Tag: pakistan

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The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

Mohammed Abbasi

For the second time in a generation, Afghanistan and its neighbours are facing the potential collapse of the Afghan state, and the consequences of this collapse for the region. When this occurred in 1992, the result was violent chaos, ethnic massacre, and the restoration of a form of state order by the Taliban – thereby ushering in the new chapter in Afghanistan’s tragedy that began in September 2001.  This time round, it is highly unlikely that the Taliban will be able to storm into power in Kabul – but at present, it seems equally unlikely that the Taliban and the … Continue reading The US withdrawal from Afghanistan

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Pakistan strains Iran’s patience

Mohammed Abbasi

  On February 6, five border guards in Iran’s southeastern province of Sistan and Baluchistan were abducted by the terrorist group Jaish al-Adl (the Army of Justice). This seemingly new group is most likely a renamed and repackaged version of the Jund ul-Allah (The Army of God) terror group, operating from Pakistani territory. Before tensions over the abduction of the border guards subsided, the Iranian Consulate in Peshawar in Pakistan’s northwest province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was attacked by a suicide bomber.  Terrorist activities against Iran, conducted by groups operating from Pakistan and to some extent Afghanistan, are nothing new. In 2009, … Continue reading Pakistan strains Iran’s patience

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Taliban to grow in strength by 2017

Mohammed Abbasi

The Taliban and other militant groups will have the upper hand in Afghanistan by 2017 even if the United States maintains a small military presence in the country, says a new US intelligence report. Known as the National Intelligence Estimate, the report includes input from all 16 American intelligence agencies and is prepared for US policymakers and lawmakers. In another report also released this year, the US intelligence community predicted that Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba would continue to be the most multifaceted and problematic of the Pakistani militant groups. “The group has the long-term potential to evolve into a permanent and even Hamas/Hezbullah-like presence … Continue reading Taliban to grow in strength by 2017

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Pakistan: a culture of intolerance

Mohammed Abbasi

Pakistan: a culture of intolerance By Sajjad Ashraf Pakistan’s impoverished and peaceful Christian community has endured mob rampages, blasphemy charges, and was largely spared the ravages of suicide bombings, till last month. Suicide bombings on September 22 at Peshawar’s All-Saints Church, which is designed like a mosque to reflect inter-faith harmony, killed 83 worshippers and injured more than 125, bringing to focus how the danger minorities face in the militancy raging across Pakistan. With almost a bomb a day since Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government took over in June, the church was indeed a soft target. Since independence in 1947 … Continue reading Pakistan: a culture of intolerance

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General Ashfaq Parvez Kiani – Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC)

Mohammed Abbasi

Retiring Pakistan army chief set for key role By Syed Fazl-e-Haider  KARACHI – General Ashfaq Parvez Kiani, one of Pakistan’s most powerful men, has announced his retirement from the post of Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on November 29. With one stroke on Sunday, General Kiani put to rest speculation in the media that he would try to extend his three-year term for a third time. Some reports, however, claim that Kiani is lobbying to keep a key defense role.  Kiani is prepared to accept a position as Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC), currently a largely ceremonial … Continue reading General Ashfaq Parvez Kiani – Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (JCSC)

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Do you know who was Allama Mashriqi?

Mohammed Abbasi

Legacy of Pakistani scholar lives onBy Nasim Yousaf  Allama Mashriqi was one of the founding fathers of Islamia College in Peshawar, Pakistan. His long association with the college, first as its vice-principal and later as principal, brought about a revolution in education and gave new dimensions to one of the most educationally backward provinces of British India, the North West Frontier Province (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa).  Mashriqi’s 1913-1930 tenure with the government of British India’s education department, in different capacities – including as under secretary – is yet to be brought to light.  One hundred years ago (1913), Islamia College, established … Continue reading Do you know who was Allama Mashriqi?

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Is this Pakistans future under the Taliban?

Mohammed Abbasi

OVER A COFFEE : Negotiations: dangers of a Pyrrhic victory — Dr Haider Shah The Taliban follow the creed where force is considered a necessary element for cleaning the modern day Muslim community of presumed un-Islamic additions Every social action campaign launched by our media has proved short-lived lately. For instance a few weeks ago the Shahzeb Khan murder case was all over the media, as the arrogant killers were forgiven by the parents of the deceased under the Sharia law. It then was suddenly replaced by the shocking news of the dumping of a five-year-old girl after her alleged … Continue reading Is this Pakistans future under the Taliban?

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Delusional reality of Pakistani peace

Mohammed Abbasi

By Sameera Rashid Pakistani political parties of different ideological denominations, after attending the All Parties Conference (APC) in Karachi, issued a communique at the conclusion blaming the US war on terror and the negative fall out from drone attacks for the enormous loss of Pakistani lives in the battle against militancy. Observers have termed this a one-sided understanding of a complicated reality that will only embolden the militants. Militancy in Pakistan has been spawned by multiple factors; in fact, the rise in militancy is akin to a sedimentation process, where inundation of one layer upon another, has created a compressed … Continue reading Delusional reality of Pakistani peace

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Should PIA be privatised?

Mohammed Abbasi

 Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Privatisation and Civil Aviation Division to initiate the process of privatisation of 26% shares of the Pakistan International Airlines (PIA). The prime minister directed the management of the PIA to cut down on their losses in the short term in order to make the airline a viable entity for privatisation. Nawaz gave these directions while chairing a meeting on PIA at the Prime Minister’s Office. He also directed that the transaction be completed with transparency, adherence to all relevant codal formalities and guidelines of the superior courts, so that not only … Continue reading Should PIA be privatised?

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I WILL NOT APOLOGISE FOR 9/11!

Mohammed Abbasi

WHY? I did not carry out 9/11 killing thousands I did not carry out the London bombings I did not attack Iraq or Afghanistan killing a million plus I did not withold medical supplies from Iraqis killing some at least 500,000 children I did not  and do not use drones or missiles killing thousands I was not involved in World War 2 or 1 killing tens of millions I was not involved in invading, occupying nations around the world deporting and/or killing hundreds of millions in the name of Empire. And I was not involved in the Crusades I am … Continue reading I WILL NOT APOLOGISE FOR 9/11!