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Balochistan Weekly Monitor (August 8 – 14, 2011)
Executive Summary: The current week saw sharp spike in violence compared to the previous ones as a result of a spate of blasts and acts of subversion around Balochistan. The deadliest of all was orchestrated by the hitherto unknown Baloch Liberation Tiger, at a local hotel on the National Highway in Dera Allah Yar, some 400 kilometers southeast of Quetta, on Sunday, August 14, which killed at least 13 people and injured 23 others. In total as many as 41 people fell to the unabated terrorism and violence this week. During raids on the residences of Jamil Akbar Bugti, the eldest son of Nawab Akbar Bugti, and former chief minister Humayun Marri in Bugti Boldak in Quetta suburbs on Saturday, police seized a large amount of arms and ammunition. Meanwhile, security forces arrested 150 suspects during a house to house search operation in connection with the killings of Station House Officer (SHO) Manzoor Tareen and two constables. Armed men intercepted a passenger van heading to Chamman from Quetta near Gulistan on August 8, and abducted 15 persons of Suleman tribe. Also unidentified gunmen kidnapped Paramedical Association (PMA) finance secretary Khuda Bakhsh Lehri from Kalat (located in the center of province) on 13th of August. Moreover, a bullet-riddled body of one of the earlier detained person, Amir Khan Marri, was found dumped in the industrial town of Hub (capital city of the Hub Tehsil, located in the Lasbela District) on Tuesday, August 9. Balochistan High Court Bar Association urged the government and the superior judiciary on Wednesday, August 10 to play an effective role for the safe recovery of missing persons and to speed up the pace of investigation to resolve murder case of former Balochistan Chief MinisterNawab Akbar Bugti. Earlier on, the Supreme Court on Tuesday also asked the government to urgently appoint the head of the commission, probing missing persons– cases in Balochistan. The post of the chairman of the commission is lying vacant after its...
Pakistan: Caught between defiance and diktat
"We will guard our interests, come what may," says a top Pakistani general. His posture indicates the defiant mood in the General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. Army chief Gen Ashfaq Kayani's response to the suspension of $800 million US military assistance to Pakistan must be seen in this context. The underlying message was that the army will not compromise on how it perceives Pakistan's interests. Pakistan Army wants an Afghanistan that is not ruled or dominated by non-Pashtun power-brokers. It is also concerned about New Delhi's growing influence in Kabul. The biggest threat to Pakistan's interests, the GHQ fears, stems from the expanding India-Afghanistan-US alliance on Pakistan's western borders. The proof of which is the setting up of Indian consulates in the cities adjoining the Frontier and Baluchistan borders of Pakistan i.e. Kandahar and Jalalabad. ISI, for long, has opposed such Indian establishment across the border. It fears these consulates in the border regions are a potential source of destabilization and violence in Baluchistan and the northwestern parts of Pakistan. The military establishment is equally worried about Indian trainers helping and training the Afghan army and police. Kabul also cold-shouldered Pakistani offer to training Afghan military officers. Since Gen Kayani made the offer to Afghan President Hamid Karzai and his army chief Gen Bismillah Khan more than two years ago, only one Afghan officer has been sent to Pakistan. In a recent statement, Afghan Ambassador to US, Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, did not rule the possibility of his forces being trained by the India Army in future, if the 'necessity' arises. It is also encouraging to notice that the ambassador, unlike his predecessors, acknowledged Pakistan role and importance in development process of Afghanistan. At least seven recent militant as well as military incursions from Afghanistan into Pakistani border villages ring new alarm bells in Rawalpindi. A high level meeting was held...
Balochistan Weekly Monitor (August 1-7, 2011)
Executive Summary: The week in focus was less violent compared to the previous one. Pakistan Army Chief of Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visit to Balochistan and the inauguration of the Garrison Sports Academy and Institute of Medical Sciences in Quetta on Monday, August 1 was the salient feature of the week. During the visit, Kayani underlined that the army had no role in abductions, dumping of mutilated bodies of Balochis and extra-judicial killings in the province. US ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter, also visited the provincial capital Quetta this week and met with Balochistan Assembly Speaker, Mohammad Aslam Bhotani and Chief Minister Nawab Aslam Raisani in Quetta on August 4. He highlighted the regional importance of Balochistan, announced financial assistance worth $100,000 to the SOS village in Quetta. The village is host to 70 orphans. Munter also offered condolences for Akmal Raisani, the nephew of chief minister Raisani. Quetta Electricity Supply Company Chief Engineer Operations and Maintenance, Abdul Rauf Baloch, who was abducted by unknown armed men from Satellite Town about two months ago was released on August 4. On the same day, security forces - police, anti-terrorism force and the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) conducted a major search operation against criminals in Killi Kamalo and Killi Qambarni areas of Saryab in Quetta and arrested more than 50 suspects. The operation was launched in the area after the sectarian clashes on July 29 and 30. In its report, Amnesty International (AI) appealed for urgent action to save the lives of 10 detained Balochis on August 7, who face death risk, according to the rights group. Earlier the dead body of one of the detained persons was found in the Jabal-e-Noor area near Quetta on July 16. He was identified as an activist of the Baloch Student Organisation-Azad. As a whole, as many as seven people fell to acts of terrorism and violence. And in acts of sabotage and subversion, two NATO oil tankers...
Balochistan Weekly Monitor (July 25- 31st, 2011)
Executive Summary: The week in focus witnessed a greater number of violent incidents and surge in target killings compared to the previous ones. A major sectarian clash erupted when a Sunni cleric of Jamia Albadar Mosque, Abdul Karim Mengal, was shot dead on 28th of July by unknown gunmen in Pishin district of Balochistan. Subsequently, banned militant outfit, Lashkar-e- Jhangwi (LeJ) gunned down at least seven people on following day, and 11 more were killed (all from Hazara Community) on 30th of July in Quetta. An incident of political assassination on July 28 saw the nephew of Chief Minister Balochistan, Akmal Raisani, killed in a hand-grenade attack while attending a football match in Mastung district. Moreover, a tribal leader Abdul Razzaq, his brother Dur Mohammad along with three body guards were shot dead on July 31 in Turbat (in southern Balochistan). In its report, the US based group, Human Rights Watch (HRW) blamed the law enforcement agencies in Balochistan for their role in orchestrating target killings and abductions in the province. In sum, a total of 30 people were killed this week. In addition, two bodies of missing persons were found in Liari area of Uthal city of Lasbela district. And in acts of sabotage and subversion 16 inch diameter gas pipeline was blown up near Goth Noor Khan in Dera Allah Yar, one NATO oil tanker was attacked on its way form Karachi to Kandahar on the National Highway near the Takri post area of Mach, and a passenger train, Bolan Mail came under attack near Marri Farm Tentaged village, in Dera Allah Yar town of Jaffarabad district. The situation requires that the government take the complaints and grievances of Balochis seriously because Pakistan is already entangled in FATA and the intensified and protracted conflict in Balochistan will prove extremely detrimental to the overall security of province and the federation. The explosive circumstance in Baluchistan underline the urgency for a negotiated settlement of issues...
CRSS OPINION POLL: THREAT TO PAKISTAN
Corruption, Deficient Rule of Law and Ruling Elite, the Biggest Threats to Pakistan As many as 85 percent of the Pakistanis polled by the Centre for Research and Security Studies believe that the biggest threat to Pakistan comes from 'corruption and deficient rule of law,'and the ruling elite. Some 63 percent pointed to corruption and deficient rule of law while nearly 22 percent considered 'the ruling elite (politicians, landed aristocracy, army and bureaucrats)' as the biggest threat to the country, followed by roughly 12 percent for whom Al Qaeda andTaliban constitute the biggest threat to Pakistan. Interestingly, less than three percent view the United States as the biggest threat, while not even one percent (0.48) percent look at India as the biggest threat. Spread over about two weeks (July 18 ´ Aug 1st), the CRSS Facebook Fan Page pollattracted about 414 responses to the question as to whom among oAl Qaeda and Taliban oCorruption and Deficient Rule of Law oIndia oThe Ruling Elite (Politicians, Landed Aristocracy, Army, Bureaucracy) oUSA, constituted the biggest threat to Pakistan. The votes were cast by the CRSS page followers as well as the friends added with the page Administrators. Although not representative for the entire Pakistani population, the responses dounderscore that almost all educated Pakistanis, particularly all those familiar with the FACEBOOK and Internet, have a very informed and logical analysis of the prevailing situation by pointing tocorruption, deficient rule of law, and the ruling elite (the collective percentage for both stands at a staggering 85 percent). (Facebook Poll Snapshot) Link: https://www.facebook.com/home.php?sk=question&id=232177113482903 CRSS Page Link: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Center-for-Research-and-Security-Studies/163670947000187 The Poll: Following are the details of the CRSS-Facebook Poll: The question asked in the poll was: What is the biggest threat to Pakistan? In 2 weeks, the poll received a total...
Arab Spring: Relevance of Al-Qaida in the Arab World and Pakistan
Farooq Yousaf | CRSS Research Associate The public uprising against dictatorial regimes in some of the Arab countries is meanwhile known as the Arab Spring. It has become synonymous with protests against regimes in the Arabian Peninsula. The protestsbegan inTunisia in December 2010, and have since spread to Egypt, Libya, Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco and Oman. The movement was successful in Tunisia and Egypt, where both President Bin Ali and President Mubarak were ousted amid growing pressure from the masses. The movement also led towards civil war in Libya coupled with civil uprisings in Bahrain, Syria and Yemen. Many minor protests have also been witnessed in Saudi Arabia, Lebanon and Sudan. As masses began thronging the Tahrir Square in Cairo late January, many people around the world also began asking whether Pakistan could alsoface a spring of its own. The context obviously was the burgeoning sense of insecurity among the masses, terrorist violence, coupled with the crisis of governance and economy.These tumultuous events also raised a major question: was this all inspired by Al Qaeda or to what extent did this organization impact these events at all? Or was it a spontaneous outpour of craving for democratic rights´regardless of what Al Qaeda and its affiliates have been telling the people all around the world in general, and in the Muslim world in particular? Origin of the Crisis The self-immolation of Mohamed Bouaziziin Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia, for his ill treatment by the police laid the foundation for the history books for a new chapter known as the Arab Spring[1]. The first revolution of its kind beganunfolding in Tunisia in January (2011), and was popularly dubbed as 'Jasmine' revolution. In this case, twenty six years old Mohamed, a vegetable vendorwas the sole earner for his family of eight. On December 17, 2010, a policewoman confiscated his unlicensed vegetable cart and slapped him forarguing over the issue. Bouazizi in response...
Analysis: Norwegian tragedy, Pakistani worries
Anders Behring Breivik was driven by a paranoia of Muslims, and of Pakistanis in particular. Of all the nations, he singled out Pakistan as responsible for the future problems of Europe. Most would run downBreivik as a sick young man, nurturing hatred and bias. But rejecting Breivik 'Manifesto 2083' ´ a projection of Europe in slightly over 70 years from now, hardly serves those dismissive of the Norwegian who plunged the country into a state of mourning after gunning down some 68 youngsters attending a summer camp. Of all Muslim societies, Pakistan seized Breivik imagination as a country typical for 'denial of justice, intrusive religiousity and denial of rights to non-Muslims.' This must be a matter of introspection. In essence, Pakistan, for him, represents an embodiment of contradictions and denials, injustice, misgovernance and disorder which, in the long run, he fears would go on to galvanise other countries across the Indian Ocean and the Atlantic. Breivik knowledge of Pakistan and Pakistan-origin Norwegians is based on his personal experiences, and extensive study of writings of people like Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, as well as prominent human rights activist Hina Jilani andDawn columnist Irfan Hussain. The image that Pakistani, Turk or Algerian Muslims have created for themselves is nothing new but people in Europe have started viewing them as inflexible members of the societies which are feeding them. For these Muslims, European values don–t matter. Breivik childhood best friend, a Pakistani Muslim immigrant to Norway, comes across as someone who despite having lived several years in Europe still resented Norwegian society because it 'represented the exact opposite of Islamic ways.' Through close ties with Muslim families, Breivik must have also observed the paradoxes that most Pakistanis, Arabs and Turks live in: treating sons different from the way they treat their daughters. The refusal of Muslim immigrants to assimilate into...
US and Pakistan Relations: Is agreement on Afghanistan possible?
The recent spat between Pakistan and the US over "security assistance" was brinkmanship at best. Whoever advised the Obama administration to suspend payments to Pakistan most probably lacked knowledge of the ground realities. The move, not entirely rooted in realism, ignored a fundamental reality - the relationship rests on mutual dependence and a permanent break-down in an extremely volatile environment is not possible. The strident mood in Washington and the intimidating rhetoric also overlooked the socio-cultural context in which both countries are vying to safeguard their "national interests". The US decision to withhold $800 million in security assistance or compensation annoyed a majority of Pakistanis and demoralised the armed forces. One indicator of the public disapproval of the latest American pressure campaign is a poll on Dawn newspaper's website. The bulk of the visitors to this website are well-educated. Asked if "the US decision to suspend military aid to Pakistan (is) poorly timed given the developments in the Afghan war", as of midday on July 17 nearly 3,100 of 5,830 voters (54%) had said "Yes". For the tens of millions of people exposed on to Urdu media, the percentage of "Yes" would be much higher. And that is what is being ignored in Washington's high-handed handling of Pakistan. It simply causes more animosity. This provides a telling context to the debate on US-Pakistan relations and is food for thought for the two countries that have been at loggerheads since Osama bin Laden's killing on May 2, engaged in offensive rhetoric and mutual administrative retribution. Pakistan sent back 125 of the 129 US military trainers and almost three dozen British ones. It also put restrictions on visas for American nationals, because the military establishment suspects most of them are intelligence officials or private CIA security contractors. The Pakistani military reportedly also snubbed an American request for permanent presence of its military personnel...
CRSS Hosts a Peace Consultation
On July 15, 2011 CRSS hosted a consultative meeting of thePeace Network Pakistan (PNP), at its office premises in Islamabad. PNP is an alliance of scores of civil society organizations: Bacha Khan Trust, Society for Protection of Rights of Children, Paiman Alumni Trust, Sudhaar, Center for Peace and Human Rights, Sahil (Islamabad), Bargad (Gujranwala), Insan Foundation, Swat Youth Foundation and Association of Integrated Development (Quetta) etc. It is an initiative of Peace Education and Development (PEAD) Foundation, Islamabad, and CRSS is also part of the PNP. The salient objectives of PNP include: provide platform to the different civil society organizations working on issues of peace promotion and peace building in different regions of Pakistan; To create awareness among the masses about the importance of peace, especially in contemporary era; To put pressure on the government to include peace education in the curriculum and get rid of portions of curriculum infusing the germs of radicalization and extremism among the students. PNP will also form and activate provincial chapters in coming days. CRSS serves as the Secretariat of the PNP. Addressing the meeting, Ms. Mossarat Qadeem, Executive Director, Paiman Alumni Trust said there is need to strive for sustainable peace, and promotion of quality and meaningful education can lead towards this goal. She said the primary objective of PNP is to stand together for building peace. Addressing the challenge of radicalization and extremism in Pakistan, renowned writer, columnist and social activist, Mr. Haris Khalique, a renowned writer and social activist, said the roots of radicalization and extremism in Pakistan lie in the foundations of the state, and one cannot address the issue without revisiting and restructuring the basic state structure. He said political expediency always prevailed over nation-state building in Pakistan and different rulers (be it progressives like Zulfikar Ali Bhutto or religious...
Analysis: Is North Waziristan Operation Finally in Offing?
General David Petraeus, the outgoing chief commander of the US-ISAF troops, referred to Pakistan army action long-overdue operation in Kurram and the trans-border movement by Afghan militants and their TTP affiliates as 'North Waziristan in Reverse.' He tossed the phrase, according to a diplomatic source,in the presence of other ISAF representatives, suggesting that North Waziristan would have to be Pakistani army next destination ´ a place that the US abhors for the presence of the Al-Qaeda-inspired militant conglomerate, presumably protected by the Afghan Haqqani Network. The entire American establishment believes this network exports terror to the Afghan soil and thus needs to be crushed by the Pakistan Army. But,the latter, sofar resisted and shunned American exhortations in this regard, stating multiple, at times incomprehensible reasons embedded in issues such as capacity and social milieu. But, over ten weeks since the surprisebut shocking termination ofOsama bin Laden when the relations with the United States appear to have hit rock-bottom, the narrative on North Waziristan seems to be changing; the situation in Kurram as well as the cross-border attacks on security posts in Bajaur and Dir within the last two weeks necessitate a 'geographical military activity' in North Waziristan.' Highly placed military officials now tell us the operation in the embattled and isolated Kurram agency was a move to 'plug all the holes' before taking on militants of all hues holed up in North Waziristan.' The initial target of the 'geographical operation' ´ are the areas aroundmountains that separate North from South Waziristan. Initial targets include Shawaal and Makeen, where Tehreeke Taliban Pakistan, the avowed enemy number one of the state of Pakistan, took refuge after the army dislocated them from the Mehsud regions of Laddha, Makeen, Sararogha in October/November 2009. Other obvious targets includeMiranshah, the administrative headquarters of North Waziristan,...
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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.