Wake Up, We Are Already At War

Society Pakistan & World Affairs
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**11 June 2008: U.S. strike killed 11 Pakistan soldiers along the border with Afghanistan.

28 July 2008-Wana: At least 6 people killed in a U.S. strike inside Pakistan.

4 September 2008-Angoor Adda- Waziristan: At least 4 people killed in a U.S. strike inside Pakistan.

5 September 2008-Goorweck Baipali: At least 5 people, including three children killed due to U.S. strike inside Pakistan

8 September 2008-Wana: At least 21 people killed and 14 injured in a U.S. missile strike inside Pakistan borders. This was the third strike in less than a week.

The number of missile attacks by pilot-less Predator drones in Pakistan have more than tripled in the past year. Pakistani officials reported 11 such strikes this year, compared to three strikes in 2007 [The Washington Post, Sept. 10]

U.S. President Bush, said in his address at the U.S. National Defense University that parts of Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan were “all theatres in the same overall struggle”.

On Monday, July 28, the Prime Minster of Pakistan was on his first visit to the U.S. to show the importance of Pak-U.S. relations. Washington’s response? A strike inside Pakistan killing six. While meeting Mr. Gilani, U.S. President’s praise for Pakistan’s role in the War against Terror was nothing short of mockery.
It was an audacious attempt to show just how helpless and unimportant the Prime Minister and his visit actually were. Unfortunately, it was successful. Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani continued to follow his timetable, posing for the camera with President Bush to show how close and respectfully they were working, oblivious to the lives that were lost back home. “We talked about the need for us to make sure that the Afghan border is secure, as best as possible,” Mr. Bush said before the leaders continued their discussions. “Pakistan has made a very strong commitment to that.”
The missile strikes were not important enough to be discussed in their ‘talks’ over a cup of tea. The cost of this friendly call was an alleged U.S. $1 million, paid by Pakistan.

The White House press secretary, Dana M. Perino, admitted that the issues on the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan were “complex” but she said the differences were over rated. “It’s tense in that we are working together to try to fight counterterrorism,” she said, “but I think that we are much more on the same page than some people would like to paint”.
Looking at the performance of the latest government in Pakistan, this statement might actually hold true. While Pakistan is definitely not ‘on the same page’ with Washington, the Government of Pakistan is very well “on the same page” with the U.S.

The strikes continue, and all we get is a grin from the President, or a statement from the Prime Minister that goes like this, “This is a war which is Pakistan’s war. And we’ll fight for our own interest. And that is because I have lost my own leader, Benazir Bhutto, because of the militants.”
Nothing about the homes that will never see light again. Nothing about the sovereignty of Pakistan. The priorities remain limited to a party leader who was killed more than nine months ago.

The Prime Minister’s microscopic vision only allows him to see the PPP flag. In a country where Party leaders are bigger than political parties and political parties are bigger than Pakistan, what more can we expect from this distorted figure of democracy?

The U.S. Admiral Mike Mullen wants to attack Pakistan? When are we going to acknowledge the extent of the threat that we face? Are not our western cities as much a part of Pakistan as our central provinces, or are we waiting for a strike more near our homes before we realize what is happening?
To the Media: Play your role as a watchdog now, when we need it. Where
are the analysts, the superstar anchors? Where is the intelligentsia that is supposed to enlighten the common man?

To the President: No Mr. Zardari, please spare us your noble advice and wisdom. What we need is an honest leader who can stand up for Pakistan, not a remote controlled U.S. moppet.

To Gen. Ashfaq Kayani: We have no faith in the government. Please retaliate to the threats. Save us from our own, and save us from the enemies outside. We can not compromise on our sovereignty. We stand united with you. May you protect Pakistan always.

Pakistan Paindabad.
**

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CIA’S THREATS TO PAKISTAN

BrassTacks Think Tank - Official Website

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Re: Wake Up, We Are Already At War

I think instead of sentimentalism, we should grasp the gravity of the situation. As for General Kiyanis warning, the generals who have enjoyed the lavishness of military messes and cantonment throughout their lives and never seen ac atual war can say whatever they like. They said same thing in 1971 yet in the end they signed one of the most humialting surrender document in history ever. I am quite if US+NATO would threaten to bomb few cities of Punjab, Pakistani Fauj would surrender within no time. So enough of this proxy war.

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Re: Wake Up, We Are Already At War

Who is "it" LOD ?

Pakistan budget 2012
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The answer to your question is in the excerpt:

“Analysts at the CIA and other US spy and security agencies believe not only that the embassy bombing was aided by ISI operatives, but also that the highest levels of Pakistan’s security apparatus – including Kayani – had knowledge of the plot, The New York Times reported Thursday.”

AFP: Strain in ties as US launches ground raids inside Pakistan

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Re: Wake Up, We Are Already At War

Pakistan could end cooperation in war on terror

Opposition says Pakistan could end cooperation in war on terror after cross-border US raids

PAUL ALEXANDER
AP News

Sep 12, 2008 17:34 EST

The furor intensified Friday over Washington’s decision to pursue Islamic militant targets inside Pakistan, with opposition lawmakers threatening the country could pull out of the war on terror if the U.S. refuses to respect its borders.

About 100 protesters burned American flags after the latest missile attack left at least 12 people dead in the North Waziristan region of the troubled northwest. Residents said they heard the sound of propeller-driven U.S. Predator drones circling overhead before the explosions.

President Bush secretly approved more aggressive cross-border operations in July, current and former American officials have told The Associated Press.

Since Aug. 13, there have been at least seven reported missile strikes as well as a raid by helicopter-borne U.S. commandos that Pakistani officials claim killed 15 civilians in tribally governed territory where the government has little control. The frontier region is considered a likely hiding place for Osama bin Laden and his deputy, Ayman al-Zawahri.

Pakistan’s government and military have issued stiff protests to Washington over the recent rash of cross-border strikes, although the criticism appeared to be mostly rhetoric aimed at soothing domestic anger, given that Pakistan has few options for stronger action.

Domestic media have criticized the government for not reacting more strongly, even suggesting the public criticism is just lip service and that a secret deal has been reached with Pakistan’s leadership allowing cross-border incursions.

Pakistan army chief Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani has denied that and vowed to protect the country’s sovereignty “at all cost.”

Leaders, including new President Asif Ali Zardari, have reiterated their commitment to fighting violent Islamic extremism and have aired no threats to withdraw their cooperation.

However, they are sensitive to public opinion in Pakistan, which is hostile to U.S. policy in the region.

Agitation on the issue by former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who heads the main opposition party and has a large popular following, could make it hard for Islamabad to maintain the close alliance with Washington forged by Zardari’s predecessor, Pervez Musharraf.

“We need at this time to make it clear to foreign countries that Pakistan will not tolerate such actions,” said Ahsan Iqbal, a lawmaker in Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League-N party. “If it continues, then Pakistan can consider pulling out completely from this war on terror.”

Iqbal and another party leader called for an urgent parliament session to debate how Pakistan can respond.

“The parliament must be convened on a one-point agenda, because the nation is under a threat of war,” said lawmaker Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan. “Irrespective of where the threat is, every inch of this country is sovereign. Every inch of this country is sacred.”

Defense Minister Chaudhry Ahmad Mukhtar said Pakistan’s armed forces were “ready to meet any such eventuality if this is repeated” and evoked Pakistan’s war against India in 1965.

Despite the strong language, parliament has few options beyond issuing a condemnation of cross-border raids and reiterating the country’s sovereignty.

Realistically, there’s not much Pakistan can do to stop the U.S. from mounting cross-border attacks, short of shooting down helicopters carrying allied forces. And breaking off relations would mean an end to billions of dollars in U.S. aid at a time when Pakistan’s economy badly needs foreign assistance.

Most analysts doubt Pakistan is ready to reverse Musharraf’s decision in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks to stand with Washington. Even Musharraf raised the specter of pulling out of the war on terror, complaining repeatedly that Pakistan’s sacrifices in fighting the militants were not properly recognized.

Officials say more than 1,000 troops and police have died since 2001, far more than the losses for international forces in Afghanistan. Pakistan has also suffered a wave of suicide bombings that began last year and has killed and maimed thousands more.

Pakistani commentators have been near-unanimous in predicting that unilateral U.S. strikes and civilian casualties will wreck the moderate government’s effort to persuade its citizens that fighting violent Islamic extremism is in their own national interest.

“America is daily deepening the well of resentment against itself that no amount of aid or pious diplomatic platitudes will ever fill,” The News daily said in an editorial Friday.

Some analysts suggest the Bush administration is turning up the heat in Pakistan, hoping for last-minute victories in the face of a growing Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan.

But such cross-border operations are a “risky maneuver” and the U.S. has to be careful not to dismiss the help it is getting from Pakistan, said Robert Hathaway, director of the Asia program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington.

“Too many of these operations will make the Pakistani army less willing to work with us,” which could negatively affect future U.S. leadership," he said.

“Because the situation in Iraq has by most accounts improved, there’s a capacity for the administration to shift gears and devote more military and intelligence resources to Pakistan and Afghanistan issues,” said Daniel Markey, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

“What I don’t know and what will be important is whether this is a shift that will be lasting,” he said.

Zardari and Afghan President Hamid Karzai, at a joint news conference Tuesday, emphasized the need to eliminate civilian casualties, which fuel anti-government sentiment.

Associated Press writers Stephen Graham in Islamabad, Ishtiaq Mahsud in Der Ismail Khan, Pakistan, Khalid Tanveer in Multan, Pakistan, and Carley Petesch in New York contributed to this report.

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this is all happen when one doesn't stop feeding milk to snakes and when you stop, they bite back. Americans must have realized now snakes can never be pets so this is the right time for US and Pakistan to crush these snakes together

m i right bacho? :p

Khwab Gharonday (Nazm)
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Re: Wake Up, We Are Already At War

^ but what about the civilian casualties that all three parties seem to collect, everytime they go after these snakes? Are you implying these innocent women and children and snakes too, because in the end, they are the only ones dying, bazurgoon.

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Re: Wake Up, We Are Already At War

nevermind, ure indian, just saw that on the other thread, obviously you wont care...

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Re: Wake Up, We Are Already At War

^ we, the people of India realized this long time back and that is the reason now we know how and why to crush snakes, but are we still able to protect our civilians? this is not as easy you think to win war against snakes without avoiding civilian causalities.

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Are you implying being Indian automatically means unprincipled....I think his unprincipled stance should be taken as his personal view instead of implying the whole nation of one billion people as immoral....

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Indian bhaijan...there is a difference between human beings and snakes.....just imagine somebody attacks your house with a missile and kills innocent members of your family including women and children....God forbid...

Do not wish for others what you don't like for yourself....

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Thats funny words coming from you "Crush snakes". When/Where?

As for civilian casualties - dont get me started.

Yes, the US wont strike India ever as India provides them cheap labour

ek she'r...
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India actually provides a lot more then that, Its one of US outpost to take care of China… Ah yes the masters great game of divide and rule, pit one against the other.. clicky below please..

Foreign Policy In Focus | Using India to Keep China at Bay

~*~ Time Pass June 2012 ~*~
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Snakes are revered as Gods by some in India, becareful, you dont want to piss of one of their gods!

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True.
Pakistanis have been hijacked by the army and politicians (Feudals), Pakistanis need to go to war with them or they will die as insects.

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You sure about that??????
I don't know if you have been reading news lately. For last year or so there have been local(non us Bombing) in panjab.
In case you haven't noticed, ppl who are paying the price are not the cause of war in FATA.
I think we need to smarten up a little to see it as Pakistan's problem,
Wouldn't you say so ?

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An 'ally' in 'war on terror' decides to halt operations IN RESPECT OF HOLY MONTH OF RAMZAN because CIVILIAN casualities are taking place. The US goverment continues to carry out these strikes and tell their 'ally' loud and clear that we care sh!t for your people who are dying and those women and kids losing their body parts, no matter even if they die DURING THE MUSLIM HOLY MONTH!!!

THIS is the kind of respect that they have for the lives of the citizens of their 'ally' and for their sacred month of Ramzan. And all our PM and President who posses DEAD SOULS do is GRIN on the cameras instead of doing anything about it. This is the PEOPLE'S ELECTED GOVERNMENT!!!

As I stated before, THIS CANNOT BE TOLERATED. If US has no respect of the muslims' holy month and it continues to kill the citizens of its' 'ally' for the 'war on terror' then even the Pakistani public who originally SUPPORTED this WAR ON TERROR basically have absolutely NO RESPECT for US policies.

They are killing our people during the holy month of Ramzan when the Pakistani government decided to give it a stop in respect of the sacred month. That clearly shows they have absolutely NO RESPECT or care for this month and what they are causing the citizens of Pakistan.

We need to take charge and try to stop this. If it doesnt, the general public of Pakistan will come forward to fight against this alongside our army and soldiers in the battlefield. It does not matter if even if they lose their lives in that because Pakistani citizens are losing their lives without fighting, anyway. A Pakistani who dies alongside the borders is a Pakistani. And he is no different than the Pakistani living in any other part of the country.

I, here, volunteer my services to fight alongside our soldiers in this cause if the need be. Pakistani army should just let us know where to come.

What did you do today?
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Re: Wake Up, We Are Already At War

Please do send us a post card once you get there.

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You are so right. The unimpressive Gilani keeps vomiting the same lines like a rattoo tota (parrot) everytime he's pushed by the media. WTH!! Why bring kambakht BB in every discussion and debate. He can neither speak nor read written speech properly!! has no independent vision, besides does not look like a PM or leader. Trust me even Junejo was better which isn't saying a lot :)

And what's (perhaps not) really surprising is, we have n't seen a single statement from jageerdaar Jirdari condemning repeated American attacks on our soil recently.

Gen. Kayani is giving bold statements every day and seems to be dictating policy in FATA which is a blessing in disguise (though he is limited in what he can do..). Experience will only make him more confident. No I don't want to see another coup!! As much as I want to see democracy flourish in Pakistan (and I know I am hoping against hope here) I just don't trust PPP or their government.