NEW DELHI: The arrest of a man accused of acting as a Pakistani government agent in the United States "was long overdue" India's home secretary said on Saturday, according to a report.
Ghulam Nabi Fai, 62, a US citizen detained on Tuesday, is suspected of links to a decades-long effort that allegedly funnelled millions of dollars to Washington to lobby US politicians on behalf of Kashmiri causes.
Commenting on Fai's arrest, India's Home Secretary RK Singh said: "Yes, his arrest was long overdue," the Press Trust of India reported.
Fai has been a prominent figure in the politics of Indian Kashmir.
The US Justice Department said Fai and Zaheer Ahmad, 63, a US citizen and a resident of Pakistan, face five years in prison if found guilty.
The US complaint alleges Fai and Ahmad conspired illegally as Pakistani agents, falsifying and concealing material facts that they had a duty to disclose in dealings with the United States government.
The allegations, which come amid increasingly strained ties between the United States and Pakistan, centre on the Kashmiri American Council (KAC), a Washington-based group founded in 1990.
"We had a fair degree of suspicion that the money he (Fai) used to get was given by the agencies in Pakistan," Singh said on the sidelines of a regional security conference in the Bhutanese capital Thimpu.
The KAC is suspected of being run by the Inter-Services Intelligence Agency (ISI).
COMMENTS (99)
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Obviously India is happy, it has killed over 60,000 Kashmiris since 1990, so why would it not welcome the arrest of a champion who only fights for the rights of Kashmiri people, shame on the US govt for arresting a man who is the Mandela of Kashmir.
why is it that the Indian side of kashmir is Indian held Kashmir and the Pakistani side Azad Kashmir? If we are really sincere in our effort to protect the Kashmiris right to self determination, then that sincerety should be extended to the 'Azad' kashmiris too.
Further to my earlier posting,the happening in current pakistan has made me rethink my earlier belief,that it was in the best interest of both the Hindu and Muslims should go their seperate way at the time of independence in 1947.I thought it was for better,after reading,Mr Jaswant Singh and Prof Aiesha Jalal, of Columbia university and her thesis what really Mr Jinnah wanted,I'm doing some soul searching.Was our founders right in demanding Partition?.Contarary to established wisdom things have not turned out well for Pakistan muslims and those 155 million muslims left behind.?Things would not necessarly worse for either community now,if they had remained one.Yes, there would be tension,riots and political agitation,but I'm convinced or atleast tending to believe,the total 180+155 million would have been sufficently found common ground to advance and progress,and thier ecnomic and political liberty,personnel life, and liberty would be better than what is now seperately,either in Pakistan,India and Bengaladesh,.see,so many people of talent from both Pakistan and Bengaladesh live in India legally and willingly to improve their life ecnomiclly,and for artistic and professional reason,jokingly even cricket they would have made more money(in fact it is no joke,there is more money in Indian cricket than anywhere including England and Australia,it is dying there).added your enttertainment from Bollywood be more, selective,varied and cheaper.We would have been due size,bigger ecnomy and the biggest and largest population exceed China,though I'm not trilled at prospect of nearly 2 billion mouth to feed.Control of population is another story for another day,that is big elephent in our small drawing room,I welcome your feed back without name calling avoid malice and assign bad and evil motive,I do not belong to any organised religion in fact I shun it like plague.have a good day.
Mr Mussarat,I read your rebuttal addressed to SZ,it could be addressed to almost any one who has no clue what is happening all over the world.Muslim people are not monolethic society,not every one in Islamic world has the same agenda.Without going into detail,let me expand what you have said in clarity,some more issues,which people in fit of emotion utter.Kashmir as you say is not valley alone nor Jammu and Srinagar,and kasmir valley,it is laddak,and ,buddist,sikh,hindus,and muslims and other minority,they certainly do not want to merge with the present chotic Pakistan,I'm not at all biased for or against either Pakistan or India,speaking a common point of view of Kashmeri people as a whole. The problem with people's agitation is they do not understand the viability of self sustaining small entity to sustain itself in long haul,assuming Kashmir as whole both POK of so called Azad kasmir to merge with the so called Indian occpied one(which Pakistan will never permit,as there is all lose ,lose for Pakistan),to happen,as you say ,it will be like present day Bengaladesh who are escaping to west Bengal and Assam,and put pressure on Pakistan and India,it will be chotic situation unbearable for both India and Pakistan,religion will not be the glue which it will bind,alha present day Shia ,sunni,ahmedeas,and ismalee khojas,the sindhies and baluche,Pakistan must not talk about self determination when there so much infighting and bloodshed among so many different sects of muslims in Proper Pakistan itself.Pakistan for last 63 years with its irrational obsession with annexing Kashmir has neglected its most urgent problem and to day it is tettering on brink.You do not need to be rocket scintist to figure this state of affair,the sane and insane people have boxed themself and tied their own hands,that Gordian knot itself untieing is a major task,to assume somehow accuring chotic kashmir will bring somehow solve all of Pakistan problem is stupid and naive thinking.I really do not know what is the answer,but in hind sight,I agree with you,this madness of kashmir on Pakistan's part must somehow end.India is too big,it can compatment,this unpleasant show of kashmir,as it has done,and can march ahead,as It has done(yes, it has problem),whatever blind spot Pakistan might like to think of,india,the fact is India is not in dire state.It is 4th,5th or whatever,it is doing reasonably fine,economy in world.I'm going say which I never believed for last 50 years ,I'm going for People of Pakistan to ponder.
@Anjum:
Sir, brahmi is actually a medicinal plant. Are you accusing plants and creepers of playing games?!
@ Gosh - chill out. It's the internet. Indians are welcome to comment on this site as are Pakistanis or anyone else. If you want to defend your viewpoint, then do so with logic. We Pakistanis have been brainwashed for far too long. Our textbooks have taught us lies.
Thank you ET for helping open our eyes.
@hariharmani: Oh my God ! You are right ! Na Bibi na bacchha naa baap badaa naa maiyaa, the whole thing is that key bhaiyya sab se Badaa rupayya ! We have seen those days when we did not have a single friend in the world [1960-70], abhi paisa hai sab dost hi dost hai! We wish we had some donations then, at least our old parents would not have died in poverty!
71 was a great learning opportunity - completely wasted.
I find Mr Hammad Khan Kakar post most intersting. Specially the 200 million warheads point. I don't know why he has so less recommendations.
@hammad kakar: Cut the crap. The truth is that this guy Fai caught driving a car on the highway without a driving license and a car also did not have valid registration papers. He is being punished for it. Why such a hallaboo on this? And regarding Kashmir - you cannot solve this "issue" without addressing the question of partition itself.
@Gosh: That is stupid to say. It is good to debate, and it is great that ordinary Indians (if they are not hired RAW people to put posts....LOL) care and search Pakistani newspapers. I and many pakistanis does the same on Indian newspapers. It's knowledge sharing, my friend. Cheers for a good communication.
ZAB - 1) v will eat grass but v will make nuclear bomb. 2) v will fight for 1000 yrs for kashmir
hmmmmmmm
@vasan: I know, old chap, I did read it. But that is not fair of you or Hindus to say. If a muslim convert to Hinduism, or the other way, it doesn't mean that he has to leave his land. It still belongs to him. Wish you a nice day.
@My Name is Khan: Khan Sahib Salaam. You have raised a pertinent point that majority of the bloggers deviate from the main topic and indulge in mud-slinging. Your comment regarding Pakistan's obsession with Kashmir is quite true. Pakistan would have made lot of progress like India if it had focused on its economy and refrained from supporting terrorism.
@Hammad Khan Kakar: NEVER bring religion in any type of Discussion its a request, plz respect Islam & there belief, if u don’t want to belive in the religion, plz don’t but plz don’t disrespect the religion.
Perfect point. But then, you should tell the same thing to all your Pakistani brethren who keep bringing up Allah on every opportunity..."Allah is on our side..." or "InshAllah Kashmir banega Pakistan......" Really? How do you know whose side Allah is on?
@Vicram Singh: What are you talking of 'base time lines?' First read impartially, if you Indians can, about demography; where and when humans meet? Time lines dont have any reckoning in this issue because of the influence of religions. Have a nice day.
@Ad.: Muslims are simply foreigners in valley,injected by pakis.. so they have no right over kashmir.
Who the heck says Kashmiris want to opt out of India? Yes there is a small minority, that has been influenced by Maoududi philosophy, but, look at the voting percentages in recent Panchayat polls, it was more than 80%. There are some who say, that the elections are related to development issues and not to freedom? thats a straw mans argument, it simply means that huriyat is not able to convince people.
@Vicram Singh: Convinced not coerced is the way forward my friend
Could you please use the spell check function, before posting?
Anjum: You have not read my comment properly my friend, I did not bring the topic of religious conversion. I only suggested muslims move to Pakistan Occupied Kashmir. For heavens sake dont bring religion and conversion etc.
Pakistan could not keep what they had.
both india n pakistan...plx leave us kashmiris alone...v dont want to b wid either of u....
"Kashmiris would be stupid if they ever join Pakistan, after getting rid of one corrupt country to join another doesn't make any sense". Thoughts of one (Indian occupied) Kashmiri.
India must investigate ISI's links to Arundhati Roy too. She is one of Fai's supporters in India and attended meetings arranged by Fai.
OMG . . . Look at all these Indians - they have attacked this Pakistani news site like a bunch of hyenas. This just shows how advanced Pakistani journalism is, that all these Indians come running to it like a storm! Do they not have freedom of expression on their own newspapers? After all they are an oldy moldy country of the greatest population explosion on earth, poluting mother earth! Now, they are poluting this great Pakistani ET news paper by fuming their hate and froth against muslims, Pakistan and its voice against the genocide and freedom of Indian occupied Kashmiri muslims. Shamful to say the least!
I wonder if sub continent people know the history and understand it. Then probably they will stop hating Hindus.
@Raza:
I dont think Kashmiris are either sincere or will be sincere with Pakistan. Currently Pakistan is itself facing 1971-like situationof disintegration. For God sake save instead of poking nose in others issue let's strive to save pakistan from being further breakdown.
Let Kashmiri themselves decide about their fate.
Mussarat
@Cynical: Situation is improving with the use of new technology in security. Don't worry kashmiriyat will be restored as millitants are pinned down. Tourism is booming. 5 lakh people visited kashmir in current season. Kashmir is safer than karachi.Economic activity will increase in next 2 years. We will make it peaceful.
@Anjum: India has developed dear, where are you? in spite of pot boiling called Kashmir. Now as you have recalled the issue of Hyderabad and Junagarh. Then tell me what you have done with the Khan of Kalat. According the Independence act of India, the first was the choice given the princes to merge either with India or Pakistan and if they aren't able to exercise their choice then it was plebiscite. Now tell whom with Hari Singh signed the merger accord. You can always say that it was forced. But it also true that Pt Neharu refused his call of help from Kabailis attacking Kashmir on the pretext that it was not still part of India and only when Hari Singh accepted the merger plan and signed it, then only Pt Neharu allowed Indian forces in Kashmir unlike Pakistani regulars in the garb of kabaili tribal entered still independent Kashmir.
@Anjum: You don't know the history. don't twist the history. Maharastra or maratha region was governed by Peshavas before east india company. They were hindus and not muslims. Anyway atleast introduce law for minorities in Islamic republic of pakistan then I will talk to you. Start with minority marriage laws. Ok.
@American:
You are wrong Sir...there is no such thing as "100% muslim heaven" since once you get to the 100% muslim state, there is the Shia...Sunni jihad to work on!
But....... Has Mr Fai has asked the question from Pakistani government that how they deal with their part of Kashmir. Then why he only questions India. Another question, why Kashmiri want to secede from India? India is a secular country unlike Pakistan. Gives everybody equal rights, their are separatist in Indian Kashmir who hate India, abuses India, advocate Militant but still fearful of them for their life ask for safety from the same state they abuses and enjoys too.
Only solution is re-partition of Kashmir. Just like Punjab and Bengal was partitioned in 1947. All the Districts of undivided Kashmir will be divided along with communal lines in 3 parts, each belong to Hindus, Muslims and Buddhists respectively.
If Pakistan is not ready for Gilgit and Baltistan, then India also insist on not including Jammu and Laddahkh area. Just equally divide all the districts of POK and IHK between Kashmiri Pundits and Kashmiri Muslims.
@Vicram Singh: to Nazir Habib "The Palestine issue is the same – the Jews lived in the area before Muslims." Jews lived there when Mohammed was not even born and there was no such cult as Islam!
"The question again is how far back in history do you want to go. Conversion to Islam, sorry to say, can not be the base time line" As far as Muslims are concerned there was no world or civilization until the first Muslim opened his eyes. That is settled fact and nothing will change that!
It is all a waste of time and energy, talking and discussing about Kashmir and India and Pakistan. I am wondering why no one is getting tired of the subject. Everybody is repeating the same thing like a parrot. On the ground nothing is happening.
Presently India has Kashmir and Pakistan is peeved about it. That is the crux of the problem. Kashmir is squeezed in between. And remember Jammu & Kashmir is not only the Kashmir Valley, Kashmir Valley is divided in their opinion, so no true voice is emerging. India and Pakistan would like to hear that voice which suits them best. In Jammu, which is Hindu dominated is against Independence, Leh and Ladakh which is Buddhist dominated is also against Independence. In fact they will rebel against the move of Independence. Which will put Jammu and Kashmir in further problems. More ever suppose if Jammu and Kashmir gets independence, then they will demand for Pakistan Occupied Kashmir and China Occupied Kashmir or there will be disturbance in the region for the next 100 years.
The country who is wasting more energy, and resources about it is the one who is going to suffer. We commentators are like bystanders lamenting about it. While our Governments and Military are doing anything they want and they expect us to support them. So in support of them we lament more, comment more. Bring religion, ethnicity and everything to the fore. Bur remember we are only bystanders and nothing else.
@ Kashmiri..You've just proved that you have never been to Kashmir..Its one of the most developed and beautiful parts of India..Keep ur ignorance with you !!
@SaudiRules Just what Prosperity and Tranquility are you talking about..lol
@Rock
"You bet. No matter how many Kashmiri lives it cost."
That's a dangerous line. Supposing it takes the last one of them? But it seems you wouldn't mind.that. Your interest lies in that piece of land, not in it's people.
@Anjum: " but accept muslims dont want to be hindus again. "
The sub-continents Muslims became so either by co-ercion and/or persuasion. They can be co-erced and persuaded again.
Bhagwan(s) will make sure Kashmiris will attain their peace, free from terror by indians. Kashmiris know what they want and they will get it. In addition to them, the Assamese, Nagas, and countless others will get their freedom. For a peaceful bharatmata, the people will have to get their freedom.
@Nazir Habib: " Let me assure you again, that the Muslim awakening has begun and we will only take what was and is naturally ours AND we will not transgress like India in Kashmir and the USA and its proxies in many countries of the world. “ALLAH ALLMIGHTY loveth not transgressors. Have a nice day."
As you might know, the people of the sub-continent were Hindus and Buddhists before some of them turned Muslim. So to define "naturally ours" - how far do you want to go back in history ?
The Palestine issue is the same - the Jews lived in the area before Muslims.
The question again is how far back in history do you want to go. Conversion to Islam, sorry to say, can not be the base time line.
Have an enlightened day.
it is true we want independence from india but to think we will join pakistan is comical.only a suicidal maniac would want to be part of pakistan right now.
@Thomas: Yes it will, it will some more time and requite more sacifices.
@Nisar Ahmed: he was paid to do the seminars and stuffs.
@Anjum: You are hurting religious sentiments. Islam never allow you to hate other religion. So please correct yourself. We have first identity as Indian no matter what is our faith. For indian religion is personal thing and all religions are equal.
@Nisar Ahmed: @moon:
There is no need for your settlement. Kashmir is a state in India. It will never change.
Long Live Kashmir;s freedom. Down with India.
It is very ironic that the veteran Kashmiri Scholar and the Executive Director of Washington based Kashmiri American Council became the victim of deteriorating relationship between the CIA and ISI. Dr. Fai is globally known human rights activist who has been championing the cause of the oppressed people of Jammu and Kashmir for more than 30 years independently. It is worth to mention here that his organization, KAC, a non-partizan and non-profit NGO comprised of more than a thousand Kashmiri-American doctors, engineers and lawyers has been contributing immensely making substantial financial contribution to run the affairs of the organization in fair and square manner.
However, Indians were not comfortable with his diplomatic activities in the United States as he launched an effective campaign across the United States besides highlighting the atrocities being inflicted on the people of Kashmir by Indian troops in Kashmir in the American print and electronic media. Being a well read and an highly articulative scholar he was the most sought after intellectual on the Kashmir subject.
He has the privilage to facilitate intra-Kashmir dialogue enabling the Kashmiri leaders hailing form both sides of line of control and the intellectuals of both India and Pakistan to share their expertise and observations on the subject.
He was working for a peaceful settlement of Kashmir seeking world community's help to thrash out an amicable and durable solution of the lingering dispute. The allegation levelled against this towering leader was to demonise his personal character besides maligning the Kashmiris' ongoing struggle for right to self-determination.
His arrest had shocked the peace loving people across the globe particularly the people of Kashmir who have lost their ambassador in the shape of G N Fai. Kashmiris on both sides of line of control have voiced serious concern over the detention of Dr. Fai and sought world bodies support and help to facilitate the release of Kashmiri scholar
There should be a thorough investigation regarding his activities. There is a chance that he might have channeled the fund given by ISI to support insurgents in Kashmir. He is a wolf in sheep's clothing.
pakistan has to go to moon to get kashmir and that will never happen. insha allah balochistan will be free very soon.
@Aadersh: No Baloch will let the Pakis go anywhere before sheer and complete withdrawal of the Pakistani occupying forces is enforced and a complete declaration of Independence just like Bangladesh is penned down.
If anything, the Freedom of Balochistan comes first. Any other concocted idea can be dealt with later.
Aadersh: I think you must concentrate on "Sindh, KP and Balochistan banega Pakistan". Worry about others later. Ad : I think you meant that the majority muslims will move over to POK. Appreciate that suggestion.
Ghulam Nabi Fae is a courageous man who has spoken to defend the Kashmiris against Indian oppression and violence.
Rock
You bet! No matter how many Kashmiri lives it costs!
@Aadersh:
"Kashmir banega Pakistan!! Indeed…"
Pakistan is now the 12th most failed state in the World. It would not be a figment of one's imagination to think Pakistan might not exist in the coming decade or 2. All because of Kashmir.
Fai is a thug !!
@Aadersh: High hopes usually lead to deep falls !! Pakistan keep funding the strategic assets/militants while India keep marching ahead as in the world.
@Aadersh: You said "Kashmir banega Pakistan" Are you sure? pakistan? horrible thing to say. Nightmare for kashmiries. (kashmiri means pundits, muslims, sikhs, buddhist, Christens).
@Rock wrote: "Mr. Fai, I would like to inform you that insha allah kashmir will be secular and economicaly developed one." Rock, you are an indian! Why do you want kashmir to be "secular and economicaly developed one" like India. The kashmiri should be great islamic republic like pakistan! I hope one day the kashmiri become part of pakistan and share in the prosperity and tranquility of islamic republic of pakistan. After all, we pakistanis have sacrificed too much for the kashmiri cause for last 63 years.
@ Rock,
Insallah. Kashmir is already secular and economicaly developed one. At least compared with Pakistan. So give it a rest.
Fai's activities must have been known to US for many years but the timing of his arrest goes on to prove that all is not well in Pak-US relations which is still going down-hill since Pak military refuses to tow the US's line .
For all the Indian lackeys on this forum. Check out Kashmir's path to ' being heaven ' under India:
http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/World/20110723/kashmir-shuts-down-protest-alleged-rape-110723/
@Ad This guy is merely repeating what he learned in school, and masjid... EITHER there is a 100% muslim heaven OR, the alternative is hell. Since no country is 100% anything, all muslims are busy creating hell for themselves and others.
I don't know what r they doing....Can India n US deny the genocide commited by Indian terrorists in Kashmir even if he was funded by ISI...forget it u both India n US...Kashmir will b free from all ur massacre...& Kashmir banega Pakistan!! Indeed...
@Ad.: Majority Muslims have gone nowhere. They don't need to be brought back!
One day kashmir will be free from indian oppression. Arresting innocent people won't stop this from happening.
@Anonymous: Indain occupation army has deniend the right of self-determiantion of the over-whelming majority, which happen to be muslims (95% in the valley).
Your whinning about pundits and sihks is just propoganda.
Its not the first time, India will kill or capture who ever goes in favor of Kashmiries and to take any illegal step they always blame ISI.
India has stabbed the peace-makers in the back.
Leaders like Fai had sued for stand-still in violence in retrun for UN resoluions for self-determination of Kashmiris to be respected by Inida.
India is playing a Machiavellian game.
But history is on the side of the Kashmiris. No force, no matter how evil, will be able to repress their right for self-determination.
@Rock: With this sort mind set Indians are definitely infuriating the masses. For the last few years' these are efforts of Mr. Fai & other like minded leaders that today peaceful struggle for the cause is taking place. But your Zionist inspired theory of en-populating land with hindus, hindu pandits and others to take some advantage will only deepen the strains. Our Youth and Leaders are trying to convince your Govt. to get on table and find materializable solution. So be human and find peaceful way to resolve long standing issue, rather than pushing Kashmiris to the wall. We want peace, and that too not on cost of blood. But if you again want to get into that mode, we fear nothing.....!
Tug of war between Pakistan on one side and India + USA on the other. I wonder who would win ?
@Rock: And you again forget majority Muslims.
Mr Fai, We will bring back pundits, buddhist, sikhs, christens into valley. All religions will be respected. You just watch. The kashmir will be heaven on earth. Your bad-money will go into gutter.
All the nefarious stuff conducted by the agencies are unraveling now. OBL's arrest set off a veritable avalanche. It is obvious now that the US was aware of these actions but the OBL incident brought about this change. This is a change that will indirectly aid Pakistan in the long run.
End of the day,everything is connected to ISI, not Pakistan.Is ISI Pakistan?