Musharraf's Isolation

Congratulations to all the Pakistanis, especially those who had lost hope in our system. In addition, I would like to extend my heartiest felicitations to Pakistan Tehrik Insaf and their leader, Imran Khan, for their long struggle for the independence of judiciary. I hope that July 20^th, 2007, will mark the beginning of the new era. It has the potential of being an era, where the true people of Pakistan will at least get justice.

This decision is historic in many perspectives. But, there is still a long way to go. Unfortunately in the past, we have believed in many new beginnings every time a historic event has taken place. After receiving overwhelming support from the masses, will Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry deliver? This question can only be answered after a certain passage of time.

However, the reinstatement of Chief Justice brings to light many new issues to our minds. Firstly, who is responsible for this saga? Even after this decision, it is hard to believe that such a decision has actually been taken. Is it true that after 60 years, the ‘hidden powers’ are no longer powerful to make a decision go the government’s way? The same ‘hidden powers’ that are given the ‘SOS’ signal by the Presidency at the time of a political crisis. If this is true, then may be the whole notion of ‘hidden powers’ being so powerful was just a myth. Or we are so blinded in the cause of being against the recent policies of the government, that we see all circles of the ruling establishment as one unit. This conclusion can be the most genuine example of an oversimplified generalization.

Many may not agree, but it seems like General Pervez Musharraf; believed as the ‘most powerful man’ in Pakistan has been a victim of the same poison which doomed many; the poison of ‘power.’ It may be still true that the ‘hidden powers’, which also include many bureaucrats of our society, have been able to create chaos to benefit their own interest. At this point in time, it may be unclear as to who is the primary beneficiary. But, the prospective candidates are many. When the reference was initiated against the Chief Justice on March 9, 2007, there were many people who were at the forefront while a few of them remained at the background. A couple of outspoken personalities include our Law Minister – Wasi Zafar, and Chief Minister, Sindh – Ghulam Arbab Rahim. It is still clear to my mind the confidence of our Law Minister in stating that another reference is ready for be filed in the court, along with the admission that he played a vital role in creating the dismissed reference. It seems like that his days are numbered, after his exclusion from the round-up by the PM to share the ‘depression’ which haunted their hearts and minds after the July 20^th decision. However, it will be interesting to hear our Chief Minister, when he taunted the judicial system by comparing them to the doctors; who get paid to operate unethically on their patients. Well, God bless our Chief Minister but it is also important to have the blessings of the new Chief Justice; Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry. Well the Chief Justice has no right to complain about the work he has to do now. There are hopes of millions of Pakistanis attached with this ‘civilian hero.’

Now let us study the people who are indeed powerful in our society. During the whole crisis, Ansar Abbasi kept reminding us of a highly influential person from a powerful institution in Pakistan used to visit the ‘suspended’ Chief Justice’s residence at the middle of the night. At that time the powerful institution was definitely not the judiciary. However, the purpose of the late night meeting was not to threaten the ‘suspended’ CJ with his life. But, it was to reassure him of the decisions which were to be taken. So does that mean the ‘hidden powers’ are still powerful? To me the answer is in the positive. But, the grave part of the whole scenario is that the ‘most powerful man’ in Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, has been isolated.

Rarely has a leader in Pakistan survived, when the ‘hidden powers’ have showed their lack of confidence in him. It is evident that the decision to file the reference was taken by the President and his close aides, rather than the constitutional decision-maker of the country; Shaukat Aziz. But, the close aides assured the President that the decision was in the best interest of him clinching to the reigns of power. In addition, they also assured that any agitation being demonstrated would not be of much strength and force. Then, how did the unanimous decision from the 13-member panel of the SC to re-instate the CJ came about? Therefore, this may not be entirely true that this was a completely independent decision against the ruling establishment; perceived as one unit. In fact, this may be a decision to tailor the future political setup of Pakistan minus the ‘General’ Pervez Musharraf. Maybe the patience within some quarters may have expired due to the prolonged stay of the President in uniform.

The fact that none of the policy-makers of yesterday are with him today, speaks the unsaid story of the fall of a leader. The leader who started off with a team of credible people, such as Javed Jabbar, and Lt. (r) General Moinuddin Haider to name a few, is now amongst a bunch of discredited people. Who can forget the sincere colleagues who assisted the landing of the plane on Oct. 12, 1999, by the name of General Aziz and General Usman. Both of them, were dispatched after a short period of time, due to the unreasonable demand of the American government. This all brings us to the same situation which was experienced by many of our leaders; President Ayub, President Yahya, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, and President Zia.

The above mentioned analysis may be false a very large extent. But, if the above mentioned analysis is true then the statement of Benazir Bhutto, which states that after the restoration of the CJ it would be an unpopular decision for the Pakistan Peoples Party to form a deal with President Pervez Musharraf, makes a lot more sense. However, that leaves the President with an option to have Pakistan experience an emergency before the cases of his concern are taken up in the Supreme Court; uniform issue and the re-election of the President.

I clearly remember when the President stated, a few weeks back, that he would have tears in his eyes for this nation if the Chief Justice was restored. Well, it may be true that it would have happened. But, the President has so far withheld himself from stating his future course of action, other than accepting the decision. With the current wave of suicide bombings taking place all over the country, it may just be the perfect precedent to impose an emergency in our country. But, whatever the case let us hope that some sort of conspiracy is not being hatched up again to disillusion the people of Pakistan.

The 'Lal Masjid' : An unsolved mystery

July 10th, 2007, was a sad day indeed in the history of Pakistan. It was a day when hundreds of people lost their lives for an unexplained chaos. Being a Pakistani, I feel really sad with the events that took place which not only caused the deaths of our citizens; soldiers and civilians. But, also that it painted Islam in a negative manner. The same Islam for which Pakistan was made.Remember, on 14th August 1947; the birth of this country was on the basis of an 'Islamic Republic of Pakistan.' Yes, it is true that the events which took place somehow reflected otherwise.

There is no justification for using arms in an Islamic Republic to challenge the authority of the government. But, it is also not valid to use force to silent the people who, at the end, were born in the same 'land of the pure';Pakistan. It disheartening to see that we, sometimes, are not able to solve things in a civilized manner. Even though, we are also part of this human civilization. It is indeed, an unexplained mystery.

It is a known fact that the 'Lal Masjid' is based in Islamabad, capital of Pakistan. A city where nothing can be done at such large scale without the approval of the establishment. However, to our disbelief the 'Lal Masjid', unfortunately became an arms depot with tremendous potential. It is easy to turn a blind eye on the reasons which allowed the 'Lal Masjid' to become what it had become. But a few questions need to be answered, if not many.

Being a 'good Pakistani', I will not go into the details of the mystery of the import of guns into the mosque. After all, it is in our 'National Interest' or it is in line with the ideology of 'Sub Say Pehlay Pakistan' - Pakistan comes first - . But, there are other questions which I will ask on behalf of those soldiers' relatives and those civilians' loved ones. Was there a need to make a Pakistani kill a Pakistani ? Yes, there were extremists inside the mosque. I have no second thoughts about it. But, are not these extremists a part of our blood? Are we not proud to be associated with these tribal areas, a part of our country ? Ofcourse, we are. So, then why did all this happen?

If a deal had been reached between Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi at 3 am in the morning, in Islamabad, then what was the issue? Yes, there may have been foreigners inside the mosque. But, a commando operation by the second-most professional unit in the world is meant to save the civilians from the aliens. The foreigners should not be let go if they are involved in any terrorist activities in Pakistan. Yes, I agree with it. But, if a foreigner comes to the country and takes us hostage every now and then, does that mean we keep killing our own people? These civilians also love their country. Yes, they may have different views about the system of Pakistan, but they do love it. And, that is the reason why most of the children and women who came out the mosque stated that they wanted to go back into the mosque. Their views are completely different than what the norm is, or should be. But, we have to stop isolating these people from the system.

This system is so unique, that it allows the entry of some individuals who have cases of murder, financial corruption, kidnapping, and others against them. However, this system is completely against the uneducated people of Pakistan, who believe in another method of solving problems. The uneducated people who have got no other option but to join these madrassas to gain religious education. Even today, around 80% madrassas do not promote hatred against America, or the government of Pakistan. This was implied by our President, General Pervez Musharraf, in his address to the nation last night.So, does that mean we create terror in the minds of our people for that mere 20% percent? The same 'extremists' are our assets when it comes to fighting a silent war against our enemies. The same 'extremists' saved the country's honor in the Afghan war, so that the rest of the people of Pakistan can sleep in peace. The same 'extremists' constitute an immeasurable army unit which can penetrate into any other army in the world. Yes, things have changed after 9/11. Whatever happened at that point in time was the right decision. That is because the survival of Pakistan was at stake. I realize that. But, these people should not have been isolated.

They need to be taken into confidence. Yes, the majority of the people in Pakistan are moderates. But, they are not liberals. Any action against our own people will have its implications. We should not forget that this nation is emotional. On its day, it can create wonders for this country. But, when things are not going right it can also discredit the government with every good thing they may have done. I am afraid that has been the case with Mr. President; General Pervez Musharraf. I have stated earlier in my views, that we need him to stay in power on top of the politicians, before the self-controlling system is established. But, it not easy to maintain your public support in relative to attaining one.

Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi may have known his fate way before the people who were watching the television did. And, his methodology for achieving his goals were also not right. I am sure, that most of the Pakistanis agree with me. In addition, the killing of our respectable commander, Lt. Colonel Haroonul-Islam, was definitely not justified. May his soul rest in peace and may he be blessed in heaven, Ameen. But, it is the responsibility of the government or the leader to provide protection to our citizens. It a basic right of the human race to be protected by their state. Unfortunately, these basics still remain an unrealized dream in our country; which has been in existence for around 60 years.

They say that around 800 coffins have been called by the Army, from the Edhi services. But, the official figures discount that number to nearly its one-tenth. This is what causes immense disturbance in our peoples' minds. This should not happen. After all, no Pakistani would want a child to be dead in an unreasonable war when they were admitted into the mosque only because they were orphans. The orphan who had already been through unimaginable pain when he or she lost its parents in the devastating earthquake of Oct. 2005. What is their crime, except that they were destined to be in that mosque while the operation happened?

At the end, I would just extend my heartiest condolences to all the victims of this unexplained mystery. Be it the brave soldiers of our army, the brainwashed extremists, or the destined children of Pakistan, they all need our prayers. But, it is time that we as a nation learn a lesson from this chaos. We cannot afford more of our soldiers being killed by our own people. We have to get these 'extremists' involved in our system. We need to make them understand by talking with them. For that we need to realize that our national interest is not in line with the interests of America. Yes, we can learn a lot from the world's oldest democracy. But, if everything between us and the Americans was the same, then the 'survival of Pakistan' would not have been under question post-9/11 incident. I hope that the President, General Pervez Musharraf, realizes the need to address the concern of these people. It is extremely important to address these people, rather than the mere spectators - the rest of people - on state television. It is an undeniable fact, that people are most comfortable when they are addressed on a personal level, rather than a public one. In this manner, the issue of personal ego is kept aside.

May Allah give our leaders the strength and our nation the willpower to bring about a change in our vision of using force to address our domestic problems, Ameen. And, we take pride in our armed forces which is the fifth largest unit in the world. Therefore, let us accommodate each other and live in harmony. No other nation should have the right to judge our actions, because they will never understand this vibrant nation. The nation which, undoubtedly, harbors the people with the most potential in this world. Pakistan Zindabad.

The 'Lal Masjid'

After months of agitation, things picked up for both the 'Lal Masjid' and 'Maulana', or should I say 'Aunty' Abdul Hafiz. The pictures which show Abdul Hafiz leaving in a burqa were not only detrimental to the image of Pakistan, but also to the image of Muslims all across the world. Being a Pakistani, I believe that any Pakistani Muslim has been ashamed with the manner in which the 'Maulana' escaped the mosque. In addition, when he was stopped by the officials his 'sahaylees' (colleagues) requested not to check their 'Aunty' which was 'elderly and sick.' It is a shame for anyone who supports this cause of 'Lal Masjid' to have their leader being caught in a runaway attempt with 40 other ladies. As if, it was not enough that he was using the women and children as his shield for the last one week.

It is extraordinary to many that these fanatics inside the mosque were equipped with latest ammunition, for which the rangers posted at the location may be jealous. Well, to me this is not a surprise when it is known that our Minister for Religious Affairs, Ejaz Ul Haq bailed the 'Aunty' from jail during Musharraf's reign. Now that Chowdhary Shujaat Hussain has talked to the 'Aunty' in the last one hour, it seems that there is more to it than what meets the eye. I believe that the Chowdhary Brothers Inc. never intervene in anything related to a crisis, unless there is a personal interest for them. It is a known fact that during Nawaz Sharif's government, the 'Aunty' was involved in similar activities of gathering ammunition at the mosque for their so called 'Jihad.'

It is believed that the younger brother, Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, is a less hardliner than his elder brother, Maulana Abdul Hafiz. However, he is leading the struggle now ever since his brother's departure from the 'Lal Masjid.' I believe that there is a hostage-like situation within the 'Lal Masjid' which prompted the Chowdhary to intervene. Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi has stated that his 'companions' will not accept the offer of the government to keep him and his mother under a house arrest. instead of keeping them in a jail. However, this deal would have worked both ways considering Maulana Abdul Aziz's half-hearted devotion to bringing Shariah law in Pakistan. I can say that with assurance because it is reported that Maulana Abdul Aziz was on the verge of bringing a coup when his elder brother decided to use the women and children as hostage before the operation. However, ever since the arrest of his elder brother things should have moved faster in the right direction. But, instead this same brother has decided to become a hardliner, even though his brother was planning an exit from the whole drama. After, the confirmation from various sources that foreign militants are also residing in the mosque it seems that there is more at stake. Ever since the proposal of the house arrest for the leader and his mother, things have started to become more black & white. The government has only offered softness to the top leadership, while not showing any concern about the other militants inside. If the leader at the moment, Maulana Abdul Rashid, decides to abandon he may face a serious threat of being killed himself. The foreigners residing in the mosque would know that they will be dealt with harshness once the Maulana and his mother are given a safe passage.

But, this is where the main question arises. In a country where countless have been made scapegoats to make a successful story, why not Maulana Abdul Rashid. Why so much hesitation to carry out a full-fledge operation? The paramilitary forces, rangers, and the police have been deployed since the last 3 days equipped with immense firepower. The reason lies somwhere else. As stated earlier, Chowdhary Shujaat does not involve himself in any crisis unless he has got a personal interest. Considering the bailout of the Maulana by Ejaz Ul Haq during this government, it seems like both the Chowdhary and Zia Ul Haq's son are on the same side of the coin. In addition, it is evident now that it is not Maulana Abdul Rashid calling the shots. But, the other militants who are more fanatic than the Maulana, as they have come from a foreign land for this cause. If the government want they can easily order a commando operation to secure the few militants in the mosque. Now, we know that there are children in the mosque which have been taken hostage in this hour. But, the efforts are moving towards the securing of Maulana Abdul Rashid who is the 'official' leader at the moment. The Maulana has stated very clearly that his companions do not accept a solution in which he is given a safe passage, along his mother. But, why need to care about the Maulana so much in a country where many wrongs have been done to make a right? There is an interest of some influential elements in the ruling PML-Q which are taking this issue in another direction, when on the surface they state that they are only doing this to secure the innocent children in the mosque. Once again, this high level of sympathy for the children is rare considering the fate of the storm-affected people of Balochistan. No concern of such depth was shown in that matter where children of similar age, with higher numbers have been marooned over the last few weeks.

To conclude, I can say with a lot of conviction that there is a link involved between the Maulana brothers and the Chowdhary Brothers Inc. It may not be clear at this point in time due to various reasons. In addition, Musharraf has handled the situation in an impressive manner with regards to yesterday's events with hundreds of people surrendering. However, the President is also using the 'hot n cold' tactic to manage the other political issues, such as of Chief Justice and the trouble in other parts of the country. But, while he is doing that for his own benefit as well he needs to be aware of the actions of the Chowdhary Brothers Inc. which are once again using their political cards to gain some sort of mileage. Let us hope that, indeed, the least number of innocent people are killed in this drama. And, the culprits are brought to justice.