Vladimir Putin-Al-Bab’s Man of the year

Vladimir Putin-Al-Bab’s Man of the year

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The expert panel of Al-Bab Institute For Strategic Studies, Islamabad has unanimously selected the Russian President Vladimir Putin to be the 2016’s Man Of The Year.

Putin has proven to be larger than life by opting to undo the policy of war that was perpetrated by the US President Barak Obama and Hillary Clinton on the whole world.

Putin intervened to ensure that the regime of Bashar Al-Assad destroys its chemical weapons. Later, he combined with the international community to find a negotiated settlement to the Syrian civil war.

Hillary Clinton publicly admitted that she helped the terrorist outfit  ISIS financially and worked with its allies to supply it with billions worth weapons and mercenaries. Thus, the ISIS was enabled to spread its terror to the entire Middle East, North Africa, Subcontinent, and was knocking the doors of Europe, the United States, Turkey, Australia, Canada , and the rest of the world.

Al-Bab suggests that the Nobel Prize Committee should rectify its blunder by taking away the Nobel Prize For Peace it awarded to Obama and present the same to the Russian President Putin.

Putin’s latest initiative has resulted in the evacuation of the foreign fighters in Syria, preparing the ground for peace talk between the warring parties; which is another miracle in the gloomy Syrian civil war. Nobody could think in his/her wild imagination that such a feat could happen. Putin, however, ensured it happened and implemented.

Pursuing a skillful diplomacy, Putin ensured that the terrorist outfits fighting the legitimate Syrian government including al-Nusra Front ( al-Qaeda in the Levant) and the Army of Conquest would be excluded from peace talk.

Pakistan will remember Putin as a great friend. He virtually ended Obama’s scheme of disintegrating Pakistan with the Indian help by supporting CPEC and joining China and Pakistan in the war against terror. Presently, Russia-China-Pakistan Strategic Partnership, which emerged in the last days of 2016, is a reality that stops the mad design of disintegrating Pakistan, which is a nuclear state and the most important regional player in the region.

Putin moved swiftly to improve the ties with Iraq and  Egypt to help the two nations face the tyranny of ISIS. He helped the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el Sisi building a new Suez Canal in a record period of 10 months, contributing to the wellbeing of the Egyptian peoples and the Egyptian scheme of promoting peace through tourism, investment and trade.

In Russia, Putin practically solved the issue of militancy by stating that Buddhism, Eastern Orthodox Christianity, Islam and Judaism are Russia’s traditional religions and a part of Russia’s historical heritage. Thus, Putin practically enforced the principle of co-existence and mutual accommodation.

In the military field, Putin worked hard to reform the military and update weapon system with new military equipment, ships and Space Forces.

In the field of military reform, Putin reduced the armed forces to a strength of one million; reducing the number of officers; centralizing officer training from 65 military schools into 10 “systemic” training centers; creating a professional NCO corps; reducing the size of the central command; introducing more civilian logistics and auxiliary staff; elimination of cadre-strength formations; reorganizing the reserves; reorganizing the army into a brigade system; reorganizing air forces into an air base system instead of regiments.

Despite the illegal US sanctions on Russia , global economic turmoil in the second half of 2014 and low oil prices, Putin’s ensured the revival of the Russian economy. In October, 2014, Putin signed  energy, trade and finance agreements with China worth $25 billion. In 2015, a $400 billion 30-year natural gas supply agreement was also signed with China.

Putin is lifting up Russia with the slogan of peace and rule of law. In the process, he is lifting the entire mankind. 

Politics of the NSG and Ballistic Missile Tests

Politics of the NSG and Ballistic Missile Tests

Dr. Jassim Taqui

In a welcome current issue debate, the  Strategic Vision Institute (SVI) held an In-House Seminar and Panel Discussion focusing on Grossi’s new  Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) criteria where he enlisted nine points for the states to be eligible for the membership of NSG.

The discussion was also held on the Indian test-firing a nuclear capable Agni-V with a range of 5000 km. The Indian plan also to increase the range to 5500 km by developing Agni-Vl. Thus, India would be very soon the sixth state that produces ICMB missiles in addition to Russia, China, the US, UK, and France.

The issue of NSG was discussed in details by the SVI chair Professor Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema. Mr. Khalid Banuri and Dr. Adil Sultan.

In the second part of the panel discussion, Agni-V test was discussed along with the regional and global implications and the countermeasures by the government. Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema, Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, and Tanzeela Khalil discussed the issue.

Both sessions were followed by a lively debate in which select experts and members of SVI participated.

Due to the sensitive nature of the debate, most of which was confidential, Al-Bab cannot disclose the fascinating debate and panel discussion. However, Al-Bab is of the view that Grossi’s formula is biased and would never contribute to the cause of the non-proliferation objective. The Argentinian Ambassador went out of his way in proposing this India-specific formula. In no way, Pakistan should accept this formula.

India is set to explode its thermonuclear bomb thanks to Grossi’s formula. If Pakistan tempted to join this formula, it would be forced to sign CTBT and deprived of testing its own thermonuclear bomb and conducting more tests to improve its all-important tactical bombs.

As per Agni-V, Al-Bab is of the view that Pakistan has already developed  Nasr ( Hatif-IX) with a range of 4000-5000. Tests were successfully carried on Nasr in 2011. In 2013 it was officially inducted into service.

Pakistan was waiting for the conducive atmosphere to develop Nasr. With the Indian testing of Agni-V, New Delhi has gifted Pakistan the best opportunity to test its ICBM system to become the seventh state in the club of states producing ICBM. Thank you, India for this gift.

Lolita and Nabokov

Lolita and Nabokov

Jassim Taqui

When you showed your intention towards me in exotic pose claiming the heir to the throne,

I told you I am your man; you have to quit the throne and run to me from my first phone,

She walked in  a super yellow swimming suit to show love and respect,

Saying, “can I live without you dear? ”, can I overcome my fear? can I act?

She created a new discourse; refused to talk and showed her breast,

As if telling me, my breast is the source of kindness, life, and nest,

Venus, the stunning goddess of beauty entered my den to say hello and complain,

She sounded Lolita but maintained, “ too much sex can’t create love or sustain”

She came with a strange pose almost nude with a key hanging from her navel,

“All my body is yours, “she maintained if I got the key and found the lock in Babel,

She took the chance and posed nude; hoping against hope to take her to my bed,

Giving me even a rare necklace, to finish the task outlined in my book she read,

Exposing prominently her breast, she cried, “ what are you, I want, sex, fame,”

“Stop speaking about Love and Lolita,, I am your tormented destiny with shame,”

She became wild with erotic sex, went nude, demanding sex at any price,

Following me with a wet body, seductive  pose for sex, minimum thrice,

The goddess of seductive black came in with stark decent pose. desire,

Full of life, appeal; blessing us on the eve of Christmas, igniting fire,

Left with no preference to travel to me, she took off her underwear,

Sat on her luggage; waiting for the news reaching me, devious without fear,

Dressed in pink swimming suit, Queen of Sheeba welcomes people with her dreamy eyes,

With light derived from sun’s rays, asking admirers to kiss her neck,  give her surprise,

Celebrating my birthday, she came in yellow for sensationalism, dating,

Like Monroe, her goal is to make everyman happy, relaxed, sedating, 

Learning quickly, Kishijoten, Indian goddess of beauty, reveals, sexy parts,

Quipped with thin white, lovely hair, piercing look, she wins people’s hearts,

Venus doesn’t believe in bra or underwear, just a piece of cloth and hair,

She came to stir men, bash them , drive them slaves, fair or unfair,

She is a staunch supporter of Venus; wearing no bra or underwear, but with a grace, 

For how long you think you can resist her when  she comes with you face to face?

Another follower of Venus comes topless, nervous, biting her nail,

She took off her clothes save underwear, loving Venus without fail,

Preferring fiery black to show her passion, she took off her cloth,

Her aim is winning hearts by displaying body and mind,  both

missed her a long time, I lifted her in the air, hugged and kissed on the rise,

wanted to put her in my heart,  she is Lolita, my first love giving me surprise,

In her quest to be Ursula, she came nude with a tattoo and fingers on the spot,

I shouted loud Oh Ursula, we have a problem here, help the soul on the dot,

When she invited me to  tea, she made a point to receive me topless,

All in transparent black; staring at me, appealing; turning me mindless,

She sent me a letter stating her thoughts moved with me in the space,

She couldn’t wait, thinking of me all time, turned  erotic, sexy face,

My Lolita dressed in red, leaned on the wall, sexy explosive, grace,

Her lips press on my tongue with my figures  her breasts trace,

I pulled her close and near, now her moan I can hear, I turned her on,

I pooled my flesh with hers, I am inside her, my person is gone,

I met her again udder the moonlight and scattered cloud, sound of light,

Tilting her head on my arms, we hug, dance; her breath adding  the delight,

She came with a merry theme, seductive laughter, tender, delicate,

Reserving the spot between her thighs to the special ones, innate,

Her theme is super, showing her erotic shoulder to win me over,

Feeling ecstasy with her around, I am drunk , no longer sober, 

The blonde bet on her body with minimum cloth, almost nude,

Feeling confident I put her nipples in my mouth as my food,

Finding toll to hold on her erotic charm, she whispered a wicked word,

To turn me on using exciting pose, admiring me in a way I never heard,

She recalls , when I touch her to revive her being and confirm her dream,

When she waits for me, when tasks are faced no matter how risky they seem,

She came to me in white, mystery similar to Collins’ the woman in white,

Charm surrounds all her face, hair, mystery look that gives warmth, delight,

There is a touch of class all over her erotic body with a decent look,

inviting eyes, lips crying for kiss, sweet breast like my memoir book,

she went wild showing her breast and underwear to bring beg my care,

sensing her strongly, remained stunned, impaired, my focus was not there,

Lolita paid a visitation early morning wearing my favorite sleeveless dress,

She moved over my body laughing , dancing, rolling to produce her own press,

You remind me of Lolita when she whispered your name, in my frame,

When I touched your cheek, pressed my heart to year beating breast,

Touching you makes beauty forever, it will erase the word never,

You showed your erotic charm to me, you have a promise to keep,

Taking me with you as my Lolita, giving me full joy while we sleep,

Coming early morning to great me as an angel  with concealed wing,

Hugging me, kissing my lips, neck, hugging me, nodding and sing,

Her charm knows no limit, erotic, absolute abstract, never lies,

Sex- shining, she touches my soul when my eyes meets her eyes,

There she stood tall, all in all transparent dress without bra, underwear,

She asks for romance, more chance to hug her with valor, no fear,  

She sat on my chair demanding hypnotizing her into a trance,

dazzling her, releasing her wild thoughts, giving her romance,

challenging me by her erotic pose, reminding me of our days on the lake,

melodious time, so sweet, pleasure almost complete that made me shake,

hiding her face, she entered nude protected by Christmas cloth,

wild, enticing, imaginative, artistic, reminding me she does soothe,

dressed in transparent way to show me the concealed, her old ways,

when she played at will,  ruled me with a glee,  in the gloomy days,

she stood up defiantly to remind me of her sexy body-game on my land,

how I kissed her breast, termed her kind, promised to die holding her hand,

she walked in to remind me of  her majestic body, erotic speaks,

offering me to kiss her breast, neck, legs and hips in a way unique,

she came with an erotic pose that stirred heaven, earth and the sky,

spreading  quakes all around, felt in downtown  and my village by,

meeting my early morning, she posed nude to lift me, brighten my face,

cool me with new ideas that touch my soul, enhance my erotic base,

the goddess of beauty comes dressed in green with a smile, sex birth,

she adds aroma all around, brings melodious grace, the smell of earth,

when she visited me, she stood almost nude, close to my bed,

staring at me with the obvious urge, lift me on your bed she said,

she seduces me with her hair, armpit, concealing breast complete,

shows her stunning belly, tight underwear, inviting wild retreat,

she combined her breast and underwear charm along with her hair,

generating dreamy fantasy, sex urge, lifting me from my despair,

the angel in red, descended from heaven to show me her grace,

pleasing pose she assumes, with her erotic arrows hitting in my face,

she could not take it anymore, lifting her dress above the knee,

to show a hidden body treasure, to focus my eyes and simply see,

she was impatient, waiting for me on the stair leading to my upper,

couldn’t bear  the two pieces she dressed , started to take off the lower,

she is Ursula, the Queen of nudity, feeling too hot in her red wire,

badly  trying to hunt me with her erotic pose to put  me on fire,

she wanted to prove the existence of the black angel in her chair,

showed her charm in black, absorbing me into her body, there,

taking immense joy in showing her breast wearing tight jean,

the beauty shows her erotic trend, sex-thirst you’ve never seen,  

she invited me to dinner but felt asleep, not knowing how deep,

my love to her, how I lived with her, kept quiet never

she contacted me to spend new year with me, dressed in red riding a horse,

charming , sexual appeal, fresh-minded, devoted to pursue my course,

she came with innovation; concealing exotic bra under her coat,

stunning beauty, appealing arms, demanding breasts; all I sought,

European Union Supports Pakistan Leather Sector

The European Union Supports Pakistan Leather Sector

Al-Bab Report

Islamabad, December 26, 2016: Mr. Bernard Francois, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan attended the 2^nd Project Steering Committee Meeting arranged by the EU-funded "Pakistan Leather Competitiveness Improvement Program (PLCIP)" under European Union’s Trade Related Technical Assistance Programme held at Serena Hotel today. The Programme is working to improve the overall value chain in the leather sector of Pakistan. The purpose of this meeting was to update the industry stakeholders and EU representatives about the Programme activities and industry interventions over the last one year.

Mr. Bernard Francois, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union (EU) to Pakistan emphasized on changing the structure of exports to include more value-added products to compete with China. He further highlighted that the role of the EU is that of a catalyst, and compared it to the role of yeast in bread making, and the industry and the Pakistani Government have to take the reins in their hands and steer the sector towards more value addition, and higher export earnings.

Speaking of the event, the Project Director of PLCIP, Mr. Usman H. Malik in his presentation, briefed the audience about the value additions and intervening activities in the leather industry that PLCIP has been involved in supporting the Business Intermediary Organizations (BIOs) i.e. PLGMEA, PTA, PGMEA and PFMA; and Business Development Services and Vocational Education Training (BDS/VET) providers i.e. Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design (Lahore), University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (Lahore), National Institute of Leather Technology (Karachi), Government Institute of Leather Technology (Gujranwala) and Leather Product Development Institute (Sialkot). The main developments included improving productivity, shop floor management, export diversification and new market access. The assistance of the PLCIP will go a long way in providing technical training and know-how to the Pakistani leather exporters to address the challenging needs of the international market.

The Government of Pakistan was represented by Dr. Aamer Ahmed, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Commerce, who remarked that PLCIP’s cross-cutting Programme has proved beneficial for the leather sector and the industry will need to keep pace with the changing times and create value addition to entering the high-end product markets in the leather sector. The industry needs a forward-looking approach to matching the product to the market demands, and Dr. Aamer assured that MoC will be there to help and assist with the new proposals in this sector. Dr. Aamer further invited EU to join hands for improvement in the leather sector beyond the TRTA-III program. 

Speaking on the occasion, representatives of the Pakistan Tanners Association, Pakistan Leather Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Footwear Association and Pakistan Gloves Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Pakistan Institute of Fashion Design, Government Institute of Leather Technology, National Institute of Leather Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences and Leather Product Development Institute highlighted the different issues and challenges  being faced by the manufacturers in general and requested the EU for further assistance so that the full fruits of the EU TRTA-III can be realised. The meeting ended with a vote of thanks from Director PITAD Mr. Umar Dad Afridi.

The event was attended by representatives of the European Union Delegation to Pakistan, Ministry of Commerce, Industry Associations, and educational institutes.

Russian military plane crashes over the Black sea

Al-Bab Report

MOSCOW – A Russian military plane has crashed over the Black Sea having disappeared from radar shortly after taking off from the city of Sochi, Russian media has reported.

Rescue teams reportedly confirmed the suspected crash site of the missing Tu-154 aircraft near the Sochi coast.

The debris of the lost aircraft’s chassis has also been located in the area.

The defense ministry said that there were 83 passengers and 8 crew members on board and that search and rescue groups had been dispatched to locate the missing Tu-154.

Other news agencies, including Itar-Tass, reported that up to 100 people were on board.

Reports indicate that the plane disappeared from radar about 20 minutes after takeoff.

“Reports here in Moscow are saying that the passengers included journalists, military personnel and members of the famous Alexandrov Ensemble, an official army choir of the Russian armed forces,” Al Jazeera reported.  “Rescue crews have been deployed to search for the aircraft.”

Those on board included Russian servicemen and artists from a musical ensemble who were on their way to celebrate the upcoming New Year with the Russian air force at the Hmeimin air base in Syria, RIA also quoted the Defence Ministry as saying.

Nine Russian journalists were also on board, it said.

It is feared that pro-rebels militant forces incluAling Daesh, Al-Qaeda and Jabhat al Nusra are behind downing the plane.

This is a developing story. 

Nuclear terrorism: IAEA’s concerns

Nuclear terrorism: IAEA’s concerns

Asmaa Khalid 

Increasing dependence on nuclear energy for security, commercial and domestic purposes has enhanced the possibility of nuclear terrorism. It is a general perception that nuclear weapon and weapon-related material, technology, and infrastructure could be misused by terrorist groups for nuclear terrorism to achieve their objectives. Presently, a new wave of terrorism in Europe and Asia, especially the increasing the threat of Islamic State (ISIS), has added the risk of nuclear attack. Due to inadequate security measures, nuclear programs for the peaceful purpose are equally vulnerable to terrorists. These scenarios suggest that increasing threat of terrorist groups and influence of non-state actors has destabilized the global safety and security arrangements regarding nuclear terrorism.

Contemporary situation grants that dealing with nuclear terrorism is a cumbersome task and viewed as a challenging threat to world peace. That is why the issue of nuclear terrorism has received special attention of the international community during the International Conference of IAEA on Nuclear Security: Commitment and Actions. During the conference, IAEA chief Yukiya Amano stated that: “Terrorists and criminals will try to exploit any vulnerability in the global nuclear security system. Any country, in any part of the world, could find itself used as a transit point. And any country could become the target of an attack.” This statement illustrates the global concerns regarding nuclear security and threats. However, to counter the nuclear threat, it is significant to remember that nuclear threats and challenges are continuously evolving. And it is imperative to identify the sources and instruments of the issue to classify the measures to eliminate the chances of nuclear terrorism, trafficking of nuclear materials and to ensure the protection of nuclear-related facilities and materials.

Nuclear terrorism is characterized by numerous techniques in which terrorist groups could use nuclear material and infrastructure. It is vital to understand that nuclear terrorism has many forms and each form of nuclear terrorism has its own degree of consequences. In this regard, four significant scenarios have been identified by the IAEA regarding nuclear terrorism, which include stealing or buying of the nuclear arsenal by terrorist groups from the black market, attack on nuclear facilities to achieve political objectives, manufacturing of nuclear weapon or Radiological Dispersal Device. Though building a nuclear weapon by terrorist groups is the least likely scenario because the fissile material is required to manufacture nuclear arsenal and obtaining fissile material is very difficult. On the other hand, it is very easy for terrorist groups to develop a dirty bomb or Radiological Dispersal Device. Low-level nuclear waste including the by-product of nuclear power generations and medical debris waste have the ability to affect health and cause serious biological disorders. Additionally, dispersion of harmful radioactive materials through conventional explosives will be disastrous. These scenarios present that misperceptions, ignorance, and miscalculation has made nuclear terrorism a viable threat to international peace and security.

In this regard, IAEA’s safety and security strategy are comprised of three substantial pillars including prevention, detection, and response. Firstly, IAEA aims to prevent non-peaceful use and trafficking of nuclear-related material, infrastructure, and equipment through physical protection. In this regard, IAEA has been conducting training workshops and advisory service missions for the physical protection of nuclear-related equipment to ensure nuclear security. Secondly, to ensure detection, significant efforts has been made to identify the patterns of illicit trafficking of nuclear or radioactive materials. Third, to respond quickly to a nuclear attack, IAEA is working with national, international and regional states. IAEA and member states have also hosted workshops to explore how collective measures should be taken to ensure security against sabotage or nuclear attack.

Dual use of nuclear power and emerging sophisticated terrorist groups (ISIS, Al-Qaeda) has made the chances of nuclear terrorism a bitter reality, besides, ignoring the threat of nuclear terrorism under these scenarios will be the biggest gap in the state’s policy choices. Nuclear terrorism, being a universal threat, demands national and international governing mechanism and collective practical measures to deal with its risk, regardless of state boundaries, by involving all the stakeholders. The threat requires robust international cooperation, assistance and regional measures to counter the social, economic, political and security consequences because there is no defense against the nuclear offense.

The writer is Research Associate at Strategic Vision Institute, a think-tank based in Islamabad. 

The freedom of belief

The freedom of belief

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The Muslims today face a state of turmoil. They urgently need to change their discourse and to go to the basics. Holy Quran proclaims Muslims as Middle Course Nation. Holy Quran also proclaims that Holy Prophet Muhammad was sent as a mercy to mankind. Islam calls for moderation and coexistence with minorities and global nations. This was practically translated by the prophet who made covenants with the non-Muslims in Arabia. He permitted the non-Muslims to build their own places of worship. Islam is, therefore, the religion of intellectual freedom. This requires from the Muslim working hard to explain their Islamic ideology to the Western World to remove the wrong perception against Islam. Fortunately, a large number of people continue to embrace Islam, not because they are influenced by the Muslim but because of reading the Holy Quran.

In Pakistan, the sectarian trend is rising to the extent that it is reaching the mosques, which should not have been influenced by such a trend since they are places for the worship of God. Pakistanis should protect the minorities and consider them equal to the Muslims. The Minorities, especially the Christians and the Hindu, play a significant role in the creation of Pakistan and even in defending it.

The above were the highlights of concluding remarks by Justice, Supreme Court Dr. Professor Muhammad Khalid Masoud. He was summarizing a One Day Conference titled The Freedom of Belief, and Enhancing the Principles of Positive Debate and Peace organized by Amman-based Center For Imam Abu Abdullah El Shafee.

Six papers were read in the conference on the bubject by Dr. Samir Murad, Dr. Abdul Hay Abru, Dr. Sanaullah Bhutto, Dr. Ataullah Faizi, Dr. Baquir Khan and Professor Allama Abu Baker Hamza.

Al-Bab camera was in action and took the following photos and videos:

CPEC – Potentials and Prospects

CPEC – Potentials and Prospects

Dr. Jassim Taqui

The CPEC started in the early seventies when Pakistan offered China the first Air Corridor despite opposition from it’s the then Cold War ally, the United States.  Later, land corridor started by building the Karakoram Highway, which was implemented by the end of the seventies. By 2005, all feasibility studies pertaining to CPEC were ready. However, the CEPEC started in 2013. The importance of CPEC would be further enhanced due to China’s problem with the United States in the South China Sea. China needs another seaport. And Pakistan is ready to offer Gwadar.

CEC would create an era of peace between China, Asia, and Africa. CPEC would change the world.

The above were the highlights of the keynote speech by Akram Zaki, former Secretary General,  Foreign Office and former Pakistan’s Ambassador to China. He was speaking at One Day Conference on CPEC: Potentials and Prospects organized by SVI at Marriot Hotel. Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema was in the Chair. He also acted as the moderator of the conference.

Akram Zaki’s speech was a thriller as usual. It set the tone for further speakers and the lively Q&A session.

Those who spoke on the subject included Dr. Aqab Malik, Professor Dr. Aftab Kazi, Dr. Zafar Iqbal Cheema, Sadia Kazmi,  Hassan Dawood, Zhao Lijan and  Mushahid Hussain Sayed.

Al-Bab camera recorded the following photos and videos: