The Frontier Post
NRO drama!
Mwaqar
I am not Zardari's fan but it is really amazing that people have forgotten Nawaz Sharif's corruption; to me entire Pakistani elite is corrupt and is bunch of thugs, criminals and thieves. The only thing Pakistan needs is a revolution and firing squad to get rid of all these. The fact is, no one has any idea how the NRO is going to play out in the courts. But everyone knows that corruption is rampant in Pakistan and there are no effective means to check it. Ousting Zardari will neither fix the system nor validate the continuation of democracy in Pakistan. Nawaz Sharif's Ehtesab Bureau was basically a Punjabi way of removing all political opposition to primacy of Punjab from Sindh. Corruption was used as a pretext although no one ever asked how Nawaz Sharif became Pakistan's richest man in between 1985 and 1997? No one asked how Nawaz Sharif awarded the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway to Daewoo before last date of award of the project? No one has asked how Shahbaz Sharif awarded NLC 8 billion rupees of Lahore Ring Road without bidding and NLC sub-contracted the same work to civilians within 7 days without bidding? How is it that all the crimes and corruption is in Sindh, Pakhtunkhawa, Balochistan while the majority Punjab, much larger in the population, is composed of all the angels? The NRO is just a name in the struggle of Pakistan's so-called custodians, also known as establishment, the generals, the Punjab centered political clique to paint all who are outside their group as bad guys. The question of NRO is of social justice and morality that an elite group of people is allowed to keep them away from any judicial process for their alleged crimes. But I don't think our bureaucracy, generals, feudal parties, corrupt capitalists; bhatta khors don't consider themselves as in need of any morality. These thugs and criminals don't care that ordinary Pakistanis are poor, they are selling kids and kidneys or committing suicides because of poverty, they don't have clean drinking water, electricity, proper medical benefits and the list of their miseries goes on in Pakistan. One person of the family stands in line for flour, another stands in line to get sugar. When they come home, they found no electricity, gas or water. Very productive - these politicians have taken money from agencies and steal money. I think these people should be banned from running. These corrupt politicians, rulers, elite and slaves of bourgeois are all power hungry. None of them is truly a leader of public. A public leader only comes in power to help the public. They represent and defend the rights of their community. As long as these political leaders are in the political scene, no real progress can take place. The time has come to start things from scratch; to have the Pakistan "Born Again". This can only accomplish when the Pakistani public stops believing in this charade of democracy. It is only good for amusement. "Somebody" has to give a sudden halt to this and form a government of technocrats (loyal ordinary citizens of Pakistan) who can rule for good 25-30 years and "build the nation": infrastructure, economy, healthcare and education geared towards making citizens of Pakistan virtuous, compassionate, tolerant and knowledgeable. The reason I talk about revolution is, because we need to put this country on the right track, to debar all the corrupt politicians or bureaucrats and army generals from ever holding public offices again...otherwise this vicious cycle will continue to play on...also if everybody loves the animal of democracy so much, the least that can be done by all political parties is to first institute democratic norms within their own ranks rather than to operate like dynasties in a kingdom...also they should bring in statutes within their own ranks to debar corrupt leaders, otherwise the monstrous shamble of corruption and destruction would carry on forever, lets break the vicious circle now... otherwise three years from now, we will be watching Nawaz or Shahbaz as PM making the same inaugural speech they were making 10 years ago... "Aziz humwatanon, pichli hakoomat nay iss mulk ko loot kar deewalaya kar diya. Muslim League phir se taraqqi ka safar shuroo karey gi. The people should rise up against the system because it is the system that is flawed. Lets see how other countries have eradicated corruption from their ranks. Some cleaned the top leadership as in Malaysia and some made it a criminal offence punishable to death as is the case in China. The death penalty is an effective means of state-driven innovation, especially against entrenched or widespread defective social structures. Its use against corruption is not in itself new, and it is still applied effectively in China. The NRO scandal is a quick reminder, that in the heavy population developing countries, corruption, self-enrichment, and nepotism are part of the political culture in - so much so, that they form a major argument against democracy itself. Though many countries have signed Protocol Six of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibits the use of the death penalty in peaceful times, however including China and Pakistan some 59 countries have not signed that protocol. The death penalty is legal in 59 countries and 25 of them used it last year to execute almost 9,000 people and Belarus is the only European country where the death penalty is still used. Pakistan is amongst those 59 who awards death sentence freely but in Pakistan you can hang a poor guy not big thugs and criminals. Pakistani society continues it's descent into anarchy and lawless. The powerful and the rich remain accountable to no one, free to plunder the national trust and wealth. The corrupt should be hung from telephone and electric poles in the street for all the public to see that corruption will not be tolerated. These corrupt politicians are the reason of Pakistan's downfall. Such a strong blow to Pakistan's prosperity should only be dealt with an iron hand: Capital punishment should be enforced for such chronic criminals. Pakistani politicians who desire to enter into politics are to enhance their personal wealth, powers and ego. They entirely forget main objective of democracy, which is to serve the people and the country. From day one they have been fighting like dogs and cats, not to serve the nation but to themselves and this is the unfortunate reality. The military needs to be kept out of Pakistani politics. Pakistani generals need to understand that they need to improve their skill in defending the country instead of running it into the ground. The nation is still at war with the terrorists. Beside terrorists plague Pakistanis have other several major problems such as poverty, IDPs issues, security of people and the nation, energy crises, inflation, unemployment, lack of justice for individuals and civil laws, etc. All these issues require full attention of all branches of our government. Away from Pakistan for three decades but still carrying a sympathetic heart, I watch events unfold in Pakistan like a soap opera. Politicians of all persuasions appear on television claiming honesty and virtue, prepared to sacrifice all for the country. Who are they kidding? We all know deep down most of them are corrupt and will not hesitate to further their personal cause instead of country's development. You only have to look at the gap between haves and the have-nots. People are taking their own lives in desperation because they can't feed their children, while the elite live in palaces, eat well and travel to foreign countries with disproportionate entourage on public funds. These political parties are behaving like the sugar mills owners. They are just after their personal benefits and do not care a bit for the country's interests. Pretty hopeless people in the present dark situation! Pakistan is cursed with evil politicians. Masses have no choice. Only a Messiah will liberate the oppressed. We can only hope that one day a revolutionary benevolent leader can steer this nation out of its misery.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ar&nid=738&ad=01-12-200
Dated: Tuesday,December 01, 2009, Zil'Haj 13, 1430 A.H.
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The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Gojra incident….. Shame….. shame
M. Waqar
I have no regret to mention that I am ashamed what had happened in Gojra with the minorities living in Pakistan. I am ashamed of those who did this criminal act for whatever the reason. Shame! Shame on all of us. There are no words to describe this. The government must immediately bring the perpetrators to justice and make a horrible example of them. What may I ask is the Chief Minister of Punjab doing about this? Is he going to remain an idle spectator or is he going to show some backbone and take these fanatics who sully our already muddied name, just paying money to victims cannot be end of this horrible incident, money can’t bring loved ones who were burnt in front of their families, are we living in 21st century? Is this the message we are sending to the world that we are barbarians, we don’t have any respect for human life, we are a country where we behead innocent people and hang dead bodies to trees, we don’t have any tolerance, ours is an intolerant society, and we are particularly intolerant of those whose faith is not Muslim. That is the message we are sending to the World. It’s extremely sad. Sad to know that even in this day and age such extreme level of religious intolerance exists. How can we ever progress with such a mind set? Where are those champions of Islam like Imran Khan, Nawaz Sharif, Qazi Hussain,Fazlur Rehman? Why they are silent? Another shameful blot on our national conscience. The perpetrators of this crime must be punished and we should make an example out of them, on mere allegations (which are later proven baseless) they kill people, destroy houses and then take over property. And everyone in these mobs, from their leaders down to the foot soldiers, is scum of the earth. The police and the district administration should publicly apologize to the Christian community, Any group that targets women and children should be ashamed of themselves. The horrific incident at Gojra has humiliated and shocked the entire nation, and we should hang our heads in shame over the fact that barbaric mobs burned Christians alive as the law enforcement agencies were unable to do anything to protect them. To add to the tragedy, the aggrieved people had to launch a strong protest to get an FIR registered against some 816 perpetrators, including the Toba Tek Singh district coordination officer (DCO) and the district police officer (DPO). A report issued by the Minority Rights Group International in 2007 was a commentary on the dismal state of human rights in Pakistan in respect of its minorities. The document placed Pakistan at number eight among the first 10 of some 70 countries that had denied basic rights to their minorities. The grave incident at Gojra comes as a stark reminder for the country’s bleak human rights record. I am a Muslim but I am ashamed today for the acts done by these killers in the name of My tolerant religion and I couldn’t comprehend that how these so called protectors of Islam and Prophet (pbuh) would face Allah and Prophet (pbUH) on the day of judgment when He would ask them that who gave them the authority? Who proved this blasphemy actually occurred? And how they decided that this was done by the same people they killed? Killing innocent people is not Islamic. The animals who are involved in killing and burning innocent people must be severely punished. Christians and Muslims should work together to find out who was the insensitive culprit who did this disrespectful act. Those persons are equally responsible for death of the innocent peoples. Once again, the incident was provoked by allegations of desecration of the Holy Quran, which were unfounded according to the Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah. Instead of allowing the law enforcement agencies to do their job and respect the decision of the courts, the mobs decided to take matters into their own hands and destroy the homes and lives of the Christian community of the area. This is a shocking incident that must be condemned to the fullest, and the government of Punjab needs to make an example out of the hooligans and barbarians that conducted this massacre. They have shamed the entire nation and must be punished. We must show that we are a nation of laws, not a mob. Further, this is the second high profile incident in less than two months where Christians were targeted by Muslim extremists on baseless allegations of blasphemy. It is clear that the agenda of these mobs is very different from what they claim. Again, the law must reign supreme, not the bloodlust of extremist mobs. It’s Muslims duty to not let such bloodthirsty extremists take over our religion. It is time for true Muslims to take back their religion from the violent thugs running amok. Punjab Govt is living in denial, The provincial government is not accepting that a large part of Punjab is suffering from religious intolerance due to the Taliban and religious outfits. The tearful and tragic incidence of Korian Village of Gojra is one of the so many other cruel acts of fundamentalists in Pakistan, till now we could point to Indian Gujarat and say that forming mobs to attack mobs is something that happens only in India. No longer true. Thanks to these animals wearing the mask of Islam. People who form mob and attack others are nothing but blood thirsty thugs. These are criminals waiting for any opportunity to commit most vile criminal acts. This barbaric attack on unarmed and peaceful Christian people of Pakistan must be condemned. It is a shameful act. Extremism has been brewing in Pakistan for decades especially after the advent of Zia era. Right wing political parties and state agencies have been busy perpetuating various internal and external hot spots to justify their consolidation of power and to divert attention from the real issues faced by 160 million people of Pakistan. This is not Pakistan of Quaid-e-Azam. This is the country of militants, instead of blaming the culprits, and also the local law enforcement agencies for their criminal negligence, there were some elements who started blaming a “foreign hand”, which is not something new in Pakistan, evidence indicates that local extremists were aided by banned terrorist organisations who were responsible for this crime against humanity, these barbarians are no “foreign hands” they are the ones who have brought us enough grief and shame. Religious fanaticism will eat up the very basis of the country if we do not curb this trend forthwith. The Punjab Government must understand that Punjab is the heartland of the country and Pakistan is on microscopic scrutiny these days. Every news emerging from Pakistan is immediately taken up by International media and what sort of image are we portraying? Human rights are enshrined in the constitution of Pakistan and religion is often used falsely to suppress the minorities. Progressive forces in Pakistan and around the world have become a formidable force and risen against the forces of hate and evil. Let us embrace diversity in Pakistan and create an environment where people of Pakistan are not judged by their colour, nationality, ethnic background or a religious faith passed onto them by their ancestors just like a colour of skin or a chattel. Let us make Pakistan an inclusive country - a nation of many nations. Let us promote brotherhood and sisterhood among progressive people to stand like a shield of steel between the forces of pillage and destruction and the noble causes of 160 million innocent people of Pakistan who are yearning for peace, prosperity, individual and collective dignity, justice and democracy. The time has come to take politics out of the business of religion and religion out of the business of politics. We need to be hearing words of conciliation and fraternity from our mosques. It is our religious leaders who are our primary influence, and it is to them that we must look to douse the fires of intolerance and hatred. Would they? Do they have that within them? Or is inclusively and tolerance beyond those who lead our prayers? It’s time for progressive, educated Pakistanis to raise voice against this discrimination and make Pakistan a better place to live for every one. Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ar&nid=492&ad=06-08-200
Dated: Thursday, August 06, 2009, Sha'ban 14, 1430 A.H.
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Legend of our times
M Waqar New York
I am deeply saddened by the death of the most unique talent the world has seen in pop music. Michael Jackson was one of the greatest music icons of the 20th Century. A true star who will never be forgotten. There will never be another Michael Jackson. He was the consumate performer and talented in ways that we have not seen since. His appeal crossed over racial lines. His influence on R&B and Pop will live forever. Thriller is one of a kind. MTV would not be what it is today if it were not for Michael. He was a music legend, an American icon, and a talented Black man. MJ loved so many in his life and was loved by all who heard his music, saw his dancing & acting, or heard him share his heart. Such great loss to so many. Such great loss for us all. Funny thing about Billie Jean...as a kid, I never really knew what it was about. I distinctly remember hearing it as an adult and having an “ah hah!” moment when I realised the underlying theme. I don’t know that I have ever been so shocked to hear of a celebrity’s death. Madonna, a fellow pop icon, said: “The world has lost one of the greats, but his music will live on forever!” He ruled entire globe through his music. Rest in Peace MJ. You will forever be an icon of music and culture. Jackson was a brilliant talent, and left behind some of the greatest pop music ever made. He was exceptional, artistic and original. He gave the world his heart and soul through his music. God Bless him.
Curbs on The Frontier Post
M WAQAR FRONTIER POST
I am really shocked to read the letter by Mr Mahabat Khan that ANP Govt is targeting The Frontier Post by putting curbs for advertisements because the newspaper has been calling spade a spade. Let's not forget that The Frontier Post is the voice of Pakhtuns and it knows the pain and sufferings of the people. As Mr. Khan mentioned in his letter "This paper always faced tough times for its straightforwardness, is a fact". I am proud of The Frontier Post that it never sold its journalistic pride and never bowed to any military or civilian dictator. Its true that a sincere person is always he, who identifies the weaknesses of his friend and not to conceal them. By punishing The Frontier Post, the ANP will not achieve anything but bad reputation. What ANP bosses doesn't understand is that the truth is not something physical which can be eliminated by suppression and force. It's the moral duty of media to tell the truth. A collective struggle is needed to protect freedom of expression in Pakistan. The ANP who enjoys power in Pakhtunkhwa should pay attention to its voters' security and help those who are living in tents on their own soil. The ANP did make mistakes and The Frontier Post did nothing wrong to mention those mistakes and advise or criticise the Govt. It's their (The Frontier Post) moral duty of journalism. The ANP government must respect freedom of the press. The Frontier Post editorials are always very bold and courageous and there is always a lesson for those who make mistakes.
Hypocrite leaders
M Waqar New York
Hypocrites of religious parties had a protest against military operation in Swat, its really amazing that leadership of these so-called religious parties never made any statement what Taliban did and doing to the nation, country as well as innocent people, where were their protest rallies when cruel, criminal, thug Taliban were beheading innocent people, hanging dead bodies on trees and poles? While Army is locked with Taliban in fierce battle in the Malakand Agency, especially in the Swat region, some of the hypocrites like Imran Khan and religious parties have started raising hell just to demoralize the nation and to show their inner filth and to just blackmail the government to get more attention and the perks and privileges. Qazi Hussain Ahmad, the ex-chief of Jamaat-e-Islami has announced a three-day sit-in in the Melody Chowk, Islamabad, against the military operation in Swat. Where was he and his clowns, when there was no military operation and government was trying to appease the Taliban by dialogues, deals and accords? Not even once Qazi or his people went to Swat or talked with Sufi Muhammad or Fazlullah. They remained silent. Now just to record their attention they are raising hell. This is the time when they should be helping the IDPs and not creating fissures and fuss. But they have always disappointed the nation. Does our religion propagate this type of politics?. No, never.... These religious leaders actions have nothing to do with religion. This is sheer hypocrisy. These people are using religion and their religious attire to fool the masses who are illiterate, religious minded and tend to fall prey to any religious gimmick. We must not allow these people to take control of our lives and affairs of our country. We need a totally different band of able political leaders who are sincere, honest, dedicated and work with a vision. We must look around, pick such people and encourage them to come forward. We must get rid of these stale feudal and maulvis who only play dirty politics for their interest. Why did not JI leadership go to Swat and talk to those ignorant mullahs Sufi and company, why JI did not say anything when Taliban were destroying schools and harassing girls if they were going to schools. Why did not they protest when Taliban were killing innocent people, sending suicide bombers across the country, destroying music centres and internet café, what Taliban are doing that was encouraged during MMA Govt in Pakhtunkhwa, nation should realise that JI is supporting Taliban. Imran Khan and JI leadership is deaf, dumb and blind, Imran Khan has forgotten when he used to party and clubbing in Europe , he forgets about his playboy past but now he talks about Islam and supports Taliban. Jamaat-e-Islami’s Munawar Hasan is criticisng those politicians who are supporting military operation but why did not Qazi Hussain or he himself go to Taliban and ask them to stop thei barbarian activities and stop killing innocent people. Extremism is death of sanity and a tricky shrewd extremist in high place has potential to ruin the nation. Unfortunately in Pakistani political chess board still some religious extremists command the events. These are the people who exploit the conflict and get benefits from every side. Let’s not forget that Maulana Fazlur Rehman who is the leader of Pakistan’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam or JUI is a person who benefits from every situation and every government. JI also opposed the creation of Pakistan. It supported Gul Badin Hikmatyar during so-called Afghan Jihad. Its leadership is vocal critic of army operations against extremists and spreading bitter propaganda against Army and forces fighting Taliban. Fazlur Rehman is “ideological mentor” of the Taliban. JI also opposed the creation of Pakistan. It has deep connections with international Islamist Parties like Akhwan ul Muslimeen of Egypt. Leaders of these religious parties supported every military dictator in Pakistan. Gen Zia and the so-called Afghan war in 1980 played an important role in the growth of religious parties. Several new parties were formed. One more Political party who is trying to exploit the situation is PML-N. Taliban are involved in crimes against humanity and they must be punished. Army has full support of educated civil society and the gains in Swat will be useless if we don’t act against the real bases of the Taliban and al-Qaeda in the tribal areas. Better suffer some casualties now, and suffer collateral damage, than see the whole country become Taliban’s playground. Salute to martyres of Rah-e-Rast and all those police officials who sacrificed their lives for Pakistan.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=525&ad=28-05-200
Dated: Thursday, May 28, 2009, Jamadi-us-Sani 03, 1430 A.H.
‘Crush em’
M Waqar New York
I am glad that the entire nation except Qazi Hussain and Imran Khan is united on war against Taliban. These thugs are not offering anything positive but only death and damaging name of Islam and Pakistan. I am happy to see broad public and political support for the war. I am glad that people have realised that Taliban had to be defeated. They are doing no good to any one. The name of Islam, Pakistan and good kind innocent people have been tarnished all over the world because of them. Pakistan Army should punish them real hard and kill or arrest their leaders and bring them to justice. These so called Taliban leaders are involved in crime against humanity. They beheaded even children, destroyed schools and other business which Qazi Hussain and Imran Khan don’t see. It is a real test for the Army, They must crush these lunatics. The nation will be very disappointed if they don’t win this war against Taliban and punish them. The emerging situation in Pakistan needs to be combated now in a very aggressive manner. The Taliban are a shame on Islam. It will be a service to Islam and humanity to bring these animals to a court of law. Pakistan’s civil society must target these lumping elements if they want to clean Pakistan of these rabid fundamentalist elements. Taliban have been destroying or occupying government buildings and blowing up bridges, basic health units and hotels, including the one that looked majestic with clouds often swirling around it at the now deserted Malam Jabba skiing and chairlift resort. Electricity and gas installations have been bombed and road blockades and checkpoints set up to add to the misery of the people. Beheadings of personnel of security forces and police and political rivals is common. Bodies of people slain overnight are dumped in the morning by the roadside everywhere in Swat or at the Greens Chowk, nowadays commonly referred to as "Khooni Chowk" in Mingora city. Taliban never had any genuine demands that could be considered. Their actions are genocide of innocent peace loving Pakhtuns . Forgiving them the blood of all those that they have killed just for negotiating "peace" sends a very wrong signal to all the other crooks who want to make money out of suppressing others. These guys need to be made an example or we are bound to see more episodes in the futures. The only solution of the Taliban problem is an armed solution. The Taliban in Swat is a rag tag bunch of around 2000 fighters, besides being small in number they have alienated the local population with their cruelty. This should not be a big problem for the 500,000 strong army. It is equally important to find and expose those elements, groups or countries supporting & re-sourcing Taliban with money and weapons and parallel efforts be made by all, army as well as local tribes to help close the taps. Otherwise it is going to be a long haul fire fighting and extended collateral miseries for the IDPs. Once they are eliminated, we should start educating our citizens in those areas to make sure no Taliban is born into another home anywhere in Pakistan.! Pakistan Govt. is taking the right step to eliminate them.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=484&ad=24-05-200
Dated: Sunday, May 24, 2009, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 28, 1430 A.H.
Flogging: state of denial
M Waqar New York
Today I congratulate everyone because Gen Zia’a dream has been fulfilled as a teenaged girl was flogged in Swat. Also let me congratulate, Imran Khan, the Jama’at-e-Islami leadership, Lt-Gen Hameed Gul, the ANP government in the NWFP, the majority of Urdu-language columnists, some English ones too as they support making deals with Taliban. Video of a young girl being flogged as ‘punishment’ by the Taliban in Swat has shocked everyone in the civilized World. It is shameful that religious parties appeared reluctant to openly condemn the case of lashing of a 17-year-old girl in Swat while not giving any clear statement regarding the unfortunate incident. What a shameful act these so-called Taliban did. I am also proud of those men who were watching this innocent helpless victim of atrocity, watching the spectacle mutely either in approval or dumbfounded and afraid of uttering a word against it lest it be termed as anti-Islam and they themselves were meted out the same treatment. Hearing that poor girl's cries grown up men stood and watched her being beaten just makes me sick to the stomach. What a message we are sending to the civilized World. Zardari "condemns" (words are cheap); PM "demands" punishment (OK, lets wait and see); CJ uses suo moto to demand girl be produced before court. (OK, lets wait and see). Jamaat-e-Islami says this is a "minor matter" and people should focus on drone attacks by the US (thus demonstrating their hypocrisy and savagery). This was one of the barbaric acts of Taliban, so far we knew that they hang dead bodies to tress but now we have learned that in the past women were punished like this inside rooms. The videotape shown on television and displayed on websites wasn't the only time that a woman was publicly canned by the Taliban. However, no videotape of the other incident, which took place on Oct 20, 2008, is available in which a woman and her father-in-law were flogged in Ser-Taligram village near Manglawar in Charbagh tehsil. It is also sad to read some people's comments on this forum who are living in denial. I was reading one letter on your web site, writer says , "I have a serious doubt as immediately after the whipping the "victim" got up and walked away without a limp." Any sane person would laugh at this nonsense if the situation weren’t so dire. If the video was fake, then why did the Taliban accept responsibility and claim they had done the right thing? Everything is a conspiracy to those who are in state of denial. They have lost ability to think, reason and to be logical. Speaking from psychological point of view that innocent girl must be so embarrassed that she did not want to be there, that’s why she got up fast. Those who are living in denial expect from this girl to say thanks to those Taliban and had offered them flowers, that’s what anyone who is denying this incident expects from that girl. That poor girl must have been in agony and I wonder what happened to her once they took her away. Those who are living in denial, those who think this incident was fake, remember Taliban would publicly whip your sisters, mothers, daughters and wives and when you will get out of your state of denial, it will be too late. It is also unfortunate that ANP leadership has abandoned its own people to the Taliban by making deals with them. No one can give justification for such an act. These handful of people have taken the population hostage, and the government is trying to patronize them. If the state surrenders, what will happen next? Those who are thinking that this video is fake should read writing on the wall. It was indeed like a lash on the faces of the chief minister of NWFP, the prime minister, the president, the legislators and most importantly, on the faces of every civilized Pakistani and Pukhtun as another writer mentioned on this forum. Its also true that the monster of terrorism is indeed on the prowl, unhindered and unchecked, targeting at will whatever and whoever it wants. It is obvious that the state has been unable and unwilling to address the threat posed by Al Qaeda and the Taliban. For the most part, the religious lot of the country has quietly and not so quietly supported the terrorists. The people of Pukhtunkhwa have been held hostage by Taliban, Pukhtuns' land is burning. What Taliban are doing is plain barbarism. When a religion is taken over by militants and zealots this is what you get.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=21&ad=08-04-200
Dated: Wednesday, April 08, 2009, Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1430 A.H.
Nawaz a reliable partner
M Waqar New York, USA
It will be disastrous for Obama administration if, Washington thinks that Pakistani opposition leader, Nawaz Sharif can be a reliable partner of Washington in fighting Taliban. Nawaz Sharif is not only a corrupt politician he has sympathies with Osama bin laden, al-quaeda and Taliban. According to a former ISI official , Nawaz Sharif met Osama bin Laden and received funds from him, he met Osama three times and desperately asked for financial assistance. Bin Laden, who had offered him money to topple the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) government of Benazir Bhutto in 1990. Al Qaeda head wanted the “secular” PPP government overthrown to ensure that Pakistan continued supporting the Afghan “jihad” and Laden was against a woman ruling Pakistan. Nawaz met Osama thrice in Saudi Arabia ,this meeting was arranged by former ISI official Khalid Khawaja. Nawaz Sharif was hoping for a grant of Rs 500 million. Although Bin Laden gave a smaller amount, Khawaja said that he arranged for Sharif to meet the Saudi royal family, which pledged political support for him and kept its word until he was dislodged by President Pervez Musharraf in 1999 . Nawaz has been an ardent supporter of Taliban. I am afraid that his coming to power at this critical juncture will be bad news for Pakistan, because Pak is already facing Taliban mutiny. Sharif is on record stating he would prefer Pakistan to be run like the Taliban ran Afghanistan, and we all know how well that turned out. Sharif’s reckless embrace of religious extremism led him to try and impose Sharia (Islamic law) on Pakistan in 1998 and declare himself “Amirul Momineen” (Leader of the Faithful). Sharif has a long history of aligning with extremist religious groups, jihadists, and the Taliban. Sharif’s desire for power is even greater than his respect for innocent life. Convicted for hijacking, he put the lives of 198 people on a plane in jeopardy by refusing to allow it to land. Also, Sharif funneled terrorist gunmen into disputed areas of Kashmir in 1997, risking not only the lives of innocent civilians there, but open war with its larger neighbour, India. Beyond the blood on Sharif’s hands, his corruption and that of his brother are on a vast scale. At the time of his removal from office, Nawaz Sharif and his brother Shabaz had looted approximately $60 million from people of Pakistan, via their personally owned companies.
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Dated: Saturday,March 28, 2009, Rabi-ul-Awwal 30, 1430 A.H.
Nawaz Sharif, take a chill pill
M Waqar New York, USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Well I have been talking about revolution in Pakistan since high school, but its really funny to hear this great word, "revolution'' from Mr Nawaz Sharif . His revolution is for himself not for Pakistan people, he wants a revolution so he can become Prime Minister and let's not forget that Nawaz was PM not once but twice, so what happen then, he had all the power and he could change Pakistan, he could get rid of what he is talking about now. It is obvious that Nawaz Sharif is playing a dangerous game using Punjabi ethnicity for his political gains in Pakistan and he is not alone, Imran Khan even wants to use Taliban for revolution. Nawaz Sharif in Jhelum, asked people to rise and "get ready to make sacrifices for a revolution" and "come out on the streets to change your destiny". Then he says, "PPP has been perfidious in getting me disqualified, and because I cannot wait until the next elections to trounce the PPP, you, the people, should help me do it.'' Nawaz is once again trying to revive Punjabi chauvinism in Pakistan. Obviously what Nawaz promises the nation, is not a revolution but merely a regime-change to his liking. Nawaz talks about NRO but he forgets about his agreement with dictator Musharraf, he talks about judiciary but forgets his attack on Supreme Court, he talks about media but forgets what he did to Rehmat Shah Afridi of Frontier Post, Jang Group and others, he forgets what he did to Junejo. He talks about democracy but he forgot it while making forward bloc. Where was his revolution when Nawaz spent his time at Surror Palace in Jeddah and then in England and poor Pakistanis were selling kids and kidneys? Sharif was indicted for criminal charges, and was allowed to go without facing the them. Now he is back, but he did not face his criminal indictments. Mr Shahbaz Sharif and Mian Nawaz Sharif both are convicted criminals, in a unconstitutional deal with the military dictator General Pervez Musharaf, both went into exile with a promise to stop participating in politics. Pakistani politicians have no moral values and principles, when Nawaz was PM, JI Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmad told his supporters that Nawaz and Pakistan could not co-exist, but for creating disturbance Qazi joined his hands recently. Democracy cannot work in Pakistan unless and until the country rid itself of the culture of dynastic rulers, feudal lords, capricious, greedy rich politicians and military generals who have monopolized and manipulated Pakistan for the last 61 years for their personal interests. These corrupt politicians have now the last chance to save Pakistan from collapsing if their intentions are honest and patriotic but if as always in the past, they are only interested in the thickness of their wallets; the country is doomed as it is surrounded by enemies within and around its borders.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=1221&ad=22-03-200
Dated: Sunday,March 22, 2009, Rabi-ul-Awwal 24, 1430 A.H.
The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
'Not a political war'
M Waqar New York Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Your Feb 28 article 'No to political war' is a true picture of what educated people of this country expects from their politicians. I am surprised to read statements of Nawaz Sharif as Editorial of your esteemed daily: ''By provoking the civil servants and the police force in Punjab to defy the state writ and to disobey the state authority, he has definitely added no feather to his hat. '' This kind of statement can be expected from a low level street politician but not from someone who was prime minister of this country twice. Unfortunately none of Pakistani politicians are interested in progress of their country and people. Pakistan belongs to its people and not to the bunch of rotten corrupt politicians that have come and gone. Pakistan has been resilient enough to withstand the onslaught of corruption year after year for over 60 years running, watching one tyrant after another make his own heaven on earth. Nawaz Sharif ceased to be the legitimate prime minister of Pakistan when he organised the storming of the Supreme Court in 1998. Where was his love with lawyers and Supreme Court and judges then? During his political reign the economic life of ordinary Pakistanis was becoming more and more difficult while Sharif and his cronies were getting richer and richer. He has amassed wealth at the expense of his poor people and country. On the other hand President Zardari needs to get his acts together and follow the foot steps of Z A Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto who not only had great vision but were true leaders of the people.
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Dated: Monday,March 02, 2009,Rabi-ul-Awwal 04, 1430 A.H.
The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Swat is still bleeding!
M Waqar New York
Another shameful day for Pakhtuns by those who shamefully bowed to the murderers of innocent people in Swat. Bad news that the government has given in to demands of the militants in Swat...they say that (Nizam-i-Adl ) is to be imposed in Malakand/Swat now...thus giving in to the mullahs by the authorities...a black day, sad and shameful...how could you let murderers and criminals to have their way like this. I am not against if people in Swat legally through election or referendum demanded for such laws but unfortunately these laws are imposed on them by a bunch of ignorant who killed and treated people of Swat like they were not Muslims and even real Islam of Mohammad (PBUH) will not allow actions of Taliban. What is the educational background of Mullah Sufi, Fazlullah or Baitullah Mesud. Are they Islamic scholars? On the other hand instead of crushing them for killing innocents they're being rewarded by giving in to their medieval, absurd, and contorted demands. So-called leaders of Pakhtuns and Pakistani regime surrendered to criminals and killers of Pakhtuns. This is indeed a shameful day, when the elected representatives of the Swat people were ignored and the state put under the tender mercy of those who wear the mask of "Islam" and "Shariah" to hide their power-grab. Will these mullahs and ignorant Taliban leaders be punished for killing so many people, destroying busnises and destroying schools? Will they be punished for using bombs and suicide bombers for imposing their views on majority? Are these religious leaders going to build those schools they destroyed? What will they do for all those people who were forced to leave Sawt, their homes, kids could not go to schools for months? Do they have any plan for those kids' future or they want them to join Taliban club of ignorance. Pakistani elite, bourgeious and corrupt politicians are as much responsible for Pakhtuns' destruction and death as Taliban and their leaders are responsible.
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Dated: Thursday,February 19, 2009, Safar Al-Muzaffar 23, 1430 A.H.
The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Salute to Afzal Khan Lala
M Waqar New York Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Afzal Khan Lala, who spent most of his time struggling for getting the rights of his nation. The enemies of Pakhtun are bent upon eliminating him physically and creating a vacuum in the Pakhtun for a leader of the caliber of Khan Lala. It is evident to all, including international community, that Pakhtun region is engulfed by the terrorists and their promoters . What is happening to the people of Swat is a tragedy. When Swat has gone out of control and there is no writ of the government and even the elected members of the assemblies have either been killed by the terrorists or have fled the area, there is one person who is like 'Last Man Standing'. One man who hasn't bowed in front of ignorant Taliban despite many attempts on his life and property. That brave son of Pukhtunkhwa is, Afzal Khan Lala. Through your newspaper, I salute him for his courage and bravery. I salute his heroism, he is Pukhtuns' hero. Mohammad Afzal Khan has chosen a place in history for himself. From the gravity of the situation it seems he is up against insurmountable odds. It is a do or die situation for the veteran nationalist leader. His opposition to the Taliban puts his opponent in unfavourable position. Mohammad Afzal Khan will be remembered as a brave leader of the peasants and of Pakhtun nationalism. In spite of leaving his people he will prefer to die as a real man, a brave man can face death without any fear. Afzal Khan Lala is one of those leaders who is willing to risk his life for his people. He is presently resisting the ignorant and thugs TTP (Tehrik Taliban Pakistan) from his village near Matta, Swat. Unlike some other leaders who have decided to take shelter in Islamabad or Norway, Afzal Khan Lala does not want to abandon his people to the brutality of the TTP. Today People of Swat are suffering under the mediaeval, archaic and cruel "laws" being "administered" by the illiterate and backward Taliban in full sight and hearing of the "law enforcement agencies". Where is Islamabad's writ??? Why one powerful army can't control this situation??? Why can't you shoot or arrest leaders of Taliban who are involved in crimes against humanity? Are they more powerful than the Army??? It is a matter of life or death for the country, the way in which the Taliban have been allowed to have their way. What is the Govt doing for all those kids who can't go to school any more? Where is the writ of the government? Why is not anything being done is the questions generally raised by people after reading the bloody incidents taking place in Swat on daily basis. While scrutinizing the theory of Taliban aiming at enforcement of Shariah one can see that the brutal acts done by them on daily basis do not justify any context of Islamic preaching. One can find many references and quotations made by the Holy Prophet and Kalifas of Islam that instead condemn these acts. According to local sources, there have been more than 2800 deaths, and more than 90% of them innocent civilians. There is no electricity, no water, no gas, no education, no health facilities, not even a good night sleep. Pakistani citizens everywhere must stand up against this terror and reject this inhumanity. Taliban got to be crushed and there is no other option.
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Dated: Monday,February 09, 2009, Safar Al-Muzaffar 13, 1430 A.H.
The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Fazal and Qazi
M Waqar New York, USA
Mahabat khan Bangash and Gohar Ayub's recent letters about two mullahs Fazal and Qazi Hussain present the true picture of these two mullahs who are hypocrite and selfish. I was surprised to read statement of mullah Fazal a few days ago in which he told people to pick up weapons if Islamic laws are not enforced in Pakistan, what an irresponsible statement from this so-called mullah. These mullahs have no self respect, no sense of responsibility, both of them slept with every military dictator and supported them and took money and other benefits from Generals. If these mullahs are so patriotic then why don't they go to Swat and tell those ignorant Taliban that its not Islamic to burn down schools, its not Islamic to force girls not to go to schools, its not Islamic to hang dead bodies of their opponents to trees and poles. I have never seen a single statement from these two mullahs to condem Taliban. I would like to ask Fazal and Qazi that how many members of their families were killed fighting against Soviets in Afghanistan?. Maulana Fazlur Rehman enjoyed the dark rule of Pervez Musharraf with full throttle behind the scene, while deceiving the MMA and other opposition partners and then he was there striking corruption deals with Asif Ali Zardari and the lot and now this ever-in-government Mullah is once again enjoying the sun and making hay. Yet there are many blind, ignorant and dogmatic followers who will make sure that he remains in the future assemblies. How unfortunate!
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Dated: Thursday,January 29, 2009, Safar al-Muzaffar 02, 1430 A.H.
The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Zulfikar Ali Bhutto! (January 5, 1928-April 4, 1979)
M Waqar
Today, we are celebrating birthday of Z A Bhutto, a leader, politician, revolutionary, who after his execution in Pakistan on April 4, 1979, still lives on in the hearts and minds of millions of Pakistanis, and the party that he founded still possesses the largest permanent voting bank in Pakistan. The possibility of the secular, democratic Pakistan that he had in mind, like Pakistan 's founder, Jinnah has earned ZAB the title of Quaid-i-Awam . Z. A. Bhutto has still more charisma than any politician in Pakistan. Mr Bhutto was inducted into office as the President of Pakistan in 1971 and was removed in 1977, both events took place around midnight; one in the wake of a war and the other in the shadow of a civil war. In between he gave the country what even his sympathizers and admirers would concede was a 'strong' government, he mobilized his country's first mass-based political party around a socialist ideology and highly independent foreign policy. Pakistan's modernizer Zulfikar Ali Bhutto left deep footprints in the sands of history. To his lasting credit remains the 1973 Constitution of the country, the Shimla Accord of 1972 which brought the longest peace between India and Pakistan, the social reforms to build an egalitarian society, the non-aligned foreign policy, the nuclear programme and the building of the social, economic and military infrastructure of the country. He was a thinker, author and orator. He was deliberate, discreet, and competent; honest, upright and keeper of his covenants. He was a friend of the poor, downtrodden and oppressed. Fearless in his beliefs he refused to bow before any man or power other than the Almighty. His courage was such that he preferred to face death for his beliefs and embraced martyrdom. He had profound faith in freedom and the liberation of humanity. Under his government, Pakistan gave overt and covert support to the African nations than under apartheid and minority rule. He rejected fanaticism. He gave pride to the poor. He gave voice to the voiceless and power to the powerless of the country. He helped them shape their own destiny and the destiny of their country. He was a man of honour who gave honour and raised the honour of his country and his people. He was able to do this because the people of the country from Khyber to the shores of the Arabian sea in Karachi loved him and supported him. Bhutto brought back 90,000 prisoners of war, prevented their war crime trials and also restored the territory lost on the battlefield. As leader of the Third World he spoke boldly against racism, colonialism and imperialism. He fearlessly defended the right of nations to independence. When the 1973 Ramazan war broke out, he sent Pakistan's military to defend the borders of the Muslim countries, including the Golan Heights of Syria. ZAB's short life of 50 years was spent in the service of many international, regional and national causes. The most important and the most enduring legacy of the Quaid-i-Awam was raising the consciousness of the people for democracy. He awakened the masses, making them realise they were the legitimate fountainhead of political power. He enlightened the farmer, the industrial worker, the student, the woman and the rest of the common people of their importance and of their right of franchise, which is the definite means of bringing changes for the betterment of the lives of the common people. Z. A. Bhutto's rule brought a transformation of Pakistan's rules of the game, a new populist style of governance, a new governmentality, he favoured a much more active role of the state in relation to society, he reshaped the economic and political landscape of Pakistan. He reached out to masses, aroused their feelings and disciplined their minds. The role of Bhutto family in the uplifting of the poor is unforgettable. Z A Bhutto is the first person in Pakistan who has given voice to the common people. Z. A. Bhutto remains alive in hearts of millions of Pakistanis. It was a miracle that in less than half a decade a defeated nation had become a significant entity in the comity of nations. Pakistan had friends all around the globe from Africa to the far corner of Asia and from Europe to South America. We were regarded as a nation which had proved itself. Pakistani manpower was exported in the Middle East and the statesmanship of Shaheed Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had started bearing fruit. Under Z A Bhutto's rule, a new vision of Pakistan was born. Within a few years of the defeat in 1971, Pakistan began to see itself not as some beleaguered non-entity in South Asia, as the Indian establishment was prone to see it, but as a strategically located middle-sized power straddling the two worlds of South and West Asia, uniquely poised to take advantage of a host of geopolitical possibilities and enjoying widespread support among the Islamic states. He is one of the few Pakistani leaders that energized the nation and gave it a sense of optimism. Z A Bhutto, saw the future of Pakistan. Like Jinnah he outwitted Indira Gandhi at Shimla and formed alliances with various world leaders, from Sadaat, to Boumediene to Qaddafi to Faisal. Pakistan survives today because of those alliances that enabled him to build the Nuclear bomb. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto understood the geo-political realities of the region. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto has earned a place in the pantheon of leaders from the Third World who earned everlasting fame in the struggle against colonialism and imperialism. He had the privilege of interacting with many of those leaders who played a great role in the epic struggle for national independence in the 20th century, including Mao Tse Tung, Ahmed Soekarno, Chou-en Lai, Gamal Abdel Nasser and Salvador Allende. During the period between the end of the Second World War and the end of the Cold War, the world was divided into two blocs: The Capitalist West and the Socialist East. All these leaders aspired to aspects of a socialist pattern of economy. Bhutto shared their faith in a leading role for the public sector as an instrument of self-reliance. Bhutto's foundation of the PPP was a setback for the reactionary forces in a country long dominated by the Right. The slogan of "Food, Shelter and Clothing" shifted the focus of Pakistan politics from theological to economic issues. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto had the courage of his conviction to decide to lay down his life rather than compromise or seek appeasement. The last chapter of his life is a glorious example of martyrdom for the cause of resurrection of democracy. At the time of his overthrow, Bhutto was emerging as a spokesman of the World of Islam and the leader of the Third World. The age of Bhutto was an Age of Revolution, he was the architect of the China Policy, Pakistan Steel Mill, Agriculture Reforms. Although his life and career were cruelly terminated, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto will forever shine in history as one of the Great leaders who took part in the liberation of the Third World from the yoke of Imperialism and Neo Colonialism during the Twentieth Century. He could have easily entered into a deal, as others did, at the cost of principles, to save his life and move out. How cruel it strikes to bring down such a sincere leader like Bhutto with rare caliber, competence and integrity, Bhutto never colluded with generals, he confronted them. Mr. Bhutto remains a memorable figure . He commanded the allegiance of millions of people inside Pakistan, across the Muslim world and in the Third World as a hero of the people. His leadership gave pride to his followers, to his Nation and to oppressed people everywhere. He conquered the hearts of a Nation through supreme qualities of leadership, vision, intellectual breadth, charisma, dauntlessness, bravery, boldness and a programme for political redemption of an exploited people, he built the foundations of education and industrialization in the country. He liberated the small farmers and peasants from the repression and cruelty of big landlords and banished the jagirdari and sardari system declaring that all citizens are born equal and must live with equal rights. The Taliban, the terrorist groups and the new war against terror are the direct result of the overthrow of the modernizing government of Z. A. Bhutto and its replacement by a clique of military officers that cynically used the name of religion to promote their own illegal stay in power. Quaid e Awam was murdered but his memory lives on in the monuments he built. It lives on in his ideas. And it lives on in the hearts of all men and women who believe that humanity can only progress when there is tolerance, freedom, dignity and equal opportunity for all. Pakistan survived due to the leadership of a bold and courageous leader, a people's leader, who had the vision to break the shackles of poverty to emancipate his people and lead them into a new decade of glory, strength and achievement. Quaid e Awam built the most modern schools, colleges, universities, professional colleges, vocational training institutes, including Quaid-e-Azam University, Allama Iqbal Open University, Chandka Medical College and many others. He built hospitals to take care of the sick and poor. He opened the way for the middle classes to develop and prosper in the fields of medicine, engineering , law and other specialist studies. He introduced peaceful nuclear energy to help treat cancer setting up the first cancer treating institutes in the four provinces of Pakistan. He built roads in the tribal areas and the Northern areas knowing how poor and oppressed people in the distant areas of Pakistan were. Internationally, using his experience as Foreign Minister, he hosted the Islamic Summit Conference in Lahore. It was at this conference that the Palestinian Liberation Organization was recognized as the authentic voice of the Muslims. He advocated closer relations with the Muslim countries arguing for a common economic bloc with banking and other financial institutions long before regional blocs became identified as the economic way forward. Bhutto pushed politics out of the posh drawing rooms into real Pakistan - into the muddy lanes and villages of the poor. Bhutto's inspiring leadership filled Pakistanis with hope, energy and strength. There was a sense of purpose and direction in the country in pursuit of peace and prosperity. The economic growth rate increased and money poured in from expatriates who got the universal right to passport. The Muslim countries donated roughly $500 million annually to Pakistan, freeing it of international financial institutions. The people got jobs and opportunities. Women of the country were emancipated entering the police force, Foreign, Civil Service and subordinate judiciary for the first time in the country's history. There is a story that the American President John F. Kennedy was much impressed with the then Foreign Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. When they met, Kennedy walked with him in the Rose Garden and said, "Bhutto, if you were an American, you would be in my Cabinet". To which Zulfikar Ali Bhutto smilingly replied, "No, Mr. President. If I were an American, you would be in my cabinet". Z A Bhutto, was highly skilled negotiator and an international statesman, he secured the agreement between USSR and Pakistan, he signed an agreement with China on demarcation of the Sino-Pak boundary. When he became President, Pakistan had innumerable problems, but he was not a man to be cowed down by knotty problems, he was in fact, a dynamo of inexhaustible and boundless creative energy, he was born to solve problems , he had to tackle the problems of shattered country by a methodical system of fixing priorities. Bhutto the adroit politician and statesman tackled the difficult problems of his country one by one with devotion, determination and patriotic zeal and solved them successfully. Since his assumption of power this great man of vision and destiny, equipped with resolute will, extraordinary intelligence and seething patriotic zeal fought successfully against the landlords, capitalists, industrialists, religious fanatics, corrupt bureaucrats, saboteurs, foreign intriguers and spies, he stood like a rock against all odds and achieved national unity, he worked hard for the emancipation of the exploited working class and illiterate masses. His cruel and barbaric murder by military despots caused revulsion across the globe, Z A Bhutto dedicated his life to remove the sorrows from the hearts of the poor and the oppressed, to remove the tears from the children of his poor nation. He lived consciously to make history and to leave a legacy in the form of the development of his nation, his fight was a fight against the policies of IMF, which serve to perpetuate the backwardness of the developing nations. Bhutto is rightfully credited with saving Pakistan at this dark moment in its history, as French President Giscard d'Estaing said, "he was the man who incarnated Pakistan at a dramatic hour of its history. Tolstoy in the last volume of his War and Peace expressed that history is a movement of ideas in which political leaders play a minor role. Sometimes the movement of ideas is indeed rapid. Yet, at times, the movement of ideas is slower than the melting of the glaciers. The movement of ideas is facilitated in a vibrant political and democratic culture, which gives room for dissent and disagreement. In dictatorial societies, history remains static in a cold freeze. And so it was in Pakistan before Quaid-i-Awam. He was the one who converted that static and decayed dictatorial polity into a vibrant and dynamic democratic society; the cost of which he paid with his own life. He who gave his blood, and the blood of his sons and daughter, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto, knew that there can be no sacrifice greater than the sacrifice for the people whose respect, honour and dignity is the respect and dignity of the Nation. Quaid e Awam made the people proud of themselves and of their Nation. The 20th century has seen many great leaders, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto is one of them. Due to his glorious achievements, Mr. Bhutto rules the hearts of the Pakistani people from his grave. He was not only the leader of Pakistan, he was the leader of an Islamic world, the leader of Third World. He will forever be remembered by his countrymen as Quaid-e-Awam. As his followers say, "Zinda Hai Bhutto, Zinda Hai"--Bhutto lives, he lives. Indeed he does, in the hearts of all those who dream of a better tomorrow. Long Live Bhuttoism….
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Dated: Monday,January 05, 2009, Muharram-ul-Haram 07, 1430 A.H.
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The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Pakhtunkhwa vs politicians!
M Waqar
I was shocked to read some news reports and statements of PML(N) leaders over the name Pakhtunkhwa and it seems like they are generating new issue of hate and divide in this province. Let's not make it a political issue. One should not politicize an issue for own interest.I see no reason for denying Pukhtoons the legitimate name of their province on the grounds that this will increase ethnic tension. On the contrary, if anything, it will defuse the existing tension. Let's not forget what happened to East Pakistan when West Pakistan denied them their right of Bengali language. The problem is Pakistani politicians never learn from history, these politicians need to understand that Pakistan's imposition of Urdu on East Pakistan was a mistake. It seems like some opportunist politicians of PML(N) in the province are trying to create political tension over Pakhtunkhwa. People in Pakhtunkhwa wants to be recognized as a nationality in their own right and for this they want their living place to be given their name Pakhtunkhwa. Why can Punjabis have Punjab, Sindhis Sindh, Baluchis Balochistan, but Pakhtuns can't have Pakhtoonkhwa? why Pakhtoon are being treated like occupied Palestine who will breakaway at the first chance.? and if do decide to break off, trust me with all its might, Pakistan can't prevent that. Pakistan couldn't beat Bengalis into submission and it can never force Pakhtuns into submission. Its stupid that some people who consider themselves super patriotic imply that Pakhtuns are any less patriotic than themselves. Let me remind those self-declared super Pakistanis that Punjab did not have any option except joining Pakistan. Punjab had to join Pakistan. But we Pakhtuns had a choice to join our brothers in Afghanistan, with whom we share not only our ancestry but our culture, our history, our tradition, and our language, but Pakhtuns decided to stay with Pakistan. How can someone from Punjab or Sindh or any other part of Pakistan give us a lecture on patriotism? I think these people are the one who needs a lesson in patriotism, because by suppressing minorities right and denying them their identity they are weakening Pakistan NOT Pakhtuns. Its tragic that Pakistani politicians did NOT learn any lesson from history. Bengalis were at the forefront in the struggle for Pakistan but when Pakistan suppressed them and denied them their rights and their identity what happened? We all know the end result. By calling Bengalis traitors because they demanded their rights they were converted into traitors. Alas we could learn from history because if we don't, history is doomed to repeat itself. Acceptance of history is a good sign, no wonder, but learning no lesson from it is unforgivable. Please someone help me to understand how renaming NWFP is gonna break Pakistan or divide people in this province? And please don't give me the crap about patriotism and Islamic unity. Whats wrong with Pakhtuns having their identity in Pakistan like Punjabis, Sindhis, and Balochis? It's the politicians who are making mess over the name not the people living in this province. Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan are border provinces too why they are not called, east-south, north-east or south-west provinces why these provinces are called with identity of race residing inside that territory? We are unanimous on one thing that people from this province are all pathan if all are not Pashtun. So please take back the British name and give us our own name. The usage of Pakhtunkhwa in Pakhto poetry dates back to the middle ages. The word is a combination of two words - that is Pakhtun and Khwa. Pakhtun or Pashtun is a noun while Khwa means side. Culturally there is no doubt that the land was called Pakhtunkhwa in Pushtu literature since 15th century .The word Pakhtunkhwa was also used in the modern poetry by contemporary poets like Qalandar Momand (1930-2003) long before it was suggested as the nomenclature for the NWFP. The name NWFP is certainly a misnomer today since it does not satisfy the aspirations of the people of the province. Three of the four provinces the Punjab, Sindh and Balochistan, got their own identity either through their environment or inhabitants. But the NWFP has been named neither after the historical and cultural background of the inhabitants nor derived its name from environment. Since the name (NWFP) does not reflect the true ethnic identity of its inhabitants, therefore a demand for its change is a logical consequence but unfortunately the matter has turned into a controversial issue again by so-called politicians. Those opposing the word Pakhtunkhwa argue that the name will not represent non Pashto speaking population of the province. The argument is unjustified and impractical. There is hardly any country in the world which does not have ethnic minorities. Even in Pakistan; Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan have large number of people who do not speak the language their names ostensibly suggest. The 74 percent population of NWFP speaks Pashto as mother language in present day NWFP and the proportion will greatly increase when FATA will ultimately be merged in the province, choosing a proper name for the province is the fundamental right of its residents. It would help strengthen the federation besides removing the sense of deprivation among people of the smallest province of the country. It is time that politicians belonging to different factions of Muslim League too come out of their mindset and start objectively treating the demands the smaller provinces. It will help us build a stronger and more vibrant federation. Instead of debating again and again over this issue, politicians are wasting their time, they should either spend their time on development of this province or quit politics. There is no need to challenge the Pakhtunkhwa issue as it has been passed with overwhelming majority in the provincial assembly, members of this assembly should discuss how to solve the problems in this province. Renaming the NWFP to Pakhtunkhwa has a long political history in Pakistan. Pakhtuns and nationalist groups, which are passionate about naming their inhabited land after their identity as Pakhtuns, have been demanding change in the province's name for decades. But a number of political groups and opportunist politicians are not in favour of calling NW FP as Pakhtunkhwa and they are trying to divide people. These members of assembly should be discussing creating jobs, hiring police officers, opening new schools, colleges and universities, hospitals and providing clean water and electricity to their voters and keeping province safe, rid Province of violence and terror, generate productive employment for youth, provide education, healthcare, and bring progress to the doorstep of workers, farmers and small businesses, elimination of child labour etc . These are the issues for which people have elected these assembly members to solve.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=ar&nid=643&ad=22-12-200
Dated: Monday, December 22, 2008, Zil Hajj 23, 1429 A.H.
Why the families of traitors?
M Waqar New York
I agree with Mr. M. K. Bangash's letter of December, 6. He has made a good point about sons and families of past dictators and traitors on national TV, although I can't keep up with Mr. Bangash letters in Frontier Post, I always admire his views. It seems like not only the media but entire nation does not have any criteria of politicians in this country. It is true that there are hundreds of intellectuals in Pakistan and when I was a student at Islamia College, I came across my professors who were more educated and talented than any Pakistani politician. What citizens of this country needs to do is to get rid of old generation of politicians and Mr Bangash is right in saying that media has always ignored well educated and devoted intellectuals, I think media can play a great role by inviting progressive, well educated, liberal minded people, who can teach and train new generation of Pakistan for their future. I was in my very early years of life when Zia took over the reigns of power in Pakistan back in the 1970s. However, I do remember vividly the days when and how the ugly change was brought about. Yet another elected government was toppled by the military, thanks to the mullahs conniving with Zia.. During Zia's reign, Pakistan got AK 47, heroin, Afghans, sectarian rifts. His appointment was controversial, so was his rule. A dictator who halted the democratic process, publicly hanged, flogged political opponents, implicated and murdered the country's greatest mainstream politician. He misused name of Islam for his greed and power, actually he was not interested in Islam but he was aiding imperialists. Why do we need new generation of politicians who are not family members of past hypocrites, dictators and traitors Pakistani political parties never developed into viable institutions capable of generating leadership. There are talented emerging politicians in some political parties of Pakistan but they stand no chance of occupying their party top slots. In this elitist political system of Pakistan, party office is a lifetime prerogative passed from father to son. None of them is willing to make way for fresh leadership to emerge. There are deep structural and constitutional problems within Pakistani politics that necessitate the presence of Pakistani military in civil affairs for the time being. Only the educated people can help break the choking grip of wealthy, autocratic feudal politicians. In Pakistan the military has been part of the problem because it has been encouraging the monopoly of a handful of politicians in the country, perpetuating a troubled system and never encouraging its replacement with a better one. The Election Commission must introduce the requirement of a verifiable, free and secret ballot for the top slots within Pakistani political parties as a precondition to contesting general elections. This will rid us of stagnating lifetime party leaderships, giving a larger number of Pakistanis a chance to serve the public and pave the way for a better class of politicians to emerge. Drastic changes in the Pakistani constitution, the political system and the composition of Pakistani politics hold the only key to ensure a strong, emerging Pakistan in the 21st century. Islamabad has already wasted too much time. Except Afghanistan, almost all of Pakistan's neighbours Iran, the Gulf, China, and India are well on their way to strong economic growth. The political systems in these nations, despite being different, do not offer loopholes that allow for domestic instability or foreign interference. The objective of a major overhaul of the Pakistani state is to create a government that is able to project its interests while maintaining a robust internal political system that creates and breeds leadership and focuses on the future. Tough reforms will have to target the existing and future political parties. Regular and transparent internal party election has to become a prerequisite for the party to qualify for participating in national elections. This will end leadership rot and allow fresh leaders to emerge. New legislation will have to be introduced to control party finances and expenditure. Today's politicians who only know how to bring people on streets to protest and spread hate can't be a model politician. Main reason for Pakistan's vulnerability is weak leadership and a flawed political system that breeds instability. To get over this, a strong federal government will have to be introduced in Islamabad. This government cannot be drawn from the existing failed political class and cannot be a repeat of past military governments. Cleaning the slate in Pakistan will require some creative thinking. The prevalent feudal system of Pakistan is the main obstacle in the progress of the country and the prosperity of the people. Since the creation of Pakistan the Pakistani people are left at distant from the corridor of power so that the ruling elite can do what they wanted to do in favour of their interest, leaving the Pakistani people at the mercy of circumstances. As this policy is denial of right of Pakistani people to rule their country according to their aspiration and desire to build this country, which can provide equal opportunity to all without any discrimination for the establishment of welfare society. Only the society base on tolerance, equality and justice can be the real guarantee for the prosperous and strong Pakistan therefore your attention is invited to the crucial movement which could be the point of distraction or disaster. Because of corrupt politician of Pakistan the army was tempted again and again place, for one after another military rule. It would be wrong to blame Pakistan army alone for having usurped power for more than half of its life. It was in fact feudal corrupt politicians that facilitated first martial law in Pakistan and again in 1999. How long shall we suffer? How long the future of our coming generation will be at stake. With a population of over 160 million, Pakistan is the sixth most populous country in the world and the second most populous country with a Muslim majority. However, the country faces significant development challenges, with one in 10 children dying before their fifth birthday, and 50% of adults classed as illiterate, no clean drinking water, load shedding and so many other countless problems Pakistanis face everyday.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=892&ad=14-12-200
Dated: Sunday, December 14, 2008, Zil Hajj 15, 1429 A.H.
The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Pakistan’s begging bowl!
M. Waqar
Two interesting news of the month: 1..India, the population of which exceeds one billion, saying, "We are going to the moon for the first time. China has gone earlier, but today we are trying to catch them. 2.On the other hand Mr. Zardari takes begging bowl to Beijing and asks for financial help, soon this bowl will surf around the Globe, What a sad paradox between a country that is celebrating its mission to the moon and another that is moaning about the pressure of debts and the fear of bankruptcy. What a shame, for a country which has a population of 172 million, with over 40 million people who can't read and write, who even don't have clean drinking water in most parts of the country, country where people even can't enjoy benefits of electricity and facing over 11 hours of load shedding. Who is responsible for this? Let's blame entire world because we are good at that. Three years ago former president General Pervez Musharraf said: "We have broken the beggin g bowl," and Zardari once said that his country would rather tighten its belt than turn to the IMF for help, don't we love slogans like this? But today Pakistan finds itself in desperate need of financial aid since there are warnings that its economy is deteriorating sharply, Pakistan's begging bowl (kachkole) is not new to the world, for the last, more than 60 years that's what Pakistani leaders have been doing, Pakistan did get billions of dollars in aid and cash but what happened to all that money? Gen. Musharraf received over 10 billions in last 11 years from USA but people in this country were selling their kids or kidneys or committing suicide, while Musharraf travelled to around 40 countries costing the country's exchequer Rs. 1.4 billion. This "begging bowl syndrome" could have been avoided long time ago, if Pakistani politicians, generals, bureaucrats, elite and bourgeois were sincere and had some ego, we talk about China's development but we ignore that in China they shoo t corrupt officials and politicians. Pakistan should toss out the begging bowl mentality and all those who stole money from the nation over 60 years bring it back to Pakistan, then these politicians, generals, bureaucrats, elite and bourgeois will be called sincere leaders, but that will never happen. Its time for Pakistani leaders to decide, what they want? Science, industry and development or just slogans and get aid from world powers and then steal nation's money? It is obvious that China and other countries are not going to help Pakistan financially and I don't blame them, because no one trust dishonest leaders who are not sincere with their country but love to steal people's money. Can Pakistan ever stand up on its feet or it will keep running from one master to another? It will only get used up and discarded by all. All countries look for their own interest and use other countries to further their own ambitions. It is sad that Pakistanis have been let down by its leaders, mil itary, political and religious leaders. If Pakistan wishes to tie its future to China so be it, but unless this country learns to stand on its own two feet it cannot hope to prosper. A crutch is still a crutch be it of gold. Pakistani citizens realise that they cannot go around looking for dole outs. Nobody want to be friends with a weaker or poorer nation and if they profess to be friends - be sure to read the fine print: a friendship between a strong and weak nation is flawed in its very concept. The stronger nation would always extract a price for its help and Pakistan experienced this for a long time. whenever there is a partnership of unequal, the stronger always knows that it can arm twist the weaker nation, let's not blame other countries if they are refusing to help you. Mr. President, trash your begging bowl and let Pakistan grow on its own. Let's learn from Japan, Germany, China, Malaysia. Pakistan can't depend on foreign aid forever, its shameful t o go t o China or Saud i Arabia and ask for help. The problem is Pakistani leaders never used foreign aid for people's welfare. Unfortunately most of this aid has been wasted on strategic weapons to standoff with India or stolen. Shaukat Aziz, frequently likened Pakistan to a "Tiger economy", the former government left an economy on the brink of ruin without any durable base. The situation in Pakistan for ordinary people is indeed tough. Fuel and wheat prices have skyrocketed. Politicians in current government should reduce their spending, stop travelling around the world. To inspire investor confidence, please move your offshore foreign accounts back to Pakistan. When you ask someone for money to help your country, the first question they will ask you is what have you done? If you are not able to show loyalty and sincerity to the country that you are hoping to "save," it makes it difficult for any foreign country or investor to be willing to put money into Pakistan for development or investment. To that effect, any member of the Provincial or National Assembly, Senators, Ministers, Advisors, Chief Ministers, Governors, Prime Minister and President, along with the leadership of each of the "national" political parties should transfer all their forex balances back to bank accounts in Pakistan. Move your money back to Pakistan's banks, it would stabilize the banks and show confidence to potential investors and donors that the elected government believes that they can "save Pakistan." No more unnecessary foreign visits or tours. Pakistan is a poor country. Elected leaders keep saying and showing with their policy decisions that Pakistan is running out of money and fast. Therefore, Pakistan can no longer afford to pay for trips to Dubai, London or any other country for the different elected offices. Since the global giants that have financed Pakistan in the past are going through their own economic collapses, there is really no reason to go and beg them for money in return for favours . No more stupid domestic visits. In all actuality, no one wants to meet the elected leadership of Pakistan. Partly because of the security risk that they are, being targets of suicide bombers, and partly that there is really no point in talking to an MPA, MNA, Senator, Minister or anyone else. There is no money to be passed around in grafts and gifts, so there is no reason to travel around promising money to different people and organizations. Nor does the nation have money to pay for big meals and fanfare when someone from the government decides to grace their village, town or city. Reduce all other useless spending. Also politicians like Nawaz Sharif, Imran Khan, Qazi Hussain, etc should put their money for national cause and make Pakistan strong. Do you think all these politicians would do this? I don't think so and that is sad. You may know thousands of ways how to fail, but you don't know even one way to succeed. Politicians in this country know thousands of ways of how to fa il themselves, their governments, their people and their country, but not even one single of them have known how to empower himself to succeed, enable his people to succeed and manage his government to succeed. This is a country with a long list of failing leaders, in fact all, without any exception. It is as if it was the fate of this country to never see the good days that it was supposed to bring for the people who were forced to be Pakistanis without other choices. Everybody who has ruled Pakistan had a bad fate. They victimized the country and the people and ultimately, became the victim of their own mistakes. Pakistani politicians, have a long history of failing themselves, failing each other, failing the country, failing the people and giving every opportunity to the army to intervene and rule them, torture them and put them in jail or send them in exile. The leaders of Pakistan have proved in the history of Pakistan that it is not either manageable or they cannot manage it successfully. The people who live in Pakistan must have new options. They cannot live forever in misery and poverty while the rest of the world moves forward and gains more prosperity, stability, security and peace. If they do not gain prosperity and peace in Pakistan, because of Pakistani leaders, then, they must find their own new ways. Politicians have betrayed this country through poor governance, weak capacity and evil intentions. The Pakistani military has practised politics, as a player or a puppeteer, right since the early fifties and the politicians have eagerly played into its hands satisfied with the lollipops on offer. It plays more politics than its ostensible role, with pliant, selfish politicians playing eager second fiddles. Politics has not been strangled due to lack of opportunity. The mullah as a political force was created by the army and elite and foreign powers, and it flourished on the fertile soil of circumstance. Exploiting illiteracy and blossoming in a gr eenhouse provided by the military umbrella, obscurantist religious leaders have come to acquire an influence not justified by their personal endowments. They live in an imaginary world, feed on ignorance and are inspired by quixotic and unreal explanations of the world. Islam for them is only a slogan, something to justify an irrational explanation of religiosity. Pakistan as a nation state of tolerant Muslims is not their goal, and betraying it perhaps religious duty for them. If these failed politicians cannot solve country's problems then they have no right to be in politics, its time for people in this country to get, stand up and raise your voice, you can't be beggers for all your life, you can't make your next generation living on super power's charity and aid.
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Dated: Sunday, October 26, 2008, Shawal 26, 1429 A.H.
The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Pakistani politics….
M Waqar USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
I knew that marriage of convenience between Nawaz and Zardari will collapse, and soon there will be musical chair replayed again. Zardari and Nawaz having set aside Musharraf, ”have begun the far more vicious process of trying to eliminate each other, The final resolution of this conflict will only come after another general election or martial law. In the meantime, the two will try to maximise their control over the instruments and institutions of state. Nawaz has his sights on the Supreme Court, which has become the only reserve bank of credibility in a nation where the Constitution has been amenable to the doctrine of necessity — in simpler words, where the judiciary has legalised events rather than law being the determinant of fact. Zardari is more audacious, seeking the supreme office in the land, that of the President, since he is surely convinced that he will not get office through a popular vote. Zardari and Nawaz, both are not Angels but I think its better for survival of democracy in Pakistan that the most corrupt politician Nawaz Sharif quit coalition. It was from the very beginning like an unholy alliance. But it was not sure that both the majority parties of the country will plunge into "power struggle" to oust each other when an opportunity arises. Nawaz Sharif and his cronies entangled Zardari several times in promises and pseudo-political agreements on the judge’s issue, at such crucial moment when the country is encircled with deep internal and external dangers. The government of PPP was working under stress from the very beginning, because of the hostile attitude of Nawaz League and lawyer’s agitations. The demand of Nawaz Sharif and his supporters was undemocratic to reinstate the judges through a dictatorial order which they term as 'Executive order'. Zardari insisted again and again that the judges would only be reinstated through the Parliament which is the supreme body and the issue would be resolved there. It is in the interests of the country and the government that the unholy alliance is now finally broken. There is a long list of Nawaz crimes. Nawaz Sharif had a history of terrorizing professional journalists. The press faced intense repression during Nawaz's second term. In June 1997, Humayun Fur, Peshawar bureau chief of the daily Mashriq, was detained under charges of "anti-state" activities and sentenced to five years in jail by a military court on September 9, 1997. On 8 May 1999, Najam Sethi, editor of the Friday Times, was arrested in Lahore and held without charge for nearly a month by Inter-Services Intelligence. The government finally charged Mr Sethi on June 1, 1999 with sedition, promoting communal enmity, condemning the creation of Pakistan and advocating the abolition of its sovereignty, and violating the Prevention of Anti-National Activities Act. Two other journalists M.A.K Lodhi of The News International and Hussain Haqqani, an opposition leader and columnist for The Friday Times and daily Jang were also arrested. Rehmat Shah Afridi, editor of The Frontier Post, was arrested in April 1999. Now, after getting rid of the scare-crow Musharraf and being free to play their own nature, the two wolves have returned to their old self and pounced upon each other for enjoying an exclusive feast. But, in their greedy haste they have forgotten that, "when two dogs fight for a bone, patiently observing crow is the winner. Both Nawazand Asif Zardari are actually dictators wearing cloaks of democracy to fool the nation. The problem is Pakistani society as a whole does not know what Democracy is, this includes the media, public and politicians. Pakistan needs stability, economic vibrancy, poverty alleviation, more education. Its really amazing to observe political developments and politicians in Pakistan, it seems like Pakistani politicians does not have any agenda for the welfare of their voters. I don’t see anyone talking and discussing how to solve crisis like loadshedding, clean water to all citizens, health benefits for people, education etc.. Pakistan can never be a true democratic nation, unless the illiteracy is reduced, the judiciary is clean, bureaucracy is defeated and every Pakistani from cities, rural areas develops the political acumen.
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Ahmed Faraz: Ab Ke Hum Bichhray..
M Waqar New York, US
I started listening to the ghazals of Faraz with a heavy heart after hearing news of his death, what a incredible loss. Then somehow came away feeling more at peace than before after replaying his ghazals like, "Ab ke hum Bichhray’’ And "Ye alam shoke ka dekha na jaie." It was indeed a shock for every progressive-minded person in Pakistan. Faraz was not just a romantic poet but also a poet of revolution, struggle and he never hesitated to challenge dictators through his poetry. Faraz not only supported the struggle against dictatorship, issue of civic movements or movement of lawyers through his poetry but he himself participated in these movements. The amazing thing about Ahmed Faraz is that he is still able to provide consolation even when we are mourning for him. He will never stop speaking to us and enriching our lives. Just try listening to “Sunna hai log usse ankh bhar ke deykhte hain” without smiling…it’s not possible. Faraz poetry is both traditional as well as liberal. Collections of his poetry have been quite popular and some of these have won major literary awards. He is widely acclaimed and admired because of the essence of his classical poetry. His poetry verses recite life. The way he wrote on social issues is appreciable. Nature had placed the magical magnificence, reflecting truly in his poetry. Faraz was also a literary man. Faraz was best known for his progressive political poetry, with his poem Mohasara (The Siege), written in criticism of Pakistan's political regime, perhaps his most widely praised work. But he also wrote romantic poetry, and his poem "Dekhtay Hain" (Let us gaze) is seen today as a classic of modern romance. Ahmad Faraz was a passionate and popular voice for progress and change. His death is a great tragedy, at the time when Pakistani nation is already short of people with dynamic thinking, losing Faraz is another blow from the blue. Ahmed Faraz was not mere a poet, he was a Pakistani with keen eye on pros and corns of the nation. Ahmed Faraz, a man of principle, a man of words, a man whom we say proudly a true Pakistani. He is the true chain linking from Ghalib, Meer, Iqbal to Faiz, and I pray as his soul rest in peace, the link of positive and constructive thinking should continue. Faraz was not scared of dictators and narrow-minded people. One day Faraz heard loud banging at his door. He rose hurriedly to open it, only to see four or five bearded men in white skullcaps. “Can you recite the Kalima?” one asked. “Why, has it changed?” Faraz inquired. He had to spend many years in exile during the period of dictator Zia. During his life Ahmad Faraz received a number of honours, including the Hilal-i-Imtiaz in 2004. He returned this award to President Musharraf two years later, saying that his conscience would never forgive him for associating with a military dictator. He always remained active to safeguard the basic human rights, freedom of opinion and promotion of the democracy. From Ayub, through Yahya, through Bhutto and down to Musharraf, Faraz was always viewed by the establishment as the rebel he was. He was never afraid to write what others only whispered about and he never let adversity stray him from the path he had chosen for himself. More of his poetry is remembered and recited by his admirers. Few people know that in 1947 when the uprising in Kashmir against the Maharaja’s rule began, among the volunteers who went in to fight on the side of the Kashmiris was the teenager Ahmed Faraz from Kohat. He had the courage to stand up for what he believed in. It was an admirable quality. Faraz was indeed a leader of revolution in Pakistan, a revolution which is needed in Pakistan. Future revolutionaries will find fiery slogans in Faraz’s poetry, as will hapless lovers groping for the right phrase to convey the most sublime of their emotions. Faraz’s burning poetry pitted itself against the injustices of dictatorships and authoritarian regimes — and certainly, Pakistan has provided plenty. His work will command a following so long as love itself lives, and the Muse finds a voice through a poignant Urdu ghazal. He was in the true sense a poet of masses, not just a poet of romance and love. A poet, whose revolution didn't stop in his Divan, rather a crusader who fought against oppression, raised his voice against injustice and never shied away from taking on the establishment. This Pathan poet never compromised in life. Syed Ahmed Shah, who was known as Ahmed Faraz, had become a legend in his life time. I offer my condolences to his family. Ahmed Faraz, was a good man, good soul, and one of the greatest poet ever. He will live for ever. May his soul rest in peace.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=625&ad=02-09-200
Dated: Tuesday, September 02, 2008, Ramadan 01, 1429 A.H.
An elite gone berserk!!!!
M Waqar New York, USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Very impressive Editorial in your newspaper today (07/31/08), I think its already too late for failed politicians of Pakistan to save this country for which so many sacrificed, I been saying for years that Pakistan will become another Somalia, lets face reality that Army Generals, Politicians, bureaucrats, Mullahs, bourgeois and elite is responsible for destroying Pakistan. Pakistani politicians never had any agenda for developing the country, in this country elite is responsible for keeping people backward and illiterate, where over 40 million people have no education, Islam has never been an issue in Pakistan. The cry of 'Islam in danger' is a powerful weapon and slogan of Pakistani politicians and Army generals. General Zia fully utilized the process of Islamization to achieve his political ends. The whole sprit of Qur’an is dynamic as pointed out by so many great Islamic thinkers like Jamaluddin Afghani, Muhammad Abduh, Sir Syed and Muhammad Iqbal. They waged real jihad against stagnation, dogmatism, ignorance and superstition in the name of Islam. It is highly necessary to revive the spirit of these great Islamic thinkers and activists. Their jihad was real jihad. Their main weapons were knowledge, understanding and constant efforts to change. Iqbal represented this spirit in his much quoted verse which says Firm conviction, constant efforts and overpowering universal love are the weapons of men in jihad of life. This is a challenge for us all Muslims. We must turn into a great opportunity and change the image of Islam in the modern world. Mullhas tell you what happens after death but they never tells you how to live in this world, no one cared about education of people, selfish leaders of this country go to USA and WEST and ask for charity and then steal all aid money. Elite use name of Islam for their benefits, Cruel dictator Zia did not hesitate to introduce religious fanaticism for keeping himself in power. Nawaz sharif will do anything to get power, It was democratic government of Pakistan that created Taliban movement and installed Taliban government in Afghanistan. Nawaz Sharif, after meeting Osama bin Laden personally at least three times in Saudi Arabia and receiving a huge donation for reelection campaign, democratically elected government of Pakistan under Nawaz Sharif facilitated relocation of Osama bin Laden from Sudan to Afghanistan in 1996 to prove his (Sharif’s) own confides as a ‘true jehadi’ because Osama had taunted Sharif not being a ‘true jehadi’ in one of the meetings. The existing situations or expansions of Taliban in the regions were due to previous Mulla's govt in Pukhtoon land. It is a shame that Pakistani Army only takes action against criminal Taliban and their leaders when Washington force them, otherwise they have no will and sincerity to shoot these criminals who are involve in crimes against humanity and damaging name of Islam. Pakistan seems to have a majority of moderate Muslims and a minority of crazed, religious fundamentals. Who will prevail??? Hard to say, but the religious wack-jobs definitely seem to operate as they wish. As a result, it's a problem. When extremist distort and totally misinterpret the Prophet Mohammad's teachings, they act like a bunch of crazed teen-agers high on Ecstasy with loaded weapons. It's a shame . But then again people like Qazi Hussain whose son got educated in States, wants sons of poor to take part in his senseless marches and dharnas creates fanatics. Pir Pagara who loves to predict political events keeping his followers without education. All these so called failed politicians wants to be Prime Minister but no one talks about the miseries of people living in Pakistan. None of these so called ignorant politicians talk about education, health, poverty, terrorism, they don’t care about people who are committing suicide because of poverty, people who are selling their kids and kidneys for money. Most of the Politicians lack qualifications, experience and even commitment to tackle the problems of the Country. Politics and power dominates their agenda and real issues of poverty, illiteracy and disease do not fare in their book. Anyone who expects them to lead the country to peace and prosperity must be dreaming. The representatives of the people need to pass certain tests of eligibility. Character, ability, a sense of responsibility and experience are necessary ingredients of that eligibility, but in Pakistani Politics we don’t see that, a lot of these politicians, even can’t sign their names in English or Urdu. Typical Pakistani politicians thinks this following way. 1. They consider themselves higher than their institutions. 2. They believe - or at least that is what they claim - that only they can save the country. 3. Only they know what is right for their parties and for the country. 4. They make “temporary” compromises for their own personal interest. 5. They try to maintain a vacuum of leadership so that the party is identified with them - and no-one else. Where is the discussion about the higher education in Pakistan? How are the top notch scientists, engineers and doctors going to be trained? When will govt start pouring funds into these fields? I don’t really understand whether Pakistan and Pakistanis wants to become a peaceful and hopeful country or not. India, China and Iran are surging ahead in research and development. Pakistan is caught up in political and ideological quagmire. India and China will be super powers by year 2050. Leader means visionary personality who can lead others to achieve certain vision. Pakistan’s condition in over 60 year of its ‘independence is one of tragedy; it is a country which has lost its way and whose politicians care little for its reputation. It is not sufficient to change from military leaders to political leaders without changing the underlying political system. It will not work now, nor has it ever worked in the past. There is no check and balance in Pakistan. What Pakistan therefore needs is clear, a comprehensive change of system not a return to the failed politics of the past and another set of cosmetic leadership changes. Retired General Pervez Musharraf would be most remembered for his failure to change the political landscape of the country. In this he would share the fate of other three generals who attempted to remake the political structure of the country and who failed miserably, all three generals failed to establish a new political order in the country, they did achieve a certain degree of success in destroying Pakistan’s social, economic, and cultural landscape. Ayub Khan’s long reign fortified feudal culture, provided new opportunities to the rich to become richer, and gave unprecedented leverage to the notorious thirty-two families who controlled most of the industrial and agricultural holdings of Pakistan. This concentration of wealth in a few hands deprived the poor and middle classes of any genuine role in the country’s political and social structure. General Zia’s failure to bring any substantial changes in the political culture of Pakistan was primarily due to the fact that he was not really interested in this task; his own survival was his greatest concern. During his long reign, he presided over a process of rapid deterioration of the social fabric of the country and allowed a handful of military generals to amass huge amounts of money. The new power mafia which emerged during his reign brought a culture of drugs and violence even to those segments of Pakistani society where such things were unimaginable until then. General Musharraf has done to Pakistan what no other man has before him: his draconian measures have produced a total break down of Pakistani society in a manner never seen before. It may seem premature to pronounce the final verdict, yet it is absolutely clear that Musharraf’s ruthlessness is responsible for the emergence of unprecedented violence in Pakistan. He also allowed plunder of state resources at a level and of an order not seen before. His attempts to restructure Pakistani politics through exiling political leaders have been an utter failure. He relied on turn coats, just as his predecessors had, but it is a truism that one can only rent the loyalties of Pakistan’s corrupt politicians, they cannot be bought permanently. The rented loyalties are always available for anyone ready to pay higher rents. It cannot be denied that political power and authority were snatched away by the bureaucrats and generals after the assassination of the first Prime Minister of Pakistan, Liaquat Ali Khan, in October 1951. The former US national security advisor, Robert C. McFarlane rightly observed that the democratic system in Pakistan is comprised of "a few families struggling with one another to achieve absolute power and are inevitably, in Lord Acton's phrase, corrupted absolutely." The feudal controllers of the government appear to have a long-term strategy to maintain the status quo by ignoring human resources development and keeping the masses illiterate. Even before independence, the feudal lords blocked spread of education in their respective areas for selfish reasons. Since independence, all governments have without exception, deliberately curbed the spread of literacy. Education has never been a priority with any form of government whether it was a democratic or a military one. Since all governments, including the martial law regimes, solely depended on feudal support, they intentionally suppressed education, a potential threat to the status quo. Ironically, the billionaire club of our ruling elite, that enjoys all the privileges and political clout, does not pay any taxes. Generally, everyone who is some one in Pakistan does not like to pay his or her tax. Despite having declared assets of Rs 676.8 million of the Sharif family, , Nawaz Sharif and his brother, Shahbaz Sharif, filed a zero income tax and deficit wealth tax returns, in1998. According to the tax statements of June 30, 1998, total income tax paid by the 11-member Sharif family was just Rs 0.25 million. The family also paid Rs 0.55 million as wealth tax and 0.13 million as agriculture tax raising the total tax payment of the family to Rs 0.94 million and Nawaz family is not the only political family, there is a long list of other politicians and elite who does not pay tax. One can write thousand of books on selfish, failed Pakistani Generals and politicians, corrupt elite, bourgeois, cruel feudal lords, selfish bureaucratic system, but how to get rid of this selfish group of elite in Pakistan?, The Chinese revolution came about with the collapse of the Manchu dynasty, a result of increasing internal disorders, pressure from foreign governments, and the weakness of central government, that’s what we see in Pakistan today. I think we need a true revolutionary in Pakistan before this country breaks up. Pakistani elite, corrupt politicians, generals deserve one thing and that is a firing squad. “A great revolution is never the fault of the people, but of the government.” Goethe
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=480&ad=03-08-200
Dated: Sunday, August 03, 2008, Rajab 30, 1429 A.H.
Ahmed Faraz!!!!!!!!
M Waqar New York, USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Great poet from pukhtoonistan, Ahmed Faraz is a is a national treasure, poet of love and revolution, person of telling the truth and not hesitating challenging and criticizing dictators through his revolutionary poetry, His work speaks of injustice, rage and heartache and is as personal as it is political. Decorated with numerous national and international awards, including the Sitara-i-Imtiaz in 1994, Faraz has endured countless tyrannical efforts to silence him. He was exiled from Sindh for writing against Bhutto’s execution, was sent to Mansar Camp and went into self-exile to London in 1982. Faraz left for Washington late last month to attend the annual convention of Pakistani physicians in North America, where he enthralled many with his poetry. However, things took a turn for the worse after his fall at the Canadian embassy in which he injured his forehead, knees and shoulders. Today, he is in intensive care with malfunctioning kidneys, high blood pressure and acute chronic ailments. So far, Faraz has perhaps ‘survived’ on the goodwill of his admirers. As a national hero battles to stay alive, the government and embassy personnel continue to do what they do best — look the other way. Ahmad Faraz is a name of struggle & romance. He always fought and had written against the oppressors/dictators. His poetry touches the dead corners of Hearts ,provides a lovely feeling to everyone. His poetry is both traditional and liberal. His poetry collections have been quite popular and some of these have won major, national and international literary awards. The legend that is Ahmed Faraz is as I write this post fighting for his life. Earlier reports of his demise have thankfully proved false and this post serves as a heartfelt appeal to all Pakistanis inside and outside of Pakistan to pray for Faraz. Faraz love for the nation is legendary and best encapsulated in his poetry. Yet his actions speak even louder than his words for Faraz has sacrificed for the cause of democracy since Pakistan’s inception. He fought Zia the tyrant and won and was exiled and is active even to this day with his open support of the lawyers movement. He has also refused national accolades in protest at the treatment of our great Balochi brothers by Musharraf’s vile regime. In a nutshell he is the true son of the soil, he is a son of the Quaid and someone who Pakistan is so proud of. It is my request to the whole nation to pray for the health of Ahmad Faraz, as he is being treated in a Chicago Hospital, USA.
Only in Pakistan!
M Waqar USA hyberzalmee@comcast.net
Ex-presidents to be exempted from income tax ......This news report in one of the Pak newspapers (not Frontier Post) really made me laugh. The major beneficiaries under the proposed amendment shall include former presidents Farooq Ahmed Khan Leghari and Rafiq Tarar. Pakistan is a country where president (Mushy boy) spend Rs 1.4 billion on his World tour and present Govt who claims to be people's Govt going to decide this instead of taxing rich and giving relief to poor. That's why President Mush recently advised his country men to eat chicken if can't afford beef, sounds like French Queen before French revolution who advised her subjects to eat cake if can't buy bread. I believe that people in Pakistan should pay taxes but the amount of tax they pay should be in proportion to their income. This would help to lessen the ever-widening gap between rich and poor in Pakistan. The Government should guarantee that the tax collected would be used to provide benefits for the poor, the wealthy should pay tax. There is a huge divide and they have a responsibility to pay a higher rate of tax. The tax system of the Netherlands should be a basis for Pakistan. If the people of Pakistan want their country to be successful like all European countries then they must pay tax to the government, because this is the only way to become independent of all other nations. The leaders of this country should start collecting from the top. They are the ones who are evading the taxes. The man on the street earning a few hundred rupees a month selling mangoes or pakoras is not going to reap hundreds of thousands in taxes and yet they will be hardest hit.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=360&ad=15-06-200
Dated: Sunday, June 15, 2008, Jamad-i-Saani 10, 1429 A.H.
Rehmat Shah Afridi...A winner
M Waqar New York Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
May 24 was indeed a beautiful warm beach day in New York, there was a nice smell in the air and I had feeling that I am going to hear some good news, and I WAS RIGHT, the greatest news for me was the release of Rehmat Shah Afridi, the great son of puktoonistan who refused to bow his head in front of cowards, corrupt, hypocrites of PML(N), BUT DID NOT SELL HIS SOUL, no one can bring nine years of his senseless stay in prison but he proved that he is a man of principles and a professional journalist. I extend my greetings to Mr. Afridi, his family, FP staff. The more shocking news was as Mr. Afridi mentioned after his release that why Nawaz corrupt regime send him to prison, today we can tell that Nawaz Sharif and his brother is not only interested in making money through illegal sources but they can also do anything illegal to get their political opponents in trouble, he is not a real professional politician but is a typical greedy businessman. Today Rehmat Shah Afridi is being released from prison and is enjoying a hero's welcome and we can see real horrible face and mentality of NAWAZ SHARIFF. Champions of human rights and media/press freedom should be ashamed of themselves that that it took so long to recognize the wrong that was being done to Mr. Afridi, who was imprisoned because his work was harming the interests of the powerful and corrupt. In advance and educated societies journalists are considered fourth estate of Govt. B OB Woodward, an assistant managing editor of The Washington Post newspaper, is best known for his work in uncovering the government scandal that became known as Watergate and resulted in President Richard Nixon's resignation, President of the most powerful and rich country in the world resigned because a journalist disclosed his illegal and unconstitutional work, but this is America where president is not above the law and journalist BOB did not end up in jail because of his journalistic duty, Bob Woodward has won nearly every American journalism award, As important as Watergate was in political history, it was perhaps equally so in journalism history, if he was in Pakistan, that would be a different story, Bob would be still in prison because Pakistani bourgeois and elite don't like honesty and truth and we can see a classic example of Rehmat Shah Afridi of frontier post who spend nine years in prison because of his journalistic duties. Journalism is more than just a profession, good journalism is a duty. Good Journalism is to report the truth as you see .You are not a journalist because you work for a big company, or because you've got a press card in you pocket, You're a journalist if you provide people with the information they need to know, to be free and self-governing. Otherwise, you may be just another shark in a suit. The right to information, together with freedom of expression and criticism, is one of the fundamental liberties of every human being, straightforward and honest journalist's follows these rules, 1.To seek out the truth, in the interests of the public's right to know, whatever the consequences to him- or herself. 2 To defend freedom of information, freedom of commentary and criticism, and the independence and dignity of the journalistic profession. Persecution of journalists for publishing critical materials is inadmissible. Harassment of journalists in Pakistan is not something new, journalists are being constantly arrested, secretly imprisoned, beaten and tortured by police, and prevented from reporting about sensitive issues or accessing regions of conflict. Rehmat Shah Afridi of frontier post was in prison because he did not desist from calling a spade a spade. When he launched The frontier Post from Peshawar I was student at Islamia College, those were the days of Zia's cruel dictatorship, you were not a good Muslim if you were against Zia's regime. Frontier post impressed me by publishing news and articles about Zia's regime and FP was the only paper those days who was looking straight into eyes of a cruel dictator. Mr. Afridi made Frontier Post voice of Pakhtuns and never hesitated to publish facts even during cruel dictator Zia regime, he was punished for his pen which he was using for his people against tyrant rulers. Any journalist who does not work for the official media, bourgeois, and elite; is considered to be an "enemy or criminal" and that happens in third world countries. Third-world regimes are known to be intolerant of gutsy journalists and publishers. Mr. Afridi was imprisoned because of his peaceful expression of his beliefs during Nawaz Sharif era of corruption. He published a story detailing how members of the ruling party, including Prime Minister Sharif himself, had through illegal and bizarre use of power and influence obtained massive loans from some public-sector banks, leading to the banks' failure. He was tried and convicted solely for his journalistic work. He was in jail on cooked-up charges of possessing narcotics. Nawaz government sentenced Mr Afridi just because he was the real critic of that regime and was a big hurdle for the enemies of the nation and the country. The only sin of Mr. Rehmat Shah Afridi is that he was prisoner of conscience; he criticized the government for its illegal acts; he raised voice against cruelty; corruption; he spoke against unfair justice; and he disclosed those who looted the country. Rehmat Shah Afridi was exposing the corrupt practices of Nawaz regime and educating people of Pakhtunistan through his newspaper, in this case he was a true journalist. Bourgeois, Imperialists and their puppets are enemies of Pakhtun nation, today Pakhtun nation is victim and target of those elements who don't want to see Pakhtuns educated and advanced, who don't want to see books in pukhtoon kids hands, those anti pukhtoon elements don't want pukhtoon girls to go to the school and become educated mothers of tomorrow. He has not established his newspaper "The Frontier Post" to make money but rather he wished to serve the Pukhtoons particularly and the countrymen generally through his paper. Charges against him were politically motivated. He was sentenced to death on drug trafficking charges following the publication in the Maidan of reports of corruption of government ministers, alleged links between the Anti-Narcotics Force [ANF] and military intelligence and the ANF and drug smugglers. Mr. Nawaz Shariff who as the Prime Minister of Pakistan for two terms i.e. from 6 November 1990 to 18 July 1993 and 17 February 1997 to 12 October 1999 was responsible for gross human rights violations. During the first term of Shariff, even human rights defenders were oppressed. On 1 April 1993, three staff members of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, including its director, I.A. Rehman, were detained by police and documents were confiscated from the HRCP's office. Nawaz Sharif had a history of terrorizing professional journalists. The press faced intense repression during Shariff's second term .In June 1997, Humayun Fur, Peshawar bureau chief of the daily Mashriq, was detained under charges of "anti-state" activities and sentenced to five years in jail by a military court on 9 September 1997.On 8 May 1999, Najam Sethi, editor of the Friday Times, was arrested in Lahore and held without charge for nearly a month by Inter-Services Intelligence. The government finally charged Mr Sethi on 1 June 1999 with sedition, promoting communal enmity, condemning the creation of Pakistan and advocating the abolition of its sovereignty, and violating the Prevention of Anti-National Activities Act. Two other journalists M.A.K Lodhi of The News International and Hussain Haqqani, an opposition leader and columnist for The Friday Times and daily Jang were also arrested. Rehmat Shah Afridi, editor of The Frontier Post, was arrested in April 1999.Extra judicial killings were rampant during the regime of Nawaz Sharif. In 1993, custodial torture and custodial deaths were reported throughout the country, particularly in Sindh province where about 40 cases of deaths in custody and encounter killings of suspected criminals or political detainees were reported during January- June 1993. In this atmosphere of fear and hypocrisy, REHMAT SHAH AFRIDI did not hesitate to challenge Nawaz regime, he disclosed regime's illegal practices, that was his duty as an honest journalist, he did not sell himself like so many others in his profession, committed no sin except propagation of "Amr-e-Bil Maaroof" and "Nahi-e-Anil Munker" to expose the corrupt practices of the people at the helm and reform society, ruler from General Zia to Nawaz Sharif tried their best to offer high public office, elevated positions and huge material benefits, but this great son of pukhtoonistan did not sell his soul. In his own words, Mr. Afridi said,''...Journalists are shouldered with the responsibility of exposing corruption and corrupt practices, guiding the nation on the right path and steering the ship to shore. It can never be expected of me to term night as day and black as white.'' If Mr. Afridi was a criminal then Nawaz sharif and his family should be put in prison too for their crimes of stealing money from the nation and Pakistan was declared a failed state because of their corrupt practices, Nawaz Sharif's only agenda was to make money. In order to achieve this goal, he formed/changed laws and policies for his personal benefit and expanded his business empire by misusing his authority as Prime Minister. Nawaz Sharif is in love with judges but the nation has not forgotten when supreme court was attacked during his Govt. Sharif ordered his thugs to attack the Supreme Court in order to prevent the Chief Justice from giving a ruling against him. There is no difference between a military dictator and Nawaz Sharif of PML (N). The 'Loha Chors' of Lahore should not forget that they crushed media, press and physically assaulted Supreme Court while being in power. Mr. Afridi is a brave man. He considered the field of journalism as mission, a mission against the oppressors and the corrupt. In one of his interviews, Mr. Afridi said that his exposing of how Nawaz was burning the funds of Osama bin Laden for personal political ends made him clash with Nawaz. No one can deny that. Mr. Afridi needs to be recognized. What was his crime? Was he involved in suicide attacks and killing innocent people? Its interesting that Nawaz Sharif forgot that he was punished for life in prison and leading to possible death penalty but he was flown to Saudi Arabia, there were no legal complications then ?Nawaz Sharif wants to be a god father of Punjabi mafia, elite and bourgeois, he knows how to blackmail but people like Rehamt Shah Afridi can't be bought, where were those judges who wants their jobs back when Z A BHUTTO was facing a trial, where those judges when prosecution could not provide solid evidence against Mr. Afridi but they send him to jail? I salute to Frontier Post staff who continued their chief's mission and never hesitate to publish facts. The Frontier Post is a unique institution and voice of Pukhtoons. It's a courageous newspaper. Mr. Afridi becomes the victim because of his newspaper's independent policies and corruption stories of influential people. His release is a historic moment and victory for all oppressed people, Mr. Afridi is a hero in the world of journalism, while his enemies must be scared and feeling guilty today.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=381&ad=28-05-200
Dated: Wednesday, May 28, 2008, Jamad-i-Awal 19, 1429 A.H.
Zardari ain’t stupid!
M Waqar New York
Mr Nawaz Sharif had planned a "Bangladeshi solution for Pakistan." Under the proposed plan, Mr. Chaudhry was supposed to have declared the election of Mr Musharraf null and void, and then declared the NRO unconstitutional, and Mr. Chaudhry also would have upheld the graduation rule. By eliminating the NRO, and upholding the graduation rule Mr. Zardari would have been ineligible for any office. With Mr. Musharraf and Mr. Zardari out of the way, Mr. Chaudhry would have taken over the country as president. The Prime Minister would be Mr. Sharif. Mr. Zardari knows about this plan, does not want to restore the judges which would rock the boat, eliminate him from the corridors of power, Nawaz Sharif is a businessman and ''luhar'' who knows strike while the iron is hot. Zardari ain't stupid either. The PPP, the MQM, the ANP, the JUI-F are opposed to the reinstatement of deposed judges, each having its own set of interests. Nawaz has refused to unlock his horns with Musharraf and earns for his ouster. Nawaz is of the same breed, the same corrupt politician's era and he is not different from others. "Mr Sharif Businessman turned politician the former Prime Minister of Pakistan, was ousted in a military coup in 1999 and was forced to forfeit $9million dollars and some of his assets including his $5m Mansion is Raiwind near Lahore. Before becoming PM he was a major share holder along with his brother and cousins of Ittefaq Group, having assets well in excess of £50m in the 90's. However he got richer when he took commissions from foreign companies for construction in Pakistan. He build the first motorway and many new roads and took heavy kickbacks. He then also stole $100m from the Iqra funds, he started a new scheme "Ghar Apna" in which he again looted around $40m, the "Mulk swaaro" scheme involving public & govt. money collections to help pay Pakistan's debts; also was pocketed." There are reports that Nawaz took millions from OSAMA BIN LADEN to fight election against Benazir in 90's. Iftikhar Choudhery worked with Mush many years happily and doing all ordinary things like supporting his son for better placement, enjoying his remunerations as much as possible, keeping the CM luxury Mercedes Benz with him etc. His lower staff got corrupt seeing his character and looted millions by making false receipt of fuels on his car's number. When he asked for it, he said he don't know what the lower staff is doing. It were the judges who given law asylum to Mush for his illegal occupancy of president's post. They were also judges who signed the death warrant of Z.A. Bhutto. I am sure that Mr. Nawaz remembers when Supreme Court was attacked during his Govt. Was not that shameful? He is in love with Judges now but lets not forget that most of these justices have in past taken oath under the first PCO, where was there diligence then? If they could have done it once they can do it twice and even more times. I am not supporting Zardari either, he should be more fair and honest in dealing with other political elements and should not bow his head to a former general and other hidden powers. I never been Nawaz fan but I think in greater national interests PPP and Nawaz should stay together, although I have reservations about Nawaz and as I mentioned in one of my previous letters that Nawaz cant be trusted. In civilized countries politicians decide their problems through referendum and I think there should be something like this to solve this problem and Govt should focus on other important issues. I kept an optimistic view on the new found political alliances giving them a fair chance to prove their mettle, but as times passes one has to gawk at smooching circus on display, its hideously embarrassing to say the least. The PPP is the most popular party across the land. PML-N is only in Punjab. I would suggest to Asif Zardari to let this minor partner in the coalition know that PPP is a democratic and libertarian party and must respect its constituents. Either PML-N learns to play by the rule or just get out of the way. PML-N leadership will understand it, after all they are children of four generals (Gilanee, Zia, Beg, and Gul), they understand when get a kick in the right place. Nawaz Govt was dismissed by Gen. Mush, otherwise Nawaz would love him too just like Chaudary brothers. Let's not forget that when Nawaz was prime minister, he not only crushed supreme court but also media and Rehmat Shah Afridi of Frontier Post is an example of Nawaz cruelties. PPP leadership should have more close working relationship with ANP of Pakhtunistan as ANP i s liberal political party and even Benazir Bhutto was advised by her father Z A Bhutto to trust Pakhtuns. Nawaz claims that his party will not become part of any conspiracy to destabilize the democratic process but it seems like he will continue blackmailing, so he can't be trusted. I think there are other important issues politicians should discuss, the country is burdened by electricity shortages and rising inflation, running at 17%,suicides,so called Taliban's, poverty etc.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=362&ad=18-05-200
Dated: Sunday, May 18, 2008, Jamad-i-Awal 11, 1429 A.H.
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The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Excursionist President!
M Waqar USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Well the latest news is…..''During the past five years, Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf traveled to around 40 countries costing the country's exchequer Rs. 1.4 billion'', I am sure Uncle Sam can figure out now where his Aid money was being spent. I am sure Mush could win American Express frequent traveler points very easily. Lets not forget that Musharraf is the president of one of the poorest countries in the world, where people are compelled to auction their children for the sake of bread, sell their kidneys or to commit suicide, Innocent people getting killed by suicide bombers but president of this poor nation spend such a huge money on his world tours, this money could be spend on education, getting rid of load shedding and so many other projects and problems Pakistanis face every day. It is a fact that such heavy expenses from public exchequer were not spent by the heads of any other country like China, India, Russia, USA, Germany, Canada and UK, who are the richest countries of the world. I don't think Pakistan's leaders have any self respect or ego. Musharraf claimed to save Pakistan from two scourges: corrupt, money-grubbing politicians and Islamic extremists but he failed because his intentions were not sincere. He is corrupt just like any other military dictator and politician of Pakistan. On these tours, Musharraf not only spent with an open heart and both hands but also took with him more than thousand people on these tours to show the world his generosity. Musharraf spent billions on image improvement through 'Enlightened Moderation', and people are still confused as to what end all that money went??? It is shame that Pakistan is becoming ''kidney bazaar'' but Pakistan's elite is not aware of this. The rich constitute a very small percentage of the total population but command most of the resources. They live in palatal houses, drive luxury cars, and are educated in elite institutions. Conversely, the poor make up a very large portion of the population but do not have access to basic amenities, such as health, education and safe drinking water. In February 2000, Mr Shahid Javed Burki (one of Pakistan's most respected economists and then working in the World Bank) predicted that by the year 2010 Pakistan's population would reach 170 million of whom 80 million (47 per cent) would be living below the poverty line. I wonder what will be suicide rate because of poverty? Although Musharraf is not the only one, there is a history of Pakistani elite and bourgeois who spend and stole nation's money, but it is really disgusting to look at these figures spend on foreign tours by Pakistan's elite but poor are committing suicides. I don't have any faith in Pakistani politicians either and I am sure the new Govt officials will do the same thing. It is shame that in Pakistan a terrorist mullah can be released but a journalist like Rehmat Shah Afridi of The Frontier Post stays in prison.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=380&ad=27-04-200
Dated: Sunday, April 27, 2008, Rabi-us-Sani 20, 1429 A.H.
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The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
No graduation: Welcome back Illiterate elite!
M Waqar USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Graduation reminds me a story, about a minister, who was presented an application for building a road to moon and he signed that application because minister did not have any education. Mr Aamir letter presents a true picture of Pakistani politics, like Mr. Aamir I was extremely disgusted too by this news. In order to become a member of the national assembly one has to be a graduate or highly educated. The logical reasoning behind this was that the people who are to rule the country should be educated and knowledgeable. Unfortunately there are over 40 million uneducated people in Pakistan but it does not mean they should be presented by someone of their level, these unfortunate uneducated people need educated law makers who can open schools and colleges for them and educate them, Attorney General Malik Muhammad Qayyum argues that the graduation condition for contesting election was discriminatory but he forgets that he is sending a wrong message to young and future generation of Pakistan, he is in other words telling new generation that education is not important. Attorney General is well educated official and I am not going to challenge his credentials but I would like to ask him if he can appoint an illiterate person as Attorney General of Pakistan? The elite and bourgeois of Pakistan will keep people in dark and uneducated, that's the only way for them to rule uneducated people and steal more from them. Although leaders belonging to different political parties also termed the abolition of graduation law a positive step, but I think it's totally wrong. I am not supporting Mush regime who inserted this graduation condition in 2002 elections but I think in general, Assembly members must be educated. Illiteracy and democracy can't go hand in hand. Pakistan was created by highly educated leaders; those leaders like Jinnah etc had education, wisdom, vision and principles. Sir Syed Ahmad Khan advised Indian Muslims to learn English so they can improve themselves, although this great leader was called ''Kafirr'' by mullahs but he had a great vision. Today Pakistan is facing same music, Taliban wants to close down girls schools, feudal lords wants to keep their business running and keeping people in dark and uneducated. I do not indulge in criticism just for the sake of criticism but I don't want to see uneducated leaders, who have sat in the driving seat as ministers, and are passing orders on matters of vital national interest?
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=391&ad=28-04-200
Dated: Monday, April 28, 2008, Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1429 A.H.
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Amnesty to Rehmat Shah Afridi
Mahabat Khan Bangash Peshawar bangash_mahabat@yahoo.com
M Waqar from the US has positively suggested in this forum dated 17th April to write for the release of Rehmat Shah Afridi, who has been languishing in prison since last so many years. Mr Afridi is the owner of a national daily, who was victimized by the Govt. of the time by implicating him in a scandalous false case as a result of his upright and conscience reporting in his daily. All heard and read about the case, I do not see any logic in the circumstances under which the case had been established. I being an ex-field official of an anti-smuggling agency, have certain reservations about the truth of the case against Mr Afridi. In the first place I doubt that a person of a caliber of being a media owner is so unwise that he carries around a quantity of 20 Kgs of Hashish in the diggi (Boot) of his car and that too in sophisticated premises like Pearl Continental Lahore? 2. It is not difficult for an agency in a country like Pakistan to unlock diggi (Boot) of a vehicle and push something in it, while the vehicle owner is away? 3. As a normal practice in this country, 90% of large scale smuggling can takes place only with the connivance of the law enforcing agencies, which remain present on roads from Peshawar to down country and they check each and every vehicle round the clock. It is a known fact that Mr Afridi was politically victimized by the Govt. of the time for his upright and conscience reporting in his daily. Now when the political atmosphere in the country has altogether changed and the Govt. has decided to close the politically motivated cases, the case of the elderly ailing Rehmat Shah Afridi should also be reviewed on the basis of amnesty, so that he may lead his remaining life with his family in peace.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=411&ad=20-04-200
Dated: Sunday, April 20, 2008, Rabi-us-Sani 13, 1429 A.H.
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An Open Letter to PM and His Cabinet
Dr Naeem Chishti
Honourable Sirs, I am writing to you to ask for your urgent intervention into the case of the Frontier Post Chief Editor Rehmat Shah Afridi, who has been perishing in prison for over nine years for the offences which he never committed. Rehmat Shah Afridi’s case is a glaring example of political victimisation and one of the most uncivilized attacks on the freedom of press in Pakistan. It is for this reason that the Amnesty International declared him Prisoner of Conscience in 2003. I believe that Rehmat Shah Afridi’s right to have a fair trial was violated due to the partial proceedings of the trial court and he was sentenced to two death penalties without the sufficient evidence that is required by law. Even though his sentence was changed into Life Imprisonment, not being less than twenty-four years, by the Supreme Court of Pakistan, the findings of the apex court raised many more doubts about the genuineness of the prosecution case. In condemning Afridi to two death penalties, the trial court relied on testimony of two ‘interested’ witnesses and a dubious audio-video recording, the veracity of which was never proved in the Court. Furthermore, not even a sample of the allegedly seized Chars weighing 671 kilograms was presented in the court which was in flagrant violation of section 516A of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898.
Rehmat Shah Afridi was arrested by the Anti Narcotics Force on April 1, 1999 on false charges of drug smuggling. After subjecting him to the worst type of inhuman torture, the ANF registered two First Information Reports against him on April 2, 1999 which were designated as FIR Nos 11 & 12 of 1999. FIR No 11 alleged that senior officials of the Anti Narcotics Force received secret information that the Frontier Post Chief Editor Rehmat Shah Afridi was involved in smuggling of narcotics at international level. Therefore, his activities were secretly monitored. On the night of 2/4/99 at about 1:30 am, the Anti Narcotics Force received the information to the effect that TFP Chief Editor having narcotics was to come out of the Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore whereupon a raiding party was constituted under the supervision of Major Abdul Rab, Deputy Director ANF. At about 3:45 am, a car came out from the hotel side, which was intercepted. Rehmat Shah Afridi was driving the care while his two accomplices Lal Said and Naik Nawaz sat in the rear seat. All the three were arrested and the car was put to search. RSA himself opened the boot (diggie) of the car from where twenty packets weighing 21 kilograms of Chars were recovered from underneath the spare wheel of the car.
FIR No 12 alleged that Rehmat Shah Afridi (who was already under arrest in connection with FIR No 11/99) disclosed during the investigation that he had arranged an additional quantity of Chars weighing sixteen mounds which was concealed in a truck parked at a place near Faisalabad and that he could lead to its recovery. (Note: According to prosecution, this disclosure was made while Rehmat Shah Afridi was still standing on the Mall Road and his physical remand had not yet been obtained).
Thereupon a team of the ANF officers proceeded to Faisalabad along with Afridi and his two accomplices. The raiding party found a truck parked on the left side of the main road, near Faisalabad.
On Rehmat Shah Afridi’s pointing, the raiding party arrested the two people sitting in the truck. Afridi himself boarded the truck from the rear side. Afridi and his two accomplices pointed to the concealed areas covered with a wooden plank. This was removed by Afridi with the help of a “paana” from where 31 packets weighing 651 kilograms of Chars were recovered.
As the case progressed to the trial court, the prosecution changed its story and alleged that the Anti Narcotics Force officials were engaged in a fake deal with Rehmat Shah Afridi in which the ANF Deputy Director Major Abdul Rab acted as a fake customer while his Assistant Director Captain Hashim Dogar made audio and video recording of all the conversations between Major Abdul Rab and Rehmat Shah Afridi. This was all a concocted story as the prosecution must have made at least a cursory reference to it in the two FIRs if there had been any truth in it. Rehmat Shah Afridi’s lawyers challenged the veracity of prosecution witnesses and their evidence before the trial court. They invited the attention of the trial court to the fact that RSA had published a report in his newspaper four months before his arrest that he was receiving threats from the then government of being arrested and fixed if his newspaper did not stop publishing material against the prime minister, the interior minister and the anti-narcotics force.
Rehmat Shah Afridi’s case was clearly that of political victimisation and he was targeted for championing the cause of the freedom of press. His case was full of legal and procedural flaws.
The prosecution relied on the evidence of two witnesses namely Major Abdul Rab and Captain Hashim Dogar who were both interested witnesses. Although the recovery of Chars in Lahore and Faisalabad was stated to be made in public places at busy hours no independent witness was produced before the court.
Furthermore, no expert evidence was produced to support the prosecution version that the audio visual evidence against Rehmat Shah Afridi was genuine or it was he who was actually involved in the dubious deal with the undercover officials of the Anti Narcotics Force. Above all, the large quantity of Chars stated to be seized from Rehmat Shah Afridi at Lahore and Faisalabad was never produced before the Court.
When Afridi’s lawyers insisted upon the production of the case property in the court, the prosecution told that all the 671 kilograms of chars had been destroyed with the order of the court obtained at the outset of the trial in the absence of the accused or his legal representative. Afridi’s lawyers invited the attention of the trial court to section 516A of the Code of Criminal Procedure 1898 which made it mandatory for the prosecution to take a sample of the property even if it is to be destroyed with the permission of the court.
His lawyers further pointed out that it was a trite law that no accused could be convicted if the case property or its sample was not produced before the trial court even if the case was genuine.
In this regard, his counsels referred to the following cases in which the superior courts had acquitted the accused persons for the failure of the prosecution to comply with the requirements of section 516A: Shahmore Vs the state (PLD 2003 Karachi 230), Muhammad Tayeb Vs the state (2002 P.Cr. L.J 1889), Naik Muhammad Vs the state (PLD 2003 Peshawar 130) Syed Karim Vs Anti Narcotics Force (PLD 2003 Karachi 606) and Nawab Ali Vs the state (PLJ 1995 FSC 90).
There are several other points too that need careful attention. Firstly, the driver and the gunman of Rehmat shah Afridi, who were arrested along with him, were acquitted even before the trial began. After their acquittal, both of them held a press conference at Peshawar Press Club disputing material facts of the prosecution case.
Secondly, Captain Hashim Dogar, the man incharge of making audio and video cassettes did not make the video of Afridi’s arrest or recovery of Chars though he said that he was recording conversations with Afridi for the last three months. Thirdly, the entire exercise undertaken by Major Abdul Rab and Captain Hashim Dogar as undercover agents in the case arising out of FIR No 11/99 was in violation of the provisions of section 24 of CNSA 1997 having not been authorized by the competent authority and thus could not be considered as evidence.
Fourthly, reliance on audio and video recordings of conversation and meetings of Rehmat Shah Afridi with fake customers was misplaced because the said recordings had not been put through sonographic test and because the sound and faces in the said recordings were not clearly discernable. Finally, Rehmat Shah Afridi had submitted documents in the courts which were never made part of the court files. These documents comprised of letters from Saifur Rehman, the incharge of Ehtesab Bureau of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Saifur Rehman had written these letters to UK and US governments alleging that Rehmat Shah Afridi, Benazir Bhutto and Asif Zardari were drugs partners. These letters proved Afridi’s contention that he was being victimised because he refused to incriminate Benazir and Zardari in false cases of drugs’ smuggling.
Despite all legal lacunas and procedural flaws the trial court came heavy upon the Frontier Post Chief Editor and sentenced Rehmat Shah Afridi with two death penalties, one for carrying twenty kg of Chars in his car and the other for hiding Chars in the truck in Faisalabad. He is the first person in Pakistan who was awarded a death sentence for simple possession of twenty kilograms of Chars. The quantum of sentence again manifested that the judge of the trial court was under immense pressure to give an ‘exemplary’ punishment to the journalist. The Lahore High Court dismissed his appeal without going into the merits of the case. Last but not least, the Supreme Court judgment said:
“The convict may well have been kept under surveillance with respect to the trafficking etc. of the said narcotics and evidence may well be available with the prosecution regarding the said activity of the convict and some evidence may even have been produced at the trial in the said connection but as would appear from the charge framed against the said convict at both these trials, he had been tried only for being in possession of the quantity in question of Chars at Lahore and near Faisalabad and had never been charged or tried for selling the narcotics substance or for offering them for sale or even indulging in trafficking of the said substance.”
Rehmat Shah Afridi’s case is a clear case of miscarriage of justice. He did not receive a fair trial. Even if we go by the above observation of the Supreme Court, the maximum charge against Afridi is that he was found in possession of Chars. He has already been in prison for over nine years. Is that punishment not enough even if the charge against him was correct? Rehmat Shah Afridi is an old man with frail health. Yet his determination is as strong as iron.
He never filed a clemency petition and always insisted upon his trial by an ‘independent’ court. His case was thoroughly probed by the Amnesty International. The AI team found that he had been targeted because of political victimisation and declared him Prisoner of Conscience in 2003. However, after that all the national and international agencies have written him off. Now that we have a democratic dispensation in Pakistan, it is high time that all relevant authorities and national and internal associations should gear up their activities to get justice for the Frontier Post Chief Editor. All Rehmat Shah Afridi wants is that his case should be reopened so that he can have a fair trial. Is it too big a demand to be fulfilled keeping in view his thirty years services for the freedom of the press?
In light of above, I plead with your honours to advise the President of Pakistan to suspend the sentence of Rehmat Shah Afridi in exercise of his powers under article 45 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan and order a fresh trial of his case. Your urgent intervention in this case will be highly appreciated by millions of down-trodden people of Pakistanis suffering at the scales of our Criminal Justice System which needs massive reforms.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Muhammad Naeem Chishti
Solicitor of the Supreme Court
London
Prisoner of consciences
M Waqar
I am extremely disturbed and upset by reading a news item in your newspaper(THE FRONTIER POST) about Editor in Chief of The Frontier Post ; I am surprised that he is still in prison, Rehmat Shah Afridi played a great role by publishing The Frontier Post from Peshawar, The Frontier Post was born during cruel regime of Zia, then I was student at Islamic college, Frontier Post did educate me. Mr. Afridi made Frontier Post voice of Pakhtuns and never hesitated to publish facts even during cruel dictator Zia regime. The Frontier Post is right to mention in news item that Mr Afridi was punished for his pen which he was using for his people against tyrant rulers. Any journalist who does not work for the official media, bourgeois, and elite; is considered to be an "enemy or criminal" and that happens in third world countries, its time for the new government in Pakhtunistan to release Mr. Afridi, I would like to ask all writers on this forum to write and mail letters to new government in Pakistan and write letters to amnesty international and CPJ (www.cpj.org), mention this on all blogs newspapers etc, and force government to release Mr. Afridi and all other journalists from prison. Mr. Afridi is imprisoned because of his peaceful expression of his beliefs. He is victim of an unfair trial. The Frontier Post had been targeted for some time for its investigative journalism; Rehmat Shah Afridi, was sentenced to death for drug offences for which the prosecution failed to produce any compelling evidence. If prosecution was unable to produce any evidence, then why he is still in prison? He is still in prison because he is Pakhtun??? He was arrested because his paper The Frontier Post documented official corruption. That was his job and duty as a journalist and his right to freedom of expression, which he exercised in the course of his work as a journalist. Third-world regimes are known to be intolerant of gutsy journalists and publishers. He published a story detailing how members of the ruling party, including Prime Minister Sharif himself, had through illegal and bizarre use of power and influence obtained massive loans from some public-sector banks, leading to the banks' failure. In USA water gate was exposed by a journalist but he was not send to prison, but in Pakistan corrupt regimes like to control media. He was tried and convicted solely for his journalistic work. He is in jail on cooked-up charges of possessing narcotics. What is the sin of Mr. Rehmat Shah Afridi? Nawaz government sentenced Mr Afridi just because he was the real critic of that regime and was a big hurdle for the enemies of the nation and the country. Did he kill innocent people? The only sin of Mr Rehmat Shah Afridi is that he is the prisoner of conscience; he criticized the government for its illegal acts; he raised voice against cruelty; corruption; he spoke against unfair justice; and he disclosed those who looted the country. Lets not forget that NAWAZ SHARIF afraid for his life and did not stay in prison for more then a year and made a deal with Mush Regime and ran out of country. Rehmat Shah Afridi was exposing the corrupt practices of Nawaz regime and educating people of Pakhtunistan through his newspaper, in this case he was a true journalist. Bourgious, Imperialists and their puppets are enemies of Pakhtun nation, today Pakhtun nation is victim and target of those elements who don't want to see Pakhtuns educated and advanced. Lame-Duck President Musharraf's drastic steps to silence news coverage make a mockery of his often repeated claims to have fostered free and open media. ''Reporters Without Borders'' believes Afridi was imprisoned, convicted and sentenced to death in June 2001 because of his journalistic activities as the head of the Peshawar-based Frontier Post, and not because of any involvement in drug trafficking. His newspaper had carried frequent reports of corruption within Pakistan's Anti-Narcotics Force, which was set up with US support. Journalists in Pakistan and throughout Central and South Asia face great risks. Journalism is the noblest profession around. I hope new government in Pakhtunistan take action for release of The Frontier Post chief and all other journalists.
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The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Release RSA!!!!!!!
M Waqar USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
An Open Letter to PM and His Cabinet by Dr Naeem Chishti and Editorial by DAILY TIMES (April 15, 2008) are extremely impressive and explains the real story behind arrest of The Frontier Post Chief's arrest. He was arrested by members of that regime whose leader (NAWAZ SHARIF) could not spend more then a year in Prison and made a deal with Gen. Mush and ran out of country with his family. I would like to ask all readers and writers on this forum again to write articles, letters to new PM, CM of NWFP and other international organizations for his release. I would like to ask everyone to mention about his release on blogs, web sites of international newspapers etc. Prosecution on drug charges of Rehmat Shah Afridi was politically motivated and now its time for new Govt in Islamabad to address this issue. Its shame to know that his health has deteriorated to the breaking point as mentioned in Daily times Editorial, The UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners article 22(2) states that "sick prisoners who require specialist treatment shall be transferred to specialized institutions or to civil hospitals." I would like to ask Pakhtun nationalist leaders to look into this matter and help out someone who is in prison for not committing any crime. He is prisoner of conscience.
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Marriage of convenience!!!M Waqar USA
By observing on going political developments and melo-drama between Nawaz Sharif and Zardari, I hate to say that I don't trust Nawaz, he is the one who did not let BENAZIR BHUTTO to run her government properly, when she was prime minister, Mr. Nawaz is asking for restoration of judges but I am sure that nation has not forgotten that during his rule supreme court was attacked. In politics, yesterday enemies can be today's friends but it seems like Mr. Sharif is already creating problems, differences may split but its too scary and it will be another golden opportunity for any army general in Pakistan to overthrow the govt. Although I am sure he has learned the lessons in exile, After his return from exile, he has displayed restraint, tolerance and maturity in his speeches and actions and it was a great gesture that he went to the hospital when Benazir Bhutto was killed, progressive, liberal and democratic Pakistanis must be happy to see that cronies of Musharraf and religious mullah's parties defeated and they have great expectations from winners of 2008 election but I hope that these politicians don't indulge in dirty politics and dig their n graves. Nawaz Sharif is an autocrat with no relation to democratic norms and traditions. His each tenure in the helm of affairs was more dishonest than the previous one. His malpractices not only swayed away the economic structure of the state but also made the lives of poor disastrous. I am not saying that Mr. Zardari is an Angel but I think if Nawaz Sharif is sincere this time then he should fully cooperate with other politicians and let the new govt finish its job for five years and let the people of Pakistan to decide after five years. Nawaz Sharif is asking a lot from the new winners and his list of demands is growing every time I read a Pakistani newspaper on line. Mr. Zardari or his Prime Minister will have their reservations about some issues and if they fail to satisfy Mr.Sharif. I think there will be another political chaos in Pakistan. As Aitzaz Ahsan has termed the political consensus developed between Asif Ali Zardari and Mian Nawaz Sharif a good omen and has cautioned if both the leaders back out from this consensus people and lawyers will come out on the roads against them and that's what I am afraid of, because Nawaz Sharif will jeopardize this political process. Democracy kicking in now and Pakistanis sees a chance of peace and normal life, people don't want show downs now, Zardari may be a man of compromise and hope Nawaz can be like him too, politics of revenge will derail what the nation achieved through elections, Nawaz Sharif have to compromise, accommodate and not to confront and let the nation's parliament to decide and that will be consensus. We know that Zardari will run the show, Mr Musharraf will expect a Yes Man but that will be a real test and PPP, PML-N, ANP needs to stay strong and together and not let differences of political opinion mess up this new political process, and this all depends on Nawaz to cooperate, but will he??? Although, whenever a GENERAL rules Pakistan, he makes sure to destroy all the institutions of civilians and bring country to total chaos and collapse, therefore the idea of a national government should not be only about sharing power but also sharing responsibility, during past and present military regimes, people of pukhtoonistan and Balochistan suffered heavily, it should be responsibility of new govt to restore confidence among people of these two provinces, provincial autonomy is important issue according to the constitution and it is time to honor this compact, will Nawaz will agree to these issues??? If President Musharraf has any self respect, he must resign now; he can go to TURKEY and should study how ATTA-TURK changed Turkey. Anyhow, I was writing about Nawaz Sharif, I am not going to open can of worms but would love to see what other readers on this forum think???
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‘We didn't start the Fire’
M waqar USA
In response to Mr. Zaheer Iqbal's and Arshed Mahmud (ZAB) letter (The racist statement, April, 7th) about my April 4th article,'' Salute to Z A Bhutto'', I did not mean to create any kind of pandemonium, Pakistanis can't deny sacrifice of millions of Indian Muslims who migrated to Pakistan in 1947, as some seven to eight million Muslims left India. During partition, Muslims left for Pakistan who experienced violence and killings or who had sympathy for the cause of Pakistan. I did not mean to offend my Urdu speaking friends in Pakistan. Whoever left India in 1947 are Pakistanis now, they are not refugees, millions of those brave people who left India are playing a constructive and productive role in Pakistan's development, they were the people who fought the ideological battles for the creation of a separate Muslim state in the Indian heartland. I would like to offer my apology to all those who misunderstood my term ''muhajir'' for ZIA and Mush. Unfortunately, threat to Pakistan's internal security in the late 80's and early 90's was posed by militia from the MQM'' Mohajir''(the word I hate to use for those brave and courageous people who left India in 1947.)the first letter of MQM stands for MOHAJIR and was created by former New York City cab driver ALTAF HUSSAIN and gained popularity and became political term, although personally I condemn all kind of racism against any community, MQM threat is posed by only few people who are supported by security agencies in Pakistan, this threat is not posed by 100% of every Urdu speaking person. If ALTAF HUSSAIN thinks he is a popular leader in Pakistan then why he is hiding in Britain? This is also hypocrisy of west and Britian in particular that they awarded citizenship to some one who is involve in killing of innocent people of his country. The National Memorial Institute for Preventing Terrorism (MIPT), funded by the US Homeland Security Department, considers the MQM as a terrorist outfit and brackets it with dozens of other Pakistan-based militant outfits. His organization MQM is responsible to portray itself, in its initial years as an organization of Mohajirs, he is the one who started racism in Pakistani politics. Military dictator Zia, created MQM in the 1980s to counter the influence of Benazir Bhutto, and other Sindhi nationalist parties. Like Zia, Previaz Musharraf also supporting MQM, by pointing to two ''mohajir presidents'' I meant zia and Mush as members of MQM. The masked terrorists of MQM are notorious for spraying bullets on Karachi streets and as I write this response to one of learned writer, (Mr Zaheer Iqbal's) on this forum, Karachi is experiencing fresh violence of MQM by burning Lawyers to death. How many times is it that we are going to see the theatrics and terrorism of MQM of Altaf Hussain in Karachi. It's time that lawyers leaders throughout the country converge at one point and identify the shenanigans and intrigues of President Musharraf with the help of agencies and terrorist groups like MQM and the lotas of PML-Q. People of Karachi should also now show some courage and they must raise their voice against these thugs of MQM who control Karachi from London, and who have ransacked the whole city under their cruel grip. The government of Pakistan People's Party should understand the message of MQM. MQM wants to tell PPP that if PPP wants to rule in Karachi, then they have to bow in front of the blackmailing of Altaf Hussain and his thugs. Asif Ali Zardari must now start taking some leader-like decisions. It's time Karachi should be freed from the terrorists of MQM. I am not going to open can of worms but the fact is that every military regime brought more violence, disorder, divisibleness of nation, rule and divide policy for protecting their illegal military regimes. In my article I did not mean to fan the dying flames of ethnic-tensions as the learned writer pointed in his letter. Karachi the city of lights became city of darkness, terror, fear, dead bodies on streets, horror because of MQM. I repeat again that if Asfandyar Wali Khan has some reservations about MQM, I agree with him, because many pukhtoons suffered by the hands of MQM terrorists. Pakhuns are men of guns but simultaneously they are men of love and romance. They love others and want to be loved by others. Pakhtuns are not enemies of any other ethnic group in Pakistan, our politicians like WALI KHAN AND BACHA KHAN being called traitors because they asked for Pakhtuns rights. Our writers, poets, intellectuals and journalists like Rehmat Shah Afridi of The Frontier Post faced discrimination and jails because they were fighting, writing, and asking for Pakhtuns rights and disclosing corruption of Pakistani elite and bourgeois regimes.
Dated: Monday, April 14, 2008, Rabi-us-Sani 07, 1429 A.H.
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Peshawar under siege!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I read this article in New York Times and I was shocked, although I am in touch with my friends in Peshawar and know what is going on there but it seems like present regime is totally helpless. Following is the link for this article in NEW YORK TIMES. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/18/world/asia/18peshawar.html?pagewanted=all# Its interesting to read the comment at the end of this article, made by police chief,’’ “The police chief said, ‘We can’t secure ourselves, how can we secure you? I think then its time for all the officials of this regime to resign but unfortunately that never happens in Jinnah’s Pakistan. The list of King Musharraf’s regime failures is growing day by day but his excellency loves to travel, he is in Europe and careless what's happening in his country or to his subjects, no one can believe Musharraf's government can protect them. This regime is so naïve that it even can’t find out who is supporting these militants?, how they are getting weapons, but the problem is if people inside Mush circles are supporters and friends of these militants, they won’t be able to find out this. Peshawar known as the city of flowers is under siege, I think those days are gone, when I used to go out after college, hang out with my buddies, chatting and enjoying summer evenings in this great city, where I never felt fear, I admire who wrote this song, Pekhawar kho Pekhawar dey kana, the song I listen to almost everyday. I been to Paris, Holland ,Germany, Canada but I always love Peshawar, the city I just can’t forget, ignore; is under dark clouds, under siege by ignorant and barbarians, who wants to impose their views on others, who wants to kill innocents because they don’t think like them. They wants to close girl’s schools because they want to keep Pakhtun nation in dark. Peshawar University, the seat of learning for Pakhtuns , received threats to stop co-education. I think its 2008, I wonder what is the level of education, these religious, barbarian mullah and talibans have??? The root of this campaign against female education is fear. The so called Talibans are afraid that if women become educated, they will eventually be uncontrollable by religious dogma and coercion. Educated women would be the death knell of these fanatics. These terrorists are criminals and thugs. Islam is a peaceful religion, terrorism is essentially an act of intimidation aimed towards a state for the purpose of achieving political ends. Islam rejects all forms of terrorism and its manifestations. Islam teaches Muslims about love, peace and harmony. It also teaches them to respect other people's religion and faith. Its not like they want people to observe Islamic teachings but it’s a conspiracy against Pakhtuns, people who kill other people with suicide bombs are living under the misconception that they are Muslims, these terrorists are black spot on the name of Islam. What kind of Islam teaches that its okay to blow urself up in the mosques, streets or other gatherings? Talibans are ignorant and know nothing about Islam. Repressive Muslim regimes are partly to blame for Bin Laden's rise. Educated Muslims need to speak up against these extremists and Western countries needs to stop helping and supporting repressive regimes in Muslim world like Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia. Terrorism is the irrational act formulated and employed by those of a thuggish mentality in order to impose their will upon others. The roots of terrorism are in Islamabad, the poor Pakhtuns are the victims of Islamabad’s terror. The Pakistani secret agencies are transforming the Pakhtun heaven on earth to a living hell by detonating bombs in Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan and targeting their “political” rivals. The secret agencies are no more national institutions but are playing the roles of watchdog and the creators of law and order situation especially in Pakhtun land to justify and stabilise dictatorship. The biased and criminal acts by the secret agencies are hindering all progress and development work in Pakhtunkhwa and are indirectly helping the PML (Q) and MQM – the fabricated and the fascist parties respectively due to their unethical allegiance and support for the dictatorial regime. Al-Qaeda is operating throughout Pakistan and is acting against the interests of Pakistani and Afghan governments. It is collaborating with Talibans too and indoctrinating rather brainwashing youngsters for suicide attacks to achieve their ideological goals both in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
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Mr President, are you confessing???
M Waqar USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
In an interview to NEWSWEEK magazine, President of Pakistan, Musharraf made a statement that, “Benazir Bhutto was very unpopular with the military.’’ I would like to ask President that is he confessing that military killed Benazir??? If Benazir Bhutto was not the right person to fight terrorism, according to Musharraf statement because she was not religious and US ally, so what makes president think that he can fight terrorism, Musharraf who claimed to be ATTA TURK of Jinnah‘s Pakistan, and claims being secular and liberal might be unpopular as well. In other words, Musharraf not only confessing indirectly that military is involved in Benazir’s murder, he is also telling us that he really made WEST and liberals fool by claiming himself liberal. As we know that Opposition to Bhutto was to be found not only in the country's armed forces and Bin Laden sympathizers, but also from old Zia ul-Haq loyalists who did not want the daughter of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto in a position of power, and its really amazing that son of Zia, Ijaz Ul Haq is all quite now and not saying a word as he was criticizing BB when she returned last year in October. According to opinion polls, 23% of Pakistanis suspect government agencies in the slaying, while 25% believe government-allied politicians were behind it. Only 17% suspect Al Qaeda or the Taliban. Before her return to Pakistan, BB, in a letter to Musharraf, had named the intelligence official as one of the men she accused of plotting to kill her. Musharraf neither provide her the right security nor allowed her to bring in properly trained security personnel from abroad. Who killed her? Who shot her before exploding the bomb? All eyes are on Musharraf.
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The Frontier Post
Scotland yard: Don’t trust Musharraf
M Waqar USA
Musharraf regime and his cronies are involve in one way or another in Benazir murder, Scotland Yard officials should not trust this regime. Lets look at background of this international crime .Naive president of Pakistan Musharraf been saying for years that two former prime ministers (Benazir & Nawaz) will not be allowed in Pakistani politics, when Benazir arrived in Pakistan after her exile puppets of this regime, Choudries of Punjab started attacking her verbally and Ijazul-haq (son of former dictator Zia, who killed Bhutto) was extremely against Benazir arrival, don’t forget that Ijazul Haq has close ties with terrorists of Al qaeda and he is the one who helped terrorists. Another thing, there is two hours difference, when Benaizr and Nawaz Sharif were attacked in separate locations on same day. Why Musharraf regime is not allowing Scotland yard officials to talk to those whose named MS Bhutto mentioned if she was assassinated .Another question is, why suicide bombers don’t attack gatherings of Choudrie brothers, does not it seems like they and Musharraf regime is friends of terrorists??? Why only Aftab and other liberal people been target of suicide attacks? I do not rule out Al-qaeda radicals who are not part of the government as possible culprits. But they are not the only folks with motive and access. In fact, the Government of Pakistan’s rush to pin this on Al Qaeda smacks of scape goating. There are longstanding ties between Al Qaeda and elements of the military and the intelligence service. The regime story that she died from hitting her head is a false statement deliberately presented as being true and the fact is she had already been shot and was collapsing inside the car. Destabilized Pakistan (however that's achieved) is very attractive to Pakistani and Afghan Taliban, Al-Qaeda and its satellites, and 'local' Islamist groups in Pakistan, in that it creates more opportunity for them. This is a simplistic analysis, but Bhutto's violent death could be viewed as benefiting all fundamentalist Islamic groups in the region to some degree -- and if sympathetic elements in the ISI were involved, it makes no difference to that result. The virtual absence of any uniformed security detail around her gives further credence to the belief that elements within ISI did away with her. There was no doubt that Benazir was a high risk for an assassination attempt. Why were Pakistani authorities so passive when it came to her security? It would be one thing if she resisted efforts to cover her. But the opposite is true. She had specifically and repeatedly asked for more security. At least she was not suicidal. In civilized world,president or prime minister would have resigned day after her murder but unfortunately in Pakistan we don’t have this tradition, Pakistani military dictators only leave when they completely destroy the country, nation and society. Musharraf is too weak and indecisive to have done what was needed to protect her. Its amazing that Musharraf regime now call for scotland Yard, where were they when Benazir Bhutto Martyred herself had asked them for 18 Oct bombing and asked the regime to provide more security. The problem is even if Scotland Yard finds out those involved, the accused would be covered up by so-called ISI and officials in government, that's for sure. There are conflicting reports regarding the death of Benazir Bhutto and to be honest with you without an autopsy its very difficult to know the exact cause of her death and to launch a high level police enquiry. The death of Benazir is a slap in the face of democracy.
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Pakhtuns blood spilling!!!!!!!!!!!!
M Waqar New York, USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Every time I decide not to think, write or speak about Pakistan and horrible situation there, something happens and I can’t help to express my views. I hate to think about a country where 48 million illiterate are living and have lowest standard of life but then I don’t blame them for their illiteracy because they are forced to live in dark by elite. I decided not to celebrate Eid in New York because Muslim community was divided over when to celebrate Eid and I did not want to be part of that because I hate to see that we Muslims even can’t celebrate our festivals on same day and have no unity at all, then there comes a breaking news about suicide attack in Charsadda during Eid prayers and my blood boils to see all those innocent Pakhtuns who were going to celebrate their Eid festival were victims of this horrible suicide attack, innocent people whose families were going to celebrate Eid were forced to mourn by some fanatic who had no value of his life or others, all those who were killed on this day of joy were pukhtoons and that was their crime and sin. Who is behind these attacks??? Its not rocket science to figure out. Bunch of cowards from Osama’s Al-qeada who are hiding in rat holes are responsible for this genocide of Pakhtun nation. Osama the traitor of Islam and an agent of enemies of Islam destroying Pakhtuns and their land. On the other hand confuse and illiterate mullahs are selling their soul and preaching hatred and playing in the hands of Taliban’s and innocent Pakhtuns are paying the price. We all know who are Taliban’s, thanks to ISI who produced them during so called Afghan jihad against former Soviet Union, former hateful military dictator Zia imposed Afghan refugees on Pakhtuns land and military trained these refugees to fight against Soviets, these Taliban’s did not see music centers then or did not see girls going to schools because they were on pay roll of ISI and other foreign powers, when Osama and his company lost support and financial aid from west and isi after the withdraw of Soviets from Afghanistan, Osama company turned their guns against west and Pakhtuns, its amazing mullahs and Taliban’s don’t see music centers or girls schools in Punjab but they see everything in Pakhtunistan. Pakistan's fundamentalism was mobilized and made sectarian by the government of Zia. It also became jihadi and terrorist with a lot of financial support from the United States and Saudi Arabia. jihadi leaders came into possession of considerable wealth, which they shared with the state apparatus in Pakistan. The army under General Zia combined three interest groups: the army, the clergy and the industrial elite. The latest suicide attack in charssada proves that Mush regime has been failed in security of citizens and Pakhtuns, this regime must resign now for its failures and it also proves that terrorists network is way stronger and organized then Mush security forces. This regime must crush these militants, their leaders and supporters, unfortunately there are people in Mush regime and ISI who support these militants, lousy politician and son of former military dictator Zia, Ijaz Ul Haq had close links with terrorists of lal majis mullahs, people like him should be questioned, if Mush regime can't control these militants then NATO forces across the border should be allowed to crush these militants before they kill more innocent people.
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Mr President: Party is over!!!!!!!!!!!
Waqar New York, USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
I hope President/General is not reading “sub acha’’ reports anymore by his selfish cronies and Choudries of Punjab and not day dreaming anymore and thinking that he is a popular leader. I hope he has access to Internet and news channels so he can watch see and read what’s going on in his country. The country is in a mess because of one man. He needs to reverse the emergency, restore the constitution, and restore the judiciary. It is only then that the people of Pakistan will continue to believe in this country and justice. If the country is to survive, Musharraf needs to go. To speak the truth before an unjust ruler is part of Islamic teachings and today I salute to all those Pakistanis who have staged protests against the emergency which Mush regime imposed to avoid judgment, I salute to Lawyers and journalists who have come out in open to challenge this military dictator and his rule. I must say that there are new heroes in Pakistan that are emerging and they are now countless that includes the Judges who did not took oath on PCO and it also includes the brave and truly Pakistani anchor persons and journalists. Today Pakistan needs such brave heroes who have courage to challenge a dictator. The founder of Pakistan visioned a state where justice will be available to each and every citizen; unfortunately we failed to achieve it because of selfish politicians and army dictators. The crisis in Pakistan clearly shows that the power is not in the right hands, this crisis can only be resolved by free and fair elections,by new educated generation of Pakistanis and separating army from governing Pakistan. This is a sign of Orange Revolution. Pakistanis have successfully removed three dictators, 4th one is on its way out.. Signs are no General will dare to take over again. Pakistan is not Egypt, Libya OR Saudi Arabia, Where dictators can’t be removed . I think the whole society needs to rise. Everyone can make a difference. Give one more push to the crumbling walls of Oppressive Generals, Faithless politicians, Exploiting rulers, barbaric terrorists, and all their friends and foreign masters. People, who have been under one military rule or another showing more bravery this time against illegal military rule of Mush. Musharraf’s action in imposing an emergency on Pakistan is an act of desperation by a beleaguered dictator with his back to the wall. The problem with Pakistani autocrats-in-uniform is that they can never see the writing on the wall; they’re simply too power-drunk and too-inebriated to read. General Musharraf is no exception to the stereotype. The country’s top judiciary never threw any spanners in Musharraf’s work as far as the military operation against terrorists in Pakistan was concerned. Instead of cracking down on the Taliban and al-Qaeda terrorists in Pakistan, Musharraf, has directly challenged the rule of law and Pakistan’s independent judicial system by his imposition of emergency rule. Does Mush regime care about terrorists and suicide bombs in the country? His regime offered negotiations to terrorists in Waziristan, his govt is the one who released dangerous terrorists of many jihadi groups in the Country who regrouped again, so how can he blame judiciary for releasing terrorists? His religious affairs minister Ijazul Haq (Son of former military dictator) helped Lal majid mullahs involved in crimes and those mullahs were bailed out, Pakistan’s notorious agency trained terrorists during so called Afghan jihad. Extremists are roaming around freely in the country, and they are not scared of law enforcement agencies. He has lashed out against the judicial system, intellectuals and middle class to hide his biggest Military failure to control the Pakistani terrorists and militants. What irked Musharraf and his comrades-in-uniform was the court’s activism to question Pakistan’s arcane and notorious intelligence agencies about the ‘disappearance’ of at least 4,000 people at their hands. Some of these people have been missing for years, and the agencies, answerable only to Musharraf, have stubbornly refused to spill the beans on their whereabouts. It’s obvious that Musharraf didn’t have the stomach to tolerate the judiciary to act independently as a guardian of people’s civil liberties and fundamental human rights. Mush regime is arresting Lawyers, journalists and political activists under the anti-terrorism act but Al-quaida terrorists are free to kill innocent people. The emergency rule is directed towards the judiciary and the media. General Musharraf ruled the country with a civilian façade, but his power base was limited to the Army. And it was the Army Chief of Staff who declared the emergency, suspended the 1973 Constitution, took all non-government TV channels off the air, jammed the mobile phone networks, surrounded the Supreme Court with paramilitary units, dismissed the Chief Justice, arrested the President of the Bar association and the civil rights activists of the Human Right Commission of Pakistan, Like all uniformed rulers before him, Musharraf insisted he was acting to protect the nation's vital interests. Police brutality against unarmed lawyers, journalists and political activists will not discourage them and they will continue protest against illegal Mush actions. The brutality of Pakistan’s corrupt police is not a new story. This police brutality against peaceful lawyers shows how the government of a dictator wants to silence those who are against dictatorship. Mush regime has held the whole nation of 160 million people hostage, just with the backing of the gun.The military crack down in Pakistan represents a direct assault on human rights. I am deeply disturbed by the recent events in Pakistan, where President Mush has suspended the national constitution, detained eight members of the Supreme Court, and arrested thousands of Pakistani lawyers who were peacefully protesting the dismantling of their legal system. A n independent and unbiased court system is fundamental to the survival of a free society. The rule of law is the foundation of civilized society, and lawyers are the guardians of the rule of law. Their role is never more important than when the survival of the rule of law is at risk. Generals should realize and learn that this is 2007,you can ban news media but in 2007 people have other means of information. The Generals did not realize that the Pakistani public stepped into the information age years ago. Despite government's best efforts to rob the truth from Pakistanis, the public circumvented the information vacuum through the satellite dishes, SMS messages, phone cameras, blogs, e-mail circuits, and most importantly through video portals like YouTube. General Musharraf claims that the people are supporting his second Martial Law, because they did not come out on the streets. What the General does not realize is that people even in the remotest areas are busy carrying out a bloodless revolution against his regime through the magic of the information technology. It will be in Generals benefit to grasp the reality that it is no longer possible to keep 160 million Pakistanis oblivious of the truth through censorship and threats of trials of civilians in the military courts. Pakistan's army has literally occupied the country for more than half of its 60-year history and dominated _ or ended _ the fragile rule of the few civilian governments to take office. Mush regime should realize that his party PML(Q) May not be anywhere in picture in Free and Fair polls. I am glad Benazir finally came back to her political wisdom and senses by distancing her self from dictator Mush. Dictators cant be trusted, they are only power hungry. General Mush tells the world that he must perpetuate military rule in order to save Pakistan from two scourges: corrupt, money-grubbing politicians and Islamic extremists. But one of the key reasons why he is so determined to hold on to power is that the generals like the smell of money just as much as the politicians. When Musharraf took power,he immediately promised to end corruption, reform the countryside, tax the middle-classes, eradicate poverty, educate the poor and restore real democracy, but he fooled everyone. As chief of staff of the armed forces, Musharraf presides over a vast industrial, commercial and real estate empire under direct military control with assets and investments of at least $5 billion. There are reports in international media that Musharraf and his buddies Stole Over 53 Billion Rupees From Pakistani Banks Through Loan Frauds. General Mush, Shaukat Aziz, Punjab Thief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi, Balochistan Thief Minister Jam Muhmmad Yousaf and 50,414 thieves of Pakistan robbed Pakistani banks and stole 53,499 billion rupees from Pakistan's banks through illegal loan scams. Punjab was rated high as a corrupt Province as compared to the other Provinces in Pakistan. Unfortunately, Pakistan did not inherit a strong political system. In the first nine years this country couldn't even find a constitution, it was in this time that the military physically took over. Army even censored Jinnha’s first speech. The criminal record of Pakistani general grows. Pakistan army troops on the lower level are great soldiers and brave sons of the land, I feel sorry for them that they suffer from the damage which policies of the slavish generals are following at the top. These days, it might be hard and humiliating for the military personnel to come out in public in uniform without having looked down upon by ordinary citizens. The hatred towards army as an institution grows. People don’t know that the ordinary soldiers have no power or say in the decision making at the top. It is the generals with sick and slavish mentality who sell their conscience and the country’s independence. The public, however, only know that the soldiers at the lower level are the one’s who are holding the gun to their head and detaining, torturing and killing their loved ones. Therefore, military as an institution has generated enough hatred for itself. The struggle has already begun between the people and the mercenary army. But in the full fledged civil war, it would be most of the military personnel fighting on behalf of the people - not as soldiers of the mercenary army but as the people of occupied Pakistan and that will be start of orange revolution in Pakistan. That is when the matter will get worse for the generals who are busy digging their own grave.. No slave master will come to their rescue from Washington or London as no slave master came to the rescue of the Shah of Iran and Saddam Hussain. The military in Pakistan is infamous for a large number of brutalities in the past including the murdering of Z A BHUTTO, the slaughtering of a large multitude of Bangladeshis, in fact, the military regime has never helped the process of nation-building in Pakistan; rather, it has thwarted every relevant effort. Musharraf is disgrace to the country. Several prominent politicians forming an alliance with Musharraf were no less corrupt compared to the ousted former Prime Ministers Nawaz Sharif or Benazir Bhutto. It is amazing that many of the politicians of which Musharraf speaks so well of are notorious in tax-frauds, connected to land-annexing Mafias, extortionists and even murderers. Gen Mush was trapped by these corrupt politicians. President-General has embraced corrupt leaders to safeguard his grip on power. Musharraf has relied on an alliance with the religious parties, some of which have clear ties to jihadi groups that are themselves linked to Taliban terrorists. After the 1999 military coup installing Musharraf, they achieved their parliamentary majority only through a rigged election in 2002. In a free vote, extremists don't stand a chance. It is only Musharraf and his ISI who props them up -- out of fear of what a democratic election would bring. Mush and other criminal gang were afraid of Chief Justice Iftikhar and other justices. Their names will always shine like sun and oppressed peoples will remember Justices who for the sake of rule of law sacrificed. Mush is bare naked in front of international community, liar and thug, is a criminal who earned hate of oppressed peoples and history will not forgive such criminal justices who destroyed hopes and closed last door of justice. Justice Bhagwan Das is true Pakistani, Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry is the last Chief, no body can replace him, this is the time political parties must overthrow coward generals and push them in sea. The army, capitalists and feudal landlords are occupying land, industry and economy. To carry on this exploitation, the army is directly involved in state power and politics and wants to subjugate the masses by tyranny and despotism. Corrupt tyrant of the Pakistan Army, once again committed many barbarous crimes against millions of Pakistani citizens, including the capital crime of high treason which is punishable with death or imprisonment for life under Article 6 of the Constitution and the High Treason (Punishment) Act. Devil Musharraf illegally subverted and abrogated the Constitution, and unlawfully imposed illegal military Martial Law of rogue Army generals, unlawful Emergency Rule, anti-Constitution PCO, evil PCO judges/justices, barbaric state terrorism and unconstitutional 'laws' on over 165 million enslaved citizens of Pakistan. With the Taliban re-emerging, recent political unrest in Pakistan has exposed the hollow claims of a military dictator who will say anything to stay in power. The only thing worst than an Army dictator is a weak dictator, because he becomes unpredictable. Today General Musharraf is capable of doing anything to maintain his hold on power and because of such reality, his days are numbered by the virtues of his own actions. Sooner or later the sun will set on his era and a new era will begin in Pakistan. Whether it is an era of stability or chaos that will depend on the people of Pakistan. It is time for the younger generation to raise and take control of their future. It is not too late to start the reconstruction. All these old time politicians are greedy, corrupt and selfish; Pakistan needs new fresh face, a revolutionary person, who can develop this country. The Pakistan; Jinnah founded is gone. It disappeared the day power - hungry Generals used the army as an instrument for grabbing political power and hijacked Pakistan. On that day, the lights went out. Pakistan slid into darkness. These years will go down in history as "the nightmare years". The nightmare is not over yet. Religious, secular and military leadership is only a bunch of opportunists fighting within the same system for the same limited resources, using different deceptive slogans. The truth is Pakistanis never seen a true democracy. Pakistan was taken over by the subservient, pro-colonial masters’ elite from day one. They allowed themselves to do anything for the colonial powers in their insatiable greed for power and profits. August 14, 1947 was a transition from direct colonial rule to de facto colonization. Because of corrupt politicians and power hungry greedy Generals, the institutions of education, economy, law and order, health, industry, parliament and transportation have collapsed. Pakistani youth are jobless because all institutions are either headed or controlled by the Army generals or Pakistani elite Bourgeois class. There should be a zero tolerance for the military junta and their dictatorial whimsical policies. And there should be visible resentment against the continuation of the suffering of the peoples’ Pakistan. As an educated person it becomes our obligation to work for the establishment of a forceful civil society in Pakistan, cultivating a culture of democracy, law and fair play.
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The Frontier Post
11/10/07
Fourth Pharaoh of Pakistan
M Waqar New York, USA
Generals love to conquer their own country and people. Gen Mush came with great ideas and claims of modern Pakistan, secularism, his childhood love with Turkey was boiling so much that he wanted to be a Pakistani Attaturk, when he grabbed power he was shown playing with his dog like western leaders, he created NAB, punished those who were involved in corruption but then like every military dictator, he showed his real colors, who is obsessed with power and thinking like GEN Zia, Yayaha and Ayub that he will rule Pakistanis for the rest of his life. These power hungry Generals love keeping Pakistani nation in the doldrums, these Generals never hesitated to put Pakistan in Rack and ruin. These power hungry Generals worship their foreign masters in west. Nations take great pride in their armed forces, The dream of Pakistan that was visioned by Allama Iqbal and turned into a reality by the hard work and democratic struggle of Jinnah has gone sour because of these generals. The country suffered a great loss in 1971 when its own Army surrendered in shame after committing one of the worst human right crimes in history and perpetrating the holocaust of three million people who were the citizens of Pakistan. According to Article 6 of the Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan : "Any person or persons who commit the act of mutiny against the parliament, judiciary and/or the elected members and officials of parliament is/are guilty of committing the highest treason. This person or persons committing such an act must be charged and prosecuted in the court of law and sentenced to death if found guilty" Army have biggest share in Pakistan’s stock exchange, operate commercial bank, airline, steel, cement, telecom, petroleum and energy, education, sports, health care and even grocery shops chains and bakeries. Pakistan army being ranked as the seventh biggest army in the world has not conquered a single inch in fact it has only brought embarrassment to the nation in the battle fields of Kargil and Dhaka. Seven years have passed since the Gen. Mush captured power and appointed himself as the president of Pakistan. In seven years Musharraf and his corrupt companions have broken all records of corruption and bad governance. Keep in mind that existing Fauji junta will never give up financial benefits, lavish life style, and luxurious pomp and show. To maintain their present comfort abilities they need some agenda to divide public on non-issues and to keep continuous flow of dollars from Washington, they need some grounds to fool American and Pakistani people simultaneously. Only way to deal with such dictator is to stop financial aid. Reason for pomp and show of generals and lavish life style is largely based on flow of free and easy money receiving on the name of “war on terror”, Pakistani generals could be distinguished among army generals of other countries, according to provision of facilities, huge emoluments, vehicles and properties which made them billionaire before retirement, is all dependent on continuous flow of easy money on the name of “War on Terror”. Regular government servants working on same pay scales are hand to mouth. Today in Pakistan, Media is under siege,, the way Mush regime banned all the channels proved that he is just trying to manipulate the press, its the worst kind of arm twisting. In no civilized country we have seen this kind of tyranny, by banning all private TV channels he has proved that he wants to only see his side of story on channels as if ptv was not enough. By depriving the nation from their basic right he has again proved that he has no tolerance for the freedom of speech. Thousand of lawyers, political workers and human rights activists have been arrested after declaration of the neo-Martial Law, I wonder what this regime is thinking about the situation in Swat? Gen. Mush is desperate to hold onto power, General has discarded Pakistan’s constitutional framework and declared a state of emergency. His goal? To stifle the independent judiciary and free media., shamelessly, he has tried to sell this action as an effort to bring about stability and help fight the war on terror more effectively. Nothing could be further from the truth. If Pakistan’s history is any indicator, his decision to impose martial law may prove to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back. Musharraf’s popular support is at its lowest ebb. Pakistan’s armed forces - repeated targets of suicide bombers - have become demoralized. It is difficult to imagine them standing with Musharraf should civil conflict erupt. Nor can a weak, embattled, Musharraf be expected to fight Islamic militancy effectively or bring political stability to Pakistan. The current regime is using militancy to its advantage and igniting this phenomenon as and when required. Whenever, the executive senses serious threats, suicide attacks and roadside bomb attacks on paramilitary forces become a regular feature.The Lal Masjid operation, when lawyers’ movement was nearing success, and Swat operation, when the Supreme Court was about to rule Musharraf’s election as president unlawful, are clear examples of operations executed by the present regime. The General, justified his crack-down as a defense against Islamic militants, but his desperate and reprehensible actions suspending the constitution, rounding up judges, beating and jailing lawyers and journalists — will embolden extremists. They will also fuel anger and mistrust among Pakistani moderates. What Pakistan is today is due to years of aid from Saudi Arabia & US. Both had vested interest and hence the nation is a failed nation. Saudis funded creation of religious school that lead to generation of fundamentalist forces. The need of the hour is to strengthen the hands of the judiciary who should conduct elections with international observers playing a important role. Musharraf should learn to respect the judiciary and democratic institutions and form his own political alliance and then run for the elections. Mushy did what can be expected of any dictator. Cry foul and shut out your opponents. Another shameful chapter in Pakistan’s checkered history. I cannot think of one effective good leader that Pakistan has had since its founder. Not that there is a dearth of good leaders in Pakistan, rather it is the feudal and corrupt political system that has kept them out. AND also the lack of education— keep people uneducated and they’ll continue to be like sheep! Mush opened a can of worms by declaring a state of emergency, is now in a fix over what to do next, well he mentioned that he is doing this because of suicide attacks and rise of talibanism in Pakistan but is he taking any action against them, half of Swat valley is under talibans control and Mush security forces are surrendering to Talibans, so what action he is taking? Well he thinks Lawyers and journalists are more dangerous then terrorists who are killing innocent people. Pakistan is 60 years old now but is a country that is still far, far away from becoming what the world considers an industrialized nation; a country that is still full of vast slums, poverty-stricken villages and a crumbling infrastructure; let alone problems of corruption, pollution, religious violence and child labor. Global media coverage of Pakistan suggests a country consisting of Generals, corrupt politicians and bearded lunatics. Pakistan needs stability, economic vibrancy, poverty alleviation, more education. Pakistan is a country with less then 50 % rate of literacy, feudal lords control political parties,on top of that Islamic militancy is growing day by day. The population of Pakistan has increased five times since it came into existence. Now when it has crossed the figure of 150 million, the majority lack basic amenities of life. The supply of pure drinking water is still a dream while no city, big or small, has a proper drainage system. Industry is non-existent and agriculture has reached saturation point. After the setting in of the global age, the state has been left with little resources to scale up the ladder of the Human Development Index (HDI). Where to begin? It is the real question for the political parties making loud noises for strengthening of civilian rule in the country. Pakistan, over the years, received aid in billions from the West and has nothing to show for it. North Korea, Taiwan and other countries have built their nations with the aid from the West. On the other hand, the rampant corruption and relegio-political conflicts keeping the Muslim nations from achieving any semblance of the knowledge based empire that Islam had inspired. For a real democracy it is imperative that all the political parties should first bring democracy in their own folds and should allow their followers to elect their party leaders through votes like what has been doing in USA or Britain. The hereditary monopoly on the political parties first need to be ended, if the people are interested in real democracy, otherwise the dream of real and genuine democracy will never come true in Pakistan. Pakistan is in no position today, thanks to the General, to do the thing it must do to return to the comity of nations: hold elections and return to the rule of law. He has gotten us so far into the mess that it will be some time before we can extricate ourselves from it. Pakistan has become the laughing stock for the world. Things are happening in Pakistan that doesn't even happen in third rate banana republics. In order for us to become civilized again, elections must be held and soon. The army must be returned to the barracks never to come out again against its own people. They should be taking care of places like Swat where Taliban are flying their own flags in place of Pakistani flags. This never happened when civilians ruled the country. To put democracy back in action, there needs to be a government that is run by the people and for the people, and not by the agenda of one man. The one and only thing that has to be done to put the system back on track is that Gen. Musharraf should immediately resign both as President and the Army Chief as he is illegitimate for both the offices as per our constitution as well as in the eyes of billions of people of not only in Pakistan, but the whole world. Declaring emergency by an illegitimate and not officially declared president is a mockery and shows the true face and standard of the people of Pakistan that how vulnerable and senseless we are. We as a nation (which we never were and still are not) does not even know that who has ruled us so for, who is ruling us now, how they are ruling us, how they are exploiting us, how they are eating us, how they are destroying us? Pakistan can now be categorized worst than Burmese regime. In my previous letters to The Frontier Post, I mentioned so many times that Pakistan is heading towards situations like Somalia, and now I see that is happening. I hope Benazir is coming to her senses now. She should be realizing that Musharraf is a cunning and opportunist man and has no other agenda but to continue his military rule with the help of PML-Q and fascist MQM parties. People are ready to respond to her call for massive protests if she dissociates from Musharraf and come back to her people. General Musharraf should step down both from his Chief of Army Staff and President’s posts and hand over presidency to the Chief Justice of Supreme Court. Free and fair elections should be held under the watchful monitoring of The Carter Center and other independent international human rights organizations.
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Governor hunting trip!!!!!!!!!!
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
I was shocked to read this news item that NWFP Governor is on hunting trip in Sindh Province and I agree with Farhat Akram letter in Frontier Post (12-11-07),’’ When Rome was burning...., Isn’t it obvious that people who govern Pakistanis don’t care about them? In civilized societies leaders in power quit and admit their failures. In China they shoot officials involve in corruption but in Pakistan we make them federal ministers. What’s about former chief minister (Akram Khan Durrani) who before leaving the office, signed a bill for former chief ministers of NWFP, who can enjoy all state benefits for life. Before I say anything I was just scanning Frontier Post letter forum and saw this another letter, “NWFP Governor goes hunting but FR is hurling by Iqbal Hadi Zaidi, I think Mr Iqbal has missed the point we are trying to make. Of course there is nothing wrong if a Governor takes a vacation but Mr Iqbal are you aware of the situation in Swat or in NWFP? You mentioned that, “12 men have already been butchered” in pronivce’’, so don’t you think its Governor’s responsibility to take care of this situation before taking hunting trip? But he found the time for a hunting trip flew to Nawabshah especially for the purpose. Half of his province is under Taliban’s control who are bombing music centers, internet cafés, closing girls school, killing security and law enforcement Personnel but his Excellency is hunting birds in Sindh. So what do you do when your house is on fire? Of course, instead of losing your head you go hunting,right? Here is a little quote which shows you the mentality of Pakistani elite and bourgeois class,” The Marie Antoinette (FRANCE QUEEN) quote before French revolution. It demonstrates how out of touch with the common folk the ruling class had become. when informed that there was no bread for the people to eat, she replied, oblivious, "then let them eat cake!" It is said, that enraged by this incredibly ignorant response, the people revolted.” The quote represents how clueless and indifferent the French aristocracy was to the plight of the common people at the time in 1792 and for the last 60 years Pakistanis experiencing the same situation in 2007. Whenever I visit Pakhtunistan, I see hundreds of kids who beg, it’s amazing that Akram Khan Durrani (former CM) did not do anything for those kids but he took care of himself, so he can enjoy official protocol as former chief minister. Only a true revolution will change everything
Dated: November 14, 2007 Wednesday 03 ZeQaad 1428 A.H
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Pakistani politicians
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
Its really makes me laugh when I read statements of Pakistani politicians about upcoming elections. Its seems they no have agenda for their campaign, everyone wants to be a Prime Minister, no one talks about the miseries of people living in Pakistan. None of these so called ignorant politicians talking about education, health,poverty,terrorism, people who are committing suicide because of poverty, people who are selling their kids and kidneys. At least Z A Bhutto raised slogan of ‘’roti. kapra, maqan’’ and got popularity but today’s selfish Pakistani politicians even have no courage and care to talk about suicide bombings in Pakistan. Today’s Pakistani politicians have no agenda for growth or development; no plans for health and education meaningful. Most of the Politicians lack qualifications, experience and even commitment to tackle the problems of the Country. Politics and power dominates their agenda and real issues of poverty, illiteracy and disease do not fare in their book. Anyone who expects them to lead the country to peace and prosperity must be dreaming. The representatives of the people need to pass certain tests of eligibility. Character, ability, a sense of responsibility and experience are necessary ingredients of that eligibility, but in Pakistani Politics we don’t see that, a lot of these politicians, even can’t sign their names in English or Urdu. Typical Pakistani politicians thinks this following way. 1. They consider themselves higher than their institutions. 2. They believe - or at least that is what they claim - that only they can save the country. 3. Only they know what is right for their parties and for the country. 4. They make “temporary” compromises for their own personal interest. 5. They try to maintain a vacuum of leadership so that the party is identified with them - and no-one else. Where is the discussion about the higher education in Pakistan? How are the top notch scientists, engineers and doctors going to be trained? When will govt start pouring funds into these fields? I don’t really understand whether Pakistan and Pakistanis wants to become a peaceful and hopeful country or not. India, China and Iran are surging ahead in research and development. Pakistan is caught up in political and ideological quagmire. Leader means visionary personality who can lead others to achieve certain vision… I can’t find any leader in political fight except ZA Bhutto.. Rest who so ever has been pawns of game rigged by vested interests. Corruption has been at the core of their political leadership since independence. the moral bankruptcy of the opposition is unfortunately just as transparent. the religious elite also nothing other than a changing of the guard with their horrible rhetoric & actions The reason for failure of Democracy in Pakistan is lower rate of literacy,in a country where rate of literacy is less then 50 % can’t be run successfully,another important ingredients of democracy is well organized political parties, in Pakistan case there is only one organized political group and that is The Army, The military remains the largest and most organized political group in Pakistani society, the military has portrayed itself as the stable social institution that can save Pakistan from its corrupt and inept civilian representatives, The military is about the only institution in Pakistan that functions effectively and it has become self serving and despotic. Musharraf is little more than a benevolent dictator who came to power due to the abject corruption and gross incompetence and nepotism of the civil politicians. But the problem is when these power hungry Generals crush elected govts by coup d'état, they (Army Generals) depend on politicians who are corrupt, Gen Mush came to power with all slogans of modern, civilized Pakistan, he started preaching Turkey’s secularism and wanted to be a Pakistani Atatturk, but instead of looking at young, educated generation of politicians he was trapped by CHOUDRY BROTHERS OF PUNJAB and screwed up everything. Pervaiz Elahi, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Muhammad Ijaz ul Haq are with military junta because they want to steel money and power but they support Talibanism. Both Ayub Khan and Musharraf never grew into politicians and could not see that those who join the "king's party" for perks and privileges are risk-averse individuals in search of benefits. Pakistan has remained a football field ever since, with generals kicking politicians but never being able to build anything resembling a stable country. President Musharraf promised to the people of Pakistan to clean the country from incapable, fraudulent and corrupt politicians, block them from future democracy of Pakistan and bring a true democratic system. President General Musharraf may have done an excellent job for the country for its regional and international relations with the rest of world and with its neighbours but return the country to the true democracy and good governance was also the part of his agenda. Has the internal system been cleaned enough for fair democracy with freedom to the people of Pakistan to choose the real national leaders rather than the same crook politicians, in the upcoming election? The problem has been that Musharraf has not let any credible secular leaders come to prominence during his rule. Like every military king of Pakistan,he looked for religious parties like notorious Jammat-i-Islami. Ever since its traumatic birth as a nation-state following the partition of India in 1947, Pakistan has struggled unsuccessfully to build a functioning democracy. Its civilian leaders have proven consistently corrupt, autocratic, and inept. Its public institutions have failed to mature, its civic life has remained largely confined to a tiny elite, and its internal tensions between Islamic and secular values have never been resolved. The Pakistani politics is like Pakistani movies where the same old story repeated endlessly with the change of faces but in politics, even the faces remain the same with repeated role, which proves that while the world may have moved on we remain stuck in the same grooves. The painful dilemma in the political fête is that the politicians who always cry for democracy are unable to produce democracy in their own parties. When the national political figureheads could not maintain fair and clean election within their parties how can they provide or maintain the true democracy in the country. When the power greedy politicians are ready to split their parties to retain the headship of the party or not allow the other person to contest for party leadership, how can one expect from them to run a true democracy in the country. Pakistan‘s future looks quite uncertain and a fundamentalist revolution is likely to follow if the wealthy, self-indulgent elites don’t clean up their act and provide proper leadership. Pakistan’s condition in the sixtieth year of its ‘independence.' is one of tragedy; it is a country which has lost its way and whose politicians care little for its reputation. it is not sufficient to change from military leaders to political leaders without changing the underlying political system. It will not work now, nor has it ever worked in the past. There is no check and balance in Pakistan. What Pakistan therefore needs is clear, a comprehensive change of system not a return to the failed politics of the past and another set of cosmetic leadership changes. “We hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office. AESOP’’.
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Genicide of Pakhtuns 10/26/07
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
One more time bourgeois and elite of Jinnah’s Pakistan are trying to keep Pakhtuns backward and keep them in the dark, the terrorist attacks by bunch of cowards who hide their faces or hide themselves in Burqa are killing innocent Pakhtuns. We Pakhtuns the Aryan nation, with Greek blood running in our veins and have jewish background are victims of conspiracy against Pakhtuns and it is shame for our Pakhtun so called leaders and ANP that they are silent. We need Bacha Khan and Wali Khan. Paktuns genocide started when former hateful military dictator Zia welcomed Afghan refugees, these refugees were imposed on people of Pakhtunistan, Zia and his masters also welcomed Osama and his cronies and turned Paktunistan into so called Jihad training ground against former Soviet Union, The refugee camps were places to which the Mujahideen could return for rest and to see their families. Now these well trained so called mujahideens and Osama and his company who are hiding in Rat holes, and their agents are attacking schools, music centers, security forces and killing poor and innocent Pakhtuns. Al-Qaeda and the Taliban were not the product of Pakhtuns but have been elevated to the position by others. Talibans were created by ISI, Pakhtuns are peaceful people, Bacha Khan spent decades in jail for demanding the rights of his people but remained non-violent. This proves that Pakhtuns are not involve in these suicide attacks but they are agents of Osama, who are killing Pakhtuns. Pakistani establishment kept our tribal areas backward and never tried to introduce education and did nothing for progress of tribal areas aggressively. Having been a part of invincible Afghanistan for centuries, it is a shame for a ruling and historic nation like Pakhtuns to live in a state that has given nothing to them – not even a name to their region but has looted everything from them except their sense of pride and honor. It is against the psyche of Pakhtuns to buy submission at the cost of freedom and compromise on their honor by not retaliating against any aggression. The people in the tribal belt and Pakhtuns are totally innocent and they have no idea whatsoever about Al-Qaeda which had been based in the past in cities like Rawalpindi due to the ISI headquarters. Thugs of Punjab are talking about ,’’PURHA LIKHA PUNJAB’’, while so called religious extremists are blowing schools in Pakhtunistan under the umbrella of MMA Mullahs regime of Paktunistan, Cruel and hateful dictator Zia had a personal stragedy to prolong his unconstitutional oppressive military rule, he raised Islam’s slogan, welcomed Afghan refugees, got millions of dollars from West for fighting against Soviet union, like every Pakistani ruler, he ignored safety and security of Pakhtuns. Zia is responsible for the start of Pakhtuns genocide. All current day sectarian and militant groups including Mahajir Qaumai Movement (MQM) and top of them all the Al-Qaeda were fabricated in Zia regime by ISI. Terrorism is an Arab reactionary phenomenon. Neither Afghans across the Durand line nor Pakhtuns ever approved of it in the past. Its amazing that present Mush regime can arrest terrorists, if they attack outside Pakhtunistan but can’t arrest anyone if these attacks happen in Pakhtun’s region. The genocide of the Pakhtuns must stop. Pakhtun nationalist parties are ignoring the genocide of Pakhtoons,it seems they don’t care. They are not just interested. If they don't then Pakhtuns will forget about the ANP and do their own things. I don' t deny the services of ANP for Pakhtuns, however now that a war has been imposed upon us in the name of Islam, Leadership of ANP and other progressive groups should wake up and read the writing on the wall. On the other hand corrupt politicians of Pakistan never denounced these suicide attacks, these politicians are struggling and fighting for getting seat of power in Islamabad but are ignoring the sufferings of poor people of Pakhtunistan who are facing suicide attacks and Pakhtuns kids are afraid to go to schools, if these so called militants love Islam that much then why don’t they try to close down HEERA MUNDI of Lahore, ofcourse they will not because mullahs are getting paid from mafia bosses of Lahore Heera Mundi. Terrorist mullahs of LAL MASJID are also responsible for killing innocent Pakhtuns during military raid a few months ago, Pakhtuns student were used as human shield at lal masjid. Suicide attacks are horrific acts of genocide similar in psychotic madness as to what surged through the veins of Hitler. Ze chi pe mayeen yum da agha pukhtunistan de.Tul de ve Pakhtunistan.
Saved from: http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=le&nid=69&ad=26-10-200
Dated: October 26, 2007 Friday 13 Shawal 1428 A.H
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Deal or No deal!!!!
M Waqar New York, USA (1)
If Benazir Bhutto thinking that she will return to Pakistan this time and huge crowds will welcome her, I have a message for her, “Ms Bhutto, you are living in fools paradise”. If BB was returning really without a deal (an act of courage) or because there were massive demonstrations in Pakistan for her return then I would have had respect for her move. But for me having a ‘deal’ with a lame duck president, reduces her stature and does not increase it. By making deals with Mush and Nawaz Sharif, BB has gave a bad name to the scarifice of her father Z A Bhutto. Its not rocket science to figure out Mush hush hush meeting with BB. Now that the Pakistani President finds himself in hot water after the recent political developments, he’s now making all sorts of attempts to save his backside and of course, his post. The Lal Masjid episode and the reinstatement of Chief Justice of Pakistan, Iftikhar Choudhry have not gone down well with him. He must have felt the need to get into the damage control mode. Musharraf is now at the dead end of the tunnel and making any political deal with him will be a great mistake and political suicide for PPP, BB, and an insult to the sacrifice of Z A Bhutto. These days, the international media is full of headlines declaring that Pakistan’s dictatorship is shaky, Gen Musharraf is embattled and his grip is faltering. Mush regime is a total failure now, Taliban have de facto control in tribal areas of NWFP and they are forcing barbers into reconsidering their choice of career. And a bunch of madrassa ’students’—the Taliban, in other words—are thumbing their noses at the Musharraf government right in the middle of Islamabad. They too are forcing music stores and brothel managers to reconsider their career choice (or at least business location). So are the Islamists taking over, as was long feared? Pakistani politicians are extremely selfish and this meeting between army boss and PPP leader shows clearly that neither there are permanent allies nor friends in Pakistani politics. Musharraf’s uncertain future has forced him to deal with a lady to whom he has declared thug and corrupt. After this deal, poor people will never gain any thing and only Benazir and Mussharraf will be benefitted. Unfortunately, well-known fact, politics in Pakistan remains the playground of the elite and Uncle Sam. And as long as this status quo remains, the wrong kind of leadership will be the norm and the worst case scenarios cannot be ruled out. Subsequently, the people of Pakistan will continually suffer, Dismayed followers of PPP, MMA and other political parties will gradually break away because of the unprincipled deals all of them have been making with the military dictators at one or another time in their struggle for power, unless they smash this vicious circle, once and for all. Very soon Jinnah’s Pakistan will be celebrating 60th birthday, We are approaching the 60th year of national denial and treachery. We don’t have any independent national, foreign or national policy, but is there anyone who knows what Pakistan and its people have achived, in these 60 years, corruption, load shedding, poverty and a failed state are symbols Jinnah‘s Pakistan. By year 2050, India and China will be super powers but People of Pakistan will be still struggling and living with mad mullahs, selfish politicians and out of touch elite. A country with a less then 50% rate of literacy have no right to celebrate independence days. Benazir had the chance to be the premier of Pakistan twice but she could hardly handle the country well. No doubt she is a capable women but the way she’s dying to become the prime minister a third time tells upon her character that she wants power again. It is high time for dictator Musharraf, Benazir, the spouse of Mr. 10 percent, and Raiwind city and estate corrupt Nawaz Sharif to go in oblivion. All three had their time and screwed up. The real problem is that we do not have leaders who can send these three individuals to oblivion. We have not produced leaders who can introduce transparent and good governance. We keep sending our best and the brightest to professional schools to become engineers, doctors, and government servants. They become corrupt and and subservient to these corrupt military officers and jagirdars.There is always a limit to everything and the limits of exploitation, deception and corruption by the military and political leadership in Pakistan are fast approaching as the masses are getting deeper and deeper into the slough of despondence and depths of humiliation and suffering. Just like MMA helped the General in constitutionalizing dictatorship, now Benazir will come out to support the continuation of military dictatorship at a time when it is in a deep crisis, and will make it a permanent feature of Pakistani politics. These dirty deals of the so-called Pakistani leadership will make the public realize that they have been deceived, robbed, exploited and lied to for the past 60 years. They lived under the illusion of independence. They lived under colonial systems and way of life in the name of living in “Islamic” Republic of Pakistan. Religious, secular and military leadership is only a bunch of opportunists fighting within the same system for the same limited resources, using different deceptive slogans. Pakistani politicians love to serve their colonial masters, its amazing that other opposition partiies in Pakistan are criticizing Benazir but they forget that the so-called opposition are the ones who legitimised Musharraf dictatorship and served its objectives for the past five and more years. How did they allow themselves to run elections under a dictator? How did they allow him to remain president in uniform? How did they allow themselves to serve the country under a military dictator? How did they allow him to make his dictatorship constitutional? Didn’t they vote in favour of that? Did he do anything new today that he didn’t do in the last seven years? What is all this hue and cry about after the so-called opposition’s accepting and calling him president for the past many years? The truth is we were never a true democracy. Pakistan was taken over by the subservient, pro-colonial masters’ elite from day one. They allowed themselves to do anything for the colonial powers in their insatiable greed for power and profits. August 14, 1947 was a transition from direct colonial rule to de facto colonization. Pakistanis allowed military and civilian feudal lords to rule them indefinitely in the name of democracy and Islam. They brought tyranny, corruption, chaos and murder. Other opportunists stood up and formed dozens of political parties with the same stated objective to establish Islam. Instead they could only achieve the un-stated goal: become equal partners in the power politics that did no good to this nation and will never do any good. Pakistan has never built or sought to compete in a world where creativity or freedom can be tolerated. We never competed for success. We relied on aid and handouts. In return we allowed others to use us and our armed forces for their malicious objectives. Our citizens have become sheep that shall soon become even less, because too many have refused to seriously struggle those that have truly impoverished and sole us. The enemy we need to fear is here, and the challenge for survival increases daily. There is no analysis, no research, and critical-thinking is no longer taught or encouraged anywhere in Pakistan and Pakistani elite and bourgious class will keep it same way. The results of this sad state are everywhere around us: Look at total chaos. Look at the absence of alternative to perpetual military and civilian dictatorship. Look at the absence of social welfare, medical and educational support. Look at the increasing poverty and the widening gap between the rich and the poor despite all the tall claims of having increased GDP and billions in foreign reserves. Death and destruction and systematic humiliation is what we've earned, in 60 years and if we do not begin that struggle soon -then that fate is all that most of us will ever come to know. when the 14th of August rolls round again, you will at least know about the actual state of this nation. Then ask if you dare: is this what I really want to give those that will come after us. “A great revolution is never the fault of the people, but of the government”
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Bleeding heart behind bulletproof screen (2)
maqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
At a state-sponsored rally in Islamabad Saturday evening, General Musharraf addressed a crowd from behind a bulletproof screen, saying that his “heart was bleeding” when he saw television coverage of the violence in Karachi. First of all, Mr President, popular leaders, who enjoy people support, don’t hide behind bullet proof screens and claim that they have power of people. President is now a lame duck dictator who has lost all the credibility, he is one of those Pakistani leaders who is now surrounded by selfish politicians and adivers, who are licking his Army shoes with ‘’sub acha’’ reports. Gen zia and now Gen.Mush have support of Altaf Hussian, who was himself responsible for killings of Karachi people in the past and now hiding in London. Many innocent people were killed and much of the property of was destroyed. The authorities having command and power to control the situation remained spectators of the disaster for hours long rather for a day. The one becoming a spectator of such an entertainment indicates having a cool or rather a dead heart,it is a trend of Pakistani security forces as seen during Lal masjid episode, when Lal masjid Talibans were burning music cd’s etc and police and law enforcement officials were just watching, same thing happened when GEO TV and other media places were attacked. The present regime tries to hoist a fugitave notorious bandit Altaf Hussain as a national hero and helping him to spread his party all over Pakistan. He mourns and cries from England but dares not come to his country. If the Chief Justice was corrupt man, he could have been dismissed, jailed or restricted to his home by the order of the government, but instead of that Pakistani regime and Choudries of Punjab with the help of ISI played a drama of Lal masjid first and when mullah at Lal masjid became monster, they used MQM as their trump card in Karachi. What happened in Karachi on Saturday is unimaginable, unfathomable and unbearable for everyone who considers himself a patriotic Pakistani. The pictures of dead bodies lying on the streets in international media were extremely unfortunate show of chaos in Pakistan. By looking at those pictures one would think its from Somalia, Iraq or Afghanistan but, sadly, it was in Karachi, the city of 16 million people and the commercial nerve center of Pakistan. Media was also attacked, and security forces of Mush Regime only took action when international media started showing pictures and video clips of chaos in Karachi. Its disgusting, when people were getting killed and Gen Mush was claiming in Islamabad that he has support of people. Altaf Hussian has exposed his agenda in Karachi, The world has seen on the 12th of May, 07, what MQM can do to the economical hub of this country. In Whole country nothing like this was witnessed but when CJ came to biggest city in Pakistan and when govt sensed its defeat, they have brought their Terror wing in front. I thought Musharraf was loyal to Pakistan but after this incident, and Lal masjid show my views have changed. What was achieved by preventing the chief justice's reception at the Sindh High Court bar? What message is given to ordinary people in Pakistan, world and those behind the violence when the state chooses to abdicate from its duty to provide security to its citizens in as blatant a manner as seen over the weekend? All this reflects poorly on the government of the day - but instead of admitting that matters were badly handled, Mush regime always blames others. By the age of 60 a COUNTRY - like a man - should have achieved a certain maturity. After decades of existence we know, for good and for bad, who we are, what we have done and how we appear to others, warts and all. But unfortunately, Pakistan remains curiously immature,a Country with less then 50% rate of literacy can’t bring political wisdom that usually accompanies age. But today the country's national narrative of macho victimhood appears to the rest of the world as simply bizarre.
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Be careful (3)
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
In response to Muneera Khan letter published in your newspaper, I would like to ask learned writer, that Why weapons were at Lal Masjid if that was Allah’s house? Muneera Khan seems a good Muslim but I think she is also brian washed by those who use Islam and religion for their political gains. No one is denying Islam but please think like a educated and open minded person. Is it in our great Holy Book Quran to keep weapons in Mosques? Bunch if idiots and terroists at Lal Masjid were trying to hijack Islam and taking law and order in their own hands. Is it Islamic to kidnap people from other countries and make them hostage at a Mosque? Is it Islamic to issue threaths of suicide bombs? On one hand these mullahs tell non muslim world that Islam is the religion of peace and love but on other hands they spread hate and brain wash innocent minds. The amount of arms and ammunition found in Lal Masjid was tantamount to making Lal Masjid itself an army training camp. So do think lal masjid was Allah’s house?
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So funny and so shocking (4)
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
In response to Muneera Khan letter 8/14/07, I would like to mention few things to the writer, First I hate to say that you are living in state of denial, secondly I never rejected verses of Quran, to me Islam is the complete code of life but Taliban’s, Osama company damaged the name of Islam. You are also denying presence of weapons at Lal Masjid, your hero Rasheed Ghazi used to have Kalashnikov on his bed side, and he was carrying a Kalashnikov, his picture published in newspapers. I am surprised that you said, he even did not see such weapons in his dreams. You have internet and you should just type his name and you will see his pictures carrying Kalashnikov. Third, President Mush is not my hero, Musharraf is a dictator, a cruel, Machiavellian evil monger whose only plan since his ascension to power is to strengthen it. He has pretty much killed the political scene in Pakistan along with the current “ruling” political party, who are a bunch of his stooges. He tried to kill judicial independence, as an educated person I enjoy sense of tolerance, which is part of our Islamic teachings. If members of Osama and his company are true Muslims and real men, they should come out of caves and fight, Islam was not spread by terrorizing and killing innocent people, Islam was spread by the teachings and strong character of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH). Extremists give Islam a bad name. The entire horrendous episode of the Red Mosque lies at the feet of the cruel dictator Gen. Zia-ul-Haq, who allowed people from Afghanistan to seek ‘refuge’ in Pakistan 20 years ago. These people then proceeded to envelop our country in their vicious, gun-toting culture to try and turn it into the wilderness from where they came. This has nothing to do with Sharia, or religion. Its all about who wants to be the boss. How dare these people try to tell other Muslims what the law is?? How dare they violate the sanctity and harmony of our country?? How dare they insult Islam by hiding in a Mosque, firing from its minarets, and hiding behind women and children to save their misbegotten lives. Shame on them, and the government for putting up with these lunatics for so long. Muneera Khan, Please tell me one verse from Quran which tells Muslims to kill innocent people, which tells its followers and women to take sticks in their hands and take law and order in their hands. Maulana Abdul Aziz, khateeb of Lal Masjid has been arrested while he was making an escape in burqa, do you think Islam was spread like this? Do you think our Holy Prophet won hearts of millions of people this way? So called Taliban’s in Afghanistan holding Koreans as their hostage and killed couple of them, do you think its Islamic? Please read Quran with translation and Islamic history and then ask your self, if is it right what Taliban’s are doing? I think Taliban’s will not allow you to use internet either. The seminary students of Jamia Faridia ransacked cinemas, restaurants and gas stations in the capital, the Red Mosque issued a controversial edict in 2004, declaring that Pakistani Army soldiers who died fighting tribal militants were not martyrs. So do you think whatever lal masjid occupants were doing that was legal, Islamic??? The Lal Masjid administrators either engaged in vigilante actions that were not appropriate for an entity that does not have that mandate from the government OR they were set up. Either way, they did not do a good job deflecting the bad PR that it gained. There is nothing wrong with Islamic law or Sharia, Iran, Saudi Arab and other Muslim countries have those laws, but for getting those laws, in today’s world people have choice to go to elections and vote for them, no one can just hold gun and impose such laws, Talibans and Mullahs think that by banning music and forcing girls not to go to schools is Islam, read the last sermon of our great Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) in which He advised men and women to gain knowledge, even if you have to travel to China, its in Quran to explore oceans, earth, moon, space, mountains, there are treasures for human being. Our Holy Prophet preached DEEN, but unfortunately it’s the ignorant people who don’t understand Quran and Islam, they use religion for their political gains, if they benefit from something they will call it Islamic, if they don’t, that will become un-Islamic, I advice you as a Muslim brother to study Islam and Quran, don’t follow teachings of people who are just out there to use Islam for their political agenda, follow the Islam of our Holy Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
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Extremism is self-destruction (5)
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
I really admire the letter of Azam Sultan “Extremism is self-destruction” on this forum, people who support extremists and think that terrorists of Lal masjid were real Muslims are deaf, dumb and blind. Pakistan's Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmood Kasuri statement is also right in which he said, “if we don’t take action against terrorists then others will do it’’, and we know that there are foreign troops across the border who know how to take action. People who support and in love with mullahs of Lal masjid should study history of Lal masjid first then decide to support it or not. People who think that Lal masjid mullah brothers were out there to remove obscenity in form of music and prostitution are totally wrong, its not like prostitution or listening to music just started this year in Pakistan. If they loved Islam so much why they did not take action against these things when Zia was ruler? These two brothers of Lal Masjid were on ISI payroll just like Osama and his terrorist company were on CIA payroll during Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. People in Pakistan should not let these terrorists to use name of Islam for their political gains. These terrorists are damaging name of Islam and are real enemies of Islam. There is no room for terrorism in Islam. This is made clear in the Qur'an, the main source of Islam. This book reveals, in the light of the verses of the Qur'an and with examples from history, that Islam forbids terrorism and aims to bring peace and security to the world. Murdering innocent people is a great sin that leads to torment in Hell. No one who is religious and fears God would do such a thing. Religion commands love, mercy and peace. Terror, on the other hand, is the opposite of religion; it is cruel, merciless and demands bloodshed and misery. It is wrong to kill innocent people. It is also wrong to praise those who kill innocent people. The Arabic word ‘Jihad’ means struggle or exertion. There are many levels of Jihad: Struggling to remove poverty; fighting against material and corruption; struggling against all kinds of social, political, and economic injustices; struggling to restore basic human rights; fighting against tyranny and oppression; constantly exerting to advance human knowledge; fighting against environmental pollution. No covert operations are allowed in Islam. Above all, Jihad must be done for the good of humanity which, in Islam, is referred to as fighting in the cause of God. Under no circumstances, are they allowed to exploit the weak and the vulnerable. That is why Islam teaches Muslims to honor treaties and to do justice – even to their enemies. It teaches them to establish their system based upon free consultation, justice, and equality. These are the teachings of the holy Book of Islam, the Qur’an. However, it is a sad reflection that Muslims seem to have turned away from the above teachings of Islam. Whatever Muslims have done (and are doing) in the name of Jihad that is contrary to the above teachings of the Qur’an, Islam is not responsible for that; Muslims are. And this is truly unfortunate because a beautiful religion such as Islam gets maligned in the world due to their terrorist acts.
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The Frontier Post
Commitment to Journalism
Opportunistic Pakistani politicians!
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
I really can’t help laughing by reading Pakistani newspapers on line and watching how ministers of Mush Regime trying to change their masks after hearing that former corrupt prime minister and thug of Punjab Nawaz Sharif is coming back to Pakistan. Some of Mush regime ministers quitting their jobs and others are trying to contact loving sons of ABBA JEE in London. I think its time for people in Pakistan to wake up, open their eyes and reject these corrupt, opportunistic politicians. Its amazing that these guys licked Army general shoes for years, now they see him as lame duck president, they are starting to worship Nawaz and Benazir. These opportunistic politicians have no interest in welfare of their voters, they are only interested in their bank balances and they will not even hesitate to worship a pig for money and personal gains. All these politicians are saying they will decide in national interests to support Mush as President in uniform or join Nawaz Mafia League, what are those national interests? Every time I visit Pakistan, I see the same problems when more then 20 years ago I left and said good bye to Jinnah’s Pakistan. With all those claims of economic progress, Pakistanis still live on $2.00 dollars a month, people still face load shedding and even they don’t have clean drinking water. There is no law and order, poor are becoming toys in the hands of so called religious extremists. People are selling their kids and kidneys to buy food and survive. Punjabi politicians are the most cunning and opportunits in Pakistani politics. Punjabi politicians were licking Mush shoes day and night and now all of sudden they feel its wrong for the president to stay in military uniform. Do they have any moral values? I know in politics it happens but not this kind of selfishness. Pakistani politicians lack moral values, they have no principals, for the last 60 years they are neglecting education, health, justice and other basic needs of citizens. Pakistan’s endless disputes between army and politicians have turned the country’s governing apparatus from one big feudal calculus to one big military calculation. In 2005 Pakistan ranked 34 in the list of “Top Failed States of the world”, when the list was first published. Today, in 2007, Pakistan is now ranking at position 12 in the same list, Even countries like North Korea, Bangladesh and Uganda are ranking better than Pakistan in the list. Who is responsible for this??? the answer is military/civilian beau racy, borgeious and elite class of Pakistan. How can we solve this??? The common man has to come out on the streets, take over the government, form a true democracy, reject all forms of religious intolerance and extremism, reject all these selfish and greedy politicians and develop the country. The common man till to date has been a silent voice in Pakistan. It is the opportunistic politicians, military, ISI that have been playing the cards to decide the Pakistani future. It is high time that the common man in the streets of Pakistan takes charge of the country. Unless this happens, there is little hope for Pakistan. There are new political developments every hour in Pakistan now and several opportunistic politicians are holding negotiations for tickets or joining other parties without any commitment to any ideology or manifesto. That means they are selfish and have no moral values.Its up to people in Pakistan to vote for their selfish politicians or reject them.
Dated: August 30, 2007 Thursday 16 Shaaban 1428 A.H
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Attack on Benazir
M Waqar New York, USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
It was a shameful act of ignorance that Muslim militants,who are hiding in rat holes of Pakistan tribal areas attacked a peaceful rally of people who were welcoming their leader Benazir Bhutto. I am against her deal with military junta of Pakistan but she is still an icon of Pakistani politics like her father (Z.A. Bhutto). Musharraf regime has been failed in protecting lives of Pakistanis against terrorist attacks by Osama and his company, after his failure, Musharraf regime must now allow American forces to attack those rat holes of Osama in tribal areas of Pakistan, Mush regime should also arrest and punish former officials of Pakistan Army who have links with Osama, Former ISI guy Hamid Gul must be hand over to America for his involvement and links with Osama. What an unspeakable tragedy. This is a society I cannot understand. The brutality perpetrated on innocent civilians in the name of God is incomprehensible. So, is Pakistan a country Dominated by these insane sadistic madmen who kill and maim under the cloak of religion or are the majority of Pakistanis yearning for moderation, modernism, and democratic institutions but are held hostage by a small band of homicidal maniacs stuck in the 14th century? If the latter is the case, then perhaps this is the event where the people of Pakistan rise up and say "no more". Pakistan was founded out of religious extremism. The west and the Saudis fueled the extremism in an effort to drive the Soviets out of neighboring Afghanistan. Pakistan's military is known for its notorious misadventures from Afghanistan to Kashmir. It is not surprising to see such events in that country now. This country's future is scary. What did Benazir expect? Was she thinking she was entering paradise? The fact is she went back to a country which is at the brink of breakup, country is infected by so called religious fundamentalists who think they will go to paradise and will be awarded 72 virgins if they attack and kill innocent people by suicide attacks.If Mush regime were smart, he would let NATO forces in Afghanistan to attack Waziristan. I don’t blame Benazir, if she thinks that someone in military junta of Mush is also involved in this incident? I wonder why no one or nothing happens when chief minister of Punjab, or other cunning Punjabi leaders hold ''jalsa-jaloos'', now why all of sudden Gen Zia's son is silent? These corrupt ministers of Mush regime even don’t have moral responsibility to send a message of sadness to PPP workers over this incident. The thugs of Mush regime Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Pervaiz Elahi, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Ejaz Shah, Muhammad Ijaz ul Haq, Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, should be investigated by foreign investigators, Arbab Ghulam Rahim, Pervaiz Elahi, Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain, Muhammad Ijaz ul Haq are the three guys who were supporting terrorists of Lal masjid, Shujaat Hussain is the most corrupt and cunning person and Mush Regime needs to get rid of him. Its amazing that people in Sindh, Balochistan and Pakhtunistan are suffering, mullahs, Taliban’s closing girl’s schools in Pahtunistan area but no one says anything about LAHORE'S HEERA MUNDI? Why is that? Don’t you think Punjab's political leadership is involved in all suicide attacks?
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11/12/07
The father and the bundle of sticks/ strength in unity
M WAQAR USA khyberzalmee@comcast.net
In response to The father and the bundle of sticks/ strength in unity by Jalal Ahmed, Very impressive letter Sir, great to know that 80 years ago unity was mentioned to you but very sad that this unity is disappearing, Today in Punjab rate of literacy is over 60 % but in the land of Pakhtuns rate of literacy is less then 40 %, these are the same mullahs who called Sir Syed Ahmad Khan '''Kafir'' because he advised Muslims of India to learn English so they can develop themselves, our Holy Prophet MOHAMMAD (PBUH) advised us to gain knowledge even if you have to travel to China but ignorant talibans are closing our schools in Pakhtunistan. Today Mullahs and pakistani politicians are fighting for seat of power in Islamabad. Mush regime can take action against educated Lawyers,and beating them, insulting them by police,these shameful scenes are all over the world on tv screens but MUSH regime is so naive that it can't take action against talibans in Swat,shame on this regime for insulting and hitting Lawyers and denying Pakistani citizens right to watch tv news in a free manner. I really liked your impressive letter
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Killing of Shias
M Waqar USA Khyberzalmee@comcast.net
An appeal to President and the Governor of NWFP, letter by Mr Sajjad in yesterday Frontier Post is a second disturbing letter I am reading on this forum in a week or so, about people from Shia sect are being dragged out of their cars, trucks and buses in Dera Adam Khail near Kohat and are being killed infront of their loved ones including children. Is it Islam??? That’s the message we are sending around the globe about Islam? How can we blame West and other non-Muslim, who think that Islam is a barbaric religion? Before I write more, I would like to mention that I am a Sunni Muslim but extremely ashamed and disturbed over this. Like I always say that Islam does not need enemies because we the Muslims are enemy of Islam. I am surprised that media is completely silent over this horrible issue and Mush regime like always seems clue less and hopeless, this is the most naïve regime in Pakistan’s history. Pakistan a country of 48 million illiterates should be dissolved if no one can handle and control it or let foreign troops across the border to handle the situation. Who is supporting financially these Pakistani so called Talibans? Where is ISI and other Govt agencies to find out, who is giving weapons and all kind of support to these militants, to me these Taliban’s are not Muslims at all, its also media’s responsibility to bring these incidents to the public attention and world community. Its really amazing that Pakistani elite and corrupt politicians are fighting over power struggle but innocent people of pakhtoonistan are getting killed. The writer Mr Sajjad on this forum has appealed to the president and Governor of NWFP, lets not forget that Governor of this province was on hunting trip few weeks ago when Taliban’s killed some innocent people, and what do you expect from Mush??? This illegally elected President is so naive that he is begging other countries to help him to keep his job. How can he solve these problems?
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