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.

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.

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.

COMMENT- Nawaz Sharif gaining ‘good graces’ of the West

By Majed Iqbal- The long march held in March in Pakistan was a ripe opportunity for Nawaz Sharif and his party PML-N to present itself as still a major stake holder in Pakistan’s politics after being sidelined and zardari being more favoured by outside powers.

As a US led undeclared war in Pakistan continues to create the malaise of problems, US political leaders are apparently thinking of changing their protagonist midway.

The Wall street Journal quoted senior US officials as saying that President Zardari’s in-effectiveness in curbing the Taliban threat and his lack of political tact in swaying public opinion in favour of fighting the militants is the reason behind this change of heart.

US and European officials now believe that Nawaz Sharif’s longstanding ties with religious parties could position him better to convince the Pakistani public of the need to confront the Taliban. Recently, western leaders have been upping their contacts with the PML-N which is obvious from the traffic of envoys seen at Raiwind.

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.

NAWAZ SHARIF’S return to Pakistan

NAWAZ SHARIF’S return to Pakistan- Bites with no Teeth!

By Majed Iqbal

“This man Musharraf is on his way out. No one should try to rescue him. If a deal is struck between Benazir Bhutto and Mr Musharraf, it will not serve the cause of restoring democracy to Pakistan. We will be launching a movement against Mr Musharraf and his government. We will fight a battle on the streets, in court and everywhere. This will be a defining moment in Pakistan’s history.”

These were the words echoed by Nawaz Sharif yesterday speaking in London, condemning the President, who ousted him as prime minister in 1999 and then sent him into exile in Saudi Arabia.Its not only Sharif who seems to be jumping on the bandwagon of utilising the changing dynamics in Pakistan to suit his meager political interests. Just like Sharif, Benazir has also banked and took advantage of the anti-Musharraf climate fostered by the lawyers’ movement which erupted in March and a Supreme Court which after immense soul searching has found its bite; all of which has caused nightmares to Musharraf and his coterie.Both ousted ex-Prime Ministers Parties’ have contributed little to the change in the recent Political dynamics but yet seem to be championing to be the voices of Pakistan- the true liberators from a tyrannical regime that stands contrary to the principles of a free, democratic and anti-corruption state. Easier said than done; especially after looking back at both candidates tenure over the1990’s decade which was plagued with corruption, meddling of finances and no real progress for the country.

Both political parties have aimed to maximize a political profit from this situation feeding on the carcass brought down by the lawyers and the judiciary; in this respect emulating the conduct of the jackal who feeds on prey hunted by others. This only clearly highlights such peoples abdication from their own political responsibilities in a country which requires serious focus and direction.