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Libya situation: Pakistan adopts wait-and-watch approach
National Transitional Council flag flutters in Islamabad.
A car with the rebel flag at the main gate of the embassy in Islamabad on August 25, 2011. PHOTO: AFP
ISLAMABAD:
Although the Libyan Embassy in Islamabad has removed the official green flag and hoisted the one representing the National Transitional Council, Pakistan has not yet recognised the rebels.
Islamabad’s reluctance to endorse the Nato-backed rebels is said to be because of its reservations over the manner in which Libyan leader Colonel Muammar Qaddafi was removed from power through foreign intervention.
Pakistan also believes that it is too early to take any decision on Libya since there is lot of uncertainty and confusion regarding who is really in charge in Tripoli.
In the past, Pakistan has taken a principled position to oppose foreign intervention in Libya and other states.
However, since the rebels made advances through Nato backing in Libya, Islamabad has avoided making any public statement in an apparent attempt not to annoy the western powers.
At her weekly news briefing here on Thursday, the foreign ministry spokesperson was guarded in her reaction to the rapidly changing developments in Libya.
“On the events in Libya, we are monitoring the situation very closely. Our diplomatic mission in Tripoli is fully operational and is also monitoring the situation. We believe that at this point in time, the situation is in a flux,” was Tehmina Janjua’s response when asked to comment on the situation.
However, she cautioned that principles of sovereignty, political independence and territorial integrity of Libya and all other states must be respected.
Regarding the hoisting of rebels’ flag at the Libyan embassy, she said Pakistan did not receive any official notification.
However, the Libyan ambassador told a television news channel that the decision to change the flag was taken after consulting all staff members at the embassy.
The embassy also removed photographs of Colonel Muammar Qaddafi and other symbols of the his government defaced in support of the National Transitional Council.
Pakistan-US relations
The spokesperson said discussions were underway between Pakistan and the US Embassy to resolve differences on the issue of requirement of no-objection certificates (NoC) for diplomats intending to travel outside the capital.
“There are certain procedures that apply to all diplomats without discrimination,” Janjua added.
She also dismissed reports that the Army was issuing such NoCs.“As far as the issue of NoCs for the moment of diplomats is concerned, that remains within the purview of the Foreign Office,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 26th, 2011.
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Reader Comments (27)
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So will the Gadaffi Stadium be now renamed?
Guys please give your suggesstion –
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It’s not actually a “rebel flag”. It was the flag of Senusian Libya for all of its post-Italian colonial independence before the coup of Capt. Muammar Qaddafi.
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will they now rename Qaddafi stadium as well?
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I wish that the name of Gaddafi Stadium with immediate effect changed back to Lahore Stadium.
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Shaheed Salman Taseer Stadium!
It will be cool!
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@TightChuddi. The stadium should keep it’s name — might remind the leaders of Pakistan that leaders such as Qaddafi who use terrorist as “strategic assets” have no friends when things turn ugly.
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@Anonymous!:
a great thought my firend!
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Democracy Statium
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How many other flags does the embassy keep in its closets?
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Change of flag means change of guard in Tripoli.
The era spread on more than four decades has come to an end. We, as Muslims, must understand that “AWWAL” and “AKHIR” are the names of Allah Subhana Taala” and the rest is nothing, but comes and goes, and never meant to stay for ever.
This is a lesson for military and civilian dictators around the world.
They still have time to understand what actually the reality is, if they want to understand at all.
So only bow before Al-Mighty Allah, to whom we all have to return one day, sooner or later.
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Have lots of respect for BB. But plz no BB Stadium
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I strongly believe that the stadium should be renamed “AH Kardar Stadium”. (It should never have been named Qaddafi to begin with). Kardar was Pakistan’s first captain under whose leadership, Pakistan as a brand new test team, won a test match against every other test playing country in the first series that we played against them (India in India 1952, England in Engalnd 1954, New Zealand in Pak 1955, Australia in Pak 1956, West Indies in West Indies 1958). That is a phenomenal record and he showed great leadership abilities. He is also only 1 of only 4 Test cricketers to have played tests for two different countries (India & Pakistan). On top of that he was the President of PCB in the 70′s as well as the Pakistani ambassador to Switzerland later in his life.
It would be a healthy tradition to honor people who deserve it in a relevant way in their chosen field rather than have things named randomly for politicians. Imran Khan is the only other player/captain who could be honored in a similar way. But Imran is thankfully alive and well and can be honored similarly at a later time.
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go with the flow ;)
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Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Cricket Stadium….
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20 yrs after my existence i have been ashamed to know that the majestic stadium was named after a fugly dictator who supports killing people!!!
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@Taimur Malik
Why is ET using the term “Rebel Flag”, I do not think it is by mistake rather intentionally.
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Gaddafi is a hero! The stadium should keep its name.Don’t forget what NATO is doing in Libya is a violation of the UN. The rebels are traitors. Wakeup Pakistan!
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kardar was education minister in punjab under PPP rule, as well but was a dictator and also blamed for cutting short careers of some good players like Haneef Muhammad…but i think stadium should keep its name to remind us of the begging bowl we have before these arabs as well. He helped Pakistan in many ways like support for nuclear program. It was largely possible through his funding as well until khan established own black market. Qaddaffi also opened job opportunities for blue collar labors who contributed in pak economy with hard earned money. stadium was named due to his hisotrical speech in support of pak nuclear program. But if Pakistan can tolerate zia who is hated by Palestanians till today for killings he did in Jordan and many more he killed directly or indirectly in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Kashmir. Also there is Ayubia named after another dictator, who also killed many political activists n man Pakistan colony of usa by leasing base in Peshawar for spying on USSR.
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Libyans have all the rights to celeberate the end of a tyrant rule, lets help Saudies now to get rid of the House of Saud.
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As a nation we have a short memory. Remember Qaddafi was one of the main financiers of our bomb. Secondly he was one of those world leaders who pleaded the most for sparing the life of ZAB. He was one of those who for a flashing moment in history romanticised the concept of pan-islamism. The Liberal anti-American Muslim ruler , the last remaining of those who for a fleeting moment in history dreamt pan-islamism , why should his fate be any different from the rest of his co-dreamers Shah Faisal and ZAB.
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There is nothing celebratory about this news.
In the MUSLIM WORLD, one tyrant is replaced by another. Look at the people who authored the downer script for Pakistan – Ayub Khan, Yahya Khan, Zia Ul Haq, Musharraf.
Also, just so that you people know, Gaddaf(r)i was the only Arab leader, who spoke openly, favoring Pakistan’s stance on Kashmir.Recommend
@Ahmer Ali:Great thoughts, i salute your thoughts. NATO/USA is supporting (started war) against Libya but why ignoring Kashmiri Freedom Fighters, Philistine. Double standard? Anti Muslim?
So-called educated liberal people always ready to get influnced from westren propaganda,sad.
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I wish that the name of Gaddafi Stadium with immediate effect changed to Imran Khan Stadium.
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@Anonymous!:
that would be a true like for like swap now wouldnt it.
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I don’t blame Pakistan for remaining quiet — if I was caught hiding/protecting the leader of Al Qaeda (who is responsible for many terrorist attacks in NATO countries) I would be worried about NATO helping remove governments which sponsor terrorism.
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name of stadium should not be changed, as for as i know it was named after qaddafi for his role in Islamic Conference , so as memento it shud not b changed, yes A H Kardar great pakistani captain but build another stadium to honor him,
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Another example of MUSLIMS KILLING MUSLIMS on the behest of the Infidals. Another MUSLIM NATION FALLS in the name of Democracy thrust from Foreign powers.The Freedom is lost .By own hands of Muslims it is a SAD day for the Muslim UMMAH
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