Pakistan's army chief supportspeaceful power transfer, poll results

General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani, chief of Pakistan'spowerful army, has announced that the army categorically supports a peaceful transferof power in Pakistan and would accept the result of the upcoming parliamentary elections.Kayani's assurance during a five-hour interaction with a group of senior journalists andcolumnists here has put to rest rumors about the postponement of the elections, whichhad recently gripped the local media.

The ruling coalition led by President Asif Zardari's Pakistan People Party (PPP) willcomplete its five-year constitutional term on March 17 and new elections are scheduledto be held in two months after the dissolution of the assemblies.

As the elections are fast approaching, some political leaders including of the PPP, hadexpressed concerns at 'efforts' to postpone elections and to prolong the period of thecaretaker set- up, that is installed for three months to supervise elections.The Pakistan army chief's declaration of support to the holding of the elections asmandated by the Constitution and the peaceful transition of power has now allayedfears about any possibility of a derailment in the election process.

"The armed forces support transparent elections and peaceful transfer of power,"General Kayani was quoted as telling the journalists, a senior columnist, Irfan Siddiqui,who writes for the largely-circulated Urdu-language daily Jang (war), wrote on Tuesday.

"We will accept election results wholeheartedly. If the people elect good or bad people,it is not our responsibility. It is our constitutional responsibility to support whoever formsa government,"General Kayani said.Kayani said that the army has not intervened in Pakistan's political affairs over the pastfive years and will pursue the same policy in line with the provision of the Constitution.

The army chief's assurance was obviously made to dispel the impression created onTV debates and the local media that there are certain government and oppositionleaders who have reportedly hatched some plans to "hijack the elections process."

Analysts are saying that it is now time for the government to begin talks with the mainopposition Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) headed by former Prime Minister NawazSharif to choose a caretaker Prime minister to remove apprehensions about theelections.

The government is bound under the Constitution to agree with the main oppositionparty in the parliament to select a caretaker leader that would run the country whileelections are being prepared and held.

The opposition said it has already submitted two names for the selection process. Thegovernment will have to submit two other names and from the four names, the twoparties will pick up one to lead the caretaker government. If both sides fail to reach consensus on one name then the issue will be referred to theChief Election Commissioner.

Political bitterness in Pakistan is so deep that the government and the main oppositionhave not yet agreed to open formal dialogue on the caretaker setup when two weeksare left with the current government.Presidential Spokesman Farhatullah Babar said on Monday that no talks have yet beenstarted on the caretaker structure.

The government and the opposition could remove all apprehensions about theelections by taking the necessary actions toward the setting up of the caretakermachinery since any further delay could only fan the uncertainties caused byrumormongers.

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Australian Navy chief briefed on PN role in regional maritime security situation

Chief of Royal Australian Navy, Vice Admiral RJ Griggs called on Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila here on Monday and held detailed discussion on professional matters.

A comprehensive brief on Pakistan Navy role in regional maritime security situation and operational developments was also given to the visiting dignitary, said a press release issued by Pakistan Navy here. Upon arrival at Naval Headquarters, the Chief of Royal Australian Navy, who is on an official visit to Pakistan, was received by Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila, Chief of the Naval Staff. 

A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy, clad in ceremonial dress, presented him the Guard of Honour. The visiting dignitary was then introduced to Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at Naval Headquarters.

The Admiral RJ Griggs joined Royal Australian Navy in 1978. Besides commanding the Royal Australian Navy, he has had the privilege to hold a number of Command and Staff appointments including Deputy Maritime (Fleet) Commander and Director General Navy Strategic Policy and Futures.

Prior to his appointment as Chief of Royal Australian Navy, he was serving as Deputy Chief of Joint Operations. He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross in 1997.

The Admiral is a graduate of University of Queensland, MBA from Australian National University and a recipient of Masters in National Security Strategy from National Defence University Washington DC.

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India used Afghanistan as second front, financed problems for Pak: US Defence Secretary nominee

In a sharp contrast to US view on India's role in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama's Defence Secretary nominee Chuck Hagel has alleged that India has over the years "financed problems" for Pakistan in the war-torn country.

A video containing these remarks from an unreleased speech of Hagel at Oklahoma's Cameron University in 2011 was uploaded by Washington Free Beacon, sparking a strong reaction from India which said such comments are "contrary to the reality" of its unbounded dedication to the welfare of Afghans.Hagel, during the speech said, "India for some time has always used Afghanistan as a second front, and India has over the years financed problems for Pakistan on that side of the border".                                                      

"And you can carry that into many dimensions, the point being [that] the tense, fragmented relationship between Pakistan and Afghanistan has been there for many, many years," Hagel said.

Reacting to this, the Indian Embassy here said,"Such comments attributed to Senator Hagel, who has been a long-standing friend of India and a prominent votary of close India-US relations are contrary to the reality of India's unbounded dedication to the welfare of Afghan people".It added that India's commitment to a peaceful, stable and prosperous Afghanistan is unwavering, "and this is reflected in our significant assistance to Afghanistan in developing its economy, infrastructure and institutional capacities".

"Our opposition to terrorism and its safe havens in our neighbourhood is firm and unshakable.India's development assistance has been deeply appreciated by the people and the Government of Afghanistan, and by our friends around the world including the US.

"We do not view our engagement with Afghanistan as a zero sum game," the Embassy said.

Hagel's remarks are in sharp contrast to viewpoint of Obama administration that has always been in praise of India's developmental role in Afghanistan and in fact has been pressing New Delhi to do more in Afghanistan. Significantly, a deeply divided Senate is in the process of voting on US President's contentious nominee to head the Defence Department.

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VISITING PAK NAVY OFFICER SAYS HIS COUNTRY IS UNWAVERING IN FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

Pakistan Navy Ship Jurrat and Agosta 90B submarine Khalid arrived in Muscat for an official visit on Saturday. The vessels will be at Port Sultan Qaboos till Tuesday.During the visit, Commodore Ahmed Saeed, the Mission Commander, will hold meetings with Oman's military and civil authorities.

During a press briefing at the Pakistani Embassy on Sunday, Commodore Saeed said, “Naval forces have historically played a pivotal role in strengthening the bonds of friendship between nations through goodwill visits. Overseas deployments also serve common professional pursuits and inter-operability between allied navies. The Pakistan Navy units, which recently participated in IDEX & NAVDEX in UAE, are currently on visit to Oman to foster bonds of friendship and brotherhood between the two countries and their navies.

Speaking about the fight against terrorism, he said, “As you are all aware, Pakistan is currently facing a host of security challenges, but our vigour and zeal to continue efforts against the menace of extremism and terrorism remain unwavering. I would like the support of the media to emphasise on the local and international community the present security concerns of my country and render all possible moral and material support to help us deal with this issue of global significance.”

Commodore Saeed also discussed Pakistan Navy's involvement in the fight against piracy. “At present, a US-led coalition force is pursuing a Coalition Maritime Campaign Plan in the North Arabian Sea, to which the Pakistan Navy has been a major contributor since August 2004.

More recently, we have also joined the coalition effort in the Gulf of Aden and the Somali coast under counter-piracy deployments. Common threats in the maritime sector can be best thwarted and deterred through coalitions of allied navies in pursuit of their economic interests and security concerns.“This morning, I had a discussion with the Royal Navy of Oman's Chief of Staff, and we both noted a significant reduction in piracy.”

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India arrests man for spying for Pakistan

An Indian man has been arrested on charges of spying for Islamabad on military wargames staged on India's border with Pakistan, police said on Monday.The 35-year-old man is accused of passing on details of the exercises held by the Indian Air Force on Friday in the western desert state of Rajasthan, senior state police officer D.S. Dinkar told AFP.

Dinkar identified the man as an Indian national called Sumaar Khan and said he was allegedly spying for Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, "passing information related to Indian defence installations and military activities".

Police alleged the man used mobile phones and Internet to transmit information but did not say when he was arrested.Both India's President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh attended the drill, codenamed "Iron Fist".

Nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan frequently accuse each other of spying on each other's military activities.The two South Asian neighbours have fought three wars, two over the disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir, since their partition at independence in 1947.

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Pakistan Navy ship and submarine to visit Oman

Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Jurrat and submarine Khalid will visit the Sultanate from February 23 to 26.

The flotilla is commanded by Commodore Ahmed Saeed, who will hold meetings with Oman military and civil authorities, the Embassy of Pakistan in Muscat said in a press release. While berthed at Port Sultan Qaboos, the ship and the submarine will be open to visitors.

PNS Jurrat is a missile boat acquired from China and commissioned in Pakistan Navy in 1981. The new multi-purpose auxiliary craft with enhanced capabilities was launched in 2002 at Karachi Shipyard and commissioned in February 2006.

PNS Khalid is the first of the Agosta 90-B class submarines acquired by Pakistan Navy from France, and was inducted into the fleet in December 1999.

Ukranian battle tank engines for Pakistan

Ukraine will deliver 110 tank power plants "engines and related parts" to Pakistan under a $50 million contract, state-run arms exporter Ukrspetsstroi has said.

The power plants will be manufactured at the Kharkov-based Malyshev Plant, a state-run enterprise specialising in armoured vehicles and their components, under a four-year contract that was signed "several days ago", Ukrspetsstroi said in a statement on its website.It did not provide any technical specifications.

Ukraine previously delivered more than 300 power plants to Pakistan for its Al-Khalid main battle tank, Ukrspetsstroi's acting deputy general director Vadim Kozhevnikov said, adding that Ukraine also supplies tank engines to China.

The statement cited Kozhevnikov as saying he believed Ukraine is in a good position to compete with the world's leading tank power plant manufacturers, in particular Germany.

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Pakistan’s nuclear weapons safety and security

Since its installation, Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programme has been a target of harsh and subjective criticism. Although this approach has failed to cap the progressive trajectory of the programme, yet it has fashioned negative caveats about the safety and security of the country’s nuclear infrastructure. However, the deliberate maligning propaganda, especially by some Pakistani nuclear pessimists, is appalling.

Ironically, Islamabad’s transparent policy about its National Command Authority (NCA); its practical initiatives to carry out international obligations under the UN Security Council Resolution 1540 (UNSCR 1540) that were acclaimed by reputed international nuclear organisations; its relative openness in explaining its command and control structures that goes beyond the practice adopted by other nuclear-capable states; and its constructive participation in the two Nuclear Security Summits were purposely ignored by a few self-professed Pakistani nuclear experts in a book, entitled “Confronting the Bomb: Pakistani and Indian Scientists Speak Out”, recently published by Oxford University Press. Though the debate that these local and foreign nuclear pessimists have endeavoured to restart through this book is not new in the strategic realm, the timing is very critical.

Firstly, Pakistan’s principled stance on the core issues on the agenda of the Conference on Disarmament baffled the advocates of the discriminatory global nuclear non-proliferation regime in the 21st century.

Secondly, Pakistan’s gradual modernisation and successful test of nuclear-capable delivery systems, such as Hatf IX (Nasr), have checkmated India’s gigantic military build-up and doctrinal transformation, i.e. the Cold Start doctrine.

Indeed, it is an open secret that without the nuclear weapons capability, Pakistan would be in a disadvantageous position in the strategic realm due to the increasing conventional asymmetry between India and Pakistan.

The issues that the contributors have spelled out in the book seem agenda-driven, rather than an academic or scholarly exercise. They have painted baseless scenarios and recommended impractical solutions. It appears that they are neither cognisant of the South Asian strategic environment, nor familiar with the safety and security apparatus of Pakistan’s nuclear programme. Surely, it has provided the anti-Pakistan nuclear lobby in particular, and nuclear pessimists in general, an opportunity to flag and question the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons.

The nature of debate; the conspiracy theories hatched against Pakistan’s nuclear programme and, above all, the fear of nuclear or radiological terrorist attacks necessitate serious analysis of the subject, i.e. the safety and security of Pakistan’s nuclear weapons. As the book reflects the biased approach that is immensely lacking scientific research, the following discussion is an attempt to present briefly the realistic-cum-objective account of the puzzle.

Since the very beginning, Pakistan’s nuclear programme has been facing negligible internal and significant external opposition. In reality, the internal nuclear abolitionists have miserably failed to cultivate their viewpoint in the Pakistani society.

The people of Pakistan have simply rejected their judgment about the demerits or repercussions of nuclear weapons in the strategic environment of South Asia. They have vehemently supported the nuclear programme and defied the malicious propaganda unleashed to hinder Islamabad’s pursuit to acquire indigenous nuclear weapons capability.

Concurrently, the Government of Pakistan had constituted and implemented both short and long term policies to develop the country’s nuclear deterrence capability, particularly after India’s nuclear explosion in Rajasthan on May 18, 1974.

Moreover, it has been intelligently addressing the security challenges to its nuclear infrastructure. Therefore, there has been no recorded incident of sabotage or theft of the Pakistani nuclear material to date.

Needles to say, Pakistan has institutionalised highly-secured systems, which has been improved gradually to thwart internal and external security challenges to its nuclear infrastructure and arsenals, since the very beginning of the nuclear weapons programme.

Immediately, after the nuclear weapons test in May 1998, the Government of Pakistan announced its National Command Authority (NCA), which comprises the Employment Control Committee, the Development Control Committee and Strategic Plans Division (SPD) - the secretariat of the Authority. The periodic meetings of the NCA, and briefings organised by the SPD, reveal that a range of overt and covert measures were adopted to guard the country’s nuclear programme. A few of the explicit measures are spelled out in the following paragraphs.

First, the SPD works on behalf of the NCA, which increases its role in the nuclear decision-making. The Director General heads the SPD and is the focal person to ensure the safety and security of both the civilian and military component of the country’s nuclear programme. In addition, the separate strategic forces commands had been raised in all the three services. The services retain training, technical and administrative control over their strategic forces.

Second, the custodians of the programme had established a Security Division, which today has more than 20,000 trained personnel to guard the arsenal. These trained soldiers are far superior to the terrorists. They are capable of guarding both nuclear weapons and sensitive nuclear facilities from terrorist syndicate sabotage attempts and external powers’ incursions into the nuclear weapons locations.

Third, the NCA decided that nuclear weapons would not be stored at one place and very few people know about their locations. One can count these people on fingers who exactly know about the location of nuclear arsenals. The SPD introduced a very rigorous vetting process for the nuclear establishment, i.e. personal reliability programme for military personals and human reliability programme for the civilians to prevent insiders’ link with the terrorist groups. The officers, who are trusted with the weapons location information, ought to be under continuous surveillances by the intelligence agency, which is directly reporting to the high-ups of the secretariat. This methodology, certainly, conceals the location of the nuclear arsenals and also ensures the integrity of the employs.

Fourth, the critics of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenals safety apparatus have failed to comprehend that its nukes are not maintained on a hair-trigger alert and, in times of peace, its nuclear warheads are maintained separately from their non-nuclear assemblies. This approach prevents accidental or unauthorised use of nuclear weapons.

Fifth, the SPD has developed a foolproof security system such as Permissive Action Link system, which is modelled after the one used in the US. It electronically locks the nuclear weapons. The SPD also relies on a range of other measures, including dual key system.

Sixth, Pakistan’s Parliament legislated an Act - the Export Control on Goods, Technologies, Material and Equipment Related to Nuclear and Biological Weapons and their Delivery Systems Act - in September 2004. The purpose of this Act is to further strengthen control on the export of sensitive technologies, particularly those related to nuclear and biological weapons and their means of delivery.

Seventh, Pakistan established a Strategic Export Control Division (SECDIV), in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in April 2007. Its purpose is to further tighten control over exports by monitoring and implementing the Export Control Act of 2004.

Eighth, to prevent the possibility of theft and sabotage during the transportation of sensitive nuclear materials, effective measures have been instituted to fulfil international obligations under the UNSCR 1540. Side by side, it has been ensured that specialist vehicles and tamper-proof containers are provided for the transportation of nuclear materials that are escorted by military personnel.

Nevertheless, Islamabad is very actively participating in the international arrangements to prevent any nuclear or radiological terrorism. For instance, Pakistan was among the first countries that submitted a report to the UN to fulfil its obligations under the UNSCR 1540. Further, it joined the US sponsored Container Security Initiative (CSI) in March 2006 and the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) in 2007.

Also, it is part of the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process - an initiative taken by President Barack Obama that has led to two successful summits in 2010 and 2012 held at Washington DC and Seoul.

Pakistan participated in the two summits and made significant contributions in supporting the global efforts towards nuclear safety and security. Former Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani, in his speech at the Seoul Summit in March 2012, had categorically stated: “Pakistan has taken effective measures, which are the most important part of its efforts to enhance nuclear security…….We have been implementing a nuclear security action plan in cooperation with the IAEA, which reinforces physical protection of nuclear medical centres and civilian nuclear plants. Pakistan has established nuclear security training centres to act as a regional and international hub to train people.

“Pakistan had been deploying special nuclear material portals at key entry and exit points to detect, deter and prevent illicit trafficking of nuclear and radioactive materials…….Together, we have taken steps to create a secure world that will not live under the fear of nuclear terrorist attacks. We firmly believe that nuclear material must never fall into the hands of terrorists.”

Islamabad, despite its reliable nuclear safety and security arrangements, unfortunately, confronts the joint opposition of its own nationalists, who do not miss a single opportunity (even today) to criticise, malign, and desist the positive developmental trajectory of the national nuclear weapons programme. They frequently spell out negative hypothetical scenarios and recommend the ruling elite to roll-back the country’s nuclear weapon programme without taking into account India’s fatting military muscle. Ironically, they deliberately or inadvertently ignore the trends in the South Asian strategic environment.

In the same vein, there are numerous Western analysts, who are continuously highlighting similar unfounded fears mainly to malign Pakistan. They overlook the measures that it has taken over more than one decade to ensure the safety and security of its nuclear assets.

In short, one can conclude that either these analysts have a nefarious agenda to soften the state’s defensive fence, or maybe they lack the strategic vision to understand the indispensability of nuclear weapons for the military security of Pakistan.

As a final word, the national consensus on Pakistan’s nuclear programme and the institutionalised structure of the NCA and its secretariat constituted vigilant custodians of the country’s nuclear programme. These safety and security arrangements manifest that neither terrorist networks, nor any external power is capable to seize its nuclear weapons. Hence, the physical-protection systems at the Pakistani nuclear facilities are well-built. There are custodial safeguards, and thereby these facilities are not accessible to unauthorised outsiders and under constant monitoring process.

The writer is director and associate professor at the School of Politics and International Relations, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad. He is also an advisor on non-proliferation at the South Asian Strategic Stability Institute, London.

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Japanese naval chief reaches Islamabad

Japan Maritime Self Defence Force Chief of Staff Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, accompanied by his personal staff, reached Islamabad on Friday on an official visit.Upon his arrival at the Naval Headquarters, the Chief of Staff was received by Pakistan Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Mohammad Asif Sandila. A smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Navy, clad in ceremonial dress, presented him the Guard of Honour. The visiting dignitary was then introduced to Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at the Naval Headquarters.

Later, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, called on Chief of the Naval Staff at his office, where he held a detailed discussion on professional matters with his counterpart. A comprehensive briefing on ‘Pakistan Navy’s Role in Regional Maritime Security Situation and Operational Developments’ was also given to the visiting dignitary. During the course of his stay, the admiral would also call on defence minister and the naval admin authorities at Karachi.

Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano joined Japan Maritime Self Defence Force in 1977. Besides commanding the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force, he had the privilege to hold a number of command and staff appointments including Commander Escort Flotilla 3, Commander Mine Warfare Force and Fleet Escort Force, Vice Chief of Staff, Joint Staff and Commander-in-Chief of Self Defence Fleet.

The Admiral was a graduate of US Naval War College, MSDF Staff College (Command and Staff Courses) and recipient of a masters degree in international relations from Tsukhuba University.

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Pakistan making break-through in defence products

ABU DHABI: Ambassador to UAE Jamil Ahmad Khan on Friday said Pakistan is making good break-through in introducing its defence products and paving the way for huge orders from interested parties from Middle East and North Africa.During his visit to the Pakistan Pavilion at the International Defence Expo - IDEX being held in Abu Dhabi, the Ambassador said Pakistan has robust mechanism to meet the defence needs of international market with full compliance of international regulations.

The Ambassador said Pakistan is a responsible country and has a perfect mechanism of maintaining comprehensive control over its defence installations.He mentioned a recent visit of a delegation of Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) led by its Chairman Ambassador Joerg Ranau of Germany who appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan for bringing its export controls concerning the proliferation of missile and related technology at par with the best international standards.

He said for the first time in the history of Pakistan, the submarine PNS Khalid which was fully upgraded and modified indigenously, had been put on display at the IDEX.Multi-purpose auxiliary craft PNS Jurrat, fully fabricated in the Karachi Shipyard & Engineering Works (KSEW) and destroyer PNS Shahjahan vessels have also been displayed at the exhibition, he said.

As many as 24 high profile and auxiliary defence production companies from Pakistan are participating in this exhibition under the banner of Defence Export Promotion Organization (DEPO) of Pakistan. Most prominent are Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT), Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF), Global Industrial & Defence Solutions (GIDS) and Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KSEW).



Ambassador Jamil Ahmed Khan in response to questions to media that Pakistan had recently held a tri-lateral meeting with the chairmanship Troika of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), led by USA, which was hosted by Turkey in Ankara on 23-24 January 2013.He said the 47-member NSG works to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons through implementation of guidelines for control of nuclear and nuclear-related exports.He said these interactions were part of Pakistan's concerted effort to engage with the international export control regimes, in pursuance of the direction received from the National Command Authority (NCA) chaired by the Prime Minister.

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Missile proliferation: Pakistan’s preventive efforts lauded

A multilateral export control regime has appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan to prevent the proliferation of missiles and nuclear-related technology, according to an official statement.The foreign ministry stated that Pakistan hosted a delegation of the Missile Technology Control Regime for two-day talks which concluded on Wednesday.

The delegation was led by its current chairman, Ambassador Joerg Ranau of Germany, and included the two incoming chairs, Ambassador Carlo Trezza of Italy and Ambassador Roald Naess of Norway. The Pakistan side was headed by Additional Foreign Secretary Aizaz Ahmad Chaudhry.

The Missile Technology Control Regime is a multilateral export control arrangement consisting of 34 members, aimed at controlling the proliferation of missiles and related technology through the implementation of certain export control guidelines.

The foreign office statement said the delegation appreciated the steps taken by Pakistan for bringing its export controls at par with the best international standards.Both sides exchanged views on a broad range of issues and agreed to continue their interaction in future.

Earlier this month, Pakistan held talks with a delegation of the Australia Group in Islamabad, led by the United Kingdom. The group is a forum of 40 industrialised countries that seeks to use licensing measures to ensure that exports of certain chemicals and biological agents are not used for the spread of chemical and biological weapons.

Islamabad also attended a trilateral meeting with the chairmanship troika of the Nuclear Suppliers Group, led by the United States, which was hosted by Turkey in Ankara in January.

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Pakistan army denies links with sectarian killers

Pakistan's army has been forced to deny any links to an outlawed extremist group which claimed a series of devastating bomb attacks against Shiite Muslims that killed more than 200 people in recent weeks."The armed forces were not in contact with any militant organisation, including Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ)," chief military spokesman, Major General Asim Bajwa, was quoted as telling reporters by local newspaper Dawn.

A military official confirmed the remarks to AFP.

LeJ is Pakistan's most extreme Sunni Muslim terror group and is linked to both Al-Qaeda and the Pakistani Taliban, which are fighting against the army.It claimed an attack on a snooker hall in the southwestern city of Quetta that killed 92 Shiites on January 10, a February 1 attack targeting Shiites in the northwest that killed 24 and a February 16 bomb that killed 89 Shiites in Quetta.

Rights activists accuse the authorities of failing to protect Shiites, who account for 20 percent of the population, and question whether the military has failed to crack down on LeJ through incompetence or complicity."There is no way the army can afford this (links to militants). If such a thing comes to notice it will be sorted out," Bajwa was quoted as saying by Dawn.

LeJ emerged as a spin-off from mujahiedeen groups which were funded by the US Central Intelligence Agency and backed by the Pakistani intelligence services during the 1980s war against Soviet troops in neighbouring Afghanistan.The January 10 bombing was the worst single attack on Shiites in Pakistan.According to Human Rights Watch, 2012 was the deadliest year on record for Pakistani Shiites, with more than 400 people killed.

After both recent bombings in Quetta, thousands of Shiites staged protests for days, refusing to bury the dead until the army stepped in to guarantee security.Both demonstrations, which spread nationwide, were called off after negotiations with the government, which stopped short of transferring Quetta to the military.
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Pakistan Army supports timely and fair elections: DG ISPR

ISPR Director General Major General Asim Salim Bajwa on Thursday said the Pakistan Army wants free, fair and timely general elections in the country.Talking to the media persons here, Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) DG dismissed the perception that the military would benefit from the postponement of polls.He said delay in holding of general elections would not benefit the army. He said that the Pakistan Army has supported the democracy during the last five years and that it would continue to do so in the future as well.

Talking about recent terrorist activities in the country and especially in Quetta, he said that ISI works in provinces including Balochistan within its constitutional parameters.Answering a query about the law and order situation in Balochistan province, Bajwa said the decision of whether or not to call the army was up to the government.

Bajwa said that 19 new check posts were created in Quetta, which are manned by FC and that there are a total of 35 check posts in the city.Replying to a question, DG ISPR said the army had waged war against terrorist organisations. He said everyone was currently in a state of war, and urged all institutions to unite in the fight against terrorism.

Commander of Royal Netherlands Air Force visits PAF Headquarters

Lieutenant General Alexander Schnitger, Commander of the Royal Netherlands Air Force visited Air Headquarters, Islamabad on Wednesday. The distinguished guest was received by Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force.

On his arrival, a smartly turned out contingent of Pakistan Air Force presented the Guard of Honour. Later he was introduced to Principal Staff Officers of Pakistan Air Force. The distinguished guest paid homage to the martyrs of PAF by laying floral wreath on Martyrs' Monument at Air Headquarters Islamabad.

He also called on Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, in his office. Both the dignitaries remained together for some time and discussed matters of professional interest. The distinguished guest also attended a briefing at Air Headquarters on the organisation, role and functioning of Pakistan Air Force.-PR

Gen Kayani witnesses field firing, battle inoculation exercises

Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani visited Tilla Ranges on Tuesday in connection with field firing and battle inoculation exercises.The exercises are aimed at simulating battlefield conditions to train the soldiers in a realistic environment, said an ISPR press release.

PAF aircraft and major weapon systems including artillery, provided live fire support to training manoeuvres conducted by mobile troops.The COAS appreciated the professional skills and motivation of troops involved in the exercises.Earlier, on arrival, Chief of Army Staff was received by Lieutenant General Maqsood Ahmad, Commander Lahore Corps.

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PAF jets bombard militant safe houses in Khyber

At least six militants were reportedly killed when Pakistan Air Force (PAF) fighter jets bombarded suspected militant hideouts in Tirah valley area of Khyber tribal region. According to sources, the hideouts were completely destroyed during the operation.Pakistan military has killed more than 45 militants in ongoing targeted operation against terrorists since start of the Jan 2013.

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Pakistan Continues Short-Range Ballistic Missile Tests

Pakistan’s recent test of a short-range ballistic missile shows the military’s progress toward developing a response to India’s anti-ballistic missile (ABM) program, officials said.The Feb. 15 firing of its Hatf-II/Vengeance-II Abdali missile was the latest test of its short-range ballistic missile arsenal, which can be armed with tactical nuclear warheads.

A press release by the military’s Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) stated the test-firing was “part of the process of validation of land-based ballistic missile systems.” The 180-kilometer-range missile can carry nuclear or conventional warheads and has “varied maneuverability options” providing an “an operational level capability,” the statement said.

Mansoor Ahmed from Quaid-e-Azam University’s Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, who specializes in Pakistan’s national deterrent and delivery program, highlights this latter aspect as the reason for the test in response to arch-rival India’s ABM efforts.

“The recent test of Nasr and now Abdali— both short-range systems designed for counterforce targeting — have assumed added significance with the testing of maneuverable re-entry vehicle [warhead] technology aimed at defeating ballistic missile defenses against short- to medium-range missiles,” he said.

Abdali, and the remainder of Pakistan’s battlefield ballistic missiles, are primarily designed to counter surprise attacks and “forward-deployed forces as envisaged in India’s cold start doctrine and other military targets close to the border,” according to Ahmed.These would include India’s integrated battle groups or air bases.

Linking the test with Pakistan’s tactical nuclear warhead program, Ahmed says it is “another demonstration of the development of sub-strategic nuclear warheads,” or what the ISPR statement refers to as an “operational level capability.”He cautions, however, that “these tests should not be seen as a sign that Pakistan is going for a nuclear war-fighting strategy, but rather as a means of consolidating an all-aspect credible deterrent.”

Former Australian defense attaché to Islamabad, Brian Cloughley, is clear where use of tactical nuclear weapons would lead.“It is the ultimate weapon of last resort. Use of tactical nuclear weapons would lead, without a shadow of doubt, to escalation and employment of longer-range missiles and air-delivered bombs, and probably quite quickly — hours rather than days”, he said.

Despite the efforts and resources being put into it, he does not think India’s ABM program would provide “airtight” protection and give Indian forces immunity from attack.“The Indians do have a rudimentary ABM system, but it would be absolutely impossible for it to defend all vital points. Possession of tactical nuclear weapons is certainly a deterrent, but if the genie left the bottle, there would be nuclear devastation in the sub-continent,” he said.

Pak Navy delegation lands in Colombo

A four-member delegation of Pakistan Navy delegation landed in Colombo on a 6 days visit to Sri Lanka. The Pakistani delegation is headed by Commodore Mehboob Elahi. The Visit of the Navy high brass aims to discuss anti terrorism measures to be commissioned in the waters of the two brotherly countries. 

The current visit is a follow up of the Staff level talks initiated between the two countries in September 2012, when a high powered defence delegation from Pakistan visited Sri Lanka to commence first formal staff level talks between Sri Lankan and Pakistani Armed Forces. The inaugural Staff Level Talks in September 2012, covered a wide range of issues relating to Army, Navy and Air Force and it was decided that both countries will exchange defence delegations for experience sharing. Accordingly, the Sri Lankan Naval delegation recently undertook an extremely fruitful visit to Pakistan.

During its stay in Sri Lanka, PN delegation will call on Commander of Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Janath Colombage and other high ranking officers. The delegation will also visit Eastern and Southern Naval Commands. The delegation will apprise its interlocutors on Pakistan’s Naval experiences and challenges at various training institutes in Sri Lanka. Defence Advisor, High Commission of Pakistan, Colonel Sheharyar Parvez Butt will accompany delegation during calls and other important activities.

The Commencement of Staff Level Talks twice between the two countries has manifested itself on close cooperation and coordination on significant defence related issues. Since independence, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have consistently maintained close, cordial and mutually supportive relations especially in the field of defence. Both nations have assisted each other during testing times in their histories.

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Tensions build Along LOC

Relations between Pakistan and India have become so strained right now that a single episode has the potential to badly poison ties between the two countries. Restraint is the order of the day and for once, it has been India that has refused to show any willingness to compromise. A Pakistani soldier, says our military, inadvertently crossed the Line of Control (LoC), after which he was questioned by the Indians and then killed. If this version of events is indeed true, then India’s behaviour is intolerable and should be condemned. That does not mean, however, that we should use this as an excuse to stir up further anti-India sentiment. Doing so will not bring our soldier back and will make it even more likely that future incidents along the LoC are blown out of proportion.
                                                                           

So far, Pakistan has demonstrated ample restraint. It has appropriately condemned the incident and complained to India but has not taken any punitive measures. That is how it should be. The chances of such incidents occurring along the disputed border are high, which is why both India and Pakistan need to ensure that they do not use these deaths as a reason for more sabre-rattling. A lot of progress has been made in the peace process over the last couple of years and retreating to square one will be to the detriment of both countries. Given the current situation, further peace overtures may be impossible right now but we should at least ensure that we do not throw away previous gains.

India, too, needs to play its part. Its reaction to the various LoC fracas have been disproportionate and over the top. Our sportspersons and cultural figures visiting India have felt unwanted and unsafe and had to return home. This is unfortunate since right now, these people-to-people exchanges may be needed more than ever before. When governments are at each other’s throats, these citizens can help keep contact alive and show the value of engagement. We need to keep these cultural engagements alive. If both Pakistan and India are indeed committed to peace, they will overlook these tragic LoC incidents.

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Indian troops killed soldier after questioning: Pakistan Army

The Pakistan Army on Friday condemned what it described as the “inhuman and brutal killing” of one of its soldiers by Indian troops near the de facto Kashmir border – the first deadly exchange since a truce was agreed a month ago.

The Pakistani military condemned the killing, saying the soldier had become lost and crossed the LoC “inadvertently”, and civilians had seen him being questioned by Indians troops.“We condemn such an inhuman and brutal act of killing of our soldier after he had identified himself and explained his position,” a spokesman of the military’s public relations wing, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), said.
The ISPR spokesman said that soldier Sepoy Ikhlaq had lost his way between two border posts earlier on Thursday and inadvertently crossed over the LoC in Khoi Ratta sector.A few civilians at the scene saw the soldier being questioned by the Indians, he said.

“This is not the first such event. We have returned Indian soldiers in the past, who had similarly strayed,” said the spokesman.He added that the Directors General Military Operations of the two countries spoke on the hotline this morning when the Indian DGMO revealed that the Pakistani soldier had been killed by their troops.

Sepoy Ikhlaq is a resident of Kallar Saydan, 22 years old, and had four years of service, he said.Meanwhile, the body of the soldier has been handed over to the Pakistani authorities during a flag meeting in Laam Sector on Friday.The deceased will be laid to rest with full military honour in his native town on Saturday, ISPR sources told the media.

The Pakistani foreign office also condemned the killing, saying that it “goes against the understanding reached between Pakistan and India on speedy return of inadvertent line crossers,” and that the incident had “the potential to further vitiate the atmosphere.”“Pakistan calls upon the Government of India to carry out a thorough investigation into this unfortunate incident and to ensure that such incidents do not recur,” it said in a statement released Friday evening.

Meanwhile, an Indian army spokesman claimed the Pakistani soldier had been killed in a firefight in which one Indian soldier was also wounded.“We detected some suspicious movement yesterday near the LoC (Line of Control) inside our territory and the challengers from our side fired and in the ensuing firefight he was killed,” said Lieutenant Colonel Rajesh Kalia, a spokesman for the Indian army’s northern command.

“At that time we did not know he was a Pakistani soldier. We killed an infiltrator,” the spokesman added.Kalia said India expected to return the body to Pakistani authorities later in the day.The incident is the first fatal exchange between troops in the region since the two armies agreed a ceasefire on January 16.
A flare-up along the LoC in early January saw a total of five soldiers killed, three from Pakistan and two from India.The Indian government expressed outrage after it said one of its soldiers was beheaded although the Pakistan Army denied responsibility for the decapitation.Cross-border trade and transport links were also suspended for several weeks although they have since resumed.


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Chinese navy to take part in multinational exercise in Pakistan

A Chinese naval fleet heading for piracy-hit Somali waters for escort missions will take part in a multinational exercise in Pakistan in March, official media here reported.The "Exercise Aman (Peace)-13" is scheduled to start in the North Arabian Sea on March 4.According to Pakistan Navy, Exercise AMAN-13 is scheduled to be held in North Arabian Sea from March 4 to 8.

Navies of 50 countries have been invited to participate, according to statement posted on Pakistan Navy's website.It is the 4th such exercise of AMAN series, which began in 2007.The fleet, sent by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, departed yesterday from a port in Qingdao of east China's Shandong Province to the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters for escort missions.

The 14th convoy fleet comprises three ships -- the missile destroyer Harbin, the frigate Mianyang and the supply ship Weishanhu -- carrying two helicopters and a 730-strong troop, all from the North China Sea Fleet under the PLA Navy, state-run Xinhua news agency reported.The Chinese navy has sent 14 fleets to the waters of the Gulf of Aden and Somali waters to escort 5,046 Chinese and foreign ships since the mission was authorised by the United Nations in 2008.More than 50 Chinese and foreign ships have been rescued or assisted during the missions, the report said.

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Pakistan test-fires ballistic missile Hatf-II

Pakistan on Friday successfully test-fired short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile Hatf-II, also known as Abdali. The test-fire was a part of the process of validation of land-based ballistic missile systems.





Last Monday, Pakistan conducted a test of nuclear-capable short-range surface-to-surface Hatf-IX (Nasr) missile with successive launches of two missiles from a state-of-the-art multi-tube launcher. Officially, nothing was said except announcement of the Abdali’s test-fire on Friday but it is being viewed in the context of strong statements emanating from New Delhi.

Abdali (Hatf-II) with a range of 180 kilometres carries nuclear as well as conventional warheads with high accuracy. The weapon system with its varied manoeuvrability options provides an operational level capability to Pakistan’s strategic forces.


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Pakistan Army says one of its soldiers inadvertently crossed LoC

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Army has said that one of its soldiers had inadvertently crossed the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and contact was being established with Indian authorities for his return. The Pakistani soldier lost his way on Thursday afternoon and inadvertently crossed the LoC in Khoi Ratta sector, military officials said yesterday.

Contact was being established with Indian authorities for the soldier's return, the officials said. Such incidents had happened on both sides in the past and were sorted out mutually, they said. The incident occurred even as the two sides traded fresh charges of ceasefire violations along the 742-km LoC.

Army links talks to Taliban disarming

Extending support to the government-led initiatives for political settlement with the Taliban, the military leadership has again rejected unconditional talks with the militants.Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani chaired the 157th Corps Commanders Conference at the GHQ on Thursday which was also attended by the principal staff officers (PSOs) and military spymasters.

The top brass reviewed arrangements for the provision of security during the polls in addition to contemplating on military training programme for Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF).The meeting mapped out strategy for the rehabilitation of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the conflict-ridden Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) ahead of the general elections.

The conference, according to military officials, had ‘extraordinary’ significance, given that both the internal and external security-related matters were taken up for extensive discussion. The commanders’ moot also reviewed the security arrangement at the Eastern border against the backdrop of the recent hostility at the Line of Control (LoC). “This has happened after a long time that the security arrangements at the Eastern border have been focused,” a senior security official commented while referring to the deadly clashes between Pakistan and Indian armies at the LoC.

However, a brief military statement on the commanders’ conference stated that professional matters were discussed during the meeting.The Pak-Afghan border coordination measures with reference to the joint cooperation between Pakistan Army, Afghan National Army and Isaf against the use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by the militants as well as the arrival of new Isaf commander were reportedly part of the commanders meeting. General Kayani is said to have shared with his aides the details regarding his participation in the Trilateral London Conference on Afghanistan held earlier this month.

The meeting coincided with the All Parties Conference (APC) on peace convened by the Awami National Party and attended by 24 political parties to support negotiations with the Taliban.Responding to the offer of conditional talks put up by the militants, the military commanders reportedly rejected it, saying that the possibility of calling off military operations in Fata is linked with militants’ unconditional surrender and their allegiance to Pakistan’s statehood. “They have to show willingness through action otherwise there’s no way ahead,” said a military officer.

Separately, the Foreign Office had announced that Pak-Afghan ‘Ulema’ Conference (a moot of religious scholars) would be held in Kabul on March 10.Reportedly, the discussions on the upcoming Ulema Conference in Afghanistan and the recent visit of the Afghan clerics also stayed high in the commanders’ moot.

In the aftermath of the five-day visit of Afghan military delegation to Pakistan led by General Bismillah Khan Muhammadi, Afghan defence minister, the two sides are said to have contemplated on the provision of military training to Afghan soldiers by the Pakistan Army. The delegation had visited Pakistan’s key military training institutions in Quetta, Islamabad, Abbottabad, Jhelum and Shinkiari.

The Inspector General Training and Evaluation Lieutenant General Raheel Sharif, who was also part of the conference, briefed the participants about the training programme and progress made so far in this regard. The reported understanding between Pakistan and Afghanistan’s military establishments envisages phase-wise training of mid-career Afghan military officers and newly inducted recruits at Pakistan’s military training centres. Some 200 Afghans are likely to get training here in the next two years. The training programme for Afghan National Police officials is also being deliberated upon.

Earlier in January, the military leadership, in the 156th Corps Commanders Conference had also rejected the conditional talks with the militants, spurning the TTP offer. Although, Pakistan has freed a dozen Taliban prisoners, the military officials say peace with the militants is only possible if they ‘mend their ways’. The military sources do not foresee a ‘logical conclusion’ to this episode in case the Taliban refuse to budge from their stance.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik on Wednesday had ruled out any possibility of peace talks with the Taliban until they laid down arms. “The government is ready to hold dialogue with Taliban, if they will announce ceasefire and appoint some sincere religious scholar to achieve purposeful results,” the minister had told reporters.

115 Navy officers visit Lahore chamber

LAHORE: One-hundred and fifteen Navy officers of 42nd Staff Course of Pakistan Navy War College on Tuesday visited LCCI to explore role of the business community for the economic well being of the country. Pakistan Navy War College delegation was led by Commodore Shahid Rao while former LCCI President Mian Muzaffar Ali and executive committee members Mian Zahid Javaid, Husnain Reza Mirza and Mudassor Masood were present in the meeting.

Army raising new force to check IED attacks

RAWALPINDI: The Pakistan Army is raising a new force to combat increasing use of IEDs in terrorism incidents in the country, a meeting was told on Monday. The force comprises three CIED units. The second inter-agency meeting, headed by Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Rashad Mahmood, was held on Monday at the General Headquarters to review challenges and threats posed by the IEDs in the present environment. The representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Pakistan Agricultural Research Council (PARC), Minister of Industries, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Ministry of Interior, FATA Secretariat, Pak-Arab Fertilizers, BIAFO, and Wah Nobel Group attended the meeting. CIED policy and strategy were discussed in detail with stress on the growing challenges that include increasing rate of casualties. The biggest regional challenge Pakistan faces today is to not only mitigate the effects but to also increase awareness in general public across the country so as to prevent them from becoming a part of this menace.

The need is to bring on board both civil and military efforts and pursue CIED strategy in an aggressive manner. The most significant step is to identify the grey areas and cultivate a way forward for pursuing the policy. IEDs are referred as the weapons of choice that requires a ‘whole-of-nation’ approach to be countered. While overall the menace has beeon growing, the number of IEDs has been successfully reduced in the conflict zone from 55 percent to 45 percent in the last couple of years. During the meeting, the need for national and international legislation on pertinent issues was stressed upon.

The panel noted that a number of other countries affected by IEDs have carried out legislation to bring this menace under control but Pakistan has yet not made any progress on legal plane. The issues like border control, tracking down terrorist networks and random checks in FATA also came under discussion. A regulatory mechanism was discussed in detail for effective control of move of the explosive material and Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) fertilizer from various regional and extra-regional countries. It was identified that the traders could inadvertently help the terror networks by selling electric circuits, long range remote controls, activation switches and CAN fertilizer

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Pakistan test fires Hatf IX missile: ISPR

According to press release, the test fire was conducted with successive launches of two missiles from a state of the art multi tube launcher. NASR, with a range of 60 km, and in-flight maneuver capability can carry nuclear warheads of appropriate yield, with high accuracy.This quick response system, which can fire a four Missile Salvo ensures deterrence against threats in view of evolving scenarios. Additionally NASR has been specially designed to defeat all known Anti Tactical Missile Defence Systems, ISPR said.

The test was witnessed by Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee General Khalid Shameem Wynne, Director General Strategic Plans Division Lieutenant General (Retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai, Chairman NESCOM Mr Muhammad Irfan Burney, Commander Army Strategic Forces Command Lieutenant General Triq Nadeem Gilani, senior officers from the armed forces and scientists and engineers of strategic organizations, the press release added.

Addressing the scientists, engineers and military officers of Strategic Organizations, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee congratulated them on displaying a high standard of proficiency in handling and operating the state of the art weapon system. He said that Pakistan's Armed Forces were fully capable of safeguarding Pakistan's security against all kinds of aggression.The successful test has also been appreciated by the President and Prime Minister of Pakistan who have congratulated the scientists and engineers on their outstanding success.

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Suspected militants with ANA, Pak Army uniforms and explosives arrested in KP

PESHAWAR: Security forces conducted different raids in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Sunday arresting four suspects, including two key commanders, besides seizing uniforms of Pakistani and Afghan National Army along with a huge quantity of arms and explosives.

Security sources told that the law enforcement agencies conducted a raid in Samar Bagh area of Lower Dir district and seized uniforms of Pakistan Army and the Afghan National Army (ANA) and arrested two suspects, who were shifted for further investigations.The sources further claimed that seven hand grenades, six detonators, three kilograms of explosives, nine mines, 7 mm gun, one Kalashnikov and several Chinese made guns were recovered from the suspects.

The officials added that five uniforms of Pakistan Army and Afghan National Army each and the suspects were planning to conduct an attack disguised as ANA or Pakistani army personnel.In another raid in Nowshera district’s Jaroba area in Pabbi tehsil, law enforcement agencies arrested two suspected key commanders affiliated to a militant group. The arrested men were suspected to be the militant’s main source of weapons supply in Tirah Valley.The official sources added that the suspected militants were shifted to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

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Pakistan has role in Afghan solution: retired US general

WASHINGTON: Pakistan would have a role in any lasting solution in Afghanistan, Gen Stanley McChrystal, the former commander of US and Nato forces in Kabul, wrote in his book, “My Share of the Task”While discussing his role in the Afghan war, the general also explained why he believed it was important to have close working relations with the Pakistani army chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani.
Gen McChrystal had to retire in 2010 after his aides made disparaging remarks about US President Barack Obama.“Although my mandate as a Nato commander was limited to inside Afghanistan, it was clear to me that Pakistan would have a role in any lasting solution,” he wrote.

“At the minimum Isaf needed access to Pakistani lines of communications for the flow of logistics to our forces. Optimally, for our counter-insurgency campaign inside Afghanistan, the Afghan Taliban could not enjoy support and sanctuaries across the border in Pakistan.”Ideally, joint Isaf and Pakistani efforts would convince Afghan Taliban leaders that their sanctuaries in Pakistan were no longer secure and thus their insurgency could not succeed, he added.

He noted that effective Pakistani army operations in Fata along with increased levels of coordination with Isaf forces were necessary in order to produce this kind of rethink inside Mullah Omar’s organisation.But the Pakistani army had its limitations as Fata was a region where the Pakistani military had traditionally struggled, he wrote.

In the book, Gen McChrystal also emphasised the need to reduce “the oft-discussed deficit of trust” between the US and Pakistan but warned that it could only be reduced “over time and personal relationships would be essential to that process”.By building as much trust as possible between Gen Kayani and him, Gen McChrystal hoped that confidence between the two armies would “cascade to some extent” down through to their subordinates.“I believed slow but steady progress was possible. It might not work but there was no rational alternative,” he wrote.

Tracing the root of trust deficit between the two countries, the former Nato commander, noted that after the Soviet withdrawal the United States no longer needed Pakistan to help arm the rebels.Frustrated with Islamabad’s persistent nuclear ambitions, the United States refused to vouch that Pakistan was not seeking to gain nuclear weapons, although it had given Pakistan a pass when the United States needed its assistance in its proxy war, the general wrote.

Two decades after the US imposed nuclear-related sanctions on Pakistan, the Pakistani army had again become important for the United States, and Gen Kayani, in his new role as head of the army, “wielded tremendous power”, he added.As a member of the US Joint Staff, Gen McChrystal had watched his boss, Admiral Mike Mullen make a significant effort to build rapport with Gen Kayani.

The US general also described in his book how the November 2008 Mumbai attacks affected America’s attitude towards Pakistan. “Clear evidence that (the) … attacks conducted by Pakistani terrorists of Lashkar were orchestrated from inside Pakistan caused Americans deep frustration. And ongoing accusations that Pakistan’s military and intelligence service supported the Afghan Taliban complicated Admiral Mullen’s and my efforts,” he wrote.

“Pakistanis were quick to respond with concerns over American violations of their sovereignty, primarily through drone strikes, ever perceived US tilt toward India, and lack of appreciation for the significant Pakistani sacrifices in the war on terror,” he added.

On July 3, 2009, when a Pakistan Mi-17 helicopter went down in the Orakzai agency, killing at least 26 Pakistani soldiers, he called Gen Kayani to express his condolences and followed with a hand-written letter.“It was a reminder of continuing Pakistani sacrifices in the fight — by early 2010; some 2,000 Pakistani soldiers had died fighting in the border regions,” Gen McChrystal wrote. “I know what it meant to lose soldiers and wanted him to know I shared his sense of loss.”

Gen McChrystal recalled how over the coming months, he spent significant time with Gen Kayani and grew to like and respect him. “His perspectives and priorities were, of course, those of a Pakistani army officer but I found our discussions on the war and our respective strategies to be helpful,” he wrote“Much of our time together was spent alone, simply drinking tea and talking. The talk was substantive but never combative.”

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Despite Missile Integration, Nuke Role Unlikely for Pakistan’s JF-17

ISLAMABAD — Pakistan is integrating its nuclear-capable Hatf VII/Vengeance VII Ra’ad air launched cruise missile onto its JF-17 Thunder aircraft, but analysts are unsure if this signifies a nuclear deterrence role for the aircraft.

Air Commodore Khalid Mahmood at the JF-17 Project Management Office said integration work was ongoing with Chinese and Pakistani weapons, and that “most weapons have been integrated”.“Ra’ad and the H-4 [glide bomb] will be for the Block I and Block II” aircraft currently in or about to enter service, not just the forthcoming Block III variant, he said.

Former Air Force pilot and analyst Kaiser Tufail said, “It makes good sense to get on with the wiring as well as flight trials of these weapons on the JF-17 at this stage. For one thing, all subsequent production aircraft would have the mod integrated from the outset and there will be no need for retrofits that also result in long down times at the flight lines. Secondly, the whole process is lengthy and it was about time we started it.”He added, “Possibly, by the time the mods are in place on the JF-17, the first of the older Mirages would be retiring.”

The Mirage III carries the Ra’ad and is the delivery platform for Pakistan’s airborne arm of its nuclear deterrent. Its avionics were upgraded in the 1990s under the Retrofit Of Strike Element (ROSE) program.They have been in service for many years, however, and are approaching the end of their useful lives.Most recent major military developments have aimed to strengthen the nuclear deterrent, such as the unveiling of the Hatf IX/Nasr battlefield ballistic missile and the submarine-launched variant of the Babur cruise missile.However, analysts are uncertain if the airborne arm of the nuclear triad is set to be similarly strengthened with the introduction of the JF-17 in this role.

Tufail said the Ra’ad’s integration onto the JF-17 would be very beneficial.“It would certainly add to PAF’s [Pakistan Air Force’s] stealthy ingress capability [due to low cross-section of the cruise missile], considering that the parent aircraft do not have it,” he said.

However, Mansoor Ahmed, from Quaid-e-Azam University’s Department of Defence and Strategic Studies, and who specializes in Pakistan’s national deterrent and delivery program, is unconvinced that replacement of the Mirages with the JF-17 is imminent.“The Mirage is a tested and well-integrated platform, it would take some time to have the Thunder in large numbers to do the job”, he said.“Secondly, how good are the Thunder’s ground attack/avionics capabilities compared to the ROSE Mirages?”Tufail, who flew the Mirage operationally, does not see the Ra’ad-capable Mirages as “less credible as a nuclear deterrent in any way.”

“However, the JF-17 would certainly be a better and more modern platform, about which there should be no debate. As and when the JF-17s attain full operational capability with the Ra’ad, that role will be withdrawn from the Mirages, but that is not to mean that the Mirages would be retired — they do a lot more than just carry Ra’ads,” he said.“The Mirages would be retired as they outlive their airframe hours or run out of spares support, which I see starting to happen over the next five years or so.”Depending on the material state of the Mirage aircraft, Ahmed said they should give the PAF enough time to bring the Block III variant of the JF-17 into service, which is to have an improved avionics suite.

Mahmood said the avionics suite of the Block III variant is not yet finalized as the PAF is “looking for something to give more operational capability, and still examining avionics options.”A perennial issue for the JF-17 has been the question of the continued availability of its powerplant. Currently, it is powered by a Russian Klimov RD-93.It has been speculated for some time that the JF-17 will eventually be powered by a Chinese engine, a possible thrust vector control (TVC) variant of the Guizhou WS-13 Taishan.Mahmood, however, would only say that the engine “depends on customers,” and that “we have options with regards to engines; we’re not restricted.”

Tufail is unconvinced a TVC variant is a necessity at present.“Personally, I don’t see the JF-17 as a ‘do-all’ fighter, and I feel that it needs other areas to be looked at for modifications, rather than just follow fads,” he said.“TVC helps in air combat maneuvering, whose days are numbered, if one goes by the technological developments underway. If that be true, it would make much more sense to focus on enhancing BVR [beyond visual range] capabilities, including radar and weapons, which need to be constantly upgraded during the life of an aircraft.”The JF-17 is only rated to plus 8g, and for this reason Tufail said “the JF-17 cannot fully exploit the TVC potential, which a 9g aircraft can do far better.”

Analyst Usman Shabbir of the Pakistan Military Consortium think tank said the JF-17 airframe “can certainly handle more than +8g, but the restriction is in place to increase the airframe life.”He said this “may be increased in later variants where more composites are used to increase airframe strength and reduce the overall weight

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Pakistan set to display naval prowess at IDEX 2013

Pakistan will be putting up its Oceanique class Agosta 90B submarine, PNS/M Khalid along with indigenously fabricated naval crafts for display at the defence exhibition in UAE next week.

The country will be represented by as many as 10 defence production companies along with 14 auxiliary enterprises at the International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) 2013 being held in Abu Dhabi from February 17 to 21.

Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, Jamil Ahmad Khan told a media briefing on Friday that this will be the first time Pakistan will be displaying its naval crafts which have been indigenously modified and upgraded. While Pakistan bought the French-built Khalid, it has built two subsequent versions of the diesel powered submarine, PNS/M Saad (built with French assistance) and PNS/M Hamza (indigenously built).

Besides the submarine, the multipurpose auxiliary craft (MPAC) Jurrat which was fabricated in Pakistan along with full integration of weaponry would go on display. Alongside it would sail destroyer Shahjahan, which has been indigenously modified per Pakistan Navy’s requirements and integrated for warfare.

Pakistan, Khan said, is exporting defence equipment to 40 countries across the globe. “We are offering affordable solutions for the defense needs of all countries specially the countries which are looking for low cost affordable solutions,” he said.

The Ambassador emphasised that Pakistan is a peace-loving country and desires to live in peace and harmony with the world but the regional security situation has become complex and uncertain. Therefore, Pakistan’s defence industry is compelled to develop a response that is proportionate to challenges that confront the country.

The Pakistani defence companies that will participate in IDEX2013 include the Pakistan ordnance factories with three auxiliary companies, defence export promotion organisation, global industries and defence solutions (GIDS) with seven auxiliary companies, heavy industries taxila (HIT), embroidery export corp, Karachi shipyard and engineering works (KS&EW), national radio and telecommunication corporation (NRTC), service industries Ltd, soaring high Inc. and sure nice traders.source