ISLAMABAD: Pakistan would not tolerate any incursion on its territory by US forces targeting militant groups, the country’s interior minister said on Thursday, calling for Washington to provide the intelligence Islamabad needs to take them out itself.
Rehman Malik also rejected US allegations that Pakistan’s intelligence agency aids or has ties with the Taliban-allied Haqqani Network, a powerful guerrilla group that straddles the mountainous border areas between Afghanistan and Pakistan.
“The Pakistan nation will not allow the boots on our ground, never. Our government is already cooperating with the US…but they also must respect our sovereignty,” he told Reuters in an interview, insisting that Islamabad wanted US intelligence, not troops, to root out insurgents inside Pakistan.
Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, this week accused Pakistan’s Inter Services Intelligence directorate (ISI) of using the Haqqani Network to wage a “proxy war” on Nato and Afghan troops in Afghanistan.
Some US intelligence reporting has alleged that the ISI specifically directed, or urged, the Haqqani Network to carry out last week’s attack on the US embassy and a Nato headquarters in Kabul, according to two US officials and a source familiar with recent US-Pakistan official contacts.
“If you say that it is ISI involved in that attack, I categorically deny it. We have no such policy to attack or aid attack through Pakistani forces or through any Pakistani assistance,” Malik said.
The 20-hour battle in the Afghan capital stoked tensions between Washington and Islamabad, which were already running high following the killing of al Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden in a surprise US Navy SEALs raid inside Pakistan last May.
Since then, American officials, including the ambassador in Islamabad and Mullen have issued unusually blunt criticism of Pakistan’s failure to curb the Haqqani group.
The military calls the shots in Pakistan on defence and security policy but Malik is a prominent member of the civilian government and considered close to President Asif Ali Zardari.
This week he had a meeting with the director of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation, who quizzed him on the Haqqani Network.
“Blame Game”
During the interview to Reuters, Malik conceded that elements of the Haqqani network, which analysts say can draw on a pool of roughly 10,000 to 15,000 fighters, are partly based in Pakistan’s unruly ethnic Pashtun tribal region of North Waziristan on the Afghan border.
However, he said the Americans had so far not provided Pakistan with intelligence that would help it go after them.
“Our capacity to trace them in that area is limited. Give us the information and we will operate,” he said. “Let’s have information, let’s have a proper investigation and if there is a requirement, let’s have an operation.”
“We are fighting a common enemy but unfortunately not with a common strategy. Instead of a blame game we have to sit together. We are not part of the terrorism, we are part of the solution.”
One option for the United States — another cross-border raid, like the mission that killed bin Laden — may be tempting in some quarters. But the risks are high and the backlash from Pakistan would be fierce, almost certainly harming what counter-terrorism cooperation exists.
“This is going to be very unfortunate if it happens because it’s going to grow a lot of anti-US feelings,” Malik said.
Washington and Islamabad became strategic allies in the “war on terror” after the September 11 attacks on the United States in 2001, but their relationship has been fragile and trust has seeped away on both sides in recent months.
The US administration suspects that Islamabad plays a double game with militants, hunting some down but shielding others to guarantee it has a proxy stake in the political future of Afghanistan when foreign forces withdraw in 2014.
Rejecting allegations that Islamabad has ties with the Haqqani Network, Malik said: “If they have some kind of proof they must come forward.”
“For us, whether it’s the Haqqanis or Tehreek-e-Taliban, or LeJ, they are all terrorist outfits and we will leave no stone unturned to go against them.”
Reflecting the growing anger in Washington, a US Senate committee on Wednesday voted to make aid to Islamabad conditional on fighting the militants. The United States has allocated about $20 billion for Pakistan over the last decade.
Malik said there was not enough understanding that Pakistan had made huge sacrifices of blood and treasure fighting militancy on its soil since 2001, which the government this week put at 35,000 lives and $68 billion.
“Pakistan should be given some trust, and this trust deficit should go away, because we are fighting a war,” he said. “There is not a day that is not 9/11 for my country.”
ISLAMABAD: Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani on Thursday visited a relief camp set up for the flood affected people at Sanghar.
General Kayani met with the flood affected people and assured them that the army would continue to help them in their time of need.
He was also briefed about the situation following the rains in the province.
Gen Kayani also took an aerial view of other areas affected by the devastated rains.
Each year, the Iranian Armed Forces display the country's latest military achievements and products in nationwide parades on September 22.
During the parades, different classes of Shahab missiles, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and various types of electronic warfare systems were displayed.
Iran has recently made good progress in the air industry and has succeeded in gaining the technical know-how for producing stealth aircraft and drones.
Iran successfully tested a home-made radar-evading UAV with bombing capabilities in June 2009. Also in 2008, the country's Defense Industries launched production lines of two well-known home-made fighter jets, namely Saeqeh (Thunderbolt) and Azarakhsh (Lightening).
Sejjil missiles, considered as the third generation of Iran-made long-range missiles, were displayed during the parades at the mausoleum of the Founder of the Islamic Republic, the Late Imam Khomeini, in Southern Tehran.
The solid-fuel, two-stage Sejjil missile with two engines, is capable of reaching a very high altitude and therefore has a longer range than that of the Shahab 3 model.
The missile has boosted the Islamic republic of Iran's defense capabilities.
During the parades Shahab 1, 2 and 3, Qadr, Sahab and Zelzal missiles were also displayed.
The liquid-fuel Shahab 3 missile has a range of up to 1,250 miles (2000 kilometers) and is capable of carrying a 1,000-760 kilogram warhead.
The Iranian Army also displayed an upgraded version of the Zolfaqar battle tanks during the parades.
Zolfaqar is a second generation of Iran's main battle tank (MBT). The test prototypes of the tank were evaluated in 1993. Six semi-industrial prototypes of the tank were produced and tested in 1997.
The Zolfaqar-1 uses a fire control system which enjoys a 'fire-on-the-move' technology. The Zolfaqar mounts a laser-warning pod on the turret. Its design enables the tank to use an Iranian-made package of reactive armor.
Zolfaqar-2 is a prototype tank used as a test bed. The Zolfaqar-3 also features considerable upgrades to the fire control system, chassis, engine and main gun, with a 125mm autoloader.
During the parades, the Iranian armed forces displayed different weapons and military tools and equipment, including different kinds of fighters, helicopters, drones, ground-to-ground missiles, air-to-ground missiles, surface-to-surface missiles, tactical and armed vehicles, surface and underwater vessels, electronic and telecommunication equipment, light and mid-light weapons, different kinds of artillery and mortar-launchers, air defense systems and engineering and logistic equipment.
On Sunday, Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi also informed that the country would display its latest military achievements and products in nationwide parades on September 22.
"The latest achievements of the Defense Ministry which have been supplied to the Armed Forces recently will be displayed by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) and the Islamic Republic Army during the September 22 parades," Vahidi said during a visit to a defense industry plant on Sunday.
"These achievements" he said "are the latest missile, air, electronic and telecommunications, armored, naval and anti-air tools, weapons and equipments produced in the country."
Tehran launched an arms development program during the 1980-88 Iraqi imposed war on Iran to compensate for a US weapons embargo. Since 1992, Iran has produced its own tanks, armored personnel carriers, missiles and fighter planes.
Yet, Iranian officials have always stressed that the country's military and arms programs serve defensive purposes and should not be perceived as a threat to any other country.
The country stages several air, land and sea wargames each year to test its newly produced weapons and equipments.
Saif, Bebo prays for Pataudi on Kareena's birthday Read more: Saif, Bebo prays for Pataudi on Kareena's birthday | Kareena Kapoor | Saif Ali Khan htt
turns 31 today but unlike previous years, this year Bebo skip any sort of party or enjoyment due to senior Pataudi's ill health. In a span of less than a month, Nawab Pataudi was admitted to the hospital twice. Family priorities come first for Bebo and on looking at Saif’s father’s ill health, she has decided to cancel her birthday party. News is that the duo will go on a religious outing on her birthday to seek the blessings and pray for Sr. Pataudi’s good health.
A close friend of Kareena’s said, “Kareena is an extremely understanding girl, and also family oriented. Though we were planning a big bash for her, she has now opted for a low key affair with very close family and friends.”
Meanwhile, beau Saif is extremely touched by Kareena’s gesture and has planned to surprise his lady love with a special gift. Another source added, “Saif`s extremely secretive. He loves surprising his ladylove. So none of us will even have a clue about what he has up his sleeve. However, it`s understood that Mr. Pataudi is not keeping well, so the birthday will be more of a family affair rather than the usual brouhaha that`s expected.”
With the impending wedding, Kareena Kapoor acts like a dedicated bahu
After splitting wide apart from his long time girlfriend Bipasha Basu, the handsome and the sexiest man John Abraham said that he is currently enjoying his present status but also admits that he too wants to fall in love and get married someday. John is rumored to be dating Priya Marwah, a model and actress Deepika Padukone but the hunk vehemently denied.
"I am overtly fond of Deepika. She is a lovely girl. But I was certainly not dating her. I have nothing to lose when these rumors make headlines. I just feel bad for the girls involved," replied the actor.
"I don't want to be known as a guy who is roaming around with five women. I was very fair in my relationship with Bipasha. I guess I need to change a bit now. I'll speak more frequently and clearly hereafter," added the actor.
He also revealed that he wouldn't mind falling in love again. "I really don't know what my life holds for me. I am very happy with my present state of being. But I can fall in love again," said John and surprised us by adding, "I want to get married," and quickly followed it up with, "Yes, I have this tag of the sexiest man but married men are attractive too."
Bigg Boss’ season 5 has roped in many controversial and well known celebrities as they usually do and when Madhuri Dixit announced on twitter that she is returning to India with her husband and children, news started doing the rounds that the dhak dhak lady has been approached by the channel. But Madhuri vehemently denied of being approached or accepted any such offer and at the same time quipped that she is really excited to come back home.
Madhuri was surprised to hear the news of her participation in ‘Bigg Boss 5’ and thus tweeted:" Excited! Should be back in Mumbai by middle of October! No idea where Big Boss rumor came from." The makers of Bigg Boss are said to have offered Madhuri a lucrative amount to be a part of the show.
Madhuri tweeted that she is coming back to India with her family as her husband feels that there are enough scope available for him in the country.
‘Bigg Boss 5’ will go on air from October 2. Very soon, Madhuri will be seen hosting a cookery show with master chef Sanjeev Kapoor.
