Pakistan: In the aftermath of Rawalpindi carnage

Most of the cities in Pakistan witnessed fear and commotion on Friday as Sunni and Shia groups were adamant at taking out rallies. Ironically, it looked that certain elements were keen in showing ‘street power’ rather registering their protest or condemning the perpetrators

However, there was a consensus that local administration failed in controlling the situation in Rawalpindi which led to calling army and imposing curfew.  Some observers even went to the extent of saying that whatever happened was part of the grand agenda to fan Sunni Shia clashes.

Most regrettably this policy has paid off in Iraq, Afghanistan and Syria and the same is being followed in Pakistan. After facing a humiliating defeat in Syria the perpetrators want an action replay in Pakistan. It is being alleged that the perpetrators and their funders are the same.

On Friday late evening twin blasts were caused in Karachi’s Incholi area, with majority Shia population, killing at least seven and injuring 28 people. On Saturday Pakistan’s leading English newspaper Dawn dawn.com posted a story of AFP that he Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) has claimed responsibility for twin bomb attacks in Karach.

Reportedly, Shahidullah Shahid, a spokesman for umbrella group TTP told AFP that the attacks in Karachi were carried out in revenge for violence in Rawalpindi on November 15. He said the attacks were aimed at Shias in Karachi and vowed further violence.

On may recall that clashed took place between Sunni and Shia groups in the garrison-city of Rawalpindi, which neighbors the capital Islamabad on Ashura (November 15) when a procession of Shia to mark the Martyrdom of Imam Hussain, was passing by a Sunni mosque. Officials said 11 people were killed and more than 60 injured.

Geneva Talks: Is France the only spoiler?

While John Kerry blamed Iran for backing out from the negotiations, it is France which turned the table. In this endeavor it enjoyed complete support of Saudi Arabia and Israel, who are most unhappy on US decision of not to attack Syria. It is believed that if the US and Iran agree on certain points Iran may once again enter into global oil trade, which does not bode well for Saudi Arabia. Similarly, Israel will also not be able to continue its atrocities in Palestine. France has a major stake because it there is peace it will not be able to sell its arms to countries, which have been made to believe that Iran is the biggest threat for their existence. To read the details visit shkazmipk.com.

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Shabbir Kazmi

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Pakistan: Conspiracy to fan Sunni-Shia clashes in Karachi

Ashura‚ the 10th of Muharram is being observed today with due solemnity and sanctity to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions who laid down their lives to preserve the uprightness of Islam in Karbala.

The Federal and provincial governments have taken strict security measures to maintain law and order on the occasion. The law enforcement agencies have been put on high alert throughout the country to deal with any eventuality, cell phone service suspended in more than eighty cities and close circuit cameras have also been installed at sensitive points to keep watch on Majalis and processions.

Despite these arrangements perpetrators succeeded in creating a blast near an Imambargah situated in Karachi Shadman Town area early on Friday injuring at least one person. TV reports quoted police officials as saying that unknown persons riding on a motorcycle hurled a hand grenade from a bridge near a group of policemen deployed for security at the said Imambargah, near Nagan Chowrangi. The Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) condemned the attack on the Imambargah.

It is necessary to remind the readers the statement of Karachi Police Chief Shahid Hayat given on Tuesday “Conspiracy is being hatched to fan Sunni-Shia clashes in the city”. The gunmen killed five Sunnis a day after six Shias were assassinated in the metropolis.

Responding to a question, the IGP Sindh said the police were alert to possible reaction to the recent killing of Pakistani Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud in a drone attack in northwestern North Waziristan agency, close to Afghan border.

Police said five, killed on Tuesday, belonged to Deobandi sect and were either members or sympathizers of banned extremist outfits. “Apparently they were targeted because of their sect,” senior police officer Muneer Shaikh told AFP.

Pakistan: Karachi under terrorist attack

Over the last few years shias have been victim of ‘targeted killing’ by some banned religious outfits, the most brutal and notorious being Lej, TTP. On Ashura special security arrangements are made for the security and safety of mourners but perpetrators outperform law enforcing agencies.  Now it is being said opening that terrorists are embedded in law enforcing agencies. The point gets some credence because nearly 70,000 people have been killed over the years but no perpetrator has been punished. Most of the accused have been acquitted due to lack of evidence. For the latest update and share my latest blog, Karachi comes under terrorist attack, once again. To read further please click shkazmipk.com
Shabbir Kazmi 
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Who is Sabotaging Geneva Negotiations?

When it looked certain that the five permanent members of UN Security Council and Germany were about to arrive at some sort of understanding that may pave way for easing sanctions on Iran, France raised the question which has remained unanswered even by those who have the state-of-the-art technology at their disposal. While some of the critics may be surprised or shocked, I am neither amused nor frustrated. To read the details please visit shkazmipk.com

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Shabbir kazmi

Pakistan: Shortage of gas causing US$2 billion losses to economy

Just the other day Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, Pakistan’s Minister for Petroleum & Natural Resources claimed that the country was bearing an annual loss of US$2 billion. His statement, “We are focusing on LNG import, Iran-Pakistan (IP) and Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline projects to overcome the energy crisis” looks completely out of place because of funding issues. However, he surprised many by declaring that Iranian gas was cheaper than LNG. Please read and share my latest blog Pakistan: Shortage of gas causing US$2 billion losses to economy visit shkazmipk.com

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Shabbir Kazmi

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Pakistan: Opposite views on negotiations with Taliban

According to media reports the negotiations between the Government of Pakistan (GoP) and notorious banned outfit Therik-e-Taliban (TTP) had commenced. Providing no other details about who was taking part or what would be discussed, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said talks have started with the TTP. One can recall that during the election campaign PML-N enjoyed support of TTP, which otherwise attacked election meetings of ANP, MQM and Taliban. Sharif was elected mainly by promising to negotiate with militants who have killed thousands of civilians and security personnel.

Many in Pakistan are frustrated that years of military operations in the tribal areas, where the militants have their safe havens, have failed to end the violence. They see negotiations as a necessary step. However, others strongly believe that stringent actions should be taken against the perpetrators. This clear split in thinking became evident if one looks at the proceedings of the meetings of two religious factions held on the same day but in two different cities.

Before going into details of these two proceedings it is necessary to look at the stance of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI), headed by Imran Khan, who has threatened to cut off Nato supplies moving through Pakistan if the US launches any drone strikes during the talks. Khan went to the extent of saying that his party had the capability to stop the Nato supplies and warned that his words must not be taken lightly. His party controls the provincial government in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northern Pakistan where one of two routes handles supplies in and out of Afghanistan. Pakistan had suspended Nato supplies in the past.

The Pakistan Ulema Council (PUC) has urged the government to set the agenda of dialogue with Taliban and inform the nation about it. The demand was made at the Istehkam-i-Pakistan Conference held in Multan on Sunday. It was presided over by Hafiz Allama Mohammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi, the chairman of the PUC. Various leaders attending the conference demanded that the dialogue process should start without delay and the talks should be initiated through tribal elders and notables.

As against this an ‘Azmat-i-Wilayat’ Conference held in Karachi on the same day under the auspices of Majlis-i-Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) opposed any dialogue with the Taliban and demanded a Swat-like military operation to eradicate terrorism. A resolution adopted at the conference pointed out that neither the US nor the terrorists could be friends of Pakistan because both of them had been attacking Pakistan and Pakistanis, including civilians and military personnel, and their property and installations. 

It was also stated, “A fixed match is being played between the terrorists and the US to prolong their two-pronged anti-Pakistan terrorism”. MWM Chief Allama Nasir Abbas Jafari stressed the need for forging Sunni-Shia unity. He said the unity of Shias and Sunnis of the subcontinent had created Pakistan and now their unity could save the country.

Allama Sahib said the terrorists are free to move about and no action was being taken against them. "There should be no talks with the Taliban...we will always support the oppressed," Abbas said. He also alleged that PML-N was afraid of confronting the terrorists and of tackling them. Another MWM leader Amin Shahidi said engaging the Taliban in dialogue was unconstitutional.