Long
March Hijacked
Columnist
Col RIAZ JAFRI (Retd) takes a look at
the games being played
by politicians in Pakistan.
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Big fish eat the small
fish and it looks as if the PML (N) is
all set to swallow the tasty and ripe
Black Coats. PML (N) couldn’t find
a better opportunity than the ensuing
Long March to strike with full might.
Ever since the return of the exiles from
Jeddah, the brothers have been playing
their cards astutely. They have kept their
eyes fixed and focused on the topmost
leadership of the country, come what may.
Had BB been not martyred, they would have
played the NRO and the Deals cards abundantly
and could have possibly carried the day.
However, with the sudden demise of the
lady the emotionally charged masses favoured
the PPPP who even then could only manage
a marginal lead over PML(N) but not enough
to form an independent government of their
own. Hence the coalition was needed, but
a coalition with whom?.......more
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What have missile
bombings achieved?
Contributing
Editor Air Marshal (Retd) AYAZ AHMED KHAN
cautions that US missile attacks in Pakistan
will only aggravate the situation and
urges the US to halt the bloodshed.
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Lame duck President George W. Bush, US officials,
Senators, Congressmen and American newspapers
have advocated air and land attacks on
insurgents hiding in FATA villages. Drones
firing Hellfire missiles have wiped out
dozens of villages and scores of terrorist
hideouts in Pakistan’s tribal areas
since October 2005 with zero success in
ending terrorist attacks, especially suicide
bombings. In fact the most disastrous
suicide bombings, including assassination
of Benazir Bhutto on December 27, 2007
and the deadly Marriot Hotel bombing on
September 20, 2008 took place when Raptor
and Rapaer missile bombings were at their
height..........more
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Israel-Hamas
Conflict
Socio-Economic,
Geo-Political and
Geo-Strategic Implications
Columnist
MEHMOOD-UL-HASSAN KHAN looks at the implications
of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.
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The region
of Middle East is full of ancient prophecies,
civilizations, cultures, conflicts and
never ending human struggles. The recent
Israel-Hamas conflict ended at last
and both parties claimed victory. The
much “Too Promised Land”
remained under siege of Israel’s
“Operation Cast Lead” for
more than 22 days. But it is reality
that in war there are no winners, only
losers. The massive level of destruction,
bloodshed and widespread massacre in
and around the Gaza city reminded us
that in the old doctrine of Greek or
Roman power politics there is no scope
for mercy, decency, human values and
respect for other’s rights. More
than 25,000 displaced Palestinians are
currently taking shelter in U.N. facilities
across the Gaza Strip...............more
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