In the 50s, when the Afghans invaded Pakistan, an embargo was placed on goods to Afghanistan. This brought Kabul to its senses. Everyday the Northern Alliance warlords speak against Pakistan. Mr. Karzai the Indian puppet blames Pakistan for every leaf that falls in Kabul.

The recent coup and attack on Kabul by the Pashtuns in Mr. Karzai’s army and police was quickly blamed on Pakistan. Two days later the Kabul “government” woke up to the reality of the wide discontent in Kabul against Mr. Karazai. As if this was a secret.

Mr. Karzai or his able lieutenant who recently visited occupied Kashmir to learn about anti-insurgency never apologized for his false accusations against Pakistan.

The food aid to Kabul perpetuates the failed regime of Mr. Karzai and allows him to continue his tirades against Pakistan. The food aid helps him keep the four Indian consulates and 13 “information centers” run by Indian intelligence services.

Pakistan has over the past few decades taken care of millions of Afghans. All she has gotten from Afghanistan is blame and problems.

Some starvation and food shortages in Kabul will go a long way in sending a clear message to Mr. Karzai on what could happen to his land lock country if he continues his dangerous flirtation with New Delhi.

Pakistan can setup foor centers on the Afghan side of the border and provide food as she has done for decades. Sending food directly props up the wrong government in Kabul

Does anyone in Islamabad have a backbone to send a clear message to Mr. Karzai?

Pakistan sends wheat to Afghans to avert crisis

Tue May 6, 2008 8:25pm IST By Kamran Haider By Kamran Haider

ISLAMABAD (Reuters) – Pakistan approved on Tuesday the export of 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan to avert a food crisis there and said exports to its landlocked neighbour would continue on a government-to-government basis.

The Pakistani government also approved the immediate import of 250,000 tonnes of wheat, part of a targeted 1.5 million tonnes of imports this year, and said a surplus of rice would be exported but only after domestic needs were met.

Pakistan launched a crackdown on the smuggling of wheat flour to Afghanistan late last year as prices of the staple surged.

The government’s highest economic decision-making body, the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC), approved the export to Afghanistan at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani.

“The ECC approved the export of 50,000 tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan to avert food crisis in additional to their annual requirement,” the prime minister’s office said in a statement.

Gilani also directed that the export of wheat to Afghanistan should only be done on a government-to-government level while measures to check smuggling would be strengthened, it said.

Pakistan expects wheat output of 21.8 million tonnes this year, below a target of 24 million tonnes, and 1 million tonnes less than domestic requirements.

Last month, the government approved the import of 1.5 million tonnes of wheat and Gilani approved the immediate import of 250,000 tonnes of that to control prices and address shortages.

RICE EXPORTS

Pakistan expected rice output of up to 5.5 million tonnes this financial year, ending on June 30, and domestic consumption would be a little over 2.2 million tonnes, the office said.

The surplus would be exported after domestic needs were met and domestic prices were stabilised, it said.

“While observing that the rice production is surplus in Pakistan, the ECC decided that the export of rice must be undertaken after meeting the domestic consumption and ensuring the stability of prices,” the prime minister’s office said.

Last month, the government raised the prospect of imposing curbs on rice exports if prices rose in the domestic market.

Rice, a high-value cash crop, accounts for about 8 percent of Pakistani exports and 1.2 percent of gross domestic product.

High food prices lifted Pakistan’s consumer price inflation to 14.12 percent year-on-year in March, the highest in 13 years.

The U.N. World Food Programme has said nearly half of Pakistan’s 160 million people are at risk of going short of food because of a surge in prices.

Pakistan produced 5.4 million tonnes of rice last year and exported 3.12 million, equal to about a 10th of world rice trade, and it exported 1.6 million tonnes of rice in the first eight months of this fiscal year, according to official data.

Rice prices in Pakistan have doubled in the past few months.

Some main rice-growing countries, such as Vietnam and India, have clamped down on shipments to cool domestic prices, but that has in turn fanned worries about shortages and has helped push global prices higher.

(Additional reporting by Zeeshan Haider)