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https://twitter.com/wajskhan/status/1692535630025163011

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@FrameTheGlobe

May 3

Mian Mansha Profile:

1/ Mian Muhammad Mansha is Pakistan’s most powerful and politically embedded tycoon. His rise from a provincial textile heir to the architect of a sprawling economic empire offers a case study in how privatization, political protection, and financial engineering create oligarchs.

2/ The foundation was Nishat Mills, inherited in the late 1960s. But the game changed in 1991, when Nawaz Sharif’s government launched Pakistan’s first major wave of privatizations. Despite not being the top bidder, Mansha’s consortium was awarded Muslim Commercial Bank, allegedly after matching the highest bid behind closed doors.

3/ What followed was even murkier: Mansha’s team used MCB’s own funds, bank depositor money, to finance the purchase of MCB shares. It was a self-financed acquisition of a national bank. Later NAB investigations acknowledged the fraud but stopped short of prosecuting. The state had already moved on.

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@FrameTheGlobe

Apr 6

1/8 Trump’s return to office brought Afghanistan back into play. One of his first moves? Demand the Taliban return U.S. weapons left behind post-withdrawal, linking it directly to billions in frozen aid.

2/8 The Taliban refused. For them, the abandoned U.S. gear wasn’t hardware, it was the “spoils of war.” Trump countered with threats to pull humanitarian assistance meant to stabilize the collapsing Afghan economy.

3/8 Surprisingly, dialogue followed. A U.S. delegation quietly met Taliban officials in Kabul, the first such visit since the 2021 fall. The Taliban released two U.S. citizens in return. Washington responded by lifting bounties on key Haqqani figures.

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@FrameTheGlobe

Jul 28, 2024

Today, Imran Khan had a lunch conversation with a Brigadier representing the interests of the Generals of GHQ, including Asim Munir.

Imran Khan was asked to do one thing in return for having his mandate and government reinstated and the closure of all bogus cases. He was asked to accept responsibility for May 9th and to publicly apologize.

Imran Khan responded with the following points:

1. He recited a Surah and asked the Brigadier to swear on the Quran that Imran Khan planned and executed May 9th. The Brigadier refused, since apparently, the Brigadier is a highly religious individual. Khan elaborated, saying, "Fundamentally, I can’t accept something that I did not do."

2. Khan shared his personal thoughts, stating that the agencies have been playing double games by saying one thing to him and doing the exact opposite on the ground, such as continuing to abduct PTI members, workers, and social media activists. He again named the ISI individuals Nadeem Anjum and Faisal Naseer for conducting such operations at the behest of Asim.

3. Imran Khan said he is ready to forgive everyone who wronged him but will not ask the public to do the same.

4. He remained steadfast in his message that without accountability, there is no way forward.

In response, the Brigadier became flustered and said, "You have to help us save face because we are in a difficult position." He explained that Asim Munir is stuck on May 9th and adamant about Khan apologizing, while Khan is standing on principle, demanding accountability, justice, respect for the constitution, and the rule of law. The visiting Brigadier, who has been meeting with Imran Khan regularly since the arrest, asked for a list of proposed military reforms, which they will try their best to implement.

To conclude; Imran Khan was offered the government on a plate, but Khan has refused, stating that he will not compromise on his principles just to come into power. He stands for truth and justice and will only return to power through an acceptable negotiated settlement with accountability and reforms as top priority.

Asim Munir does not have complete support of the Generals and the Generals are trying to find ways to diffuse the situation and move forward, but so far, they are failing.

Adding Correction: Time was between 5-7PM. Supper, chai, whatever you want to call it.

Additional Detail: Adiala Jail Superintendent is aware of this meeting since it took place in his office.

Additional Detail: The Brigadier informed Imran Khan that if he accepted the deal then he would bring Shahbaz Sharif and Ishaq Dar to him the very next day to apologise for what they’ve done since the RCO.

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@FrameTheGlobe

Jul 22, 2024

[🧵] Pakistan has been there for Afghanistan

Let's start with a story of kindness.

Abdul Sattar Edhi, who through his foundation played a significant role in helping Afghan refugees. He set up numerous camps along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, providing shelter, food, and medical care to thousands of displaced Afghans. There is a story of an Afghan woman who arrived at one of Edhi's camps with her malnourished and sick child. The child was critically ill, suffering from severe dehydration and malnutrition due to the harsh journey and lack of resources.

Edhi personally ensured that the child received immediate medical care. His foundation's medical staff worked tirelessly to help the child, providing the necessary care. Meanwhile, the mother, who was in a state of despair, received counseling and support from the camp's volunteers.

Through the dedicated efforts of Edhi and his organization, the child gradually recovered. The mother, overwhelmed with gratitude, often recalled how a stranger from a neighboring country had saved her child's life when hope seemed lost. This act of kindness not only exemplified the humanitarian spirit of Edhi but also highlighted the deep bond and compassion between the people of Pakistan and Afghanistan during times of crisis.

What has Pakistan done for Afghanistan?

Humanitarian Assistance

One of the most significant aspects of Pakistan's support to Afghanistan has been its humanitarian assistance. During the Soviet-Afghan War in 1979, Pakistan opened its borders to millions of Afghan refugees, offering them shelter, food, education, and healthcare. This was one of the largest refugee crises in history, and Pakistan's response was crucial in providing a safe haven for those fleeing conflict. Pakistan continues to host around 1.4 million registered Afghan refugees, providing them access to basic services and integrating them into local communities. This long-term support includes initiatives like issuing Proof of Registration cards and facilitating voluntary repatriation through UNHCR .

In times of natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods, Pakistan has consistently sent emergency relief to Afghanistan.

Economic Assistance

Economically, Pakistan has made contributions through trade agreements and infrastructure projects aimed at fostering economic cooperation and development in Afghanistan. The Afghanistan-Pakistan Transit Trade Agreement allows Afghan goods to be transported through Pakistan to international markets, and vice versa. This agreement has been beneficial for both economies, facilitating cross-border trade and economic integration.

Infrastructure development projects funded by Pakistan have significantly improved living conditions in Afghanistan. For example, projects include the construction of the Torkham-Jalalabad road and the establishment of several healthcare and educational institutions.

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@FrameTheGlobe

Jul 12, 2024

1/n - What is the legal theory of ‘Odious Debt’ in the context of Pakistan?

- National debt incurred by regimes without the consent of the people and their respective representatives.

- Debt burden imposed on the people through dictatorial or fascist governments.

2/n - Let’s add additional context to it:

- Lack of consent: where the people were simply misled to take on such cutthroat debt to destroy their future.

- No benefit: where the people did not benefit at all and the regime satisfied its own needs.

3/n -

- Conniving creditors: where the creditors knew the government was drowning in corruption but yet doled out loans because they only care about interest payments through any means necessary.

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@FrameTheGlobe

Jul 8, 2024

1/n - Asim Munir and his agenda will fail

Weak Government
Pakistan’s young and politically aware population comprises 64% of Pakistan's population, is more politically active, and less tolerant of military overreach compared to previous generations. This demographic shift is a direct threat to the establishment rule.

The rise of social media and independent journalism ensures that any maneuvering to weaken civilian leadership will be met with constant public backlash. Past attempts at suppressing dissent have worked because the perpertrators were worse than what the military had to offer. However, that dynamic has shifted.

2/n - A New War
Economic constraints make it unfeasible for Pakistan to engage in any meaningful conflict, and not to mention zero public support for any such adventure, where Operation Azm-e-Istehkam backlash is a great example. The country is already burdened with a debt-to-GDP ratio, making the financial sustainability of prolonged conflict highly doubtful.

Regional partnerships are unstable and cannot replace the comprehensive support previously provided by Western allies, where the Western allies are finding it difficult to find their footing in the emerging multipolar world. The likes of Saudi Arabia and the UAE have their own strategic interests that do not align with supporting a Pakistani military dictatorship.

3/n - Regrouping the Military
The May 9 prosecutions and other heavy-handed tactics erode trust within the military and among the public. Instead of boosting morale, such actions create an environment of fear and distrust, undermining unity.

Attempts to control the narrative through PR campaigns will face substantial resistance from a well-connected and tech-savvy population. Social media platforms are counter-narrative weapon that can quickly undermine ISPR sponsored propaganda.

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