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Pakistan sets Bolan forests on fire in New Year 2021

News Intervention Bureau
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Pakistan sets Bolan forests on fire in New Year 2021

Even as the world celebrates advent of New Year 2021, it’s the same old story in Pakistan-occupied Balochistan (POB). The military operations by Pakistan Army have entered the fifth day on Friday and Pakistani forces have set fire to forests in the Bolan area of ​​Balochistan. The military operation has now been extended to Machh and Buzgar areas after Shahrag and its vicinity.

Sources told News Intervention that the Pakistani infantry is being ably assisted by helicopters and spying jets. Pakistani forces have also set alight the vast forests of Gharbug and Sujawal. Pakistani authorities claim that Baloch sarmachaars (freedom fighters) hide in these forests after targeting the Pakistani military.

In fact, this is a weird justification given by Pakistani authorities, who are just trying to hide their incompetence and inability to withstand the attacks by Baloch sarmachaars. After the cold blooded murder of Baloch activist Karima Baloch by the ISI at Toronto in Canada the sarmachaars (freedom fighters) of BLA (Baloch Liberation Army) and BLF (Balochistan Liberation Front) had lodged massive attacks on the Pakistan Army and killed more than twenty five Pakistani soldiers. The Pakistani soldiers had to run away to save their lives. Embarrassed by these defeats the Pakistani soldiers have set the Bolan forests on fire to harass local shepherds and unarmed Baloch civilian population. Almost two months back, Pakistanis had set the Dasht forests on fire at the ​​Kech district. The blaze had charred thousands of precious fruit trees and thousands of animals were killed.

Click on the link to watch our video report

Pakistani gunship helicopters have also been seen shelling at various locations. Due to siege in this area, information on casualties and financial losses are yet to be ascertained.

A house-to-house search operation has also been launched by the Pakistan Army in Paroom area of Balochistan’s Panjgur district. Homes of martyr Baloch sarmachaars Nasir Sanjarani and Hanif Lal were also raided by the Pakistan Army in Kaleeri area of Parom. During this raid women and children were subject to severe mental and physical torture. In another raid a person identified as Nako Wahid Baksh has been abducted by the Pakistan Army.

Biden Presidency: World’s Expectations & the Indian Equation

Lt. Gen. PR Kumar (Retd.)
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Biden Presidency: World’s Expectations & the Indian Equation

“I actually believe that India has bipartisan, or in a sense non-partisan, support in American politics. Our footprint is very wide and so is our acceptability. Different sets of politicians who disagree on many things agree on India. And I think that is a very good place to be,” said Dr S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister in a press interview when asked about Biden Presidency.

A lot of what we read and form perspectives on, has increasingly been attributed to the now famous ‘Echo Chamber’ [i] effect. To the Trump bhakt who are still substantial in number, ‘He can do no wrong’; however, for the rest of the world, including many Americans, Trump is everything USA is not! As far as the other nations are concerned, from inept handling of the COVID crisis to abrogating numerous global key agreements, ridiculing and bullying allies/alliances, withdrawal from global leadership with an ‘America First at any Cost’ attitude, unending trade sanctions for frivolous reasons, political, economic, diplomatic and military coercion and bullying, a ‘either with us or against us’ ultimatum when it comes to China, increasing unpredictability and loss of credibility as a liberal democratic superpower has been their experience and perception. It will not be wrong to say that everyone is awaiting the arrival of President Joe Biden, return of US leadership, working as a team with her allies and restore stability in the geo-political-economic order. It is a long road ahead, as USA and Biden are no longer unipolar or superman, but for global stability and specially for the USA, he must come good.

Let us see the policy statements/commitments made by Biden during his electioneering and examine/analyse what, how much and what timeframe he will be able to keep his electoral promises within USA and to the world. One thing is certain even to a layman let alone the discerning, that the world order, international security environment, geo-political-economic-social landscape post COVID has changed forever.

Chinese Impatience and Overreach: Biden’s Opportunity
Sensing an opportunity and led by ambitious Xi Jinping, a rising, belligerent China (CCP) appears to be in an unseemly hurry to don the mantle of global leadership. China is guilty of spreading the coronavirus and withholding of vital information, exercising controversial global economic hegemony (BFI and debt traps), engaging in ‘Wolf diplomacy’, holding an abysmal human rights record, resorting to unabashed military posturing and threatening to upset the status quo in the China Seas (South and East) and India-China LAC at Ladakh.

Teaming up with Russia and other illiberal nations and using all domains of comprehensive national power at her disposal (PDIME – political, diplomatic, Information, Military, Economic) China is projecting power and dominance within international institutions, and in Asia and ‘the West’, showcasing that China’s time has come. The record of the last few years has not inspired a surge in faith in China as an alternative global leader. China’s rise to global power over the past decade has been perhaps the most consistent storyline in the world, but Gallup polling has found that China’s global approval rating, a median of 32 percent among over 130 countries has hardly budged in ten years. In the United Kingdom, disapproval of China was under 40 percent five years ago; today, it is almost 75 percent [ii], a trend also evident in many nations around the world. Many countries naturally still see significant opportunity in deeper ties with China. Yet over the last four years, opinions on Beijing’s leadership have soured in critical areas. And for Biden, that provides an opening. But to fully seize it, the new administration must restore the United States’ credibility, will, and reputation for global leadership.

Biden’s Promises
President-elect Joe Biden has made many promises during his presidential campaign, and has made his stance known on many issues. Restoring American leadership accordingly, must include the more basic task of showing that the United States is a capable problem solver once more. The new administration will rightly give precedence to problem solving at home [iii]; ending the pandemic, jump-starting an equitable economic recovery, and reforming fraying democratic institutions. Biden has said he plans to pull the country out of the current crisis by “building back better” in a way that confronts economic inequality, systemic racism, and climate change. Yet major structural changes will take time. The Biden administration should therefore concurrently pursue foreign policy initiatives that can quickly highlight the return of American expertise and competence.

Domestic Measures

  • COVID-19.  Tackling the pandemic will be his highest priority on assumption of office. Placing science and health experts at the forefront, he has announced a coronavirus task force tasked to construct a plan based on compassion, empathy, and concern. Promised to reach out to all involved irrespective of party or position including passing a bill by Congress by end of Jan 2021, coordinating both public health and economic package till COVID is defeated, by expanding surveillance testing, providing healthcare and frontline workers with adequate personal protective equipment, and accelerating the development of treatment and vaccines. Expected to provide global leadership, and employ vast immunisation ecosystem resources for vaccine distribution and inoculation, specially to developing countries.
  • Economy. Support small businesses through government aid; enforce oversight of larger MNCs seeking taxpayer assistance to ensure that the money goes towards their workers; relief plan that would provide additional funds to families in need; forgive a minimum of $10,000 in student loans and increase monthly social security cheques by $200 per month.
  • Healthcare. Responsible as vice president for the passing of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), says he’ll build upon the landmark legislation to ensure that more Americans have access to healthcare. He has expanded to expand federal funding for mental health services and substance use disorder services and research. 
  • Immigration. Biden has said that he will turn the clock back and eliminate the anti-immigration proclamations and executive orders issued by Trump. It would provide a pathway to citizenship for 5,00,000 residents from India. Biden promises to end prolonged detention of migrants and reform the current case management system, and reinstate Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), which granted undocumented youth who came to the US protection from deportation and a renewable work permit. He will re-visit the US-Mexico border wall issue.
  • Environment. Biden plans to work towards a 100 percent clean energy economy in the US by enacting legislation that invests in this area and incentivizing clean energy initiatives across the country.
  • Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement. Opposes defunding the Police and wants to establish a $20 billion competitive grant programme for states so that they may be able to address some of the factors that lead to crime. Biden will also collaborate with the US Department of Justice to “address systemic misconduct in police departments and prosecutors’ offices,” expand financial resources for prosecutorial offices so that defendants may be subject to adequate counsel, and eliminate mandatory minimums and the death penalty. Has promised to address substance use disorder.
  • Gun Safety. Strongly champion gun safety during his presidency. Among his plans include repealing the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, Biden has also pledged to end the online sale of firearms and ammunition, which often do not require background checks.
  • Gender Equality. Biden plans on addressing the gender wage gap by supporting the Paycheck Fairness Act, and also committed to monetarily supporting women-owned businesses as well as restoring the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA), which guarantees equal legal rights for all Americans regardless of sex and would explicitly address gender equality in the Constitution for the first time. He has co-sponsored the ERA nine times. ERA also bans discrimination of LGBTQ+ community whom he always supported.
  • Reproductive Rights.Promised to strengthen the landmark legislation, which has come under the scanner after confirmation of Supreme Court Judge Am Coney.

International Measures
Biden has laid out plans for reversing US withdrawals from international bodies, revoking harmful policies, ending “forever wars,” (Brown University’s Costs of War Project estimates the taxpayer bill for post-9/11 US wars at almost $6 trillion[iv], more than 60,000 killed or wounded since 9/11) and restoring alliances.

Biden has also pledged to prioritize the fight against climate change, outside of addressing the pandemic and its fallout, the most urgent problem for every nation in the world. He wants America to get back its reputation for ‘academic excellence’ and recreate their special place in the global imagination, by lowering the visa hurdles for study in the United States while creating better, more accessible pathways for international students to work in the United States after graduation which can pay both short and long-term dividends in expanding U.S. influence.

Debates among Americans over how the United States should engage with other countries in a post-Trump era have led to valid questions about whether it can conceivably regain the trust needed to lead again. Biden will return the United States to the Paris climate accord, the World Health Organization, and (if the right terms can be secured) the Iran nuclear deal. He has said that his administration will reengage in a variety of international forums and initiatives that Trump abandoned, such as the UN Human Rights Council and the Global Compact for Migration. He has vowed to end the destructive policies of the Trump administration, such as the travel ban on Muslim-majority nations, the slashing of U.S. refugee numbers to historic lows, family separations at the southern border, the berating of allies, and the embrace of authoritarian leaders. And he has promised to draw on the deep ties he has built over four decades of work in foreign policy to convince countries in Asia and Europe that Washington can once again be counted on as an ally.

Defence in Depth and Back to International Alliances and Allies          Echoing Biden’s thoughts in a manner, Jim Mattis in an article in Foreign Affairs[v] recently stated that protecting the United States requires a strategy of ‘defence in depth’, of identifying and dealing with global problems where they occur rather than waiting for threats. To achieve defence in depth, simply strengthening the U.S. military is not enough; nor the even more urgent task of strengthening US diplomacy and other civilian elements of national power. Enhancing national security must start with the fundamental truth that the United States cannot protect itself or its interests without the help of others. This is of special significance to India, further cemented by the US Congress officially passing the US$740 billion defence policy bill, which among other things include calling out Chinese aggression against India along the LAC.

As capable as the US military is, the United States’ principal adversaries are more constrained by its network of alliances than by its military might. Failing to invest and cooperate with allies and partners to shape the international environment risks erosion of this network. As a double whammy, apart from losing friends, it could result in the emergence of other, competing networks, presaging an international order from which the United States is excluded, unable to influence outcomes because it is simply not present. In practice, “America first” has meant “America alone.” This trend has already manifested but thanks to Chinese misadventures the tide can be reversed, and herein lies an opportunity for Biden.

Cooperative Security is the Trump Card: Key to Enhanced Indian Strategic Space
Sovereign countries always have choices: To compromise with aggressors (China, Russia), take actions opposed to US interests, stay neutral, or cooperate with one another on activities from which the United States is excluded. Not even the US is strong enough to protect itself on its own. Cooperating with like-minded nations to sustain an international order of mutual security and prosperity is a cost-effective way of securing that help. US must resist the temptation to maximize US gains at the expense of countries that share its objectives and instead utilizing the powers of influence and inspiration to enlarge the group of countries that work with the United States to a common purpose.

Defence resources cannot substitute for the many non-military elements that go into national security: diplomacy, trade, alliances, economic incentives, educational pathways, crisis leadership during pandemics, disasters et al. US should not press countries to choose outright between the two powers. A “with us or against us” approach plays to China’s advantage, because the economic prosperity of US allies and partners hinges on strong trade and investment relationships with Beijing [vi].

Under Biden, the world expects US to moderate its stance towards China, but due to strategic compulsions and bi-partisan hostility he would be compelled to continue actions to temper Chinese global ambitions. India, an acknowledged growing power with its unique approach, geography (dominates Indian Ocean Region, significant influence in the Indo-Pacific, and contiguous to China) and history of strategic autonomy, enjoys tremendous soft power which must be exploited to its national advantage.

Biden and India
Some sections within India, seem convinced that a Biden presidency bodes ill for India. Their misgivings, it appears, stem from some adverse comments that both Biden and his running mate, Senator Kamala Harris, have made about the state of human rights in J&K, nationalist agenda (Hindu in their perception), CAA and NCR which seeks to move the country away from its secular founding ideals, quoting India’s ‘long tradition of secularism and with sustaining a multiethnic and multi-religious democracy’[vii].

Real Politik will Ultimately Prevail
Under Biden, a multi-faceted, potentially more favourable relationship specially in trade policies for India will emerge, as predicted by UBS Global Research. This should boost investors’ sentiment and push up markets after an initial hiccup. His approach will be more predictable and stable, suiting our diplomatic, political and bureaucratic culture. In all likelihood he would involve India in US withdrawal from Afghanistan to ensure regional stability rather than implement it unilaterally. At other levels too, things will get better.

Biden is expected to have a technocrat/core-specialists dominated administration, recognized practices will make a comeback, state-level ties will be more predictable, and India’s importance as a strategic counter to China in the Indo-Pacific will be re-affirmed. The flip side is that Biden may try and roll back tensions with China even if the ties will still be prickly. Washington may be less aggressive with China’s expanded influence in Asia which could moderate and reduce support to India. Pakistan, India’s implacable foe, will continue to be important to the US owing to the endgame in Afghanistan. Being moderates they may feel compelled to voice dissenting notes against PM Modi’s brand of nationalism and perceived ‘Hindutva’ card. However, geo-strategic interests, India’s size, population and markets could trump ethical considerations. Biden most importantly has promised to work with India to combat terrorism (without naming Pakistan) and prevent China from threatening its neighbours [viii].

India-China-USA Relations: Strategic Dilemma for India
Both US and India will have an adversarial/ confrontationist relation with China for some time to come due to their own obvious geo-strategic compulsions. India faces a ‘strategic dilemma’; it can align with USA as a strategic partner; it can retain strategic autonomy and join hands on a case to case basis (this could lead to a lose-lose situation in today’s environment); or can cooperate/acquiesce with/to China with obvious adverse fallouts in the international geo-political arena. Both China and USA in their own interest want India on their side (one within a liberal democratic mode while the other in an illiberal unequal order)[ix]. Currently India is rapidly improving its strategic and military relations with USA and its allies, without aligning permanently, keeping options open. Time only can tell if the road chosen, was a geo-politically prudent one.

Conclusion
India is too big to ignore or annoy, and nations and leaders globally sense its inevitable rise as a global ‘Balancing Power’. Both Trump and Xi have a strategic necessity to engage with India; USA to balance China as a like-minded democratic ally; and China feels the need to contain India since it perceives her to be the only real challenger to Chinese hegemony in Asia. Interestingly and happily, the future relations with USA depends on India, and how India wants to geo-politically balance the global equations or align on one side of the emerging bi-polar/multi-polar world.

[i] ‘Echo Chamber Effect’: a room with sound-reflecting walls used for producing hollow or echoing sound effects —often used figuratively: Living in a kind of echo chamber of their own opinions, they pay attention to information that fits their conclusions and ignore information that does not.

[ii] ‘The Can-Do Power: America’s Advantage and Biden’s Chance’, by Samantha Power, Jan/Feb 2021, Foreign Affairs

[iii] ‘What Can We Expect from the Biden Presidency?’ By Gwen Aviles, Harpers Bazaar.

[iv] ‘U.S. Foreign Policy Never Recovered From the War on Terror’, by Mathew Duss, Foreign Affairs, 22 Oct 20

[v] ‘Defense In Depth: Why U.S. Security Depends on Alliances—Now More Than Ever’by Kori Schake, Jim Mattis, Jim Ellis, and Joe Felter, Foreign Affairs, Nov 23, 2020

[vi] ‘Joe Biden just won the presidency: What does that mean for America’s role in the world?;’ Elections 2020 by Atlantic Council, 07 Nov 20

[vii] ‘Why Modi Will Prefer a Trumpian World Order, Rather Than a Biden-Harris Presidency’ by Sushil Aaron for The Wire on 02 Oct 20

[viii] In Biden’s outreach to Indian Americans, a clear reference to Chinese aggression and Pak’ by Yashwant Raj for Hindustan Times, 25 Oct 20, Biden also wrote in an Op-Ed in India West, a news publication focused on the Indian diaspora.

[ix] ‘President of USA: Trump or Biden? Who is Better for India’ by Lt Gen PR Kumar (Retd), published by Bharat Shakti

BLF sarmachaars kill 6 Pak Army personnel in Kech

News Intervention Bureau
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BLF sarmachaars kill 6 Pak Army personnel in Kech

The Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) on Wednesday attacked the Pakistan Army patrol team at Dandar area of district Kech and killed six Pakistani soldiers. BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch confirmed this attack and took responsibility for the killing of six Pakistan military personnel in a statement issued to the media from an undisclosed location.

“Today, on Wednesday afternoon, December 30, in Dandar area of ​​Kech district, Sarmachaars (freedom fighters) targeted a Pakistan Army patrol team in Badolak area of Dandar and killed six army personnel,” said major Gwahram Baloch in his statement.

Major Gahram Baloch further added that Baloch people should stay away from Pakistani forces and their facilitators. Baloch Sarmachaars (freedom fighters) can target them at any time. He said that attacks on the occupying forces would continue till the independence of occupied Balochistan.

Pakistan had illegally occupied Balochistan in 1948 and continues to commit inhuman atrocities on the Baloch people. Pakistan Army uses helicopter gunships and sophisticated weapons to kill unarmed Baloch civilian population. Over the last two decades more than 40,000 people have either gone “missing” or have been mercilessly killed by the Pakistani forces across Balochistan.

Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) is an armed group of Baloch freedom fighters that is led by Dr Allah Nazar Baloch.

Karima Baloch was not a Pakistani activist, she was Balochistan’s daughter

Vivek Sinha
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Karima Baloch was not a Pakistani activist, she was Balochistan’s daughter

Public memory is short, they say. Emotional outburst over murder subsides quickly and is soon forgotten. A speech here, a demonstration there, and people move on with their lives. Probably this was the calculation at Rawalpindi amongst Punjabi Generals of the Pakistan Army when they directed the ISI (Inter-Services Intelligence) to eliminate Karima Baloch at Toronto in Canada.

Karima Baloch had been actively exposing Pakistan’s atrocities in Balochistan at various international forums and her assertive activism was rising with each passing day. Her forceful arguments and raw courage shook the audience in western hemisphere that had hitherto been spoon fed fairy tales about Balochistan by the glib Pakistanis. CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor) was talked about as the project that could usher prosperity in Balochistan and Baloch sarmachaars (freedom fighters) were dubbed as disgruntled tribal insurgents. Slowly but steadily Karima was changing this narrative and unveiling the real Balochistan in Canada.

Canada is one of the preferred destinations for the Punjabi Pakistani Generals to settle post-retirement. It’s in Canada that they weave their web of lies at multinational NGOs and international forums at leisure. But here was this fearless soul who was spilling their dirty secrets at every forum in Canada.

And so ISI was put up for this job.

ISI and its bunch of hired assassins are adept at abductions and murders. Yes, they have built a nefarious nexus of paid killers who are slick at camouflaging cold murders as innocuous accidents. They had abducted and killed journalist Sajid Hussain Baloch in April this year at Uppsala in Sweden, and then passed off his murder as a bland accident.

Ditto for Karima Baloch. She was abducted and then her dead body was found at a canal in Toronto.

With its moles in the Canadian establishment and a gullible Justin Trudeau as Canadian Prime Minister it wasn’t difficult for the ISI to pull the right strings in Canada. The results were ominous. Even before the investigations could formally begin the Canadian government said that they did not suspect any foul play. Ironically, efforts were made to pass on Karima Baloch’s murder as a case of suicide.

However, what followed was a deviation from ISI’s script. Karima Baloch’s death was reported and actively followed by the mainstream media. Digital news organizations put the blame squarely on ISI and Pakistan Army. Social media went berserk, tweets and facebook posts flied thick and fast. Balochistan erupted in frenzied protests and overnight Karima Baloch became the rallying point for the common Baloch. Along with Pakistan, even the Canadian government faced flak for allowing ISI’s death squads to transgress its sovereignty.

Tributes for Karima Baloch have come from around the world.

Dr Allah Nazar Baloch, who at present is spearheading Balochistan’s freedom struggle hailed Karima Baloch as a “towering personality and an icon”. He termed Pakistan as a rogue state that did not have any legend of bravery, and whose acts were laced with cowardice. “One Karima has produced lakhs of other Karimas,” said Dr Allah Nazar Baloch.

Background

Karima Baloch had always been on the radar of Punjabi Pakistani Army who are comfortable seeing women as black shadows draped in a burqa or as sex objects inside their harems. Karima Baloch was neither. She had a personality of her own. Back in 2005, when Rawalpindi tried to thrust Islamic extremism down Balochistan’s throat it was Karima Baloch who became the first woman to speak against Rawalpindi’s agenda.

This was also the time when Dr Allah Nazar Baloch had been arrested by Pakistan Army and Baloch freedom struggle appeared leaderless, albeit briefly. Karima took the reins in her hand and ensured that Baloch freedom struggle remained on fast track. She swiftly rose up the ranks to become the first vice chairperson of BSO-Azad. This feat came in despite the fact that Karima did not have a royal lineage, unlike several women politicians in Pakistan who are routinely propped up by Islamabad and Rawalpindi. She was one of those few Baloch activists who along with Dr Allah Nazar were instrumental in roping the common Baloch people into Balochistan’s independence struggle.

Baloch icon Karima Baloch.
Baloch icon Karima Baloch.

For several decades the world looked at Pakistan with a homogenous lens, such that even the erudite and geostrategic ‘experts’ on South Asia dismissed Balochistan’s freedom struggle as Pakistan’s ‘internal matter’. Baloch sarmachaars (freedom fighters) were dubbed as terrorists and minor irritants in front of the ‘mighty’ Pakistan Army.

Karima Baloch was one of those prominent Baloch leaders who told the world that Balochistan has a separate identity, culture and a history that’s more ancient than Pakistan. Punjabi Pakistanis through their network of pliable journalists and human rights activists had assiduously built a dubious narrative that deviously directed all talk about Pakistan around the Punjab province of Pakistan. This was effectively demolished by Karima Baloch. Balochistan’s youth, especially women looked upon Karima Baloch as a role model.

Repercussions after Karima Baloch’s murder

The outrage over Karima Baloch’s cold blooded murder led to protests and demonstrations across the world. And the insidious ISI quickly got into the fire-fighting mode. China’s help was sought, strategies redrawn and strings have been pulled across the world. In this tweaked strategy it was decided that Pakistan wouldn’t challenge or brazenly speak against Karima’s martyrdom, rather they would “own” her and shift the discourse.

Baloch girls protesting against the murder of Karima Baloch. (Photo: News Intervention)

So, Karima Baloch whose entire life was spent fighting for Balochistan’s rights and exposing Pakistan Army’s atrocities on Baloch people is now being referred to as a Pakistani activist! This is not a slip of the tongue, mind you. It’s a deliberate strategy. Calling Karima as a Pakistani human rights activist immediately takes the wind out of Balochistan’s sails. If this happens then the Baloch freedom struggle that has gained momentum after Karima Baloch’s martyrdom could be slowed, as per ISI’s calculations.

Writing obituaries and paying tributes to Balochistan’s daughter Karima Baloch would mean making active efforts to understand the current situation in Balochistan. This would mean writing and talking about those 30,000 “missing” Baloch who have been mysteriously disappeared by the Pakistan Army and ISI. It would also mean talking about Pakistan Army’s ‘kill and dump’ policy that has led to the death of over 10,000 Baloch people, a painful fact which Pakistan has successfully hidden away from the world. Information, discussion and debate around these issues would open a can of worms and the ensuing chain of events could drown Islamabad, Rawalpindi and the $62 billion CPEC (China-Pakistan Economic Corridor).

In order to contain this domino effect Rawalpindi-Beijing duo issued their diktat to rebrand Karima Baloch as a Pakistani activist. A large section of gullible media and pliable human rights activists have already followed suit.

And, if we allow this narrative to gain steam then it will be the collective failure of global civil society members. A few months ago ISI had eliminated Sajid Hussain Baloch in Sweden, now they’ve killed Karima Baloch in Canada. Even as we mourn her death the ISI must be busy plotting the next target. This needs to stop. Now.

Karima Baloch was Balochistan’s daughter and Balochistan is NOT Pakistan. This basic fact needs to be made part of the mainstream discourse. Only then will we be able to get hold of the real culprits who have killed Karima Baloch. This will be real tribute to Karima Baloch.

Click on the link to watch video report

Pak forces attack peaceful Long March protesters at Punjab-Sindh border

News Intervention Bureau
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Pak forces attack peaceful Long March protesters at Punjab-Sindh border

Pakistani Police and their Rangers attacked the peaceful convoy of Sindh Sabha Long March on Tuesday morning while they were entering the Punjab province of Pakistan from Sindh. The leaders and participants of the Long March had received threats and were attacked on Monday night also but the fresh attacks on Tuesday morning was more violent that has grievously injured several people. Attempts are also being made to arrest the leaders of this protest march, who are constantly being threatened to call off this 1,412 km Long March.

The 1,412 km Long March from Karachi to the headquarters of Pakistan Army at GHQ, Rawalpindi started on November 10 from Karachi, the capital of Sindh. Women, children and elderly have been walking towards the headquarters of Pakistan Army to press for their demand to release the “Missing Persons”, who have been abducted from Balochistan and Sindh. The Sindhi and Baloch people had been protesting for the release of their “Missing” family members but none of the Pakistani authorities listened to them. Family members and friends of these “Missing Persons” were left with no other option but to walk from Karachi to Rawalpindi to plead for the release of their loved ones.

As the women, children and elderly marched on foot braving extreme cold and harsh weather conditions they garnered enormous support from Sindhi, Baloch and Pashtuns. This has worried the Pakistani generals who then resorted to threats and attacks on the Sindh Sabha Long March convoy.

However, Sindh Sabha leaders said that if their Long March towards Rawalpindi would further be attacked then people will come out in large numbers to block the national highways.

Inam Abbasi, Sindh Sabha leader urged all the district presidents of Sindh Sabha to peacefully protest against the attack on Long March convoy by Pakistani state institutions from Wednesday morning. He added that there appeared to be no court or justice in this Pakistani federation. He also questioned the role of Pakistani parliament in standing for the rights of common people.

“Big meetings are taking place. No one has a problem there, yet some people are needlessly talking about about the spread of Coronavirus due to this Long March. As the oppression grows, so will the reaction. The secret services considers themselves masters and above the law. We will not stop, we will continue our work. The Sindhi nation will answer them itself,” said Inam Abbasi.

Hani Gul Baloch, leader of the Long March, said that several of their comrades had been injured. “They are preventing us from peaceful protest against Pakistani forces and not allowing us to enter Punjab. We should make it clear that in any case, we will continue the Long March till our loved ones are released,” she said.

Click on the YouTube link to watch

Farmers’ protest is more about the bigger political agenda

Prof. K.N. Pandita
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Farmers’ protest is more about the bigger political agenda

The recent protests by sections of Punjab-Haryana farmers is by far a regional strike, despite efforts by political vested interests to give it a national colour. Unfortunately, under the guise of farmers’ protest, these political parties are trying to challenge the sovereignty of the Parliament. It is politics of disruption and not of nation building. However, notwithstanding its geophysical aspects, we should not shy away from making a dispassionate analysis of the upsurge because for more than one reason it is a notable event in the contemporary political history of India.

In order to bring pressure on the Modi government, thousands of farmers from the states of Punjab and Haryana blocked the main entry and exit routes to the capital city of Delhi and paralyzed the entire transport system. They refused to assemble at a specific open space in the town, where the Home Ministry was prepared to provide them with logistic facilities, so that normal traffic was not disrupted. Most of the farmers came on their tractors, trucks, wagons and cars purposefully to strengthen the siege of the highways. They carried with them eatables, furnishing and bedding etc. and some unidentified organizations provided them with freshly- cooked food. The protesting crowds refused food and tea arranged by the government as a gesture of courtesy. This indicates that the bandh was meticulously planned and it is not a fitful reaction to the new laws.

Politically-oriented anti-government and anti-Modi slogans were raised frequently. It showed that the protestors designed to score a political victory by ousting Modi government and not get their grievances redressed. The dharna reminded one of Shaheen Bagh episode. Political undertones of the dharna were conspicuously eloquent.

The activists of opposition parties grabbed the opportunity and almost hijacked the protest rally. In the garb of protesting farmers, they began delivering threats to the government from the farmers’ platform. The Home Minister addressed the media channels that the welfare and safeguarding the interests of farmers was the foremost priority with Modi government and the new laws passed by the parliament were strictly in their interest. He added that in the past dissenting political parties had demanded passing of these laws. The Modi government took the initiative and brought to completion a task, which his predecessors had once mulled over. He assured that the government was prepared to talk to the representatives of the farmers on the issue. This assurance was given by the Home Minister publicly.

Several rounds of talks were held but with no concrete result. As the interaction proceeded, the disgruntled farmers continued their hostility, raising provocative slogans. The norms of addressing the government or the Prime Minister were thrown to the wind. One got the impression that the farmers had not come to get their problems solved but wanted to vent their frustration against the government. All opposition parties came out in support of the protesting farmers.

In such a situation, any responsible opposition is expected to play a mature role to de-escalate tensions and normalize the atmosphere. It is expected to lend its helping hand in bringing about an amicable settlement of the issues involved. But unfortunately, the opposition parties, whether national or regional parties, began acting like hungry wolves to seek their pound of flesh. They are unitedly acting to bring about the downfall of the government, redressing the grievances of the farmers is the least on their agenda.

The recent protests clearly points out that despite 73 years of democracy, our nationalist sentiment is frail and vulnerable to the claptrap of political rant. Secondly, it shows that only a very thin line separates self-aggrandizement from nationalist predilection. Party workers can go to any length in removing the elected government instead of removing the hardships facing people or those in the way of a sincere elected government in alleviating the grievances of the people.

When dialogue between the government and the farmers did not make headway, the Congress President, playing the politics of vendetta, gave a call for Bharat bundh. Don’t forget that the culture of Bharat bandh is closely associated with the Congress, tracing its history to the days of the freedom movement. But curiously, shorn of its traditional popularity and bereft of its spatial dimension, the present Congress remains unfazed by a call it gave with no takers.

Who are the ring leaders of the protest dramatics and what is their motivation, is a very pertinent question? According to sources, a variety of stakeholders have jumped on the bandwagon and the entire show is almost a replication of the Shaheen Bagh episode. Most of the ring leaders from Punjab are well-known affluent Leftists with a clout in the Punjab peasantry. Besides them, there are Khalistanis and Congress loyalists as well. The fact that the slogan of Khalistan Zindabad was also raised by a section of the protesting crowds during Delhi bandh, is a case in point. The Congress came out in open to oppose the government proving that they are pursuing political vendetta and not the debilities in new agrarian rules.

The Congress, after its defeat in two successive parliamentary elections, has abandoned the standard role of genuine opposition in and outside the parliament and taken a hostile and antagonistic role bordering on a personal vendetta. Disrupting the sessions of the Parliament, opposing every bill brought by the ruling party irrespective of its merits and demerits, contradicting all facts and figures provided officially by the government to the parliament, undermining the mega developmental projects envisaged by the government and criticizing the government for its domestic as well as foreign policy without understanding the nuances is the stand adopted by the party now at the backbenches in the parliament.

Moreover, the Congress loyalists and the beneficiaries of expatriate Indians, especially in the UK and USA, have embarked on a massive anti-Modi mission and are whipping up class, sectarian and communal passions among the broad sections of Indian society by manipulating media and other sources of public information. The Khalistanis are working hand in glove with the Pakistanis in foreign capitals in encouraging anti-India protest rallies, whipping up sectarian passions by publicizing fake and false stories or visuals to malign the government. Close studies of their activities reveal that there is only the personal vendetta against Modi, and no word about the so-called stifling of the farmers.

It is to be noted that under the new law, farmers have the freedom of selling their products to any buyer, private or public, without any hindrance. The need to introduce the new law arose because some middlemen were not only amassing mountains of wealth by way of commission from the government and favours from the farmers but were reported to be misusing the enormous amounts in various activities that were not at all desirable as far as the national security is concerned. The middlemen have created a mafia that would want to prevent the farmers from selling the crops to a buyer ready to pay a higher price to the benefit of the farmers. It is this mafia, which has given space to terrorists, anti-national elements, moles of international terrorism and drug trafficking.

This is a battle between the forces with vested interests and self-aggrandizement on the one hand and those of nationalists supporting the uniform distribution of wealth to the benefit of entire Indian society. The former has unleashed a vicious international disinformation campaign to malign the Modi government. Their problem is a simple one. The source of loot and vandalizing of public property has been brought under check by the new agricultural laws passed by the Parliament. This law disallows the concentration of capital outside the public domain. It is a death knell to the monopolization of sources of production.

Kashmiris protest in POK over rising price of food items

News Intervention Bureau
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Kashmiris protest in POK over rising price of food items

The price of all essential food items such as flour, rice and vegetables have skyrocketed in POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) as compared to the Punjab province in Pakistan. The Kashmiris in POK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir) are now protesting against the rising price of food items.
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A New Chapter in India-Saudi Arabia Relations

Prof. K.N. Pandita
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A New Chapter in India-Saudi Arabia Relations

In his six-day-long (9 – 14 December 2020) visit to the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Army Chief, General MM Naravane was given a red carpet reception by the hosts as it was the first visit of any Indian Army Chief to the two strategically important countries in the Gulf region. In both countries, the Indian Army Chief met and interacted with his counterparts and other top military and civilian brass besides visiting some of their prestigious defence establishments. The itinerary of the General’s engagements in the two countries shows the importance attached to the visit.

General Naravane is reported to have discussed during his first leg, the enhancing of India-UAE defence relations with senior military officials of the host country. He is also said to have taken forward the “excellent defence cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and India through multiple meetings with senior functionaries of the security establishment and exchange views on various defence-related issues,” said the Indian Army in a note. These include the Headquarters of Royal Saudi Land Force, the Joint Force Command Headquarters and King Abdulaziz War College. The Chief of the Army Staff also addressed the students and faculty at the National Defence University. All this explains the importance given by the hosts to the rare visit of the top brass of Indian Army.

By and large, national print media did not go beyond defining the visit a super courtesy call. But seemingly, there is something more than what meets the eye, particularly in the wake of two related events taken up together in this context. One is that days ahead of the General’s visit, our Minister of External Affairs had concluded his two-day visit to Bahrain and the UAE where he interacted with his counterparts and top echelons. The other is the fast-changing political scenario in the region which has thrown up political issues with security ramifications. It is likely to unfold the prospect of new and unprecedented re-alignment among the Littoral and regional states with a stake.

The Gulf states interacting with India in various fields seem to have understood the significance of Modi government trying to expand and deepen bilateral and even multilateral relations with the Littoral states based on their economic and strategic importance. They are also aware of India’s naval and maritime outreach in the Indian Ocean including the Arabian Gulf.

The entire Muslim world is in a state of suspense and the shadow of polarization is looming large over it. Some non-Arab Muslim states are making no secret of their aversion to Saudi Arabia, the bastion of traditional Islam, with its satellite state of UAE, poised for pulling out their societies from the steel-frame of orthodoxy and gradually opening to a modernized egalitarian structure under the reformative policy of Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, generally nicknamed MBS. The agenda conspicuously favours updated relations with the US, normalization of relations with Israel and shifting of state emphasis from ecclesiastics to the economy in the Muslim countries.

To some radical old guard Islamic states where political interests are made subservient to religion, the reformative agenda sounds outlandish, being a deviation from the traditional policy of the ruling House of Shah Saud.

Relaxation in the observance of strict conservative code and conduct of Islamic life allowed by MBS is not as much repugnant to them as his liberalized foreign policy, particularly towards Israel. A realization has dawned upon the Gulf states that continued animosity against Israel not only upsets relations with the US but also provides space to Shia Iran to inch towards the leadership of the Islamic ummah on a wrong premise.  In addition to this, Iran’s relentless effort to achieve nuclear capability is a potent threat to the Saudi monarchy. Way back in 1979, Ayatollah Khomeini, the father of the Islamic Revolution of Iran had pronounced Saudi monarchy as illegal and hence anti–Islam. The attack of Iranians in Ka’aba had resulted in the massacre of nearly 500 insurgents. This threat is at the root of US-Iran nuclear spat.

The threat to the person and power of MBS cannot be ruled out for more than one reason. The royal house is a den of intrigues and we should not forget that rivalries in the royal dynasty have led to brutal murders at times. In a scenario in which Iranian belligerence coupled with her frantic pursuit of nuclear technology persists, Saudi Kingdom and its satellite state the UAE are vulnerable. This could have been the catalyst to recent UAE-Israel coming together, a prospect that is likely to be emulated by other Littoral states as well. Short of formal recognition, Saudi-Israel bilateral relations are doing well.

The machination of three non-Arab Islamic states, namely Turkey, Pakistan and Malaysia trying to wrest the leadership of the Islamic world and the OIC (Organisation of Islamic Cooperation) from the hands of the Saudis have their narrow individual interests rather than that of the ummah. President Erdogan is dreaming the faded glory of the Ottoman Empire, Malaysian Mahathir hopes Islamic slogan is the only option to reinforce his political survival and Pakistan feels that the Saudis are impeding her designs in Kashmir.

These machinations have backfired. UAE and Saudi both want Pakistani labour force to quit and issuance of visa to Pakistani nationals has been suspended. Pakistan’s stand in the inter-Arab conflict in the Middle East and the Gulf has become doubtful in the eyes of Riyadh and there is serious thinking in the ruling circles on how the Pakistani Brigade stationed in Riyadh as bodyguards to the royal house would behave. We know that MBS had summoned Pakistani Prime Minister and admonished him to desist from joining the bandwagon of Malaysian Mahathir Muhammad. Unable to withstand the pressure from Riyadh, premier Imran Khan gave in and the Islamic Summit ended in a fiasco. It has undone the scheme of things planned by the Pakistan Army and ISI, and the hawks would not want to lie low. They made their foreign minister as their spokesman who exuded angst against Riyadh only to receive a blow below the belt.

In all probability, there is serious thinking in Riyadh of re-assessing the security structure of the state and the guard of the royal house, overhaul the entire Saudi defence build up to make it independent, a pro-nationalist and professional force which draws inspiration from Arab rather than Islamic identity. It is India alone that fulfils the criteria set forth by MBS in tandem with UAE and some more littoral states that can plan and execute the restructuring based on the trust built by close friendship of the two leaders Crown Prince MBS and PM Modi. General Narvane’s visit has to be assessed in this background also.

The visit of the Indian Army Chief to the two important Gulf States has immensely frustrated Islamabad which is trying all the tricks in the kitty of ISI to undo it so much so that they have floated rumours that India is going to sell anti-missile system and Brahmos missiles to Saudi Arabia and that the Pakistani Brigade in Riyadh is going to be replaced by the Indian Brigade and that General Raheel Sharif had been forced to resign and return home etc. This explains the frustration.

Prime Minister Modi has very deftly played the Middle East and Littoral States card, winning the highest civilian award of the twin countries of Saudi Arabia and UAE as the leader of a dependable and friendly country. The Saudis will be investing in a mega oil refinery plant worth billions of dollars in India. Trade with Arab countries will scale new and unprecedented heights and Modi has invited Arab entrepreneurs to invest in India.

ORF of June 2020 has made a balanced summation of the new prospect of India-Gulf States relationship. It wrote, “The ferment and churning in the Middle East, including the conflicts in Yemen and Syria, severance of ties by Saudi Arabia and some Arab countries with Qatar etc. are likely to have significant implications for India, given that its citizens make up the largest expatriate group in Saudi Arabia (3 million) as well as the region (7-8 million. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has strengthened India’s ties with Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Qatar and Israel. This demonstrates a more self-assured approach by India in handling the growing opportunities and challenges in the region.

Due to the large number of workers of Indian origin working in the Middle East, security and stability in the region are of paramount importance for it. Further, the Indian diasporas in the region remit around $35 billion a year. These funds are immensely valuable as they help India manage its current account deficit. Energy is another critical area of engagement. A fifth of India’s oil, and about 65% of gas imports come from countries of the Middle East including Iran, Qatar, Iraq, Saudi Arabia and others.

Uncertainty and volatility in the Middle East region could result in increased insecurity reduced economic activity and stress on the 50% or so of the total inward remittances that India receives from the Gulf.

Any confrontation or uncertainty in the wider Gulf region due to recent developments, including elevation of Mohammad bin Salman as Crown Prince, could engender serious adverse implications for India. Beyond a point, India cannot stay aloof. Given the range, expanse and depth of India’s interests and its rapidly expanding political, economic and strategic profile, sooner or later India will have to get more vigorously engaged in dealing with developments in this crucial region. In the coming years, India will have to adopt a more hands-on policy in any security crisis or economic upheaval that may strike the region because its security, economic well-being and energy needs are closely interlinked with this region. India enjoys good relations with all countries in the region. That should facilitate India playing a more agile and vigorous role in the region.”

BLA attacks Pak Army post in Bolan, kills 11 personnel

News Intervention Bureau
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BLA attacks Pak Army post in Bolan, kills 11 personnel

Freedom fighters (sarmachaars) of the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) on Saturday attacked the outposts of Pakistani military in Jhalawan Thankk area of Shahrag at Bolan and killed 11 personnel of Pakistan Army. The Pakistani outposts were completely captured in this attack. BLA has accepted responsibility for this attack.

“The freedom fighters (sarmachaars) of Baloch Liberation Army (BLA), under an organised plan attacked and subsequently captured the outposts of Pakistani military in Bolan on Saturday. At least 11 personnel of Pakistani military were killed in the attack, whereas, multiple others fled leaving behind their weapons and dead bodies. The outposts were under the control of BLA for more than two hours and the weapons and belongings of the enemy forces were confiscated,” said Jeeyand Baloch, spokesman for the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) in a statement.

The uncivilised occupying forces of Pakistan have been completely defeated by Baloch freedom fighters on all fronts. Therefore, they have resorted to violence on innocent civilians, particularly women and children, and non-combatant political workers. Now their cunning acts are not limited to Balochistan and they have begun targeting Baloch refugees and journalists in foreign countries too, explained Jeeyand Baloch.

Pakistan had forcibly occupied Balochistan in 1948 and has been committing atrocities on Baloch people since the last seven decades. Over the last two decades Pakistan Army’s notorious “kill and dump” policy has led to the death of thousands of innocent Baloch people while over 30,000 Baloch people remain “missing”. Last week Pakistan’s intelligence agency ISI abducted and murdered prominent Baloch activist Karima Baloch in Toronto, Canada. Entire Balochistan has been seething with anger over the cold blooded murder of Karima Baloch.

Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) considers the defence and liberation of Baloch nation its utmost responsibility. “We cannot allow the enemy forces to run rampage against innocent civilians, women and children. Today’s attack was only a short trailer. If innocent Baloch civilians, women and children are not safe and continue to be targeted in Balochistan or abroad then the non-combatant citizens of the enemy state will also not find refuge. We have full capability of starting a similar war in Punjab that the enemy is trying to impose on Baloch nation in Balochistan and other countries,” said Jeeyand Baloch in his statement.

Karima Baloch, an inspirational woman

Shay Rehmath Baloch
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Karima Baloch, an inspirational woman

Role of a woman in a struggle is important to bring about the much needed change. Anywhere in the history of revolutions women have played a crucial role. As the saying goes “Behind every successful man there’s a woman”, she can be in the form of a mother, sister, wife, or daughter. If we take the example of Baloch freedom struggle, the Baloch freedom fighters have had the full support of their families, especially women. From a young age the mothers sing lullabies to make them brave and fight for justice against any oppression and occupiers.

The story of inspirational and historical woman Banuk Karima Baloch starts from the day she joined BSO-Azad in 2005. It was the time when the founder of BSO-Azad Dr. Allah Nazar Baloch was abducted by Pakistani intelligence agencies along with his colleagues and younger brother. Karima Baloch started working from that day wearing a veil (niqab). But no one knew that she will become a leader and an inspirational figure for Baloch all over the world.

Karima Baloch couldn’t get the Nobel Peace Prize because she was a Baloch. If she were in an independent country she would have certainly won it. Malala won it because she had the support of the state.

I never heard Malala Yousafzai speak about the rights of women and education in Balochistan. Girls’ college in Mashkai Gajjar and schools around Balochistan were turned into an army camp and torture cell but Malala never spoke a word about it. Karima Baloch and other Baloch activists struggled for their rights not only for the Baloch nation but also for Pashtuns and other subjugated nations of the region. The people who favor no one but stand for truth deserve the Nobel Peace Prize.

Karima Baloch soon appeared all over Balochistan in rallies, press clubs and protests. She soon became an active political member of Balochistan. Because of her activities and hard work in 2006, she became a central committee member of BSO-Azad. In 2009 when Zakir Majeed was abducted she took his position of senior Vice Chairman. She became chairperson when Zahid Baloch was abducted on March 18, 2014. Karima was the first woman chairperson in the history of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO).

As a female leader, Karima Baloch’s role in BSO-Azad is greatly admirable because at that time many members of the organization were abducted and killed, especially the senior leadership. Karima filled the vacuum left by her comrades and led all protests, rallies and press conferences and guiding the younger generation of students. In 2013 when the government of Pakistan banned the Baloch Student’s Organization (BSO) Azad many more members were abducted and killed.

In 2016 she left Balochistan and went to Canada because the Pakistani authorities threatened her that she would face the same consequences as her comrades. After reaching Canada Karima took political asylum. She thought she was safe in this country and removed her veil and showed her face, but it’s a shame that Canada failed to protect her from her enemies.

After reaching Canada, Karima was named among the 100 most influential women by BBC. She started her education which she couldn’t continue in Pakistan. Along with her education she also continued her political activities. She spoke and participated in the rallies of Baloch, Sindhi, and Pashtuns against the ongoing aggression by Pakistani state. The last time I saw her, she was speaking in a webinar on YouTube on November 13. Karima was speaking about Baloch martyrs but I didn’t expect that she would leave soon and become a martyr herself.

The news about her martyrdom has left us shocked, but her martyrdom will motivate many more people, especially the women into our struggle. After Karima’s martyrdom a lot of women have come out to protest for her. The land of Balochistan has thousands of Karimas. Every home has a Karima. How many will Pakistan kill?

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