Pakistan blocks NATO supplies

[VCheng]

............................
I do think that it is time that all intelligence and military cooperation between the US and Pakistan is made official and ratified by the Pakistani parliament, whether it is drone strikes, supply transit, intelligence &military cooperation/operations - and questions about 'hot pursuit' and ROE's along the Afghan -Pakistan border should be clearly addressed as well.

Excellent point! It should have been done long ago already, but now is good too.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Excellent point! It should have been done long ago already, but now is good too.

However, if the politicians in Pakistan were to operate as most elected politicians do, on the basis of calculations about the impact of their decisions on the electorate, what kind of intelligence and military cooperation with the US would actually be found acceptable enough to support publicly and ratify in parliament?

 

[fd24]

The routes should remain shut till a satisfactory outcome of the crisis is achieved. No amount of blackmail from any quarter , direct or indirect should be entertained. PA could bring the stuff over and store it in a compound and charge the US damarrage for it.We need to hold on to our nerves on this one.
Araz

I envisage in the next 4 to 6 weeks a tsunami of pressure to be thrown via sanctions, aid halted, threats and of course our international superstar politicians having their own agendas. The country has been put under a tremendous amount of strain and our army will, i pray, hold things together and the correct decisions are made for the sake of our nation

 

[VCheng]

However, if the politicians in Pakistan were to operate as most elected politicians do, on the basis of calculations about the impact of their decisions on the electorate, what kind of intelligence and military cooperation with the US would actually be found acceptable enough to support publicly and ratify in parliament?

I suspect very little, but let that be USA's problem; at least it would give Pakistan the robust foundation it needs to hold its positions internationally and gain much needed credibility in the rightful pursuit of its national interests.

 

[MilSpec]

I envisage in the next 4 to 6 weeks a tsunami of pressure to be thrown via sanctions, aid halted, threats and of course our international superstar politicians having their own agendas. The country has been put under a tremendous amount of strain and our army will, i pray, hold things together and the correct decisions are made for the sake of our nation

then maybe its time to elect the right people who can deal with political problems and stop sitting in the laps of the COAS for every little thing...

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

I suspect very little, but let that be USA's problem; at least it would give Pakistan the robust foundation it needs to hold its positions internationally and gain much needed credibility in the rightful pursuit of its national interests.

Absolutely - the politicians can shift the blame off themselves by conditioning any military and intelligence cooperation with the US onto ratification by parliament, where the opposition will drive media and public opposition to any proposals considered publicly unpalatable, but then that would mean 'working democratically, ending dependence on aid, and implementing the ghairat brigades POV'.

Our 'liberal' intelligentsia is, ironically, in bashing the 'anti-democracy establishment', promoting an anti-democracy line by implying that Pakistan-US cooperation remain 'covert' and 'under the table', and not subject to the 'populist ghairat based demands' by the electorate.

I have yet to see one liberal commentator argue that the GoP bring US-Pak military and intelligence cooperation to parliament and have it discussed and ratified publicly. They spend their energy on coming up with convoluted conspiracies about why the 'ghairat brigade' is delusional, unpractical and 'propped up by the Establishment', rather than allowing democracy to work and allowing the people to decide what kind of relationship they wish to see with the US, through their representatives in parliament.

 

[VCheng]

Absolutely - the politicians can shift the blame off themselves by conditioning any military and intelligence cooperation with the US onto ratification by parliament, where the opposition will drive media and public opposition to any proposals considered publicly unpalatable, but then that would mean 'working democratically, ending dependence on aid, and implementing the ghairat brigades POV'.

Our 'liberal' intelligentsia is, ironically, in bashing the 'anti-democracy establishment', promoting an anti-democracy line by implying that Pakistan-US cooperation remain 'covert' and 'under the table', and not subject to the 'populist ghairat based demands' by the electorate.

I have yet to see one liberal commentator argue that the GoP bring US-Pak military and intelligence cooperation to parliament and have it discussed and ratified publicly. They spend their energy on coming up with convoluted conspiracies about why the 'ghairat brigade' is delusional, unpractical and 'propped up by the Establishment', rather than allowing democracy to work and allowing the people to decide what kind of relationship they wish to see with the US, through their representatives in parliament.

I agree with your criticism of the liberal brigade here. Good points.

 

[Safriz]

Defence budget: US Congress clears Pakistan aid freeze bill – The Express Tribune

Nothing remains for Pakistan after passing this bill.
No more reasons to co-operate and face financial losses

 

[jahangeer yousaf]

Defence budget: US Congress clears Pakistan aid freeze bill – The Express Tribune

Nothing remains for Pakistan after passing this bill.
No more reasons to co-operate and face financial losses

ALLAH tara lakh lakh shukar hay ...... time to stand up on our own feet

 

[Developereo]

Pakistan could also shut down the NATO air-bridge through Pakistani airspace ....

Pakistan is playing a much more subtle game than just an emotional reaction. The air route is kept open to send mixed signals to the US and to retain some leverage.

If Pakistan closed everything, the US position would also harden and dialog would come to a halt.

 

[Devil Soul]

Squeezed NATO supply line runs dry
By Shahbaz Rana
Published: December 16, 2011

Pakistan bans export of fuel to Afghanistan, scraps controversial sugar tender. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
ISLAMABAD: Stepping up pressure on an already-squeezed supply line, Pakistan on Thursday imposed a ban on export of petroleum products to Afghanistan and Central Asia, meant for Nato troops posted in the region.
The decision was taken in a meeting of the Economic Coordination Committee of the Cabinet (ECC) – the country’s highest economic decision-making body, headed by Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh.
The import is being practiced only on paper, and all these petroleum products are being sold in Pakistan after going through the export process, said the ministry of petroleum and natural resources in a justification given to the ECC.
The government was also facing criticism for providing subsidised products to Afghanistan at a time when domestic consumers are subject to heavy taxation. The petroleum ministry officials said around 850,000 tons of jet fuel, consumed by Nato forces, is exported to Afghanistan per year.
Pakistan had also been exporting 150,000 tons of high-speed diesel and 100,000 tons of petrol at subsidised rates since 2002-03.
Sugar tender scrapped
The ECC also scrapped a tender issued on November 12 for procurement of 200,000 tons of sugar from Pakistan Sugar Mills Association (PSMA) after reports surfaced that the government wanted to procure the commodity at higher rates and amended tender documents to favour influential barons.
A sub-committee, constituted by the ECC, recommended to procure sugar at Rs63,000 per ton, amounting to Rs63 per kilogramme, while the commodity is available in the market at Rs50,000 per ton.
The ECC decided that purchase of sugar will be re-tendered, with certain modifications in the tender terms, while all manufacturers can participate in the bidding process, after ECC members protested against dealing with PSMA which has been declared a cartel by the Competition Commission of Pakistan.
The committee directed the Trading Corporation of Pakistan to issue a tender and finalise the process in the next 10 to 12 days.
“Had the tender been cleared by the ECC, it would have resulted in violation of public procurement regulatory authority rules,” said TCP Chairman Tahir Raza Naqvi.
“Any procurement above Rs50 per kg will turn into a scandal for the government,” said Rana Farooq Saeed, a member of the National Assembly standing committee on commerce.
The ECC also decided to allow seven blacklisted sugar mills to participate in the bidding process, provided they deposit the original amount along with markup and penalties. These mills had defaulted on the 2008 tender and had refused to return the amount. They still owe Rs2.2 billion to the government.
Ban on import of CNG kits
The ECC approved a ban on import of CNG cylinder and conversion kits in the wake of current gas shortage in the country. Installation of new CNG kits in vehicles will be banned and no new licence would be issued in this regard, the ECC decided.
The ECC also reviewed its gas load management programme for current winters, for Sui Northern Gas customers, and decided to withdraw its earlier approval of gas supply to independent power producers due to severe expected gas shortages.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 16th, 2011.

 

[Imran Khan]

very nice afghans eat from us and next day bash on us stop afghan shitty transit once forever .

 

[BATMAN]

Exports to Afghanistan and CARs

ECC rolls back all exemptions on POL products’ exports

* MPNR proposed withdrawal of all tax and duty exemptions available on export of POL products to Afghanistan and CARs

By Sajid Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD: Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) of the cabinet has decided to withdraw zero-rating of sales tax, rebate of central excise duty, repayment or drawback of customs duty and refund of the petroleum levy on exports of POL products to Afghanistan and Central Asian Republics, official sources said.
According to the summary approved in ECC meeting, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources (MPNR) has proposed to ECC for withdrawal of all the tax and duty exemptions available on export of POL products to Afghanistan and CARs.
ECC not only approved placing ban on POL products exports to Afghanistan and CARs but also approved withdrawal of all tax and duty concessions available on such exports, the official sources explained.
In this regard, Ministry of Commerce will amend its Export Policy Order 2009 as well as Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) will amend it’s procedures notified for facilitating POL exports.
The text of the summary revealed that the existing Export Policy Order notified by the Ministry of Commerce allows duty, tax exemptions on export of all commodities produced or manufactured in Pakistan if exported in convertible currency.
Export Policy Order provides separate and exclusive Clause-7, for exports to Afghanistan and through Afghanistan to Central Asian Republics. In addition there is a provision especially with reference to exports meant for International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Defence Logistic Support Centre (DLSC) in Afghanistan.
It has always been the policy of MPNR to prioritise local demand of POL products and surplus, if any, allowed to be exported. It is hardly identifiable as to whether export quantities pertain to local refinery production or the imported product. However, the case for Jet Fuel is quite different, as it is supplied to International agencies in Afghanistan by Pakistan State Oil (PSO), Shell Petroleum Limited and other Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) under commercial agreements, procured from local refineries and through imports.
Accordingly, MPNR has notified the oil industry including Refineries and OMCs to abstain from distributing petroleum products (exports) produced by the local refineries. If any of the OMCs want to export petroleum products to Afghanistan that shall only be made from imported volumes especially procured for export purposes under transit trade policy as amended from time to time by Ministry of Commerce and FBR.
There is possibility that export volumes meant for Afghanistan are being dumped and distributed in the local market due to price differential between local and export prices of the petroleum products leading to misuse of duty drawbacks and tax exemptions available vide clause-7(2) of the Export Policy Order. There are also chances of illegal exports, smuggling of petroleum products to Afghanistan. Therefore, there is a need to reconsider the issues involved in the export to Afghanistan as the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Resources has to ensure that there is no shortage of petroleum products in the country and also to discourage dumping of products.
MPNR, therefore, recommended for the removal of duty, tax exemptions provided in the existing Export Policy Order with regard to export of petroleum products to Afghanistan including refund of Petroleum Development Levy and GST etc unless there is a Government to Government contract but will be done through Oil Marketing Companies only. However, export of surplus JP8 declared, decided in the Product Review meeting will be allowed to be exported by the Refineries or Oil Marketing Companies. If any of the Oil marketing Company wants to export JP-8 to Afghanistan that shall only be made from imported volumes especially procured for export purposes, through foreign exchange remittance from the buyer. Ministry of Commerce and FBR may amend the policy accordingly.
The summary was circulated to Ministries of Commerce, Finance, Planning and Development Division, OGRA and FBR. The stakeholders had endorsed the proposal on withdrawal of tax and duty exemption available on export of POL products to Afghanistan and CARs.
Section 7 of the Export Policy Order 2009 relates to Exports to Afghanistan and through Afghanistan to Central Asian Republics. The text of sub-section 2 of the section 7 of the exports policy order reads as Follow: Exports in convertible currency. Subject to the provisions of sub-paragraph (1) of paragraph 4 and Schedule III, all items and commodities produced or manufactured in Pakistan, exported via land route or by air against irrevocable letters of credit, confirmed orders on realization of export proceeds through banking channel or advance payment, in convertible foreign currency, shall be allowed:- (i) zero-rating of sales tax on taxable goods, (ii) rebate of central excise duty and (iii) repayment or drawback of customs-duty, subject to the following conditions, namely:- (a) the proof that goods exported from Pakistan have reached Afghanistan will be verified on the basis of copy of import clearance documents by Afghan Customs Authorities across the border: Provided that this condition shall not apply to exports made to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Defence Logistic Support Centre (DLSC) in Afghanistan. To claim the facility of zero rating of sales tax or duty drawbacks as well as federal excise duty refund against goods exported to ISAF and DLSC, the customs authorities will allow refunds on the basis of receipts issued by the Afghan offices of these agencies confirming that they have received the goods. The receipt will be reconfirmed by the representatives of these agencies in Pakistan.
Further details of the policy on exports to Afghanistan and CARs also include, packages or retail packing shall be prominently and indelibly be marked with the expression “For Export Only”, and in case of international donor agencies “For Export only – supply for aid to Afghanistan (insignia of the organization) – not for sale in Pakistan”; (c) export shall be allowed only through authorized export land routes i.e. Torkham, Chaman, Ghulam Khan (for export of cement only) and Qamar Uddin Karez (when it becomes operational); (d) export from Export Processing Zones, manufacturing bonds and Export Oriented Units, except vegetable ghee and cooking oil, shall be allowed but these exports shall not be entitled to (i) zero-rating of sales tax on taxable goods, (ii) rebate of central excise duty; and (iii) repayment or drawback of customs duty:
Provided that export made to International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and Defence Energy Support Centre (DESC) may be made on deferred payment basis, without opening of Letter of Credit, subject to the following conditions, namely: (i) the waiver shall be applicable strictly to exports made to ISAF and DESC; (ii) shipments to ISAF and DESC are made by their authorized agents duly endorsed by the ISAF and DESC receiving agent in Afghanistan; and (iii) payment of foreign exchange is received within sixty days of shipmen;. (e) zero rating of sales tax or duty drawbacks as well as federal excise duty refund against goods exported to ISAF and Defence Logistics Agency, may be allowed on production of receipts issued by the aforementioned agencies confirming that they have received the goods. The receipts will be reconfirmed by the representatives of these agencies located in Pakistan.

I hope with this article no bharti will ever object to the fact that media has been hiding the fact that Pakistan has been aiding every one present in Afghanistan.

It is for every one to see that Pakistan not only was subsidizing the fuel but also agreed on deferred payments and the outstanding amount today stand $3.2 billion.

There shall be no doubt that Pakistan's foreign ministry is either bunch of idiots or double agents.

 

[junaid1]

stop Aid to U.S/Afganistan .Impose heavy duty on export/supplies to Afganistan/U.S/NATO Badmash

 

[Major Sam]

Exports to Afghanistan and CARs

ECC rolls back all exemptions on POL products’ exports

* MPNR proposed withdrawal of all tax and duty exemptions available on export of POL products to Afghanistan and CARs




I hope with this article no bharti will ever object to the fact that media has been hiding the fact that Pakistan has been aiding every one present in Afghanistan.

It is for every one to see that Pakistan not only was subsidizing the fuel but also agreed on deferred payments and the outstanding amount today stand $3.2 billion.

There shall be no doubt that Pakistan's foreign ministry is either bunch of idiots or double agents.

Now the time is to do actions