The photo to the left shows stormy clouds gathering over Islamabad on December 16, 2008.
Today, which is just six days later from when this photo was taken, I believe there is another storm brewing in Islamabad on its political and foreign relations front. Not withstanding the conspiracy theories still circling around in Pakistan, there is growing consensus in the rest of the world that Pak-based elements were behind Mumbai attacks. Gordon Brown served a notice to Pakistan during his visit and it seems that the U.S. agrees. Moreover the steps Pakistan has taken so far haven’t been very convincing. India has called a meeting of its envoys throughout the world to discuss next steps. The last time such a meeting was called was before the 1971 war. This has led the U.S to send Adm. Mullen back to Pakistan for a second time in as many weeks. Meanwhile Pakistan high commission in India has confirmed that it has received a letter from Ajmal Kasab.
Here is an article from Dawn and the Washington Post Editorial on this very issue:
(i) The daily Dawn
(ii) The Washington Post
The last time Pakistan was so isolated diplomatically against India was during the aftermath of Kargil.
In another development Pakistan Airforce suspended commercial flights in major Pakistani cities today and did a low altitude fly-by as part of their increased vigil.
One can only hope that our leaders especially the security establishment can comprehend the gravity of the situation and take steps in the right direction.
Photo Credits: Title photo is courtesy of Abid Zia at Associated Press of Pakistan.
I am a bit disappointed by the tone and content of this post. Because Gordon Brown says so, it must be true….say what? Wasn’t the government of the UK also front and centre in the case on wmd’s in Iraq…only to find much later that it was all a hoax.
I agree with Eidee Man, azfar ahmad, etc. Pakistan must do more to get its story out there. There are too many holes in the evidence being presented. Why is India refusing to cooperate with Inerpol? Why was Antulay silenced? Who really is behind Hemant Karkare’s death? Who stands to benefit from it most.
Before I get attacked, I am not propagating some conspiracy theory, but only suggesting that for a thorough investigation, an open mind is essential.
Curbing the ISI and reining in the extremists is critical for Pakistan but is not necessarily related to Mumbai.
~~The photo to the left shows stormy clouds gathering over Islamabad on December 16, 2008.~~
Stratus means layer or blanket in Latin. A stratus cloud (St) is a cloud belonging to a class characterized by horizontal layering with a uniform base, as opposed to convective clouds that are as tall or taller than wide (these are termed cumulus clouds). More specifically, the term stratus is used to describe flat, featureless clouds of low altitude varying in color from dark gray to nearly white. A “cloudy day” usually features a sky filled with stratus clouds obscuring the disk of the sun. These clouds are essentially above-ground fog formed either through the lifting of morning fog or when cold air moves at low altitudes over a region. These clouds do not usually bring heavy precipitation, although drizzle and snow may occur. (Source: Source Wiki)
To the poster: best stay away from weather forecasting or for that matter any forecasting!
here in India we also think this is just sabre rattling as a drama. for effect only. So, yes, I agree, lets not fall int the trap of the extremes.
Anyways Usman, I think both governtments cannot afford war’s expenses. This is just a well designed drama of either government and I hope no one will try to start war.
I think people are just blowing this out of proportion. The govt of India says they do not want war, teh govt of Pakistan says they do not want war. So, lets not let the war mongering media distract us