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Will Nawaz Submit ‘Tampered Documents’ Before JIT Today?
Abig question surrounding Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s appearance today before the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) is whether he will draw on documents that have been tampered with? Only a day earlier, the JIT brought to the notice of the Supreme Court the institutional impediments that it said were being raised to obstruct investigation. Not only have some government departments gone into a non-cooperative mode, some records related to the Panamagate case were being tampered with, the JIT report to the apex court said. The JIT’s CMA (civil miscellaneous application) in fact prompted Justice Ijazul Ahsan into resonating JIT’s complaint that certain institutions were changing and tampering with the record. “Even forgery has been carried out,” he observed. Addressing Additional Attorney General Waqar Rana, another judge, Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed, warned of “far-reaching consequences in case of forgery”. The JIT has refrained from naming persons or institutions but those familiar with the investigations back in the 1990s of the Sharifs’ asset believe the JIT made a veiled reference to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB), which during General Musharraf’s tenure conducted exhaustive inquiries into the family accounts. Even before Musharraf, Rehman Malik, PPP's home minister and ex-FIA chief, had made similar inquiries in the early 1990s. Based on conversations with NAB officials late Tuesday evening before and after Iftar dinners, one can assume that this anti-corruption watchdog has been working overtime to "set things right" ahead of Sharif's deposition before the JIT. For understandable reasons these officials cannot be named. If the JIT application and the court proceedings on Monday were any indicator, battle-lines have been drawn between the Supreme Court and the Sharif family. If what has played out in the court so far is real/serious stuff - particularly in view of the critical, if not derogatory, public remarks by PML-N leaders about the conduct of the...
New India is Running Amok
A SMALL event is sometimes more revealing than a cataclysmic one that grabs headlines. Last month, the government-run Indian Institute of Mass Communication in Delhi became the venue for a distasteful display of the ruling BJP’s ideology. The chief speaker at the provocatively titled conclave, ‘Nationalist Journalism in Today’s Context’ was a police officer notorious for his human rights violations in Chhattisgarh state where a Maoist insurgency is under way. As a pointer possibly to how media is expected to behave in these changed times, the event started with a yagna (ritual worship conducted before a fire). The point of this exercise was simply to cock a snook at the media in general and the liberals in particular. As the institute’s director general said dismissively to outraged students, “If you can listen to the Hurriyat, why can’t we listen to Kalluri [the discredited police from Chhattisgarh]?” To be deliberatively provocative is the leitmotif of the Narendra Modi regime which is constantly testing the limits of outrage. The new normal is scary. Attacks on cow traders and dairy farmers have grown bolder by the day and become routine. Demonetisation of last November, unprecedented in its scale, was another such operation. It was not with any idea of unearthing black money or weeding out corruption as Modi initially claimed while withdrawing 86 per cent of the currency in use but a ruthless exercise in social engineering wrapped in the flag of nationalism. The insane measure inflicted untold hardship on the poor and put the opposition politicians and economists on the back foot while the prime minister mocked them for their lack of patriotism for daring to criticise the policy. As the nation muddled its way through the chaos of a policy that changed daily and sometimes several times in a day, Modi used his minister for information and broadcasting M. Venkaiah Naidu to tell Indians that demonetisation was actually aimed at “ushering in a behavioural change at...
Chinese Daily Blames Indian, Western Media for Exaggerating Impact of Quetta Abduction
A Chinese state-run newspaper blamed the Indian and Western media on Tuesday for exaggerating the impact of the abduction of two Chinese nationals in Quetta last month. “Some Indian and Western media intend to exaggerate the impacts of the incident,” the Global Times wrote in its editorial. Lee Zing Yang, 24, and Meng Li Si, 26, were abducted in Jinnah Town of the provincial capital on May 24. Later, the Islamic State terrorist group claimed it had killed the abductees. However, the claim could not be verified as yet. “They aim at badmouthing and disrupting China-Pakistan economic cooperation by linking the terror act caused by religious conflict to the political and economic cooperation between the two countries,” the editorial read. According to the paper, South Korea missionaries misguided the two Chinese nationals into preaching Christianity. “Apart from recruiting young people in China, South Korean missionaries send teenagers to conduct missionary activities in Muslim countries,” it said. “Compared to Chinese, more South Koreans have been killed abroad due to risky missionary activities in conservative regions,” it maintained. “The atrocity committed by the Islamic State is appalling,” the editorial read. “But it cannot drive a wedge between China and Pakistan, nor will the construction of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) be disrupted.” On Monday, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan was told that the couple belonged to a group of Chinese people who had obtained a business visa for Pakistan but were engaged in “preaching”. However, instead of carrying out any business activity they went to Quetta where they were engaged in evangelical activities under the garb of learning Urdu from a Korean national, Juan Won Seo, who owns the ARK Info Tech Institute. The minister said it was highly unfortunate that a misuse of the terms of business visa contributed to the unfortunate incident of the abduction. He directed secretary interior to investigate...
CHINA WATCH [JUNE 6 – JUNE 12] THE QUESTION OF CHINESE NATIONALS’ SECURITY
The Islamic States (IS) claimed to have killed the two Chinese nationals kidnapped in Quetta on May 24. Pentagon, in its annual report, has reckoned that Beijing was set to expand its military footprint across the globe including Pakistan. Pakistan (as well as India) has become a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). A Chinese naval fleet of three warships arrived at Pakistan port city of Karachi for a four-day goodwill and training visit. Chief Minister (CM) of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah has complained that the centre has not taken his provincial government into confidence over Sukkur-Multan highway and other projects being executed under the CPEC. The Question of Chinese Nationals’ Security: In a serious blow to the efforts of Pakistan to ensure the safety of Chinese nationals working on the CPEC projects, the so-called IS claimed to have killed the two Chinese nationals kidnapped in Quetta on May 24.[i] The news outlet of IS, Amaq, said “Islamic State fighters have killed two Chinese people they had been holding in Baluchistan province, southwest Pakistan.” In response to the news, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman, Hua Chunying, told media that Pakistani authorities told Beijing the abducted Chinese national were ‘probably dead’.[ii] She added “[W]e have taken note of relevant reports and we express our grave concern.” On the other hand, Pakistan Foreign Office stated the government was working to confirm the authenticity of the reports of the killings. The statement added “[W]e are in constant contact with the Chinese Government.” It is noteworthy that the IS claim came hours after the Pakistan’s military media wing Inter-Services Public Relations released the details of a three-day operation conducted against IS in Mastung area of Balochistan. The operation that was conducted from June 1 to 3 killed 12 ‘hardcore terrorists, including two suicide bombers’ but could not recover the abducted Chinese nationals.[iii] The incident is...
Mr Ghani’s anger
Political temperatures spiked to unprecedented levels with a May 31 terrorist attack in Kabul that has left about 150 people dead. Afghan President Ashraf Ghani gave out this figure in his inaugural speech to the delegates from 23 nations at the Kabul Process Summit on June 6. With this attack, the death toll in six high-profile attacks in the capital since January touched a gutting figure of nearly 400. The human losses across Afghanistan in the first five months of the year stand close to a staggering 800 civilians (almost 3,500 fell to terrorism in 2016). In his speech, Ghani, the host, surprisingly unleashed an unprecedented open attack on Pakistan for what he said was “waging an undeclared war of aggression” against his country”. Wittingly or otherwise, unfortunately, Ghani painted Pakistan as black as he could. But his words were contradictory too; we don’t want to be drawn into a blame game, he said, but in the next breath he spoke of “undeclared aggression by Pakistan”. The president’s anti-Pakistan tirade came against the backdrop of a spiraling security crisis, extreme political polarization in Kabul itself and acute differences with his own Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah and foreign minister and head of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Salahuddin Rabbani. The latter has demanded an investigation into the deadly attacks and the dismissal of National Security Advisor Hanif Atmar. Rabbani told the press on June 5 that the attacks in Kabul might have been carried out in collusion with some security agencies. Ironically, security officials had told the media that the Haqqani network and the ISI orchestrated these attacks. Strangely, the claimant for this carnage was Daesh and not the Taliban, who denied any role, which explains the demands made by Rabbani and others for an investigation into the violence. It also probably is instructive for Afghans to look at Pakistan through their own prism. Applying the Indian lens on Pakistan will only continue hurting...
Ghani's Outburst and Pakistan's Options
Asharaf Ghani’s charged Pakistan-focused speech before the Kabul Process Summit on June 6 in the presence of a Pakistani delegation left quite a few foreign delegates wondering as to what the embattled president was up to. His accusatory finger at Pakistan for the “undeclared war of aggression” on Afghanistan came across as pretty mind-boggling because, going by his assertion, he should have mentioned Turkey, Iran, China, and Russia who are all on the same page as far as Taliban and Daesh are concerned. Ghani singled out Pakistan despite the fact that his own foreign minister and head of the Jamiat-e Islami, Salahuddin Rabbani not only stayed away from the international conference but also demanded investigation into recent deadly attacks and the dismissal of National Security Adviser (NSA) Hanif Atmar. As the tug-of-war among major stakeholders in Kabul continues, with most of them making Pakistan a scapegoat for their country’s ills, this alarming situation places unusual responsibility on the power wielders in Islamabad. The unabated security and political crisis in Afghanistan represents multiple challenges and requires a synergy of thought and action between the prime minister’s office and the General Headquarters (GHQ) because the external jockeying for geo-political influence is not only muddying but also complicating the Afghan situation. Pakistan’s Afghan policy requires both the military and civilian prongs to work in tandem, something urgently needed to create national and international buy-in of what Pakistan does vis-a-vis Afghanistan. Relatively muted responses to the latest string of allegations by Kabul’s security establishment also highlight the civilian government’s paralysis on the foreign policy front. Secondly, blunting and disproving foreign accusations is the job of the government and not the military, which stands out as a suspect any way (in the eyes of Afghans and Indians). Staying mum or issuing routine denials or condemnations help...
China Watch [May 30 – June 5] Mining in Balochistan to Chinese Firms
The government of Baluchistan has revealed its plans of opening up the mining sector of the province to Chinese firms under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). China has said that the energy projects under the CPEC will greatly reduce Pakistan’s energy shortage problem. Beijing has revealed it hopes that Islamabad and New Delhi would utilise the full membership of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) to improve their bilateral relations. Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Zubair Mahmoud Hayat has said that CPEC can help resolve conflicts in the region. A retired Indian military commander, Lt Gen Deependra Singh Hooda, has warned that because of the CPEC, China’s neutrality in case of India-Pakistan war can not be taken for granted. A Chinese firm has got the initial approval for setting up a 300MW imported coal-based power plant. Mining in Baluchistan: The government of Baluchistan has revealed its plans of opening up the mining sector of the province to Chinese firms under the ongoing “Belt and Road Initiative”.[i] The province is considered to be sitting on some of the largest deposits of precious mining resources. Saleh Muhammad Baloch, top mining official, told Reuters news agency that a group of Chinese companies selected by Beijing will work with local firms to mine marble, chromite, limestone, coal and other minerals and set up steel mills and other plants. He added, however, that extraction of precious metals, such as gold and copper, will not fall under the CPEC and will instead be put “for competitive bidding internationally”. A Chinese company, China Metallurgical Group Corporation, already operates Sandak copper and gold mine in Balochistan. Even if both Pakistan and China agree to make the better use of Balochistan’s mineral resources, there are some reasons to be cautious about the decision. First, Baluchistan at the moment is anything but secure enough for industrial level of mining by foreign firms. It is home-ground to...
Sabawoon Showcase: May 31, 2017
Youngsters Maintaining a Healthy Routine During Ramzan The latest episode of Jwandai Jazbey (alive spirits) focused on the routine of youngsters during Ramzan, how they spent their vacations and along with their studies, how they utilize their time doing charitable work. The program focused on how youth can play their role in helping the needy people in the Holy Month of Ramzan, importance of maintaining daily time table, reading religious books in spare time, helping mothers in doing house hold chores. Moreover, the program highlighted the role of youngsters in guiding common people to maintain the rule of law on roads and in markets. Mr. Aizaz Khan, Student and Social Worker, Peshawar, and Mr. Shahroom Khan, Student and Social Worker, Peshawar, took part as studio guests in the show. Mr. Khan said: “Youth must develop patience and also advise others. We have only this one month in which we can develop the habit of praying five times a day which will help us to manage our routine.” Mr. Khan said: “I myself read religious books and I request all the youngsters to develop the habit of books reading; it will not only increase their knowledge but will also restrain them from bad company.” A radio report was made part of the program. The report echoed the comments of youngsters about their routine and also clarified that sleeping all the day, as one might do during Ramzan, is not beneficial for health as well. Two callers took part live in the program. They advised the youngsters not to feel weak during Ramzan and to continue their proper routine. About Sabawoon Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday,...
China Watch Special: The Belt And Road Initiative
An Evolving Conceptual Palimpsest The China proposed Belt and Road initiative (B&R) aims to integrate economies, communities and people. It holds significant potential in addressing the infrastructure gap of the developing world and bringing benefits in terms of inclusiveness and economic cooperation. The initiative aims to achieve this through investment, trade, financial, infrastructural and people-to-people connectivity while maintaining economic and financial stability. B&R can yield a connectivity dividend for affiliate countries. The “connectivity dividend” refers to the rise in economic growth rate due to increased inter-regional connectivity. After exhausting the demographic dividend to achieve rapid growth towards the end of the 20th and early 21st century, China can replicate similar effects on its economy through the connectivity dividend.[1] B&R should not be termed a threat to the international system of governance but a means to reinvigorate the international system of governance across the world to address the issues confronting the developing world and ailing Europe. The B&R initiative is an evolving conceptual palimpsest consisting of multi-dimensional factors that is influencing the international state order and global institutional order. It is giving rise to notions of skepticism in the US-led West which considers it a camouflage by China to increase its influence on the global stage. Countries opposing the initiative have made space for it in an evolving discourse of globalization to accommodate China’s peaceful rise after it avoided a hard landing expected of its economy in the aftermath of the economic recession of 2007-2008. Since 2013 China has been the leading global trade power.[2] Furthermore the “America first” strategy pursued by the Trump-administration has provided China with sufficient space therefore enabling it to take a leadership role in the globalization drive of the 21st century. B&Ris expected to...
Sabawoon Showcase: May 25, 2017
National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Role and Initiatives in Controlling White Collar Crimes The latest episode of Ranra (light) discussed NAB's role and initiatives in eradicating white collar crimes and strengthening the rule of law. Key points of discussion were corruption, white collar crimes, the significance of local and national institutions in controlling corruption and white collar crimes, corruption as a social evil and different mechanisms of other countries in dealing with corruption. Moreover, the program also discussed the role of public and their rights and responsibilities in eliminating this social evil from society. Mia Muhammad Waqar, Additional Director Investigation, NAB, Peshawar, was the studio guest in the show. Mr. Waqar said: "NAB's role is vital but unless public support is not at full zeal, NAB alone can't abolish corruption from the country. NAB ordinance 2017 includes plea bargain and voluntary return options for those, who are willing to return the money." A radio report was made part of the program. The report highlighted an event to sensitize the public about white collar crimes in district Kohat and their role in getting rid of it. About Sabawoon: Sabawoon airs in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). It is designed to highlight the local issues and promote the fundamental governance values, such as democracy, rule of law, women’s rights, and equal citizenry. The show airs Monday through Thursday every week under four themes on FM-101.5 Peshawar and Dera Ismail Khan 711 KHZ from 3:20 PM to 4:00 PM. On Monday, Jarga Maraka covers current affairs and important regional issues with an input from government and other senior officials. On Tuesday, Da Simay Jaaj gives an overview of the top stories from KP and FATA regions. Jwandai Jazbey airs on Wednesday and deals with issues of relevance to, and significance for, youth, students and women. Socio-cultural affairs are discussed in Ranra on...
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I am also a member of National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting. Recently, we held a meeting with the Director General of Radio Pakistan and we told them to initiate such local programs (like Constituency Hour) in regional languages to educate and inform people. Even Indian Radio can be heard in FATA which is being used for propaganda purposes and must be closed. Therefore, we should launch some standard and quality programs like CRSS that will change the taste of the listeners.