BEIJING, Feb 18 (APP):Details of the cost of war in Afghanistan revealed to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee make an interesting reading. A Pentagon official told lawmakers the conflict is now costing $45 billion a year.
It is a disturbingly exorbitant cost as witnessed by the comments of several senators during a hearing. Democratic Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts said that two months of Afghan spending could fund an opioid center in every county in America, according to an article placed at China.org.cn, a Chinese online news website, on Sunday.
The interesting part is related to mind-boggling difference between the amount spent on Afghan and American security forces, and providing logistics, compared to the economic assistance being given to the Afghan government.
It was revealed that $5 billion goes to the Afghan forces and $13 billion for around 16,000 American troops stationed in the country, while a paltry sum of $780 million is for economic assistance. The remainder of the $45 billion outlay is for logistics support.
The Committee was also told that the current cost of war is much less than when over 100,000 American servicemen were waging a war on terror in the rugged mountains of Afghanistan. Then, the bill hit $100 billion a year.
That then leads to the question of the total cost of the Afghan war since 2001. Various factors used to calculate the cost tend to change the net expenditures. However, different estimates show American taxpayers have paid between $1 trillion to $2 trillion for this obscure war.
If we add in the war in Iraq, the total figure is close to $5 trillion. However, again, these are not the final figures as various experts use different baselines in making their calculations.
America is still very rich by any standards. Otherwise, how could it funnel huge sums of money into such senseless conflicts? In case of Iraq, at least the administration has the saving grace of officially ending the war and pulling out troops.
Unfortunately, there is no end in sight for the Afghan war, which still rages on in its 17th year. It has been termed as the longest running war in American history (even beyond Vietnam).
The figures for the Afghan or Iraq wars, it should be stressed, are just the cost suffered by the United States. Imagine the human and material cost for Afghanistan, Iraq, NATO allies and the neighbors of these two countries.
For example, Pakistan has officially said that its economy suffered a $123 billion loss since start of the conflict in 2001. It also lost more than 70,000 civilians and over 6,000 security personnel in bombings and fighting against militants.
The downside of the Afghan conflict is that there is no indication, as yet, of who is winning. There is a civilian government in Kabul supported by the international community whose writ, however, is limited.
Taliban militants control vast swathes of countryside, but are unable to topple the government. They cannot win the war militarily while American forces are stationed in Afghanistan.
Equally, the American troops are far away from a decisive win. As the militants detonate bombs in Kabul, Americans are coming under increasing criticism from Afghan politicians for failing to fix the security problem.
Former president Hamid Karzai, in an interview with the Associated Press, accused the Americans of using Afghan soil for their own strategic objectives. He said the purpose of American troops being in Afghanistan was not “to stop extremism.”
He continued: “In my view, their intention is to keep us divided and weak so they can carry on their objectives in this region….They (Americans) have their global politics and rivalries. They have China as a great rising power. They have Russia as a revitalized, re-energized great power on the world scene, and they feel challenged and even threatened.”
It is not for first time Karzai has targeted the U.S. for failures. In another interview he accused it of turning a blind eye towards Da’esh, which controls the border region and has been involved in several lethal attacks inside Afghanistan.
American forces have obviously failed to eliminate the Taliban but they can take credit for decimating al-Qaeda in the region. However, the threat posed by the latter has been taken over by Da’esh.
The details of cost of Afghan war shared with the Senate Foreign Relations Committee at least help to partially identify the cause of trouble in Afghanistan. The money given in economic assistance is abysmally low and a reason for failure to stabilize the country.
Afghan conflict now costing $45 billion a year: Pentagon official
Pakhtoons can get rights by remaining in mainstream: Ameer Muqam
LAHORE, Feb 18 (APP):Advisor to Prime Minister and PML-N KPK
President Ameer Muqam said Sunday that all issues of Pakhtoon
people could only be resolved by remaining in the mainstream
politics of the country.
Addressing the annual convention of Pakhtoon people organized
by the Pakhtoon Welfare Organisation Lahore at Aiwan-e-Iqbal, he
said that Pakhtoons would have to work hard by staying in the
national politics and they would prove themselves true Pakistani.
He said that it was Pakhtoon community which was guarantor
of united Pakistan, adding that terrorism and anarchy was not
recognition of Pakhtoon.
Ameer Muqam said that 80 per cent victims of terrorism were
Pakhtoon and they were suffered a lot in war against terrorism.
He said that Shahid Khan Afridi, Jahangir Khan and Jansher
Khan were also Pakhtoon who were real representatives of the country.
“We will get our rights in Punjab besides KPK and Sindh”,
he said. The PML-N leader said that Naqeebullah Mehsud would
be given justice.
He said rights could only be get through making yourself
a need of the country instead of creating anarchy and damaging
assets.
“People tell lie to you but I truly promise that hurdles
for identity cards and passport will be removed”, he said.
He promised to talk to the authorities concerned regarding
the sale of ‘Naswar’ in the Punjab province.
PML-N MPA Waheed Gul also addressed the convention.
PML-N matured party, has visionary leadership: Tariq
ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Minister of State for Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD) Dr Tariq Fazal Chaudhry Sunday said the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) was a matured political party and had a visionary leadership.
Talking to a private news channel, he said the people were supporting former prime minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif’s narrative and political gatherings of the PML-N were proof of the fact.
He said the people had great affiliation with their beloved leader. No body could remove Nawaz Sharif from the hearts of the masses, he added.
The minister said the PML-N would win the next general election with majority due to its five-year performance and delivering good governance to the people of the country.
Tariq Chaudhry said the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) had played a negative role in the recent change of government in Balochistan and its leader Asif Ali Zardari had admitted it a during public gathering.
Replying to a question, he said the PML-N was not involved in any horse-trading or misusing of its powers for the Senate elections and if some one had evidence in that regard then he should make it public.
He hopped the PML-N would win both the seats of the Senate from Islamabad.
AJK President chairs meeting for establishment of Neelum-Jhelum sub-campuses
ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):President Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Masood Khan chaired a meeting held to discuss the modalities and procedural formalities for establishing the Neelum-Jhehlum sub-campus of the University of AJK.
The President who is also the Chancellor of AJK Public Sector Universities asserted the need to provide quality higher educational facilities to the people of Azad Kashmir. He said that the government was committed towards establishing tertiary level institutions in all districts of AJK.
Vice Chancellor AJK University Prof Dr Kaleem Abbasi in his introductory remarks apprised the President that a 193 kanal plot of land for the Neelum sub-campus has been identified at Tangot. The VC informed that payments of the land will soon be made in order to guarantee it acquisition. He also briefed the President that funds for construction of Prefabricated Structures has been committed by the AJK Government and further coordination for acquiring the said funds will be made.
The President said procedural formalities for acquiring the said land needs to be completed on priority and a desired an update on the situation may be presented in a week’s time. He further said that additional land identified at Islampura will also be processed for the sub-campus.
The President on the occasion thanked Speaker AJK Legislaltive Assembly Shah Ghulam Qadir for dedicating his time and extending his sincerest efforts in assisting the university and district administration in addressing issues related to establishment of the Neelum sub-campus. Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly said that he will also offer his complete assistance in matters relating construction of link roads to the campus, electricity connectivity and water supply. The President said that timely completion of the derivative projects will be ensured and that too under the supervision of the Speaker.
Prof. Dr. Mukhtar had also informed that in the first phase, HEC would provide Rs. 5 million for construction of the Neelum sub-campus. President AJK commended the support of Chairman HEC and said that with the help of HEC we will ensure the highest standards of education is provided at all Public Sector Universities in AJK.
Regarding the Jhelum sub-campus, the President desired that the basic modalities including land acquisition and allied amenities be presented soon in order to initiate the establishment of a modern educational facility for the people of Jhelum valley.
President Masood Khan said that providing quality higher education at the doorstep of students will be made a reality with the rigorous assurance that HEC standards are met. “Our universities will be made competitive and graduating students will be provided education in lines with international standards.”
The President thanked the participants including the district administration for their untiring efforts towards the realization of the said sub-campuses.
Speaker AJK Legislative Assembly, Shah Ghulam Qadir, Chairman Higher Education Commission Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, VC University AJK Prof. Dr. Kaleem Abbasi, Secretary Higher Education AJK Zahid Khan and Deputy Commissioners Neelum and Jhelum attended the meeting.
Loud echo of public opinion to be heared in general elections: CM
LAHORE, Feb 18 (APP):Chief Minister Punjab Muhammad
Shehbaz Sharif has said that the loud echo of the public
opinion of the Lodhran election will be heard in the 2018
general election.
He said every constituency of Pakistan would act as the
Lodhran constituency in the 2018 general election and the
Niazi sahib should know very clearly that decision were taken
by the thumbs of the people, not the finger of umpire.
Addressing the public representatives and the workers,
the chief minister said the PML-N government had won the
hearts of the people by public service, adding that historic
projects have been launched in the education, health,
agriculture and other sectors.
He said that the country was moving on the path of
economic revolution for prominent place in the international
community and self-reliance. Shehbaz Sharif said the PML-N
government has taken praise worthy measures for the social
and economic uplift of the country and created new economic
opportunities due to revolutionary economic policies.
He said the PML-N government kept its focus on the public
service, adding the people support the leadership which made
Pakistan the first atomic power of the Islamic world.
The chief minister the PML-N government overcome the
energy crisis and load-shedding. He said those who create
hurdles were not the well-wishers of the country and the
nation would not forgive those who obstructed the progress
and pushed the country towards problems.
He said negative elements have shown poor performance in
their province and the people of the KPK were also annoyed
with those who raise empty slogans as these elements do not
wish that Pakistan moves forward.
Shehbaz Sharif said there would be only politics of
public service now and there was no room for the politics of
allegations. He said selfless service of the public was his
mission and he would continue discharging the duty of the
public service.
1.5 mln to take part in school sports festival: Mashhood
LAHORE, Feb 18 (APP):Punjab School Education Minister Rana
Mashhood Ahmed Khan has said that the Punjab School education department
will hold the largest ever school children sports festival from
March in which 1.5 million school children will take part.
In an interview with APP here on Sunday, he said that the
largest ever school children sports festival including 15 million
Punjab school children was being launched in partnership with
United Kingdom (UK) Sports and collaboration with the UK government.
To a query, he said sports were an antidote to racism and
intolerance in the society, adding that sports also ensure a
healthy society.
To another query, the education Minister said UK was the
largest donor in the education sector in Punjab and all funding
was due to the unshakeable confidence of UK government in the
governance module in Punjab. He said the British would also
fund Punjab school education department on the vocational training education from class 8 in all public sector schools in Punjab.
He said teacher training module, today, was the largest
in the world in school education and 450,000 teachers were
provided training, adding that the training was started on
University College London (UCL), Cambridge and Oxford model.
“Digital libraries will be launched in all public sector
schools in Punjab from the month of March 2018”, he said.
On out-of-school children, School Education Minister said
the negative image regarding high number of out of school
children was improved a great deal by the school education
department, adding that out of school children between the
age group 5-9 years from brick-kiln, restaurants and petrol
stations were brought back to schools. “No children between
age 5-9 will be out of schools from next academic year”,
the minister claimed.
About the low-performing public sector schools, the education
minister said more schools will be given to the well-reputed
educational entities for improvement in education standards,
adding that initially 4300 low performing schools, where enrolment
was under 20 and annual result was from 0-20 percent, were handed
over to private educational organizations.
He said the results were encouraging as the results had
improved to 80 percent while the attendance had risen to
90 percent at these low-performing schools.
About literature on child-abuse in school curriculum, he said
the syllabus had been designed in consultation with ulema, psychologists, educationist and other stake-holders and will be introduced in books
at primary, elementary and secondary levels from the next academic
session. He further said the booklet on child abuse will be made
part of the curriculum in private schools and all madrassahs besides
the public sector schools. “Awareness campaign on child abuse will
also be run across Punjab”, he added.
About Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Rana Mashood Ahmed
Khan said Shehbaz Sharif was a torch-bearer of education and health
reforms in the province and his reforms will be written in golden
words.
Pakistan to feature in 10 competitions of Commonwealth Games
ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Pakistan will feature in 10 competitions of the Commonwealth Games to take place in Australia from April 5 to 15.
Talking to APP, Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) Director media Muhammad Azam Dar said about 80 players will participate in the ten competitions of the Common Wealth Games.
“The competitions include athletics, badminton, boxing, hockey, shooting, squash, swimming, table tenis, weightlifting and wrestling,” he said and added the training camps for the preparation of the games is uderway.
“The decision to take part in ten compeitions of the Games was approved unanimously with consultation of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA),” he said.
He said PSB has sent a summary of Rs 33 million to the Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) which is under consideration in the Ministry of Finance.
He expressed the hope that Pakistan will surely get medals in games including weightlifting and wrestling.
Responding to a question, he said PSB is giving all out facilities to the players but in return we want good results.
“Pakistan’s participation in the games includes athletics (men and women one each), badminton (men and women two each), boxing (4 men), hockey (18 men), shooting (5 men and 2 women), squash (men and women two each), swimming (men and women one each), table tennis (men and women two each), weightlifting (8 men) and wrestling (5 men),” he said.
Parliament supreme institution of country: Shahbaz Baber
ISLAMABAD, Feb 18 (APP):Parliamentary Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Shehbaz Babar has said parliament was the supreme institution and it had an important role for making or amending in existing laws of the country.
Talking to PTV, he said after wining the general elections 2018, the Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) would bring reforms in the constitution of the country which would be part of its manifesto.
He said the PML-N had made lot of legislation but still dire need of legislation in different issues.
He said judiciary was working as independently in the country and the PML-N had done lot of struggle for its independence but justice was still far away from the people, adding that after winning the next general elections the PML-N and its leadership would pay especial attention for providing speedy justice to the masses.
The parliamentary Secretary said provision of speedy justice would helpful to reduced crimes in the society.
Replying to a question, he said people were well aware about the politics of Pakistan Tehreek-Insaf (PTI) and they had rejected its politics of money in NA 154 by election and PTI had failed to fulfill their commitments with the people of Lodhran.
Shehbaz Babar said terrorism incidents had reduced, overcome on energy shortfall, improve national economy, providing health facilities, started China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), improving agriculture and road infrastructure were achievements of the government.
He said the PML-N government wanted to complete its all mega projects before the general elections 2018.
He said there was dire need to bring improvement in education sector and launching campaign for educating the people regarding the importance of their votes.
He said the PML-N leader Maryam Nawaz was engaging the youth of the country which was need of the hour.
Pakistan heading towards peace and prosperity: Envoy
WAH CANTT, Feb 18 (APP)::Deputy Dean of diplomatic crops and Tajikistan envoy to Pakistan Jononov Sherali Sunday said that
Pakistan was heading towards prosperity and peace and soon it would become an
emerging power among the developing countries.
He was talking to media persons at the traditional orange festival organized by Zaildar family led by Syed Zaheer Shah and Syed
Ahsan Shah here.
The traditional orange festival in which folk songs, cultural show like horse dance, traditional sports like stone
lifting were presented. Many foreign diplomats attended the event.
Earlier in his welcoming address, Syed Ahsan Shah said that Taxila belonged to centuries old Gandhara civilization which
was rich in history and culture.
He said that Pakistan was peaceful country and its people were peaceful and its diverse culture and hospitality were showcased through organizing events like orange festival.
Six persons killed as Bridge in FR Kohat caved in
PESHAWAR, Feb 18 (APP):As many as six persons were killed and two other injured when a under construction bridge in Shin Dhand area of FR Kohat suddenly caved in, an official police control Kohat confirmed.
According to details, labourer were busy in their work on newly under construction bridge in Shin Dhand area of FR Kohat suddenly caved in killing six persons on the spot while two other received critical head injuries, APA Khalid Ilyas also confirmed the incident.
Soon after the incident of the bridge collapse, the official of the rescue and police along with the officials of the political administration also rushed on the spot and started relief operation by recovering six bodies from the debris of the bridge while taken the injured to district headquarters hospital Kohat for medical treatment.
Eye witnesses also confirmed the sudden collapse of the under construction bridge in FR Jawakai Shin Dhand area of district Kohat, however, no immediate report of the sudden collapse of the bridge received.