Due credit must be given to US Vice-President Joseph Biden, as a US Senator he was the first high-ranking US functionary to recognise the rank injustice done to Pakistan over the years. US decision-makers, led by Secretary of State Hilary Clinton, were unanimous in recognising Pakistan’s crucial role as the centre of gravity to resolve…
The US Strategic Dialogue is taking place only because everyone and his uncle knows that the US interest in Pakistan is mainly because of their own major problems in Afghanistan. Pakistan is central to any solution in the long suffering country, the US recognises that that Pakistan’s stability and well being is vital for peace…
In 1993, the Benazir Govt successfully implemented the National Anti-Narcotics Policy 1993 during its tenure. The Policy created various institutions and drug enforcement structures, however an effective mechanism to coordinate and integrate these efforts was lacking. The lack of consolidation in subsequent years resulted in an approach that was not cohesive, this led to continued…
EU’s recent trade concession giving tariff waivers to 75 categories of textile imports from Pakistan for three years has evoked exaggerated criticism from EU textile firms contending that since 75% of these relate to textile clothing, leather and related products, it would potentially destroy 140000 jobs in the EU countries. For the record these goods…
Travelling abroad one hears a constant refrain about Pakistan, when is the anticipated change going to take place, and how is it going to happen? Even non-Pakistanis interested in Pakistan felt that something had to give and soon. Talking to the “Geneva Asia Society” in Geneva, and then at a fund-raiser for David Miliband in…
Dear Readers,While the counter-insurgency in Swat is now in its final act, the Army has already in the preliminary stage of launching full-blown operations in South Waziristan. The militants in this region are still in disarray after the death of Baitullah Mahsud, and even though claimants to leadership make their appearance from time to time,…
One has to hand it to Asif Zardari, on the face of it he has politically out- maneuvered Mian Nawaz Sharif yet again, or has he? Despite being under pressure lately Zardari has notable accomplishments. The success of sorts in Swat has been bought at a heavy price, the sacred blood of our young martyrs…
US President Obama on July 13, 2009 ordered US security officials to look into allegations that the Bush Administration resisted efforts to investigate a CIA-backed Afghan warlord over the killings of hundreds of pro-Talibaan prisoners in 2001. The prisoners were in the custody of Gen Abdul Rashid Dostum, a prominent Afghan warlord who served as…
The Supreme Court (SC) had given notice to former President Gen (Retd) Pervez Musharraf to explain his position in the “Judges Case” on July 29, 2009. Musharraf decided not to comply with the SC notice on the evasive legal technical grounds that it was not served on him. I have known Pervez Musharraf for over…
Dear Readers,As an avid student of military history, Pervez Musharraf should be able to recite Clausewitz’s “Principles of War” backwards. With a goodish stint as COAS Pakistan Army, more than 10 years, and having had a wonderful time as President for nearly 8, he should have let go of the Army when he retired as…
