SOUTH ASIAN INSTITUTE FOR INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Countering Indian Propaganda against ISI

By Sajjad Shaukat

Indian spin doctors, especially those associated with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other extremist Hindu groups continuously propagate against Pakistan, and aggressively use anti- ISI narrative with a view to showing Islamabad in bad light, while maligning Pakistan’s top intelligence agency, ISI. Their sick mind and elusive psyche spread intriguing thoughts and breed wickedness against country’s superior agency. Driven by their crookedness and sense of acrimony, they coin fresh jargons and initiate chimera to conduct incessant psychological operations which are detrimental to Pakistan’s interest and cause aspersions against ISI.

In July 2013, Indian media, fed by its Intelligence Bureau (IB), shamelessly insinuated against ISI for reactivating its terrorist network to attack Hindu leaders and their establishments in several cities in India. Indian government was warned to put the security mechanism on high alert as RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat was touring multiple Indian states. Ultimately, the entire storyline-plot proved fake and fabricated. Pakistan ignored the Indian malevolence, suggesting that such baseless allegations will jeopardize the peace process between the two countries. But, Indian propagandists learnt nothing and ignored Pakistani advice.

In this context, Indian newspaper Deccan Chronicle published a similar story on November 7, 2014, titled “Pakistan’s ISI may target India’s key economic centers and important installations.” In this regard, Namrata Biji Ahuja who wrote it, contended that IB and other Indian assets informed that new terror module trained by ISI have entered India to strike at key economic installations including Reserve Bank, Bombay Stock Exchange, New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, Bengaluru BSF HQ at Jalandhar, Patiala Jail in Punjab and Avantipura in J&K. IB shared information with Indian law-enforcing agencies that the group entered India via Rajasthan border and proceeded towards Pune and that they will be provided with arms and ammunition by local sleeper cells. Such media reports not only leveled serious allegations against Pakistan and ISI for training terror modules to attack Indian targets, but also inflicted serious damage to the image of Pakistan and prestige of ISI. Above all, the storyline contains biased figments of mental illusions and fake contents.

Indian patterns of propaganda pose a very gruesome picture as whenever a sabotage activity is planned by Indian RAW, Indian media pro-actively accuses Pakistan for an impending terrorist attack which is straight away categorized “I labeled it as Pakistan ISI sponsored.” The possibility of RAW undertaking a dangerous terrorist activity inside their own country cannot be ruled out, as they have been doing the same in the past.

In this respect, it is notable that Indian rulers were emphatically accusing Pakistan’s ISI and Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) for the Mumbai terror attacks of November 26, 2008. But, on July 19, 2013 the Indian former home ministry and ex-investigating officer Satish Verma disclosed that terror-attacks in Mumbai in November 26, 2008 and assault on Indian Parliament in January 12, 2001 were carried out by the Indian government to strengthen anti-terrorism laws.

Similarly, exposing the nexus between Bhartia Janta Party (BJP) and RSS, Indian Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde revealed on January 20, 2013 that organized training camps run by the fundamentalist parties, RSS and BJP were promoting Hindu Terrorism. He also explained that these extremist parties were behind the Samjhauta Express, Meccca Masjid and Malegaon blasts.

But, India always accused Pakistan’s ISI of all these subversive acts, while, Indian official confession shows that these terror attacks were, in fact, arranged by RAW in connivance with Indian home-grown terrorists. This could also be judged from the incident, when on April 6, 2008 in the house of Bajrang Dal fundamentalists in Nanded, a bomb went off. The investigation proved that these militants were found in the bomb-making and attack on a mosque in Parbhani in 2003. Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of the Maharashtra arrested a serving Lt. Col. Srikant Purohit along with other army officials, indicating that they were helping in training the Hindu terrorists, providing them with the military-grade explosive RDX, used in the Malegaon bombings and terrorist attacks in other Indian cities. ATS further disclosed that Lt. Col. Purohit confessed that in 2007, he was involved in bombing of Samjhota express, which brunt alive 70 Pakistanis.

While, Afghanistan has become a hub of anti-Pakistan activities conducted by RAW with the tactical assistance of American CIA and Israeli Mossad—from where particularly RAW is sending logistic support to Baloch separatist elements to dismember Pakistan. For this sinister move, a religious Madrassa of Wakhan, located in Afghanistan is functioning under the patronage of RAW. It is being used for brainwashing of very young boys who are Afghans and so-called Indian Muslims. Posing themselves as Pakistani Taliban, they have joined the ranks and files of the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and other banned extremist outfits. In the recent years, especially TTP’s insurgents and its affiliated banned groups conducted many terror-activities like suicide attacks, ruthless beheadings of tribesmen, assaults on security personnel and prominent figures including Shias, Ahmadis, Sufis, Christians, Sikhs and the suicide attack at Wagah border checkpoint in Lahore, on November 2, 2014. Besides, terror-attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, FATA, Balochistan and Karachi are part of the scheme to create chaotic situation in the country. Indian Consulates in Afghanistan are also playing a very negative role in supporting TTP and Baloch separatists. Besides India is also encouraging TTP factions showing allegiance for DAISH ISIS(Islamic State in Iraq and Syria), to get united.

As regards cross-border terrorism, former Indian Army Chief Gen. VK Singh openly confessed in September 2013 that special intelligence unit like Technical Services Division were raised by him to operate inside Pakistan, particularly in Balochistan and Azad Kashmir to conduct terrorism and to bribe the politicians in the Indian-occupied Kashmir.

Moreover, in July 2012, Pakistani government released Indian prisoner, Surjeet Singh as part of prisoners’ exchange between the two countries. But, he openly admitted that he was in Pakistan to spy when he was arrested in 1982. In this context, Surjeet Singh said, “I was a RAW agent.” About another Indian prisoner, he revealed, “Sarabjit Singh is a terrorist who was responsible for the string of blasts in Faisalabad, Lahore and Multan in 1990.”

Nevertheless, as military operation, Zarb-e-Azb against terrorists is proceeding well in North Waziristan Agency by obtaining its objectives, and India feels out of sort. In this connection, Indian hawks have planned to keep Pakistan, its Armed Forces and ISI under pressure. Therefore, anti-ISI articles by their writers, associated with media wing of RAW clearly indicate Indian animosity against Pakistan and this top agency.

Nonetheless, Indian recent accusations that ISI trained modules are entering India through Rajasthan and are proceeding towards Pune are ridiculous and baseless. Hence, Pakistan must take such allegations seriously and an assertive rejoinder be issued against such media reports. While, countering Indian propaganda against ISI, our media must contest that Pakistan is a peace loving country and does not tolerate such insinuations. Indian media must owe an apology for publishing such a defamatory article in its national newspaper.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Maritime Verdict: Bangladesh Government Hides Facts

By Sajjad Shaukat

Famous political thinkers, Hobbes, Machiavelli and Morgenthau opine that in international politics, rulers act upon immoral activities like deceit, fraud and falsehood which become the principles of political morality. They follow these tactics in order to obtain the interests of their countries. But, in case of Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid has been acting upon these techniques against her own country so as to appease India, while the latter has entrapped her by exploiting her pro-Indian tilt to fulfill its strategic interests.

It is notable that Hasina Wajid had already directed her staff to close the chapter of water and border conflicts with New Delhi. Besides, she has given transit trade facilities to India—a move which has been resisted by the Bangladeshi patriots for the past several decades. In this context, a writer has rightly said, “Hasina Wajid again started Honey Moon Period of relationship with India.”

In this respect, maritime boundary dispute between India and Bangladesh (BD) in Bay of Bengal was referred to Permanent Court at Hague. On July 7, 2014, the Court of Arbitration gave its verdict, awarding 19, 467 square kilometers, out of disputed 25, 602 square kilometers area to Bangladesh. Law experts and technocrats from both India and Bangladesh contested the case. Whereas the government of Bangladesh termed the court decision as ‘Triumph of Friendship’, the opinion builders of the country observed it as ‘Sacrifice of Friendship.”

Sanity prevailed upon loyal Bangladeshis who were driven by their sense of rationality, and were prompted to hold seminar on the subject. The speakers, while protesting with concerns said that Bangladesh government failed to project its case before the Arbitration Court at Hague to get Talpatti, a gas rich island. They also pointed out that government’s weak foreign policy and ignorance of anti-Bangladesh agents resulted in a staged drama in which their country got one-third of the bay, while India received two-third of it.

Similarly, the court verdict also decided dispute with Myanmar regarding Saint Martin’s sovereignty which has been favorable to Dhaka. The court verdict will make Bangladesh to lose its rights to freely enter into deep sea.

As the Bangladesh government has hidden facts about the verdict so as to please India, but patriot leaders and people of Bangladesh have been protesting against the government in one way or the other. In this regard, speakers were of the opinion that the rulers were befooling the public in Bangladesh by projecting the judgment, as triumph, hiding the real facts. They rejected the fabricated and deceitful propaganda of the government that Bangladesh got more sea area than India.

As regards the details in relation to the protesters, to sensitize the public in Bangladesh about reality of the judgment, Liberty Bangladesh organized a seminar in which anti-government and anti-Indian themes were raised by all participants. The participants also included specialists of Bangladesh, having strong credentials in maritime border issue which enabled them to express their candid opinions.

In this connection, ANH Akhter Hossain said, “Bandladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajid is a master of elusive dance. How can Sheikh Hasina receive recognition for her achievement when Saint Martin’s sovereign status (maintained since 1974) has been diminished? After losing Talpatti to India, she is telling us that there is no land under the water, and Talpatti Island does not exist. If you think otherwise, then go ahead and find it. He added, “These lies will not save the government—the people should take steps to claim Talpatti Island and take the case to the international court.”

Dr. Sabbir Mostafa Khan stated, “There is no question that we have gained maritime border from both disputes, but when it comes to arbitration, we always lost. We are incapable of claiming our rights in the court. We have a tendency to ask for less than what rightfully belongs to us. Government should move away from false promises and propaganda.” He appealed for the formation of a committee, comprising experts to take necessary steps.

Abdul Hye Sikder remarked, “Awami League led by Prime Minister Hasina Wajid has been boasting about the capability of their leadership. I have seen their capability through the court verdict. Sheikh Mujib surrendered everything to India. Now his daughter, the power hungry Sheikh Hasina has demonstrated her capability by sacrificing valuable maritime resources to India.”

The former Commodore Shafiq-ur-Rehman pointed out, “A great achievement from India and Myanmar disputes is that we now have a precise maritime border. This is a step forward. But, the sad part is that we were mysteriously unable to present strong statements in the court, and lost Talpatti Island.”

Professor Dr. Emajuddin Ahmed said, Government of Hasina Wajid has come to power through illegal means, and is now floating on lies. By spreading propaganda, they are trying to avoid their responsibilities. This is a matter of great sadness for a free and sovereign nation. We have gained maritime border, but have lost Talpatti, as we failed to present our case properly. India knew about the gas reserved in Talpatti, and laid claims on the island. Bangladesh knowingly handed over this valuable asset to India. This is betrayal and a case of treason. A lawsuit could be filed against the government.”

Hafiz Uddin Ahmed sated, “People of Bangladesh are continuously being befooled. They are being told of triumphs…spreading propaganda to turn countless losses into victories. This will diplomatically weaken Bangladesh. News is being spread that Bangladesh has received more sea area than India, but actually India received double than Bangladesh.”

He elaborated, “The government has proved itself as traitor and puppet of India by denying the existence of Talpatti. Bangladesh made its defeat inevitable by mysteriously denying the existence of gas enriched Island. One day Sheikh Hasina will have to answer in court for her betrayal.”

While contending the judgment, a key speaker Captain M Rejaul Karim Chowdhury stated, “Bangladesh claimed that verdict regarding maritime boundary dispute with New Delhi is the ‘Triumph of Friendship’, but as there has been no verdict regarding South Talpatti, we can see that the result is ‘Friendship Unresolved.”

He explained, “If Bangladesh gives up Talpatti, then it would be called ‘Sacrifice for Friendship.’ If truly it is to be called ‘Triumph of Friendship’, then Bangladesh should be able to claim the 100 trillion cubic feet of natural gas not to be used for corporate India, but instead, it be used to create an interest-free loaning fund called ‘Green Gas Fund’ for farmers of India and Bangladesh.”

Captain M Rejaul Karim futher pointed out, “A weak foreign policy and the ignorance of Bangladesh regime’s agents resulted in a staged drama in which the country received one-third of the bay. India on the other hand, received two-third of the area. Bangladesh propagated that the court verdict was a great success in having maritime borders. Actually, they lost the vital island of Talpatti which is enriched with natural gas. Government of Bangladesh denied that any gas enriched island like Talpatti existed, and therefore easily lost it to India. This has been termed as an act of betrayal and treason…one day Sheikh Hasina will be made answerable and accountable.”

Nevertheless, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has been following pro-Indian policies at the cost of her own country. Therefore, to appease New Delhi, and by giving false statement, her government has hidden facts about the verdict of maritime border dispute with India.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Army as a Facilitator

Army as a Facilitator

Army as a Facilitator

By Khurrum Shahzad Belharvi

Present political standoff in the country has deepened, as protesting groups of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) led by Imran Khan and Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) by Dr. Tahirul Qadri continue AZADI (Freedom) and INQILAB (Revolution) marches, observing sit-ins at capital city of Islamabad, blocking sensitive Red Zone area and threatening vital government buildings. They have negatively impacted the entire nation causing fretful anxiety for all segments of society. The demonstrations have been prolonged and extended unnecessarily, as the government of PML (N) led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif could not grab the initiative to settle the issue through peaceful dialogue due to its slow strategy.

On the one side, emotional speeches of Tahir-ul-Qadri coupled with digging graves, showing coffin-cloth and Imran Khan’s hard stance to get resignation of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, pointed at continuity of deadlock and impending perils of violence. One the other side, government wasted vital time to address the rigging grievances of PTI, coldness and insensitivity to register FIR against the concerned people, responsible for killing in Model Town, Lahore, while recent failure of dialogue, rulers’ decision to use force against the protesters, which resulted into killings in Islamabad by the Police including assaults on the reporters and vehicles of the private TV channels have further spoiled the situation. It was due to the use of force that demonstrators who remained peaceful for several days, removed barriers and reached very close to the buildings of Prime Minister House, Parliament and Pak Secretariat, while entering the main building of the Pakistan Television’s headquarters which was vacated by the personnel of Rangers and Pak Army without any violence.

Unfortunately, certain media houses, analysts and commentators played a very negative role in projecting the entire gamut of political standoff between the government and the protesting parties. Instead of acting as a redeemer, allowing the public to take a sigh of relief, media took clear positions to support the wishes and promoting the agenda of their employers, while creating sensationalism, giving biased comments and remaining unruly, noisy and rowdy in their overall conduct. The viewers were at pains to see these media analysts, offering their comments and favoring their sponsoring agencies and influencing authorities. Their obvious and slanted views enabled the viewers to quickly understand that they were trying to pay back to their sponsors. This is nothing, but selling one’s intellect for few pennies or for other petty gains of personal advancement and fame.

By manipulating the political turmoil, created by the politicians, particularly media anchors, especially those working with Geo/JANG Group insinuate that Pakistan’s Armed Forces and intelligence agency, ISI are behind Tahir-ul-Qadari and Imran Khan’s long marches, and sit-ins in Islamabad. The commentators and reporters like Asma Jehangir, Ansar Abbasi, Tariq Butt, Wasim Abbas and Ahmed Noorani appear to have ganged up against Army and ISI, and are trying to score points against these security agencies by accusing these esteemed national institutions without any evidence. However, while speaking in the tone of foreign entities, such elements are hostile to Army and ISI, and leave no stone unturned in depicting these security agencies in bad light.

Undoubtedly, democracy has displayed its success in the west, but, it has proved to be fruitless in Pakistan. Therefore, it is generally said that “any instrument can be misused.” Pakistan’s politicians and media have always claimed that they nourish democratic ideals, but, we could not establish this system on a strong footing due to irresponsible approach of our political entities and media.

Past experience proves that our political parties have worked on undemocratic principles like hostility for the sake of hostility, formation of alliances and counter-alliances to win the elections. Much time is wasted in retaliation against the previous government instead of fulfilling the promises, made with the voters during election campaign. So, they forget the real aim of public mandate by resolving the economic and social problems of the masses. In this context, they also misguide the general masses by forming extreme opinion among them towards their opponents. In fact, concentration of wealth in few hands has created a privileged class of landowners and industrialists who contest elections winning the same against each other again and again.

It is noteworthy that in 2011, during the Memogate case, some political entities and media commentators were saying that martial law will be imposed in the country. The then Chief of Army Staff Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani stated, “The Pakistan Army has and will continue to support democratic process in the country.” As Army was acting upon the principle of non-interference in political affairs, therefore, the previous government completed its tenure.

At this critical juncture, Pakistan is facing multi-faceted crises. And our Armed Forces are successfully obtaining their objectives in North Waziristan Agency (NWA) through military operation Zarb-e-Azb against the terrorists who had challenged the writ of the state, and had frightened the entire nation by their terror-acts. So Armed Forces are already committed in Zarb-e-Azb and have no intention to get involved in political issues. Political disputes need political solutions or political compromises with give and take. They sincerely desire political stability and economic viability in Pakistan. They support all peaceful efforts to resolve internal conflicts and condemn violence as well as acrimonious propaganda against them.

In this connection, taking note of the ongoing crisis and rumors, DG of Inter-Service Public Relations, Major General Asim Bajwa impartially stated on August 20, “The buildings in the Red Zone (Islamabad) are symbols of state and must be respected. He, also added, “All issues should be resolved through dialogue…all the stakeholders to hold result-oriented dialogue in the interest of the country and its people.”

Nonetheless, the protesting groups have challenged the moral authority of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Now, the premier has to show political acumen to handle the situation and prove his worth as a leader. In this respect, Pak Army and ISI fully support the government by openly rejecting the baseless allegations that the prevailing political mess has been orchestrated by the former. Therefore, sense must prevail upon those who tend to shift the blame on Army and ISI, as and when they fail in resolving the serious issues.

Now, situation in Islamabad is getting serious and so is the case of political temperature. According to latest reports, stalemate has deepened between the PTI-PAT and the rulers, and they remains firm on their stands—after the PTI launched movement of civil disobedience, and presented resignations of its members (Parliamentarians) in the National Assembly.

Time is running out. Hence, in wake of this unresolved crisis, demonstrating patience and tolerance, the rival parties should find out the solution in national interest with meaningful negotiations. And media has a great responsibility to remain neutral by offering balanced views, ensuring objective reporting and making efforts to show maturity, while commenting, analyzing and reporting high profile issues and matters, having involving national stakes. Instead of showing media biases against the security agencies by exploiting the political turmoil, our media must realize its responsibilities, especially when the country is faced with an extra-ordinary challenge like the one, being experienced in Islamabad.