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Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Defense on September 8th, 2012
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The Spirit of 6th September |
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| 6th of September is celebrated each year as the Defence of Pakistan Day. It was on this day in 1965, that India launched her forces and attacked Pakistan across the international border without a warning or a declaration of war. this action of India, which claims to be the largest democracy in the World, was in utter violation of International law, charter of the United Nations and norms of civilized behavior among states. India arrogantly swept aside her international commitments in her desire to subjugate the region.
Even after a lapse of 34 years when a new generation in Pakistan are the decision makers, the memory of IndiaÕs treachery is vivid and uncompromising. At dawn on 6th September Indian forces crossed the border, pushed back the Pakistan Rangers and advanced towards Lahore on two axis. The Indian Army Chief, Gen. J. N. Chaudhry was so confident of defeating the Pakistani troops guarding the area and capturing Lahore that he announced to all and sundry that he would have a large peg of whisky at the Lahore Gymkhana Club in the evening of the 6th. He had reason to be confident as he was known in India as the Òconqueror of Hyderabad in DeccanÓ. It was 17 years earlier that Gen Chaudhry had attacked the princely state of Hyderabad in Deccan, at the head of an armoured division. This was part of IndiaÔs multi-pronged attack by three divisions, inspite of a stand-still agreement that India had signed with the state. But NehruÕs (First Prime Minister of India) new-India had started to proclaim that her agreements and commitments national and international could be violated at will to suit her purpose. IndiaÕs attack against Lahore was held and beaten back with heavy losses to the attackers. The Pakistan Army units defending on the ground, supported by the Pakistan Air Force were able to blunt the Indian offensive and roll it back. Two days later on 8th September India launched its main attack against Sialkot using its armoured division and other strike formations. What ensued has been described as the largest tank battle since the second World War. It was a hard and bitter struggle fought over many days and nightÕs resulting in casualties on both sides. In the end the Indian main attack was held and severely mauled. Its armoured division was force to withdraw owing to very high losses in men and material. South of Lahore, Pakistan launched its own counter attack and captured IndiaÕs Khem Karan and beyond. This posed a serious threat to the rear of Indian troops facing Lahore. In the South Pakistan took the initiative to push back Indian troops and enter Indian territory. During the operations India captured about 400 square miles of Pakistan territory but lost around 1600 square miles of its own to Pakistan. The war ended with the mediation effort of the USSR and a peace agreement was signed at Tashkent. During the 1965 war every citizen of the country was solidly united behind the government, although it was a military one, of Field Marshal Ayub Khan. The national priorities were clear and unambiguous in those days, any danger to the country called for unity and unstinted support to the government and the armed forces. There was no question of any political party or leader taking advantage of the war to berate the government for political or personal gain. This came much later when President AyubÕs health suffered a set back and personal ambitions of those he had brought into prominence came to the fore. Pakistan emerged from the September 1965 war with India, a strong and self-confident nation, proud of itself and its armed forces. It was a nation that was united in facing the danger from India. National unity and full support for the armed forces in the field is essential for success in war. With the nationÕs support the Armed Forces of Pakistan repulsed IndiaÔs naked aggression across the international border and made her pay a price for it by capturing four times more territory than India and forcing her to accept a ceasefire, return to the negotiating table and to vacate each others territory. It was certainly their finest hour of glory and a day to be remembered by future generations of soldiers and civilians. After the September 1965 Indo-Pakistan war and the Tashkent Agreement Pakistan relaxed, as peace had been restored. But India prepared anew and six years later in 1971 again attacked across the international border, this time in the Eastern Wing of the country and succeeded in dismembering Pakistan while the World and the United Nations stood by and watched. India has consistently used force as an instrument of her foreign and domestic policy against all her neighbours including China, and internally against her own small states and occupied Kashmir to the detriment of her religious and ethnic minorities. This has been reflected by all the main Human Rights organizations of the World. Recently the New York based Human Rights Watch released its report condemning India for its atrocities in Indian-held Kashmir. This was released during the Kargil fighting a few months back. This year we celebrate Defence of Pakistan Day after the recent fighting in Indian occupied Kashmir near Kargil. There has been some criticism within the country of the governmentÕs handling of the situation particularly of the Prime MinisterÕs visit to Washington. Unfortunately all the criticism emanates by and large from those political parties in opposition to the government and as such the credibility of their arguments is reduced to that extent. Some writings have appeared, particularly in the English press who fail to understand the Kashmir issue in its proper perspective and there are others who may well be inspired from within or without for reasons better known to them. Kargil has added a new chapter to the Kashmiris 52 years old struggle for emancipation from the suppressive and brutal Indian rule. They have demonstrated their ability to force a decision on Kashmir. Any form of status quo is not acceptable to them any more. It is the opinion of neutral experts at home and abroad that the Kashmir dispute cannot be forced back into cold storage again in view of the determination to fight and die as shown by a few hundred Kashmiris on the outskirts of Kargil under the shadow of a larger conflict. It should now be the concern of the World community to find a solution to the Kashmir dispute under a democratic process, of the will of the people of Kashmir. During the Kargil conflict the Pakistani troops deployed on the Line of Control in the area came under constant Indian pressure and repeated attacks. They gave a good account of themselves and many were killed defending the frontiers of Pakistan and the honour of their homeland. They fought with great determination and courage blunting and repulsing every enemy attack with considerable losses to the Indians. Pakistan Army COAS has recently mentioned Indian Army losses at about 1700 killed and therefore 3 to 4 times that number wounded. The officers and men of the Pakistan Army and para-military forces fought with the spirit of the September 1965 Indo-Pakistan war, and should be included in our prayers on the 6th of September alongwith all those officers and men of the Forces killed in action since 1948. The 6th of September should also be a day of thanksgiving. We should all pray for the safety and solidarity of Pakistan and also that God gives us the strength, courage and determination, to protect and safeguard at all costs, the freedom and honour of our homeland.
Our Thanks: http://www.defencejournal.com/sept99/spirit-6thsept.htm http://sachiidosti.com/forum/miscellaneous/50913-spirit-6th-september.html |
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Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Defense on September 2nd, 2012
“The Pakistan Air Force is stronger than ever. Since the last Indo-Pak air war of 1971, the Pakistan Air Force has with steely determination built up numbers, lethal capabilities and a combat force now counted as one of the most disciplined and well-trained air forces in the world. Headlines Today has a disturbing proof that all this has made India worried.”
PAF MUST AVENGE FALL OF DHAKA-ARMY & NAVY SHOULD DEFEND THE BORDER
Over the years since 1971 the leadership and planners of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) have not slept, they did not believe in status quo. 1971 was the watershed period of PAF when the country had fallen from grace and truncated through internal and external conspiracies. To rise from ground zero is no mean job. But PAF has been lucky that by and large it remained in the hands of committed, dedicated professionals who took the challenge from the horn.
US AID CUT-OFF -A BLESSING IN DISGUISE
The US, true to its traditions dried all sources of military hardware and economic resources. But those sanctions proved blessing in disguise. Pakistan looked inwards and laid the foundations for self reliance with technical assistance from dependable friendly countries like China, Ukraine, Sweden etc. France was also willing to provide but its costs were prohibitive that kept the cooperation to a minimum level.
The bulk work was done with the cooperation of China that helped Pakistan in almost all the defence production, overhauling and rebuilding. The foundation of Pakistan Aeronautical Complex, Kamra was laid. Here a very modest beginning was made when the light Swedish aircraft (Mashak) was launched as a basic trainer to meet the needs of PAF and Pakistan Army. From assembly to manufacture and enhancement this aircraft became the training bed for a full fledged fighter aircraft production.
F-6 Rebuild Factory that rebuilt the Chinese MIG 19s re-designated by PAF as F-6. When all other sources had dried and Pakistan did not have the finances to go for highly expensive Mirage aircraft F-6 became the mainstay of PAF. It was modernized with latest avionics, ejection seats, armament, breaking system and taxing capability that added much more lethal power to an old vintage technology.
JF -17 SERIES
On the drawing boards of F 6 Rebuild Factory, newer aircraft designs were developed that were given computer simulation for design tests. First a Super Saber that was to be developed on the frame of MIG 21 or F-7 fighter bomber but due to some technical snags, it was called off. Then with a little gap and new thought process, a brand new design was developed with active participation of China the end product was JF 17 that exceeded all the performance parameter envelop by significant margins. This aircraft was designed, built, tested and inducted in the PAF in a record time.
1000 JF 17 by 2025-“EVEN IF WE EAT GRASS,” AS Z.A. BHUTTO WOULD SAY
JF 17 is a close match to F 16 with a huge price difference. It has been displayed at International Air Shows of China and Farnborough in the UK where it was admired by all. It soon became the most fancied aircraft of the developing world for its performance and low price tags and complete absence of any strings. China has also emerged as a major buyer with 300 copies of JF 17 and about the same number would be acquired by PAF.
Its not just the Chinese origin induction but PAF has also received latest F 16s that has a total strength of 60 aircraft half of which are block 52, the latest upgrade. The F-16 As already on the inventory of PAF are also undergoing major upgrade and soon will become equivalent to Block 52 version, in capabilities.
INDIA ATTACKED KAMRA AND MEHRAN THROUGH AFGHAN AGENTS
Not stopping here, as reported by India Today in its latest issue, “There’s a deeper threat at play than just fighter numbers. Consider these newly inducted force multipliers that all but kill the Indian air advantage. Pakistan is inducting four Swedish Saab Erieye and four Chinese Y-8 airborne early warning aircraft, while India, currently, has three. India no longer has the mid-air refueller advantage. Pakistan is inducting four identical IL-78M aircraft.”
PAF MUST KEEP INDIA FORCES WITHOUT AIR COVER AS THEY MOVE FROM THEIR BASES
After the acquisition of four mid-air refuelers (IL-78) from Ukraine and early warning systems like Saab 2000 from Sweden and ZDK-03 from China, PAF has had a quantum jump in reducing the gap with India over technology and firepower.
Whereas Pakistan is fast phasing out its old vintage, India is still stuck with old Russian equipment that is fast losing its edge over Pakistan. India Today states, “Finally, with an ageing Soviet fleet of aircraft (MIGs)that are troublesome and facing retirement, the Air Force looks at an even greater dip in the numbers advantage. The message to the Defence Ministry and the government is simple. Cut your losses and plan hard for the future. If you don’t, the Indian Air Force will lose the one thing you’ve always counted on: its combat edge.”
PAF MUST SHOW ITS PROWESS: PAKISTANI PEOPLE EXPECT IT
PAF has not stopped here. According to official sources, PAF is in the process of acquiring J10 the latest machine from China. The exact number or its assembly or production in Pakistan has not yet been finalized. This aircraft would surpass most of the advance jet fighters and compete with any aircraft in its class.
NUCLEAR CAPABLE PAF SHOULD HIT DEEP IN INDIA AT MISSILE SILOS
Now most PAF aircraft are nuclear capable and all can be refueled in mid-air. This is a punch that’s hard to match in any given theatre. What PAF lacked in deep penetration aircraft has more than made up with mid air refueling and latest F-16 Block 52 aircraft, which has a long range.
In last decade, the induction of latest aircraft by PAF has completed the requirements of fighting a modern concept of net centric war, in future. All these modern aircraft and allied air defence systems acquired by PAF are now fully integrated in a net centric environment, ready to deliver a decisive blow to the enemy in any future encounter.
Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Defense on August 30th, 2012
| Corps§ Peshawar |
XII Corps§ Quetta |
| 7 Infantry Division Mardan |
33 Infantry Division Hyderabad |
| 9 Infantry Division Kohat |
41 Infantry Division Hyderabad |
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For any army in the world, the biggest nightmare is when its personnel, installations and assets stand vulnerable to attacks from within its own territory. This is a sign of the erosion of the writ of the state and its failure in resolving the internal contradictions that allows disgruntled small or big armed groups or sections of the population to flout the law of the land and take on the civil and military institutions. It is considered a bigger national security threat compared with the one emitting from abroad or a hostile nation. The decay in the writ of the state creates chaos and lawlessness and the establishment of parallel centres of power. The situation, if allowed to fester for long, often results in the collapse of the state from within or its dismemberment.
Unfortunately, today Pakistan faces a similar grave challenge to its national security and cohesion in which non-state actors not just hold large swaths of land in the rugged northern parts of the country, but are also trying to undermine the country’s most powerful institution – the armed forces – by waging direct assaults on its personnel and bases.
The August 16 attack on the Kamra airbase is just one of the many against the Pakistani security forces by Al-Qaeda-inspired local Islamic militants that underlines the severity of the crisis. The official assertions that preparedness of the security personnel at Kamra prevented any major loss of lives or Air Force assets remain only a small consolation, given the fact that our protectors now stand unsafe in their own backyard.
The ever-looming internal threat is, indeed, more ominous for the armed forces rather than an external one for which they are basically trained and should ideally remain focused.
If these are not the worrying times for the Army Chief General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani and his top brass than what other calamity could they be waiting for? No wonder, in his August 14 Independence Day speech, the general finally declared that the fight against extremism is our own war.
But this war has not suddenly become “our war” following General Kayani’s statement. It has always been “our war” for more than a decade now when former military ruler Pervez Musharraf tried to shift Pakistan’s policy, with limited success, by banning various militant groups in 2002 and starting a selective crackdown on these retrogressive forces which remain bent upon using Pakistani territory not just for terrorism in various parts of the world, but also within the country.
The loss of more than 40,000 lives, including thousands of security personnel, during this period is living testimony to how the local Taliban and their allies brutalised the society and tried to undermine the state in line with their narrow interpretation of Islam.
Yes, there has been frequent wavering in this war against extremism as the civil and military establishment struck doomed peace deals and attempted to neutralize various bands of militants through a policy of appeasement.
This produced only confusion in the minds of many Pakistanis about the legitimacy of this war and gave more space to these non-state actors, creating an international perception that Pakistan is a reluctant partner in the global fight against terrorism and is following a policy of duplicity. As a result, the country suffered on every front – politically, socially and economically. Its international isolation grew, providing an opportunity to the critics of Islamabad to portray the country as an irresponsible state. This negative international perception remains ironic given the fact that the kind of price Pakistan paid in the fight against al-Qaeda and their local allies, both in terms of human lives and financial and economic losses over the last one decade.
The civil and military leadership’s half-hearted measures, an apparent lack of commitment and absence of a cohesive anti-terrorism policy, focusing both at operational details and an ideological narrative, also hurt the overall morale of the country regarding this fight.
Our soldiers need clarity of purpose and conviction to fight and win this war. It is a must to keep the unity and cohesion of the armed forces, which by-and-large have maintained their discipline barring a handful of dissensions at the lower and mid-level when security personnel were found involved in aiding terrorists or themselves becoming part of terror plots.
General Kayani’s statement of owning the war against extremism will certainly help in removing the cobwebs in the minds of some of the confused not just within the rank-and-file of the armed forces, but also those civilians who are being duped in the sacred name of Islam by militants and radical Islamists.
What is now required is to aggressively push and reiterate General Kayani’s message at every level to counter the organised propaganda that this war is not our war. In Pakistan, the army alone has the operational capacity and ability to stand up to and defeat the extremists. The political leadership – both in the government and the opposition – should take the cue and provide an ideological narrative to help build and mould popular public opinion on the need for winning this war and defeating the extremists who threaten the Pakistani state and should be seen as enemy number one.
Luckily, a vast majority of Pakistanis are moderates and they abhor religious zealotry, violence and extremism which also directly hurt their social and economic interests. This remains an encouraging factor.
However, there is also no dearth of those religious and rightwing forces who try to misguide the people by portraying the conflict as an American war. Some of these religious parties have their direct vested economic interests tied to this stance. For supporting and sponsoring militancy has become a huge business empire since the early 1980s when Pakistan decided to join the war in Afghanistan against the former Soviet troops through its proxies and non-state actors with the support of the United States and its allies. It is now big money raised in the name of donations and charity.
For some other forces opposing the fight against extremism, it is just one quick way to fame and tapping into the rightwing vote. They intentionally or unintentionally choose to live in a state of self-denial and find a foreign-hand in our misfortunes, which in fact are of our own doing.
This happened again in the case of the Kamra attack in which many so-called analysts, public opinion makers, politicians and even television anchors were seen trying to find a grand international conspiracy behind the assault, conveniently forgetting all about the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. But this kind of self-denial is always self-defeating.
If one would have listened to the advice and recommendations of Pakistan’s politically astute clerics and closet clean-shaved Taliban, who want the Pakistan Air Force to engage US drones, seal the NATO supplies and give a free-hand to militants to plot terrorism across the world, Pakistan would have long ago been declared a rogue state or gone into a self-destructive war with its neighbours and the world powers. We should thank God that despite our penchant for adventurism in our civil and military corridors of power, somehow a little bit of sanity always prevailed and we managed to avoid the doomsday scenario. But perhaps this is the time for us to shed the weight around our neck once for all and free the country of warlords, militant movements and private armies. For this is now a battle for Pakistan.
The writer is editor The News, Karachi. Email: [email protected]
Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Defense on August 18th, 2012
The Pakistan-United States Journalists Exchange program is designed to increase and deepen public understanding (code words for propaganda) of the two countries and their important relationship, one that is crucial to regional stability and the global war on terrorism. While there have been many areas of agreement and cooperation, deep mistrust remains between Americans and Pakistanis, who rarely get opportunities to engage with each other and thus rely on media for their information and viewpoints. Unresolved issues continue to pose challenges for both countries.
This exchange offers U.S. and Pakistani journalists an opportunity to gain on-the-ground insights and first hand information about the countries they visit through meetings with policymakers, government and military officials, business and civil society leaders, and a diverse group of other community members. All participants meet at the East-West Center in Hawaii before and after their study tours for dialogues focused on sensitive issues between the two countries; preconceived attitudes among the public and media in both the United States and Pakistan; new perspectives gained through their study tours; and how media coverage between the two countries can be improved. Ten Pakistani journalists will travel to the United States and ten U.S. journalists will travel to Pakistan. This East-West Center program is funded by a grant from the U.S. Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section.
The program provides journalists with valuable new perspectives and insights on this critically important relationship, a wealth of contacts and resources for future reporting, and friendships with professional colleagues in the other country upon whom to draw throughout their careers.
“The briefings in Honolulu, and especially the trip to Pakistan, put the disparities between the Pakistani and American narratives in high relief. This more textured understanding of the underlying causes of the tensions will help me in my analyses of U.S. policy in this critical part of the world. It also will have me better prepared to anticipate, identify and consider the implications of the scheduled U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2014.” John Diaz, Editorial Page Editor, San Francisco Chronicle
“This visit has provided me so much inside knowledge of United States and also given me direction to gain more knowledge about U.S.A. It will ultimately help me during my documentaries, reports, talk shows and newspaper articles to discuss issues of both countries in a more balanced way and with new approach as I will always compare the situation with my new perspective which I gained during this visit.” Shabbir Ahmad, Producer, Geo TV, Islamabad
Click on the following links to view slideshows from the 2012 program: U.S. journalists in Pakistan and Pakistani journalists in the U.S.
2013 PAKISTAN-U.S. JOURNALISTS EXCHANGE
Program Dates: March 6-23, 2013
Study Tour for Pakistani Journalists (March 8-20): Washington, D.C., New York City and Columbia, Missouri*
Pakistani journalists will have an opportunity to explore U.S. policy toward Pakistan and learn more about the U.S. system of government and democracy during a visit to Washington, D.C. The New York City program will feature discussions about media coverage of Pakistan and the residual effects of 9/11 on U.S. relations with the Muslim world and the experience of Muslim Americans in the United States. Finally, participants will see a very different part of America in Columbia, Missouri. The prestigious Missouri School of Journalism will host a program that includes discussion sessions covering media topics such as roles and responsibilities of media in a democracy; the media’s relationship with government, military and business; and the use of new media and new technologies for newsgathering. It also will provide unique opportunities to experience small town and rural Midwestern American life and a chance to interact with American citizens from diverse backgrounds. The program will include several public forums for Pakistani participants to share their perspectives with American audiences.
*Please note: Due to travel time, Pakistani participants will need to depart Pakistan March 5 and will return on March 26. All journalists will return through Islamabad for a debriefing session with the U.S. Embassy Islamabad staff on March 27. Pakistani participants will return to their home cities from Islamabad on March 27 in the afternoon. Please see draft Travel Calendar for Pakistani journalists for details.
Study Tour for the U.S. Journalists (March 9-19): Islamabad and Lahore, Pakistan
American journalists will have a chance to better understand the situation on the ground in Pakistan and explore Pakistani attitudes and perspectives toward the United States. Meetings will focus on Pakistan’s system of government and democracy, its economic and development challenges, the war on terrorism and rising extremism, as well as the role of the United States and its policies in Pakistan. Additionally, they will have a chance to observe Pakistan’s media environment and discuss coverage of the United States. The program will start in the capital city of Islamabad for meetings with policymakers, political leaders, analysts, students, civil society organizations and others who can provide journalists with a deeper understanding of Pakistan. Journalists will then travel to Lahore, Pakistan’s cultural capital, to explore economic and development issues, religion, and politics, and to better understand Pakistan’s history and culture. The program will also feature home visits with Pakistani families and an opportunity to engage with a wide range of Pakistani citizens.
Draft Travel Calendar for American journalists
Honolulu Program (March 6-8, and March 21-23)
The program opens with two-days of briefings and discussions for the Pakistani and American journalists at the East-West Center in Honolulu (March 6-8. Journalists will engage in dialogue sessions on the key issues and challenges in the Pakistan-U.S. relationship. After their respective study tour programs, the journalists will return to Honolulu (March 21-23) to share their new perspectives on the relationship and one another’s countries based on their on-the-ground meetings and visits, and will discuss ways to improve media coverage of the issues and of one another’s countries.
Who Can Apply:
Pakistan: Professional print, broadcast (radio and TV), and online journalists in Pakistan who meet the following eligibility requirements:
American: Professional print, broadcast (radio and TV), and online journalists with a minimum of five years experience. Must be an American citizen. Preference will be given to journalists who have not previously traveled to Pakistan.
Funding: Round trip airfare to Honolulu and for the study tour travel, lodging, visa expenses and per diem to cover meals and incidentals are provided by the East-West Center through a grant from the U.S. Embassy Islamabad Public Affairs Section.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, August 29, 2012
How to Apply:
Please submit the following:
– Fighting terrorism and extremism in Pakistan;
– U.S. aid to Pakistan;
– Economic cooperation between the U.S. and Pakistan;
– Challenges faced by the media in the U.S. or Pakistan in reporting U.S.-Pakistan relations.
Please do not send materials other than what is requested. Please send applications by fax or email to:
ATTN: Pakistan-U.S. Journalists Exchange
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: 808 944-7600
If you do not receive confirmation of your application within 5 days, please check back.
For questions about your application please contact:
Ms. Marilu Khudari, Secretary, East-West Seminars: 808 944-7384, [email protected]
Application Process:
All written applications will be reviewed by an East-West Center Selection Committee. After the first round, applicants may be contacted for a phone interview with one or several members of the Committee. Phone calls may also be made to supervisors and references. After all phone interviews have been conducted, the Selection Committee will reconvene to make its final decisions. Typically the process takes 6-8 weeks. We will inform journalists of the results by October 30, 2012.
The 2012 Pakistan-U.S. Journalists Exchange was held from April 6-22 and provided nine Pakistani and six American journalists the opportunity to visit each other’s country and learn firsthand the complexities of the relationship between their two countries.
Both groups met at the East-West Center before and after their study tours for two days of dialogue sessions. In pre study tour sessions, journalists shared perspectives from their country on some of the key issues in the Pakistan-U.S. relationship: fighting terrorism and extremism, U.S aid to Pakistan, the economic relationship and media coverage. After their study tours, journalists shared their new insights. American journalists gained an appreciation of the complex challenges facing Pakistan and the significant impact of the war on terror on daily life, and the Pakistani journalists emphasized their new understanding of America’s system of governance and people.
The Pakistani journalists started their 9-day U.S. visit in Washington, D.C., where they met with officials at the U.S. State Department, shared lunch at the Pentagon with soldiers who had served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and participated in a press conference with Congressmen Dana Rohrabacher and Louie Gohmert on their controversialproposals for Baluchistan’s right to self-determination.Through meetings with analysts and visits to America’s monuments and institutions, including a special night tour of the U.S. Capitol by former Congressman Jim Moody, the Pakistani journalists gained insights into the American system of government that helped them to better understand American policy and decision-making in Pakistan. American businesses already in Pakistan or hoping to invest there shared the difficulties in dealing with Pakistan’s bureaucracy. The next stop was New York City, where they had a round table with editors at the New York Times; met with Jewish and Muslim leaders about religious rights and dialogue in America; talked with Muslim-American youth and activists about life in America since 9/11; and observed how Americans continue to mourn their lost loved ones at the newly opened National September 11 Memorial and Museum. Their last destination was Columbia, Missouri where they had a rich program coordinated and hosted by the prestigious Missouri School of Journalism. They learned the latest media trends and tools from media experts and experienced life in the US heartland, participating in a Palm Sunday service at a Methodist church, visiting a farm, talking with students at a local high school, and being hosted by local host families.
The American journalists started their travel in Islamabad, Pakistan’s capital, with a program organized by PILDAT. They explored the Pakistan-U.S. relationship with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan’s army, the U.S. Embassy, analysts, aid workers, and politicians. They gained first hand perspectives on U.S. aid through visits to projects funded by the U.S., hearing from beneficiaries of USAID projects, and talking with other NGOs working in Pakistan. Meetings in Karachi, Pakistan’s bustling business center and port, juxtaposed Pakistan’s contrasts; the journalists visited a secular school in a slum set up by The Citizen’s Foundation that requires families to send daughters to school if they are to admit their sons, followed by a visit to Jamia Binoria, a conservative madrassah. A discussion with heads of American companies doing business in Pakistan and a visit to a factory struck a hopeful tone for Pakistan’s economic future with its large youth population and huge untapped market despite the major energy, security and stability challenges, which journalists were experiencing firsthand. Rolling black outs were a regular part of life, and on the journalists’ first day in Karachi the city was shut down by a strike called by the main political party, MQM, in response to recent political killings. The journalists met with leaders of MQM to ask questions about these tactics and were able to explore public attitudes through dinners with local host families, meetings with university students, and discussions with members of Pakistan’s Youth Parliament. Pakistan’s harsh realities, especially for journalists, also were brought home to the Americans when an editor they met in a round table with senior staff at Dawn newspaper was killed two weeks later (see links to related stories below).
In their stories that resulted from the program and in public presentations along the way, journalists offered unique insights into relations between the United States and Pakistan; the wars in Afghanistan and against terrorism; on-the-ground perspectives of Americans and Pakistanis about each other’s countries; difficulties and dangers faced by Pakistan’s media; and how their perspectives had changed after traveling in the two countries.
“My perception towards the real state of affairs between Pakistan and the U.S. has changed a great deal. These kinds of exchange programmes and people-people contacts are of immense importance to bridge the ever-widening gap between the two sides.” (Pakistani journalist, 2012 program)
“I can already feel how beneficial the deeper perspective on Pakistan and the complications to the US-Pak relationship that I gained from this trip will be to my editing. The questions that I’ll ask my writers, the stories that I’ll assign, the context that will be there have all just gotten a power boost.” (American journalist, 2012 program)
Pakistani journalists shared their perspectives at a forum in Washington, D.C. and in interviews with Global Journalist at the Missouri School of Journalism.
Pakistani and American journalists shared their experiences from the program at a public forum in Honolulu.
Check out stories by the 2012 Pakistan-US Journalists Exchange participants:
John Diaz
San Francisco Chronicle
Where drones in Pakistan undermine U.S. interests, April 15, 2012
Pakistan-U.S. relations: Behind the distrust, April 15, 2012
Photo show
ON THE DANGER IN PAKISTAN
Against the forces of darkness, May 6, 2012
Larisa Epatko
PBS.org WORLD
With Strikes and Rolling Blackouts, Life in Karachi Reflects Pakistan’s Larger Ills, April 17, 2012
Photo Show
Before His Death, Dawn Editor Razvi ‘Wouldn’t Leave Pakistan for the Moon’, April 20, 2012
Opposition Politician Imran Khan: How to Fix Pakistan’s Corruption, Terrorism, April 24, 2012
Helping Women With Career-Building and Empowerment in Pakistan, May 14, 2012
Pakistani Women Counter Country’s Violence With Textbooks, TV Shows, May 22, 2012
KFI Radio Los Angeles
Interview with Terry Anzur on Pakistan on Sunday morning news, April 22
Mahboob Ali, Geo TV, Swat
Programme on FM Radio 96 Pashto Service…The Topic of the programme was the experience of “U.S VISIT”:http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/21782473
Express Tribune
Karachi-Through the Eyes of Some American Journalists
By Tehmina Qureshi / July 2, 2012
For information on the 2011 Pakistan-United States Journalists Exchange, please click here.
Posted by Dr. Manzer Durrani in Defense on August 18th, 2012
After this development, the government came out with the Dual Nationality Bill to protect some of the senior members of the ruling party. The introduction of the bill in the Senate led to strong protests from the PML-N and an allied party of the Government ANP while legal luminaries including those affiliated with the PPP like Aitzaz Ahsan and Mian Raza Rabbani also expressed their reservations over it saying that they were not consulted. Even the Chief Election Commissioner-designate Fakhruddin G Ebrahim said he was personally opposed to the holding of any office by the dual national holders.
I am utterly surprised how it has escaped the attention of those who are opposing the Bill that some of our dual nationality representatives have been members of the Nuclear Command and Control Authority, the highest body which controls and directs employment and deployment of strategic weapons.
Consequent to May 1998 Chaghai nuclear tests a well conceived management structure to formulate policies and centrally control all aspects of Pakistan’s nuclear programme was developed in 1999 and formally put in place in February 2000 i.e. within three months of General Pervez Musharraf assuming the power. President of Pakistan is Chairman of the high-powered NCCA while the Prime Minister is Vice Chairman, Foreign Minister its Deputy Chairman and Ministers for Defence, Interior and Finance along with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff and Chief of Air Staff are its members. Ex-Interior Minister, Mr. Rehman Malik, has been attending meetings of the NCCA and one may mention that though the Finance Minister, Dr. Abdul Hafeez Sheikh, claims to be a Pakistani passport holder, his wife is certainly a US citizen. As is known to every one and published in the media, Rehman Malik is head of a suspicious security and detective agency “Shaffaf Limited” in the UK which according to media reports in April 2011 is working as an intelligence agency as well. Association of such controversial persons makes nuclear command and control system highly vulnerable and it may be a cause of grave concern for the Armed Forces. The presence of any persons with divided loyalty poses a serious challenge for formulating foolproof checks in guarding against accidental or planned leaks of strategic weapons-related information.
I wish the civilian government itself should have taken care of this issue but what can we expect from them because I am privy to shocking remarks of one of the top members of the Command Authority that shows how issues of highest national priority are viewed casually, rather criminally. The said personality is stated to have said in one of the meetings of the Authority, “So far as I am concerned, you may lock your nuclear programme and throw itskeys into the sea”.
As against our casual attitude towards the most hard-earned nuclear capability it may be mentioned, for instance, that the United States in 1980 had allocated 7% of its defence budget to strengthen and update the NCC system in view of its utmost importance. Even now the US and other atomic states including India are spending huge money on setting up complex/modern systems to maintain the secrecy of their assets and the authorities don’t let anybody with a slightest element of doubt or suspicion near to their nuclear programmes.
So far as the strategic Plans Division is concerned, it maintains an over-watch and regulates the movement of the scientific manpower and has put in place a system of reporting, approvals and monitoring of all movements of the scientific manpower, especially key personnel in possession of sensitive knowledge. It even retains retiring sensitive personnel within the system so as to preclude their access to undesirable attractions. But how can it keep an eye on the movements of dual nationality holders with divided loyalty? We must understand and always remain extra conscious that the Command and Control system is always of vital importance as it analyses the threats, plans responses and, above all, strives to achieve “deterrence”.
It is true that in a nuclear war the decision of deployment of nuclear weapons cannot be left to the military alone and political leadership has to be an integral part of the Nuclear Command and Control structure but the question arises how much the members having dual nationality or whose spouses are citizens of other states could be trusted. Here I may refer to a veteran Foreign Service officer when he was appointed as Pakistan’s Ambassador to the Peoples Republic of China his wife was a staffer in State Department in Washington. How this appointment would have been perceived by the Chinese authorities, I leave it to the imagination of the worthy readers. There is nothing personal against the two members of the Command and Control Authority, mentioned above, but the issue has been raised as a matter of principle.
I wonder how our media which had been very vocal and a vanguard of national security has not taken up the issue of presence of such members in the most sensitive organization. One may differ or may be critical of incumbent or the future government but so far as the security of the State of Pakistan is concerned it should be the matter of concern for all including the media persons.
Anyhow, I personally feel extremely disturbed rather horrified to note that how the security and safety of the State and its nuclear secrets could be protected at a time when Pakistan is in the grip of many critical problems. I am firmly convinced that no foreign power can inflict any harm to the country of the Quaid but it faces threats from within.
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