ANKARA, 29 July 2010: H.E. Mr. Yalcin Topcu, Chairman, Great Union Party of the Republic of Turkey today visited Pakistan’s Embassy in Ankara and condoled over the tragic incident of air crash incident in Islamabad where 152 people lost their lives.
Recording his remarks in the visitor’s book, Mr. Yalcin Topcu said the people of Turkey are saddened about the incident and conveyed his feelings of sympathy to the families of victims and the people of Pakistan.
Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey H.E. Mr. Tariq Azizuddin thanked the dignitary for his visit. He said Pakistan and Turkey are one nation living in two states whose hearts beat together. Visits like this further strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and friendship, he said.
ENDS
An Ally of Necessity: Over the past nine years, more Pakistani than NATO troops have lost their lives fighting the Taliban by Husain Haqqani
The much publicized leaking of several thousand classified documents relating to the war in Afghanistan may have provided the war's American critics an opportunity to press their objections. It does not, however, make the case against military and political cooperation between the governments of the United States and Pakistan, made necessary by the challenge of global terrorism.
Under elected leaders, Pakistan is working with the U.S. to build trust between our militaries and intelligence agencies. In recent months, Pakistan has undertaken a massive military operation in the region bordering Afghanistan, denying space to Taliban extremists who had hoped to create a ministate with the backing of al Qaeda. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have been enhanced to an unprecedented degree. And exchanges of intelligence between Pakistan and the U.S. have foiled several terrorist plots around the globe. The WikiLeaks controversy and the ensuing speculation about Pakistan's role in the global effort against the terrorists should not disrupt the ongoing efforts of the U.S. and Pakistan to contain and destroy the forces of extremism and fanaticism that threaten the entire world.
Pakistan is crucial for helping Afghanistan attain stability while pursuing the defeat of al Qaeda led terrorist ideologues. For that reason the White House, the Pentagon and the State Department have denounced the leaking of unattributed and unprocessed information implicating Pakistan in supporting or tolerating the Taliban. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, a Democrat, warned Monday against judging Pakistan's role in the Afghan war by "outdated reports," adding that Pakistan had "significantly stepped up its fight against the Taliban." Most Americans and many Pakistanis agree on the need for improvements in Pakistan's efforts, but that is not the same as suspecting lack of cooperation.
The tragedy that has unfolded in South Asia is the product of a long series of policy miscalculations spanning fully 30 years. The U.S., in its zeal to defeat the Soviet Union—a noble goal indeed—selected Afghanistan as a venue. Pakistan became caught up in an ideological battle between communism and a politicized version of our Islamic faith. The most violent and most radical elements of the Mujahedeen resistance were empowered to fight the surrogate war against the Russians. Concerns—such as former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's warning in 1989 while visiting the U.S. that the world had created a Frankenstein monster in Afghanistan that would come back to haunt us—were generally ignored.
Alliances and relationships forged among supporters of the Afghan jihad 30 years ago have not been easy to dismantle within Pakistan. But they have been dismantled. After 9/11, Pakistan made a deliberate and courageous decision to confront the terrorists as the civilized world's first line of defense. Since the return of democracy in 2008, Pakistan has paid a terrible price for its commitment to fight terrorism. More Pakistanis have been killed by terrorism in the last two years than the number of civilians who died in New York's Twin Towers. Over the past nine years more Pakistani than NATO troops have lost their lives fighting the Taliban. Two thousand Pakistani police have been killed; our mosques and hotels have been savagely attacked; scores of billion dollars of foreign investment were frozen; and tens of billions of dollars of funding for education and health have been diverted to the battlefield against the extremists.
We cannot undo the past, but we can certainly alter the course of the future. The democratically elected government of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has followed a clearly laid out strategy of fighting and marginalizing terrorists, even when that decision was less than popular with a public still cynical because of what it believed was the political manipulation of the past. The course laid out by Pakistan's democratic leaders has been executed brilliantly by Pakistan's military and intelligence services.
The documents circulated by WikiLeaks do not even remotely reflect the current realities on the ground. For example, a retired Pakistani general is named as the master planner of the Afghan Taliban's strategy. But this is a man who hasn't held any position within Pakistani intelligence or the military for more than 20 years. For its part, Pakistan's current leadership will not be distracted by something like these leaks. We have paid an unprecedented price in blood and treasure over the last two years. We will not succumb to the terrorists.
As we speak, the military of Pakistan is engaged in a bloody battle, taking enormous casualties, in the mountains of South Waziristan to purge the tribal areas of terrorist sanctuaries. Our intelligence forces are gathering information across the country and targeting terrorist cells in North Waziristan to thwart their designs for destabilizing our government and terrorizing our people.
This is Pakistan's war as much as it is a battle for civilization. Pakistan's very existence and traditional way of life are at stake. We fight alongside our friends from all over the world to protect freedom. The U.S could not have a more committed ally in this defining battle of the third millennium than the people, the government and the military of Pakistan.
==========================================
Mr. Haqqani is Pakistan's ambassador to the United States.
Under elected leaders, Pakistan is working with the U.S. to build trust between our militaries and intelligence agencies. In recent months, Pakistan has undertaken a massive military operation in the region bordering Afghanistan, denying space to Taliban extremists who had hoped to create a ministate with the backing of al Qaeda. Pakistan-Afghanistan relations have been enhanced to an unprecedented degree. And exchanges of intelligence between Pakistan and the U.S. have foiled several terrorist plots around the globe. The WikiLeaks controversy and the ensuing speculation about Pakistan's role in the global effort against the terrorists should not disrupt the ongoing efforts of the U.S. and Pakistan to contain and destroy the forces of extremism and fanaticism that threaten the entire world.
Pakistan is crucial for helping Afghanistan attain stability while pursuing the defeat of al Qaeda led terrorist ideologues. For that reason the White House, the Pentagon and the State Department have denounced the leaking of unattributed and unprocessed information implicating Pakistan in supporting or tolerating the Taliban. House Armed Services Committee Chairman Ike Skelton, a Democrat, warned Monday against judging Pakistan's role in the Afghan war by "outdated reports," adding that Pakistan had "significantly stepped up its fight against the Taliban." Most Americans and many Pakistanis agree on the need for improvements in Pakistan's efforts, but that is not the same as suspecting lack of cooperation.
The tragedy that has unfolded in South Asia is the product of a long series of policy miscalculations spanning fully 30 years. The U.S., in its zeal to defeat the Soviet Union—a noble goal indeed—selected Afghanistan as a venue. Pakistan became caught up in an ideological battle between communism and a politicized version of our Islamic faith. The most violent and most radical elements of the Mujahedeen resistance were empowered to fight the surrogate war against the Russians. Concerns—such as former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto's warning in 1989 while visiting the U.S. that the world had created a Frankenstein monster in Afghanistan that would come back to haunt us—were generally ignored.
Alliances and relationships forged among supporters of the Afghan jihad 30 years ago have not been easy to dismantle within Pakistan. But they have been dismantled. After 9/11, Pakistan made a deliberate and courageous decision to confront the terrorists as the civilized world's first line of defense. Since the return of democracy in 2008, Pakistan has paid a terrible price for its commitment to fight terrorism. More Pakistanis have been killed by terrorism in the last two years than the number of civilians who died in New York's Twin Towers. Over the past nine years more Pakistani than NATO troops have lost their lives fighting the Taliban. Two thousand Pakistani police have been killed; our mosques and hotels have been savagely attacked; scores of billion dollars of foreign investment were frozen; and tens of billions of dollars of funding for education and health have been diverted to the battlefield against the extremists.
We cannot undo the past, but we can certainly alter the course of the future. The democratically elected government of President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has followed a clearly laid out strategy of fighting and marginalizing terrorists, even when that decision was less than popular with a public still cynical because of what it believed was the political manipulation of the past. The course laid out by Pakistan's democratic leaders has been executed brilliantly by Pakistan's military and intelligence services.
The documents circulated by WikiLeaks do not even remotely reflect the current realities on the ground. For example, a retired Pakistani general is named as the master planner of the Afghan Taliban's strategy. But this is a man who hasn't held any position within Pakistani intelligence or the military for more than 20 years. For its part, Pakistan's current leadership will not be distracted by something like these leaks. We have paid an unprecedented price in blood and treasure over the last two years. We will not succumb to the terrorists.
As we speak, the military of Pakistan is engaged in a bloody battle, taking enormous casualties, in the mountains of South Waziristan to purge the tribal areas of terrorist sanctuaries. Our intelligence forces are gathering information across the country and targeting terrorist cells in North Waziristan to thwart their designs for destabilizing our government and terrorizing our people.
This is Pakistan's war as much as it is a battle for civilization. Pakistan's very existence and traditional way of life are at stake. We fight alongside our friends from all over the world to protect freedom. The U.S could not have a more committed ally in this defining battle of the third millennium than the people, the government and the military of Pakistan.
==========================================
Mr. Haqqani is Pakistan's ambassador to the United States.
Prof. Dr. Mushtaq joins Ankara University as Scholar, Urdu Chair
ANKARA, 21 July 2010: Prof. Dr. Mushtaq Ahmad today joined as Scholar, Urdu Chair, Ankara University, Turkey. Dr. Mushtaq is a Ph.D. in Urdu fiction and has to his credit more than 50 research articles that have been published in internationally recognized journals. His arrival in Ankara will provide a boost for the promotion of Urdu language and literary activities in Turkey.
Dr. Mushtaq brings a wealth of teaching experience to his new host University. He started his career as lecturer in 1985 at Islamia University Bahawalpur, Pakistan. He later on became Chairman of the Department of Urdu in the same University. Dr. Mushtaq also remained Associate Professor of Urdu in Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad.
Dr. Mushtaq brings a wealth of teaching experience to his new host University. He started his career as lecturer in 1985 at Islamia University Bahawalpur, Pakistan. He later on became Chairman of the Department of Urdu in the same University. Dr. Mushtaq also remained Associate Professor of Urdu in Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad.
International cooperation, trained manpower necessary to curb drug trafficking – Pakistan Ambassador
ANKARA, 16 July 2010: To counter drug trafficking and curb the menace of organized crime, international cooperation and best trained manpower are two essential components. Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey, H.E. Mr. Tariq Azizuddin said this at Turkish International Academy Against Drugs & Organized Crime (TADOC), Ankara, at the concluding ceremony of two week training course attended by 19 senior government officials from Pakistani law enforcement agencies (LEAs) in Ankara on 16th July 2010. “Imparting best training would empower field officers of LEAs to eliminate drug trafficking,” said the Ambassador. He said enhancing the technical expertise of the relevant officials would certainly help in curbing trans-border crime and drug trafficking. “Actionable intelligence gathering and use of technology would make our response from reactive to a proactive mode and would enable us to eliminate this cancer from our societies,” added the Ambassador.
Director TADOC Mr. Ismail Uzturk on the occasion said that his organization has implemented 230 international training programs with the participation of over 3000 law enforcement personnel from 63 countries.Today’s concluding ceremony of the training coincided with the launch of a landmark country programme for Pakistan in Islamabad for the period 2010-2014 targeting drug and crime issues.
ENDS
Pakistani Defence Minister visits Turkish defence production organizations, Pakistan to focus on linking defence industry with academia – Mukhtar
ANKARA, July 15: Pakistani Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, who is leading a defence delegation to Turkey, visited today Turkish defence organizations including Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and ASELSAN in Ankara. Possibilities of local production, co-production, and transfer of technology for defence related products according to needs of the two countries were discussed during the visit.
Chairman of the Board of Directors of TAI, Lt. Gen (Retd) M. Yalchinkaya briefed the visiting delegation about the main areas of activities of the organization. Progress on existing defence related projects between Turkey and Pakistan was reviewed. The delegation also visited the facilities of aircraft manufacturing, overhauling, and were shown unmanned aerial (UAV) vehicle indigenously developed by TAI.
The delegation also visited ASELSAN, another defence production company, working under public private partnership. They were particularly briefed about the academic-industry linkage arrangement that is giving a big boost to R&D for the Turk defence production sector.
Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar also desired for a strong academia-industry linkage. He said innovation and best research is possible when industry is linked with the academic institutions.
ENDS
Pakistan for immediate compensation to Mavi Marmara victims, seeks technology upgradation
ANKARA, July 14: Pakistan support Turkey’s stance of immediate compensation to the victims of Mavi Marmara who were brutally killed by Israleli army on 31 May and has demanded an apology from Israel on the incident. Pakistani Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar said this here today in a meeting with Turkish Minister for National Defence Mr. Vecdi Gonul.Visiting on the invitation of his Turkish counterpart, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar is leading a defence delegation and is on a three days visit to Turkey.
Both the Ministers discussed joint defence production projects including capacity building and technology up-gradation of Pakistan Ordnance Factories, air defence, and naval combat system projects. They hoped to start projects in modernization of F-16 aircrafts.Later on, Ch. Mukhtar met with General Ilker BAŞBUG, Chief of Turkish General Staff. He also visited HAVELSAN which is a Turkish Armed Forces Foundation company engaged in hi-tech defence production. Lt. Gen (Retd) Hayrettin UZUN, Chairman of the Board of HAVELSAN briefed the visiting Pakistani delegation about the status ongoing defence projects between Turkey and Pakistan.
ENDS
Pak-Turk Joint Defence Production – Turkish President
ANKARA, July 14: Turkish President H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gul has stressed upon the need of initiating joint defence production projects between Pakistan and Turkey. He expressed these views in a meeting with a Pakistani defence delegation led by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar who called on him on Tuesday evening.
ENDS
Mr. Gul said the existing strategic partnership between Pakistan and Turkey provides an opportunity for joint ventures among the defence production organs of the defence forces of Pakistan and Turkey. He showed keen interest in Pakistan’s JF-17 Thunder aircraft, which he was told is a multi-role combat aircraft equipped with state of the art modern technology and is manufactured according to present day defence requirements.
Referring to the unprecedented economic growth that Turkey has been achieving over the last couple of years, Turkish President said “we want the same type of economic development in Pakistan also and are prepared to help our brotherly country in every possible manner.” “I am personally motivating Turkish investors to invest in Pakistan’s energy sector,” said Mr. Gul. Pakistan’s coal reserves are third largest in the world and production of electricity from coal would be a viable project for overseas investors, he maintained. The President also desired to expedite work on the US$20 billion railway project that will connect Pakistan with European market through Istanbul.
Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar thanked the Turkish President for personally monitoring Turkish investors’ projects in Pakistan. He appreciated the level of hospitality extended to his delegation and hoped that the brotherly relations between Pakistan and Turkey shall be further enhanced in every field.
Turkish Minister for National Defence Mr. Vecdi Gonul and Pakistan’s Ambassador to Turkey Mr. Tariq Azizuddin were also present in the meeting.ENDS
Pakistani Defence Minister to visit Turkey
ANKARA, July 12: Pakistan’s Minister for Defence Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar will be on a three days official visit to Turkey from 13 – 15 July 2010. 
During his visit, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar will be meeting with the Turkish political and military leadership. He will meet his Turkish counterpart Mr. Vecdi Gonul and General Ilker BAŞBUG, Chief of Turkish General Staff.
Both Turkey and Pakistan have unanimity of views on major world issues and have closer defence ties. The visit will further enhance existing fraternal relations between the two countries.
During his visit, Ch. Ahmed Mukhtar will be meeting with the Turkish political and military leadership. He will meet his Turkish counterpart Mr. Vecdi Gonul and General Ilker BAŞBUG, Chief of Turkish General Staff.
Both Turkey and Pakistan have unanimity of views on major world issues and have closer defence ties. The visit will further enhance existing fraternal relations between the two countries.
Gul lauds Pakistan’s role in fighting terrorism, Turkey confers Legion of Merit on Pakistani General
ANKARA, June 29: Turkish President H.E. Mr. Abdullah Gul during a meeting with General Tariq Majid, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee of Pakistan on Monday evening lauded the sacrifices rendered by Pakistani nation and its Armed Forces in their fight against terror.
“Pakistan’s successful campaign against terrorism has made us proud,” said Gul adding “both brotherly countries must join hands to wipe out armed militancy and violent extremism from our societies.” The President reiterated that both countries have convergent perceptions on all regional and international issues and are facing common challenges.
Gen. Majid offered his condolences to the President and Turkish people for the loss of precious lives of the Turkish soldiers and citizens in the recent terrorist attacks and Freedom Flotilla incident.
General Tariq Majid during his official visit to Turkey also met with Turkish Minister of Defence Mr. Vecdi Gonul and General Ilker BAŞBUG, Chief of Turkish General Staff. During his interaction, Gen. Tariq Majid emphasized on the need to further enhance military cooperation between the two countries. This will include training of officers at mid career and junior levels aimed at cultivating brotherhood amongst the young officers. Strategic partnership and joint ventures focusing on cutting edge technologies, research & development, and transfer of technology in public as well as private sectors were also discussed.
General BASBUG conferred Legion of Merit on General Tariq Majid for his efforts to enhance the bilateral relations between Pakistan, Turkey and its armed forces.
Beyond Madrasas: Assessing the Links Between Education and Militancy in Pakistan
Increasing educational attainment is likely to reduce conflict risk, especially in countries like Pakistan that have very low levels of primary and secondary school enrollment. Education quality, relevance and content also have a role to play in mitigating violence. Education reform must therefore be a higher priority for all stakeholders interested in a more peaceful and stable Pakistan. Debate within the country about education reform should not be left only to education policymakers and experts, but ought to figure front and center in national dialogues about how to foster security. The price of ignoring Pakistan’s education challenges is simply too great in a country where half the population is under the age of 17.
There has been much debate concerning the roots of militancy in Pakistan, and multiple factors clearly come into play. One risk factor that has attracted much attention both inside Pakistan and abroad is the dismal state of the national education sector. Despite recent progress, current school attainment and literacy levels remain strikingly low, as does education spending. The Pakistani education sector, like much of the country’s public infrastructure, has been in decline over recent decades. The question of how limited access to quality education may contribute to militancy in Pakistan is more salient now than ever, given the rising national and international security implications of continued violence.
The second half of 2009 witnessed not only the Pakistani government stepping up action against insurgents but also the release of a new Pakistan National Education Policy that aspires to far-reaching and important reforms, including a commitment to increase investment in education—from 2 to 7 percent of gross domestic product. Hundreds of millions of dollars in international education aid have been newly pledged by donor countries. This renewed emphasis on education represents a substantial opportunity to seek to improve security in Pakistan and potentially also globally over the medium to long term. Policymakers both inside and outside Pakistan should give careful consideration to whether and how education investments can promote peace and stability, taking into account what we now know about the state of the education sector and the roots of militancy.
This report takes a fresh look at the connection between schools, including but not limited to Pakistan’s religious seminaries, known as “madrasas,” and the rising militancy across the country. Poor school performance across Pakistan would seem an obvious area of inquiry as a risk factor for conflict. Yet to date, the focus has been almost exclusively on madrasas and their role in the mounting violence. Outside Pakistan, relatively little attention has been given to whether and how the education sector as a whole may be fueling violence, over and above the role of the minority of militant madrasas.
To read full article by Rebecca Winthrop, Co-Director, Center for Universal Education and Corinne Graff of The Brookings Institution, visit http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2010/06_pakistan_education_winthrop.aspx#
There has been much debate concerning the roots of militancy in Pakistan, and multiple factors clearly come into play. One risk factor that has attracted much attention both inside Pakistan and abroad is the dismal state of the national education sector. Despite recent progress, current school attainment and literacy levels remain strikingly low, as does education spending. The Pakistani education sector, like much of the country’s public infrastructure, has been in decline over recent decades. The question of how limited access to quality education may contribute to militancy in Pakistan is more salient now than ever, given the rising national and international security implications of continued violence.
The second half of 2009 witnessed not only the Pakistani government stepping up action against insurgents but also the release of a new Pakistan National Education Policy that aspires to far-reaching and important reforms, including a commitment to increase investment in education—from 2 to 7 percent of gross domestic product. Hundreds of millions of dollars in international education aid have been newly pledged by donor countries. This renewed emphasis on education represents a substantial opportunity to seek to improve security in Pakistan and potentially also globally over the medium to long term. Policymakers both inside and outside Pakistan should give careful consideration to whether and how education investments can promote peace and stability, taking into account what we now know about the state of the education sector and the roots of militancy.
This report takes a fresh look at the connection between schools, including but not limited to Pakistan’s religious seminaries, known as “madrasas,” and the rising militancy across the country. Poor school performance across Pakistan would seem an obvious area of inquiry as a risk factor for conflict. Yet to date, the focus has been almost exclusively on madrasas and their role in the mounting violence. Outside Pakistan, relatively little attention has been given to whether and how the education sector as a whole may be fueling violence, over and above the role of the minority of militant madrasas.
To read full article by Rebecca Winthrop, Co-Director, Center for Universal Education and Corinne Graff of The Brookings Institution, visit http://www.brookings.edu/papers/2010/06_pakistan_education_winthrop.aspx#
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