Resurgence of Terrorists in Karachi

By Sajjad Shaukat 

New wave of subversive events such as target killings, setting the vehicles on fire, kidnappings etc. in Karachi have once again enveloped the city. Several innocent people, workers of different political parties including three Shia lawyers, two activists of the Sunni Tehreek (ST) and a doctor, two students killed in separate assaults. Besides Baluch MPA Nawabzada Bakhtiar Khan Domki’s wife and daughter were also murdered. In the past 40 days, more than 30 persons have been targeted brutally. In this regard, a shutter-down strike was observed in Balochistan for two days.  However, the new year of 2012 shows the resurgence terrorists in Karachi.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik told the National Assembly on February 2 this year that the deteriorating situation in Karachi was the result of a well-planned conspiracy. He revealed that links between the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Sipah-e-Sahaba had been uncovered in carrying out joint terrorist activities.

Last year, when violence continued unabated in the provincial capital of Karachi, raising the death toll over more than 1000 due to target killings, intense exchange of fire between two ethnic groups, setting the houses, shops, vehicles on fire, hostage-takings etc., the city was handed over to the Rangers and Police whose personnel conducted search operations in various phases, and seized weapons, suicide jackets, explosives and hand grenades from terrorists’ custody. In the past too, a number of militants along with huge cache of arms and ammunition, made of US, India and Israel had been caught.

In this regard, on July 18, 2011, Rehman Malik, while disclosing the involvement of foreign hands in Karachi, had openly stated that the miscreants were using Israeli-made weapons for fomenting unrest in the city. He added, “Over 200 persons have been arrested…Israeli-made weapons including AK-45 rifles have been recovered from them.”

Notably, hinting towards US, India and Israel, on May 1, 2009, Prime Minister Gilani had revealed that he sees “foreign hand” behind Karachi violence. Police investigations have also pointed out that the culprits, who disturbed law and order situation in Karachi were not permanent residents of the city.

However, we cannot see the terror-events in Karachi in isolation. In this respect, American CIA, Indian secret agency RAW and Israeli Mossad which have been supporting separatism in Balochistan including acts of sabotage in the province and other regions of Pakistan  have rapidly established their collective network in Pakistan. They are in collusion to ‘destabilise’ Pakistan for their common strategic interests—and to ‘denulearise’ the country after weakening it.

These foreign agencies have recruited Pakistani nationals who are vulnerable and can work on their payroll, giving them high financial incentives to work for them. They have recruited smugglers, criminals, employees of the security companies, experts of the psychological warfare, scholars and journalists in order to fulfill anti-Pakistan designs of America, India and Israel. Political and defence analysts agree that terrorists who commit subversive activities in Karachi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and FATA are receiving training in terrorist camps located in India and Afghanistan.

As regards, Karachi, owing to political instability, poverty and unemployment—the jobless youth fall into the hands of criminals who are assisted by the external elements who use them for conducting targeted killings and other violent acts. These internal culprits, some Indian Muslims and foreign insurgents who are backed by the RAW have joined the ranks and files of the militants of the Tehreek-e-Taliban (TTP), Sipah-e-Sahaba and other religious sects. They have also got the membership of Muhttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Awami National Party (ANP) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP). Besides, killing the leaders and persons of the rival religious parties, and attaking the offices of the opponent political parties, these are real miscreants who target the Pushtuns, Urdu-speaking people and even the people, belonging to the interior Sindh. CIA, Mossad and RAW manipulate the ethnic division of Karachi through these paid-agents, while especially leaders of ANP and MQM accuse each other for murdering the people of their-related ethnic or linguistic community.

It is also fault of our political leaders that they raise one after other issue, unintentional benefiting the anti-Pakistan elements to manupulate the same. In this connection, recently question of new provinces in the country started a controversial debate among the rival political parties. On January 29, this year, on the call of the Sindhi nationalists, a province-wide strike was observed in protest against the 20th Amendment bill tabled by the MQM in the National Assembly regarding new province. The Sindhi nationalists opposed it, saying that once this door is opened, more and more provinces will be carved out on an ethnic basis, particularly in Sindh.

While, the ethnic tensions in Karachi between the Pashtun and Urdu-speaking people have also created rift between ANP and the MQM, but the issue of new provinces could peacefully be resolved in accordance with the constitution instead of giving the external elements to exploit the differences.

Nonetheless, in the past few years, aside from gang warfare and criminal activities and violent rioting and target killings have seen a steady increase with some high profile deaths. Each murder sees a retaliatory attack or similar killing. A rise in Sunni-Shia violence has also resulted into several casualties.

A recent report of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan disclosed that 1,138 people have been killed in Karachi in the first half of 2011, with 490 victims of political, ethnic and sectarian violence.

Especially, Pushtuns led by ANP and Urdu-speaking people by the MQM have been fighting against each others intermittently, while on July 26, 2011, six people including activists of Sindh Peoples’ Youth Organisation (SPYO) and those of the MQM were also killed. Last year, accusations and counter-accusations between the leaders of the MQM and those of the ANP were traded in particular and MQM and PPP in general. Some MQM leaders had held the rulers of the PPP in Sindh and at center for inciting ethnic riots in Karachi. As a matter of fact, CIA, Mossad and RAW had succeded in creating and exploiting the ethnic and linguistic division in Karachi. The situation had so deteriorated that leaders of the ANP and MQM Chief had requested to Pak Army and Rangers to intervention in order to save the lives of people.

It is of particular attention that Karachi is Pakistan’s financial hub and the largest commercial markets, collecting 70 per cent of the country’s tax revenue, and it is home to the state bank and the largest port. So, besides causing unrest in the city and to thus to create instability in Pakistan, another aim of the foreign hands is to cripple the economy of the city as Karachi is intermittently brought to a halt with shut-down strikes—many shopkeepers remain reluctant to open their shops due to violence which is fuelling the flames. Besides, foreign agents misguide the disgruntled elements that national institutions are not made to develop other areas of Pakistan and policies formulated at Islamabad are not congenial to other provinces except Punjab.

It is mentionable that more than one million illegal small and heavy weapons contribute to violence in Karachi. In this context, first of all, unlike the previous action, a well-coordinated search operation should be conducted with an aim to cut off the supply chain of illegal weapons in the city and root out culprits from the most affected areas. But a programme of de-weaponisation and detection of foreign-baked terrorists is essential to curb violence in Karachi. In this regard, the ruling party should be fully determined to take stern action against the miscreats and outlaws without any discrimination.

Deteriorated situation of Karachi also demands that our political parties need to behave with far greater responsibility. In this respect, our national, provincial and regional leaders including media must stop exploiting various problems and disparities at the cost of the country which is already facing multiple crises of grave nature. And security forces are coping with sporadic battles with the militants in some tribal areas, especially Kurram Agency, while our external enemies also want to engage Pak Army in Karachi.

Consequently, the latest wave of violence in Karachi needs immediate attention, and cooperation among the rulers, opposition parties, security agencies and general masses as resurgence of terrorists in the city proves.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com 

 >>Resurgence of Terrorists in Karachi

Indian Attempt to Entrap Saudi Arabia

By Sajjad Shaukat

Pakistan’s media is so engaged in indicating various issues,  threatening
the security of the country that very important news about the Indian Defence Minister AK Antony’s recent visit to Saudi Arabia went unnoticed.

It is of particular attention that it was the first visit of any Indian defence minister to Saudi Arabia. However, on February 13, Indian Defence Minister AK Antony’s team which besides others included Indian Army vice Chief Lt. Gen. S.K. Singh and Indian Navy deputy chief Vice Admiral Satish Soni, paid a two-day visit to Riyadh.

In wake of rapidly changing geo-political developments in the region like Indo-US hidden agenda in Afghanistan against Pakistan, China and Iran, US decision to maintain six military bases in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014, Islamabad’s decision to redefine its relationship with US and its tilt towards Russia, new wave of drone strikes on Pakistan, unrest in the Middle East, possibility of Israeli attack on Iran and US war-mongering strategy against Tehran in the Persian Gulf, the secret aim of New Delhi is to entrap Saudi Arabia by binding the latter with Indian strategic partnership.

Nevertheless, during the Saudi visit, Antony held crucial discussions with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Salman-bin-Abdul Aziz. In this regard, on February 15, after the delegation’s return, Indian defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said, “To give a boost to the defence ties between the two countries, India and Saudi Arabia have decided to set up a Joint Committee on Defence Cooperation to work out the contours of the relationship.” KAR elaborated that the Committee would also evolve plans for cooperation in numerous areas, high level reciprocal visits at all levels—and the three armed forces, conducting passage exercises. India suggested that the navies of the two countries could explore practical cooperation in the Indian Ocean. The Committee will also seek cooperation in hydrography, increased participation of both sides in training programmes. The visit of a delegation from Saudi Arabia to see Indian defence production facilities in the near future was agreed to by Prince Salman.

There is no doubt that being a major and more developed country in all the-related fields, India will get more benefits as compared to Saudi Arabia, and intends to use Riyadh as an instrument of manipulation so as to fulfill multiple strategic designs in the region.

It is notable that India whose Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had signed wide-ranging agreements with Saudi Arabia on February 28, 2010, known as Riyadh declaration, emphasing strategic partnership between the two states, has already decided to entrap Saudi Arabia by playing double game with the latter. New Delhi also wants to meet India’s growing requirement of crude oil supplies.

According to the Riyadh Declaration, “The two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in exchange of information relating to terrorist activities, and develop joint strategies to combat these threats.” Under the pretext of terrorism, Indian prime minister availed the opportunity to implicate Pakistan by following his usual rhetoric. The main aim behind was to incite Saudi Arabia against Pakistan. In this respect, Manmohan Singh stated, “I explained to him (King Abdullah) the role of terrorism…aided, abetted and inspired by Pakistan…is playing in our country.” He added that he asked the Saudi monarch to “use his good offices to persuade Islamabad to desist from this path.”

Meanwhile, Indian high officials disclosed that the issue of terrorism remains high in terms of priority in this strategic partnership. While Indian media anchors have propagated that Saudi Arabia is being targeted by the Al Qaeda, while India too is in a deep state of concern due to Pakistan in this regard.

On the one hand, India has begun a new era of strategic friendship with Riyadh, while on the other, Indian writers and intellectuals leave no stone unturned in accusing Saudi Arabia in supporting Al Qaeda-related Taliban in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

In fact, Saudi Arabia has abrogated all ties with the Taliban or Al Qaeda related militants, but on the clandestine direction of the Indian secret agency RAW, Indian writers have been acting upon a blame game against Saudi Arabia. They still accuse Riyadh of backing and giving sanctuary to the Al Qaeda terrorists.

As regards RAW-paid writers, the case of B. Raman is of special consideration as he always maligns Saudi Arabia in connection with the activities of Al Qaeda. In this context, in one of his articles ‘Jihadi Terrorism: The Saudi Connection’, B. Raman has indicated that the Islamic militants like Basheer and commander Abu Abdel Aziz including their followers have links with each other from Bosnia to Afghanistan and from Jummu and Kashmir to Sudan. Raman alleges, “In Saudi Arabia, the militant Basheer has floated a new organisation called the Muslim Development Force, apparently inspired and controlled by Jihadi elements in Saudi Arabia.”

B. Raman also blames by showing links among various Jehadi organizations funded by Pakistan and Saudi Arabia officially. He elaborates, “Pakistani Jihadis and Abu Abdel Aziz of Saudi Arabia were linked to the Lashkar-e-Taiba(LET) which is assisting the Jihadis in Jammu and Kashmir.

In one of his articles B. Raman openly accuses: “Like Pakistan, Saudi Arabia has been following a dual policy on terrorism…while the Saudis have taken “ruthless action” against al-Qaida elements within Saudi Arabia, it has avoided taking action against Wahhabi organisations which have been supporting terrorism in other countries.” He writes, “Many of the charity organizations in India, Bangladesh and the United States that fund terrorist organisations are of Saudi origin. But to date, the Saudis have paid only lip service to complaints of such sponsorship and requests to halt funding of Sunni Wahhabi groups. Wahhabi Islam, which originated in Saudi Arabia, is the primary religious movement behind extremist Islam including al-Qaida and the Sunni Taliban in Pakistan and Afghanistan.”

Another RAW-paid Indian writer Hari Sud also implicates Saudi Arabia in his article, ‘End Muslim Terrorism by Ending Wahabism Influence in Saudi Arabia.’ He writes, “Osama bin Laden, Taliban Chief Mullah Mohammed Omar and Chief Suspect of Daniel Pearl’s murder, Omar Saeed are all followers of Mohammed Abdul Al Wahab, the eighteenth century fundamentalist Mullah (cleric) in present day Saudi Arabia.”

According to him, “All Saudi princes including the King are Wahabis. Western education to has not changed their outlook. While alleging Suadi Arabia as the originator of Wabism and its supporter in Pakistan, Indonesia and Afghanistan, Hari Sud writes, “All teachers of the Madarassas, Mullahs of the Mosques under pretext of Hajj pilgrimage underwent Wahabi training in religious schools in Saudi Arabia…in India, Chechnya and Philippines…Muslim terror threat is ever present for worthless causes…majority of the 9/11 terrorists hailed from Saudi Arabia.”

He maintains, “There is a little US can do directly to the policy making in Saudi Arabia. Indirectly they may be able to influence a few key princes in power to limit the amount of money, which Wahabis get under the pretext of upkeep of holy places.”

Especially in India, Riyadh is viewed as a nation with close ties with Islamabad, while people in Saudi Arabia see India as a country which considers the Gulf region as little more than a source of oil and remittance from the Indians. And ill-treatment of Muslims in India creates a negative image in a country seen as the cradle of Islam.

Besides achieving other covert aims, with the backing of US, India wants to make defence ties with Saudi Arabia in order to entrap it, and to use it against Pakistan and Iran. At this critical situation, while war-like situation exists between Tehran and America, New Delhi wants to create further rift between the two rivals. Notably, Saudi Arabia is against the nuclear programme of Tehran. In this regard, Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad with the help of Indo-Israeli lobbies which are well penetrated in the US administration have continuously been exploiting differences between Riyadh and Tehran. They are also manipulating sectarian divergences on the basis of Shia-led Iran and Sunni-Wabism, led by Saudi Arabia.

So, in order to entrap Saudi Arabia, India is playing a double game with Riyadh as it openly seeks new strategic partnership with the latter, while covertly, with help of American CIA and Mossad, it has been backing RAW and its writers to propagate against the cordial relationship of Saudi Arabia with Pakistan, and to manipulate Saudi-Iranian differences. The major purpose also remains to bring Riyadh to the Indo-US secret game against China.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

 

>> Indian Attempt to Entrap Saudi Arabia

US Blatant Intervention in Balochistan

By Sajjad Shaukat

According to various international laws and declarations, the principle of non-intervention involves the right of every sovereign state to conduct its affairs without outside interference. In this regard, Article 2 (4) of the UN Charter prohibits “interference in the internal affairs” of a state.

But setting aside international laws, and the UN Charter, Dana Rohrabacher introduced a House Concurrent Resolution in the US House of Representatives on February 17 this year, calling upon Pakistan to “recognise the right of self-determination for Balochistan.” The resolution has noted that “Baloch people are subjected to violence and extrajudicial killings.” Earlier, the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs convened unprecedented hearing which was attended by the supporters of Baloch separtism and American scholars including human rights activists. It was chaired by Rohrabacher who allegedly said, “Balochistan is a turbulent land, marred by human rights violations”, requiring urgent attention. Recently, he has also co-authored an article, favouring an independent Balochistan. While other speakers accused that Pakistan’s security forces and its intelligence agencies were involved in extrajudicial killings and the forced disappearance of ethnic Baloch.

However, the Pakistan government has lodged a strong protest against the resolution on Balochistan. In this respect, Pakistan’s Foreign Office termed, the US Congress bill as violation of international laws, calling it as a clear interference in Pakistan’s internal affairs. Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani remarked that the US Congress resolution on Balochistan is against Pakistan’s sovereignty.

Meanwhile, members of the Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh Assemblies also condemned the Congress resolution. Besides, other political and religious leaders including members of the civil societies and political analysts have strongly condemned the US Congress resolution as a “conspiracy against Pakistan”, “provocative”, and “intervention in country’s internal matters.”

It is notable that Pakistan’s Ambassador to the United States, Sherry Rehman has stated, “It is deeply regrettable that the legislature of a country that calls itself a friend of Pakistan should allow itself to be used as a platform by those advocating the dismemberment of Pakistan and provide justification to terrorists attempting to hold Balochistan, and Pakistan, hostage.” She added that this “will add to suspicions in Pakistan about American motives.”

In this connection, American motives have openly been exposed after this resolution. Notably, on August 14, 2009, Financial Times (online) had reported “Settlers from other parts of Pakistan, especially Punjab, have been given deadlines to leave.”  As a matter of fact, this is what US-led India and Israel wanted by inciting the general masses of Balochistan to openly speak against the federation of Pakistan and the Punjabis for all the injustices, created by the Baloch feudal lords (Sardars) who have been fighting for their own so-called status, prestige and influence. They were running their own private jails and farrari camps, and resisted the government development projects as they did not want to give up the old system of feudal lords, while working on the American agenda.

Although Pakistan’s security forces have successfully been coping with the Taliban militants in the tribal areas, yet situation has deteriorated in Balochistan where subversive events and human rights violations have intensified. In fact, the US-led India and Israel have been supporting feudal lords of Balochistan to oppose country’s federation, providing arms and ammunition to the Baloch separatists.

It is noteworthy that the agents of American CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mosssad are well-penetrated in various NGOs and human rights organisations which are being used for vile propaganda against Pakistan’s security forces. In this respect, on July 31, 2011, a rally was organized by Baloch Human Rights Council in UK in front of the US Embassy in London, which raised false allegations such as inhuman torture and extrajudicial murder of the Baloch intellectuals by the Pakistani army and ISI.

On August 3, 2011, ISPR spokesman, Maj-Gen Athar Abbas, while rejecting human rights groups’ reports about Balochistan as a conspiracy against Pakistan, called for probing the funding of these organisations as this could be traced back to those forces which want to destabilise Pakistan.

It is notable that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and an another group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers) which have been fighting for secession of the province gets logistic support from RAW and CIA, and are also trying to sabotage Pakistan’s relationship with China and Iran. In the past few years, their militants kidnapped and killed many Chinese and Iranian nationals in Pakistan. Jundollah also arranged a number of suicide attacks in Iran, while Tehran had directly named CIA for assisting those terrorist attacks.

In fact, these militant groups which are responsible for extrajudicial killings also kidnapped and murdered many innocent people of Pakistan and the security personnel in the province. On a number of occasions, these insurgent groups claimed responsibility for subversive acts and forced abductions. Besides, many missing persons of Balochistan were murdered by foreign secret agencies in order to implicate Pak Army and ISI. But media and so-called NGOs including human rights groups not only exaggerate the figures of the disappeared persons, but also accuse Pak Army and ISI for extrajudicial killings. These entities have failed to provide details about the missing persons, spreading sensationalism and conducting press conferences without obtaining real facts.

Particularly, Balochistan’s geo-strategic location with Gwadar seaport, connecting rest of the world with Central Asia has irked the eyes of America and India because China has already invested billion of dollars to develop this seaport. However, it is due to multiple strategic designs that the US which signed a nuclear deal with India in 2008, seeks to control Balochistan in containing China and subduing Iran. Balochistan has also shifted the Great Game to Pakistan. This is also owing to the mineral resources of Balochistan—especially gold and copper that US-led India and Israel have accelerated their subversive acts such as target killings, hostage-takings, suicide attacks, fueling sectarian and ethnic violence in Balochistan by assisting their affiliated insurgent groups. In this context, CIA, RAW and Mossad which have well-established their network in Afghanistan to weaken Pakistan have been sending highly trained militants to Balochistan, who commit various acts of sabotage on regular basis. Their main aim is the dismemberment of Pakistan by separating the province of Balochistan.

Notably, on April 23, 2009 in the in-camera sitting of the Senate, Interior Minister Rehman Malik had displayed documentary evidence of foreign-backed militants’ infiltration from Afghanistan to Balochistan. The main aim of the in-camera session was also to show the engagement of American CIA in the province.

It is worth-mentioning that in August, 2011, US ambassador to Pakistan, Cameron Munter had requested Pakistan government for opening a US consulate in Balochistan. But knowing the real intentions of America, Islamabad had flatly rejected the offer.

In the recent years, Pakistan’s civil and military leadership has made strenuous efforts to develop the infrastructure in Balochistan, providing the people employment opportunities to bring the Balochis in the mainstream of the country. In this regard, Pak Army has not only established schools and colleges, but also set up technical and industrial institutes in the province, besides giving military training to the youth.

On October 11, 2011, Prime Minister Gilani highlighted the major development projects in Balochistan, aimed at the socio-economic uplift of its people so as to bring about a positive change in the area. He disclosed that the federal government would provide 30 percent of its shares of the Saindak Project to the Balochistan government, and planned to provide jobs to 20,000 youth from Balochistan, adding that under the NFC award, fund transferring has been increased. While Prime Minister Gilani who stated on February 15 that the government would soon convene an All Parties Conference (APC) to address the issues of Balochistan, has already declared 2012 the ‘Year of Balochistan.’

Nevertheless, this is the right time for the government that its announced policy for political, social and economic reforms must be implemented so as to remove sense of deprivation among the Balochis. And our politicians and media must convince the people, especially the youth that their Sardars want to restore old system of feudalism in the province, and are playing in the hands of foreign enemies, especially the US.

Nonetheless, Balochistan is an integral part of the Pakistan, with an elected government, so the US resolution is an insult to the mandate of masses of Balochistan. No doubt, hearing on Balochistan by the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs has clearly exposed the US blatant intervention in the province and support to the Baloch separatists.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

>>US Blatant Intervention in Balochistan

US Intentions to militasise Asia

By Sajjad Shaukat

Learning no lesson from a prolonged ‘different war’ against terrorism, defeatism in Iraq and Afghanistan, heavy cost of war, debt crisis and acute financial problems inside America, US has started showing its intentsions to militarise Asia.
In this regard, during his trip to Australia, on November 17, 2011, President Barrack Obama, while sending an unmistakable message to Beijing said, “The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay,” and he would send military aircraft and 2,500 Marines to Australia for a training hub to help allies and to protect US interests across Asia. Obama stressed that any reductions in America’s defense spending will not come at the expense of that goal. He also stated that the US is not afraid of China. In this respect, America has also troops and security relationships with some Gulf countries.
While, after the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014, US has decided to establish six military bases in that country having eyes on the energy resources of Central Asia, with multiple strategic designs against Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia.
Meanwhile, US President Obama unveiled a new defence strategy on January 5, 2012, which calls for greater US military presence in Asia, after cutting troops from Europe—the strategy  calls for the US military to “rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region...even our troops continue to fight in Afghanistan, the tide of war is receding.”
As regards Russia, it opposes US intentions to deploy national missile defence system (NMD) in Europe, while differences already existed between Moscow and Washington over the US-led NATO’s attack on Libya. Russia and China have asked the US to resolve the question of Iran’s nuclear programme peacefully. But America and Israel are acting upon a war-like diplomacy against Iran. Tel Aviv has even threatened to attack Iran, while Iranian rulers have also said that they would retaliate in case of any invasion. Russia, on January 18, 2012 rejected the tough US-led western strategy of sanctions over Iran and Syria, In this regard, on February this year, Russia and China vetoed the UN Security Council, calling the Syrian president to step down.
After observing the emerging ground realties, and sinister designs of the US, a shift has already occurred in the foreign policy of Pakistan. In this context, Islamabad which had already having cordial relationship with China—signed a number of agreements with Beijing in various sectors including defence has cultivated its relationship with the Russian Federation. In 2010, Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin publicly endorsed Pakistan bid to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). Putin also remarked that Pakistan was very important partner in South Asia and the Muslim world for Russia.
During the trip of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to Russia, on February 9, this year, she stated that SCO was an exceptionally important forum within the region to counter regional challenges. Moscow and Russia also agreed to enhance the bilateral relations in diverse fields such as trade, energy, infrastructure development, agriculture, science and technology etc. When Russian military Chief Col-Gen. Alexander Postnikov visited Pakistan on May, 2011, he discussed with Army Chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani—the possibility of expanding defence ties. On November 28, 2011, Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, while commenting on the NATO cross-border air attack in Pakistan emphasised that a nation’s sovereignty should always be upheld.
In their summit of August 16, 2007, the leaders of the SCO had displayed strength against the US rising dominance in the region and NATO’s military presence in Afghanistan, near the region of Central Asia.
Taking note of the US new military strategy, Turkey also changed its policy. Now, by supporting the cause of Palestinians, Ankara wants to increase trade with Iran—not to comply with sanctions against Tehran. Keeping new emerging geo-political scenario in the world, Pakistan is also strengthening its ties with Turkey.
Nonetheless, US new defence strategy is part of Indo-US hidden agenda in Afghanistan. US wants to protect the puppet regime of Karzai and Indian influence in Afghanistan under the umbrella of its military presence because it knows that otherwise, Taliban militants will topple the Karzai regime, also forcing India to withdrawal its network from Afghanistan. India which has already invested billion of dollars in Afghanistan, signed a strategic partnership agreement with that country on on october 5, 2011, seeks to further strengthen its grip there to get strategic depth against Islamabad.
No doubt, especially America has been supporting  cross-border infiltration in Pakistan with the assistance of American CIA, Indian intelligence agency, RAW and Israeli secret agency, Mossad which have well-established their network in Afghanistan to destabilise Pakistan which is the only nuclear country in the Islamic World. For this purpose highly trained militants, equipped with sophisticated weapons are being sent to Pakistan’s various places, who are continuously conducting suicide attacks, targeted killings, ethnic and sectarian violence in Pakistan.
US and India are particularly supporting Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and another separatist group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers). In the past few years, Jundollah kidnapped and murdered a number of Chinese and Iranian nationals in Pakistan. This insurgent group has not only been committing acts of sabotage in Pakistan, but also in the Iranian Sistan-Baluchistan. Particularly, Balochistan’s mineral resources and geo-strategic location with Gwadar seaport, connecting rest of the world with Central Asia have further annoyed America and India because China has already invested billion of dollars to develop this seaport. However, it is due to multiple strategic designs that the US which signed a nuclear deal with India in 2008, intends to control Balochistan in containing China and subduing Iran. Balochistan has also shifted the Great Game to Pakistan.
Notably, on February 8, 2012, the hearing of the US Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs, chaired by Dana Rohrabacher discussed target killings and human rights violations in Balochistan. He has also co-authored an article a few days ago, favouring an independent Balochistan. It has exposed US support to the Baloch separatists.
Besides spending huge amounts on military build up and purchases of sophisticated arms from other western country, America which has emerged as a potential military supplier to India, has lifted sanctions on New Delhi to import nuclear technology. US also agreed to sell India the most expensive—the new F-35 fighter jets and other latest equipments. With the backing of US, Israel is helping India in various sectors, especially in defence.
As regards the Afghan reconciliation process with the militants, which are taking place in Qatar, British media report indicated that US-Taliban talks on the release of five prisoners from Guantanamo Bay detention center have failed. Taliban did not agree to the US demand of ceasefire before the release of prisoners.
However, rapidly changing geo-political scenario shows that the next cold war which is at embryonic stage, will be fought in Asia because in its pursuit to make India a great power of Asia, US is likely to initiate it. Nevertheless new cold war will divide the world between two blocks—Russia-China block and the US-backed Indian block. And Pakistan will be the next arena of the coming cold war because of its ideal strategic location. Main players of the game such as North Korea, Pakistan, Iran and Central Asian Republics etc. are likely to align with Russia-China alliance. On the other side, Japan, Georgia, Ukraine, South Korea etc. will join the US-backed Indian block.
Meanwhile, terrorism is likely to add a dangerous element of ‘hot war’ to the future cold war. In this regard, an unending ‘different war’ between the sovereign and non-sovereign entities in Afgahanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, Yemen etc. and other Middle East countries will make the matter worse. All these negative developments are likely create political and economic instability in Asia, enveloping the developed countries such as Japan, South Korea etc. and Europe where general masses already held the America responsible for financial crisis.
The fact of the matter is that the end of the Cold War has given a great glow to the American arms firms and dealers who now seek to sell their weapons in the world. Their strong lobbies are present in America. It is because these lobbies that the Republican law-makers who opposed defence cut in American budget compelled President Obama to act upon a war-mongering policy in Asia.
It is due to the US ill-conceived policy that it will compel Asian nations to follow the bygone days of the Cold War—deadly arms race and increase in the defence expenditures at the cost of development of public sectors in wake of the modern world trends like peaceful settlement of disputes and economic development. So in the present era, US intentions to militarise Asia seems quite illogical.
Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations
Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

>> US Intentions to militasise Asia

Diplomacy Behind Pak-Iran-Afghan Cooperation

By Sajjad Shaukat

Diplomacy is employed for both positive and negative purposes. In positive sense, it is used to resolve an issue peacefully, and in negative sense, it is applied by states to gain selfish ends without caring for peace. Secret diplomacy always thwarts the aims of peace diplomacy. Let us analyse the new determination of Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan for regional cooperation in wake of emerging geo-political scenario in the region.

In the third trilateral summit at Islamabad, on February 17 this year, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari and Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Afghan President Hamid Karzai put their heads together to forge regional cooperation in multifaceted areas. They pledged to strengthen cooperation to eradicate terrorism and militancy from the region. The leaders of the three neighbouring countries declared that they would not allow any threat emanating from their respective territories against each other.

Zardari vowed to fight the external pressure on the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline, saying that the “external forces can not undermine bilateral relations.” Notably, recently Islamabad rejected US duress to abandon this pipeline project. Pakistan also assured to support Tehran, if the US launches a military attack on Iran..While hinting towards the US, the Iranian president disclosed that the problem in the region had no local roots but it was imposed from external fronts.

In response to Afghanistan’s blame game against Islamabad regarding cross-border terrorism, Zardari clarified, “I deny this notion that any of our armed forces are directly or indirectly involved.” He revealed, without naming America, “Who was the owner and financer of former chief of Tehreek-e-Talban Pakistan Baitulllah Mahsood.”

Reports suggest that Afghan President Hamid Karzai asked for access to Taliban chief Mullah Omar during his visit to Islamabad. Islamabad denied that the Taliban leadership is based within its borders. On February 17, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar cautioned against Kabul, indicating that her government was still uncertain on exactly what Afghanistan wanted, and “have not conveyed clarity to us.”

As regards the Afghan peace process and regional cooperation, President Karzai called for action rather than mere words.

In fact, both Pakistan and Iran are quite sincere about regional cooperation among the three countries including stability in Afghanistan, but Hamid Karzai has been forced to follow an ambivalent policy due to American secret diplomacy. Confused in his goals, President Karzai, in a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, remarked that besides US, the Afghan government was indeed involved in the dialogue with Taliban in Qatar. On the other hand, the Afghan Taliban clarified that they never talked to “the puppet regime of Karzai.”

However, America will sabotage the regional cooperation among Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran. In this respect, after the withdrawal of NATO troops from Afghanistan in 2014, US has decided to establish six military bases in Afghanistan, having eyes on the energy resources of Central Asia, with multiple strategic designs against Pakistan, China, Iran and Russia.

Notably, on January 5, 2012, US President Obama unveiled a new defence strategy which calls for greater US military presence in Asia, after cutting troops from Europe—the strategy calls for the US military to “rebalance toward the Asia-Pacific region...even US troops continue to fight in Afghanistan, the tide of war is receding.” During his trip to Australia, on November 17, 2011, Obama, while sending an unmistakable message to Beijing said, “The United States is a Pacific power, and we are here to stay,” In this context, America has also troops and security relationships with some Gulf countries.

Nevertheless, US new defence strategy is part of Indo-US hidden agenda in Afghanistan. First of all US seeks to protect the puppet regime of Karzai and Indian influence in Afghanistan under the umbrella of its military presence because it knows that otherwise, Taliban militants will topple the Karzai regime, also forcing India to withdrawal its network from Afghanistan. India which has already invested billion of dollars in Afghanistan, signed a strategic partnership agreement with that country on on october 5, 2011, wants to further fortify its grip there to get strategic depth against Islamabad.

US bases in Afghanistan and the Gulf will enhance its ability to gather intelligence on Iran. In December, 2011, Iranian authorities recovered a CIA surveillance drone that had been launched from Afghanistan. Now war-like situation exists between Iran and America over the Persian Gulf and nuclear programme of Tehran. The American aircraft carrier on February 15, 2011 joinined another US battle group already positioned in the region. In response to this development, Iran’s Defense Minister Ahmad Vahidi already stated on February 14, that the US buildup and its military presence has “turned the Gulf into a weapons depot.” Russia, on January 18, 2012 rejected the tough US-led western strategy of sanctions over Iran and Syria. Both Russia and China have asked the US to resolve the question of Iran’s nuclear programme peacefully.

As part of its secret diplomacy, especially America has been supporting  cross-border infiltration in Pakistan with the assistance of American CIA, Indian intelligence agency, RAW and Israeli secret agency, Mossad which have well-established their tentacles in Afghanistan to ‘destabilise’ and ‘denuclearise’ Pakistan. For this purpose highly trained militants, equipped with sophisticated weapons are being sent to Pakistan’s various places, who are regularly conducting suicide attacks, targeted killings, ethnic and sectarian violence in Pakistan.

America and India are particularly assisting Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and another separatist group, Jundollah (God’s soldiers). Jundollah has kidnapped and murdered a number of Chinese and Iranian nationals in Pakistan. This insurgent group has not only been committing acts of sabotage in Pakistan, but also in the Iranian Sistan-Baluchistan. Particularly, Balochistan’s mineral resources and geo-strategic location with Gwadar seaport, connecting rest of the world with Central Asia have further irked the eyes of the US and India because China has already invested billion of dollars to develop this seaport. However, it is due to multiple strategic designs that the US which signed a nuclear deal with India in 2008, intends to control Balochistan, contain China and subdue Iran. Besides, America which has emerged as a potential military supplier to India, has lifted sanctions on New Delhi to import nuclear technology. America also agreed to sell India the most expensive—the new F-35 fighter jets and other latest equipments.

It is mentionable that on February 17, 2012; Dana Rohrabacher introduced a House Concurrent Resolution in the US House of Representatives, calling upon Pakistan to “recognise the right to self-determination for Balochistan.” Recently, he has also co-authored an article, favouring an independent Balochistan. On the other side, Pakstan’s Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, foreign office spokesman and other political leaders have strongly condemned the US Congress resolution, calling it, “provocative, “against Pakistan’s sovereignty” and intervention in country’s internal matters.”

US double game with Pakistan could be judged from the fact that at present, Islamabad is redefining its relationship with Washington after the US-led NATO air attack on Pakistan Army border posts in Mohmand Agency. While, America has also requested Islamabad to play a key role in the peace talks with the Afghan militants, recognising the fact that without Pakistan’s help, stability will not be achieved in Afghanistan after the withdrawal of foreign troops in 2014. On the other side, US has again started drone attacks on Pakistan’s tribal areas, which have killed several people the past few weeks. 

After assessing the emerging ground realties, and sinister designs of America, a shift has already occurred in the foreign policy of Pakistan. In this respect, Islamabad which have already strengthened its relationship with China—signed a number of agreements with Beijing in various sectors including defence has also cultivated its relations with the Russian Federation. During the trip of Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar to Russia, on February 9, this year, she stated that Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was an exceptionally important forum within the region to counter regional challenges. Moscow and Islamabad also agreed to enhance the bilateral relations in diverse fields. In the subsequent summits, the leaders of the SCO, especially China and Russia have displayed strength against the US dominance in the region and NATO’s military presence in Afghanistan, near the region of Central Asia.

Nonetheless, although Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan seek to promote regional cooperation for the development for their nations, yet US secret diplomacy is likely to sabotage their positive approach.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

>>Diplomacy Behind Pak-Iran-Afghan Cooperation