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Haqqani network CIA’s blue-eyed boy for years: Khar
FM hits back at US, denies ISI involvement, says Pak must not be tested.
FM hits back at US, denies ISI involvement, says Pak must not be tested. PHOTO: FILE
NEW YORK: In a forceful response to US allegations, Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has said that the Haqqani network had been the Central Intelligence Agency’s “blue-eyed boy” for years.
During an interview with Al Jazeera television network, Khar rejected US allegations against the Inter-Services Intelligence agency (ISI), saying that it had no link with the Haqqanis.
“If we’re talking about links, I am sure the CIA also has links with many terrorist organisations around the world, by which we mean intelligence links,” she said. “And this particular network, which [the US] continues to talk about, is a network which was the blue-eyed boy of the CIA itself for many years.”
When asked specifically about Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen’s statement that the Haqqani group “acts as a veritable arm” of the ISI, Khar said, “It is something that goes very, very unappreciated on our side. This is unsubstantiated. No evidence has been shared with us.” Partners and allies, she said, do not talk to each other through public statements.
Khar said that Pakistan had taken up the matter with the US, but the spate of hostile statements coming from senior US officials meant that Washington had taken a policy decision. If this is the case, she said, Pakistan has the right to make its own decision.
Khar emphasised that Islamabad wanted to remain an ally of Washington, but simultaneously qualified her statement. “I just hope that we’ll be given a chance to cooperate with each other and doors will remain open – because statements like these are pretty much close to shutting those doors,” she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, September 27th, 2011.
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Reader Comments (63)
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Shut the doors, we close one and others will open up
Yankees, time for you to go home… leave us alone!
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Pakistan giving back as good as it gets!!!Recommend
Mrs Khar has proved a great visionry lady with courage and devotion to Nation… Great
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She is pretty articulate.
I saw her interview on CNBC and she held her ground and conveyed what had to be conveyed.
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Keep it up Hina! This is what is needed. Condemnation, and a stand at every level. Very good Pakistan!
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“Partners and allies, she said, do not talk to each other through public statements.”
Therefore USA and Pakistan are not partners ot allies.Recommend
even if its just half hearted approach, its good to see Pakistani leaders speaking up
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Mrs Hina has proved a courgeous and visionary Lady: hope She don’t meet same fate as Shah Mehmood Qureshi…..
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She speaks from heart and truth hurts.
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Hina Rabbani has stepped into the shoes of the former Pak FM, however the Americans are not at all going to appreciate such harsh statements made on their own soil. A very interesting scenario is developing as the entire Pakistan’s state machinery has launched a full fledged verbal war on US, who would have been shell- shocked and contemplating what to do with its unreliable ally. US is unlikely to adopt any hard options immediately but restrict its aid for the next few months and create an economic crisis in Pakistan.
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hope this time we end this relationship of convenience for good.
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Too late to cry…
“…the foreign minister said that drone attacks not only violated Pakistan’s sovereignty, they were also counterproductive, and greatly angered the people of Pakistan”.
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Well said Khar!Keep it up.The defeated are up to wash their dirty linen on Pakistan.
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I can see cloths being torn apart.Who are they?
Oh Lucky!!! they are US & Pak.
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By creating and cultivating so-called terrorist organisations, the CIA and US military intelligence as well as US mercenary outfits like Blackwater hope to foment civil war inside Pakistan. This is what Raymond Davis was upto. In this way the US can cheaply disintegrate and then destroy its targets without shedding its own blood. Pakistan can thank our brilliant strategist, Musharraf, for welcoming the fox into the chickenshed.
This is the same strategy which India used to breakup Pakistan to create Bangladesh. It is very unfortunate that our own military genius Musharraf, so beloved of the world’s press, did not learn that lesson, despite his personal involvment in East Pakistan, and instead began the bombing and killing of his compatriot women and children in Waziristan.
It is equally unfortunate that the PAF stands with its hands inside its pockets when Predator drones, which they can easily shoot down, add to the toll of innocent lives.
Both these actions simply play into the American hands, hastening the eventual dismantling of the Pakistani stateRecommend
Brave and gutsy minister!Recommend
Beauty with brain………. BRAVO!!!
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we should have done it before…they think they can dictate us, and if they really think this, US is just in day-dreaming…..it can happen in movies not in real!! koi rahay na rahay, PAKISTAN rahay ga!!
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I will only say that ‘offence is the best defence’ & any attack on PAKISTAN will be a attack on backbone of muslim world.Pakistani people should unite at this time of need,shun their differences & support Govt,army to show U.S that any such attack should be catstropic for whole world.If people of iran can defend their country then why not Pakistan which is a nuclear state…Recommend
HINA KHYR We Are Proud To U……..
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Heartening to see a courageous person from the PPP camp ! well said , despite the fact she is at a diplomatic forum right now, The tone must remain defensive along with aggression, Otherwise there is no chance the US pays any heed to our statements !
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Time to make decisions in national interest. Recommend
alaaaaaaaaaaaat! Superb Punch!
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I like millions of others was never in favor of Hina Khar being the FM but I think I will soon change my mind! This is the best response I have seen overall! She gets 10/10.
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Hina Khar for Prime Minister !
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Atleast threats from America are uniting us….. and that is the best part of this story
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She has spoken the truth. I am happy to see that our politicians have at least decided to speak up and defend the country from the baseless allegations of a misguided general Mullen. It’s good that the West is reminded of why things in the region are so volatile. Pakistan has given the greatest sacrifices in the war on terror and anyone who accuses Pakistan of being party to it will only alienate Pakistanis. What we need is help and real support to bring the border region under control. Maybe start by building a big fence to keep out the Afghanis once and for all.Recommend
after all hina was brought to politics by former president pervaiz musharaf….
if ppl like hina rabbani, mustafa kamal..wo are sincerer with pak get united to make a separate political party….and i hope young generation would to love to join them…..
this is the only way we can change over country…….if not her political career would b drained with corrupt politicians of bad political parties…..
btw great step….go a head hina.Recommend
for public of pakistan….
All our political leaders r playing a game with our pakistani nation……..
They play a different role in pakistan….then they go other countries like america …..nd in america their statments r different……all political leaders cheating with pakistan….
So i nd my nation can’nt believ hina’s statments…….Recommend
I must admit, I have been her critic. But I like her responses now. Well Done Ms Khar !!!!
Expose hypocrisy and double standards, we are with you.
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Sounds lovely on paper & in the news. I pray we do as we speak & also sustain it
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If the People, the Army and the Government of Pakistan can not bear the insulting attitude of Uncle Sam, they should REFUSE the millions of dollars thrown in the begger’s basket and also kick out all the American NOG’s!!
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@ Alami – the sad part is we Pakistanis don’t learn from history because we teach ourselves false history.
We didn’t lose Bangladesh because of India, we lost it because we refused to honor the democratically elected government. We refused to give Bengalis any rights. They rebelled and broke away. India only stepped in after our Armed Forces and proxies committed massive genocide in Bangladesh and millions of Bengalis started escaping to India. Imagine if instead of supporting the Taliban, Pakistan had pushed for a democratic, peaceful government in Afghanistan to help relieve us of our refugee problem?
Pakistan doesn’t need any help in disintegrating. We treat Shias, Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, Ahmmadiyas, and others with utter disdain. We let liberals get killed in the streets. We kick out 8th grade girls from schools for spelling mistakes. We don’t honor Salman Taseer and Shabaz Bhatti. We are a hateful and spiteful people. It’s not the minority that’s evil, it’s the majority. Unless we take a hard look in the mirror and solve our problems ourselves rather than continually blaming others, we have no future.
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Strong Statement at the time of need!
Nation must wake up and respond!
US calls Muslims as “Terrorists” however it doesn’t pay heed to public killings Iraqis and Afghanis by themselves and of Palestinians by Israel Soldiers, Shame!!!
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I do not believe her statements. Can she please provide proof? Without proof Pakistanis will not believe only on hearsay.
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@Sad but true: read the history books
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@Doctor
I must admit that your points are valid. And I agree that bigotry and intolerance must be stamped out, without delay, for time is short.
Looking back at our history to uncover the reasons for these faults I come to three conclusions, but again I’m open to correction.
One, that the British colonisers, as part of divideandrule, sowed the seeds of and then encouraged feelings of superiority, separateness etc, to alienate one community from another. After a number of generations under British rule these racial myths were accepted as gospel since the memory of more tolerant times, containing facts which contradicted the myths, was lost.
Two, that the education of the masses under Pakistani governments was deliberately neglected in order to allow the elite class, especially landlords and industrialists to continue exploiting the masses as the British colonisers had done before them, leaving a paltry minority such as ourselves educated enough to pontificate (to no effect!) in fora like the present (I say this most humbly, lest I’m accused of elitism). This policy of neglect was very much encouraged by the former and neo- colonial powers, who knew how impotent it would make us.
Third, that Pakistanis (and there have been and are a countless number of such brave and selfless heros) who realised what was happening and tried to introduce better education, were blocked by the same foreign powers. Here’s a quote and hyperlink to get you started on this point:
“It is usual for IMF to insist on cutting of ‘social spending’ which means REDUCING EXPENDITURES on essentials like health and education.”
read the rest yourself here:
http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/Opinions/Columns/18-Nov-2008/IMF–a-demon-or-a-necessary-antidote
I look forward to your thoughts on these matters.
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……………..I sincerely hope…. USA attack Waziristan ( Pakistan) and we will have a reason to BREAK FREEEEEE !!!!!!!!!
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@Doctor:
Well said doctor, its the wisest comment of the day on ET. I hope those who matter read your logical and apt analysis.
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@Junaid Ali: Are TTP Muslims or Zionist?
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@Doctor:
Very honest and candid introspection. If more Pakistanis speak up the truth like you are doing, Pakistan will be well on its way to rebuilding as a modern, progressive and tolerant nation. The Pakistani mind has been brainwashed and corrupted through decades of systematic and institutionalized lies and false history.
Accepting and acknowledging the truth and our own faults is the first step to move forward.
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well done lady
we need to stick up against the yanks, they have spent trillions with no positive outcome, and now they blame Pakistan
well all i can say is that if 2000 Pathans can defaet the USA then they need to go home and think again
Also the USAis bankrupt .. i would not like to be sitting in Washington now… its all gone horribly wrong on Obamas waych
Also the nonsense about Pakistan breaking up is just rubbish– scaremongering
Pakistan Zindabaad
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@Doctor 100% right ……….
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very well said
And it is true and there is a proofRecommend
We still have many blue eyed in our system. I hope good sense will prevail on both sides.
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@Pundit:
Sorr. read other news items today , you are going to be dis-appointed.
Oh.make your you shelve the pile project with Iran or else……………………….
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Taliban/Haqqanis are all the Products of the Soviet-Afghan war which were made/funded by the US for a whole Decade.
In Pashto we say “SA CHEY KARAY AGHA BA REYBEY” which means “YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW”
High time for the yanks to stop the blame game !!
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well.
ppp has given leaders to nation…khar will prove herself a brilliant leader. welldone.
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You got your back Hina! the nation is with you on this and to give you the confidence.
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Mrs Khar won my heart and mind on the solid statements.
Now, we want her to stand by it, and let her know that every Pakistani citizen is behind her at this point of time. Don’t let the nation down.
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@Doctor
I dont understand how come your ‘analysis’ relates to this news article??
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Time for Yankees to go home!!!!
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“And this particular network, which [the United States] continues to talk about, is a network which was the blue-eyed boy of the CIA itself for many years”.
So? how does that change anything today.
Lets talk about present Ms. Khar, your bravado is very well played to the gallery and will be loved by all ghairat brigade in Pakistan but how its going to help the country. With diminished economic aid from US, does Pakistan have other options financially.
And what about cleaning the rogue elements for a change to give common people better life and working with US together towards this goal.
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I absolutely with Doctor, We are never at position to launch a new war……….Recommend
By the way what is the sensible proof of THE GREAT GAME, is it true are we being made fool and scared baseless ………..?
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Diplomats have to first learn to be diplomatic! Its easy to shoot off one’s mouth, but only when you are sure what you want the end result to be!!A diplomat should not put herself in a position of regret!!.
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@Alami Musafir: See the IMF doesnt only have covenants to cut social spending when it gives loans to Pakistan. It does this with all countries it gives loans to. The IMF wants to get its money back and thus puts strict covenants on its loans. If a country has alot of debt and a small GDP then the covenants will be stricter. The IMF wants to take all precautions to prevent the country from going further in debt (therefore it wants to cut social spending). If a country would have a rapidly expanding GDP in comparison to debt it could easily raise funds through the capital markets. So please dont blame the IMF. The same significant cuts in social spending were enforced in India in the 1990s when India was about to default on its loans and the govt had a huge deficit and also was forced to open the Indian Market to get new emergency loans. You need to blame the non tax payers, tax collectors and the govt in utilizing the funds incorrectly.
Even Greece currently as part of the bailout plan within the EU is being forced to carry out austerity measures which has led to huge cuts in govt.spending and loss of jobs. Countries need bailouts and funds from he IMF when they are in financial distress and the IMF is going to try its hardest to gets its money back and thats a reallity. Politicians in developing countries talk about defaulting on IMF loans and say that we should not pay it back (cause it was politcally motivated) but the effect this has on the market is immense. No foreign investor would think of stepping into a country, if they have knowingly defaulted. No one forces a govt. to take loans from the IMF. They do so cause they need funds to grow or not default on existing debt. Recommend
It appears to me that all these comments are addressed to a HOOR (an imagination!) and not to an earthly wooman.
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There is no doubt that today’s Haqqani is yesterday’s blue eyed baby of CIA or even going a step further, CIA created, led them to this destructive road. Having agreed to it but who is the ultimate suufferer? US will leave this mess one day sooner or later but the Pakistani mindset has to realise that they cannot continue this destructive path. Pakistan has to start building the nation and get off this Wahabi trait. Unless this sense wakes up, nobody can help them. They have to learn to help themselves first before anybody else can.
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It is high time US being a developed nation should clean up there own mess. Taliban given birth by US was a problem for them, basically the father could not take care of his son so the whole society had to teach the son a lesson, for which the societies had to pay a heavy price. Even then US is not happy and wants more. US should understand the fact that development of a country is done through peace and not under stressed out conditions like this. Instead of being proud and giving Pakistan its award of fighting in there cause US is making things more difficult for Pakistan.
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The time has arrived for Pakistan to get completly disintegrated. Despite efforts being made my Pakistani high ranking officials, war is closely expected to erupt in Pakistan.Recommend
.”Taliban given birth by US was a problem for them”,
It is strange that the responsibility of the creation of of Taliban is put only on US. It is totally ignored that there were three partners, US, Saoudi Arabia (SA), and Pakistan (Zia-ul-Haq). The money was supplied by US and SA. The technology also came from US. But the Army
(Taliban) was mainly the responsibility of Pakistan (Zia). The local logistic support was mostly furnished by Pakistan. Indeed there were some Arab and Muslims from other Muslim countries were also on the side of Taliban but Pakistani Muslims were (and are) the most fervent Taliban.
It is a very partial attitude of the commentators to blame the US for are ills and keep the other two (SA and Pakistan) Islamic countries out of the Taliban affair,
Are they trying to save the good name of Islam??
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What about Pakistan?It was the green eyed girl!!of U.S Seems both blue eyes and green eyes have turned out to be the biggest mistakes the U.S EVER MADE.It should have chosen brown eyed India and it would have been better off.None the less, its never too late.
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