Solving 9-20: Questions still unanswered!

The suicide blast that left scores of people dead and hundreds injured raises some very important questions and speculations that need to be answered. There are far too many ambiguities in the chain of events before, during, and even after the attack that raises eyebrows. Here are some of the those questions:

1- The Mysterious US Embassy Truck

2- The Blue-Flamed Fire on 4th and 5th Floor

3- The CCTV Footage That Ends Abruptly

4- The Gas Pipeline Claim

5- The CDA’s Uncharged Batteries

6- Intelligence Reports – Neglected or Planted?

7- Building the case for devaluing Pakistan

1- The Mysterious US Embassy Truck

Why was a US embassy truckload of steel boxes unloaded and shifted inside the Marriott Hotel on the same night when Admiral Mike Mullen met Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and others in Islamabad? This was two nights before the Marriott attack. It is questionable as to why both the main gates (the entrance and the exit) of the hotel were closed while no one except the US Marines were either allowed to go near the truck or get the steel boxes unloaded or shift them inside the hotel. None of the hotel staff or security were authorized to be any where near the truck. Who gave this authorization? Was it the owner Hashwani?

Furthermore, these steel boxes were transported by hand to the 4th and 5th floors of the hotel WITHOUT going through the scanners installed at the hotel’s lobby entrance. Why was this allowed in the first place?

Washington has tried to clear the air by saying that the steel boxes in question were in fact part of the equipment that moves along with any high ranking official’s visit (Admiral Mullen in this case). If this is so then how come no explanation was given at the time these boxes were being transported. Why now?

Read the rest after the jump.

The (tight) lip service

Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gillani has put a clamp on Pakistani ministers on issuing political and strategic statements from now onwards. Only Sherry Rehman, Minister of Information, or Akram Shaheedi, Pakistan’s Information Secretary, would be entitled to issue statements in the future.

In another similar development, all Pakistani private channels have voluntarily stopped airing Taliban comments on the continued military operation in different parts of the North-West Frontier Province bordering Afghanistan. Under this change, the channels will not air views of the Taliban leadership against the ongoing offensive.

Anchors at Dawn News and Aaj TV were seen calling the militants as ‘Taliban’ and reporting solely on the military progress and activities.

This is a complete turn over from the same media houses that have largely been skeptical of the Armed Forces offensive against (as they used to put it) alleged terrorists in the North. One might wonder what ever happened to that point of view now that they all have voluntarily decided to ban any pro-taliban stance what so ever. Perhaps they were paid the right price this time around.

President Zardari: O’ Behave!

Is there a need to send a reminder to our dear President that he should focus on the job at hand instead of loitering after the GOP vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin?

Having declared her as ‘gorgeous‘ upon their first interaction went on further to say, “Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you.”

And when a handler from the President’s entourage requested the two politicians to keep shaking hands for the cameras, Zardari added (suggestively perhaps?) that, “If he’s insisting, I might hug!”

Dear Mr. President, while we are well aware of your countless frolics back home as far as being a womanizer is concerned, please remember that you are there to deliver a very serious message across and not to engage yourself in to further scandals/affairs.

In an age and time where each and every word uttered, any emotion shown, any body language suggested is sliced, analyzed, discussed, and sensationalized beyond imagination, it is important to keep things in check.

There is harm in having fun but let’s not mix business with pleasure please!

Stick to your work.

Watch the video of this encounter below

9-20: Al-Qaeda tape called for Pakistan attacks

UPI has reported that the deadly bombing of a Pakistan hotel came after Al-Qaida released a tape exhorting followers to step up attacks in the country.In a 90-minute tape produced by Al-Qaida to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, a group leader calls for Pakistani targets to be hit. Although no one has officially claimed responsibility for the attack on Marriott but the tape is being considered as a strong link.

The senior Al-Qaida leader Mustafa Abu Yazzid says on the tape:

And we tell the jealous people of mujaheddin of Pakistan that in order for the jihad in Afghanistan to continue and be victorious, you must stand with your brothers the mujaheddin in Afghanistan to fight the puppet regime of Pakistan and its aggressive and tyrannical army and strike the interest of the crusader allies in Pakistan.

Yazzid also claimed responsibility for an attack earlier this year on the Danish embassy in Islamabad, which was said to be retaliation for the publication of cartoons in Denmark that Yazzid said mocked the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).

9/20: Pakistan Under Attack

Hotel Marriott in Islamabad burns

UPDATE: Sept 22 / 10:07 AM

Second American dead in blast

UPDATE: Sept 22 / 6:05 AM

Czech ambassador to Pakistan confirmed dead in Marriott suicide blast

Danish Intelligence agent missing after Marriott blast

UPDATE: Sept 21 / 2:45 AM

Initial reports claim lone suicide bomber carried out blast

UPDATE: Sept 21 / 10:53 PM

Al-Qaeda tape called for Pakistan attacks

UPDATE: Sept 21 / 8:32 PM

CCTV Footage of Attack Released

UPDATE: Sept 21 / 12:07 PM

US Marines shifted mysterious steel boxes in to Marriott

UPDATE: Sept 21 / 06:40 AM

Statement on the Explosion at the Islamabad Marriott Hotel by Bill Marriott

At approximately 7:00 p.m. local time, an apparent car bomb exploded outside of the Islamabad Marriott in Pakistan. The bomb caused extensive damage to the front of the hotel and started a fire. Marriott International and the hotel are working with local authorities and rescue personnel to assist victims. News reports indicate numerous people were killed and injured in the blast. “We live in a dangerous world and this is a terrible tragedy. We grieve for those people who died, or were injured, and their families,” said Bill Marriott.

UPDATE: Sept 21 / 06:30 AM

Pakistan government was aware of a possible attack by terrorists in the capital

——-

– Suicide bomber rammed a 1000 KG explosives-laden truck into the main gate of Marriott Hotel around 8pm
– Explosion left a 25-foot deep and 30-foot wide crater
– Entire area turned to rubble
– Gas pipeline burst keeping the hotel building ablaze for hours
– Fears of Marriott building collapsing after the blast
– Buildings within a 3-km radius were damaged, including Frontier House and PTV building
– Powerful explosion heard as far as 30 kilometers away

Qureshi Bend Over!

This has got to be the first ever instance of a Pakistani Foreign Minister going around and kicking his own country in the butt and accusing her of violating other nations’ sovereignty!

While he silently condemned the recent US Air strike, he also added:

permit me to say as well that we too have the responsibility to ensure that there are no actions from here that violate the sovereignty of another country

What are you on these days Mr. Qureshi? Did you even realize what you were saying and in what context. Our own foreign minister is blatantly pointing out that Pakistan is involved with promoting terrorism across its borders: the very same blabber that India, Afghanistan, and the United States keep uttering!

The Gloves Come Off!

I’m not convinced we are winning it in Afghanistan. I am convinced we can… We are looking at a new, more comprehensive strategy for the region that would cover both sides of the Afghanistan-Pakistan border. In my view, these two nations are inextricably linked in a common insurgency that crosses the border between them!

Navy Adm. Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, USA

And so it has begun: the open, and unabashed attack on the sovereignty and freedom of Pakistan. The U.S. military, faced with rising insurgent violence in Afghanistan, will revise its strategy for the region to include militant safe havens in neighboring Pakistan. Within a span of 12 days, there have been 7 attacks launched by the United States from across the border on villages in Pakistan. The cup ran over when on September 3, the American Special Operation Forces conducted a full fledged raid inside Pakistan that resulted in the deaths of some 20-30 innocent Pakistanis. The attack for condemned by Pakistan, resolutions were passed in the United Nations but as always, United States paid no heed. Instead, they openly proclaimed the raid as their show and promised further operations on Pakistani soil. According to the NY TIMES, the authorization for this has come right from top: Bush himself! It was back in July when President Bush secretly approved ground assaults inside Pakistan. According to the orders issued, Pakistan is to ‘notified’ when limited ground assaults are conducted inside the country but a permission will not be asked for!

Let’s reconfirm for our understanding… The United States Armed Forces will now cross, jump, fly, or walk over the border to shoot, bomb, kill, take captive, and/or investigate nationals of one of their most important allies in the war against terrorism WITHOUT seeking the country’s approval?

You got that right!

Extended: Daylight Saving!

What did I tell you?

This government is in shambles. They don’t know what to do and how to do what needs to be done. WeCite gave you the heads up about the extended Daylight Saving last week (Aug 22)!

Oh and did I mention that they also might not shift the time back one hour after August for energy conservation reasons? That means even longer fasts!

It was back on June 1, 2008 when clocks were set forward by one hour to save electricity. This move was said to be for three months only and by that time-line, clocks were to be set back one hour on September 1. Now, the daylight saving might continue till November 1 as the government has declared that Pakistan Statdard Time will remain 6 hours ahead of GMT till October end!

An energy deficit of 4,500 megawatts is what Pakistan faces with low hydroelectric power generation. That of course is according to the government. The real figures may or may not be through the roof!

Already, there are rumors circulating throughout Lahore that load-shedding might be extended up to 16 hours to cushion the electricity and power demands. It is only a matter of time when your electricity bill double up now!

Also, if they have extended the daylight saving as we had predicted, does that means that petrol pumps WILL stay closed once a week and there will be a cap of 15-20 liters on petrol/diesel purchase from any station?!

HA!

Pakistan! Are you beginning to feel DEMOCRATIC and FREE? *chuckles*

Of ‘Internal Matters’…

It really cracks me up every time!

“This is Pakistan’s Internal Matter!” is probably the most over-used (and abused) hypocritical statement by the United States of America ever!

Choosing a President: Pakistan’s Internal Matter!

Presidents resigning: Pakistan’s Internal Matter!

Peace deals one week and bombs he next: Pakistan’s Internal Matter!

Shady 11th hour decisions and verdicts: Pakistan’s Internal Matter!

Unflinching Support in War Against Terrorism: Pakistan’s Internal Matter!

Raising inflation and what not: Yes, you’re right! Pakistan’s Internal Matter!

Don’t insult my intelligence but does Washington REALLY believe that we will keep falling for this bullsh*t every time?

There’s no doubt that the reigns of this country are in the hands of several figures sitting in another continent. These figures impact our economy, decide on who to bring forward and who to send back in the shadows: either for good or for the time being. As big a conspiracy theory as it may seem, these people actually have puppets that hold press conferences on behalf of people in the government whom they control as well, uttering the same garbage time and again: We believe this is Pakistan’s internal matter but we are watching and falling the developments closely! The government and people of Pakistan will determine blah de blah de blah…

The government?

You mean the one you help put in power to gain the most from the region?

The people?

You mean mute puppets who dance to the tunes of those who are put in power?

Internal matters my foot!

Lawyers: a terrorist organization we forgot to ban?

Law is not what it used to be in Pakistan. No question about that. Occasional strikes and snail pace legal proceedings were common practices from day 1 in this country anyways. A trip to any of the ‘kacheris‘ courts would entail for an unforgettable experience. All sorts of looting, plundering, bargaining, and deals take place to get a simple document signed. It was the norm and people were just used to it by now; the accommodating nation that we are!

Then a bunch of judges were suspended for things that did not fit the bill. Very few know the precise reasons for this move by the then President, Pervez Musharraf, because the summary of reasons presented to the public were as simple and stupid as one kid crying over a toy that was snatched away from him by another.  No denying that there definitely was something more than what meets the eyes. Unfortunately, in a country like ours, secrets will always remain secrets. We don’t have any laws that conform the governments to declassify any information after say 50 years or so.

Anyhow, so these judges got suspended. The lawyers erupted. Political parties from every nook and corner of Pakistan dug themselves out of the dirt holes they were buried in and walked hand in hands with the lawyers. The scene looked very much like those flimsy snails that you see wriggling every where on the earth when it rains. The media joined hands with the lawyers too. Promising their solidarity and complete, unabashed favoritism. They covered angry mobs who were being beaten back by security forces for destroying national properties but didn’t bother to focus on the mayhem the lawyers caused on the streets. Pakistan made a united front against an action, a united front that brought their very own country to a stand still.

That was last year!

Honeymoon’s Over!

The gloves have finally come off!

It was, of course as any sane person would have said from the start, only a matter of time!

One week! One week is all they could last as one!

With President Musharraf out of the way, PML-N has now officially pulled out of the ruling coalition as a protest against the PPP government for not reinstating the 60 senior judges sacked by the former President in November last year.

Like I said, it was only a matter of time… and the right opportunity.

In his press conference where he was flanked by his brother Shahbaz Sharif and other senior leaders of his party, Nawaz Sharif had quite a lot to say about his one time ‘brother’, Asif Ali Zardari:

Zardari has violated an agreement we had by nominating himself as the presidential candidate instead of announcing the name of a person who was ‘non partisan’, nationally respected, and accepted by the coalition partners.’

Nationally respected?

What did he mean by that?

Did he knew all along that Zardari is not a respectable guy? You don’t need to be a genius to figure that out. So that leaves only one option. Nawaz knew all along that Zardari is a leech, just like himself. The two have never gotten along and it was only a coalition of necessity that brought them together… only till the timing was right. The entire nation was made a fool with promises of free judiciary, democracy, freedom, and more freedom of all sorts. So then why do we still have load-sheddings, and a seemingly not so free judiciary, or a secure country for that matter? No. Nawaz Sharif and Zardari knew it all along. They knew how to make a fool out of this country because hey, they have done that so many times before. Same formula… works every time… like a charm.

Democracy any one?

But what flavor would you like? PPP’s or PML-N’s?

WeCite Dailies – National

35 ‘suspicious’ Games spectators from Pak detained

Nawaz Sharif starts showing his true colors. Threatens to quit Pakistan coalition

Musharraf may seek sanctuary in UK

Washington to Islamabad: Focus on terrorism!

Britain admits having played a role in resignation

US assured of ongoing War on Terror. But is that enough?

On his first visit to the United States as the new Prime Minister of Pakistan, Yusuf Raza Gillani, is not only trying to promise a more defiant Pakistan in the face of the War on Terror but to also take Washington’s favorable hand off President Musharraf.

We are committed to fight against those extremists and terrorists who are destroying and making the world unsafe.

by Mr. Gilani after meeting George W. Bush in the Oval Office at the White House

With Pakistani stock markets falling low for weeks due to political instability, threats to national security, and an over all air of uncertainty, it was about time for the new representative of the democratic Islamabad to travel to US and try to prove that President Musharraf is not the only one worthy of US’s trust and support.

Nothing new in particular was brought to light in the press conference except the promise to stand tough against those who threaten Pakistan and to work on curbing cross border terrorism in particular. The recent bombing at the Indian embassy in Kabul had put ISI and Pakistan in the forefront with accusations flying from all around. Both Kabul and New Delhi were quick to pin the blame on the top Pakistani intelligence agency, a claim that was strongly denied by Pakistan.

But the bigger question is not what the Bush government plans to do with Pakistan. It’s the new president who needs to be considered too. Barack Obama is the most likely candidate to take over from Bush and while we assure US of our continued support, we need to plan for the future with Obama in the front too. On countless occasions now he has hinted at a possible US interference in Pakistan’s tribal areas while calling them a ‘safe haven for Al-Qaeda’.  According to Obama, this is a big problem and something must be done to find a working solution to this. So when Mr. Obama says that a more effective cooperation is needed from Pakistan, is he implying that we should understand why one day US forces will be invading our turf with the excuse to wipe out terrorism?

Obama is set to meet Mr. Gillani today and it goes without saying that this visit will not be a stroll through the Central Park for our Prime Minister.

Jamia Binora – Red Mosque Sequel ?

Is Jamia Binora another Red Mosque in the making?

Pakistan, currently caught in the middle of a political, social, and economical descent, has enough in her platter to see another radical Islamic group rise to rebellion and chaos. But the recent strong statements released by Maulana Mufti Mohammed Naeemi, founder and head of the seminary stretched across 12-acres of walled land in Karachi seem to suggest a defiance quite similar to that of Maulana Abdul Rasheed Ghazi of the Red Mosque:

No one could dare come near a one mile radius of our compound!

Attacking us will conjure up the memories of Lal Masjid!

And in response to releasing an American girl inside the madrassa whose religious education visa has expired:

Yes we have received the deportation orders but we will not hand her over!

We are not chickens. It is not easy to attack us and to roundup our students from here!

According to a report by Khaleej Times, a US American girl by the name of Muna Abanur Mohammed is one of the eight students at the fundamentalist Islamic seminary who should have left Pakistan by now as her visa has expired and deportation orders issued by the Islamabad. Yet, the madrassa she has been staying at refuses to let her go home.

Related News:

Bangkok News: Defiant Thai Muslim Students Still In Pakistan Schools

Jamia Binoria Website

Gilani Is A Child! – Mangal Bagh

An affirmation or a denial from the Lashkar-e-Islam’s leader was always expected after the report of our Prime Minister’s disclosure to the media on Monday

And the response has come…

I don’t have words for an appropriate answer to the claim by a person ought to be the most informed in the country. I am sure that none of the intelligence agencies of the country would have a glimpse of such accusation in their reports…

as stated by Mangal Bagh, leader of the defunct Lashkar-e-Islam organization

According to the Pakistan’s daily The NEWS , Mangal Bagh has slammed claims made by the Pakistani Prime Minister on Monday that he (Mangal Bagh) administered an oath for the MPs of the Khyber Agency for assisting him in a suicide attack on the parliament.

He, however, does admit that an oath was administered by the L-e-I to all candidates contesting the Feb 18 elections from Khyber Agency. But unlike the statement by Gilani, the oath constituted of the condition that ‘if elected, the member National Assembly would use every penny that he might get from the government, sans his salary, on the development of his constituency.’‘

He further added that according to the oath whoever is elected would allow Mangal Bagh to use his office to get its due share in funds for Khyber Agency and would resist any move that undermined the equal citizenship of his people. Any one failing this oath was suppose to resign.

There you have it. It’s Mangal Bagh’s word against Gilani’s.

Personally, ever since I read about the claim by Gilani, I couldn’t help feeling that it was a bit over-stated. Not to be biased or any thing but can we really believe such a severe accusation would have gone down quietly? If this was indeed what Mangal Bagh had planned, then we would have at least heard about some action taken against the elected MPs in the Khyber Agency by now. They are after all the ‘prime suspects’ aren’t they? Also, in the face of such a blatant and serious threat, the government would still not be thinking about possible talks with Lashkar-e-Islam or the TTP.

What now remains to be seen is a response from Gilani on this. But somehow, unlike my expectations of a definite response by Mangal Bagh, I am not too sure of a statement being issued by the PM on this.

The chain reaction has started. That is what ‘they’ wanted anyways!