Pakistan

US behind PNS Mehran attack, says Nawaz Sharif

PML-N chief says current govt’s ‘inept’ policies destabilising country.

Express May 25, 2011

MANSEHRA:

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) chief Nawaz Sharif, on Tuesday, blamed the US for Sunday night’s brazen assault on PNS Mehran in Karachi, terming it a covert move to weaken Pakistan by attacking its vital installations.

“Yes it is the anti-state elements, including the US, who are behind the whole episode,” he said, speaking to participants at the inaugural ceremony of the district office of the PML-N’s youth wing.

He said that Pakistan had barely moved past the shock over the Abbottabad operation carried out by the US Navy SEALs, when the attack on Naval airbase took place, shattering the confidence of the people in the government and those responsible for the protection of key installations.

Criticising the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) -led coalition government, he said the country’s defence institutions had suffered a great loss in the wake of the destruction of fighter planes and navy personnel had suffered casualties in the attack but the rulers continue to stand by without devising a strategy to combat such emergencies.

He said that citizens were uncertain about the country’s defence strategy as a result of the government’s incompetent policies.

“Inept rulers who are more concerned about safeguarding their personal interests and appeasing the US, even at the cost of Pakistan’s sovereignty, have exposed the country to various dangers,” he said.

Stressing on the need for a thorough probe into the Abbottabad raid in line with the parliamentary resolution, , Sharif said a commission should also be set up to investigate the attack on PNS Mehran.

Confident that his party would be in power following the next elections, Sharif added that the PML-N would steer the country out of its current economic crisis and make the country’s defence invincible.

Avoiding a question thrown at him by the youth present at the occasion about his support for carving out the Hazara division as the fifth province, Sharif averted his gaze and quietly walked off the stage.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (56)

BogusPakistan | 12 years ago | Reply @saqib irfan: What complete bogus, The country is not being governed by Islam and the Shariah law, Pakistan seems like a disney land creating what not out of Islam, The religion was created for all of mankind by its creator and this is the divine religion which covers all aspects of life be it social or economical for that matter. Apparently not even one country is an example of its proper following so please do not blame Islam for your own convenience and blame it for the worst outcomes that man has created for himself by his own actions and mistakes and being misguided by fanatics who have no idea of what they preach! Shariah Law is the divine law, its the man who has turned it around for his own benefits. And please someone find out why Pakistan was created calling it the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a complete shame let it be just the republic of Pakistan for whatever it is.

Mirage | 12 years ago | Reply Again looking at this topic and the comments, this is what I conclude: Pakistan is the best country in the world completely blessed by Allah (SWT). We are the last bastion of muslim power in the world and the whole world wants to conspire to destroy us. Also, our people are the most sincere and patriotic you will ever find and all these terror attacks are conducted by USA / India / Israel / UK/ Canada / Aus / NZ / Japan / Korea et al to disgrace us because this is their only agenda and have nothing else to do since they fear that Pakistan will soon be the biggest economy in the world because of our vast coal and hidden oil reserves...Huh, come on people, GROW UP AND GET OUT OF THIS HALLUCINATION!!!

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mussarat | 12 years ago | Reply @faiq akhtar: I fully agree with you my dear Akhtar. Nawaz has gone mad in blind love with "Taliban". He is just trying to open yet another front of war by involving India, US or any other super power None of the terrorists yelled "Kalma-e-Shahadat" or "Allah-O-Akbar" or "Jai Mata Ji Ki" or "Wahay Gru Di Kirpa" before suicide attack either in mosque, Data Darbar or Imam-Bargah. I fail to understand what prompts Mr. Nawaz Sharif to absolve from his responsibilities in arresting ever-increasing trend of terrorism in my country who is instead blaming foreign powers just to shield incomptetent and corrupt Pakistani government. I am of the view by hurling wild allegations Mr.Sharif once again wants to gain sympathies of ISI to let him to corridor of powers. He must acknowledge the ongoing wave of changed world where not "nuclear" but Economic might that works. I strongly believe that being a business magnate of South Asia, Mr. Sharif should understand these reallities and work for the national prosperity where millions of people are living below poverty line while billionaires are still out of Taxation Net. Mussarat

let there be peace | 12 years ago | Reply after 5 years there will be wikileaks revealation "Nawaz Sharif told american diplomat that we will oppose you in public and...."

Muhammad Junaid Akhter | 12 years ago | Reply @Abdul, why are you soo much against the religion ?? In fact not religion against Islam. If someone is practicing it in wrong way then its not the fault of the religion. and by the way the topic here was not related to religion it was a pure political, but people like you just want to divert people mind from the main topic and start stupid arguments. why?? Seems like you r hiding ur identity behind this name... We Muslims usually use a name of ALLAH PAK with this like Abdul Qadir, Abdul Mujeeb and etc.

Muhammad Bilal | 12 years ago | Reply one Raymond davis caught ...others roaming in the country to destabilize it...I would say that our leaders are blackmailed by these Americans and thats why they are working for the American interests. Nawaz sharif might be the worst leader of the country at the moment but whatever he said, I second that

Mirza | 12 years ago | Reply Anything to save mullah/military alliance and divert the attention to the third and fourth party. Where are the demands of an independent judicial investigation?

Saman | 12 years ago | Reply So typical of him...blaming US to gain sympathies votes from people...meh

Uzair Javaid | 12 years ago | Reply @Tony Singh: get out of the fallacy you bloody live in. It was US for you son which saved your men from being butchered. It was this stupid stooge in the picture who withdrew from Kargil or else Pakistan would have taken over the top and enjoyed Counter-Strike (game) style shooting practises to take out enemies

Uzair Javaid | 12 years ago | Reply @saqib irfan: Pakistan got separated from British hindustan primarily for a STATE for the Muslims. It was founded on the ideology of Islam and in the name of Islam, its the people who led ever after Liaquat Ali Khan who led us down to this state, alluding the dictators who came into power because of the inept rulers that later weakened the rule of law and supremacy of the constitution. The ONLY solution to the problems we face when you say Islamic Republic of Pakistan, the only solution is to impose the Islamic Jurisprudence which is much supreme and ethical than to have goons passing stupid rules and making things legal for the rest of all nation to do.

guest | 12 years ago | Reply i think the terrrorist that were fighting at PNS MEHRAN were south asians correct ? and also the terrorist claimed that they were involved in it correct ? what made this dude think that Us was involved in it. i think there are already too many lead products in pakistani market these days making people like nawaz sharif retarded as ........ . mr nawaz please go and be more worried about your hair transplant i wont even like yo give a job as a waiter what makes you think you can run for the president

patriotic | 12 years ago | Reply Musharraf was right nawaz needs to ensure that hair seeds are deeply inside his head.. so that they contribute to his bran growth! and not just visually cover them!.. what a stupid fool who has loot and plundered the country..if ppp is cancer he is aids for this country..

rofl | 12 years ago | Reply lol

Cut the Crap | 12 years ago | Reply Anyone who believes that Pakistan's problem are just of its own making is fooling themselves. There were no suicide attacks, major tribal attacks, concerns about nukes, etc, until the US forced it to join the Terrorist War or get "bombed backed to the stone age". Just look at everywhere the US has gone in the Mulsim world and it has caused problems. Whether it is causing Sunnis and Shias to fight, encouraging Hamas and Fatah to hate one another and fight a civil war, arming Baluchi terrorist to attack Chinese and Iranian interests, the Yanks have brought nothing but problem. Just look at the Chinese, they have brought development at Gwadar, etc. and provided nuclear security and not bombed anyone. The Americans have bombed civilians, destroyed Pak's sovereignty and used that to make situations worse in the nation. Expelling the Yanks and replacing them with Chinese, or Turks, or Iran....or anyone for that matter is definitely not a bad decision. Au revoir America! You are FIRED!!!!!

Cautious | 12 years ago | Reply So the Taliban who took credit were lying? I guess the CIA must be short on money because they apparently only armed these terrorist with AKs, suicide vest, and a couple of RPG's.

ashfaqueshah | 12 years ago | Reply truth i agree us involved in Pakistan

mahmood | 12 years ago | Reply When God passed out the brains and common sense he apparently didn't get in line. In most countries a statement like that would create an international incident in Pakistan is just another nonsensical rant from a populist politician who would say or do anything to get another vote.

Sameer Khan | 12 years ago | Reply All religions are nothing but a way of life. But as time passes, situations change and there are certain things in all religions that become irrelevant. Some people (read mullahs, Taliban etc) wrap the theory in a way that suits their needs. No one is blaming religion but if Pakistan really separates religion from state, it would benefit common people. Sometimes parents does have to force pills down their children's throat even when the child does not like it. Parents know what is best for their ill kid. Something similar should be done by government, powerful to their children. No one, I mean no one, should be spared who harms the country (even if it is in the name of Islam, or Allah). See the way China has grown. No Chinese believes in religion. Most of them are atheists. So does that make them bad human beings?

Abdul | 12 years ago | Reply @Muhammad Hanif: "We muslim don’t need your authentication for Quran and islam…" I give it to you nonetheless, religions are false. "we know that this war on terror is not against any Al Qaeda.. this war is agaisnt islam…" So war on terror = war on islam ? -> terror = islam ? You'd better aknowledge that there is only a part of islam followers that spread terror, it would better suit your biased point. "therefore i don’t want to go into the background of this as this is a proved fact…" You muslims have a very strange definition of proof, it's the the ifrst time I notice. "Quran is our Guide, and we will stick to it to get light for resolving all matters including politics and justice…" OK, than Pak will keep going down in obscurantism and collapse. You're part of the cause of the problems of your country, clearly.

Ihk | 12 years ago | Reply @A. Aftab: I agree with you sir, this is 100% pure politics!

Fahad Raza | 12 years ago | Reply Nawaz is tryin to jump on the band wagon

Ihk | 12 years ago | Reply And please stop blaming Islam for all that is happening in Pakistan. Islam is not responsible for its followers misdoings... Go back to the authentic reading material and start educating yourselves.

Ihk | 12 years ago | Reply @Abdul: What part from the Quran made you conclude that it is man-made? Can you please enlighten us?

Muhammad Hanif | 12 years ago | Reply @Abdul: We muslim don't need your authentication for Quran and islam... we know that this war on terror is not against any Al Qaeda.. this war is agaisnt islam... therefore i don't want to go into the background of this as this is a proved fact... Quran is our Guide, and we will stick to it to get light for resolving all matters including politics and justice... and if the west or anybody dislike it, and call it redicalism or extremism, than We can not resolve your issue... no one can separate Islam from Pakistan...

Bangash | 12 years ago | Reply Mian Sahab sees opportunity to get back in good graces of the Establishment!

saurabh | 12 years ago | Reply Why would the US destroy aircraft it itself supplied to Pakistan? A safer and convenient option would simply be not to give them in the first place.

R S JOHAR | 12 years ago | Reply The statement by Sharif appears to be made to win next elections and PM post.

Muhammad Hanif | 12 years ago | Reply @saqib irfan: People like you have blamed islam...this is an islamic state.. it has come into being in the name of islam.. the reason pakistan is in this state is purely due to our diverson from islam and quran... Like american and west you associate islam with these people.. these people not fighting for enforcing the teachings of islam in this country... these people are figthing army because there children and people have been killed for the interest of american and the west... Do you People remember LaL Masjid.... just one example... and the media is not covering whatever happens or has happened there in north waziristan...

A. Aftab | 12 years ago | Reply What nonsense is being discussed on this comments section. Come on people get your act together! These attacks have nothing to do with religion or Islam. This is politics. Nothing else! If the Pakistan army will bomb Pushtuns and order military operations in their areas, as per U.S. instructions, while the U.S. carries out drone strikes day in and day out to target a few bad apples but also kills many innocent bystanders (day in and day out), then those whose relatives and friends and family members get killed will also retaliate. Islam or religion has nothing to do with this situation. We never had suicide attacks or terrorism 20 years ago in our country. At least not like this. Ever since we have been in bed with the CIA, after 9-11 is when we have had these problems morph into a monster. In Sri lanka the LTTE carried out thousands of suicide attacks against the Sinhalese government. The LTTE was not muslim, nor it had anything to do with Islam or religion. It was an act of desperation on their part. Pakistan needs to grow a backbone, reject U.S. aid, control its population, develop ties with Russia, China and Iran and wean itself off the begging bowl of criminal IMF and US aid.

shaanu | 12 years ago | Reply i am the UN

K9 | 12 years ago | Reply tribune why doesnt my comment get posted... why do you guys pick and choose what to show.. biasness is obvious

Saj | 12 years ago | Reply @Ahmer Ali,our boys had recaptured 90% of the peaks by the time u decided to "strategically retreat",u should update ur knowledge by reading some authentic unbiased journals on the kargil conflict.

vasan | 12 years ago | Reply Nobody is blaming religion or the state for these kind of attacks, It is the religion and, repeat, and the state which has brewed the dangerous cocktail of state sponcered/supported mujahids and ISI. This cocktail is troubling the world and destroying Pakistan. Therefore religion and state should necessarily be separated.

Massileaks | 12 years ago | Reply Don't worry about who is behind the attack but worry about who carried it. We are busy looking for someone abroad to blame but lets worry about the traitors in this country.

Abdul | 12 years ago | Reply @Geoff.: "Do you have any expertise in your OWN religion? Do you even know the literal meaning of the word “Islam” and “Muslim”" The literal meaning of the word “Islam” and “Muslim” is absolutely irrelevant. And about research and authentic sources about Islam, well a fair and honest reading of the Quran is enough to see that it's clearly man made. That's what an HONEST research will teach you.

Majid | 12 years ago | Reply Read, pause, think and analyze to understand NS politics. He is the last hope for Pakistan. May Allah keep him under his blessing.

chandran | 12 years ago | Reply First of all Religon is spearate entity from ones culture. Indonesian use to say Islam our religion and Hindu our culture. Will pakisthani say like that?

Rana | 12 years ago | Reply We are surrounded by numerous hidden and exhibited enemies, any of them collectively and individually could be responsible for this attack. What should be the greatest matter of concern for all us is the competency of our armed forces which is badly exposed during the trail of these incidents i.e GHQ, Kamra, HMC, Recruitment Centers, PNS Mehran and many more. Our media and all of us (common persons) always refrain to analyze or comment on the professional capability of our forces but our enemies not. Our politicians have never been in the driving position to bring the country to this situation. Wake up top brass, America and UK is not going to accommodate all of their loyal friends like Pervez Musharraf.

Muhammad Junaid Akhter | 12 years ago | Reply @saqib irfan what are the laws that you want to implement here in Pakistan which these homophobic religious fanatics are not willing/allowing to? California type? what you want from these "misogynistic"?? like what are they not letting our women to do ?? Your speech was good but are not clear in your demand, say we remove the CII and literally eliminate the shariaa principles from the state law. Then what will we achieve ?? How you feel the change will help saving Pakistan ? saving us from terrorists and other elements

saqib irfan | 12 years ago | Reply @Geoff.: my life has not been spent in western influenced culture.Rejecting religiously inspired misogyny,homophobia & glorification of violence in the name of religion are not western culture they are basic human values.You self-righteous religious fanatics think everything in terms of us versus them,if you agree to our rigidly held religious dogma then you're one of us ,otherwise you must be an infidel influenced by western culture. i suggest people like you open their minds & start critical thinking instead of following blindly that which has been taught to you from birth as the ultimate good. Blindly following something without questioning the barbarity & misogyny involved doesn't make you a better person,it just shows you as a narrowminded,bigoted religious fanatic.

Muhammad Fahed | 12 years ago | Reply If US is behind this attack as per Mian Nawaz Sharif then PML N should call for Anti US Dharnas and Rallies in Punjab where they are in Government. Mian Sahab move is to get Anti US votes from Punjab in coming elections and nothing else. Anti American sentiments in Pakistan are all time high and everyone wants to rinse his hands in this Bahti Ganga

shafaqat ali | 12 years ago | Reply I wonder why people are blaming religion for it, my friends, if the religious fanatics are making false use of their powers or Islam, it doesn't mean there is something wrong with Islam itself or the name Islamic Republic of Pakistan. The true way of life and law for a country is the devine law which is complete and needs only proper implementation. Blaming individual for wrong use of power is OK, but placing blame on the religion is totally unjustified for a Muslim.

Tony Singh | 12 years ago | Reply @Ahmer Ali: Get your facts on Kargil right. You should thank NS for saving lives of hundreds if not thousands of Pakistani soldiers.

Geoff. | 12 years ago | Reply @saqib irfan: Do you have any expertise in your OWN religion? Do you even know the literal meaning of the word "Islam" and "Muslim" Are you going to at least read about your religion from authentic resources or "Feel" enlightened by following western way of life? Brother I urge you to study Islam and then form an opinion. Your perception is based on your life spent in western influenced way of life. You have no idea about the other side. Allah does not make you follow what he wants but he has told us the way of life that HE wants from us. Research would enlighten you. Please research about Islam.

PostMan | 12 years ago | Reply Nawaz can easily be made to shut up if the dead bodies or identification of those terrorists are made public. Which of course will not happen and US/ India/ Israel can easily be blamed while Taliban will keep enjoying the status of 'most clean' in Pakistan.

TightDhoti | 12 years ago | Reply Well hes changed his tune real quick...he best get some pop star of the calibre of ali Azmat or Strings to back up his claims

Ahmer Ali | 12 years ago | Reply Assalam-o-Allaikum Warahmatullah.Well said once again hypocritical politician Mr. Nawaz Sharif.Would you like to explain that when Kargil was near to be conquered and you met that time's US president Bill Clinton and withdrew the troops from the Kargil and refused to give any statement after meeting Bill Clinton.Why did you do so that time?Now you are crying that US is involved in this PNS Mehran's attack.Correct your given statement.Black Water may be involved or India because India was opposing on the obtaining of PC-3 Orion submarine finder planes.But nothing can be said surely because any Meer Jaffer or Meer Sadiq also may be involved in this the most tragic incident happened in PNS Mehran Karachi.

3footninja | 12 years ago | Reply “Inept rulers who are more concerned about safeguarding their personal interests and appeasing the US, even at the cost of Pakistan’s sovereignty, have exposed the country to various dangers,” he said. lol... look who's talking!

faraz | 12 years ago | Reply Imran Khan says pushtoon nationalists are behind the attack, Nawaz says US is behind the attack. The battle for the right wing votebank of Punjab is in full gear.

Abbas | 12 years ago | Reply another lie, another deviation frm our own weaknesses for usual political point scoring. next day he will be meeting some US embasador makin a power deal etc. with no such blame. irrespective of who supported it, pple who carry ths out are from Pakistan. they do not fly in frm US or moon. so our society facilitates them. cut those arms instead of blamin US / India all d time

dextor | 12 years ago | Reply Sir then why you explained all the things to thier ambassadoer during your meetings which are coming out now in wiki leaks....please donr make us fool anymore

Mansoor | 12 years ago | Reply Nawaz Sharif Zindabad

muhamad sadiq | 12 years ago | Reply Change our country's name back to what Jinnah had kept at our independence ,that is " The republic of pakistan".Then after his death the religious fanatics forced the weak govt. into changing it to " The ISLAMIC republic of pakistan". When you decided to declare one religion as the state's religion then you tell all your citizens that this country is only for one group of people while all others should now get used to living as second class citizens.

saqib irfan | 12 years ago | Reply The only way to save pakistan is to separate islam & the state.As long as religion is allowed to dictate terms we'll continue to have terrorist attacks.When laws are formed on the basis of religious dogma instead of principles of justice then we'll have the sort of bigoted,intolerant society we have right now. why is there a federal shariat court? why does it interfere in the matters of the state? what is the justification for having the council of islamic ideology? the CCI is presently headed by a highly bigoted,misogynistic,homophobic religious fanatic who has time & again shown his contempt & hatred of independent,strong & confident women. we've already suffered too much,it's high time we started to remove religion's interfernce in our laws.

faiq akhtar | 12 years ago | Reply yes,mian sahab,lead us on another goose chase by diverting attention away from the religious fanatics who are killing our people to your favorite target: the non-muslim foreigners. it's much easier to blame everything that goes wrong on the kafirs,our people are as it is highly intolerant of non-muslims,this only reinforces their hate & suspicion of anyone not saying " Allah ho akbar".These politicians can't tell the truth to the public that it's our very own mullahs who are now our biggest enemies,the people killing us scream " Allah ho akbar" before blowing themselves up.The suicide bombers don't scream " Vande matram" or " god bless america" when they carry out their terrorist attacks. Facing upto reality is the most difficult thing in our private as well as professional lives,it's much easier to blame the yahodis & the kafirs for all our troubles.

RizwanTKhan | 12 years ago | Reply A wolf blaming the bigger wolf.

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