JULY 19, 3:25 PM NY Time
One of our team members based in Pakistan reported today that a highly influential leader of a student political organization, was picked up by plainclothes policemen from a Cyber Cafe in Okara for having sent text messages (SMS) to Rehman Malik slandering him and the government for Cyber Crime Law against MMS, Emails, etc.
The individual kept shouting at the Cyber Cafe that he was being picked up for directly text messaging to Malik.
The incident took place Sunday late evening around 9pm Pakistan Standard Time.
Our team member was witness to the arrest of this individual who while being pushed into the police van kept slandering Rehman Malik and accused President Zardari of being complicit in the assassination of Benazir Bhutto.
According to our reporter, witnesses at the scene were of the opinion that the political individual may have been the President of the Okara PSF but independent verification of this information has not been possible yet.
The arrested individual was taken to the Police Station and it is expected that he will emain in police custody.
More information to follow as we monitor the developments..
Showing posts with label War on Terror. Show all posts
Showing posts with label War on Terror. Show all posts
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Saturday, July 18, 2009
No light at the end of tunnel in Afghanistan.
JULY 17- Bob Woodward of Watergate fame appeared on Wolf Blitzer's Situation Room this afternoon. He has recently returned from Afghanistan and possibly Pakistan too.
Told Blitzer that the US commanders in Afghanistan are deeply worried. It's a primitive country- big difference between Afghanistan and Iraq. Said Iraq had oil money to fund the war against the militants. In Afghanistan there are no such situation. "Every body is growing poppy there. And if you try to stop that the local populace turns against you," Woodward quoted one of the US commanders as telling him.
Woodward said the commanders want to make sure that Obama's new policy is implemented right - that both military and economic steps are simultaneously taken. Woodwrd says "it is Obama's war now and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. On Blitzer's query if US will succed, Woodward said he wont bet on it. Said Zardari doesnt know much about governing. "He's a businessman, not naturally a politician. His only credential is that he is Bhutto's husband.
Told Blitzer that the US commanders in Afghanistan are deeply worried. It's a primitive country- big difference between Afghanistan and Iraq. Said Iraq had oil money to fund the war against the militants. In Afghanistan there are no such situation. "Every body is growing poppy there. And if you try to stop that the local populace turns against you," Woodward quoted one of the US commanders as telling him.
Woodward said the commanders want to make sure that Obama's new policy is implemented right - that both military and economic steps are simultaneously taken. Woodwrd says "it is Obama's war now and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. On Blitzer's query if US will succed, Woodward said he wont bet on it. Said Zardari doesnt know much about governing. "He's a businessman, not naturally a politician. His only credential is that he is Bhutto's husband.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Was Maulana Naeemi Silenced?
JUN 12 - Was Maulana Naeemi, a renowned Ahle Sunnat Barelvi anti-Taliban and anti-US cleric silenced?
The News reported today that only 48 hours before his death, while addressing “Save Pakistan Ulema Convention” in Lahore, Dr Naeemi warned that if Pakistan did not stop fighting the US war and plug the money and arms supply to the Taliban from the US, India and other countries, the country’s nuclear assets and integrity would be at stake.
Did he know too much that he needed to be silenced by the dark forces and the murky pinheads? Baitullah Mehsud's TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban) claimed today the responsibility for the suicide bombing attack in Naeem's mosque-office after Juma prayers.
Maulana Naeemi suspected American and Indian hands behind the present Taliban insurgency and till his last breath was demanding exposing the elements responsible for directly supplying arms and money to the Taliban.
He has been a critic of the US presence in the region and opposed Gen Musharraf’s decision to shoulder the US war on terror in Afghanistan, and had to pay the price for his opposition by serving terms in prison.
Naeemi's attacker was clean-shaven, not bearded like many religious Pakistanis, reported the New York times citing the police and mosque officials who saw the attacker’s head after the blast. He appeared to be about 18 to 20 years old, the police said. They said the bomber was a resident of southern Punjab.
Naeemi followed a school of thought within Sunni Islam, the Barelvi, which is at odds with the more fundamentalist Deobandi school observed by the Taliban. In 2007, he and other clerics issued an edict against suicide bombing, saying that only the state can wage jihad, not individuals or groups such as the Taliban.
He had supported the military offensive in Swat and had termed Taliban a “stigma on Islam.” This month, he and other leading clerics led a rally in Lahore condemning the Taliban as “enemies of Islam and traitors.”
The News reported today that only 48 hours before his death, while addressing “Save Pakistan Ulema Convention” in Lahore, Dr Naeemi warned that if Pakistan did not stop fighting the US war and plug the money and arms supply to the Taliban from the US, India and other countries, the country’s nuclear assets and integrity would be at stake.
Did he know too much that he needed to be silenced by the dark forces and the murky pinheads? Baitullah Mehsud's TTP (Tehrik-i-Taliban) claimed today the responsibility for the suicide bombing attack in Naeem's mosque-office after Juma prayers.
Maulana Naeemi suspected American and Indian hands behind the present Taliban insurgency and till his last breath was demanding exposing the elements responsible for directly supplying arms and money to the Taliban.
He has been a critic of the US presence in the region and opposed Gen Musharraf’s decision to shoulder the US war on terror in Afghanistan, and had to pay the price for his opposition by serving terms in prison.
Naeemi's attacker was clean-shaven, not bearded like many religious Pakistanis, reported the New York times citing the police and mosque officials who saw the attacker’s head after the blast. He appeared to be about 18 to 20 years old, the police said. They said the bomber was a resident of southern Punjab.
Naeemi followed a school of thought within Sunni Islam, the Barelvi, which is at odds with the more fundamentalist Deobandi school observed by the Taliban. In 2007, he and other clerics issued an edict against suicide bombing, saying that only the state can wage jihad, not individuals or groups such as the Taliban.
He had supported the military offensive in Swat and had termed Taliban a “stigma on Islam.” This month, he and other leading clerics led a rally in Lahore condemning the Taliban as “enemies of Islam and traitors.”
Friday, September 19, 2008
Zaidi being flown to Missouri?
Latest news is that on September 11, Nayyar Zaidi was officially served papers which orders him to undergo psychiatric evaluation.
According to his wife, Zaidi may be flown to Missouri where he will undergo monitoring and evaluation by a jail psychiatrist.
Based on the psychiatrist's evaluation, the court will then decide if Zaidi is A) capable of undergoing trial. B) if he should remain under psychiatric evaluation until he is capable of appearing in the court.
Under US law a judge may order that an accused be evaluated for mental and psychological fitness in order to undergo a trial. Same yardstick applies if the accused wishes to represent himself or herself.
Zaidi had requested the court that he be allowed to represent himself. But latest information is that he is seeking legal help and has also appealed to the jousnalistic and media organizations to assist him.
According to his wife, Zaidi may be flown to Missouri where he will undergo monitoring and evaluation by a jail psychiatrist.
Based on the psychiatrist's evaluation, the court will then decide if Zaidi is A) capable of undergoing trial. B) if he should remain under psychiatric evaluation until he is capable of appearing in the court.
Under US law a judge may order that an accused be evaluated for mental and psychological fitness in order to undergo a trial. Same yardstick applies if the accused wishes to represent himself or herself.
Zaidi had requested the court that he be allowed to represent himself. But latest information is that he is seeking legal help and has also appealed to the jousnalistic and media organizations to assist him.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Phoenix Rising For Musharraf!
Musharraf has quit as President- typically in a commando style: resilient, sans apologies - defending his actions - highlighting his achievements - focusing on rivals' shortcomings and weaknesses - hoping that Pakistan will come out shining but in the same breathe alluding to ominous signs of impending external and internal threats.
His parting diatribes seem to be a borderline case of delusional-cum-polemical chicaneries - an understandable mental manifestation of someone who have been pushed to move his butt off the high altar where he has been sitting so long. If I had a buddy like Bush on my side always, I would probably be the same - may be even worse. Interestingly both have been delusional to the extreme.
While running for the presidentship, Bush couldn't name the new leader of Pakistan, i.e. Gen. Musharraf. But after Sept. 11, things changed overnight - whether for the good or for the worse only history will tell.
Musharraf became the most crucial but ultimately the most frustrating ally of the U.S and Bush's personally. In the process, however Musharraf became a "personal friend" of George Bush - the latter often called him his 'buddy'.
Ironically, U.S. has "no permanent friends nor permanent enemies". So is it about Musharraf and USA. The region has become so murky that even the strongest Chlorox can't clean it up. Stains will remain for ever. Welcome to the club, Commando! He once said, he never blinked - because he had "cat's 9 lives".
Interestingly though, he is not yet fully depreciated politically (my personal opinion), even age wise and "nuisance value" wise. He has of course proved that he is neither a Ayub Khan nor a Yahya, nor a Bhutto! And, he has already proved he is not a Zia either!
He ended up getting the farewell guard of honor, has a President's security details, is lodged in Army Chief's house, shall remain in the country, can speak to the media, etc. and says will issue a White Paper on the dire strait of the economy.
As I watched his unapologetic monologue on the TV, my mind tried to visualize him on the day after. And I saw him out there, kicking and throwing dust all around.
Possibly a comeback kid one day? In some form or the other?
We got to wait to see if that will happen for at least a year or so, since there appears to be a two-year restriction on government officials from entering politics. Meanwhile he will maintain sophisticated connect with the media and the people using 'surprise' as a Commando's greatest weapon!
Muttahida, PML(Q), PML(F), etc...any or all may want him in one way or another. He has the potential to unite or divide the MQMs, provide alternate leadership to the Muhajirs in Karachi, has the knack to attempt to create a Punjab-Karachi constituency for himself - provided the establishment, including Uncle Sam, supports him and wants that to happen. Full of surprises Pakistan politics is.
Since the war on terror will go on....Musharraf, a known ally, offers alternate leadership. The U.S. has spent a lot on him. He is an "asset" by all definitions, some say. Meanwhile take a break Commando. Go golfing!
His parting diatribes seem to be a borderline case of delusional-cum-polemical chicaneries - an understandable mental manifestation of someone who have been pushed to move his butt off the high altar where he has been sitting so long. If I had a buddy like Bush on my side always, I would probably be the same - may be even worse. Interestingly both have been delusional to the extreme.
While running for the presidentship, Bush couldn't name the new leader of Pakistan, i.e. Gen. Musharraf. But after Sept. 11, things changed overnight - whether for the good or for the worse only history will tell.
Musharraf became the most crucial but ultimately the most frustrating ally of the U.S and Bush's personally. In the process, however Musharraf became a "personal friend" of George Bush - the latter often called him his 'buddy'.
Ironically, U.S. has "no permanent friends nor permanent enemies". So is it about Musharraf and USA. The region has become so murky that even the strongest Chlorox can't clean it up. Stains will remain for ever. Welcome to the club, Commando! He once said, he never blinked - because he had "cat's 9 lives".
Interestingly though, he is not yet fully depreciated politically (my personal opinion), even age wise and "nuisance value" wise. He has of course proved that he is neither a Ayub Khan nor a Yahya, nor a Bhutto! And, he has already proved he is not a Zia either!
He ended up getting the farewell guard of honor, has a President's security details, is lodged in Army Chief's house, shall remain in the country, can speak to the media, etc. and says will issue a White Paper on the dire strait of the economy.
As I watched his unapologetic monologue on the TV, my mind tried to visualize him on the day after. And I saw him out there, kicking and throwing dust all around.
Possibly a comeback kid one day? In some form or the other?
We got to wait to see if that will happen for at least a year or so, since there appears to be a two-year restriction on government officials from entering politics. Meanwhile he will maintain sophisticated connect with the media and the people using 'surprise' as a Commando's greatest weapon!
Muttahida, PML(Q), PML(F), etc...any or all may want him in one way or another. He has the potential to unite or divide the MQMs, provide alternate leadership to the Muhajirs in Karachi, has the knack to attempt to create a Punjab-Karachi constituency for himself - provided the establishment, including Uncle Sam, supports him and wants that to happen. Full of surprises Pakistan politics is.
Since the war on terror will go on....Musharraf, a known ally, offers alternate leadership. The U.S. has spent a lot on him. He is an "asset" by all definitions, some say. Meanwhile take a break Commando. Go golfing!
Monday, August 11, 2008
Nayyar Zaidi Trial Set for Oct 6, 2008
Renowned Jang/GEO Correspondent and Columnist Nayyar Zaidi's trial is scheduled for October 6, in Ohio, where he remains detained without bail since March 2008.
He was twice rejected bail, according to his spouse. But it is unclear why he was refused bail, and what the grounds were. My understanding is that on such matters it may be possible to obtain bail unless it is set so high that it cannot be obtained by the affected individual.
Another reason for bail refusal could be if the alleged crime is piggy-backed by another alleged crime which gives the prosecutor more strength to ask the Judge to reject the bail application.
Mr Zaidi, on August 5th, sent me thru his wife, a 14-page handwritten explanation on his incarceration and his defense. It is being made available on DesPardes.com website at: http://www.despardes.com/zaidi-papers-aug5.pdf
Since the matter is subjudice before the court, we need to be careful not to comment on any aspect of the case, specially on its merit.
In his handwritten note, Mr Zaidi says, "I was working on a story which was part of a bigger journalistic project, on the invasive nature of the internet and the political and social changes it is bringing. I was inspired by Marshall McLuhan's 1960 book :Understanding Media". He adds, "Sexual exploitation of minors is a big issue. I named the project, "PARENTS AS PREDATORS." After my arrest one minor case in Italy and one is Austria came out in news."..."But internet is fantasy land...nothing is authentic (not news but chats)...."
"As journalists we know that first-hand accounts are the most authoritative..It was natural for me to try to establish real-time contact with some one who claimed to be in a "Parent Predator". As you all know, I am. perhaps, the only (Pakistani) journalist whose name is well known is U.S. and Pakistan. There is a market in Pakistan for stories that do not start with, "Mr Boucher said..."
Mr Zaidi also claims in his faxed notes to me that he was the first journalist to break the story of CIA providing potable labs to Afghans (during the Afghan Jihad War) to make Heroin.
"U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, Arnold Raphael, was outraged that he told the State Department to terminate my 17-years contract with the Voice of America(VOA)," he added.
One newspaper report (Daily Times) has said that Mr Zaidi and his spouse refused embassy help on grounds that Mr Zaidi was an American citizen and was "not in jail". I know for sure he is in under detention, based on his and his spouses's phone calls to me during the last few weeks. I am not sure why there is still need to hide this critical fact. Why not let people know and possibly help?
Besides, Pakistani-Americans automatically enjoy dual nationality status. So what's the harm in reaching out for all available help if one is innocent?
He was twice rejected bail, according to his spouse. But it is unclear why he was refused bail, and what the grounds were. My understanding is that on such matters it may be possible to obtain bail unless it is set so high that it cannot be obtained by the affected individual.
Another reason for bail refusal could be if the alleged crime is piggy-backed by another alleged crime which gives the prosecutor more strength to ask the Judge to reject the bail application.
Mr Zaidi, on August 5th, sent me thru his wife, a 14-page handwritten explanation on his incarceration and his defense. It is being made available on DesPardes.com website at: http://www.despardes.com/zaidi-papers-aug5.pdf
Since the matter is subjudice before the court, we need to be careful not to comment on any aspect of the case, specially on its merit.
In his handwritten note, Mr Zaidi says, "I was working on a story which was part of a bigger journalistic project, on the invasive nature of the internet and the political and social changes it is bringing. I was inspired by Marshall McLuhan's 1960 book :Understanding Media". He adds, "Sexual exploitation of minors is a big issue. I named the project, "PARENTS AS PREDATORS." After my arrest one minor case in Italy and one is Austria came out in news."..."But internet is fantasy land...nothing is authentic (not news but chats)...."
"As journalists we know that first-hand accounts are the most authoritative..It was natural for me to try to establish real-time contact with some one who claimed to be in a "Parent Predator". As you all know, I am. perhaps, the only (Pakistani) journalist whose name is well known is U.S. and Pakistan. There is a market in Pakistan for stories that do not start with, "Mr Boucher said..."
Mr Zaidi also claims in his faxed notes to me that he was the first journalist to break the story of CIA providing potable labs to Afghans (during the Afghan Jihad War) to make Heroin.
"U.S. ambassador to Pakistan, Arnold Raphael, was outraged that he told the State Department to terminate my 17-years contract with the Voice of America(VOA)," he added.
One newspaper report (Daily Times) has said that Mr Zaidi and his spouse refused embassy help on grounds that Mr Zaidi was an American citizen and was "not in jail". I know for sure he is in under detention, based on his and his spouses's phone calls to me during the last few weeks. I am not sure why there is still need to hide this critical fact. Why not let people know and possibly help?
Besides, Pakistani-Americans automatically enjoy dual nationality status. So what's the harm in reaching out for all available help if one is innocent?
Monday, July 28, 2008
Nayyar Zaidi in jail on "teen sex" charges?
A friend of mine forwarded me today , a copy of an email apparently mass distributed by - The REPORT PRESS - Special Reports Media - USA- Chief Editor: Journalist SYED ADEEB.
The body of the text reads as follows:
Pakistani-American Journalist Nayyar Zaidi Still Locked Up in an Ohio Jail Since 20 March 2008.
(ReportPress.com) - Mr. Syed Haider K. Zaidi (pen name: Nayyar Zaidi)- Washington Correspondent or Washington Bureau Chief of Pakistan's Geo News TV (Geo Television Network), The News International (English newspaper) and Daily Jang (Urdu newspaper) - was arrested by the U.S.Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Police on Thursday, 20 March 2008 in Ohio, USA, on sex crimes charges. He is still locked up in an Ohio jail since March 2008.
Read the following five American media-press news reports about Pakistani-American journalist NayyarZaidi who lives in Woodbridge, Virginia, USA:
Publisher: THE INDEPENDENT - Massillon, Ohio, USA
Man Arrested for Trying to Meet Teen
By Staff Reports
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio, USA, 20 March 2008 (indeonline.com) -Authorities arrested a Virginia man Thursday accused of traveling toJackson Township to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Syed Haider Kar Zaidi, 64, of 12776 Captains Cove, Woodbridge, Va.,was taken into custody at 3 p.m. in a parking lot at 4220 BeldenVillage St. N.W., according to jail records. The arrest culminated atwo month investigation by local police and the FBI's Internet CrimesAgainst Children Task Force.
Jail records show Zaidi developed an online relationship with the girland arranged to meet her for sex in the Belden Village area. The girlZaidi was communicating with actually was an undercover officer.
Zaidi faces felony charges of attempted unlawful sex with a minor,attempted child endangering, attempted illegal use of a minor innudity-oriented material or performance and importuning. Zaidi was thetask force's 98th arrest.
Links:
http://www.indeonline.com/crime/x1012430497?view=print
http://www.indeonline.com/crime/x1059917866?view=print
More links to Zaidi story are embedded in the said email. Some of them are:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=404372
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=405064
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=404447
All these links contain story related to Mr Zaidi and his arrest in Ohio in March 2008.
It is therefore clear that Mr Zaidi was not detained for any "national security" or "terrorism related" charges as some may have thought, perceived or believed to be, but was actually detained and arrested by local (Ohio) police and the FBI's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on charges of attempted unlawful sex with a minor,attempted child endangering, attempted illegal use of a minor innudity-oriented material or performance and importuning.
I am still waiting for a synopsis from Mr Zaidi who promised me to send when he called me up last week. The documents that he had sent me through his wife did not cover the above episode nor did Mr Zaidi mention it to me at all. These documents were apparently on "non related" matters.
That is why I was careful not to jump to any conclusions. And, when Mr Khalid Hasan of Daily Times requested for details, I sent him the following email:
Based on documents in my possession, he has been apparently detained under "National Security" matter(s) and has been charged with one or more than one offense/crime. His docuents do not clarify this matter. (Bold emphasis by me.)
The Federal case number is 08-CR-0197. Mr. Zaidi is a defendant in the said case. Mr Zaidi promised to send me a synopsis. I still await. Will let you know more details if and when I get them. The matter is subjudice before a Federal Judge. (Bold emphasis by me).
The body of the text reads as follows:
Pakistani-American Journalist Nayyar Zaidi Still Locked Up in an Ohio Jail Since 20 March 2008.
(ReportPress.com) - Mr. Syed Haider K. Zaidi (pen name: Nayyar Zaidi)- Washington Correspondent or Washington Bureau Chief of Pakistan's Geo News TV (Geo Television Network), The News International (English newspaper) and Daily Jang (Urdu newspaper) - was arrested by the U.S.Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Police on Thursday, 20 March 2008 in Ohio, USA, on sex crimes charges. He is still locked up in an Ohio jail since March 2008.
Read the following five American media-press news reports about Pakistani-American journalist NayyarZaidi who lives in Woodbridge, Virginia, USA:
Publisher: THE INDEPENDENT - Massillon, Ohio, USA
Man Arrested for Trying to Meet Teen
By Staff Reports
JACKSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio, USA, 20 March 2008 (indeonline.com) -Authorities arrested a Virginia man Thursday accused of traveling toJackson Township to have sex with a 13-year-old girl.
Syed Haider Kar Zaidi, 64, of 12776 Captains Cove, Woodbridge, Va.,was taken into custody at 3 p.m. in a parking lot at 4220 BeldenVillage St. N.W., according to jail records. The arrest culminated atwo month investigation by local police and the FBI's Internet CrimesAgainst Children Task Force.
Jail records show Zaidi developed an online relationship with the girland arranged to meet her for sex in the Belden Village area. The girlZaidi was communicating with actually was an undercover officer.
Zaidi faces felony charges of attempted unlawful sex with a minor,attempted child endangering, attempted illegal use of a minor innudity-oriented material or performance and importuning. Zaidi was thetask force's 98th arrest.
Links:
http://www.indeonline.com/crime/x1012430497?view=print
http://www.indeonline.com/crime/x1059917866?view=print
More links to Zaidi story are embedded in the said email. Some of them are:
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=404372
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=405064
http://www.cantonrep.com/index.php?ID=404447
All these links contain story related to Mr Zaidi and his arrest in Ohio in March 2008.
It is therefore clear that Mr Zaidi was not detained for any "national security" or "terrorism related" charges as some may have thought, perceived or believed to be, but was actually detained and arrested by local (Ohio) police and the FBI's Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force on charges of attempted unlawful sex with a minor,attempted child endangering, attempted illegal use of a minor innudity-oriented material or performance and importuning.
I am still waiting for a synopsis from Mr Zaidi who promised me to send when he called me up last week. The documents that he had sent me through his wife did not cover the above episode nor did Mr Zaidi mention it to me at all. These documents were apparently on "non related" matters.
That is why I was careful not to jump to any conclusions. And, when Mr Khalid Hasan of Daily Times requested for details, I sent him the following email:
Based on documents in my possession, he has been apparently detained under "National Security" matter(s) and has been charged with one or more than one offense/crime. His docuents do not clarify this matter. (Bold emphasis by me.)
The Federal case number is 08-CR-0197. Mr. Zaidi is a defendant in the said case. Mr Zaidi promised to send me a synopsis. I still await. Will let you know more details if and when I get them. The matter is subjudice before a Federal Judge. (Bold emphasis by me).
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Nayyar Zaidi behind bars in USA!
A few days back, wife of renowned Washington-based Pakistani journalist, Mr. Nayyar Zaidi, called me up and informed me that her spouse was in detention in Ohio since March 2008 and that she would like to send me some documents for review and publication on DesPardes.com. I therefore gave her my address and my Ferderal Express account number. The next day, I received a package which contained copies of correspondents Mr Zaidi had to the Depertment of Justice, FBI, etc., along with copies of his handwritten notes, observations and latest rejoinder to the Federal court judge.
Mr Zaidi has been living in Virginia, USA, for the last twenty odd years. He is a well renowned columnist of JANG Urdu and a political analyst/commentator for GEO TV, CNN, BBC Urdu and several other world media.
Mr. Zaidi called me up today from the Northeast Correctional Center in Youngstown, Ohio. Since our conversation was basically relevant to his detention and the papers he had arranged to send me through his wife Shaheen, I did not bother that our phone talk was being "recorded and monitored". It was a no-holds-barred-conversation but he took pain not to break rules.
Our conversation was obviously intense. This was the third time in my life that I had received a phone call from a person I knew who was behind bars and who wanted to reach out to someone outside for help. And, of all the people, when a respected Pakistani journalist-cum-columnist with a vast readership in Pakistan and elsewhere happened to be on the other end of the phone, things became different. Naturally, I offered my moral support and promised to break the news to the public on his behalf.
Without discussing with him the merits of the case and his detention, I showed my concern and promised to review the papers he had sent me.
Mr Zaidi said he had gone to Ohio to pursue his journalistic "obstruction of justice" research against those individuals who are being detained there from "all over the world". Unfortunately, he ended up being detained himself in the same facility, he said. He is awaiting trial now in which he is the defendent.
Mr Zaidi has claimed that he has been "targeted" by the FBI/DOJ and the "story" goes back to 1995 when he worked for the Pakistan Television. He was approcahed to work for the U.S. government, he said.
According to Mr Zaidi, he was visited by the Feds (FBI) sometime in 2003, and was asked, he claims, to "become an informant". But he refused.
He says he has a case against FBI/DOJ for "obstruction of justice" and wants only "due process of law" to happen.
I have asked him to writeup a synopsis of the events leading to his arrest. He promised he will send.
I then called the Press Attache of the Pakistan embassy in Washington. Mr Kiani, who happens to be the press attache, told me that he found out about Mr Zaidi's detention today only from the ambasaddor Mr. Hussain Haqaani who found out from Pakistan, he claimed.
According to Kiani, Mr. Haqqani is "concerned" about Mr. Zaidi's welfare.
Both, according to Kiani, were unaware that Mr Zaidi was in detention since the last three months.
Mr Kiani said he had been calling Mr Zaidi's residence but his wife would say that he was either overseas on an assignment or would give him "some kind of answer". Interesting!
Meanwhile, Mr Zaidi remains in detention on "national security matters", he said.
Mr Zaidi has been living in Virginia, USA, for the last twenty odd years. He is a well renowned columnist of JANG Urdu and a political analyst/commentator for GEO TV, CNN, BBC Urdu and several other world media.
Mr. Zaidi called me up today from the Northeast Correctional Center in Youngstown, Ohio. Since our conversation was basically relevant to his detention and the papers he had arranged to send me through his wife Shaheen, I did not bother that our phone talk was being "recorded and monitored". It was a no-holds-barred-conversation but he took pain not to break rules.
Our conversation was obviously intense. This was the third time in my life that I had received a phone call from a person I knew who was behind bars and who wanted to reach out to someone outside for help. And, of all the people, when a respected Pakistani journalist-cum-columnist with a vast readership in Pakistan and elsewhere happened to be on the other end of the phone, things became different. Naturally, I offered my moral support and promised to break the news to the public on his behalf.
Without discussing with him the merits of the case and his detention, I showed my concern and promised to review the papers he had sent me.
Mr Zaidi said he had gone to Ohio to pursue his journalistic "obstruction of justice" research against those individuals who are being detained there from "all over the world". Unfortunately, he ended up being detained himself in the same facility, he said. He is awaiting trial now in which he is the defendent.
Mr Zaidi has claimed that he has been "targeted" by the FBI/DOJ and the "story" goes back to 1995 when he worked for the Pakistan Television. He was approcahed to work for the U.S. government, he said.
According to Mr Zaidi, he was visited by the Feds (FBI) sometime in 2003, and was asked, he claims, to "become an informant". But he refused.
He says he has a case against FBI/DOJ for "obstruction of justice" and wants only "due process of law" to happen.
I have asked him to writeup a synopsis of the events leading to his arrest. He promised he will send.
I then called the Press Attache of the Pakistan embassy in Washington. Mr Kiani, who happens to be the press attache, told me that he found out about Mr Zaidi's detention today only from the ambasaddor Mr. Hussain Haqaani who found out from Pakistan, he claimed.
According to Kiani, Mr. Haqqani is "concerned" about Mr. Zaidi's welfare.
Both, according to Kiani, were unaware that Mr Zaidi was in detention since the last three months.
Mr Kiani said he had been calling Mr Zaidi's residence but his wife would say that he was either overseas on an assignment or would give him "some kind of answer". Interesting!
Meanwhile, Mr Zaidi remains in detention on "national security matters", he said.
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