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Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in History on April 9th, 2012
Please Read the comments below and say a silent prayer in memory of brave soldiers of Pakistan and Indian Army, who have died fighting for this icy wasteland.
The disputed Siachen glacier, where an avalanche hit early Saturday, is billed as the world’s highest combat zone, but atrocious weather conditions have claimed more lives than actual fighting.
The 77-kilometre-long glacier traverses the Line of Control, the de facto border separating Indian- and Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, at a height of over 6,300 metres.
Combat between the nuclear-armed foes has claimed few lives but frostbite, avalanches and driving blizzards, which can sweep men into crevasses, are deadly for the thousands of soldiers deployed there.
Winter temperatures plummet to minus 70 degrees Celsius with blizzards gusting at speeds of 160 kilometres per hour.
India in 1984 occupied the key areas on the glacier, including the heights, and Pakistan immediately responded by deploying its own forces. They fought a fierce battle in 1987, raising fears of all-out conflict.
New Delhi says it cannot withdraw its troops from the glacier until Islamabad recognises its troop positions, fearing Pakistan will move its soldiers forward in the event of an Indian pull-out.
Experts have said there are some Indian 5,000 troops on the glacier while Pakistan has less than half that number, but there are no recent estimates.
Islamabad says the presence of Indians on the glacier threatens a strategic Sino-Pakistani highway (Karakoram Hihway) located 180 kilometres away.
Early on Saturday, an avalanche smashed into a remote Pakistan army camp on the glacier, burying alive at least 100 soldiers. Troops were frantically trying to find signs of life in the deep snow.
Most of the time on Siachen, the bad weather prevents any troop movement and despite the heavy deployment, clashes are generally low-level skirmishes involving a few dozen troops.
Since both sides deployed troops on Siachen, casualties from sporadic clashes have not exceeded 150 on either side.
Maintaining a military presence on remote Siachen exerts a heavy financial toll.
India reportedly spends more than 40 million rupees daily on its Siachen deployment — a figure that does not include additional wages and bonuses.
All Indian soldiers who complete a tour of duty on the glacier are awarded the “Siachen Pin” as a mark of fortitude.
The Kashmir region — of which Siachen is a part — is divided between Pakistan and India and is claimed by both in full. It has triggered two of the three wars between the neighbours since 1947.
Siachen is close to four of the world’s 14 peaks over 8,000 metres — K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II — all of which are on the Pakistani side of the frontline.
COMMENTS
In these comments the common bond of humanity between Indians and Pakistanis
shows-up
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. BINU RAVINDRAN April 8, 2012 7:36 pm My deepest condolences to the families of the soldiers and my brothers and sisters in Pakistan. The world has changed. There is no room for hatred. We should start working together for the betterment of our people and for the economic growth of both countries.
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. Nasra Zaheer April 8, 2012 6:21 pm Shame on authorities of both countries to keep fighting for nothing without realising that these are the days of global warming,, many glaciers are moving and mountains are losing snow ,poor soldiers keep dying but there is no outcome of the loss of so much life on both sides ,I wish they promote good relationship between the countries and sabpve the lives of so may poor soldiers on both sides and spend the money on progress of the people than making weapons, all this was too tragic .
Nasra Zaheer April 8, 2012 6:24 pm Note, there are few printing errors. Nasra
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. Mahis April 8, 2012 5:40 pm Are people really fighting over a piece of land over here? No matter who back-stabbed whom in what year, I think we can all agree that no one is innocent here. Except for the ones who are dying because of the decision makers. Also, it’s not like India never ‘back-stabbed,’ if you may, Pakistan. Like I said – no one is innocent. Dear Pakistani soldiers, I pray that Allah forgives all your sins and grant you the highest place in Jannah for trying to protect the ungrateful people, like us, of your country. Ameen.
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. Ravi April 8, 2012 5:19 pm I pray to God Almighty (call Him Allah or Ishwar or Jesus) to give support to the families of the soilders killed. Irrespective of Indian or Pakistani, a life lost is a tragedy.
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. singh April 8, 2012 4:25 pm my brothers from India and Pakistan….pray that we all live in harmony just like our fore-fathers lived before 1947. They all fought side-by-side for the freedom…they all gave life at the battle fronts of 2nd world war in Europe against Nazis…!! We have seen enough blood-shed from both countries after 1947 and slowly learnt that there is nothing greater than forgiveness and love ! Its great to see the politicians from both sides trying hard build the burnt bridges. Long live India and Pakistan !! Long live my beautiful Punjab on both sides of border.
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. kufarooq April 8, 2012 4:12 pm We say salaam to our brave soldires who sacrifice their lives for country. God give them better place in Jannah Shaeed wil never die and always remember in our hearts.
raika45 April 8, 2012 5:44 pm It is easy to say that KUFAROOK sahib.Ask those families that lost their loved ones.And that too to protect unproductive and useless real estate that both nations could have come to an understanding.They could have drawn a boundary in this land pulled back.Just leave a token force that rotates every three months.
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. pillai101 April 8, 2012 2:55 pm Guys…. Look at this way…. Try to imagine the social and economic development that could have happened if both countries would be able to divert the funds and efforts from procuring systems and hardware which in the absence of war will result in useless depreciation and in case war does breakout, unacceptable human and economic costs. Now ask yourself, who gains by keeping the tensions high? Who are the people who rave, rant and stoke this fire…… Where they should have been talking of development, jobs and prosperity!!! Previous generations were slaves to propoganda and a very well managed system of brainwashing with such forces as discussed of earlier bringing up children with an inbuilt hostility to the other country. But you youngsters are smart. You have information and you are intelligent enough to understand what is at stake. Got it guys???
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. samchanright April 8, 2012 2:52 pm BOTH COUNTRIES LEAVE SUCH A PLACE VACANT WHERE NO HUMAN BEINGS CAN SURVIVE Stop killing Human Beings and wasting Money valuable time and other things on places where no normal human life can survive. .
. maheen April 8, 2012 2:39 pm Hello, My heart goes out for the soldiers and their families back home.In September me and my husband were close to K2 and so i think i can better understand.I really pray that we find these brave soldiers and their companions soon. Is it still so difficult to find peace at these majestic mountains ?
Rustam April 8, 2012 5:37 pm May u have a wonderful life ahead. This is the feeling of every one. We are safe and sound because of these brave soldiers. My nephew is serving too in Army and i can feel the pain of all the families. May God help n give them sabr, this can only be said on this heart taking moment.
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. Southindian April 8, 2012 2:12 pm It is army generals and arms suppliers for both sides who are keeping this war going
West Indian April 8, 2012 7:08 pm Sorry Mr. South Indian, I do not like any ill words about the Indian Army !!!. Its because of the Indian Army, that you are alive, otherwise LeT and its ilk would have killed you long back. Having said that, I also want peace between India and Pakistan Jai Hind !!
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. jax April 8, 2012 1:23 pm Desert of ice Reply
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. Ankur April 8, 2012 12:38 pm stop the wars i say…snow or desert, wars can never be justified anywhere.
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. Naeem Javid Muhammad Hassani April 8, 2012 11:44 am More soldiers have died from the weather than combat on the glacier, which was uninhabited before troops moved there. Casualties from sporadic clashes have not exceeded 150 on either side. It is time to end such conflicts and end the difference ASAP
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. amir muneer April 8, 2012 11:34 am We have to think about the condition with India ,we should have to resolve all issues with india .in all over the world all countries work for battlement for their citizens but in india and pakistan both have to much poverty and no good work for citizens .i am very sad when i was listening this tragic news,may ALLAH pak give them a good place in jannat and give us power to work for the country development . amir muneer
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. Alija_MN April 8, 2012 11:30 am Rest in peace! We better take this incident as a initiative to think how to stop this war there which killed thousands from each side…we better find some table talk for this instead of having people under life threats Regards, Alija_MN
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. Babar F. April 8, 2012 11:21 am Pakistan has all the rights to protect it’s highway-to-China. India must give the watch-posts to Pakistan, It has no business Checking on Pak-China friendship.
West Indian April 8, 2012 7:09 pm Babar F. STOP DREAMING !!!
gary April 8, 2012 7:36 pm India has got every right to protect its posts too. Lets not lose focus of talk at this sad moment and pray to god to give strength to the families of soldiers who have died in avalanche. So kindly keep ur pak china friendship issue slightly away. thanks.
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. Kris April 8, 2012 11:01 am Let Pakistani President and India’s president stay there for a week to feel the conditions. We should declare this as war free zone so that let our soldiers live. Reply
maheen April 8, 2012 2:42 pm i agree
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. Sagar Singh April 8, 2012 10:38 am India can’t take such risk of vacating the post. As India already has the example of Kargil where Pakistan back-stabbed us. Nawaz sharif was on talking peace and Pak army was capturing kargil posts. Reply
Kdspirited April 8, 2012 3:10 pm MrSingh you should know that it was India that made the first move on Siachin in 1984 not Pakistan. Please get your facts straight. They moved their forces and tried to take over more when the Siachin war broke out in 1987 and Pakistan Army was able to contain them to where they are now. Reply
Sagar Singh April 8, 2012 3:44 pm I feel you are not enough informed on Siachin itself. It was Pakistan who try to intrude into siachin, India came to know when they came to know about the order of the Ice Jackets by pakistan to the British firm and Indian intelligence came to know about it. Yes, it was Indian forces who advances later in effort to chase Pak army out of region. Here the point is should India leave the region and trust pakistan ? Ans is no,,,,bcoz there are some reasons for it. 1. Pakistan does not have a responsible govt who can take decisions. 2. Pak army is not the one who listens to the democratic govt of Pakistan. 3. Ex is Kargil, where your army captures the land without even informing your democratic elected govt.
pashtun April 8, 2012 4:55 pm dude… its a known fact.. Indian army got there first.. deployed there army on most of the strategic peaks and Pakistan army followed so as to defend the rest of the land from being overtaken.. kindly dont start a hate argument right here now.. peace out!
Rahul April 8, 2012 4:34 pm Kdspirited, b sure abt the facts….dont b in imagination….
hammad April 8, 2012 5:41 pm Rahul whatever kdspirited said he is sure about it as i am but i am pretty sure you don’t know the facts…
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. Santosh April 8, 2012 10:18 am I also think that fighting over siachin is not clever. Both countries should have to make an agreement on this issue because this place has already taken lots of priceless life’s of our soldiers.there are many other important issues in both countries so why are we wasting our money on this place.if both countries will faith upon each other then we can solve our many problems.i also pray to god for safety of those soldiers i my condolence with the family of those soldiers who sacrificed there life in the tough terrain..
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. Lover April 8, 2012 3:09 am This is very unfortunate, but more unfortunate is that India cannot take military from Indo-Pak border. We have already seen miss trust of Pakistan in 2002 Kargil.
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. Sami April 8, 2012 1:05 am It is about time we make a new begining to live together as we lived together for centuries before. I recommened to everyone that they watch the documentary “The Day India Burned”, about the 1947 partition of British India, then ask the question, when will this madness end?!
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. Malik April 7, 2012 11:56 pm I completely agree with comments from Yaseen and Veeran. It is irrational that armies of both sides are investing colossal amount of their budget just to maintain their presence at such high altitude. Both the countries need to realize that there are other issues such as health care and education that require more attention. A recent suicide attempt committed by a young and bright student from Peshawar due to inability to purchase his uniform highlights the prevalent poverty in our society. It is time that we need to act like mature nations and stop fighting like little kids. Reply
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. Shehzad Zafar April 7, 2012 11:43 pm May Allah rescue all of these brave men. Ameen
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. flacklist April 7, 2012 11:32 pm I Agree completely with Yaseen Mirza. Hope both countries bureaucracy acts for peaceful region
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. Monty… April 7, 2012 10:29 pm Hmm…Its not a question of 40 million rupees, its about lives of soldiers…I think India should learn from this incident and provide a safe environment for our soldiers…even by doing research under DRDO if necessary…But no question of withdrawing troops from siachen…It is strategically most important part for India…
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. waqas April 7, 2012 10:27 pm Ya Allah help your slaves as they are stuck in that glacier. Grant their families comfort in this life and unite them with their beloved in Jannah. Ameen
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. Rathore April 7, 2012 8:37 pm Peace in this region is a word on Dictionary & not in the minds of those who are on duty but for what gains for both countries. This Siachin has already taken thousands of lives of humane being or say soldiers of both sides. Perhaps some day soldiers of both sides may consider some formulae for safety from such heavy tolls of lives of both sides. We pray for all of them
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. Mahmood Ahmad Buner April 7, 2012 8:02 pm we salute our brave soldires , they really sacrifice for the Nation. long live Army long live Pakistan
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. oli April 7, 2012 8:00 pm Pakistan and India should stop hating each other and build permanent ties for the development and benefits of all their people. Viewing what’s happening world wide, regional development should be the aim of the countries.
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. Faseeh Minhas April 7, 2012 7:46 pm those who are deployed on this hostile glacier are the real heroes of our nation, may ALLAH keep all of them safe.Pray for long life of those who still alive and trapped there. those who embarrassed Martyrdom are the real blessed people of Almighty.
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. Ravi April 7, 2012 7:41 pm If India withdraws troops, people like Pervez Musharraf will be adventurous enough to start a new Kargil. Given the track record of Pakistani Army chiefs, there will never be pull back from Line of Control.
hammad April 8, 2012 5:52 pm same i can say about India also..if we pull out our troops than you will not stay at your own place instead try to occupy all of the terretaries….
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. taj April 7, 2012 7:23 pm Rest in peace… it is sad indeed that soldiers have to give up their life for irrational decisions made by leaders of both countries. Reply
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. Fahad Meer April 7, 2012 6:37 pm Rest in peace. .
. Veeran April 7, 2012 6:28 pm It is very sad for casuality. At one stage Political leaders take Lunch To gather and other side soldiers from both the county has to sacrfice their Life to protect the country. Who should be blamed for this situation.. when normal situation will be established and Local people from both the country visit easily each other and have normal lunch & dinner to gather? How long People form both the side has to wait to enjoy the life what political leader are enjoying with each other. Veeran
Jaudat April 7, 2012 8:51 pm So true! .
. Usman Naeem April 7, 2012 5:22 pm It is very sad, may Allah Almighty keep all of them alive and we pray for their safe recovery. Aameen .
. Yaseen Mirza April 7, 2012 4:55 pm In my humble opinion both India and Pakistan should act reasonably. They might come under some pact ensuring that none of them will try to enter in their respective territory.Both the country could save the lives of their soldiers and heavy money which is being spent. I think this is the high time to act rationally. Yaseen Mirza
raj shekhar April 7, 2012 7:28 pm Excellent . Both country must withdraw army from Siachen to save the life of soldiers. World is changed . War days are gone.Both india and pakistan MUST stop spending so much on arms.
HWG April 7, 2012 7:37 pm That is welcome. It will be in the interst of both the countries to remove troops and avoid loss of human life. But going by the Kargil LOC experience it will be difficult for India to trust Pakistan once Indian forces are retracted. There have to be some guarantees to India by Pakistan.
Indian April 7, 2012 10:14 pm @Yasmeen, You think we can have any pact with Pak after Kargil where Sharif was greeting Vajpayeejee in Lahore and Pak army was crossing LOC.
Zorba April 7, 2012 10:21 pm There was an understood pact about Kargil heights similar to what you are suggesting here. Musharraf surreptitiously sent our troops to occupy the place and destroyed whatever trust was possible for a long time to come. Then he claimed they were “freedom fighters”. Did Mushy ever pause to consider what our troops who thought they were fighting for their country felt about this? You think this kind of trust is possible now?
Truth April 8, 2012 12:53 am Yaseen the question on Indian side is to make a pact with whom in Pakistan. With the Political establishment or the Pakistan Army? Don’t you know what happened in Kargil when Pakistani armymen intruded into the Indian territory which was unguarded. The political establishment of Pakistan (Nawaz Sharif) later claimed that he was unaware and that the Pakistan Army (Musharaf) had done it.
Mohit April 8, 2012 4:24 am Things could have progressed that way… then Kargil incursion happened. That misadventure in itself was the biggest mistake made by Pakistani Military under Gen. Musharraf.. it will take several years for those wounds to heal.
Mohit April 8, 2012 4:28 am But with all that said.. salute to these brave soldiers and their families for sacrificing their lives for their country. May they see light again in heaven.
Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Politics on April 9th, 2012
Former DG ISI Shuja Pasha informed the memo commission that there was no plan of a coup by the Army after the May 02 covert US raid in Abbottabad. “If there was a threat, the ISI would have known about,” Pasha said.
While recording his testimony, Shuja Pasha said he consulted only the military leadership after coming to know about Marsoor Ijaz’s article in the Financial Times. “I wanted to know about the author of the memo and directed a source in the ISI to contact Mansoor who agreed to meet me and share details but outside Pakistan and the US.”
As the military top brass had asked me to go ahead, the meeting was arranged in a London hotel on October 22, 2011 which lasted for four hours, Shuja told the commission. It is pertinent to mention here that the former spy chief was attending the proceedings of the commission for the first time.
The judicial commission, probing the memo scandal resumed hearing after getting another six weeks extension from the Supreme Court.
The commission comprises of Chief Justice Balochistan High Court, Justice Qazi Faez Issa, Chief Justice Sindh High Court, Justice Musheer Alam and Chief Justice Islamabad High Court, Justice Iqbal Hameed-ur-Rehman.
Former DG ISI Shuja Pasha, Husain Haqqani’s counsel Zahid Bukhari, Mansoor Ijaz’s lawyer Akram Sheikh and Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman Yasin Malik were also present during the proceedings.
Husain Haqqani cited a heart problem as the reason for his absence from proceedings.
The former ambassador is also waiting for the outcome of his application pending before the SC regarding the recording of his statement through a video link from London.
Haqqani, through his application, has told the commission that he has been a heart patient for the last three years and has been under treatment at the Advanced Cardiology Center, Maryland, US. The applicant is currently under treatment for chest pain/coronary artery disease.
Tagged with: Army Coup, Gen Pasha, ISI, isi former chief shuja pasha, Memo Commission,Memogate Case, Memogate Scandel
Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Recent News on April 9th, 2012
اسلام آباد ۔وزیراعظم سید یوسف رضا گیلانی نے کہا ہے کہ صدر آصف علی زرداری کا دورہ بھارت کامیاب رہا‘ بھارت اور امریکہ نے حافظ سعید کے معاملہ پر شواہد دیئے تو قانون کے مطابق کارروائی کی جائے گی ہمسائیوں سے اچھے تعلقات چاہتے ہیں ‘ آئی ایس آئی کا سیاسی ونگ نہیں ہونا چاہئے یہ تاثر غلط ہے کہ حسین حقانی کو ہم نے فرار کرایا لاہور میں اپنی رہائش گاہ پر میڈیا سے گفتگو کرتے ہوئے انہوں نے کہا کہ پاکستان کے بھارت اور امریکہ سے باہمی تعلقات ہیں حافظ سعید سے متعلق شواہد ہیں تو پاکستان کو دیئے جائیں، پاک بھارت سیکرٹری داخلہ مذاکرات سولہ اپریل کو اسلام آباد میں ہوں گے مذاکرات میں حافظ سعید کے معاملہ پر بھی بات ہوگی۔
امریکہ حافظ سعید کے سر کی قیمت لگانے کے بجائے ہم سے بات کرے‘ حافظ سعید کا معاملہ پاکستان کا اندرونی معاملہ ہے انہوں نے کہا کہ صدر آصف علی زرداری اور بھارتی وزیراعظم من موہن سنگھ کی ملاقات میں کشمیر سمیت تمام مسائل پر بات ہوئی ہے بھارت سے معمول کی تجارت دونون ملکوں کے عوام کے مفاد میں ہے اس سے خطے میں خوشحالی آئے گی چین نے بھی مشورہ دیا ہے کہ بھارت سے تجارت کریں وزیر اعلیٰ پنجاب نے توانائی کانفرنس کی میزبانی کی درخواست کی ہے وہ توانائی کانفرنس میں شرکت کریں گے توانائی کے مسئلے پر قابو پانے کیلئے تمام فریقوں اور ماہرین کی رائے لی جائے گی۔
بجٹ میں عوام کو سب سے زیادہ ریلیف دیا جائے گا انہوں نے کہا کہ امریکہ نیٹو اور ایساف سے تعلقات کے بارے میں پارلیمنٹ جائزہ لے رہی ہے قومی سلامتی کی پارلیمانی کمیٹی میں مسلم لیگ ن کا اہم کردار ہے ایک سوال پر انہوں نے کہا کہ یہ تاثر غلط ہے کہ حسین حقانی کو ہم نے فرار کرایا حسین حقانی کا نام ای سی ایل میں تھا عدالت نے نکلوایا۔ پیپلزپارٹی میں کوئی بغاوت نہیں ہے سب کو ساتھ لے کر چل رہا ہوں اور چلنا بھی چاہئے سرائیکی صوبے پر کام کررہے ہیں سرائیکی صوبہ جنوبی پنجاب کے عوام کا حق ہے
Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Defense on April 9th, 2012
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Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Global Issues on April 8th, 2012
Pakistan has issued tender for laying kilometers Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline in its territory to a German company while rejecting US Pressure over Iran-Pakistan Gas line Project. According to the secretary petroleum, Pakistan has offered $250 million to a German company, ILF Engineering, for laying the gas pipeline inside its territory. The 2,775-kilometre (1,724 mi) pipeline which started from Asalouyeh while passing though Balochistan and Sind would end up in Multan area by 2014. Major length of 1,172 kilometers (728 mi) passes through Iran. Tehran has already completed a 900-km portion of 56-inch diameter pipeline from Assaluyeh to Iran Shehr. However remaining 200 km up to the Pakistan border is under design, and is expected to be completed in next two years time. According to the governments of Pakistan, sources the project implementation and construction is targeted in four years and the first gas flow will be available by the end of December 2014. The 750 mmcfd gas volume will help in generation of around 4,000 MW electricity couple with more job opportunities in backward areas of Balochistan and Sindh.
Notably, Pakistan is to lay 781 km pipeline in its territory and the project would be completed by December 2014. The initial capacity of the pipeline will be 22 billion cubic meters of natural gas per annum, which is expected to later rise to 55 billion cubic meters. The pipeline aims to export 21.5 million cubic meters of Iranian natural gas to Pakistan every day or 8.7 billion cubic meters per year.
It is mentionable that initially the project was pursued through a trilateral approach by Pakistan, Iran and India till in 2009 when India took a back seat when USA offered her an alternative source of energy by access to civil nuclear technology in lieu of the pipeline. Since 2009, the project has been pursued bilaterally between Pakistan and Iran and as of March 2012, it has made important headway and the pipeline to Pakistan is now scheduled to be completed by December 2014. Gas demand in Pakistan has meanwhile increased to a level that even full capacity of the pipeline would barely meet it in 2015.
To malice Iran, the United States asked Pakistan in January 2010, to abandon the project. In return it offered assistance for a liquefied natural gas terminal and promised to aid the import of electricity from Tajkistan through Afghanistan’s Wakhan Corridor. But Pakistan rejected the US pressure and finalized the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline deal in June 2010. And in July 2011, Iran announced that it had completed construction of its section. Because now it is Pakistan’s turn to move ahead, the United States has once again become active and has put the spanner in the works with its old formula.
U.S. has started playing her dirty tricks against Iran and Pakistan since inception of IP Gas Pipeline project. US, Israel and India covertly floated the idea of “Greater Balochistan”, threatened attacking of Iran, imposing sanctions on Pakistan and Iran. CIA, RAW, Mossad and MI-6 jointly launched militancy in Balochistan and started assisting and funding anti state Baloch lords. In this connection, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter last year visited Balochistan and his November statement to year, US Ambassador to Pakistan Cameron Munter, in a statement to Press TV, repeated the old refrain, saying, “Pak-Iran gas pipeline is not a good idea….However, the plan to get gas from Turkmenistan is a better idea.”
Again, on February 8, 2012, The United States (US) Congress Committee on Foreign Affairs while discussing situation of Balochistan opposed its emancipation but shown concern over security problem and killing of the people. In this meeting, a Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, has expressed concern over Balochistan saying that it is an insurgency hit area? He said that this province has vital strategic importance. Later on U.S. Foreign sectary Mr. Hilary Clinton also showed her concern over Balochistan Issue and IP Gas Pipeline Project. She also threatened Pakistan while stating that Pakistan should be ready to face sanctions in case of final materialization of the project. In response while addressing to media, foreign office spokesman Abdul Basit responded on February 8, 2012 and said Pakistan had conveyed its reservations to the US in Islamabad and Washington regarding the talks on Balochistan by the US Congress. In a question he also very rightly sent a clear message to Washington that “Pak-Iran gas pipeline project was not abandoned and it would be completed till 2014.”
However, President, Prime Minister, all provincial parliaments and national leaders unanimously rejected U.S. pressure and in a clear tone mentioned that Islamabad will not accept any dictation regarding its internal affairs from any foreign country, adding that exporting gas from Iran is in the country’s best interest. In this regard Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has said that Pakistan will take decision on Pak-Iran gas pipeline keeping in view its own interests and would not succumb to any pressure in this regard. Speaking at a ceremony after inauguration of the Air University campus here on Saturday, Gilani said Pakistan would build ties with other countries including Iran keeping in view its own interests. He said that the country would not budge to foreign pressure as it had an elected government.
Anyhow above mentioned debate very clear indicate that Pakis ready to face all consequences for the completion of Gas pipeline project Iran also realized the pressure over Islamabad and offered assistance of resources and many to bounce back American move over the project. In this connection Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Dr. Asim Hussain has said that Iran has agreed to export 80,000 barrels of crude oil annually to Pakistan and has also agreed to provide $250 million for the Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project.
Unfortunately, Pakistan and Iran has wasted lot of time to built and complete the project because of American interference and non serious Indian attitude towards the Gas Pipeline project. Opposing of said project by the Americans is not justify since Pakistan is an independent sovereign country that has to look after her regional interest and why she should give preference to US over its own interests. Simply, I would like to say that if American’s leadership is unable to scarify her interest with India over Kashmir issue then why US should be accepting from Pakistan to forego her interests because of Americans. Here I would also say that UN is only looking after major power interests and directly and indirectly imposed sanctions over Iran because of that nuclear programme which has not yet produced any nuclear arsenal. US and some of her western allies have also tried to line up the Arab States in the Gulf as well as Saudi Arabia against Iran. Recently, speaking before a critical White House showdown with Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, Mr. Obama tried to buy more time for “crippling sanctions” against Tehran to take effect before Israel decides to strike its nuclear facilities. He also stated that “Iran’s leaders should know that I do not have a policy of containment but so have a policy to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon”. He also stressed that a nuclear-armed Iran also threatened American and Israeli security. Therefore America will not hesitate to use force when it is necessary to defend the United States and its interests.
In short, opposition to the Pak-Iran Gas pipeline is just another attempt to “strangulate” Pak-Iran’s economies and blackmailing Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran while carrying out militancy in Balochistan. Nevertheless, Pakistan and Iran should stand fast for their national interests. Both Pakistan and Iran should also try to attract China for becoming part of under progress project that can directly play an important role in resolving their energy and economic crisis. At the same time, American’s top brass should know that already depreciating Pak-US relationship would further deteriorate in case of continuity of US dirty tricks against Pak and Iran. At the end I appreciate the government that they have rejected US threats to stop Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline.
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