Posts tagged south asia

The PEACE Act 2009 (Kerry-Lugar Bill)

6
2 years ago
by Ammar in , , ,

The PPP government celebrates the passing of the “Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act” by the USA Congress which would provide an estimated $1.5 billion per year in financial assistance to Pakistan for the next 5 years. The conditions that have been set for the provision of this assistance are, to say the least, humiliating for any patriotic Pakistani.

The conditions associated with this bill constitute most text of the text this bill contains which I took the time to read through in detail.

Let me highlight only a few of the absolutely disappointing clauses that are included as “conditions” for this aid:

to ensure access of United States investigators to individuals suspected of engaging in worldwide proliferation of nuclear materials, as necessary, and restrict such individuals from travel or any other activity that could result in further proliferation;

This is a clear indication that the PPP led government is ready to risk a National Security issue of such importance for a small amount of money. By accepting this assistance, the government intends to agree to give the United States access to nuclear scientist, Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, which is absolutely NOT acceptable to the people of Pakistan. (more…)

Regional Isolation for Pakistan?

5
2 years ago
by Ammar in , , ,

We have a declared enemy in India on one side of the border – a notorious Afghanistan on the other. We have a friends to our North in China and Iran to our South-West. I have failed to understand why, ever since the present government has assumed control, the government has literally snubbed the Chinese a few times and irritated Iran on multiple counts while trying its best to butter-up Afghanistan and India to become ‘friends’ of Pakistan!

I could not find time to write on several issues that have bothered me – transit trade via Pakistan to Afghanistan being one of them. I could not find time to write how bad I felt when our leaders spent thousands of dollars in an Indian night club in the United States when millions sit homeless in the land of the pure!

This is an issue I want to write about. This is a question my mind is putting up again and again. Are we now headed into complete regional isolation amidst talk of Iran closing the Pak-Iran border? (more…)

Obama’s Litmus Test?

6
3 years ago
by Ammar in ,

It is too early to say whether or not Barrack Hussain Obama’s approach to the Muslim world would be any different to that of the Bush administration. He has made big promises and committed himself to ‘change’, however there isn’t much time left before he actually steps into the White house as President of the United States of America.

The past two months have been difficult for the world. First, it was Mumbai and then barbaric Israeli terrorism in Gaza. Both India and Israel enjoyed full support of the White house and George W. Bush.

It seems as if the Mumbai drama, staged by the Indians and the Israeli’s together, has failed to achieve its objective and Pakistan has come out of it clean. It is interesting to note, however, that once we noticed the dust settling here in South Asia – the Israeli’s launched a full scale war on the Gaza strip. The Indian-Israeli nexus of terror is strong and requires a dedicated column to explain.

(more…)

One last shift: Let us stop banking on the USA

7
3 years ago
by Ammar in , ,

By Syed Ammar Faheem

Sunday, 19th October – 2008

America is collapsing under systems and practices of its own. In such turbulent times, when not only the USA but Europe as well, face this man made financial catastrophe – the world is looking towards China with hope and despair! Why are we still allied to the USA? How do we define the terms friend, ally and enemy? (more…)

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