New Delhi rulers - frustrating administration of justice

By Hassan Zainagiree

Srinagar, June 11: It's always guilty that must be punished, no matter who he is, what institution he belongs to. What matters is the nature of crime and the spirit of justice which must be the only standard to judge the merit of the case, comments -Aggressors like Halakoo and Changaiz did what history recorded them for. Genocides, macabre death dances, imperialistic arrogance and killing sprees. They hungered for blood and blood they had in full.

They played hosts for the owls to celebrate doomsday. They loved and enjoyed the “music” of innocent hapless yelling in pain, frying in agony. Unlike present day “civilized democrats”, champions of human rights and “secularists”, these “savage tormentors” however, did not wear gloves to hide their murdering hands, nor put on masks to conceal their identity. They raised the minarets of skulls in broad day light. They created tsunami of death and destruction quite openly. To let no one harbor any misunderstanding or misconception about their intentions. In the guise of saviors they didn't masquerade as brutal killers. Summary executions they would take at the wink of an eye. But would be ashamed of carrying out enforced disappearances, take encounters and custodial killings. Merciless tyrants they undoubtedly were. But duplicitous and cunning they certainly were not.

What the “civilized” world is doing today under various garbs and after taking “solemn pledges” of “respecting human dignity” and showing commitment to International Laws and numerous Geneva Conventions, makes it absolutely clear that medieval period ruthless warriors and despotic    monarchs had at least one moral edge over present day “democratic” rulers. In their not being guilty conscience they had not to hide their criminal profile under various “legal” nuances, nor fudge the records and resort to unmarked graves.

If by some miracle the Halakus and Changaizes were to arise from their graves, they would file in defamation suits against their “siblings” in death and destruction for unjustifiably maligning and accusing them for what they “excelled” in perfection themselves.

In a modern state if institutions of justice are deprived of serving the basic purpose of providing justice to the victim and their “constitutional powers” of prosecuting proceedings against perpetrators of heinous crimes, the state is, of its own, blurring the distinction between detestable regime it denounces and the democratic state it takes pride of giving it to its people. In this backdrop, invoking Armed Forces Special Power Act to halt administration of justice has all but exposed Indian state in its tall claims that every one is accountable before the law of land. On April 24 was stayed the trial of involving murdering civilians in fake gunfights by police and army. The ruling came after the counsel for union of India pleaded that army personnel named in case could not be prosecuted as the sanction has not been given by the government of India which is an essential requirement under the section 7 of the AFSPA. Earlier Supreme Court of India stayed proceedings in an identical case (Pathribal case) in which five civilians were murdered and then passed off as foreign militants responsible for massacre of 35 Sikhs in Chittisingpora. Forensic tests revealed they were civilians. It is to be noted that the chief judicial magistrate in Srinagar has asked the army to either stand trial in a criminal court or in an army court. But the army refused to exercise the option and stated it enjoys impunity under AFSPA. 

The fake encounter came to force last year. Eleven persons, including five army personnel, are accused of murdering of innocent people for promotion and “gallantry” award. The guilty police officers have already been arrested and are facing the trial. Justice demanded both troops and police personnel involved in the same crime and who are accomplice of each other should be punished and no discrimination shown. How can a killer in olive green be exonerated while the one in khaki be prosecuted? This is close to apartheid and smacks of neo-colonial approach. A sweeping generalization Delhi insists observers must avoid from making. “Individual aberrations”, it argues in defense.

Prosecuting erring soldiers doesn't mean prosecuting or maligning army as an institution. Only a “miniscule” from 'individual aberration', it means, have to account for their grave crimes they perpetrated against unarmed civilians. It is only when state shields such “action addicts”, under one pretext or other, that, infact, tars black the entire face of Indian army and drills holes in its claim that it is a “disciplinary” force. This attitude of authorities emboldens men in uniform to indulge in more excesses and atrocities. Even those immune to such “heroic” adventures loose the veneer of tolerance and get going. A message flows down the rank and file: We are above the law. State is behind us for every thing we will do. Thus it is state that gives them a license to kill and main, rape and destroy. On one hand Delhi repeatedly talks of “zero-tolerance” on human rights, on the other, it invokes the draconian law to ensure infringement.

The AFSPA requires pre-sanction of Delhi for prosecuting guilty soldiers, which usually is not given as Delhi's rigidness shows. More than 300 cases of gross human rights abuses against Indian forces like army and para-military troops could not be tried because Indian Home Ministry has not granted sanction. This is how authorities in Delhi are bent on frustrating administration of justice.

AFSPA and democracy are irreconcilable and can't be stuffed in one scabbard. Amnesty International too states that the black law encourages and abets abuse of human rights by men in uniform. Why authorities in Delhi allow a handful of soldiers to tarnish the image of the organization and the country they belong to, one fails to understand.For its own sake it is time Delhi repeal the law that has dented its credibility as a democratic state. 

(The edited version of the article written by Kashmiri writer Hassan Zainagiree)

Anna Hazare & Co. prove DV right on “Khatri Sick” PM : money corruption killing India

After our last Editorial of April 1 ,2011 (“DV  proves right on Khatri Sick PM: (Without his  blessing how  so many robbers can thrive?”) and during the course of our shifting from Bangalore to Mangalore, there was a countrywide furore  an the  stinking corruption  directly  pinning down the PM himself. The flood of criticism  was  not against private sector corruption but against the burgeoning  corruption right under the nose of the “Khatri Sick” PM .  Never before the  corruption of  politicians directly working under the PM and the bureaucracy was washed so openly. The corruption   scandals  under the PM  received international attention  following the hunger strike by a Gandhian.

Wikileak expose : What is more interesting is the comment of Julian Assange  heading the Wikileak .  He held the PM fully responsible for all the corruption and the PM’s silence on that. He blasted the PM saying: 

“It means he (PM) has a habit  of  reactively covering up allegations of corruption.”

PM called liar:  The PM shielded all the corrupt  fellows and encouraged the man-eaters  to devour anybody and everybody’. Not only  that.

Why he is closing his eyes?  What makes him close his eyes on all cases of highway robbery?  Man-eaters ? This is “intellectual   corruption” which is the most dangerous form of corruption.

The world famous Economist, which is very much pro-capitalist and pro-American  like the PM, called him a liar (Economist, March 26, 2011 p.33) and a dismally weak leader.

Anna  Hazare and company stripped the PM naked.

Nothing may come out of Anna Hazare’s  “fast” and the  subsequent  Lokpal Bill which is a product of the ruling  upper castes (15%)  who are the very promoters and perpetrators of   money corruption.

DV proves right: That is different.  Our point  is DV has proved right in directly indicting the PM  and holding him responsible for all the scams under his leadership as PM.

 Our views on corruption  are well known to all DV family members. In our book, India’s Intellectual  Desert (DSA-1999,Rs.50) . We have listed four varieties of corruption:-

1. Intellectual corruption.
2. Caste corruption
3. Moral corruption
4. Money corruption.

Of the four, we have given the last place to “money corruption” which is the sole target of Anna Hazare and company who also belongs to the ruling class.

Oppressed majority forgotten: Over 85% of India’s population, comprising SC/ST/BCs and Muslim/Christian/Sikhs plus women of all categories including upper castes, are the principal victims of the first two categories of corruption. Of course they are also victims of money corruption which cannot be eradicated without destroying the other three categories.

But neither  the Anna Hazare & co. anti-corruption  crusaders  nor their target, the “Khatri Sick” PM and his cronies, are interested in the first two varieties. That concerns the country’s oppressed majority (85%) who are forgotten by both the parties. That only proves the Hazare & Co. are not serious about the country’s basic maladies – except cheap publicity.

Parliament is supreme:   The problem with Hazare  and his tiny urban–based cronies    is they think the politicians  alone are corrupt. Fine. Yes. That is true.  But the MLAs and MPs are elected representatives of the   people as per the  Indian constitution,   according to which Parliament is  supreme. Whether we like it or not, we have to abide by the constitutional  principle .

That means our MPs  and  MLAs  cannot be  overlooked. Our urban elites may hate the politicians who are a negligible minority. But urban elites we noted  only for making nioise, criticizing everybody else but not caring for the public good. Left to themselves, they are all   for bypassing   the   constitution   and entrusting   the  government to the corrupt  corporates.

A second hunger –strike: That means the urban upper castes elites, who are  the backbone of Anna Hazare,  are taking a stand against the  constitution  which the country weaker sections – SC/ ST/ BC’s (65%) and Muslim / Christian/ Sikh (20%) will not agree.

In democracy, it is the people who rule through their representatives. The Indian Parliament will not accept the Hazare formula. He may have to come again to Jantar Mantar to start the fast again (and perhaps die?)

Be that as it may, the Anna Hazare & co. should be thanked at least for exposing the “Khatri Sick” PM’s role in the current money corruption poison killing the country. Their campaign received front-page publicity in India’s corrupt media and helped the outside world to know how “Hindu India” is stinking and degenerating.

This is what we have been writing and saying all these years. We are supremely happy that we have again and again proved right.  Meanwhile   the scurrilous smear campaign at the “top”   between different forces show how rotten is   India’ “top” which proves our point that corruption begins at the top. 

More details: http://www.dalitvoice.org/Templates/june2011/editorial.htm

Terrorism will not end with Osama killing

MANGALORE: Osama Bin Laden  (54)  was killed by the American force in Pakistan on May 1,2011. The Western world and its admirers  danced   with joy.

We condemn all   terrorism. But at the same time we must also note that it is a reaction to an action.  Did they not say “Hindu terrorism” come as a reaction  to “Islamic terrorism” in India?. A major portion   of the world  any way had a different reaction.

China, the no.2 world power, had a different opinion.
In DV, we were the first to disclose   a  different version of the 9/11.  Many leading Western writers  have expressed that the 9/11 was  master-minded  by the   Mossad.  Many books have come out on the subject.

Since the West has the most powerful media it can sell   any product. That is how a major portion of the world had a different opinion on Osama killing.

However, this much can be said that terrorism will not end with Osama.
DV REFERENCE TO OSAMA BIN LADEN
DV FEb.1, 2007 p.20: “Osama did not attack WTC”.
DV Edit Oct.16, 2004: “War on terror turns into wholesale war on Muslims & converts Osama into darling of oppressed”.
DV Sept.1, 2002 p.9: “DV proves right on Osama”.
DV Oct.16, 1999 p.4: “Islamic terrorism & bin Laden”.
More details: http://www.dalitvoice.org

Iran’s missile systems are for the defense of Muslim nations: Majlis Speaker

JAKARTA - Iran will use its domestically manufactured missile systems to defend itself and other Muslim nations if they are threatened, Majlis Speaker Ali Larijani has said, reports Tehran Times.

“We do not hide our defensive advancement and (we) have designed advanced missile systems… Israel and the U.S. should know that if they want to act violently toward Muslims, we will stand in their way,” Larijani told students at Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University in Jakarta on Thursday.

According to the school of the late Imam Khomeini, the Founder of the Islamic Republic, Muslims should possess enough defensive strength to use against other countries in case they attack, he noted.

Commenting on the popular uprisings in Middle Eastern and North African nations, he said the people of these countries can no longer tolerate their dictatorial governments, which are subservient to the West.

The United States and other Western countries cannot manipulate these uprisings, he said, adding that they should know that the more they pressure these regional nations, the more determined their people will become, he opined.

Iran, Indonesia issue joint statement
Iran and Indonesia have issued a joint statement calling on every country to respect every other country’s rights and to avoid interfering in other countries’ internal affairs.

The statement was issued during a meeting between Larijani and Indonesian Parliament Speaker Marzuki Alie in Jakarta on Thursday.

The statement also condemned all interference, including military intervention, in other countries.

The two parliament speakers underscored the importance of respecting the legitimate right of the people of the Middle East and North Africa to determine their political destiny.

Larijani and Alie also expressed their support for an agreement between the Palestinian factions Hamas and Fatah to form an interim unity government.

They also called on all countries to recognize Palestine as an independent state. In addition, part of the statement reads that the Iranian and Indonesian parliament speakers believe that cooperation on economic, trade, energy, tourism, and infrastructure projects can be increased through the expansion of interactions between the two countries’ parliaments.

Kashmir Bleeds, Does Anyone Heed?- by Hafsa Khawaja

Srinagar, 10 June: Befittingly termed once as ‘Heaven on Earth’, with millions martyred since the past 6 decades, thousands of half-widows, orphans and missing – Kashmir today is a Palestine-in-the-making of Asia.

As the Kashmir intifada continues, anyone keeping a keen eye on the serpentine course of events there is bound to be surprised as to why the coverage and attention of international media does not keep up with the importance and intensity of resistance to the

Indian Occupation of the region?
[Read the precise history of the issue under the sub-title of 'Background of the Kashmir Conflict'.]

For the past six decades, Kashmir has hung in the region as a pendulum of conflict between two countries with only one demand of the Kashmiri people, Azadi or freedom from Indian Occuption and their right to self-determination.

It has been tried to stifle this voice of theirs by bullets, lynching, rape, arrests, arson and humiliation which are what solely today’s Kashmiri youth or the ‘Sang-baaz’ (Stonepelters) have grown up knowing as gruesome child-hood memories.

But what needs to be highlighted, is how the international community is turning a deaf ear to the cries of Kashmir today when they are ringing higher than ever.

Aalaw (Meaning ‘call’ in Kashur), is a site set-up by ordinary Kashmiris to help show the ground-realities there. It has updated the list of killings in Kashmir since 11th June:

“Summer in Kashmir has been drenched in blood which witnessed killing of many civilians, mostly teenagers, allegedly in police and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) action mostly since June.”

113 people have been murdered brutally and one can gage if this is the case for 4 months, what really has been happening in Kashmir for the past 63 years.

The atrocities in Kashmir can also be recognized by a data included by Pakistan’s Parliamenatary Committee on Kashmir a few years back :

HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS COMMITTED BY INDIAN TROOPS IN DISPUTED STATE OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR
(FROM JANUARY 1989 TO FEBRUARY 2006)

Total Killings                                  1,73,779
Custodial Killings                              86,817
Civilians Arrested                            311,534
Houses/Shops Destroyed                205,143
Women Widowed                              82,371
Children Orphaned                        106,616
Women Molested                               9,637

Disappearances                                14398

(Source: All Parties Hurriyat Conference)

After much happening, recently the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon evinced his cognizance of the savagery in Kashmir by hesitatingly issuing a feeble statement (calling an “immediate end to violence” and pleading for “calm and restraint by all concerned”, thus equating the people of Kashmir with their oppressors)expressing concern over the situation there but by knwoingly not addressing India which should be diretly done as expected from the Head of an organization as the United Nations.

It is pertinent to mention here that Kashmiri population are only demanding that they should be given their rights of self determination under the UN Resolution. That leaves one to wonder what the purpose of the UN is if it lacks the will to exert pressure to execute the process defined under its own resolution leave alone stopping tyranny anywhere.

This dispute is also viewed as a possible cause of a future ‘nuclear clash’ between India and Pakistan therefore making the conflict a matter of international importance.

One would concur with what Ms.Maria Sultan wrote:
“The liberation movement is often depicted as a ‘terrorist’ militancy instigated primarily by Pakistan.”

It is doubtless that the foreign media, for a long period, has portrayed the freedom struggle of Kashmir wrapped in a dirty glaze of militancy and extremism (which is exactly what the oppressors in the case: India, have shown to be which would be similar to belieiing what Israel has to say about Palestine) showing the people of Kashmir to be terrorists funded by Pakistan which is certainly irrational to say the least.

Pakistan’s Foreign Minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi stated at the UN:

“No one any longer can seriously believe … that Pakistan can orchestrate thousands of people…”

This time, the Intifida in Kashmir is not about men only but it involves women and children, armed with stones and sticks, stepping out to defy the curfew or protest.

The Sang-Baaz have taken to the streets and have become a single force mirroring the rise of the third Kashmiri generation in resistance to Indian Occupation.

Tariq Ali wrote a brilliant article ‘Not Crushed, Merely Ignored’ in July over the killings in Kashmir, him being in oblivion about them and the Foreign Media hypocrisy over it :


“….As far as I could see, none of the British daily papers or TV news bulletins had covered the stories in Kashmir; after that I rescued two emails from Kashmir informing me of the horrors from my spam box. I was truly shamed. The next day I scoured the press again. Nothing. The only story in the Guardianfrom the paper’s Delhi correspondent – a full half-page – was headlined: ‘Model’s death brings new claims of dark side to India’s fashion industry’. Accompanying the story was a fetching photograph of the ill-fated woman. The deaths of (at that point) 11 young men between the ages of 15 and 27, shot by Indian security forces in Kashmir, weren’t mentioned.

Later I discovered that a short report had appeared in the New York Times on 28 June and one the day after in the Guardian; there has been no substantial follow-up. When it comes to reporting crimes committed by states considered friendly to the West, atrocity fatigue rapidly kicks in.

An Amnesty International letter to the Indian prime minister in 2008 listed his country’s human rights abuses in Kashmir and called for an independent inquiry, claiming that ‘grave sites are believed to contain the remains of victims of unlawful killings, enforced disappearances, torture and other abuses which occurred in the context of armed conflict persisting in the state since 1989. The graves of at least 940 persons have reportedly been found in 18 villages in Uri district alone.’

Illegal detentions in Kashmir unheard in Nazi Germany: Ram Jethmalani

Srinagar, 10 June :  Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and eminent Supreme Court lawyer, Ram Jethmalani, Monday hauled up the state government for detaining people without any charge or trial for years, saying the practice was 'unheard of even in Nazi Germany'.

Addressing a press conference here, Jethmalani, who is leading a four-member panel of Kashmir Committee currently on a visit here, said he was “shocked” to know that people in Kashmir were languishing in jails “without any trial or charge for years.”

Referring to  incarnated Hurriyat Conference (G) leader, ‘General’ Moosa , Jethmalani said it was “disgraceful” that a man could be detained for 18 years without trial.

“It was shocking to hear from his family that Moosa was being detained for the last 18 years without any trial. I mean this is something we haven’t heard of even in Nazi Germany,” Jethmalani said.

He said it was distressing that under a democratically elected government, human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests of “innocent people”, continued unabated .

Jethmalani warned that things could take an ugly turn if the state government continued to  “mishandle” the situation.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah must personally go through the cases of those detained under the Public safety Act (PSA), Jethamalani said.

“This lawlessness must end, innocent people must be freed, only then will the anger of  people subside,” he said, “It will also help create an atmosphere for a solution of Kashmir issue.”

Kheer Bhawani Mela, Ganderbal, Kashmir, Hindu-Muslim Communal Harmony, JKLF, Militants, Terrorisim, Christians-Muslims, Jews of India, RSS-BJP, Indian Army, Bita Karatay, Hizbul Mujahideen, Hilal War, 11th August Foundation, Sheikh Aziz, Shabir Shah, yaseen Mailk, L&T

GANDERBAL, June 10: Ganderbal district today was a grand display of communal harmony in Kashmir. Over one lakh people thronged the twin religious festivals of Kheer Bhawani Mela for Hindus and Babanagri Urs  for Muslims in the district.

According to officials, 72,000 mostly Kashmiri Pandit devotees from across India thronged to Tullmulla to participate in the annual Mela Khirbhawani, while more than 80,000 Muslims attended the two-day urs at Babanagri Kangan.

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Talking to Kashmir Times, a   devotee from Jammu Rakesh said, “It is a healthy and lively sign of Kashmiriyat. The locals here provide us everything we need. They feel incomplete without us and so do we without them”.

A local, Showkat Ahmad Bhat from Awami Behbood Committee Tullmulla was busy offering juice to the devotees at a stall.

Fayaz Ahmad Bhat, who had installed a stall inside the shrine premises selling the items meant for the Puja looked cheerful doing brisk business. “I hope this business will grow further every year,” said Bhat.

“Mela Khirbhawani is the LIVE example of Hindu-Muslim harmony and has no parallel in any part of the world,” said Chairman of United Kashmiriyat Forum, Bharat Raina.

Kheer Bhawani temple of Godess Ragnya has become one of the main annual attractions for displaced Kashmiri Pandits.

Every year some one from the new generation of the minority Kashmiri Hindus makes the pilgrimage to Tullamulla for the first time.

Ajay Koul of Jammu, originally hailing from Sheikhpora Budgam who participated in today’s Mela Khirbhawani was one such first timer. His maiden visit to this famous shrine was only possible because of a government job he has recently got as compensation to return.

“I would definitely have visited here before but the financial security was a big hindrance for me,” Ajay, 29, told Kashmir Times.

He said all the Pandits who have migrated from valley in 1989 afterwards would definitely return if provided the special package including the financial security.

“See, I am here for the first time. And that is because of teacher job I have recently got as a migrant. Any special packages from the government aimed at the welfare of the Pandit community including the financial assistance will definitely paves a way for the return of Pandits,”, he said.

Ajay, who is now working as a teacher in one of the government schools in Srinagar before visiting Mata Khirbhawani at Tullmulla first made his way to Dastageer Sahab Khanyar and then to Dargah Hazratbal. After visiting these two places, he finally visited Tullmulla.

Echoing Ajay, Sandeep from Jammu originally hailing from (Anantnag) Islamabad said that the youth are definitely intended to return to their motherland. “We are emotionally integrated with our motherland Kashmir and any green signal in the form of job and other securities will definitely coax us to move back here”, he said.

“It was not only Pandits who suffered because of 1989 turmoil, but Muslims also did. My local Muslim friend at Islamabad is calling me everyday to return as he is even today feeling incomplete without me,” another youth said.

India has dispatched roughly 60,000 troops to its border with China

By Johan Simth

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Srinagar, 11 June: In the last few days, India has dispatched roughly 60,000 troops to its border with China, the scene of enduring territorial disputes between the two countries.

J.J. Singh, the Indian governor of the controversial area, said the move was intended to “meet future security challenges” from China. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh claimed, despite cooperative India-China relations, his government would make no concessions to China on territorial disputes.

The tough posture Singh’s new government has taken may win some applause among India’s domestic nationalists. But it is dangerous if it is based on a false anticipation that China will cave in.

India has long held contradictory views on China. Another big Asian country, India is frustrated that China’s rise has captured much of the world’s attention. Proud of its “advanced political system,” India feels superior to China. However, it faces a disappointing domestic situation which is unstable compared with China’s.

India likes to brag about its sustainable development, but worries that it is being left behind by China. China is seen in India as both a potential threat and a competitor to surpass.

But India can’t actually compete with China in a number of areas, like international influence, overall national power and economic scale. India apparently has not yet realized this.

Indian politicians these days seem to think their country would be doing China a huge favor simply by not joining the “ring around China” established by the US and Japan.

India’s growing power would have a significant impact on the balance of this equation, which has led India to think that fear and gratitude for its restraint will cause China to defer to it on territorial disputes.

But this is wishful thinking, as China won’t make any compromises in its border disputes with India. And while China wishes to coexist peacefully with India, this desire isn’t born out of fear.

India’s current course can only lead to a rivalry between the two countries. India needs to consider whether or not it can afford the consequences of a potential confrontation with China. It should also be asking itself why it hasn’t forged the stable and friendly relationship with China that China enjoys with many of India’s neighbors, like Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Any aggressive moves will certainly not aid the development of good relations with China. India should examine its attitude and preconceptions; it will need to adjust if it hopes to cooperate with China and achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. (Writer-South Asia)

Osama bin laden wanted an axis between China, Iran and Pakistan

By: Sheikh GULZAAR

You will be surprised. Every second Indian knows their name but a majority of Pakistanis won’t even know Hafiz Saeed or Jamaat-ud-Dawa’s name, especially in the rural areas. These people represent a very extreme school of thought in Islam — salafis — and involve a very tiny minority of Pakistanis. At one point Osama wanted an axis between China, Iran and Pakistan, even though the Chinese were not Muslim. His agenda was very different from the JuD and LeT. They are perceived not as jihadis but as a sectarian organisation. They are not popular. In 2002 they could form a government in one province only because the military was supporting them.

Water crisis can trigger nuclear war in South Asia

By: Musharaf Zahoor

http://jkmpic.blogspot.com

Islamabad, 4 June: Water is an ambient source, which unlike human beings does not respect boundaries. Water has been a permanent source of conflict between the tribes since biblical times and now between the states. The conflicts are much more likely among those states, which are mainly dependent on shared water sources, reports Musharaf Zahoor in KMS.

The likelihood of turning these conflicts into wars is increased when these countries or states are mainly arid or receive low precipitations. In this situation, the upper riparian states (situated on upper parts of a river basin) often try to maximize water utility by neglecting the needs of the lower riparian states (situated on low lying areas of a river basin).

However, international law on distribution of trans-boundary river water and mutually agreed treaties by the states have helped to some extent in overcoming these conflicts. In the recent times, the climate change has also affected the water availability. The absence of water management and conservation mechanisms in some regions particularly in the third world countries have exacerbated the water crisis. These states have become prone to wars in future.

South Asia is among one of those regions where water needs are growing disproportionately to its availability. The high increase in population besides large-scale cultivation has turned South Asia into a water scarce region. The two nuclear neighbors Pakistan and India share the waters of Indus Basin. All the major rivers stem from the Himalyan region and pass through Kashmir down to the planes of Punjab and Sindh empty into Arabic ocean. It is pertinent that the strategic importance of Kashmir, a source of all major rivers, for Pakistan and symbolic importance of Kashmir for India are maximum list positions. Both the countries have fought two major wars in 1948, 1965 and a limited war in Kargil specifically on the Kashmir dispute.

Among other issues, the newly born states fell into water sharing dispute right after their partition. Initially under an agreed formula, Pakistan paid for the river waters to India, which is an upper riparian state. After a decade long negotiations, both the states signed Indus Water Treaty in 1960. Under the treaty, India was given an exclusive right of three eastern rivers Sutlej, Bias and Ravi while Pakistan was given the right of three Western Rivers, Indus, Chenab and Jhelum. The tributaries of these rivers are also considered their part under the treaty.

It was assumed that the treaty had permanently resolved the water issue, which proved a nightmare in the latter course. India by exploiting the provisions of IWT started wanton construction of dams on Pakistani rivers thus scaling down the water availability to Pakistan (a lower riparian state). The treaty only allows run of the river hydropower projects and does not permit to construct such water reservoirs on Pakistani rivers, which may affect the water flow to the low lying areas. According to the statistics of Hydel power Development Corporation of Indian Occupied Kashmir, India has a plan to construct 310 small, medium and large dams in the territory.

India has already started work on 62 dams in the first phase. The cumulative dead and live storage of these dams will be so great that India can easily manipulate the water of Pakistani rivers. India has set up a department called the Chenab Valley Power Projects to construct power plants on the Chenab River in occupied Kashmir. India is also constructing three major hydro-power projects on Indus River which include Nimoo Bazgo power project, Dumkhar project and Chutak project. On the other hand, it has started Kishan Ganga hydropower project by diverting the waters of Neelum River, a tributary of the Jhelum, in sheer violation of the IWT.

The gratuitous construction of dams by India has created serious water shortages in Pakistan. The construction of Kishan Ganga dam will turn the Neelum valley, which is located in Azad Kashmir into a barren land. The water shortage will not only affect the cultivation but it has serious social, political and economic ramifications for Pakistan. The farmer associations have already started protests in Southern Punjab and Sindh against the non-availability of water. These protests are so far limited and under control. The reports of international organizations suggest that the water availability in Pakistan will reduce further in the coming years. If the situation remains unchanged, the violent mobs of villagers across the country will be a major law and order challenge for the government.

The water shortage has also created mistrust among the federative units, which is evident from the fact that the President and the Prime Minister had to intervene for convincing Sindh and Punjab provinces on water sharing formula. The Indus River System Authority (IRSA) is responsible for distribution of water among the provinces but in the current situation it has also lost its credibility. The provinces often accuse each other of water theft.

In the given circumstances, Pakistan desperately wants to talk on water issue with India. The meetings between Indus Water Commissioners of Pakistan and India have so far yielded no tangible results. The recent meeting in Lahore has also ended without concrete results. India is continuously using delaying tactics to under pressure Pakistan. The Indus Water Commissioners are supposed to resolve the issues bilaterally through talks. The success of their meetings can be measured from the fact that Pakistan has to knock at international court of arbitration for the settlement of Kishan Ganga hydropower project. The recently held foreign minister level talks between both the countries ended inconclusively in Islamabad, which only resulted in heightening the mistrust and suspicions.

The water stress in Pakistan is increasing day by day. The construction of dams will not only cause damage to the agriculture sector but India can manipulate the river water to create inundations in Pakistan. The rivers in Pakistan are also vital for defense during wartime. The control over the water will provide an edge to India during war with Pakistan.

The failure of diplomacy, manipulation of IWT provisions by India and growing water scarcity in Pakistan and its social, political and economic repercussions for the country can lead both the countries toward a war. The existent A-symmetry between the conventional forces of both the countries will compel the weaker side to use nuclear weapons to prevent the opponent from taking any advantage of  the situation.

Pakistan's nuclear programme is aimed at to create minimum credible deterrence. India has a declared nuclear doctrine which intends to retaliate massively in case of first strike by its' enemy. In 2003, India expanded the operational parameters for its nuclear doctrine. Under the new parameters, it will not only use nuclear weapons against a nuclear strike but will also use nuclear weapons against a nuclear strike on Indian forces anywhere.

Pakistan has a draft nuclear doctrine, which consists on the statements of high ups. Describing the nuclear thresh-hold in January 2002, General Khalid Kidwai, the head of Pakistan's Strategic Plans Division, in an interview to Landau Network, said that Pakistan will use nuclear weapons in case India occupies large parts of its territory, economic strangling by India, political disruption and if India destroys Pakistan's forces.

The analysis of the ambitious nuclear doctrines of both the countries clearly points out that any military confrontation in the region can result in a nuclear catastrophe. The rivers flowing from Kashmir are Pakistan's lifeline, which are essential for the livelihood of 170 million people of the country and the cohesion of federative units. The failure of dialogue will leave no option but to achieve the ends through military means.

The only way to discard the lurking fear of a nuclear cataclysm is to settle all the outstanding disputes amicably through dialogue. The international community has a special role in this regard. It should impress upon India to initiate meaningful talks to resolve the lingering Kashmir dispute with Pakistan and implement the water treaty in its letter and spirit. The Indian leadership should drive out its policy towards Pakistan from terrorism mantra to a solution-oriented dialogue process. Both the countries should adopt a joint mechanism to maximize the utility of river waters by implementing the 1960 treaty, Besides negotiations with India, Pakistan should start massive water conservation and management projects.

The modern techniques in agriculture like i.e. drip irrigation, should be adopted. On the other hand, there is a dire need to gradually upgrade the obsolete irrigation system in Pakistan. The politicization of mega hydropower projects/dams is also a problem being faced by Pakistan, which can only be resolved through political will.

The writer is a researcher at Department of Nuclear Politics, National Defence University, Islamabad and can be reached at ndu.nuclear@gmail.com

US intruders missile strike kills nine in Pakistan

Srinagar, June 04: US intruders missile strike kills five in South Waziristan MIRANSHAH: A US missile strike targeting a house killed nine  people and injured 13 others in tribal badlands near the Afghan border on Friday, security officials  of Pakistan said.

The strike took place in Ghwakhwa area, 10 kilometres (six miles) west of Wana, the main town of South Waziristan (SW) tribal region.

A security official confirmed the strike and casualties but said the "identities of those killed in the attack were not immediately known. (Writer-South Asia)

$4.5bn Indo-Israel arms deal

NEW DELHI 29 May: India and Israel are in the process of inking a $4.5 billion (Rs 20,000 cr) arms deal for air-to-ground and air-to-air missiles and other related systems. The deal could put Israel in the forefront once again as one of India's leading arms suppliers, reports Anuradha Mukherjee in The Sunday Guardian.

Official sources told The Sunday Guardian that the deal could contain a package of Derby and Python missiles, and even a hybrid of them, and other related equipment. The indigenous fighter, Tejas, is to be fitted with Derby air-to-air missiles from Rafael Advanced Systems.

Recent visits by the deputy chief of staff of the three services to Israel as part of a delegation led by Union Defence Secretary Pradip Kumar a few weeks ago indicated that the deals were meant for both the Air Force and the Navy. DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat was also in Israel recently to participate in the talks.

India's defence deals with Israel have faced criticism for the shroud of secrecy surrounding them. "We are buying arms without competitive bidding and transparency. To some extent, in the arms business, you have to make government to government deals. In our case, we don't even try to play one supplier against another to get competitive prices. The way India is making these procurements, we are paying much higher prices," said Brahma Chellaney, strategic analyst and professor with the Centre for Policy Research.

Saraswat's presence was required since these technologies were supposed to be undertaken as joint development programmes in which the DRDO usually ended up with a peripheral role, sources said.

Experts said that if the deal was cleared, it would be a major breakthrough from 2010, when several Israeli companies were blacklisted for irregularities in striking deals. The Israeli arms industry, which was beset by allegations of corruption, had also hit a bad patch in clinching the arms deals. The Ministry of Defence had admitted as much in Parliament in November 2010, but stopped short of naming the companies.

The Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), one of the most powerful Israeli arms manufacturers, was blacklisted by the MoD for its alleged involvement in the Ordnance Factory Board scam. Several other foreign companies were also blacklisted.

Chellaney said that with its offset policy Indian indigenous defence research did not stand much of a chance in the face of defence procurements from foreign countries. India diluted its offset policy earlier this year. The offset policy mandated that 50% raw material used in such joint projects had to be sourced from India. "Now it is not needed," said Chellaney. (Writer-South Asia)

Pakistani Army was more anti-American than anti-India.

Pakistani Army was more anti-American than anti-India.

Sheikh Gulzaar (Journalist)

Writer-South Asia, POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 01933-223705
Mob: 09858986794
e-mail: gulzar@journalist.com

Enemy seeking to cripple Iran’s economy, dash people’s hopes: Leader

Srinagar, May 31:  Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei has outlined the enemy’s scenario for undermining the Islamic system of Iran, reports MNA. from Tehran.

“Undermining Iran’s economy, creating discord among the officials, and weakening Islamic beliefs and sentiments are part of the scenario of the enemies of Islam,” the Leader said during a meeting with parliamentarians on Sunday.

“The enemy has openly directed its efforts toward economic issues in order to cripple Iran’s economy and dash the people’s hopes,” he said.

The second goal of the hegemonistic system is to sow discord among government officials, so they should be vigilant and should not allow their disagreements to deteriorate into serious clashes and conflicts, he added.

The officials should avoid unnecessary arguments and fulfill their duty, which is to try to foil the enemy’s plot to undermine the Islamic establishment, he stated.

The third objective of the enemy’s scenario is to undermine Islamic beliefs and sentiments, promote atheism, and open the door for atheists to infiltrate Islamic nations, he said.

The Leader pointed to the Western media outlets’ massive propaganda efforts to manipulate the youth in Egypt, Tunisia, and other regional countries and said that the hegemonistic system is promoting corruption and raising doubts about religious beliefs with the aim of containing the Islamic awakening.

He also said that the main goal of the arrogant powers’ propaganda machine is to “pollute the atmosphere and obstruct the process of enhancing nations’ awareness, but despite their efforts, the Iranian nation has increased their understanding and insightfulness day by day.”

He added, “If we neglect our main duties and become preoccupied with peripheral issues or proudly underestimate the power of the enemy, defeat by the enemy will become a real danger.”

Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader highlighted the importance of synergy and cooperation between the Majlis and administration, saying each branch of the government should be tolerant toward the differing views of other branches of the government.

He advised the MPs to take the administration’s ideas into consideration before drafting bills and enacting laws and to try to facilitate the implementation of laws by the administration.

The administration should also do its utmost to implement the parliament’s ratifications without making excuses, he said.

“Anyone who has a responsibility in any position should view themselves as being on a battlefield of the Iranian nation’s confrontation with the enemies of Islam and the Islamic Revolution and fulfill their obligations from this standpoint,” he added.

Commenting on the parliamentary election scheduled to be held in March 2012, the Leader advised the lawmakers not to allow their election campaigns to negatively affect the routine activities of the Majlis.

The Leader also said no one should be allowed to manipulate the election and the election should be held according to the legal procedure stipulated by the law.

11th August Foundation pays glowing tributes to Abdul Qayoom Ganaie

Srinagar, May 31 : The 11th August Foundation, while paying rich tributes to Fakhar-e-Jehad-i-Kashmir, Abdul Qayoom Ganaie, on his 10th martyrdom anniversary, said that he had devoted his life for Kashmir liberation movement.

11th August Foundation  Chairman, Tahir Hamadani, and senior Vice Chairman, S. Ashraf in a joint statement said that the blood of Kashmiri martyrs like Abdul Qayoom Ganaie and  Hakim Jalal-ul-Dinwould not be allowed to go waste.

Quran Khawani was held at the Pampore for martyred  Abdul Qayoom Ganaie. It was participated by the freedom leaders and activists including Basharat and Sofi Ashraf.

India, Pak talk demilitarizing Kashmir

Srinagar, 30 May:  India and Pakistan on Monday began their first attempt in three years to demilitarize the world's highest battlefield in the Himalayan region that has claimed the lives of hundreds of soldiers.

The defense secretaries began two days of talks in New Delhi on Monday how to reduce troops situated above the Siachen glacier since 1984.

Operation Meghdoot was the name given to the attack launched by the Indian Military to capture the Siachen Glacier in the disputed Kashmir region, precipitating the Siachen Conflict. Launched on 13 April 1984, this military operation was unique as the first assault launched in the world's highest battlefield. The military action eventually resulted in Indian troops managing to gain control of the entire Siachen Glacier. Today, the occupation of locations along what is known as the Actual Ground Position Line (AGPL) continues to be known as Operation Meghdoot, with up to 10 Infantry Battalions each of the Indian Army and Pakistani Army actively deployed in altitudes up to 6,400 metres (21,000 ft).

A cease fire went into effect in 2003. Even before then, every year more soldiers were killed because of severe weather than enemy firing. The two sides by 2003 had lost an estimated 2,000 personnel primarily due to frostbite, avalanches and other complications. Together, the nations have about 150 manned outposts along the glacier, with some 3,000 troops each. Official figures for maintaining these outposts are put at ~$300 and ~$200 million for India and Pakistan respectively. India built the world's highest helipad on the glacier at Point Sonam, 21,000 feet (6,400 m) above the sea level, to supply its troops. The problems of reinforcing or evacuating the high-altitude ridgeline have led to India's development of the Dhruv Mk III helicopter, powered by the Shakti engine, which was flight-tested to lift and land personnel and stores from the Sonam post, the highest permanently manned post in the world.India also installed the world's highest telephone booth on the glacier.

One of the factors behind the Kargil War in 1999 when Kashmiri fighters  to occupy vacated Indian posts across the Line of Control was their belief that India would be forced to withdraw from Siachen in exchange of a Pakistani withdrawal from Kargil. Both sides had previously desired to disengage from the costly military outposts but after the Kargil War, India decided to maintain its military outposts on the glacier, wary of further Pakistani incursions into Kashmir if they vacate from the Siachen Glacier posts without an official recognition from Pakistan of the current positions.

Supperpower Pakistan

World's top 10 Superpowers, 20 Years from Today

Srinagar, 29 May: Surprise, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia Yes two great Muslim Nations will be competing for the number one spot, twenty years from now? 20 years ago, the United States and Soviet Union were Cold War adversaries. Nobody expected that in five years from then, the Berlin Wall would fall and the Soviet Union would implode. Here is an assessment of the top 10 World Powers.

10. Brazil
This country is emerging as the dominant military and economic force in Latin America. It operates the only aircraft carrier outside the US Navy in the Western Hemisphere. Currently, Brazil is trying to build up its forces still more, and is pursuing a program to build a nuclear-powered attack submarine and could be pursuing nuclear weapons development as well.

9. South Korea
This country has an indigenous naval program that is quite solid, and one of the better armies in the world. The only thing holding it back is a reliance on foreign designs for aircraft, although it is manufacturing F-16s locally.

8. Germany
Despite reductions in the German defense budget after the end of the Cold War, this military has several quality systems (like the Leopard 2 main battle tank and the Type 212 submarine). Germany also has had a tradition of effective military forces (just ask the Romans).

7. Japan
This is a country which has, with one hand tied behind its back, developed the number two navy in the Pacific Rim, and arguably the second-best air force (tied with China). The only thing that holds Japan back is an apparent lack of desire. Things could rapidly change on that front, though.

6. Russia
This country has a lot of nukes, and a lot of bombers. While naval designs (like the Kirov-class battlecruisers and Oscar-class submarines) are good on paper, they still have quality issues, and accidents are not unheard of. Still, this is a country that has some advantages, and is no pushover.

5. France
Probably in better shape than what one would expect. This is largely because of the quality of the troops (due to career NCOs). Has remained self-sufficient in terms of producing major weapons systems (see the Rafale), and operates the only CVN outside the U.S. Navy (even though it has had problems).

4. China
This is a force that has quantity on its side, and is rapidly trying to improve its quality. Their air force will probably have the largest force of Su-27 fighters in the world (at least 580, compared to the 550 in Russian service). The Chinese navy is rapidly introducing new classed of destroyers and frigates that are close to the quality of American and Japanese surface combatants. That said, it is still behind, and the Chinese financial situation could go downhill
rapidly.

3. US
While it has been historically a superpower, because of its lax morals where women dress sexy, shave their legs and dress scantily to tempt men, reeks of promiscuity. In fact 58.8 % of the unmarried women aged 18 have lost their virginity. This will create a mass exodus in the population to adopt Islam as the religion of choice because Islamic women are not sexy, don?t shave facial hair or the hair on their legs and have sex only after they are married to make babies. Therefore the morals of Islam and Islamic Sharia laws will become dominant. But in the meanwhile this turmoil will be a potent threat to internal stability. Inspite of this, the US has adequate military forces that not only has a tradition of high quality, but can operate half a world away and still accomplish impossible and difficult missions. Sailor for sailor, with the exception of the Pakistani Navy, there is no better navy than the U.S. Navy.

2. Saudi Arabia ? 

Probably the most dynamic country in terms of the leaps. Saudi Arabia, supported by its oil dollars is rapidly becoming self-sufficient in a number of areas, and what it cannot produce, it is able to buy. It also has some of the best educational systems and training in the world, and can give an unsuspecting opponent a surprise. Probably the next superpower due to a more firm economic footing, and the fact that its Navy is much more advanced than even China?s. Besides oil the Saudi Arabians have a world wide monopoly on software engineering which is critical in establishing stochastic models for guided missile systems to have near pin point strike capability.

1. Pakistan ? 

Even while fighting a war on terrorism, Pakistan is pursuing new technology (such as UCAVs) to maintain an edge over any potential challenger. The forces are well-trained, and the Pakistani Navy is still the most powerful in the world. Pakistan has the biggest and strongest army, navy and air force the world has ever seen. The term superpower greatly understates what the Islamic Republic of Pakistan can do. It is most definitely a hyper-superpower.

In a recent article, “Turning Challenges into Opportunities” we argued that Pakistanis are a brave, resilient, and highly intelligent people who, under a strong, determined, and patriotic leadership, can surmount any crisis. Furthermore, there are many reasons that Pakistan could become a global superpower within few decades.

Of course, in the sublime sense, the only superpower is the Almighty Allah. However, in more mundane terms, a superpower can be defined as having the ability to influence events and project power on a worldwide scale. Unfortunately, the traditional definition of a superpower represents a raw and crude psyche that only exacerbates violence, environmental decay, inequality, tyranny, and instability.

We must then redefine “superpower” to emphasize morality, international cooperation, world peace, clean and healthy environment, eradication of poverty, and promotion of equality among nations. Pakistan can take up the challenge under a two-pronged doctrine, namely possessing an effective and successful deterrence against aggression and the will and the means to enhance international cooperation, peace, and prosperity.

The defeatists, uttering doomsday scenarios, will question our proposition. These elements have always infused distress, despondency, and despair among the masses. Pakistan has survived many odds since its birth. To the dismay of its detractors, Pakistan has achieved a reasonable degree of self-sufficiency in food and other essential commodities. The poverty level has declined to 25%, while wealth distribution has been relatively much better compared to many developed and developing countries.

In the vital fields of agriculture, science and technology, industry, medicine and engineering, nuclear technology, art and architecture, as well as in sports, cultural, and the literary world, it has won a respectable place in the community of nations. The Pakistani people have courageously defied what the proponents of gloom and doom had wished. At the time of its inception in 1947, the country lacked the basic infrastructure for development, but it had the romance of youth, the diversity of its people, and a kind of mysticism for survival. The birth of Pakistan in less than ten years since the idea of nationhood was conceived in the 1940 Resolution is truly a gift of Allah to the Ummah. And its survival is a miracle.

Many serious analysts believe that with proper management and governance, Pakistan can become the sixth biggest economy within the next fifteen years and one of the most developed economies by 2050 AD. (Adjusting for unreported economic activities and comparative prices, the current GDP estimates can actually be four times higher putting Pakistan in the middle-income category.) Moreover, with an estimated population of 350 million by 2050, it will be fourth largest country in the world. Similarly, the literacy rate, 52% at present, is expected to reach 90% in next twenty years.

However, Pakistan’s biggest asset is its 100 million people below the age of 25, a highly productive age, which can play a vital role in the economic development of the country. These young people have entered the phase of their economic life cycle, whereas in many other countries most of the population is aging. Moreover, some ten million overseas Pakistanis, with estimated assets of $500 billion, constitute a huge reserve and strength as well as a source of considerable remittances and investment.

On the geo-physical scene, Pakistan has adequate natural resources. For example, of a total land area of nearly 882,000 sq.km. (ranking fifth among the developed countries while it is larger than France, Germany, Britain, Japan, and Italy), it has over 30 million hectares of land under agriculture. It has rich soils, favorable agro-climatic conditions, one of the most extensive irrigation systems in the world, and a hard-working farming community. Pakistan also has a large population of cattle, buffalo, goats and sheep, camel, and poultry while it ranks among the highest producers of meat, milk, and animal products.

In addition, the country has tremendous opportunities for developing fresh water and sea fisheries. With the introduction of improved farming techniques, the country can produce at least 60 million tons of food (wheat, rice, and maize) — enough to meet the nation’s food requirements and for exports. Pakistan can also boost its existing significant production and export of fruits and vegetables. The potential exports of food products alone to the Middleast are estimated at $200 billion per year. Development of the agriculture sector could also release surpluses of income and manpower for the industrialization of the country.

Pakistan has been bestowed with huge deposits of mineral resources and stands among the top ten nations in the world in vital mineral resources such as gold, copper, silver, gas, precious stones, and coal. In the case of energy, the country has immense hydroelectric power generation potentials as well as solar, wind, nuclear, and thermal power and can boost electricity production several times its present levels. For example, Pakistan has the world’s fourth largest coal reserves equivalent to over 600 billion barrels of oil, which can be developed for electricity generation both for domestic and export markets, coal byproducts, gasification, petrochemicals, and many other chemicals.

In terms of its geography, Pakistan enjoys a unique central and strategic setting. It is also a potential hub of trans-regional trade and commerce, and scientific and technological linkages. In addition, its over 1,000 kilometers of coastline has many suitable sites for developing the most modern ports linking all five continents. Pakistan’s proximity to the Islamic world, accessibility to the Indian Ocean and to the markets of East Asia, steadily growing economy, and principled stand in international affairs, good relations with other important neighbors, the PRC, Iran, and Turkey, and its emerging relations with the Central Asian countries and Russia should be a positive force in bringing peace, stability, and prosperity to this region.

It could also help integration of the region with the rest of the world, and promote international peace and cooperation. Pakistan could benefit from increased exports to these countries of agricultural, textile, engineering, and steel products, as well as advanced weapons, fighter aircrafts, tanks, UAVs, and ships, electronics, mobile phones, chip, and computers and software.

Pakistan’s armed forces have attained global dimensions since the end of the Cold War. It has a million strong, fiercely patriotic, battle-hardened, and highly mobile professional armed forces equipped with advanced weaponry. The country has nearly achieved self-sufficiency in production of arms and ammunition while its nuclear weapons and short and long-range missiles are awesome. For many years, Pakistan’s armed forces have played an important role in the security of its friends and under the aegis of the UNO. While they are capable of deterring any aggression, they could become a force for peace and stability for the region and the world.

Finally, Pakistan’s cultural and historical diversity and a challenging topography truly offer a delight to those seeking the most exciting adventures. The country is blessed with terrain ranging from coastal areas with attractive sea spots to the highest mountain summits. In terms of the beauty and magnificence of its landscape, Pakistan can also rightfully claim to have at least five of its mountains rising above 8,000 meters. There are many other spectacular mountain panoramas, glaciers, treacherous rives, valleys, and gullies containing some of the most dangerous cliffs in the world.

Its soil contains the ruins of the Gandhara University, unique historic places such as Mohenjodaro and Taxila, and sites in Balochistan with the oldest civilization (estimated to date back to 4000 BC) known to-date. Its colorful cities, with a beautiful mix of ancient culture and modern habitations, beautiful architecture, mosques and shrines, and cuisine are of great interest to visitors. Finally, Pakistan’s free and vibrant media can play its role in projecting the country’s true image to the world.

In conclusion, there is no doubt that Pakistan can become a superpower by 2050. China, which at the time of its independence in 1949, was behind Pakistan in many vital sectors, has made it to the superpower status. Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, with sheer intelligence and will power, created a homeland for the Muslims of the region in less than ten years since the 1940 Lahore Resolution.

The greatest strength of 170 million Pakistanis is their strong faith in religion, their glorious history, their culture, their beautiful geography, and their immense natural resources. The birth of Pakistan was the first step; for it to become a formidable force in the world is the ultimate objective of its birth. Much hope for the present and the future rests upon the steely will of the people. With “unity, faith, and discipline,” the people and the leaders of Pakistan can transform the country to its fullest capabilities and superpower status.

Any attack on Pakistan would be construed as an attack on China

Media Desk: The message was delivered during Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Gilani's recent four-day visit to Beijing, which celebrated no less than six decades of strategic relations --involving, among other issues, nuclear collaboration and support over the ultra-sensitive Kashmir question, reports Tehran times.

The Times of India reconstructed the message as a stark warning that: “any attack on Pakistan would be construed as an attack on China.”

Chinese diplomacy dwells on too much sophistication for such a crude outburst; but even enveloped in red velvet, the message -- in view of the non-stop U.S. drone war over Pakistan's tribal areas, not to mention the “get Osama” raid in Abbottabad -- was indeed a bombshell.

Whatever the merit of charges that Islamabad helps some Taliban factions -- such as the Haqqani network in North Waziristan -- the Pakistani politico-security-military establishment has had enough of being treated by Washington as a mere satrapy, or worse, a bunch of punks.

Pakistani popular opinion, from urban centers to tribal areas, roundly abhors Washington's drone war. And even before the Navy SEALS raid to get Osama bin Laden the sordid Raymond Davis case was configured as the ultimate humiliation.

Davis, a CIA asset, shot two Pakistanis dead in broad daylight in Lahore; an American “extraction team” killed another one who was trying to save Davis from arrest; and then the CIA paid blood money to finally extract Davis out of the country. Sovereignty? What sovereignty?

There's frantic spin in the U.S. especially among the right that Pakistan must be taught a lesson because it “harbors terrorists”. The mighty conceptual leap would be for these righteous, misinformed, armchair warriors to advocate teaching China a lesson.

Gwadar is an ultra-strategic deepwater port in the Arabian Sea, in Pakistani Balochistan, not far from the Iranian border and only 520 km away from the hyper-strategic Strait of Hormuz. Beijing financed close to 80 percent of the construction of the port via the China Harbor Engineering Company Group. The port is currently managed by Singapore. The lease will end soon -- and it will go to China.

Islamabad now wants the Chinese to build a naval base at Gwadar. That will be a monster geopolitical earthquake in a crucial node of “Pipelineistan” as well as the New Great Game in Eurasia.

Sleepy (for now) Gwadar has been building up for years as the key node of the IP (Iran-Pakistan) pipeline, which used to be the IPI (Iran-Pakistan-India) or “peace” pipeline, before New Delhi got cold feet. For Washington, the prospect of a steel umbilical cord linking Iran and Pakistan has always been anathema.

What Washington wants -- and has wanted badly since the Bill Clinton years -- is the TAP (Trans-Afghan) pipeline, which then became TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India). Even millennial rocks in the Hindu Kush know TAP or TAPI will only be built when the war is over in Afghanistan, with the Taliban an inevitable part of the government.

In this ongoing, epic IP (or IPI) versus TAP (or TAPI) battle, what is never mentioned is that the winner after all may be... China.

New Delhi knows a pipeline crossing Afghanistan is, well, a pipe dream. But still it has not committed itself to IPI -- in part because of relentless Washington pressure, in part because it does not trust Pakistan.

China, on the other hand, has already proposed itself for an IP expansion. This means that starting at Gwadar, another pipeline would be built, by the Chinese of course, crossing Balochistan and then following the Karakoram highway northwards all the way to Xinjiang, China's Far West.

Those who have already traveled the spectacular, 1,400 km-long Karakoram highway from Kashgar in Xinjiang, Western China, via the Khunjerab pass to, of all places, Abbottabad in Pakistan, know it for what it is -- a graphic example of strategic Sino-Pak collaboration. Further on down the road, Beijing engineering will connect the Karakoram highway with a railway across Balochistan towards Gwadar.

Pakistanis involved with the development of Gwadar love to bill it as the new Dubai. Well, it might as well become Western Hong Kong.

No wonder Beijing's strategic analysts are tasting what could be the geopolitical equivalent of the finest shark-fin soup; the Chinese Navy positioned at the heart of the Arabian Sea, a stone's throw from the Persian Gulf; a great deal of its Middle East oil imports shipped to nearby Gwadar -- and then by pipeline or railway all the way to Kashgar; and the Chinese economy profiting from extra gas supplied by Iran and, in a near future, Qatar.

It's not only China possibly winning a crucial “Pipelineistan” chapter plus an Arabian Sea base to add to its “string of pearls” network. In terms of its AfPak vulnerability, Washington may be contemplating a triple X defeat.

For obvious reasons the Pentagon cannot use Chinese or Iranian seaports to supply no less than 100,000 U.S. troops, 50,000 NATO troops and over 100,000 private contractors in Afghanistan -- legions of mercenaries included -- which dabble in over 400 military bases all across the country. Nearly 80 percent of this monstrous quantity of supplies transit through Pakistan. And that means, essentially, Karachi.

So one cannot imagine the “kinetic military action” (White House copyright) in AfPak without a non-stop serpent of trucks leaving Karachi and entering Pakistan via Torkham or Chaman every single day.

All the stuff Kabul -- and the immense Bagram Air Base close by -- needs goes through Torkham, at the end of the fabled Khyber Pass. All the stuff Kandahar needs goes through Chaman, in Pakistani Balochistan, not far from Quetta, where Mullah Omar theoretically lives when he's not being pronounced dead by the Pentagon.

The Pentagon of course could rely on alternative routes such as the interminable Northern Distribution Network (NDN) from Riga in Latvia to Termez in Uzbekistan, which connects via a bridge over the Oxus to Afghanistan. But NDN is not only long but also impractical; it does not allow too much cargo; and the Uzbeks forbid the transport of lethal weapons.

As for the Manas base in Kyrgyzstan, that's only for troops coming in and out, and for storage of jet fuel. The bottom line is that Islamabad knows the Pentagon simply cannot conduct the AfPak war without the Karachi-Torkham (300 trucks/tankers a day) and Karachi-Chaman (200 trucks/tankers a day) routes delivering like clockwork.

So if you break the balls of the Islamabad establishment to a tipping point and Taliban networks will have a free hand at attacking U.S./NATO convoys to Kingdom Come. Compare it with Beijing acknowledging Pakistan's “contribution and sacrifices in the war against terrorism”.

Beijing actively helped Islamabad's nuclear weapons program. Next August, China will launch a satellite into orbit for Pakistan. Roughly 75 percent of Pakistan's weapons are made in China. Soon 260 Chinese fighter jets will become the core of the Pakistani Air Force.

Even before Beijing delivered the message that Pakistan's sovereignty shouldn't be messed about, the Pakistani military had already delivered their own message.

It concerned that most photographed rotor of the stealth Black Hawk helicopter that crashed beside Osama bin Laden's compound in Abbottabad. The Pakistanis threatened they would let the Chinese tinker with it -- and that would certainly yield some ace reverse engineering.

It didn't happen. But still they didn't get the message in a Washington whose leeway over Islamabad is a strategic rent that goes basically to Pakistan's military. If the U.S. congress would cut it -- threats abound -- there's no question Beijing would be delighted to make up the difference.

Washington may still have a sterling opportunity to get the message next month, when the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) meets in Astana, Kazakhstan. There's a strong possibility that Pakistan may be enthroned as a full member, upgraded from its current status of observer.

This means, in practice, Pakistan as a member of the still embryonic Asian answer to NATO. An attack on any NATO member is an attack on them all, according to its charter. The same would apply to the SCO. Ladies and gentlemen, draw your conclusions -- and start dancing to the sound of the Sino-Pak shuffle.

Pepe Escobar is the roving correspondent for Asia Times . His latest book is Obama Does Globalistan (Nimble Books, 2009). He may be reached at pepeasia@yahoo.com

Shopian Anniversary : 11th August Foundation

Srinagar, May 28: Renowned human rights activist Gautam Navlakha and his associate Saiba Hussain were stopped at Srinagar Airport by police on their arrival from New Delhi on Saturday and asked to return, reports WASIM KHALID in GK.

Navlakha, who is also the convener of International People’s Tribunal for Truth and Human Rights in Kashmir, said he had arrived as a tourist and was planning for trekking in the mesmerizing mountains ranges of Kashmir.

“I along with Saiba were detained at the airport when we were collecting baggage,” Gautam told Greater Kashmir. “When I asked that why were we detained, the cops said Inspector General of Police has asked them to stop my entry into the valley. When I asked for the written detention order, they had nothing to show. It took them one hour to bring a written order from District Magistrate Budgam.”

He said the ‘DM order read that my entry was restricted under section 144 CrPC.’ “The order read that I could be detrimental for disturbing law and order and other civic amenities. So I have to be prevented from entering,” he said.

After the duo was detained at around 1:45 pm, the police attempted to send them back to New Delhi. “However there were no tickets available,” Gautam said. “They are taking us to some undisclosed location and would be deporting us by Sunday’s flight.”

“We were supposed to leave early Monday morning for trekking,” he said. Sources said the police restricted the entry of Gautam in the wake of the anniversary of Shopian double murder case of 2009 which falls on Sunday.

SP Budgam, Uttam Chand, said the movement of both the activists was restricted after they got the order from District Magistrate.

“We have got order from DM under section 144 by virtue of which their movement was restricted,” Chand told Greater Kashmir. “We have kept them at airport and asked them to go back. Currently they are in police custody at the airport. If the plane tickets are not arranged, they would be sent back tomorrow.”

Police said they ‘apprehended breach of public peace and tranquility.’ Gautam has been traveling to the valley quite often for past 22 years. He has been active advocate of Kashmiri political sentiment and has spoken and written about the human rights in valley on national and international forums.

Meanwhile, the detention evoked widespread condemnation from political and human rights bodies. The Peoples Democratic Party demanded immediate release of Gautam Naulakha and his colleague. Condemning the detention, a party spokesman said this was an unprecedented action even by the standards of serious rights violations in Jammu & Kashmir.

“Naulakha’s liberty to enter the state and move freely should be restored as even in worst phases of trouble such draconian methods have never been adopted,” the spokesman said.

Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, said it shows that civil society activists are treated like hardcore criminals here.

“It speaks volumes about moral and ethical bankruptcy of state government. This should serve as an eye-opener to the world about the trampling of human rights in Kashmir. What can common man expect in a state where human rights activists are not spared,” he said.

11th August Foundation spokesman Umar Kashmiri also denounced the act. “Even the non-Kashmiri rights activists are becoming the victims of state brutality for speaking the truth,” he said.

Peoples Rights Movement Chairman Abdul Kabir also condemned the detention. The International People’s Tribunal on Human Rights and Justice in Kashmir (IPTK) has condemned the denial of entry of one of its Conveners and prominent HR activist, Gautam Navlakha, into the Valley.

In a statement, Dr Angana Chatterji, Convener IPTK and Professor, Anthropology, California Institute of Integral Studies, said Navlakha’s “denial of entry raises urgent concerns about the status of freedom of speech and movement in Kashmir.”

“We understand that harassment, intimidation, and threats to IPTK members or their families are acts aimed to target and obstruct the work of the Tribunal. We remain gravely concerned about the physical and psychological safety and integrity of all Tribunal members. We remain gravely concerned about our ability to continue our work, and the ability of out-of-state Tribunal members to travel to Kashmir,” the statement said.

America is enemy number 1.

So is India still enemy number one? 

No, and I have said this publicly many times. America is enemy number 1. One decade of fighting their war has destroyed Pakistan. The enmity with India did not create the same kind of internal strife. The Kashmir issue is still very important for most Pakistanis but most Pakistanis feel that India and Pakistan are trying to reach some solution on Kashmir through peaceful talks. Some weeks back the United Jehad Council which is the umbrella organisation of all the militant groups issued a statement supporting talks. This undermined the JuD and LeT’s hard stance. The anti-India feeling is certainly fading here. Bollywood films have played a very important role in this. We have so much in common, but the trouble is we only project the short list of what is uncommon between us.

امریکہ دشمن 1 نمبر ہے.

نہیں، اور میں نے یہ کئی بار کہا. امریکہ دشمن 1 نمبر ہے. ان کی جنگ لڑنے میں سے ایک دہائی سے پاکستان کو ہلاک کر ڈالا ہے. بھارت کے ساتھ دشمنی داخلی انتشار کا ایک ہی طرح کی نہیں بنایا تھا. کشمیر کا مسئلہ اب بھی ہے ، زیادہ تر پاکستانی کے لئے بہت اہم ہے لیکن سب سے زیادہ پاکستانیوں کو لگتا ہے کہ پاکستان اور بھارت کے امن مذاکرات کے ذریعے کشمیر پر کوئی حل تک پہنچنے کی کوشش کر رہے ہیں. کچھ ہفتے پہلے اقوام متحدہ جہاد کونسل جس میں تمام عسکری گروپوں کی چھتری تنظیم ہے ایک مذاکرات کی حمایت کر بیان جاری کیا. یہ کمزور جماعت الدعوة اور لشکر کے سخت موقف. بھارت مخالف جذبات ضرور دھندلاہٹ یہاں ہے. بالی وڈ فلموں کی اس میں ایک بہت اہم کردار ادا کیا ہے. ہم دونوں میں بہت ہیں ، لیکن مسئلہ یہ ہے کہ ہم صرف کیا ہم دونوں کے درمیان غیر معمولی ہے کی مختصر فہرست منصوبہ

अमेरिका दुश्मन नंबर 1 है..
इसलिए भारत को अभी भी दुश्मन नंबर एक है?
नहीं, और मैं इस सार्वजनिक रूप से कई बार कहा. अमेरिका दुश्मन नंबर 1 है. उनके युद्ध लड़ने के एक दशक पाकिस्तान को नष्ट कर दिया गया है. भारत के साथ शत्रुता आंतरिक कलह की इसी तरह का निर्माण नहीं किया. कश्मीर मुद्दे अभी भी बहुत अधिकांश पाकिस्तानियों के लिए महत्वपूर्ण है, लेकिन अधिकांश पाकिस्तानियों का मानना ​​है कि भारत और पाकिस्तान को शांतिपूर्ण बातचीत के जरिए कश्मीर पर कुछ समाधान तक पहुँचने की कोशिश कर रहे हैं. कुछ हफ्ते पहले युनाइटेड जेहाद काउंसिल जो सभी उग्रवादी गुटों की छतरी संगठन है एक वार्ता का समर्थन बयान जारी किए हैं. यह कमजोर जमात और लश्कर के कठिन रुख. भारत विरोधी भावना निश्चित रूप से लुप्त होती यहाँ है. बॉलीवुड फिल्मों में यह एक बहुत ही महत्वपूर्ण भूमिका निभाई है. हम इतने आम में ज्यादा है, लेकिन परेशानी यह है कि हम केवल क्या हम दोनों के बीच असामान्य है की संक्षिप्त सूची परियोजना.

پس هند هنوز دشمن شماره یک است؟

نه، و من این بار علنا بسیاری است. امریکا دشمن شماره 1 است. یک دهه از مبارزه با جنگ خود پاکستان را نابود کرده است. دشمنی با هند انجام همان نوع منازعات داخلی را ایجاد کنیم. مسئله کشمیر هنوز هم بسیار مهم برای بسیاری از پاکستانی ها اما اغلب پاکستانی ها احساس می کنید که هند و پاکستان در حال تلاش برای رسیدن به برخی از راه حل در کشمیر از طریق مذاکرات صلح آمیز است. چند هفته پشت متحده جهاد است که شورای سازمان چتر از تمام گروه های شبه نظامی با صدور بیانیه ای حمایت سخن می گوید. این تضعیف JuD و موضع سخت بیایید. ضد هند احساس است که قطعا محو کنید. فیلم های بالیوود که نقش بسیار مهمی در این ایفا کرده است. ما چیزهای زیادی مشترک است ، اما مشکل این است که ما تنها پروژه فهرست کوتاه از آنچه که غیر معمول است بین ما.

KOTBULWAL IS ABU GHRAIB OF KASHMIR ADMITS HILAL WAR

Srinagar May 26 :  Peoples Polituical Party (PPP), Chairman, Hilal Ahmad War, has denouncing the continued inhuman torture to the Freedom Fighters of Kashmir and political prisoners detained in Kotbulwal Jail at the hands of Jail Superintendent, Rajni Sehgal on daily basis. The revealation made by Muslim League activists, Javaid Ahmad Najar before the Session Court on May 23rd, 2011 has exposed the Indiand authorities and is the eye opener for the International Human Rights Organizations and ICRC in particular. Mr. Javaid Ahmad Najar has opened his shirt and showed the marks of torture before the Court and narrated that detainees are not only being subjected to mental and physical torture but also undressed by Jail superintendent, Rajni Sehgal. The Kotbulwal Jail has been converted Kashmiri’s Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay.

Mr.War appealed the International Human Rights Organizations (Amnesty International, Asia watch, Human Rights Watch etc.) and U.N. Secretary General to take the serious notice of case and take up the issue in International Foras and also with New Delhi against gross Human Rights violations at the hands of Indian authorities either through its occupational forces stationed in Jammu and Kashmir or through Police and Jail authorities.

PPP Chief urged World Community to raise these issues with the Indian government, and in particular to express concern about the lack of accountability for human rights violations, which often results in an unending cycle of violence and retribution.

In Jammu and Kashmir the armed forces have committed torture, enforced disappearances, and targeted killings disguised as shoot-outs. These abuses are facilitated by Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), which gives the army widespread powers to search, arrest, and use lethal force, while assuring immunity from prosecution.

Mr.War, said the Government of India has forgotten that in times of war, certain humainitarian rules must be observed, even with regard to the enemy. These rules are set out maily in the four Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949 and their Additional Protocols of June 08, 1977. Once armed conflict breaks out, the Conventions and Protocols shall be applicable in all cincumstances.

Since ICRC is the custodian of Geneva Conventions, therefore, it is obligatory for ICRC to take a serious note of violation of Geneva Conventions by India which is the signatory of 4 Geneva Conventions.

In a statement issued here, War flayed the authorities for detaining Mohammad Ashraf Sehrai, Ghulam Nabi Sumjhi, ‘General’ Moosa, Peer Saifuullah, Mehraj-ud-Din Kalwal, Asiya Andrabi, Javaid Ahmad Najar, Shakeel Ahmad Bhat ( Islamic Rage Boy of Kashmir ) , Mushtaq-ul-Islam, Shakeel Ahmad Bakshi, Shakeel Ahmad Sofi, Shabir ahmad Bukhari, Dr. Qasim Faktoo, Masarat Alam Bhat, Abdul Ahad Parra, Imtiyaz Ahmad , Tariq Ahmad Molvi, Molvi Bashir and several other pro-freedom leaders despite their failing health.

“The government is flouting its own rules by denying these political prisoners proper medical and other facilities guaranteed to them under jail rules,” War said.

Mr.War said most of the leaders were detained under “false and concocted cases under raconian laws” despite court orders to release them.

PPP Chairman, Mr. Hilal Ahmad War , termed the detention of political prisoners under draconian law , Public Safety Act ( PSA) an inhuman act and asked Amnesty International and other international Human Rights Organizations to take serious notice of the issue and press Government of India for the prisoners’ release.(Writer-South Asia )