Deal to sell MI-35 helicopters 'politically approved': Russian envoy
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ISLAMABAD: Russian envoy to Pakistan Alexey Dedov on Wednesday said that the MI-35 helicopter deal with Moscow and Islamabad is "politically approved", Radio Pakistan reported.
In an interview with Radio Pakistan, Dedov said that the Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu will visit Islamabad soon. The report further stated that Alexey Dedov said the deal between Pakistan and Russia will help combat terrorism.
While Dedov said the deal has been "politically approved", further negotiations on details of the political-commercial contract are in progress.
The ambassador also said that Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu has talks with Pakistani counterparts on his agenda, to discuss the sale of defence equipment to Pakistan.
Pakistan’s request for MI-35 helicopters has been on the table since 2009, but Russia had kept the issue pending because of the Indian factor.
India had long been Russia’s ‘exclusive military technical cooperation partner’. However, Moscow has reportedly downgraded that status to ‘preferred partner’ after India diversified its defence procurements and increasingly began relying on Western sources for meeting its hardware requirements. Russia has, meanwhile, reviewed its policy of selling military equipment to Pakistan.
Ambassador Dedov, however, had earlier maintained that there was no ban on selling defence equipment to Pakistan.
MI-35s are multi-purpose military transport helicopters which can be used for combat missions.
The Pakistan government has been saying that it genuinely needed these helicopters for counter-terrorism operations.
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Comments (91) Closed
Nov 12, 2014 06:49pm
So any comments my Indian Friends ?? LOLZ
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Nov 12, 2014 06:54pm
Beside terrorism, It will strength Our Nation's strength.. I am happy to witness starting point of great relationship between Russia and Pakistan..
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Nov 12, 2014 07:11pm
@Salman Khan The Russians need hard currency so be ready to pay up. They won't be as generous with credit as the US has been with Pakistan.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:16pm
The indians are most hypocritic people in the world. You see them regularly plying IS and junduallah news items but as soon as something positive comes in connection to Pakistan there is utter silence then.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:17pm
How can we afford this ? We shouldn't compete with India, their economy is 9 times larger than ours and continues to grow.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:17pm
@Salman Khan Dear, see the reports in DAWN? IS is at your door step. Hope MI 35 comes to you quickly to save you.
But, dear bro, your all weather friend will not take this news heartily. They need a market too and who else buys Chinese products!! :) :) :)
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Nov 12, 2014 07:17pm
@Salman Khan. No comments
India rejected this helicopter and settled for USA's Apache Long Bow.
You are getting a left over. Enjoy.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:17pm
@Salman Khan Good that you have asked our opinion. Then please tell us from whom are you going to beg the money for this "deal"?
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Nov 12, 2014 07:21pm
@Salman Khan be careful they will fall apart.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:23pm
Good news ,, Pakistan should make relationship with Russia
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Nov 12, 2014 07:23pm
((((((((((((((((((((YES PUTIN)))))))))))))))))))))))
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Nov 12, 2014 07:32pm
@Salman Khan BTW MI-35 is an inferior version of apache helcopter manufactured by USA the one which india is buying.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:34pm
Funny! I suppose the country that is actively suppressing Muslims in Dagestan and Chechnya and whose immigration policy specifically discriminates against Muslims will now be cheered on by Pakistanis.
Let the ignorance roll...
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Nov 12, 2014 07:40pm
This is not right, previously we have overpowered Russian equipment in full fledge war in Afghanistan from 1978 to 1987. Why in the world we need Russian equipment. Even home made rifles in Dara Adam Khel were superior to their Russian counterparts!
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Nov 12, 2014 07:40pm
@Salman Khan, Never mind about MI-35, India is going for Apache from US. But my question now why is the attraction towards Russian military equipment all of a sudden? Weren't you terming it as Russian junk when we are buying it?
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Nov 12, 2014 07:40pm
Good news! Pakistan should try to become Russia’s ‘exclusive military technical cooperation partner’.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:41pm
@salman khan
Till now the soviet era equipment india owned was derided as junk... Anyway there is as a long journey to acquire .. To begin with you need to have money ..
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Nov 12, 2014 07:44pm
MI-35 is wonderful and very powerful helicopter Gunship unlike much of the chinese junk toy aircraft and defence equipment sold cheaper than an expensive BMW Model. & I think Pakistan will benefit more by procuring Russian equipment going forward. And yes, MI-35 is a wonderful attack gunship very useful to target militants in West.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:46pm
Indians r used to hear of Soviet built Mig-21 fighter planes crashing down in accidents. Pakistan is welcome to buy Russian helicopters. :P
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Nov 12, 2014 07:48pm
Why do you need these helicopters for. how would you pay. Where is the money
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Nov 12, 2014 07:54pm
I don't see why Pakistanis are celebrating. It's just the beginning. Long way to go. May be an year before field trials, price negotiations, delivery schedules are completed.
Also, in 5 years, technology becomes obsolete and by the time Pakistan receives them, it would be at least 2 years from now. Not sure why Pakistan is fixated to MI-35 and I am curious how many other countries are purchasing these helicopters !!!
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Nov 12, 2014 07:54pm
@Salman Khan I think it is fair. Every country must look after its own interests.
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Nov 12, 2014 07:55pm
@Gaurav
World knows Pakistan capabilities to tune optimize and engineer equipments to its best and optimum use. They shall make it equivalent to apache as we have our own R&D..
India has failed in this area.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:01pm
That is always a positive news we need more highly equipped helicopters in our arsenal.
Pakistan joining hands with mighty Russia will always ruffle a few feathers across the border....
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Nov 12, 2014 08:02pm
How much for a ride of this beast? eh ??
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Nov 12, 2014 08:03pm
@Abu So is their military and their aggression
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Nov 12, 2014 08:04pm
More kick backs, amassing foreign bank accounts of certain people
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Nov 12, 2014 08:04pm
@Indie We always get the left overs. Like the sabers back in the 80s. But we make them count.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:06pm
@Indian dont worry. They wont crash as much here. We are way better pilots
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Nov 12, 2014 08:07pm
Russia which now shunned by the West because of Ukraine and it has long been #1 arms supplier to China will obviously open its markets to Pakistan, China and like-minded countries. India cannot keep away enemies bearing the same weapons, and correctly has begun to look West for its arms supplies. China also is hostile towards all its Western-oriented neighbors and a definite Pak-China-Russia is emerging which, by the way, will in no way halt Pakistan's internal disorders..
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Nov 12, 2014 08:07pm
Sad to find Indians and Pakistanis squabbling senselessly!
Grow up please
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Nov 12, 2014 08:12pm
I like d way Pakistani people are rejoicing. .we want u to enter in d arms race with us....please buy more..m happy for you.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:15pm
@someone Is there silence, the maximum comments are from Indians here, to check how much Dawn and Pakistan allows freedom of speech.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:16pm
@Manish Desai Money no problem, I think you understand,
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Nov 12, 2014 08:18pm
Actually this is good news for India too. Now India will put more effort to manufacture them in India.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:18pm
Judging from the situation in Pakistan, they are not going to fight India. If they did then the border skirmish would have escalated to a full blown war. So these helicopters will be used to fight Pakistan's other war, which is good for India as well.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:21pm
@someone So this is "positive" news. Are Yaar, lets pull our act together in Balochistan, NWFP with minorities and with Malala first. Then THAT will be positive news.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:23pm
@bonkers we have a defense industry at home that employs hundreds of thousands
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Nov 12, 2014 08:23pm
@Muhammad Omer Khan haha when I was kid I was always telling my friends that my toy is better than yo any reasoningu without
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Nov 12, 2014 08:24pm
Soon USA is going to declare sanctions against Pakistan, IMF loans will not come if this deal fructifies. Very short-term decision by Pakistan. Anyways the power equation is fast shifting. Meanwhile India is acquiring much superior Apache from USA.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:27pm
@Salman Khan Lol are you really happy with this deal? you remember last year how many state leader visited India? just attract $10 billions which India want buy best fighter plane.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:33pm
@Salman Khan Dont be so happy, If India will deny the billion dollars deal with Russia, they will forget Pakistan in a minute
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Nov 12, 2014 08:45pm
Russian equipment is no good. The technology and reliability is 50 years behind the US and Europeans. The corruption factor is better for Pakistan/Russia though...both are extremely corrupt.
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Nov 12, 2014 08:54pm
Earlier India was buying Russian and Pakistan American. Now it'll be the other way round. Guess our fight is good for everyone but us!!!
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Nov 12, 2014 08:55pm
@Rohan
LOL!
If sanctions come, then Pak does pay IMF - end result, US and other donor countries to it lose out...
I don't think the US will go down there, they look at the larger picture, not the narrow Indian perspective
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Nov 12, 2014 09:01pm
@B R chawla thank you for your concern Pakistan has all the resources to buy these helicopters Pakistan has been using American made Cobra attack helicopters since long we need to diversified our weaponry there is nothing wrong in it
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Nov 12, 2014 09:03pm
@bonkers Arms race is not good for the both countries we need to utilized our resources discreetly
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Nov 12, 2014 09:09pm
@Rohan Yes you are right power equation is shifting very fast look at China which is growing at the rate of 7% and more it ha already become the second largest economy in the world after US Indians should learn some lessons from China
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Nov 12, 2014 09:09pm
Interesting when India buys equipment from Russia then these Pakistani say they purchase Russian useless junk now they getting mi-35 it will increase there strength now what about the term junk Pakistanis. this thing clearly shows double minded policy of Pakistanis. And by the way it is only political approve not signed yet. don't become much happy.
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Nov 12, 2014 09:10pm
Dear friends... Dont be hypocritical ...PAK friends commented on Russian stuff and termed that as a junk and outdated. And now they are enjoying this deal...
It doesn't mean that Indian and Russian collaboration is reducing . The MI India not found interest.
IF Chinese investing a lot in India than in Pakistan, do you agree China tries to avoid friendship with PAK ?.
Lets wait and see how far this deal will go to succeed .
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Nov 12, 2014 09:18pm
@Yasir Watch out!! Once Afghanistan gets stable and USA troops pull out, then you will feel the heat. Till then enjoy!
If Pak doesn't pay IMF, it will be a ridiculous self-goal towards becoming North Korea.
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Nov 12, 2014 09:21pm
@Sunil Are you satisfied now? can you practice what you preach in Indian forums. There you people hardly post opposing comments. Takes guts to face criticism
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Nov 12, 2014 09:24pm
@Indian "Indians r used to hear of Soviet built Mig-21 fighter planes crashing down in accidents. Pakistan is welcome to buy Russian helicopters. :P"
You are still living half a century behind in Mig 21 era. Wakeup and move forward beyond SU 27 times
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Nov 12, 2014 09:36pm
@Indie Its not the weapon, its the men behind the weapons...Remember it.
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Nov 12, 2014 09:40pm
Beginning of a new era of co-operation & friendship. Welcome.
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Nov 12, 2014 09:48pm
Biggest mistake Pakistan ever made was to become american partner if we were friends with communist China why couldn't we be friends with communist USSR . now at least we are on the right path
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Nov 12, 2014 09:48pm
@Pc who else buys Chinese products??? are you living in denial or what.
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Nov 12, 2014 10:04pm
A new era of cooperation between Pakistan and Russia. Don't if Indian friends would like it?
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Nov 12, 2014 10:10pm
@DMDiL here we go again. Start of great relationship etc etc
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Nov 12, 2014 10:12pm
@Pc Indian markets are flooded with Chinese consumer products. Stationary items, electric fans, plastic housware, porcelain Buddhas, zipper, buttons, imitation jewellery, crystal beads, hot stick stones, blankets, scarves, toys...a very long list. Some are being transported through Indian ports while a large quantity going thru land route via Nepal. China not worried, they can sell to India.
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Nov 12, 2014 10:26pm
@NORI we not celebrating, it is just a half proposal. Since Indians poke their nose in even small matter of ours, so we have to write something which keep Indian keyboards busy.
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Nov 12, 2014 10:36pm
@Muhammad Omer Khan ...One thing you are missing here that is they need to fly before they crash. Can't crash if they don't fly. !!! LOL
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Nov 12, 2014 10:38pm
@Alam ...remove your shirt , if you are wearing one and see where it is made...???
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Nov 12, 2014 10:39pm
@shami ...we like very much..!!!
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Nov 12, 2014 10:43pm
Mi-35 is not a good choice we should have tried for Mi-28 instead. Its a very old machine and maintenance night mare just like we are being challenged my IL-76. Besides we operate cobra helicopters and Turkey offered T-129 that has similar western avionics and can swap missiles (TOW/ Hellfire).
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Nov 12, 2014 10:57pm
While Im still partial to US equipment which for the most part fullfullls most of our quirements and are generally some of the best in the world. Pakistan should also look to diversify its arms procurements with emphasis on transfer of technology. Countries like Itlay, Sweden, Germany, Turkey, Israel and Russia all have nice's in advanced arms which could help us plug our deficits. Its a global world that we are a part of and we should shop accordingly.
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Nov 12, 2014 11:27pm
@being human FYI, we already have Apache. PLEASE GOOGLE.
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Nov 12, 2014 11:47pm
@Salman Khan No. Go ahead, if finally you can. But we doubt !!!
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Nov 12, 2014 11:49pm
So now Russian items are good.........good good...keep buying...
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Nov 12, 2014 11:52pm
@Pc Why IS is a threat to Muslim countries only???
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Nov 13, 2014 12:24am
@Nadeem Yes, 6 of them and we have 22 plus 2 separate order of unspecified number expected to be > 50
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Nov 13, 2014 12:55am
Pakistan posses the technology to produce it's home grown superior versions that these outdated ones!!
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Nov 13, 2014 12:57am
@Indie Grapes are Sour :-)
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Nov 13, 2014 02:40am
Grow up guys, it's more of a signal sent to US then just helicopter deal. + to counter west influence in the region and middle east
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Nov 13, 2014 02:44am
Well done Nawaz Sharif- we are proud of you
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Nov 13, 2014 05:43am
The deal has been politically approved, just need to get the money to pay for them now
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Nov 13, 2014 06:02am
@Salman Khan Yes, we now buy from Israel, EU and U.S....Shifting from Android to Apple Iphone 6-New...
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Nov 13, 2014 06:04am
@someone We want to live in peace, If we see the same in Pakistan, we feel happy as well.....
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Nov 13, 2014 06:09am
@Ahmad Now use Rusiian weapons and fight for another 20 years...When are you all going to develop your country????
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Nov 13, 2014 06:27am
russia will not forget, this is the pak. who had support usa for removing ussr from afghanistan.we all know how is the relation with usa and ussr.
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Nov 13, 2014 06:50am
Are we going to use American aid money to pay for these purchases?
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Nov 13, 2014 12:33pm
Indeed a great step taken by both nations........ Waiting anxiously for this toy........
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Nov 13, 2014 02:32pm
Ohhh please man!! don't fight with these little minor things as you all know that we both are atomic power and as our great leader Pervez Musharraf has already said something to India :P
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Nov 13, 2014 06:15pm
from now on im going to read hindustan times..... source of latest news on research in plastic surgery and genetic engineering
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Nov 14, 2014 09:41am
@B R chawla this is not your issue :P
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Nov 14, 2014 09:46am
pakistan also buying helicopter from Turky ... thy have also same like mi-35
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Nov 14, 2014 07:02pm
Actually, i think it is a smart move by the Russians. All things considered, it makes it easier for them to pressurise Pakistan (read spares and support) .. if they make Pakistan dependent on their equipment.
An amenable Pakistan, will be more open to reason with the Russians, once the American boots are off Afghanistan. It is a pretty smart move.
India need not adversely react to this. We have a long standing relationship with Russia - which has not always worked in India's favour. The recent acquisition of the Aircraft Carrier Vikramaditya, being a case in point. Sourcing India's weapons based on acceptance criterion is better than blind reliance on a a single supplier.
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Nov 14, 2014 07:03pm
@Salman Khan :-) Welcome to the Russian Arms Bazaar ...
Buy their Aircraft carriers - they are giving it away for free, you only have to pay for the refurbishment of the same
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Nov 14, 2014 07:04pm
@Omar I am Indian, but I agree with you all the way man.
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Nov 15, 2014 07:27am
don't worry Nawaz Shareed J10B ki tarha yeh deal bhi cancel kara dega, apnay aik aur naya gher England main banayega
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Nov 15, 2014 08:58am
Good news! Pakistan should try to become Russia’s ‘exclusive military technical cooperation partner’.
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