A question lurks within the mind of every Pakistani: where are we headed with this war on/of terror? Is Pakistan a simple ‘franchisee’ or are we developing our own long-term interests in this war? The strategy to hit out at selected al Qaeda targets unfolded in early 2007 when our government offered facilities for launching drones remotely controlled by joystick operators in distant lands. The decision to kill was left in the hands of ‘informers’ on the ground who planted homing devices near houses that needed to be bombed. A menacing ‘whistle’ precedes the actual impact, many running for cover not knowing ‘for whom the bell tolls’, leaving many unintentionally dead and others maimed for life. So-called ‘collateral damage’, has been a sterile term. Women and children wailing and shrieking, mourners lifting their dead. The psychological impact has swung any remnant of anti-al Qaeda sentiment into anti-military and anti-US anger.
‘Pakistan Body Count’ – an initiative by a Pakistani graduate of Florida Tech – has documented suicide and drone casualties in Pakistan since 2004. Over 258 suicide attacks have left 3,832 dead and 9,562 injured, which comes out to an astonishing 51 innocent Pakistanis killed or maimed per attack. The death toll of drone attacks is equally worrisome. In the 142 reported drone attacks only 39 al Qaeda activists were killed as opposed to 1,651 innocent people. A kill ratio of 2.12 per cent is not high collateral damage but wanton murder. Brookings Institution has called the attacks “horrendously indiscriminate in nature”. They violate not only our sovereignty but Article 2(4) of the UN Charter, the Geneva Conventions and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The latter prohibits extrajudicial executions stating that “every individual has the inherent right to life and no one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his life.” Article 6(2) stipulates that the penalty of death can only be decided by a competent court of law. One must question who is the judge, jury and executioner in this war of terror.
History reminds us of the Northern Ireland conflict which saw indiscriminate killings by terrorists, but the British government kept bringing the murderous gangs to the negotiating table until finally a selective truce was achieved. But recall the Lal Masjid episode. More and more evidence is piling up that many suicide bombers stemmed from that single incident. Had the logic of ‘control of terror by more terror’ been worth anything the initial ‘shock and awe’ would have been enough.
No matter how inhumane these new breed of terrorists are, why have we totally shunned dialogue? A strong military presence with very limited and precise strikes alongside attempts for dialogue may lead to solutions. We are digging our own grave on the behest of the US by involving our army to do their dirty work. Let not the ‘bell toll for thee’.
Comments
223 responses to “Op-ed: For whom the drone tolls”
Your request to management is urgent need of time but to whom you are trying to awake.
On public demand they have arranged all like that.
PM befooled by fake medical camp in Mianwali.
http://www.thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=109757
This is real performance of our disaster management cell under a beard general.
We are not more affected by natural disasters than our poor actions of contingency handling procedures.This water is our life line for coming months and we wait whole year for such level of rain drop but when it came we have diverted it to create the havoc for locals.All scenes are result of disaster management prominent in our all departments,nothing more than it.
Average rain fall of clouds can be estimated soon after it start its movement form our mountains ranges.
We are lucky that monsoon winds first reach India and china and from where we can get the source data that how much rain is coming ahead but our incompetent management waits until fully destroyed situation is developed .Then they move their machinery out to show some efficiency to public.
The officials are more interested in devastation , hoping for more aid to come in their pockets.
I have very bad observation regarding helping of victims.
Majority of local donors are corrupt and recipients have become so aggressive due to living in harsh environment for long times since the earth quake had come in northern side .
So to streamline the mandatory aide for real victims is now one of tough job in our all time effected areas.
MAM: Common practice doesn't justify it.
Shamyl: Nor your lame criticism is justified.
MAM: Then don't make a Plato out of Akbar.
Shamyl: What is so Platonic about it. Please elaborate.
MAM: What was "Deen-e-Illahi"? If he separated Religion from Politics.
Din-e-Illahi for your consumption: According to Sri Ram Sharma, it is a gross exaggeration to give the Din-i-Illahi the
rank of a religion. It had no book, no priests, no ceremonies, and practically no religious beliefs. Din-i-illahi was the crowning expression of the emperor's national idealism. Akbar's motive in founding Din-i-Illahi was political rather than religious. According to Blochman only 18 members joined this new order. Akbar did not propogate in the spirit of a missionary nor did he compel any one to become its member. However, the general population could not read the mind of Akbar. They failed to appreciate his new order. Sadly, ordinary mortals still don't know much about Din-i-Illah because many read those books which have been refuted and rejected as authentic historical works by impartial modern historians.
MAM: Three Generals in Mahmud Army were Hindus
"It is nowhere asserted that Mahmud Ghaznavi ever put a Hindu to death except in battle"(M. Elphinstone)
So I know that his campaigns never had a religious motives. But I don't know what is your point here. Mahmud raided and
destroyed Hindu temples that were store houses of wealth and some were political centres. Mahmud did so to finance Central Asian campaigns. His motive was economic. Whereas, Akbar motive was neither economic nor religious. It was rather aimed to establish the writ of his imperial government and establish himself as an undisputed emperor of India. So nothing wrong with that. Study of history must be free from undue bias or preconceived opinions.
MAM: NAB was just an Institution to create a Political Class/Party to serve the Military Junta
It is just your opinion. Rather it is the opinion of corrupt politicians, dishonest & convicted government officials and anti-state journalists. It won't change ground realities that existed in General Musharraf's era.
Journalists like Ansar Abassi thrive on lies, fabricated stories, conspiracy theories, foreign support and hired by a
group which is seriously suspected of having close contacts with the Jewish lobbies. His other anti-state brother journalists and baqi chotay motay chamchay bhi follow him and think they are unlocking some da vinci code. But in reality they are just wasting their time as Pakistan
Army is indespensible, free from intentional financial corruption and anti-state elements. And people serving in Pakistan Army, Navy and Air Force are the most committed, honest, daring and patriotic Pakistanis. No amount of false accusations, lies and media dramas can harm or demoralize Armed Forces of Pakistan nor patriotic Pakistanis.
@ Nazia
In its more extreme forms persecution mania is a recognized form of insanity. Some people imagine that others wish to kill
them, imprison them or to do them some other grave injury. Often the wish to prtect themselves against imaginary persecutors
(army officers in your case) leads them into erratic behaviour, acts of violence and false cries and which make it necessary to restrain their liberty. Then there is a person who has a genuine grievance founded upon actual facts but who generalizes in the light of his or her own experience and arrives at the conclusion that his or her own misfortune affords the key to the universe. For example that person discovers some scandal about an intelligence service which it is to the interest of the country to keep dark. The person can obtain hardly any publicity for this discovery, and most apparently high minded men refuse to lift a finger to remedy the evil which fills the person with indignation. So far the facts are as he/she says they are but his/her rebuffs have made such an impression upon him/her that the person believes all powerful men to be occupied wholly and solely in covering up the crimes to which they owe their power. Cases of this kind are particularly difficult to
manage due to the partial truth of their outlook. The thing that has touched them personally has made more impression upon them than the much larger number of matters of which they have had no direct experience. This gives them wrong sense of proportion and causes them to attach undue importance to facts which are perhaps exceptional and sometimes even non-existent. No wonder that you view an air crash as a result of malfucntioning due to military installations whereas the facts are totally opposite.
Shamyl says: August 6, 2010 at 4:48 pm
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Your post could be your opinion.
Shamyl says: August 6, 2010 at 4:48 pm Journalists like Ansar Abassi thrive on lies, fabricated stories, conspiracy theories, foreign support and hired by a group which is seriously suspected of having close contacts with the Jewish lobbies.
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LOL:) Jewis Lobbies and Ansar Abbasi:) Jang Group & Ansar Abbasi's Obsession with CIA, FBI, Mossad & MI6.
http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2010/04/jang-gro…
Aamir Mughal says: August 6, 2010 at 9:31 pm Shamyl says: August 6, 2010 at 4:48 pm Journalists like Ansar Abassi thrive on lies, fabricated stories, conspiracy theories, foreign support and hired by a group which is seriously suspected of having close contacts with the Jewish lobbies.
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LOL:) How about some soul searching because a very Powerful Jewish Leader visited your favourite Enlightened General Musharraf and by the way one of Pakistan's COAS served the Israel: Shireen M. Mazari & Paranoid Delusions of Zionist Conspiracy http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/05/shireen-…
Shamyl says: August 6, 2010 at 4:48 pm Journalists like Ansar Abassi thrive on lies, fabricated stories, conspiracy theories, foreign support and hired by a group which is seriously suspected of having close contacts with the Jewish lobbies.
==============
Army buying Swat land in breach of law: Herald Friday, 06 Aug, 2010 http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-… KARACHI: The army is acquiring thousands of kanals of land for four garrisons it has planned to set up in Swat – one each in Barikot, Kabal, Khwazakhela and Matta – bypassing the law and, in some instances, to the displeasure of local people, the Herald reports.
According to a report published in the magazine’s August issue, that hit the newsstands today (Friday), military officials appointed in Swat are heading negotiations with local land-owners for the acquisition of land. This is in violation of the provisions of the Land Acquisition Act, 1894, which states that only the civilian administration is authorised to acquire land for public purposes. Some local people are also not happy with the land acquisition and the prices being offered. Sher Shah Khan, whose family will lose 4,000 kanals of land in Kabal to a cantonment, is one of them.
“We told the army that this is our source of livelihood but they said there was no possibility of the government acceding to our demand of not building a garrison in this area,” he said. A known political figure of Matta, who wishes to remain anonymous, puts it this way: “Paying 73 rupees per square foot for fertile land of Swat is a joke being played on the Swati people. It is less than you pay for a square foot of an average quality carpet.”
heee hee hee
Thanks shamyl for giving psychological postmortem of my personality.
I dont know how strong is your history knowledge about mughal emperors as it is my no go area but your deep and thoughtful observation about me is quite wrong.
But it is sure to me now that you have an extra talent and can be promoted to high position in ISPR in coming years.
You think I am afraid of persecution and injury or death in a form of insanity especially from army officers.
so sorry for your failed research, you need more time to understand my fearless personality.I have full confidence on my honest way of living that no corrupt officer can ever dare to persecute me or even think of inflicting me on basis of principles .Really I am sorry if my poor observation and relating comments have made an impression of my imaginary personality like insane person ,but I cant say other than it.
Dont worry about my mental health,since now it is very strong and consistent.
future is in hands of Allah who can dispose our all plans so i cant foresee in this regard
My training in professional life always keep me in vigilant form of absorbing all kind of setbacks(God bless me such strength) and even my backup plans are ready to counter all times of difficulties in my practical life.
I have a simple rules in my life that see the things with its originality, observe the performance/character of any person while he/she is on duty and say what always come in the range of truthfulness.
Why I feel through your words that you have encountered me some where other place in this blog world.
if you have some daring genes then I would like to hear your real Id.
ohhh sorry this is not in your job objective to face the world with real name so take it as light request.
actually you are not swallowing my bitter truth about your loving institute and your arrogant and egoistic attitude is the reason of such conflict,so your arrogance is yours problem not mine, nor it can harass me to take covers of fake Ids for expressing my point of views.
By the way What you people say to such mental sickness in which lover is not in mood of accepting the crimes, mistake and sin of his/her own deed and his/her buddy too.If some one dare to show him/her the real face of his/her lover, or give some moral resistance, first he dont accept it and then willing to kill the person who is trying his/her best to bring him close to reality.
I think you need some time to label this kind of schizophrenia.
shamyl
One thing I forget to add in my charge sheet made in your logical mind that trust me I have no misfortune in my life as I always take difficulty as my favorite challenges and never consider any thing in my life as misfortunes.
So you can say I am one of most content daughter of this soil which you are trying to pollute with concepts of conflicts,state of denial and confusions .
Mughal Sahib I can discuss Mughal history with you all day long because it is a productive thing to do. On the other hand, propoganda against Pakistan Army or for that matter any other institution is not acceptable. Pakistan Armed Forces, Parliament, judiciary, police, NAB, FIA, wapda, nepra, railways, education, taxation, customs and so on, are our own institutions. We belong to these and they belong to us. Constructive criticsm is a wise thing to do but walking an extra mile to belittle the prestige and sacrifices of Pakistanis serving in any national institution to further one's own interests is not at all a patriotic act or a service to the nation.
Thanks to General Musharraf's enlightened moderation that we now have a free, powerful and vibrant electronic and print media in this country which was long denied to us by our crook politicians. Anyhow, media is one of the most powerful agency for influencing and expressing public opinion. Media is thelink between the rulers and the ruled. It must be honest, impartial and accurate. It must be free and must not be a monoply of vested interests. Unfortunately, some spin doctors are are trying to manipulate the facts. They are presenting distorted facts in a persistent and systematic
manner before such persons who are incapable of critical thinking, resistence or rejection due to immature age, inexperience or lack of education and sense of patriotism. Much can be poured into an empty head as it is actually an empty pot.
Working for a Jewish lobby against Pakistan's interests by journalists like Ansar Abbasi and his followers is one thing and addressing World Jewish Congress and meeting Israaeli leaders (and telling them that, quote"We can remain mired in old prejudices and keep the world hostage to the politics of perennially defining and redefining the enemy, or we can move forward with courage and reach out to work for the rebirth of history and a new future of peace, harmony, mutual respect, dignity and shared prosperity. We can lose this opportunity to narrow vision and a failure to see humanity in each other. The responsibility to make the right choice is in our hands." unquote) is a different matter altogether. If we can talk to India whose agents are working against Pakistan and its army then why couldn't our former President reach out to the Israelis and sort out differnces?
Read the Jack Rosen post again and read the role of Zia. I have no objection if you like Army. I am not bound to follow you. Yes, Army deserve respect but only those who are Non-Commissioned and work like Animal and they are the one who deserve Respect, Hounour and I salute them. Dear Shamyl sahab, please lecture those who are born after 12 Oct 1999.
Shamyl says: August 7, 2010 at 3:21 am If we can talk to India whose agents are working against Pakistan and its army then why couldn’t our former President reach out to the Israelis and sort out differnces?
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Musharraf aka Grunt used to say a lot about Jinnah's Pakistan and Jinnah's vision, read what was the policy of Jinnah towards Israel: Mossad, Mahmoud Al Mabhouh & Deception.
http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2010/02/mossad-m…
Nazia thinks: "it is sure to me now that you have an extra talent and can be promoted to high position in ISPR in coming years."
Thanks. I am humbled by your generosity and compliments. It would be an honor to work for ISPR.
Nazia says: "so sorry for your failed research, you need more time to understand my fearless personality"
I am hoping that my observation is wrong but I am afraid it is 'very near'to the opposite.
Nazia feels: "Why I feel through your words that you have encountered me some where other place in this blog world."
My best guess would be………..Deja Vu
Nazia asserts: "actually you are not swallowing my bitter truth about your loving institute and your arrogant and egoistic attitude is the reason of such conflict,so your arrogance is yours problem not mine, nor it can harass me to take covers of fake Ids for expressing my point of views."
Nazia my love for Pakistan Armed Forces is as genuine as my ID.
Nazia inquires: "By the way What you people say to such mental sickness in which lover is not in mood of accepting the crimes, mistake and sin of his/her own deed and his/her buddy too.If some one dare to show him/her the real face of his/her lover, or give some moral resistance, first he dont accept it and then willing to kill the person who is trying his/her best to bring him close to reality. I think you need some time to label this kind of schizophrenia."
I have not encountered such a lover who is not in mood of accepting himself/herself and his/her beloved as a sinner. But I shall explore this and share my findings with you.
Nazia opines: "you can say I am one of most content daughter of this soil which you are trying to pollute with concepts of conflicts,state of denial and confusions."
Time will tell.
Allah is my witness.
when you get good position in ISPR then do first job in priority.try to introduce refreshal courses of speaking truth to nation.This is urgent need of time.
Lie detector machine should be mandatory installed in front desks where spoke man comes to give updates to poor nation.
you say
My best guess would be………..Deja Vu
oh mon dieu la fanthome de reseau
"my love for Pakistan Armed Forces is as genuine as my ID."
first I have to verify your ID but no doubt about your love for pak army is more than genuine.
"Time will tell.
Allah is my witness".
Time is best decision maker.By the way I am not follower of ablees too(sahitan kee chailee).I also look for place where Allah can not witness me and I can do my sins comfortably even using fake ids but still unable to get such place.
Madame, je pensais que nous avions enfin une sorte de trêve tacite.
My first suggestion,after getting there, would be to screen out anti-state journalists from official press briefings.
Your concern about my Id is heading towards a serious delusional disorder. This is upsetting really.
Saddam Hussain had a big list of *decorated* officers too, just like we have.
Those decorated officers still claim that they did best for the country. Until Saddam hussain's rule was over, Saddam Hussain was best for Iraq and as soon as BIGGER MASTER came, Iraq's fundamental strategic objectives changed [according to them].
Thats what Shamyl and other pimps claim about Jacobabad, Pasni airfields. They have leased it to raise funds for poor generals so that they can have lush green Golf Courses.
They never lost a battle. Honestly, its us who are wrong. They were always on the winning side.
Yes, Ansar Abbasi is working for Jewish Orgs so is Hamid Mir and other journalists who do not suck up to Na-Pak Army's stories and theories.
Now these pimps blame every thing on Musharraf, what was Musharraf without the backing of other crooks?
awaara says: August 7, 2010 at 7:16 am Saddam Hussain had a big list of *decorated* officers too, just like we have.
Those decorated officers still claim that they did best for the country. Until Saddam hussain’s rule was over,
================
Sir,
Read the dirty role Saddam Played: [do watch the rare footage of Saddam with Donald Rumsfeld] Corrupt, Vile & Filthy: Arabs, Aal-e-Saud, & Wahhaabis. http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2010/06/corrupt-…
awaara says: August 7, 2010 at 7:16 am Yes, Ansar Abbasi is working for Jewish Orgs so is Hamid Mir and other journalists who do not suck up to Na-Pak Army’s stories and theories.
Now these pimps blame every thing on Musharraf, what was Musharraf without the backing of other crooks?
===============
Sir,
You should have read Ansar Abbasi's praise for Musharraf after 12 Oct 1999 and in those days Ansar was in Dawn and every report of his was used to be a "Qaseeda" of Musharraf and his Filth Military Regime and about Hamid Mir: Jang Group/Hamid Mir's Controversy & Twisted Logic of Dawn Group of Newspapers. http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2010/05/jang-gro…
Note: News over the grapevine is: GEO has taken over the ARY TV [due to default of 3 Million Dollar by ARY], Hence Dr Shahid Masood is in ARY.
Amir,
Well if Ansar Abbasi was praising Musharraf, then he must be faithful of our Na-Pak Army and since shamyl said he(Ansar) is working for jewish org, then I conclude that both of you are correct and that our Na-Par Army is that jewish org…
BTW, I praised Mush too in the early days as I thought Ganja(nawaz) had become a firoun. So would you put me as MUSH follower too?
Aamir, please try something else to lure people to your blogs. If your blogs were any worthy, you wouldn't be spending more time here than your own blogs :).
You are not the only one who had seen Saddam's photo with Rumsfield. What does that prove? I can bring Zardari's photos with Mush and other Pak Army men. Would that mean that Zardari collaborated with MUSH in murdering BB?
Your logic is very childish.
’بارہ نجی چینلز ٹیکس ڈیفالٹر ہیں‘
آخری وقت اشاعت: جمعـء 14 مئ 2010 , 14:28 GMT 19:28 PST
http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/2010/05/100514…
Mughal
have you made any summarized report on the wave of terrorism in our civilian set up and attacks on police force in your blog.
If you have then ,can it be shared under your name in my report in which I will give to some officials of Punjab police as a little contribution from civil society.
After martyrdom of Sifwat Ghayur, the head of the 25,000-strong Frontier Constabulary, in target killing attack ,some honest police officers(seem to be) are desperately looking for root causes and necessary steps taken on immediate basis to counter such kind of home insurgency as these attacks t are badly demoralizing their men to perform their duty properly.
They are looking for feed backs from common citizens too..
So if you want to contribute in this way, let me know
thanks
Dear Ms. Nazia,
I have discussed the Religious Aspect [Haram act] of Terrorism and Suicide Attack. You can visit my blog and click Tags like Suicide Attack, Terrorism, Suicide Bombing, Militancy and collect whatever material you like and my blog is at your disposal for any report you like to prepare.