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Pakistani and Other Asian Telcos Were Attacked by Iran-Backed Hacker Group: Report

WRONG! See our geography, we are sandwich. imagine What Iran can do if they join india completely against Pakistan. See Baluchistan border, how wide open it is. They have no intentions to do any such. Iran helped us in wars of 65 and 71. PAF jets often refueled from Iran. Iran keep supporting Pakistan's stance on Kashmir.

Also, our navy get's chocked, so is our port. No petroleum comes to Pakistan in event of war with India.. Our missiles, jets, tanks are all useless without fuel... Our lifeline then is .... you guess right.. "Iran"!

As I said earlier, its us "Pakistanis" who have superiority issues, we somehow think, world should act as we want them to act. Anyways, govt / establishment are sane enough and would never say anything. We can keep showing our ego loud on forums, doesn't matter. Officially Pakistan will never go against Iran. Whatever happens, you will never see even a word against Iran. As we know, we can afford only 1 front.
While the idea of a friendly Iran is ideal - the adverse influence they have over a particular sect and the loyalty they demand in that sphere is alarming. This may have been a balancing act based upon the influence by GCC countries on other sects back in the late 80s and 90s but that has long subsided whereas this Iranian influence is very much active including sourcing Pakistanis for proxy wars.

As for Iran being a lifeline I strongly disagree - Iran was an ally and a lifeline due to the Shah’s soft corner and the general “alliance” between all muslim countries prior to the end if the leaders of the 74(or was it 73) OIC conference. Today’s Iran isn’t a friend but just a neighbor with which a balancing act is kept.
 
While the idea of a friendly Iran is ideal - the adverse influence they have over a particular sect and the loyalty they demand in that sphere is alarming. This may have been a balancing act based upon the influence by GCC countries on other sects back in the late 80s and 90s but that has long subsided whereas this Iranian influence is very much active including sourcing Pakistanis for proxy wars.

As for Iran being a lifeline I strongly disagree - Iran was an ally and a lifeline due to the Shah’s soft corner and the general “alliance” between all muslim countries prior to the end if the leaders of the 74(or was it 73) OIC conference. Today’s Iran isn’t a friend but just a neighbor with which a balancing act is kept.

I agree, POST-shah's era saw a low of relationship bw pak and Iran.

Every country looks for its own benefits. Its own objectives. which might conflict with ours in time. But a realization is happening with Iranians and Pakistanis that mutual cooperation has more benefits then anyone can imagine. Iran is under severe sanctions, but still i remember Pakistan was getting much cheaper electricity from Iran then what we produce ourselves here through IPPs. If sanctions are removed from Iran, then Pakistan can openly trade with Iran.. Much cheaper oil & gas. Highways can be built bw two neighbors.. They will get what we make cheaper and viceversa. I see that improvement in relations are happening slowly but gradually.. Both countries have come to the point that they understand that confrontation at any level will lead only to misery, economic loss. Even Saudia / UAE gave a hint that they are trying to make some sort of relations with Iran.

Importantly, balancing act & maintaining good relations is essential for us as we can't let india to exploit our bad relations.
 
I agree, POST-shah's era saw a low of relationship bw pak and Iran.

Every country looks for its own benefits. Its own objectives. which might conflict with ours in time. But a realization is happening with Iranians and Pakistanis that mutual cooperation has more benefits then anyone can imagine. Iran is under severe sanctions, but still i remember Pakistan was getting much cheaper electricity from Iran then what we produce ourselves here through IPPs. If sanctions are removed from Iran, then Pakistan can openly trade with Iran.. Much cheaper oil & gas. Highways can be built bw two neighbors.. They will get what we make cheaper and viceversa. I see that improvement in relations are happening slowly but gradually.. Both countries have come to the point that they understand that confrontation at any level will lead only to misery, economic loss. Even Saudia / UAE gave a hint that they are trying to make some sort of relations with Iran.

Importantly, balancing act & maintaining good relations is essential for us as we can't let india to exploit our bad relations.
One has to remember something many Indians and Pakistanis forget in their rivalry. India’s population is 6 times Pakistan now by some estimates- its land area and resources are about 7 times that. Its market size for energy at 1000 MTOE just behind the US & China.
Its consumer market size is going to hit $170 billion eventually. Its return on investment is going to make it a corporation baby soon.

By comparison Pakistan is NOWHERE. Why would I as a nation(Iran) with energy as a primary export want to sacrifice potential billions in trade against constantly supporting my ethnically, politically, economically and socially unstable neighbor in Pakistan whose indicators provide only a bleak outlook for the last 30 years and for another 20 years?

That is what the GCC and the rest of the world sees - Pakistan is a lost cause of a banana republic. I used to ban people for using this term but that is what it is and there isn’t any denying it anymore. Elite control most of the system with Reforms slow to implement or easily reversed. A population that survives mostly on a grey economy with no intention to contribute to the state’s finances unless forced to do so due to a lack of trust. Barely any industrial capacity with most wealth generated moved abroad and no top down trickle allowed by a few elite.
The only thing holding it together is a patchwork of military “forts” throughout the country

When you compare that to what the Indian or even Bangladesh market represents then the power of Pakistan doesn’t exist. Unless that changes drastically from both a state,wealthy and intellectual ownership perspective the idea of geo-economics cannot be enforced and translated into geo politics.

As an Iranian - what do I gain from Pakistan other than perhaps ensuring security. From India I can sell everything from Oil to Saffron along with coordinating on a services industry. I also gain influence in Europe and the US as well or interlocutors with the GCC. So this balance will increase in India favor perpetually and Pakistanis will watch the news and rue it helplessly

Pakistan ne khud ko kya diya hai? Kissi aur ko kuch deney ke qabil hona tu duur ki baat hai
 
State sponsored cyber attack? It seems false or twisted news. Why Iran do it officially? Pakistan is not enemy of Iran.
 
One has to remember something many Indians and Pakistanis forget in their rivalry. India’s population is 6 times Pakistan now by some estimates- its land area and resources are about 7 times that. Its market size for energy at 1000 MTOE just behind the US & China.
Its consumer market size is going to hit $170 billion eventually. Its return on investment is going to make it a corporation baby soon.

By comparison Pakistan is NOWHERE. Why would I as a nation(Iran) with energy as a primary export want to sacrifice potential billions in trade against constantly supporting my ethnically, politically, economically and socially unstable neighbor in Pakistan whose indicators provide only a bleak outlook for the last 30 years and for another 20 years?

That is what the GCC and the rest of the world sees - Pakistan is a lost cause of a banana republic. I used to ban people for using this term but that is what it is and there isn’t any denying it anymore. Elite control most of the system with Reforms slow to implement or easily reversed. A population that survives mostly on a grey economy with no intention to contribute to the state’s finances unless forced to do so due to a lack of trust. Barely any industrial capacity with most wealth generated moved abroad and no top down trickle allowed by a few elite.
The only thing holding it together is a patchwork of military “forts” throughout the country

When you compare that to what the Indian or even Bangladesh market represents then the power of Pakistan doesn’t exist. Unless that changes drastically from both a state,wealthy and intellectual ownership perspective the idea of geo-economics cannot be enforced and translated into geo politics.

As an Iranian - what do I gain from Pakistan other than perhaps ensuring security. From India I can sell everything from Oil to Saffron along with coordinating on a services industry. I also gain influence in Europe and the US as well or interlocutors with the GCC. So this balance will increase in India favor perpetually and Pakistanis will watch the news and rue it helplessly

Pakistan ne khud ko kya diya hai? Kissi aur ko kuch deney ke qabil hona tu duur ki baat hai
That's what it is.. most of what you said is true. But trade doesn't happen on reciprocal rivalries. Infact, it was Iran who initiated various power projects with Pakistan. Even paid for it.. Even proposed highways. Only bottleneck is sanctions on Iran which we consider so.

Also, trade bw immediate neighbors is way more cheaper and beneficial. Pak will not even mind providing a road route bw iran / india or even a pipeline. That will give us good needed fortune. So, Pakistan's being ditched in favor of india is not iran's plan as its not feasible for them.
 
That's what it is.. most of what you said is true. But trade doesn't happen on reciprocal rivalries. Infact, it was Iran who initiated various power projects with Pakistan. Even paid for it.. Even proposed highways. Only bottleneck is sanctions on Iran which we consider so.

Also, trade bw immediate neighbors is way more cheaper and beneficial. Pak will not even mind providing a road route bw iran / india or even a pipeline. That will give us good needed fortune. So, Pakistan's being ditched in favor of india is not iran's plan as its not feasible for them.
Agreed that it isn’t dependent upon rivalries but also isn’t held hostage by the instability of someone in the middle either. Chahbahar was that method but currently Iran has its own world stature and issues to worry about.
 
the iranians are big backstabbers and didn’t deserve any empathy from Pakistan end. If the American and israelis ever decide to bomb the shit out if them we should close the border and grab popcorns. My reasons are purely from nation state perspective and have nothing to do with their religious believes.


Revealed: What Iran did for India and why it is hurt
By M K Bhadrakumar
October 03, 2005 18:34 IST



Strikingly similar to the crisis that Iran faced at the IAEA Board meeting in Vienna last weekend, India too found itself in a tight spot in April 1994 at the United Nations Human Rights Commission's annual session in Geneva.
Curiously, India and Iran found themselves entangled with each other then too, as of now -- but with an entirely different body language.
If there is a Shakespearean touch to the sense of betrayal that Iran is so evidently harbouring today over India's vote against it at Vienna, how much of that harks back to silent memories of what had transpired between the two countries in 1994, we shall never quite know.
Persians may find it to be in bad taste to be blunt and forthright on such delicate issues as trust and betrayal.
In April 1994, when the UNHRC was assembling in Geneva, India faced an ugly situation. We were just pulling out of a grave economic crisis (of our own making, though) and were extremely vulnerable to the goodwill of international financial institutions.
More importantly, the Kashmir valley was burning -- witnessing some of the bloodiest violence in its unhappy history. The country itself was panting and heaving from the bloodletting of communal violence -- hidden medieval passions were tearing it apart.
Back in 1994, India was not yet possessed with the swagger and all-knowing cockiness of its current middle class optimism -- or, for that matter, its frightening pragmatism that is determined to make every relationship outright profitable.
Internationally too, the climate was uncertain. Boris Yeltsin's Russia was lurching toward the West in drunken stupor, and there was a big question mark as to the availability of a 'Soviet' veto if the Kashmir file ever again got reopened in the UN's business dealings.
Technically, if the UNHRC in Geneva adopted a resolution condemning India for grave human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir, a pathway would have opened for any of India's detractors (not only Pakistan) for referral of the 'Kashmir problem' to the UN in New York. The crisis was comparable to what could happen today if the IAEA indeed decided on a UN Security Council referral apropos of the Iran's 'nuclear problem.'
The assessment in the foreign policy establishment in Delhi at that time was that in the event of the Kashmir resolution coming up in Geneva, it had a strong possibility of getting adopted.
The draft resolution enjoyed the support of the 54-member states of the Organisation of Islamic conference and possibly some faraway countries in the Western world. Of course, Pakistan was its prime mover.
>Thus it was that on a cold wind swept morning in late March in 1994 with the Elbruz Mountain still wrapped in sheets of snow that an Indian military plane landed in Teheran airport bearing the then Indian external affairs minister Dinesh Singh and three accompanying officials from Delhi as his co-passengers.
The minister was visiting Iran to deliver in person an urgent letter from Prime Minister P V Narasimha Rao addressed to Iranian President, Ali Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani. Rao was seeking Iran's last-minute intervention at the OIC with a view to ensuring that the Kashmir resolution did not pass through the UNHRC.
The OIC (like the IAEA) too had a convention that all decisions had to be arrived at through consensus. So, Rao shrewdly assessed that if a prominent OIC member like Iran were to abstain, there would be no 'consensus.' Rao was greatly averse to Dinesh Singh undertaking the mission, as the minister was seriously ill from the multiple strokes he had suffered a few months ago.
But Dinesh Singh ("Raja Saheb") would have no one else undertake such a crucial mission -- and Rao reluctantly gave in. Sadly, that also happened to be the last mission undertaken by Dinesh Singh in a diplomatic career spread over five decades.
In fact, after one look at Dinesh Singh alighting from the aircraft, Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Ali Akbar Velayati, who was waiting at the tarmac, impulsively asked what on earth could be of such momentous importance for the minister to undertake such a perilous journey in such a poor state of health.
Dinesh Singh went through his 'Kashmir brief' diligently through the day's meetings with his Iranian interlocutors - apart from Dr Velayati, President Rafsanjani and the Speaker of the Iranian Majlis Nateq-Nouri. The Iranian side politely noted the minister's demarche.
All in all, the business was transacted in a matter of 6 or 7 hours. Dinesh Singh left immediately for the airport for his return journey.
As he was emplaning, Dr Velayati who had come to the airport, reached out and holding Dinesh Singh's hands together in his, said: 'Ali Hashemi (President Rafsanjani) wanted me to convey his assurance to Prime Minister Rao that Iran will do all it can to ensure that no harm comes to India.'
After the plane took off, Dinesh Singh and his three co-passengers pondered over the import of what Velayati said. Did it mean that Iran would get the OIC resolution watered down? Or, would the resolution leave out any outright condemnation of India that attracted the UN's wrath?
It took 72 anxious hours more for Delhi to realise that instead of a halfway solution, Iran went ahead with surgical skill and literally killed the OIC move to table the resolution at a UN forum. We heard later that as the Pakistani ambassador sought to move the OIC resolution, his Iranian counterpart in Geneva acted on directives from Teheran and made an intervention.
He said that for Iran, both Pakistan and India were close friends, and Iran would be loathe to the idea that problems between friends could not be sorted out between the two of them, and needed instead to be raised at an international forum.
That was the last time that Pakistan sought to get a resolution over Kashmir issue tabled at a UN forum.
Thus, when the head of Iran's National Security Council, Ali Larijani said last Tuesday with a palpable sense of hurt: 'India was our friend. We did not expect India to do so' -- he would have had much more in mind than the 'shock and awe' that India administered to Iran last weekend at Vienna.
Larijani's erudite mind could not have missed the dramatic irony of it all -- that Teheran should have salvaged India's day at the OIC 11 years ago, and Delhi having a sudden, unexplained, inexplicable memory lapse in the IAEA.
And, on both occasions, it boiled down to how to kill a mocking bird -- how to keep a festering wound from being prised away for therapy in distant New York.
M K Bhadrakumar is a former Indian ambassador with extensive experience in handling India's relations with Iran
 
An Iran state-sponsored cyber group has targeted telecom companies and IT services in Pakistan for espionage purposes. These cyber attacks on Pakistani telecom structure have been carried out by a group 'seedworm' that has been previously linked to Iranian regime.

Cyber attack on Pakistani telecos was a part of mega espionage campaign that targeted Pakistan, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi & UAE, among other countries. It is not yet known if the networks were compromised or not. I sent emails to all Pakistani Telco operators, none responded.

Pakistan media, as always, has not reported Iran's latest espionage attempt but here is good reportage by technology website

As per Symantec Research, who has unearthed this espionage campaign, Iranian hackers tried penetrating a targeted network & then attempting to steal credentials in order to move laterally & deploy webshells onto networks for espionage.

@Pak Nationalist Bajwa Zindabad!
 
They are stating by doing this that, yo' 'Toughen up your Cyber Security.' Create a Cyber force if you have too, 220+ million netizens, gotta be 100/200 that can ACE SAN's Cyber Defender Program or similar.

Nope, cyber security is not required, we should keep all our database on papers so no one can steal it. We should keep spending billions on unwarranted things but never raise a talented cyber-security force.
 
Nope, cyber security is not required, we should keep all our database on papers so no one can steal it. We should keep spending billions on unwarranted things but never raise a talented cyber-security force.
Though a Satire to me it seems, but spot on as far as thinking by junta / powers -to-be it so seems. Like folks who use simple Wi-Fi no-login, no passphrase with assumption as to who will do anything wrong by joining their wireless connection.
 
Agree 100 percent, Iran is a friend and ally, its just because of Saudi that we had a certain amount of distance.
No offense this friend was the one who started funding sectarian organizations. Then Saudis and Arabs jumped in to counter them. This so called friend is busy recruiting Pakistanis for their Zainbioon Brigade and sending them in Syria to fight for butcher Bashar Al Assad.
 
Persians are slippery bunch, a nuisance, but not a threat to Pakistan, too small to be classed as such.

Keep them at arms length, work with them where it favour us and our interests, if there are issues which cross our red lines, stop having this non sensical ideas that you need to join some group of countries to deal with them. Pakistan is big and ugly enough to deal with them on it's own, having it's own perspective and narrative, just like we did during Kulbashan yadev episode. No "joining group" was needed.

You may hate your neighbour, but you will never torch his house down, worst, to appease someone else. Coz the fire will reach you door eventually. But ofcourse, you can steal his female using backdoor without him knowing.
 
Dont understand what Iran is hoping to gain from this? Do they want pak iran ties to strain or something?
 

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