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February 2019
PAKISTAN NEWS DIGEST
A Selected Summary of News, Views and Trends
from Pakistani Media
Prepared by
Dr. Zainab Akhter
Dr. Nazir Ahmad Mir
Dr. Mohammad Eisa
Dr. Ashok BehuriaPAKISTAN NEWS DIGEST
February 2019
A Select Summary of News, Views and Trends
from the Pakistani Media
Prepared by
Dr. Zainab Akhter
Dr. Nazir Ahmad Mir
Dr. Mohammad Eisa
Dr. Ashok BehuriaINSTITUTE FOR DEFENCE STUDIES AND ANALYSES
1-Development Enclave, Near USI
Delhi Cantonment, New Delhi-110010
IDSA, New Delhi 1PAKISTAN NEWS DIGEST, February 2019
CONTENTS
EDITORIAL ............................................................................................................. 03
POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS ........................................................................... 07
ECONOMY ............................................................................................................. 09
SECURITY SITUATION ........................................................................................ 12
PROVINCES & REGIONS .................................................................................... 13
BALOCHISTAN ........................................................................................................ 15
Kashmir ...................................................................................................................... 14
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIA ........................................................................... 19
URDU & ELECTRONIC MEDIA ......................................................................... 23
Electronic…………………………………………………………………………....24
Urdu ……………………………………………………………………………… 28
STATISTICS ............................................................................................................. 29
BOMBINGS, SHOOTINGS AND DISAPPEARANCES ...................................... 30
IDSA, New Delhi 2Editorial
This month saw one of the deadliest suicide bombings in Kashmir, India that killed
40 CRPF personal on a convoy from Jammu to Srinagar. Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), A
Pakistani based terror outfit took responsibility for this ghastly terror attack, once
again exposing Pakistan’s ulterior motives of providing safe haven to militant
groups. The Pulwama attack changed the course of relationship between India and
Pakistan and brought the two nations once again at the brink of a war. India pointed
the fingers to Pakistan accusing it of having a direct hand in the attack. It called for
global sanction against the JeM and its leader Masood Azhar and urged to enlist his
name as terrorist by the UN Security Council. It has to be noted that India has in the
past made attempts to put his name in the UN terrorist list but was repeatedly
blocked by China, an important ally of Pakistan.
Pakistan on the other hand underlined that the Pulwama incident was unfortunate
but categorically denied any involvement in the attacks. It firmly asked for
“actionable evidence” and stated that it was ready to probe if India provides it. The
Indian Prime Minster vowed to take revenge of the attack causing suspension that
New Delhi will take action to avenge Pulwama. Within few days India celebrated the
destruction and killing of camps and terrorist in Balkot on the other side of Kashmir,
PoK. This further escalated the situation bringing the India-Pakistan relation to an
all-time low. India strapped the MFN status from Pakistan and imposed 200% import
tax on goods from Pakistan. All the routes were closed for any activity and a ban on
Pakistani artists in the Indian movies were announced.
Meanwhile taking the war to the air, the air force from both sides fought a brief aerial
war and it was during one such fight that Pakistan shot an Indian air force plan
which crashed in PoK and air commander Abhinandan was taken as prisoner of war
by Pakistan. The release of the pilot under the Geneva Convention by Pakistan
helped to somewhat defuse the tension. But the ceasefire violations by Pakistan still
continue but it has to be seen how India reacts given the fast approaching general
elections.
Amid all these chaos and tension, the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammad Bin
Salman visited Pakistan and Pakistan put up quite a show and was marked with
fanfare. Given that Pakistan is suffering from an account deficit and is fighting to
secure its financial future the lavish welcome to roll the carpet reflected the
desperation of another bail out by the Crown Prince, which turned out to be $6
billion commitment by Saudi to better the yawning economy of Pakistan.
Zainab Akhter
IDSA, New Delhi 3POLITICAL DEVELOPMENTS
The endgame, Hussain Nadim, Express Tribune, 05 February1
I also do not attribute too much agency to Pakistan in the endgame because
its influence over the Taliban has over the years waned to a point of a
facilitator than what was wrongly believed to be a ‘puppet master’.
Pakistan, however, does have a significant role to play, though, in the post-
endgame. First, Zalmay Khalilzad, the US Special Envoy for Afghanistan
and Pakistan, led six-day-long talks with the Taliban and early reports
indicate an agreement over the ceasefire and the US withdrawal from
Afghanistan in 18 months. The ceasefire helps the US to, in the meantime,
figure out post-war adjustments between the Taliban and the Afghan
government. This is where Pakistan is being asked to play a key role to
convince the Taliban for an adjustment and reconciliation with Kabul. But
do the Taliban really need any convincing? The settlement with Kabul,
therefore, is almost crucial for the Taliban in its post-war legitimacy and
stability. However, for the Taliban who understand the growing US
desperation to exit Afghanistan, it will push for a delay to get the best
bargain, and ideally at its own terms to define the post-war political map
of Afghanistan. Afghanistan going up into flames after that is not the
headache Americans will likely take. This is where Pakistan fits into the
Afghanistan equation for the US. Now in the endgame, the US expects
Pakistan to provide another service: manage the unavoidable post-war
political mess in Afghanistan and bring stability in the region long after the
US is gone. For Pakistan to pick up this task again is dangerous, but
unavoidable. The only silver lining is the strong Chinese and Russian
interest to help stabilize Afghanistan.
Afghan dynamics and déjà vu, Riaz Mohammad Khan, Dawn, 04 February2
Pakistan has an indispensable role but it must be played with circumspection.
Pakistan should remain constructively engaged without appearing to be
backing or taking responsibility for any Afghan party. The Qatar venue is
fortuitous. A venue in Pakistan can rake up avoidable suspicion and
speculation. We must look for positive results rather than kudos for helping
the process. The regional actors and forums such as the Quadrilatral Contact
Group, the Moscow Format or the Heart of Asia Initiative are important. They
can nudge the peace process forward, but they are not the key to its success.
1
https://tribune.com.pk/story/1903681/6-the-endgame/
2 https://www.dawn.com/news/1461711/afghan-dynamics-and-deja-vu
IDSA, New Delhi 4Subversive Indian activities and the spectre of a two-front security threat
have underpinned Pakistan’s concerns about India’s role. For argument’s
sake, a stable Afghanistan will diminish that possibility. Also to contain
mischief, we have to work with Kabul and Washington and not the Taliban
or any other Afghan group. At the same time, we cannot object to Afghanistan
and India having cooperation that is not at the cost of Pakistan especially in
trade and the economic arena.
A new provincial map of Pakistan? Dr Moonis Ahmar, Express Tribune, 08
February3
If the 11-point agenda of the PTI had called for new provinces to be carved
out from Punjab, why it is accused of backtracking from its election
manifesto? Why the provincial map of Pakistan remains unchanged despite
logical reasons to create new provinces so as to ensure empowerment of
those regions which are perceived to be marginalized and underdeveloped?
If India can have 29 states, seven union territories and Afghanistan 34
provinces, why are there only four provinces in Pakistan? Despite 72 years
of its existence and facing the trauma of dismemberment in 1971, Pakistan
is still grappling with the issue of new provinces. Prudence demands that
instead of getting bogged down in carving out provinces on linguistic or
ethnic grounds, 26 divisions of Pakistan are upgraded as states with each
division having its own administrative center and its legal structures in the
form of high courts and state assemblies. There is no guarantee that the
issues of governance, poverty, underdevelopment and feelings of sense of
deprivation will be resolved or mitigated if two provinces are carved out
from Punjab or if a Hazara province is established.
MBS visit is a win for Pakistan, Editorial, Daily Times, 18 February4
As the crown prince of Saudi Arabia visits Pakistan, our foreign exchange
reserves stand at just $8.2 billion, an amount that covers less than two
months of imports, and that too after already having received $2 billion from
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates this January. In this bleak
scenario, MBS emerges with billions in investment — of which $7 billion is to
reach Pakistan in the next two years. Memorandums of Understanding are to
be signed in a wide variety of sectors including oil refining, liquid natural gas
(LNG), renewable energy and mineral development. The agenda includes the
establishment of an Aramco oil refinery in Gwadar and Saudi Arabia’s
purchase of two LNG-based power plants that the government has been
3 https://tribune.com.pk/story/1905813/6-new-provincial-map-pakistan/
4 https://dailytimes.com.pk/355789/mbs-visit-is-a-win-for-pakistan
IDSA, New Delhi 5looking to sell as part of a privatisation drive. $4 billion in investment is also
expected in deals on developing alternate energy power plants. Increased
closeness with MBS could also help Pakistan’s financially without direct
investment. Pakistani expatriates in Saudi Arabia are one of the country’s
biggest sources of foreign exchange. However, since the past few years
Riyadh has been looking to reduce its dependence on imported labour. As a
result, remittances coming into Pakistan from Saudi Arabia have declined.
Therefore, Prime Minister Imran Khan and Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood
Qureshi must initiate negotiations regarding Pakistani labour in Saudi Arabia.
These negotiations must also be comprehensive, meaning that the poor living
condition of labourers employed by Saudi employers must also be discussed,
and the Kingdom urged to follow global standards laid out by bodies like the
International Labour Organisation.
Institutional decay, Najam Sethi, The Friday Times, 08 February5
A key PTI leader in the Punjab assembly, Aleem Khan, has been arrested by
NAB in a case of “assets beyond known means of income”. The timing is
intriguing. Mr Khan has made no secret of his desire to become CM Punjab,
ostensibly with the support of the Miltablishment that is unhappy with Mr
Usman Buzdar’s lack of performance. This has stirred a grand conspiracy
theory: NAB is aiming to kill several birds with one stone. First, it wants to
show that by scooping such a big fish out of the PTI pond, it is not biased in
Imran Khan’s favour. Second, it may be preparing to “redress the balance” by
arresting the PMLN ex PM, Shahid Khaqan Abbasi, in a case lodged four
years ago relating to the purchase of LNG. Mr Abbasi is the leading contender
for Miltablishment favour in the event of any change in the parliamentary
status quo. Third, Aleem Khan’s arrest is simply a device to eventually
declare him innocent so that his path to CMship of Punjab is cleared. The
Election Commission of Pakistan is also infected by the same conspiracy
theory. For many years, it has been “hearing” a case of PTI party funds
misappropriation and mis-declaration by PTI leader Imran Khan that would
render him ineligible for election to the National Assembly if proven true. But
the almighty Respondent continues to obtain delaying adjournments, even
though the petition is firmly grounded in facts. Worst of all, the courts are
not immune from this charge. There are several defamation petitions
languishing against Imran Khan.
5
https://www.thefridaytimes.com/institutional-decay/
IDSA, New Delhi 6PM’s bold offer, Editorial, Dawn, 20 February6
For Delhi, which appears to be stuck in a rut and continues to blame Pakistan
and rebuff dialogue, it would be practical to take up this offer and engage
with Islamabad on the issue of Kashmir and cross-border militancy. Even as
India objects to Pakistan’s moral and political support to the Kashmir
struggle, it must see the writing on the wall and acknowledge that — just as
the US has realized in Afghanistan — there is no military solution to Kashmir.
No doubt Pulwama is a huge tragedy for India. But the alarming rise of war
hysteria in that country — propagated unabashedly by chest-thumping
nationalist elements in the Narendra Modi-led government as well as the
media and entertainment industries — must be stemmed before it morphs into
an unstoppable monster. Mr Khan’s commitment to taking action against
militant groups operating on our soil is a promising one which indeed
appears to herald a ‘naya Pakistan’ considering Pakistan’s previous
association with groups accused by neighbouring countries of militancy.
Islamabad should earnestly probe the involvement of the banned Jaish-e-
Mohammad — that has been linked to this and past attacks in India-held
Kashmir — and other members of militant groups proscribed in the country
but that allegedly continue to operate under different names.
PM Khan’s categorical statement, Editorial, Daily Times, 21 February7
This should have settled the issue but it seems that the Modi administration
wouldn’t let the matter rest without extracting full benefit out of it, for the
upcoming general elections. The ruling party in New Delhi is treading a very
dangerous path, all for its vested interest of putting up a decent show in
elections. While the Modi administration loses sight of the larger picture, we
hope that permanent state institutions and the civil society across the border
will adopt a levelheaded approach. Like PM Khan suggested, Pakistan has
paid the cost of its ill-designed policies of the past by fighting a prolonged
war against terrorism. Its citizens have paid dearly for those misadventures,
and as a result lessons have been learnt to not tolerate terrorist outfits
anymore. It’s in the interest of the region that India should recognise this, and
get over with its war hysteria. What New Delhi needs to acknowledge is that
from regional and global players like China and Saudi Arabia to the United
States and United Nations, everyone with a stake in the region and world
affairs is speaking with one voice: the two nuclear-armed neighbours need to
defuse their tensions. And after the statement made by PM Khan, there really
is no need for New Delhi to keep indulging in jingoism.
6 https://www.dawn.com/news/1464938/pms-bold-offer
7 https://dailytimes.com.pk/356929/pm-khans-categorical-statement/
IDSA, New Delhi 7ECONOMY
Ready for reform? Moeed Yusuf, Dawn, 12 February8
To be sure, I can make a fairly compelling case that we exaggerate how
politicized the IMF is and understate how negative Washington’s
intelligentsia remains on Pakistan. But what matters is the sense in the
corridors of power. And there, the view is that the tide is turning and this will
affect the IMF’s attitude. The IMF has played hardball to date, asking for the
moon in terms of conditionalities. Pakistan’s muscle memory on IMF
negotiations has always driven it to ask for an opiate without transforming its
domestic economic behaviour — and it has almost always succeeded. Both
sides are by now fairly clear that the deal is going to be somewhere in the
middle this time. As far as I can tell, they know what the ‘middle’ is. Lost
here will be the fact that this money has taken us off the ventilator, nothing
more. We are still sick and shall remain so if we don’t overhaul the structures
of the economy. The bottom line is as simple as it gets: we spend way more
than we earn and there is nothing short of real and intense structural
transformation of the economy that can bridge this gap sustainably.
IMF bailout and structural reforms in Pakistan, Foqia Sadiq Khan, Daily
Times, 15 February9
Despite over a dozen of IMF programmes, Pakistan has not been able to bring
about structural reforms. Now IMF seems focused on raising the power tariffs
to deal with circular debt. PTI government has already increased the interest
rates and devalued the Pakistani currency, as the IMF might have demanded
it. In a way, it is good that PTI government has not rushed into another IMF
bailout this time around. Though, the government’s thinking is quite fuzzy
and pros and cons of waiting on the IMF have not been made public to a large
extent. It would have been worthwhile to know the blueprint of economic
programme that PTI has in store for us. There is also a need to determine
whether the IMF demanded structural reforms are going to promote the
welfare of people and strengthen the institutions. If so, then there is need to
analyze the structural impediments blocking such reforms in the past and
strategize ways on overcome those challenges. In Pakistan’s case, the
potential losers from the reforms have been powerful enough to subvert the
8
https://www.dawn.com/news/1463298/ready-for-reform
9
https://dailytimes.com.pk/354692/imf-bailout-and-structural-reforms-in-pakistan/
IDSA, New Delhi 8process of structural reforms. The government needs to become strong to
impose its will and carry out reforms, if they are indeed going to improve the
lives of us citizens of this country.
War and the economy, Editorial, Daily Times, 28 February10
Not only does the militaristic jingoism that has been broadcast from television
screen and twitter accounts lead to events like India’s recent violations which
shook the economies of these impoverished countries, it also makes it harder
for India and Pakistan to get out of the vicious arms race they have been
embroiled in for years. The two states continue to spend billions every year in
attempts to one-up each other in terms of military superiority, while millions
of their citizens remain deprived of the basic amenities of life; including
decent diets, potable water, education, healthcare, and shelter. New Delhi in
particular needs to realize that even though India has made massive
economic strides in the past decade, not all Indian citizens have benefited
from this. As such, it must seek a peaceful solution to the Kashmir dispute
and the issue of cross border terrorism. These problems cannot be resolved
while India and Pakistan are firing across the border at one another.
However, this will not happen while Indian anchors and journalists are
actively promoting illegal cross-border adventures and the cutting off of
cultural and trade ties with Pakistan.
SECURITY SITUATION
Police reform, Editorial, Dawn, 04 February11
The police have long been an instrument of state oppression, whether it be to
illegally seize land, facilitate criminal enterprises, assuage politicians’
bruised egos by instituting false cases on their say-so, etc. Political
interference in promotions, postings and transfers results in a ‘police for the
government’, fuels corruption in the force, destroys internal discipline and
demoralises upright, competent officers. Some particularly heinous incidents
recently have further tarnished the reputation of law-enforcement agencies
and increased the clamour for reform. The premier has quite rightly also
directed the committee to come up with amendments to prevent the gross
abuse of power that can result in incidents like the Sahiwal killings.
10 https://dailytimes.com.pk/359527/war-and-the-economy/
11 https://www.dawn.com/news/1461710/police-reform
IDSA, New Delhi 9However, the answer to reining in an out-of-control police is not to clip their
wings further but to replicate the KP reforms and improve on them.
Extremism hasn’t gone away, Editorial, Daily Times, 04 February12
The Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) government has yet to come up with a plan
to deal with barelvi strand of extremism, and the worrying aspect of its
popularity among a segment of the country’s population. Perhaps, the
problem is that the leadership of the ruling party, like other mainstream
parties, has yet to fully recognise extremism as a problem. This was evident in
PTI leaders posturing during the election campaign. Taking a leaf from other
mainstream parties’ books, PTI chairman Imran Khan, who now holds the
office of Prime Minister, had attended a gathering organised by barelvis
extremists in the hope of wooing votes. In the past few months, even the top
leadership of unelected state institutions was seen photographed with
extremists in private gatherings. This raises serious question marks over the
presence of political will to tackle the challenge posed by extremism.
Ostensibly, it seems that the state has come to terms with the social support of
the far-right religious lobby, whose political narrative revolves entirely
around the country’s blasphemy laws. An effective approach will be to
regulate activities of religious groups, including those of the barelvis, and not
letting them indulge in hate speech against minority communities, or glorify
terrorists like Mumtaz Qadri. Alongside, blasphemy law will have to be
reformed to prevent its abuse.
Arman Loni’s death, Editorial, Dawn, 06 February13
However, in question here is not only the issue of whether or not Arman Loni
was indeed a victim of police brutality, but the very nature of ‘vigilance’
being distorted by public servants to evade accountability and justify
curtailing people’s rights. Paranoid, overreaching measures taken in the
interest of ‘maintaining public order’ are counterproductive. Thus, statements
by the provincial home minister seeking to blame those who contest the
official version of events (as it currently stands) while in the same breath
promising a fair investigation will hardly serve to dispel such perceptions.
Loni’s death demands an unbiased and transparent probe. But it also requires
that the provincial and federal governments be responsive to the public’s
mood and work to de-escalate a potentially volatile situation.
FATF warning, Editorial, Dawn, 24 February14
12 https://dailytimes.com.pk/350981/extremism-hasnt-gone-away/
13 https://www.dawn.com/news/1462147/arman-lonis-death
IDSA, New Delhi 10There is little doubt that FATF is ratcheting up the pressure on Pakistan, and
the focus is entirely on terror financing. Naming specific groups means action
needs to be taken against them, and not of the sort we have seen over the
years, which appears to be more cosmetic in nature and easily reversible.
Previous governments have struggled with the question of acting against
those entities named by FATF and listed under UN Security Council
Resolution 1267 as terrorist entities. Announcing a ban on a group is only the
first step; this needs to be followed up with asset seizures and travel bans.
This is the point at which genuine compliance can be said to begin. For the
moment though, the government is struggling with the very first step of
notifying a ban, let alone following it up with concrete steps to separate the
leadership of these groups from their operations and assets.
A militant-free Pakistan, Muhammad Amir Rana, Dawn, 24 February15
First, militants should not be allowed to hide behind the state’s religious-
nationalist paradigm. Secondly, these groups should not have any space in
the political or strategic calculus of the state. As far as denying physical space
to militant groups is concerned, implementing the National Action Plan and
the National Internal Security Policy would do the trick. First, militants
should not be allowed to hide behind the state’s religious-nationalist
paradigm. Secondly, these groups should not have any space in the political
or strategic calculus of the state. As far as denying physical space to militant
groups is concerned, implementing the National Action Plan and the National
Internal Security Policy would do the trick. Thirdly, the international
community, including Pakistan’s key strategic partner, China, has become
less tolerant towards violent non-state actors that are considered a key hurdle
in the way of progress and globalization. Pakistan’s offer to India for talks
was an attempt to bring these countries into the realm of strategic realism,
but the Indian response remains negative. This attitude is not going to help
India; rather, it will leave the current regime in Delhi hostage to a new
collective narcissism that is growing in Indian society.
Dangerous escalation, Zahid Hussain, Dawn, 27 February16
It is a risky gamble by the Indian prime minister. Such reckless action could
easily spiral out of control and turn into a full-blown military conflagration.
The underlying calculation of Modi’s escalation is that India can afford this
brinkmanship given the country’s growing diplomatic clout. But it is hard to
14 https://www.dawn.com/news/1465739/fatf-warning
15 https://www.dawn.com/news/1465736/a-militant-free-pakistan
16 https://www.dawn.com/news/1466301/dangerous-escalation
IDSA, New Delhi 11believe that this blatant act of aggression will go unnoticed. A major challenge
for Pakistan is how to respond to the Indian bellicosity. Yet few had expected
Indian warplanes to strike inside Pakistan. According to several media
reports, the attack took place in Balakot, KP and not along the Line of
Control. It is not just a violation of the LoC ceasefire; it is also — very
clearly — an act of aggression. Meanwhile, the Indian claim has fed into the
jingoistic frenzy being whipped up by the Modi government. It is an attempt
by the Modi government to redefine its nuclear threshold. He is pursuing a
strategy of what is described as ‘vertical and horizontal’ escalation. He is
testing Pakistan’s capability to respond without crossing the threshold. Modi
believes his government can manage the diplomatic fallout of an escalation
because India is today much better placed in the world. Last week, the
government reportedly launched a crackdown on madressahs run by Jaish-e-
Mohammed. How come the group that was outlawed in 2002 and was
allegedly involved in high-profile attempted terrorist attacks in Pakistan
was not reined in as tightly as it should have been?
PROVINCES & REGIONS
Balochistan
The murder of Arman Loni, Talimand Khan, Daily Times, 07 February17
Such mayhem is connected through an embryonic cord with the policy
environment controlled and dictated by the non-elected power centers. These
policy choices, strategic assets and the enabling state paradigm had been
maintained at a great cost by the powers to be after 9/11. Evidently, they
intend to preserve the interventionist policies to retain hegemony after the US
withdrawal from the region. The manipulation of grafting unrest and
insecurity in the Pukhtun belt in Balochistan is reminiscent of similar methods
used in FATA and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to create ‘safe havens’ for the
Taliban. In case remnants of the Quetta Shoora relocate to Afghanistan, as a
result of successful peace negotiations by the Taliban, the Pakhtun belt
bordering Afghanistan in Balochistan will be a potential epicenter of a new
phase of violence. The recent attacks on levies and police in the region seems
a prelude. Strangulating the PTM through every means whether by
connecting it to the TTP or extra judicially killing its members is a
prefabricated scheme to pursue the strategic objectives post US withdrawal
17 https://dailytimes.com.pk/352014/the-murder-of-arman-loni/
IDSA, New Delhi 12from Afghanistan. Innocent voices for peace and fundamental rights like that
of Arman’s, are clashing with vested interests that want to nip them in the
bud. However, the criminal silence of mainstream political parties,
particularly the PML-N in this crucial juncture of history indicates that these
parties use the constitutional and civilian supremacy over state institutions
merely as a cover for self-interest.
Kashmir
Atrocities in IHK, Editorial, Dawn, 05 February18
Mr Modi was ultimately spotted waving emptily at imaginary crowds as he
took a safe cruise through the famous Dal Lake. Since there is no shortage of
sane voices in the subcontinent, the tour has been squarely called out for its
audacity. It has been dismissed as being the most artificial of its kind — the
latest in the make-believe series of the BJP that seeks to show it is firmly in
command in held Kashmir. The party has tried all kinds of gimmicks to sell a
soft image of itself on the subject. The cover of decency has repeatedly been
blown away and the real, brutal face of oppression revealed. With much help
from the Modi government, the valley today is on fire with a movement that
is recognised for its indigenous character and which continues to withstand
fierce assaults by the occupying Indian forces. Mr Modi has been busy trying
to thwart the uprising that has assumed new proportions after the killing of
freedom fighter Burhan Wani in 2016. However, the BJP government is taking
desperate measures that are clearly doomed. The situation in IHK is bad
enough, but the latter’s example of how BJP wants to impose the state’s will
over all is an even bigger disaster for other regions.
Pulwama: In the Aftermath, Imran Yawer, Daily Times, 18 February19
Pakistan’s response to these allegations by India has been an outright
rejection of any involvement in the attack. The Foreign Office released a
statement expressly condemning such ‘acts of violence anywhere in the
world’ and dismissed all such inferences made ‘by elements in the Indian
media and government that sought to link the attack to Pakistan without
investigations.’ Insurgency in Kashmir, which once was attributed to links
across the border has morphed into a homegrown movement for liberation, at
18 https://www.dawn.com/news/1461936/atrocities-in-ihk
19 https://dailytimes.com.pk/355784/pulwama-in-the-aftermath/
IDSA, New Delhi 13the vanguard of which are the new generation of Kashmiri youth; educated
and enlightened. These young liberators are challenging the military might of
the Indian establishment and their struggle is garnering popular support from
within, which has had a dispiriting effect on the Indian security forces, who
despite overwhelming presence in the region have not been able to weaken
the will of the Kashmiris for freedom. All evidence suggests that by resorting
to hardline policies in Kashmir, India has failed to win the ‘hearts and
minds’ of the Kashmiri people. Against such a backdrop, pointing a finger at
Pakistan for bloodshed and violence in Kashmir is both vile and risible. At
the same time, there has also been a growing realization that the
reinvigoration of insurgency in Kashmir is home based and home grown, in
popular reaction to India’s ‘muscular policies’ in the form of atrocities by
Indian security forces on helpless protestors.
General Dhillon’s threat to Kashmiri mothers, Dr Syed Nazir Gilani, Daily
Times, 21 February20
All this is a manifestation of the arrogance with which the GOC 15 Corps, Lt
Gen KJS Dhillon, threatened Kashmiri women on Tuesday 19 February 2019
saying, “Tell your sons to surrender or they will be killed”. It is an example of
an imperialistic threat and a case of harsh military suppression of dissent. The
Valley is not an Indian colony and Kashmiri mothers are not colonised
people. General Dhillon is not the British colonial General Dyer that he would
be allowed to stage a Jallianwala Bagh like massacre. Kashmir is not the
Amritsar of April 1919. We live in 2019. However, Indian politics and
military have caught the communal virus and the target to kill are Kashmiri
Muslims, in particular the youth. The bacchanalian behaviour of General
Dhillon could manifest itself in a tragedy. Therefore, it is time to examine the
merits of this threat and neutralise it. If the so called ‘mainstream politicians’
wish to serve their oath and their voters in the Valley, they need to move
swiftly against General Dhillon and the institution of the Indian army
stationed in the Valley. General Dhillon’s threat has no merit. It constitutes a
disobedience and warrants a serious action against him. The remedy to curtail
the authority of these forces lies with the ‘mainstream’ political parties or a
serious challenge could be made in a court of law. General Dhillon could be
carefully packed by the State Government back to Delhi unless he desires to
meet the fate of General Dyer – a cerebral haemorrhage and arteriosclerosis.
20https://dailytimes.com.pk/356923/general-dhillons-threat-to-kashmiri-mothers/
IDSA, New Delhi 14RELATIONSHIP WITH INDIA
Attempts to isolate, Touqir Hussain, Dawn, 14 February21
Balancing China and containing Pakistan, knitted together by the opposition
to CPEC, reflect and affect these policies as do India’s relations with
Afghanistan. India, Modi reckoned, could not rise under the threat of
destabilisation by alleged non-state actors from across the border. He would
use India’s relations with Washington to strengthen his hands vis-à-vis
Pakistan, particularly to change its ‘behaviour’. And, with his tough
approach towards the latter country, help advance US interests in South
Asia. The BJP that Modi leads has a much broader appeal. Marketing-savvy
and skilled in the use of digital tools, Modi has tapped into the traditional
nationalist ideology of his party, and by bundling it with a shiny economic
agenda and populism reached out to wider demographics. And the Pakistan
issue, traditionally popular with the BJP’s voter base, has helped. Would a
re-elected Modi have a rethink on Pakistan? It would all depend on the trade-
off at the time between the unknowns of normalization with Pakistan, and the
familiar gains of tensions for domestic politics, Kashmir, and India’s regional
and geopolitical interests.
Shortsightedness prevails in India, Editorial, Daily Times, 19 February22
With the Modi administration pointing fingers towards Pakistan without
providing any evidence, the ratings-driven corporate media across the border
has found an opportunity to stir war hysteria. Bollywood and Indian cricket
celebrities have been quick to jump the bandwagon, with highly irresponsible
statements which will only damage the cause of peace and further the designs
of hate-mongers and hawks on both sides. In this situation, the worst affected
have been Kashmiri Muslims who are being harassed by Hindutva goons.
There have been multiple reports about Kashmiris, particularly in the states of
Uttarkhand and Haryana, are being forced to vacate rented properties and to
leave towns where they live for education and employment. The authorities
must realise that it is simply impossible for them to stir war hysteria, on the
one hand, by accusing Pakistan without any evidence to the effect, and to
keep the Hindutva brigade in check at the same time. The latter feeds on the
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22
https://dailytimes.com.pk/356297/shortsightedness-prevails-in-india/
IDSA, New Delhi 15anti-Muslim, anti-Pakistan rhetoric, and the Modi administration has
provided it with an open field by opting for shortsighted jingoism instead of a
rational approach. The Modi administration as well as the state institutions
in New Delhi know fully well that a war is desirable to neither side given the
economic cost it will entail; both countries have a lot at stake in terms of
their economic performance indicators. In this situation, India’s shortsighted
approach, merely directed at improving its chances in the upcoming election,
is having disastrous consequences for the people on both sides.
Geopolitical challenges, Zahid Hussain, Dawn, 20 February23
As responsibility for the attack has been claimed by Jaish-e-Mohammad, the
finger is conveniently being pointed towards Pakistan despite the fact that the
attacker was a native of IHK. But even before the attack the Modi government
had upped the ante, with greater military manoeuvring along the Line of
Control. Most alarming is Modi’s decision to give a ‘free hand’ to the Indian
armed forces to take any action against Pakistan. Such a reckless move that
has also drawn criticism in India is tantamount to a declaration of war. In
the words of a retired Indian general, giving a ‘free hand’ to the armed forces
against a nuclear power is not acceptable. Modi’s brinkmanship could lead to
a conflagration in the world’s most combustible region. Nothing could be
more ridiculous than Modi’s claim of isolating Pakistan and crippling it
economically. Surely, Pakistan has some serious foreign and security policy
problems that have greatly harmed our interest and damaged our position in
the international community. But it is a tall claim that one can isolate a
country enjoying an extremely important geostrategic position. The
withdrawal of the MFN status will hardly make a dent in Pakistan’s
economy.
India — the greatest story ever told, Taha Najeeb, Daily Times, 25 February24
And the reality is that Kashmir is bleeding, and has been bleeding, for
decades. And it is in this bleeding, writhing Kashmir, where India has been
committing crimes against humanity, decade after decade. Which is why
Indian accusations that Pakistan is behind the Pulwama attack, and Kashmiri
militancy in general, merit little more than polite consideration before they
are safely retired as nonsensical spasmodic ejaculations of a belligerent,
incoherent state. The fact is that the Pulwama attack was conspicuous in its
timing: just before Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman landed in
Pakistan, just before Indian spy Kulbhushan Jadhav’s case took off at the
International Court of Justice, just before the Indian general elections (adding
23 https://www.dawn.com/news/1464935/geopolitical-challenges
24 https://dailytimes.com.pk/358347/india-the-greatest-story-ever-told/
IDSA, New Delhi 16fuel to Modi’s populist rhetoric during peak election time), and just when the
United States (US) and Pakistan are finally coming to some negotiated
settlement in Afghanistan. Unless masochism has become the state policy in
Pakistan, one is strained to imagine how this attack could benefit Pakistan. It’s
time India got its act together. Every country is entitled to its own myths, but
there is no greater myth-buster than reality concealed too long.
The real threat to India, Jawed Naqvi, Dawn, 26 February25
The media is sanguine in its ignorance that, as with India, a complex skein of
ideas — often mutually hostile ideas and interests — constitutes the polity of
Pakistan too. “Why would Pakistan support Mr Modi?” the neighbour asked.
I said neither Pakistan nor China could harm India with their military might
as the BJP candidate could do single-handedly by destroying the idea of
India. And since the essential idea rested on India’s secular, socialist and
democratic constitution —- that has beaten Jeremy Corbyn and Bernie
Sanders by decades — the only way to wreck India was by destroying the
soul of its hugely disparate, intensely beautiful and mostly abused people. In
my view, the opposition’s shortsighted disunity is a bigger setback for
democracy than any war drums can create. Unlike Pulwama, the Mumbai
carnage, the plane hijack, and the parliament attack were acts of terror that
callously targeted unsuspecting civilians. Yet terrorism failed to ruffle India’s
democratic soul. We hear that Modi will use Pulwama to win the elections.
One can’t see how that should adversely impact on Mayawati or Akhilesh or
Lalu whose men died in the Pulwama tragedy. Modi may or may not use the
tragedy, but the self-destructive opposition parties will certainly need it to
explain their defeat, should they miss a great opportunity to defeat fascism.
There may not be a second chance.
Can India really stop Pakistan’s water? Editorial, Daily Times, 26 February26
So can India block Pakistan’s water, past precedent suggests it can. However
would India block Pakistan’s water? It would not. First, blocking Pakistan’s
water would result in a blow to the image that India is trying to maintain as
the saner state at the global level, one that has already been dented by the
Kulbhushan Yadav case and unfounded allegations on Pakistan post the
Pulwama attack. In case, India does block Pakistan’s water, it would only be
to Pakistan’s benefit, where it would be seen as the more legitimate state
suffering from the hands of a self-assumed regional hegemon. It would have
diplomatic consequences, and with India continuing to try to isolate
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26 https://dailytimes.com.pk/358757/can-india-really-stop-pakistans-water/S
IDSA, New Delhi 17Pakistan diplomatically, asking for a permanent position at the UN Security
Council and the Nuclear Suppliers Group, India’s aim would be inordinately
compromised. Yet there’s more reason India would bleed itself should it
decide to block Pakistan’s water. After the Uri attack in 2016, the Modi
government threatened to scrap the IWT and stop the flow of water to
Pakistan. In the midst of these tensions between India and Pakistan, China
blocked a tributary of the Brahmaputra River in Tibet which resulted in
severely impacting water flows in India. This was done as part of the
construction of China’s most expensive hydro Lalho project. If India does in
fact attempt to block Pakistan’s water, it would have no face to protest the
violations of its water rights by China.
Indian Aggression, Editorial, Daily Times, 27 February27
Modi and his party have attempted to endanger the future of the region just
so that they can improve their chances in an election. If the Modi
administration was really after a solution to the problem of terrorism in the
region, it could have engaged Pakistan through a backchannel, sharing
actionable evidence if there is any. This would have led Pakistan to take
action against militants, who are enemies of the region’s peace regardless of
where they’re based, and also act a confidence boosting measure between the
two neighbours. Alas, the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) has lesser concerns at
the moment. While the Indian civilian and military leadership is on a
collision course, what is truly unfortunate for the region is the manner in
which many otherwise reasonable voices in the media have conducted
themselves in the wake of Indian jets’ incursion. Alongside, the country’s
leadership should continue its crackdown on extremists. This is the only way
Pakistan can show its sincerity and commitment to the cause of regional peace
to the rest of the world, and build a strong case against Modi administration’s
destructive policies.
URDU & ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Electronic
Jirga with Saleem Safi, Will there be War between India and Pakistan? Geo
News, 24 February28
On this episode Saleem Safi invites Ex Indian High Commissioner Sartaj Aziz
and Politician and writer Khurshid Ahmed Kasuri to discuss the recent
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28 https://www.geo.tv/shows/jirga/229201-jirga-24-february-2019
IDSA, New Delhi 18development between India-Pakistan relations post Pulwama attacks in
Kashmir. When asked about India’s reaction after the attack, if it really want
war or its just for political point scoring, Sartaj Aziz replies by saying that
After coming to power Modi decided that Kashmir should be made a non-
issue between the two nations. It decided to stop bilateral talks, change the
demographic composition of Kashmir, start a resettlement drive and put
Islam in the backseat. Due to all these coercive steps by the BJP led
government in Indian held Kashmir, the Kashmiri people retaliated by
picking up guns and militancy went to an all high in the valley. The killing of
Burhan Wani by security forces in 2016 was the first threshold and the recent
Pulwama attack is the second after which the situation in Kashmir will go to
an all new low. Because of the upcoming elections Modi is desperate and
therefore is blaming and threatening Pakistan. But the truth of the matter is
that the World is not accepting Modi’s narrative and are pressurizing for
peaceful solutions like Pakistan. Khurshid Kasuri on the other hand points
to the fact that Mumbai attack, Parliament attack and serial bombing in India
were much higher tragedies for India but India choose to restrain from any
military actions that time as the dialogue process was believed to be the only
solutions. But there is a difference in leadership then and now and Modi
believes in keeping the war hysteria on for political gains, he adds. The stand
of Pakistan to restrain from war both by civil and military are a welcome step
but Pakistan will not step back if the its territory is breached, he said.
Urdu
Afghanistan and our regional policy, Nafees Siddiqui, Jang, 04 February29
After 18 years America finally has decided to withdraw from Afghanistan. It
has decided to talk to the Taliban with whom it has been fighting for all this
period. 18 years back, the mistake that Pakistan had committed, same type of
mistake is being repeated. Again, Pakistan is following American policy and
narrative. Now it is the time that Pakistan shapes its own policy that is in its
national interest. … America could not defeat the Taliban in 18 years and is
finally handing over the reins of power to them. It has realized that Kabul-
Government is losing control in the Afghan-territory and on people. Russia
and Iran have also joined in and are taking the Taliban seriously, like
Pakistan. However they are talking to what they call ‘good Taliban’. That is
no way ‘good’ for us. The Taliban that America, Russia and Iran is ‘engaging’
is not good for Pakistan because they are these countries’ old enemy. If the
Afghan-government and the representatives of the Afghan-people talk to the
Taliban, that is fine. There is none of them. Second, America is talking to the
Taliban on the condition that the latter would not allow Daesh like groups
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IDSA, New Delhi 19to operate from Afghan-territory. The question is when strong countries like
the US could not defeat the Taliban, how it is possible for the Taliban to
counter and fight groups like Daesh. It seems there is some new game being
played. In place of the Afghan Taliban, Daesh can be new ‘factor’ in
Afghanistan. Like the Taliban worked for the US agenda for 18
years, Daesh will work similarly. Keeping these threats in mind, Pakistan
needs to shape its policy accordingly. We need to take China, Russia, Iran,
Saudi Arabia and other neighbouring countries in confidence and come up
with united policy to defeat the US agenda.
Sacrifices by Kashmiris bring freedom close, Editorial, Nawa-i-Waqt, 04
February30
All party Conference on ‘occupied’ Kashmir to was organised by Jamiat-
Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl (JUI-F) in which the participants emphasised upon taking
pragmatic steps to resolve the Kashmir issue. The was attended by the leaders
of almost all major parties, including former President Asif Ali Zardari and
representatives of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Muttahida
Qaumi Movement, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI), other smaller religious parties and
groups, ‘Azad’ Jammu Kashmir President Masood Khan and Prime Minister
Raja Farooq Haider. The nation is united on Kashmir cause. It is also needed
that the Kashmir issue should be kept away from party politics. Moulana
Fazl-ur Rehamn was Chairman of the Kashmir Committee for ten years. He
did nothing during this time. Finally he organised the conference which was
welcome. … The representatives of All Party Hurriyat Conference in Pakistan
were critical of Moulana Rehman and reprimanded him for sitting idle, doing
nothing while being the chairman. They said even in India Moulana Rehman
has some influence and he could have used it which he did not. … Indian
army is ‘committing heinous crimes’ in Kashmir. Kashmiris are killed every
day. But they have not given up hope. Because of the bravery of the
Kashmiris, India has realized that it is losing Kashmir. Therefore it first
dissolved the puppet government of Mehbooba Mufti and imposed governor
rule. However, nothing is working and now the Presidential rule has been
imposed. Even that is failing. Within India there are voice emerging, asking
for talking about the rights of Kashmiris. But the government is turning a deaf
ear towards them. … The other day when Indian Prime Minister Narendra
Modi visited Kashmir, complete strike was observed. Modi announced some
developmental projects. Syed Ali Shah Gilani said on that Modi cannot buy
Kashmir by packages. Today the freedom struggle in Kashmir is on its peak.
It seems the goal of freedom is close the way India is irked. Pakistan and the
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IDSA, New Delhi 20nation should be on the sides of Kashmiris at the moment. Pakistan will have
to ask the UN to implement its resolutions on Kashmir.
First round of Afghan-conference in Moscow, Editorial, Nawa-i-Waqt, 07
February31
First round of the Afghan-conference in Moscow has started. Abbas Stanikzai
is representing the Afghan Taliban. The Taliban said they do not want
political crisis after the US withdrawal. America and the Kabul-government
have expressed their reservations on the conference. The conference is
attended by Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, Sayed Mansur Naderi, and Muhammad
Mohaqiq, former Taliban ambassador to Pakistan Abdul Salam Zaeef,
Hamid Karzai, Ismail Khan, Atta Muhammad Noor, and Shahnawaz
Tanai. America wants to leave Afghanistan. The Taliban have also suffered a
lot. They do not want to claim to be the sole actors in the country. As the
Taliban representative said, it does not want political crisis after the US
withdrawal. It is surprising that the US and Kabul boycotted the conference. It
is America who wants to resolve the conflict. Ashraf Ghani has said that any
agreement without the government will be nothing but a piece of paper which
implies he is fearful of any agreement. There will be no likely breakthrough in
the Moscow conference. It is an introductory meeting. More will follow.
Ghani is afraid that he will lose power if the Taliban joins the mainstream.
Since it mainly involves the Taliban and the US, Ghani should work in the
interest of the country and stay silent.
Moment of reckoning for India and Iran, Editorial, Ummat, 20 February32
In the statement issued after the Muhammad Bin Salman’s visit to Pakistan,
geographical location and role of Pakistan in regional security and stability
was said to be important. Muhammad Bin Salman while leaving the country
boosted morale of Pakistan by saying that it would be second largest
economy by 2030, after China. … Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia, Adel-Al-
Jubeir said that Saudi will try to de-escalate tension between India and
Pakistan. … It is positive and sensible thinking from Saudi Arabia that it does
not think that it is giving aid to Pakistan but is investing in a future economy
of the world. It accepts that the investment will not help only to Pakistan but
also to Saudi Arabia. While on the other hand India is accusing Pakistan
doing terrorism and threatens it of facing strong actions. Also, Iran has,
while accusing Islamabad of supporting terrorism in Iran, threatened
Pakistan of entering in the latter’s territory to attack terrorists in the
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IDSA, New Delhi 21country. … It is required that instead of fueling the conflict, India should talk
on the freedom movements going in the country and resolve them. However,
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is only using diatribe and allegations
against Pakistan. On the threats of Modi, Prime Minister Imran Khan has
clearly said that any adventure by India will be given a befitting reply. Since
both the countries are nuclear, any war can cost thousands of lives. One good
thing with Pakistan is that China has sided with it. According to official
source of Chinese government, Beijing has told the Modi-government that it
should re-visit its extremist policies rather than criticising China and
Pakistan. Saudi Arabia’s closeness to Pakistan has increased because of the
Iran’s anti-Pakistan stand. If ran wants cultural and economic relations, that
is their choice. For its worldly interests, if it sacrifices it religious relations
and sides with India and criticizes Pakistan, it should be prepared for a
reaction from the Muslim world. Adel-Al-Jubeir said it clearly recently that
Iran is involved in terrorism but it is accusing Pakistan. Reality is that Iran is
spreading terrorism in Yemen, Syria, Iraq and other countries. Iran is also
spreading terrorism in Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. … Doing extremism and
spreading terrorism is not going to benefit anyone. The political and military
leaderships of India and Iran should ponder over it.
Pak ready to respond to India’s aggression, Report, Ummat, 18 February33
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had planned to carry out surgical
strike in Pakistan before the next general elections to pamper his support
base. Aftermath of the Pulwama attack, an environment is being created to
carry out the adventure for which preparations are being made. According to
a source, Pakistan will give a befitting reply to any such adventure by India.
Pak-army is ready for that. Modi is caught in ‘catch-22’ situation at the
moment though. He cannot come out of it. According to a source, Modi is
under pressure from BJP Hindu supporters and voters to avenge the Pulwama
attack. The opposition is also building pressure on him to take some action.
It accuses Modi of lying about the 2016 surgical strikes and asks him to prove
it this time by carrying out true strikes against Pakistan. Modi is seriously
thinking about it, according to the source. The issue was discussed about in
the meeting of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) immediately after the
Pulwama attack. The source said that Modi would not achieve the set goals
without starting full-fledged war and India is not in position to wage
it. While any surgical strikes would get a befitting reply from Pakistan,
further hurting Modi’s image and vote-base. And even if the Modi-
government decides to not take any action, still it would lose some
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IDSA, New Delhi 22support. According to the source, the possibility of any such adventure is
during the time when the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman is on
visit to Pakistan. However, Pakistan’s security forces are on 24/7 alert to
answer any India’s adventure. If India uses drones, Pakistan will also use
drones against India. If India missiles or occupies any check post along the
LoC, it will be answered in similar fashion. … According to security expert
Brig. (R) Asif Haroon, terrorism has bled Pakistan and we have done nothing
so far. It was Pervez Musharraf’s mistake to commit Pakistan to the War on
Terror and ban the militants fighting in ‘occupied’ Kashmir. In fact, militancy
in ‘occupied’ Kashmir was a diversion to India’s ‘covert war’ in
Pakistan. Musharraf’s ban on the jihadi groups had serious repercussions for
Pakistan. It benefitted India. Then India carried out ‘false flag attack’ on the
Parliament and it started to blame every attack in India on Pakistan. By then,
freedom struggle in ‘occupied’ Kashmir was on peak and the Indian army’s
morale was low. They were committing succeeds. … Asif said that one more
negative impact of banning the groups was that they started attacking
Pakistan by forming groups like TTP and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi.
Indian reaction will ruin Modi, Editorial, Daily Khabrain, 25 February34
India has not been able to ‘control’ the mind of the third generation of
Kashmiris who are dying to achieve their freedom. However, indeed there has
been increase in the martyrdoms of Kashmiris because of ‘atrocities’ of the
Indian security forces. Since the Pulwama attack, five Kashmiris have been
martyred. In whole India, Kashmiris students and employers are prosecuted.
The Hurriyat had given a strike call against the maltreatment of the
Kashmiris across India. In response to the Pulwama, Modi-government has
stationed 20,000 more troops in ‘occupied’ Kashmir and has cracked down
upon the Hurriyat leaders. After the Pulwama, Modi raised hue and cry and
tried to show India as victim to the world. But he has bene set exposed and
whole world knows that he is doing this all for his election campaigning. In a
recent speech at a rally, perhaps after listening to his army chief Bipin Rawat
that he always follows Gen. Qamar Bajwa’s, vision, Modi said that lets fight
poverty and terrorism together. Former RAW chief, A. S. Dulat has also said
that war is not picnic and situation has changed since 1971, so has
Pakistan. Indian reaction may unleash havoc and its destruction. No country
in the world is supporting India’s position. Imran Khan is praised for has
sensibility and patience. Reality is while trying to isolate Pakistan, Modi has
become isolated himself. … India had thought that it would suppress the
freedom movement in ‘occupied’ Kashmir in which it failed. Then it tried to
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IDSA, New Delhi 23You can also read
