Enemy Within: An Open Letter to Roedad Khan

I fully agree with your main argument from today’s article titled The Enemy Within:

Pakistan’s greatest enemy today is the enemy within. “Ameer,” Quaid-e-Azam told Raja Sahib of Mahmudabad in 1948, “You have no idea of the situation here. I am surrounded by traitors”. The situation we face today is much worse. Traitors and foreign agents have captured political power with foreign support.

BUT there are a few things I’d like to mention where I don’t think you are going far enough. Good that you mention Zardari and that takes no rocket science to figure out he is one of the main problems. But how did he manage to become the President? Was it not Gen Kiyani negotiated NRO that made his return possible? Was it not your parliamentarians (PPP and “opposition”) voting unanimously to make him President? Has he not had the unwavering support of Gen. Kayani and Nawaz league that has kept him in office? Let’s not forget here that had it not been for the manipulations of both Nawaz and Kayani and Aitzaz Ahsan & Co. he would have been dragged out of the presidency had the Long March made it to Islamabad. We have “Tragedy aplenty: no drinking water, no electricity, no gas, no jobs, no cash, rampant corruption, no hope, and Zardari” because all have colluded to make it so and picking on Zardari is simplistic (let’s not forget the role bureaucracy and “free” judiciary itself has played in getting us here; they are EQUALLY as guilty).

Coming to Memogate, you state:

And to cap it all, the Memogate scandal: a dark, sinister, high-level conspiracy directed at the armed forces, a dastardly, cowardly, despicable criminal conspiracy designed to emasculate and destroy the army as a fighting force, the only shield we have against foreign aggression and the only glue that is keeping the federation together. It was an unsuccessful attempt to undermine the army’s much cherished independence and make significant changes in its decision-making system. The plan was to sweep away the existing system of command and raft of unpalatable generals and merge political and military power.

Agreed it was “a dark, sinister, high-level conspiracy directed at the armed forces, a dastardly, cowardly, despicable criminal conspiracy designed to emasculate and destroy the army as a fighting force” but tell me how is it any different from Haqqani’s previous acts? For an example, how is it any different from what he tried in Kerry-Lugar? Why wasn’t he fired right then and there? And even Kerry-Lugar was no surprise having followed his writings before he was installed Ambassador so I was baffled when the army raised no bones about that appointment. Of course I am sure you are also well aware of the visa-to-foreign-agents-without-background-checks scandal that brought here people like Raymond Davis (and care to tell me WHO was instrumental/which parties were instrumental in getting him out of jail, paying off the families of the victims and disappearing them, and putting him on a plane to US?). Let’s also not forget here the attempt made by Rehman Malik to put ISI under him. Did his head roll?

The talk of “army’s cherished independence” is of course laughable. “Independent” only if you ignore the Mullens, the Panettas, the Hillarys, the Panettas, the Holbrookes, the Pattersons, the Powells, the Munters, the Negrapontes, etc., etc., etc. And did you really forget about that phone call to Gen Musharraf back in 2001 that has directly let us here? And who was it that gave Mush a Guard of Honor and a send-off fit for a king? Isn’t it your army and the government that then covers up for them by claiming all the dead were militants (or ‘miscreants’ — Mushy’s term still popular with your independent army)? Is it not true they told every possible lie they could invent about Shamsi and are doing the same EVEN TODAY? Is it not true they told the “This is our war” lie and used to attack and kill thousands of their fellow citizens (don’t tell me you believe most of the dead are “foreign fighters”)? Have they not been constantly lying about there being “no military operation in Balochistan”?

"Indepent" head of an "independent" army, the "most powerful guy in Pakistan"

While on the subject, let’s not forget the latest calamity to befall your independent army: the NATO attack from a couple of days ago that killed some 28 soldiers. I really fail to understand what is the big deal there. Pakistanis get killed by NATO attacks EVERY DAY and no one sheds a tear. What is so special about these 28? Are they not made of the same ‘khak'(earth)? Is wearing khaki somehow turns them into some special form of humans?

Is it not a FACT that it is your independent army that provides the bases, the logistical support INCLUDING providing intelligence and targets to NATO/ISAF as to where to bomb? Is it not a FACT that the helicopters that strafed them, the fuel they burned, the bullets, the bombs, the missiles they fired, the pilots that flew them, ALL came through or flew over Karachi with the blessings of that very independent army? Is it not a FACT that the top echelon of your Army is whetted by the powers that be in U.S. and guys like Kayani would never make general (let alone COAS) if they don’t get approval from abroad? Isn’t it time we cut the bullshit and pick-and-choose “truths” we want to tell? Aren’t the biggest of lies told by telling half-truths? So either “speak up” the whole truth or shut up “since keeping silent” — and worse — telling half-truths makes you as much an “accomplice” in this sorry state we find ourselves in.

So I hope you understand why this gave me the giggles:

For people would have to speak up, since keeping silent would make them accomplices.

Ah, the irony of it all! But the sad thing is that was not the only thing. You added:

I realise what storms it is going to stir up, but truth and justice are sovereign over all else, for they alone make a nation great.

Reminded me of the oft-repeated “Let justice be done, may the heavens fall” that is popular with our supreme court justices. Well the heavens have been falling but there has been no sign of justice anywhere. CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry is happy prancing around in his bullet-proof BMW (so what if it costs people their lives) and the VVIP protocol he so much desired. Justice Ramday is happy breaking law, acquiring extensions and plots in Islamabad and is visiting Dehli right now (funny thing is the only “plot” he sees is the “plot to malign judges”. Justice Javaid Iqbal promised decision on “Missing Persons in two weeks” but that was like TWO YEARS AGO! He has since retired and that promised decision has gone missing too (but retired is a misnomer for no one ever leaves does he? He feels no shame in now getting himself installed as the head of the “Judicial Commission for the Recovery of Missing Persons” and feels no shame in stating “Number of missing persons on the rise“, that too after having stated in January that “2011 to be the year of missing persons’ recovery” (His honesty can be well gaged from the fact that before being installed to head this commission, his name was proposed by Zardari to head NAB and it was only the objection of PML-N that it did not happen. (Side Note: Interesting too is the fact that the bench comprising Justice Javaid Iqbal was the one that “disqualified the appointment of Deedar Hussain Shah as the NAB chairman” — maybe he wanted the job for himself :)). And let’s not forget about “Hai, Bhagwandas!” (though “retired” too, I am sure he has been “adjusted” somewhere too. Could be he is still the FPSC chief)

Regards!

Awais Leghari Pisses On His Father’s Grave

I had started working on the following about a month back but never had the time to finish and post it. I am just posting it as-is now as there is further news out today confirms not only the deal between PPP and PML-Q but my contention that shows how despicable these politicians are as proven by Awais Leghari, son of the late Farooq Leghari…(see ‘Update’ below)

Well, PML-Q folks are on talk shows right now DEFENDING PPP/Zardari and have taken a 180 degree turn on Zardari’s corruption — Zardari has suddenly become a “victim” of political-motivated persecution according to PML-Q’s latest offerings.
🙂

Side Note: Just before the recent death of Farooq Leghari, I was surprised to find a glowing article about his son Awais Leghari in — of all places — Salman Taseer’s paper (see “Paid Advertisement Or Something In The Works”). So it seems something WAS in the works. And while his father lay dying, Awais Leghari was making deals with Zardari (his father’s biggest enemy). Now what could be bigger baygharati/bay-hayaee/bay-sharmi than this? If this is not pissing on your father’s grave, then I don’t know what is!!! On second thought, since Farooq was still breathing when this deal was made, a more accurate description would be ‘pissing on his dying father’s body‘

I can confirm it for you too that Awais Leghari IS going to running for MNA from his father’s seat. Yesterday I also found out about a deal between PPP’s last candidate against Farooq Leghari (Shabir Leghari) under which he would NOT run against Awais Leghari. I was wondering who PPP’s candidate would be in his place, thinking PPP would put somebody else for sure. Well, now I think we can safely say he won’t.

UPDATE: Nov 22, 2010

Q.E.D.!

1: PML-Q’s Hiraj made chairman of the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra)

2: Lakh Lanat:

P.S. Maybe I should have titled it “Worst than Father-Chod”

The three people resposible for grand thefts (like PTCL Privatization), and attempted grand thefts (like Pakistan Steel Mills) who ought to be in jail but...

Aitzaz & Co and the Hijacking of SCBA Elections

Reading about the SCBA elections, this bit gave me the giggles:

“Former president SCBA Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan has kept himself at distance from the bar politics. He had gone abroad and would not return till the polling day. However, Hamid Khan’s group is claiming his support. Lahore has gained significant importance in the polls, as almost half of the eligible voters are registered here.”

Ah, so this is how Aitzaz was had played it — the usual double-crossing way. That Hamid Khan was so naive is something I had not expected. To think that Aitzaz was “keeping himself at a distance from bar politics” and supporting Hamid Khan’s group was foolish to the extreme. Aitzaz (behind the scenes) and his cronies (openly) were certainly working for Asma Jehangir (also see Past Heros, Now Zeros and Past Heros, Now Zeros – II). Aitzaz of course was found standing on Asma’s podium at LHC on election day — so much for keeping himself at a distance. Also supporting/canvassing for her were Musharraf’s PCO judges.

Babar Awan:

The role Babar Awan too must not be over-looked. He distributed hundreds of millions to the bars and even managed to snag Qazi Anwar in the week before the election (How could Qazi be so stupid to accept the check from him and appear in the press with Awan is beyond me. And to top it off, Qazi returning the check a couple of days later certainly didn’t help).

Federal Law Minister Babar Awan, a close aide of President Asif Zardari also spent election day in Lahore and is (rightly) believe that the minister had come there to make last-minute “arrangements” for Asma’s election.

Let’s not also forget the stunt Babar Awan pulled a couple of days before the election: His meeting Chaudhry Pervaiz of PML-Q which started a media frenzy on the last day before SCBA elections and hogged all air time away from the elections.

Another name that needs mentioning is the other crooked PPP lawyer group of Latif Khosa which too was working for her.

BTW: Watch this clip of Aitzaz on one of the talk shows (News Beat With Meher Bokhari October 22th , 2010) before the election where he plays the innocent one:

Aitzaz begins (starting at about 3:54):

“Let me first commend you that you have managed to catch me when I am on the plane…um…Like Noon Meep Rashid said “Zaindagi say bhaag ker aaya houN main!” but zindagi has followed me here (in Spain)..”

Yes, Aitzaz! I believe you that our media is so good they can track and get hold of someone (who didn’t want to be found) IN A PLANE all the way over the skies in Spain (Curiously, why did he choose Spain to run to? Managing some legal matters for the other “Chaudhries of Gujrat” who have siphoned most of their monies there?)

Role of the Media:

The media certainly played a huge role in this victory for Asma. Of the tens of talk shows I watched, most featured only people from what I call the “Aitzaz Asma Zardari” group, pretending to be offering differing opinions but in fact going against the judiciary and the other group. I only saw three shows that featured the other group and that too in a very negative way. Two (including the one above) featured Qazi Anwar and one featured the other candidate Ahmed Owais (A hatchet job was performed on him by Kamran Shahid in Front Line, who had Owais on the phone and Asma in studio. Karman blatantly lied, attributing statements to Owais which he had never stated). In all such cases, the hosts seemed to be handed their talking points by the winning side.

After the election, we saw analysis like “The defeat of bigotry” to define Asma’s win. Huh? WTF?? The writer “is a lawyer and political commentator based in London”, Ayesha Khan is using another dirty trick played by Asma’s team and blaming the Hamid Khan group for it (“somebody” distributed pamphlets saying a vote for Asma was a vote for Qadyanis. Of course no one else was behind it but her team itself. At least it confirms her being a Qadyani, something I have heard about Aitzaz as well).

Salman Taseer’s Daily Times described the victory thus:

Asma Jahangir represents modern, progressive and forward-looking sections of Pakistani society across the globe. Her election to the office is bound to bring about a sea change in Pakistan’s perception around the world, as a state of strife struggling to counter the menace of Talibanisation of society.

Before the election, we also saw repeatedly items like:

People like Justice (retd) Tariq Mehmood, Abid Hassan Minto, Muneer Malik, Aitzaz Ahsan and others stand above politics. (Source)
[And let’s not forget to add Ali Ahmed Kurd and Athar Minallah to this list and the shame-of-all-shames Justice Fakharuddin G. Ibrahim]

Of course these were total lies as all those named (except Aitzaz of course 😉 ) were openly supporting Asma and campaigning for her and stood shoulder to shoulder with her of election day…

Notes:

Well, at least some other big “champions of truth” stand exposed. Now I had already written about the others but never suspected Fakhuruddin G. Ibrahim and Abid Hassan Minto to be part of the cabal. So it is pretty safe to say that all the names we know, we know why we know them: they have been hand-picked to easily insert themselves into any ‘threat’ that appears on the horizon and hijack any such movement.

Aitzaz of course is a master of this and the more I find out about him, the uglier the picture gets. Here I would like to point out a couple of things that I have become aware of lately that leave no doubt about him being a “Sayan”:

• Talking to some former school mates of his (Aitchison College, Lahore) I discovered that Aitzaz was ‘recruited’ way back in high school. I am told that back then Aitzaz was invited to every American Consulate function and they thought it was something odd though they could never put their finger on it.
• And do you know that Aitzaz had pulled the “I-was-thrown-out-of-PPP-but-now-I-am-back-with-PPP” trick that he pulled during the lawyers movement to gain their trust once before? Well, he did, and there his victim was none other than Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto himself. It happened during the PNA Movement against ZAB in 1977 (When Bhutto claimed the Americans were behind it, he was 100% correct. Let’s remember here Kissinger’s warning — “We’ll make an example out of you!” — to him and the fact that a lot of foreigners descended on Pakistan under the cover of being “reporters” and dollars flowed freely — so much so in fact that in those days of strict currency restrictions where you could buy dollars only from the State Bank, dollars were available on the street at lower than the currency exchange rate). Using the excuse about some lawyers being shot, he abandoned ZAB at that most crucial of times. He of course falsely claims he was “thrown out” of the party. What exposes that lie is that right after the coup by Zia ul Haq, he managed to rejoin PPP as a central leader (if he was really thrown out by ZAB, why would the party accept him at that trying time?). We see the same script being followed just before the second Long March, where he had managed to loose favor with the lawyers and they were openly accusing him for siding with Zardari against the movement. There he pulled the “thrown out of CEC bit by Zardari” and managed to sabotage the movement by calling off the Long March before it got to Islamabad (remember he was NOT part of the lawyers leadership at the time but it was he who made and announced the decision to stop on their part. The fool who was the leader at the time — Ali Ahmed Kurd — managed to get himself stuck in the middle of nowhere — at the Balochistan/Sindh border — leaving Aitzaz to make the call. It must also not be forgotten how Aitzaz just managed to insert himself into the vehicle of Nawaz Sharif that day and how Kiyani also called him instead of the lawyers’ leadership). Kurd today of course stands in the pocket of Aitzaz.
• The next chapter in this Aitzaz saga that must be remembered is his role in dismembering the Sikh resistance. Remember In July 1989, working as the Interior Minister under the Benazir Bhutto Government, Aitzaz Ahsan personally handed the complete list of Sikh activists who were working in league with Pakistani intelligence (so it couldn’t be with Pakistani intelligence’s ashirwat). Within weeks of his handing over the list the entire top Sikh brass that was working with Pakistan was eliminated, something from which the Sikh Seperatist Movement never recovered. So maybe when he gave that list of sikhs to India, he wasn’t following BB’s orders but those of the (common?) master, the US.

RELATED:
Asma Jahangir and Anti-Iftikhar Chaudhry forces win in SCBA
Reactionary Forces Win SCBA
Other Articles on Aitzaz on this blog

Deny This: 4,500 US Special Forces Soldiers In Pakistan

But you know they will. In the coming days you will be denials/spin from every corner. Zardari will deny it. Gilani will deny it. Qureshi will deny it. Kiyani will deny it. ISPR will deny it. Foreign Office will deny it. American Ambassador will deny it. Maybe even Robert Gates will deny it. But you know they will once again be proving themselves to be lying sacks of horse manure.

The figure comes to us from this story:

Obama secretly deploys US special forces to 75 countries across world

It states:

Of about 13,000 US special forces deployed overseas, about 9,000 are evenly divided between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Their use, and the increase in drone attacks, is a strategy that has been strongly advocated by Joe Biden, the Vice-President, but criticised by the governments of Pakistan and Afghanistan. Hundreds of civilians have died in special operations A report last week revealed that the top US commander in the Middle East had signed an order last September authorising a big expansion of clandestine military missions in the region, and also in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Somalia.

General David Petraeus signed the Joint Unconventional Warfare Task Force Executive Order on September 30. In the three months that followed there was a surge of special operations troops into Yemen, where US operatives are now training local forces.

But don’t say I didn’t tell you about them being over here months ago. This is yet another confirmation from the Devil’s mouth himself.

BTW: Isn’t it the same Joe Biden who was given Hilal-i-Pakistan medal by Zardari? And isn’t it the same General Petreaus in whose lap we find Kiyani almost every week (i.e. when they are not out on secret dates on the high seas)?

RELATED:

• Them Fighting Marines
• How Can You Kill Marines That Don’t Exist?
• Preparing the American Invasion of Pakistan
• And There Goes The “ISI vs U.S. Intelligence” Myth — Updated
• A Quickie: Bayghairat Mercenaries Exposed Again
• A Quickie: Kiyani Says As Whores, We Are Matchless
• Gilani Raises His Stature By Murdering 124 Civilians

SEE ALSO:

• Army: Bending Over In Plain Sight Yet Denying The Obvious
• Did We Conquer Europe Or Something?
• From The ‘Destroying The Village To Save It’ File
• Pakistan Army Creates Killing Fields in Swat Valley

Faisal Shehzad: CONFIRMED Patsy

Pakistani Prime Minister James Jones and Pakistani President Leon Panetta

If you had any doubts about Faisal Shehzad being a patsy, let there be no doubts any more as the patsy had served his purpose: Provide the excuse for launching the North Waziristan Operation.

Remember until now our “sovereign” rulers were stating that there would be no operation in North Waziristan. It was stated in July 2009 and repeated by General Kiyani again in December 2009:

Pakistani Army Rules Out Military Operation in North Waziristan
…Pakistani military went so far as to drop leaflets in border villages promising that the would be no military action launched in the area…

Of course our president echoed it again only a week ago:

North Waziristan Agency operation to be our decision: President Zardari

Of course PM Gilani, Interior Minister Rehman Malik, and Foreign Minister were parroting the same so you know they were lying through their teeth.

Then Faisal Shehzad happened. This was soon followed over the last few days with increased killing of innocents by our armed forces. The number of dead were being reported to be nearing 50 daily:

• 17 th May: 60 militants killed in Pakistan’s NE tribal area
• 18 th May: Forty-seven militants killed in Orakzai clashes

And as I have stated previously:

Note: Whenever you see the figure go above 30, you can be assured some American ‘dignitary’ is on a visit. Whenever you see those killed exceed 50, be assured one of our ‘leaders’ is visiting a Western capital.

So I wondered someone was coming to America or some Americans were coming over. I didn’t have to wait long before it was announced:

WASHINGTON: President Obama’s national security adviser, James L. Jones, and CIA Director Leon Panetta are visiting Pakistan this week for counterterrorism discussions with top Pakistani leadership.

I knew we had at least a  striptease in store as the four top nude dancers of the country were also getting together for preparations  for putting on a show:

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s top political and military leadership met Wednesday to discuss the internal security scenario ahead of crucial talks with visiting US National Security Advisor James Jones and CIA director Leon Panetta.

Jones and Panetta arrived here Tuesday evening on a two-day visit.

Quoting sources in the presidency, Online news agency reported that the meeting discussed the agenda of talks with the US delegation “so that the government and military leadership are on the same level” [OR in same position — bvtt-naked and bent over?]

Detailed discussions were held on the security situation in the country, results of Operation Rah-e-Rast against the Taliban in South Waziristan, the situation in Afghanistan, Pakistan-US relations and the war against terror.

Chaired by President Asif Ali Zardari, the meeting was attended by Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. The sources told Online the meeting of the troika prior to the talks with Jones and Panetta was “unusual and quite significant”.

And it didn’t take long for our “drop-pants-at-one-phone-call-professional-soldier-general” Kiyani and others to assume the position. Jones and Panetta shouted “DO MORE” (“step it up, or face the consequences”) and Kiyani, gilani, Zardari took both their d!cks together up their bvtt-holes in turn.And soon all the previous statements and promises were forgotten and the announcement came:

“Accord for operation in North Waziristan”

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan agreed in principle on Wednesday to launch a full-fledged military operation against the Taliban in North Waziristan, but candidly told the United States that the timing of the offensive would be decided by it.

“Pakistan is sincere and committed in combating terrorism and is ready to expand its anti-militancy operations to North Waziristan.

“However, for that we will require time to do the necessary shaping up. The operation will be started according to our own judgment,” a senior official told Dawn after US National Security Adviser Gen James Jones and CIA chief Leon Panetta held a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi and Chief of the Army Staff Gen Parvez Kayani. …

So the patsy (Faisal Shehzad) had served his purpose.

(Kiyani I am sure put up a colorful PowerPoint presentation displaying the daily body-count   in a pretty 3-D graph and once again earned the admiration of Robert Gates for his loyal service (But poor Kiyani will have to take it up more many more orifices as Gates still rates him a 6-out-of-10))

BUT PRETENSES MUST BE KEPT

Now any fool knows who is calling the shots. But pretenss must be kept and they were going to be as became apparent from the statement “(Pakistan) candidly told the United States that the timing of the offensive would be decided by it”. And they are. Today’s newspapers are full of headlines wanting us to believe the absurdity that it is Pakistan who is calling the shots:

• North Waziristan offensive decision up to Pakistan: NATO
• Pakistan to take sovereign decision on mly offensive: FO

And here are some of the really absurd ones:

• N. Waziristan operation not at US behest: FO
• US not pushing Pakistan
• Pakistan torn over North Waziristan
• No decision to start operation in NWA: FO

But the truth comes to us from foreign press:

• Pakistan under pressure after NY car bomb
• US forces Pak into new anti-Taliban war
• Pak-US security pledge after New York bomb plot

In the meantime, killing of (mostly innocents) continues:

• 53 militants, three soldiers killed in Orakzai clash
• Nineteen militants killed in Orakzai shelling

BUT NOW FOR SOMETHING REALLY INTERESTING

Have a look at this news item from April 03, 2010:

• Operation begins in North Waziristan

Interesting isn’t it? So this is all for show. The operation HAS been ongoing for over a month. Put this and those hundreds of drone strikes ongoing in North Waziristan, you are still expected to believe the “Sovereign” Pakistani Armed Forces are not allowing any operation in North Waziristan, nor are they carrying out one (“But before people find out, let’s find a patsy….QUICK!“)

ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Besides the contract for indiscriminate killing in North Waziristan, another agreement was also signed that is not getting the press it deserves: It was decided to open a full-fledged U.S. Consulate in Quetta with “enhanced presence of C.I.A.” there. That should go over well to stabilize Balochistan — NOT!

Another very important thing I want to point out once again is that you know after North Waziristan, military operation in Southern Punjab is not far behind. All our secular press (including Ayesha Siddiqa) has been pushing for it; Samar Minallah has been busy preparing the next flogging video to be used as needed; and the agencies have been busy creating local patsies…

RELATED:
Gilani Raises His Stature By Murdering 124 Civilians
‘Operation Just Cause’ Or ‘The Panama Deception’
A Quickie: Bayghairat Mercenaries Exposed Again
Army: Bending Over In Plain Sight Yet Denying The Obvious

Past Heros, Now Zeros – II

(Just wanted to get this out. If time allows, will make changes/additions)

Past Heros, Now Zeros are busy exposing themselves further. That they have been bought is clear hearing their utterances against the Supreme Court and the Justices. They are busy appearing on every talk show speaking against the very same judges that they helped restore.

Ahmed Noorani did a followup story in the News:
Four lawyers support govt, without arguments

Kurd said that he believes in the apex court’s power of judicial review but, at the same time, he believes that the present judiciary could not review this 18th Amendment in the present circumstances.

Asked to elaborate the word ‘circumstances’, Kurd replied that he was a great supporter of the 18th Amendment and thus Supreme Court should not review this amendment. He said that at the time of the lawyers’ movement, top legal and constitutional minds were giving suggestions to Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry but now people around the Supreme Court were not ‘good’.

Views of Athar Minallah were harder. While talking to this correspondent, Athar said that he believes in the Constitution and according to Article 239 no amendment could be called into question before any court.

He said that only those people were supporting the judicial review and striking down of some clauses of the 18th Amendment who had been appearing before the court of Abdul Hameed Dogar.

Is Kurd calling himself “a great legal mind”? That is laughable! Is Minallah calling Ch Iftikhar “Dogar”? Amazing isn’t it? Not only do they have no argument, they have resorted to threatening the judges and on more than one occassion: See Aitzaz Threatens Supreme Court and watch April 21, 2010’s Capital Talk (the threat made to Akram Sheikh) and Apr 18’s Meray Mutabiq (the threat he made to Hafiz Pirzada. Some of it was reported in The News here). Of course Kurd is also now using the “damadum mast kalandar” threat against the judges and like Aitzaz, saying that if the court rules against the bastardized clauses of the 18th amendment that destroy the basic structure of the constitution and make the party heads above the constitution and all politicians above the law, they will have the judgment overturned and the judges can “imagine” what will happen to them..

That they have no arguments was further brought forward by what Justice Tariq Mehmood had to say in last night’s Capital Talk. Watch it and observe his behavior as well. He is all jumpy, and even goes on to blame the media that this is a non issue and offers this “advise”:

People are not interested in it. You guys are destroying your ratings by talking about it. As soon as people hear 18th Amendment on a show, they flip the channel. If you want to be watched, don’t talk about the 18th amendment.

Now that sure is rich. The legal expert has now become media marketing consultant. You can — and must — see more of him on last night’s Late Edition with Akram Sheikh.

Notes:
Why have these lawyers sold out? Well Aitzaz was always a sellout and having the BoP fraud and the LPG scam — he is a big beneficiary of both — being in front of the SC certainly has added to his displeasure. Having his dictates to the CJ fail certainly added to his change of heart (Note: the people he is standing with today — Awan, Khosa, etc. were all his partners in the BoP scam)

Similarly Kurd was expecting his ‘recommendations’ of people to be appointed judges to be dictates and when that didn’t happen, he cried foul (proof that he was sold long ago can be seen from his protestations against the court’s ruling against the NRO). Having failed to gain financially that way, he has chosen to sell himself like a kanjri from Heera Mandi and do mujras for Zardari, Babar Awan, Farooq Naek, and Latif Khosa (Note: BTW, has anyone else noticed the new wardrobe of Kurd? Suddenly he is all dressed up in new fine threads).

Exactly what was it that Athar Minallah and Tariq Mehmood were demanding is still not clear but I will assume something similar or maybe they just plain sold out for a quota or too. But let thee be no doubt that they have been sold.

RELATED:
Aitzaz, Akram spar over parliament
Petitions filed against 18th Amendment
SCBA also challenges 18th amendment
Haq’s appointment as Attorney General challenged

P.S. Should one laugh or cry:
Insiders reveal a resident Pir at the Presidency

Of ‘Supreme’ Pigelitarians And More On April Fools Day

Apologies in advance for being haphazard. Want to write about all these but don’t have the time — or electricity. So here are some links to things that passed before me and caught my interest. Here it goes in no particular order:

Journalist Amar Jaleel revisits BB’s murder in ‘From Nowhere to Everywhere‘ and talks mostly about Zardari and his ‘rise’. He does seem to suggest it was AZ behind the murder and what he has managed to do since then:
“He has literally purchased the opposition in Pakistan.”
Indeed! So Nawaz fans, what do you say?

Speaking of the BB murder, Zardari has blocked the release of UN report for now so in the meantime you can read the new book out by Shakeel Anjum titled “Who Assassinated Benazir Bhutto”

In “The story of the pet goat”, Taj Khattak talks about the army’s rise and attributes it to the failings of the politicians.

Ameer Bhutto disappoints with his “The sky is not falling, it’s just democracy” as he turns it into…well read the last bit yourself:

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto spoilt the nation by getting the 1973 Constitution passed through parliament unanimously. Maybe that is why we now expect everything to be done by consensus. But that was the outcome of the genius as well as strong and sincere leadership of a giant among men. Expecting the insignificant self-styled politicians who now happen to occupy his seat because of a tragic kink of history, and who have their own personal agendas, to perform the same miracles is a joke.

Well, Ameer, they appear to have done it. So should we now equate the two? (Take your pick: “geniuses” or “insignificant self-styled politicians” both?)

On the US/Pakistan talks, Asif Ezdi’s title says it all: “Strategic dialogue or strategic farce?”

You might also like GHQ winning like never before from a few days ago…

Proving they don’t believe it themselves, 20 MPs send bill to NA speaker to ensure parliament’s supremacy. The group is led by — now don’t laugh — Marvi Memon. Rest are bozos I have never heard of.

Of course army cannot survive without lies so we have Gen Masood telling us “Swat operation saved country from terrorism“. Well, you know which dick he is smoking…

Speaking of liars and cheats, here are a few stories from today’s paper:
Zardari stunned, sends four aides to support a jailed crook (whose son he is hiding in the presidency and paying him a salary of more than Rs 4 lacs)

“He will certainly be accommodated but his title will be decided after he walks out of the prison,” one of them said. “The government has many ways to install its pets at lucrative berths like Dr Qayyum Soomro has no official title, yet the clout and power he carries is known to all and sundry simply because of his closeness to the president.” Beneficiaries of the sprawling wealth of Sheikh allegedly abound in different segments of the society.

Sheikh’s replacement of course is Sheikh’s replacement: Another FIA eagle has a rude crash landing
ISLAMABAD: Sajjad Haider, the blue eyed staff officer of the interior minister, was unceremoniously dismissed from service, within a day of another dubious high flying FIA eagle (Riaz Sheikh) getting its wings clipped and falling straight inside Adiala Jail.

Sajjad Haider is also the co-accused with Interior Minister Rehman Malik in a corruption case alleging misappropriation of funds in unauthorised release of imported yellow cab cars. As The News broke the story Wednesday about how an accused had not only been kept in service notwithstanding the court verdict on NRO, the secretary interior took action and sent Sajjad packing by reverting his status to that of October 5, 2007, when he stood a dismissed assistant director of the FIA.

Which brings us of course to Rehman Malik. Appears NAB is set to challenge withdrawal of cases against Malik.

Oh, and here’s another piece on him from a couple of days ago:
Reference filed against Rehman Malik in Senate

The Federal Interior Minister Senator A Rehman Malik, already loaded with litigation, gets another one to field as a Pakistani citizen residing in the United Kingdom has challenged his eligibility before the chairman Senate arguing that Malik stood dismissed from service at the time of filing his nomination papers as senator from Sindh

Ansar Abbasi rightly asks:
If accused advocates and govt join hands, what can courts do? I must say Mr Abbasi is being a bit optimistic when he states:

This is going to cause hue and cry. However, all were mum at that time; the NAB was mum; and criminals were being acquitted. This class of people wants the return of Dogar era when all the big guns, capitalists, bureaucrats, ministers, and rulers were safe, all their crimes notwithstanding. The courts even paid them respect. But now a change has come to Pakistan and we must learn to live in a changed country.

Read the stories linked above and you will see how the full of shit out upper houses are…

But before going I must give you at least one story that made me laugh:
Nawaz wants several new Dubais in Balochistan
Nawaz does crack me up. Does he not know how trouble Dubai is in? I think Balochistan ought to take a pass on this one! 😛

A Quickie: Swiss Return Serve Back To CJ’s Court

“Immunity is the key question,” Zappelli said. “We can’t prosecute Mr Zardari while he has immunity unless Pakistan lifts that immunity. And if he doesn’t have immunity, why don’t they try him in Pakistan?”

So, CJ, what say you? “Interpret” the damn 248-B without any ambiguity, for crying out loud! AND PROSECUTE THE BASTARD YOURSELF!!! Don’t ask others to do your job. Remember it was the Supreme Court that got us in this mess in the first place:

Zappelli also noted that Zardari and Bhutto had been sentenced by the High Court in Lahore in 1999, but in 2001 Pakistan’s Supreme Court had cancelled this verdict and sent it back to Lahore for a new decision. However, there had not been a new trial in the nine years since then.

A Quickie: Zardari Tries To Hide Behind The Dead Body Of Benazir

From Fresh move to stop reopening of Swiss cases:

The federal government submitted in the Supreme Court on Monday that reopening Swiss cases would be like putting the late Benazir Bhutto on trial and it was against all norms of justice, decency, morality and law…

One thing I don’t understand: Why is SC allowing them to continue with this absurdity? They know these are only attempts to delay and not implement their verdict.

Also — and more importantly — WHY is SC ignoring the fact that the Swiss courts already convicted both Zardari and Benazir Bhutto???

Eric Margolis — hardly a part of the ‘establishment’ had an interesting piece a little while back:
Mr. 10%: Our Man in Islamabad

In it, Eric sets the record straight about that Swiss case that the SC too seems to be ignoring:

“Skeletons are dancing out of Zardari’s closets: $63 million in illegal kickbacks and commissions allegedly hidden in Swiss bank accounts; accusation of laundering $13.7 million in Switzerland. Charges of kickbacks on helicopter and warplane deals. In 2003, Swiss magistrates found Zardari and Bhutto guilty of money laundering, sentencing them to a six month suspended jail term, a fine of $50,000, and ordering them to repay $11 million to Pakistan’s government.”

Let me repeat:

“In 2003, Swiss magistrates found Zardari and Bhutto guilty of money laundering, sentencing them to a six month suspended jail term, a fine of $50,000, and ordering them to repay $11 million to Pakistan’s government.”

And exactly why is this fact not mentioned by our press??? Why is the SC ignoring it??? Why is the impression given as if the case was still ongoing and stopped in the middle??? I am even surprised SC talked of “reopening the Swiss case” when no reopening is needed. They should just be asking for implementing the Swiss verdict.

BTW: Here’s another interesting piece from the article:

Washington is almost back to square one in turbulent Pakistan. When Zardari goes or is kicked upstairs as an impotent figurehead, attention will turn to Pakistan’s 617,000-man military and its commander, Gen – or should we say “president-elect” Ashfaq Kiyani? He is already in almost constant contact with the Pentagon.

And of course we know where he is right now….

Them Fighting Marines

USAID Worker

Remember when they said — in fact they are still saying — there are no drone bases here? Well Google Earth and US senators (Feinstein and Levin) exposed that lie.

Remember when they said — in fact they are still saying — there was no Blackwater/Xe here? Well Gates exposed that lie!

Remember when they said — in fact they are still saying — there was no US soldiers here? Well their dead bodies exposed that lie.

Of course they tried to spin it saying they were USAID workers but Americans themselves exposed their lie. But the Americans lied to saying they were soldiers  but here only as trainers.

Well that lie has now been exposed and truth sort of slipped out:

In response to Joe Biden’s statement in Israel Occupied Palestine:

“This is starting to get dangerous for us,” Biden castigated his interlocutors. “What you’re doing here undermines the security of our troops who are fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. That endangers us, and it endangers regional peace.”

But don’t worry — no one noticed  😉

Related:
How Can You Kill Marines That Don’t Exist?
If Senator Carl Levin is right–then Zardari, Gilani & Kiyani should be tried for treason

Another Mush Bitch Selected By ‘Democracy’

Amazing! The guy who helped rape the country as privatization minister under Musharraf has been selected to be new Finance Advisor (to replace Shaukat Tareen). I am sure IMF/WB are delighted!

Wah Ray Democracy!

But no surprise, really. Remember the four governors of all four provinces are still those installed by Musharraf, the policies being followed are all those of Musharraf, the COAS is the one selected by Musharraf. So who needs Musharraf. It does remind me of the old Eric Margolis article ‘Zardari is the New Musharraf’

UPDATE:

Just financial wizardry that we will see in the days to come can well be gauged by today’s article by Mohammad Malick.

The ‘Zardari was Elected’ Myth

All PPP representatives, the opposition, the lawyers and judges, media and alternate medai  seem not to tire of repeating this myth that “Zardari is the constitutionally elected President of Pakistan”. That cannot be further from the truth. It is but a complete fabrication. A blatant lie put forth to give legitimacy to this so called democracy. To see it, one must look at how he got to where he is:

Facing Islamist chaos and America’s Rambo, Pakistan is turning to No 10

…In a notoriously difficult foreign policy arena, injected with precious few new ideas, there are signs that Brown is ready to take Zardari seriously. The Foreign Office has already played a vigorous and little known role in getting Zardari elected president: Sir Mark Lyall Grant, the FCO political director, used his offices to elegantly strong-arm Pakistani political factions exiled to the UK into voting for the PPP’s presidential candidate. In a daring move, the MQM party, which has offices in north London – and was set against the PPP – was talked into becoming temporary champion of a PPP machine it had previously only bombed and shot at….

Zardari is the New Musharraf

…Financial and political support from Washington helped engineer Zardari into power. He has been put in charge of the millions a month in overt and secret cash flow from Washington — $11.2 billion officially since 2001 — that Musharraf used to buy influence. Contrary to Washington’s claims it was neutral in the race between Zardari and his rival, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, Washington spent a great deal of money and energy trying to sideline Nawaz, who has long been unpopular in Washington as insufficiently responsive to US interests….

Here’s James Petras in ‘Masters of Defeat: Retreating Empire and Bellicose Bluster‘

…The ‘election’ of the US client and convicted warlord and thug, Asif Ali Zadari, as President of Pakistan, will not in anyway contribute to the recovery of US influence outside of very limited elite political and military circles…

I know, I know. He is the “elected” representative of the people — people from the UK Foreign Office and US State Department 😛

A Quickie: Morons!

War on Terror cost us $35 Billion: Zardari
War on Terror cost us $10 Billion: Gilani

Aitzaz Suckers CJ (and Media) Again

This has Aitzaz’s fingerprints all over it:
PM makes surprise visit to CJ hosted reception

All smiles

And see how Aitzaz managed to get a seat right next to CJ (Shouldn’t Justice Ramday have been there??). He also managed to hold a press conference afterwards calling Gilani’s visit ‘khush-aain” and how it “reduces the tention” and how “tasadum” has been avoided (all of which the media is lapping up and repeating without end). Aitzaz also informs us there will be “good news” at 3:00 pm tomorrow. Of course he won’t tell us but we already know and how Aitzaz-guided spin will go. I predict withdrawl of the presidential notification with both sides claiming victory and BOTH sides claiming constitution has been protected while in actuality one will be covering up their unconstitutional act that deserved application of Article 6, while the other will be abetting the same.

Yes CJ & Co, J’accuse!

Past Heroes, Now Zeroes

From The News

…“However, now when the Zardari-led government has violated the constitution, the lawyers leader who were made heroes by the people of the Pakistan sided with the presidency of Asif Ali Zardari and did not participate in Monday’s historic boycott by the lawyers,” a senior lawyer said.

He added: “These former leaders did not know that they became heroes because of their stance in support of the independent judiciary and because of the people. If they continue to oppose the lawyers’ struggle, not only the public but the new generation of lawyers will not forgive them”.

He said in the garb of saving the democracy, the former lawyers’ leaders are siding with worst ever dictatorship in civil dress. On the other hand four top leaders – Aitzaz Ahsan, Athar Minallah, Justice (R) Tariq Mehmood and Ali Ahmad Kurd – have their own views on the issues.

Despite absence of these leaders, Hamid Khan, Rasheed A Rizvi, Latif Afridi, Mehmoodul Hassan and present president of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) Qazi Anwar, who are also the leaders of the historic lawyers’ movement in last three years, actively participated in Monday’s lawyers strike by keeping all the interests aside.

Justice (R) Tariq Mehmood was of the view that if the lawyers would have announced staging of protest in front of the Prime Minister House or the Presidency he would have been part of this protest but he is against boycott of the courts. “Now, there is an independent judiciary, so why we are boycotting the courts?”

Justice Tariq gave his reason for not participating in Monday’s lawyers’ protest. When asked that why he did not give this suggestion to the present leadership of the lawyers’ movement, he said whenever he expressed his views to this new leadership they simply listen to it and ignore it.

Ali Ahmad Kurd, when approached by this correspondent was of the view that he will not disclose the reasons for not participating in lawyers’ protest right now and will make his disclosures after three days.

Athar Minallah also said he would record his reasons later, while Aitzaz Ahsan did not respond to many calls and messages sent to him. Aitzaz was also specifically sent some questions, which also remained unanswered….”

Oh How Convenient, Frenchie!

Just when French President Sarkozy’s crooked deal with Zardari (bribe for buying French submarines, non payment of part of which led to the killing of 11 French engineers in a bomb blast — blamed on ‘terrorists’, of course — outside Sheraton Hotel, Karachi) is being investigated once again, Sarkozy is trying to hide behind the burqa, hoping this diversion will make the issue fade away.

Sarkozy is trying to ban the burka describing it as a ‘security risk’, saying they provide the perfect cover for criminals and terrorists. Isn’t it curious then that just as this debate is raging in France, we have, for the first time in France, a robbery by burqa-clad armed robbers! Hmmmmm!!!

(If true, shouldn’t Sarkozy be blamed for giving the robbers the very idea? And I want to ask that since ALL robberies are done by people wearing clothes, how come no one has demanded that clothes be made illegal???)

Aitzaz: Forgetting Hazrat Umar for Hazmat Zardari

Aitzaz 2007: If Hazrat Umar can be questioned, Why Not The President?

Aitzaz 2010: President can’t be questioned for he enjoys immunity!

Our Tampon Dons

The other day I was watching the interview of former President Farooq Leghari. His answer to the question about the Mehran Bank scandal really made me laugh out loud and I went “We got another one!”

What he claimed was that the most of land involved in the deal was not his but his wife’s and his mother’s. That alone proves he is lying because both his wife and his mother are from NWFP and though his mother might have inherited some farmland from his father, his wife certainly had none in the area — remember we are talking Southern Punjab —  and if she did, it was put in her name by no one but Farooq Leghari himself for purposes other than giving her ownership of it.

I went “We got another one!” because hiding behind there wives to try and coverup ones own corruption seems to be the order of the day. Let’s see, recently we had Aitzaz (“LPG quota is not mine but my wife’s”), PM Gilani (“I have no money, no house, and the $550 Million loan was taken out by my wife”), both Shahbaz and Nawaz also appear to be penniless living off of loans from their wives and kids. Zardari of course need not be mentioned….

Zardari The Hawk

Translation: “With my hawkish eyes I am able spot all thieves”

Yeah, we know! We know you won’t let any thief get away without collecting your 10%…. 😉

Related:
Same story from The News

PML-N: Full of Sound and Fury, Signifying Total Moral Bankruptcy

Remember the headlines from yesterday? Remember the fiery spppech by Ch. Nisar on “Vote of Confidence” for Zardari:

ISLAMABAD: Opposition leader in the National Assembly Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has made it clear to the government that his party will not take part in any vote of confidence for an individual.

“It is a cruel joke with the nation to seek a vote of confidence at a time when Balochistan is burning, Karachi is up in flames and Fata is in a state of war. For God’s sake, don’t render the assemblies irrelevant with this kind of act. The people have sent us to the assemblies to solve their problems,” he said in his speech on a point of order in the National Assembly on Monday.

Remember Shahbaz Sharif and his hours long interview with Hamid Mir:

I trust Gilani but distrust Zardari — how can you trust someone who breaks promises sworn to over the Quran?

Well, just a day has passed and what do we have? Read it and weep:

LAHORE, Jan 12: On the ‘insistence’ of the Pakistan Muslim League-N, the Pakistan People’s Party has finally agreed to pay tribute to Mian Nawaz Sharif for his ‘services for democracy’ in order to get a resolution passed in favour of President Asif Ali Zardari in the Punjab Assembly.

“Yes we have agreed to draft a joint resolution that will recommend unconditional support for President Zardari and a tribute to Nawaz Sharif for his services for democracy,” Senior Minister Raja Riaz told Dawn on Tuesday.

Nothing more needs to be said.Saying anything more means we have forgotten it the same bastard Nisar who has stated again and again (like his master nawaz that “PML-N not to destabilise govt” and appreciated the work of one of the most corrupt individuals in the current administration, Salman Farooqi and was involved in handing over Aimal Kansi to the US. And it means it is the same Shahbaz who is a money launderer, extrajudicial killer, election-manipulator, etc., etc., etc.

(Let’s not forget the “I trust [corrupt-to-the-core] Gilani” statement itself speaks volumes)

P.S. And don’t forget the other brother stroking the other side of the butt-cheek:

Nawaz: “I am Stick With Zardari Even If PPP Dumps Him”

Nawaz: “I’ll Stick With Zardari Even If PPP Dumps Him”

Bayghairat, Bayhaya — Asfandyar Wali and ANP

As the Lakki Marwat blast toll reached 105, NWFP lawmakers werenowhere to be found and couldn’t even be bothered to offer fateha for the victims.

But that is no surprise as most belong to ANP and PPP and were busy pulling their long-in-hiding skunk ‘leader’ Asfandyar Wali out of his bunker for a much holier purpose — offer support to another skunk Zardari. Of course they could not manage to get that brave pathan out of his hole but they did manage to get him in front of a camera.

Oh, and a very interesting thing: ANP now claims — after all this time — that the “accord with militants was signed under duress” and Asfand puts up this wild claim:  “One militant wearing a suicide vest placed himself behind Afrasiab Khattak and one behind Mian Iftikhar (the party’s senior leaders) during the signing ceremony.”

Ayaz bayzAmir — Jiyala Par Excellence Hits A New Low

In this latest piece, Ayaz Amir, the mouthpiece of PML-N, takes the gloves off and takes a swing at everyone. But to what end?

To defend Zardari! Yes, really!!!

What is interesting is he borrows the Jiyala tactic of not offering any redeeming qualities of the fella — since there are none — but instead points a finger at everyone from the past claiming each did worst. Well, Ayaz: has our country under Zardari turned to heaven? And don’t forget Zardari is not done yet!

Don’t know what you have been smoking Ayaz, but there is no doubt you have encased yourself in some rabbit hole — your head is certainly stuck up to it’s neck in Zardari’s behind overcoming your ability to smell the manure you spew.

Now I agree with Nawaz stating his is not a ‘friendly opposition’.  The fact is there is no opposition.

Desperate Zardari Buries Benazir Bhutto

Zardari seems to be reaching new levels of desperation. Yesterday, he tried to ban Dr Shahid Masood’s program “Meray Mutabiq” by stopping it’s transmission from Dubai (though it still made the airwaves).

Another sign of his desperation is that he seems to have dug out the old picture of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and buried the picture of Benazir Bhutto — do excuse the pun.

Here are a few pictures from earlier:

And here is one from their meeting yesterday:

Additional Reading:
Rule by Thieves
PPP covering up Musharraf crimes
Government stops NAB from presenting annual report
NAB says lists are ok, as per files
If NRO ministers go, the president has to follow
Bhagwandas declines FPSC job
(If I recall, Justice Bhagwandas was looking into the oil companies scam and gave his report against which no action has yet been taken)
Poor getting poorer
Missing persons still untraced, AG informs Supreme Court

How Low Can Ayaz Amir Go – Well…

"I have no shame"

You cover my @ss...

Some time ago I had written “Ayaz Amir Zardari certainly seems to be smearing himself with more manure each day and proclaiming it to be ‘perfume’” (see here).  Sp it was a pleasant surprise to see his piece that reminded me of the Ayaz of old: What further trials for a sorely-tried nation? in which he took on Zardari:

Our Don Corleone and His Consigliere

Our Don Corleone and His Consigliere

Remember back in 2002, an attack outside Sheraton Hotel on French Engineers’ bus (killing 11)? Of course it was blamed  on the big bad wolf  (Al Qaida).  Of course that practice continues to this day.

Well,  the truth finally came out earlier this year that that story was anything but true. No it was NOT Al Qaida but some officials pissed because they did not get the full payment of the bribe money they expected, so they decided to teach the French a lesson:

‘French nationals killed in Karachi over kickback’

That’s right: the attack was orchestrated by unnamed Pakistani officials angry with France over non-payment of bribes tied to a defence deal.

Aitzaz Bought and Delivered

Well the secret of the meeting between Zardari and Aitzaz is out. Aitzaz has been offered post of governor or AG and in return he has agreed to kiss Zardari’s feet and has assured the Presidency he will assist Zardari on NRO (Will his defense be based on asking CJ Iftikhar Chaudhry to step aside “because I am Zardari’s lawyer now” — a lame trick he tried before in the Bank of Punjab scam, just like the Former AG Latif Khosa is trying now against CJs Iftikhar and Ramday?)

Rise and Fall (of Zardari)

(This piece appeared in The News the day of the NRO debacle by Zardari)
Monday, November 02, 2009
Nawab Mumtaz Ali Bhutto

Mumtaz Bhutto

Readers will recall my repeated warnings that a man with Zardari’s reputation, who has no educational or political background and lacks all the other prerequisites of leadership, will be an absolute disaster in a minor office, let alone the top position in the country. This has proved to be true in a short period leading to a nationwide upheaval. His claim to fame rests entirely on being the husband of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto and spending eight years in jail. Let us look at these laurels a bit closely.

A Year Of Zardari

Saturday, September 12, 2009
Sardar Mumtaz Ali Bhutto

Mumtaz Bhutto

The present dispensation is the direct result of Shaheed Benazir Bhutto’s murder. It is believed that the deal sponsored by the Americans between Musharraf and her, was “Plan A.” She deviated from this on her return to Pakistan and had to be eliminated. This is a view recently supported by Gen (Retd.) Aslam Baig, former chief of army staff. Thus, the standby “Plan B” came into operation and her long-estranged husband came on the scene. A controversial and often-questioned will emerged, according to which Asif Ali Zardari was made co-chairman of the Pakistan Peoples Party.

ZarKhuari

It is not astonishing or surprising that Plan B has worked. The rot that set in with Zia’s success in corrupting not just politics but the very mindset of people, and is a practice advanced by all his successors to facilitate a shortcut to power. Thus even the most sceptical elements in the PPP found it expedient to climb onto the Zardari bandwagon. High offices, membership of assemblies, advisory positions and access to the corridors of power was just around the corner, and it became imperative to pretend that the emperor was fully clothed. “Democracy is the best revenge” was the absurd slogan coined to bury the murder of Benazir, while referring the matter to a UN tribunal was done to seek a permanent closure of this sordid chapter.

KESC Swindles: Past, Present, and Future

The Ugliest Logo On Earth

Putting aside the Rental Power Plant scam that is being exposed these days, I want to go back to the KESC scam as it is ongoing and the worst of it is yet to come and it is being called “de-privatisation”.

This is how I see it and see if you agree:

.

SCAMS OF THE PAST:
It is decided to privatize KESC and instead of trying to pump up the stocks, the exact opposite is done and the stocks are manipulated downwards. Even then they manage to get it down only between Rs 7-8 per share (Remember it hovered around Rs 15 when it was first decided to privatize it). Despite the fact that the stock price in the market is between Rs 7 and 8, the company is sold at Rs 1.65 per share, a “discount” of 75-80% and that too after government takes over Rs 90 billion of KESCs debt to a shadow group marketed as “Middle East consortium” which it is not. (Of course I contend that even that Rs. 15.85 billion was never paid) (Note: ADB is part of this consortium and an equal partner in this crime)

This company of course does not invest a dime in KESC. Not only that, it also never pays it’s bills. Instead it just collects the money that people pay as their electricity bills and syphons it out of the country. Of course sometimes when the companies providing it electricity (PEPCO, other IPPs) demand their bills be cleared, either the government comes to its rescue and pays KESCs bills OR KESC mortgages some of it’s assets with the banks or simply takes loans from the banks with the Government of Pakistan (GoP) as the guarantor. Please also remember that not only do they mortgage their physical assets but they even mortgage their future revenue stream i.e. the bills of their big industrial clients. They continue like this until ALL their assets are mortgaged with the banks and when nothing is left, and against the original deal, they “sell” their stake before the three years have passed.