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Who is Behind Afghanistan’s Blame Game against Pakistan? by Sajjad Shaukat

Who is Behind Afghanistan’s Blame Game against Pakistan?
By Sajjad Shaukat

 

When any terror attack occurs in Afghanistan, Afghan government revives old blame game
against Pakistan.
On May 31, this year, a massive truck bombing of the Afghan capital’s diplomatic section killed
more than 150 people and injured hundreds of others, including foreigners. It was the deadliest
terror attack in the 16-year- old conflict.
Taliban denied responsibility for the terror attack. But, Afghanistan’s intelligence service
accused the Haqqani network by saying that a Taliban-affiliated group in Pakistan, carried out
the attack. Addressing the conference-the “Kabul Process on Peace and Security Cooperation”,
held in Kabul on June 6, 2017, which was attended by representatives from 26 countries and
international organizations, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani criticized Pakistan for a lack of
cooperation in promoting Afghan peace and alleged that Taliban insurgents are using sanctuaries
on Pakistani soil to wage the insurgency in Afghanistan.
In the same speech, President Ghani offered peace talks to the Afghan Taliban by reiterating his
preconditions such as recognition of the Afghan constitution, continuity of the reforms of
educating and advancing the rights of women, and renunciation of violence and linkages with
terrorist groups.
A Taliban spokesman rejected Ghani’s offer of a peace dialogue by stating that it is another
attempt to endorse and to prolong foreign occupation of Afghanistan.
However, during the same of the conference, a powerful bomb went off at a main mosque in the
western city of Herat, killing at least 10 people. Again, Taliban spokesman denied its
involvement in connection with the explosion.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFFnIEUmpHU&t=141s

 

On the other side, Pakistan’s special Corps Commander Conference took the stern notice of
Afghanistan’s allegations and threats and vowed to defend the country the with full forces.
According to the press release of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), issued on June 6,
2017, the “Special Corps Commanders Conference presided over by Chief of the Army Staff
General Qamar Javed Bajwa called for Afghanistan to introspect and not allege Pakistan of
sponsoring terrorism…the conference reviewed the security situation…Strongly condemning
the Kabul blast…meeting has expressed complete solidarity with Afghan government…instead
of blaming Pakistan, Afghanistan needs to look forward and identify the real issues…Armed
forces will defend the country from each challenge and will continue work to establish peace in
the region.”
ISPR statement further reported that the meeting reaffirming continued support to regional
peace and stability, the forum reiterated military’s resolve to defend the motherland against all
types of threat.

Nevertheless, we need to know that who is behind Afghanistan’s blame game against Pakistan
and why the same continues unabated in wake of terrorism-related assaults in Pakistan.
It mentionable that the armed forces of Pakistan have successfully broken the backbone of the
foreign-backed terrorists by the successful military operations Zarb-e- Azb and Radd-ul- Fasaad
which have also been extended to other parts of the country, including Balochistan. And
Pakistan’s primarily intelligence agency, ISI has broken the network of these terrorist groups by
capturing several militants, while thwarting a number of terror attempts.
Besides, since the government of the Balochistan province announced general pardon and
protection to the Baloch militants as part of reconciliation process, many insurgents and their
leaders have surrendered their arms and decided to work for the development of Pakistan and
peace has been restored in Balochistan.
Peace has also been restored in Karachi and other provinces of Pakistan, including the tribal
areas. But, recent blasts in Balochistan and other regions of the country show that the US-led
India, Afghanistan and Israel have again started acts of sabotage to destabilize Pakistan and to
damage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)
In this regard, as part of the latest wave of terrorism, at least 35 people, including nine police
men were killed and several others injured in a suicide blast near Arfa Tower on Ferozpur Road
in Lahore on July 24, 2017.
On the same day, ISPR statement said that Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed
Bajwa raised concerns with the visiting Commander Resolute Support Mission (RSM) and
US Forces in Afghanistan, General John W. Nicholson, over “the blame game perpetrated by
some quarters in Afghanistan and United States to undermine Pakistan’s contribution to the
war on terror.
The army chief elaborated, “This theme is being played at a time when policy review is
being undertaken in USA…despite provocations, Pakistan will continue to act positively as
we consider defeat of terrorism as national interest.”
The ISPR statement further pointed out that Nicholson reiterated his appreciation of
Pakistan Army’s professionalism and admiration for resilience of the people. Both agreed on
need for continuous engagement and coordination for peace and stability in the region.
Notably, a visiting United States (US) Congressional delegation led by Senator John McCain
was taken on a tour of South Waziristan by Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa on July 3, this year.
During their visit to South Waziristan, the delegation was briefed on recent measures taken for
the improvement of the fencing of the Pak-Afghan border and enhanced surveillance.
Speaking at the event, Senator McCain stressed the importance of continued cooperation
between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Senator Graham expressed his satisfaction with the progress
against the fight against terrorism by stating, “I cannot stress how impressed I am with what’s happened in the last two years. It speaks well of the Pakistani Army and the people in this
region”. Senator Whitehouse also lauded the military’s efforts in curbing terrorism.
As a matter of fact, the US and India do not want to see peace and prosperity in the region.
Sadly, Pakistan’s dominant role in Afghanistan’s peace process under the Quadrilateral
Coordination Group (QCG) has, deliberately, been sabotaged by killing of the Taliban leader
Mullah Akhtar Mansur in CIA-operated drone attack in Balochistan. After the incident, Afghan
Taliban leaders refused to participate in the US-sponsored talks with the Afghan government.
While, in the recent past, with the help of Pakistan, a series of meetings were held in Islamabad
and Kabul among the representatives of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US to develop

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Russian-led China-Pakistan Alliance, Facing the US-led Terrorism By Sajjad Shaukat

Russian-led China-Pakistan Alliance, Facing the US-led Terrorism

By

Sajjad Shaukat

 

After the end of the Cold War, the most important trend in the world was the development of regional blocs for economic progress of the nations through interaction in various fields.

 

In the drastic aftermath of 9/11, even Western think-tanks had recognised inter-relationship among global security, economics, politics and terrorism. 

 

Undoubtedly, Russian-led coalition of Iran, Iraq, the Syrian army the National Defense Forces (NDF) and Lebanon-based Hezbollah in support of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has achieved successes in Syria and Iraq by retaking several regions from the occupation of the CIA-Mossad led rebel groups, mercenaries and the militant outfits such as ISIS (Also known as Daesh, ISIL), and its linked militant groups like Al-Qaeda’s Al-Nusra Front. China also supports the Russian-led coalition in case of Syrian civil war. 

 

While giving much importance to the Syria’s war and terror-related attacks in Europe, the US and the Middle East, Western leaders, their audience and media give slight importance to South Asia where Russian-led China-Pakistan alliance is also facing the US-led terrorism.

 

In this regard, the armed forces of Pakistan have successfully broken the backbone of the foreign-backed terrorists by the successful military operations Zarb-e-Azb and Radd-ul-Fasaad which have also been extended to other parts of the country, including the Balochistan province. And Pakistan’s intelligence agency, ISI has broken the network of these terrorist groups by capturing several militants, while thwarting a number of terror attempts.

 

Besides, since the government of the Balochistan province announced general pardon and protection to the Baloch militants as part of the reconciliation process, many insurgents and their leaders have surrendered their arms and decided to work for the development of Pakistan and the province. Peace has been restored especially in Balochistan.

 

But, a new wave of terrorism in Pakistan killed several innocent people, while various terrorist outfits such as the ISIS and its affiliated faction of the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan Jamaat-ur-Ahrar (TTP-JA also known as JuA) claimed responsibility for these brutal acts. TTP based in Afghanistan has its connections with ISIL and other terrorist organisations and affiliated terror groups, including Baloch separatist elements, and all these groups are promoting the covert agenda of the US-led entities. As part of the double game, American CIA, Indian RAW, Israeli Mossad and Afghan intelligence agency, National Directorate of Security (NDS) which are in collaboration, are using these terror outfits in desterilizing Pakistan  and particularly Balochistan, including Afghanistan through various acts of terrorism in order to fulfill the secret strategic aims of their countries against Pakistan, China, Russia and Iran. The attack on Tehran’s parliament complex by the ISIL on June 8, 2017, was also part of the same scheme.

 

 

 

 

Notably, on June 23, this year, a suicide car bomber killed 14 people, including seven policemen in Pakistan’s city of Quetta, the provincial capital of Balochistan, and with two blasts later claiming at least 67 lives in the northwestern town of Parachinar. On the same day, a separate gun attack on police in Karachi killed four officers.

 

Both the ISIS-linked militant group JuA, and a splinter a splinter group of the TTP claimed responsibility for the explosions in Quetta and Parachinar.

 

Taking note of Afghanistan’s cross-border terrorism, Pakistan’s army had decided to build a fence along the porous border and to control the border crossings. In this context, the strategic project of the 1,100-kilometre-long trench with the cost of Rs14 billion which was initiated along Pak-Afghan border in Balochistan by Frontier Corps in 2013 has been completed. In the next phase, the project will be extended to the entire long border with Afghanistan which had opposed this plan.

 

Meanwhile, during his visit to the Pak-Afghan border regions in Mohmand and Orakzai agencies, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa who was given a detailed briefing on security arrangements, cross-border terrorist threat and recent terrorist attacks from across on the Pakistani posts (From Afghanistan) stated on March 25, 2017 that fencing on the Pak-Afghan border has commenced and the border areas of other tribal areas across the Pak-Afghan border will be given first priority, as they are high-threat zones. He further stated that Pakistan Army would employ all resources required for the defence of the country. In his recent statement, he reiterated his statement. Without naming Washington, as Pakistan depends upon the US-controlled international financial institutes for loans, he pointed out that foreign powers were involved in acts of terrorism in the country—and Parachinar.

  

However, in the recent past, the capture of secret agents of RAW and NDS by Pakistani intelligence agencies show that these external secret agencies are particularly assisting the TTP which is hiding in Nuristan and Kunar provinces of Afghanistan. Reportedly, Mullah Fazlullah led TTP is behind several terror activities inside Pakistan, as the latter has also become the center of the Great Game due to the ideal location of Balochistan.

 

Indian role in Pakistan became naked after the arrest of Kulbhushan Yadav on March 3, 2016, in Balochistan. In a video statement, Kulbhushan openly admitted that he was the serving agent of Indian RAW in Balochistan province, and during his stay, he contacted various Baloch separatist leaders and insurgents, including Dr Allah Nazar Baloch to execute the task to damage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project (CPEC). Yadav confessed that he spied for India and was “assigned with the task to create unrest in Karachi and Balolchitan…to destabilise Pakistan…he was captured while heading Iran.” He also revealed that he was funding Baloch separatists along with other terrorists.

 

While addressing a joint press conference with the then Federal Minister for Information Pervaiz Rasheed, the then Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Lt. Gen. Asim Saleem Bajwa said on March 29, 2016, “Kulbushan Yadav’s arrest is a rare case that does not happen very often.” He disclosed that Yadav was an active officer of the Indian Navy prior to his joining RAW. He also served as a scrap dealer and had a jewellery business in Chahbahar, Iran, after he joined RAW in 2013.

 

On June 22, 2017, ISPR released the new video of the convicted Indian spy Kulbhushan, which is the second confessional video of him.

 

Pakistan’s online sources indicate that America is pressurising the Hague-based International Court of Justice (ICJ) to favour New Delhi, which has already granted stay regarding the execution of Kulbhushan Jadhav on the appeal of India.

 

Nevertheless, with the tactical assistance of CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad are trying to damage the CPEC through the terrorist outfits.

 

It is notable that India did not participate in China’s One Belt One Road (OBOR) Summit which took place on May 14, 2017, in Beijing. This step was taken to show displeasure towards the Pak-China project of the CPEC which has been strongly opposed by New Delhi. The OBOR summit was attended by the heads of 29 state and governments, which included Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Sri Lankan PM Ranil Wickremasinghe, delegations from South Asian countries, leaders and officials from Russia, US, Japan, UK, Germany and France. The OBOR plan will create a network of trade routes, rail lines, ports and highways, linking countries on four continents. China is calling it the “plan of the century.”

 

China has elevated the plan to a national strategy. It is also President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy. In his opening speech, Xi has described the Silk Road which connected Europe and Asia some two millennia ago.

 

Nearly 70 countries have signed agreements with Beijing to participate in the initiative of the OBOR or the Belt Road Initiative (BRI). Many of China’s Asian neighbours are sorely in need of infrastructure investment and development aid.

 

Russia has strongly favoured the OBOR and CPEC projects, leading the Russia-China strategic partnership which comprises everything from energy to infrastructure development, including future Trans-Siberian high-speed rail. Pakistan is the key member of this partnership, while Turkey also joined the Russian-led China-Pakistan alliance.

 

It is mentionable that on June 9, this year, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif held a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Astana, Kazakhstan. 

 

President Putin said that Pakistan is an important partner for Russia in South Asia and congratulated Prime Minister Sharif on Pakistan’s full membership to the SCO. Putin elaborated, “Russian-Pakistani relations have been constructive and mutually beneficial…our relations are developing in many areas, and our trade has increased.”

 

In a major development, Russia has offered its support for Pakistan’s entry into a free trade agreement with Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), of which Russia is a leading member.

 

Prime Minister Sharif who thanked the Russian Federation for supporting Pakistan’s full membership in the SCO, said, “The SCO gives us a powerful platform for partnerships to promote peace, build trust and spur economic development for shared prosperity…it helps us all combat terrorism…expansion of the SCO has taken place at an opportune time, as China’s ‘One Belt, One Road’ initiative has transformed the global economic landscape…in Pakistan, we are diligently implementing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, which is a flag of the OBOR.”

 

It is noteworthy that in response to the Pak-China project of CPEC, America broadly favoured India and Afghanistan, signing a deal with Iran for a transport corridor, opening up a new route to Afghanistan via the Iranian port of Chabahar. In this context, during his visit to Tehran, on May 23, 2016, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi signed a deal to develop Iran’s Chabahar port. India will spend $500 million on the project. Chabahar—located about 1,800 kilometres south of Tehran—is more than just a port with an adjoining free trade zone. But, CPEC is much bigger and viable project then Chahbahar.

 

In this respect, on June 13, 2016, a Chinese newspaper, Global Times has blamed India for damaging the prospects of Gwadar by investing in Chahbahar to isolate Pakistan; however, it will not succeed in its designs. The paper explained, “Pakistan’s Sindh Province saw a bomb attack against Chinese engineers…Meanwhile, the Pakistani government claimed that anti-CPEC activities by foreign forces have been busted in Baluch Province. At the Beijing Forum held in Islamabad in late May, countries including the US and Japan have shown concerns over CPEC construction and even bluntly criticised the China-Pakistan friendship. CPEC is a significant part of the Belt and Road initiative, which is not only a domestic strategy of China to open up its central and western regions, but also Pakistan’s domestic development plan as well as regional integration.”

 

Nonetheless, the establishment of CPEC between deep Gwadar seaport of Balochistan and the historic Silk Road city in western regions-Xinjiang of China will connect Pakistan’s regions of Gilgit-Baltistan through Khunjerab Pass. Beijing would also build an international airport at Gwadar, while the roads infrastructure in Gwadar would link the communication network of rest of the country to facilitate transportation of goods.

 

When Gwadar seaport becomes fully operational, it would connect the landlocked Central Asian states with rest of the world. Being the commercial hub, the port is likely to increase the volume of trade, bringing multiple economic and financial benefits to Pakistan. It will enable high-volume cargo vessels to move in the major oceans, giving China’s short and easy access to the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean.

 

The India-Iran-Afghanistan agreement to develop a trade route from Chabahar to Central Asia has been portrayed by Indian commentators as having changed the historical Great Game for control of the connection between South and Central Asia through Afghanistan. But, the project will remain a dream, as with the collapse of the intra-Afghan negotiations, Afghanistan is witnessing a further escalation of conflict and chaos and continued wave of bomb blasts by the Taliban who are fighting against the occupying forces.

 

It is also due to unrest in Afghanistan that the US-backed Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline did not start. In 2009, Pakistan and Tehran had signed the Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline project without New Delhi, as the latter was reluctant in this context owing to its pro-US tilt. Since then, it has been named as the Iran-Pakistan (IP) gas pipeline project. The US had previously threatened Pakistan with sanctions if it went ahead with the project.

 

America and Israel are seeing the Chabahar project with suspicion. To bolster its strategic contest with China and Russia, the US is moving towards a military alliance with India. America which is backing Indian hegemony in Asia, especially to counterbalance China is supplying New Delhi latest weapons, arms and aircraft. During ex-President Barack Obama’s second visit to India, the Washington and New Delhi announced a breakthrough on a pact which would allow American companies to supply India with civilian nuclear technology, as agreed upon in 2008. During Indian Prime Minister Modi’s first visit to America, President Obama had strongly assured him to favour India’s membership in the coming meeting of the Nuclear Supplier Group. Earlier, Washington also pressurised the International Atomic Agency (IAEA) to sign an accord of specific safeguards with India. America had already contacted the NSG to grant a waiver to India for starting civil nuclear trade on a larger scale.

 

And, American President Donald Trump who is well-known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric is following the pro-Israeli and pro-Indian policies at the cost of Pakistan and other Islamic countries. Trump who is himself fundamentalist is silence over Hindu extremism led by Modi whose government has been implementing anti-Muslim, anti-Christian and anti-Pakistan agenda. Various developments like unprecedented rise of Hindu extremism, persecution of minorities, assaults on Christians and Muslims, including their places of worship, forced conversions of other religious minorities into Hindus, inclusion of Hindu religious books in curriculum, creation of war-like situation with Pakistan; continued violations at the Line of Control (LoC) across Kashmir, perennial state terrorism by the Indian security forces on the Kashmiri people in the Indian-Held Kashmir like Israeli atrocities on the Palestinians etc. might be cited as example.

 

During his trip to the USA, Prime Minister Modi’s first meeting with President Trump held on June 27, 2017. Both the leaders pledged to work together to boost their respective economies and other fields. Hours before Modi’s arrival, the State Department imposed sanctions on Syed Salahuddin, the leader of Hizbul Mujahideen—the main group that fights against Indian-controlled Kashmir. India’s foreign ministry hailed the move.

 

While ignoring ground realities that the US-led Mossad and RAW are sponsoring terrorism in Asia and Western countries, in the joint statement, Trump hailed pledges of closer military cooperation between India and the United States, especially in the fight against the ISIL. The leaders called on Pakistan to ensure that its territory is not used to launch terrorist attacks on other countries.

 

President Trump and Prime Minister Modi pledged to deepen defence and security cooperation, building on the US’s recognition of India as a major defence partner. The president also thanked India for seeking a $2 billion arms deal with the United States for 22 naval surveillance drones.

 

Trump said, “The relationship between the United States and India is very, very strong and very, very powerful.”

By setting aside the fact that RAW and Mossad are assisting the ISIS to further create lawlessness in Afghanistan so as to shift the blame game towards Pakistan and Russia, and to prolong the stay of the US/NATO forces there, Trump welcomed India’s contributions to promote Afghanistan’s democracy, stability, prosperity and security.

 

Trump has so far focused on outreach to China, India’s strategic rival, as he supposedly looks to Beijing to rein in nuclear-armed North Korea. However, the joint statement indicates that Washington and New Delhi share concerns about North Korea’s missile programme and China’s rise as a military power.

 

Unlike the past this time, the joint statement uses the term “Indo-Pacific” for the first time, which is a more contemporary term than “Asia-Pacific”. It uses terms like “democratic stalwarts” and “responsible stewards” which are aimed at China, takes a common position against the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and expresses reservations about the Belt and Road Initiative.

 

Trump remained silence over the solution of Kashmir dispute, while outside the White House, Kashmiri protesters waved flags and chanted slogans, calling on the US to pressure Modi to let the Kashmiris determine their own fate and stop the use of brutal force against civilians in Indian-Occupied Kashmir.

 

As regards Afghanistan, there are several groups of the Taliban and a majority of them are fighting for the liberation of their country. But, so as to pacify their people and justify the unending war, Afghanistan, India and the US has accused Pakistan and Russia of assisting the Taliban. 

 

In order to divert attention from NATO’s defeatism in Afghanistan, at a news conference in Kabul, on April 24, 2017, Defense Secretary James Mattis and Gen. John Nicholson, the American commander in Afghanistan supposedly stated that Russia was providing weapons to the Taliban. But, Moscow denied these false allegations.

 

On May 31, this year, a massive truck bombing of the Afghan capital’s diplomatic section killed more than 150 people and injured hundreds of others, including foreigners.

 

Taliban denied responsibility for the terror attack. But, Afghanistan’s intelligence service and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani accused the Haqqani network by saying that a Taliban-affiliated group in Pakistan, carried out the attack.

 

Notably, in testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee, the US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis acknowledged that “We are not winning in Afghanistan,” and he admitted that the Taliban were surging at the moment.

 

It is worth mentioning that the US and India do not want to see peace and prosperity in the region. Sadly, Pakistan’s dominant role in Afghanistan’s peace process under the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG) has, deliberately, been sabotaged by the killing of the Taliban leader Mullah Akhtar Mansur in a CIA-operated drone attack in Balochistan. After the incident, Afghan Taliban leaders refused to participate in the US-sponsored talks with the Afghan government. While, in the recent past, with the help of Pakistan, a series of meetings were held in Islamabad and Kabul among the representatives of Pakistan, Afghanistan, China and the US to develop an understanding for the earliest possible resumption of stalled talks between the Afghan government and the Taliban with view to ending nearly 16 years of bloodshed in Afghanistan.

 

During the sixth Heart of Asia Conference which was held in the Indian city of Amritsar on December 3 and 4, 2016 proved fruitless in achieving its goals due to the secret diplomacy of the US, India and Afghanistan owing to the blame game, especially of New Delhi and Kabul against Islamabad.

 

In his opening remarks, following American secret diplomacy in Asia, in his frenzy and ferocious speech, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi lashed out at Pakistan on terrorism as the central subject of the moot.

 

Speaking in the Indian tone, Afghan President Ashraf Ghani accused Pakistan of providing sanctuary to terrorists and cross-border terrorism in Afghanistan.

 

Pakistan’s Adviser to the Prime Minister on Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz who also participated in the conference slammed baseless accusations of Modi and Ghani on Islamabad and called for evolving a joint and purposeful strategy for lasting peace in Afghanistan and to combat terrorism in the region.

 

The adviser said that peace talks between the Afghan government and Taliban had not produced positive results, adding that Pakistan was making a serious effort to facilitate peace talks through the QCG. He urged all QCG members to continue their efforts for talks between the Afghan government and Taliban.

 

Addressing the conference, Russian envoy Zamir Kabulov rejected the Indian and Afghan allegations against Pakistan. He stated that Afghanistan is the pivot of the conference and the agenda of the conference should not be hijacked. He added that being friends and supporters, we should avoid the blame game and work together. He also said that Sartaj Aziz’s speech at the conference was friendly and constructive.

 

Earlier, due to the double game of the US and failure of the QCG, China, Russia and Pakistan held secretary-level trilateral talks in Moscow on December 27, 2016, and discussed regional stability, including the restoration of peace in Afghanistan. The meeting also discussed anti-terrorism cooperation amid growing influence of the ISIL in the region and a peace process between the Afghan government and the Taliban. 

 

It is worth mentioning that in accordance with the extremist agenda of Israel, Trump administration has imposed sanctions on Iran on February 3, 2017. Earlier, the hardliner President Trump had stated that he would abandon the Iran nuclear deal. 

 

In his address at a regional summit in Riyadh on May 22, 2017, President Donald Trump called for “Muslim unity in the fight against terrorism. Brushing aside the Israeli-led US state terrorism and CIA-backed terror in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria, Yemen and other vulnerable Islamic countries, Trump singled out Iran, accusing Tehran of contributing to instability in the region. He supposedly said, “From Lebanon to Iraq to Yemen, Iran funds, arms and trains terrorists, militias and other extremist groups that spread destruction and chaos across the region.” Keeping Israeli hidden agenda in his mind, Trump also stated that all the Muslim nations should boycott Iran.

 

President Trump also encouraged NATO-like alliance of Saudi Arabia, which includes the Sunni countries against Shia states, especially Iran and Yemen. It was formed on the instructions of Washington. As after the US-led invasion of Afghanistan, Iraq, airstrikes on Libya and promotion of war in Syria have been clearly exposed, therefore, America revived the old phoney global war on terror to secure the illegitimate interests of Tel Aviv, whose major aim was to deceive the Muslims.

 US-Israeli secret strategy

It is of particular attention that acting upon the US-Israeli secret strategy, on June 5, this year, six Arab countries, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Bahrain, Egypt and Libya’s eastern-based government, including the Maldives severed diplomatic ties with Qatar for allegedly supporting terrorism. Trump also raised similar false allegations in connection with Qatar. On June 22, 2017, Riyadh-led Arab countries sent a list of demands to Doha as conditions, including closing down the Turkey military installation to restore relations with the latter. Qatar has dismissed the demands, submitted by four Arab countries as “neither reasonable or actionable”.

 

The UK, France and the UNO called upon the Gulf states to find a way of deescalating the situation and lifting the current embargo and restrictions which are having an impact on the everyday lives of people in the region.

 

Turkey rejected a call from Arab states on June 23, 207 to shut down its military base in Qatar, saying the base was a guarantor of security in the Gulf and demands for its closure represented interference in its ties with Doha.

 

While the Saudi Arabian king who wants to save the kingdom of the country has been creating division and divide between the Muslim countries on the basis of Shia and Sunni. In pursuance of American-Israeli clandestine designs, it seems that Riyadh has decided to promote sectarian violence in the vulnerable Islamic countries. In fact, CIA and Mossad are diverting the attention of the international community from their own state terrorism and terrorism-related attacks in the world. 

 

It is also of particular attention that despite the revival of the fake global war on terror, owing to the faulty policies of President Trump, differences are increasing between America and its Western allies. Besides differences between the Britain and the US about Manchester terror attack—probe of Trump that the US intelligence agencies already knew it, Trump’s criticism of Germany regarding trade, travel ban on the refugees and nationals from six Muslim-majority countries to visit the USA, Trumps decision to abandon the Paris climate accord might be cited as instance.

 

Slamming Germany’s trade surplus and defence spending, President Trump said on May 30, 2016, “The relationship between Germany and the U.S is very bad.”

 

Taking note of Trump’s emotional statements and fanatic moves, French new President Emmanuel Macron who was blamed as the pro-Israeli candidate during the campaigning for the general election has changed his stand.

 

In this context, Jones E. Alexis wrote on the Veterans Today on June 22, 2017, “Macron seems to betray the Neoconservatives. He shows that he has some political backbones, for we all know that it takes courage to stand against the New World Order ideology in Syria and warmongers in the United States…French president Emmanuel Macron has recently ruined their ideological worldview by saying that the West must stand with Russia in Syria in order to eradicate terrorist Cells and organisations in Syria.”

 

Moreover, various other developments such as Russia-Turkey alliance to fight the ISIS, and US decision to dispatch more troops in Afghanistan where America and its NATO allies have entangled in the prolonged war of history, which has, rapidly, increased the cost of war, bringing about multiple internal crises, affecting the ordinary Americans and Western citizens, particularly those of Europe are equally notable. Especially, the endless war in Afghanistan will create a widening rift between American and its other NATO member-countries. NATO could be shattered like the Warsaw Pact. Even, American Western countries, particularly Europe is likely to make their own alliance, instead of depending on the US. 

 

Furthermore, conduction of missile test by North Korea, failure of Thump’s war-like diplomacy against the latter and waning of Russia and China to America in this connection have depressed the Americans.

 

In these circumstances, taking cognizance of the unsuccessful US-Indian partnership which is based on extremism, Iran will abandon the American-backed Chabahar project and will prefer to align with Russian-led China-Pakistan alliance.

 

As a matter of fact, Russian President Putin is making alliances and Trump is breaking America’s alliances in wake of the new Cold War which has been accelerated between Washington and Moscow.

 

Russian-led China-Pakistan alliance which is facing the US-led terrorism will succeed in future due to the faulty strategy of America which is likely to culminate into America’s downfall or disintegration.

 

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: [email protected]

Courtesy Veterans Today

 

Email: [email protected]

 

Courtesy Veterans Today

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Depoliticise this mess soon By Shaheen Sehbai

 

 

 

 

Let-car

 

 

Depoliticise this mess soon

By
February 01, 2016
 
 
 

Viewpoint

DUBAI: The operation in Karachi and Zarb-e-Azb are fast being pushed into the political arena similar to the battles gladiators fight to the last.

Otherwise the Rangers DG Major General Bilal Akbar would not have to say: “They would criticise Rangers, if according to them, the operation is going fast. And if they find the operation getting slow, they would accuse the Rangers of having a ‘setting’.

“Our setting is only with our mission. Our setting is only with the nation. Our setting is only with our motherland,” he had to clarify on Sunday. There can be no doubt about his mission and his goals but why this situation has arrived is the big question the Rangers, and their think tanks, will have to ponder and answer.

After arrest of Uzair Baloch and starting with the arrest of Dr Asim Hussain, the Rangers have issued numerous statements and reports and its leaders have made public appearances. Plainly speaking they had to go public to lobby and explain their mission. Again why was it needed?

The simple answer to all these questions is that Rangers are working in a highly complex situation where conflicts of interests and contradictions are countless and the entire structure is infested with untenable centres of power and influence and twisted realities.

The first is that a government, which should have been the main vehicle of carrying out this operation, aided by the Rangers, has positioned itself against the operation, fearing its own wings may get burned. So the momentum and fury, as well as its effectiveness, has been cut short dragging the pace.

Secondly, while operations were in full swing against collaborators, abettors and helpers of terrorists inside the political parties, these parties were allowed to operate and contest elections and use their political muscle to pressurise the Rangers. Who allows rivals to gain and display support in the middle of the battle.

This situation was not taken into account by the think tanks of the Rangers and the army authorities. A temporary stop, a moratorium, on politics was a must to provide the necessary space and cover to take out the dirty fish, both political and apolitical. That was not done before the operations were launched.

The key issue was that if cleansing inside the political parties had to be done, a neutral, objective, non-political and strong administrative cover must have been provided first. That was not done.

So now there is a visible mess and this situation has to be resolved sooner than later because the operation has to go on. Any reversal or slow-down will encourage terrorists and their supporters to hit back with a vengeance. No one can afford it.

Even now the federal government, the army leadership, the security agencies and the Sindh government must sit down and find a workable solution. The worst-case scenario could be that the army may be left with no option but to steamroll everyone to achieve the logical results of the operation, as stated repeatedly by Army Chief Gen Raheel in the early days of Zarb-e-Azb. That may not be liked by many.

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Pakistan Army’s Successful Operation in FATA Video & War against Terrorism & Rehabilitation of FATA By Sajjad Shaukat

               

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsjpI3zt6fI

                       

 

 

 

 

War against Terrorism & Rehabilitation of FATA

                                                                By Sajjad Shaukat

 

On June 10, this year, while showing the progress of the military operation Zarb-e-Azb, Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Raheel Sharif said, “Terrorists have been cleared from their strongholds in North Waziristan Agency and Khyber Agency, and fight now is moving into last few pockets close to Afghan border.” He laid emphasis on “continuation of the operations till elimination of the last expected and probable terrorists groups and sanctuaries.”

 

 

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Since June 15, 2014, the jets of Pakistan Air Force have bombed militants’ hideouts in North Waziristan Agency, and killed thousands of insurgents including foreign militants, while Pakistan Army has killed several terrorists through ground offensive and many of them surrendered before the Army. Thus, these forces destroyed their strongholds, demolishing tunnels and factories producing IED (Explosives), while drying the sources of their funds and sinking their public support. Pakistan’s Armed Forces have broken the backbone of the militants and their network.

 

However, the operation Zarb-e-Azb in tribal areas is nearing its completion, witnessing huge successes of Pakistan Army which has offered commendable sacrifices and cleared the area off terrorists.

 

Except some occasional blow, the faces of tribal people are gleaming with resolve, determination and commitment to weed out terrorists from their homeland.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Undoubtedly, the ferocious fighting by the sons of soil to liberate people of families of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) from the terrorists, resulted in one of the biggest internal displacement in the history of Pakistan. It has caused huge socio-politico-economic and security implications for the brave people of tribal areas. These people faced the hardships of displacement, and their plight was aired by various media segments. Opinion makers felt the pain and strived to sensitize the government and public regarding their socio-economic responsibilities to look after their basic human needs.

 

 

 

 

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Since the military operations of 2008, there has been frequent dislocation of populations from seven agencies of FATA. Some persons were fleeing due to the threats and attacks by the terrorists, but most of them left the areas for their own safety, prior to military operations to free FATA and Pakistan from the militants. They made their temporary homes in camps, made for the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), with host families, or in hired accommodation in places like Tank, DI Khan, Bannu and Peshawar. Many of them have since long returned home following stabilization of their areas, but residual caseloads remained in 2014, and the number increased. The latest wave of dislocation from North Waziristan Agency brought the total FATA-displaced-population up to around 2 million people. This is a massive dislocation of persons for any country to handle. Assisting them during displacement has required substantial funding and initiatives to ensure their shelter and other needs, which have been fulfilled.

 

As stability and peace is restored in FATA, Pakistan Army is working with the government and other stakeholders to facilitate the return of the IDPs, and the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the affected regions. Gen. Raheel Sharif has repeatedly stated that the top priority is the early and dignified return of the IDPs, and he has instructed all concerned officials to prepare for their phased return.

 

In this regard, the Pakistan Government has issued directions to the related ministries and departments to finalize the plans regarding funds, the returns of the IDPs, reconstruction and rehabilitation of FATA.

 

While, it is not enough for the rehabilitation of the massive populations of the tribal areas, which require huge funds, as now, it is the turn of the tribal people to celebrate their return to their areas. But, destroyed villages, shattered houses and ruined markets can not be welcoming sites. Where they will dwell and from where they will draw the livelihood for their families? Who is responsible for their rehabilitation? Have any efforts been made to raise funds? These are some of the questions haunting the minds of everyone. Time is ticking fast; Government of Pakistan, people and international community have to rise to the challenge before it is too late. It is every ones responsibility to contribute towards their quickest possible rehabilitation, so that they consider themselves part of the society. Any negligence at this stage would not only generate despondency among the tribal people of FATA, but would leave space for the militancy to re-surface.

 

Although, Pak Army has ever conducted a large-scale reconstruction and rehabilitation programme in FATA, yet it is not easy to resettle 2 million people. It requires detailed and insightful planning, political will, extensive and complex coordination and logistics, and substantial funding to support the initiatives to help families rebuild their homes, restock their livestock, plant crops, restart their livelihoods and to mend the fragile economy of this extremely disadvantaged region.

 

War against terrorism will remain incomplete, unless all segments of society and politicians try to win the hearts and minds of the tribal people by keeping in minds various requirements and steps which are essential for the rehabilitation of FATA.

 

Firstly, the vision of a peaceful, prosperous and developed FATA is necessary to foil future plans of the terrorists.

 

Secondly, whole nation, particularly the political leadership should come forward to provide financial resources for rehabilitation.

 

Thirdly, education for everyone and grass root level involvement of the people in socio-political activities may be ensured/planned.

 

Fourthly, efforts at all levels may be undertaken to re-construct physical structures, maintain law and order, activate economy and inculcate cohesion to ensure sustainable rehabilitation of people of FATA.

 

Fifthly, instead of portraying negative aspects of rehabilitation, media should come forward to arrange shows for fund-raising and proposing viable solutions for the issues prevailing in FATA.

Nevertheless, rehabilitation of FATA is still a bigger challenge. Therefore, just like the unity, shown by the whole nation during war against terrorism by supporting the Zarb-e-Azb, needs to display the same unity through practical assistance in rehabilitation of the tribal areas. Let us celebrate the forthcoming 14th August 2015 with national commitment to endeavour for rehabilitation of FATA people. 

 

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: [email protected]

 

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The Men at the Borders.. Can you spare a moment for them? – Fahad Malik

The Men at the Borders..

Can you spare a moment for them?

 

Pakistan is in a useless battle, and in a cycle of sufferings from last 12 years, and the rebellious waves caused destruction in every corner of the country. Civilians, including children, women, girls schools, Forces Headquarters, Airports, Mosques, streets, Govt. & private properties, everything was under attack. That all destruction stopped progress of country, bankrupted the economy of Pakistan and above all the image of Pakistan at international level was severely damaged. Civil administration was helpless before the terrorists. They controlled many areas, made them their base camps, started oppression against the local population, and announced to spread their evil activities to the other parts of the country. So, there was no other way except to start a final blow against the terrorists. Just before the Ramadan, Pakistan Army started a decisive operation against terrorists, in the North Waziristan, which was the voice of every patriotic Pakistani.

228480_52133596For a country, the biggest proud is there defensive institutions, and their armed forces who are actually considered as a sign of terror and fear for the opponents of nation & the state. But the strength & courage of those forces is doubled, when their people are standing shoulder to shoulder and all the personal or political interests are above anything to defend nation and to support their military. Exactly that unity and that support is needed by our Men, when in the present circumstances they are defending their borders and also fighting against the biggest threat to the state, Taliban Militants in Zarb-e-Azab. This is the moment, when it is the responsibility of political parties, religious groups, and civil society to support their forces in every way, until the last terrorist is killed, until the last bullet is fired, and Pakistan is decontaminated from terrorists. Our forces are in the state of war, they need your prayers, they need their nation to stand with them, because battles are not won with weapons, but with the unity, not with the arms, with the hands, prayers..

Stand.. Stand up with them, and let the world know, let the international community know, that we are peaceful people, and are against terrorists, this is the right time to maintain unity, to be under one flag, they are in war with terrorists, and we, we can beat the nefarious intentions of Taliban with our alliance. It is the time to express solidarity with Pakistan Army, it is the time to support them. Its almost 40 days now, but have you ever thought, that this is Ramadan and your soldiers are fighting in the holy month in the state of Roaza? Have you ever stopped for a while at your Sehar & Iftar and thought how they are managing their Sehri’s and Iftaaris? No. You never did, you never will. Because you live in an AC room, and you don’t know how Roaza goes in a battle field. You are used to Iftar on a table, with your family around, you don’t know how it feels to Iftar alone, just with water in a battle field.. No I don’t ask for anything, neither they’ll. I am just asking to put up your hands and pray for their safety. I just ask to say a word for them. Say a line, in their support, defend them when they are being criticized in front of you, make a poster, write a line, light up a candle for them, be on their side, that would be enough. That would be adequate from your side. Honor them with anything you can do for them. Because, they are awake, for your peaceful sleep.

 

 

-Fahad Malik

Physically 20 years old, thinker, writer, a computer science student, by subjects, Member of Abrar-ul-Haq’s Youth parliament, Philanthropist, crazy about Sufism, Learner, Coffee hollick, night owl, a wandering lost soul, out in search of something, that is yet to be discovered. Facebook.com/Fahad4014

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