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NDTV
27-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
How Asif Ali Zardari Managed To Get Pervez Musharraf To Resign As Pak President
Islamabad: Pakistan's present President Asif Ali Zardari managed his first term by skilfully getting then incumbent Pervez Musharraf to resign in August 2008 by securing the backing of his successor as Army chief, and then, outmanoeuvring coalition ally Nawaz Sharif, his former aide has revealed. While Zardari's PPP and Nawaz Sharif's PML-N had sought to impeach erstwhile military ruler Musharraf in August 2008 after winning the February 2008 elections, it was getting Musharraf's handpicked successor as Army chief, Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, on their side that did the trick, Zardari's then spokesperson Farhatullah Babar reports in his memoirs, the News reported. In "The Zardari Presidency", Babar says Zardari, who was then the PPP co-chair, broached the issue of the potential ousting of Musharraf with Kayani. Kayani, who was appointed the army vice chief in October 2007, setting the way for him to take over command when Musharraf, as long promised, shed his uniform in November that year, had no objections to the move. The then army chief even suggested PPP leader Aftab Shaban Mirani, who had served as Defence Minister in the second Benazir Bhutto government, as the next President, Babar wrote in his book. However, Zardari had his own eye on the Aiwan-e-Sadr. Having the army behind him, Zardari then told trusted party members to move resolutions in provincial Assemblies demanding Musharraf's impeachment, Babar said. Simultaneously, he conveyed a message through Major Gen Mahmud Ali Durrani (retd), urging Musharraf to resign or face impeachment. Musharraf initially dismissed the ultimatum but eventually resigned in mid-August 2018. However, according to Babar, Nawaz Sharif also sought to install himself as the President amid the PML-N and PPP alliance, where the latter was heading the government with its Yousaf Raza Gilani as the Prime Minister. "My party thinks that I should become the President," Sharif told Zardari in an informal chat, as per the book. "Zardari replied with a laugh, 'My party also thinks that I should become the President.' The discussion ended there." Eventually, Zardari managed his elevation in September 2008. Among other issues, Babar's book also mentions how military pressure was mounted for the restoration of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry - whose sacking by Musharraf set in process a chain of crises that ended his rule. According to Babar, neither Benazir Bhutto nor Zardari held favourable views of Justice Chaudhry, whom Zardari believed operated under the guise of independence while serving other interests. During the long march from Lahore to demand Chaudhry's restoration, Zardari faced pressure from his ministers and even Prime Minister Gilani to reinstate him. However, he remained steadfast in his stand. Babar reports a "significant deployment" of the Triple One Brigade - the Rawalpindi-based army formation that has been involved in all the military coups of Pakistan - occurred inside the presidency on the night the march approached Islamabad. "The manoeuvre may have created a perception of a military takeover, but it was not. It was optics for exerting pressure on Zardari to reinstate Chaudhry," he wrote. Amid mounting pressure for Chaudhry's reinstatement, Zardari still held back, telling his advisers: "I know him inside and out. You people don't. He will accept anything as long as he knows that he will be reinstated. He has been sending me messages. I know it. None of you knows about it." Babar notes that Chaudhry even offered a signed resignation letter in advance should he renege on his commitment. Chaudhry's primary concern was his own reinstatement; he appeared indifferent to the reinstatement of other sacked judges, he wrote.
Miami Herald
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
New Satellite Images Reveal Greater Damage to Pakistan Airbase After India Strike
New satellite imagery suggests India's missile strike on Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase earlier this month may have caused significantly more destruction than initially assessed. The images, shared by open source intelligence researcher Damien Symon, reveal that a major operations complex at the Rawalpindi-based airbase has been completely demolished. The facility, targeted during India's Operation Sindoor, sits near some of Pakistan's most sensitive military and nuclear infrastructure. The scope of the damage now appears broader than previously believed, hinting at a deeper strategic impact from the Indian strike. Newsweek has reached out to the foreign ministries of Pakistan and India for comment. The Nur Khan airbase is one of Pakistan's most strategically important facilities, housing transport aircraft and surveillance systems, and located just miles from the Strategic Plans Division and Pakistan Army headquarters. Its proximity to these institutions gives the airbase outsized importance in Pakistan's military ecosystem. The demolition of an entire operations center would suggest the strike had penetrated a critical node in Pakistan's defense infrastructure. Symon posted the new satellite images on social media, showing that the 7,000-square-foot operations complex near the site of the May 10 strike has been dismantled. Earlier imagery showed damage to two specialized military trucks, but the full teardown of the facility points to deeper internal damage. Symon told Hindustan Times that the decision to demolish the complex indicates restoration was "uneconomical or not viable," likely due to extensive structural and systemic damage. Its proximity to the blast zone may have compromised essential components such as wiring, internal systems, and the building's physical integrity. The strike on Nur Khan was part of India's broader retaliation under Operation Sindoor, launched after a deadly attack in the Kashmir town of Pahalgam on April 22. That attack, which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants, killed 26 civilians and was among the deadliest incidents in the region in recent years. In response, India launched strikes on eight Pakistani airbases using air-launched cruise missiles. A four-day military confrontation followed, involving drones, long-range artillery, and missile systems, before both sides agreed to halt operations. India's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir said: "Terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand. Our soldiers have the capability to respond to any challenge and eliminate the threat to ensure the safety and peace of our people." Pakistan's Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations stated: "These blatant acts of aggression by India reflect the paranoia within the Indian mindset which continues to grow after the failure of each of its acts." The new evidence of extensive damage may prompt Pakistan to reassess its airbase resilience and trigger broader regional concerns over escalation control and strategic deterrence. Related Articles China Fast-Tracks Stealth Jets to Pakistan to Counter India: ReportSuicide Bomber Hits School Bus, Pakistan Accuses IndiaMap Shows Countries That Prefer China to the USPakistan's $10bn High-Speed Rail Project Raises Questions 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
New Satellite Images Reveal Greater Damage to Pakistan Airbase After India Strike
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. New satellite imagery suggests India's missile strike on Pakistan's Nur Khan airbase earlier this month may have caused significantly more destruction than initially assessed. The images, shared by open source intelligence researcher Damien Symon, reveal that a major operations complex at the Rawalpindi-based airbase has been completely demolished. The facility, targeted during India's Operation Sindoor, sits near some of Pakistan's most sensitive military and nuclear infrastructure. The scope of the damage now appears broader than previously believed, hinting at a deeper strategic impact from the Indian strike. Newsweek has reached out to the foreign ministries of Pakistan and India for comment. Why It Matters The Nur Khan airbase is one of Pakistan's most strategically important facilities, housing transport aircraft and surveillance systems, and located just miles from the Strategic Plans Division and Pakistan Army headquarters. Its proximity to these institutions gives the airbase outsized importance in Pakistan's military ecosystem. The demolition of an entire operations center would suggest the strike had penetrated a critical node in Pakistan's defense infrastructure. A review of Nur Khan Airbase, Pakistan reveals the entire complex near India's strike location has now been demolished, suggesting the strike's effect went beyond the two special-purpose trucks - possibly presenting a broader footprint of the damage @TheIntelLab #SkyFi — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) May 25, 2025 What to Know Symon posted the new satellite images on social media, showing that the 7,000-square-foot operations complex near the site of the May 10 strike has been dismantled. Earlier imagery showed damage to two specialized military trucks, but the full teardown of the facility points to deeper internal damage. Symon told Hindustan Times that the decision to demolish the complex indicates restoration was "uneconomical or not viable," likely due to extensive structural and systemic damage. Its proximity to the blast zone may have compromised essential components such as wiring, internal systems, and the building's physical integrity. India's Operation Sindoor The strike on Nur Khan was part of India's broader retaliation under Operation Sindoor, launched after a deadly attack in the Kashmir town of Pahalgam on April 22. That attack, which India blamed on Pakistan-based militants, killed 26 civilians and was among the deadliest incidents in the region in recent years. In response, India launched strikes on eight Pakistani airbases using air-launched cruise missiles. A four-day military confrontation followed, involving drones, long-range artillery, and missile systems, before both sides agreed to halt operations. A BSF personnel during a retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border, near Amritsar, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The Border Security Force (BSF) has said the public flag-lowering retreat ceremony at three locations in Punjab along... A BSF personnel during a retreat ceremony at the Attari-Wagah border, near Amritsar, Tuesday, May 20, 2025. The Border Security Force (BSF) has said the public flag-lowering retreat ceremony at three locations in Punjab along the Pakistan frontier will begin on Wednesday, about two weeks after it was stopped following Operation Sindoor. More Shiva Sharma/AP Photo What People Are Saying India's Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha of Jammu and Kashmir said: "Terrorism and dialogue cannot go hand in hand. Our soldiers have the capability to respond to any challenge and eliminate the threat to ensure the safety and peace of our people." Pakistan's Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations stated: "These blatant acts of aggression by India reflect the paranoia within the Indian mindset which continues to grow after the failure of each of its acts." What Happens Next The new evidence of extensive damage may prompt Pakistan to reassess its airbase resilience and trigger broader regional concerns over escalation control and strategic deterrence.
NDTV
26-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
New Satellite Image Shows Massive Damage To Pak's Nur Khan Base After Operation Sindoor
New Delhi: Recent satellite imagery suggests that Pakistan's strategically important Nur Khan airbase sustained more extensive damage during India's 'Operation Sindoor' than previously believed. Nur Khan, a vital hub for Pakistan's drone and VIP air fleet, is located in Rawalpindi, less than 25 kilometres from Islamabad. The base is a high-value target, housing key assets of the Pakistan Air Force. "A review of Nur Khan Airbase, Pakistan, reveals the entire complex near India's strike location has now been demolished, suggesting the strike's effect went beyond the two special-purpose trucks-possibly presenting a broader footprint of the damage," defence analyst Damien Symon posted on X. A fresh assessment reveals that a large complex near the strike site has been demolished, expanding the perceived impact of the Indian Air Force's precision strikes. According to The Intel Lab, which shared the latest satellite visuals, the destruction appears to go beyond the previously reported damage to two special-purpose trucks. Earlier reports based on satellite analysis indicated that India carried out precision strikes between May 8 and 10, targeting infrastructure and ground support systems at the Rawalpindi-based airbase. The attack was viewed as both strategic and symbolic, as the base lies close to the Pakistan Army's headquarters and serves as the command centre for air mobility operations. These operations include Saab Erieye airborne early warning systems, C-130 transport aircraft, and IL-78 mid-air refuelling planes, which are critical for logistics, surveillance, and operational coordination. The base also houses Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones and Pakistan's indigenous Shahpar-I drones, used for targeting and surveillance missions. Nur Khan is central to Pakistan's drone warfare strategy and hosts the country's elite pilot training and VIP fleet, including the presidential aircraft. The scale of the strike has exposed significant vulnerabilities in Pakistan's air defence system. Adding to the narrative, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently revealed that he was awakened in the early hours of May 11 by army chief General Syed Asim Munir, who informed him that Indian ballistic missiles had hit multiple airbases, including Nur Khan. Recently, Sharif said during a public meeting that he had received a call from General Munir at 2:30 a.m. on a secure line. He told him that India had just launched ballistic missiles, and one of them fell at Nur Khan Airport. He was speaking on Youm-e-Tashakur (Day of Thanks). According to Sharif, Pakistan retaliated by striking Indian locations, including Pathankot and Udhampur. The escalation followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people killed. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan. In response, Pakistan attempted missile attacks on May 8, 9, and 10. On May 10, Pakistan military spokesperson Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry confirmed in a 4 a.m. press conference that India had targeted Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Jhang) airbases. His statement confirms that Nur Khan was one of the closest Indian strike points to Islamabad. By the evening of May 10, both sides announced that they had agreed to de-escalate the confrontation after four days of intense military engagement across the border.
India.com
25-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Operation Sindoor: Satellite Images Reveal Major Damage To Pakistans Nur Khan Airbase
Recent satellite imagery suggests that Pakistan's strategically important Nur Khan airbase sustained more extensive damage during India's 'Operation Sindoor' than previously believed. Nur Khan, a vital hub for Pakistan's drone and VIP air fleet, is located in Rawalpindi, less than 25 kilometres from Islamabad. The base is a high-value target, housing key assets of the Pakistan Air Force. 'A review of Nur Khan Airbase, Pakistan, reveals the entire complex near India's strike location has now been demolished, suggesting the strike's effect went beyond the two special-purpose trucks—possibly presenting a broader footprint of the damage,' defence analyst Damien Symon posted on X. A fresh assessment reveals that a large complex near the strike site has been demolished, expanding the perceived impact of the Indian Air Force's precision strikes. According to The Intel Lab, which shared the latest satellite visuals, the destruction appears to go beyond the previously reported damage to two special-purpose trucks. Earlier reports based on satellite analysis indicated that India carried out precision strikes between May 8 and 10, targeting infrastructure and ground support systems at the Rawalpindi-based airbase. The attack was viewed as both strategic and symbolic, as the base lies close to the Pakistan Army's headquarters and serves as the command centre for air mobility operations. These operations include Saab Erieye airborne early warning systems, C-130 transport aircraft, and IL-78 mid-air refuelling planes, which are critical for logistics, surveillance, and operational coordination. The base also houses Turkish-made Bayraktar TB2 drones and Pakistan's indigenous Shahpar-I drones, used for targeting and surveillance missions. Nur Khan is central to Pakistan's drone warfare strategy and hosts the country's elite pilot training and VIP fleet, including the presidential aircraft. The scale of the strike has exposed significant vulnerabilities in Pakistan's air defence system. Adding to the narrative, Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif recently revealed that he was awakened in the early hours of May 11 by army chief General Syed Asim Munir, who informed him that Indian ballistic missiles had hit multiple airbases, including Nur Khan. Recently, Sharif said during a public meeting that he had received a call from General Munir at 2:30 a.m. on a secure line. He told him that India had just launched ballistic missiles, and one of them fell at Nur Khan Airport. He was speaking on Youm-e-Tashakur (Day of Thanks). According to Sharif, Pakistan retaliated by striking Indian locations, including Pathankot and Udhampur. The escalation followed the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, in which 26 people were killed. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan. In response, Pakistan attempted missile attacks on May 8, 9, and 10. On May 10, Pakistan military spokesperson Lt. Gen. Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry confirmed in a 4 a.m. press conference that India had targeted Nur Khan (Rawalpindi), Murid (Chakwal), and Rafiqui (Jhang) airbases. His statement confirms that Nur Khan was one of the closest Indian strike points to Islamabad. By the evening of May 10, both sides announced that they had agreed to de-escalate the confrontation after four days of intense military engagement across the border.
