Loud Thinking

Posts Tagged ‘Pakistan’

The article by Noam Chomsky reproduced below was published in Guernica magazine on May 6, 2011(http://www.guernicamag.com/blog/2652/noam_chomsky_my_reaction_to_os/) is a master piece analysis on not only the death of OBL but also sheds glaring light on the 9/11 terror acts in USA as well. It is being reproduced below particularly for the benefit of policy makers in Pakistan to charter the future course of nations policy on war on terror.  

                                                      Article

“It’s increasingly clear that the operation was a planned assassination, multiply violating elementary norms of international law. There appears to have been no attempt to apprehend the unarmed victim, as presumably could have been done by 80 commandos facing virtually no opposition—except, they claim, from his wife, who lunged towards them. In societies that profess some respect for law, suspects are apprehended and brought to fair trial. I stress “suspects.” In April 2002, the head of the FBI, Robert Mueller, informed the press that after the most intensive investigation in history, the FBI could say no more than that it “believed” that the plot was hatched in Afghanistan, though implemented in the UAE and Germany. What they only believed in April 2002, they obviously didn’t know 8 months earlier, when Washington dismissed tentative offers by the Taliban (how serious, we do not know, because they were instantly dismissed) to extradite bin Laden if they were presented with evidence—which, as we soon learned, Washington didn’t have. Thus Obama was simply lying when he said, in his White House statement, that “we quickly learned that the 9/11 attacks were carried out by al Qaeda.”

Nothing serious has been provided since. There is much talk of bin Laden’s “confession,” but that is rather like my confession that I won the Boston Marathon. He boasted of what he regarded as a great achievement.

There is also much media discussion of Washington’s anger that Pakistan didn’t turn over bin Laden, though surely elements of the military and security forces were aware of his presence in Abbottabad. Less is said about Pakistani anger that the U.S. invaded their territory to carry out a political assassination. Anti-American fervor is already very high in Pakistan, and these events are likely to exacerbate it. The decision to dump the body at sea is already, predictably, provoking both anger and skepticism in much of the Muslim world.

It’s like naming our murder weapons after victims of our crimes: Apache, Tomahawk… It’s as if the Luftwaffe were to call its fighter planes “Jew” and “Gypsy.”

We might ask ourselves how we would be reacting if Iraqi commandos landed at George W. Bush’s compound, assassinated him, and dumped his body in the Atlantic. Uncontroversially, his crimes vastly exceed bin Laden’s, and he is not a “suspect” but uncontroversially the “decider” who gave the orders to commit the “supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole” (quoting the Nuremberg Tribunal) for which Nazi criminals were hanged: the hundreds of thousands of deaths, millions of refugees, destruction of much of the country, the bitter sectarian conflict that has now spread to the rest of the region.

There’s more to say about [Cuban airline bomber Orlando] Bosch, who just died peacefully in Florida, including reference to the “Bush doctrine” that societies that harbor terrorists are as guilty as the terrorists themselves and should be treated accordingly. No one seemed to notice that Bush was calling for invasion and destruction of the U.S. and murder of its criminal president.

Same with the name, Operation Geronimo. The imperial mentality is so profound, throughout western society, that no one can perceive that they are glorifying bin Laden by identifying him with courageous resistance against genocidal invaders. It’s like naming our murder weapons after victims of our crimes: Apache, Tomahawk… It’s as if the Luftwaffe were to call its fighter planes “Jew” and “Gypsy.”

There is much more to say, but even the most obvious and elementary facts should provide us with a good deal to think about.” (By Noam Chomsky)

Copyright 2011 Noam Chomsky

The subject article by Akhtar Jamal published in the “Pakistan Observer” is reproduced below with link. The questions raised in the article with particular reference to the DNA test results authenticity, needs answers from the concerned authorities.

Observer Exclusive

Islamabad—The claims regarding Osama bin Laden’s death began almost immediately after Sept. 11, 2001 American invasion of Afghanistan.

In 2010 a website released photo of the body of Osama bin Laden and claimed that he was killed several years ago. But what is more surprising is that the very same photo was being circulated Monday after U.S. forces reported that Osama bin Laden was killed early Monday.

It was not clear why the same photo of “dead Osama” which was available with several regional agencies were released Monday once again to the media.

This led to speculations that “Osama’s body might have been brought in to be later ‘discovered’ from the scene of clash with other Al-Qaeda militants.

The discovery of Osama’s body from Bilal Town, Abbottabad has increased pressure on Pakistani security forces.

Some experts expressed surprise over official confirmation of Osama’s death at highest level in the United States just within a few hours of Osama’s death. Experts say that a DNA test cannot be done within a few hours and professionals cannot be satisfied with DNA tests conducted within three or four hours after death.

American, French, Saudi and even Pakistani leaders Benazir Bhutto and President Zardari had claimed that Osama was long dead.

In 2007, Benazir Bhutto in an interview with U.S. TV channel claimed that the Al-Qaeda leader was ‘murdered’ years ago. In the interview, she identified the man who killed the notorious al-Qaeda leader as one Omar Sheikh. A few weeks after her statement Benazir Bhutto was assassinated on December 27, 2007.

The report that Osama bin Laden’s body had been buried at sea, claiming it was in accordance with Islamic law, has also raised several questions. It is also a fact that burial at sea is not an Islamic practice and Islam does not determine a timeframe for burial.

Here is the time-line on claims of Osama bin Laden’s death since 2002.

July, 2002 FBI counter-terrorism chief Dale Watson tells a law enforcement conference: “I personally think bin Laden is probably not with us anymore, but I have no evidence to support that.”

August 2002, an American radio host Alex Jones announces, citing high-level Bush administration sources, “that bin Laden died of natural causes and that his family has given the body to the CIA.” Jones added, “they’re gonna roll him out right before the election, he’s on ice right now.”

May, 2003 French military analyst announces that bin Laden was killed in an American air raid in Tora Bora shortly after the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001.

February, 2004 Iranian Radio reports that bin Laden was captured in the Afghan-Pakistan border area “a long time ago”—but the official announcement was delayed because “Bush is intending to use it for propaganda maneuvering in the presidential election.”

April, 2005 The Israeli press picks up an account from a radical Muslim London newspaper: “We now report that the al-Qaeda organization has announced the death of Osama Bin Laden.”

September 2006 French intelligence document says that Saudis believe bin Laden had died of typhoid in Pakistan.

June 2008: Citing two unnamed officials, Time magazine reports that a recent CIA study has concluded bin Laden has long-term kidney disease and “may only have months to live.”

April, 2009 President Asif Ali Zardari tells the media that his country’s intelligence services “obviously feel that (bin Laden) does not exist anymore”.

Finally on May 2, 2011 American President Barak Obama announces that the U.S. killed bin Laden in Pakistan.

Link:- http://pakobserver.net/detailnews.asp?id=90017

Sir, corruption is the biggest danger to the survial of Pakistan. 

Sir, there is a saying of Hazrat Ali RA, that a system of ‘Kufr’ can sustain but not a system of ‘Zulm’. And in my opinion, the biggest Zulm with the poor after injustice is corruption. In fact, injustice stems from corruption. The monumental increase in corruption has tremendously increased poverty which in turn is now breeding terrorism. 

Pakistan cricket team always had the potential and talent to win any and all of the past cricket ODI world cup tournaments. As such, there should be no doubt about its chances of winning the next cricket ODI world CUP scheduled in 2015, to be played in the down under.
In this regard, PCB must prepare a plan named ”Vision 2015″. This plan should be a fool proof strategy with specific focus on winning the 2015 tournament, considering all risk factors, like sudden unavailability of any player due to various reasons, at least five umpiring decisions going against us (two in batting & three in bowling innings), dropped catches/missed run outs and failure of main bowlers and batsmen etc. We should remember that plans never fail, we fail to plan. Moreover, the PCB “Vision 2015″ must state that “You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.”
The broad outlines of the “Vision 2015″ are defined as below.
1. A visionary person of a ultra high calibre, should be appointed the coach of Pakistan cricket team. We should also set a new trend and hire a full time mentor, for which I recommend Sir Alexander Chapman “Alex” Ferguson, CBE who is a former Scottish football manager and player who managedManchester United from 1986 to 2013. His time at the club has led to Ferguson being regarded as one of the most successful, admired and respected managers in the history of the game. PCB must ensure that in the hiring of Sir Alex Ferguson, money should not be a barrier, notwithstanding any amount demanded by him. PCB should consider this expense as an investment in 24K gold. The mentor should be specifically responsible for making our players mentally the strongest in the world, along with his other defined duties.
2. A young person should be appointed captain to lead the team for the next 5-7 years.
3. All cricket playing centers of PCB in Pakistan, should remodel the boundary distances to 90 meters (matching the size of Australian grounds) and batsmen should practise taking 5 runs, in case, ball is fielded before it reaches the rope.
4. Any player who is not of age and fitness to serve the country for next 5 years, should be discarded now, for ODI and T20 games.
5. A world class fielding coach of the calibre of Jonty Rhodes, be appointed for the team, alongwith the head coach.
6. We must find more than five bowlers from the tribal belt or any rugged area of the country, who should be able to bowl at 100 MPH speed. To attract the country talent of fast bowling, a handsome prize should be annouced, as an incentive for this speed bowling.
7. Cricket academy at PCB HQ Lahore, must be headed by a world renowned batsman.
8. The team of selectors should be tasked to locate 50 talented players, with potential to deliver at international level.
9. PCB should take on the challenge of round the year cricket (in summers, games starting at 5 PM) playing arrangements of local and foreign teams in Pakistan. And in summer 2011, PCB should pioneer night Test/ODI/T20 matches in Pakistan.
10. All PCB grounds in the country (even in smaller cities/towns), should be provided with lights for night games.
11. In order to prepare fast and bouncy tracks on all PCB grounds, suitable soil and if possible prefabricated pitches may be imported from abroad.

The Pakistani cricket team’s Madness in Mohali Semi Final world cup 2011 match has shell shocked the nation. Reason being that every body could see that the situation was under control and target very achieveable. By snatching defeat from the jaws of victory, captain Shahid Afridi and other team management members proved, how badly they lacked management abilities of a thinking mind and leadership qualities.

Management is doing  things right; Leadership is doing right things. Management is efficiency in climbing the ladder of success; Leadership determines whether the ladder is leaning against the right wall.

Now, if we analyse the management and leadership of Pakistani cricket team, during the semi final match of 30 March 2011, the following glaring examples, speak out for themselves.

1. Shahid Afridi kept on giving overs after overs to Omar Gul, even when he was the most expensive bowler of the team, without utilizing the most economical bowler Abdul Razzaq. This was the master stroke of genius Afridi, who was also not given any advice by the other senior members of the team or the more genius members of the management team, sitting in the pavilion.

2. Genius Afridi, removed Wahab Riaz from bowling, precisely at the time, when he was about to run through the Indian batsmen.

3. At a time when Pakistani openers gave a very positive start to the innings & then got out, Abdul Razzaq, Afridi or Omar Akmal should have been sent in, to maintain pressure of runs in the 1st power play of ten overs, when only two fielders are out side the circle. But what happened was, that Younis came in and later on Misbah. Both batted so lazely that it dragged the momentum of runs created by the openers, to such an abyss, from where the innings never recovered.

4. It looks that the entire team and its management, forgot to take the last batting power play, till the time the sand had slipped from the hand. This is an un pardonable blunder. The best time to take the 3rd PP was, when Afridi and Misbah were togather at the crease.

5. Nobody advised the batsmen to keep on taking singles, rather than blocking exceptionally high percentage of balls for no run.

The nation is shaken not by the defeat but the way our team management snatched defeat from the jaws of the victory. Now the way forward for the PCB is to either its chairman, take the full responsibility and resign or take the following steps.

a) Dismiss M/S. Intikhab Alam, Waqar Younus and Aaquib Javed from their respective positions.

b) Sack Afridi from the captainship of the national team.

c) Younis, Misbah and Abdul Razzaq should never again be considered for ODI or T20 teams and Kamran Akmal should also be sacked from any version of the national team. He is not an ordinary player rather, a below ordinary level player. 

d) Hafeez should be appointed the future captain of ODI & T20 Pakistan teams, with Wahab Riaz as his deputy.

e) Youngsters like Sarfraz Ahmad, Naveed, Shoaib Khan etc should be inducted in the ODI and T20 teams.

f) A full time fielding coach must be appointed for Pakistan team, without any further delay.   

 
A vast majority of the peace loving people have  welcomed the news of Indian Prime Minister’s invitation to the Pakistani leadership  to visit India, on the occasion of cricket world cup semi final match, between Pakistan and India, to be played at Mohali on 30 March, 2011. It is earnestly hoped that this meeting will not only be a harbinger of peace between the two neighboring nations, but will also be a huge performance incentive for both the cricket teams, playing what is being billed as ‘Mother of all matches’.
 
Moreover, it is hoped that this historic opportunity of meeting, between the two democratically elected prime ministers, will also be utilized as a turning point, for genuine and authentic progress towards peace and harmony, between 1.5 billion human beings of two nuclear armed neighbors. It must be absolutely clear to every person that both of us have no choice except peace, whether we accept this fact today or 100 years hence. However, movement towards peace needs taking small but meaningful steps.
 
In this regards, besides other major issues of Kashmir, water, Siachin, Sir-Creek and anti-terrorism cooperation, the following smaller issues may also be given due importance, to show tangible progress in relations between the two neighbors.
 
1. Visa regulations to be changed to allow visit of people to any city, without restrictions, in both the countries.
 
2. Trade between both the nations should be given top most priority.
 
3. Relatives of prisoners should be given preferential visas.
 
4. Exchange of cultural, educational, trade/business and sports teams should be accorded top priority, for strengthening the people to people bonds.
 
5. Indian cricket team must visit Pakistan immediately after the world cup, to play a series of T20 matches.
 
6. As promised earlier,  BCCI must use its influence on ICC, to restore visits of foreign teams to Pakistan. And to show its resolve, a T20 tournament should be held ASAP in Pakistan, to be played amongst Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka national or A teams.
 
7. Direct air, rail & road traffic to more Indian and Pakistani cities should be opened without delay. Moreover, people wanting to visit both the countries by car, may also be allowed to travel by own transport.
 
8. Telephone rates are very high between the two countries, which should be rationalized according to the international tariff.

9. All television channels news papers & magazines should be freely available in both the countries, without any restrictions. 

Wishing & praying for a historic success to peace and cricket,  on the occasion of this highly awaited sports event of the century, which demands declaring of a holiday in both the countries, for its people to enjoy the witnessing of this mega event, in company of  their near and dear ones. 

The following poem written by my late father, Syed Shahab Uddin Ahmad (1919-2000) former Lecturer of Chemistry, Aligarh Muslim University,  Principal, Charmical Degree College Rangpur (East Pakistan), Academic Registrar, Rajshahi University (East Pakistan), G.M. Lyallpur Chemicals & Fertilizers Limited (PIDC & NFC) Jaranwala & General Manager, National Fertilizers Corporation of Pakistan,  was originally published in the DAWN in early 40’s. Later on, this poem was also published by Syed Sharif Uddin Peerzada,  in a book titled ” UNPARDONABLE CRIME OF JINNAH ” in October 1942. One of the rarest copies of this book is with me.

” P A K I S T A N “

They say  ’tis  “vivisection”

Of the Indian nation

In an unknown fashion.

It is an idler’s dream,

A confused scream

For a selfish scheme.

‘Impracticable’

‘Unimaginable’,

Is how they babble.

And when meet their seers,

With crocodile tears

They expose their fears.

But these are morbid libels

From sworn but feigned infidels,

Wearing varied labels.

Preposterous, pretentious,

Hypocritical notions.

Disguised resolutions.

Phantastic desire.

To be India’s sire.

Is what they aspire.

In the name of democracy,

With numerical supremacy,

Is their game of diplomacy.

But we can’t be daunted

By sarcasms taunted.

Or vain fears haunted.

We want India’s deliverance,

To save it from decadence.

And without a vengeance.

A home for us secure.

Also for them quite sure.

Without a basely lure.

On justice, fairplay, equity

Behold Pakistan’s quality

Won’t it stand till eternity?

Every negative has a positive. Although, Pakistan lost in a pathetic manner against New Zealand, in their group match played on March, 08, 2011 yet, I believe that we should consider this defeat as a blessing in disguise. Because firstly, it was not a knock out situation and secondly, now we know all the chinks in our armor which we can and should be mended, to play our future matches with total focus and determination on winning the finals, at all costs.
 
In this regard, the following steps are suggested as an immediate corrective measures.

1. Our main problem is batting. Mr. Mohsin Hasan Khan (Chief Selector) is a very experienced, committed & dedicated person. Our team badly needs his services for planning, strategy and overall game plan. As such, Mr. Mohsin Hasan Khan may be asked to immediately join the team, for utilizing his services to uplift team’s batting in  particular & overall performance in general.

2. Request M/S Imran Khan and Javed Mindad to hold daily video or telephonic conference with the team management and entire team and discuss all training, motivational, technical, tactical and strategy issues relating to the next matches.
 
3. We should avoid insanity which is defined as ” Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” What I mean to say is that Mr. Kamran Akmal should not be expected to deliver as a wicket keeper or attacking batsman. Hence,  if possible he should (in the national interest) feign injury, return home and some able replacement may be sent in. Otherwise, he should be replaced with Asad Shafiq as a batsman and Umar Akmal should be given the responsibilities of wicket keeping.
 
4. Now coming to our strategy for the 1st ten overs. These overs are more precious than gold. Here, again insanity should be avoided and Abdul Razzaq and Shahzad Ahmad should open the innings with license to play shots, freely and keeping in view a target score not less than 90-100 runs. ( Not failure but low aim is crime).
 
5. If a wicket falls in 1st ten overs, Shahid Afridi should bat at No.3.
 
6. It must be clear to all and sundry that M/S Abul Razzaq & Shahid Afridi have virtually played no role in any Pakistani current world cup victory with their bat. And the team needs this role very badly. 
 
7. If a spinner is required to bowl in the 1st ten overs, Hafeez should be asked to do the job.
 
8. Junaid, the left arm fast bowler must be given the chance to  prove himself in the next match.
 
9. Winning the world cup is almost like achieving the impossible. And in order to achieve the impossible, it is precisely the unthinkable that must be thought. World class success can not be achieved with second class performance.
 
10. The biggest plus of this tournament has been the emergence of Shahzad Ahmad as the best fielder of the team. This asset should be properly utilized, to the maximum advantage of the team.

If Pakistan forgets thrashing by NZ batsmen and focus on winning the game with absolutely positive attitude, they can still win the match easily.

Nevertheless, if fate has ordained defeat for you, give it a good fight. Never ever, surrender.