Ethnic war looms as suspicions fall on Pakistan over Rabbani?s murder

09/21/2011 17:04
AFGHANISTAN
Ethnic war looms as suspicions fall on Pakistan over Rabbani?s murder 
The deadly attack against the chief of the High Peace Council throws the country into chaos. Pakistan?s secret services are suspected. Sources tell AsiaNews that the attack might signal a change in strategy that began with the attack against the US Embassy in Kabul. Hundreds of people demonstrate in the capital against Rabbani?s murder.

Kabul (AsiaNews) ? ?Burhanuddin Rabbani?s murder aggravates an already tense situation. Whoever killed him targeted a man who worked for dialogue and peace. His murder represents a point of no-return for the future of Afghanistan,? sources told AsiaNews in Kabul as they spoke about the murder of the Afghan High Peace Council chief. His death represents the top high profile murder in the country since the United States invaded in 2001 and comes only two months after the deadly attack against Ahmed Wali Karzai, the president?s brother. Today, hundreds of people demonstrated in front of the Pakistani Embassy and in the streets of Kabul to protest against Rabbani?s murder.

An ethnic Tajik, the 71-yeare-old Rabbani was one of the country?s foremost public figures. Founder of the Jemaah Islamiyah, he led the fight to drive out the Soviets (1979- 1989) together with General Massoud. During the Afghan civil war (1992 ?1996), he served as president. In October 2010, President Karzai appointed him head of the High Peace Council tasked with negotiating with the Taliban, but so far he had no success. 

He died yesterday afternoon during a meeting with some Taliban leaders. His attacker, who was a member of the delegation, hid the bomb inside his turban. 

Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid claimed responsibility for the attack, but many believe that it is only an attempt to divert attention away from those who were actually behind the assassination.

The anti-peace camp appears to be changing strategy and Pakistan?s secret services are very likely involved, sources told AsiaNews. ?The demonstrations in front of the embassy are a sign that people can?t stand Islamabad?s interference despite the lack of real evidence? of their involvement, they explained. 

The careful planning that went into preparing the attack has raised suspicions, especially since it comes so close to the 13 September attack against the US Embassy, the worst act of war in the capital since the Taliban were chased out of the city.

Despite tight security, 30 Taliban were able to enter the city, and easily place an entire arsenal inside a building under construction. Similarly, the suicide bomber who killed Rabbani infiltrated the delegation and knew his target. 

For the sources, both episodes show the work of secret services and Special Forces rather than fighters raised in a madrassah and used to fighting in the mountains.

People are scared by the confused situation, which shows the weakness of the government to manage the situation and is likely to delay the pullout of US troops in 2014. 

?The situation is very tense,? sources told AsiaNews. ?Rabbani was Tajik and relations between Pashtuns and Tajiks are not good. An ethnic war could break out alongside the Taliban threat and destroy the country once more.? (S.C.)

http://www.asianews.it/news-en/Ethnic-war-looms-as-suspicions-fall-on-Pakistan-over-Rabbani?s-murder-22697.html

Death highlights women's role in Special Ops teams

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

WASHINGTON - The Associated Press

This undated photo provided by the North Carolina National Guard shows 1st Lt. Ashley White from Alliance, Ohio. AP photo

Army 1st Lt. Ashley White died on the front lines in southern Afghanistan last weekend, the first casualty in what the Army says is a new and vital wartime attempt to gain the trust of Afghan women.
White, like other female soldiers working with special operations teams, was brought in to do things that would be awkward or impossible for her male teammates. Frisking burqa-clad women, for example.
Her death, in a bomb explosion in the Taliban heartland of Kandahar, demonstrates the risks of placing women with elite U.S. special operations teams working in remote villages.
Military leaders and other female soldiers in the program say its rewards are great, even as it fuels debate over the roles of women in combat. "We could do things that the males cannot do, and they are starting to realize that," says Sgt. Christine Baldwin, who like White was among the first groups of women deployed to Afghanistan this year as specially trained "cultural support" troops.
Male soldiers often cannot even speak to an Afghan woman because of the strict cultural norms that separate the sexes and the tradition of women remaining behind closed doors most of the time. Forcing the issue has yielded only resentment, military officials say, and has jeopardized the trust and cooperation of villagers.
From the start of the war 10 years ago, Afghans have especially resented the practice of "night raids" in which male foreign soldiers enter and search homes, the traditional sanctum of women. "We could search the female, find out the other half of the information," Baldwin said in an interview. "If you're missing half of the lay of the land, how effective are you in engaging the populace?" That question was eight years in the making.
It arose from the frustration of U.S. commanders who realized two years ago that as they tried to apply the principles of counterinsurgency protect civilians and enlist them to reject insurgents and provide intelligence they were not reaching the majority of the Afghan population. Now, the first female soldiers are serving in commando units.
They are trained to ferret out critical information not available to their male team members, to identify insurgents disguised as women and figure out when Afghan women are being used to hide weapons. U.S. women have been on the front lines in Afghanistan since the war began, and over time they have been used to reach out to the Afghan population through health care initiatives and other programs.
They have traveled with Army soldiers and Marines throughout the warfront, often to assist in development projects or as part of psychological operations, which now are called MISO, or military information support operations.
But as elite special operations teams fanned out across the country doing counterinsurgency "stability operations" in the small villages, they complained to their superiors that they were not reaching the women and children who comprise as much as 71 percent of the population.
"We waited too long to get to this," says Command Sgt. Maj. Ledford Stigall. "We had a lot of people focused on the kill and capture, and it really took someone to say, hey it's not about kill, capture, it's about developing a country that can take care of itself." "Women have a voice," he said.
"They can influence the men in their society." In 2009, under pressure from Gen. Stanley McChrystal, then the top U.S. commander in Afghanistan, and Gen. David Petraeus, then the top U.S. commander in the Middle East, the Army began to develop Cultural Support Teams. Last November, the first group of women went through a grueling five-day assessment that tested their physical and military skills, their problem-solving and writing abilities and their psychological and mental fitness.
Those that passed moved on to a six-week training program. And in January, the first group of 28 women were deployed to Afghanistan with Army Rangers and Special Forces teams. They went in two-woman teams as part of larger special operations units, usually numbering about a dozen. And they were designed to go out on patrols and into the villages with the special operators to help build relations with the communities by engaging with the Afghan women.
In the process, they also could glean valuable intelligence about the people in the region, information they might not be able to get from the men. Capt. Adrienne Bryant was in the first group that deployed.
Down in Helmand Province with a team of Marine special operations forces, Bryant said, the initial response from the population was tepid. On her first patrol, however, the team introduced her and her CST teammate to a village elder.
"He had been constantly abused by the Taliban, had been kidnapped and returned and he didn't want to work with coalition forces any more because of the fear the Taliban was going to retaliate," Bryant said in an interview. Bryant and her teammate talked to him about what they could do for the women of his village, including the medical assistance and skills training, like sewing, they could bring. And he was interested.
"Helmand was a pretty conservative area, women aren't really seen out much, they don't shop. So we had to disguise our sewing program; we ran it in conjunction with our clinic," Bryant said.
"In case the women were being scrutinized because they were coming to learn a skill from us, they had cover by coming on clinic days." Baldwin was sent up north with an Army special operations team in Kunduz Province.
The women they encountered were hesitant at first. "We'd go out on patrol and be all kitted up and they were almost fearful, but once we took off that helmet, and put on the scarf, they would recognize that it was a female and the fear would be gone," she said.
Both Baldwin and Bryant said the Afghan women and children at their meetings grew from a few to dozens. Neither said they ever felt they were in immediate danger during their eight-month deployment, although they knew what was possible.
"Any day that they're walking into a village and engaging with the population they are at the same risk as those Special Forces, SEALs, or special operators they're detailed to. So I would say it is not for the weak-kneed," said Michael Lumpkin, principal deputy assistant defense secretary for special operations. "These women are on the front lines in very austere locations."
Ashley White, 24, was among the 34 CST members to go to Afghanistan in the second group, and she was assigned to a Ranger unit.
The Ohio native and two Rangers were killed when their assault force triggered a roadside bomb. In a press release Monday, U.S. Army Special Operations Command said White "played a crucial role as a member of a special operations strike force. Her efforts highlight both the importance and necessity of women on the battlefield today." Lumpkin said that so far commanders agree the program has been a success.
The third group of women is about to begin training, and the tentative plan is to have 25 permanent Army CST teams by 2016. "When 71 percent of the population are women and children, you have to have buy-in from a greater number of people in the villages to really connect with them, and to understand really what's going on. Because of that female-to-female connection, that can be achieved," Lumpkin said.
He added, "We're coming late to the table, but we've recognized the value (of the program), and I think this will transcend beyond Afghanistan. ... I don't see them going away any time soon."
http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=the-associated-press-2011-10-26

DISTURBING ROLE OF RELIGIOUS PARTIES IN PAKISTAN

DISTURBING ROLE OF RELIGIOUS PARTIES IN PAKISTAN


           In Pakistan the role of religious parties has been very disturbing. There are too many religious parties and groups and all are trying to gain power to impose Islamic Nizam on their own but they never get united and merge into one another for the sake of Islam. This shows their personal interest not Islamic interest. Exceept Jamaat Islami no other religious party hold elections and their dictatatorial rule from generations continue without an inch of democracy but they loudly talk of democracy.  Further the religious parties are also divided on sectarian, Maslak, Fiqah and group basis and personal interest and rule are the top priority.

        Gen. Zia, the great liar and exploiter of Islam, to please the Mullahs and Islamic lovers, imposed two type of Islam-Sunni and Shia and other discriminatory laws. Under Sunni law a thief hand could be cut but under Shia law only a finger will be cut. Zakat was compulsory for Sunnis but for Shias not at all compulsory as they were allowed to give Zakat to their organisation. Zina and Wine were Haram for Muslims with lashes  but for non Muslims this was allowed. The punishment for married persons Zina was stoning to death (though not mentioned in Quran ) but for non Muslims this punishment was not applicable. etc. etc. He  fooled the masses and Mullahs that he will establish Qazi Courts/Shurta Police for cheap and immediate justice and to control rising crimes but allowed the Anglo Saxon Police and Courts to continue so that no criminal could be punished. The Hudood laws increased the bribe of Police and also the fees of 'looter advocates' to save the big fraudsters, criminals and corrupt persons from punishment. The big liar, Zia also established bogus Sharia Courts which could not punish any big theif, fraudster, criminal etc. and cut their hands so far except doing paper work and examining all laws whether they are Islamic or not. He also conducted a bogus referundum in the name of Islam to continue in power and bluffed GOd ( NauzuBillah) that he will establish Islamic Nizam.

         Actually Zia never wanted to establish Islamic Nizam and for power sake  till death allowed all sort of crimes to flourish. Heroin and Klashinkove culture were allowed to flourish on large scale which also involved his associate Gen. Fazle Haq.There were bombings, terrorism, racial and sectarian killings and other crimes but he used to issue strict warnings only. There was a deliberate blast in OJHRI CAMP full of American weapons stored for Afghan War which were misappropriated by Zia and his henchmen and sold in black market to the then Iran, Iraqi regimes etc. The US was going to conduct an audit of the weapons due to their misuse and illegal sale.

       The Hudood Laws have totally failed and resulted in increase of Police bribes and the fees of the advocates. Now due to failure of law and order situation crimes have increased manifold. Pakistan is a safe haven for all criminals. Now we hear big fraud cases like NLC fraud, NICL Fraud, Steel Mills Fraud, Hajj Money Fraud, Big Loans Fraud, Bank Frauds, Non Recovery of Loans Fraud, Taxi Scheme Fraud, Foreign Aid Fraud, Large scale Corruption, Containers Fraud, etc. but no big criminal is ever punished or his hands cut off. Because the Looter Advocate Community for the sake of money can do any thing to get the criminals released through their underhand tactics of bribing the Judges, indulging in falsehood, proving right as wrong and wrong as right, obtaining bails, bogus medical leave to criminals, stay orders, restraining orders, long adjournments, transfer of cases on flimsy grounds, lot of arguments, cross examinations, more paper work, prolonging litigation, puchasing the star witnesses, destroying proofs and producing counter bogus proofs, bribing the court officials etc. etc. The big criminals are initially arrested and then let off on bails until set free by our courts.   


          The solution lies in ending the exploitation of Islam and changing the existing systems of Police and Judiciary which are more favourable to criminals than the law abiding citizens. We should therefore nationalise all Masajid and Madressahs and ban religious parties to end exploitation of Islam as Islam is a state religion. The Madressahs should be merged into schools to promote education/IQRA as a whole including Quranic teachings ( 96 : 1-5 ). Islam is not a theology but a way of life ( 5 : 3 ). Shurta Police and Qazi Courts systems be introduced and the role of advocates be restricted to advise and help their clients on a fixed uniform fee basis as it is totally un-Islamic that a Big and Costly Advocate can get a favourable judgement for criminals to be set free ultimately. A new and short, non exploitable and harsh Penal Code for all crimes be introduced with less paper work. It is hoped that the law and order situation will definitely improve as in Arab countries.

 

       We should all work to gether to put an end to the rule of the much maligned corrupt police and the Judiciary hijacked by the advocate community who are actually a great stumbling block in controlling the rising crimes. Cosmetic arrests of big criminals/fraudsters/corrupt persons are made for some days and then they are allowed bails followed by non conviction in the end. The media. TVs, anchor persons, sincere religious and political leaders, patriots, law abiding citizens, intelligentsia should strive and carry out mass demonstrations and publicity and project the need for change in the police and judicial set up and curbing exploitation of Islam for ever in our country which has become a safe haven for big criminals and corrupt persons.

Saeed Siddique,

On. Canada.        

-- 

 Crisis-hit Kingfisher airlines today questioned whether it was the private carrier's duty to fly on loss-making routes, even as Government said there is no move to bail out the airline which has cancelled 210 flights in six days. 

Kingfisher owner Vijay Mallya while blaming the system of airlines in the country being overtaxed and overcharged also said governments abroad have "gone out of the way" to support air carriers and connectivity. 

With 50 more flights being cancelled, the beleaguered airline has cancelled 210 flights since Monday putting hundreds of passengers to inconvenience. 

"This is to clarify that no such bailout package is pending before the Government nor has been proposed by Ministry of Civil Aviation for the Kingfisher Airlines," Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi said in a statement. 

Ravi's clarification came aagainst the backdrop of Opposition flak over his statement that he would talk to the Finance Ministry to see whether banks and oil firms could provide some relief to the cash-strapped airline. 

On the other hand, Mallya, who had earlier this week sought government help, tweeted: "Every government has gone out of the way to support airlines and connectivity. In India airlines are overtaxed and overcharged. Wonder why?" 

In another tweet, he posed: "Is it Kingfisher's duty 2 fly on loss making routes when state governments tax heavily? Or should v be financially prudent n fly profitably". 

Official sources said while no bailout was being given by the government to Kingfisher, it was free to approach the concerned ministries on issues concerning soft loans and for restoration of the credit line from oil PSUs for the uplift of jet fuel. 

Kingfisher CEO Sanjay Aggarwal said the airline has not made any bailout request to the government but admitted "we have only asked our banks for an increase in limits due to significant increase in operating costs caused by increase in fuel prices and rupee devaluation." 

Kingfisher officials were today closeted with their legal and financial advisors and its lenders began deliberations to consider if the struggling airline's debt could be restructured. 

Overall, banks, including SBI, ICICI Bank, IDBI Bank and Punjab National Bank, have an exposure of Rs 7,700 crore to the airline. 

Kingfisher is understood to have sought about Rs 300 crore of funded limit and a similar amount to secure Letters of Credit and bank guarantees. It is also believed to be seeking soft payment options from oil companies for jet fuel. 

Kingfisher Airlines asked by DGCA to give details of plans to reconfigure fleet

 Ailing Kingfisher Airlines, which cancelled more than 160 flights over the last six days, has been asked by aviation regulator DGCA to give details of their plan to reconfigure its fleet to prevent a large-scale flight disruption. 

Maintaining that it has received some "interim replies" from liquor baron Vijay Mallya-owned carrier, sources in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said it was awaiting more details as it has been found that the airline was not operating flights as per the approved winter schedule. 

Mallya, meanwhile, tweeted: "Every government has gone out of the way to support airlines and connectivity. In India airlines are overtaxed and overcharged. Wonder why?" 

In another tweet, he posed: "Is it Kingfisher's duty 2 fly on loss making routes when state governments tax heavily? Or should v be financially prudent n fly profitably". 

Kingfisher, which has been cancelling over 30 flights each day since Monday, had yesterday cancelled 40 services across its network. 

DGCA, which issued a show-cause notice to Kingfisher in this regard, has also sent similar notices to IndiGo and SpiceJet and asked them to submit their cancellation details. 

"When the schedule for winter was approved, it was with immediate effect. So we took a stock of the position and on that basis, we asked them to explain," DGCA chief E K Bharat Bhushan said. 

He also warned that if the airlines were found not operating the slots allotted to them, these will be given to others who are willing to operate "regardless of who it is". 

As its shares crashed to a record low amid continuing debt fears, beleaguered Kingfisher sought government's intervention to help it restructure its finances. 

Kingfisher is understood to have sought about Rs 300 crore of funded limit and a similar amount to secure Letters of Credit as well as bank guarantees. Kingfisher is also believed to have sought soft payment options from oil companies for jet fuel. 

However, official sources said, "No bailout was being granted to Kingfisher by the government." 

The sources said the airline was free to approach the concerned ministries on issues concerning soft loans and for restoration of the credit line from oil PSUs for the uplift of jet fuel. 

Civil Aviation Minister Vayalar Ravi had yesterday said the entire aviation industry needed help especially to meet the crisis caused by rising jet fuel prices. 

Ravi's comments drew sharp criticism from BJP leader and former Finance Minister Yashwant Sinha, who said there was "no case for a government bailout for Kingfisher. We cannot support such a step." 

Congress spokesperson Manish Tewari said it remains to be seen whether in a market economy the government will walk the extra mile to bail out a private company or should allow the shake-out to take place and the fittest to survive. 

EDITORS PICK

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http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/transportation/airlines-/-aviation/kingfisher-airlines-bailout-why-options-before-government-banks-are-limited/articleshow/10707822.cms

13 NOV, 2011, 12.06AM IST, AVINASH CELESTINE,ET BUREAU 

Kingfisher Airlines bailout: Why options before government & banks are limited

Kingfisher Airlines Ltd.

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Can Kingfisher be given what the media is calling a bailout? A real 'bailout' would mean an actual infusion of cash by the government into the ailing private sector airline, that's extremely unlikely. It would be fiscally and politically hugely damaging for the government. 

Also Read: 

Kingfisher Airlines is equipped to tide over the crisis: Sanjay Aggarwal, CEO

Why Vijay Mallya is not Richard Branson & vice versa

UB Group minus Kingfisher Airlines? How will it look?

What the airline is hoping for is more of what it got a year back: banks will 'restructure' its debt, currently estimated at around Rs 7,000 crore. Kingfisher's main lenders are State Bank of India (SBI), IDBI, PNB, Bank of India and ICICI Bank. 

What can help from banks involve? On paper, the following are options (all used in the previous restructuring): conversion of part of the loans into equity or preference shares, more liberal terms on existing loans, infusion of fresh debt into the airline to help it pay off its dues. There's also a 'corporate debt restructuring' option. 

During and after the first restructuring, Kingfisher's loans were classed as 'standard' on banks books. This basically means there's some hope of getting the money back. A second restructuring of those same loans, would get them downgraded a notch to 'sub-standard'. This is still one step above a full-fledged bad loan, or a non-performing asset. 

So a CDR for Kingfisher's loans is still possible. But a CDR will require all banks of the consortia to agree to a set of terms and conditions. 

The Last Baliout & Its Impact 

In a hard-hitting report on Kingfisher, analysts at Veritas, a Canadian research firm, had this to say about the first bailout: "The debt restructuring touted by KAIR [Kingfisher] is nothing to write home about. We believe that non-performing loans have been rechristened/repackaged into subordinated debt, and that Kingfisher has defaulted on its obligations is unquestionable. We do not believe that KAIR's antics would have found any takers in a responsible credit market and that the airline would have been liquidated by now." 

There were other problems with the restructuring. As part of the deal, banks converted a part of their loans to equity at a 60% premium to market price in early April. Some observers have made the point that the consortium of banks, which is collectively owed Rs 7,000 crores, were allotted one seat on the board, the promoters had three.

SEVENTEENTH SAARC SUMMIT - ADDU DECLARATION

SEVENTEENTH SAARC SUMMIT - ADDU DECLARATION 
SAARC/SUMMIT.17/13----OFFICIAL STATEMENT
 “BUILDING BRIDGES”  The President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, His Excellency Mr. Hamid Karzai; the Prime Minister of the People‟s Republic of Bangladesh, Her Excellency Sheikh Hasina; the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, His Excellency Lyonchhen Jigmi Yoeser Thinley; the Prime Minister of the Republic of India, His Excellency Dr. Manmohan Singh; the President of the Republic of Maldives, His Excellency Mr. Mohamed Nasheed; the Prime Minister of Nepal, His Excellency Dr. Baburam Bhattarai; the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, His Excellency Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani; and the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mr. Mahinda Rajapaksa met in Addu City, the Maldives, on 10-11 November 2011 for the Seventeenth Summit of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC).  Welcoming the
theme of the Summit and recognizing the importance of bridging 
differences, creating better understanding and promoting amity and 
mutually beneficial and comprehensive cooperation in order to promote 
effective linkages and connectivity for greater movement of people, 
enhanced investment and trade in the region;  Reaffirming their
commitment to peace, confidence building, liberty, human dignity, 
democracy, mutual respect, good governance and human rights;  Renewing their
firm commitment to alleviate poverty and reduce income inequalities 
within the societies and reaffirming their resolve to improve the 
quality of life and well-being of their people through people-centered
sustainable development;  Recognizing that
the full enjoyment of fundamental rights by women and girls is an 
inalienable, integral and indivisible part of universal human rights and
that gender-based violence and discriminatory practices constitute a 
violation of fundamental rights;  Mindful of
the plurality of cultures and diversities within the region and 
cognizant of the need to promote inter-cultural harmony through greater 
contact and interaction between peoples;  Deeply Concerned about
the continuing threat of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations,
transnational organized crimes, especially illegal trafficking in 
narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, trafficking in persons and 
small arms and increased incidents of maritime piracy in the region; and
reiterating their resolve to fight all such menaces;  Conscious of the environmental degradation and particular vulnerabilities of the region to the threat of climate change;  Recognizing the need to further strengthen the institutional mechanisms of SAARC in order to bolster and enhance regional cooperation;  Welcoming the
signing of the SAARC Agreement on Rapid Response to Natural Disasters, 
the SAARC Seed Bank Agreement, the SAARC Agreement on Multilateral 
Arrangement on Recognition of Conformity Assessment and the SAARC 
Agreement on Implementation of Regional Standards;  Recognizing the
importance of the full implementation of SAFTA as a measure towards the
creation of an enabling economic environment in the region;  Noting the recommendations of the Report of the First Meeting of the South Asia Forum that SAARC needs to move from looking within to accepting the logic of interdependence; 2  Acknowledging the participation of Observers from Australia, the People‟s Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Mauritius, the Union of Myanmar, the United States of America and the European Union at the Seventeenth Summit;  DO HEREBY DECLARE: 1.
To direct the SAFTA Ministerial Council to intensify efforts to fully 
and effectively implement SAFTA and the work on reduction in Sensitive 
Lists as well as early resolution of non-tariff barriers and expediting 
the process of harmonizing standards and customs procedures.  2.
To direct the SAARC Finance Ministers to chart a proposal that would 
allow for greater flow of financial capital and intra-regional long-term
investment.  3. To hold the Twelfth SAARC Trade Fair along with SAARC Travel and Tourism Fair in Kulhudhuffushi, Maldives
in 2012; and to develop modalities, by involving the relevant private 
sector, in promoting the region globally as „Destination South Asia.‟  4.
To conclude the Regional Railways Agreement and to convene the Expert 
Group Meeting on the Motor Vehicles Agreement before the next Session of
the Council of Ministers; and to direct the early conducting of a 
demonstration run of a container train (Bangladesh – India – Nepal).  5. To direct the Secretary General to ensure completion of the preparatory work on the Indian Ocean Cargo and Passenger Ferry Service, including the Feasibility Study, by the end of 2011, in order to launch the Service.  6. To ensure timely implementation of the Thimphu Statement on Climate Change.  7.
To direct the conclusion of the Inter-governmental Framework Agreement 
for Energy Cooperation and the Study on the Regional Power Exchange 
Concept as also the work related to SAARC Market for Electricity.  8. To make available an appropriate percentage of national income towards the respective countries‟ renewable energy investments, subject to the approval of national arrangements.  9.
To resolve the operational issues related to the SAARC Food Bank by the
next Session of the Council of Ministers with a view to ensuring its 
effective functioning.  10.
To root out terrorism, taking into account its linkages with illegal 
trafficking in narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and small arms 
and to make coordinated and concerted efforts to combat terrorism; and 
call for an early conclusion of the proposed UN Comprehensive Convention
on International Terrorism and completion of the ratification of the 
SAARC Convention on Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters.  11. To initiate work towards combating maritime piracy in the region.  12.
To direct the convening of an Inter-governmental Expert Group Meeting 
to discuss the establishment of a regional mechanism to ensure 
empowerment of women and gender equality in the region, with focus on 
national legislations, including timely realization of the MDGs and 
SDGs.  13.
To direct the finalization of the work on the elaboration of the SAARC 
Regional Convention on Preventing and Combating Trafficking in Women and
Children for Prostitution with a view to its adoption by the next 
Summit. 3  14.
To formulate an actionable framework to address the common challenge of
sanitation and access to safe drinking water in the region.  15.
To expedite the work on mutual recognition of academic and professional
degrees and harmonization of academic standards; and establishment of 
long-term linkages among universities, research institutions and 
think-tanks in the region.  16.
To direct the South Asia Forum to continue to work towards the 
development of the “Vision Statement” for South Asia and its future 
development, including on the goal and elements of a South Asian 
Economic Union, as may emerge from its subsequent meetings.  17. To strengthen SAARC mechanisms, including the Secretariat and Regional Centres, through an inter-governmental process.  18.
To direct SAARC mechanisms and institutions to develop and implement 
regional and sub-regional projects, as appropriate, in agreed areas.  19. To undertake a comprehensive review of all matters relating to SAARC‟s
engagement with Observers, including the question of dialogue 
partnership, before the next Session of the Council of Ministers in 
2012.  20.
To mark a SAARC Media Day and, in that context, decide to convene a 
Regional Conference on Media to consider deepening collaboration in the 
region.  ISSUED on 11.11.11, in Addu, Maldives.