Anti-Drone Peshawar Dharna by PTI | Dharti Hamari, Marzi Hamari (Our land, our choice) .
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Come clean
The brief but busy visit by US Secretary of State Chuck Hagel to Pakistan makes it obvious that Washington is somewhat anxious about the blocking of Nato supply routes through the KP into Afghanistan. During his talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Hagel clearly made the point that the blockade had to stop, threatening otherwise a cut-off of US assistance to Pakistan. This reflects that for all its talks of alternatives, Washington is really extremely keen that the matter be sorted out. Its reaction shows us that the PTI, through its blockade intended as a protest against drone strikes, has strongly driven home a message. It has made the sentiments of its own followers, and those of most people in Pakistan, known to Washington. This is something the PML-N and other parties had failed to do. Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the White House and his statement saying he had brought up the drone issue with the top leadership led to no results at all. Indeed, at least three drone attacks followed in quick succession after these words. This time, we at least have a distinct reaction – and in this respect the PTI can claim its measure against the movement of trucks and containers has been a success.
In fact the PTI stance has exposed, if there was a need for this exposure, the double-faced policy of the government and other mainstream political parties that play on popular sentiment on the one hand and collude with the US on the other. The question now before the government is what it is to do next. Any move to use force to end the blockade would obviously be immensely unpopular. At the same time, the necessities of international politics mean it must keep its relations with Washington harmonious. Instead of continuing with the same hypocrisy that characterised the previous government, perhaps the PML-N government can begin by being honest about its true approach to the issue and tell the people why it thinks that approach is better. It should stop playing fast and loose with people over an issue in which it faces a real dilemma. The events from this point on will be closely watched with Pakistan at least having succeeded in making its voice heard in an environment where there has so far been barely a whisper echoing across the mountains that make up the north, where drones have already inflicted a great deal of human suffering.
Come clean - thenews.com.pk
The brief but busy visit by US Secretary of State Chuck Hagel to Pakistan makes it obvious that Washington is somewhat anxious about the blocking of Nato supply routes through the KP into Afghanistan. During his talks with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Hagel clearly made the point that the blockade had to stop, threatening otherwise a cut-off of US assistance to Pakistan. This reflects that for all its talks of alternatives, Washington is really extremely keen that the matter be sorted out. Its reaction shows us that the PTI, through its blockade intended as a protest against drone strikes, has strongly driven home a message. It has made the sentiments of its own followers, and those of most people in Pakistan, known to Washington. This is something the PML-N and other parties had failed to do. Nawaz Sharif’s visit to the White House and his statement saying he had brought up the drone issue with the top leadership led to no results at all. Indeed, at least three drone attacks followed in quick succession after these words. This time, we at least have a distinct reaction – and in this respect the PTI can claim its measure against the movement of trucks and containers has been a success.
In fact the PTI stance has exposed, if there was a need for this exposure, the double-faced policy of the government and other mainstream political parties that play on popular sentiment on the one hand and collude with the US on the other. The question now before the government is what it is to do next. Any move to use force to end the blockade would obviously be immensely unpopular. At the same time, the necessities of international politics mean it must keep its relations with Washington harmonious. Instead of continuing with the same hypocrisy that characterised the previous government, perhaps the PML-N government can begin by being honest about its true approach to the issue and tell the people why it thinks that approach is better. It should stop playing fast and loose with people over an issue in which it faces a real dilemma. The events from this point on will be closely watched with Pakistan at least having succeeded in making its voice heard in an environment where there has so far been barely a whisper echoing across the mountains that make up the north, where drones have already inflicted a great deal of human suffering.
Come clean - thenews.com.pk
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NLC hit badly by blockade of Nato supplies
As Nato supply was blocked by the PTI and JI, it has not only troubled the US-led forces in Afghanistan but also left an adverse impact on the business of Pakistan Army-run NLC that is the leading agency involved in transportation of US/Nato/Isaf goods from Karachi Port to Afghanistan.
While toilet-related stuff tops in Nato consignments in terms of non-military shipments, transportation done through the NLC forms 64 percent of the total goods transited through Pakistan, official data from January 2011 to October 2013 available with The News reveals.
Other transporters who won contract for the Nato supply also have to secure approval from NLC that has assumed monopolistic role in the entire business. As the NLC does not have the capacity to deal with the load of work, it has largely outsourced the business to private goods forwarding agencies, a fact that was already established by a report on Isaf containers prepared in January 2011 by Dr Shoaib Suddle, the then Federal Tax Ombudsman.
The rate per 40-feet container ranges between Rs33,000 to Rs38,000, this report said. As many as 6,735 consignments of Isaf/Nato were transported to Afghanistan. How many containers were used for each consignment shipment could not be ascertained by The News.
Not only the Nato supply, NLC is the lead agency for the transportation of commercial/non-commercial cargo of Afghan Transit Trade, US military and Isaf. Out of 6,735 consignments of Isaf and Nato combined, the NLC transported 57 percent of them in the last three years followed by another transportation company, Clearance for Chartered Plan Carriers (17 percent), and Freight Solutions ranked third with contract of five percent goods transited through Pakistan during this period.
De-icing material carries the highest import value that Isaf and Nato shifted to Afghanistan via Pakistan. Toilet-related stuff was the second highest import for Isaf/Nato troops during this period. When supply was blocked after attack on Salala post claiming lives of Pakistani soldiers, it resulted in severe shortage of diapers.
Compared to combined supply of Isaf and Nato, NLC has more shares in transportation of Nato goods as 64 percent of the shipment is done through this agency. Another goods forwarding agency, M/s Security Transport, received contract of 32 percent consignments followed by M/s Razziq International with 23 percent shipment.
NLC uses private transport for Isaf/Nato transit cargo and only 30 percent owned and 70 percent privately hired vehicles for commercial category of transit cargo, the report had disclosed, according to Suddle report of
2011 on Isaf containers scam. In case of privately hired vehicles, NLC simply gets documents signed from the transporter without ensuring safety and security of the cargo, the report said. The US/Isaf/Nato cargo for transit to Afghanistan is allowed transportation, the report explained, through private sector on the recommendation of Foreign Office subject to NOC by NLC.
The Economic Coordination Committee in 2002 assigned the role of central coordination agency for arranging logistics for transportation of cargo pertaining to the humanitarian and rehabilitation program in Afghanistan to NLC, according to Suddle report. As NLC did not have the requisite number of trucks, it started authorizing private sector transporters to do the job instead.
NLC hit badly by blockade of Nato supplies - thenews.com.pk
so that is why certain military apologists are crying
p.s. by the way what happened to the corruption scam in NLC?
As Nato supply was blocked by the PTI and JI, it has not only troubled the US-led forces in Afghanistan but also left an adverse impact on the business of Pakistan Army-run NLC that is the leading agency involved in transportation of US/Nato/Isaf goods from Karachi Port to Afghanistan.
While toilet-related stuff tops in Nato consignments in terms of non-military shipments, transportation done through the NLC forms 64 percent of the total goods transited through Pakistan, official data from January 2011 to October 2013 available with The News reveals.
Other transporters who won contract for the Nato supply also have to secure approval from NLC that has assumed monopolistic role in the entire business. As the NLC does not have the capacity to deal with the load of work, it has largely outsourced the business to private goods forwarding agencies, a fact that was already established by a report on Isaf containers prepared in January 2011 by Dr Shoaib Suddle, the then Federal Tax Ombudsman.
The rate per 40-feet container ranges between Rs33,000 to Rs38,000, this report said. As many as 6,735 consignments of Isaf/Nato were transported to Afghanistan. How many containers were used for each consignment shipment could not be ascertained by The News.
Not only the Nato supply, NLC is the lead agency for the transportation of commercial/non-commercial cargo of Afghan Transit Trade, US military and Isaf. Out of 6,735 consignments of Isaf and Nato combined, the NLC transported 57 percent of them in the last three years followed by another transportation company, Clearance for Chartered Plan Carriers (17 percent), and Freight Solutions ranked third with contract of five percent goods transited through Pakistan during this period.
De-icing material carries the highest import value that Isaf and Nato shifted to Afghanistan via Pakistan. Toilet-related stuff was the second highest import for Isaf/Nato troops during this period. When supply was blocked after attack on Salala post claiming lives of Pakistani soldiers, it resulted in severe shortage of diapers.
Compared to combined supply of Isaf and Nato, NLC has more shares in transportation of Nato goods as 64 percent of the shipment is done through this agency. Another goods forwarding agency, M/s Security Transport, received contract of 32 percent consignments followed by M/s Razziq International with 23 percent shipment.
NLC uses private transport for Isaf/Nato transit cargo and only 30 percent owned and 70 percent privately hired vehicles for commercial category of transit cargo, the report had disclosed, according to Suddle report of
2011 on Isaf containers scam. In case of privately hired vehicles, NLC simply gets documents signed from the transporter without ensuring safety and security of the cargo, the report said. The US/Isaf/Nato cargo for transit to Afghanistan is allowed transportation, the report explained, through private sector on the recommendation of Foreign Office subject to NOC by NLC.
The Economic Coordination Committee in 2002 assigned the role of central coordination agency for arranging logistics for transportation of cargo pertaining to the humanitarian and rehabilitation program in Afghanistan to NLC, according to Suddle report. As NLC did not have the requisite number of trucks, it started authorizing private sector transporters to do the job instead.
NLC hit badly by blockade of Nato supplies - thenews.com.pk
so that is why certain military apologists are crying
p.s. by the way what happened to the corruption scam in NLC?
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PTIs response to Farhatullah Babar's statement that drone attacks are "beneficial" for Pakistan
Central Information Secretary PTI, Shireen Mazari, today expressed surprise at the statement of PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar declaring drone attacks "beneficial" for Pakistan. Mazari said this exposed the lies the PPP was feeding the people of Pakistan when their leadership criticised drones publicly. Equally condemnable was the PPP's "support" for anti-drone parliamentary resolutions and the APC resolutions. Clearly the revelations in Wikileaks and books and articles in the West asserting that the PPP was fooling its people and supporting US drone attacks were all correct.
Mazari questioned as to why the PPP felt the need for this duplicity over drones when they believed they were good for Pakistan?
Furthermore, Mazari pointed out, drones had done nothing to end terrorism. In fact, drones have been and are a major source of multiplying terrorism and aggravating extremism. Perhaps most important, CIA drone attacks on Pakistan are a violation of international law including the UN Charter, humanitarian laws and the sovereignty of Pakistan. In addition there is now a PHC judgement declaring these drone attacks a war crime.
In view of all these facts, Mazari asserted the PPP stands exposed once again for its duplicity over drones, which we suspected all along and which has now been proven by the PPP Senator's remarks in the Senate on drones.
PTIs response to Farhatullah Babar's statement that drone attacks are "beneficial" for Pakistan > Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf > Insaf News
Central Information Secretary PTI, Shireen Mazari, today expressed surprise at the statement of PPP Senator Farhatullah Babar declaring drone attacks "beneficial" for Pakistan. Mazari said this exposed the lies the PPP was feeding the people of Pakistan when their leadership criticised drones publicly. Equally condemnable was the PPP's "support" for anti-drone parliamentary resolutions and the APC resolutions. Clearly the revelations in Wikileaks and books and articles in the West asserting that the PPP was fooling its people and supporting US drone attacks were all correct.
Mazari questioned as to why the PPP felt the need for this duplicity over drones when they believed they were good for Pakistan?
Furthermore, Mazari pointed out, drones had done nothing to end terrorism. In fact, drones have been and are a major source of multiplying terrorism and aggravating extremism. Perhaps most important, CIA drone attacks on Pakistan are a violation of international law including the UN Charter, humanitarian laws and the sovereignty of Pakistan. In addition there is now a PHC judgement declaring these drone attacks a war crime.
In view of all these facts, Mazari asserted the PPP stands exposed once again for its duplicity over drones, which we suspected all along and which has now been proven by the PPP Senator's remarks in the Senate on drones.
PTIs response to Farhatullah Babar's statement that drone attacks are "beneficial" for Pakistan > Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf > Insaf News
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yeh sab bikao mall hain, 10 dollar do apni maa becha dain gaye... kiya general sharif to kiya prime minister nawaz sharif !!
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Ask mighty americans to apologize? These indians must be thrown to stone age at committing this heinous crime. </pakistani-liberals>
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none of them would suggest that to be indian fate. they are paid to do propaganda only against Pakistan and Pakistan's interests.
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US getting frustrated with Pakistan due to protest against drone attacks
Washington: As protest against US drone attacks continuous in Pakistan to block NATO supplies, US getting frustrated with Pakistan because if has to face the possibility of flying out equipment at an additional cost of $1 billion.
The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the planning, said flying the military equipment out of Afghanistan to a port will cost five to seven times as much as it does to truck it through Pakistan. About a hundred trucks are stacked up at the border, and hundreds more are loaded and stalled in compounds, waiting to leave Afghanistan.
The shipments consist largely of military equipment that is no longer needed now that the Afghan war is ending. Sending the cargo out through the normal Pakistan routes will cost about $5 billion through the end of next year, said a defense official. Flying the heavy equipment, including armored vehicles, out of Afghanistan to ports in the Middle East, where it would be loaded onto ships, would cost about $6 billion if it continued through next year, said the official.
A northern supply route, which runs through Uzbekistan and up to Russia, was used for about seven months last year when Pakistan shut down the southern passages after U.S. airstrikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at two border posts. That northern route, however, was used primarily to bring shipments into Afghanistan, and is much longer, more costly and often requires cargo to be transferred from trucks to rail.
The deadlock, if not resolved, could also be costly for Pakistan. In private meetings in Islamabad early last week, Hagel warned Pakistani leaders that unless the military shipments resumed, political support could erode in Washington for an aid program that sends them billions of dollars.
Hagel received assurances from Pakistan leaders during the meetings that they would resolve the problem but no progress has been made.
The protesters are demonstrating against the CIA’s drone program, which has killed civilians.
The group gathers daily at a toll booth on the outskirts of the provincial capital of Peshawar. All traffic going into the tribal areas and on to the Torkham crossing must pass through the toll booth.
http://www.thenewstribe.com/2013/12...akistan-due-to-protest-against-drone-attacks/
Washington: As protest against US drone attacks continuous in Pakistan to block NATO supplies, US getting frustrated with Pakistan because if has to face the possibility of flying out equipment at an additional cost of $1 billion.
The U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the planning, said flying the military equipment out of Afghanistan to a port will cost five to seven times as much as it does to truck it through Pakistan. About a hundred trucks are stacked up at the border, and hundreds more are loaded and stalled in compounds, waiting to leave Afghanistan.
The shipments consist largely of military equipment that is no longer needed now that the Afghan war is ending. Sending the cargo out through the normal Pakistan routes will cost about $5 billion through the end of next year, said a defense official. Flying the heavy equipment, including armored vehicles, out of Afghanistan to ports in the Middle East, where it would be loaded onto ships, would cost about $6 billion if it continued through next year, said the official.
A northern supply route, which runs through Uzbekistan and up to Russia, was used for about seven months last year when Pakistan shut down the southern passages after U.S. airstrikes killed 24 Pakistani soldiers at two border posts. That northern route, however, was used primarily to bring shipments into Afghanistan, and is much longer, more costly and often requires cargo to be transferred from trucks to rail.
The deadlock, if not resolved, could also be costly for Pakistan. In private meetings in Islamabad early last week, Hagel warned Pakistani leaders that unless the military shipments resumed, political support could erode in Washington for an aid program that sends them billions of dollars.
Hagel received assurances from Pakistan leaders during the meetings that they would resolve the problem but no progress has been made.
The protesters are demonstrating against the CIA’s drone program, which has killed civilians.
The group gathers daily at a toll booth on the outskirts of the provincial capital of Peshawar. All traffic going into the tribal areas and on to the Torkham crossing must pass through the toll booth.
http://www.thenewstribe.com/2013/12...akistan-due-to-protest-against-drone-attacks/
