Nawaz Sharief claims US offered him $5 billion to give up nuclear assets
Lahore: Daily Ausaf, May 28, 2010. Pakistan Muslim League (N) Chief and former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has claimed that the United States had offered him $5 trillion in return for not following India after India conducted nuclear tests in 1998.
Giving details, Sharif told a party rally that he was in Kazakhstan at that time and immediately ordered Pakistan to respond. Mushahid Hussain, a key aide who was then the Information Minister, also advised in favour of going nuclear. Taking potshots at former President Pervez Musharraf, Nawaz Sharif claimed that a military dictator could never have taken such a bold decision.
Taliban says Mullah Fazlullah is alive
Peshawar: Daily Khabrain/ Jasarat, May 27, 2010. About 300 Pakistan Taliban insurgents, led by Mullah Fazlullah who led the movement in Swat valley till last year, entered Afghanistan’s eastern province of Nuristan, and engaged local police forces. More than 250 local policemen were to used to bring the ingress to a halt. The Taliban refuted the claim that Fazlullah had died in the skirmish.
Plebiscite cannot solve the Kashmir problem
Islamabad: Daily Jang/Ausaf, May 28, 2010. Recent field study conducted by Dr. Robert Bradnock of the British Chatham House has brought out common sentiments among Kashmiris residing on both sides of the Line of Control. The survey, which interviewed 3,7000 Kashmiris, concluded that 44 percent of the respondents residing in Pakistan administered Kashmir favoured independence, while 43 percent of those residing on the Indian side favoured secession. While 74 to 95 percent of the Muslim population want independence, only one percent of the Hindu community was of the same opinion. The survey also revealed that about 43 percent Kashmiris in Indian administered Kashmir were concerned about human rights, while only 19 percent harboured such fears in Pakistan administered Kashmir. The survey clearly suggests that plebiscite may not be able to solve the Kashmir problem in favour of Pakistan.
China playing the role of Pakistan’s guardian
Islamabad: Daily Ausaf, May 26, 2010. At a time when the entire world, especially the so-called ’friendly countries’, is critical of Pakistan, China continues to play the role of Pakistan’s guardian. During his recent visit to Pakistan, the Chinese Defence Minister signed many agreements, pledging military support, joint-exercises, counter terrorism aid, and nuclear cooperation, says a report in the daily. It said China has proven once again that it is a true friend of the Pakistani people, who hold the relationship with the Chinese in high esteem.
Pakistani hackers destroy 300 Indian websites
Islamabad: Daily Ausaf, May 27, 2010. A Pakistani hacker group called ’G-Force’ has disabled more than 300 Indian websites, says a report in this newspaper. It says the cyber attack was launched after 160 Pakistani websites, including those of sensitive organisations like the National Bank of Pakistan, were attacked by Indian hackers. Many affected sites are yet to be fully restored.
Supreme Court releases Lashkar Chief Hafiz Sayeed
Islamabad: Daily Jasarat, May 26, 2010. A three-member bench of the Supreme Court has ordered the release of Hafiz Saeed, who was arrested after the United Nations banned Jamaat-ed-Dawa following the Mumbai 26/11 terror attack. He was under the house arrest since then. His advocate A.K.Dogar argued that Sayeed, who runs 180 educational institutions including 52 madrasas and four universities, had been wrongly detained.
Pak Minister says Baloch militants joining Taliban
Islamabad: Daily Jasarat, May 26, 2010. Interior Minister Rehman Malik has revealed that some Baloch militants have joined hands with the Taliban and are conspiring to secede from Pakistan. Delivering a talk at the National Defence University, he accused the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Republican Army (BRA) and Balochistan Liberation United Front (BLUF) of spreading anarchy in the province. He said that five to six thousand members of the BLA were residing in madrasas after finishing their training. He also said that the government is providing jobs and education to the unemployed. However, Baloch leader Maulana Wasey criticized the government’s actions, saying that most of the jobs have instead been allotted to non-Baloch citizens.
Corruption increasing under Zardari: Liaqat Baloch
Lahore: Daily Jang/Jasarat, May 26, 2010. Secretary General of the Jamaat-i-Islami, Liaqat Baloch, said that corruption has increased during President Asif Ali Zardari’s term in office. He said that prices of commodities have increased by 100 to 132 per cent and foreign loan increased from $3800 million to $4400 million. He accused the government of embezzling $7 million in the past year. Echoing comments made by PML chief Nawaz Sharif, Liaqat Baloch highlighted the issue of Zardari’s Swiss bank accounts which are believed to be to the tune of $60 million, and accused the government of creating hurdles in the return of the same.
New terror tactics
Rawalpindi: Daily Ausaf, May 25, 2010. Sources in the intelligence agencies have reveal that terrorists have devised a new tactic to organize attacks in Punjab province by infiltrating truck bombs in Lahore and Rawalpindi. Letters received by regional and district police officials have revealed that Abdul Lateef Afghani alias ’Colonel’ of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Taliban has created three units to carry out terrorist plots in Punjab. The new terrorist strategy is devised at a time when Pakistan is expected to enter another round of political crisis with the Supreme Court beginning to hear cases against many prominent politicians.
Shahid Raheem is a media researcher with ORF |
