equipped in Afghanistan jointly by the Indian, Israeli and Afghan intelligence agencies. A group from amongst them managed to gain control of Swat area adjoining FATA through coercion of the local population, which was later cleared by the Pakistan army after a major surgical intervention.
The ISI also laid bare strong physical evidence of Indian involvement in supporting insurgency in Balochistan by way of funding, training and equipping misguided and disgruntled Baloch elements grouped under various names including the Balochistan Liberation Army that was led by the fugitive grandson of the notable Bugti tribal chief – Akbar Bugti. His comings and goings in the Indian consulate at Kandahar and the Indian intelligence HQ in Delhi were photographed and his communications intercepted. Numerous training camps in the wilderness of Balochistan were detected where Indian trainers imparted training in guerilla warfare and the use of sophisticated weapons, which otherwise could not be available to the Baloch tribesmen. Flow of huge funds from Afghan border areas to the insurgents was detected that was traced back to the Indian consulates.
Summary and conclusion
The objective of the TTP, and behind the scene that of the Indians and the Israelis, was to make the world believe that Pakistan was under threat of capitulating to terrorist and insurgent elements who were about to take control of Pakistan’s nuclear assets. Their goal: to denuclearize Pakistan through foreign intervention.
These efforts have not succeeded. Undoubtedly, the army and the ISI played a crucial role in foiling the plots of subversion in Balochistan and the Pashtun region and exposing the foreign hands involved, including those of CIA, RAW, Mossad, RAMA, NATO and MI6. Terrorism may not yet be eliminated but Pakistan faces no existential threat.
It should be no surprise to the Americans, Indians and the Israelis if they find in ISI an adversary to reckon with. It is also not surprising that the ISI is in their perception, a rogue organization, for it has stood between them and Pakistan’s national security interests. Their frustration and ire, therefore, is understandable.(Writer-South Asia)
The Americans made no bones about their dislike for this agency, blaming it for working against their interests in Afghanistan. The Indians also see an ISI agent behind every rock in Kashmir and in Afghanistan where they are trying to dig their heels. They do not hesitate to pin on ISI the blame for the freedom struggle in Kashmir or for acts of terrorism by Indian extremists. Until recently the Karzai government dominated by the anti-Pakistan Northern Alliance also remained hostile to ISI.
Not too long ago, under intense American pressure the weak Zardari government made an unsuccessful attempt at neutralizing and subduing this agency in disregard to the existing sensitive regional security environment, by moving it out of the army control and placing it under the controversial and embattled Zardari loyalist interior minister - Rehman Malik. This did not succeed for a simple reason. The role of ISI as the eyes and ears of the Pakistan’s military - the bedrock of country’s security, is critical particularly at a time when the country faces multiple threats to its security.
Washington's darling in the Afghan-Soviet war
Ironically, this is the same ISI that was Washington’s darling during the 1980s when it was master minding the jihad against invading Soviet forces in Afghanistan. The role that ISI then played was congruent with American interests. The defeat of the Soviet Union would have meant realization of an American dream - avenging the humiliation of Vietnam. They held ISI in high esteem for its competence and professionalism and gladly funneled arms and funds to the Afghan mujahedeen through it. The ISI strategized the resistance and organized and trained the mujahedeen fighters, working in close collaboration with the CIA and the mujahedeen leaders, forcing the Soviets to retreat.
But as soon as the Americans had negotiated a quid pro quo - Russian withdrawal from South America in exchange for safe Soviet exit from Afghanistan, they disappeared in the middle of the night leaving Afghanistan in a quandary. The political turmoil that followed created chaos and instability owing to the failure of mujahedeen leadership, presenting as a result a security nightmare for Pakistan.
Taliban-US-Pakistan relations and the Indian Threat
In this chaos a group of young Afghan religious students, many of them former fighters from the resistance, calling themselves Taliban (in Pushto language Taliban means students), swept through the country with popular support to establish their rule. Interested to keep their presence alive, the Americans maintained contacts and supported them, ignoring their orthodox beliefs, their harsh rule and even the presence of Al Qaeda in their midst. This continued until it was time for the Americans to overthrow their government in order to serve the changing American interests.
While the Taliban government was in control, Pakistan too maintained friendly relations with them in the interest of keeping its western border secure, extending whatever support it could. The ISI played a role through the contacts it had developed during war against the Soviets.
In the wake of 9/11 things began to change. Having invaded Afghanistan in the name of war on terror, branding Taliban as brutes and their resistance as terrorism, the Americans wanted the Pakistan army and the ISI to join the war.
This posed a serious security concern for Pakistan. It could destabilize the Pak-Afghan border and strain relations with the Pashtun tribes on both sides of the Durand Line, the British drawn boundary that cut through the Pashtun region to divide British India and Afghanistan and which Pakistan had inherited. The fact that Pakistan’s border region, called Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) is autonomous where the writ of the Pakistan Government does not prevail made matters more complex.
Pakistan’s military doctrine is based primarily on meeting the main threat from India on its eastern border while maintaining a peaceful border with Afghanistan in the west. A direct conflict with the Taliban would have forced Pakistan to divert its military assets from eastern to the western front, thus thinning out its defenses against India. This was the last thing Pakistan wanted to do because of its unfavorable ratio of 1:4 against India in terms of conventional forces. Understandably, President Musharraf was unwilling to do the American bidding.
U.S. projection of its military failures onto Pakistan
There always is a problem with powers that begin to act in imperialistic fashion. Their vision of the world becomes colored. They tend to believe that pursuit of their imperialist designs takes precedence over the national interests of those who cannot stand up to them, even if that means compromising their own national and security interests. America had also been behaving as one such imperial power and treated its smaller allies more like colonies. President Musharraf was threatened that in case of noncompliance with America’s wishes, “Pakistan would be bombed into the stone-age”. Musharraf was coerced into conceding to American demands.
Despite the state-of-the-art surveillance equipment and military hardware, the US and NATO forces failed to stop the Taliban fighters from moving back and forth into the unmarked Pak-Afghan border that passes through a treacherous mountainous region to regroup and strike on the invading foreign troops. The American commanders reacted by demanding that the Pakistan army engage these fighters and seal the border. Those with even the slightest knowledge of the area would know that the Americans were asking for the moon. This was physically impossible.
Pakistan army’s operations failed. In the process it earned a severe backlash from the local tribes who resented army’s action against their kinsmen from across the border who sought refuge in their area, as it violated the old tribal custom of providing sanctuary to any one who asked for it, even it was an enemy. The Pakistan army paid a heavy price. More soldiers died in this action than the combined number of casualties that the US and NATO troops have suffered in Afghanistan so far.
President Musharraf under advice of his army commanders and the intelligence community called off the action and resorted to persuasion instead. Through jirgas (assembly of tribal elders) effort was made for the tribesmen to voluntarily stop the influx of Taliban fighters. It didn’t succeed either. This was not to the liking of the American commanders. They blamed the ISI for working against their interests.
Washington accuses the ISI of complicity with insurgents
Washington and the American media frequently alleged that elements within ISI were maintaining contacts with the Taliban and attributed the failure of American troops in combating the Taliban to these contacts. Such allegations were also found to be part of the raw, unverified and even fabricated field reports ‘leaked’ in Afghanistan recently and splashed in the western media. The Americans have in the past also described the ISI to be out of control and demanded of the Pakistan government to purge the agency of Taliban sympathizers.
This is ridiculous. Firstly, ISI is a military organization operating under strict organizational control and discipline where officers are rotated in the normal course. It functions according to a defined mandate, unlike armed forces in some other countries and unlike the CIA which is known to be an invisible government on its own. Above all, Pakistan and its military are committed to weeding out religious extremism as a matter of state policy.
Secondly, if the American troops are so incapable of overcoming a rag tag army of Taliban and if the complicity of ISI with the Taliban can be instrumental in changing the course of the American war, then it is a sad day for America as a super power and the strength of NATO forces becomes questionable.
Thirdly, in the world of intelligence, contacts are kept even with the enemy and at all times. CIA keeps contacts within Russia and other hostile countries. Israel, the great American ally, spies on America itself. It is common for all intelligence agencies to do this in the security interests of their countries. Why then should America expect an exception to be made in case of ISI? Why should contacts that ISI developed with the mujahedeen and the Taliban earlier, and which if it does still maintain, become a source of such great concern for the American administration?
Demanding that the ISI subordinate Pakistan security to U.S. interests.
It is strange that America expects ISI to serve the American agenda instead of Pakistan’s interests first. One cannot forget that the Americans have a long history of abandonment of friends and allies and when they repeat this in Afghanistan citing their own national interest, despite their promises to the contrary, why should Pakistan be expected to be caught with pants down? Why Pakistan’s military and the intelligence agency should be expected to abdicate their duty and not do what is necessary to ensure Pakistan’s security in the long term?
It has often been argued that America expects Pakistan to be actively engaged in the Afghan war in return for the military assistance it provides. The answer is quite simple. The American establishment is doing all that needs to be done in support of its own war and not for the love of Pakistan. The war is theirs, not Pakistan’s. Pakistan should do and is doing what is necessary and feasible, without jeopardizing its own security.
As for the assistance, bulk of the $10 billion that America gave in the past and was branded as “aid” was in fact the reimbursement of expenses that Pakistan had already incurred in supporting the war effort. The rest was to meet Pakistan’s needs for operations in the border areas and for fighting terrorism that arose out of the war. The Americans still owe $35 billion to reimburse the losses Pakistan has incurred due to this war. As for the F16s that Pakistan is getting from the US, it pays for them, despite strict restrictions over their usage.
The Indian-Israeli attempt to destabilize Pakistan
While Americans had their issues with ISI, the Indians and Israelis began having their own. The agency exposed the growing Indian and Israeli confluence in Afghanistan to destabilize Pakistan. This happened right under the nose of the Americans and obviously not without their knowledge and consent. India having deployed its troops in the name of infra-structure development in league with Karzai government and with American funding and having established seven consulates along the sparsely populated Pak-Afghan border was engaged in heavily bribing the influential but ignorant and susceptible tribal leaders to spread disaffection among the local tribesmen against Pakistan.
Evidence was also unearthed by ISI about how the Indians bought the loyalties of Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), a grouping of Pakistani tribesmen from FATA and Uzbek fighters from previous wars who settled in the region. The TTP were influenced by the same orthodox religious beliefs as the Taliban in Afghanistan and were active in propagating them in their own areas. They were recruited to launch terror activities in the urban centers of Pakistan, including the capital Islamabad, and were funded, trained and equipped in Afghanistan jointly by the Indian, Israeli and Afghan intelligence agencies. A group from amongst them managed to gain control of Swat area adjoining FATA through coercion of the local population, which was later cleared by the Pakistan army after a major surgical intervention.
The ISI also laid bare strong physical evidence of Indian involvement in supporting insurgency in Balochistan by way of funding, training and equipping misguided and disgruntled Baloch elements grouped under various names including the Balochistan Liberation Army that was led by the fugitive grandson of the notable Bugti tribal chief – Akbar Bugti. His comings and goings in the Indian consulate at Kandahar and the Indian intelligence HQ in Delhi were photographed and his communications intercepted. Numerous training camps in the wilderness of Balochistan were detected where Indian trainers imparted training in guerilla warfare and the use of sophisticated weapons, which otherwise could not be available to the Baloch tribesmen. Flow of huge funds from Afghan border areas to the insurgents was detected that was traced back to the Indian consulates.
Summary and conclusion
The objective of the TTP, and behind the scene that of the Indians and the Israelis, was to make the world believe that Pakistan was under threat of capitulating to terrorist and insurgent elements who were about to take control of Pakistan’s nuclear assets. Their goal: to denuclearize Pakistan through foreign intervention.
These efforts have not succeeded. Undoubtedly, the army and the ISI played a crucial role in foiling the plots of subversion in Balochistan and the Pashtun region and exposing the foreign hands involved, including those of CIA, RAW, Mossad, RAMA, NATO and MI6. Terrorism may not yet be eliminated but Pakistan faces no existential threat.
It should be no surprise to the Americans, Indians and the Israelis if they find in ISI an adversary to reckon with. It is also not surprising that the ISI is in their perception, a rogue organization, for it has stood between them and Pakistan’s national security interests. Their frustration and ire, therefore, is understandable.(Writer-South Asia)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)