US vacates Pakistan base amid drone debate

[zavis2003]

Do you people think that shamsi airbase has potential to be our main base in area or it is just for the use of hunting birds and pigeons by YAsheikh type people who landed there days ago

 

[junaid1]

Our politicians sold our nation . i don't know what to say

The Shahbaz airbase, which houses F-16 aircraft, is the subject of several US embassy cables released by WikiLeaks. One cable, dated October 6, 2009, makes note of the security requirements for the F-16s to be housed at the airbase.

According to the cable, “The security notes also mandate a five-year, 24/7 US technology security presence for the F-16s. SAF/IA has determined that when fully in place, the US security presence should consist of 45 US personnel – 40 at Shahbaz (five US military and 35 contractors), and five in Islamabad (two US military, one US Government civilian, two contractors). The estimated cost of the US security presence is $30 million per year, or $150 million for the full five-year period.”

The F-16 aircraft are subject to security restrictions that the aircraft, armaments, related equipment and technical data need to be housed at a separate air force base which does not have “non-US/non-Pakistani origin personnel and aircraft.” A January 2009 cable explained this further, stating that “there have been other US government concerns about illegal technology transfer relating to Pakistan’s co-production program with the JF-17 Chinese fighter aircraft.”

The cables also note Pakistan’s difficulty in making payments for the security presence. According to the October cable, Pakistan also had to make upgrades and security enhancements to the airbase, which it estimated would cost $210 million.

The Shahbaz airbase in Jacobabad became the focus of agitation by Pakistani politicians during last year’s floods as allegations were leveled that the floodwater had been diverted to Balochistan to protect the base.

Additionally, rumours that the base was not being used for flood relief efforts because it was allegedly under US control further fueled the public ire.

Calls for investigation came from former prime minister Mir Zafrullah Jamali, and the government was forced to clarify.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani and the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) said in public statements that the base was under Pakistan’s control and denied that there were American officers stationed there.

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar told the Senate in January 2010 that the base had been used for “covert operations in Afghanistan two years ago” but the Shamsi, Pasni and Shahbaz bases were not being used by the US.

Then-US ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson wrote in the cable that “the Pakistan F-16 program – a package which includes new aircraft, Mid-Life Upgrade (MLU) kits, and munitions – is the flagship symbol of our renewed, post-9/11 engagement with the Pakistani military. The success of the program is critical to demonstrating that the US is committed to a long-term relationship with Pakistan and is a reliable security partner. Pakistan is already using its existing F-16s in counter-insurgency operations in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, but the inability of those aircraft to execute precision targeting or to fly at night increases collateral damage and limits their effectiveness. New and MLU-ed F-16s and their munitions packages will significantly improve the PAF’s precision and night strike capabilities.”

Source : wikileaks-on-shahbaz-airbase-f-16s-flew-in-with-guaranteed-us-presence-at-base/

 

[Areesh]

I think we should thank USA for building those cool hangars. Shukria Amreeka.

 

[VelocuR]

A great response by Pakistan after killed 28 soldiers:

Consequences:
-Boycott Bonn Conferences
-Close Supplies ongoing
-Vacate Shamsi Base within 15 days
-Giving local commanders own authority instead permission
-Shot down drones on orders

More steps up.

 

[jayron]

Move yourself to Kashmir and you will be sent back in a body bag. And instead of chest thumping about defeating US, come back to reality.

I think he was being sarcastic.

on topic, So all along, Pak army was letting the US to use drones from its own bases to kill its own people and lying about it. What makes you guys think that this is not a part of that lie?

 

[niaz]

Don’t know why this fascination with Jews in Pakistan? This could be because we are so obsessed with religion, race, sect and ethnicity that we have not learned to be Pakistanis and don’t really value ‘Nationality’. Unfortunately this is true for Arab countries as well as for India where you are differentiated on account of accident of your birth and not your nationality.

India asks for the place of birth & nationality of your parents before they give visit visa to a subcontinent origin looking person of Canadian, US or British nationality if he has got a Muslim name. If your name suggests that you are Hindu, no questions asked. It is assumed that you are of Indian origin.

After the Bahrainis riots, I came to know that even the UAE Federal Gov’t (This means Abu Dhabi) asked all the seven UAE states to compile a list of the Shia’s among the expatriate population.

As soon as a country allows presence of US military or US personnel, it is understood that there are bound to be ethnic Jews, blacks, Irish, Germans and even possibility ethic Pakistanis or Indians among the staff. I have personally known Americans and Englishmen working for major oil companies such as Exxon & Shell in Saudi Arabia and in the UAE who are ethnic Jews. You cannot put a condition ‘Jews’ or any other nationality not allowed when you deal with the US. Only distinction US Law makes it that anyone running for the Presidency must have been born in the USA. Remember Henry Kissinger was a Jew. Did anyone ever doubt his loyalty to the United States?

However we in Pakistan even objected giving Nishan e Imtiaz award to late Prof. Abdus Salaam because he was a Qadiani; no matter that he won Nobel prize and was the youngest and first Pakistani elected FRS. Also in his capacity as Scientific Advisor to the Pakistan Gov’t, he is one of the founding Directors to Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission and SUPARCO.

We should judge a person for what he is; not by his race, ethnic or religious background. IMO one of the main reasons for the mess Pakistan is in remains bigotry at all levels.

 

[lem34]

^^^^I dont really think its surprising at all. Are you not aware that a small disciplined group of jews control american foreign policy???

Jews are jews first and americans second according to what they propogate

 

[regular]

So Shahbaz airbase is under US military control too if not all of it.....we getting stabbed everywhere now from our traitor Govt. as well as our dearest friendly enemies US......

 

[CaptainJackSparrow]

Our politicians sold our nation . i don't know what to say

Do you really think your politicians have any say whatsoever in these matters, my friend?

It must be pretty tough to be a Pakistani politician nowadays.

Those guys don't have the power to do anything of substance and yet get all the blame.

As should be pretty evident in this case too, the decision to hand over the said airbase to the US was indeed taken in GHQ.

 

[pakdefender]

Public pressure has forced the hand of the powers that be to remove the americans from Shamsi .. public pressure has to be kept up to roll back all the free passes that the americans got in the aftermath of 9/11

 

[junaid1]

Do you really think your politicians have any say whatsoever in these matters, my friend?

It must be pretty tough to be a Pakistani politician nowadays.

Those guys don't have the power to do anything of substance and yet get all the blame.

As should be pretty evident in this case too, the decision to hand over the said airbase to the US was indeed taken in GHQ.

GHQ has no role whatsoever with this .this was in term of $5 billion US aid that US army man will make sure their presence at every base where F16' were deployed to make sure its not get copied by China . That time army was supporting this traitor Govt and now i think its time for clean-up operation for US-forces from all bases .

Every Pakistani will stand up against presence of US-forces in pakistan . i'm sure time is near for amercians to say good bye

Public pressure has forced the hand of the powers that be to remove the americans from Shamsi .. public pressure has to be kept up to roll back all the free passes that the americans got in the aftermath of 9/11

Yes inshallah , These PPP traitors will burn in hell including pervez musharaf

 

[ANG]

Hi, this whole Shamsi thing has been a joke and has shown how ineffective and weak Pakistan is, including its armed forces. Please read these articles, it shows how much sway the US has over that nation, and how much stuff they had there (12 cargo flights!).

I just love the way the Pakistan army always repeatedly says "impregnable" and "befitting response". However, it seems like the current leadership is the cheapest hooker on the block, as it will give you the most service for little/no money. It is like someone else living in your house and killing your people, there is no other way to explain it...

Pakistani Army Officials Shocked To See Over Two Dozen Jewish Soldiers At The Shamsi Airbase ~ ASIAN DEFENSE

Efforts To Vacate Shamsi Air Base In Full Swing ~ Pakistan Military Review

Pakistan army takes control of Shamsi airbase – The Express Tribune

 

[Xracer]

Thats serious man welldone a good work adter long long very long time

 

[epinephrine]

jews at shamsi.miserable performance by pakistani political n military leadership n intelligence

 

[epinephrine]

atleast kuch to ghairat jagi.thanx nato for this