Liaquat Ali

From Target Killings to Mass Killing Fields of Karachi.

2010-12-22T20:58:00.002-08:00

Interior Minister of Sindh Zulfiqar Mirza at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) accused the MQM of target killings in Karachi. Let’s look at a couple of statements Mirza made in his speech. He said:

“Imran Farooq was killed or martyred in London markets and shops were closed down in Karachi. Buses belonging to Pathans are abducted and torched in Karachi. Pathans are killed in Karachi. I ask you, did Asfandyar Wali commit the murder [of Imran Farooq]?”

When the MQM “want to kill any Pathan, Sindhi, Punjabi or Baloch in Karachi, they go about executing their plan methodically.”

“The day these nations (i.e., Pathan, Sindhi, Balochi and Punjabi) decided on tit-for-tat all they have to do is to open their gates and fire a burst of an automatic rifle on the street. Then most of the people killed would be innocent Urdu-speakers.”

Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) 153 A (a), states that whoever “by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representations or otherwise, promotes or incites, or attempts to promote or incite, on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or community or any other ground whatsoever, disharmony or feelings of enmity, hatred or ill-will between different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities” shall be imprisoned, fined or both.

The punishment for such violation of the PPC is imprisonment of six months if the provocation did not lead to riots. The imprisonment increases to one year if the provocation resulted in riots. There is a fat chance that Mirza will ever be subjected to such details of the Penal Code, which history tells us primarily exists in the land of the pure to victimse the weak by the powerful. So let’s quickly forget about such possibility.

All of the statements above by Mirza are loaded. It seems that uttering loaded statements is nothing new to Mirza. This is the same PPP Jiyala who, after the unfortunate death of Benazir Bhutto in December 2007 had claimed that he wanted to break Pakistan.

Let’s study Mirza’s statements to decipher his thought process. First, he could not make up his mind whether to call Farooq’s death a murder or martyrdom. Contrary to Mirza’s confusion, Altaf Hussain the founder and leader of the MQM was very clear when he was the first person to call Benazir Bhutto a martyr (or shaheed in Urdu) right after her murder by the killers who have not been arrested or even identified yet.

Second, the life of anyone belonging to any religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, caste or ethnicity is as valuable as anyone else’s. If riots broke out in Karachi following Farooq’s passing away, it was Mirza’s responsibility as the Interior Minister of Sindh to apprehend the criminals and bring them to justice.

It appears that implying that Pathans were specifically targeted by the MQM or MQM’s supporters as a reaction to Forooq’s death is nothing more than the PPP’s decades-long practice of creating and flaring ethnic tensions in Sindh, especially Karachi.

Third, by using the name of Peshawar-based Asfandyar Wali of the Awami National Party (ANP) who has nothing to do with Karachi implies that Wali is the leader of all Pathans in Pakistan. For the sake of argument, if God forbid Wali were indeed involved in Farooq’s murder would that justify killing of Pathans in Karachi? The tribal mindset of these “political” leaders prevents Pakistan from becoming a modern republic; Islamic or otherwise.

Fourth, it may politically serve the ANP of Sindh to claim the representation of all Pathans in Karachi. But it is for the ANP to decide if it is an ethnic party representing only the Pathans or is it a democratic party based on the teachings of Bacha Khan, the grandfather of Asfandyar Wali. Mirza as the Interior Minister of Sindh and the Senior Vice President of the PPP is not the right person to make that determination.

Fifth, for Mirza there seems to be no Pakistani “nation.” He sees Karachiites as Pathans, Sindhis, Balochis, Punjabis, Urdu-speakers, etc.

Sixth, for him the above-mentioned “nations” are mutually exclusive and for him Urdu-speakers and others are not Sindhis even though they are born in Sindh, die in Sindh and are buried in Sindh.

Seventh, by differentiating Urdu-speakers from the other "nations" he is acknowledging Urdu-speakers as a nation. By expanding its political canvass all over Pakistan, even the MQM has lost interest in such undertaking but the PPP seems to be hell-bent in kindling the flame of ethnic divisions going.

Eighth, when he claims that members of these "nations" may open fire, he is not speculating. He is encouraging them to do so. That is to make the whole Karachi a killing zone. According to this video (1:20 - 1:30) Mirza has acknowledged that he has issued innumerable licenses of weapons most likely to MQM’s opponents. So on one hand he is issuing weapon licenses and on the other hand he is inciting violence against the Urdu-Speakers by making wild allegations against the MQM and then expecting the Urdu-Speakers to pay the price even if those Urdu-Speakers have nothing to do with the MQM.

Ninth, when he suggests that most of the people killed would be Urdu-speakers, that means he is acknowledging that most of the population in Karachi is that of Urdu-speakers.

Tenth, by suggesting that members of these "nations" will open their gates and fire a burst, he is acknowledging that those members of other "nations" are maintaining households among Urdu-speakers. That is a good thing. That demonstrates the homogeneous nature of the Karachi demographics.

Eleventh, if the MQM were indeed involved in target killing then the only way those members of the other “nations” would remain alive after firing a burst of an automatic rifle from their own houses is when the PPP provides total protection to them and/or the MQM is not able to act against them.

Apparently, it is not the MQM or the Urdu-Speakers who are at fault here. If there were any other “nation” as strong as the Urdu-Speakers in Sindh in terms of numbers, then PPP would do the same to that group what it is doing to the Urdu-Speakers for the past 30 years.

Liaquat Ali is a real estate investor in Fairfield, CT. He is an MBA in management and strategy, and a graduate of Connecticut School of Broadcasting.

Death of a People's Leader

2010-11-08T19:08:00.001-08:00

The body of one of the top MQM leaders Dr. Imran Farooq, who has been named the Martyr of Revolution, was finally laid to rest in Karachi, the city he was born in.

What a journey for a man who helped found the MQM, developed its organizational structure and then had to stay in hiding for seven years during the illegal Operation Cleanup. He then continued his struggle from exile for eleven more years before being stabbed and bludgeoned to death by unknown assailants. Stayed in morgue for more than 40 days and then flown back to the city of birth for a funeral procession comparable only to the founder of the nation, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, and his right hand man, Liaquat Ali Khan.

The pictures and videos of the funeral reveal what makes the MQM what it is. It is a highly organized and disciplined political machine that operates as a unit where leaders and workers are one and the same. You can see the Governor of Sindh shouldering his deceased colleague and see the ex-Mayor of Karachi waiting for his turn to shoulder the coffin just like regular people.

You see an unassuming family sharing its sorrow with the rest of the extended family, that is, the MQM.

Inna lillahe wa inna ilehe rajioon.

The Hakeem Saeed Murder Case Fraud

2010-10-17T19:09:00.000-07:00

A fellow writer at Pakspectator.com blog, Mr. Salman Magsi, accused that current Governor Sindh Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad who belongs to the MQM was guilty of Hakeem Saeed Murder. I initially wrote my response in the comments section of his post but then decided to write an independent short article.

Here is how it goes...

Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad was never implicated in the Hakeem Saeed case. The nine accused as per the Dawn newspaper were:

“Shaikh Mohammed Aamirullah,
Mohammed Shakir alias Shakir Langra,
Mohammed Nadeem alias Nadeem Mota,
Mohammed Faisal,
Mohammed Zubair,
Abu Imran Pasha,
Nazar alias Muqarrib,
Mohammad Zubair and
Ezazul Hasan.”
http://web.archive.org/web/20010621211223/www.dawn.com/2001/06/01/top6.htm

Here is how the police and others concocted the whole thing. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_jo_5Tfus0

All accused were honorably acquitted by the Sindh High Court on August 18, 2001 on the basis of the following grounds, verbatim:

i) The confessional statements of the accused were recorded after considerable delay and were neither voluntary nor corroborated by independent witnesses;

ii) The identification parade of the accused was delayed and defective in that the accused were not only exposed to the general public through media but were also shown to the witnesses prior to the actual parade;

iii) The recovery of the weapons of crime made from the nullah adjacent to the Sindh Secretariat were belated and evidenced only by the Police officials and if private witnesses were not available, the exercise should have been carried out in the presence of a Magistrate;

iv) The testimony of the approvers was not helpful to the prosecution as pardon was extended to them under Sections 337 / 338 Cr. P.C. without obtaining the consent of the injured, legal heirs of deceased Hakim Abdul Qadir and Wali Muhammad and all the legal heirs of t deceased-Hakim Muhammad Said;

v) The motive set up by the prosecution was immaterial.

vi) The ocular evidence was not confidence inspiring.”

I am not sure where you are based, but if you are based in Pakistan, then you stand not only accused of libel against Dr. Ishrat ul Ebad, but also in contempt of the Sindh High Court.

The only way the Federation of Pakistan or the Province of Sindh can bring the real accused back to trial is if the current government appeals the SHC’s decision to the Supreme Court.

I hope that the government does just that, as you have naively suggested in your piece as well.

If they chose to bring the Hakeem Saeed murder case fraud back to the Supreme Court, then I would suggest all of the victims of the illegal Operation Cleanup of 1992-1998 to plead to the Sindh High Court as well as the Supreme Court to make them whole. Read here about the illegality of the operation http://www.thearynews.com/english/newsdetail.asp?nid=32682

Corruption is the biggest challenge the Pakistani nation faces. The MQM is the only major political party in Pakistan that does not have any of its members--from Governor all the way down to the members Sindh Assembly--involved in corruption. They are also the only political party that challenges the corrupt ruling elite's plunder of the otherwise very talented and resourceful nation; both in natural as well as natural resources.

That is why the MQM is implicated in criminal cases that are easy to concoct--through one of the most corrupt police forces in the world--but very difficult to prove as indicated in above verbatim text from the Sindh High Court ruling. Hence, a never-ending media trial of the party, based on fake cases, is maintained through paid and naive media personalities. This is done by the Pakistani elite class to continue their hold on the wealth of the nation by stalling the MQM's growth.

I respectfully urge anti-MQM writers to check their facts and figures before writing their next piece.

Towards a peaceful and prosperous nation…

Yours Sincerely,

Liaquat Ali

Story: What is it Good for?

2010-10-14T19:06:00.000-07:00

The media, especially the western kind looks for "human" or individual's stories. I guess that human stories sell advertisements better than organizational or non-human stories. Otherwise, the western media would not do it.

My unscientific research leads me to believe that human beings are more interested in stories than they are in food. Food is a finite need. Stories seem to be an infinite need. From religion to marketing to education to law and many other fields, the more compelling the story, the more successful the outcome. The need of the truthfulness of the story varies from discipline to discipline.

People want to be part of good, wholesome stories. If they don't have a good story in their lives they either gossip, buy or borrow fictional text, or go watch movies. People need stories...

Study any movement. It "moves" people through stories. If the story is persuasive, the movement would be stronger and sustainable. If the story is less than compelling, the movement would be weak and unsustainable; and will eventually wither away. A good storyteller need not worry about the delivery of tangible results. Emotional benefits are good enough.

Please note that the truth of the story has nothing to do with its effectiveness. Human beings are very much able to wear fiction on themselves to turn the falsehood into truth. This is why Hollywood has been able to blur and sometimes eliminate the line between fact and fiction.

Personally, for a large part I am not a story kind of guy. My mind works on facts and logic. Stories generally bore me. Therefore it is very difficult for me to sit down and read stories to my children. However, I am not immune to stories. When a story is convincing from the factual point of view, from the delivery point of view, or both, the immunity melts away. This is what happens when Wall Street and Madison Avenue get together and weave great sequence of stories that can bamboozle the best of us.

From the story of Adam to Abel/Cain to Noah to Abraham to Aad to Thamood to David to Soloman to Jacob to Joseph to Moses to Jesus to many others without specific names, the Qur'an uses this powerful medium of storytelling to inform, educate and move people.

That is the very reason the religious and political mafias have been able to feed stories to their listeners instead of providing concrete solutions.

Tell a good story...the world is yearning for yet another one.

MQM's More Sensible Media Moves.

2010-10-14T12:55:00.000-07:00

Check this out...

NOW the MQM is taking the semi-serious route of confronting the culprits instead of whining in the wrong channels and barking up the wrong trees.

However, as any racist Brit would dutifully do, while printing the letter the Guardian managed to stiff it to the MQM. At the end of the letter they wrote "Dr Farooq Sattar MQM deputy convener and four others," as if they couldn’t care less who Dr. Sattar were, and his opinion was as good as four others'.

The fully serious route is to write an opinion piece and get it published in the Guardian or another newspaper if Guardian refused to print it. That is instead of wasting their time with the Pakistani TV channels. Yapping away in front of moronic Pakistani TV anchors who ask four questions in one breath, have no courtesy to listen to any of the answers anyway, is not a replacement for the carefully crafted written word.

This is what I wrote about Guardian’s journalistic slight of hand on September 27, 2010.

There is an unwritten rule of the media to use the violent language when it comes to the MQM. Note the language of Faisal Raza Abdi at 4:50 onwards in this video. THIS is the reality of the Pakistani politics and especially that of PPP, which I have noticed since 1977.

The fish rots from its head. Most political parties in Pakistan are rotted at the head. Even with all of the talk of the MQM bullying, I have never seen any high level MQM spokesperson to talk like this in my life.

Any political party wishing to operate in Pakistan needs to be able to defend its leaders and members. In the case of the MQM that defense is promoted as offense, and the offense by the Jamaat-e-Islami, ANP, PPP, etc. is presented as defense. Case in point, the coverage of May 12, 2007. If the MQM men were seen firing with guns, who were responding to their fires? What were the other people doing with their ammunition?

It is about time the MQM started acting in the media offensively, instead of forever being on the defensive in front of the moronic TV anchors who are playing around with politicians to get salary boosts. From ARY to Geo to Samaa to Express back to ARY. That's their economic game.

From the MQM’s side, Haider Abbas Rizvi is the one to watch. He speaks with knowledge, authority and confidence. THAT is what is needed from the MQM in the machismo political culture of Pakistan. And last but not the least, stop reading those Urdu poetry. 98% of Pakistanis including the Urdu speakers don't understand most of them.

Guardian's Journalistic Slight of Hand

2010-09-27T09:45:00.002-07:00

Please be watchful of the journalistic slight of hand by Guardian.

The very first sentence of the news report clearly shows Guardian’s journalistic slight of hand. It is NOT the conclusion of the Scotland Yard investigation. It is what is being told to Scotland Yard. Again, read the very first sentence carefully.

“The Scotland Yard investigation into the murder in London of the leading Pakistani politician Dr Imran Farooq has been told that rows within his own party may have led to his assassination.”

Everything is still the continuation of the speculation that was started in Islamabad minutes after the murder.

The Daily Mirror claims that “Within minutes of the death of Dr Farooq – a leading member of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement which means United National Movement – websites in Islamabad were awash with claims he had been assassinated or killed by his own bodyguard”

Where did these people in Islamabad get the detailed lowdown on the murder in minutes? They didn’t and they still don’t. It is a knee-jerk reaction against the MQM that is ingrained in some minds.

Whining Muslim Websites

2009-05-25T08:50:00.000-07:00

I just read this article on altmuslim which does not even bother to respond to emails.

----------

This is what Zaid Shakir of Zaytuna has to say in his book, "Scattered Pictures: Reflections of An American Muslim":

"Many of our youth are also blocked from any effective involvement in the affairs of the Masjid, even if they are highly motivated religiously. They gain the impression that they have to wait for the “uncles” to die before they can have any say in the running of the
Masjid. Others, who may not be as religiously committed, drift away from the Masjid because there are no viable classes or programs to keep their interest."

It is interesting that Mr. Afeef requires Zaytuna institute to provide scholars. Unfortunately, most if not all Islamic institutions continue to be high-jacked by foreign-born ideologue "uncles" who are not dying soon to open up leadership space for the American-born (or at least American-educated) youngsters to play an important role in terms of interfaith understanding. Then the "uncles" wonder, "What Went Wrong?"

The insult to injury is that these "uncles" continue to import imams from overseas. Read any job placement requirements for any mosque. Arabic speaking requirement is higher than English speaking requirement. Some also require that the imam must have memorized certain percentage of the Qur'an already. A well-rounded, educated person cannot even fill those job positions because they are slanted to certain types of people

Even this website which published Mr. Afeef's article is a one-way street of talking down. You send articles to them. They don't even respond. So much for "dialogue". LOL!

The Politics of Assassination

2009-04-23T20:22:00.000-07:00

When Western operatives show up in Muslim lands with their carrots and sticks, their ultimate weapon may have been the threat of political or physical assassination. Muslim leaders seem to have been bowing down to such threats either due to their greed or their helplessness.

The Taliban movement is very cleverly orchestrated on the theme of "justice". From Nawaz Sharif to Iftikhar Chaudhry to Imran Khan to Munnawar Hussain to Fazlur Rahman to Mullah Sufi Muhammad. They are all are talking about justice.

Until very recently, one thing the Pakistani leaders did have was the police control over their own people. Pakistani Police does NOTHING for the benefit of the Pakistani citizens. It exists to protect Pakistani elite class against potential Bolshevik-like revolution.

Until 2002, Pakistan operated under the Police Act of 1861 which was enacted by the British to suppress dissent, right after the 1857 mutiny in India. It would be very interesting to see how the Police Order of 2002 pans out which was developed by the alleged murderer of Benazir Bhutto's brother and political rival Murtaza Bhutto (1).

Taliban/Al-Qaida's targeting of security forces and infrastructure is not for nothing. Police is the symbol of injustice and corruption in Pakistan. Due to Taliban/Al-Qaida onslaught, the Government of Punjab had to double the salaries of its police force to keep it intact and to attract new recruits (2).

Taliban/Al-Qaida has warned the Pakistani leaders to choose between two deaths; either from the foreign carrot/stick danglers, or from Taliban/Al-Qaida human-bombs.

With the 2006 accord with Naik Muhammad (3), reinstatement of Iftikhar Chaudhry when the Governor of Punjab could not control Sharif’s mob, and the Swat agreement after numerous security and political figures were killed by Taliban, it seems that the Pakistani leaders have chosen not to die by the human-bombs. More importantly, they have decided that they don't want their families to disown their dead bodies (4).

Until a predictable solution to the menace of human-bombs is developed, the police control in Pakistan is no more. The Ivy League educated Puritan radical right wingers, who affectionately call themselves Conservatives and currently control the American though-space, will continue to pursue their policies of self-interest and punishment in the world to little avail.

The totally illiterate Wahabis, who affectionately call themselves Taliban (seekers of knowledge), with chants of “Allaho Akbar” and bodies strapped with bombs, will continue to threat Oxford educated Pakistani leaders with the Taliban version of the Wrath of God against their real or perceived injustices to the Pakistani nation.

Prediction: Unless Taliban are squarely defeated, Bilawal “Bhutto” Zardari will have to grow a beard if he wanted to return home with any aspiration of a political office. :)

(1) http://www.asianlii.org/asia/other/ADBLPRes/2005/13.html
(2) http://www.dawn.com/wps/wcm/connect/dawn-content-library/dawn/news/pakistan/punjab/salary-raise-for-police-hs
[Dawn's writer mistakenly thinks that the salaries were increased to
encourage the police to do a better job. Poor chap. :) ]
(3) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waziristan_Accord
(4) http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=172290

This is NOT 1992.

2009-02-25T21:06:00.000-08:00

Here is an article posted by Mr. Jami Chandio about MQM and Altaf Hussain, the Urdu-speaking people. http://iaoj.wordpress.com/2009/02/24/opinion-mqm-perspective-and-prospective/

I am responding to it on my own blog because I don't know how my comments will be handled at the IAOJ, and I may want to edit my comments later. So here it is:

The introduction of this author asserts, "The author is a renowned scholar, political expert and writer. He heads a Sindh based think tank Center for Peace and Civil Society (CPCS). He is author of more than 10 books on pure literature and politics"

However, the article is very hard to read, and it does not make much sense anyway.

The first thing Mr. Chandios needs to do is to learn how to write his ideas in coherent fashion. Looking at his picture here, http://www.ned.org/forum/current.html, he seems to be one of those incompetent quota students from the seventies and the eighties. But who knows.

This articles is contradiction galore.

Here are a couple of contradictions:

"A party like MQM can neither be understood nor tackled with simple politics."

Hello Saen Chandio, why would you want to understand or tackle a "movement" through politics anyway? Politics is MQM's day-job. Its "labor of love" is the movement.

"The chances of their success can well be minimized by dealing a deadly blow to their power through peaceful democratic means which would be to make known, before the public at home and the world at large, their policies, strategies and steps, in time and consistently."

More power to you. Organize 100 Sindhis for this task and I will donate $100 towards the effort. I am sure that if 1,000 Sindhi vadera-thieves gave $1,000 each (yeah right), you would have $1,000,000 to bring a "deadly blow" to the MQM.

"According to the science of strategy constantly exposing the maneuvers, policies, interests and deceptions of an enemy is equal to dealing him a deadly blow."

Well, you keep on talking "peace" but continue to deal "deadly blows" anyway. Long live Saen Chandio, the Peacemaker!!!

"Sindhi public has not used this effective weapon of modern political technology, at a required level, to its total advantage."

The "Sindhi public" did steal university seats from the Urdu-speaking people at the gun-point. Why didn't the "Sindhi public" learn the "modern political technology" while pretending to study on the stolen seats. If the seats were not stolen, at the gunpoint, mind you, then maybe MQM would not even exist today. Too late...Learn to live with the MQM.

Let me give you an idea. Find a Sindhi couple to produce a Sindhi Altaf Hussain. Maybe you will get lucky with your "deadly blow" bit in 50 years or so. Until then...Learn to live with the MQM. And remember. This is NOT 1992.

The incoherent "logic" continues...

1. "Despite the fact that the majority of the Urdu-speaking people support MQM..."

2. "Sindhi public, their representatives and intellectuals should differentiate between MQM and the Urdu-speaking people."

If majority of the Urdu-speaking people support MQM, then what is the point of differentiating between MQM and the Urdu-speaking people?

What I understand from the above is that Mr. Chandio is suggesting a gora-saab-style divide-and-conquer strategy. If that is the case, then state it. Don't beat around the bush.

Again...too late...this is neither the 70s nor 1992...Learn to live with the MQM...and stop inciting violence against Mohajirs.

Verse 4:34 and Domestic Violence

2009-02-19T17:18:00.000-08:00

I was the first person who commented on the absolute significance of Aasiya Zubair Hassan's murder through a broad email list I maintain.

As I predicted, all kinds of "busy-talk" has started from all sides. Muslim-haters are taking it as an opportunity to malign Islam and Muslims and their leadership, as I expected them to do, are trying to either "defend" Islam, or trying to diffuse the significance of the murder. Some Muslims are trying to address the domestic violence through a "secular" approach.

The chatter will continue. However, I am again the first to suggest that in the Muslim context, the crux of the domestic violence, as to how it is handled today, and will be handled in the future, by Muslims and their institutions, revolves around how verse 4:34 of the Qur'an is interpreted.

Here are three most popular English translations of the verse:

Yusuf Ali Translation: Men are the protectors and maintainers of women, because Allah has given the one more (strength) than the other, and because they support them from their means. Therefore the righteous women are devoutly obedient, and guard in (the husband's) absence what Allah would have them guard. As to those women on whose part ye fear disloyalty and ill-conduct, admonish them (first), (Next), refuse to share their beds, (And last) beat them (lightly); but if they return to obedience, seek not against them Means (of annoyance): For Allah is Most High, great (above you all).

Pickthal Translation: Men are in charge of women, because Allah hath made the one of them to excel the other, and because they spend of their property (for the support of women). So good women are the obedient, guarding in secret that which Allah hath guarded. As for those from whom ye fear rebellion, admonish them and banish them to beds apart, and scourge them. Then if they obey you, seek not a way against them. Lo! Allah is ever High, Exalted, Great.

Shakir Translation: Men are the maintainers of women because Allah has made some of them to excel others and because they spend out of their property; the good women are therefore obedient, guarding the unseen as Allah has guarded; and (as to) those on whose part you fear desertion, admonish them, and leave them alone in the sleeping-places and beat them; then if they obey you, do not seek a way against them; surely Allah is High, Great.

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Bridges TV owner killed his wife

2009-02-15T15:58:00.000-08:00

I wrote the following to an email list:

From: Lee Ali <liaquat.ali@gmail.com>
Date: February 15, 2009 2:29:10 PM EST
Subject: Bridges TV owner killed his wife

http://info.detnews.com/redesign/forums/feedback/lettersindex.cfm?forum=newstalk&topic=Founder%20of%20Bridges%20TV%20%20charged%20in%20wifes%20beheading

http://www.thepoliticalcesspool.org/jamesedwards/tag/aasiya-z-hassan/

Folks, Salaams

It pains me to bring this news to you, if you don't know it already.

Aasiya and Muzammil started Bridges TV together, and now Aasiya is no more.

When Muslims who aim to "foster a greater understanding among many
cultures and diverse populations" end up in these kinds of sad
situations, the repercussions are going to be very bad for Muslims in
the United States.

Currently Muzzammil is "charged." He is not found guilty yet. So even
though there should not be a media trial, there WILL be a media trial.
The incident will allow ALL of the Muslim-hating forces to link
beheading in Muslim world with the beheading of Aasiya.

The act must be categorically condemned. Any media statements by
Muslims must be well thought out to contain the damage. We are not in
Pakistan or Egypt or Jordan or Afghanistan. Therefore, the statements
by Muslim leaders must be congruent with the law of the land, in
consultation with criminal lawyers, and not with Islamic laws which
are neither implementable here, nor understandable by the American
people.

Justice must prevail to the full extent of the law of the land.

May Allah give all of us control over our tongues and hands,
especially in marital relationships.

Thanks

Liaquat

Someone responded as follows:
From: "Farouk Khawaja"
Date: February 15, 2009 3:14:58 PM EST

Subject: Re: Fwd: Bridges TV owner killed his wife

This is the most ridiculous thing I've heard. The comment that we are
not in pakistan egypt or jordan and this needs to be judged by local
laws and not islamic law is stupid. It implies that the writer of this
email would be OK with these actions were we in a muslim country.

An act of murder is just that. Murder. These is no justification for
murder in any land. To make these comments is to say that these acts
are condoned and acceptable in those countries.

This act has nothing with this man being a muslim. And that's the only
thing that needs to be emphasized. To make any attempt to associate
his religion into the conversation is to imply that there's something
to be defended. There isn't. The man is a murderer and that's the only
fact that's important.

Please don't forward these to others. It is objectionable and
implicates islam as a religion of intolerance.

Here is my response:

Mr. Khawaja, Salaams

Whether Muslim or not, escaping ground reality with emotional
outbursts is very common human reaction to the world around us. The
reason is that humans are emotional beings with rational capacity, and
NOT rational beings with emotions.

I don't write casually. I write with facts and figures.

First of all, please allow me to assure you that I agree with you 100%
that murder is a murder regardless of who commits, and that the
culprit must be tried and punished to the full extent of the law.

You can say what you said in your email all day long, but those
sentiments are going to be verified against what the self-imposed
Muslim leadership will be telling the media in the next few days.

I don't envy any Muslim spokesperson who will be made to comment on
the incident. It is not as simple as saying "Islam is a religion of
peace" when the top-most Muslim authorities in America have no choice
but to condone violence against women. Please re-read the last
paragraph in this link, especially the last sentence.
http://info.detnews.com/redesign/forums/feedback/lettersindex.cfm?forum=newstalk&topic=Founder%20of%20Bridges%20TV%20%20charged%20in%20wifes%20beheading

So don't shoot me. I am just the messenger.

You said, "It implies that the writer of this email would be OK with
these actions were we in a muslim country. An act of murder is just
that. Murder. These is no justification for murder in any land. To
make these comments is to say that these acts are condoned and
acceptable in those countries."

I believe that you are not aware of the fact that murder of women was
defended, yes defended, in the very Pakistani Parliament which is
sworn to defend the Constitution which reads, "Wherein the Muslims
shall be enabled to order their lives in the individual and collective
spheres in accordance with the teachings and requirements of Islam as
set out in the Holy Quran and Sunnah;"

Check this out http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26469519/ If you want to
explain the difference between culture and religion to the American
people, then be my guest. I don't envy you.

You can say all day long that "Islam is the religion of peace" but the
Islam-haters will come with all the data in their arsenal, just like
the links I have presented above. It is just the start.

I truly believe that Islam is the religion of peace. However, the
historical interpretations and implementation of the same in the
Muslim countries tell a different tale. Muslims would not be taking
refuge in America, Europe and elsewhere, if the religion of peace were
implemented in the very Muslim countries, with its full peacefulness,
mercy and blessings.

The next few days will be rough. I end with Ray Hanani's piece on the
issue: http://arabjournalists.blogspot.com/2009/02/bridges-tv-collapses-under-weight-of.html

Thanks

Liaquat

HRCP is a Political Organization, and Must Forfeit Its NGO Status.

2008-05-10T10:51:00.000-07:00

Don't Pakistani politicians have any sense whatsoever?

What business does Iqbal Haider of PPP have to use his HRCP "buddy-buddy business" platform while criticizing the MQM? Check this out: http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=111752

HRCP is basically an anti-Karachi political organization which must be stripped off of its NGO standing in Pakistan and around the world.

Sooner is better than later...

Imran Khan Resumes His 1992 Role.

2008-05-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

My May 3, 2008 article highlighted Imran Khan's wish to "tackle" the Muttahida Quami Movement with "200 youngsters." Now I know which "200 youngsters" Mr. Khan had in mind. He has the Haqiqi armed workers in mind.

Imran Khan was one of the main architects of the resolution against the MQM on July 8, 2007, at the APDM led All Parties Conference (APC) in London. Please watch at 5:25 of this clip and note the enthusiasm of the participants when Imran Khan vehemently spoke against the MQM, and its founder and leader Altaf Hussain.

It seems that in keeping with their unanimous London resolution, not only Imran Khan but also the whole APDM is working with full force to create the 1992-like situation in Karachi. That is, to:

- Pitch Mohajirs against Mohajirs,
- Help launch another operation against the Mohajir youth, and
- Destroy the peace and prosperity of the mega city which feeds the whole Pakistan.

People may try to convince me that India is the biggest enemy of Pakistan. Hardly!

The biggest enemy of Pakistan is ta-as-sub (bigotry), and Pakistani leaders are masters of exploiting the ta-as-sub of their respective ethnicities against the Mohajirs as well as the mega city where Mohajirs are in the majority.

Below are the details:

http://www.paktribune.com/news/index.shtml?200262

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan has been trying for the last few months to broker a deal between the two factions of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement (MQM-Haqiqi) that split during the previous government’s tenure, media has reliably learnt.

Emerging as a staunch opponent of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) after the May 12, 2007 mayhem in which several political workers were killed in Karachi, Imran Khan subsequently launched a campaign against the Muttahida. His anti-Muttahida drive started with the help of the MQM-Haqiqi which provided him with evidence of alleged brutalities against it.

Officials of the PTI and both groups of the MQM-Haqiqi confirmed that they have had meetings with Imran Khan on April 17 in Islamabad separately, during which Imran tried to convince them to resolve their mutual differences and work as a single party against the Muttahida in Karachi. Although both the Haqiqi factions and the PTI termed these recent liaisons ‘routine meetings’ — and part of Imran Khan’s case against Muttahida’s London-based Quaid Altaf Hussain — insiders claimed that the PTI chief wanted the Haqiqi leaders to get reunited and face the Muttahida in Karachi as a single force.

It is learnt that similar efforts were also being made by other parties of the All Parties Democratic Movement (APDM), including the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). The APDM leadership was also in touch with the out-of-prison leadership of both the Haqiqi factions.

A leader of MQM-Haqiqi’s Afaq group admitted that a five-member delegation of their party had a meeting with Imran Khan in Lahore last month, which lasted for around two hours. Several issues, including reconciliation between the Afaq Ahmed and Amir Khan factions of the party, also came under discussion.

“Our delegation, comprising Akhtar Hussain, Shamshad Ghauri, Riaz Qureshi, Sohail Anjum Advocate and Rafi Dad, met PTI chief Imran Khan and discussed the Muttahida’s vendetta against our workers, the no-go areas issue as well as the frequent killing of our workers in Karachi,” he revealed.

When asked whether that meeting had any specific agenda, he said it was a routine meeting but admitted that Imran Khan expressed his wish of building unity among the estranged factions of the party, arguing that a single Mohajir Qaumi Movement would have a lot more political weight and clout than the one divided into two.

On the other hand, PTI officials confirmed that another delegation of the MQM-Haqiqi led-by former MPA Younus Khan had also called on Imran Khan in Lahore in April 2008 and they were also given the same advice by the PTI chief.

However, PTI office-bearers said that so far there was no breakthrough in their efforts to bridge differences between the two Haqiqi factions but added that efforts were still under way as some other parties were also trying to reunite the Haqiqi leadership.

The MQM-Haqiqi and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement have been bitter rivals ever since the former faction split from the main party in the ‘90s. The Muttahida retained its position as the main voice of the people of Karachi in subsequent years with the Haqiqi reduced to a small rump with tiny pockets of influence. At the time of their split, during the anti-MQM operation in the 90s the Altaf Hussain’s party accused its rival faction as a creation of the agencies. Many of the Haqiqi leaders and workers fled Sindh to take refuge in Punjab during that period and most of the Haqiqi leadership was eliminated, incarcerated or driven underground.

PTI chief Imran Khan could not be immediately contacted for comment but his spokesman Umar Cheema confirmed that the MQM-Haqiqi leadership has been meeting the PTI’s central leadership, including Imran, in recent months. Although he described these ‘secretive’ meetings as a bid by the MQM-Haqiqi to highlight their plight and miseries at the hands of the Muttahida, Cheema refused to reply to the question: why both factions of the MQM-Haqiqi were meeting Imran Khan alone and not the leadership of the mainstream political parties of the country.

According to Cheema, contacts with the PTI and the MQM-Haqiqi started when Imran decided to lodge a case in the British courts against Muttahida chief Altaf Hussain and requested people to furnish evidence against the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s ‘ wrongdoings’.

“People from all over the world, including the MQM-Haqiqi leadership, approached the PTI and provided him evidence against the Muttahida,” the PTI spokesman claimed. “It was the previous government that did not permit a Scotland Yard team to come to Pakistan and investigate the allegations,” he said.

But when asked why the PTI and Haqiqi leadership was meeting so frequently these days even though Imran Khan did not seem enthusiastic in pursuing the London case, Umar Cheema said the Haqiqi leadership was trying to gain political support through these meetings.

Cheema added: “But that does not mean that we want them to remain divided. We wish them to get united and play their political role in Karachi as effectively as in the past.” A Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) spokesman, when contacted in this regard, said he could not comment on the meetings till more information was available.

Why Does ANP Call Itself a Non-Violent, National Party?

2008-05-04T23:25:00.000-07:00

I fail to understand why the ANP is not called what it is: A hate-filled, violent party with a [Pakistani+Aghani] Pashtun agenda.

Need proof?

Please refer to the following:

Every time I read something by ANP's provincial president from Sindh, Shahi Syed, is either ridiculing Mohajirs or threatening Mohajirs (of course in the guise of criticizing the MQM). This is the recent "non-violent" utterence from May 3, 2008. "On May 11, [2008] we will show such people power that no one will ever mess with Pashtuns."
http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/may2008-daily/03-05-2008/karachi.htm (2/3 down on the page.)

Here is detailed analysis of ANP's Peshawar leader Latif Afridi's racist talk.

Please note that Afridi is no ordinary lawyer. “Latif Lala is great leader of the ANP and intellectual of the province and he can play important role for the supremacy of constitution.” http://www.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33995&Itemid=2

Here is another "gem" of hate speech inciting Pashtuns' (Taliban?) jihad against Mohajirs. "We have considered Karachi mohajirs our brothers since 1947 but the recent bloodshed proves they migrated from India to destabilise Pakistan," http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C05%5C15%5Cstory_15-5-2007_pg7_5

Imran Khan Wishes Street-fights with the Mohajirs in Karachi.

2008-05-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

While mature political parties and their leaders talk about reconciliation, here is another silly statement from the king of nonsense talk, Imran Khan (http://www.imrankhanexposed.com/IKE/index.html), who seems to be wishing for armed street-fights with the Mohajirs in Karachi.

"He said the PTI could tackle the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) by imparting fighting training to 200 youngsters but we believe in politics based on non-violence." http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=110412

Before we get to the "non-violence" part of his statement, here are a few critical questions:

- Why do innocent youngsters have to sacrifice their youth in street-fights with the MQM when Imran Khan spent his youth, as well as all his adult life, chasing -- mind you -- non-Muslim, White women?

- Why did Imran Khan suggest "200 youngsters"? Why not "200 frustrated fifty-something men who spent the past 35 years of their lives chasing non-Muslim, White women, who are passing through dry spell, so they want to shoot for 72 virgins after getting killed by the MQM"?

- Would Imran Khan's sons be among those 200 youngsters or would they be spared for more important things, such as, taking the top positions in his Tehreef-e-Insaf family business?

- Why is Imran Khan so confident that his youngsters (or frustrated fifty-something men) could be successful against the MQM? Does he have assurance from Al-Qaida, ISI, or some other entity?

- How will Imran Khan's youngsters (or frustrated fifty-something men) accomplish what the Pakistan Army, the ISI, the Police, the PPP and the PML-N, with all the state power at their disposal, could not accomplish in the past 30 years?

- Who will train those youngsters (or frustrated fifty-something men)? the Army, the Police, the ISI, Al-Qaida or India?

- Once trained, who will guide those youngsters' (or frustrated fifty-something men's) operations against the MQM on a daily basis?

- What would Imran Khan tell the families of those youngsters (or frustrated fifty-something men) if the MQM acted in self defense and killed them all?

Now the "non-violence" part of the statement. Why would a purveyor of "non-violence" even talk about violence, if such talk were not meant to be a threat?

It seems that talking macho nonsense against the Mohajirs is the favorite pastime of the third-rate Pakistani politicians. Ayub Khan didn't care about political correctness and wished the Mohajirs into the Indian Ocean while moving the Capital from Karachi thus stripping the Mohajirs from federal jobs.

Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto did not need political correctness while stripping the Mohajirs from the provincial opportunities by creating the 40%-60% educational and employment quota for urban versus rural areas of Sindh, and by looting the Mohajir wealth by nationalizing the Mohajir institutions.

In the age of political correctness, these third-rate politicians direct their hate towards the MQM so that they cannot be termed as ethno-linguistic hate-mongers.

It seems that with his repeated hate speech against the Mohajirs, Imran Khans wants to get banned from Karachi for the rest of his life.

Mohajirs of Pakistan; Jews of Germany.

2008-04-16T22:08:00.001-07:00

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=xJoDL5Z2xrM

The above video is a classic example of the simmering hate for Mohajirs which exists in Pakistan. Let's analyse what is going on, in this video.

The speaker is not some uneducated simpleton. He is Latif Afridi, the President of the Peshawar High Court Bar. He has studied, and practiced law, and is a member of the now-in-vogue "civil society" of Pakistan.

According to GEO TV anchorman, Attorney Afridi was speaking in front of the members of the Bar, that is, members of the now-in-vogue "civil society" of Peshawar. But we notice that the language used at 0:27 by this member of now-in-vogue "civil society" is utterly uncivilized and
vulgar. If this is the language used by the now-in-vogue "civil society" of Peshawar, then just imagine what kind of language is being used on the street of Peshawer against Mohajirs.

At 0:38, Attorney Afridi makes a mistake of including Mohajirs by saying "panchoun ikaiyan" or "5 major ethnic groups", but then excludes Mohajirs by using "charoun ikaiyan" or "four provinces". This slip happened because of the success of MQM in getting the term Mohajir recognized as one of the major ethnic groups in Pakistan.

Attorney Afridi goes on to estimate the Pashtun population in Karachi to be 5 million at 0:46. According to CDGK, the population of Karachi is 14.5 million.
http://125.209.91.254/cdgk/Home/AboutKarachi/GeographyDemography/tabid/270/Default.aspx

If Attorney Afridi is correct, then every 3rd person in Karachi is a Pashtun. However, when one goes to Karachi, he does not see every 3rd person to be a Pashtun. So either Mr. Afridi pulled the 5 million figure from a secret part of his anatomy, or he is correct and the population of Karachi is much larger than 14.5 million.

He continues on to mention Punjabis, Balochis, and Sindhis by name and then on 1:00 calls "MQM walay" or the supporters of MQM, that is, Mohajirs, to be "bilkul najaiz qabizeen" or "totally illegal squatters" in Karachi.

Attorney Afridi conveniently forgets that the arrival of Mohajirs to Pakistan was the integral part of the creation of Pakistan. If the "Two Nation Theory" was not promoted as the purpose of the creation of Pakistan, there would be no migration of Hindus from Karachi/Sindh, and there would be no arrival of Indian Muslims, aka Mohajirs, in Karachi/Sindh, and Attorney Afridi would be a proud Indian today.

The highlight of this video is at 1:05 when Attorney Afridi, all of a sudden, defends the continued existence of fellow Afghan refugee Pashtuns in Karachi by demanding the Mohajirs to go back to India. The loud and sustained clapping and cheers by the now-in-vogue "civil society" of Peshawar, which started at 1:10 and lasted for 16 long seconds, is extremely alarming NAY chilling.

The criminalisation of MQM is a necessity of the racist elements of Pakistan. Ayub Khan did not need to criminalise any political party when he wished Mohajirs into the Indian Ocean. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto did not need to criminalise any political party to steal Mohajir wealth through "nationalisatiaon". The haters of today must criminalise MQM because it is THE organised political force for the protection of the Mohajir interests.

By 1930, the Jews in Germany had easily existed in the land for centuries. However, it just took one charismatic, "democratically elected" leader to roast Jews as if they were "bilkul najaiz qabizeen" or "totally illegal squatters" in Germany.

The Mohajirs of Pakistan: Beware of the Haters' Venom!

Why the Specific Judges?

2008-03-10T15:16:00.000-07:00

The insistence of a person like Nawaz Sharif to oblige certain judges, and not the others, is alarming. It seems that Mr. Sharif has learnt his lesson well from the past two experiences, when it was the judiciary which once gave him his seat back, and "hanged" him after his second term. So this time around, he is coming back with advanced preparation, and insisting on bringing certain judges and not the others.

What will these judges get him?

When he finishes his plunder, and it seems that he is calculating 2-3 years at the most, the judges will give him an honorable way out through the Pakistani "justice" system.

The only hurdle in the way of Mr. Sharif's 1990's style, "law for a day", sure-fire plunder is President Musharraf. However, it is now being rumored that Mr. Musharraf is on his way out. Let's brace ourselves with the Nawaz League and PPP plunder, just like the nineties.

Alas! The dark days for Pakistan are coming nearer and nearer. This time around the Accountability Bureau must take account of judges' assets before they are re-instated. It seems to me that this time around, certain judges will take active part in the plunder, along with their army, bureaucratic and legislative brethren.

Note: This is an opinion piece, and NOT a research piece.

Will PML (Q) Get the Reins With the Five D’s?

2007-12-27T06:04:00.000-08:00

Pakistan has geared up for the elections due next month. All the political parties are in the fray with great vigour to capture the reins of power. The Pakistan Muslim League- Quaid (PML-Q) with much hope of winning the elections is facing the electorate promising a democratic political culture, right to dissent and the rejection of the culture of revenge – which is highlighted in its Manifesto.

Revolving round the vision of five D’s -- Democracy, Development, Devolution, Diversity and Defense – the PML(Q)’s manifesto has come up with two mottos "Live and Let live" and "Giving hope to the Hopeless". The Manifesto in truth resolves to restore the people’s faith in national institutions and combat the evils of sectarianism and parochialism.

The first ‘D’ of democracy has a great vision envisaged in it when it says it will promote a Culture of Conciliation and reject the Culture of Revenge, which is one of the main causes of the country’s recurring political stability. On the Federally Administered Tribal Areas, the PML (Q) says that the area needs a healing touch. It stands for a political process in FATA.

The PML (Q) promises to develop an enterprise culture, which develops skills, supports workers and creates jobs. Another area that the party focuses is Agriculture, for which it says appropriate steps will be taken to increase agricultural production to develop food self-sufficiency and to promote high value crops for export. Another area that the PML (Q) focuses is education. Having a great vision for an educated Pakistan, the PML (Q) promises to build a modern developed society and to ensure free and universal primary education.

It also makes a commitment for mass literacy in the country within the next 10 years and modernization of Madrassa education. It has proclaimed that the Higher Education Commission would be made autonomous and encouraged to improve quality of universities, a great revolutionary idea to transform quality education. The manifesto has strongly come up against corruption and promises to establish an independent, non-partisan anti-corruption institution, free of government control, with a view to attacking corruption without fear or favor.

A pro-poor manifesto, it refers to the development of rural communities and promoting self -reliance through skills. It also envisages low cost housing under the ‘’Cheap Homes initiatives. ’’ The PML (Q) promises to launch a Village Development Initiative for integrated development of rural communities, comprising some 70% of the population, which it believes will generate villages’ productive capacity in such areas as cottage industry and handicrafts, vocational training, milk preservation and livestock development.

Noting that Pluralism strengthens the democratic functioning of the Federation, the PML (Q) focuses on the development of women by ensuring their participation in national development. In a bold statement, the manifesto ensures the end of unjust and unacceptable practices like Wanni, Karokari, honor killings, marriage with the Qur'an, etc. It also states that the minorities will have full freedom of worship and the right to employment in all sectors of the country, which clearly shows that the manifesto had covered all sections in the society that has not been addresses to by others.

Committed to the security of the country, the PNL (Q) wishes in establishing an indigenous defence capability and defense production. In strong words, the manifesto clearly underlines that Pakistan’s nuclear program was a vital component of Pakistan’s national security and served both as deterrence against aggression and to preserve and protect the national independence. It boldly rules out allowing any intrusion into its nuclear installations and scientists to outsiders.

Pointing out that the peace process with India will be pursued with vigor, it has specified that it supported the right of self-determination of the people of Jammu and Kashmir through implementing UN resolutions. The PML (Q) will support any settlement of Kashmir that is just and honourable and which is acceptable to the Kashmiri people.

With a far-reaching vision, the PML (Q) is claiming to be for a democratic society to build a better tomorrow. Only a few days are left to see if the people have accepted the five D’s or not.

PML(N) Manifesto: A Vision Document to Steer the Country Ahead?

2007-12-24T14:19:00.001-08:00

Only two weeks left for elections in Pakistan, the campaign has gained momentum with all the political parties engaged in fierce campaigns. All the parties contesting the elections have promised a peaceful and developed Pakistan. The Pakistan Muslim League (Nawaz), one of the leading campaigners, has come out with a national agenda and vision for harnessing the nation’s positive energies. It also pledges to seek national reconciliation, national dialogue and national consensus on the future agenda of the country.

The PML(N) has a broader vision, clearly depicted in the manifesto, which says will strive for political stability, sustained economic growth and national solidarity. The great strength of the manifesto is that it promises to take all the people into confidence for maintaining rule of the law and prosperity and transferring the country into a peaceful, economically stable and a better nation.

Lambasting against the military regime throughout the manifesto, the PML(N) has called for casting votes for parties striving for democracy and to reject those that provided a civilian façade to the military rule. Without any fear for anyone, the manifesto underlines that the repeated interference of military leadership in the political affairs was the crux of Pakistan’s failure in developing a sustainable democracy. It also promises to abolish the National Security Council, brainchild of General Musharaf, and also to bring the defence budget within the purview of the National Assembly.

The manifesto promises revival of “genuine democracy” ensuring that the armed forces perform only such functions as are assigned to them under the Constitution and also to re-establish the supremacy of parliament, which had always been threatened by military regimes in the Pakistani history. Stating that the judicial crisis, after the removal of the chief justice of Pakistan, has rendered a heavy blow, the manifesto also promises to take effective steps to protect the independence and dignity of the judicial system.

Further, the PML(N) commits to take stern steps to eradicate the menace of terrorism and extremism, that has gripped the country in the recent times. Another prominent issue that figures in the Manifesto is the contentious Jammu and Kashmir issue, with its neighbour India. It clearly states that serious efforts would be taken to resolve the issue.

On the upliftment of the poor and the down trodden in the society, the PML(N) has come up with many pro-poor packages, which it says would be able to give great relief. Declaring to change the face of agriculture, the manifesto promises to turn agriculture into a fully viable economic industry by changing the policy framework and terms of trade. In the last parts of the manifesto, moreover the party affirms novel schemes and policies for the unemployed youth and for ensuring dignity and protection of women.

Last but not the least, it also declares to create a much tolerant and pluralistic society. The party asserts to bring in a special package for empowering the Northern Areas to provide the people of the region justice and to ensure human rights.

With just a few days left for the elections, only time can say how far the people have accepted the manifesto. The PML (N) has a great vision for the future and wants to create a new history of Pakistan. The PML(N) with its past experience and competence has come up with a broad vision to steer the country to prosperity. One should have to wait till the elections to see if the PML(N) can lead the nation.

Manifesto of PPP: The words that can revive Pakistan?

2007-12-24T13:45:00.000-08:00

Days are closing down on Pakistan elections. All the major
political parties, already in the arena, are fighting it
hard to make a breakthrough in Pakistan governance. They
are already in the race with people friendly visions and a
manifesto that proclaims a prosperous Pakistan. Focusing
primarily on resolving the problems of the depressed class,
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), which was the first to come
out with a manifesto, rallies round “Roti, Kupra and Makan”
(Food, Cloth and Shelter).

The PPP’s manifesto based on the Five E’s – employment,
education, energy, environment and equality is historic
and revolutionary. Proclaiming that the PPP’s commitment
to the people of Pakistan was that “their basic rights
are our responsibility”, the PPP has a broad vision of
transforming the lives of the people from one of despair
and poverty into one of hope and opportunity through the
five E’s. Further committed to the upliftment of the
downtrodden in the society, it promises to build a
hopeful future for the poverty stricken.  

The PPP has a very clear vision for creating employment
through its various initiatives, including a Public
Works program, which guarantees employment for one
working member in the poorest families. This could change
the face of unemployment in the country, where
unemployment is on an increase like any other place. In a
major development, the PPP in its manifesto says that it
will bring in reforms in the madrasas and also in it
syllabus. As part of its program to extend help to the
downtrodden, Apna Ghar, free boarding schools for socially
and economically disadvantaged children would be started
across the country. Aiming at a great leap in the energy
sector, the PPP promises to address the power shortage in
a war footing.

Stressing that it would reverse the order of priorities,
whereby social policy objectives drive economic policy.
A clear vision for development, the manifesto says
development shall be measured in terms of welfare of the
people rather than in terms of financial statistics.

The PPP’s manifesto, which is considered to be so
progressive in vision and thought, also has innovative
program for strengthening and expanding social protection
programs like Zakat, social security and Baitul Mal. It
also promises financial support to the senior citizens in
its targeted poverty programs. Cutting edge on the
judiciary, it wants to make reforms in the judicial system.

Another challenging area that the PPP has focused is the
Federally Administers Tribal Areas (FATA), which has
always been a hot bed for Pakistani politicians. Very
boldly, it says it will restore the authority of the
government in the tribal areas. The manifesto also
proclaims that it would extend the law of Pakistan to
FATA. Well, another area of importance that the country
can’t ignore is Kashmir and also the confrontation with
its neighbor India. Stating that the PPP supported the
rights of the people of Kashmir, it ensures a composite
dialogue process with the neighbors. It also promises to
reduce the tension between the two countries and to help
in brining in friendly relations.

The manifesto has a clear vision of the future of Pakistan
and targets economic growth, combating employment,
targeted poverty programs, just labor policies, and
private sector as engines of growth, accelerating
agricultural and rural growth, ensuring water security
and energy infrastructure. Promising a better tomorrow,
the PPP is confident in leading the nation to prosperity,
which is quite evident in its manifesto. Again we have to
wait till January to see if the pro-people policies and
the five E’s had influenced the Pakistanis. Let’s wait
and see.

A Manifesto for the Rising Pakistan?

2007-12-15T22:31:00.000-08:00

With less than a month for the general elections in the country, Pakistanis are all set to receive the new parliament and ministers. For the first time in its political history of sixty years, between 2002 and 2007, Pakistan had a full tenure of five years for the government at national and provincial levels. In this backdrop, Pakistanis are ready for a peaceful general election which is scheduled on January 8, 2008. Contesting in this election, the MQM or the Muttahida Quami movement produced their new manifesto which is deliberate and meets the needs of the present-day Pakistan.

The MQM launched its election campaign with the slogan that yells "Amn, Taraqi, Khushhali," or peace, progress and prosperity. You would know the reason why the party chose that slogan for their campaign, if you read through the manifesto for the general elections. Dr. Farooq Sattar, one of the most senior party leaders, read out the new manifesto last Thursday near the party headquarters in Karachi. The inclusion of provincial autonomy in the present manifesto explains that it is done to favor the linguistic and ethnic minorities living in the smaller provinces of the country. This would require the federation to merely control the currency, defense and the foreign affairs.

The MQM wanted a drastic change in the education sector with 20% of the revenue expenditure going to the education sector. Dr. Sattar harped on the point that the education should be made compulsory till matriculation, that is, the tenth grade. In addition, they will consider revising teachers' salaries. He promised that the party will work towards increasing the public expenditure on health from 0.6 % to 4% ofGDP during next five years. The later part of the manifesto concentrates on improving the health institutes in Pakistan. The party has plans to set up liver institutes, trauma centers and renovation of over 2,000 health clinics throughout the country.

Considering the agricultural system of Pakistan, the MQM has plans to uproot the feudal system. This will mean that a majority of the argicultural income will go to the cultivators and grassroot level organizations for the welfare of farmers. The party furthermore suggests an autonomous, impartial and independent judiciary, and reorganization of the police under the control of an elected commissioner.

Dr. Sattar had some points to improve the transport system where the party would like to induce rapid mass transit system and environment friendly buses. The MQM will make improvements in the light and heavy industries and consumer goods industries which will attract considerable investments options to the country. With the improved financial system, the party is also hopeful of reducing the non-development expenditure and that, "All the loans of the big fishes [sic] written off would be clawed back and spent for the betterment of the people."

The ninth out of the seventeen point manifesto explained the need of decision-making by the federal and provincial cabinets instead of the Chief minister and Prime minister, respectively. Unlike the other times in the Pakistan history of elections, the party will have at least 5% representation of the religious minorities in the "Legislative Bodies." It is a dominating point in the manifesto that MQM will take initiative to improve the friendly relations with other countries, especially with India. Thus they would bring about a solid solution to the Kashmir issue.

It is beyond any doubt that the MQM has done its homework. Their manifesto speaks like a dream that every Pakistani would love to materialize. Only time will tell us how this well-primed manifesto is going to appeal to the Pakistani voters. We will have to wait for the results to know that, but one thing is sure that these ideas are going to take Pakistan to new heights in economy and present a new face of Pakistan in the international arena.

Note: The English version of the manifesto has many errors related to grammar and style, which were not corrected even by December 20, 2007.

Kiva.org: Innovative Micro-loan Financing System

2007-11-02T16:12:00.000-07:00

We can donate money to people and forget about the efficiency of the use of that money, or we can lend it them and make them accountable to be efficient. Once they utilize your money efficiently, and return it, you can lend it again to someone else in need.

You can go to Kiva's website (www.Kiva.org) and lend to someone in the developing world who needs a loan for their business. You would be surprised, comparatively speaking, how little it takes for these entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses to feed their respective families. Each Kiva loan has a picture of the entrepreneur, a description of their business and how they plan to use the loan so you know exactly how your money is being spent - and you get updates letting you know how the business is going. The best part is, when the entrepreneur pays back their loan you get your money back - and Kiva's loans are managed by microfinance institutions on the ground who have a lot of experience doing this, so you can trust that your money is being handled responsibly.

I just made four (4) small loans to the following individuals around the world, primarily in Asia and the Middle East. They still need more money to complete their loan requests. Help me get these businesses off the ground by clicking on the links below to make loans to them:

http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=21740
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=23026
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=21503
http://www.kiva.org/app.php?page=businesses&action=about&id=20486

It's now becoming easier to actually do something about poverty around the world. Using Kiva.org I know exactly who my money is loaned to and what they're using it for. And most of all, I know that I'm helping them build a sustainable business that will provide income to feed, clothe, house and educate their family long after my loan is paid back.

Join me in changing the world - one loan at a time.

Thanks!

Liaquat Ali

What others are saying about www.Kiva.org:

'Revolutionising how donors and lenders in the US are connecting with small entrepreneurs in developing countries.' -- BBC

'If you've got 25 bucks, a PC and a PayPal account, you've now got the wherewithal to be an international financier.' -- CNN Money

'Smaller investors can make loans of as little as $25 to specific individual entrepreneurs through a service launched last fall by Kiva.org.' -- The Wall Street Journal

'An inexpensive feel-good investment opportunity...All loaned funds go directly to the applicants, and most loans are repaid in full.' -- Entrepreneur Magazine

Web Scam and a Hilarious Thread

2007-10-30T23:38:00.000-07:00

I advertise through Google's Adwords. I wanted to improve my advertisement so I searched, through Google, for products to help me. I somehow landed on http://www.getpaidmorenow.com/ The website reads like a scam so I searched again through Google for "scam get google ads free" the second search result was this blog.

I expected some corroboration for my suspicion. Not only I was able to verify that the "Get Google Ads Free" is a scam, but also I found absolutely hilarious exchange between the whistle-blower, Rob Scott, "Attorney" J Levin, and others. Please read and enjoy. Here it is again.

My Interview with Dr. Farooq Sattar

2007-10-28T07:26:00.000-07:00

Dr. Farooq Sattar of MQM was visiting the Washington DC area. So I caught up with him in Manassas, Virginia. Dr. Sattar is a medical doctor by education and has been associated with MQM since it early days. Dr. Sattar is currently MQM's parliamentary leader in Pakistan's National Assembly and the Chairman of Pakistan National Assembly's Standing Committee of Foreign Affairs. Dr. Sattar has also been the mayor of Karachi which is the largest city in Pakistan. I had many questions. I got answers for a few. Oh, well!

Question: What does MQM want?

Question: What is MQM's prescription for the political sickness the State of Pakistan? [Note: Dr. Sattar uses the term "Qaid-e-Azam" a couple of times when referring to the founder of Pakistan, Mr. Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Qaid-e-Azam means "the great leader". He also uses "Qaid-e-Tehreek" when referring to the founder of MQM, Mr. Altaf Hussain. Qaid-e-Tehreek means "the leader of the movement" where as "the movement" is referred to the ideological "movement" behind the MQM.]

Question: Every party claims to provide a Pakistan of Qaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. How is MQM different?

Question: MQM talks about feudalism a lot. What is feudalism from the point of view of the MQM?

Question: How does Feudalism feed fundamentalism or extremism?

Question: What are your views on current socio-economic challenges and opportunities in relation to Pakistan?

Question: MQM claims to be the third largest political party in Pakistan. How is it so?

Question: Karachi Stock Exchange has had a spectacular run in the past several years. How did the MQM contribute towards that stock market rise?

Question: How do you define moderates versus extremists in the view of upcoming elections?

Please talk about MQM's Bill on Women's Rights. [Note: Dr. Farooq went on tangent and talked about other bills presented by MQM in the national and provincial assemblies.]

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Publish Post
Question: Some religious parties have claimed that they had presented another version of women's rights bill that was better than MQM's version. What are your thoughts on that?

Question: MQM had a bad experience with PPP in the past. How do you see both parties working together?

Researching MQM: Never a Dull Moment!

2007-10-20T11:17:00.000-07:00

It seems that there is never a dull moment in conducting research about MQM. On September 30, 2007 I wrote an article called, Fighting the Terror of the Terrorism Information Providers. I concluded the article by saying "The erroneous information, in those information providers' websites, is a much bigger story compared to the existence of the MQM there."

In the wake of one of the biggest terrorist incidents in the 60-year history of Pakistan, that is, the double suicide bombings during the homecoming ceremonies of Pakistan People's Party's Chairperson, Benazir Bhutto, Sajjan Gohel, a "security analyst" of certain "Asia Pacific Foundation" in an interview with Charles Osgood of CBS, said:

"Pakistan itself has become the new home to Al Qaeda Central. The Taliban itself has reassembled and replenished its ranks inside Pakistan. And of course there are the allegations that elements of Pakistan's own intelligence agency, the notorious I-S-I, could have played a role too."

and that

"Earlier this year the Muttahida Quami Movement, the M-Q-M, which is a pro-Musharraf party actually attacked supporters of Benazir Bhutto which resulted in another 36 people being killed so Karachi has been a problem city and this was inevitable at some point."

At the surface, the above may sound "expert opinion" of a "security analyst" at an impressive sounding organization name, Asia Pacific Foundation, but as soon as an investigative journalist, like myself, starts scratching the surface, the "expert opinion" starts looking more and more like a political agenda formulated and propagated by political functionaries and think tanks.

Let's see how the above language matches with World Sindhi Institute's Iqbal Tareen's in his article at Indus Asia Online Journal, published a few days before the October 18 incident. Mr. Tareen asserted, "The Chaudhry Bros. & Co., MQM, Taliban, and Mullahs will have field goal if by any hook or crook they can prevent MBB’s return." Please note that Mr. Tareen also mentioned "a good friend Murtaza Solangi" in his article. A little research on Mr. Solangi reveals that in June, 2007, he, along with Frédéric Grare, was involved in implicating MQM in the May 12 riots through the Voice of America and the Carnegie Endowment platform.

Mr. Grare is the author of a "policy brief" called Pakistan: The Myth of an Islamist Peril in which he maintains, "religious political parties and militant organizations are manipulated by the Pakistani Army to achieve its own objectives, domestically and abroad. The army, not the Islamists, is the real source of insecurity on the subcontinent." Mr. Grare is also the same person who, in a 60-page Carnegie Endowment report, out of nowhere, called MQM a "fascist organization."

Benazir Bhutto refrained from implicating MQM or any other political party in the October 18 suicide bombings. However, Ghulam Mustafa Khar, through the largest Urdu-language daily in Pakistan, accused that MQM was behind the incident, that MQM tried to kill Benazir because she killed MQM workers when she was in power, and that MQM will try to kill her again in Punjab. While the rest of the world estimates the number of people killed to be less than 200, Mr. Khar, sitting in Lahore which is 639 miles North of the troubled city, claims that the "actual dead" were close to 400.

Please keep in mind that Mr. Khar was also part of the failed attempt by Imran Khan of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf to bring a case against MQM's founder Altaf Hussain in relation to the May 12 riots in Karachi. That attempt was suddenly aborted by Mr. Khan, himself, when his anti-Western rhetoric was allegedly reported to the Scotland Yard.

I have seen significant amount of footage the tragic event of May 12, including PPP's Sher Bano "Sherry" Rehman's press conference against MQM and MQM's footage of Sherry Rehman with armed men in and around her white Lexus SUV. MQM names names of his workers and supporter, who were killed on May 12, here, here and here, but I have not yet seen similar press releases by other political parties, including PPP, where their workers are identified by names and other relevant information.

Let's look into Mr. Gohel and the Asia Pacific Foundation. Reasonable amount of information is available at SourceWatch here and here. I have already sent an email to Mr. Gohel at the generic email address provided at Asia Pacific Foundation's one-page website, to provide me with the source of his information about who killed whom on May 12, 2007.

While the politics of baseless assertions goes on, in Pakistan and around the world, I am waiting for a response from Mr. Gohel.

Racism in Canada.

2007-10-18T22:10:00.000-07:00

Here is an interesting article by Cyntiha Carels outlining the sentiments of Canadian historians Irving Abella and James Walker. http://www.expressnews.ualberta.ca/article.cfm?id=741

Issues to ponder:

- "We are a peculiar nation," says Abella, "we are a nation of immigrants who hate immigration. For most of our history, we have had an immigration policy which has been racist and exclusionary. We knew exactly what kind of people we wanted, and how to keep out those we didn't."

- British and white Americans were always welcomed into Canada, while Jews were at the bottom of the entry list, only "acceptable at times of great boom when work was necessary.

- The country was closed to people from Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Africa, except for special cases that ordinarily needed ministerial permits."

- Canadians falsely pride themselves on being a welcoming nation, and any improvements have been a result of the efforts of victims.

- Canada's atrocious immigration history is presented as if it's over.

- Canadians see refugees as queue jumpers whose claims are bogus. It's the result of a sensationalist media that covers problematic arrivals.

- Successive Canadian governments are unwilling to challenge public hostility towards large-scale movements of refugees into this country, despite a growing worldwide crisis.

- Canada took in 21,900 of the world's refugees in 2000. By contrast, Ethiopia accepted 317,000.

Visit to MQM International Secretariat

2007-10-14T23:53:00.000-07:00

As part of my on-going research related to MQM, I visited MQM International Secretariat in London on October 11, 2007. I met with MQM founder and leader Altaf Hussain, Convener Imran Farooq, and several members of MQM's Coordination Committee. I also met, and exchange ideas, with Kelvin O'shea of Sky News who happened to be there for an interview. It was interesting to see Mr. O'Shea struggling with MQM's alleged "money-less" candidate selection and campaign model. I don't know much about it myself. I think that it would make an fascinating article when I get around to studying that aspect of MQM's political philosophy and methodology.

Highly Questionable Data at Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB.)

2007-10-13T11:52:00.000-07:00

Highly Questionable Data at Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB.)

I read Stewart Bell's article about the MQM a couple of months ago. Since Pakistani politics, Karachi and MQM are my areas of interest, I decided to investigate what was going on, in Canada, in relation to the MQM. The happenings at Canada's Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) are absolutely fascinating, and have the potential to provide me with a much bigger story of erroneous data about individuals and organizations in IRB's databases.

During my research I communicated with Stewart Bell a couple of times through email. Here is the content of my latest email to him.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
October 13, 2007

Stewart,

In your last email to me, from September 10, 2007 you wrote:
"The IRB ruled that MQM was a terrorist org, and the FCC upheld that, finding no flaws in its decision making. Disclaimer aside, it's the same thing. Good luck with your research."

When I contacted Canada's IRB (Immigration and Refugee Board) to further my investigation about the MQM, I received an email from info@irb-cisr.gc.ca, stating:

"Thank you for your interest. The IRB Research Directorate follows aresearch methodology that is described on our Website. Among other things, this methodology explains how we go about choosing our sources: http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/about_e.htm#meth."

However when I studied the criteria described at IRB's suggested link, and tried to apply the same to SATP (1), which is one of their sources, I found that SATP miserably fails all, I repeat ALL, of the twenty-one criteria IRB is supposed to have applied to SATP's data.

Here is my analysis of IRB's twenty-one criteria in relation to SATP:

IRB Criteria #1. How up-to-date is the information?
There is no way to tell. The site provides no date for the update of the information. Also, since it appears that the most recent information was posted sometime in 2002, any new court verdicts on the allegations on MQM are not included. For example, few of the major allegations against MQM were thrown out of the Supreme Court of Pakistan between 2002 and 2007. (2)

IRB Criteria #2. Who is the author?
There is no way to tell.

IRB Criteria #3. Does the information come from an anonymous source?
The sources are either anonymous or non-existent.

IRB Criteria #4. What are/is the qualifications/expertise of the author?
Since there is no name of the author, there is no way to delve into such details. Please read #2.

IRB Criteria #5. What is the reputation of the publication/publisher?
The "reputation" of the publisher is anti-Pakistan (3) and possibly anti-Muslim.

IRB Criteria #6. Does the author/publisher display any bias?
Please read answer to #5.

IRB Criteria #7. What is the source of the information on which thedocument is based?
There is no way to tell. Please read #3.

IRB Criteria #8. Has the document been edited?
There is no way to tell. Please refer to #3.

IRB Criteria #9. Are there partial quotes (possibly misquotes orquotes taken out of context)?There is no way to tell. Please read #3 and #7.

IRB Criteria #10. Is the information consistent with other reliable evidence?
There is no way to tell without knowing the sources of the information, and without defining what "reliable evidence" means. Please read #3and #7.

IRB Criteria #11. Are there other publications by same author?
There is no way to tell. Please read #2 and #4.

IRB Criteria #12. Is there any opportunity to interview the author?
There is no way to tell. Please read #2, #4 and #11. I tried to reach SATP through the email address on their website, icm@del3.vsnl.net.in, but they have not responded. It has been almost a month since I sent them a couple of emails.

One of my non-Muslim contacts, of Indian origin, at Stanford University, suggests, "SATP is bit of a lost cause. Let me try to email SATP to see a non-Muslim name (it is that sad) and Stanford email ID perks up their ears," and "Firstly - terrorism in India is a code word for anti-Muslim bashing especially when used by self styled portals led by idiots like Gill and co. Second of course is going through the text for entirely two seconds."

IRB Criteria #13. Where does the author's knowledge of the subject matter come from?
There is no way to tell. Please read #1, #2, #3, #4, #7 and #12.

IRB Criteria #14. What is the "tone" of the document? (Is it impartial?)
Please refer to #5 and #6.

IRB Criteria #15. To what extent is the document based on opinion?
There is no way to tell. Please read #1, #2, #3, #4, #7, #12 and #13.However, based on #5 and #6, the document in question and all allied documents seem to show the anti-Pakistan and anti-Muslim bias which, I am assuming, is of no use to the Canadian Government.

IRB Criteria #16. To what extent is the document based on observable facts?
The type of information presented cannot be "based on observable facts."

IRB Criteria #17. For what purpose was the document prepared?
There is no way to tell. But it appears that SATP is anti-Pakistan, and is attempting to turn the post-911 security concerns from the Western nations into cornering Pakistan and South-Asian Muslims. Please read #5, #12 and #15.

IRB Criteria #18. Are there any alterations apparent on the face ofthe document?
There is no way to tell. Please read #1, #2, #3, #4, #7, #12 and #13.

IRB Criteria #19. Are there any spelling errors in the official document?
Yes. – SATP spells "Quomi" with an "o" whereas MQM spells its name as"Muttahida Quami Movement", that is, with an "a". Also, according to Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui, one of the senior leaders of MQM, his organization never used "Mahaz" as part of its name.

IRB Criteria #20. How does the document compare with a known genuine document?
There is no way to tell. Please read #1, #2, #3, #4, #7, #12 and #13.

IRB Criteria #21. Have the contents of the document been sworn to be true?
The publisher is not an eye-witness, and is not in the position to swear about the truth of the information provided.

Now based on the above, it is abundantly clear that the information from SATP, about MQM, miserably fails all, I repeat ALL, of the twenty-one"criteria" used by IRB Research Directorate which is outlined at http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/research/about_e.htm#meth

So, unless I am grossly mistaken, the integrity and reliability of information provided by the IRB Research Directorate is nothing more than merit-less cut-and-paste job, which could very well be politically motivated.

Stewart, the quality of data determines the quality of analysis, synthesis and decisions. Questionable or down-right biased data jeopardizes Canadian Government's ability to fairly, "fulfil its international refugee obligations," and puts IRB's "excellent international reputation" (4) at stake.

Unquestioned reliance on blatantly questionable data may raise questions about the credibility of those who claim to be experts in reporting about terrorism and extremism.

I am sure you will agree that from an investigative journalist's point of view, IBR's use of biased sources is a much bigger story compared to the existence of information about any particular individual or organization in their databases.

If you want to work on unearthing the flawed data gathering at IRB, then I would be happy to work with you. I can bring my MQM-centric knowledge, which I have gathered after years of my research about the organization. You can use your expertise about other organizations whom you have studied for years. Please let me know.

Thanks

Liaquat Ali
Investigative Journalist

(1) http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/countries/pakistan/terroristoutfits/MQM.htm
(2) http://www.dawn.com/2007/08/14/local2.htm
(3) http://www.satp.org/satporgtp/kpsgill/2003/chapter1.htm
(4) http://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/about/irbfacts_e.htm

Fighting the Terror of the Terrorism Information Providers

2007-09-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

As a die-hard Karachiite, I have been studying MQM for many moons now. MQM is a radically different political party, which has created nightmares after nightmares for the existing power structures, such as, corrupt bureaucracy, commerce-happy army, feudal lords, illiterate mullahs, etc., in Pakistan. No wonder, it has been accused of many things over the years. Those accusations kept on expanding through ink and bytes.

It is unfortunate that MQM's media wing never confronted such information. The party still seems to have the opposition mentality. They complain, complain and complain some more, instead of legislate, enforce and then legislate some more. They now claim that they have created a "Media Cell". What a name, goes perfectly well with "terrorist cell" :(

Since the event of 911, all kinds of terrorism portals have either been launched or enhanced. Think tanks are working over time to produce largely useless reports about Pakistan by barely informed analysts, of course, with big titles. These entities have decided, in their infinite wisdom, that MQM is a run-of-the-mill terrorist organizations, and have chosen to take, hook, line and sinker, the politically-motivated negative propaganda generated by successive Pakistan governments against MQM, along with those parties which MQM replaced in Sindh, especially in Karachi.

Is MQM a party of angels? Not really. But, like any other political party, it has to be evaluated in the background of the existential realities in Pakistan.

Let's come to the terrorism information providers. When I found all kinds of erroneous information about MQM, I decided to evaluate the information on the intellectual merit which turned out to be very little. Since I am in the process of compiling my research on MQM in a publishable format, I started challenging such information providers to see how they react.

The response has been all over the map, but NONE of it has to do with the intellectual merit or factual correctness. Most of it has to do with the bureaucracy involved in getting the information removed. MQM will have to deal with it. I am going through an exercise of evaluating such information because MQM is only entity I know most about.

The erroneous information, in those information providers' websites, is a much bigger story compared to the existence of the MQM there.

Stay tuned...I will keep you posted.

My Interview with the Mayor of Karachi

2007-09-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

I interviewed Syed Mustafa Kamal, the dynamic Mayor of Karachi, on September 28, 2007, for ARY TV in their New York Studios. Mayor Kamal was in the City to attend the Clinton Global Initiative's Annual Meeting. The guy has so much energy, he should contact KESC to sell some of it. :)

The Forum is a 40-minute long program with minimal advertisement. Every time he spoke, it was very difficult for me to ask him subsequent questions, because the information he was providing was so vital to the people of Karachi and of Pakistan who want to know what this man has done, is doing, will do, and what it means to them; the people of Pakistan.

Currently the program is scheduled to air on Friday, October 5, 2007. I hope that you like the program, and I would love to have your feedback.

Thanks