Nuclear security summit

By Dr Adil Sultan

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In April 2009, while outlining his nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament agenda in Prague, President Obama announced that he would host a leadership-level Nuclear Security Summit (NSS). The objective was to raise awareness, at the highest political level, about the threat of nuclear terrorism and the need to strengthen global nuclear security efforts.

The first summit, which was hosted by the US in 2010 in Washington DC, issued a communique and a work plan that reflected a broad consensus on the need for all states to strengthen nuclear security efforts. Successive summit-level meetings held in Seoul (2012) and The Hague (2014) helped create greater awareness on nuclear security related issues. The final summit, planned at Washington DC from March, 2016 to April 1, 2016 would culminate the NSS process with a communique and possibly some guideline documents to identify future nuclear security efforts.

Pakistan is one of the 53 states, besides the four international observers – the UN, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Interpol and the EU – that are invited to be part of the NSS process. Pakistan’s delegation to all summits was led by the prime minister. Following past precedent, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is likely to head the Pakistani delegation at the coming summit as well.

Because nuclear security is a highly sensitive issue, Pakistan’s engagement in the NSS process was guided by the following key principles: first, the NSS should not lead to new or parallel mechanisms; rather, it should help strengthen the existing arrangements. Second, the NSS should not put any additional obligations on the participating countries.

Third, the NSS should maintain focus on the civil-nuclear fuel cycle, without venturing into weapons programmes, which remain the sovereign prerogative of all nuclear weapon states. And finally, NSS-related commitments, as agreed by participating states in the form of communiques and other outcome documents, would remain voluntary in nature and be guided by the states’ domestic and international obligations.

Pakistan has been constructively engaged in the NSS process and has made significant contributions to building a consensus and developing a common understanding on nuclear security issues. In retrospect, the confidence reposed by the global powers in Pakistan’s nuclear security efforts at such high level meetings has helped remove the misperceptions about Pakistan’s nuclear program, which continues to be the target of criticism, mainly for political reasons.

The summit also offered an opportunity for Pakistan to project its credentials in the nuclear field. In its national statement at the 2010 NSS, Pakistan introduced the main contours of its nuclear security regime, which includes: (i) a well-defined command and control system; (ii) a strict regulatory regime covering all nuclear security and safety matters; (iii) a comprehensive export control regime and; (iv) international cooperation consistent with national priorities and interests, as well as international obligations.

The 2010 national statement also elaborated measures that Pakistan has taken towards strategic export control, to align its export control guidelines with the requirements of the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Missile Technology Control Regime. Both these regimes regulate global nuclear and missile trade. Pakistan hopes to join these ‘informal’ arrangements to meet its civilian nuclear needs and to benefit from dual-use technologies for its civilian space programme.

At the 2010 NSS, the prime minister also made a strong case for providing access to peaceful nuclear technology on a non-discriminatory basis to meet Pakistan’s growing energy needs. As a technologically advanced nuclear-state, Pakistan also offered its nuclear fuel cycle services, under IAEA safeguards, and conveyed the willingness to participate in any non-discriminatory nuclear fuel cycle assurances mechanism, which would be critical to achieve the target of 40,000 megawatts, as per Pakistan’s nuclear energy vision of 2050.

Pakistan’s national statement at the 2012 NSS at Seoul introduced its state of the art Centre of Excellence (CoE) on nuclear security, which is now known as the Pakistan Centre of Excellence on Nuclear Security (PCENS). It conducts specialised courses on nuclear security related issues and is one of the best facilities in the region. Since its establishment, the PCENS has conducted several international and regional courses in collaboration with the IAEA. Pakistan has also offered its PCENS as a regional and international hub for nuclear security training for countries that want to benefit from Pakistan’s experience.

Another significant aspect of the 2012 statement was the establishment of the Nuclear Emergency Management System, which caters to the entire spectrum of nuclear and radiological incidents and accidents. The Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Support Centre and the National Radiation Emergency Coordination Centre are working round the clock to help provide a coordinated response in case of nuclear and radiological accidents.

The NSS process has been able to achieve the intended objective of developing a better understanding of the threat of nuclear terrorism and the need to strengthen global nuclear security efforts. This objective can be achieved by encouraging states to strengthen their respective nuclear security efforts without putting on additional obligations and creating new mechanisms.

The writer is visiting faculty at the NDU.

Email: adilsultan66@hotmail.com

Take the Things Seriously Please

By:      Aasef Chauhdry

It was a rough, sad and tragic day for Pakistan, when the two big cities of the country; Islamabad and Lahore were shaken. Lahore rocked with a nasty blast. More than 60 persons were been killed and over 200 others were wounded in a bloody bomb blast at Gulshan e Iqbal Park Lahore. Employees of the park said that the park was packed with people since it was Sunday and Easter holiday, together. Witnesses said there were pools of blood and scattered body parts in the park, where a large number of families, especially women and children, were enjoying their weekend. The dead and the wounded were ferried to the Jinnah Hospital, Sheikh Zayed Hospital and other nearby hospitals, while an emergency has been declared in all the hospitals of Lahore. Rescuers say the blast occurred at the central gate of the park near the motorcycle parking stand. According to the Rescue 1122 spokesman, an emergency call was received at around 6:44pm.

While this gory incident was taking place in Lahore the angry mobs were gathering at various places in Rawalpindi and silently praying for a march towards Islamabad. The LEAs sensing the protesters’ intentions had made ample arrangements to control and stop them at the outer skirts of the Capital. However, the angry and uncontrollable mob ran into Red Zone where they did hell broken destruction. As per reports they were gathered to mark the Chehlum of Mumtaz Qadri, who assassinated the then Punjab governor Salman Taseer. The stick-wielding protestors began their march from Rawalpindi and reached outside the Parliament House. The representatives of government administration had hold talks with the protestors who had reached the Red Zone with demands. The protesters assured that they would remain calm and wait for their leaders who are on their way and later present their demands to the government. Nevertheless, the angry demonstrators didn’t keep their words and set containers blocking the roads on fire outside the Parliament House where no presence of law enforcement agencies was witnessed. Eventually, the government had to call in the army troops as tension gripped Red Zone after angry protestors gathered at D-Chowk.

Apparently these were two law & order cases, happened as had been happening in past but if one goes into the details and critically observe the events then many startling facts will reveal. Like; the timings of these two incidents. Both happened almost simultaneously which can’t be by chance, especially in the backdrop of RAW agent Kulbhushun’s arrest, at Lahore picking the day when it was Easter and otherwise weekend and the park was jam packed with the visitors, mostly ladies and children, both the tragic events happened soon after the arrest of RAW agent, a serving naval officer Commander Kulbhushun Yadav.

It has left no doubt that both the happenings had our neighbour India’s infamous intelligence agency RAW’s hand in it. It is very simple that both the accidents were planned to gain two objects; to pressurize our government to release Yadav and to divert our intelligence agencies attention from his investigation and towards these two bloody events. To be very honest the government can’t disown their share of the blame because in the very first place PEMRA had played a very negative role in this all. The day Qadri was hanged; his funeral was a great gathering which history rarely witnessed. Unfortunately PEMRA issued instructions to media to totally blackout the coverage of his Janazah. It was ordered to that media which doesn’t spare the covering of even towel-tearing. Obviously it infuriated his fans and followers, irrespective of it that they were wrong or right they should of have been accommodated. No one can deny that it was a big scoop and missing or ignoring it purposely couldn’t be tolerated. Our enemy no. 1 India who is all time monitoring our national pulse found this glaring mistake  as ripe reason to achieve their goal.

Another main reason is our government’s apologetic attitude towards India, which one is fail to understand as to why we always lower ourselves in front of Indians’ illogical and senseless desires and demands? They have never found or red handed caught any Pakistani involved in any terrorist activity in India yet they always level allegations and desire that Pakistan should take severe action against those whom Indians don’t ‘Like’, whereas, in case of Pakistan, the victims of Samjhota Express are still waiting for the justice. The culprits were caught by the Indian law enforcing agencies long ago but were released on bail and we couldn’t do anything.

The time has come that the government should seriously think over implementing the national action plan which was designed and drafted after the series of epic committees ‘meetings. Only armed forces or ISI can’t handle everything. As they claim, that a democratic and elected government is in chair, at least some deliverance should be visible. The vetting of top government echelons has become must. They situation will improve only when a couple of responsible heads will roll. It’s high time for government to do away with adhocism.

Kulbhushun Yadav: A ‘Raw’ or Ripe Attempt?

 By: Sohail Parwaz

The infamous Indian intelligence agency RAW may brag about her so called accomplishments and make phony elevated claims but the fact remains that Operation Chanakya, Operation Kahuta’s Blueprint and Creation of Bangladesh had brought bad name to this blown larger than the size intelligence agency. Most notably, meddling in East Pakistan and disrupting the smooth life of neighbouring peaceful Sri Lanka will remain as stigmas on its face. About Bangladesh, Bengalis themselves, ex RAW operators, the Indian politicians and recently Mr. Modi himself proudly admitted the contribution while involvement in Sri Lanka’s internal affairs, where RAW started training the LTTE to keep a so-called check on Sri Lanka  is an open secret now.

This check in fact was a sort of punishment to the Lankans for helping Pakistan in the Indo-Pak war of December 1971 by allowing Pakistani ships to refuel at Sri Lankan ports. Unfortunately, the LTTE created a lot of problems and complications and this “Check” by the ‘Monitor” eventually back-fired and the then Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi was left with no choice other than to send the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) in 1987 to eliminate their own sprouts “Tamil Tigers”. As it was expected that the Jinni was out of the bottle, hence the disastrous mission of the IPKF, especially the bloody Heli-borne assault on LTTE HQ in the Jaffna University campus in the opening stages of Operation Pawan met a disastrous fate (Thanks to RAW). The wrong dropping zone made the paratroops sitting ducks for the LTTE; hence a number of soldiers were killed. The Tamils didn’t forgive their mentor India and finally it ended with the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi (Once again thanks to RAW).

The clandestine and espionage operations’ world is not some street game. It’s far tougher and challenging than any android crime solving app, available at play store of one’s phone. Cold blood, emotionless hearts, unreadable faces and a strong will are the basic requirements here. Doing an odd personal meeting, picking the dead-drops and carrying out short surveillances are not the name of spy games. Incidentally, the Chanakya’s followers still blindly tag along the Arthashastra, amidst this era of modern concepts and doctrines, so, sadly they have to bag embarrassments off and on. As its talk of the town that few days back, an Indian Navy officer, who was involved in “subversive” activities and was in contact with ethnic and sectarian groups for fueling violence and terrorism in Balochistan, was arrested by the Pakistani intelligence agencies. Although, India quickly distanced itself from him by stating that he had no link with the government since his “premature retirement” from the Navy, nevertheless, what they forgot is that it’s a rule of the game, the world over that whenever a serving person has to be launched as an agent then he has to sign or he is made to sign a premature retirement and that’s exactly what Commander Kulbhushun was made to do.

It would have been better for the Indians to play cool and had hanged around for some time, before making a logical and plausible cover story about him, because their hasty statement has humiliated them more. I strongly anticipate an earlier than sooner press conference by the authorities where the details about Kulbhushun will be shared with the nation through media and those media gurus who are displaying their expertise in the talk-shows today may find that press conference as jaw dropping. After all if Russia and the US can play with each other’s repute by televising such conferences then what stops Pakistan from doing so? Certainly, it is no insignificant nabbing.

The Indians, before disowning Commander Kulbhushun Yadav, forgot that there are few bitter and undeniable facts for which they will have no answers, like; Kulbhushun while serving in the Indian Navy, served in the Naval Intelligence set-up from 2003 thru 2013 and after those ten year he was found extremely useful for RAW hence his services were deputed to the Research & Analysis Wing in 2013. He remained on active service until he was picked for launching in Pakistan. So the Indian claim about disowning him is neither here nor there since every cover agent signs a premature retirement before he is launched, as mentioned earlier. Another interesting fact is that the Indians will have to decide that whom they disown; Commander Kulbhushun Yadav or Mubarak Hussein Patel? Yes, the cover agent apprehended after entering Pakistan via Iran (Thank you Iran also for the hospitality) without any valid visa was carrying the passport of one Mubarak Hussein Patel but with the picture of Kulbhushun Yadav. So they still have time, before any probable press conference by the Pakistani authorities, to make up their mind. However, one thing is for sure that Mr. Kulbhushun [sic] Mubarak has no valid justification for entering Pakistan without a visa and that too through Pak/ Iran border instead of legally walking-in through the front door i.e. JCP Wagah.

Let me share interesting information with you (Pray that I am not wrong). I am sure we all know about Mr. Ajit Doval, an IPS officer, who is the 5th and current National Security Adviser to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, since 30 May 2014. The gentleman is promoted through media as ‘James Bond of India’ because while violating the clandestine game principles, he publically boasted about remaining as an undercover agent in Pakistan for seven years posing as a Pakistani Muslim in Lahore. Seven years is hell of a time and a sharp agent forgot the name of Data Sahib’s shrine. A friend of mine passed a very acerbic but interesting remark when he found me awed with Ajit’s story. He said, “Watch that clip carefully and you will find more holes in his story than in his undergarments”.  Anyway, the information I would like to share with you is that according to reliable sources Commander Kulbhushun ‘Mubarak’ is a close relative of the NSA, like nephew to latter. You didn’t believe? Well, I wish that someone confirms it soon. Yadav entered Pakistan a couple of times earlier also. First time he penetrated in May 2014 and that was the time when his uncle Ajit Doval took over as the NSA to PM Modi.

Hope that soon Yadav will make startling confessions about his mission, nevertheless, what little has been gathered so far, that is sufficient to prove that he came with a specific aim to sabotage the CPEC project in Balochistan under the cover of Balochistan freedom movement. If we remember correctly, the previous Pakistan governments have been handing over the irrefutable proofs to their Indian counterparts about RAW’s hand in Balochistan’s restlessness and sectarian violence, quite off and on.

There are a couple of past incidents also where the Indian government and especially RAW disowned their cover agents like Kashmir Singh and Ravinder Kaushik aka Nabi Ahmed Shakir, who died in Multan jail. This time it’s no trivial agent rather a high ranking naval officer who happens to be the nephew of the current NSA aka James Bond of India, so let’s see what Uncle does for his nephew. However, he must keep in mind that Yadav is a soldier who was caught while not wearing uniform, and if combatants violate the rules of war or not wearing proper uniforms while operating behind enemy lines, they don’t come under the Geneva Conventions, so, no counselor access or diplomatic immunity for the James Bond junior.

Another important thing is a slapdash statement made by MNA Dr. Ramesh Kumar, the patron in Chief of Hindu Council of Pakistan. He should not forget that it is a sensitive issue where intelligence agencies, after day & nights hectic efforts, collected solid proofs for apprehending this cover agent. Dr. Ramesh is a Pakistani first and his jumping into the issue without knowing the background can cause lots of trouble and hurt the feelings of millions of Pakistanis irrespective of class, caste and religion. In any case, it’s time to keep the fingers crossed till more pours in.

Pakistan Uncovers Reality of Pathankot Incident

By Sajjad Shaukat

Ajit Doval, the ex-spymaster who is now National Security Advisor of Indian Prime Minister Minister Narendra Modi is the real author and controller of India’s offensive-defensive doctrine.

Besides planning various terror attacks in Pakistan as part of Indian offensive-defensive doctrine, Ajit Doval also advised to arrange various subversive acts inside India and to shift the blame game to Pakistan like orchestrated drama of Gurdaspur episode, boat incident etc. The main aims behind were to defame Pakistan and its security agencies.

In this regard, on January 2, 2016, a terror attack at Indian Air Force Base in Pathankot was preplanned under his directions. Without any investigation and evidence, since the first day of the incident, Indian media and top civil and military officials claimed that the attackers had arrived from Pakistani Punjab’s Bahawalpur district, and had links with Jaish-e-Mohammad and Pakistan’s primary intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). But, despite Islamabad’s cooperation with India like formation of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) consisting of professionals to investigate the Pathankot attack, crackdown against the militant group Jaish-i-Mohammad—lodging of a First Information Report (FIR) in relation to the incident, New Delhi failed in providing any proof of Pakistan’s involvement in the Pathankot episode. In fact, India orchestrated that drama to postpone secretary-level talks with Pakistan, scheduled to be held in Islamabad on January 15, 2016.

Undoubtedly, Pakistan as a responsible member of the international community condemned the Patahankot attack and offered honest and sincere help to investigate the issue, though New Delhi itself arranged the incident. In this respect, on January 8, 2016, a high level meeting, chaired by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif was held in which chief of army staff and DG, ISI also participated. The meeting also discussed the Pathankot incident and expressed Pakistan’s condemnation. Reiterating commitment to cooperate with India to completely eradicate the menace of terrorism in the region, it was decided to remain in touch with the Indian government—expressed the goodwill generated by the recent high level contacts, the two countries would remain committed to a sustained, meaningful and comprehensive dialogue process.

Pakistan’s stance has been appreciated and international community also asked both the countries to solve the issue through diplomacy. Therefore, the so-called offensive behaviour of Indian leadership got toned down. Consequently, Pakistan’s JIT of experts would visit India on March 27, this year to investigate the issue. In view of the forthcoming visit, Indian negative propaganda continues against the sincerity of Islamabad.

Security policy of Pakistan supported by all stake holders including Government and Security institutions aims at eradicating terrorists from its soil. Pakistan is sincere in investigating the Pathankot event. Islamabad is serious in addressing genuine concerns of New Delhi and international community. This was the first ever effort by India to genuinely engage Pakistan.

Pakistan’s seriousness and non-involvement is reflective from Pakistan’s willing support for a fair investigation. Now, India is to open the doors for genuine investigation and share all proves to Islamabad—sufficient enough for a tangible legal action.

In order to allow JIT to thoroughly investigate the case based on admissible evidence, Indian leadership must stop spitting venom and should not view Pakistan’s serious commitments with suspicion. However, India’s orchestrated drama of the Pathankot attack could be judged from the fact that Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said that New Delhi would not allow access to the JIT into the base, while; it can undermine the seriousness of bilateral commitments to find the truth.

Team has to be allowed serious access to the Indian investigations as to ascertain the reality. In this connection, varying claims are coming from India with regards to the strength of the killed terrorists. And Pictures/photographs of only four terrorists have been shared with the media so far. Hence it is must to find about remaining two.

Indian Intelligence agencies had already alerted security agencies about the possible terror group’s planning of the assault at Pathonkot, after tracing the phone calls of the militants. Following the alert, Western Air Command chief Air Marshal SB Deo had reached Pathankot air base on the same day of night himself to take stock of security preparations. One day before, the terrorists had also hijacked the car of Indian Superintend of Police (SP), Gurdaspur, Salwinder Singh, which was used by them to reach the base. SP, his friend Rajesh Verma, and cook Madan Gopal were abducted and afterwards released. Reports disclosed that Indian National Investigation Agency (NIA) which has been entrusted with the attack probe, is questioning the SP, his friend and cook, deliberately connecting him with Pakistan’s banned outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad and spy agency, ISI.

Nevertheless, Pathaonkot incident cannot be seen in isolation, as it is part of Indian activities against Pakistan. In this context it is of particular attention that on March 24, 2016, Pakistan’s security forces disclosed that they arrested the serving agent of Indian intelligence agency RAW in Balochistan province. During investigation, RAW agent namely Kul Bushan Yadav confessed that during his stay, he contacted various Baloch separatist leaders and insurgents, including Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, to execute the task to damage the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project. He further revealed that he also distributed millions of rupees among the separatist elements and insurgents in the province.

The law enforcement agencies for the last eight months monitored Yadav’s movement and activities and arrested him after collecting ample evidence. They also recovered Afghan and Pakistani SIMs as well as maps from his possession. Out of more than 15 Indian consulates in Afghanistan, the majority of whom are located near the Pakistan border and Yadav was also stationed at Kandahar.

On March 25, in a statement, India’s External Affairs Ministry, while admitting the RAW agent, captured by the Pakistani security forces to be Indian citizen, claimed that he was a commander in the Indian Navy, and it has sought consular access to Yadav

In this respect, Pakistan’s Foreign Office, spokesperson Nafees Zakaria said that Pakistan summoned Indian High Commissioner Gautam Bambawale and lodged a strong protest over RAW officer’s arrest…India’s spying activities in Balochistan and Karachi…the spy was linked to separatist elements in Balochistan, as well as involved in acts of sectarian terrorism and terror attacks in Karachi…and Balochistan.

Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif is expected to take up the issue of Indian captured agent and interference in Balachistan with his counterpart Modi in the meeting on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in Washington to be held on March 30, while, the two sides are also optimistic about a foreign secretaries meeting next month. He is also set to brief US President Barrack Obama on the matter.

While, Pakistan itself is facing terrorism challenges supported by regional and extra-regional actors. Most of such acts are committed from across Pakistan’s western borders supported by various elements. Creating unrest on Pakistan’s eastern borders can only be the wish of elements against peace in Pakistan. Such elements also want to project Pakistan negatively. Therefore, involving Pakistan in Pathankot needs to be viewed in larger perspective of terrorism. 

But, the arrest of RAW agent was made at a crucial hour, when Pakistani JIT is scheduled to visit India to investigate Pathankot terror attack. Nonetheless, Pakistan has uncovered the reality of Pathankot incident.

Sajjad Shaukat writes on international affairs and is author of the book: US vs Islamic Militants, Invisible Balance of Power: Dangerous Shift in International Relations

Email: sajjad_logic@yahoo.com

Balochistan: The Hub of RAW’s Subversive Activities

By:      Aasef Chaudhry

An Indian Navy officer, who is serving for spy agency Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), was arrested in Balochistan few days back.  Home Minister Sarfraz Bugti while confirming the arrest, said that RAW officer, identified as Kulbhushun Yadav, was arrested from Balochistan three days ago.  As per initial investigation the Indian spy was in contact with Baloch separatists and members of religious organizations involved in stoking sectarian and ethnic unrest in the province. So is for RAW’s meddling in neighbouring countries affairs, while if it comes to domestic front, the innocent Indians can never think about any possibility of RAW undertaking a dangerous terrorist activity inside their own country hence its always ruled out, although there are a lot many examples that they have been doing the same in the past. The prototype of Indian propaganda pose a very terrible picture as whenever a terrorist or sabotage activity is planned by Indian RAW, Indian media pro-actively accuses Pakistan for an looming terrorist attack which is straight away labeled as ISI sponsored.

Sometime during October 2013,the then Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani spoke about the sharing of evidence with India regarding the Indian involvement in trouble in Balochistan Province. It was known to all and there was no doubt that Indian agencies were financing and arming Baloch youths for acts of violence but Pakistan used the diplomatic channels to convey this to India instead of openly airing its grievances. The real issue is why the government had not exposed it publically and the architects of the violence and those behind them were not exposed before the media and the internationally community. That gave Indians a free hand to train and finance their agents for acts of terrorism in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The arrest of Commander Yadav proved that Pakistan’s silence was taken as the latter’s weakness and the Indians more actively interfered in Balochistan. It’s just one agent who is arrested while God knows how many more are still at large; freely roaming in the province and doing harm to the innocent Pakistanis.

Just three years back, in July 2013 Indian media, fed by their Intelligence Bureau, shamelessly hinted against ISI for reactivating its terrorist network to attack Hindu leaders and their establishments in several cities in India. However, notably during the same time, veteran Baloch politician Sardar Akhtar Mengal admitted to the presence of death squads sponsored by Pakistan’s neighbours and foreign powers. He acknowledged that so-called Baloch insurgents had been targeting non-Baloch settlers, mainly those from Punjab, in Balochistan. It was perhaps the first time that Mengal had openly condemned the activities of Baloch insurgents — not easy to do since his younger brother Javed Mengal and two of his nephews – Nooruddin Mengal and Bhawal Mengal – were also allegedly involved in insurgency. The irony is that despite having the strong irrefutable proofs against the Indian involvement, the government, for unknown reasons played on the back foot.

On the other hand the Indian spin doctors especially those linked with Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and other extremist Hindu groups are continuously propagating against Pakistan and aggressively use anti ISI storyline with a view to show Pakistan in bad light while slandering Pakistan’s top intelligence agency, ISI. Their sick mind and elusive psyche spread captivating thoughts and breed malice and evilness against Pakistan’s ISI. Driven by their dishonesty and sense of unfriendliness they coin fresh jargons and initiate daydream to conduct nonstop psychological operations which are damaging to Pakistan’s interest and cause aspersions against ISI.

Through such false alarms the Indian Govt was warned to put the security mechanism on high alert as RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat was touring multiple Indian states. Ultimately the entire plot was proved fake and fictitious. Pakistan wrongly ignored the Indian malevolence, suggesting that such baseless allegations will jeopardize the peace process between India and Pakistan. As a matter of fact the Pakistan government should have taken the Indian culprit quarters to task. Sadly, the Indian propagandists learnt nothing and ignored Pakistani advice.

There are no two opinions about good neighbourly relations as well as composite dialogue with India but not at the cost of Pakistan’s prestige. We should keep in view that New Delhi day in and day out has been trumpeting propaganda against Pakistan about terrorists using Pakistani soil against that country. The fact of the matter is that since 2008 there has been no major incident of terrorism in India while on the other hand Pakistan is being targeted every day through blasts or suicide attacks. These acts cannot be executed without arms and finances, which are being supplied to the anti-state elements in Balochistan and KPK by India and some other alien agencies that have their own vested interests. We strongly believe that time has come that Pakistan should raise the critical and crucial issues with India in categorical manner because it is not question of just a province or two but the security and sovereignty of State of Pakistan and New Delhi must bring an end to interference in our internal affairs immediately.

As operation, Zarb-e-Azb is proceeding well and India feels out of sort. They have planned to keep Pakistan, Pak Army and ISI under pressure. Besides that RAW is leaving no stone unturned to fail the CPEC project which will bring prosperity; categorically for the province of Balochistan and generally for the country. The apprehended cover agent commander Yadav was on one such mission. It’s high time for India to realize that the fire they are fueling in the neighbour can soon catch their own house too. However at the same time the government of Pakistan is direly needed to clean under its carpet and remove those suspected Indian agents like Najam Sethi and others from the key post where they are harming the national interest and ruining the institutions like cricket etc.

Nuclear Risks in India

By Sarah Khan

The policies of major powers, including United States seem to downplay the standards of nuclear safety and security and India’s flawed nonproliferation record. As the World moves towards hosting fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington DC on 31^st March the Harvard Kennedy School has published a report, “Preventing Nuclear Terrorism: Continuous Improvement or Dangerous Decline?” The report says it is difficult to judge whether India’s nuclear security is capable of protecting against the threat. A report examining nuclear security worldwide suggests India’s “nuclear security measures may be weaker than those of Pakistan. It is difficult to judge whether or not India’s nuclear security measures are competent enough to protect India from the threats it faces.

The report further illustrates that “Pakistan has substantially strengthened its nuclear security in the past two decades”. , citing changes in organizations governing nuclear security, training, equipment and approaches to screening personnel, requirements for nuclear material accounting and control, approaches to strengthening security culture and “substantial changes in every other aspect of nuclear security covered in the survey” as reasons for the improved nuclear security.

Measures taken to secure Pakistan’s nuclear weapons highlighted in the report include: – Allotment of 25,000 troops to guard Pakistan’s nuclear stocks and facilities by the Strategic Plans Division (SPD) – Equipment of sites with extensive barriers and detection systems – Separate storage of nuclear weapons components ─ although this may change as Pakistan shifts towards tactical nuclear weapons intended for rapid deployment – Equipment of weapons with locks to prevent unauthorized use – Extensive cooperation with the United States to improve nuclear security. US officials from President Obama to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff have repeatedly expressed confidence in Pakistani nuclear security arrangements”. US Defense Intelligence Agency Director “testified in February 2015 that improvements were continuing”.

On the other hand, a thorough examination of India’s nuclear proliferation record gives a not-so-impeccable picture. India introduced nuclear weapons in South Asia by illegally siphoning off nuclear material provided by Canada and the US for peaceful purposes only. India used Canadian provided technical expertise and financing to make nuclear weapons.  This was the first proliferation done by any country in South Asia and about ten NPT signatories were involved in it. The US provided heavy water for CIRUS reactor from which India stole material for making plutonium to test its first nuclear bomb in 1974.

As the report highlights, Indian nuclear security and safety standards are pathetic. According to NTI index India as ranked 23^rd out of 25 countries in terms of nuclear safety and security. Instead of improving the safety and security mechanism of existing facilities, India is expanding its nuclear facilities assisted by US and West by building a nuclear city. India is a country which has World's second largest population and most of the population lives below poverty line devoid of even basic human needs. In such a situation a nuclear disaster or accident in India would prove to be more fatal not only for India but for entire region due to release of lethal radioactive radiations. This is the aspect ignored by International community especially US and West who are investing in building Indian nuclear capabilities without taking into consideration the fallout of nuclear accident. Hence, the timely release of the report by Harvard Kennedy School at the dawn of fourth Nuclear Security Summit can prove to be constructive if international community urge India to restrict its nuclear development and lay emphasis on improving the standard of nuclear safety and security.

Pakistan and Sindh on 23 March

By Sohail Parwaz

Jinnah’s aim was to get more rights for Muslims. While giving his 14 points Jinnah stated that it was the “parting of ways” and that he did not want and would not have anything to do with the Indian National Congress in the future. The keen observers and seasoned analysts of that era drew impartial comparison between Mr. Jinnah’s fourteen points and Nehru’s report of 1928 and considered them as a political gap between the Muslims and the Hindus in India. Those who are losing their breath to prove Mr. Jinnah as a secular should bother themselves to study the history because, when Muhammad Ali Jinnah presented his fourteen points, the aim behind these points was to safeguard the political rights of Muslims through a constitutional reform plan. The seven out of fourteen points of Quaid-e-Azam were directly in support of constitutional reforms and indirectly were supportive to the Muslims’ interest, while five points were unswervingly insisting for the Muslim rights.

One fails to understand that if Mr. Jinnah had long for secular stance and motives then why on earth (and in the Subcontinent) the Hindus disregarded them and why Mr. Nehru hatefully called them as Jinnah’s “14 ridiculous points”? Anyone can always take a look on those particular and forceful five points those were supporting the Muslim interests. Those five points were; In the Central Legislature, Muslim representation shall not be less than one third, secondly, any territorial distribution that might at any time be necessary shall not in any way affect the Muslim majority, thirdly, provision should be made in the constitution giving Muslims an adequate share, along with the other Indians, in all the services of the state and in local self-governing bodies having due regard to the requirements of efficiency, fourthly, the constitution should embody adequate safeguards for the protection of Muslim culture and for the protection and promotion of Muslim education, language, religion, personal laws and Muslim charitable institutions and for their due share in the grants-in-aid given by the state and by local self-governing bodies and lastly, no cabinet, either central or provincial, should be formed without there being a proportion of at least one-third Muslim ministers.

This all premise has been made just to let people know that what is going around them in the beloved motherland in the name of politics, democracy and the freedom of speech. Since last few years a deliberate campaign has been launched to distort the historic facts about the creation of Pakistan. Every now and then, a new issue is purposely raised; sometime about the State’s religion and at other occasion doubts about the integrity and loyalty of the Quaid’s colleagues. Sometimes ago a seasoned politician of Shehla Raza’s stature also showed ignorance regarding the independence movement. The lady happens to be a member of Sindh assembly; the august house of a province that played a great role in the war of independence. The painful thing is that the deliberate maligning campaign has now extended to the social media hangouts. There is clip available on video channels where idiot, like late Hakim Ali Zardari father of Asif Ali Zardari used derogatory remarks for late Quaid e Azam.

Sindh was an important center of accomplishments during the Khilafat Movement. The Hijrat Tehrik also started in Sindh, when many Sindhi Muslims sold their properties and migrated to Afghanistan. This was the contribution of Sindhis for Islam and Pakistan and now it’s painful to admit that in the same very Sindh anti state propaganda is nurturing  and people are brain washed that the very slogan of Pakistan movement “Pakistan Ka Matlab Kia? La ilahaa illAllah” was not associated with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and was never a part of the drive and to support their point in a Muslim State closed holiday is announced on a Hindu festival in the same very Sindh province.

Agreed that the Quaid assured the minorities the full religious liberties as it should be in any Islamic state but he never talked of allowing them to extend their stick to a point from where the ‘Muslim Nose’ started. Hence, one fails to understands that how could he be termed as a leader with the secular state? Audio of Quaid-e-Azam’s historical speech in Urdu is very much on the record where he moved the crowd when said while mincing the words that, “Humaen Pakistan ko qayim rakhnay kay leaye abhi aur qurbani dayni ho gee. Muslmaan museebat maen ghabraya nahi kerta”.

This misleading propaganda is actively done by a political party which has already become a comical circus, hence, is in a nosedive due to their out of time immature acts like wasting money on the events similar to Sindh festival and amidst this the party’s indifference to hunger and poverty of the inopportune Sindhis of draughty Tharparker has added salt to the injuries. When a large number of starved children were dying due to lack of food and water, PPP was busy with the festivals and sumptuous luncheons.

Its high time that someone should put a ruthless stop at this muck and discourage this image tarnishing and history fabricating campaign, forthwith. Sindh is the other name of Pakistan and lets not allow the idiots to take this honour from Sindh.