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.

COMMENT- Pakistans 20-20 Victory- Is it time to Celebrate??

By Majed Iqbal- Yesterdays Twenty twenty cup Final saw un-precendented coverage worldwide as Pakistan beat Sri-lanka in an 8 wicket match victory.

Pictures and video footage beaming in from Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi on the Pakistani news networks showed crowds rejoicing after a historic win which saw Pakistan defeat the odds and answer back to the world that they are still a cricketing force to be reckoned with.

Even before the Final, a day before, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday urged the country’s cricketers to give of their best in the final of the World T20 against Sri Lanka on Sunday and win the title for the nation. The President even called up captain Younis Khan in London and reminded him that the country was passing through a very difficult phase and victory for Pakistan could provide some cheer, media reports said.

As crowds rejoice madly in the streets of Bradford, Luton, Manchester and London in unison with Pakistanis back home, it is worthwhile reminding them that a match victory can never quell the chaos and devastation that Pakistan is currently going through.

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.

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.

VIDEO- Why do Pakistanis resent America?

Pakistan has been at the crux of the War on Terror and has been described as an indispensable ally by the Americans. However, the Pakistani population has been distant from the government and showed signs of concern on the special relationship which the US enjoys. The following video questions America and its policies towards Pakistan and the Muslim World in general.

 

Will America allow countries like Pakistan to develop its own Political future? Watch the video further.

Lahore attack on the Sri-Lankan cricket team- Who did it?

By Majed Iqbal- Once again Pakistan is placed onto the international centre stage following the attack on the Srilankan cricket team. The immediate response from the international community and commentators seemed to implicate ‘extremists’ operating in Pakistan without even a shred of evidence; an approach no different to the Mumbai attacks where India was the judge, jury and executioner in pointing the fingers at Pakistan and building a case of declaring it a failed state and a sponsor of Terrorism.

Both the US and India, helped by many other countries have actively used any semblance of any issue to declare Pakistan as an unstable state requiring international intervention.

India spearheaded a campaign to convince several countries to sever sports relations with Pakistan and put tremendous pressure on Sri Lanka not to send its cricket team to play here.

The latest attack on Pakistani soil raises many questions on who could be behind the attacks and why against sri-lankans? Pakistan has had conducive relationships with this country and was instrumental in bringing it to the international cricketing stage.

ASIAN LEADER Article- America uses Pakistani Airbases to strike at Pakistan’s Citizens

The following article was published in the Asian Leader newspaper exposing the collaboration of the Pakistani government with America in using Pakistani soil to launch strikes both within Pakistan and Afghanistan; something which the Pakistani government ha s been in denial about for years.

The article challenges the notion about the independance of the newly democratically elected government of Pakistan. Who is calling the shots? is is islamabad or Washington?

Read the full article on the blog here. Alternatively, access the newspaper online on the Look Asia Website

America uses Pakistani Airbases to strike at Pakistan’s Citizens

 By Majed Iqbal- What has been speculated by many and under denial for years by the previous Musharraf government and now the new Zardari government has now come to surface. Pakistani soil and airspace has and is still being used by America to launch strikes both in Afghanistan and in Pakistan.

The US was secretly flying unmanned drones from the Shamsi airbase in Pakistan’s south western province of Baluchistan as early as 2006, according to an image of the base from Google Earth.

The image, that is no longer on the site but initially obtained by The News, Pakistan’s English language daily newspaper, shows what appear to be three Predator drones outside a hangar at the end of the runway. The Times also obtained a copy of the image, whose co-ordinates confirm that it is the Shamsi airfield, also known as Bandari, about 200 miles southwest of the Pakistani city of Quetta.

Picture Story- Thousands protest against Military action in Swat- Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- Thousands gathered together in Swat to protest against the Military action  in the area which has seen hundreds of lives lost. The protest demanded that the government withdraw the army from the area and lift the curfew which has made life difficult for the residents.

Despite the Governement PR on convincing the Pakistani population that the country must fight Americas war on Terror to root out ‘extremism’, demonstrations like theses have clearly profiled the sentiments of the people in the heart of the ‘conflict’ zones that they no longer buy the lies sold to them.

Zardari’s government has seen no change from that of Musharraf’s and continues to pursue American Policy blindly despite the peoples resentment and displeasure.

ASIAN LEADER ARTICLE- Zardari awards Boucher for ’services’ to Pakistan

The following interview was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper looking at the new adventures of President Zardari of Pakistan on his shameless worship of American Foreign policy.

The full Interview can be read here on the blog and can also be read on the Look Asia website.

VIDEO- President Obama’s Inaugration: The ’street view’ from Pakistan

Despite the charm, charisma and passionate style of orchestrated Speech which Obama has been characterised with over his last months on the Presidential run-up scene, many have decided to see beyond the bravado.

The promises of ‘Change’ and a ‘New America’ have been met with warmth by Americans who have witnessed the Economic Downturn, international adventures in Foreign lands costing trillions of Dollars and an America which has lost international credibility and world standing.

Other countries, especially where America has been interfering in the domestic affairs of their country have met yesterday’s Presidential inauguration sceptically.

The Video above gives  a snapshot picture of the street view from Pakistan on their views on Obama and whether they believe that a ‘change’ is inevitable with a fresh new face in the White House.

COMMENT- Zardari confers Prestigious award to Boucher for ’services’ to Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- President Zardari decided to begin the new year of 2009 by rubbing further salts in the wounds of the people in Pakistan. US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was given the prestigious civilian award Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam  for his ’services’ to Pakistan.

These services include meddling in the affairs of the government of Pakistan , use of Pakistani airspace to bombard the border areas in air raids which have killed thousands of innocent civilians and displaced further tens of thousands from their homes in FATA, setting up of over 50 FBI offices to monitor and detain those who question the actions of the government as detailed in the Amnesty International latest report where over 550 have been reported missing,  and for playing a pivotal role to bring a change in government through the removal of the previous Presidnet, Pervez Musharraf.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan to Joe Biden and Quaid-e-Azam Medal to Richard Boucher praising their unflinching support to Pakistan in helping the country in recent years through diplomatic channels

Soon after receiving the award Boucher insisted that US air attacks against Pakistan would continue.

Mumbai Attacks- Pakistan’s ISI comes under fire

In the continued efforts and pre-Iraq invasion styled rhetoric, the US continues to jab away in any way possible at Pakistan to present the case against the country as being on the brink of disaster.

Now the intelligence services run under fire accused of in-directly supporting armed militant groups. In these endeavours old recruits from the ISI are being named by the US to be added onto the UN list of people and organisations linked to al-Qaida and the Taliban.

“It goes beyond information sharing to include some funding and training” The Times quotes one US official as saying. “And these are not rogue ISI elements. What’s going on is done in a fairly disciplined way”.

A report, which appeared in The Washington Post’s Sunday issue, claimed that Islamabad has agreed to a 48-hour deadline set by India and the US for key suspects to be handed over to India. New Delhi was keen to see the extradition of 20 suspects including former director of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, Hamid Gul.

Condoleeza rice in her visits levelled similar accusations stating that “Pakistan has had historic links with these armed groups previously” referring to the relationship of the Intelligence services and movements operating in the Kashmir region.

COMMENT: Mumbai Attacks- Is Pakistan now on the Defensive?

  Published on the Asian News Website

By Majed Iqbal- Pakistan’s weak government, despite claiming that we are not on the back foot on the Mumbai Blasts is surely feeling the heat.

Whilst the foreign minister argues that there was no reason for Pakistan to be on the defensive over the attacks, the President, Mr zardari went as far as offering a no first-use of nuclear weapons, ignoring decades of established policy.

The apparently off-the-cuff remark in an interview with Indian media astonished Pakistanis as much as Indians.

Whilst the Foreign minister talks about not being defensive, the President does exactly that.

With no consistent line on how to tackle the Mumbai blasts scenario, Pakistan will end up presenting itself a failed state who is unable to deal with the challenges it is facing- whether economic, political or Foreign affairs.

This case which is being built internationally against Pakistan as a failed state is a pre-requisite to any further action by outside powers in an Iraq style invasion. Before that, the rhetoric now drums up against this country which from being an ally of the US, now faces being the next casualty in the War on Terror.

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.