Need of Timely Action against Terrorism

Posted by Belharvi                  

                                                          In order to resolve the menace of terrorism, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on January 29, this year announced the constitution of 4-member committee comprising impartial personalities to open negotiations with the warring Taliban. The committee has started contacts with all the militant groups, especially Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) which has also welcomed government’s offer of peace dialogue. But at the same time, while referring to the recent terrorist attacks in Bannu, Peshawar, Hangu, assaults on anti-polio workers, media, minorities and religious scholars, prime minister also stated, “All state institutions will stand behind the government, if it decides to use force against terrorists.” He also clarified that talks and terrorism cannot go together, and asked the militants to observe a ceasefire.

Quite contrarily, TTP-led militants continued their subversive activities, particularly in Khyber Pakhtoonkhwa and Karachi, while in Balochistan, the Taliban have connections with other insurgents’ outfits like Balachistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Jundollah (God’s soldiers), which are also involved in similar acts of terrorism.In fact, since the present government came into power, it has been wavering between fact and scepticism by following the policy of appeasement towards all the militant groups, especially TTP which has not ended its terror-activities such as suicide attacks, bomb blasts, targeted killings, ruthless beheadings of the innocent people, assaults on security personnel and prominent religious figures. 

Unfortunately, Pakistan is faced with extremely wicked, enigmatically elusive and subjectively imprecise threat posed by terrorism or TPP. The irony of the fate is that terrorists wear homogeneously accepted garbs as servants of Islam and use religion as their most effective mask and credible smokescreen. Their main pledges included demands for enforcement of Islamic system of governance by imposing Shariah laws (Islamic jurisprudence) in the country, ending diplomatic relations with US and western world and undertaking Jihad against the non-Muslims. They became self-proclaimed campaigners of Islam, rejecting all dissenting views on explicit explanations of Shariah. 

Rigidly, locked in insular mind-set, the terrorists, particularly of the TTP oppose the constitution of Pakistan, reject the system of governance and fight the Armed Forces by leaving no stone unturned in promoting their politically motivated agenda to gratify their power motives. Whereas they cause loss of lives, damage property and subject the entire nation with psychological pain and grief, while showing no compassion by openly rejoicing their criminal strikes. 

Now, these militants are expanding their violent activities by targeting all unguarded, reticent and mute segments of society. The aim is to blow out their boasting audacity and show off their strength of defiance. Suicide bombings on the personnel of the security forces and law-enforcing agencies present one pattern, while targeting schools, shrines, mosques and places of worship, religious processions, funerals and markets specially meant for women and children clearly explain their un-Islamic patterns of behaviour. 

Condemning the latest acts of terrorism, particularly in Rawalpindi by the TTP, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan stated that attacks on innocent persons and armed forces would not be tolerated. On the one side, they have repeatedly been emphasizing upon peace talks with the Taliban, especially with the TTP, while on the other, taking note of their terror-attacks, they have also suggested strong action against these militants.In this context, although the rulers have expedited the formulation and promulgation of anti-terror laws as part of counter-terrorism strategy, yet they are considering two options-dialogue or military operation. 

It is mentionable that TTP is acting upon shrewd tactics, as sometimes it claims responsibility for its terror-assaults and sometimes denies the same. For example, when its militants had attacked the church in Peshawar in September, 2013, TTP did not accept responsibility, but afterwards, by misinterpreting Islam, its spokesman said that it was in accordance with Shariah. Similarly, TTP condemned bomb blast in the Tableeghi Markaz (preaching center) in Peshawar, which killed nine people on January 16, 2014, but, it claimed responsibility of attacks on police in Malakand, Shangla and Mansehra including military convoy in Bannu and R.A Bazaar near GHQ.Notably, the TTP new Chief Maulana Fazlullah had dismissed the proposed peace negotiations with the government as a “waste of time”, and vowed to target the prime minister, chief minister, chief of army staff and corpse commanders.

However, tough terms of the TTP for reconciliation show double game. In the recent past, in a letter, Pakistani Taliban demanded that Pakistan should pull out of the Afghan war, abandon its pro-American and pro-western policies and change its constitution and foreign policy in conformity with Islamic Shariah.But, Federal Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar had pointed out that the Taliban’s offer of conditional truce was unacceptable, adding, “Taliban groups cannot dictate the state.” While indicating unclear policy, the government is indirectly pacifying the TTP and other Taliban insurgents who have been encouraged, and keep on challenging the writ of the state.  

 

While, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif initiated peace process with the Taliban in accordance with the decision of the All Parties Conference (APC) in which leaders of the mainstream political parties had participated. Contrarily, now, situation has entirely changed. Recently, while condemning the inhuman activities of the insurgents, particularly by those of the TTP, more than 100 Islamic scholars clarified in their joint fatwa (edict) and separate statements that “killing of innocent people, target killings and suicide bombings including sectarianism are against the spirit of Islam…the terrorists’ self-adopted interpretation of Islam was nothing but ignorance and digression from the actual teachings of the religion.” 

In fact, Islam is a religion of universal application, as it emphasizes peace, democracy, moderation and human rights including tolerance of political groups, religious communities and sects which are in minority in a country. In this connection, the Constitution of 1973 which was unanimously adopted, clearly states that Pakistan is basically a democracy guided by the Islamic principles and values—no law would be made contrary to Quran and Sunnah. 

Undoubtedly, Jihad is a sacred obligation, but its real spirit needs to be understood clearly, as murdering innocent women and children is not Jihad. These Taliban and their banned affiliated groups are defaming Islam, concept of Jihad, and are weakening Pakistan.As terrorists have accelerated their anti-social, undemocratic and un-Islamic practices, hence, people from all segment of life and majority of politicians want that a handful of terrorist elements must not be allowed to dictate their agenda and to impose their self-perceived ideology on the majority of Pakistanis.

While the present government issued three ordinances which are before the parliament—yet to take a concrete form of law. Nonetheless, it is due to delay in formulation and implementation of counter-terrorism policy that the Taliban who continue their brutal acts have been encouraged by the contradictory approach of the present government.Terrorism as a phenomenon needs to be fought collectively and the entire nation has to put up a collective effort. In this regard, a meaningful message must immediately be sent to the terrorists that the government has the will and power to eliminate them. 

Government has to take lead to fight the threat posed by terrorists, especially those of the TTP. Bloodshed must not be allowed to spread at the will of the militants. There is a dire need to develop political will to fight the insurgents through well-devised strategy and firm resolve. The writ of the Govt must be established at all costs and all and sundry be brought to the folds of law. In this regard, political leadership must take tough, but rationale decisions without any further delay. It must also be realized that time is running out, while terrorists are getting stronger with every passing day.  

For the purpose, Pakistan’s political leaders and media anchors must condemn terrorists’ attacks on the innocent persons, personnel of the security forces and other law-enforcing agencies with disdain and social contempt. They must pay homage to those who lost their lives while fighting the terrorists. For example, this includes Police officers like Chaudhary Aslam (Martyred) and young student Aitzaz Hussan (Martyred), as the entire nation is proud of such brave sons of soil. Besides, terror attacks at Peshawar Tableeghi Markaz must be thoroughly investigated and the culprits must be brought to book.  

Particularly, religious clerics must come forward to denounce such subversive acts, and participate actively in countering the menace of terrorism. Different factions must hold collective conferences on faith related issues and society be organized to fight this criminal elements.Despite all the efforts, there is a dire need to devise a comprehensive strategy to deal with the terrorists with iron hands. Therefore, instead of pursuing contradictory policy, the government needs to act upon a timely action against terrorism, as any delay in this respect will further embolden these militants who will intensify their terror attacks.(By Sajjad Shaukat)

Why Endless Propaganda against Pak Nukes?

By Sajjad Shaukat

While showing their double standard openly, the US and some western countries use one pretext or the other in targeting the unfavorable small countries in order to obtain their selfish interests. Therefore, they are taking the nuclear proliferation as an ultra sensitive concern, haunting the entire world, and they feel impatient to impose unilateral sanctions against those states which fall in the ambit of hostile nations—are aspiring to acquire nuclear capability. 

In this respect, particularly America and West’s discrimination and bigotry include Iran, North Korea and Libya (now under immunity) for violating terms of Non-proliferation Treaty (NPT). However, any country, especially with Islamic identity which desires to get atomic capability is subjected to severe economic sanctions and political isolation or military action so as to render it incapable of acquiring nuclear expertise. 

In these terms, Pakistan is the only declared nuclear country in the Islamic World. Hence, it has become special target of some western top officials, media and think tanks, particularly those of the US, who leave no stone unturned in continuing their endless propaganda against Pak nukes.  They have been creating doubts about the safety and security of Pakistan’s atomic weapons.

In this regard, Michael Kugelman, a senor programme associate for South and Southeast Asia at the Woodrow Wilson Center, where he is responsible for research, programming and publications on South and Southeast Asia, used the change of guard at Special Strategic Division to implicate Pakistan. On January 10, 2014, the ‘National Interest’ published his article, ‘One more reason to worry about Pakistan’s nukes’. He wrote, “Yet one of the most troubling changes occurred on the very last day of 2013, and with little fanfare. On December 31, according to Pakistani media reports, Lt. General Khalid Kidwai logged his last day as head of the Strategic Plans Division (SPD), the entity in charge of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.” Last month, Michael Kugelman had written a lengthy essay in America’s Foreign Policy magazine titled, ‘The most magnificent delusion’, in which he used all the arguments given by Hussain Haqqani in his book to paint Pakistan in malicious light, maligning its nuclear assets.

It is regrettable that the US-led propagandists like Michael Kugelman naively argue that Pakistani nukes may fall in the hands of terrorists attacking sensitive air bases in Pakistan. The absurd contents assert that Pakistan is producing tactical nuclear weapons, meant for actual battlefield use with conventional forces—for short range use against India. He explains that consequently, these will be removed from locked-down and secured bases, making them tremendously vulnerable to seizure and attack, or accident.

It is notable that on September 3, 2013, The Washington Post, while quoting American former intelligence contractor Edward Snowden, published a 178-page summary of the US intelligence community’s “black budget”, which disclosed that the US has ramped up its surveillance of Pakistan’s nuclear arms. The Post allegedly elaborated, “US intelligence agencies are focused on the possibility that Pakistan’s nuclear facilities might come under attack by Islamist militants. Pakistan has dozens of production and storage sites scattered across the country and the budget documents indicate that Pakistan is adding to that stockpile. Little is known about how it moves materials among its facilities, an area of potential vulnerability. Concerns persist that extremists could seize components of the stockpile or trigger a war with neighboring India.”

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesman rejected the story, published in The Washington Post as baseless and stated, “Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state, with robust command and control structure and comprehensive export controls…its nuclear programme is purely for its own legitimate self-defence and maintenance of a credible, minimum deterrence…Pakistan supports objectives of non-proliferation as well as nuclear safety and security.” 

In fact, overtly, US high officials remark that they seek stability in Pakistan, but covertly, they continue to destabilize it through multi-faceted subversive activities of the American CIA, Indian RAW and Israeli Mossad. With the assistance of these secret agencies, Indo-Israeli lobbies which are working in Europe and especially, penetrated in the US administration including their media manipulate any major terror event in Pakistan in order to show to the international community that this country’s atomic weapons are not safe as militants can possess them.

It is mentionable that in 2009 when the heavily-armed Taliban entered Swat, Dir, Buner and other adjoining areas, US high officials and their media had exaggerated the ‘Talibinisation’ of whole Pakistan, while showing concerns about Pakistan’s atomic arms. In that context, the then US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had warned that Pakistan’s nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists. But when Pakistan’s armed forces ejected the Taliban insurgents out of Swat, Dir and Buner by breaking their backbone, then American top officials had admired the capabilities of Pak Army.

When insurgents had attacked on Pakistan’s Naval Airbase in Karachi on May 23, 2011, US-led some western countries including India and Israel exploited the situation through disinformation about the security of Pak nukes. 

Similarly, terrorists’ assault on Kamra Base was successfully foiled by the personnel of Pakistan Air Force, but, a baseless report, published in the New York Times on the same day indicated that suspected militants attacked a major Pakistani Air Force base where some of the country’s nuclear weapons were considered to be stored in the early hours of the militants’ attack. The report also presumed, “The base is part of Pakistan s nuclear stockpile, estimated to include at least 100 warheads.”

The ex-US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta also stated on the same day, “There is a danger of nuclear weapons of Pakistan, falling into hands of terrorists.”

It is of particular attention that while taking cognizance of the anti-Pakistan developments, Iran’s former President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad disclosed on June 7, 2011 that there was “accurate information…Americans are to sabotage Pakistan’s nuclear facilities to find dominance over the country.” While also indicating Zionist regime behind the conspiracy, he revealed that for this purpose, the US can also use “the United Nations Security Council and some other international organizations as tools to exercise pressure on Pakistan and weaken its national integrity.”

Notably, US and other hostile countries which feel jealousy in relation to Pakistan’s atomic assets must better have concerns about India’s nuclear weapons which are quite insecure. Indian past record proves various kinds of security lapses regarding various nuclear plants and the related sensitive materials. In this context, events of nuclear theft, smuggling and killing have become a regular feature of Indian atomic plants which still continue in one way or the other.

It is of noteworthy that while recognizing an inter-relationship between war against terrorism in Afghanistan, issue of Kashmir and arms race between Pakistan and India, the US President Barack Obama stated on September 25, 2008 that it is part of his policy “to encourage India and Pakistan to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and resolve the Kashmir problem to reduce nuclear dangers in South Asia. On a number of occasions, he and his aides like Mr Riedel had re-affirmed had that settlement of the Kashmir issue was essential for fighting terrorism.

Surprisingly, Obama and his high officials have totally neglected their previous statements regarding the solution of Kashmir issue which is the root cause of tension not only between Pakistan and India, but for the whole region. However, politicians may back out of their statements, but it is not the job of statements to eat their own words.

It is the right hour that US-led western world must realize that the Kashmir issue between India and Pakistan is the real cause of concern, and is a nuclear flash point. If this core dispute is resolved, it will guarantee permanent peace between the two neighboring countries, besides safeguarding American and major powers’ interests in the region as well as the whole world. In case, Kashmir issue is peacefully settled, tactical and strategic level atomic weapons will become irrelevant for Islamabad and New Delhi.

Notably, by setting aside the Indian irresponsible record of proliferation, the US signed a defence agreement with India, pressurized International Atomic Energy Agency and the Nuclear Suppliers Group to grant a waiver to New Delhi for obtaining civil nuclear trade on larger scale, while the latter has not signed the NPT. 

Nevertheless, despite the repeated assurances of Pakistan’s military and civil leadership that Pak nukes are well-protected and are under tight security arrangements, having well-coordinated command and control system, a deliberate propaganda campaign against the safety of these armaments keeps on going by the Europe, particularly US and India. The aim of such propaganda is to depict Pakistan’s nukes as hazardous and risk-prone.

In light of the above analysis, the propagandists like Michael Kugelman must understand as to why possibility of a nuclear clash between India and Pakistan exits, and as to why endless propaganda continues against Pak nukes.

Lesson from Nuclear Disasters and Karachi N. Plants

Ahmad Khan and Beenish Altaf

 ‘It's no secret that we live in a 24/7 society’ that is full of risks. In fact, Pakistanis usually take risks in order to find quick solutions of their lingering problems. In addition to my contention, people in Pakistan usually don’t care at large about the safety of their lives, and frequently indulge themselves in greater problems while taking risks. Actually, our mode of survival pivots around risks, and we neglect certain aspects of safety of our lives. For example, I saw people usually attempt phone calls while driving a car, as a result sometime this resulted into serious accidents and usually lead to loss of innocent lives. In reality, this is certain phenomenon all around the world. People don’t care about their safety. But, human civilization teaches us to care about our lives, and humans learn from their mistakes, and try to improve their life style in manner with less degree of risk with necessary precautionary measures. On the contrary, risks are not taken in nuclear industry. Risks lead to disasters, but in nuclear field every bit of activity is carefully monitored and dealt with great care.  

Technology is overall neutral, which means it has some positive aspects as well as some negative effects. Here, I want to quote Albert Einstein famous saying about technology that “It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.” Taking this realism into account, one can envisage that nuclear technology, if not properly handled, can have disastrous effects on the human civilization.  Any nuclear disaster can annihilate entire human civilization in the disaster hit area. Nuclear Technology for peaceful purposes is a reality, and no one can deny the fact that there are more than 430 nuclear reactors, which are currently operating across the world. In fact, countries like Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordon etc. are the aspirant of this technology without having adequate, trained and skillful human resources in their infant nuclear industry. Especially, the  developed nation, who’s aspiration are high, but they have their legitimate right of acquiring civil nuclear technology to utilize it for future energy production at home. On the other hand, Pakistan has already a well-establish nuclear industry. It has three nuclear power plants generating power, and two more nuclear power plants are under construction at Chasma. Moreover, it is building two new nuclear power plants at its coastal city of Karachi, which will able to produce 2 GW power till 2019. In fact, their ground breaking ceremony has already been took place at their proposed site. Karachi is being the place where the foundation stone of Pakistan’s nuclear power industry was laid, when KANUPP-1 was constructed. 

Right now, some nuclear pessimists in Pakistan are debating over some theoretical threats posed to these two nuclear power plants. They believe that nuclear plants at Karachi can be hit by a Tsunami or an earthquake in future. They also advocate that their design is not sufficiently meeting the international standards. These are some of the leading arguments they are currently making against the construction of these nuclear power plants. The Chinese model of AP-1000 are designed and approved by an American (Westinghouse Electric Company) with better safety mechanism. As far as Tsunami and earthquake are concerned, the probability is once in half of a century.  

 Substantially, Karachi is lucky enough, not to face any such natural disasters in past 70 years, despite the fact that earthquakes are frequent in Pakistan as of 2005 earthquake that killed more than 100,000 people. Similarly, floods are also common in Pakistan, like 2010 super flood, which almost made the entire map of Pakistan filled with water. However, here I once again stay with my contention that human survival pivots around risks and sometime the furry of nature pose great risk to human life. But it is human art of survival, which always overcomes these risks. It is the strength of humans to learn from their past mistake, correct them to live a progressive life. 

As far as nuclear disasters are concerned, it is obvious that ‘Three Mile Island’ accident was due to technical fault in the coolant of the nuclear reactor, which caused the melting of the core. Subsequently, it caused lethal radiation in the atmosphere in the disaster affected area. However, the disaster didn’t cause any significant human causality. Likewise, Chernobyl nuclear accident was due to the flawed design of the nuclear reactor as well as inadequate personnel handling the entire operations of the nuclear reactor. Both of the nuclear disasters were caused either from the malfunctioning of the reactor parts or by the faulty design of the nuclear plants. 

However, Fukushima disaster only involves Tsunami, which turned off the backup generators, which were supposed to provide electricity to the core in case of a black out at the nuclear plant. After Fukushima, nuclear safety has become a major part of the global nuclear discourse apart from nuclear security debate. However, after previous two nuclear disasters certain lessons were learn in order to correct the mistakes. This involves the revamping of the entire safety mechanism of the nuclear plants in United States after Three Mile Island accident, and correction and modification of Soviet designed nuclear plants in and outside former Soviet Union especially in Europe. Likewise, the Fukushima accident also left with some key lessons to be learnt.

 Pakistan also realized the opportunity to learn these lessons, and I strongly believe that the Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission (PAEC) and Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority (PNRA) have strongly contemplated these lessons into their safety policies. There are two examples which need to be highlighted here, which show PAEC’ level of commitment toward the safety of our nuclear plants. One is, Pakistan has conducted ‘Stress Tests’ of all its operating nuclear plants. And one is the shutting down one of its nuclear plant for one and half year, when one of its backup generators went out of order. They didn’t take any risk and the plant did not go for generation until the backup facilities was not fully restored. Likewise, Pakistan’s nuclear reactors are under IAEA safeguards fulfilling all IAEA standards. 

The Rationale behind the expansion of Pakistan’s nuclear program is the lingering problem of energy crisis, which impinges upon our national security. There is a gap of 5000 MW in the demand and supply chain of power in the country. Pakistan’s energy needs are exponentially growing, and it is predicted that the future demand of power will rise up to 32000 MW till 2018. The construction of these plants at Karachi will be complete till 2019, and they will start pouring 2 GW of power in the national grid. Similarly, the expansion of nuclear plants till 2030 will enable Pakistan to produce more 7000-8000 MW of electricity from its nuclear plants. In conclusion, nuclear energy involves risks, risks with devastating effects on the human civilization in case of any disaster, but nuclear pessimist must understand that there are great precautionary/safety measures with constant vigilance and strong commitments, which definitely lower the chance of any disaster in Pakistan.  

Ahmad Khan and Beenish Altaf work in Strategic Vision Institute, Islamabad.

   

India’s over-reaction on Khobragade’s arrest

Posted by Belharvi

Indians are notorious for their impulsiveness and impish behavior and are famous for shooting first and taking aim later. Till recent the wrath of India’s heavy-handed tactics fell upon its neighbors, particularly on its chief rival Pakistan. Assuming itself to be a potential world power, it seems India has started to show eyes to its chief mentor which has since 1991 gone out of the way to systematically build its political, economic, military and nuclear strengths. Arrest of India's Deputy Consul General in New York Devyani Khobargade raised a storm in India and chilled Indo-US relations. This incident is the third of its kind in three years. 

In an email published in Indian media, Khobragade wrote that said she was treated like a common criminal. "I broke down many times as the indignities of repeated handcuffing, stripping and cavity searches, swabbing, in a holdup with common criminals and drug addicts were all being imposed upon me despite my incessant assertions of immunity". Indian media portrayed her as a victim who had been insulted and humiliated and picked up cudgels to lambast the US authorities. For days, the entire electronic and print media of India remained glued with this so-called assault on the Indian Consular, referred to as a diplomat. Indians spat poison against USA on social websites. Some said it was a betrayal and a slap across the face of India.  

In no time the incident was turned into an international incident. Indian officials claimed the consular official's treatment was heavy-handed, immoral and degrading. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters that Khobragade should never have been arrested, and that the housekeeper should have been arrested instead. He stated, "This is an extremely distressing and hurtful incident that needs to be addressed” and demanded that the U.S. drop federal charges against her. Dozens of people protested outside the U.S. Embassy, saying Khobragade's treatment was an insult to Indian women. 

Indians retaliated on several fronts, including dragging away security barriers from outside the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. U.S. diplomat privileges have been downgraded. Their diplomatic ID cards were revoked that brought certain privileges. They wanted to know the salaries paid to Indian staff in U.S. Embassy households and demanded withdrawing import licenses that allowed the commissary at the U.S. Embassy to import alcohol and food. As of now, many US diplomat spouses are in danger of being arrested for working without a work visa and evading taxes in India. Dozens of people protested outside the U.S. Embassy, saying Khobragade's treatment was an insult to Indian women. Indian media then trained its guns on the U.S. prosecutor Preet Bharara, terming him over zealous and opportunist, and the maid Sangeeta Richards saying that rather than arresting and deporting her on charges of fraud, she was made to appear as the poor helpless victim by Preet. India is demanding Sangeeta’s repatriation for trial in India. 

In an effort to contain the furor, the U.S. State Department officials scrambled to taper off the tension. Secretary of State John Kerry personally expressed "regret". But Preet Bharara, who represents Manhattan, blasted the "misinformation and factual inaccuracy" surrounding the case. He claimed the "inflammatory atmosphere" that had developed was "unfounded," while cataloguing the litany of alleged offenses committed by the Indian diplomat in question. Khobragade stands accused of lying on a visa application about how much she paid her housekeeper, an Indian national. 

U.S. officials acknowledged Khobragade was strip-searched, but described it as standard procedure. The body search and the alleged cavity search is part of the procedures in the book after arrest. No one is to be spared.  It was further clarified that this was done in a private setting by a female officer. Other claims of her mistreatment were also disputed, clarifying that Khobragade was, among other things, given coffee and offered food while detained. And that she was wasn't handcuffed, restrained or arrested in front of her children as alleged. U.S. State Department disputes hers and Indian authorities claim that she enjoyed full diplomatic immunity against crimes. Officially, Khobargade had only limited immunity on work related to consular functions.  

In the U.S. there are minimum-wage laws at the State and federal level. New York State's minimum wage is $9 or so. Khobargade in her application for the maid's A-2 visa submitted a copy of a contract with the maid showing a wage of $5,400 per month for a 40 hour per week. Interestingly, Khobragade's own pay was $5,000 a month. Later, she unilaterally changed the terms of the contract with the maid and made her sign on a $3.00 per hour without mentioning the number of hours. Khobragade then got a court order from a Delhi Magistrate forcing the maid not to complain to an American authority. When the maid did, Khobragade got a warrant issued from the same Delhi Magistrate against contempt of court.

The maid fled the household and reported the matter to federal authorities in New York. Preet Bharara hailing from India is reputed to be upright and blunt. He has prosecuted a big number of Wall Street crooks for inside trading. For these reasons he is the most respected and most feared prosecutor in America. When he saw how the maid was being abused, he decided to arrest and prosecute the offender Khobragade for violating the American laws. He blasted the "misinformation and factual inaccuracy" surrounding the case. He claimed the "inflammatory atmosphere" that has developed is "unfounded," while cataloguing the litany of alleged offenses committed by the Indian diplomat in question. 

Khobragade stands accused of lying on a visa application about how much she paid her housekeeper, an Indian national. Prosecutors say the maid received $3 per hour for her work. Further, he said, she's alleged to have treated the housekeeper "illegally in numerous ways," paying her "far below" minimum wage and having her work far more than the amount of time contracted. Further, he said she was alleged to have created a second contract that was concealed from the U.S. government. Plus he said the victim's family had to be brought to the U.S. amid an attempt in India to "silence her." Khobragade would face a maximum sentence of 10 years for visa fraud and five years for making a false declaration if convicted.

Claiming to be champion of democracy and human rights, it is distressing to see that the majority of Indians and the Indian media ignored the rights of the poor maid and depicted her as a villain in the story. One wonders why there is so much outrage about the alleged treatment of the Indian national accused of perpetrating these acts, but precious little outrage about the alleged treatment of the Indian victim and her spouse. Is it for U.S. prosecutors to look the other way, ignore the law and the civil rights of victims, or is it the responsibility of the diplomats and consular officers and their government to make sure the law is observed?" 

The dust has settled and Indian calculated pressure has worked and Devyani Khobragade has been exempted from personal court appearances. In all probability, her UN diplomatic credentials will be approved by the UN and US State department, thereby facilitating her return to India or staying in the US as long as the Indian government wishes to keep her as a UN diplomat. The incident has however created a bit of mistrust between the two honey-mooning partners for the first time in their partnership spread over 22 years. It is said that friendship with USA is more harmful than its enmity. Sooner than later, India will regret its decision to bed with USA but will be unable to free itself from the US magic charm.  (Asif Haroon Raja)