US Congressional hearing may spell trouble for Pakistan

[VCheng]

And what exactly is this foreseeable future for you sir? How about next year?

At least a decade, but I have no crystal ball; after all, my estimate of NATO supplies re-opening was wrong too!

 

[Omar1984]

Right if you meant that Pakistan should listen because of the dangers involved then yes I understand though I assumed you said Pakistan should listen to America and do there bidding.

By the way, our nation is ripe for takeover there is no leadership forget our nukes, our army. Without a strong centralised united leadership it is all useless.

I can imagine a situation in which US invades balochistan, the army chief will phone the govt leader they will then argue for hours on end by that time the damage will be done and the enemy will have gained it's foothold.

Everyone is bickering over bullshit, mostly about who has the right ideology and who deserves to be in charge. FFS is the country blind?

America is bankrolling terrorists who have attacked Pakistan numerous times, raided it with impunity strike it from the air without fear.

The economy is collapsed, our enemies want to cut Pakistan up into small chunks and we bicker about nonsense such as veena malik, religious involvement in govt affairs.

It's all looking very pear shaped, the Army needs to get a strong leader and sort it out I fear Imran Khan will be assasinated.

Remember after the U.S. raid in Abbottabad, how the nation was united. Even TTP said it would join hands with Pakistan army to fight America if America wages a war on Pakistan.

Baloch separatists are just too small in number. Pakistan is a nation of 185 million people, out of that 185 million people, there are 10 million Baloch in Pakistan and not all live in Balochistan and not all are separatists, so U.S. is just wasting its time in this congressional hearing. There are dozens of Baloch tribes, and only two tribes are giving problems to Pakistan and Pakistan army can eradicate the troublemakers from the province in less than 6 months but we are too spread out at the moment. In my opinion, Pakistan army should focus more on Balochistan than FATA. Maybe some people in FATA want to bring Sharia law to their land, but they don't want to break the country like BLA.

 

[Kazhugu]

I can only commiserate and empathize.

you empathize or sympathize..?..

 

[VCheng]

you empathize or sympathize..?..

Well, considering that empathy is to recognize feelings that are being experienced by another, while sympathy is to feel or share suffering or grief, I think that my choice of the word is correct in conveying what I meant.

 

[TVVELVEMO$]

After carefully contemplating this issue, I would like to share some thoughts on the subject:

Under the prevalent strategic scenario, not just in Southwest Asia but obtaining globally; it is best if US & Pakistan not do anything along the lines of oneupmanship and yet it happens because no one person can or is in control of events. It may be better to put some cards on the table to ease anxieties and unintended consequences.

Baluchestan/Balochistan is a roughly 60-70% under Pakistan jurisdiction, 25-30% under Iran, the rest in Afghanistan. People of Gedrosia have been throwing stones and spears at every invader since Alexander. At times Baluch have fought amongst themselves, with Brahui, with Pashtuns, with Arabs, with Punjabi Sikhs, with Rajputs of the desert.

As stated above by an informed member, there are less than 10 million Baluch in Pakistan. That includes Baluchs of all persuasions. It most likely also include Brahuis, minorities (Hindu etc) and Pashtuns. I think everyone hypes up the insurgency for their own ends. Pak politicians (not in power) to make the current Pak administration look bad, Chinese companies to get better deals, Baluch Chieftains to get bigger royalties so they can build bigger palaces in some upscale neighborhood in Karachi or Lahore and buy a bigger SUV, etc. So if a couple of US congressmen (parliamentarians) decided to do the same for the benefit of US - can you blame them?
The more the Paks indulge in such self-flagellations for all to observe, the more others will seek to benefit from it.
The Honorable Representative form Texas recently met some "has-been" NA leaders in Afghanistan who have been sidelined by Karzai. When he explained that US needs Pakistan for logistics, they cutely suggested that US should carve out an independent Baluchistan. It would solve all problems. Thus a renewed interest by 'some' members of congress. From there to a full scale blitzkrieg by US marines is a stretch. Remember US is whittling down its engagement in Central Asia. Committing large quantity of resources to a campaign likely to yield minimal strategic gains for US makes this a fools' errand.

Everyone will gauge the success of this by the amount of discomfiture shown by your leaders.

P.S.
The vast terrain begs of your military to institute a surveillance from air (UAV=drone) to watch and protect pipelines, highways, railways etc Why don't you use Galileo-PAC K Falcos Or bring this up with CentCom commander next week?

The last time Pakistan successfully surmounted an insurgency was in 1972. Bhutto was able to get Shah Pahlavi's Chinooks/Bells etc to fly hundreds of sorties for Pak Army at no cost. Those were goodtimes. It always helps to have good neighbors. As for this hearing, it spells very little trouble but Baluchistan presents opportunities and pitfalls for your nation. Choose wisely.

 

[pak-marine]

American concerns: US Congressional hearing on Balochistan today

By News Desk
Published: February 8, 2012

The US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs is set to convene a congressional hearing on Wednesday, for an exclusive discussion for the first-time ever on Balochistan.
The US House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs is set to convene a congressional hearing on Wednesday (February 8), for an exclusive discussion for the first-time ever on Balochistan.
The event which will be closely monitored by Islamabad will be chaired by Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher, who recently co-authored an article with Congressman Louie Gohmert expressing support for an independent Balochistan.
Interestingly, the testimony of Georgetown assistant professor C Christine Fair, who is a member of the three-member panel of witnesses, was uploaded on the internet on Tuesday. In her testimony, Fair has highlighted the government of Pakistan’s ‘extractive policies’ over the decades to keep an ‘ironclad control over the state’.
The professor has gone on to emphasise the ongoing human rights violations in Balochistan and the government’s decision to ‘pursue military action, involving the forced disappearances of youths with no criminal records and the elimination of Baloch tribal leaders’. In her testimony, Fair will also seek to poke holes in the Pakistani state’s argument that military and paramilitary action is justified because Baloch tribal leaders are irreconcilable to the state with research that found that any conciliatory move by government led to a decline in militant attacks.
Fair, who will present a number of recommendations, will not ‘entertain’ any proposal for an independent Balochistan, saying that ‘given the ethnic diversity of the province, its complicated history, and the existing geographic constraints, an independent Balochistan is untenable’.
However, the professor has mentioned the implementation of certain government programmes such as the Aghaz-e-Haqooq-e-Balochistan to help the province within the constitutional framework of Pakistan, adding that ‘the US with its partners can use select instruments of its national powers to encourage Pakistan to do the right thing’.
The two other members of the panel include defence analyst Ralph Peters and Pakistan Director of the Human Rights Watch Ali Dayan Hasan.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 8th, 2012.

 

[brigahsan]

Ironically, US is the one who started the insurgency in Balochistan in the first place. Just like it started the so called “Arab Spring”. Libya, Egypt and now Syria are all mischief of US and one can see through the conspiracy linked with oil or Israel.

Balochistan was perfectly peaceful till after US invaded Afghanistan. With the help of RAW and Mossad, US started fomenting militancy and the insurgency slowly during 2003-2005. India was given a free access to Afghanistan and it quickly opened Consulates in Qandahar and Zahidan and started sending trained Baloch insurgents to kill Punjabis and security forces in Baloch areas of Balochistan. From 2007 onwards thousands of Punjabis were killed, over a million non-Baloch migrated to Karachi and Punjab. US did not raise a voice then. Human Rights only become visible to US when it suits its strategic aspirations. With Pakistan’s defiance after US troops killed 28 Pakistani soldiers, there is a visible resuscitation of insurgency in Baloch areas since mid December 2011. And now the Hearing! Very clearly, US is trying to pressurize Pakistan to allow supplies to its losing military adventure in Afghanistan and weaken her as much as it can.

Brahmdagh Bugti was protected by US in Afghanistan. He was made to live next to Karzai’s palace from where he, with professional support of CIA/RAW, directed insurgency in Baloch areas of Balochistan. He managed to have John Solecki, UNHCR’s Head in Balochistan, kidnapped. Then even managed to get $ 25 million from Anne Patterson, the then US Ambassador and only then, US shifted Brahmdagh to Switzerland, where he now lives in comfort but still carries on militancy in Baloch areas. Not only he, two sons of Khair Bakhsh Marri and Suleman Ahmadzai, so called Khan of Kalat, have also been given asylum in Switzerland and London. David Cameron, like Tony Blair, is always willing to do biddings of US.

US opened several anti Pakistan Baloch-Websites in Jerusalem and New York and these are dutifully being updated to spread propaganda like a business corporation would do.

And what Baloch issue? Balochistan is not where only Baloch live, the wrong name not withstanding. Nearly one third of Balochistan is peaceful where Pashtuns, Hazaras, Kurds, Sindhis and settlers live. Even the areas where Baloch and Brahuis live is not all disturbed. Only components of three tribes, Marri, Bugti and Mengal ( who are Brahuis) have been carrying out insurgency. Even in their areas, much of the area is peaceful. The militants go on roving “missions” duly briefed by their handlers, and kill here and there and throw some explosives and mines. For every killing they are paid. ISI should check the millions of rupees which are coming through Western Union postal system to Dalbandin, Noshki, Khuzdar, Dera Murad Jamali etc, all small places but getting huge sums from aboard. These are not remittances of expatriates, these are payments for killing security forces and Punjabis.

Does the US not know the true population of Baloch in Balochistan? Its not more that 3-4 million, while Baluchistan’s population is around 7-8 million, and Pakistan is pushing the figure of 180 million. There are far more Baloch living in Punjab and Sindh than in Balochistan. US cannot handle 40-50 million rebellious Pashtuns in Afghanistan and it now wants to further antagonize this massive population?

No one , other than perhaps diplomats, like the US anymore. Not the people of US, but the state policies which are grossly detrimental to Pakistan, are despised. US Congressional hearings will only further exacerbate the massive hatred prevailing towards US.

And why is US Congress not hearing about Chechnya? Kashmir? Palestine? Somalia? Zambia? And a lot of other global issues? The Bush, and now Obama Administration’ is sowing such seeds of hatred in the minds of Pakistanis that for generations they will not be able to eradicate this hate.

 

[AgNoStiC MuSliM]

Congressional Balochistan witness prepares for challenge

Eddie Walsh


"If you are a non-Baloch living in Balochistan, you now fear for your life not because you are politically engaged but just because of who you are."

In an election year, anything is possible. But, when anything includes the US policy approach to Pakistan, Congress must remain a responsible stakeholder. Members of Congress must clearly convey their intentions when taking on potentially contentious issues that risk undermining one of the Barack Obama Administration’s and the US military’s most important strategic partnerships. Balochistan is clearly one of those issues. However, the Congressmen who have scheduled a hearing on Balochistan for this week have failed to properly set expectations as to what they are trying to accomplish. This could raise fears that some in Congress are recklessly engaged in a high stakes gamble to undermine the Administration’s policy approach on Pakistan under the guise of Baloch human rights concerns.

Regardless of whether or not this is true, the scheduling of the hearing has increased expectations among some in the Baloch diaspora that the US will support their cause. It also has forced Pakistan to question how committed the US is to Pakistan’s territorial integrity. Such consequences pose great risks for the Administration’s ongoing efforts in South and Southwest Asia. Mr. Ali Dayan Hasan, the Pakistan Director of Human Rights Watch and one of the hearing’s scheduled witnesses, is well aware of the serious risks posed by the hearing. However, he also sees the hearing as an opportunity to educate members of Congress and the American public on the very real human rights violations being prosecuted against civilians on both sides in Baluchistan. His objective therefore will be to remain on point on human rights issues and not be drawn into the crosshairs of whether or not to support the Balkanization of Pakistan.

Unclear Motives

On February 8th, an open hearing on Balochistan will be held by the US House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs. The hearing will be brought by the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, chaired by Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher.

While news of the hearing is now public, it remains unclear what has motivated Congressman Rohrabacher and his subcommittee to move to an open hearing on the issue at this time. When asked for comment, his office declined by saying that they would prefer to speak after the hearing due to “the sensitivity of the issue.”

Given that news of the hearing has already garnered significant negative media and government attention in Pakistan, experts that I spoke with find it surprising that neither Congressman Rohrabacher nor his colleagues connected to the Baloch diaspora are willing to discuss the agenda behind the hearing. This leaves more than one Western expert on Pakistan uncomfortable with holding the hearing under such circumstances, especially following Congressman Rohrabacher’s recent statements appearing to endorse US support of Baloch independence.

As one Pakistan scholar recently confided, the Congressional faction pushing Baloch affairs is not taking responsibility for the consequences of their actions. Instead, they appear willing to let mere news of a hearing undermine the Administration’s bilateral efforts with Pakistan without justifying their actions to fellow Americans, foreign partners and allies, and others in the international community.

Dangerous Liaisons

Walking into this potential firestorm will be Hasan. Of the three witnesses scheduled to testify, he almost certainly possesses the greatest command of the current on-the-ground human rights situation in Pakistan. He also is extremely knowledgeable on how the US Afghanistan-Pakistan (******) foreign policy approach affects Pakistan’s domestic peace and stability.

In discussing the upcoming hearing, Hasan acknowledges that he is well aware of the potential challenges facing him on the Hill: “A hearing on this issue should have taken place sooner. I therefore welcome the opportunity to present our case. That said, I hope that the hearing sends a clear message to human rights abusers on all sides in Balochistan that their actions will not be accepted. If instead the hearing descends into a witch hunt against any party, it will damage US credibility further in the region and shrink the room that the US has to facilitate resolution between conflict actors. ”

Hasan’s biggest concern is that the hearing could reinforce Pakistani fears that the US supports its Balkanization: “Any suggestion or idea that the US is open to undermining Pakistan’s territorial integrity would be a terrible idea. Anyone who thinks that the US can affect such a shift in conjunction with its other imperatives is mistaken. These ideas are based on lurid fantasies rather than political reality. Such insinuations or statements will only increase the suffering of the Baloch and fuel ethnic violence. It will feed into Pakistan’s worst fears and do both Pakistan and the United States a great disservice.”

Hasan is not alone with this concern. Advocates on both sides of Baloch independence recognise that the hearing could generate increased Congressional support for policy initiatives in direct contradiction with the Obama Administration.

In preparing his remarks, Hasan therefore is trying to limit any opportunity for Congressmen to take him off-point: “Human Rights Watch’s motivation for participating in the hearing is to highlight grave human rights abuses by the Pakistani military, religious extremist groups and also by Baloch nationalists. This is an issue that deserves the attention of and constructive engagement by the international community, including the United States.

But, we are not there to take sides or take positions beyond our mandate on issues such as Baloch independence. It is our position that Pakistani law, as embodied in the constitution, requires the government to protect their citizens, and that US law, as outlined in the Leahy Amendment, requires sanctioning any specific Pakistani military unit or individual that has committed verifiable human rights violations. And at all times, we expect and urge all parties including the US to act within the ambit of relevant international law.”

Staying on Track

Hasan is aware of the risk that the hearing could expand to Baloch issues beyond Pakistan’s borders. On such issues, Hasan intends to remain silent: “I have been told that I would only be providing a historical context-based presentation on Balochistan issues in Pakistan. I will therefore limit my comments to my area of expertise – Pakistan.”

One issue that he does not want to remain silent on though is the hearing itself. Since the schedule was published, many in the Baloch community have expressed their concern over the absence of a Baloch witness on the schedule. Hasan shares their disquiet and hopes that one will be added before Wednesday: “It is a matter of great concern that there is no Baloch as a witness.”

Hasan also acknowledges that the participation of Ralph Peters is something of a wild card: “It is of concern that Ralph Peters is one of the witnesses. What expertise does he have on this matter?” It therefore could benefit the hearing if the Congressmen supporting Peters’ participation spoke out in defense of his relevance to the proceedings.

Levelling Expectations

Hasan is careful to set expectations for his own remarks as well. Those who expect his comments to be in full support of what the Baloch diaspora sees at its core interests may be surprised: “Though it has committed the most egregious abuses, the Pakistani military is but one actor in this conflict. Human Rights Watch has documented abuses by not just the Pakistani military but also religious militant groups such as the Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, and by Baloch nationalist groups. While Pakistani military, paramilitary and intelligence personnel are involved in widespread torture, disappearances and targeted killings, Baloch nationalists, by their own admission, are also targeting and killing non-Baloch.

If you are a non-Baloch living in Balochistan, you now fear for your life not because you are politically engaged but just because of who you are.

The Pakistani military argues it is engaged in operations against people it deems “criminals”, which all happen to be Baloch, and alleges Indian support for these actors. While these assertions and accusations are contested and do not excuse the heinous abuses committed by the Pakistani military, it is important to note that this is a complex conflict that should be approached with care and understanding. In no event, should the acute and ongoing suffering of the Baloch be used as a sledgehammer to settle unrelated bilateral scores with Pakistan or in ways that exacerbate an already volatile situation.”

Eddie Walsh is a senior foreign correspondent who covers diplomacy, defense, and trade issues in Africa and Asia-Pacific. He is the Vice Chair of the International Correspondents Committee at the National Press Club and also founder of the Asia-Pacific Reporting Blog. Mr. Walsh is currently accredited at the Pentagon and the Foreign Press Center.
Congressional Balochistan witness prepares for challenge | Provinces | DAWN.COM

 

[Areesh]

Well, Pakistan should pay heed to this sentence in particular:



I hope it happens as quickly as possible before the situation gets out of hand.

Yes Pakistan should do all this "sane stuff" but who has given the right to Chacha sam who has it's more than fair share of screwing this world and whose biggest ally is continuing the complete siege of a million people in Gaza strip 365 days of the year to even hold a pathetic congressional hearing oh this issue?

 

[Areesh]

well my support to the baloch is as pure as pakistani support to kashmir...no more ..no less..

and i meant the "nationalist" nationalist baloch..

Kashmir.... Lol the guy has accepted that he is trolling. Throw him out.

 

[Omar1984]

Congressional Balochistan witness prepares for challenge

Eddie Walsh


"If you are a non-Baloch living in Balochistan, you now fear for your life not because you are politically engaged but just because of who you are."

Just last year on Eid, these BLA terrorists shot innocent men, women, and children travelling in a bus from Quetta to Punjab Province. BLA terrorists will burn in hell. Pakistan army should kill every single BLA terrorist in Balochistan province. Human rights activists are all working for America, they refuse to look at innocent non-baloch killed in that province.

 

[Omar1984]

pakistan should write a letter to the US saying why do they support Israelis still when they kill palestinians.

Forget about it man. Today's America is not the same America of 30 years ago. Zionist lobby is very powerful in U.S. They are in the top in the U.S. government, U.S. media, U.S. cooperation you name it.

Even if Pakistan sacrifices more of its people and its army for America's war OF terror, America will never be pro-Pakistan. Even if Pakistan loses 60 more billion dollars for America's war OF terror, America will never be pro-Pakistan. And it doesn't matter who comes in power in America, the status quo of the past 10 years will not change. Obama promised hope and change, he brought more destruction to the Muslim world than Bush did.

The best Pakistan can do is work with regional powers and neighboring countries who have the same interests as Pakistan. U.S. is also after Iran so work with Iran, and our Balochistan province has a border with Iran so Iran can help Pakistan and Pakistan can help Iran. China and Russia can also help Pakistan in this regard without the U.S. knowing about it.

 

[Bl[i]tZ]

Does anybody have a link to the testimony?

 

[Bl[i]tZ]

Here are some quotes. Initial statements

Baloch have seen little development from their gas resources. Rohrabacher

Pakistan is making the developments to attract punjabies into Balochistan. Rohrabacher

Pakistan is using brutal force including extra-judicial killings. Rep. Rohrabacher

Baloch are denied proper education. Rep. Rohrabacher

Iran has also ruthlessly treated Baloch in Iran. Rep. Rohrabacher

baloches in Iran are more oppressed then those in Pakistan Rep. Rohrabacher:

Pakistan is using brutal force including extra-judicial killings. Rep. Rohrabacher

We are going to learn from this hearing. Rep. Rohrabache

We have to make sure every penny of our aids is being used properly. Rep. Carnahan

It is congress' job to make sure we're getting the return for all the US investments in Pakistan Rep.

 

[Bl[i]tZ]

Baloch culture is consistent with american values. Sherman

Balochistan is Pakistan's most under developed province with lowest employment rates. Sherman

It is ironic because Balochistan is the most rich natural resource region. Sherman

For many years Pakistan has imposed Urdu language on the people of Pakistan. Sherman

CFair: We know Baloch ethnic group is the larger in the Balochistan Province

Everyone knows about the forced abductions in Balochistan. CCFair

The fact Balochistan is an occupied territory. Ralph Peter

Balochistan is an occupied territory, it never wished to accede Pakistan, RalpPeters