A reader has pointed to an agreement that Pakistan’s Jamaat-i-Islami, the main Islamist political group, signed with the Chinese communist party during its trip to Beijing a few days ago.
The two sides, according to reports in the domestic and foreign media, agreed to collaborate in the fields of justice, development, security and solidarity.
They also promised not to get involved in each other’s internal affairs which according to the report on CBS News was effectively an undertaking that Pakistan’s Islamists will stay away from activities of separatist Muslims in China’s northern Xinjiang region.
While China’s concerns about the Islamist fervour sweeping northwest Pakistan spilling over into Xinjiang have been known before, it does seem a bit unusual for the communist party to strike a deal with a religion-based foreign political party.
Or is this the new reality and which China has been quick to realise?
The CBS story quotes an official from a European NATO member country as saying that the agreement “forces us to think the Chinese are much more sophisticated than what we know”.
“We are still not absolutely certain how far to go in negotiating with people like the Taliban, and China may already be moving in that direction.”
It may not be related to that agreement, but only last Saturday Taliban militants in Pakistan’s troubled Swat Valley freed a Chinese engineer kidnapped five months ago. Soon after, the provincial government and Islamists reached an agreement to allow Islamic law in the valley to stem a Taliban uprising.
The release of the engineer and the deal with the communist party comes just as President Asif Ali Zardari heads to China on Friday, his second trip to the country in less than five months.
Zardari’s trip is largely economic but assuaging Chinese concerns over an Islamist resurgence will further build ties between the all-weather friends. It may also perhaps strengthen Zardari’s case for financial assistance at a time of comtinuing turmoil.
Beijing had rebuffed Pakistan’s request for concessional loans in October, forcing it to turn to the International Monetary Fund for a $7.6 billion loan to stave off a balance of payments crisis.
[Photos of a peace march in Pakistan's Swat region and Chinese police in Xinjiang]
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@Punjabiyaar
Maybe you think the lives of Sri Lankans are less than the folk at the World Trade Center, which is why you think Tamil Tigers are a small fish. The Tamils are indeed terrorists, created and supported by India, who have ruined the peace and lives of Sri Lanks for 30 years, and not a single “Mohammed” upon them.
Thanks for also admitting that lots of Muslims were killed in Samjhauta Express, which was conducted by Hindus.
- Posted by Aamir AliAli Wrote:
“How many folk named Mohammed are part of the Tamil Tigers?
How many folk named Mohammed were involved in mass murder of Muslims in Samjhauta Express?”
Ali, tamil tigers are not attacking World trade centers and they dont bomb UK and spanish subways either. Tamils are fighting their own war within a specific country for their rights. While radical muslims are fighting against every non-muslim alive or dead. They don’t spare even dead statues of buddha and demolish that. Even if tamils are a terrorist group, this does not Justify extreme islamic terrorism.
May be Samjhota express bombing did not involved any “Mohammed” but I am sure it killed many “Mohammeds”, This is the only incident you could count, Relax I know you will shout about Kashmir and Gujrat now. Do you know what was the Sabarmati express incident ?
Moreover the culprits of Samjota express are in jail while Talibani are on loose and infact doing a “Peace deal” with pakistan. Your version of Islam sucks. I am sure no religion can be this stupid.
- Posted by punjabiyaar@Punjabiyaar
How many folk named Mohammed are part of the Tamil Tigers?
How many folk named Mohammed were involved in mass murder of Muslims in Samjhauta Express?
- Posted by Aamir AliUmair wrote:
“You must be sure of one thing, Pakistan is playing its own game and its a fact.
This is indicative of the fact that Pakistan today is a nuclear power and much stronger country. We will do whatever is in the best interest.”
If you think playing double game with super powers and supporting terrorism is in your best interest, then soon you will be history, Amen. We have enough of this “Nuke song” now, you don’t have to sing it again and again. Everybody has nuclear weapons these days, it seems like only pakistanis are proud of it. Do you recite Atomic weight of Uranium 235 with your 5 times of Namaz
Why don’t you post in the name of “NUCLEAR UMAIR” or “NUMAIR”
- Posted by punjabiyaarAli Wrote:
“The Jamaat-e-Islami is a “religio-political” party in Pakistan. They are no terrorists.”
All of your Islamist names sound same and gives impression of a terrorist group. Every major terrorist activity has got some body with the name “Mohammad”. Its obvious that world will start thinking about who these people are, what is their religion and why there is a “Mohammad” involved in terrorist activities. Moreover Terrorist muslims and Non terrorist muslims look same, think same and want to do same. Only difference is Some terrorist pick up AK-47 while others pick up the keyboard and start posting on reuters.
I dont want to say every muslims is a terrorist but question is “Is every terrorist a Muslim ?”
Good moderate muslims need to prove their innocence to world, otherwise people will count you in same flock.
- Posted by punjabiyaarRajeev wrote:
People might be overreacting but the fact is Pakistan is in deep trouble. If US gives up on you you are done and roasted. They know plan B.”
You must be sure of one thing, Pakistan is playing its own game and its a fact.
- Posted by UmairThis is indicative of the fact that Pakistan today is a nuclear power and much stronger country. We will do whatever is in the best interest. Yes the US has Plan B 3000 marines stationed in Afghanistan and an aircraft carrier off the Pakistani coast. The moment anything goes wrong, they will move in to capture Pakistani nukes. But there is a problem:
No one from CIA, MOSSADIsraelis or anyone in the world know where has Pakistan stored its nukes. Any stupid misadventure and Pakistan could ready its ballistic missiles armed with nuclear warheads and launch them “with-in minutes” as stated by Gen. Kayani after Mumbai attacks when Inida talked of surgical strikes against Pakistan. The US has a PlaN B but not the balls to execute that plan.
Pakistan will do whatever is in its best national interests.
Most of the posts on this topic by Indians have nothing to do with the topic.
The Jamaat-e-Islami is a “religio-political” party in Pakistan. They are no terrorists. They are also politically foolish and engage in constant protests all the time. Their decision to boycott the 2008 elections has put them in political oblivion, and signing deals like the one with China, gets back favorable coverage and re-entry into political arena.
- Posted by Aamir AliUmair:
- Posted by rajeev@Personally I think the US Army is making mistakes in Afghanistan. While Kyrgyz airbase has closed down, supply routes in Pakistan are vulnerable than ever before, they have ordered another 17000 troops into Afghanistan. The big question is, how will US troops sustain themselves in Afghanistan? The logistics will include supplies of fuel, food and ammunition for troops. Afghanistan is a landlocked country, it does not have a port. Airlift operations will be very expensive, besides they can only provide limited supplies. Moreover, how will they fly in? from where? will Iran give them access?
–Supply route is the major issue for USA and that;s where US needed Pak help. How about Gawdar port in Baluchistan? For whatever reasons US is not getting Pak help. One reason could be the one offered by you that ” Pakistan is playing its own game on its own terms.” and keeping the militants alive. The operation in Afghanistan is not working out well. IF USA returns defeated, the vacuum there and the militants will gain power and this time you cannot request them to leave from Pakistan nor can you flush them—such a neagtive strategy faiked you earlier (Taliban) and will add to your misery. As Mauryan said do not fool yourself that your army scored a victory over Soviets.
@Pakistan Army is playing it much smarter, if we keep a lid on things in FATA region everything will be fine.—–Only you can live in this denial but is sad since you know the history, abilities and resources of Pakistan. USA and China cannot help you forever. You cannot get help by putting NUKES to your head and say I am going to blow everyone up. The smart move is longterm startgey and you do not have-Pakistan has no political thinker—only generals. People might be overreacting but the fact is Pakistan is in deep trouble. If US gives up on you you are done and roasted. They know plan B. They are your teachers.
Wish you guys start a ling term strategy and quit terrorism as policy tool and industry. None of What you said makes SWATIS feel comfortable if they Want Taliban to go unless Taliban is informally accepted as rule makers.
Umair writes: “Pakistan military knows there is no military solution to the problem. Rajeev, this is the same Pakistan Army which fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan for ten years(1979-1989)and defeated a super power. During that time Pakistan worked closely with CIA and US, today Pakistan is playing its own game on its own terms. This is the right thing to do, we will do whatever is in the best interest of Pakistan.”
Pakistan military has only relied on military solution to everything. Do not delude yourself. They did not even allow democracy to take root in your country. They periodically took over the government and destroyed the system completely. I don’t think you are aware of the famous quote that is floating around in international circles: “Every country has a military. In Pakistan, the military has a country.” Your country has too big a military for its needs and it has justified its size by creating an enemy out of India.
Lie # 1: Pakistani military did not defeat the Soviet Union, with US help. The US defeated the Soviet military by using the Afghan mujahideen. Pakistan offered its land and services for that purpose. It was the US made stinger missiles, Madrasas and Afghan fighters who did the job. Pakistanis are good at only one thing - surrendering and switching sides shamelessly. Your system is made up mostly of cowards who use every opportunity to slide, slip and deceive and lie their heads off. That is how your country has survived for this long. There is nothing to feel proud in this. What other achievements can you show?
Pakistan is playing its own games - that is the problem. In fact, there are several parties inside Pakistan playing different games at the same time - the Taliban has one game. Zardari and his men have another game. The military/ISI has another. It is nobody’s business. But, it has serious repercussions in the international arena. Hence you have others taking a closer look at your country.
Pakistan’s best interest - For 60 odd years, what interest has your country shown? War, war, war, enemy, enemy, Kashmir, Kashmir, Jihad, Jihad, Taliban, Taliban and nothing else. An entire generation has grown believing in lies repeated a thousand times. Start reading international news to know about your own country. Magazines like Pak Tribune are cheap trash.
Good luck
- Posted by MauryanChina communnist party (CCP) has a similar deal with Indian political party, Communist party of india (CPI) and now we have rebel moists in assam backed by china..China also has a similar deal with moists in Nepal, who recently took over ruling and are selling nepal part by part to china..so good luck pakis..
- Posted by AnithaOnly drone-therapy works for some kind of diseases ..
- Posted by Juliajust to add, 7 years have passed since US occupied Afghanistan, the numbers and statistics speak for themselves. Everyone agrees the war is not being won, that millitants are only getting stronger, more troops in Afghanistan are not going in to play soccer, they will be fighting millitants. Millitants will ambush them, casulties will rise, civilians will be caught in the cross fire, local population will revolt and side with resistence, stakes will rise, it well get more bloody. Who will win?
Now Obama does not have a mgic stick to undo every evil, but atleast the commander-in-chief can make some wise decisions, maybe stop the drone attacks and stop destablizing Pkaistan, maybe talk to the millitants and offer them to make peace deals, maybe try new things.
Otherwise the way things are going, victory is not in sight.
- Posted by UmairRajeev
Personally I think the US Army is making mistakes in Afghanistan. While Kyrgyz airbase has closed down, supply routes in Pakistan are vulnerable than ever before, they have ordered another 17000 troops into Afghanistan. The big question is, how will US troops sustain themselves in Afghanistan? The logistics will include supplies of fuel, food and ammunition for troops. Afghanistan is a landlocked country, it does not have a port. Airlift operations will be very expensive, besides they can only provide limited supplies. Moreover, how will they fly in? from where? will Iran give them access?
Pakistan Army is playing it much smarter, if we keep a lid on things in FATA region everything will be fine. I am sometimes amazed at how people think Pakistan will just go bankrupt, that Millitants will take over Islamabad, nukes will be snatched by the United States, that the economy will collapse and rupee will be worthless. All nonsense, despite some economic mismanagement, everytime doubts are raised, Pakistan comes back alive and well. And it is a fact well known that Pakistan does possess considerable military muscle.
Pakistan military knows there is no military solution to the problem. Rajeev, this is the same Pakistan Army which fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan for ten years(1979-1989)and defeated a super power. During that time Pakistan worked closely with CIA and US, today Pakistan is playing its own game on its own terms. This is the right thing to do, we will do whatever is in the best interest of Pakistan. That is what i meant by tactical withdrawal, that is what I call long-term military strategy. No clear victory, no clear objectives, just one aim to stabilize the country and ensure the unity at all costs whatever it takes.
The US Army is on a blind killing spree in Afghanistan and local population is turning against them, just like Mikhael Gorbachev announced Soviet withdrawal in Moscow, one day US president will announce US withdrawal in Washington. Question is after how many casualties? For Pakistan, it is simply a time period to wait out and emerge stronger afterwards.
- Posted by Umair@SWAT is a tactical withdrawal for Pakistan Army.
-posted by Umair
Umair, It is a nice way to put it and hope you are right. But do you have specific thoughts to back that up. I believe this is just a hope through patriotism.
- Posted by rajeevMauryan, well written, just repeating it below, absolutely on the mark. However, can the world do nothing but wait!!
“”
China deals with Pakistan, North Korea, Burma etc in order to use them as a leverage in international deals. All bad guys like a double agent who works with the police as well as the criminals. The police let him be because he can’t be taken out and he gets things done. China plays this role. At the end of it all, China gets to gain. They are one of the most ruthless people when it comes to deals. One can never bargain with them. They make a claim and that is it. China deals with Pakistan now because this is a naturally born leverage against India, which it wants to keep backward in order to gain global power status. Using Burma and Tibet, it is doing the same thing in the North eastern states of India.
If the US cannot do a thing and the Chinese can inside Pakistan, it is a psychological victory. As the US economy weakens, it can be misinterpreted as a sign of decline. China might do something stupid as a result.
The deal that a Pakistani muslim outfit has made with the communists in China seems like the starting point.
- Posted by Nick“”
Its not entirely the mistake of Pakistan but some regions inside the present pakistani territory actually were never ruled completely by pakistan the border region with afganistan was a buffer zone before Independence from british and unfortunately it remained as a buffer zone now.
- Posted by santoshBulletfish
I have a very strong association with Pakistani armed forces, my father served in the air force for over 25 years. I studied in an Army institution for almost 15 years. You would never underestimate the strength and professionalism of Pakistan Army. It commands great respect in the heart of every single Pakistani. Bravery and excellence is the hallmark, no challenge is big for them. It has been proved time and again, SWAT is a tactical withdrawal for Pakistan Army.
Gen. Ashfaq Kayani is a born soldier, his own father was a JCO in Pakistan Army. Gen. Kayani hails from the town of Jhelum, where the prestigious Military College Jhelum is located.
- Posted by UmairState of Pakistan is not responsible for those areas..
- Posted by Blogger– State of Pakistan, Islamabad
– I Slam A Bad
Umair,
I have been reading blogs on the ALL THINGS PAKISTAN site (you can Google for it) and came across an article titled:
Deal in Swat: Good Move Or Bad?
Please read the 60+ blogs that other Pakistanis have written about this so-called peace deal. Below is a taster.
Let’s face it: Pakistan Army failed. It failed in every prospect. General Kayani deserves to be stripped to the ranking to Jawaaan. He failed us and he failed Pakistan. My pride in Pakistan army is shattered! I will never count on Pakistan army if war starts. Taliban are much much more powerful than Pakistan army. Maybe Pakistan should recruit them in Army.
- Posted by bulletfish