Friday, January 30, 2009
zardari's pakistan,.......feel pity for my country fellows!!!!
now tell me who is slave of america,musharraf or PPP???
Pakistan responded Wednesday to Defense Secretary Robert Gates comments that the U.S. military will continue to attack suspected Al Qaeda strongholds in Pakistan, saying the country wants close cooperation with the U.S. on the operational level to deal with militants.
The goal is to establish cooperation with the United States to bring peace and stability to the region while eliminating extremism, Pakistan's spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs told FOX News.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
zardari advertising taliban courts ,responding to the threats but not letting pak army to stop talibans and drone attacks...
Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari vowed to wrest control of the Swat Valley from pro-Taliban militants who have set up Islamic courts in the region north of the capital, Islamabad
"Militants will not be allowed to impose their ideology and political agenda on the people through the barrel of a gun," Zardari
"Militants will not be allowed to impose their ideology and political agenda on the people through the barrel of a gun," Zardari
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Drone attacks to continue: Gates: ‘Decision conveyed to Islamabad’!!!!! gifts for GREAT PPP PEOPLE OF PAKISTAN FROM PPP
America never dared to do that during the Musharraf's rule.........
after somedays american troops will come and make another Iraq or Gaza in Pakistan ..."great PPP POOR PAKISTANIS" ..Now this what we call zardari's Pakistan.....LOW IQ PPP PAKISTANIS(FOR THOSE WHO LOVE PPP)
S Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday that the United States would continue drone strikes at suspected terrorist targets inside Fata and has conveyed its decision to the government of Pakistan.
Mr Gates told a US Senate panel that the Pentagon could send two more brigades to Afghanistan by late spring and a third by late summer. A US Army combat brigade typically comprises about 3,500 soldiers.
Mr Gates, who also served in the Bush administration as defence secretary, said that fighting Al Qaeda in its refuge inside Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan was an important objective also of the Obama administration.
The issue of US drone attacks in Fata was raised by the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levin, who recalled that last week the Pakistan Foreign Ministry had issued a statement calling US missile strikes on Pakistani territory counter-productive and requested that they be discontinued.
S Defence Secretary Robert Gates said on Tuesday that the United States would continue drone strikes at suspected terrorist targets inside Fata and has conveyed its decision to the government of Pakistan.
Mr Gates told a US Senate panel that the Pentagon could send two more brigades to Afghanistan by late spring and a third by late summer. A US Army combat brigade typically comprises about 3,500 soldiers.
Mr Gates, who also served in the Bush administration as defence secretary, said that fighting Al Qaeda in its refuge inside Pakistan along the border with Afghanistan was an important objective also of the Obama administration.
The issue of US drone attacks in Fata was raised by the chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee Carl Levin, who recalled that last week the Pakistan Foreign Ministry had issued a statement calling US missile strikes on Pakistani territory counter-productive and requested that they be discontinued.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
port grand retail and entertainment complex,Karcahi.Pakistan
Designed by: Newwork
Status: Under construction
Client: Karachi Port Trust (KPT)
Contractors: Grand Leisure Corporation
Infrastructure Type: Food Street/Social Space/Market
Construction Date: 2006
Completion Date: 2008
Location: Below Jinnah Bridge & Karachi Port, Karachi
Status: Under construction
Client: Karachi Port Trust (KPT)
Contractors: Grand Leisure Corporation
Infrastructure Type: Food Street/Social Space/Market
Construction Date: 2006
Completion Date: 2008
Location: Below Jinnah Bridge & Karachi Port, Karachi
Naseeb
Naseeb – an eight-year olf bay - won the Quaid-i-Azam Gold Cup at the
Karachi Racecourse in 2008. With two victories already under his belt,
Naseeb beat closest rival and last year's Derby winner Gold Krik by five
lengths in the annual prized event run over 12 furlongs.
Pakistani field hockey legend Brig. (retd.) Manzoor Hussain Atif
Pakistani field hockey legend Brig. (retd.) Manzoor Hussain Atif, originally uploaded by www.first-pakistan.blogspot.com.
Pakistani field hockey legend Brig. (retd.) Manzoor Hussain Atif passed away
this year at the age of 81. Hussain represented Pakistan in four Olympics
and was part of the team that won the gold medal at the 1960 Rome Games. He
was team manager when Pakistan won its second and third Olympic golds, in
Mexico in 1968 and in Los Angeles in 1984. Brig. Atif also served as
secretary of the Pakistan Hockey Federation for 11 years and also the Asian
Hockey Federation secretary for 16 years.
Squash great Jahangir Khan (r)
Squash great Jahangir Khan (r) stepped down from his post of the president
of the World Squash Federation after successfully completing the maximum
tenure of six years. Jahangir received numerous awards and honours in 2008,
including an honorary degree from the London Metropolitan University and
awards from the WSF. Jahangir was also one of a few players selected for the
Olympic Museum of Heroes in Switzerland.
Shandur polo festival
The Shandur polo festival – better known as the polo competition on the rooftop of the world – was won by Chitral in 2008. They beat Gilgit 9-7 in the final held at the highest polo ground in the world. The Shandur festival attracts a great number of local and foreign spectators.
Paralympic Games
Pakistan participated in the Paralympic Games, also held in Beijing in 2008. The Paralympic squad's performance was much better than that of their Olympic counterparts. All-round athlete Haider Ali made the country proud by winning a silver medal in the long jump event. This was Pakistan's first ever Paralympic medal and Ali also came close to winning a medal in the discus throw event. Pakistan's participation in the event was marred by a doping scandal when weightlifter Naveed Ahmed Butt tested positive for a banned substance.
Carla Khan
Carla Khan – Pakistan's number one player in women's squash announced her retirement from the game in 2008, citing injuries and lack of support from the Pakistan Squash Federation. The news came as a shock as Carla had been performing well on the international circuit and Pakistan will have to wait a while before another quality squash player emerges from the women's circuit.
Beijing 2008 Olympics
Pakistan was represented at Beijing 2008 Olympics by 21 players, including a hockey squad (16 players), two track-and-field athletes, two swimmers and one shooter.
Swimmer Kiran Khan and sprinter Sadaf Siddiqui were the two women representing Pakistan. Traditionally, the Pakistani hockey team has produced good results at the Olympics. However, the hockey team finished eighth in Beijing – their worst Olympic performance ever.
Amir Atlas Khan and Farhan Mehboob
Pakistan has notably been absent from the squash circuit in recent years. This, however, may change soon as two of Pakistan's young players; Amir Atlas Khan and Farhan Mehboob are consistently performing well and are in top 20 players in the world.
Kabaddi
The traditional sport of Kabaddi was in the limelight this year . the tournaments attracted big crowds and showed that the arch rivals were able to leave politics out of sport, at least for once this year.
Aisamul Haq Qureshi
Tennis star Aisamul Haq Qureshi shocked the tennis world when he beat sixth seed Richard Gasquet at the Halle Open tournament in Germany. Gasquest was ranked 11th in the world at that time, 293 places higher than Aisam. The serve-and-volleyer from Lahore then qualified for the main draw of the US Open in both the doubles and singles draws. Aisam has been the lone tennis player representing Pakistan in major events worldwide.
U.S. must force Indo-Pak to resolve Kashmir issue: Musharraf
Musharraf was of the view that Kashmir and other disputes between both archrivals were root cause of extremism in the region and added, "Radicalism can never be abolished from the region until the resolution of Kashmir dispute and other differences between India and Pakistan."
He termed it legitimate and the need of hour to use army in overcoming terrorism but added that army operations cannot succeed in exterminating terrorism.
Musharraf indicated the substantial and swift growth of extremism in India and presented racial violent incidents in Indian Gujrat and Babri Mosque tragedy as examples that claimed scores of innocent lives.
Extremism in India cannot be ignored, he maintained.
Discussing Dr. Abdul Qadeers' home confinement he said, Dr. Qadeer is the hero of a common man as he turned Pakistan nuclear power.
Monday, January 26, 2009
RAW RAW rocks the boat
It certainly is a monumental task for the informed Sri Lankan or for that
matter anyone in the neighbourhood of India to keep a straight face when
talking about the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in India.
Formed in 1968, the predatory operations carried out by this external
intelligence agency of India in the neighbouring countries, is perhaps the
best example as to how a geographically advantageous nations bully their
little neighbours.
A careful study of the RAW would spell out that its modus operandi include
multi-nationals, non-governmental organizations and even cultural centres.
*Among its most ambitious operations that are currently underway is the
move to separate Balochistan province from Pakistan by supporting
Balochistan Liberation Army*
The RAW in Sri Lanka has a pretty colourful record.
Having raised, nursed and fortified the *Liberation Tigers of Tamil
Eelam*it later went through phases where it adopted 'rock the baby,
pinch the
baby' approach towards the LTTE. While many thought the assassination of
Rajiv Gandhi would have hardened the approach of the RAW towards the LTTE it
really did not happen that way. While New Delhi was shattered by the death
of Nehru's grandson the less emotional RAW moved on with rest of
operation.In 2007 ripples were created in the spy agency when one of its
Colombo based officers Ravi Nair of 1975 batch was found allegedly carrying
on an affair with a woman working for a Chinese spy agency.
Delhi was shattered by the death of Nehru's grandson the less emotional RAW
moved on with rest of operation.In 2007 ripples were created in the spy
agency when one of its Colombo based officers Ravi Nair of 1975 batch was
found allegedly carrying on an affair with a woman working for a Chinese spy
agency.
The 'crime' was considered only second to what was committed by the RAW
Joint Secretary Rabinder Singh in 2004 when he escaped with copies of
several highly confidential documents and is believed to have passed them on
to the CIA. This was after Singh's superiors confronted him with evidence
that he had spent time with a Delhi based female US embassy officer at a
resort down New Delhi- Jaipur highway.
The incident really rocked the RAW and forced it to go for several reforms
which included strong counter-check measures on its officers.
Despite these measures within three years a second scandal broke out, this
time in Colombo.
Following the embarrassment caused by Ravi Nair in Colombo, the RAW recalled
the officer made it a point to post a lady officer to Colombo, probably
thinking that's the best way to discourage Chinese spies.
The reports that the RAW is out to create mischief in the backdrop of recent
military victories by Sri Lankan troops surfaced days after media reports
that Pottu Amman who was pulled up by Prabhakaran over recent debacles, had
slipped off to India.
That the RAW was planning to host a selected group of fleeing LTTE seniors
in India with a view to checkmate Sri Lanka in the future was the
speculation among many war analysts around this time. Many held that it
would only be a surprise if it doesn't resort to such a counter- strategy
given its record which included among others dozens and dozens of moves to
weaken both SLFP and UNP led governments in Sri Lanka.
Then came the 'Times of India' leak that a team of the RAW operatives and
spy planes have been sent to spy across the Palk straits and yesterday the
local dailies here went to town about the spy plane spotted in the skies
above Mullaitivu and the Navy attempts to shoot it down. All this is little
too much evidence for a cynic to dismiss that the whole thing is just a
grand 'conspiracy theory', a rumour spread by the anti- Indian lobby in
Colombo. Sri Lanka is certainly in no mood to trust the Research and
Analysis Wing of India.
*taken from*
www.dailymirror.lk/DM_BLOG/Sections/frmNewsDetailView.asp...
Sunday, January 25, 2009
President Pervez Musharraf Address To The American Jewish Congress
| Honourable Mr. Jack Rosen, Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Let me start by expressing my personal and my Nation's grief and condolences over the devastation, loss of lives and human suffering caused by Hurricane Katrina in the south eastern states specially New Orleans. 2. I thank Mr. Jack Rosen for inviting this distinguished gathering under the auspices of the American Jewish Congress. This is a unique occasion. It signifies an endeavour for mutual understanding in a time of uncertainty and fear. The unfortunate events of recent history have created division and tension between the followers of the three great monotheistic faiths --- Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Your invitation card described this event as a historic occasion. For a leader of Pakistan, it is indeed so, and I feel privileged to be speaking to so many members of what is probably the most distinguished and influential community in the United States. I also deeply appreciate that, in arranging this event, the American Jewish Congress has invited members of other prominent organizations and associations representing the spectrum of American society. 3. I always speak my mind candidly. And I always do so with total sincerity. This is what I will do this evening. There is no longer any time for ambivalence or leisurely diplomacy. 4. The world has entered an era where a number of threats - terrorism, political conflicts, proliferation, poverty – have assumed global and catastrophic dimensions. They have to be resolved urgently and with finality. They cannot be merely managed in the hope that they can be resolved later. We can no longer leave these wounds festering. They pose a great danger to the world at large and our future generations. 5. Our world today has been transformed, by the revolutions in communications and information technology, into a global village. People move, interact and affect each other. The good or bad in one region transcend geopolitical boundaries and have a global impact. The homily: "the common heritage of mankind" is now a visible reality. We are jointly responsible for the well-being, progress and prosperity of our peoples – indeed of mankind at large. Each people, nation, and religion must live with each other, accommodate each other, and do no harm to each other. Today, truly, we are our "brother's keeper". This is a heavy responsibility – given that our world has great wealth, but also grave poverty; great achievements, but also grave injustice; unprecedented capacity for progress and prosperity, but also the awesome capability to destroy our planet. Ladies and Gentlemen, 6. The major monotheistic religions of the world – Judaism, Christianity and Islam – share a common heritage and converge on a multiplicity of universal values. Yet, today, our great religions – which should be a source of hope, tolerance and peace – are seen to be pitted against each other. How and why did this happen? Is it possible to reshape the future for the common benefit of humanity – for all of us? These are the questions I would like to address this evening. 7. On this occasion, it is relevant to recall that Jews and Muslims have more similarities and few divergences in their faith and culture. The oneness of God (which Muslims call Tauheed), is common to both Islam and Judaism. The Muslim greeting, Salam O Alaikum (peace be upon you), is akin to the Jewish greeting, Shalom, which also means peace. When I watched the last scene in the famous movie "Schindler's List", it concludes with a quotation from the Talmud: "Killing one innocent person is like the murder of humanity and saving one innocent person is like saving humanity". The identical words appear in the Holy Quran. 8. According to the Holy Quran and our Holy Prophet, Jews and Christians are the "People of the Book", belonging to the same spiritual tradition. Abraham, Moses and Jesus are among the most revered prophets of Islam. Moses is the prophet who is most frequently referred to in the Holy Quran. Our experiences and histories intertwine in many regions of the old world and most significantly in the Holy Land. 9. The history of interaction between the Islamic and Jewish communities is rich and long. This includes the shining examples of Jewish communities coexisting in harmony within Islamic societies in Cordova, Baghdad, Istanbul and Bokhara, contributing to a rich mosaic of culture and traditions. Many Jewish historians have referred to the days of Muslim Spain as the "golden period", when Jewish communities flourished intellectually, politically and economically in an environment of religious tolerance and scholarly inspiration. The subsequent wrath of the Inquisition was suffered jointly by Muslims and Jews. Indeed, over the centuries, Jewish communities and Islamic societies from Central Asia to Spain, have not only lived together and shared prosperity, but also suffered together. 10. The past six decades are, therefore, an aberration in the long history of Muslim-Jewish cooperation and coexistence. Many learned studies have been written about the reasons for the hostility and violence that has occurred. I do not wish to dwell on this. Each of us has his own understanding and perception. But, it is relevant to recall that the gulf between the Muslim and Jewish communities arose in what was the bloodiest century in human history, marked by world wars, genocide and mass deportations, in which millions perished. It was in this bloody century that the Jewish people suffered their greatest tragedy – the Holocaust – whose commemoration will be on the agenda of this year's session of the United Nations General Assembly. It was also in this brutal century that other peoples suffered their greatest tragedies – Palestinians, Kashmiris, Bosnians, Rwandese. We must not forget; but we must forgive. Suffering often engenders anger; but this must be soon replaced by compassion. And, we have witnessed such compassion from the Jewish community. It was Jewish groups in the US who were in the forefront in opposing the ethnic cleansing of Muslims in Bosnia. I am told that the largest contributor to the Bosnian cause was the Jewish-American businessman and philanthropist – George Soros. More recently, in the backlash against Muslims, including Pakistani immigrants, after 9/11, they received legal and other assistance from several Jewish groups. I wish to acknowledge and appreciate this. 11. These noble examples are a source of hope. Hope that we can convert this century into one which will see universal peace, progress and prosperity. This aspiration is achievable but only if we pursue reconciliation and cooperation. 12. There are a host of challenges we all face in common – political, social and environmental. One of the most pervasive threats we confront is international terrorism. The world today is in the grip of terror. Explosives, car bombs, suicide bombers have all added a new destructive dimension to terrorism. Terrorism threatens to destabilize all modern societies. It is anti-progress. It must be rejected. It cannot be condoned for any reason or cause. 13. The people of Pakistan have suffered from terrorism. We continue to suffer because of extremism in our region. We are making our contribution to the fight against terrorism. Our efforts have won international appreciation. Pakistan is participating in international action against international terrorism through police and military action, intelligence sharing and measures to curb terrorist financing. 14. But, I believe, we cannot limit ourselves to fire fighting and local actions against individuals and groups. We should also look for the deeper causes of this malaise and for the motivations that drive individuals to extreme irrational behaviour to commit acts of terrorism. The question that arises is: what pushes a human being to such extremes of desperation that he takes his own life to kill others? I have no doubt whatsoever that any attempt to shy away or ignore the root causes of terrorism is shutting ones eyes to reality and is a sure recipe for failure. Military action or use of force against the terrorists today is not, in itself, the ultimate solution to the malaise. It merely buys us time to implement profound policies to eliminate the phenomenon. 15. A parallel danger lies in fallacious theories and polemical campaigns motivated by prejudice. The postulated clash between civilizations, specifically between Islam and the West, has no basis in history. Civilizations have grown and prospered throughout history, influencing, interacting with and enriching each other. Regrettably, the theory has inspired attempts to turn it into a self-fulfilling prophecy. There are tendencies to associate Islam with terrorism and even suggestions that this great religion of tolerance, compassion and peace, somehow, denies espousal of these universal values. To my mind this is a hate campaign. In today's dynamic world, we need, more than ever before, to foster understanding and harmony among societies. Should we tolerate such campaigns in our midst when we demand their rejection elsewhere? Therefore, I strongly support the endeavour to promote interfaith and inter-civilizational dialogue and harmony. 16. However, it is a fact that, today, most of those involved in terrorist acts, as well most of those who suffer the consequences of these acts, are Muslims. Obviously, there is a deep disturbance and malaise within Islamic societies, which has become specially acute in recent years. The reasons are plain to see. Since the end of the Cold War, almost every major festering problem and conflict affects and torments the Islamic world. Palestine has been at the heart of the troubles in the Middle East. In our region, Kashmir has been the source of tension and conflict. The unfortunate history of Afghanistan spawned extremism and terrorism. Turmoil in Iraq causes great concern in the Islamic world and the rest of the international community. These and other political issues, have given rise to a deep sense of anger, desperation and humiliation in the Arab and Muslim populations. It is this political and social environment which breeds terrorism and extremism. 17. At the same time, I do not shy away from pointing to the failure within the Islamic societies to embrace reform, progress and modernity. The Muslim world emerged from decades of colonization, politically, economically and socially stunted. Political independence did not always lead to good governance. Many of us have remained trapped in a time warp, still struggling to reconstruct our political, social and economic systems to respond to the challenges of our times. In Islamic societies, there is a divide between the outlook of the protagonists of modernity and the custodians of orthodoxy. The resultant economic deprivation and social backwardness are also the source of extremism. And extremism creates a fertile recruiting ground for terrorism. Ladies and Gentlemen, 18. If we are to succeed against terrorism and end extremism, we must, therefore, address the root causes. The leaders of today must change the course of events instead of merely reacting to a series of catastrophic events – such as 9/11 and 7/7. 19. First of all, I feel we need to clearly understand that terrorism and extremism are two different phenomena. Each requires a different strategy. Lumping terrorism and extremism together, or behaving as if they are synonymous, is a fallacy. Terrorism has to be met head on with all the force required to suppress and eradicate it. In the case of extremism, the battle has to be won in the hearts and minds of people. It cannot be achieved through the use of force. We must adopt separate short term and long-term strategies to address terrorism and extremism. Such immediate and long-term strategies have to be implemented at three tiers: the global level, the Muslim world level and the national level in the concerned countries. 20. In the immediate context, terrorism, as I said, has to be confronted with force all over the world. Intimate cooperation and coordination of intelligence and squeezing the underworld funding of terrorists and extremists organizations will facilitate counter terrorism operations to a large degree. 21. At the same time, to ensure success, it is essential, together with the use of force, to promote the resolution of the political disputes, which are exploited by terrorists to justify their criminal actions. Among these political disputes, may I be allowed to say clearly that the Palestinian and Kashmir disputes are ripe for resolution. One can draw satisfaction from the fact that visible signs of movement are appearing towards an end to both these disputes. We ought to put our collective weight behind a push for their final solution. Secondly, for the long term, the socio economic revival of the Muslim world, focusing particularly on education and poverty alleviation, will also erode the core of terrorism and extremism. 22. I have strongly advocated reform, social and economic progress and rejection of extremism in Islamic societies. In parallel, I have emphasized that the international community, particularly the West, must facilitate the resolution of outstanding problems, in particular the problem of Palestine. I have described this two-pronged approach as Enlightened Moderation. Regardless of the nomenclature, this dual approach responds to the realities of our historical and political circumstances, which cannot be wished away. 23. The strategy of Enlightened Moderation, at the global and Muslim world level, will also help to end extremism. Domestically, religious bigotry, hate campaigns and confrontational tendencies have to be curbed. This has to be done through bold, determined, well thought out and indigenously applicable strategies. The misuse of religion to spread militancy, hatred and violence has to be suppressed. An international discourse as well as national debate in affected societies, on religious harmony must be initiated. In the Muslim world, I feel we need to initiate a serious discourse to promote an understanding of the true Islam. We must then project its real essence to the world. 24. I would like to say with pride that today Pakistan is perhaps the only country which is actively confronting and addressing the issue of terrorism and extremism through well-considered and comprehensive separate strategies. The results are already visible on the ground. We are determined to persist with and sustain this effort until we gain complete ascendancy over the terrorist and extremist segments within our national fabric. Ladies and Gentlemen, 25. I would be remiss if, while addressing the American Jewish Congress, I did not express my views on the Israeli-Palestinian problem. I do not have an iota of doubt that this lies at the heart of terrorism in the Middle East and beyond. In view of its global impact, it is incumbent on the international community - specially the West and the US – to ensure a peaceful resolution of the dispute. Both parties involved – the Israelis and the Palestinians - must shun confrontation and pursue peace and reconciliation. 26. Israel rightly desires security. This will remain incomplete until the creation of an independent and viable Palestinian state is assured. Israel must come to terms with geopolitical realities and allow justice to prevail for the Palestinians. The Palestinians' desire for freedom and nationhood is as intense as that of any other people. They want their own independent state. 27. We see hope in recent events. We have welcomed the Israeli decision to pull out of Gaza. The peace process, as set out in the "Road Map", must be pursued as agreed. We hope Israel will also soon withdraw from the West Bank. This will set the stage for the establishment of the independent state in Palestine. By respecting Palestinian aspirations, Israel will attain its legitimate desire for assured security. I am convinced that peace in Palestine, that does justice to both the Israelis and the Palestinians will bring to a close the sad chapter in the history of the Middle East. It will revive the historical ties between Islam and Judaism. It will extinguish the anger and frustration that motivates resort to violence and extremism. What better signal for peace could there be than the opening of Embassies in Israel by Islamic countries like Pakistan? 28. There will remain the difficult "final status" issues to be resolved. None is more sensitive than the fate of the Holy City of Jerusalem (which we call Al-Quds al-Sharif). It is a city that is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. It was the first Qibla of Islam. The first edict of Caliph Omar when he entered Jerusalem, over fourteen centuries ago, was to annul the five hundred years of exile of the Jewish people. He invited them to return and build their homes in the Holy City. For durable peace and harmony between Israelis and Palestinians – indeed between Israel and the Muslim world – it is such a gesture of reconciliation and realism that is required of Israel. Any final settlement should respect the international character of Jerusalem as well as international law and the resolutions of the Security Council. 29. I have always believed that the courage required to compromise and reconcile is far greater than that required to confront. I appeal to Israel to show that courage. I appeal to the American Jewish Congress, and the entire Jewish Community, to use their considerable influence to put an end to the Palestinian dispute once and for all and to usher in a period of peace and tranquility in the Middle East and perhaps the whole world. Failure is no longer an option. Ladies and Gentlemen, 30. Let me conclude with a word about the prospects of Pakistan's relations with Israel. Pakistan has no direct conflict or dispute with Israel. We pose no threat to Israel's security. We trust that Israel poses no threat to Pakistan's national security. But, our people have a deep sense of sympathy for the Palestinian people and their legitimate aspirations for statehood. In response to the bold step taken by Prime Minister Sharon to withdraw from the Gaza, Pakistan decided to initiate an official contact with Israel. Our Foreign Ministers met in Istanbul through the good offices of our Turkish friends. As the peace process progresses towards the establishment of an independent Palestinian State, we will take further steps towards normalization and cooperation, looking to full diplomatic relations. Ladies and Gentlemen, 31. We can remain mired in old prejudices and keep the world hostage to the politics of perennially defining and redefining the enemy, or we can move forward with courage and reach out to work for the rebirth of history and a new future of peace, harmony, mutual respect, dignity and shared prosperity. We can lose this opportunity to narrow vision and a failure to see humanity in each other. The responsibility to make the right choice is in our hands. May God guide us all to make the right choice. |
--
Khurram Gardezi
( www.first-pakistan.blogspot.com )
( www.youtube.com/group/musharraf )
"nafsani khawahishat insani aqal ko zail kr deti hain(hazrat ali a.s)"
"save Pakistan by sending foreign exchange to home"!!!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
PAKISTAN WOMEN CRICKET TEAM
The year began on a positive note for the girls in green and they did what sportswomen in Pakistan had been struggling to do for several years now — be known for their sporting achievements.
The Pakistan women's cricket team won almost all their matches in the ICC Women's World Cup Qualifiers in South Africa. Earlier, the qualifiers were planned to be held in Lahore, in Nov 2007, but had to be rescheduled and moved due to the emergency imposed by the then President of Pakistan Pervez Musharraf.
The date for holding the event had been moved ahead by three months but when it clashed with Pakistan's general elections, the ICC management and Women's Committee in January decided to hold the qualifiers in Stellenbosch, South Africa, from February 18 to 24.
The girls had been preparing for the event throughout 2007 but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Women's Wing also organised a month-long camp for the 20 or so probables at the Lahore Country Club in Muridke to enable them to confidently face the other seven teams in the event.
Ireland, Zimbabwe, Scotland, hosts South Africa, the Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Bermuda alongwith Pakistan competed in the event. Pakistan managed to beat all their opponents in the pool matches (Ireland by 57 runs, Zimbabwe by nine wickets and Scotland by 252 runs).
In the semi-finals, they beat the Netherlands by 94 runs but then lost to South Africa by eight wickets in the final.
Still, they managed to qualifiy for the Women's World Cup to be held in Australia in the March 2009.
The bunch of girls from next-door finally earned recognition after the event. Skipper Urooj Mumtaz Khan and her girls became household names, so did their coach Umer Rashid who earned much acclaim. Success in the qualifiers and the euphoria which followed also helped the Women's Wing unearth fresh talent from all over Pakistan. The qualifiers followed the National Women's Cricket Championship in March featuring teams from all over the country, even Peshawar.
But the following international tournament the Women's Asia Cup 2008 in Sri Lanka in May brought the girls as well as the nation back to the ground with a loud thud. Pakistan were beaten by 96 runs by hosts Sri Lanka in their first encounter and it was all a downhill slide for them from there on. Next, the team was outclassed by Bangladesh by four wickets followed by a drubbing from India who beat them by 182 runs.
Sri Lanka beat Pakistan again, in the second round, this time by 46 runs. Pakistan's only win came on the event's fifth day when they met Bangladesh again, this time to beat them by 38 runs. However, India trounced Pakistan yet again, by 207 runs and eventually went on to take the Cup when they beat Sri Lanka by 177 runs in the final.
Also in May, former cricketer Shaiza Khan, president of the Pakistan Women's Cricket Control Association (PWCCA) filed a petition in the Lahore High Court to get her association recognised as a legitimate cricket body in Pakistan. A women's team under Shaiza's captaincy had already played the Women's World Cup in India in 1997 but the PCB, after the setting up of the Women's wing in 2004, wouldn't acknowledge the fact, reducing PWCCA to a club.
Meanwhile, putting behind their Asia Cup disappointments, the cricketers once again got busy in their preparations for the mega events in 2009. Besides the World Cup in March, they are also to feature in the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June.
The Quadrangular Tournament in Karachi in July fulfilled the purpose to some degree. Four teams, namely the North Zone, South Zone, Central Zone Blues and Central Zone Greens played each other in the 10-day event staged at the outskirts of Karachi, the lush Quaid-i-Azam Park in Steel Town. South Zone eventually won the event when they beat Central Zone Blues in the final that was played at the National Stadium.
The event also saw the matches being supervised by women umpires for the first time in a national event.
Later training was also imparted to some 25 women scorers at a three-day training course at Steel Town.
The next tournament, the five One-day Internationals and three Twenty20 matches home series with West Indies that was to take place in Karachi and Hyderabad in October was cancelled abruptly by the visitors due to their security concerns after the September 20 bombing at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad.
On the administration front, there had been talk of impending changes within the Women's Wing too after Ijaz Butt's taking over as chairman of the PCB in October. The announcement took place in November when Shirin Javed was appointed as the new chairperson in place of Mira Philbus. The change at the top paved way for further changes including the resignation of manager Shamsa Hashmi, yet the team management was not disturbed when Omer Rashid was retained as team coach.
The year concluded with the women's team looking forward to the triangular series (Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) in Bangladesh in early February to be followed by their next assignment the all-important World Cup
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