Pakistan crisis ‘hits army morale’

“There is widespread public anger against the army”

Pakistan’s worst ever political crisis that has divided the nation also appears to be having a dramatic impact on the morale of Pakistani troops on the Afghan-Pakistan border who are engaged in the “war on terror” and fighting the Taleban.

Talebanisation along Pakistan’s border regions has escalated even more rapidly since the political crisis began.

As people flee their villages to escape armed extremists, the state has been unable to protect the population and is rapidly losing credibility and authority.

Moreover, the army’s insistence that a pro-Taleban Islamic party once again be part of any future government that may emerge after expected general elections will only lead to a further lessening of state control, an increase in the pace of Talebanisation and further divisions in the nation.
]]> http://agkhan.wordpress.com/2007/09/19/pakistan-crises/feed/ 0 agkhan Protests against Gen Musharraf http://agkhan.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/islamabad-pakistan/ http://agkhan.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/islamabad-pakistan/#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:37:45 +0000 agkhan http://agkhan.wordpress.com/2007/09/12/islamabad-pakistan/ ]]>

Islamabad (help·info) (Urdu: اسلام آباد) is the capital city of Pakistan, and is located in the Potohar Plateau in the northwest of the country. It is located within the Islamabad Capital Territory, the area has historically been a part of the crossroads of the Rawalpindi and the North-West Frontier Province (the Margalla pass being a historic gateway to the North-West Frontier Province. Islamabad is located at 33°40′N, 73°10′E.The city was built during the 1960s to replace Karachi as Pakistan‘s capital. A Greek firm of architects, Doxiadis Associates, drew up a master plan, triangular in shape based on a grid system with its apex towards the Margalla Hills. Rawalpindi is considered its sister city due to the close proximity of the two cities.This city was built for several reasons: The development of the country was focused on Karachi and President Ayub Khan wanted it to be equally distributed; Karachi was vulnerable to attack from the sea in an event of a war with India; and Islamabad by contrast is safely surrounded by the mountains. It was also closer to the GHQ which was, and still is in Rawalpindi.

Islamabad is a rather modern and clean city, especially in comparison to other cities in Pakistan. It is well-organized, with the city being divided into different sectors and zones. Islamabad was divided into eight zones: the diplomatic enclave, the commercial district, the educational sector, the industrial area and so on, each with its own shopping area and park. Islamabad is also home to the Faisal Mosque which is well known for its architecture and immense size. The mosque was gifted by King Faisal of Saudi Arabia.