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Adiala Jail Detainees- Innocents or Hardcore Terrorists??

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RAWALPINDI – A security official while responding to the issue of Adiala jail detainees said that sympathizers of terrorists have forgotten the miseries of those 28 innocent families, who suffered the loss of their loved ones in Hamza Camp attack in which these 11 detainees were arrested. Media should reach out to those families of victims who embraced shahadat at the hands of these Adiala Jail detainees, the security official added.
He said the 11 suspects: DrNiaz Ahmed Saqib, MazharulHaq, ShafiqueurRehman, Abdul Basit, Abdul Saboor, Abdul Majid, Muhammad Amir Khan Khan, Muhammad Shafiq aka Maaz, Tehseenullah, Saeed Arab aka Tariq Gul, Roze Khan aka Farman are hardcore terrorists, who were involved in planning, facilitating and executing suicide attacks on bus near Hamza Camp, on November 24 2007 and Kamra Air Base missile attack on January 15, 2008.

According to sources, on November 24, 2007 Rawalpindi experienced twin suicide attacks on security forces, which killed nearly 30 people and injured dozens more. The first vehicle-borne suicide attack took place at 0749 hours when a suicide bomber rammed his explosive-laden car into a 72-seater bus parked in front of ISI’s Hamza Camp (Previously known as Ojhri Camp) on the Murree Road.

According to eyewitnesses, the bus which was carrying ISI officials to their work place was completely burnt. The 28 victims inside the 72-seat bus were burnt beyond recognition and only skeletons were left lying on the seats before any rescue operation could be started.

The Security Official said 11 suspects of Adiala Jail who were detained legally by security agencies are all hard core terrorists who planned and executed Hamza Camp bus attack and GHQ Gate attack on November 24, 2007 and also Kamra missile attack on January 2008.

The Security Official said DrNiaz Ahmed Saqib was the mastermind of Hamza Camp and GHQ attack on November 24, 2011. Trail of this attack which revealed during investigation is nothing less than a suspense movie. DrNiaz was apprehended at Mardan on December 7,2007. He is a resident of AllamaIqbal Colony Rawalpindi. He is an educated man, who has done Masters in Political Science from Punjab University and also qualified himself in homeopathic medicines.

During custody, he admitted that in August 2007, he along with Umar Farooq (Nephew of Ghazi brothers), Mazhar, Nafees and Khalid decided to avenge Lal Masjid operation. DrNiaz also financially assisted Ghazi brothers before security forces lanunched operation in 2007.

To this end Umar Farooq arranged their visit to Wana, South Wazirastan Agency where they met one Aslam who assured them of their full cooperation. On instructions of Aslam they carried out reconnaissance and made movies all targets which included Ojri camp, ISI HQ, Attock Oil Company, ChaklalaCantt, officers colonies. Mazhar took this video to Wana to show it to Yasin aka Aslam. In Mid OctoberDrNiaz with the help of Mazhar arranged two vehicles for targeting GHQ and Hamza Camp. UmerFarooq arranged these vehicles with the help of Abdul Majid, Abdul Basit and Abdul Saboor (3 borthers).

Then ShafiqurRehman transported explosive, anti personnel mines, 70 rounds of mortar, detonator by a Baleno car which was owned by DrNiaz in two trips. All the equipment which was to be used for attack on GHQ and Hamza Camp was received at Misrial road and dumped at newly constructed house of DrNiaz at DhokMustaqeem.

DrNiaz, Mazhar and Khalid prepared both vehicles for suicide attacks at the same house. 45 mortars were placed inside Suzuki Van along with three mines. Similarly 35 mortar rounds alongwith three mines were fitted in Baleno car for the assigned mission. On November 21, ShafiqurRehman brought two suicide bombers from Wana to Rawalpindi. On November 22, DrNiaz asked Noor Muhammad to bring both suicide bombers to ChoorChowk. DrNiaz in his silver Sunny Car drove both the suicide bombers for orientation of the target.

They again went for orientation on November 23, and finalized their programme for next morning. On November 24, 2007 Noor Muhammad handed over one suicide bomber nominated for GHQ with DrNiaz and took other one by taxi for handing over to Mazhar for Hamza Camp. At 0740 hours DrNiaz was informed by Khalid who was at KachehriChowk that a two star had just passed.

Hearing this DrNiaz handed over the Baleno car which was fully charged to a suicide bomber and took a taxi himself and left for Islamabad. He heard a blast enroute to Islamabad. The other suicide bomber who was with Mazhar reached in a Suzuki Van and parked it near PSO Petrol pump on Murree Road and started waiting for ISI bus. After handing over vehicle to a suicide bomber Mazhar also left for I-9 Markaz where DrNiaz was waiting for him. Enroute Islamabad he heard a huge blast.

Another suspect MazharulHaq is resident of I-9 Islamabad and was into rent a car business with the name of ‘Aman Rent a Car’. He joined an extremist group in 1996 and got training at Khalid Bin Waleed Camp. He also worked in Publicity Section of a banned outfit and there he got in contact with DrNiaz. During Lal Masjid episode he helped UmerFarooq (nephew of Ghazi brothers) in transportation of ammunition from Darra. DrNiazalongwithMazharulHaq and Khalid and Nafees used to visit Lal Masjid and helped in preparation of petrol bombs. He got weapon training from UstadMavia at Wana. After completing his training UstadMavia asked to carry out photography of targets at Rawalpindi and gave him money for purchase of a camera. After photography of targets he alongwithNiaz went to Wana and handed over the film to UstadMavia.

Mazhar was throughout helping DrNiaz and party in carrying out preparation for attack on Hamza Camp. He was apprehended on March 28, 2008. Security Official disclosed that another suspect ShafiqueurRehman was apprehended on November 24, 2007. He is a resident of Mardan.

In 1999 Shafique got terrorist training and later joined a terrorist group. In November 2007 he met BaitullahMehsud who dispatched two suicide bombers with him to Rawalpindi.

These suicide bombers were used in attack on Hamza camp and GHQ on November 24. He arrived at Rawalpindi from SWA alongwith two suicide bombers and stayed at a Baithak in Chishtian Abad from November 21 to 24, 2011. These suicide bombers were Mehsood by tribe. One Latif, 27 was tasked to target GHQ while Adnan 20 was to target Hamza Camp. Before he left WanaBaitullahMehsood also gave him Rs 8000 for expenditure on suicidal attack. Shafique remained engaged till last and assisted in reconnaissance of targets by suicidal and later their transportation to sites.

Security Official said that Muhammad Aamir Khan is resident of Rawalpindi. In year 2000 he received training in weapon handling and firing at ReshKhor HUJI training camp Afghanistan.

After training he fought at Mazare Sharif, Afghanistan where he was apprehended by troops of RasheedDostam and shifted to Shabarghan jail where he spent three years. After three years he was handed over to Pakistan authorities and shifted to Peshawar and later Adiala

Jail. He was released on April 4, 2005. He started visiting Lal Masjid and established contacts with Ghazi brothers, DrNiaz and Mazhar and also met UmerFarooq and Abdul Basit. He was apprehended on May 1, 2007 at Rawalpindi while supplying arms, explosive and other material for use in Lal Mosque. He was kept in detention for 3 months and released on bail on August 25, 2007. Immediately after his

release he met Mazhar and DrNiaz and told them that he is expert in explosive handling and wants to avenge Lal Masjid Operation.

He physically participated in preparation of vehicles used for terrorism on GHQ attack 2007 and Hamza Camp ISI vehicle attack. He was apprehended by police in Quetta in 2008. Abdul Majid,AbdulBasit and Abdul Saboor three brothers are resident of Lahore Ichhra. Originally they belong to ToghBala, Kohat. They had contacts with people in Lal Masjid and were involved in all activities of Lal Masjid. Beside their involvement in other extremist activities they were involved in GHQ attack and Hamza Camp.

They helped main accused of the suicide attack Mazhar in purchase of Suzuki van and Baleno car from Lahore which was later used in Hamza Camp and GHQ attack where 30 people were burnt alive. They were apprehended from Lahore on November 27 and 29, 2007. Later Abdul Saboor died in Lady Reading Hospital due to ailment. Abdul Majid has been receiving treatment for his ailment. He is suffering from Urinal Tract infection, anxiety, depression, infected scabies. He was admitted to LRH on January 27, 2012.

Muhammad Shafique was a hard core terrorist who was apprehended on January 20, 2008 for his involvement in Kamra Complex missile attack.
Since January 2007 he had been studying in Haqqania Madrassa, AkoraKhattak. In September 2007 he went to Miranshah for training. After training he went to Paktia, Afghanistan and stayed there for 50 days. On return he became active member of a terrorist group. He was involved in all stages of Kamra Complex missile attack on January 14, 2008 for which 10 missiles were brought from Mohmand agency.

Another suspect of Kamra Complex GulRoze Khan aka Farman. He was apprehended on January 21, 2008 at Chhota Lahore, Swabi. He is a resident of villabgeNabi, Chhota Lahore, Swabi. He was student of Madrassa AkoraKhattak. In early 2006 he went to wana and received terrorist training in weapon handling and grenade throwing. He used to spent his vacation in SWA. He helped in transportation of missiles from Mohmand agency and was physically involved in Kamra Complex attack.

The Official disclosed that Saeed Arab Hussain was another suspect of Kamra complex. He was arrested on January 21, 2008 at Chhota Lahore Swabi. He completed his studies at Madrassa AkoraKhattak. He also underwent terrorist training at Miranshah. All explosive material used in Kamra complex was stored at his place and he is the main harbor and facilitator of Kamra attack. At the time of his arrest 1 vehicle, 1 kk rifle, 1 pistol and 1 hand grenade were also recovered from his possession. He also handed over 16 bags of potassium nitrate to Qasim which were used in making explosive material for attack on Kamra.

TehseenUllah another suspect of Kamra missile attack was apprehended on January 15, 2008 from JehangiraSwabi road. He is a resident of Armourcolony,Nowshera and a student of 7th grade JamiaHaqqania, AkoraKhattak since 2000. He was actively involved in missile attack of Kamra Complex and many other terrorists’ activities.

It is important to remember that the Supreme Court of Pakistan released these hardcore terrorists on technicalities and lack of circumstantial evidence. Despite Pakistan being a victim of countless terror attacks killing and injuring hundreds of thousands of people, Pakistan’s courts have failed to convict and hang (as per the death penalty applicable in terror cases) a single terrorist in Pakistan in the last decade.

Unabated Corruption of PPP Government

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The most corrupt regime of Zardari Government is facing its twilight now days. Almost each and every institution is bankrupt due to the frail and self-benefiting policies of this incumbent government. One should wonder where our taxes, added with foreign aids going? So here is the glimpse of Zardari’s Assets all over the world. This long list clearly depicts that this tyranny is nothing but a bunch of bogeys who are looting the nation with both hands, just to hoard their assets.

ZARDARI’S LOCAL ASSETS ARE:

  1. Plot no. 121, Phase VIII, DHA Karachi.
  2. Agricultural land situated in Deh Dali Wadi, Taluka, Tando Allah Yar.
  3. Agricultural property located in DehTahookiTaluka, District Hyderabad measuring 65.15 acres.
  4. Agricultural land falling in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 827.14 acres
  5. Agricultural land situated in Deh 76-Nusrat, Taluka, District Nawabshah measuring 293.18 acres
  6. Residential plot No 3 (Now House) Block No B-I, City Survey No 2268 Ward-A Nawabshah
  7. Huma Heights (Asif Apartments) 133, Depot Lines, Commissariat Road, Karachi
  8. Trade Tower Building 3/CL/V Abdullah Haroon Road, Karachi
  9. House No 8, St 9, F-8/2, Islamabad
  10. Agricultural land in Deh 42 Dad Taluka/ District Nawabshah
  11. Agricultural land in Deh 51 Dad TalukaDisttNawabshah
  12. Plot No 3 & 4 Sikni (residential) Near Housing Society Ltd. Nawabshah
  13. CafTSheraz (C.S No.. 2231/2 & 2231/3) Nawabshah
  14. Agricultural land in Deh 23-Deh Taluka& District Nawabshah
  15. Agricultural property in Deh 72-A, NusratTaluka, Nawabshah
  16. Agricultural land in Deh 76-Nusrat Taluka, Nawabshah
  17. Plot No. A/136 Survey No 2346 Ward A Government Employee’s Cooperative Housing Society Ltd, Nawabshah
  18. Agricultural land in DehJaryoonTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
  19. Agricultural land in DehAroroTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
  20. Agricultural land in DehNondaniTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
  21. Agricultural land in DehLotkoTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
  22. Agricultural land in DehJholTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
  23. Agricultural land in DehKandariTalukaTando Allah Yar, Distt. Hyderabad
  24. Agricultural land in DehDeghiTalukaTando Mohammad Khan
  25. Agricultural land in DehRahookiTaluka, Hyderabad
  26. Property in DehCharoTaluka, Badin
  27. Agricultural property in Deh Dali WadiTaluka, Hyderabad
  28. Five acres prime land allotted by DG KDA in 1995/96
  29. 4,000 kanals on Simli Dam
  30. 80 acres of land at Hawkes Bay
  31. 13 acres of land at MajGulradi (KPT Land)
  32. One acre plot, GCI, Clifton
  33. One acre of land, State Life (International Center, Sadar)
  34. FEBCs worth Rs. 4 million

SHARES IN SUGAR MILLS INCLUDE:

  1. Sakrand Sugar Mills Nawabshah
  2. Ansari Sugar
  3. Mills Hyderabad
  4. Mirza Sugar Mills Badin
  5. Pangrio Sugar Mills Thatta
  6. Bachani Sugar Mills Sanghar

FRONT COMPANIES IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES:

  1. BomerFiannceInc, British Virgin Islands
  2. Mariston Securities Inc, British Virgin Islands
  3. Marleton Business S A, British Virgin Islands
  4. Capricorn Trading S A, British Virgin Islands
  5. Fagarita Consulting INc, British Virgin Islands
  6. Marvil Associated Inc, British Virgin Islands
  7. Pawnbury Finance Ltd, British Virgin Islands
  8. Oxton Trading Limited, British Virgin Islands
  9. Brinslen Invest S A, British Virgin Islands
  10. Chimitex Holding S A, British Virgin Islands
  11. Elkins Holding S A, British Virgin Islands
  12. Minister Invest Ltd, British Virgin Islands
  13. Silvernut Investment Inc, British Virgin Islands
  14. Tacolen Investment Ltd, British Virgin Islands
  15. Marlcrdon Invest S A, British Virgin Islands
  16. Dustan Trading Inc, British Virgin Islands
  17. Reconstruction and Development Finance Inc, British Virgin Islands
  18. Nassam Alexander Inc.
  19. Westminster Securities Inc.
  20. Laptworth Investment Inc 202, Saint Martin Drive, West Jacksonville
  21. Intra Foods Inc. 3376, Lomrel Grove, Jacksonville, Florida
  22. Dynatel Trading Co, Florida
  23. A..S Realty Inc. Palm Beach Gardens Florida
  24. Bon Voyage Travel Consultancy Inc, Florida

ZARDARI’S PROPERTIES IN UK ARE:

  1. 355 acre Rockwood Estate, Surrey (Now stands admitted)
  2. Flat 6, 11 Queensgate Terrace, London SW7
  3. 26 Palace Mansions, Hammersmith Road, London W14
  4. 27 Pont Street, London, SW1
  5. 20 Wilton Crescent, London SW1
  6. 23 Lord Chancellor Walk, Coombe Hill, Kingston, Surrey
  7. The Mansion, Warren Lane, West Hampstead, London
  8. A flat at Queensgate Terrace, London
  9. Houses at Hammersmith Road, Wilton Crescent, Kingston and in Hampstead.

ZARDARI’S PROPERTIES IN BELGIUM ARE:

  1. 12-3 Boulevard De-Nieuport, 1000, Brussels, (Building containing 4 shops and 2 large apartments)
  2. Chausee De-Mons, 1670, Brussels

ZARDARI’S PROPERTIES IN FRANCE ARE:

  1. La Manoir De La Reine Blanche and property in Cannes

ZARDARI’S PROPERTIES IN USA — in the name of AsifZardari and managed by Shimmy Qureshi are:

  1. Stud farm in Texas
  2. Wellington Club East, West Palm Beach
  3. 12165 West Forest Hills, Florida
  4. Escue Farm 13,524 India Mound, West Palm Beach
  5. 3,220 Santa Barbara Drive, Wellington Florida
  6. 13,254 Polo Club Road, West Palm Beach Florida
  7. 3,000 North Ocean Drive, Singer Islands, Florida
  8. 525 South Flager Driver, West Palm Beach, Florida
  9. Holiday Inn Houston Owned by Asif Ali Zardari, IqbalMemon and Sadar-ud-Din Hashwani

ZARDARI’S BANK ACCOUNTS IN FOREGN COMPANIES ARE:

  1. Union Bank of Switzerland (Account No. 552.343, 257.556.60Q, 433.142.60V, 216.393.60T)
  2. Citibank Private Limited (SWZ) (Account No. 342034)
  3. Citibank N A Dubai (Account No. 818097)
  4. Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62290209)
  5. Barclays Bank (Suisse) (Account No. 62274400)
  6. BanqueCentradeOrmardBurrus S A
  7. BanquePache S A
  8. BanquePictet&Cie
  9. Banque La Henin, Paris (Account No. 00101953552)
  10. Bank Natinede Paris in Geneva (Account NO.. 563.726.9)
  11. Swiss Bank Corporation
  12. Chase Manhattan Bank Switzerland
  13. American Express Bank Switzerland
  14. Societe De BanqueSwissee
  15. Barclays Bank (Knightsbridge Branch) (Account No. 90991473)
  16. Barclays Bank, Kingston and Chelsea Branch, (Sort Code 20-47-34135)
  17. National Westminster Bank, Alwych Branch (Account No. 9683230)
  18. Habib Bank (Pall Mall Branch).
  19. National Westminster Bank, Barking Branch, (Account No. 28558999).
  20. Habib Bank AG, Moorgate, London EC2
  21. National Westminster Bank, Edgware Road, London
  22. BanqueFinanciei E DelaCitee, Credit Suisse
  23. Habib Bank AG Zurich, Switzerland
  24. Pictet Et Cie, Geneva
  25. Credit Agricole, Paris
  26. Credit Agridolf, Branch 11, Place Brevier, 76440, Forges Les Faux
  27. Credit Agricole, Branch Haute – Normandie, 76230, Boise Chillaum

Well, while seeing this list, I was pondering that Zardari should stop slandering Pakistan Army as no one can avert ones eye from these assets. On the contrary, Army is diligently working for the developmental projects in FATA and malakand and government is shunning any progress in those areas, whereas these projects should be done by the current Government instead of Pakistan Army.

Memogate Scandal: A Farce intended to Tarnish the image of Pak Army

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American stooge Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani criticized General Kayani and the director general of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Lieutenant-General Ahmed Shuja Pasha, for filing court papers in a case involving a mysterious memo that has pitted the military against the civilian government.

In an interview with the Chinese media, Gilani said the filings were ‘unconstitutional’, infuriating the military’s high command, who issued a stern press release. “There can be no allegation more serious than what the prime minister has leveled”.

Gilani further infuriated the army by sacking the defense secretary, Lieutenant General (retd) Naeem Khalid Lodhi, for ‘gross misconduct and illegal action which created misunderstanding’ between institutions.

The preposterous attitude of Government about memo controversy clearly depicts that PPP’s bankrupt Government is involved in this heinous act and when caught red-handed, they made Pakistan Army a scapegoat. The veritable arm of Government ‘Hussain Haqqani’ is the main culprit who was backed by the government to give him route out of Pakistan.

Juxtaposition to that, the only witness of Memogate controversy, an English business man ‘Mansoor Ijaz’, who nailed this controversy was slandered by the current regime and was threatened not to come to Pakistan which clearly shows who the perpetrators are. The illegitimate intimidation by Rehman Malik to Mansoor Ijaz in a press conference clearly depicts the frenzied state of government as caught red-handed. Conversely, Army was and is, in favor of judicial process in Memogate case which is the manifestation that Army wants democracy in this country.

Pakistan Criticality for Afghanistan Stability admitted by US

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Pakistan's Foreign Secretary says formation of the group exploring safe passage was a tangible accomplishment. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan, Afghanistan and the United States said they would explore ways to arrange safe passage for Afghan Taliban militants who wish to engage in peace talks, officials from the three countries said on Friday.

“We need to be able to find them, those who are willing to talk wherever they are,” Afghan deputy foreign minister Jawed Luddin said. “We need to provide … a safe passage and an environment where they feel safe and confident that they can engage in peace talks without any consequence.”

Representatives from Afghanistan, Pakistan and the United States were meeting in Islamabad for two days as part of an initiative to revive stalled peace talks with the Afghan Taliban and to smooth relations between Washington and Islamabad.

Washington’s Special Representative Marc Grossman led the US delegation. He was the highest-level American official to visit Pakistan since a Nov 26 cross-border attack by Nato forces left 24 Pakistani soldiers dead and the US-Pakistan relationship in tatters.

The United States has been working for more than a year to revive stalled peace talks with the Afghan Taliban as it prepares for the withdrawal of most foreign combat troops by the end of 2014.

That campaign has become central to US strategy as officials conclude the Afghan war will not end on the battlefield alone.

“We really welcome this … initiative of the safe passage, which will mean our experts can meet and take this process further,” Luddin said.

Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Jalil Jilani said the formation of the group exploring safe passage was a tangible accomplishment.

An “important aspect of this group will be an establishment of the subgroup on the safe passage,” Jilani said.

Efforts to salvage the peace process follow a series of US setbacks in Afghanistan: bloody riots caused by soldiers’ burning of the Quran; a staff sergeant’s alleged massacre of 17 villagers; and an 18-hour militant assault of Kabul last week.

Still, officials point to statistics charting a drop in ‘enemy-initiated attacks’ this spring. They were encouraged by recent steps to finalize a deal outlining the US-Afghan relationship, along with statements of support for the peace process by Pakistani Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

US officials hope to use all these developments to coax the Taliban’s leadership, under pressure from less senior fighters who oppose negotiations, to formally resume talks.

NATO supply routes closure causing massive equipment backlog: US DoD

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US Department of Defense says closure of Nato supply routes backlogging thousands of tons of equipment. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE

WASHINGTON: The US Department of Defense’s (DoD) semi-annual Afghanistan report says the closure of the Nato supply routes in Pakistan has led to the backlogging of thousands of tons of equipment.

In the report on progress towards Afghanistan’s stability and security that is based on events from October 2011 to March 2012 and has been submitted to Congress, the Department of Defense says that the closure of the Pakistan Ground Lines of Communication (GLOCs) remains a strategic concern. “Failure to settle the GLOC issue will also significantly degrade redeployment and retrograde operations in support of the drawdown of coalition forces.”

The report cites the impact the closure of the Nato supply routes has had on equipment needs for Afghan forces. The Nato supply routes were closed in October 2011, after 24 Pakistani soldiers were killed in a Nato strike on the Pak-Afghan border.

The Afghan National Police remains under-equipped, says the report, and there will be shortages of equipment especially vehicles for Afghan National Army (ANA) units due to the closure of the GLOCs. Over 4000 vehicles meant to be used for the ANA, said the DoD report, remain stranded in Pakistan. “Reopening the GLOCs would improve the US and coalition forces’ mission flexibility and build capacity.”

US forces in Afghanistan have been relying primarily on the Northern Distribution Network (NDN) through Central Asian nations for sending supplies to forces. The report says that it has “ensured the sustainment needs of coalition forces and allowed initial proof of principle shipments for retrograding material from Afghanistan to the United States” through the NDN.

However, “the closure of the GLOCs has had a more limited effect on communications equipment and weapons, the delivery of which continues via air lines of communication (ALOCs). Fielding priorities for the next 180 days are expected to be met if Pakistani GLOCs are restored.”

The closure of the GLOCs has also had an impact on the completion of the Kandahar-Helmand Power Plant program, and has created a backlog of electrical materials required for the project, says the report. DoD says that unless the border reopens or alternate routes are used, which will increase the cost of the project, the US could see a “potentially one-year delay in getting Kandahar distribution upgrade materials in the country.”

Youm-e-Shuhada: Despite sacrifices, Pakistan still at war, reminds Kayani

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Chief of Army Staff, General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani prays after laying a floral wreath at Yadgar-e-Shuhada at General Headquarters on Monday. PHOTO: ISPR

RAWALPINDI: Despite the sacrifices of people and security institutions, General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, said that Pakistan still remained in a state of war. He was addressing the commemorative ceremony for Youm-e-Shuhada (Day of Martyrs) in Rawalpindi on Monday.

However, he expressed confidence that the nation would succeed against the odds. “We will succeed in our efforts if we have complete faith in the ideology of Pakistan.”

With the question of national sovereignty and foreign policy being asked again as Pakistan bid adieu to US Af-Pak special ambassador Marc Grossman, Kayani said the armed forces would follow the national policy formulated with consensus in the Parliament, keeping in view sovereignty and dignity of the country.

Addressing the gathering of distinguished guests, including parliamentarians, diplomats, families of martyrs and senior military officials on the third Youm-e-Shuhada Day (day of martyrs), he said, “the main objective for all of us is to make Pakistan a strong country and we should not forget this objective.”

He said the armed forces believed in a strong democratic system and its continuity in the country, whose development and prosperity was linked with the respect of democratic values.

General Kayani said the Constitution clearly determines the responsibilities and duties of national institutions and “it is imperative to fulfill our responsibilities in such a manner which improves our own and the country’s image.”

He said the primary objective of democratic system should be the welfare and prosperity of people besides creating a balanced society with equal opportunities of justice. “It is only way to further strengthen Pakistan’s national security.”

About the Abbottabad incident and the attack on Salala post, he said despite the unprecedented sacrifices of Pakistani people and the armed forces, some external forces have failed to acknowledge it. The resultant situation has put the people under mental stress, and as a result, were forced to review bilateral relations with them, he said, before adding, “we understand that others should also respect our sovereignty and dignity.”

Recounting the successes of Pakistan’s security forces, including the Army, Frontier Constabulary, Frontier Corps, Rangers and Police, he said what they had achieved, was through sacrifices in the fight against extremism and terrorism in difficult areas. He said these sacrifices were a hallmark of history. “We all pay glowing tributes to them,” he added.

Even as he praised the security forces, he was quick to point out that the most important sacrifices were rendered by the Pakistani people who gave courage and determination to the forces to fight on.

Giyari soldiers remembered

The Chief of Army Staff expressed his, the army and the nation’s sorrow over the tragedy that befell 139 soldiers trapped under the avalanche in Gayari sector, on Siachen glacier.

“We are utilising all our resources to recover our colleagues despite very difficult conditions there,” he said, adding that the entire nation, especially the armed forces, were sad over the tragic incident.

Appreciating the role of countries, institutions and individuals who have extended their cooperation for the recovery of missing soldiers, he vowed to continue the search and rescue operation until the last missing soldier is recovered.

Earlier, General Kayani laid a wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada monument to pay homage to the sacrifices rendered by sons of the soil. A smartly turned out contingent of the Pakistan Army presented guard of honour to the martyrs.

Federal Defence Minister Ch Ahmed Mukhtar, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira and Interior Minister A Rehman Malik were also present at the ceremony