"Missing Prisoners": Adiala men denied bail for their hand in attack on army
ISLAMABAD, May 19, the Express Tribune reports: The Supreme Court was informed on Friday that the internment authority turned down the release applications of two out of seven Adiala ‘missing’ prisoners for their involvement in attacks against the army.
During a hearing of the case of 11 ‘missing’ prisoners, Deputy Attorney General Dil Muhamamd Alizai told a three-judge bench of the apex court that prisoners Abdul Majid and Abdul Basit were caught fighting against armed forces and were involved in attacks on armed forces’ convoys. Therefore, for the time being, their applications were not considered.
During the last hearing, the court sought reasons from the governor of K-P for refusing to entertain the application of two out of the seven surviving missing prisoners, who are currently being kept in an internment centre in K-P under Regulations Action in Aid of Civil Powers 2011.
Four of the 11 prisoners already died in the custody of the premier intelligence agencies of the country – the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Military Intelligence (MI).
The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa governor is the interment authority; however, he had delegated his powers to an army officer. After hearing the case of the two detainees, the army officer turned down their request for bail.
Tariq Asad, the counsel for Majid and Basit, told the court that his clients availed the request for bail before the interment authority but their petition had been pending before the court. He added that the main issue over the illegal detention of his clients by intelligence agencies for 20 months is yet to be settled by the Supreme Court.
Asad said that initially, the Inter-Services Intelligence had denied being aware of the ‘missing’ prisoners and later confessed having custody of them. He added that while the agency said that the detainees would be tried under the army act, after a passage of 20 months, they were shifted to an internment centre.
Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry observed that the court would examine these points on the next date of hearing, while issuing notices to all parties of the case regarding a petition filed by Asad.
The court also indicated that it could examine its power of jurisdiction to intervene in this case after the enactment of Actions (in Aid of Civil Power) Regulation, 2011, which provides legal cover to armed forces for unlawful acts committed during military operations in federally and provincially administered tribal areas.
Advocate Asad complained that, being the prisoners’ lawyer, he suffered abuse at the hands of Fata Additional Chief Secretary Tashfeen. “The secretary misbehaved with me and asked me to get out from his office,” he told the court. The chief justice warned the official to remain careful in the future while dealing with an officer of the Supreme Court.
Meanwhile, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja, pointed out to the counsel for the ISI and the Military Intelligence and the advocate general of K-P that they should perhaps observe how the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and his companions behaved (dealt with prisoners) in a state of war.
“We will not allow you to abuse these prisoners. It is binding for you to provide an opportunity of a fair trial,” he added.
In his petition, Advocate Asad demanded a record of the proceedings conducted under the army act and prayed the court to take action against those responsible for the deaths of three of the prisoners.
He further stated that the prisoners were not subject to the army act and should, therefore, be set free. The court will resume hearing after two weeks.

Five more killed in Karachi violence
Karachi, May 19: At least five persons including a minor girl were killed and several others injured in separate incidents of violence in different areas of the city on Saturday. The police and rangers during separate raids arrested eight outlaws and recovered arms from their possession.
According to police, two persons identified as Imran and Sabir Ali were killed in firing incidents in Shah Faisal Colony and Shah Latif Town.
A bullet riddled dead body of an unknown person was recovered from Mawach Goth area of the city. The body was shifted to hospital for postmortem. Tortured and bullet riddled dead body of a youth identified as Babar, 22, was found on Mirza Adam Khan road in Lyari and dead body of eight-year old Fatima who went missing from Rajput Colony on May 14, was recovered from Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
On the other hand, at least 10 persons were injured in different firing incidents in Landhi, Shah Faisal, Sher Shah, Al-Asif Square, Baldia colony, Saeedabad and other areas.
Meanwhile, the police arrested four suspected target killers during a targeted operation in Jamshed Quarter area of the city and recovered three TT pistols from their possession. The police and rangers during separate raids arrested another four suspects.
It should be mentioned that more than 25 people have been killed in different incidents of firing during the last three days.

Resolution passed on human rights of youth
According to the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP), an estimated 103 million Pakistanis, or 63 per cent of the population, fall under the age of 25 years. This remains an important reason why the landmark resolution on the theme “Adolescents and Youth”, passed in New York during the 45th session of the Commission on Population and Development (CPD), will play an important role in Pakistan.
The resolution highlights measures to protect sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescents and youth globally.
A delegation of five people from Pakistan attended CPD. During the negotiation, the Pak Mission in UN was represented by Suljuk Tarar (Counsellor).
Amongst many other important points, the resolution specifies that human rights include the right to have control over and decide freely on matters related to sexuality, including sexual and reproductive health.
It also lays emphasis on strengthening reproductive health services by prioritizing sexual and reproductive health, including family planning, safe abortion (where legal) maternity care, STI and HIV prevention and treatment.
Most importantly it calls for the elimination of harmful practices such as early and forced marriages, female genital mutilation, and other violations of girls and women’s rights.

KARACHI: At least 12 persons were killed and four other dead bodies found from different areas of Karachi on Friday, police said.
Karachi, May 18: As per details, three men were shot dead by unidentified assailants in FB Area in wee hours of Friday. The deceased were identified as Imran, 32, son of Muhammad Younus, Abdul Basit, 45, son of Muhammad Alam and Shoaib, 45, son of Muhammad Sharif. They were targeted in the limits of Samanabad police station.
An official Zulfikar at the station said they had come from Balochistan to receive bodies of their two relatives killed in Baldia area on 16 and 13 May. When they were returning back after collecting the bodies from Edhi morgue Sohrab Goth, unidentified armed men opened fire on them near Ancholi Imam Bargah. They all died on the sport. The bodies were shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for medico-legal formalities.
Samanabad police registered a case number 54/2012 under section 302, 324/34 of PPC against unknown persons and started further probe.
Two bullet-riddled bodies were found from Baldia Number 5 in the wee hours of the same day. The deceased were identified as 22-year-old Mitho and 25-year-old Amir. The bodies bore torture marks and bullets holes. They were shifted to Civil Hospital Karachi (CHK) for postmortem.
A young man was shot dead by unidentified armed men near Al-Asif Square, Sohrab Goth area on night between Thursday and Frdiay.
The deceased, Usman Ali, 18, son of Nawaz Khan, resident of Hassan Nauman Colony was critically injured when unknown person opened firing on him near his home within the jurisdiction of Sohrab Goth police station, a duty officer, Hussain Bakhsh told PPI.
The injured was being rushed to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) but he succumbed to his injuries on way to the hospital.
The police registered a case number 357/2012 under section 302/34 of PPC and started further probe. Separately, two cops were shot dead by unidentified armed culprits in Baldia, Ittihad Town also on night between Thursday and Friday.
Three cops from Mochko police station were conducting snap checking at Khaibar Chowk of Muhammad Khan Colony when they sidnalled three persons riding two bikes to stop, who instead opened indiscriminate fire on police.
The armed persons targeted first Muhammad Khan Niazi who was holding a SMG. Constable Niazi and another cop Arif died on the spot while third cop ASI Tarik Khan plunged into a hole and got minor injuries.
The criminals while fleeing took away with the weapons of police.
The bodies and injured were shifted to PNS Shifa Hospital.
Mochko police registered a FIR number 197/2012 under section 353, 324, 302 and 7-ATA against unidentified persons and started probe.
Funeral prayer of the martyred policemen was held at Garden Police Head Quarter after Friday prayers.
Meanwhile, the bullet riddled body of a young man was found in Liaquatabad on early hours of Friday, police said. It was recovered near Arshi Chowk from Timber Market falling in the remits of Liaquatabad police station.
A duty officer at the station said identity of the deceased could not be ascertained yet. The deceased was shot in head after torture.
The body was shifted to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for postmortem. Later, it was moved to Edhi Morgue for want of identification.
Liaquatabad police lodged an FIR number 77/2012 under section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) on behalf of the state.
Four people including a child were shot dead and four others injured at in Malir on the same day.
Three people were killed while a child was critically injured in indiscriminate firing at Mansehra Colony falling in the limits of Sharafi Goth police station. The deceased were identified as Fazal s/o Islam Jan, Siraj s/o Pirzada and Anwar Sher, all in their mid forties.
The injured child, Ayaz son of Fazal Muhammad succumbed to his injuries during treatment. The other injured were identified as Riasat Bibi, 45, Muslim Khan, 22, Zaka, 25 and Amjad, 30.
The injured and bodies were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.
Decomposed body of a girl was found from a Gulshan-e-Iqbal on Friday, police said. At least ten days old body of 8-year-old girl was recovered from empty plot number 318 of block 20 falling in the limits of Gulshan-e-Iqbal police station.
The body was shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre for postmortem. Later the body was shifted to Edhi Morgue for want of identification.
A man identified as Abdul Qadir was shot dead at Gul Bai, Sher Shah Area.
Moreover, Friday evening a man was shot dead in Shah Latif Town area. The deceased was identified as Sabir, 25 son of Faizullah.
After these incidents of violence police and rangers beefed up patrolling and started snap checking in different parts of Karachi.

Constitution against forced conversions: CJ
ISLAMABAD, May 18, The Express Tribune reports: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry while disposing of petition of Pakistan Hindu Council on Thursday declared that in the existence of article 20 of the Constitution there was no need for special legislation regarding the protection of the rights of minorities.
Heading a three-member bench, the chief justice remarked that article 20 says subject to law, public order and morality, — (a) every citizen shall have the right to profess, practice and propagate his religion; and (b) every religious denomination and every sect thereof shall have the right to establish, maintain and manage its religious institutions.
Akram Sheikh, counsel for the Hindu Council, stated that incidents of forced religious conversion were being witnessed in rural areas, therefore the court should ask the parliament to enact legislation for the prevention of such incidents because it is the matter of fundamental rights.
The bench observed that there was no forced religious conversion in Islamic teaching as Islam was spread all over the world through love not sword.
Sheikh said that there should be a law for giving punishment to those, who forcibly convert the religion of others.
Upon this, Justice Jawwad S Khawaja reiterated that article 20 guarantees the religious freedom and there is no need for further complication.
He said that in Pakistan people believe that new laws would resolve the problems but the matters would be settled through the implementation of laws. The chief justice said that minorities’ rights were already protected in the constitution and if someone tried to covert people of other religion forcibly, the law would take its own course.
Hearing another case regarding the illegal Jirga System, the court directed the federation, KPK and Balochistan government to furnish their replies within two weeks. Punjab and Sindh government have already submitted their replies on the petition, filed by National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Chairperson Anis Haroon against vani and swara customs exercised through jirgas and punchayats to settle disputes.

'India to take up Hafiz Saeed issue'
NEWS DELHI, May 17: India will take up the issue of Hafiz Saeed with Pakistan during the upcoming secretary level talks between the two countries, said Indian foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai on Thursday.
Talking to media persons, the Indian foreign secretary reiterated that Hafiz Saeed was the mastermind of Mumbai Attacks that killed scores of people in November 2008. India has also handed over the dossier on 26/11 attacks to Pakistan, he added.
Ranjan Mathai further said that the matter of 'criminals taking a refuge in Pakistan' would also be discussed in Pak-India foreign secretaries talks.

Karachi continues to be a killing field
KARACHImay 18: Another nine people, including two policemen and three Muttahida Qaumi Movement activists, were killed in the city on Thursday. The ongoing wave of target killings has claimed 34 people, mostly activists of political parties, in the metropolis over the past five days.
In a brazen attack on the police late on Thursday night, four gunmen shot two policemen dead and wounded one other in Ittehad Town in the Moachko police remit.Police said a mobile van was on a routine patrol when the assailants riding on two motorcycles attempted to snatch an SMG from a cop. When the cop resisted, the gunmen opened fire, killing constables Muhammad Khan and Rafique Khan, and injuring ASI Jamil. The assailants managed to flee with the SMG.
The dead and the injured were taken to the Civil Hospital.Minutes later, two men riding on a motorcycle shot dead an Awami National Party (ANP) activist, Zaheer Khan, in Hassan Noman Colony in Sohrab Goth.
An MQM worker, Zafar, died when two motorcyclists opened fire on him in Buffer Zone in the Taimuria police limits. Another Muttahida activist, identified as Ali, was killed in a similar late-night shooting in Haryana Colony in Orangi Town.
Earlier in the day, the bullet-riddled body of MQM activist Muhammad Sharif, 25, was found in a gunny bag near a garbage dump in the Lines Area. The victim was a resident of Jet Line and had been kidnapped on Wednesday night.
In yet another incident of target killing, a 24-year-old Sunni Tehreek (ST) activist, Shahbaz Qadri, was gunned down by motorcyclists outside his residence in PECHS Block-2.
Another ST activist, Arghman Qadri, was found dead near Khudadad Colony Chowrangi. An eyewitness said the body, which was stuffed into a gunny bag, was thrown out of a moving car.
“The victims’ hands and legs had been tied with a rope. The body also bore several torture marks and numerous cuts that appear to have been made with a sharp-edged weapon. He had also been shot four times,” said MLO JPMC Razzaq Shaikh.
In Baldia Town, Nauroze Mehsud, 22, was riding in a vehicle when he was shot dead by motorcyclists. His body was taken to the Civil Hospital for legal formalities. Sufyan, 25, was killed and Mir Jan suffered injuries when gunmen on motorcycles shot them in the Nayabad area of Lyari.

Tribal invasion, sovereignty of Kashmir and problems of South Asia
Justice Muhammad Yusuf Saraf in his book, ‘Kashmiris Fight For Freedom’ commented:
‘A junior officer who may have successfully served in the tribal area where gold and guns were the modus operandi in those days, he was definitely too unequal to the job. He was as ignorant of Kashmir’s political scene and its intricacies as anyone could be. To have expected of him to deliver the goods in a situation which was being handled on the Indian side by intellectual giants like Mehr Chand Mahajan, VP Menon and Gopal Swami Ayyanger, was to have well asked for the moon.’ 1
Major Shah was a son – in - law of one of the important Secretaries of the Pakistan Government. He reached Srinagar and started negotiations in a typical military style. Mehr Chand Mahjan in his book, ‘Looking Back’ noted that, Major Shah:
‘Was in Srinagar with a whip in one hand and a letter of accession in the other. He had been trying to persuade General Janak Singh and Mr Batra to advise the Maharaja to accede to Pakistan………….He was keen to have assurance of State’s accession to Pakistan or in alternative, a negative assurance that I would not advise the Maharajah to accede to India. I told him that I could not give any positive reply without discussing the matter with my Cabinet and the leading men of the State and then with His Highness and that it would take some time. But he was not prepared to wait. When I found out that he had come there almost with an ultimatum, I said, “If you raise the blockade and allow food, clothes and petrol to enter the State I will discuss the matter in detail with you”. He agreed to persuade Mr Jinnah to remove the blockade and sent a telegram to him at Lahore, but got no favourable reply. He then saw me again and said, “Mr Jinnah invites you to Lahore. Go there and have a talk with him”. 2
Mahjan was an experienced Statesman and fully understood why he was invited to Lahore. In any case, he had no desire to accede to Pakistan; he further wrote: ‘I was in no mood to present myself at Mr Jinnah’s Darbar, fall in Pakistani hands and meet my doom. I declined the invitation, as the object was to coerce me in to securing the State’s accession to Pakistan. When Major Shah failed in his efforts, he sweetly departed, but with a parting shot, declaring that His Highness would soon come to grief and realise his folly. I retorted bluntly that the result of such action on the part of Pakistan would be to throw the State in the lap of India, no matter what the result. I assured him that we could not be coerced by such tactics to sign an agreement of accession of the State to Pakistan.’ 3
Major Shah was correct. The Maharajah didn’t have to wait long for Major Shah’s prophesy to come true. Already there was some resistance going on against his government in some areas of the State. Also there were communal riots in Jammu, which further complicated the matters and destroyed peace and harmony in some areas of the State.
In order to punish the Maharaja for not yielding to whims of the Pakistani government, they further violated the Standstill Agreement and managed the Tribal Attack and trampled the sovereignty of the State of Jammu and Kashmir. It must be reiterated that at the time of this unprovoked aggression the State of Jammu and Kashmir was a sovereign country. They sent hordes of tribesmen to Kashmir in name of Jihad, who had special skills in brutally killing and frightening their opponents.
This event – the tribal invasion was designed to get Jammu and Kashmir or, at least, the Kashmir Valley. The problem with wars is that they don’t always proceed according to plans and achieve the desired results. Same was the case with the Tribal Invasion because it did not go according to the plan. The plan was to enter the State territory with the lightening speed and capture Srinagar - the biggest city of the State and the Summer Capital.
Why the Tribesmen did not proceed to Srinagar
The majority of the attackers were Tribesmen, who had little appreciation for the strategic importance or military priorities of the Pakistani government which arranged this attack; and they spent more time in looting raping and kidnapping women. In Muzaffarabad and on way to Baramullah, the tribesmen did not hesitate to loot, set on fire shops, rape women and kidnap them. It is reported that hundreds of Kashmiri women were taken back to the Frontier Province and sold to brothels or forced to convert them to Islam and married.
It must be pointed out that not all those who joined Tribal Attack went there for the purpose of looting; there would be some who genuinely believed that they were performing obligations of ‘Jihad’. Anyhow, when these reports got back to Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan and the damage it was causing to their mission, he sent Pir of Manki Sharif to Baramullah to tell his followers that:
‘Plunder was not the primary purpose for which they entered Kashmir’. He further ‘told them what were the commands of God and our Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) about the rules of conduct in a war and how essential it was to protect every body’s honour, life and property, regardless of religious beliefs.’ 4
Baramullah was the second biggest town in the Valley of Kashmir; and was only one hour bus drive from Srinagar as road even at that time was among the best roads of the region. It was fast developing as a tourist resort; and centre of fruit and timber industry. Major General Akbar Khan who reached Baramullah on 29th October 1947, while explaining the town wrote: ‘This used to be a town of orchards, schools, roads, river transport stations, shops and restaurants- in short a bright and cheerful looking place. But now it looked as if an earthquake had shaken it.’ 5
After the fall of Baramullah, conquering Srinagar, Summer Capital and economic hub of Jammu and Kashmir was not difficult, as the town was only 35 miles away and was left defenceless after the Maharajah fled for safety to Jammu. Major General Akbar Khan puts it like this: ‘Only 35 more miles remained of level road and virtually no resistance. The tribesmen had a barely two hours journey left –and before them lay Srinagar, seemingly trembling at their mercy.’ 6
Justice Yusuf Saraf comments on the situation: ‘The road to Srinagar lay open but while the city of seven bridges kept hourly waiting; the tribesmen did not resume their advance. They wasted three most precious days which was not only to cost us our freedom, for how long, God only knows, but that was also to damage the reputation of tribesmen so much that it was never to be the same again. 7
The Tribesmen did not move towards Srinagar, as they had other priorities – looting, raping and kidnapping and celebrating their victory. Once they realised that there was nothing else left to plunder and they have made arrangements to send back what they looted and girls they kidnapped, they started moving towards Srinagar.
It would be pertinent to point out that some tribesmen in form of small groups did proceed to Srinagar, but this was uncoordinated movement and resulted in many problems and deaths because of some resistance by citizens of Srinagar. Also it is believed that the tribesmen were not fully aware of the problems or natural defence of the city in the form of water rain, marshland, small lakes, river and paddy fields.
It is debatable if these tribesmen advanced before the others to conquer Srinagar or they saw Srinagar as a ‘bigger prize’ than Baramullah; and wanted to make most of it by looting and kidnapping beautiful Kashmiri women. If the intention was to conquer Kashmir before the arrival of the Indian army then even a person with ordinary sense would have gone to take control of the airport to stop Indian aid reaching there by air; rather than attacking the city defences. Evidence suggests that individual groups tried to enter the main city; and did not proceed towards the airport.
One view is that they were held in Baramullah by their Commander, Major Khurshid Anwar, who sent a message to Azad Kashmiri leaders that if he conquered Srinagar what position he would get in the Kashmir government. The Road to Srinagar was plain, but the road back to Rawalpindi where the Azad Kashmiri leaders were staying was mountainous and difficult to travel; and convoys of tribesmen and other transport carrying these Jihadi groups and arms and supplies slowed down the journey back. So by the time the Major Khurshid Anwar’s messenger could reach back to Baramullah after meeting the Azad Kashmiri leaders, the Indian army had landed in Srinagar, and the game was over. 8
While explaining India’s position on Kashmir, Mr Gopal Swami Ayyanger said:
‘India without Kashmir would cease to occupy a pivotal position on the political map of Central Asia. Strategically Kashmir is vital to the security of India; it has been so ever since dawn of history. Its northern provinces give us direct gate –ways to the North West Provinces of Pakistan and Northern Punjab. It is India’s only window to Central Asian Republics of USSR in the north, China on the East and Afghanistan on the West.’ 9
Pakistan had its own reasons for capturing Kashmir. Not only that Jammu and Kashmir was a Muslim majority State, it was important to Pakistan because of its great strategic location, natural resources and security it provided to Pakistan. If the entire Jammu and Kashmir had gone to India, and the Indian forces were deployed on Kashmir’s border with Pakistan, then that would have seriously endangered Pakistan’s main civil and military lines of communication between Rawalpindi and Lahore. If Pakistan was to safeguard this route properly then that would make cities of Lahore, Sialkot and Gujrat vulnerable to the Indian invasion. Apart from that Jammu and Kashmir was important to Pakistan’s economy, especially agriculture. So, as far as Pakistani ruling elite were concerned they felt it was absolutely necessary to get Kashmir at all costs.
Jammu Riots and the Tribal Attack
It is unfortunate to note that majority of Pakistanis and many Kashmiri people, including some writers and academics still believe that the Tribal Attack was essential because Muslims were being killed in Jammu in communal riots; and some non Muslims from neighbouring States entered the region for the purpose of killing Muslims.
No one can deny about the communal riots in Jammu where the Muslims were victims; but if the aim of those who planned the Tribal Attack was to help the Muslims of Jammu then why they did not arrange attacks from Sialkot which is about 28 miles from Jammu or from Gujrat side which provides easy access to the various towns of Jammu Province. Why they had to send tribesmen towards Muzaffarabad, Uri, Baramullah and Srinagar where Muslims were in great majority and there were no communal disturbance? Answer is very simple, the Maharajah was in Srinagar, Summer Capital of the State; and more importantly they wanted to capture the Valley of Kashmir because of its resources and great strategic importance.
Furthermore, the communal disturbances started in Jammu in the third week of August 1947. Why the government of Pakistan remained quiet over this issue till mid October? Why they did not send any military help to Jammu where the Muslims were victims? Again reason is very simple; the Pakistani government, at that time, expected the Maharajah to accede to Pakistan, and they did not want to do anything to annoy him. However, when they realised that the Maharaja had no interest in joining Pakistan, they decided to punish him and take over his State by force, hence the attack on Muzaffarabad and Baramullah to capture Srinagar.
Major Khurshid Anwar was a retired officer of the Indian Army, and belonged to Jhullandur (now part of Indian Punjab). His wife was a Kashmiri Pathan. He played a leading role in Punjab Disobedience Movement on behalf of the Muslim League. He was later sent to North West Frontier Province to organise a similar movement; and because of his skills and experience he was appointed a Commander of the Muslim League National Guards.
He was a brave man with good contacts with different Tribal Chief and the Muslim League leaders, including Khan Abdul Qayyum Khan, a key Muslim League leader in that region. According to him, initial planning was to attack Muzaffarabad on 15th October 1947. He came to Rawalpindi on 12 October and requested Syed Nazir Hussain Shah to provide him with four – five guides that he could secretly proceed with 500 hundred armed men and capture Srinagar airport. 10
Tribal Attack and ‘Jihad’
However, there were some wise men who wanted to give a last chance to the Maharajah before taking the military option. As explained above, Major Shah was sent to Srinagar for ‘negotiations’; and few days after his failed mission, the Tribal Invasion was launched in name of ‘Jihad’ with disastrous consequences for people of Jammu and Kashmir and for the rest of South Asia, as genie of ‘jihad’ used for the first time to advance political agenda in October 1947 is still haunting us all.
It is claimed that these people went to Kashmir to perform religious duty of ‘jihad’. One may ask why sentiments of ‘jihad’ did not influence them when their Muslims brothers were killed in Jammu in August; and why they had to wait nearly two months before they decided to perform this religious duty? Moreover why they did not proceed to the spot – Jammu Province where the Muslims were in minority and were under attack?
Because of hyped religious sentiments and division of the British India on communal lines, it created hatred and set one community against the other; and to make things worse they launched the tribal attack in name of jihad to advance political agenda of the government. It was not the last time the name of ‘jihad’ was used to sponsor violence, promote extremism and advance a political agenda.
After the invasion of Afghanistan, ‘jihad’ for some became a thriving industry, which attracted recruits from many parts of the world. Those who sponsored this kind of ‘jihad’ not only became extremely rich, but they wielded unimagined power and influence; and in some cases dictated foreign policies of many countries. Sad thing was that no one could even speak against the actions committed in holy name of ‘jihad’; even now people are reluctant to speak against actions taken in name of ‘jihad’ because of threat of serious repercussions.
Many of the problems we face in South Asia today; and India Pakistan rivalry that we have witnessed over many decades have its roots in that unfortunate and ill advised military action to conquer Kashmir in October 1947. I know we cannot turn back the clock of history; but just for a moment if we assume that there was no Tribal Attack, then State of Jammu and Kashmir could have remained independent.
An independent Jammu and Kashmir could have had friendly and cordial relations with all its neighbours; and could have been a bridge of friendship between India and Pakistan. Both countries wanted Jammu and Kashmir and had their own arguments to justify their claims; but it was possible that they could have accepted an independent buffer state which could have helped them to boost their trade and have joint projects to improve quality of life in the region, instead of competition in military warfare.
The partition of India on communal lines promoted sentiments of hatred and resentment against each other that created a gulf between the two countries, but that could have healed with time; however the competition over ‘ownership’ of the State of Jammu and Kashmir ensured that this ‘wound’ keeps on bleeding and generate hatred and extremism. This resulted in wars and arms race between the both countries and the resources that should have been spent to provide better quality of life to people were diverted to build large armies and military hardware. Millions of people are below the poverty line in both countries; yet the ruling elite in both countries spend billions on military preparedness.
Many Pakistanis hold us – people of Jammu and Kashmir responsible for their problems, lack of democracy and fundamental human rights. Their contention is that if there was no Kashmir dispute perhaps the ruling elite might not have spent so much on defence and deprived them of democratic rights. This is to blame the victims. We are suffering because of the policies of both India and Pakistan. We don’t want to be occupied, forcibly divided and denied of our basic rights. The Ruler of Jammu and Kashmir did not ask rulers of Pakistan to violate the Standstill Agreement and attack his country.
Yes, I agree that many problems of Pakistan and that of South Asia are directly related to the Kashmir dispute; but it must be understood that we did not create this dispute. It was the Tribal Attack that landed us in this quandary and deprived us of our independence, right of movement and many other rights. Furthermore, it divided the State of Jammu and Kashmir between the two countries and started a new era of competition, confrontation, violence and hatred in South Asia.
I also agree that the Kashmir dispute has to be resolved in order to have peace and harmony in the region; and if the ruling elites of both countries have realised that the Kashmir dispute is holding back their progress then they must make serious and sincere efforts to put right mistakes of the past, and allow people of the divided State to determine their own future.
Writer is a political analyst and author of many books and booklets. Also he is Director Institute of Kashmir Affairs.Email:drshabirchoudhry@gmail.com

HRW urges Zardari not to sign Human Rights Commission bill
KARACHI/NEW YORK, May 17: The Human Rights Watch on Thursday urged the President of Pakistan not to sign a bill to authorize a newly formed national human rights commission until it is revised to “authorize investigations of the military and the intelligence agencies for human rights violations.”
“The National Human Rights Commission if given teeth can play a critical role in improving Pakistan’s dire human rights situation. President Zardari should tell parliament he will only sign the bill when it gives the commission authority over abuses by the military and intelligence agencies,” said Brad Adams, Asia director at the international human rights’ watchdog, in a press release issued today.
Pakistan’s National Assembly had passed a bill – the National Human Rights Commission Act – on May 4 for the commission’s formation, but the act requires the president’s approval before it goes into effect.
The Human Rights Watch has expressed concerns that the bill would prevent the commission from addressing or investigating “human rights violations by members of the armed forces and intelligence agencies.”
“Pakistan’s military and its intelligence agencies have a long and well-documented history of serious and systematic abuses,” said Adams. “A primary reason to create a national human rights commission should be to address longstanding impunity for the army and intelligence services.”
“A strong and independent National Human Rights Commission can be a key institution in aiding Pakistan’s transition to a truly rights-respecting democracy,” he said.
“But a commission that cannot take on cases involving the army and intelligence agencies would perpetuate a cruel joke on Pakistanis whose rights have been violated.”

’Collision of PAF’s training aircraft kills four
Peshawar, May 17: Two Pakistan Air Force (PAF) light aircraft collided mid-air on Thursday, killing four pilots on a routine training mission near Nowshera, police said.
It was the sixth Pakistan Air Force crash in seven months and the second in a week, raising concerns over the safety of its largely Chinese and locally made fleet. The cause of the accident was not immediately clear.
One of the two-seater propeller Mushshak planes crashed on a house, injuring a girl and an elderly man, and the second fell in nearby fields in the Rashkai area, 160 kilometres (100 miles) northwest of the capital.
"Two Pakistan Air Force trainer aircraft collided mid-air. Four pilots were killed, two were trainee pilots and two were instructors," district police officer Mohammad Hussain said.
"One of the aircraft crashed over a house, injuring a girl and an elderly man, and the second plane crashed in the fields."
Another police official, Hayatullah, who uses only one name, confirmed the casualties.
Last Friday, a fighter jet crashed near the southwestern town of Sonmiani but the pilot managed to eject safely.
The Pakistan Air Force has a fleet of Chinese aircraft including F-7PGs and A-5s, plus US-built F-16s and French Mirages. It recently acquired medium-tech JF-17, or Thunder jets, manufactured jointly by China and Pakistan.

Target killings claim another 11 lives in Karachi
KARACHI, May 16: The law and order situation of the city further deteriorated on Wednesday as incidents of target killings claimed 11 lives and left several wounded, DawnNews reported.
The recent killings have brought the number of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) activists killed in the last 24 hours to five.
Two men were killed near Nazimabad Board office.
A man was shot dead in Lyari in the area of Dariya abad. Another man was shot dead near Banaras flyover.
The tortured dead body of a woman was found from New Karachi sector 5-F.
A man was shot at Burns road; later he succumbed to his injuries.
A three day old dead body was found from house in Ghaziaabad, Manghopir.
Earlier in the evening assailants opened fire on a mini-bus, near Sachal Goth Gulistan-e-Johar, leaving three passengers injured.
Two brothers, Asif and Yasin, were shot dead in Baldia Town’s Gulshan-i-Mazdoor area by unidentified gunmen, while another man also lost his life as gunmen open fire on him elsewhere in Baldia Town.
Meanwhile, unknown assailants shot and killed one person, also affiliated with a political party, in Orangi Town’s Bangla bazaar area. The incident led to tensions in the neighbourhood where business activities were subsequently suspended.
Earlier today, a former union councillor belonging to the MQM, Muhammad Khursheed, was shot dead in Saudabad, Malir area. According to police, two armed men on a bike opened indiscriminate firing on Khursheed, who was also riding a motorbike. Nine bullets hit him, four in head and five in chest, resulting in his instant death.
Moreover, two people were injured in incidents of firing near the Karimabad bridge and near Sea View.
Separately, one person was killed and five were wounded in a hand-grenade attack that targeted a hotel near the Quaidabad bridge in the city’s Shah Latif Town.
Earlier on Tuesday, at least seven people, including three Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) workers, were shot dead in different parts of the city.

After 20 years, Dr Chishty finally crosses border
ISLAMABAD, May 15, the Express Tribune reports: It was a historic day for Pakistan-India relations, and perhaps a symbol of hope for the hundreds of prisoners languishing on both sides of the border indefinitely – scenes of jubilation were witnessed at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport in Islamabad and Dr Khalil Chisty’s home in Karachi as he finally crossed the border.
After twenty years of incarceration in Rajasthan’s Ajmer Jail, Dr Chishty arrived in Pakistan from India late Tuesday night. The 82-year-old virologist was brought back in a special plane sent by President Asif Ali Zardari.
While not completely free, Dr Chishty will remain in Pakistan until his November 1, 2012 hearing in the Indian Supreme Court. He was welcomed at the airport by Interior Minister Rehman Malik and Port and Shipping Minister Babar Ghauri at 11:25pm, from where he was driven in a Mercedes car to the President House with official protocol. Local Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leaders and activists showered rose petals on him.
President Zardari had discussed Dr Chishty’s case with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during his recent visit to Ajmer.
Chishty was recently released from Ajmer Jail after being sentenced to a life imprisonment term in a murder case. The Indian SC granted bail on April 9 to the virologist and allowed him to visit Pakistan for a temporary stay on May 10.
“I am happy that I am going to my homeland to meet my family and friends. I would like to offer a thanksgiving prayer as soon as I reach the airport and then I will go to my home,” he told reporters at Jaipur railway station.
In Karachi, his family was seen waiting for his arrival, anxious and excited in a house decorated with lights in celebration. While talking to a private news channel, his daughter, Farah, said “It is a miracle. We have been waiting since morning for his return and now we will spend the whole night waiting for his arrival tomorrow. We have made his favourite food.” His grandchildren, several of whom he has never seen, appeared just as eager to meet their grandfather.
A special leave petition against Dr Chishty’s conviction is pending in the Indian Supreme Court while a clemency petition is pending before the Rajasthan governor.
The octogenarian was visiting his ailing mother in Ajmer in 1992 when he got embroiled into a family feud that led to the death of one of his relatives. He has been in Ajmer since, incarcerated at his ancestral home for eighteen years before being jailed following his conviction in January last year.
The teary-eyed Pakistani added that he would also go to Lahore to meet Sarabjit Singh, an Indian national facing a death sentence on charges of involvement in bomb blasts in Pakistan. Sarabjit has been languishing in prison in Lahore for the last 22 years. Diplomatic efforts are on to commute his death sentence to life imprisonment.
Dr Chishty completed his PhD from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1968 in Public Health Virology. “Inasmuch as we have posted the appeal for final disposal on 20th November, 2012, we permit him to visit his country, namely, Pakistan and return back to India positively by 1st November, 2012. As soon as he reaches his native country he has to surrender his passport with the Indian High Commission, Islamabad,” the Indian SC said in its verdict on the case.
Talking to media earlier on Tuesday, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said President Zardari played a pivotal role in the release of Dr Chishty during his recent visit to India. “President Zardari has been very kind to send his plane to New Delhi on the request of the Indian government to bring back Dr Chishty home,” he emphasised.

Indian rupee hits record low; more falls seen
MUMBAI, May 16: The Indian rupee hit a record low against the dollar on Wednesday, succumbing to the steep risk aversion hitting global markets and highlighting the vulnerabilities of a country facing challenging fiscal and economic outlooks.
Despite repeated interventions over the past sessions and a rash of other measures targeting deposits and exporters, the Reserve Bank of India has so far been unable to prevent the falls in the domestic currency.
The central bank will continue to face a losing battle, analysts say, unless global risk aversion eases or India resolves long-standing problems such as a widening current account deficit, both of which are seen as unlikely.
Frequent interventions would also further sap rupee liquidity at a time when the country is facing a severe cash crunch in its banking system, analysts added.
“Unfortunately for the rupee, this is not a great environment to run a current account deficit and thus be reliant on capital inflows from foreign lenders,” said Sean Callow, a senior currency strategist at Westpac Banking Corp in Sydney.
“Suspect only radical steps by RBI—or sudden action by foreign central banks and/or G20—will stop a push through 55 and quite possible higher,” he added, referring to the USD/INR cross.
The rupee fell to as low as 54.36 to the dollar, breaching its previous record low of 54.30 set in December. It was last trading at 54.335/35 compared to its 53.79 close on Tuesday.
The currency will hover near record lows against the dollar for the next month or so, a Reuters poll on Tuesday showed, though the analysts expect a gradual recovery.
The rupee has fallen nearly 10 per cent since its 2012 peak in February due to concerns about India’s current account and fiscal deficits.
A poorly received federal budget for fiscal 2013 unveiled in mid-March has further eroded confidence by casting doubt on the government’s willingness to implement policy reforms ahead of general elections due by 2014.
The rupee was further undermined by controversial government proposals for taxes on foreign investment.
However, analysts said one positive was slumping oil prices, which could help bridge India’s current account deficit.

DCC gives nod to non-lethal Nato cargo
ISLAMABAD, May 16 - Ostensibly sticking to the contours drawn by the parliamentary committee for revisiting country’s relations with the US and opening up of Nato ground routes through Pakistan, the Defence Committee of the Cabinet left the matter to concerned authorities from both sides to conclude the ongoing negotiations on new terms and conditions.
The Defence Committee of the Cabinet met here Tuesday with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani in chair. The meeting was attended by ministers for defence, interior, foreign affairs, information and broadcasting, chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, DG ISI and three services chiefs.
Sources aware of the deliberations informed TheNation that technically the government had given green signal for reopening of Nato supply routes but avoided to issue a formal statement in this regard owing to the mounting public anger against the opening of these supplies and the matter was left for the technical groups from both sides to workout modalities for the full-fledged resumption of Nato supplies.
Sources in the committee said it was unanimously decided in the meeting that weapons transportation through Nato supplies would not be allowed in adherence to the recommendations of the parliamentary committee’s recommendations, but the withdrawal of heavy weaponry from Afghanistan via Pakistan would be allowed, as the US wanted to takeout heavy weapons from Afghanistan via Pakistan as part of its withdrawal plan.
Sources in the government said for the past two weeks the technical experts from Nato and US were busy working with the people here at ministries of foreign affairs, finance and defence to workout modalities for the ground supply resumption.
These sources further said that by keeping the matter under cover the government would buy some more time to dilute the public outrage and sudden outburst against the government for supply resumption.
Sources in ministry of defence said Pakistan had secured solid guarantees from Isaf and Nato that Salala-like incidents would not occur again in future and that before the full-fledged opening of the Nato supplies the US would come up with some mitigating measures to appease public sentiments in Pakistan by tendering a mild apology for Salala incident through Isaf commanders. The US could also announce compensation for casualties in Nov 26 incident.
The technical groups were yet to reach at some conclusion on the unabated drone attacks inside Pakistani territory as Pakistan wanted immediate halt to these attacks. It is expected the US would bring some laxity to its policy in this connection as confidence building measure to give boost to the fast-deteriorating relations with Pakistan. Sources in the government said that the tax levy on the Nato containers and its inspection at entry and exit points were almost agreed between the two sides while the Nato had also agreed to provide sizeable amount for the repair of road damage and the security arrangements to be provided to the Nato containers throughout their movement within Pakistan’s territorial limits.
Sources said initially the reopening of the Nato supplies would be made for the containers blocked at various places in the country as the same would be causing massive loss to the country in shape of freight charges to the country.
Meanwhile, according to the press release issued by the PM’s Secretariat the committee reviewed Pakistan’s cooperation in the context of international community’s security and stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan.
In keeping with the letter and spirit of the parliamentary committee’s recommendations, the DCC authorised officers of relevant ministries/departments to conclude the ongoing negotiations on the new terms and conditions.
It was also decided that the military authorities should negotiate fresh border ground rules with Nato/Isaf to ensure that Salala-like incidents would not reoccur.
The DCC welcomed the unconditional invitation by the Nato Secretary General to the President to attend Nato summit in Chicago. The DCC fully endorsed the visit of the president for the summit.
The committee further decided that the ministry of foreign affairs would continue to remain engaged with the US on other parliamentary recommendations, including apology and cessation of drone attacks.
The committee also discussed the parliament’s call for expulsion of foreign fighters, if found, on the Pakistani side.
Agencies add: Pakistani and US officials have reached a ‘broad agreement’ on logistics for the fuel and other non-military supplies that would go overland through Pakistan to Afghanistan, one source said.
Pakistan previously negotiated a fee of $160 per 40-foot container and is now looking to secure anywhere from $320 to $500, although the figure has yet to be agreed, one source said.
Meanwhile, Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira told AFP that “No final decision had been taken”.
An official statement said the committee was considering imposing a pre-condition “to the effect that only non-lethal cargo would be allowed to transit through Pakistan to Afghanistan”.
The United States has also guaranteed payment of at least $1.1 billion should the borders reopen, as compensation for fighting militants, one source told AFP.
Mir Mohammad Yousuf Shahwani, chairman of the All Pakistan Oil Tanker Owners Association, told AFP he had been informed by a senior official in the petroleum ministry that Pakistan would reopen the supply line within days.

Karachi targeted killings claim seven lives
KARACHI, May 15: Karachi once again witnessed deteriorating law and order situation as the series of targeted killings continued and seven people lost their lives whereas many others were injured on Tuesday, Dawn News reported.
An ex-counselor was shot dead in the area of Tariq road. The business in the area was shut down after the incident.
A man named Mehdi Raza was shot dead in the area of Nazimabad No.2.
A dead body was found from Malir cantt near Agha Foundation. The person was identified as Azhar, a resident of Bufferzone and an employee of Pakistan steel.
Two dead bodies were found from the area of China town near Sohrab Goth and Malir Bakra piri; the police officials told that they were kidnapped and were shot dead by unknown people.
In similar violent incidents in the city, four people were wounded including the registrar of Dawood Engineering College and his son.

Nawaz records concern for missing persons
Islamabad, May 15: President Pakistan Muslim League (N), Muhammad Nawaz Sharif expressing his concern over growing number of missing persons in the country said that there is no room for such activities in a civilized country like Pakistan. Addressing a ceremony for the distribution of funds among the families of the missing persons on Tuesday Nawaz Sharif said that Pakistan resembled Israel from where innocent citizens were being kidnapped.
He reiterated that hundreds of Pakistanis had been taken into custody without any law and said that if there was any evidence against them then they should be brought in courts. He said though money could not equal the misery of the missing persons, yet he vowed to ask the Chief Minister of the Punjab for giving stipends to the families of the missing persons.
He noted that no financial assistance from abroad could justify the phenomenon of missing persons in Pakistan. He said that he was aware of the pains of the missing persons, as he had also gone through the same experience when he was abducted from the Prime Minister House and was kept at a place his family did not know about. He demanded that the missing persons should be allowed to meet their family members once in a week.
He lauded the work of Amna Masood Janjua who has been struggling for the missing persons. He noted that several men were missing since 2010 and said that such incidents were a dilemma adding that he also had sympathies for the children of the officers whose ships had been hijacked by Somalian pirates. He asked who was responsible for the disappearance of Pakistanis and appealed the government to deal drastically with the issue.

SC grills Frontier Corps in missing Baloch case
ISLAMABAD, May 14: The Supreme Court expressed concern on Monday over the increased distrust and alienation between the Frontier Corps and people of Balochistan.
“Ninety per cent of the people are accusing the FC of abductions,” Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry lamented, after Inspector General of FC Maj Gen Obaidullah Jan Khattak finally appeared before the court.
At the last hearing on Friday, the court had expressed its disappointment over his absence and warned of taking him to task if he did not show up on Monday.
A three-judge bench comprising the chief justice, Justice Jawwad S. Khawaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain is hearing a petition on the law and order situation and human rights violations in Balochistan. It was filed by a former president of the Balochistan High Court Bar Association, Hadi Shakeel.
The chief justice pointed at Maj Gen Khattak and bemoaned the abduction allegations against the FC. The court said it was his responsibility to reply to the accusations because he was heading the FC.
Evidence against FC
The allegations against the FC consist of an earlier statement submitted to the court by Deputy Inspector General (operations) of Balochistan Hamid Shakeel that three missing persons, about whom the court put a question, had been picked up by the FC.
The proof could be ascertained from a CCTV footage taken from a private hotel room showing them being whisked away by FC personnel.
The footage was displayed during the proceedings.
“Prima facie, there is sufficient evidence against the FC of abducting missing persons. A police official has also confirmed that an FC vehicle was used in the abduction. The court cannot ignore this incident,” the CJ said, adding that though the court could never deny the sacrifices rendered by the FC, it was the job of FC personnel to maintain its credibility and confidence in the public eye.
FC IG denies allegations
The inspector general of FC, however, expressed doubt about the video and explained that FC personnel always moved in two vehicles. The CCTV footage showed only one vehicle. Maj Gen Khattak also highlighted a number of complaints regarding criminals impersonating FC personnel and carrying out abductions.
“There is a lack of trust between law enforcement agencies and local residents,” Justice Khilji said and stressed the need for building that trust between the public and the forces to deal with the situation.
The FC chief denied the allegations and said his force was looking for the missing persons.
“Who should one turn to when even the Rangers and the police fail to recover the missing,” the CJ regretted and said the matter had become a key issue in the province.
The court expressed displeasure over the performance of Balochistan police and FC, asking the FC chief and the acting inspector general (AIG) of police to put their heads together and trace those involved in the abduction of these three persons. More than 15 days had passed and despite several adjournments, no progress had been made in the recovery of missing persons, it said.
The FC chief and the AIG were ordered to submit by May 21 statements on the law and order situation and the missing Baloch people.
Maj Gen Khattak assured the court that every possible effort would be made to recover the missing persons and that all orders of the court would be implemented in letter and spirit with an aim to improve the situation in the province.
He said 1,931 terrorist attacks had been carried out across the province in the period up to January 2012. Terrorists claimed responsibility for 886 of the incidents.
“Has your force made any progress in hunting down the perpetrators of these 886 attacks?” Justice Jawad asked the FC chief.
And when the FC IG replied that he did not have the record, the judge said he had got the answer. The AIG informed the court that he had been appointed on May 11, adding that he had summoned all records relating to the missing persons and started investigation. He sought more time to submit a report on the issue after holding a meeting with officials of secret agencies.
The court asked the Advocate General of Balochistan, Amanullah Kinrani, and the registrar office to provide copies of its earlier orders to the FC and Balochistan police chiefs so that they could assist the court in a better way by taking prompt action under its directions.

At least 3 killed, 30 injured in Quetta car bomb blast
Quetta: May 14: At least three persons including two personnel of the FC were killed and 30 others injured when a bomb hit a paramilitary convoy in Quetta on Monday afternoon.
The attack took place at about 5:00 p.m. local time when a convoy of Frontier Corps (FC) was hit by a bomb fixed in a Suzuki Alto car parked on the roadside in the Almo Chowk area of the city.
The bomb was detonated through a remote control device when the FC convoy comprising two pickups was passing by.
Sources said that three including two FC persons were killed and 30 others were injured. Seven vehicles including the two FC vehicles were completely destroyed and over a dozen shops and a bank nearby the blast site were partially damaged.
All the injured have been rushed to hospital and hospital sources said at least four injured people were in critical condition.
Police and security forces have cordoned off the area shortly after the blast and a search operation is under way.
Bomb disposal squad said that an estimated 40 to 45 kilograms of explosives were used in the bomb.
No group has claimed the responsibility for the attack yet.

Pakistan faces risk of missing all Nato events
WASHINGTON, May 13: Pakistan may have to miss future Nato consultations as well if it failed to attend the organisation’s May 20-21 summit in Chicago, US and Nato officials said.
In a statement issued by the summit headquarters in Chicago on Sunday, Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen noted that 2014 would mark the end of Nato’s combat role, but not the end of its engagement with Afghanistan.
“Nato is committed to an enduring partnership with Afghanistan, and to providing the training which the Afghan forces will still need, beyond 2014,” he said.
“At the Chicago summit, we will take the decisions which will shape that future training mission.”
The summit will be the largest meeting Nato has ever organised, with around 60 countries and organisations represented.
The Nato secretary-general has met several alliance leaders, including US President Barack Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron, in the run-up to the summit.
Nato members agreed at the Lisbon summit two years ago to complete transition to Afghan security by the end of 2014.
“In Chicago, we will also start to spell out our commitment to help finance the Afghan security forces of the future, as part of an international community effort, and together with the Afghans themselves,” Mr Rasmussen said.
After the Chicago summit, Nato will hold an expanded Isaf meeting including 22 non-Nato partners and a separate meeting with a group of 13 partner nations to recognise their important contributions to the current and recent Nato missions in Afghanistan, Kosovo and Libya.
“We are planning on having a meeting in Isaf format, which is with the participants in the Afghanistan mission and the countries that support that. So that brings in Afghanistan, its neighbours, all of the countries like the UAE, et cetera, that participate in Isaf,” said US State Department spokesperson Victoria Nuland.
“There is going to be a second special meeting, Nato plus countries we’re calling the Chicago partners, and these are a group of 13 countries who are some of Nato’s most active partners in terms of working in operations,” she added.
The 13 are Australia, Austria, Finland, Georgia, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Morocco, New Zealand, Qatar, Sweden, Switzerland and the UAE. Each of those countries has participated in at least one Nato operation, and many of them have participated in two or more.

17 militants killed in Khyber, Kurram Agencies in ongoing military operation
Peshawar, May 14: At least 17 militants were killed and several others injured, while three hideouts were also destroyed in security forces actions in Khyber and Kurram Agencies on Monday.
According to security sources, at least nine militants were killed and many others injured by security forces in ongoing operation in Kot area in central Kurram Agency. Security sources said that three hideouts of militants were destroyed.
Security forces while moving ahead at Shalobar in Tehsil Bara area of Khyber Agency clashed with the militants leaving eight militants dead while some others managed to flee to mountainous area. Security forces said that search operation for them was underway
Meanwhile, in Mohmand Agency, the militants attacked the joint check post of the Levies and Aman Lashkar in Khawezai area in which one Razakar was killed and four others injured in the clash.