Saudi Arabia is a curious destination, given its own approach to Sharia, blasphemy, and Christians, such as Asia Bibi, whom the assassinated Punjab governor, Salman Taseer, sought to defend against false charges brought under Pakistan’s inherently abusive blasphemy law. But the fact remains that the judge, who pronounced the sentence for murder as provided by […]
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Surprise! Karzai says his remarks about backing Pakistan in a war against the U.S. were “misinterpreted,” taken “out of context”
That’s how it always seems to happen. More on this story. “Karzai backtracks on controversial Pakistan remarks,” from Agence France-Presse, October 24: President Hamid Karzai sought to distance himself Monday from controversial remarks made in an interview in which he said Afghanistan would back Pakistan against the US if the two ever came to blows. […]
U.S. “warms to idea” of Pakistani negotiations with Haqqanis
Who benefits? The Pakistanis, who would obtain a tool for buying time indefinitely, saying they need to see the “dialogue” through, and that now is not the time (it never is) for firmer action that could upset a delicate situation. They don’t need to do much to look busy. Who else benefits? The Haqqanis, who […]
New petition to be delivered to Pakistani embassy in D.C. for the release of Asia Bibi
Asia Bibi is the Pakistani Christian mother who was sentenced to death on “blasphemy” charges brought by vindictive neighbors after she refused to convert to Islam. She has said, “I have not been asked even once for my statement in court. Not by the lawyers and not by the judge.” She was not given an […]
Karzai: “God forbid, If ever there is a war between Pakistan and America, Afghanistan will side with Pakistan”
Gratitude. “Afghanistan to back Pakistan if wars with U.S.: Karzai,” by Augustine Anthony for Reuters, October 22 (thanks to Evan): ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Afghanistan would support Pakistan in case of military conflict between Pakistan and the United States, Afghan President Hamid Karzai said in an interview to a private Pakistani TV channel broadcast on Saturday…. […]
Pakistanis burn effigy of Hillary Clinton as high-level U.S. delegation tries to convince Islamabad to move against Haqqanis
Effigy craftsmanship isn’t what it used to be. One can only imagine that the contrast in private and public discourse on this visit with our “Frenemy” and Ally is particularly stark. Whether what is said after the photo-ops will get Islamabad to lift a finger (no, not that finger) is another matter altogether. “Effigy of […]
Pakistan: Tiny community of pre-Islamic religion faces threat of conversion through coercion, treachery
There is no compulsion in religion (Qur’an 2:256), but to use the old Clinton Qualifier, that depends on your definition of compulsion. Islam itself is contradictory on this point, as Islamic law is rife with various forms of subtle and not-so-subtle coercion to submit, up to and including the choices afforded to unbelievers by Qur’an […]
Pakistan: “Islamic religious groups have already made the government take a U-turn on the blasphemy law. These groups are becoming powerful each passing day.”
“An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last.” – Winston Churchill The crocodile in Pakistan is only getting stronger and hungrier. An update on this story. “Judge who sentenced Salman Taseer’s murderer removed,” by Jibran Khan for Asia News, October 20: Lahore (AsiaNews) — The Lahore High Court (LHC) […]
Pakistan: Accused embezzlers freed after they swear their innocence on Qur’an
“Islamic justice,” they call this. And it certainly saves on court costs. But when it comes to women being raped, the ease with which the accused can declare their innocence takes on a less appealing edge. It is very difficult to convict men of what the Sharia considers to be sexual crimes (zina). As long […]
Rocket fire on the rise from Pakistan into Afghanistan: Officers allege jihadists operating in sight of Pakistani military
“Contact with the [Pakistani military] when these incidents are going on is often nonexistent. We usually can’t get a hold of these guys. When we do get a hold of these guys, they say they are not aware or can’t see it. Looking at the terrain, it is very hard to believe.” “Tensions Flare as […]