PAKISTAN: Sectarian killings -- the nexus between Saudi Arabia and the army

[singhvivek73]

PAKISTAN: Sectarian killings -- the nexus between Saudi Arabia and the army of Pakistan is now being openly discussed
February 19, 2013
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AHRC-STM-042-2013.jpgThe Asian Human Rights Commission strongly protests the murders of members of the Hazaras Shia community. A series of bombings in Hazaras town, Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, claimed many lives, all of them members of the Shia Community. This recent blast on February 17 is the second one. The first one took place on January 10, and killed 90 persons. Then in the short space of just one month and seven days, another blast occurred which cost the lives of 107 persons. In both incidents more than 500 persons were injured. The second bombing took place despite the presence of the army and one of its units, the Frontier Corp (FC) which was assisted by more than three intelligence agencies working under the military command.

After the first blast of January 10, the government suspended the assembly of the province and imposed Governor's Rule in a bid to control the sectarian terrorism. However the efforts seem futile as the root of the issue has not been properly addressed. In similar manner acts of bloody terrorism have been ongoing in different parts of the country for more than a decade. They are carried out by well known and identified militant groups, particularly in Karachi, the capital of Sindh province and in many parts of the Khyber Pakhtoon Kha province.

The militancy and suicide bombings have become a well established business of the country and have successfully overpowered the state which, for decades now, has been spending huge amounts of money on the military and the intelligence agencies. There are 19 intelligence agencies including seven agencies under the Armed Forces and they are not accountable to any state institution. Despite this huge expenditure not a single day goes by without a suicide blast or a terrorist attack. The powerful army governs the state in a real sense in the name of national security and the so-called ideology of Pakistan, never allowing civilians to enter into what they consider to be national security affairs. This is the reason why the military does not want other institutions to tackle the menace of terrorism. Instead the military treat the terrorists as friends-in-arms, hoping for their assistance in the event of trouble after the withdrawal of the allied forces from Afghanistan. It is evident that retired army officers are providing training to the terrorists.

Balochistan province and especially its capital have been virtually under the control of military and its intelligence agencies for the past one and half decades, in every nook and cranny there are security kiosks and check posts of the military and the FC. No person has the liberty to go about his business without producing his or her identity and suffering a search of all their belongings. Even a person who purchases food stuffs from the vendors has to get clarification from the FC personnel who are all around the streets of the capital. The searches extend even to the shoes of the residents. Therefore it is not possible that anything can enter without the permission of the FC, police and other local law enforcement agencies but the bombings continue. There is also very strong network of intelligence agencies in Balochistan, if any guest arrives at any relative's house, even, in the remotest part of the province the intelligence agencies and police enquire about the guest and sometimes detain him for several hours for enquiry.

Therefore, it can only be assumed that the terrorists with huge amounts of explosive material are moving about with the tacit approval of the FC and other law enforcement agencies. Since the last two years it is observed that when the Hazaras pilgrims were going in buses to Iran their buses were attacked close the picket points of the FC. This was also witnessed when the Shia pilgrims from Gilgit Baltistan were travelling in buses and were attacked and killed by men in military uniforms. All these incidents were reported and to-date the military has remained silent. Interestingly neither have they contradicted such reports.

The failure of the military and intelligence agencies to stop the killings of members of the Shia community in Balochistan province is now being discussed in the media and in government circles. Indeed, media analysts are blaming Saudi Arabia for the killings. This is significant because only a short time ago to make such an allegation was prohibited. It is said that the killings of the Shiites is the result of the conflict between Iran and Saudi Arabia. It is openly believed that because Pakistan is entering into different trade pacts with Iran and China the United States of America and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia want to block such ventures. Saudi Arabia is providing huge grants to the Pakistan army and many analysts report that the army and its units have a vested interest in turning a blind eye to the sectarian attacks against the Shiites.

During the latest carnage against the Shiites on February 17, the terrorists were carrying 1000 kilograms of explosive material in a water tank which passed through many check posts of the FC. The driver informed the FC officials that he was carrying water to Hazaras town and so was not searched. However, considering that this was a most sensitive area due to the bombing on January 10 where 107 persons were killed there is no excuse for the FC not to have checked the contents of the tank.

A banned organisation, Lashkare Jhangvi has claimed responsibility for the attack as it has done for the previous attacks on Shiites and particularly on Hazaras. This organisation all its bases in Punjab province and is running hundreds of mosques from where they preach their messages of hate against Shias calling them infidels and liable to be killed. Its leaders are free and openly collecting funds from the streets. Instead of taking action against them the law minister of the Punjab government is notorious for providing protection to the militants of banned organisations and these groups support him in the elections.

The courts also have a soft attitude towards such organisations and release them for want of evidence. Even the Chief Justice of Pakistan has released its leader, Malik Ishaq for not having any evidence. This is despite the fact that Malik himself confessed publicly before his release in 2010 that he has killed more than 100 Shia persons and was involved in the attack of Sri Lankan cricket team. After every incident of terrorism Malik goes to Saudi Arabia where he gets VIP treatment and given huge rewards for his 'the service to Islam'.

The Asian Human Rights Commission once again urges the government to take strong action against the sectarian violence in the country and rein in the militant groups that virtually control the mosques without any interference. The use of loud speakers from the mosques through which their messages of hate are spread are banned according to the law except for Friday prayers. However, no action is ever taken against this violation of the law. The government must clamp down on any mosque that makes use of loud speakers to incite sectarian violence.

The government must prosecute the corps commander of the army stationed in Quetta, the FC commander, the Inspector General of Police and the chief of the ISI in Balochistan on the charge of the killings of hundreds of Shiites. The nexus between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the army of Pakistan must also be investigated so as to ensure exactly who the army command is loyal to.

The Asian Human Rights Commission also strongly urges that the FC, the army and the intelligence agencies are withdrawn from Balochistan province and immediately conduct free and fair elections so that the problem can be handled politically rather than militarily.

Source:PAKISTAN: Sectarian killings -- the nexus between Saudi Arabia and the army of Pakistan is now being openly discussed

 

[Silverblaze]

This is the actual thing. Pakistanis would accept anything that comes from Saudi Arabia and never question it. When the Shareef snakes come to power they would do the same.

ISI has proofs against many Saudi funded parties and madrassas, but cannot take action as usual.

Hazara killing could have been a message to Pakistan from Saudis to "watch it" with Iran.

 

[muse]

This reality, namely that of the nexus between Saudi Arabia, Wahabi terrorism and the Pakistan Army, has to be exposed and presented more frequently in the Pakistan media -- and there is no doubt that it will happen, though, we must be prepared that the Saudi Wahabi have seemingly unlimited funds and of course have the US and Israel as their protectors.

Have we seen the end of Wahabi terrorism in Pakistan? certainly not! Reforming The Ethos of Pakistan Army's is key to ending this terrorism and these fissures in the social fabric of Pakistani society.

We have already seen and it should by now be obvious not only how vicious these pro-Wahabi organizations are but their power, that newspapers do not even dare to print the names of these organizations and simply identify them as "Banned organizations". Now why would Pakistani media behave in this way? Because they recognize that there is an even more powerful organization behind these Wahabist terrorists.

Change must begin with the Pakistan army.

 

[Argus Panoptes]

..........

Change must begin with the Pakistan army.

That train is gonna be a long, long, looong time a-comin'!

That change can happen only if Pak Army sees (or is made to see) that change is needed. Right now, the leadership seems to be convinced it is on the right(eous) path.

 

[muse]

That train is gonna be a long, long, looong time a-comin'!

That change can happen only if Pak Army sees (or is made to see) that change is needed. Right now, the leadership seems to be convinced it is on the right(eous) path.

Indeed, we are all aware of the duplicity of the Pakistan armed forces, you will note that their Green Book cites the internal enemy/threat as primary and yet they continue to focus on the external (see procurements) - that said, Pakistan's political parties will continue to see the Army as the primary threat to democracy - will this further the corporate interests of the Army?

Additionally, even with the dismal performance of this and future governments in the realm of economics, Pakistan will continue to grow, as will the awareness of the choice the Army has consciously made - and that will not be with consequence for the Army. Pakistan do not need a righteous Army, they need an obedient patriotic Army.

 

[Argus Panoptes]

Indeed, we are all aware of the duplicity of the Pakistan armed forces, you will note that their Green Book cites the internal enemy/threat as primary and yet they continue to focus on the external (see procurements) - that said, Pakistan's political parties will continue to see the Army as the primary threat to democracy - will this further the corporate interests of the Army?

Additionally, even with the dismal performance of this and future governments in the realm of economics, Pakistan will continue to grow, as will the awareness of the choice the Army has consciously made - and that will not be with consequence for the Army. Pakistan do not need a righteous Army, they need an obedient patriotic Army.

Identifying the internal threat as primary does not affect procurements, since the identification of this new enemy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the existing enemy. Similarly, the corporate interests of the Army will continue to flourish regardless of the political environment.

To be honest, Pakistan does indeed have a patriotic Army, although I will concede that is neither obedient, nor answerable, to anyone but itself. Given the utterly rotten nature of Pakistani politicians, that may or may not be such a bad thing after all.

 

[muse]

Identifying the internal threat as primary does not affect procurements, since the identification of this new enemy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, the existing enemy. Similarly, the corporate interests of the Army will continue to flourish regardless of the political environment.

To be honest, Pakistan does indeed have a patriotic Army, although I will concede that is neither obedient, nor answerable, to anyone but itself. Given the utterly rotten nature of Pakistani politicians, that may or may not be such a bad thing after all.

The identification of the internal threat as the main enemy should have effected procurement - different threat, different remedy - on the other hand what the Army has hoped to do is to create a PR impression that it has changed it's color but in reality it is not willing to let go of her sectarian creations.

You agree that the Army is not obedient and not answerable and yet maintain it's patriotic? unique interpretation of patriotism

 

[Argus Panoptes]

The identification of the internal threat as the main enemy should have effected procurement - different threat, different remedy - on the other hand what the Army has hoped to do is to create a PR impression that it has changed it's color but in reality it is not willing to let go of her sectarian creations.

You agree that the Army is not obedient and not answerable and yet maintain it's patriotic? unique interpretation of patriotism

I am using the classic definition of patriotism: love for or devotion to one's country. One cannot deny that the Pak Army is indeed devoted in its love of country (perhaps too much?).

And as I said, the newly identified enemy is in addition to the existing one, and thus newer procurements can logically be in addition to the existing ones.

 

[muse]

One cannot deny that the Pak Army is indeed devoted in its love of country (perhaps too much?)..

You are confusing love for one's self as love for the country and devotion to one's self as devotion to the country -- The patriotism of the Pakistan Army is latent, dormant, it must be awakened to find itself in Duty, in Discipline

 

[Argus Panoptes]

You are confusing love for one's self as love for the country and devotion to one's self as devotion to the country -- The patriotism of the Pakistan Army is latent, dormant, it must be awakened to find itself in Duty, in Discipline

You, Sir, have the seniority and the liberty to speak your mind. I do not. That is a fact I do not wish to challenge.

 

[muse]

You, Sir, have the seniority and the liberty to speak your mind. I do not. That is a fact I do not wish to challenge.

This is the second time you've mentioned that - and I think this sense you express is, well, it does not have anything to do with the reality here - This forum welcomes your expression, I'm not suggesting that we welcome support for terrorism or terrorists, we are open - I'm genuinely troubled that you should think in this way and I hope we can change your mind about this.

 

[qaisar52]

Respected form members,

I will agree With Mr. Muse that our Media has now to discuss these issues very openly and naming the organization not only saying banned group etc. Soon the Army, Politicians and even the people will feel the heat and you will see it that when people will change mind, start asking question then the army will be on right path.

 

[BLACKEAGLE]

Unbelievable how people can be obsessed with KSA.

 

[Hashshāshīn]

@muse I disagree, change must start with the people. I have met many Pakistanis who support the Taliban over the Army. I couldn't believe it. "Allah taliban ki hafazat rakhay" If this is the kind of things people say, how can you expect things to change?

 

[muse]

@muse I disagree, change must start with the people. I have met many Pakistanis who support the Taliban over the Army. I couldn't believe it. "Allah taliban ki hafazat rakhay" If this is the kind of things people say, how can you expect things to change?

is it important to have good and meaningful relations with Arabia, regardless of whether the house of Saud is there or not, or whether The Wahabi are there or not? Yes, of course it is - but that does not mean we should any rubbish coming from Arabia in the guise of "religious ideas" be acceptable to us -- Pakistan Army pay attention!!

Yes, we recognize that Pakistan's security establishment has obligations and commitments to the security of Arabia but these are only obligations and commitments when they are honored in return, this is not going to be a one way street, regardless of the ideologues in the Army.

Now what can we do about the support that such ideas enjoy in society - we must bring these ideas into the light of public examination - W MUST TRUST THE PEOPLE