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Pakistan Redefining its Role in Terror War

December 15, 2011 By: Haroon Baloch Over ninety countries' delegates foregathered in Bonn , Germany on the 5 th December for Afghanistan 's future but the most significant ally in war on terror and Afghanistan 's all-weathered neighbor – Pakistan boycotted the moot. Global leaders including US Secretary of States Hillary Rodham Clinton, the German Chancellor Angela Dorothea Merkel, Britain 's Prime Minister David W. D. Cameron and others accentuated Pakistan to attend the moot, and nothing more this time Pakistan stood steadfastly against the callous attitude of its so called "ally" in terror war the NATO-led International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF). Loss that Pakistan endured was huge; likewise the aftermaths could be anticipated. Salalah Incident and Pakistan 's Role in Terror War The November 26 th , 2011, 1:05 am, the midnight had so far proven to be the worst moments ever in the last 11 years for Pakistan – United States relat

Before the Afghan Peace Process: The Need for Islamabad to Combat Internal Challenges

By: Haroon Baloch Good governance has been receding in Pakistan and tensions are mounting. The public has cherished its civilian rule during the past three and a half years, and has seen a debilitating yet resilient economy, maintaining a 2.5 percent growth rate. Still, external debts have crossed $64 billion, unemployment hovers over 6.2 percent, and the poverty rate, at 37.5 percent, is increasing with double figure inflation. Once thought to be the next Asian tiger, as was former Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif’s dream for Pakistan, the country is now considered a struggling economy in South Asia. During the 1990s, Sharif vowed to reduce corruption, improve infrastructure, and encourage growth in modern technologies. He privatized banks and industries, suspending the policies of nationalization promoted by former Prime Minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in the 1970s. However, even with these changes, institutions in the country were never strengthened. In the 90s, the co

Parliamentarians on Memogate Controversy

By: Haroon Baloch November 19, 2011 ISLAMABAD (Nov 19, 2011): As the claims of US businessmen-cum-journalist, Ijaz Mansoor of Pakistani origin strengthened post COAS Gen. Ashfaq Kayani's meeting with his Supreme Commander, President Asif Ali Zardari, it has developed into a "Memogate" controversy, which engulfed all political ventures for the time being. Parliamentarians have somehow different opinions about the controversy, but PML-N leading politician and one of the close aides of Mian Nawaz Sharif Khawaja Asif terms it as the mutiny against the nation as well as the army. "Don't be hesitant or ask me whether the implications include Article 6, be optimistic enough to call it a mutiny against nation and its army", Khawaja Asif said. He also said referring to ISI that some institutions have received all related evidences including the secret conversations of Mr. Husain Haqqani with Mansoor Ijaz as well as the blackberry codes. "Fire is set som

US Hip-Hop Rock Islamabad

By: Haroon Baloch November 17, 2011 Lead Singers of FEW Collective: Al-Sarah with Aquil Charlton What's bilaterally happening between Pakistan and United States is part of an international politics. Despite having years of collaboration in the past it is fact both the countries couldn't drive to their publics optimistically. It is not the case this time though both the countries are maintaining mistrust politically, but they virtually seem committed to their publics. US's forward looking approach The United States government's decision to increase mutual understanding and communication between both the societies has already gained popularity and success stories have started changing ranks for US government in Pakistani society, particularly in urban areas. US Embassy in Islamabad claims for running world's largest Cultural and Educational Exchange Program, under which 8000 Pakistanis from various walks of life i.e. student, teachers, artists, journalists

US Hip-Hop to rock Islamabad

By: Haroon Baloch November 12, 2011 Cultural exchanges are of colossal importance and really serve as bridge builders and shrinking the distances during the times of conflicts. Isloo really needs a break, especially  when we are passing through a declared state of war. US Embassy in Islamabad is organizing a super duper Hip-Hop musical concert on Tuesday, the 15 th November at PNCA where F.E.W. Collective, a US Muslim Band (DJ Asad Jafri a.k.a Man-o-Wax, Jonathan St. Clair, and Daniel Haywood) will perform on strong beats. It is great opportunity to enjoy live hip-hop dance and powerful artistic  movements. Watch out band's info at following: 

Political parties clarify their stance in APC

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD, Sept. 30, 2011: All parties conference concluded with impression to 'give peace a chance', PML-N president Nawaz Sharif aspirated he attended APC in broader national interest, despite having all difference with government on issues like corruption, not respecting courts' verdicts, etc. JUI-F's chief Fazl-ur-Rehman stressed on the importance of respecting political views in foreign policy.

The World Heart Day observed in Islamabad

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD, Sept. 29, 2011: The World Heart Day observed, highlighting the common causes and preventions for at high-risk patients. In Shifa International Hospital of the federal capital, the cardiology department arranged a seminar in accordance of the day. 

Raja Jahangir stages hunger strike against corruption in Pakistan

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD, Sept. 11 2011:  Raja Jahangir Akhtar, a renowned   political and social worker, who announced to go on hunger  strike unto death to press for acceptance of his demands, has written an open letter to all political leaders of Pakistan.

Glimpses of USAID relief and rehab program for 2010 flood affectees

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD (Sept 26, 2011): USAID organized an exhibition to brief media about relief and rehab programs conducted on behalf of American People for Pakistani flood victims in 2010 in collaboration with Government of Pakistan, NGO Rural Support Program, and Food & Agriculture Organization.

UN assistance called from International Donors for Pakistan

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD (Sept 18, 2011): After President Asif Ali Zardari's request from UN Secretary General Ban-ki Moon to provide assistance for flood affected people of Sindh, hit by heavy monsoon rains in months of August and September 2011, UN jointly with Pakistani government managed a venue for representatives of international donor agencies and diplomats to give them an overview of destruction of floods in Sindh and parts of Balochistan.

Extra-curricular activities in school life capacitate our youth

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD: Beacon House School organizes an event pertaining to building youth's leadership worth here on Thursday, July 21, 2011. 

British High Commission Announces Figures about UKAid Program for Flood Victims

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD: Britain's High Commissioner to Pakistan, on Friday (July 22, 2011) announced government of Great Britain as well as people donated Rs. 28 billion for Pakistani flood victims in one-year. DFID's chief in Pakistan George Turkington tells about 70% of the aid is being utilized in providing shelters, food, health facilities, rebuilding schools and flood resistant homes. He stresses a lot more is yet to be done, especially in combating malnutrition.  

PML-N refuses role of JUI-F in united opposition

By: Haroon Baloch ISLAMABAD , July 9: In drizzling capital, political scene is yet hot, Pakistan Muslim League-N (PML-N) has desired to take all opposition parties on same page including Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-F (JUI-F), though JUI-F denied any such move initiated by PML-N. Parties in the opposition, mainly PML-N and Mutahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) seem quite enthusiastic in shaking hands despite having history of calling bad names to each other. Mutahida's second time departure from government alliance has been regarded widely among political circles as well as publicly. Yet Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani at a public meeting in federal capital reiterated his party's stance as trying to agree MQM. "We are maintaining close connections with MQM and looking forward to succeed in agreeing Altaf Hussain to rejoin coalition", Gilani said on Tuesday adding that Pakistan People's Party (PPP) has no apprehensions even from Grand Opposition Alliance. PML-N and MQM on F