BLAIR- “I would still have thought it right to remove him even if there were no WMD’s”

By Majed Iqbal- In the midst of the Chilcot Enquiry, set up to investigate the run up to the Iraq war invasion in 2003, Former Prime Minister, Tony Blair has landed himself into controversy after admitting he would have invaded Iraq even without evidence of weapons of mass destruction and would have found a way to justify the war to parliament and the public.

The confession was made during an interview with Fern Britton on a Sunday morning BBC program, in which he said he would still have thought it right to remove Saddam Hussein from power.

“If you had known then that there were no WMD’s, would you still have gone on?” Blair was asked. He replied: “I would still have thought it right to remove him [Saddam Hussein]“.

Blair continued to defend his position in light of the difficulties British forces have faced in Iraq loosing hundreds of soldiers in a war which supposed to have been received with joy with open arms by the Iraqi population for removing the Dictator Saddam Hussein.

In his BBC interview, Blair was un-compromising on his position to take the country to war Iraq and wasted and showed no sense of remorse in airing that he would have found other evidences to justify his position.

PASSION ISLAM MAGAZINE ARTICLE- The Chilcot “Enquiry”- Iraq yesterday- Today Pakistan

The following article was published in the Nationwide Passion Islam Monthly Magazine, December 2009 edition. It critiques the enquiry on Iraq and highlights another war in the making, being prepared exactly as the Iraq war was pre-2003

The Iraq Chilcot “Enquiry”- Iraq yesterday- Pakistan today

By Majed Iqbal- After the episodes of The Hutton inquiry, charged with investigating the death of Dr David Kelly followed by the Butler inquiry, an investigation into whether Tony Blair deliberately misled Britain over the claim that Saddam Hussein could use weapons of mass destruction within 45 minutes, we now have the Chilcot enquiry tasked with investigating the validity of Britain’s involvement in the Iraq war since 2003.

Years into the Iraq war, both time and evidence has proven that the sexed up dossier by the British Government was full of lies and deceit sold to the public.

Arguments kept on changing from Iraq’s link to Al-Qaeda to Saddam’s 45 minute missile range threat to western capitals. Or Iraq’s stockpiling of weapons of mass destruction to organization of terrorist cells and groups and from Blair’s duty to eradicate threats to Britain to serving a moral duty for the people of Iraq by removing ‘their’ tyrant ruler.

The rhetoric was clear from the start. No matter what, Iraq was going to be invaded. British officials had already privately discussed the prospect of “regime change” in Iraq in late 2001 – more than a year before the invasion.

JUMAH KHUTBA- “Pakistan ka Matlab kya? La ilaha illallah!”

By Majed Iqbal- Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barakatahu,Inshallah you are all in the best state of health and Imaan.Please take time to send durood upon the Priophet (saw) especially on the Day of Jumah.

Abu Hurrayrah (Radi Allah Ta’lah Anhu) narrated Allah’s Messenger (Salallahu-aleihi-wasallam) said, “The person who recites eighty times on Friday (the following Durood) immeadiately after Asar Salah, before standing up from his place, eighty years of his sins will be forgiven by Allah and the reward equivalent to eighty years of worship will be written for him- Allahuma Sallay Ala Sayyidina Muhammadin Nabiyyil Ummiyi wa Ala Aalihi Wa sallim Tasleema“

Ya Mashar al-Muslimeen

In the last years. months and recent weeks none of us have failed to notice the dire situation which our brothers and sisters have been facing in Pakistan. News Stations have been beaming in pictures directly into our homes of the horrors that have been going on in the country.

Whether this has been former President of Pakistan Musharraf’s unstinting support for America after 9/11 to invade Afghanistan using Pakistani airspace and land or Musharraf’s role in the lal Masjid operation to build a hatred in the minds of Pakistani’s for those who call for Shariah in the country.

Hillary’s Tour to Pakistan- “We don’t really trust your country!”

  By Majed Iqbal- US secretary of state Hillary Clinton completed her three day tour of Pakistan in the last week of October attempting to win the hearts and minds of a population which has become instrumental to Americas War on Terror.

Many Pakistani commentators dubbed her visit as a ‘charm offensive’ to re-build that ‘trust deficit’; a long overdue initiative to ease tensions with the Pakistani masses that have been having second and third thoughts about their ‘use and abuse’ partnership with the US since its inception in 2001.

The tour saw concentrated efforts in dialoguing directly with the public on a range of issues which the people of Pakistan were thinking about on Pakistan- US relations.

Hillary Clinton’s “people to people” diplomacy — with journalists, students and common people, which included town hall meetings in a “no holds” barred question and answer session at a university in Lahore were part of a new packaging.

This was possibly an approach to re-build that trust in an open and transparent way, a somewhat ‘revolutionary’ step away from more clandestine approaches with Government ministers and opposition figureheads to manipulate political will.

Clinton, who professes deep personal affection for Pakistan and its people, was aiming to be cautiously optimistic in her visit to maybe change as many hearts and minds among Pakistanis.

ASIAN IMAGE ARTICLE- Pakistan “In-dependence” Day

Published on the Asian Image Website

By Majed Iqbal- Pakistan Independence day will be celebrated in full swing today by the young and the old to mark the day which saw the formation of Pakistan in 1947. Pakistanis will be jumping with joy with festivities, speeches, and remembrance of the sacrifices made to bring the country into existence.

Without a doubt, the feeling of being liberated and having a homeland to be able to live freely and choose a lifestyle suitable to your culture, history and civilisation is unmatchable to anything.

However, if one was to pause and reflect on even just the last decade or event the last year of the country’s history, those jumping with celebratory independence passion would stop in reflection.

Pakistan has been subject to foreign intervention, and that’s not referring to the ‘insurgents’, but to America since 2001, and has been the subject of threatening behaviour from White House officials which has even made Pakistani Parliamentarians jump out of their seats.

COMMENT- Musharraf rewarded for ‘Services’

By Majed Iqbal-Musharraf, the Darling of the west and dedicated comrade in the War on Terror has landed in London for a new chapter of his life and has been officially inaugurated in the House of commons. He now moves into his new £500,00 house with his family as he plans ahead his life in a country to whom he has been very close with in the last decade under his self- declared positions as General, Chief Executive and President of Pakistan.

After providing his support to the Americans and the British in steering Pakistan for their agendas and providing his ‘unstinting support’ in the war on Terror, Musharraf, the one who sacrificed Pakistan’s strategic depth with Afghanistan, the one who massacred men, women and children in Lal Mosque, the one who allowed over fifty FBI offices  in the country to abduct Pakistanis at will, the one who silenced media and ordered torturingof outspoken journalists and editors of newspapers, the one who made foreign Western culture readily available to the youth through the Cable and Media channels and heir own version of MTV to distance them further from Islam, the one who said that i know more about Khilafah than Hizb ut-Tahrir and began harassing, jailing and torturing its members, the one who allowed America to use its airspace to bomb Pakistan’s citizens since 2005, the one who sold off the gas and Electricity utilities to foreign multi–national companies making the people in Pakistan suffer and the one who talks about ‘Pakistan first’ and then does everything to destroy the country has been warmly received and accepted in Britain.

Oakley speaks out against America’s Colonisation of Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- ‘We’ve alienated them tremendously. Whether we agree or not” says former US ambassador to Islamabad Robert Oakley. Airing his views on Americas role in Pakistan, Oakley was responding back to a host of views presented by Obama and his team on dealing with this ‘hotspot’ in the world which has drew international attention in the last years.

Americas increasing role in Pakistan through the Bush administration and the man of ‘change’, Obama, the new President of America who singled out Pakistan in his presidential campaign and within days of coming into office resumed drone attacks has clearly highlighted that Americas next target is Pakistan

“If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won’t act, we will” Said Obama in 2007 outside the Woodrow Wilson Centre in his Presidential run up campaign.

Oakley, who served in Islamabad from 1988 to 92, has criticised Americas approach to Pakistan airing views which present a clear picture of a structured policy to colonise Pakistan.

The Long March Episode- Democracy and Dictatorship- Two sides of the same coin?

 By Majed Iqbal- The weekend in Pakistan saw the much awaited long march take its turn to add itself onto the list of the on-going Political crisis plaguing the country.

President Zardari had pledged to reinstate the deposed Chief justice Mr Chaudhry, who had been removed by Musharraf in the November state of emergency, within 30 days of taking office, but reneged on the promise, fearing the justice would re-open the case of alleged corruption by his late wife Benazir Bhutto and him over which immunity was granted by Musharraf in a potential power sharing deal.

The election of the PPP in power in January and the ‘in-house’ move of Zardari to Presidency saw him back down on his promise during the elections of re-instating the deposed judges if the PPP won.

Whilst Musharraf was in power we saw parties rally around the message that dictatorship was bad for the country and that is should be removed to guarantee ‘real’ progress. The message was not just for Musharraf but anyone with similar ambitions for dictatorial rule which had caused havoc in the country through the pursuance of the war on terror with no consultation from the national assembly, rasing juniors in army ranks above seniors who were more loyal to Musharraf, sending the heads of the two opposition parties into exile and sacking judges who could contest President Musharraf’s authority as un-constitutional.

Musharraf’s Resignation- Déjà Vu for Pakistani Politics

By Majed Iqbal- “No charge sheet can stand against me, no charge can be proved against me, because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan…….This is not time for individual bravado, it is time to think seriously. With impeachment, the country’s dignity will be undermined and, as you all know, Pakistan is my love, my life is ready to be sacrificed for it.”

In his usual Military mantra and irrational charisma, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made these statements on a televised address to the nation on Monday 18th August in which he announced his resignation from the Presidency of Pakistan.

This move came amidst growing pressure form the newly formed government, elected in February this year who planned from the onset to oust Musharraf from his position and impeach him for violating the constitution in November last year, gross misconduct and economic mismanagement.

It asked the president to seek a vote of confidence from national and provincial lawmakers or to resign. Otherwise, they warned, the assembly will ask Parliament to impeach him

The National Assembly, or lower house, convened in Islamabad on as coalition officials gathered to prepare a “charge sheet” against Musharraf to strip him of his presidency.

Musharraf Resigns- Is there anything worth rejoicing for?

 Published on the Asian News Letters Section

By Majed Iqbal- Today’s announcement by Musharraf of his resignation has come at an interesting time. I’m sure, this move has sparked off a wave of emotions in Pakistan as well as catching the attention of keen Observers of the country which has played a pivotal role in Americas “War on Terror”.

Ever since the Elections in February this year, Pakistani Politics has circled around personal vendettas, Career goals, securing seats, and concocting plans to get a fair share of the Cake whilst in power.

Musharraf’s resignation comes in light of the above issues where personal rivalries with Nawaz Sharif, who has taken upon it himself to oust the President, ever since he stepped back into the country coupled with a conniving Asif Zardari who has used his spouses assassination as a stepping stone to creep back into the political scene has played the key role in bringing Musharraf to this stage.

Hence, we must ask is there any joy for celebration or are we in for a re-run of October 1999? This was when Musharraf ousted Nawaz Sharif and sent him to exile in Saudia Arabia. and now we are seeing Nawaz playing the same role but this time in a more commanding position.

How Rochdale “greeted” Musharraf on his UK visit

By Majed Iqbal- How many times have you visited a relative’s home and saw you elderly engrossed in a discussion and argument about Pakistani politics over a cup of tea in the vicinity of their large traditional front room? Seems to ring a bell! Déjà vu for definite! Heated debates, full of resentment against Pakistani politicians, utter disgust at the state of affairs and that’s all it’s left to.

Unfortunately that’s how far it will go with our community; hot air and outbursts of raw emotion. We are quick to raise the finger but have next to no thought on how to translate this into positive action.

Musharraf, whom some consider the Mugabe of South East Asia, was on his UK tour, drumming up support to place a charade over his ill seeds planted in his country, the brunt of which his nation is taking. The question on peoples minds should have been- how can we living in the UK challenge him on his failed policies, subservience to foreign interests, massacre of his own citizens, blaming terrorism instead of his own failures on the downfall of Pakistan, and being given full VIP treatment her in the UK by the British Government?

SKY News Interview on Bhutto Assassination

In light of the current events in Pakistan with the assassination of Benazir Bhutto, Sky news visited Rochdale to ascertain the views of young Pakistanis on what they thought about the events of Rawalpindi.

In line with other participants from Rochdale, i also presented my views today on the current predicaments in Pakistan.

Watch the Interview here

Benazir Bhutto Blames Musharraf for her Assassination

Former prime minister and chairperson of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Benazir Bhutto was assassinated in an attack yesterday, plunging the nation into turmoil less than two weeks before elections.

Whilst News Channels and Newspapers focus on the minute details of the tragic event, it is important to take a step back and look at some of the real causes which has led to this dire situation.  The following report points fingers clearly at Musharraf and American interference in the region.

The gruesome assassination of the leader has plunged the country into deep political uncertainty ahead of general elections set on January 8. The next few days will be important to evaluate the steps now America and Musharraf will be taking to concoct a new plan to deliver to the Pakistani Nation.

MUSHARRAF- Good, Bad OR the Ugly?

 By Majed Iqbal- The last few weeks in Pakistan have seen events unfolding at roller-coaster speeds. Starting from early November’s emergency imposition, to Nawaz Sharif’s election barring at the beginning of December. In between, a whole range of issues have been quickly dealt with to resume the endeavors of the existing Governing body to maintain power.

The silence of Western governments on the current events in Pakistan comes as no surprise as they continue to support the equivalent of Saddam and Mugabe of South East Asia. Whilst Western governments have been swift in preaching well rehearsed dialogues of freedom and democracy and talks of removal of dictatorships in their Iraq and Afghanistan campaigns, responses to the crisis in Pakistan have been mild and somewhat muted.

Diplomats at the U.S. embassy in Islamabad could hardly believe what President George W. Bush said to anchor Charles Gibson on ABC “World News” Nov. 20. He described Pakistan’s President Musharraf as “somebody who believes in democracy” and declared: “I understand how important he is in fighting extremists and radicals.”

Musharraf- Foreign interests over National interests

Musharraf stepped down from Cheif of army staff yesterday and was sworn in today as The President of the country by his hand picked Judges from the Supreme court. His previous post was handed over to Gen. Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, 55, a former head of Pakistan’s premier intelligence agency, Inter-Services Intelligence, another loyalist to Musharraf.

So what has changed? More power to Musharraf as President. What has not changed? Musharrafs subservience to America and its plans for Pakistan which he has orchestrated on Pakistani terrain.

Once again, Leaders like Musharraf have not learnt from History on allying themselves with Foreign powers from the rest of the muslim world. His cliency to America is so dear that he even was prepared to leave the Army; one which has served for over 40 years to bow down to American dictates and execute Americam led policies in the region.

What is the “shelf life” of such an agent? Maybe he should consult Nawaz Sharif

Musharraf’s “Second Coup”

By Majed Iqbal- It was too smooth to believe that Bhutto had secured a ‘deal’ with Musharraf to rule in Pakistan in Partnership. It ran too smooth when Nawaz Sharif was kicked out of the country on his return to Pakistan. It was too smooth to believe that Musharraf had secured his presidency with a majority in Parliament. So was the emergency situation that occurred on Saturday a predictable outcome?

Yes indeed. The signs of a desperate ruler clinging on to his last reigns of power, by ‘any means necessary’, was visible with all the actions under taken by the Military General and self professed Chief Executive/President/ Chief of Army Staff and pioneer of the prophetic ‘Enlightened Moderation’ philosophy, Pervez Musharraf.

Sunday 4th November saw Musharraf imposing emergency, to reassert his flagging authority in response to what he said was to ‘Islamic militancy and to the ‘paralysis of government by judicial interference’. Musharraf sacked and replaced the Chief Justice, house arrested all other judges failing to give oath, and re-elected a new fresh subservient bench of judges throughout the country who gave legitimacy to his previously illegal moves.

The ‘GENERALS’ way OR the High way

By Majed Iqbal- On Friday 28th September, Pakistan’s Supreme Court declared the much awaited decision facing the Pakistani nation of shortlisting the candidates running for the Presidency. They ruled that President Pervez Musharraf could run again in the upcoming presidential elections, even though he is also currently serving as army chief.

The decision was met with fierce opposition from the enthused Lawyers movement who took centre stage in Islamabad in Protest and rioting against the edict of the court- which they believed went against the current sentiments of the nation. Rigorous debate and discussion arose over the TV networks in Pakistan airing astonishment at the courts response and analysing the consequences of the decision on the future of the country’s politics.

The situation was further made dire on Saturday when the Government cut off the Media from displaying any scenes when the protests began taking place. A spokesperson for Geo declared “Since the morning Geo, Aaj and ARY were off the air”.

The Lawyers movement rallied on Saturday and challenged the courts verdict on the grounds that the constitution forbids permanent government employees (including military officers) from seeking elective office and that a two years wait was required after resignation or retirement from a government post before seeking a presidential bid.Musharraf’s bid for re-election has been highly controversial as he faces growing unpopularity nationally, failing miserably to resonate and connect with the masses.

FROM ISLAMABAD to London to Washington

Published in The Islamic Times Newspaper

By Majed Iqbal- Sacking of the Chief justice, Lawyers rallying on the streets, MQM activists murdering protesters, Madrassah students trying to create a state within a state, the Lal Masjid showdown; Pakistan peoples Party’s switch in allegiance to the Musharraf regime; Pakistan has seen it all in the last seven months.

With deep discontent and resentment rising over the unfolding sagas in the last months, President Musharraf is bordering a Political crisis with elections looming on the horizon and ace cards to place on the table to obtain support seem to be running out.

Support for Musharraf has plunged since February, according to an opinion poll published on Wednesday 2nd August 2007. The latest poll, conducted by the Washington-based International Republican Institute, found dissatisfaction with the president has surged this year with 63 per cent of respondents calling for him to quit.