PTI's Asad Umar's take on Saudi loan & possible strings

[Edevelop]

How do you folks explain this ?

Balancing ties: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Iran soon, says Sartaj Aziz – The Express Tribune

 

[BATMAN]

How do you folks explain this ?

Balancing ties: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to visit Iran soon, says Sartaj Aziz – The Express Tribune

Iran will reply by doubling the gift.... i expect minimum $3 billion gift for 35% of Pakistan.

 

[Edevelop]

After reading this, how can you people say Nawaz Sharif is pretty much Saudi Arabia's man ?

Principled stand: Nawaz Sharif on Egypt

IN calling for the immediate release of deposed Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi and for the restoration of ‘democratic institutions’ as early as possible, Prime Minister Sharif’s Foreign Office has taken a tougher line on events in Egypt than has been the case since turmoil erupted in that country two and a half years ago. There has been considerable violence in Egypt recently, and undoubtedly informed by his own personal experience with coups, Mr Sharif, who has kept the foreign ministry portfolio with himself, has staked out an interesting position on the Middle East. Several Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, whose leadership is a long-standing supporter of the Pakistani prime minister, backed the Egyptian army after its ouster of Mr Morsi and announced a $12bn emergency aid package to help stabilise the unravelling Egyptian economy. So, at the very least, the Foreign Office spokesperson’s comments on Egypt on Friday indicates the willingness of the Sharif government to take a contrarian stance where principle demands it.

To call for Mr Morsi’s release and for the quick return of Egypt’s nascent democratic process is the right stance. The Pakistani experience suggests that given a choice between problematic civilian leadership and a self-righteous military one, the former is always preferable. But Mr Sharif would do well to also focus on what Mr Morsi did wrong in his year in charge, if only to help himself better navigate Pakistan’s own fraught civil-military ties. In some ways, Mr Morsi’s year in power echoed the Sharif governments of the 1990s: an instinct to push hard and push immediately against entrenched power structures instead of consolidating power quietly and more methodically. Over the life of the last assemblies and since coming to power, Mr Sharif appears to be a changed man. In truth, however, he has yet to take up issues that go to the heart of the military’s institutional interests. Only when Mr Sharif turns to those matters will the country truly know just how much he has changed and how capable he is to guide the country towards civilian supremacy.


Principled stand: Nawaz Sharif on Egypt - DAWN.COM

 

[BATMAN]

On the other hand Iran should also do some balancing act.

After reading this, how can you people say Nawaz Sharif is pretty much Saudi Arabia's man ?

To begin with, after his betrayal, Nawaz Sharif didn't had a face to show to Saudis but after failing miserably from international lenders, he had no choice but to beg from KSA.
I wish KSA would have never paid him rather, should have initiated projects by itself, like UAE.
Seriously, i don't know what story he presented to KSA that he landed with such hefty gift.

 

[batmannow]

President defends govt for taking $1.5bn Saudi aid - DAWN.COM

Needless controversy over Saudi gift of $1.5 bn

Saudi Arabia gives Pakistan $1.5bn 'gift' for Syria support - Banking & Finance - ArabianBusiness.com

Analysis: Quiet and dangerous engagement
FARHAN BOKHARI

Minister for Finance Ishaq Dar in a meeting with King of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa. — Photo by INP
Published 2014-03-20 07:31:36
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Notwithstanding the fanfare surrounding the king of Bahrain’s meeting on Wednesday with the top commanders of Pakistan’s armed forces at the joint staff headquarters in Rawalpindi, an increasingly baffling question refused to go away.

Beyond the limelight following a growing engagement recently between Pakistan’s ruling structure and the Saudi-led Arab world, exactly who gains what remains unclear in the public eye.

Three years after a popular uprising rocked Bahrain, Pakistan’s role in quelling that popular unrest remains an actively discussed subject. At best, Pakistani officials have confirmed knowledge of retired uniformed personnel having been engaged by Bahrain’s security establishment for training purposes. But the numbers are far from clear.

Meanwhile, the arrival in Pakistan of Sheikh Hamad bin Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the ruler of Bahrain, has coincided with a widely talked about controversy emanating from the mysterious case of the $1.5 billion which according to Finance Minister Ishaq Dar were given by a ‘friendly country’ to bolster Pakistan’s depleting foreign reserves.

Though still not confirmed officially, Pakistan remains abuzz with suggestions that the funds were given by Saudi Arabia following last month’s high-profile visit to Islamabad by Saudi crown prince Salman bin Abdul Aziz al-Saud.

For members of Pakistan’s pro-Saudi lobby, the support is a repeat of Riyadh’s past benevolence showered in forms like the practically free-of-charge oil given for three years to Pakistan after Islamabad’s 1998 nuclear tests. Without the previous Saudi largesse, the economic sanctions following Pakistan’s entry to the global nuclear club could have had a significantly more crippling effect on the country, goes the argument.

Yet, the stakes are much higher for Pakistan at a time when its increasingly challenged internal security environment has thrown up possibly the worst challenge in the nation’s history.

The danger of Pakistan getting sucked into the considerable security challenges faced by Saudi Arabia and Bahrain while its internal conditions remain deeply unsettled will likely continue to evoke controversy.

In a powerful reminder of the uncertainty surrounding Bahrain, a Bahraini court on Wednesday sentenced 11 defendants each to a 15 year prison term. They were convicted of “manufacturing bombs for terror purposes”.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s growing engagement with Islamabad has prompted suggestions of the ruling establishment in Riyadh seeking Islamabad’s support to bolster itself on two fronts — the southern frontline along the border with Yemen and to the north to face internal security challenges as well as tackling any possible spillover from conflict-stricken Syria.

Media reports have gone further to claim that the Saudis have asked Pakistan to help arm and train Syrian dissidents facing president Bashar al-Assad’s embattled regime. Not surprising though, these reports have prompted concerns from a range of well-positioned critics among Pakistan’s political representatives and policy watchers.

According to Farhatullah Babar, a senator of the opposition Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), “Serious questions need to be answered by the government. It is inconceivable that somebody gives you $1.5 billion and there is no quid pro quo. That has never happened before”.

Senator Babar further warned of the wider regional consequences for Pakistan’s security if the country is proven to have taken sides in active Middle-East conflicts. “If Pakistan supports any one side in the Syrian conflict that will exacerbate sectarian tensions within Pakistan and keep the border with Iran on the boil,” he added, echoing an oft-repeated concern over the fallout for Pakistan from becoming entangled in a sharpened Shia-Sunni divide in its surrounding region.

For long-term observers of Pakistan’s military engagement with Saudi Arabia, the recently reported requests are not without precedent. “In the 1980s our troops were there at a time when the Saudis faced an external threat from a spillover of the Gulf war,” said retired Brigadier Farooq Hameed Khan, a commentator on Pakistan’s defence affairs.

Brigadier Khan however warned that suggestions of “Pakistan getting sucked in to a wider conflict especially a sectarian conflict” has significantly raised the stakes for Islamabad. “Pakistani weapons in no way should be used anywhere in the Gulf in a conflict situation,” he added, referring to unconfirmed reports of a Saudi request for light arms to be provided by Pakistan to the Syrian opposition.

While the debate rages across Islamabad on the pros and cons of Pakistan’s deeper involvement in Middle East tensions, western diplomatic observers are struck by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government’s failure to become more transparent as it pursues potentially significant policy choices.

“It is mind boggling that you have a government with a majority in parliament but little faith in the parliamentary processes. There is so much secrecy,” said one senior western diplomat on Wednesday. “A political government ought to go to parliament, put the matter on the table and prove that it has the backing of the majority. Pakistan’s tragedy is ultimately you have a democracy but not a [democratic] character,” he concluded.

Farhan Bokhari is an Islamabad-based journalist who writes on politics, economy and security issues.

 

[Jazzbot]

How does it make any difference! it's an aid just like Imran Khan take from US, we should criticize only when Nawaz not make it transparent like Imran Khan.

There is hell of a difference between the donations that a politician / social worker like IK takes from US individuals or institutes for cancer hospital or for his party funds and the donation a head of a state takes from another head of a state. When both persons are heads of their states then its a state level deal not personal deal. You your brain for God sake and see what crap you've just posted.

 

[nana41]

The PML for all its peace overtures.. relies on a mixture of "feudal" lords and rather conservative candidates for its punjab electoral roster. These people routinly use religion to gather votes.. this means floating ideas such as the banning of music to supporting fake blasphemy cases. One could argue that the variance of attitudes is much more grey than black and white withn the PML(N) but quite simply most agree with the more extremist.

Comes the India trade policy. the PML(N) for all its record making and "improvements" in Lahore has maintained its links(not officially , but its members) with extremists including LeT, LeJ and so on. In turn they get support in areas for votes and other niceties.
These people are not pro peace with India and are still proponents of Jihad. These then stand up to the pragmatic elements within the PML(N).. an example was the 1999 deal that would have to a large extent solved our problems with each other.. it was a bold move by NS and he should be commended for going against not just the military but many in his party. Sadly, he was backstabbed by Musharraf with the Kargil episode. Long Story short.. there are elements in the PML(N) who will not let Kashmir lie just like that.



Far from it.. Im leaving the country at my maximum potential.. when I am at the top of my game. I am making money in Pakistan, from outside of it.. both day and night.. thanks to god. But I dont see this honeymoon lasting as long as I am in Pakistan.
Because Im not a politicians son, I am not a millionaires son.. I am not a military mans son.. and if you are not part of that .. you have no hope of surviving any disaster in this country. ..

So, making use of your "maximum potential" you are ate the "top of my game" of making money in Pakistan from outside.But you are afraid that this money making spree will not last long,while free loaders sons of feudal,mil gen and nu-dolatia are prowling around to bring about an disaster.And since there is not only no hope of you surviving any pending disaster, this wretched and hopeless country might not be in a condition to make use of your remaining potentials ,you might as well accumulate as much as possible and say good bye for America.Unlike you, i contribute ,whatever i can ,every month and till today since the last 53 years without expecting anything in return from this God given land.Anyhow ,I wish you all the best with your money making potentials in America.Two advices,stop bothering about Pakistan ,and do go to America ,but stay there never to come back to "no hope" Pakistan,i am sure Pakistan can afford to sustain the loss of your potentialities.

 

[SQ8]

So, making use of your "maximum potential" you are ate the "top of my game" of making money in Pakistan from outside.But you are afraid that this money making spree will not last long,while free loaders sons of feudal,mil gen and nu-dolatia are prowling around to bring about an disaster.And since there is not only no hope of you surviving any pending disaster, this wretched and hopeless country might not be in a condition to make use of your remaining potentials ,you might as well accumulate as much as possible and say good bye for America.Unlike you, i contribute ,whatever i can ,every month and till today since the last 53 years without expecting anything in return from this God given land.Anyhow ,I wish you all the best with your money making potentials in America.Two advices,stop bothering about Pakistan ,and do go to America ,but stay there never to come back to "no hope" Pakistan,i am sure Pakistan can afford to sustain the loss of your potentialities.

Why? I will come to Pakistan if I can exploit it. You can continue toiling away at the land.... the land is perfect.. its the people who are not worth the effort.

 

[batmannow]

So, making use of your "maximum potential" you are ate the "top of my game" of making money in Pakistan from outside.But you are afraid that this money making spree will not last long,while free loaders sons of feudal,mil gen and nu-dolatia are prowling around to bring about an disaster.And since there is not only no hope of you surviving any pending disaster, this wretched and hopeless country might not be in a condition to make use of your remaining potentials ,you might as well accumulate as much as possible and say good bye for America.Unlike you, i contribute ,whatever i can ,every month and till today since the last 53 years without expecting anything in return from this God given land.Anyhow ,I wish you all the best with your money making potentials in America.Two advices,stop bothering about Pakistan ,and do go to America ,but stay there never to come back to "no hope" Pakistan,i am sure Pakistan can afford to sustain the loss of your potentialities.

friend shouldnt be so hope less, we hve been declared failed state since ages, but we still are living in this world!
& shouldnt be personal, plz!
you seems to be a bright looking poster, even though OSCAR ,s pov are scarstic but he is a very open minded mod here?
dont lock horns, with that beast!

 

[nana41]

friend shouldnt be so hope less, we hve been declared failed state since ages, but we still are living in this world!
& shouldnt be personal, plz!
you seems to be a bright looking poster, even though OSCAR ,s pov are scarstic but he is a very open minded mod here?
dont lock horns, with that beast!

Never Ever be sarcastic towards your own country is the advice i give to my son,who is 3 years older than you.But your friend Oscar should realise the difference between sarcasm and ridicule.

 

[Jaanbaz]

We are going to witness a horrible Shia-Sunni conflict and proxy wars in ME and Pakistan. Boundaries have been drawn and sides are taken. Pakistan has chosen to side with the Saudis which in next 10-20 years there may not be a Pakistan to feel sorry for.

 

[batmannow]

Never Ever be sarcastic towards your own country is the advice i give to my son,who is 3 years older than you.But your friend Oscar should realise the difference between sarcasm and ridicule.

sorry sir,
i m a retired pakarmy, soilder!
& i cant even dream of bieng sarcastic towards my own country, instead i was been sent into hell bound missions, giving whatever i could, i really wish that your son would never be in my place, OSCAR is as patriotic as of me, & you but he has his own way of thinking, which could be out of our reach some times, cause our thinking is way different then him, but still we all are brothers?
he isnt my, friend!
most of the times we are against each others POVs, but still i admire indebth thinking when ever any enemy poster comes to attack pakistan on PDF.

 

[Informant]

Iran will reply by doubling the gift.... i expect minimum $3 billion gift for 35% of Pakistan.

Stop being jaded man, you and your shia rants. It's pathetic.

 

[Khan_patriot]

A subtle policy shift that will not be announced nor given accountability for. A new Sunni-Shia all out war is in the brewing and Pakistan is being prepared as a frontline state for it.

No, not again, Pakistan has been the frontline state in several bullshit conflicts and we have gained nothing from it, it would be best to remain neutral in case of ANY future conflict in the region....

 

[airmarshal]

“It is mind boggling that you have a government with a majority in parliament but little faith in the parliamentary processes. There is so much secrecy,” said one senior western diplomat on Wednesday. “A political government ought to go to parliament, put the matter on the table and prove that it has the backing of the majority. Pakistan’s tragedy is ultimately you have a democracy but not a [democratic] character,” he concluded.

Farhan Bokhari is an Islamabad-based journalist who writes on politics, economy and security issues.

This is it! Its not a democracy. Its a family party govt where only few close friends or relatives know whats going on.

We are going to witness a horrible Shia-Sunni conflict and proxy wars in ME and Pakistan. Boundaries have been drawn and sides are taken. Pakistan has chosen to side with the Saudis which in next 10-20 years there may not be a Pakistan to feel sorry for.

This 1.5 billion is not going to be 'free' or a 'gift'. The nation will have to pay the price.

At the time of fist Afghan war in 80s', dollars were flowing through Pakistan. But we are still picking the pieces of the wreck we have made our country after that engagement. Forget this bravado - 'we won against superpower'. We lost more than we gained.

We did the same under Musharraf. Grants, loan write-offs, budgetary support of $300 million for 5 years. You name it. Every type of money a beggar can dream of, we got it. But what is Pakistan now? Its worse than what it was 10 years ago. Security, economy, lack of policy, everything is so clearly evident.