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Pakistan Quick Bits
October 1, 2008 | Posted by Troy - 10:40pm | 21 Comments
Troy is traveling this week, but he just wanted to quickly point out a couple of developments in Pakistan that are of interest to the AM community
Pakistan Army chief, Gen. Kayani, has appointed Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha as director general of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Prior to his appointment, Pasha was Director-General of Military Operations, overseeing the Army’s operations in the NWFP and FATA. Pasha is succeeding Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj, a relative of Musharraf’s, who was viewed by many to be a key figure in the “double game” Pakistan has been playing with the U.S. on the one hand and the militants in Tribal areas on the other. So, what does this change mean for the U.S. and operations in Afghanistan? Reports indicate that the U.S. has been pushing for Taj’s replacement—believing that intelligence shared with the ISI by Americans was passed to the Taliban. What will Pasha’s appointment mean for the Pakistan Army’s approach to militancy and terrorism? What will it mean for US-Pakistani relations? After a week-long hiatus, the U.S. attacked another target in Pakistan's tribal areas, while Pakistani security forces are still under orders to open fire if American forces attempt to cross the Pakistan/Afghan border. Finally, it is worth noting that in making this appointment, along with that of the new corps commanders in Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur and Karachi, General Kayani (who led the ISI from 2004-2007) now has a number of individuals in key offices who owe their position to him and not to Musharraf.
In crazy Islamicist news, President Zardari has been the target of a fatwa issued by Maulana Abdul Ghafar of Islamabad's Lal Masjid. What was it that provoked Ghafar’s ire? Was it Zardari’s shady business practices, allegations of corruption or money laundering? No…it was Sarah Palin. Troy could not make this stuff up. Apparently Zardari's indecent gestures (shaking hands), filthy remarks (saying he’d like to hug her) and repeated praise of a non-Muslim lady wearing a short skirt is not only “un-Islamic but also unbecoming of a head of state of a Muslim country.” After getting that off his chest, Ghafar added a demand that the military operations in the tribal areas be ceased since they are “creating hatred amongst the general public against the Pakistan army.” Unsurprisingly, Ghafar is a close relative of the fanatic Red Mosque cleric Maujlana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who was killed by security forces during Operation Silence in July 2007.
Finally, it appears that reports filed yesterday suggesting that Baitullah Mehsud, the head of the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan had died were premature. The eventual death of Mehsud, who suffers from diabetes, could open fissures in the TeT as rival Taliban commanders vie to succeed him.
Pakistan Army chief, Gen. Kayani, has appointed Lt. Gen. Ahmed Shuja Pasha as director general of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Prior to his appointment, Pasha was Director-General of Military Operations, overseeing the Army’s operations in the NWFP and FATA. Pasha is succeeding Lt. Gen. Nadeem Taj, a relative of Musharraf’s, who was viewed by many to be a key figure in the “double game” Pakistan has been playing with the U.S. on the one hand and the militants in Tribal areas on the other. So, what does this change mean for the U.S. and operations in Afghanistan? Reports indicate that the U.S. has been pushing for Taj’s replacement—believing that intelligence shared with the ISI by Americans was passed to the Taliban. What will Pasha’s appointment mean for the Pakistan Army’s approach to militancy and terrorism? What will it mean for US-Pakistani relations? After a week-long hiatus, the U.S. attacked another target in Pakistan's tribal areas, while Pakistani security forces are still under orders to open fire if American forces attempt to cross the Pakistan/Afghan border. Finally, it is worth noting that in making this appointment, along with that of the new corps commanders in Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur and Karachi, General Kayani (who led the ISI from 2004-2007) now has a number of individuals in key offices who owe their position to him and not to Musharraf.
In crazy Islamicist news, President Zardari has been the target of a fatwa issued by Maulana Abdul Ghafar of Islamabad's Lal Masjid. What was it that provoked Ghafar’s ire? Was it Zardari’s shady business practices, allegations of corruption or money laundering? No…it was Sarah Palin. Troy could not make this stuff up. Apparently Zardari's indecent gestures (shaking hands), filthy remarks (saying he’d like to hug her) and repeated praise of a non-Muslim lady wearing a short skirt is not only “un-Islamic but also unbecoming of a head of state of a Muslim country.” After getting that off his chest, Ghafar added a demand that the military operations in the tribal areas be ceased since they are “creating hatred amongst the general public against the Pakistan army.” Unsurprisingly, Ghafar is a close relative of the fanatic Red Mosque cleric Maujlana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who was killed by security forces during Operation Silence in July 2007.
Finally, it appears that reports filed yesterday suggesting that Baitullah Mehsud, the head of the Tehreek-e Taliban Pakistan had died were premature. The eventual death of Mehsud, who suffers from diabetes, could open fissures in the TeT as rival Taliban commanders vie to succeed him.
Pakistan quick bits.. OMG! :)
Pakistan quick bits.. OMG! :)
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