After all, a frequent social malady in India is abuse of women by setting them on fire by 'gas stove' accident. Why would India want to continue with such a form of energy?
Research and Markets: Iran Pakistan Gas Agreement: A Decisive Step for IPI Pipeline Project (click here)
Mon Feb 2, 2009 1:00am EST
DUBLIN, Ireland--(Business Wire)--
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/82b0f2/iran_pakistan_gas) has
announced the addition of GlobalData 's new report "Iran Pakistan Gas Agreement
A Decisive Step for IPI Pipeline Project" to their offering.
The consumption of natural gas in India and Pakistan exceeds domestic
production. In 2006, natural gas production in India was 31.8 Bcm against a
consumption of 39.7 Bcm. Similarly, Pakistan consumed almost the entire 30.7 Bcm
it produced in 2006.
The production of natural gas in both countries fails to meet the demand for
energy and natural gas consumption. India's current demand for natural gas is
69.0% more than its production. The production of natural gas in Pakistan meets
only 39.0% of its energy needs and it would increase to 50.0% by 2010. Iran,
with an estimated 27.5 Trillion Cubic Meter (Tcm) of reserves, has the world's
second largest natural gas reserve....
Pakistan Aid Bill Clears House Committee
By Dan Robinson
Washington
21 May 2009
A U.S. congressional committee has approved legislation that would provide Pakistan with billions of dollars in economic aid over the next five years. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill, lawmakers on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee supported the need to help Pakistan battle an extremist insurgency, but some voiced concerns about strong conditions in the measure:
The Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act would triple U.S. economic aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year until 2013, to help stabilize Pakistan's civilian government, and support national and provincial institutions and strengthen Pakistan's education and judicial systems.
It establishes a Pakistan Democracy and Prosperity Fund for non-military aid, and intensifies a focus on access to education for women and girls in Pakistan.
On the military front, the measure authorizes military aid to bolster the capabilities of Pakistan's army and special forces battling Taliban and other extremist groups. Congress has allocated $400 million as part of a separate 2009 supplemental war funding bill for a new Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF).
Democratic committee chairman Howard Berman said the legislation underscores the importance of Pakistan's fight against extremism. "All of us are deeply concerned about the stability and security of that country. We cannot allow al-Qaida or any other terrorist group that threatens sour national security to operate with impunity in the tribal regions of Pakistan, nor can we permit the Pakistani state and its nuclear arsenal to be taken over by the Taliban," he said.
But the measure contains provisions designed to help Congress exert control and see results, a response to what lawmakers see as billions of dollars wasted by Pakistan's government over the past decade.
The U.S. president would have to report on whether Pakistan has demonstrated a sustained commitment to and made progress toward combating terrorist groups, including ending support by any elements in Pakistan's military or intelligence agencies to extremist and terrorist groups.
Pakistan would also have to be shown to have closed terrorist camps in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas [FATA], dismantled terrorist bases in other areas, and strengthened counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-21-voa1.cfm
India doesn't seem to read the bill the same way as Americans do. I don't know what exactly India considers 'extremist' either or what they consider a threat by Pakistan. It would appear work by Secretary Clinton is not finished.
U.S. aid law soft on Pakistan
Washington: A key congressional committee on Thursday approved a law tripling U.S. non-military aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion annually, but went soft on Islamabad dropping all direct references to India on not allowing its soil to be used to plot terror attacks.
Approving for passage the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement (PEACE) Act, 2009, the House Foreign Affairs Committee replaced the word “India” with “neighbouring countries” with regard to Pakistan not allowing its territory to be used to launch terror attacks.
The original bill, introduced on April 2 by Committee Chairman Howard L Berman, imposed conditions that Pakistan would not let its territory be used for launching terror attacks against India and would not support any group that indulges in terror activities against India. The version of the Berman bill, which was approved by voice vote, replaced “India” with “neighbouring countries,” apparently at the suggestion of the Obama Administration because Pakistan, in particular its Army and the ISI, had raised strong objections to it. Congressional observers said this meant almost the same, but the word “India” had to be deleted because the Obama Administration told the lawmakers that this could be counter-productive to their overall objective for, the Pakistan establishment was allergic to it.
In other tough clauses, the law seeks to bar the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency from supporting any extremist and terrorist group. — PTI
http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/22/stories/2009052258330100.htm
Pakistan: Armed residents fend off Taliban incursion
Security footage shows prison staff didn't act until well after prisoners' convoy of escape vehicles had disappeared
Tribune news services
May 22, 2009
LOS ANGELES ¿ LONDON ¿ - Pakistan
Armed residents fend off Taliban incursion
Armed residents foiled an attempt by Taliban militants to expand their reach in Pakistan's Swat Valley as foreign aid for refugees fleeing an army offensive in the northwestern region passed $200 million, officials said Thursday. The attempted infiltration in Kalam indicated insurgents are feeling pinched by an army offensive and are seeking new shelter, while the local resistance suggested growing public confidence in an anti-Taliban operation supported by the United States.
Above: Internally displaced Pakistanis wait for dinner at the Chota Lahore relief camp Thursday in Swabi, Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced amid operations against the Taliban.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-tc-nw-briefs-0521-05221may22,0,233394.story
UN in $543m Pakistan aid appeal
Tens of thousands are housed in camps south of the war zone
The UN has appealed for a total of $543m in humanitarian aid to help more than 1.6 million people displaced by fighting in north-west Pakistan.
The UN said the "extraordinary" exodus had caused "incredible suffering".
Tens of thousands of people are being housed in camps south of the main fighting zone in the Swat valley.
Pakistan's army began an offensive on 2 May against the Taliban after a peace deal broke down and militants began spreading their area of influence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8062846.stm
Pakistan unlikely to win World Cup 2011 battle
By Col (r) Rafi Nasim
Having been associated with cricket for over half a century now, I do not remember a case causing such turmoil in the game and drawing publicity more than the World Cup 2011 fiasco. I remember in early 70’s South Africa was debarred from playing Test cricket for a couple of years but the issue did not affect other cricket playing countries of the world. This was followed by the ‘Kerry Packer’s Circus’ that entangled 55 top cricketers of the world, depriving the parent countries of their services. The problem was amicably solved with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of which I was the chief executive officer, being instrumental in arranging mediation between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Kerry Packer. The issue, however, acted as a blessing in disguise because it was after this incident that one-day cricket progressed by leaps and bounds.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C05%5C20%5Cstory_20-5-2009_pg2_23
5 killed in suicide attack on paramilitary camp in Pak
Islamabad, May 21 (PTI) Five persons were killed and over 20 injured when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a paramilitary camp in Tank district of Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province today.
The suspected suicide attacker rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the camp of the Frontier Corps at Jandola Bazar in Tank this evening. Reports said several of the dead were paramilitary personnel.
Several civilians injured in the attack were taken to hospitals in nearby Dera Ghazi Khan and Tank cities.
Several shops and vehicles were destroyed by the blast. Security forces cordoned off the area soon after the attack.
Reports suggested militants might have carried out the attack in retaliation for the operations mounted by security forces against the Taliban in Buner, Dir and Swat districts of the NWFP. PTI
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/BDBEC9D359FAB7BF652575BD005CB315?OpenDocument
Bipartisan support for president obama’s Afghanistan plan
May 21, 1:57 PM
We often times hear of “bipartisanship, reaching across the aisle, crossing party lines, and [insert generic phrase to indicate our major political parties working together” in the world of Washington. National security seems to be one genre of our national political system in which consensuses are sometimes reached that do indeed include bipartisanship.
Recently, President Obama issued his proposal for conducting U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and House Republicans are on board. Two bills were introduced by the House Republicans and John Boehner (R-West Chester) one of the framers of them had this to say on Wednesday:
http://www.examiner.com/x-11880-Houston-Congressional-Examiner~y2009m5d21-Bipartisan-Support-For-President-Obamas-Afghanistan-Plan
Pakistan denies nuclear expansion
By Syed Shoaib Hasan
BBC News, Islamabad
Pakistan began testing weapons in response to India's nuclear programme
Pakistan has denied that it is expanding its nuclear arsenal after the US said that it has unearthed new evidence that it has done so.
The denial was issued by Pakistan's information minister a week after US Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the disclosure.
The response comes amid fears that the country's nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of the Taleban.
There are also concerns about Islamabad's weak proliferation record.
Pakistan, along with neighbour India, joined the club of declared nuclear weapons states in 1998.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8058401.stm
Panetta: Location of all Pakistan nukes not known
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press Writer
Posted: 05/18/2009 02:58:00 PM PDT
Updated: 05/18/2009 05:01:01 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES—Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta said Monday that the U.S. does not know the location of all of Pakistan's nuclear weapons but is confident there are "pretty secure" measures to keep them out of terrorists' hands.
Panetta's comments come just days after the top U.S. military officer told Congress that there is evidence that Pakistan is adding to its nuclear weapons systems and warheads.
Speaking at a downtown forum organized by the Pacific Council on International Policy, Panetta was asked if nuclear weapons in Pakistan are more safely guarded than those in the former Soviet Union.
"Obviously, we do try to understand where all of these are located," the director said. "We don't have, frankly, the intelligence to know where they all are located."
He added that the U.S. is confident that Pakistani government has a "pretty secure approach to try to protect these weapons."
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12397388
India U-13 Thrash Pakistan 5-0
The India U-13 side defeated Pakistan 5-0 at the AFC Under 13 Football Festival in Tehran, Iran on Thursday.
21-May-2009 10:07:36 PM
Indian football Fan, India
Aryaman Sethi scored in a hat-trick in the win and has now taken his tournament tally to six goals.
C.M. Ranjith’s boys earlier defeated Afghanistan 1-0 and Maldives 2-1. They also put up a fighting display in their 1-1 draw against hosts IR Iran.
Earlier on Tuesday the Indian team lost to IR Iran 0-1 and defeated Sri Lanka 3-0.
Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh are the other participating countries. The festival will end on 24th May.
Goal.com India
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2009/05/21/1278766/india-u-13-thrash-pakistan-5-0
Isn't this special. If Iran supplies Pakistan with free electricity it justifies all the more the reason for their nuclear reactor that Isreal has in the sites of its missiles. Looks like some very fancy footwork by Iran.
Iran to supply Pakistan with free electricity
Thu, 21 May 2009 18:27:00 GMT
Iran's ambassador to Pakistan Mashaallah Shakeri
Iran plans to supply Pakistan with 100 megawatt electricity free of charge, says the Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad Mashaallah Shakeri.
“All the groundwork in this connection has been completed and the power supply would start as soon as Pakistan finalizes work on transmission lines,” said Shakeri in a meeting with Pakistani Federal Minister for Communications Arbab Alamgir.
According to the Pakistani Dawn newspaper, Shakeri said his country would transit the electricity to the Gwadar Port to ease Pakistan's growing power crisis.
Iran agreed last year to export 1,100 megawatt of electricity to Pakistan to help it overcome shortages in areas bordering Iran, especially in Gwadar.
Tehran also extended an offer to supply wind turbines to Pakistan, which is facing an electricity shortfall of more than 3,000 megawatt.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=95544§ionid=351020103
Mon Feb 2, 2009 1:00am EST
DUBLIN, Ireland--(Business Wire)--
Research and Markets
(http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/82b0f2/iran_pakistan_gas) has
announced the addition of GlobalData 's new report "Iran Pakistan Gas Agreement
A Decisive Step for IPI Pipeline Project" to their offering.
The consumption of natural gas in India and Pakistan exceeds domestic
production. In 2006, natural gas production in India was 31.8 Bcm against a
consumption of 39.7 Bcm. Similarly, Pakistan consumed almost the entire 30.7 Bcm
it produced in 2006.
The production of natural gas in both countries fails to meet the demand for
energy and natural gas consumption. India's current demand for natural gas is
69.0% more than its production. The production of natural gas in Pakistan meets
only 39.0% of its energy needs and it would increase to 50.0% by 2010. Iran,
with an estimated 27.5 Trillion Cubic Meter (Tcm) of reserves, has the world's
second largest natural gas reserve....
Pakistan Aid Bill Clears House Committee
By Dan Robinson
Washington
21 May 2009
A U.S. congressional committee has approved legislation that would provide Pakistan with billions of dollars in economic aid over the next five years. VOA's Dan Robinson reports from Capitol Hill, lawmakers on the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee supported the need to help Pakistan battle an extremist insurgency, but some voiced concerns about strong conditions in the measure:
The Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement Act would triple U.S. economic aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year until 2013, to help stabilize Pakistan's civilian government, and support national and provincial institutions and strengthen Pakistan's education and judicial systems.
It establishes a Pakistan Democracy and Prosperity Fund for non-military aid, and intensifies a focus on access to education for women and girls in Pakistan.
On the military front, the measure authorizes military aid to bolster the capabilities of Pakistan's army and special forces battling Taliban and other extremist groups. Congress has allocated $400 million as part of a separate 2009 supplemental war funding bill for a new Pakistan Counterinsurgency Capability Fund (PCCF).
Democratic committee chairman Howard Berman said the legislation underscores the importance of Pakistan's fight against extremism. "All of us are deeply concerned about the stability and security of that country. We cannot allow al-Qaida or any other terrorist group that threatens sour national security to operate with impunity in the tribal regions of Pakistan, nor can we permit the Pakistani state and its nuclear arsenal to be taken over by the Taliban," he said.
But the measure contains provisions designed to help Congress exert control and see results, a response to what lawmakers see as billions of dollars wasted by Pakistan's government over the past decade.
The U.S. president would have to report on whether Pakistan has demonstrated a sustained commitment to and made progress toward combating terrorist groups, including ending support by any elements in Pakistan's military or intelligence agencies to extremist and terrorist groups.
Pakistan would also have to be shown to have closed terrorist camps in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas [FATA], dismantled terrorist bases in other areas, and strengthened counter-terrorism and anti-money laundering laws.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2009-05-21-voa1.cfm
India doesn't seem to read the bill the same way as Americans do. I don't know what exactly India considers 'extremist' either or what they consider a threat by Pakistan. It would appear work by Secretary Clinton is not finished.
U.S. aid law soft on Pakistan
Washington: A key congressional committee on Thursday approved a law tripling U.S. non-military aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion annually, but went soft on Islamabad dropping all direct references to India on not allowing its soil to be used to plot terror attacks.
Approving for passage the Pakistan Enduring Assistance and Cooperation Enhancement (PEACE) Act, 2009, the House Foreign Affairs Committee replaced the word “India” with “neighbouring countries” with regard to Pakistan not allowing its territory to be used to launch terror attacks.
The original bill, introduced on April 2 by Committee Chairman Howard L Berman, imposed conditions that Pakistan would not let its territory be used for launching terror attacks against India and would not support any group that indulges in terror activities against India. The version of the Berman bill, which was approved by voice vote, replaced “India” with “neighbouring countries,” apparently at the suggestion of the Obama Administration because Pakistan, in particular its Army and the ISI, had raised strong objections to it. Congressional observers said this meant almost the same, but the word “India” had to be deleted because the Obama Administration told the lawmakers that this could be counter-productive to their overall objective for, the Pakistan establishment was allergic to it.
In other tough clauses, the law seeks to bar the Pakistan military or its intelligence agency from supporting any extremist and terrorist group. — PTI
http://www.hindu.com/2009/05/22/stories/2009052258330100.htm
Pakistan: Armed residents fend off Taliban incursion
Security footage shows prison staff didn't act until well after prisoners' convoy of escape vehicles had disappeared
Tribune news services
May 22, 2009
LOS ANGELES ¿ LONDON ¿ - Pakistan
Armed residents fend off Taliban incursion
Armed residents foiled an attempt by Taliban militants to expand their reach in Pakistan's Swat Valley as foreign aid for refugees fleeing an army offensive in the northwestern region passed $200 million, officials said Thursday. The attempted infiltration in Kalam indicated insurgents are feeling pinched by an army offensive and are seeking new shelter, while the local resistance suggested growing public confidence in an anti-Taliban operation supported by the United States.
Above: Internally displaced Pakistanis wait for dinner at the Chota Lahore relief camp Thursday in Swabi, Pakistan. Hundreds of thousands of people are displaced amid operations against the Taliban.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-tc-nw-briefs-0521-05221may22,0,233394.story
UN in $543m Pakistan aid appeal
Tens of thousands are housed in camps south of the war zone
The UN has appealed for a total of $543m in humanitarian aid to help more than 1.6 million people displaced by fighting in north-west Pakistan.
The UN said the "extraordinary" exodus had caused "incredible suffering".
Tens of thousands of people are being housed in camps south of the main fighting zone in the Swat valley.
Pakistan's army began an offensive on 2 May against the Taliban after a peace deal broke down and militants began spreading their area of influence.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/8062846.stm
Pakistan unlikely to win World Cup 2011 battle
By Col (r) Rafi Nasim
Having been associated with cricket for over half a century now, I do not remember a case causing such turmoil in the game and drawing publicity more than the World Cup 2011 fiasco. I remember in early 70’s South Africa was debarred from playing Test cricket for a couple of years but the issue did not affect other cricket playing countries of the world. This was followed by the ‘Kerry Packer’s Circus’ that entangled 55 top cricketers of the world, depriving the parent countries of their services. The problem was amicably solved with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) of which I was the chief executive officer, being instrumental in arranging mediation between the International Cricket Council (ICC) and Kerry Packer. The issue, however, acted as a blessing in disguise because it was after this incident that one-day cricket progressed by leaps and bounds.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009%5C05%5C20%5Cstory_20-5-2009_pg2_23
5 killed in suicide attack on paramilitary camp in Pak
Islamabad, May 21 (PTI) Five persons were killed and over 20 injured when a suspected suicide bomber targeted a paramilitary camp in Tank district of Pakistan's troubled North West Frontier Province today.
The suspected suicide attacker rammed his explosive-laden vehicle into the camp of the Frontier Corps at Jandola Bazar in Tank this evening. Reports said several of the dead were paramilitary personnel.
Several civilians injured in the attack were taken to hospitals in nearby Dera Ghazi Khan and Tank cities.
Several shops and vehicles were destroyed by the blast. Security forces cordoned off the area soon after the attack.
Reports suggested militants might have carried out the attack in retaliation for the operations mounted by security forces against the Taliban in Buner, Dir and Swat districts of the NWFP. PTI
http://www.ptinews.com/pti%5Cptisite.nsf/0/BDBEC9D359FAB7BF652575BD005CB315?OpenDocument
Bipartisan support for president obama’s Afghanistan plan
May 21, 1:57 PM
We often times hear of “bipartisanship, reaching across the aisle, crossing party lines, and [insert generic phrase to indicate our major political parties working together” in the world of Washington. National security seems to be one genre of our national political system in which consensuses are sometimes reached that do indeed include bipartisanship.
Recently, President Obama issued his proposal for conducting U.S. operations in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and House Republicans are on board. Two bills were introduced by the House Republicans and John Boehner (R-West Chester) one of the framers of them had this to say on Wednesday:
http://www.examiner.com/x-11880-Houston-Congressional-Examiner~y2009m5d21-Bipartisan-Support-For-President-Obamas-Afghanistan-Plan
Pakistan denies nuclear expansion
By Syed Shoaib Hasan
BBC News, Islamabad
Pakistan began testing weapons in response to India's nuclear programme
Pakistan has denied that it is expanding its nuclear arsenal after the US said that it has unearthed new evidence that it has done so.
The denial was issued by Pakistan's information minister a week after US Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the disclosure.
The response comes amid fears that the country's nuclear weapons could fall into the hands of the Taleban.
There are also concerns about Islamabad's weak proliferation record.
Pakistan, along with neighbour India, joined the club of declared nuclear weapons states in 1998.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/8058401.stm
Panetta: Location of all Pakistan nukes not known
By MICHAEL R. BLOOD Associated Press Writer
Posted: 05/18/2009 02:58:00 PM PDT
Updated: 05/18/2009 05:01:01 PM PDT
LOS ANGELES—Central Intelligence Agency Director Leon Panetta said Monday that the U.S. does not know the location of all of Pakistan's nuclear weapons but is confident there are "pretty secure" measures to keep them out of terrorists' hands.
Panetta's comments come just days after the top U.S. military officer told Congress that there is evidence that Pakistan is adding to its nuclear weapons systems and warheads.
Speaking at a downtown forum organized by the Pacific Council on International Policy, Panetta was asked if nuclear weapons in Pakistan are more safely guarded than those in the former Soviet Union.
"Obviously, we do try to understand where all of these are located," the director said. "We don't have, frankly, the intelligence to know where they all are located."
He added that the U.S. is confident that Pakistani government has a "pretty secure approach to try to protect these weapons."
http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_12397388
India U-13 Thrash Pakistan 5-0
The India U-13 side defeated Pakistan 5-0 at the AFC Under 13 Football Festival in Tehran, Iran on Thursday.
21-May-2009 10:07:36 PM
Indian football Fan, India
Aryaman Sethi scored in a hat-trick in the win and has now taken his tournament tally to six goals.
C.M. Ranjith’s boys earlier defeated Afghanistan 1-0 and Maldives 2-1. They also put up a fighting display in their 1-1 draw against hosts IR Iran.
Earlier on Tuesday the Indian team lost to IR Iran 0-1 and defeated Sri Lanka 3-0.
Bhutan, Nepal and Bangladesh are the other participating countries. The festival will end on 24th May.
Goal.com India
http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/136/india/2009/05/21/1278766/india-u-13-thrash-pakistan-5-0
Isn't this special. If Iran supplies Pakistan with free electricity it justifies all the more the reason for their nuclear reactor that Isreal has in the sites of its missiles. Looks like some very fancy footwork by Iran.
Iran to supply Pakistan with free electricity
Thu, 21 May 2009 18:27:00 GMT
Iran's ambassador to Pakistan Mashaallah Shakeri
Iran plans to supply Pakistan with 100 megawatt electricity free of charge, says the Iranian Ambassador to Islamabad Mashaallah Shakeri.
“All the groundwork in this connection has been completed and the power supply would start as soon as Pakistan finalizes work on transmission lines,” said Shakeri in a meeting with Pakistani Federal Minister for Communications Arbab Alamgir.
According to the Pakistani Dawn newspaper, Shakeri said his country would transit the electricity to the Gwadar Port to ease Pakistan's growing power crisis.
Iran agreed last year to export 1,100 megawatt of electricity to Pakistan to help it overcome shortages in areas bordering Iran, especially in Gwadar.
Tehran also extended an offer to supply wind turbines to Pakistan, which is facing an electricity shortfall of more than 3,000 megawatt.
http://www.presstv.ir/detail.aspx?id=95544§ionid=351020103
