The ugly handiwork of Shirin Mazari, the media Baji of the Taliban

Editors criticise newspaper article against WSJ reporter
By Iftikhar A. Khan
Tuesday, 17 Nov, 2009

ISLAMABAD: Top executives and editors of 21 leading international media organisations have collectively voiced concern over publication of an article in a Pakistani national newspaper [The Nation, Resident Editor Shireen Mazari], accusing Mathew Rosenberg, a correspondent for the Wall Street Journal, of working for foreign intelligence services and even the US military contractor Blackwater.

In a joint letter addressed to Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, they said the development had caused alarm among international media organisations working in the country and urged the government to take all possible steps to ensure the safety of all media personnel in future.

Describing Rosenberg as a respected journalist of high standing, they observed that the unsubstantiated allegation levelled in the article published in The Nation that he worked for CIA, Israeli intelligence and Blackwater had critically compromised his (Rosenberg’s) security and raised questions about whether he could return to Pakistan to work safely in future.

The article also has a broader implication, the letter said, pointing out that these were difficult times for all journalists in Pakistan. ‘Our employees already face an array of threats, including violence and kidnapping, as they strive to provide timely and accurate coverage. Now those risks have been needlessly increased.’

The top executives of international media said they strongly supported press freedom across the world, but the irresponsible article endangered the life of one journalist and could imperil others.

‘It is particularly upsetting that this threat has come from among our own colleagues,’ they regretted.

They recognised that courageous Pakistani journalists routinely faced greater danger than their international counterparts. According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, five Pakistani journalists have been killed in the past 12 months. ‘And we are heartened that several Pakistani media organisations have denounced The Nation’s story,’ they remarked.

But, they said, they were also concerned that an incident of this kind — tarring a foreign reporter as a spy — could occur again. They asked the government to take note of the story and make necessary arrangements for security of all media personnel.

Copies of the joint letter have also been sent to Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and heads of all the newspaper organisations.

The joint letter bears signatures of Chuck Lustig, Foreign Editor, ABC News; Phillipe Massonnet, Global News Director, AFP; Kathleen Carroll, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor Associated Press (AP); Alan Rusbridger, Editor in Chief, The Guardian; Jon Williams, World News Editor, BBC; Roger Alton, Editor, The Independent; Nancy Lane, Senior Vice President, CNN; Al Anstay, Head of News, Al Jazeera; John Micklethwait, Editor in Chief, The Economist; Daniel Bogler, Managing Editor, Financial Times; Bruce Wallace, Foreign Editor, Los Angeles Times; Jean Gerard, Deputy Director, France Infor; John L Walcott, McClachy Newspapers; Ellen Weiss, Senior Vice President for News, National Public Radio (NPR); David Schlesinger, Editor in Chief, Reuters; Bill Keller, Executive Editor, The New York Times; Richard Stengel, Managing Editor, Time; Nisid Hajari, Foreign Editor, Newsweek; James Harding, Editor, The Times; Calude Cirille, Editor in Chief, Radio France International; and Robert Thomson, Managing Editor, The Wall Street Journal. Source

A likely statement by Imran Khan: This is an international Zionist conspiracy against the General Secretary of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, Dr Shireen Mazari. We condemn Amreekah and its agents hukmraan for this saazish.

For a detailed account of this news item, please consult the following post at Pakistan Media Watch:

21 International Media Organizations Write to Government About The Nation

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The Triple S Brigade's ill-wish and Zardari's grave

"The Triple S Brigade" (i.e. Shaheen Sehbai, Shahid Masood, Shireen Mazari) are persistent in their anti-democracy and pro-Taliban agenda.

Lady Taliban, Dr Shireen Mazari, the Resident Editor of The Nation, has released the following report on President Zardari, through her reporter Maqbool Malik (a close associate of Ansar Abbasi), about the possible location of Zardari's grave.

The triple S brigade, and other Friends of Taliban in Pakistan, it would appear, are now resorting to ill-wishes in order to get rid of the democratic government. Here is the news item which appeared in The Nation on 11 November 2009, which is followed by a satirical analysis by Nazir Naji:

Zardari chooses Ghari Khudabakhsh as last abode
By: Maqbool Malik | Published in The Nation: November 11, 2009

ISLAMABAD – Struggling head-on to surmount a plethora of challenges, President Asif Ali Zardari has been contemplating about his future to the extent of even choosing his last abode, The Nation has reliably learnt on Tuesday.

According to sources close to the President, Asif Zardari has been brainstorming for some time whether it should be Ghari Khudabakhsh or Madina (Saudi Arabia) for his last resting place.

The sources were of the view that President Zardari has actually chosen Ghari Khudabakhsh as his last abode, which he reportedly believed, had more to do with the cause of democracy in the country.

“President Zardari is prepared to die for the cause of democracy rather than succumbing to any pressure to compromise”, the sources said.

According to the sources, the President has been making up his mind about his personal decisions for quite some time now. They also denounced the impression that he made up his mind after surviving three attempts aiming at unseating him from the power corridors. Rather, the sources added, the President was determined to do or die for his ambition of changing status quo with a governance system based on democracy and accountability.

Another source well acquainted with President Zardari shared with the TheNation the secret of Zardari’s self-assured grin saying, “It was always to give out a contrary impression.”

“Trust deficit has been haunting the President ever since he stepped into his political career”, the sources informed.

Ghari Khudabukhsh is the ancestral graveyard of President Zardari’s in-laws where apart from his assassinated wife and two times Prime Minister late Benazir Bhutto, his father in law late Z.A. Bhutto and brothers-in-law are buried.

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Imran Khan's Shireen Mazari and her shoddy journalism

Shireen Mazari, the General Secretary of Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, was disgracefully dismissed from the editorship of The News in the recent past. She was also reprimanded by the GHQ (Pakistan Army) for misquoting and misinterpreting Pakistan Army and the ISI on a number of occasions.

However, it appears that Shireen Mazari (also known as Lady Taliban) has maintained her standards in her capacity as the Resident Editor of The Nation.

Here is what has been observed in The News (Editorial) today:

Shoddy journalism

Thursday, November 12, 2009 (The News)

Journalists lead dangerous lives in Pakistan. They are targeted by the terrorists whose actions they report and by politicians and bureaucrats whose failings and indiscretions they expose. All this is to be expected. What a working journalist may not expect, however, is to be stabbed in the back by one of his own, as has recently happened to Matthew Rosenberg, a journalist working for the Wall Street Journal. Mr Rosenberg has been accused in a local newspaper of having links to the CIA and Mossad and of acting in some undefined way as an agent of Blackwater. As if this were not enough to blight his life and career, he is further accused of having 'secret' meetings with Secretary Law and Order FATA Secretariat, Tariq Hayat Khan, and Additional Chief Secretary FATA, Habib Khan. Both are said to have 'fed' documents to Mr Rosenberg, thereby implicating them in his alleged espionage activities. The story is based upon information from a nameless source and has no supporting evidence. Mr Rosenberg has had to leave the country and is unlikely to be working here in the foreseeable future.

The editor of the Wall Street Journal has rightly and robustly sprung to the defence of his journalist and written to the editor of the newspaper that printed the story. The opening paragraph of his letter reads … "As a fellow editor I am writing to convey in the strongest possible terms our dismay and disgust over the slanderous falsehoods published on the front page of your newspaper on November 5th regarding our reporter Matthew Rosenberg." We might add 'grossly irresponsible' and 'unprofessional' to the list of printable adjectives that may be applied to this dangerous travesty of journalism. Accusations such as this, based on information from a single unnamed source are life-threatening in their gravity. At the very least there should one other corroborating source and preferably more than one where accusations as grave as this are made. The electronic media has recently reached a voluntary agreement to 'clean up its act'; and perhaps some sections of the print media need to do the same. (Source)

Condemnation by The Committee to Protect Journalists
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has condemned The Nation for publishing “a reckless and unsubstantiated story”. Last week, Pakistan Media Watch wrote about the incident – in which The Nation published an article with no facts calling an American journalist a spy. Here is what the CPJ wrote today:

Last Thursday, Pakistan’s The Nation newspaper published a reckless and unsubstantiated story accusing Wall Street Journal South Asia correspondent Matthew Rosenberg of being a spy. It’s an accusation that gravely endangers Rosenberg’s safety. Wall Street Journal Managing Editor Robert Thomson responded with a scathing letter to The Nation’s editor, Shireen Mazari, expressing his disgust at the publication of the story, which he called baseless and false. He demanded an immediate retraction.

It’s of course deeply disturbing to us at CPJ that a newspaper would publish a story like this that clearly puts the life of a fellow reporter in danger. But we are also concerned about the source for this scurrilous information, someone the reporter identified as “an official of law enforcement agency, who requested anonymity.” Could this be a deliberate government attempt to intimidate Rosenberg and other foreign correspondents working in Pakistan? That’s a deeply chilling possibility that must be investigated.

In addition, the Managing Editor of The Wall Street Journal, Robert Thomson, wrote a scathing letter to Shireen Mazari conveying his “disgust” over “the slanderous and dangerous falsehoods published on the front page” of The Nation.

Dear Ms. Mazari,

As a fellow Editor, I am writing to convey in the strongest possible terms our dismay and disgust over the slanderous and dangerous falsehoods published on the front page of your newspaper on November 5 regarding our reporter, Mathhew Rosenberg.

Journalism is an important vocation and Pakistan has many fine and courageous journalists who operate in extremely difficult conditions. Foreign correspondents also have an important social role and are similarly exposed to danger from extremists. So for your paper to have suggested, absolutely groundlessly, that Matthew had some intelligence connection was a betrayal of our collective calling and has endangered him, all other Wall Street Journal correspondents, and all journalists and foreign correspondents in your country.

Let me set the record straight: Matthew is an experienced foreign correspondent who has worked for many years covering the region, including Pakistan. In that capacity, he has pursued no other agenda than seeking the truth and has had no other aim than to bring to the world’s attention news and analysis of what is happening in your very important country at a critical time.

Our profession has been done a great disservice by the utterly baseless article, and I call upon you to print an immediate and prominent retraction to ensure that it is widely understood that the piece was without foundation. At present, your paper is is guilty of spreading falsehoods, but it could ultimately be complicit in a far greater tragedy unless this wrong is corrected. We obviously reserve our right to pursue legal action in this instance.

Yours sincerely,

Robert Thompson

Source

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US Senate votes to triple aid to Pakistan, India protests

_{Published by: Noor Khan}
^{Published: Fri, 25 Sep 2009 at 13:09 IST}

Lalit K Jha and Betwa Sharma

Washington/New York, Sep 25 (PTI) The US Senate today voted unanimously to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to USD 1.5 billion dollars per annum till 2014, triggering fresh concerns for India, which warned that such funds have been diverted to support hostile operations against states and needs to be monitored.

The announcement to the tripling of annual aid from USD 50 million to USD 1.5 billion was made by President Barack Obama during his address to a meeting of the 'Friends of Democratic Pakistan' at the UN headquarters in New York, attended by a grouping of 26 countries and international organisations.

Obama's special envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Richard Holbrooke, called the unanimous vote on Kerry-Luger Bill "a very important step forward" for US-Pakistan ties.

"For the first time in modern era the US congress has made a multi-year commitment to Pakistan," he said.

http://www.samaylive.com/news/us-senate-votes-to-triple-aid-to-pakistan-india-protests/658701.html

U.S. ignores doubts, pledges billions more for Pakistan

By SAEED SHAH

McClatchy Newspapers

The U.S. Senate approved legislation Thursday to triple civilian financial aid to Pakistan to $7.5 billion over five years, underscoring the country's vital role in the war in Afghanistan and the broader fight against international terrorism.

The legislation had been held up for months amid partisan wrangling, and the breakthrough came as the Friends of Democratic Pakistan assistance forum met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, co-chaired by President Barack Obama.

As the U.S.-led campaign against the Taliban in Afghanistan falters, cooperation from neighboring Pakistan is crucial because Pakistan is the headquarters, a refuge and a source of financing and other support for al-Qaida, for Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar and for other Afghan insurgent groups.

Pakistan's inconsistent role in the war on terrorism, however, was highlighted again Thursday when it became clear that despite claims to the contrary, Pakistani officials haven't arrested Hafiz Saeed, the leader of Lashkar-e-Taiba, the banned jihadist group that's blamed for last year's terrorist attack in Mumbai, India.

"He goes about anywhere he likes. There's no restraint against him," A.K. Dogar, Saeed's lawyer, told McClatchy Newspapers. "This is all misinformation. He is a free man."

Reports earlier this week that Saeed had been arrested, citing police officials, seemed to be an effort to make Pakistan appear serious about combating Islamic extremism before the donors' meeting.

"It is the (extremist) mindset we're fighting. Afghan Taliban, Pakistan Taliban or al-Qaida, wherever they are. We want to tell them ... that we will not tolerate it," Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari said Thursday in New York. "We intend to bring democracy, to bring Pakistani people peace and be a responsible nation in the world."

Separately on Thursday, an anti-bribery watchdog, Transparency International, warned that Pakistan has dismantled its laws against official corruption, a development that's likely to concern Washington and other countries that are pledging billions in additional aid to Pakistan.

The aid bill, sponsored by Sens. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Richard Lugar, R-Ind., would provide $1.5 billion a year for five years, plus "such sums as are necessary" in military aid. It was the first time that the U.S. has made a multi-year commitment to Pakistan, said Richard Holbrooke, the U.S. special envoy for Pakistan and Afghanistan.

The bill stipulates that nuclear-armed Pakistan must show that it's cooperating in efforts to dismantle nuclear weapons supply networks, that it's committed to fighting terrorist groups and that its security forces aren't subverting the country's political or judicial processes.

"It isn't in my view enough ... but it is a very big commitment," Holbrooke told a news conference in New York after the Friends of Democratic Pakistan meeting. "If you study the history of Congress in recent years, you will not see other countries getting multi-year, bipartisan" support.

The U.S. pledged $1 billion to Pakistan earlier this year through the Friends of Democratic Pakistan forum, part of $5.6 billion that 20 international allies vowed to give the country for longer-term development projects.

Washington also provided $330 million for an internal refugee crisis this year that followed a military offensive against the Pakistani Taliban in the northwestern Swat valley. In addition, Pakistan demanded another $1.6 billion this week that it says it's owed under a military assistance program that dates to the presidency of George W. Bush.

Pakistan has been hit by a severe economic crisis, and it's remained afloat largely on emergency assistance from the International Monetary Fund as inefficiency, corruption and extremist violence have left it dependent on the U.S. and other donors.

On Thursday, extremists attacked Pakistani citizens who'd taken up arms against the Taliban. Eleven members of anti-Taliban militias died in two ambushes, nine of them near Bannu, a town on the edge of the tribal border zone with Afghanistan, and two in Swat, north of the capital, Islamabad.

(Shah is a McClatchy Newspapers special correspondent.)

http://www.kansascity.com/451/story/1467242.html

UPDATE 2-US Senate approves compromise bill on Pakistan aid

Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:19pm EDT

* Legislation will trip non-military aid

* Obama announces move to applause in New York

* Richard Holbrooke says move is "step forward" (Adds Obama announcing passage; Holbrooke; bill details)

By Susan Cornwell

WASHINGTON, Sept 24 (Reuters) - The U.S. Senate on Thursday approved legislation to triple non-military aid to Pakistan to about $1.5 billion a year for the next five years as part of a plan to fight extremism.

President Barack Obama had urged passage of the measure to promote stability in a nuclear-armed country that is key to the U.S. war in neighboring Afghanistan -- despite concerns the Pakistan military may support extremist groups.

Obama got word of the Senate's decision while in New York, and announced it at a meeting of donor nations to Pakistan on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, drawing applause from other leaders.

"It was the only spontaneous applause of the meeting," said Richard Holbrooke, U.S. envoy for Afghanistan and Pakistan, who called the vote "a big step forward."

The bill, approved on a voice vote, had been agreed by Senate and House sponsors of legislation passed during the summer. The sponsors were Senators John Kerry and Richard Lugar and Representative Howard Berman.

The measure, which has the "full support" of the Obama administration, expected to be approved soon by the House of Representatives.

Obama had also proposed creating "reconstruction opportunity zones" in border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, from which goods could be exported duty-free to the United States. But this was not part of the compromise reached on Thursday.

ECONOMIC TURMOIL

Pakistan has been struggling to stem Islamist violence and bolster an economy kept afloat by foreign donations and a $11.3 billion International Monetary Fund loan.

The U.S. aid, which must be approved by congressional appropriators annually from 2010 to 2014, will fund a wide range of development projects from Pakistani schools and roads to the judicial system.

While not stipulating dollar amounts of military aid, the legislation sets out conditions for such assistance, including Pakistani cooperation to dismantle nuclear supplier networks and combat terrorists, a Senate summary of the bill said.

Another condition requires Pakistani security forces not to subvert judicial processes.

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN2446030420090924

Anti-Pakistan report launched by pro-Indian lobbyists in Transparency International.

Publication of TI report ahead of Friends of Pakistan meeting is a sheer hostility against country: Fouzia Wahab

Transparency’s corruption report anti-Pakistan: Fouzia

Friday, 25 Sep, 200

KARACHI: Central Secretary Information, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Fouzia Wahab on Thursday strongly criticising a recent report of Transparency International Pakistan (TIP) about corruption in Pakistan has said the report is against our national interests.

Addressing a press conference at the Karachi Press Club, Fouzia Wahab said the objective of the TIP's report about corruption in Pakistan is to influence the public opinion.

She said the issuance of Transparency's report at such a time, when the meetings of Friends of Pakistan (FOP) are underway, is not only against the government, but it is also against the country and our national interests.

Rejecting the TIP report's alleged findings with regard to lack of accountability laws in the country, Fouzia Wahab noted that Pakistan is a functional state, where the departments are intact and the anti-corruption departments and Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) are also working.

She said we welcome the criticism but the people have given us their votes and we have to protect their rights.

The PPP leader raised a question as to why such a report had not been published in the past and its issuance at the time of the meetings of Friends of Democratic Pakistan (FoDP) is animosity with the country.

She also raised questions about the credibility as well as the aims of the patrons and financers of Transparency International.

She said the TIP's report about corruption in Pakistan is published simultaneously from New York and Islamabad with intentions against the country.

...

A relevant comment: (source pkpolitics)

saira85 said:

.... an interesting story about transparency international, a puppet of imperialist powers. In year 2008 Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, was given the lowest possible ranking by transparency international on the basis that it did not produce properly audited accounts and was withholding basic financial information about revenues, taxes and royalties. Unsurprisingly, TI’s report was seized upon by the opposition as evidence in support of their claims. PDVSA was a “company of low transparency”, and although TI did not directly suggest that PDVSA was corrupt, they do say that companies that withhold basic information from the public “leave the door open to corruption”.

But TI’s report was wrong. Not just any old wrong. But completely, utterly, glaringly wrong. All the information that TI claimed PDVSA was refusing to disclose was freely available in their Report and Accounts and published on their website and in the press.

This is the reality of TI. How one can believe on such an organization famed for publishing dubious report. Although what could be the aim of TI to issue such statement when Pakistan is about to get aid. Be Pakistani and think like Pakistani. We are so stupid that does not believe in our own men but believe in third world organization and people who can never be well wisher of this soil.

One can read full report by clicking.

http://www.venezuelanalysis.com/analysis/3553
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'Lady Taliban' Dr Shireen Mazari rebuked for misusing ISI name

The Lady Taliban, liar-in-chief of Mr. Taliban (Imran) Khan's disinformation cell, the spreader of hate speech in Pakistan, Dr Shireen Mazari, who was recently disgracefully dismissed by the administration of Jang/The News (and embraced by the pro-right wing The Nation/Nawaiwaqt) has been rebuked for misusing ISI name. Here is the news report:

Newspaper editor rebuked for misusing ISI name

* Female editor told to refrain from claiming her views mirror those of military, intelligence leadership

ISLAMABAD: Security agencies have rebuked the female editor of a Lahore-based English daily after taking notice of a campaign allegedly launched against the government and its relations with a foreign country by journalists who claim to have been briefed on the matter by the army or intelligence agencies.

Last week, the investigators of one of the country’s leading intelligence agencies visited the newly-appointed female editor and demanded she furnish concrete evidence of her newspaper’s claims of US security contractor Blackwater operating in Pakistan.

The security officials, during a meeting that lasted more than an hour-and-a-half, found that she kept changing the names of the people who had provided her with the information when asked to substantiate her claims on Blackwater’s alleged presence. A senior official who accompanied the investigators became very agitated by the claims, asking the editor to make sure she checks her facts before she publishes or comments on any reports.

No ties: The officials also told the editor to refrain from claiming close ties with the intelligence agencies and claiming – as she did recently during a television programme - that her point of view was mirrored by the military or intelligence leadership. The sentiment has been echoed by the military leadership, which has criticised the tendency of a certain section of the media to attribute its claims to sources within the military or intelligence services. This has included the intelligence services stating that media reports of Blackwater operating in Pakistan are baseless. staff report (Daily Times)

Previously on 7 September 2009:

Shireen Mazari replaces Arif Nizami as Editor The Nation

LAHORE: Dr Shireen Mazari, the former director of the Islamabad Institute of Strategic Studies and Information Secretary of the Pakistan Tehreek Insaaf, has replaced Arif Nizami as the Editor of The Nation, a private television channel reported on Monday. According to the channel, Dr Mazari was appointed The Nation editor following Waqt Media Group Editor-in-Chief Majeed Nizami’s decision to sack Arif Nizami. daily times monitor

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Kashmala Tariq versus Firdous Ashiq Awan: Solve a puzzle.

Please watch this video, and decide:

Who are the two worst persons in this talk-show out of the following four:

Javed Chaudhry, Shireen Mazari, Fridous Awan and Kashmala Tariq

Kashmala Tariq & Firdous Ashiq in Aaj TV's Kal Tak

Our answer is:

1. The Lady Taliban (Dr Imran Khan Mazari); and
2. The media face of Taliban, Mr Fake Story Mullah Omar Chaudhry

Some comments
Source: pkpolitics

gayan said:
if Sheikh Rasheed would have used the same language , i am sure many of you would have applauded him.

Just because Dr Awan is women she cant call a Pr-s—-te a Pr-s—-te .

Well done Dr Awan……you said what we all think of Kishmala……..

Ch Shujat on a tv programme said that Mushrauff apprroved Kishmala ’s name for MNA with GREEN pencil.

gayan said:
Fridous ashiq awan received 85000 votes from sialkot and her opponent received only 40000.

how many votes kishmala had………

Kishmala’s fake laugh sums up everything.

what is kishmala’s background.

Imran Khan

Mian Waheed

hamayoun akhtar

mussharuff

zardari

I guess Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was just talking facts.

lota6177 said:

firdous awan on fire and she blew off kashmala like a little …………
Highly explosive hot hot hot
kashmala littar parade

c hussain said:

People are against Firdaus because she was wearing a dupatta and she is fat and not good looking likd Kashmala. I am so disappointed at the people here writing blogs. This was same Kashmala who went to USA supporting President Musharraf emergency and now she talks about real democracy. She was snubbed by Ali Ahsan son of Aitzaz Ahsan when she was supporting Musharraf and ridiculing CJ along with Barisstar Saif.

Firdaus would get more votes in next election – no doubt because that is what people see and not what they are told.

Mian Waheed former MNA from Lahore had instituted a case against Kashmala because she dumped him after using him to get into politics. Firdaus said right that Kashmala can do anything to achieve what she wants to. When Chaudhry Shujaat didnt given her importance she started conspiring against him particularly after she managed to get a ticket for women special seat. How can she call Firdaus a loti when she herself after using Chaudhry Shujaat and getting an MNA special seat ticket she dumped him and joined Hum Khiyal group. At least Firdaus didnt do that. She PMLQ BEFORE THE ELECTIONS and she won on open seat against Amir Hussain former Speaker National Assembly.

Can anyone tell me from where did Kashmala collect all her wealth and assets. Her father or family wasnt a rich family. She has been using people for her own self and came to this state.

Kashif said:

@c hussain

I agree with you man. If Kashmala Tariq started politics from bedroom by sleeping with political elite whats wrong in bringing it up. I applaud Firdos Awan for calling spade a spade. Unless we can openly discuss their past we won’t be able get rid of these kind of bit*hes out of political arena. On the other hand Firdos Awan like Abidad Hussain comes from general elections. Those who come on women seats like Kashmala Tariq, Fozia Wahab and many others are no match to her.

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"Lady Taliban" Shireen Mazari sacked from The News for spreading disinformation and hate speech

Shame on you Lady Taliban 'Daktar' Shireen Mazari, Shame on you Taliban Khan, Imran Khan for having such an intellectually dishonest, yellow journalist as your party's secretary for (dis)information.

Lady Taliban's gang members:

• Shireen Mazari (Lady Taliban)
• Ansar Abbasi (media face of Taliban)
• Muhammad Ahmed Noorani (personal assistant of Ansar Abbasi)
• Saleh Zaafir (member of sleeping cell of Al Qaeda in the News)
• Shaheen Sehbai (liar in chief, agent of the ISI in the media)

Clarification

Monday, September 07, 2009 A press conference of Dr. Shireen Mazari was reported in the newspapers of Thursday (September 3) in which it was indicated that The News International had been pressurised by the US Embassy into dropping her article, although it appeared in the same day’s issue. Some websites have also alleged that the US ambassador has written a ‘private’ letter to the Jang Group pressuring that Dr. Mazari’s article be dropped. We are surprised that someone as familiar with the Jang Group’s editorial policy as Dr. Mazari — an official turned politician and Information Secretary/ Spokesperson of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf — should level such unfounded allegations. The facts of the matter are as follows: * The US ambassador had sent a letter to the Jang Group complaining that in her article published in The News the week before, Dr. Shireen Mazari had levelled certain incorrect allegations that had endangered the life of a US citizen. * In accordance with our policy, and accepted international norms, we referred the complaint to Dr. Shireen Mazari — for her feedback and comments. * While this complaint was being investigated, Dr. Mazari sent another article on Tuesday (September 1), which was to be published the next day — that is on Wednesday. In this article she had again levelled certain allegations, which were also without attribution. Since certain contentions in the previous article had been refuted and were under investigation and she had not produced any evidence or reliable reference to prove the same (nor has she been able to do so till date), we reverted to Dr. Mazari and asked if she could substantiate these allegations. The concerned editor also informed her that her article had been referred to the concerned department to make sure that it was not libellous. As it happens, on receiving supporting comments from her, as well as advice from the concerned editor, the article was published the very next day — that is on Thursday. * It is normal for embassies, political parties and other affected people and institutions to complain against perceived bias and the letter from the US ambassador was in the same vein. She neither asked us in the above letter nor any time in the past to drop articles by Dr. Mazari or by any other contributor holding similar views and writing for many years in The News. The ambassador also did not desire that the letter be kept confidential. While we take all complaints seriously, we allow them to exert no pressure on us or influence editorial policy or decisions. Therefore, at no point did anyone from the management or editorial staff of The News suggest to Dr. Mazari that this, or future, articles by her would not be published. * We not only publish articles by some of the most respected columnists in the country, but as a matter of policy, give space to people holding strong and diverse opinions. Since years some of the fiercest criticism of US policies has been voiced on the pages of The News. We are sorry that she chose to go public with accusations that have no basis in fact. — Editorial Board.

US marines not coming to Pakistan: US embassy 8 September 2009

ISLAMABAD: America's plans for a major expansion of its diplomatic presence in Pakistan, including the possible takeover of a bombed luxury hotel near the Taliban heartland, have heightened tensions and bred rumors in a population rife with anti-U.S. sentiment. Among the tales being floated that 1,000 US Marines will land in the capital, that Americans will set up a Guantanamo-style prison and that the infamous security contractor once called Blackwater will come in and wreak havoc. The frenzy, much of it whipped up by the media and Islamist political parties, shows the difficulties for the US as it seeks to increase its engagement in a country where a flourishing militant movement is threatening the war effort in neighboring Afghanistan. The US says it needs to expand mainly to disburse billions of dollars more in aid to Pakistan, an impoverished nation of 175 million people. Pakistanis tend to view US motives with suspicion, pointing to a history of American support for the country's past military rulers and involvement in its internal affairs, which they say has stunted the economy and democratic aspirations. Others believe the US is out to end Pakistan's nuclear weapons program, a source of domestic pride. In recent weeks, several newspapers have published unconfirmed reports that 1,000 U.S. Marines will be posted at the US Embassy in Islamabad — which would be a significant jump from the nine there now. US officials say at most the number may reach 20. Marine security guards are routine at US missions abroad. The head of the Islamist political party Jamaat-e-Islami, which has demonstrated against the expansion, recently claimed that the US also plans to build a Guantanamo-like prison, according to a newspaper report. The US denies the claim. Rumors aside, the embassy does plan to reconstruct the buildings on its 38-acre (15-hectare) compound and acquire an additional 18 acres (7 hectares), much of which will be used for apartments, embassy spokesman Richard Snelsire said. About 1,450 employees work for the embassy: 1,000 Pakistanis, 250 Americans posted to the site and another 200 Americans on short-term assignments. The plan is to add around 400 people, including about 200 more posted U.S. staffers, Snelsire said. The major reason for the growth is a proposal in Congress to triple nonmilitary aid to Pakistan, he said. The legislation would provide $1.5 billion a year over five years in humanitarian and economic aid. The goal is to improve education and other areas, thereby lessening the allure of extremism. "There are Congressional demands for oversight of where that money is spent," Snelsire said, explaining the need for more personnel. There are more modest expansion plans for consulates, including the one in Peshawar, the main city in the militant-riddled northwest. The State Department is searching for a new site for that consulate, long believed to be a key hub for American spies. One possible location is the city's top hotel, the Pearl Continental, two senior US officials confirmed in June, soon after the hotel was bombed. Taking such prime property, though, could provoke resentment. Snelsire would not discuss which sites were under review. He said the expansion would happen over five to seven years and stressed that many of the current facilities are old, decrepit or small. The United States has tried to stem the bad publicity by writing letters to newspapers and holding briefings for the Pakistani media, but rumors persist. "There is a lot of, frankly, just misinformation out there, and it keeps getting published just over and over by a few journalists," Snelsire said.

Stop misrepresenting facts Ms Mazari!

Saturday, September 05, 2009

Shireen Mazari's article titled "Targeting Pakistan and silencing the critics" is basically a misrepresentation geared to paint the US as being the enemy, and Al Qaeda and the Taliban threats as being non-existent. Thus, e.g., the title itself gives the impression that it is the US (not the Taliban) that is attacking Pakistan. Thus, she claims that US diplomats target their critics in Pakistan with 'a new ferocity' and the US media and politicians target Pakistan's nuclear and military capability. This is total misrepresentation of reality. The reality is that Pakistan has become a legitimate public issue in the US after 9/11 because, in the ensuing years, the Taliban and Al Qaeda were able to enter and establish strongholds inside Pakistan.

Furthermore, Ms Mazari ignores the help in Pakistan's defence provided by the US military and economic assistance, as well as of other measures, including the drone attacks. If Ms Mazari believes that this military and economic assistance from the US is not of significant help to Pakistan at this critical time, or that the removal of Baitullah Mehsud by a US drone has not thrown Pakistan's enemies into disarray, then she should provide reasons.

How many more Pakistanis have to die, how much more instability and turmoil must the nation endure, before the entire nation unites and recognises the true face of the enemy rather than allowing itself to be misled by misrepresentations and fooled by the mask of 'Islam' that the enemy wears? It is time commentators like Ms Mazari started taking seriously this real threat to Pakistan's sovereignty, the real deaths of Pakistani civilians and army jawans in this war, and the resulting insecurity and instability in the nation.

Tauheed Ahmed

Gaithersburg, MD, US
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=196672

Misleading interpretations

Thursday, August 27, 2009
The three articles by Shireen Mazari, Ahmed Quraishi and Asif Ezdi (all on Aug 26) interpret current events in a manner that raises several questions. Ms Mazari blasts the present rulers for what she calls their submission to the US as well as wealthy investors from Gulf states. This is being selective given that because the US has been interfering in our internal affairs since 1947. Why then dump the entire debris of US domination at the doors of the present leaders? As regards the investment by rich Gulf states in our country the writer needs to study the economy of the global village. Pakistan is not an island .We have to live with others in a world economy which has become increasingly integrated and inexorably interdependent. If however the writer wants to get rid of overbearing US interference in our domestic affairs is she prepared to promote SAARC solidarity on the pattern of the EU?

As for Ahmed Qureshi, he seems not to have interpreted 'Pak-nationalism' in sync with the spirit of our times and Jinnah's progressive school of thought. In fact, Jaswant Singh has done a far better job than our own intellectual. The third writer and my former colleague, Asif Ezdi, should know that the courts will take care of the NRO and Musharraf's trial. Hence, he should not be making a big deal of matters that are sub judice? Members of our intelligentsia need to capture the sense of our times which have changed beyond recognition.

B A Malik

Former ambassador,

Islamabad
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=195100

Abraaj clarification

Saturday, August 29, 2009
Dr Shireen Mazari's article of August 26 titled: "Our leaders' voluntary submission to colonisation" contains a significant mistruth in the accusation that Abraaj Capital is an investor in the acquisition of agricultural land in Pakistan. Abraaj is required by both its shareholders and by the regulatory authorities in its operating jurisdictions of the MENASA region to maintain a policy of full disclosure in the nature of its investment mandate, the identity and sources of its capital and also in the details around its investments and investment strategies, past (exited) and present.

All of Abraaj Capital's investments are disclosed at the time of the investment closure and typically take place as a matter of record, with appropriate public announcement, regulatory disclosure and media releases if required. It is both inaccurate and commercially damaging to Abraaj Capital's reputation for investments that it has not made to be presented as such by third parties.

An accurate reflection of Abraaj's activities as a global leader in private equity can we viewed by interested parties at www.abraaj.com/

Syed Farrukh Abbas

CEO Abraaj Capital Pakistan Ltd,

Karachi
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=195516

Read more...

Shireen Mazari: Jinnah, democracy, shariah and our lies...

Dr SHIREEN M MAZARI examines the difference in what we pratice and what we preach.

Living a lie

At the root of most of our real and imagined problems lies the fact that we have been living a lie since the death of Jinnah, thanks to our ruling elite. That has impacted on our perceptions and problems over the years as one lie after another was generated, both on the domestic and external fronts. The impact of living a lie can be felt across the board now, reflecting an insecure and fear-ridden mindset that is unable to take bold, innovative policy measures.

One of the most damaging lies we have been living, especially since the Zia dictatorship is the selective denial of Jinnah's legacy. In the theocrat's efforts to make Pakistan into an "Islamic" state - from what, one has never really been clearly told - the vision of Pakistan that the founder of the nation had has gradually all but vanished completely.

At a time when the government is trying to restructure the polity, recalling Jinnah's vision in its entirety, and not in distorted selectivity, is critical if we are to rise above the malaise of polarisation and sectarianism that has pervaded our civil society today. Because we have allowed ourselves the luxury of oblivion on Jinnah, those with vested interests are now clamouring to get their notion of Pakistan enforced, and are only too ready to call into question the Muslim identity of anyone who opposes them. In the process, these people have managed to create a divisive and polarised society where the minorities are being pushed more and more into a peripheral existence within the state of Pakistan. And from amongst the Muslim majority, sectarianism has successfully divided the polity with the threat of being branded "unIslamic" constantly hanging above everyone's head.

Yet, Jinnah's address to the Constituent Assembly on August 11, 1947 is as clear an enunciation of the foundation of Pakistan as one can hope to get. As Jinnah told the new nation:

"You are free; you are free to go to your temples, you are free to go to your mosques or to any other places of worship in this state of Pakistan. You may belong to any religion or caste or creed - that has nothing to do with the business of the State ... We are starting with this fundamental principle that we are all citizens and equal citizens of one State."

In other words, politically there was going to be no distinction or discrimination between any citizen because of his/her caste, creed or colour. Politically, all citizens were equal - a point Jinnah elaborated upon in the same speech:

"... you will find that in course of time Hindus would cease to be Hindus and Muslims would cease to be Muslims, not in the religious sense, because that is the personal faith of each individual, but in the political sense as citizens of the State."

There was no "grey zone" on this count for Jinnah and there must not be one now for the present leadership. Too much hatred has stacked up because of a denial of resoluteness on this count. When the state creates political laws, including electoral laws, where citizens are discriminated against on the basis of their religion then that is a substantive move away from the Quaid's vision of Pakistan. And the imposition of separate electorates is one such impingement on the rights of the non-Muslims of Pakistan.

So why is the vision of Jinnah so critical even today? Because it is the basis for our nation's existence. The Muslims of India followed Jinnah to independence and the very foundations of the state must not be allowed to be destroyed. It is time we really examined whether Jinnah's Pakistan was a state for the Muslims of India - where they would be free to live and practice their way of life - or whether it was intended to be a theocratic state. When Jinnah himself was asked this point, this is how he commented in a press conference in Delhi, on June 13, 1947:

"Q: Will Pakistan be a secular or a theocratic state?

"Mr Jinnah: You are asking me a question that is absurd. I do not know what a theocratic state means.

"A correspondent suggested that a theocratic state meant a state where only people of a particular religion, for example Muslims, could be full citizens and non-Muslims would not be full citizens.

"Mr Jinnah: Then it seems to me that what I have already said is like throwing water on duck's back. (Laughter) For goodness sake, get out of your head the nonsense that is being talked about. What this theocratic state means I do not understand.

"Another correspondent suggested that the questioner meant a state run by Maulanas.

"Mr Jinnah: What about the Government run by Pundits in Hindustan? (laughter) When you talk of democracy,

Mr Jinnah went on, I am afraid you have not studied Islam. We learned democracy thirteen centuries ago."

So Jinnah acknowledges the underlying supremacy of Islam within the ideal of Pakistan but not in the distorted form of a theocratic state where non-Muslims are discriminated against and sidelined from the mainstream.

In his introduction to Volume II of the First Series of Jinnah Papers, the editor, Z H Zaidi, states that Jinnah clearly felt that the government of the new state of Pakistan would, as Jinnah put it "function with the will and sanction of the entire body of people in Pakistan, irrespective of caste, creed or colour."

According to Zaidi, "Jinnah vehemently disclaimed that the future State of Pakistan would be a 'theocracy'; far from it! He in fact declared that there was no room for theocracy, i.e. rule by religious divines. In his public speeches and statements, Jinnah did not leave a shred of doubt that the new State would not be run by an obscurantist religious leadership."

For Jinnah modern democracy was, according to Zaidi, "in essence a rediscovery of the old democratic tradition of Islam. ..."

One reason why we are able to be selective about Jinnah's legacy is because we are living another critical lie in the form of constant distortions of our history. Whenever governments change, so does the country's recorded history. Worse still, we as a nation have been extremely selective about owning up to our pre-1947 historical and cultural heritage. Being unable to come to term with all the varied influences of our past, we have been unable to come to term with the realities of the Pakistani state and its ruling elite over the decades. Every government seeks to rewrite the history books. And national traumas are glossed over - see what you can find on 1971 and the crisis in East Pakistan. And see whether anyone talks of the impact of the 1965 war in nurturing the seeds of Bengali nationalism?

But that was a major historical turning point. Our ruling elite cannot even tolerate the realities relating to past governments and political leaders - so the history books are constantly rewritten and our children grow up on lies. Lies breed an insecure nation - for confidence comes from being able to face the truth, no matter how unpleasant for in that confrontation we learn our lessons. Which is why it is not surprising to find mistakes continuously repeated by us as a nation.

Today we continue to be burdened by the habitual deception and lies that are the endemic to our ruling elite. There is a lack of courage to concede errors - be they historical or present in context. That is why we are easy prey for our enemies who are able to exaggerate our defeats and undermine our victories. Take the case of Bangladesh. One reason the Indians and other antagonists have continued to harp on the demise of the Two-Nation theory post-1971 is because we as a nation have failed to examine what led to the political crisis, which eventually emboldened India to aggress militarily in East Pakistan. Instead, we have tried to obliterate this momentous turning point in our history as far as we can. Our younger generations know nothing of the national trauma we suffered, so they cannot comprehend the tragedy of the Biharis and the unjust manner in which Pakistan's ruling elite continues to ignore the plight of these dedicated Pakistani nationalists. Worse still, because we refuse to own up to the crisis and have a national catharsis we are not able to assertively refute Indian claims regarding the demise of the Two-Nation theory. Yet, the reality is that the creation of Bangladesh is a reaffirmation of the Two-Nation theory - otherwise East Pakistan would have become a part of Indian Bengal rather than an independent Muslim state. But this point can only be argued once we have the national confidence to accept our shortcomings that allowed for the loss of East Pakistan.

Source: http://www.defencejournal.com/2000/aug/living-lie.htm

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Shireen Mazari joins PTI

Friday, November 28, 2008

ISLAMABAD: Defence analyst Dr Shireen Mazari on Thursday joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf (PTI).

PTI Chairman Imran Khan made Mazari the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) member and head of its Foreign Committee.

He said in a statement that Mazari had in-depth knowledge, analytical mind and longing for independent policy, which was completely in line with the PTI vision. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\11\28\story_28-11-2008_pg11_6

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Here is a picture of some of our "leaders" who are adding lies and confusion to Jinnah's Pakistan:

.....

Here is some evidence of how Dr. Shireen Mazari lives her own 'truths'.

Farrhat Taj responds to Shireen Mazari: FATA: some more fantasies

"Lady Taliban" Dr. Shireen Mazari, the latest addition into Imran Khan's pro-Taliban arsenal....

A specimen of Pakistani intellect - Khurshid Nadeem analyses a recent column by Shireen Mazari

Is Imran Khan the new choice of agencies (ISI) in Pakistan?

Read more...

Farrhat Taj responds to Shireen Mazari: FATA: some more fantasies

FATA: some more fantasies

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 Farhat Taj This is in response to articles by Shireen Mazari on these pages on Feb 4 and 11. She has written that the Iranians are upset over the presence of Jundullah in Baluchistan. This outfit has been involved in terrorist activities in Iran and its presence in Pakistan is clearly damaging the country's relations with Iran. I completely agree. The government of Pakistan must make sure that no terrorist activity on Iranian soil is facilitated by or originates in our side. But, often, Ms Mazari and most other analysts do not mention an equally if not more serious factor that has been creating bitterness in the relationship between the two countries for years: the targeting of Shias in Pakistan and the failure of the state to protect them. They are citizens as well and it is the intitutional responsibility of the state to protect the lives and properties of its Shia citizens. If the state fulfills its responsibility, a strong reason poisoning the relationship of Pakistan with Iran will be removed. In NWFP and FATA the killers of Shias (and of course of Sunnis) are Taliban, especially those linked with the Punjab based sectarian outfits. Why have successive governments of Pakistan failed to protect its Shia citizens? There are two perceptions among Pakhtuns. One is that sectarian outfits (both Taliban and non-Taliban) are linked with powerful Wahabi elements in Saudi Arabia whom the government of Pakistan does not want to displease – by coming down hard on the outfits. To this, is added the perception among some that the military establishment does not want to eliminate these outfits either because they may be of use in jihad in Afghanistan and India. These Pakhtun are angry at governments in Pakistan for allowing both Iran and Saudi Arabia to fight their proxy ideological war on Pakistani soil. Many Pakhtun argue there has never been any Shai- Sunni problem among them and what we saw were tribal rivalries which were given a sectarian color in the heat of the moment. They argue that they can manage their tribal or sectarian problems within the tribal code of Pakhtunwali, if both Saudis and Iranians leave them alone or the government of Pakistan fulfills its constitutional obligation and counters the deadly ideological interventions of the two countries in Pakistan. Shireen Mazari says that existence of Al-Qaeda safe havens in FATA is just as much a 'reality' as were the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq that warranted the US invasion of the country. The fact of the matter is that Al Qaeda does not have pockets, so to speak, of safe havens in FATA but rather the whole of FATA's territory is a sanctuary for Al Qaeda and Taliban. FATA is now occupied territory – nothing less – and the occupiers (Arabs, Tajiks, Uzbeks, Punjabis and Pakhtuns) are hell bent upon writing off the Pakhtun culture of the area. I recently interviewed a singer from Waziristan for my documentary film on the area. With tears in his eyes he told, it is his culture that is under harshest assault by the Al Qaeda and Taliban militants. His brother has been killed by the Taliban, because his brother, he said, was a brave man and challenged the high handedness of Al Qaeda and Taliban militants in his village. The singer has received many death threats for singing Pashto music. He lives as an internally displaced person in another place in Pakistan. He told me he will never give up singing. This, he said, is his 'cultural Jihad' with which he will continue to defy the Al Qaeda occupation of his homeland. Ms Mazari has urged the prime minister and the president to go to Swat and FATA to see the fate of their people they have left unsecure against attacks by the US. What attacks? If she means drone attacks, there has never been any drone attack on Swat, although people of Swat have been praying for the US drones to attack the headquarters of the Swat Taliban. Moreover, I have already explained in my article of Feb 17 how the people of FATA see the drone attacks – not quite what is depicted in the mainstream media. I would urge Ms Mazari and other analysts as well to go to FATA to see the reality there. As for her argument that the current approach of the government towards FATA is military-centric and that there should be a political framework, one is in agreement. However, there is a caveat to this, and that is that the political framework must be formed in consultations with the tribes, not Taliban or Al Qaeda. Also, it should be remembered that no political framework can function without a territory. The state has lost territory in FATA. Where shall the political framework be implemented when there is no territory in state control for the purpose? First the territory has to be retaken to be followed by a political framework to be implemented. Unfortunately the territory has to be retaken by force. Al Qaeda and Taliban are not going to give up the territory they have conquered or was willfully surrended to them. (The News) The writer is a research fellow at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Research, University of Oslo, and a member of Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy. Email: bergen 34@yahoo.com

Also read:

Shireen Mazari: Jinnah, democracy, shariah and our lies...

"Lady Taliban" Dr. Shireen Mazari, the latest addition into Imran Khan's pro-Taliban arsenal....

A specimen of Pakistani intellect - Khurshid Nadeem analyses a recent column by Shireen Mazari

Is Imran Khan the new choice of agencies (ISI) in Pakistan?

Read more...

"Lady Taliban" Dr. Shireen Mazari, the latest addition into Imran Khan's pro-Taliban arsenal....: Farhat Taj writes

Fantasising about FATA

Tuesday, February 17, 2009 Farhat Taj In her article on Jan 28 Shireen Mazari argues that the people of FATA support the militants because they see the Pakistani army as fighting America's war. This is the most absurd thing I keep hearing from people who clearly have little idea about the culture and people of FATA. My question to them is a simple one: if the Taliban militants are so popular, how does one explain the formation of so many anti-Taliban tribal armies all over FATA? The Taliban have target killed the leaders of those armies, which according to the popular Pakhtun perception, was with the tacit consent of the intelligence agencies. How could the people of FATA support those who have assassinated their entire tribal leadership and have massacred so many young men of the tribal armies? How come the people of FATA support the Taliban who have replaced their Pakhtunwali with a Taliban order? The residents of FATA are not ready to surrender their Pakhtun way of life and therefore are bearing the brunt of Taliban savagery. Under the code of Pakhtunwali, an outsider may go to FATA wearing an culture specific to his or her own culture without inviting any sanction from the tribes. This is because members of the tribes will understand that the outside is from a different culture and would hence respect the outsider for what he or she is. However, under the Taliban, the same person, especially a woman, venturing into FATA, without a burqa or similar attire would be liable to be punished with lashes. Also, it may come as a surprise to many readers that in FATA's culture the drum and dance have always played an important role. However, since the Taliban's occupation of the area, these two age-old traditions have been banned. Hence, only outsiders who are not well-informed would think that the local people would be supporting the occupiers who have replaced their melodious Pashto music with jihadi anthems that are played loudly throughout the region. The common perception among all Pakhtuns, including those in FATA, is that the Taliban are "strategic assets" of the military establishment and have been given a free hand by the establishment to eliminate all those Pakhtuns who dare to challenge them. Many Pakhtuns see what is happening between the military and the Taliban in FATA as instances of "friendly fire." The belief is that, by doing so, they both get what they want – the Taliban, a terrorised population on whom they can implement their jihadi agenda and the establishment gets to play its power games vis-a-vis regional and international powers. From what one reads and hears, it seems that most analysts in the media are either not aware of this reality, or deliberately hide it from their readers/audience. People believe that the army is perfectly capable of crushing the Taliban but that the will is lacking. Many people in FATA and other parts of the NWFP I have met in recent weeks and months as part of my ongoing research have said that they don't see much difference between Baituallah Mehsud and Fazllulah on the one hand and the senior and retired leadership of the establishment. To go back to Ms Mizari's article, she criticises the US drone attacks, calling them a violation of our national dignity and sovereignty. However, the matter is far more complex and not as black-and-white an issue as she is making it out to be. Many people are of the view that many of the drone attacks have hit precise targets and have succeeded in eliminating foreign militants such as Arabs, Uzbeks, Tajiks and Afghans – as well as local Taliban. There have also been some civilian deaths but most people seem more concerned with the militants who die. In any case, if more terrorists are killed than civilians, then most people seem satisfied with the attacks. It may be very difficult for some people (read: our armchair analysts) to belief this, but the fact of the matter is that most people of FATA are fed up with the occupation of their homeland by the Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists and they are actually happy to see them killed – even if that happens to be by US drones! In any case, many of the residents of the region do not exactly see the drone attacks as a violation of our national sovereignty. And their reasoning is quite straightforward; they say that long before the drones came, much of FATA had been ceded by the state to the militants. And they say that when this was happening – engineered or otherwise – why wasn't much fuss made about the loss of national sovereignty by anybody then? In this context, the people see, for instance, drone attacks by the US on South Waziristan as a matter not between Washington and Islamabad but between Washington and Baitullah Mehsud. For Pakistan to have a say in it, the territory must be retaken by it. Thus, the question of violation of the national dignity and sovereignty of Pakistan does not even come up, as long as the area is under the occupation of the Taliban. (The News) The writer is a research fellow at the Centre for Interdisciplinary Gender Research, University of Oslo, and a member of Aryana Institute for Regional Research and Advocacy. Email: bergen34@yahoo.com

Also read:

Shireen Mazari: Jinnah, democracy, shariah and our lies...

Farrhat Taj responds to Shireen Mazari: FATA: some more fantasies

A specimen of Pakistani intellect - Khurshid Nadeem analyses a recent column by Shireen Mazari

Is Imran Khan the new choice of agencies (ISI) in Pakistan?

Read more...