Veteran diplomat Shaheryar Khan says that if Dawood Ibrahim was in Pakistan, he should be hounded out. And that he is most likely in the UAE. PHOTO: ONLINE/FILE
Speaking to reporters at a pre-launch event for his book “Cricket Cauldron: The Turbulent Politics of Sport in Pakistan” in London, Khan said that if the underworld baron was still in Pakistan, he should be hounded.
“Dawood (Ibrahim) was in Pakistan but I believe he was chased out of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan, he should be hounded and arrested. We cannot allow such gangsters to operate from the country.”
Khan added that the incumbent government was interested in taking action against criminals affecting not only Pakistan, but other countries too.
"I think he is in the UAE. The Nawaz Sharif government is very much in favour of taking action against criminals who not only affect Pakistan but also any other countries, whether it is India or Afghanistan or wherever. We cannot allow criminals to flourish in the country. If they come to us, we will take action. That is why I think he (Dawood) has left Pakistan."
Reviving cricket ties important for peace process
Khan, a veteran diplomat and a former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board, noted that resumption of cricketing ties between the two neighbouring countries was an important part of the peace process, Press Trust of India reported.
"A series between the two countries has tremendous importance as cricket is such an obsession in both countries."
Khan pointed out that the resumption of Pakistan-India bilateral series had been highly ranked by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“The ICC Task Force report (prepared by English Cricket Board chief Giles Clarke) states clearly that the India-Pakistan series needs to be revived because it is even more important than the Ashes. Somehow if it were to happen, I think it would be a very major factor in the peace process."
The veteran diplomat had been appointed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for furthering Track II diplomacy between Pakistan and India as part of his new foreign policy orientation.
"We need to focus on relations in terms of the low-lying fruit that is ready to be plucked to get things on track. These would include revival of trade ties and resolution of the Sir Creek issue. In the medium term,the Siachen dispute and a better visa regime will go a long way in confidence building. There is an urgent need for an Indian consulate in Karachi."
Khan said that this sort of diplomacy was important in building towards the longer term bilateral goals of the two countries which include the long standing dispute over Kashmir. Hence, he said that the recent incidents along the Line of Control should not allow the peace process to be derailed.
"These attacks must be looked at in the proper perspective. No government or Army can be behind such attacks. Therefore, mature governance is needed on both sides to ensure extremists are not allowed to sabotage and derail the peace process."
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Good relations between the two countries are inevitable for the welfare of masses on both sides of the border because they because they bear the brunt of this hatred and enmity
UAE is capital of such gangsters, all of Pakistan underworld live in UAE while operating in Pakistan, same goes for India. Its amazing gangsters find UAE safer than Pakistan and India.
Daily Mail newspaper of UK has this to say:
As top diplomat claims Dawood should be 'hounded and arrested,' why won't Pakistan admit he lives there?
@GIndian: I second that opinion.Pakistanis,Muslims and Christians are abused by the literate goons of the RSS Muslims are told to go to Pakistan and Christians to Rome.Criticize Modi and they jump all over you.Another tactic is to spew the same venom under different names and places.This paper used to be called the Grand old lady of India.Now its just a masala news paper.The TV channel Times Now is also going the masala way.Arnab Goswami leans towards the BJP. and consistently takes an anti Congress line.His guests are usually two BJP supporters against one Congress spokesmen.He constantly interrupts his guests and is ignorant of the topic.When he is caught out he asks one of the guests to counter.His words are calculated to inflame the passions of watchers.
@ Anusha
Why this barbaric talk madam. Don't embarass fellow Indians with your rudeness. And Modi is a tainted man- he's unfit to be the PM of our pluralistic,multicultural country.He'll be tainted to his dying day.
Ah, wait, wait: soon the envoy will deny the contents of this remark. Pakistanis are notorious for bvk pedalling, back tracking , in other words, lieing..
@anusha U guys should be thankfull that we don't live together no more u know what I means. and second thing is we all knows the history of Mumbai blast.... after what happened to gujrat.
Sorry to break it to all my indian brothers and sisters,
The statement given by this gentlemen was at a book signing of his own book being launched in England. - A pakistani author writing about cricket - Previous cricket board senior - now special envoy to India - Talking about reviving cross border cricket
Dawood has been here for the longest time, and me just a normal person knows where his house is or was. Everyone has known it and never did anything about it. Don't believe what politicians and pseudo intellegencia say. This statement was given only to further his own objective.
We as citizens of our own countries must hold ourselves accountable. We should always remember that we have lived side by side for centuries before this border was drawn. It was drawn for the benefit of the few at the cost of masses.
"To defeat one's enemy, you must know the enemy" Sun Tzu
Personally, I think that Pakistan's ISI has already killed Dawood. He had very close connections to ISI. He is a spent force now but ISI cannot allow him to be handed over to anyone, even UAE. Dawood is after all a gangster and would not have any loyalty for anyone, muslim or non-muslim; Pakistan or UAE. In fact when his gang was powerful in India, it was one of the most secular gangs. He had many trusted lieutenants who were hindus or non-muslims. His gang lost much of its power and split to many groups only after it became Islamic. I have read reports many years ago that at one time, Al Quaida had also used him for his (his gang's) expertise in the sea lanes to smuggle mercenaries. Dawood's gang had excellent knowledge of the sea lanes due to their decades long smuggling activities. Years ago, Pakistan and UAE were cooperating in terror activities. Those days are gone now after 9/11. Uncle Sam is no longer willing to overlook those activities. During the time of Reagan, USA was supporting UAE and Pakistan. When an Indian Airlines plane was hijacked and taken to UAE, USA was initially considering granting asylum to the hijackers. Indira Gandhi warned Reagan Government that time that it would be against international conventions and US backed down. If Dawood is in UAE, he would be handed over to India, sooner or later. India and UAE have mutual extradition treaty also. It is also my feeling that many politicians in India themselves may not want Dawood to be extradited to India as Dawood may reveal much information on them also.
If the betting and match fixing in cricket goes down, we can be sure that Dawood is dead. I don't think that Shahryar Khan is trying to do do anything good to India. He is just trying to slowly reveal that Dawood is dead.
Another white lie, unless we learn to speak the truth and face our demons we are doomed. This gentleman is well past his sell by date, but then he was appointed by our useless corrupt and incompetent leaders.
@gujranwala789:
You are correct.
@Boycott:
No such thing as "West Punjab" exists in Pakistan. We only have "Punjab" in Pakistan.
Yes and Pakistan should also stop spreading the bubonic plague and the common cold in India. Pakistan should also stop supporting the Naxalites and stop supporting the insurgencies in India and occupied territories. Pakistan should also stop blaming india for supporting militants in Pakistan. All indian Nationals in Pakistani jails are innocent of anything and should immediately be released. Pakistan should stop claiming that Indians can do anything wrong. Pure as snow.
Gentle Readers . Headline :Dawood Ibrahim chased out of Pakistan : PM's special envoy . Statement under Shahryar Khan''s Photo in the Article above : Veteran diplomat Shaheryar Khan says that if Dawood Ibrahim was in Pakistan, he should be hounded out. . Now to the Headline :Dawood Ibrahim chased out of Pakistan - I would state this is just like the Pakistani Government and all Authorities : Osma Bin Laden is most definitely and positively NOT IN PAKISTAN . Was Osama Bin Laden found in Pakistan? - YES INDEED! . *Conclusion : *DAWOOD IBRAHIM IS IN PAKISTAN . Q. E. D. . Cheers
These are all lies. Dawood Ibrahim still lives near B-Street on Khyban-e-Shaheen in Defence, Karachi (which is streets away from where the Chief Minister Sindh lives) And, his right hand Chottaa Shakeel lives in a mansion near Abdullah Shah Ghazi's shrine in Clifton, Karachi, Please stop this nonsense talk. These gangsters live in Pakistan and don't affect us. We have bigger issues to worry about.
Pakistan is like a multi-headed hydra with several power centers like Civilian Govt (PM & President), Army & ISI. Out of which the civilian Govt is just ceremonial one like a mask to show to the outside world. All decisions related to defense, nuclear policy and foreign affairs (related to India, Afghanistan, USA & China) are handled solely by the Army & ISI. The PM has no role in these matters. Then what is the point of talking with some body that does not control the foreign policy of his Governments?
Shahbaz Sharif, who is CM of West Punjab, has already donated $ 650,000 to JuD Chief Hafiz Saeed to strengthen the outfits.
What a shameful comments from Sheheryar M Khan. Such a confusing statesment can only give a wrong message to the world about Pakistan. Why dont you give a statement in which you describe that you are a very close friend of Musharraf and enjoyed numerous high level posts in his regime and now you are all the way praising Mian sb. Come on !!!! You only salute to the seat !
Why you chased him out? You should have arrested him and handed over to India.This would have been biggest CBM.You are still lying.
@Raj - USA: ha....agreed...you are a good fabricator.but there is a big difference between good and convincing.
@Ali Tanoli: A Secular Republic of India has nothing to be ashamed of in front of Islamic republic of Pakistan that legally bars non-Muslims from highest political offices. Our democracy and secularism have proven to be far more robust and institutionalised than Pakistan from all angles. As for Indian Muslims, they have a higher literacy rate and life expectancy than Pakistani Muslims and there mosques are far safer than the ones in Pakistan.
Purging the bone of contentions out of country is good gesture.It can lead to abate the resentment of India. But the claim of employing the cricket as to remove the decades old ideological friction seems unbelievable. We should bear it in mind that the strings of indo-pak relations or pulled from somewhere else,not from stadiums.
@Ali Tanoli: "democracy of castes". yes it's incorrect. this practice of caste politics in India. Education will correct it. We are on it. We have only one hero in Mumbai- Salman Khan. By the way, Democracy is better than Butchery. For example read Al Jazeera "Fresh attack targets Pakistan's Quetta: At least 10 people killed on Eid, day after suicide bomber killed 37 and amid US security alert." http://www.aljazeera.com/news/asia/2013/08/201388112836903870.html
May their souls rest in peace and they are spared this holy land on rebirth.
@Ali Tanoli: mind ur language,,,,who is criminal of india,,,,we know well about our man,,,,u just see and watch out ur PM,,,,if u said this word in gujarat !!!! only god knows,,,whats ur situation,,,and the rest is inevitable,,,so mind ur lang first
Are there any dates for the period when it is believed by the Mr Shahryar Khan when Dawood Ibrahim stayed in Pakistan and the date when it is believed by the special envoy he left Pakistan?
I hope he is not talking about the 90's or 80's. It almost seems like a magicians trick of pulling rabbit out of the hat. Now you see it, now you don't.
This statement shows Pakistan harbors criminals and murderers - as long as they are Muslims. Their background does not matter to them. Why did the "Chase" him out? Why not arrest and hand over him to India?
This comment from Mr. Khan is very interesting indeed. Mr. Khan is not someone who indulges in loose talk. This must have been a very well thought out statement. And it can only mean one thing. The civilians are hitting back at the security establishment. The security establishment got up to its wicked ways immediately after the new govt. took over (let's not be surprized if we see another attempt like a 26/11). This is probably Mr. Sharif's way of hitting back and trying to bring the khakhis under control.
Isn't that exactly what Pakistan said about Bin Laden? Although, as was proven in the Bin Laden case, the paki establishment was clueless about what was happening in their own backyard, where Laden was living comfortably for many years right next to a major military facility. That very same, useless and inept, Paki intelligence network is now trying to take guess at Dawood's whereabouts.
One would think that with all the violence & deaths happening across their country, the pakistanis would atleast now learn that abetting terrorism, fostering terrorist networks, and giving refuge to terrorists like Dawood, is not the answer. Handing over Dawood to India would be best gesture of friendship that Pakistan could extend towards India. Sadly, the problem is that Dawood knows too much about Pakistan's nefarious activities and its links with shady terrorist organizations around the world - so guess what he is conveniently now in UAE.
“These attacks must be looked at in the proper perspective. No government or Army can be behind such attacks. "
Does Pakistan government has any control on their Army& its policies? the Reality as proved from the past records speaks just opposite to it. it is the army who is in pilot's seat when the matter relates to India & Afghanistan policy. The policy to deal with Extremists also lies with them. Mr. Khan have you sought permission from them?
Such a loose statement ...Is it an allegation or what that Dawood Ibrahim is in UAE ?
NS government seems to be bending back ward to please India ...not good
Javed miandad would know the exact address of Dawood, for sure.
Pakistanis can get millions of dollars from Dawood in exchange for providing him protection, so why to let him go any where.
This is like Taliban claiming to have chased out Bin Laden.
Most guys don't know this guy is Saif Ali Khan's uncle :)
Mr khan means that Dawood Ibrahim swim across to Dubai and he did not get a safe passage out of Pakistan,
@Ali Tanoli: "At least we don’t allowed such a person even though he is hero to Mumbai muslamans .........."
Don't know if he is a hero of muslims of Mumbai but he certainly if the "Quom Ke Damaad" in Pakistan. As you know well, you have "Quom ki Beti" also.
Ok,let me get this straight...
For 2 decades,Pakistan denied that Dawood was in Pakistan,now they say that they chased him out...
How can you chase someone who was not in your country in the first place???
Finally, the admission by the Pakistani government that Dawood Ibrahim lived in Pakistan, a fact known to everyone but consistently denied by Pakistan, is a good start. However, the statement that Dawood has been "chased out" of Pakistan can't be entirely trusted considering the example of other terrorists such as Osama bin Laden.
Pakistan had consistently claimed that Osama was not in Pakistan while giving him a comfortable sanctuary in Abbottabad. Wouldn't it be possible that Dawood has simply been moved from his Karachi residence and hidden elsewhere in Pakistan as in the case of Osama?
While the admission on Dawood is a good start, if the Pakistani Establishment really wants to turn a new leaf, shouldn't is come out in the open and admit that it used terrorism as a foreign policy tool in the past and that it will eschew this policy from now on? True reformation requires honest admission of one's sins and guilt as the necessary first step.
It is interesting that over 90%of the comments are from Indians. I wonder why if the Indians hate Pakistan so much they read Pakistani papers. Perhaps they should read Hindustan times etc and see the poison that is written against pakistan in the name of journalism. We are familiar with what happened in the samjhota express, Gujrat massacres and the killing of hindu nationals when bill Clinton visited Pakistan. All of these atrocities were blamed on Pakistan. Later on it became clear that india had perpetrated these massacres. Wake up Indians and look at both sides of the issue. I would however like to recommend that since the Indians hate Pakistan so much perhaps they should not read Pakistani newspapers.
@Readers Please read the link provided by Mr Annas Abbas for a first hand account of Dawwod in Pakistan.
I did slight rethinking on the whole subject and put 2 & 2 together. Mr Khan is a former Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman and I am sure must be a good friend of Pakistani cricket player Miandad. Miandad's son is married to Daood's daughter. we all can safely assume that Mr Khan ust have attended the valima of Miandad's son and must have exchanged pleasantries with Daood face to face. I have no doubt now that Mr Khan knows exactly well where Mr Daood is lodged. Its another story whether he is telling the truth.
It is very heartwarming to hear comments like this from an experienced diplomat like Sheriar Khan. However, it is quite difficult for the outside world to believe because nobody knows who rules Pakistan. Remember! Former President Pervez Mushraf himself said "Osama bin Laden is dead" and from where he was found alive? Similarly President Zardari extended his hand of friendship with India and who sabotaged? Many times U.S.A. out of good faith discussed with them to come to an agreement with India, but to their regret, they found out that the Pak Army's adverse thinking is only India centric. The Pak Army regularly prints "Green Book" every two years. It is written by past and present Army Officers of that country. If you find one, read it and see if any of the officer has not spit venom of hatred against India. You will exactly know where the problem lies.
seems like pakistan goverment sends him into another safe heaven after his previous residential address was leaked here http://www.firstpost.com/india/will-india-ever-mount-an-operation-to-capture-dawood-ibrahim-993529.html
Sounds like a nice, sincere guy. Unfortunately, such guys are also the ones that are kept most out of the loop by the real (unelected) decision makers..
@Qayamat Khan:
There is no such thing as "embarrassment" for pakistan in anything what indians consider "embarrassment", india is unimportant for real native pakistanis, what happens there or what they think of us is of least importance to true pakistanis.
At least we don't allowed such a person even though he is hero to Mumbai muslamans but on other hand india going to make a great criminal to PM of india..... and not only that murderers of Ayudhia still enjoying feast in indian parties.... shame on democracy of castes.
This Information is coming from so called Special Envoy of Nawaz Sarif he does not hold any official position and I guess not even authorized to give such statement. I am sure soon a contradictory statement is due from Pakistan government.
Kasab was from Pakistan, first denied, made many theories, at last proved. Dawood was in pakistan, always denied, now accepted. Kargil was initiated by Pakistan, false theories were fabricated, later Musharraf himself accepted. 65 War, 71 War first denied later accepted by Pakistan that Pakistan Initiated all wars (reference, youtube, former air chief marshal video, all wars started by Pakistan) . ----- In return. Pakistani Actors, singers come to India and earn fame. People come to India for treatment in India Hospitals ! Dear pakistani follows, wake up, you have been told false consistently and programmed consistently to hate India.
Pakistan has little credibility, Indians would be fools to believe this statement.
India needs to build a HUGE wall to keep people on our western frontier out. And cease all communications. What's the point of talking ad nauseum, when the other party needs to get its house in order first?
I think Nawaz Sharif has good intentions vis-a-vis India, not because he wants good relations but because of the compulsions he faces to get his economy going. I also think that the military will not let him succeed. They will either create mischief by killing the Indian soldiers and civilians by themselves or through their proxies.
Nawaz has to reign in his military mischief makers in order to gain Indian trust. On the other hand, Indian government is a weak government. It needs muslim votes and while MOST Indian muslims identify themselves as Indians first, there are a substantial majority who have sympathies for Pakistan. The Indian government cannot afford to alienate them.
The most likely scenario will be status quo. India gets hit by terrorist activities, Indian government issues strong condemnation, starts cricket, stops cricket... all a useless waste of energy. What this part of the world needs is a sustained leadership in Pakistan that is moderate and progressive. This leadership should be supported by Indians, US and Afghan. In return, the leadership should do exactly as the article says, make sure Pakistan is not a cesspool of maniac mullahs from the madrases. Not a great ask but certainly an impossible task for Pakistan.
Then that means Clifton is not part of Pakistan or that part of Karachi is not under the control of the GoP like the FATA areas.
No terrorists has lived here in the land of pure including OBL. Let us continue to keep our minds, eyes and ears closed
Does not sound sincere! Why was Dawood chased out of Pakistan when there is red corner alert by Interpol. He should have been handed over to Indians or to the Interpol, instead he was sent back to den of gangsters in UAE!
So finally there is a man, who actually has a spine to acknowledge the fact known to the world, but always denied by the every single Govt in Pakistan, including the men in boots ! Perhaps this chap need to consider claiming asylum in UK, as the elements that shelter and support that cockroach may not be too impressed with your statement ! Just who else would want a Criminal mastermind and a terrorist in their Country ? Rest assure , in UK, we are pretty decent people who actually care about victims and human rights, hence we already have so many political asylum seekers from the Land of Pure !
Let me share with readers something I heard. I have a friend here who has some connections with the movie industry and political circle in India.His connections are not that much though but he brings in some gossips or news and many times what he says has been proved correct few days later. He told me that the release of Kamalahasan's movie "Viswaroopam" was facing lot of protests in India from some muslim organizations. The movie was allowed to be released and the protests vanished only after Dawood Ibrahim personally cleared the movie. Dawood Ibrahim asked for opinion form his connections in the indian movie industry and also from some muslims groups. He got feedback that the movie was not anti muslim. Dawood Ibrahim then sent a message to his groups in India to allow the movie to be screened and the movie was screened thereafter without any problem. Don't know how far this is true.
At last you admitted he was is pakistan... no safely shifted to UAE
I can recall similar statement by the then President Parvez Musharraf about OBL.
Sir, Could you please extend the same courtesy to terrorists such as Hafiz Saeed, Maulana Masood Azhar, leaders in the Haqqani network etc? That would immediately make a huge difference the the way Pakistan is looked at by the rest of the world, not just the way it is viewed in the region.
"“Dawood (Ibrahim) was in Pakistan but I believe he was chased out of Pakistan. If he is in Pakistan, he should be hounded and arrested. We cannot allow such gangsters to operate from the country.”
Looks like Khan sahib is not sure whether Daood is in Pakistan or elsewhere. Even Osama was not supposed to be in Pakistan till he was found and killed. there are too many Daoods operating from Pakistan and people like Khan sahib have no control over them.
Chased out? Or Aided and abetted to abscond? ... The seasoned chap continues to play with words.
There is a disconnect between what Mr Shahrayar Khan said about Dawood Ibrahim and the headline and how Pakistan actually handles him.
Thanks for your sincere statement and acknowledging the fact that Dawood was indeed living in Pakistan. Many Pakistani commenters here believe that we Indians always fabricate stories to embarrass Pakistan. I hope India, Pakistan and Afghanistan works together for ever lasting peace in region. Extremists always escape the law because they use religion as excuse. Such fake religious people should be hanged and common men should help government identify any extremists in their midst to eliminate this ever looming danger of imploding under pressure of this few mad men.