Dr Tahir-ul-Qadri and Canadian Green Long March

Over two days Egyptian historians and political analysts discussed the thorny relation between religion and politics in Egypt across the ages in a conference held at the Supreme Council for Culture 26-27 December. The primary aim was to reflect on the current political, social and religious scene in Egypt as a new ruling elite with religious references takes over the reins of power in Egypt. The conference sought to prove that religion has been used in the political formula in Egypt since the early ages of Islam. Historians and political analysts who participated in the conference vehemently criticised this relation, saying that religion has been always put to the service of dictatorship and to achieve the narrow interest of ruling elites. “Tyranny has been always connected to religion in the East. Yes, the Ancient Greeks has merged politics with religion too, but they never developed into theocratic rule, as for them religion was more like folklore than the idea of religion as we know it in the East. I dare to say that this relation is the root of despotism in the East since Hammurabi, who claimed that his laws were inspired to him from God,” said historian and Islamic thinker Mahmoud Ismail. REFERENCE: Mixing religion and politics is the root of despotism in the East, say academics by Mohammed Saad, Monday 31 Dec 2012 http://english.ahram.org.eg/NewsContentP/18/61513/Books/Mixing-religion-and-politics-is-the-root-of-despot.aspx

Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 1 Shah


Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 1 by SalimJanMazari

One such individual is Muhammad Tahir, a self-proclaimed Sheikh-ul-Islam and a self-proclaimed member of the Qādiri sufi order, operating under the name “Dr. Tahir ul-Qadri,” and now under the self-nominated title of “Sheikh-ul-Islam Tahir-ul-Qadri”. He is notorious for giving himself titles, and is well known in his country of Pakistan as a fraud. The Pakistani High Court of Lahore has declared him “a liar,” “dishonest,” “hungry and greedy,” and “a person responsible for making dramas”. A High Court verdict still stands against him for which he failed to plea in any court. REFERENCE: Al Azhar Islamic Studies Scholars Expose Dr. Tahir Qadri as Imposter, Fake Sheikh and Demand: Prove Your Claims April 4, 2012 http://islamicpostonline.com/article/al_azhar_islamic_studies_scholars_expose_dr_tahir_qadri_imposter_fake_sheikh_and_demand_prov

Lahore High Court Decision on Dr Tahirul Qadri Moral Turpitude http://naibaat.com.pk/ePaper/lahore/07-01-2013/details.aspx?id=p1_04.jpg

2012: KARACHI – Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM), the PPP-led government’s coalition partner at Centre and in Sindh, has announced joining the January 14th long march of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran from Lahore to Islamabad.Addressing a press conference after the meeting of MQM Coordination Committee at its headquarters Nine Zero on Sunday night, party leader Dr Farooq Sattar said that the manifesto of Dr Tahirul Qadri, chief of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran, is same as of the MQM for which their leader Altaf Hussain had been struggling since last 33 years. Sattar said Dr Tahirul Qadri wants to bring an end to feudalism and the MQM had also been struggling for the same cause.“Our mission is not to derail the democratic system; rather Dr Tahir is only desirous for elimination and extermination of outdated and rotten system which has enslaved the nation in the name of so-called democracy. There are similarities between the manifestos and programmes of both parties,” advocated Farooq.MQM, under the leadership of Altaf Hussain, had been following this programme and sent the people from lower and middle class to the Assemblies to represent the poor masses. Sattar, however, made it clear that the MQM was not in favour of delaying the elections. This has already been made clear by Dr Tahirul Qadri also who wants reforms in the system through an impartial caretaker setup, he said.Similarly, MQM also stands for the reforms and wants to bring a revolution in the country, he stated. Sattar said that millions of MQM workers would stand by Dr Tahirul Qadri in his movement for transparent and candid general elections in the country.Earlier, MQM chief Altaf Hussain said that a revolution in Pakistan was inevitable.He was talking online to a delegation of Minhajul Quran, who visited MQM's Karachi headquarters Nine Zero. "We will live together and we will die together. Together we will save Pakistan,” Altaf said.Altaf thanked Minhajul Quran Chairman Dr Tahirul Qadri for sending the delegation and inviting MQM to a march scheduled to begin on January 14th."Both the MQM and Minhajul Quran are working for the noble cause of eliminating feudal system and corruption, introduction of a uniform system of education, establishment of equality in every sphere of life and bringing the just and equitable rule on the pattern of the Pious Caliphs."The MQM chief assured the visiting delegation of his party's support. "Time has come to free the country from the clutches of thieves and robbers."Nazim-i-Aala of Minhajul Quran and central leader of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek Dr Raheeq Abbasi thanked Altaf Hussain for the warm welcome at Nine Zero."Your open support to the programme of Dr Qadri is a source of strength for us and we are thankful to you for this gesture,” he said. REFERENCE: MQM accepts Qadri’s long march invite By: Agencies | December 31, 2012 http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/national/31-Dec-2012/mqm-accepts-qadri-s-long-march-invite

2003: World should unite against US: Qadri - LAHORE: Pakistan Awami Tehrik Chairman, Dr Tahirul Qadri on Friday said the US was pushing the world into a disastrous war and urged the world leaders to stand out against US war plans. In a statement Dr Qadri said the American leadership was busy creating war hysteria, threatening to undermine the supremacy of the United Nations. “If America launches attack on Iraq, it would undermine the supremacy of the UN”, he added. Dr Qadri urged the Pakistani government to play its part in uniting the Muslim countries so as to take up a united stand on Iraq. Deploring the inaction of the Organization of Islamic Countries (OIC), he said the inefficiency of the body had already inflicted a great harm on Muslims. Meanwhile, the PAT also staged a demonstration in front the Press Club against the US. Central leaders of women’ wing, Humeria Rashid, Dr Noshaba, Rafia Ali and Fareeda Sajjad led the demonstration. REFERENCE: World should unite against US: Qadri Staff Report Saturday, February 01, 2003 http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_1-2-2003_pg7_37#.UOCKBt1gIN0.twitter


Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 2



Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 2 by SalimJanMazari

Altaf wants army to act against corrupt leaders KARACHI, Aug 22 In a surprise move, Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain said on Sunday that “the MQM will openly support the patriotic generals if they take any martial law-type action against corrupt politicians and feudal lords”. In a telephonic address from London to a workers` convention at the MQM headquarters here, Mr Hussain criticised the politicians, `feudal lords` and army generals and also lashed out at the United States for what he called supporting the feudal lords instead of the masses. A few hours after the address, MQM leader Farooq Sattar told a private news channel that Mr Hussain had not supported imposition of martial law, but rather issued a policy statement that reflected his `courageous` stance. “The country is in the ICU (intensive care unit) and needs surgery,” Mr Sattar said. Referring to the country`s chequered political history, Mr Hussain said the army generals had in the past directly or indirectly ruled Pakistan through martial laws, in clear violation of the mandate of millions. “If these generals can topple political and democratic governments they can also take steps to weed out corrupt politicians and feudal lords.” The MQM chief called upon “patriotic army generals” to stop supporting the feudals and corrupt politicians for the sake of the country. Action against corrupt politicians should be taken irrespective of which party they belonged to. He said that at a time when the country`s integrity was at risk, well-known and senior politicians were playing a game of musical chair and trying to make it to the corridors of power. Mr Hussain also criticised the country`s foreign policy and said it was ineffective compared to that of neighbouring India. He said that during foreign trips Pakistani leaders and diplomats spent more time in shopping than in meeting world leaders and diplomats. In contrast, the Indian leaders pleaded their case in a far more effective manner. The MQM chief said the war in Afghanistan was mainly between the Soviet Union and the United States, but in Pakistan it was portrayed as a conflict between Islam and the evil. During the war, army generals and the so-called religious forces pocketed plenty of money. After the war, the army did nothing to change the country`s foreign policy, Mr Hussain said. He said the army and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) should decide once and for all that Pakistan would make no compromises over its sovereignty and integrity and that US dictations would be ignored. About the worst calamity in Pakistan`s history, he said although many towns and villages had been wiped out, feudal lords had used their clout to divert floodwaters to save their own land. “Such feudal lords committed a crime against humanity and they should be tried for mass murder.” He said he would like to ask where the funds donated by the international community after the 2005 earthquake had gone. “Why didn`t the government buy helicopters which would have been useful in providing relief to the flood-affected people now?” He lauded the role of the army and said its personnel were doing their best to save their fellow countrymen affected by the calamity. Mr Hussain said Pakistan desperately needed a change and the MQM could bring about that change and take action against corrupt leaders and feudal lords. He asked US President Barack Obama to review his policies towards Pakistan. REFERENCE: Altaf wants army to act against corrupt leaders By Azfar-ul-Ashfaque (23-08-2010) http://www.dawn.com/news/856594/altaf-wants-army-to-act-against-corrupt-leaders

2003: Benazir Bhutto becomes life member of Minhajul Quran LAHORE: Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has sought lifetime membership of the Tehrik Minhaj ul Quran (TMQ) in the presence of Dr Tahir ul Qadri in London. Sources said, a 35-member senior delegation led by Benazir Bhutto visited the TMQ and remained there for three and quarter hours. She was impressed by Tehrik’s educational programme and social welfare projects. She held an hour-long meeting with Dr Tahirul Qadri and discussed the political situation in Pakistan. Later, speaking to journalists, Benazir said no party, group or organisation could compete the TMQ throughout Europe. She said she had joined the Tehrik because of its non-political status. REFERENCE: Benazir Bhutto becomes life member of Minhajul Quran Staff Report Friday, August 08, 2003 http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_8-8-2003_pg7_3

 MQM`s strange recipe to end feudalism The MQM, which often complains of Taliban`s growing presence in Karachi and is unhappy for being unable to convince its coalition partners to retain the local government system of the Musharraf era at least in Sindh, has surprised everybody by suggesting an unthinkable remedy for the country`s ills that every parliamentarian has only recently vowed to reject and fight back by adopting the 18th Amendment. The MQM chief Altaf Hussain has publicly urged `patriotic generals` to impose a sort of martial law in the country and bring to an end the hegemony of corrupt politicians and landlords. It immediately caused a political storm. Several politicians belonging to both the coalition government and the opposition have reacted instantly and condemned the statement, calling it irresponsible and mischievous. Civil society has also rejected Altaf Hussain`s utterance and reminded him that democracy is the only way to move forward. It was during a telephonic address to a gathering of MQM workers in Karachi on Sunday last that Mr Hussain had floated this proposal which his local deputies later insisted was the right step to save the country. The political pundits are in a fix as to what has prompted the leader of the urban-based party to issue such a statement that can lead to dangerous consequences. However, the Karachi-based MQM leaders are facing difficulty in keeping a bold face to defend what their London-based chief has spoken out in his usual screaming tone a well-calculated policy statement, of which apparently they were not informed in advance and were equally taken aback like other citizens. He was in fact addressing the real stakeholders of power in the country seeking their intervention to put the country`s affairs back on the rail but at a time extremely inappropriate for such an invitation. The country is struggling to overcome effects of the worst ever floods in a century. The MQM, a coalition partner of the PPP in Sindh and at the Centre and holding some important portfolios in the two cabinets, boasts of being a secular, democratic and liberal party and usually talks of sweeping changes in the current social system to eliminate feudalism and provide greater facilities to the middle and lower middle classes. REFERENCE: MQM`s strange recipe to end feudalism (29-08-2010) http://www.dawn.com/news/557766/mqm-s-strange-recipe-to-end-feudalism  Ataul Haq Qasmi in Jang 21-12-2012 http://jang.com.pk/jang/dec2012-daily/21-12-2012/col3.htm

Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 3



Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 3 by SalimJanMazari

At the meting, he also blamed the US for supporting the reactionary feudal classes in Pakistan that have strangulated the masses through their corrupt ways. In the face of the barrage of criticism by the PML-N, PML-Q, ANP, JUI-F and JI, An MQM Senator told a private news channel that his party was not in favour of derailing democracy and that Altaf Hussain did not mean martial law but something similar to it that would end corruption and bring back the plundered wealth of the nation. He particularly referred to the NRO and demanded across the board action against the looters whether they were politicians, generals or the bureaucrats. The Peoples Party, which has been accommodative of the concerns of the MQM in its drive to take all the political parties on board to provide moral support to the army in its efforts to eliminate religious militancy from country`s soil, has been careful in its reaction initially but has now strongly criticised Altaf`s views favouring a martial law. Information minister Qamaruzzaman Kaira has described the statement being against the spirit of the constituion and democracy and hence not acceptable. As compared to the PML-N leaders` calls for invoking the Article 6 (that deals with the cases of sedition), the PPP leadership used only cautious words and insisted on the importance of saving democracy, for which it had rendered so many sacrifices. It may be recalled that it was the MQM chief who proposed the name of Asif Ali Zardari for the office of the president. The `secular` credentials of the MQM had been a source of strength for the PPP that had put war on terror on the top of its agenda in its election campaign. The MQM was duly awarded for its support to the PPP it has a well-deserved share in the provincial (Sindh) and central government portfolios while Ishratul Ibad continues to be the governor of Sindh, originally selected and installed during the Musharraf regime. There was no problem for the PPP to form a government in Sindh on its own; the PPP would not have needed this party in the centre either if Zardari had offered some exceptional concessions to the PML-N. But keeping the MQM out of the government would have been more problematic for the PPP given this party`s control on the two major cities of the Sindh — Karachi and Hyderabad. Though the MQM secured good share in power in both the Sindh and the Centre but it was more than manifest to its leadership that the abolition of the local government (LG) system would do it the real damage. It had pinned much hopes on the Rabbani-led parliamentary committee and it proposed the redrawing of the provincial boundaries while it supported the provincial autonomy but such a move was defeated. It was not only the MQM that has been upset by the 18th amendment but a large segment of the population that had attached high hopes with this monumental exercise to correct the anomalies in the law of the land. The ANP wanted to strip the constitution of its `Islamic` credentials that would have really alleviated the sufferings of the religious minorities and made the country more acceptable to the civilised world but the federal law minister spearheaded the move to sabotage this move. The ANP did not press for its demand and remained contented with the renaming of NWFP as Khyber-Pukhtoonkhaw — the other `secular` forces also saw it better to keep quite. Such other forces were the Baloch nationalist parties who wanted a new `social contract` and do away with the present constitution altogether. While the ANP, PPP and PML-N stood for provincial autonomy, the MQM wanted to condition it with regional concessions it wanted the LG system intact to ensure its control over Karachi and other urban centres of Sindh which constitute its support base. Hopes of the leadership remain high and it entered into negotiations with the PPP on the issue but its hopes did not materialise. The political atmosphere of Karachi heats up and flares up each time when the Sindh government tries to convey the message that the LG system of the Musharraf era cannot be revived. The tussle between the MQM and the ANP has caused a heavy loss to the peace, life and property in Karachi, each side claiming deaths of their workers in hundreds whenever there is an exchange of fire. The interior minister and the premier had to rush to Karachi early this month when the murder of MQM`s provincial legislator plunged the city into chaos and anarchy. In current month the ANP has lost one of its leaders. The spiral of violence just goes on. Altaf Hussein`s call for `some sort of martial law` is a clear message to the US, (Ambassador Bryan D. Hunt met him a few days ago in London), which he has criticised for supporting the feudal lords, not the middle class. In the same vein he has praised India for having a `successful` foreign policy while terming that of his own country as `ineffective`. Although he made the call for martial law, he also questioned whether time had not come for refusing to accept America`s dictates. While the political parties including PML-N, JUI-F and ANP have rejected MQM`s call, the civil society has also come forward in defence of democracy. “We have witnessed time and again that military rule exacerbates ethnic cleavages and separatist tendencies gain currency amongst smaller nationalities under military rule. It is only democracy that can cater to the needs of a country having diverse nationalities and can hold it together.” said a press release of the Centre for Peace and Development Initiative (CPDI) , Islamabad, adding that it “vehemently condemns these invitations to the generals and urges politicians to see beyond narrow parochial and short-term interests.” REFERENCE: MQM`s strange recipe to end feudalism (29-08-2010) http://www.dawn.com/news/557766/mqm-s-strange-recipe-to-end-feudalism Ataul Haq Qasmi in Jang 21-12-2012 http://jang.com.pk/jang/dec2012-daily/21-12-2012/col3.htm


Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 4



Dr Tahirul Qadri and Green Long March - 4 by SalimJanMazari

EDITORIAL: Marching towards tyranny, again? Altaf Hussain, chief of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), has appealed for a “martial law-like” intervention by “patriotic generals” against “corrupt feudals and landlord politicians”. Coming from someone whose party is known for its ethnic exclusivism — despite pretending otherwise of late– and various other crimes like land grabbing, bhatta (protection money), torturing and/or murdering dissenters, Mr Hussain’s statement could have been laughed at for its sheer absurdity. The only problem is, this is no laughing matter. When General Musharraf was in power, we witnessed a militarisation of the state and society. Because of this, the people lost respect for the army. Ever since General Kayani became the chief of army staff (COAS), he has tried to portray himself as a professional soldier with no interest in politics. Under General Kayani, the army has refurbished its image by protecting our territorial integrity and internal security, which is its primary task. Apart from fighting the Taliban, the military has been at the forefront of rescue and relief efforts during the floods. This has done the army’s image much good. On the other hand, the incompetence of the incumbent civilian democratic government is no secret; allegations of massive corruption against the government and its track record have not helped matters either. After the recent floods, despondency can be felt all over the country. It seems that the public has lost faith in the incumbents. An anti-government lobby is now trying to exploit this situation to its advantage. Thus, the MQM chief’s ‘call’ for a not-so-divine intervention by the army at this point in time may be a reflection of not just that anti-democratic lobby but some signals from the powers-that-be may also have something to do with it. The MQM came into being with the support of the intelligence agencies to counter Sindhi nationalism. Since then it accumulated more and more power and eventually got out of hand, a la the Taliban. After a few ups and downs in its relationship with its mentors, the MQM is back in the game and wants to return to the fold of the establishment. Altaf Hussain’s statement has been criticised by almost every political party. Some have even gone so far as to suggest the ultimate penalty for him since this is a clear violation of Article 6(1) of the constitution: “Any person who abrogates or attempts or conspires to abrogate, subverts or attempts or conspires to subvert the Constitution by use of force or show of force or by other unconstitutional means shall be guilty of high treason.” This may only be wishful thinking because Mr Hussain has only ‘suggested’ a military intervention while no military dictator has ever been tried under this Article even though they directly subverted the constitution. Dr Farooq Sattar has denied that his party chief has asked for a martial law; he claims that Mr Hussain has taken a bold stance and has his finger on the pulse of the public. Now this is going a bit too far because despite the public’s reservations about the incumbents, no sane person wants a return of military rule. Those who oppose democracy argue that we would be electing the same faces even if the present government completes its tenure since there is a dearth of alternatives. This is true, but if one were to rationally think about it, the only way to find new leadership is to continue with the democratic process. It would be wise if Mr Hussain could think with a cool mind instead of giving an open call to the military to seize power. Pakistan has already suffered greatly in its history by not adhering to democratic norms. Military interventions have brought nothing but pain to us and a fresh one will not bring anything new. Democracy on the other hand is a painfully slow process but to develop our institutions, there is no other alternative in sight. We should let it take its normal course instead of delving into tried and failed interventionist territory. REFERENCES: EDITORIAL: Marching towards tyranny, again? Tuesday, August 24, 2010 http://dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2010%5C08%5C24%5Cstory_24-8-2010_pg3_1 Nusrat Javed for Daily Exrpess http://express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101707734&Issue=NP_LHE&Date=20121228

2007: Altaf demands demolition of Lal Masjid, Jamia Hafsa  KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Sunday demanded of President Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to get Lal Masjid and the Jamia Hafsa vacated from the “Mullahs” who were trying to enforce what he called “Kalashnikov and Danda Bardar Shariah”. Addressing a huge protest rally in the evening, Altaf described it as a “tide of moderate Muslims against religious fanaticism” and warned of “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar” if the mosque and the seminary were not vacated. The rally, which was organised by the Muttahida’s Coordination Committee, started from Gurumandar and terminated at Tibet Centre. Tens of thousands of people, waving party flags and chanting slogans against “Kalashnikov and Danda Bardar Shariah”, participated in the rally. Altaf lamented that the Jamia Hafsa students and the Lal Masjid clerics were burning video cassettes shops and threatening their owners to switch over to other businesses and bullying women to give up driving. “These are not only un-Islamic but also barbaric acts,” he said, adding that “this is against the spirit of Islam, which teaches humility and tolerance.” On his call a number of religious scholars, including Aun Muhammad Naqvi, Shah Sirajul Haq Qadri, Asas Abdullah Farooqi and Alama Asad Deobandi, announced over the public address system that Islam forbids building mosques on illegally occupied land, and praying there or imparting Islamic teachings at these mosques is un-Islamic. The Muttahida chief claimed that Lal Masjid and the Jamia Hafsa are built on illegally occupied land. He asked the Ulema of different schools of thought who were present at the rally about the status of the mosque. And they said offering prayers at such places is “Haram” in Islam. Altaf said the two buildings were illegal and should be demolished. Altaf appealed to all the “Ulema-e-Haq” to appear on TV and radio and issue edicts against “Jamia Hafsa women and those masquerading as guardians of Islam at Lal Masjid.” “Had Imam Abu Hanifa, Imam Shaafai, Imam Hambal, Imam Malik or Imam Jaffar Sadiq ever used batons or swords to enforce their interpretation of the Holy Qur’aan and Hadith, he asked, and said: “There is no evidence of use of force in Islam.” The Muttahida chief said Sunday’s mammoth rally, attended by a large number of people from all over the country and Azad Kashmir, was a referendum against the “Kalashnikov and Danda Bardar Shariah”. He advised “the so-called Mullahs not to confront the Muttahida” or else “be ready to face the music”. “This is not Islamabad, this is Karachi where the 98 per cent middle class people live, and they are ready to stand up against the Kalashnikov Shariah.” He announced that the Muttahida would extend all-out cooperation to the “Ulema-e-Haq,” who would raise their voice against the “Ulema-e-Soo”. “Let me make it clear that the Muttahida is not against the Madrassas which are teaching modern technology as well as Islamic education, but we are against those seminaries which are teaching extremism and terrorism.” Referring to a pamphlet of the Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, which threatened throwing acid on women who were found driving, Altaf warned that the Muttahida members would protect their mothers and sisters and cut off the hands of those who throw acid on women in Karachi. He said these Ulema wanted to push the country back to the Stone Age but the Muttahida wanted that each and every person in this country is free to acquire education — religious as well as modern technology. He criticised the Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Qazi Hussain Ahmed. For the first time Altaf referred to Naib Amir of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Professor Ghafoor Ahmed, and said he could never become the JI Amir, therefore, “I invite him to join the Muttahida”. The Muttahida chief said his party firmly believed that the minorities be considered as equal citizens of the country. REFERENCE: Altaf demands demolition of Lal Masjid, Jamia Hafsa BY Fasahat Mohiuddin Monday, April 16, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=7177&Cat=13&dt=4/16/2007 Nusrat Javed for Daily Exrpess http://www.express.com.pk/epaper/PoPupwindow.aspx?newsID=1101707174&Issue=NP_LHE&Date=20121227

Save Pakistani TV Dramas by Saba Hamid

Saba Hamid is an award winning, renowned and beloved Pakistani Television actress. Arguably the best actress Pakistan Television has ever produced. She has that uncanny ability to melt into the characters she portrays. One can never associate her with a any one of her characters but one always remembers every character she has ever played. Saba was born in Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan and has three sisters and one brother. She is the daughter of noted columnist and writer Hamid Akhtar (a famous columnist for Express newspaper) and mother to coveted model, actress and musician Meesha Shafi. Saba started her career as an actor in 1980 on TV, then worked in theatre from mid 80s to mid 90. She travelled to America, Canada, Europe and India (Rafi Peer Theatre) over the next few years for theatre performances, also attending a theatre conference in Manila in 2005. Her movie/television serial recordings have also taken her to India, Dubai, Japan and USA. Saba works for Pakistan Television and other private TV channels. She often appears in dramas, long plays, TV shows, sitcoms and talk shows. She has also worked on an international project Rafina (listed on IMDB) in 2011 that is yet to be released. REFERENCE: http://www.sabahamid.com/ Turkish ‘soaps’ irk local producers, artists by Peerzada Salman http://dawn.com/2012/12/18/turkish-soaps-irk-local-producers-artists/

Q – 1 What are your major grievances regarding foreign dramas? 

Saba Hamid: None, no grievances with the foreign drama, it’s our regulatory authority and local channels we have an issue with, when we have a booming drama industry why show foreign content and that too on the prime time, it doesn't happen in any other country which is successfully producing its own content.  

Q – 2 Is the war against Turkish dramas only? 

Saba Hamid: Oh no, not at all it's not about Turkish plays at all, it’s not about any country for that matter it's about our own rules and laws, when they were made, stakeholders were not on the table, as a matter of fact our representation was not asked to suggest comment or be a part of rule and law making, so there are some rules that needs to be addressed that's all 

 Q – 3 How many Turkish/ Indian drams are telecasting in Pakistani TV channels? 

Saba Hamid: I don't have the exact no. but this is where our concern has risen, this past week two channels have started to show Turkish and Indian plays on our prime time taking our running serials off air and backing out of a few future deals. 

Q – 4 How it is affecting local production industry? 

Saba Hamid: It's 2 and 2= 4 isn't it it will hurt badly if we don’t put a stop to it, for the time being, because our audience really appreciate our local drama and eventually will come back to it but the set back will take us years back, and most of our leading producers with big infrastructure will not survive this dip, as it is they are not paid on time so if further delays up in the payment they will wrap up. 

Q – 5  If these shows are popular then there must be some problem with the local content and production. Do you think so? Why Pakistani audience is not loyal to its own production? 

Saba Hamid: There is always room for betterment of course our drama is not the ultimate, but it's not worse as well, given the freedom, we can produce better than Indian and foreign soaps, our serials Are known for their diverse content, our audience is very loyal, we don't want to ban anything, be it Indian or any foreign language but their channels should be allowed, not shown on our primetime, we have right to protect our industry. 

 Q – 6 Role of TV channels who are showing this channel? 

Saba Hamid: Channels at the moment are scared of competition, there is one international channel showing dubbed content, a Turkish soap did well on it and all the channels panicked, one of them stopped all Pakistani programming fired all production handling staff bought all reruns cheaper and started promoting them, now others barring one are doing it too. we want to regularize our law once and for all so that this doesn't happen in the future, so let's see. 

Q – 7 What about Govt authorities? 

Saba Hamid: Government authorities should always consult us before allowing any new rule, we need our representation there, they don't know nothing about our problems and needs. 

Q – 8 Does Pakistani production houses are making dramas and shows for foreign territories? If yes where? If no then why? 

Saba Hamid: No they are not, again channels are shortsighted and always try to cut producers budget, our content is very strong, but limited budget restricts the producer to raise its level to international level, still our drama is popular in India, never even tried any other market, channels get our products perpetual rights so they just sit on the archives. It’s just bad planning. 

Q – 9 Does Pakistani production houses are making dramas and shows for foreign territories? If yes where? If no then why? 

Saba Hamid: Channels are not suffering right now but will in the future, our production houses will suffer huge losses, we are a flourishing industry, that’s private sector, so if we don't have access to audience production companies will shut down, I am an actor so don't have the exact economic statistics, but I can find out if you want exact figure. 

Q - 10 What is your strategy to fight with the situation? 

Saba Hamid: First of all we have to create awareness to general public, as the common misconception is we are scared of competition and we are hiding behind morality, not at all, it’s an industry as well, it’s creative work also, to nurture it we need level playing field, equality in censor, reruns should run off primetime so on and so forth, we are holding talk shows, meeting law making authorities, putting across our demands to regularize law, will hold sit ins, press conferences lobbying to get all stakeholders at one platform,put as much pressure as we can to amend laws about dubbed content as it comes in direct competition with us so should be treated as local content so foreign language should be subtitled and their channels should come here our channels should not air them this should be with Indian programs as well.

Acceptance, Delimitation, Contempt and Refusal.

2009: KARACHI: MQM Quaid Altaf Hussain has said that his party respects the Supreme Court judgment on the National Reconciliation Ordinance. “We respect the Supreme Court judgment and we believe in the freedom of judiciary,” he was quoted as saying in a short statement issued here by the party’s Rabita Committee. MQM leader Mohammad Anwar told The News from Dubai that others should also respect the verdict. Meanwhile, Sindh Minister for Local Bodies Agha Siraj Durrani said he was ready to face all the cases against him, adding his name was wrongly placed on the NRO list. When Federal Minister for Ports and Shipping Babar Ghauri was asked to comment on the issue, he said the MQM Coordination Committee will issue an official statement from London. REFERENCE: MQM respects SC judgment, says Altaf Fasahat Mohiuddin Thursday, December 17, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=213782&Cat=2&dt=12%2F17%2F2009

Kamran Khan and Chief Justice on MQM.


Kamran Khan & Chief Justice on MQM. by SalimJanMazari

2007: Altaf wants CJ to tender resignation: KARACHI, May 12: Muttahida Qaumi Movement chief Altaf Hussain on Saturday asked Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry to resign from his post for violating his oath of office. “Mr Chief Justice, you had breached the oath taken under the Constitution by taking another oath under the Provisional Constitutional Order. I demand that you make an apology to the whole nation for this act, tender resignation and then come forward for the cause of the independence of the judiciary,” he said while addressing a rally called by the party against what was described as political jugglery in the name of the independence of the judiciary. Mr Hussain was of the view that opposition political and religious parties were using the issue of CJ for dissolution of the government. “This should be stopped forthwith as solidarity of Pakistan lies in a true democratic government,” he added.A large number of people reached M.A. Jinnah Road to take part in the MQM rally. Mr Hussain, who was sad and grieved over the loss of lives on Saturday, said that no untoward incident had taken place in any part of the city but with the landing of CJ’s flight at Karachi Airport the situation started deteriorating. “After noon when the CJ’s plane landed in Karachi, terrorists started targeting MQM rallies in different areas by firing indiscriminately.” He informed the participants that over a dozen workers of the MQM were targeted while hundreds of workers and supporters were injured. However, he declared that nothing could stop the struggle of the MQM for the rights of the oppressed people. The MQM leader said that the Sindh Home Department requested the CJ to cancel his visit to Karachi on the basis of certain intelligence reports but he did not accede to the request. “I believe now you [the Chief Justice] are feeling relaxed after so many people lost their lives due to your programme.” “Mr Chief Justice, kindly recognise political jugglers around you. On the occasion of your arrival, miscreants and enemies of the country killed innocent people,” he said. He wondered why the participants of a procession in Punjab to welcome the CJ in Lahore were raising the slogans of “Go Musharraf Go” instead of “Go Military Go”. REFERENCE: KARACHI: Altaf wants CJ to tender resignation May 13, 2007 Sunday Rabi-us-Sani 25, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/dawnftp/72.249.57.55/dawnftp/2007/05/13/local3.htm

Supreme Court Detailed order on Altaf Hussain and MQM http://www.scribd.com/doc/117080666/Supreme-Court-Detailed-order-on-Altaf-Hussain-and-MQM

Supreme Court Detailed order on Altaf Hussain and MQM

2010 : MQM retreated on NRO on US, UK pressure KARACHI: Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) took back its support of government for NRO on pressure from the US and Britain, according to a cable leaked by WikiLeaks. According to a US State Department cable released by WikiLeaks, Interior Minister Rehman Malik suspected that the “establishment” was out to get President Asif Zardari and that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was being influenced by the US and the UK. In a meeting held on November 9, 2009, Malik claimed to then US ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson that the MQM had repeatedly stated that both the US and the UK had urged the party to oppose the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO)  a move that led the government to withdraw the legislation from parliamentary consideration and placed the future of Zardari at risk. In a November 9 meeting with Ambassador Patterson, Interior Minister Rehman Malik requested that the USG (United States government) issue a public statement in support of Pakistani democracy.  

He suggested that such a statement would be useful in protecting President Asif Ali Zardari from military-induced pressure for Zardari to leave office. In addition, it would help dispel persistent charges from the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) that the United States and the United Kingdom had urged it to withdraw support for the National Reconciliation Ordinance, thereby placing Zardari at risk. Malik assessed that Saudi Arabia and the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) were cooperating with the military and MQM to bring down President Zardari. Despite these charges, Malik was optimistic that the Supreme Court would not/not strip Zardari of his presidential immunity and suggested that even if it did, the government would simply cease prosecution of Zardari`s cases, thereby allowing him to continue to hold office. Interior Minister Rehman Malik met on November 9 with Ambassador Patterson to provide a read-out of his meetings with senior officials of the Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in Dubai. Throughout the meeting, Malik was clearly nervous that the USG was distancing itself both from him and President Zardari. Malik claimed that during the course of his Dubai meetings, the MQM had repeatedly stated that both the United States and the United Kingdom had urged the party to oppose the National Reconciliation Ordinance (NRO) — a move that led the government to withdraw the legislation from parliamentary consideration and placed the future of President Zardari at risk. Malik claimed that the MQM stated it had received this message during the Sindh Governor`s recent trip to the United States and that Altaf Hussain had been approached by the British government in London. 

Ambassador strongly denied these allegations, stating that the USG had not/not had any such discussions with the Sindh Governor. Minister Malik inquired as to whether the Ambassador was aware that the “establishment” — local short-hand for the military and the intelligence services — was involved in working against the NRO and for President Zardari`s departure. Ambassador told Rehman that we were aware of such allegations. Minister Malik reported that the MQM had told him directly in the Dubai meetings that the military was involved, although Malik personally did not/not believe that Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Ashfaq Pervaiz Kayani was involved in the plotting. Malik also claimed that the MQM was meeting regularly with the Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) and that PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif was, in turn, pressuring Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry to disqualify President Zardari. Malik also assessed that Saudi Arabia was working to unseat President Zardari. Malik intended to visit Prince Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, Chief of Saudi General Intelligence, in Saudi Arabia and then travel on to London to meet with MQM Convener Altaf Hussain. Malik suggested that the best way to deal with military pressure would be for President Zardari to make internal changes within the military hierarchy. Malik proposed that Zardari recreate the Deputy Chief of Army Staff position and move Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) Director General Ahmad Shuja Pasha into that position in March 2010. Zardari could then commit to elevating Pasha to COAS in October 2010 on the expiration of Kayani`s term. Malik suggested that Kayani could then be moved to Chairman of the Joint Staff. Comment: Malik seemed to believe that ISI DG Pasha was unilaterally behind the push to oust Zardari — which we know is not/not the case. Despite these concerns, Malik reiterated the government`s line that Zardari is not in any real danger on expiration of the NRO. He asserted that the Chief Justice would not/not revoke Zardari`s presidential immunity. Even if he did, Malik claimed that the Interior Minister can instruct prosecutors to dismiss charges in any court case. He shared that, in one of his own corruption cases, this had been done, and that in another case, the Supreme Court had ruled his imprisonment illegal. Malik also added that President Zardari had the ability to pardon anyone. Malik pressed the Ambassador for issuance of a strong statement from the United States. Ambassador inquired as to the content and the audience. Malik suggested that it be a public statement saying that the United States supported democracy in Pakistan. Malik was clearly worried that President Zardari and his inner circle of advisors — including Malik — had lost the support of the international community. Malik appeared to believe that such support was essential for their survival in the face of military plotting against them. Malik`s view that ISI DG Pasha is behind the moves against President Zardari and that COAS Kayani is not involved is either naive or intentionally misleading. It would be impossible for Pasha to move without Kayani`s acquiescence. Malik`s views on Zardari`s legal troubles presuppose that Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry will be bound by normal interpretations of the law and precedent. Such an assumption ignores Chaudhry`s penchant for ignoring both in recent rulings and his personal animosity towards Asif Ali Zardari. REFERENCES: MQM retreated on NRO on US, UK pressure December 05, 2010 http://www.thenews.com.pk/article-6580-MQM-retreated-on-NRO-on-US,-UK-pressure Ansar Abbasi on Altaf Hussain 2 Feb 2009 Daily Jang WikiLeaks episode III: ‘Britain, US pressing MQM to oppose NRO’ http://tribune.com.pk/story/85786/wikileaks-episode-iii-britain-us-pressing-mqm-to-oppose-nro/ MQM took back NRO support on US, UK pressure: WikiLeaks | The Nation December 05, 2010, http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/international/05-Dec-2010/MQM-took-back-NRO-support-on-US-UK-pressure-WikiLeaks

Major (R) Aamir, Don Quixote & National Security.

Tilting at windmills: The phrase derives from an episode in the novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes. In the novel, Don Quixote fights windmills that he imagines to be giants. Quixote sees the windmill blades as the giant's arms, for instance. A relevant portion of the novel states: Just then they came in sight of thirty or forty windmills that rise from that plain. And no sooner did Don Quixote see them that he said to his squire, "Fortune is guiding our affairs better than we ourselves could have wished. Do you see over yonder, friend Sancho, thirty or forty hulking giants? I intend to do battle with them and slay them. With their spoils we shall begin to be rich for this is a righteous war and the removal of so foul a brood from off the face of the earth is a service God will bless.""What giants?" asked Sancho Panza. "Those you see over there," replied his master, "with their long arms. Some of them have arms well nigh two leagues in length." "Take care, sir," cried Sancho. "Those over there are not giants but windmills. Those things that seem to be their arms are sails which, when they are whirled around by the wind, turn the millstone." —Part 1, Chapter VIII. Of the valourous Don Quixote's success in the dreadful and never before imagined Adventure of the Windmills, with other events worthy of happy record. REFERENCE: Don Quixote http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don_Quixote

In his essay ‘Politics and the English Language’, George Orwell warns us against words and phrases drained of all meaning, words that can mean whatever the powerful want it to mean. One such term gaining in currency is ‘national interest’. Government spin doctors (and their stenographers in the media) routinely conflate national interest with people’s interest. But ‘national interest’ is very different from the people’s interest. ‘National interest’ concerns a nation-state’s ability to wage war. Whatever enhances this ability is considered to be in the national interest; whatever threatens it is against the national interest. The most transparent expression of this principle is seen in the ruling classes’ obsession with ‘national security’. The people’s interest, on the other hand, is always issue-specific. It is rooted in local geography, history, and community, while ‘national interest’ is tied to abstractions such as ‘development’ or ‘reform’ or ‘security’. The people’s interest might find a voice in democratic platforms, such as a movement or a party, while national interest is ‘protected’ through the executive and repressive arms of the state – the PMO, the police, etc. And where the people’s interest comes in conflict with ‘national interest’, the former will be booted out, democracy be damned. REFERENCE: Beware of those who speak of ‘national interest’ G Sampath | Agency: DNA | Saturday, October 6, 2012 http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column_beware-of-those-who-speak-of-national-interest_1749358

Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 1 (GEO TV Sept 2009)


Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 1 (GEO TV Sept 2009) by SalimJanMazari

Interview: "Intelligence agencies are well-equipped to tackle subversive politics" By Aoun Sahi TNS: If so, how do you explain your role in Operation Midnight Jackal?

 IA: The use of word operation for this small incident is a highly trumpeted drama. In this incident my involvement revolved round the blind trust and one sided loyalty that I accorded to my two seniormost superiors General Aslam Beg and Hameed Gul. I was called by Aslam Beg the then COAS and told that the policies of this government regarding nuclear programme, Afghan Policy and interference in the matters of army were creating problems for the country and sought my help in the matter. These two gentlemen, Beg and Gul, were the controlling figures of Midnight Jackal while federal defence secretary Ijlal Haider Zaidi was assisting them. Hamid Gul was serving as corps commander Multan at the time but he used to visit Rawalpindi every week without GHQ permission. There he used to see Ijlal Haider Zaidi regularly while Major Amir and I were also asked to often meet.

 Malik Mumtaz, a grade 17 officer of military engineering service and a friend of Major Amir was the central villain of this incident. After this incident, he landed in India with the help of RAW and from there in London. During the second government of PPP he came back. He should have been convicted under the Army Act. Instead he was elevated to grade 18 and posted in FIA and later he interrogated me and blamed me for distributing millions of rupees among journalists. I want to tell you that during my 15 years long intelligence career, I have never given money to any journalist except one and that was only Rs5,000 and that too was sanctioned by DG ISI; at that time I was not allowed to give more than Rs500 without prior permission of DG ISI. I was also charged with corruption and mainly because when I was director IB, one day Rs15 million were transferred to its account and by the evening same day I used this sum. During investigation FIA people asked about this amount but I refused to tell them the truth because I used this money to safeguard the national interest of Pakistan. Later I also refused to disclose details about this amount in lower court. But in the High Court I did give the details to an honourable judge (Mr Rashid Aziz) in camera and he released me from the case. REFERENCE: Interview: "Intelligence agencies are well-equipped to tackle subversive politics" By Aoun Sahi http://jang.com.pk/thenews/aug2009-weekly/nos-02-08-2009/dia.htm#5

Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 2 (GEO TV Sept 2009)



Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 2 (GEO TV Sept 2009) by SalimJanMazari

DAWN 2006: Osama offered to buy votes for Nawaz: Qazi March 19, 2006 ISLAMABAD, March 18: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Qazi Hussain Ahmed has revealed that Osama bin Laden had offered to buy loyalties of legislators to see Mian Nawaz Sharif as prime minister. In an interview appearing in the magazine of an Urdu newspaper on Sunday, Qazi Hussain Ahmed said that Osama had visited the JI headquarters Mansoora and wanted to strike an agreement with the Jamaat but the suggestion was declined by him. Excerpts of the interview were published by the newspaper on Saturday. Qazi said he had met Osama several times in the past. However, the JI on Saturday clarified that meetings between the JI amir and Osama in Peshawar and Lahore were held in days when the Al Qaeda leader was staying in Peshawar. Recalling political events that took place when Mr Sharif’s Pakistan Muslim League and JI were components of the then Islami Jamhoori Ittehad, Qazi said Osama was a big supporter of IJI and Nawaz Sharif and wanted to see him Pakistan’s prime minister. “Bin Laden was prepared to pay for buying parliamentarians’ votes to achieve this objective,” said Qazi Hussain Ahmed, who also heads the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal. He said a delegation sent by Osama had visited him in Peshawar and conveyed that they wanted cooperation from JI but “we declined the request”. In a statement issued on Saturday, a JI spokesman said that excerpts from interview were published in the daily and presented on a private TV channel in such a manner that they were creating confusion in the minds of people.—PPI REFERENCE: Osama offered to buy votes for Nawaz: Qazi March 19, 2006 Sunday Safar 18, 1427 http://archives.dawn.com/2006/03/19/top10.htm

Extremists Nurtured for Short-Term Goals: Swat Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Javed, also provided possible support to the TNSM. President Zardari stated, therefore, that weakness of civil bureaucracy had resulted in the emergence of militants and militancy. Major Amir worked as a catalyst to promote the TNSM in Malakand Division through his father’s seminary in Panjpir which was then run by his brother Maulana Muhammad Tayyib. The JUI (F-group) Vice President, Aziz ur Rehman stated: “the absconder Major Amir is running the law and order situation in Malakand at the behest of Nawaz Sharif.” REFERENCE: Extremists Nurtured for Short-Term Goals - Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Shariat-i-Muhammadi in Malakand Division (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa): A Case Study of the Process of “State Inversion” BY Navid Iqbal Khan http://www.nihcr.edu.pk/Latest_English_Journal/6.%20Tehreek-e-Nifaz-e-Shariat-e-%20Muhammadi,%20Navid%20iqbal.pdf


The demolition of the temples in Buner was initiated by Maulana Dua Noor, a cleric who belonged to the Panjpiri sect of Wahabism. After the death of Maulana Muhammad Tahir, his son Maulana Tayyab became the chief of this organization who also manages a huge religious seminary in the town of Panjpir. Muhammad Amir, another brother of Maulana Tayyab was a major in Pakistan Army and worked for Inter Services Intelligence (ISI), the country’s spy agency in 1980s. Major Amir allegedly conspired and collaborated with others to topple the democratically elected government of the then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1989. Major Amir, the ISI officer, was deeply involved in Operation Midnight Jackal, intended to remove Benazir Bhutto from the prime minister position through a no confidence vote in parliament. Funds for buying votes were allegedly provided by Osama Bin Laden. REFERENCE: Swat Valley- The Metamorphosis By Khushal Khan http://www.tribalanalysiscenter.com/PDF-TAC/Swat%20Valley-Metamorphosis.pdf


The Swat conflict was also deeply influenced by the Panjpirs of Swabi district, adjacent to the Malakand division of NWFP. The Panjpirs follow a localized version of Saudi Wahhabism that was introduced in Pakistan by Maulana Tahir, father of Major Amir, an Inter-Services Intelligence operative who allegedly helped topple Benazir Bhutto’s first government. The madrassa at Panjpir, administered by Maulana Tayyab, Major Amir’s brother, is associated with a who’s who of Pakistan’s extremist leaders, including TNSM chief Sufi Muhammad, Bajaur Taliban commander Maulvi Faqir Muhammad, and the Khyber agency’s notorious militant leader Mangal Bagh. TNSM military chief Fazlullah also adhered to the Panjpir group. This madrassa was an important recruitment camp that also performed the role of a think tank for strategic planning during the Afghan war of the 1980s. REFERENCE: Counterterrorism Strategy Initiative Policy Paper Inside Pakistan’s North-West Frontier Province The Political Landscape of the Insurgency Hassan Abbas, April 2010 http://counterterrorism.newamerica.net/sites/newamerica.net/files/policydocs/abbas_0.pdf


In addition, the ideological rigor of the Bajauri militants is explained by the fact that most of the clerics hailing from the Agency are educated at Madaris run by Ishaat-ulTawheed, including TTP leader Faqir Mohammed. The organization is modeled around the madrassa founded by Maulana Mohammed Tahir Panjpir, in Panjpir, Swabi District, NWFP. The Panjpiris are linked to the Jemaat-e-Ulema Islam (JUI), both Sami ul Haq and Fazlur Rehman groups, and are close to the Ahl-e-Hadith ideology. The Panjpiri madaris network was a crucial influence for the Taliban movement in the Pak-Afghan region. Faqir Mohammed perfectly epitomizes the type of leader favoured by the Panjpiris, a dual Amir that leads both from the religious and the military point of view, in orchestrated continuity with paradigmatic figures such as Mullah Mohammed Omar and the early Sufi Mohammed, for example. REFERENCE: The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan: The Bajaur Case - NEFA Senior Investigator Claudio Franco July 2009 http://www.fondazionecdf.it/var/upload/file/992-02.pdf


But Azzam was also reviled, and feared, for his power to inspire others to share his dedication to jihad. There were no less than five assassination attempts on Azzam in the months leading up to his death, says Hutaifa, and countless threats. In the teeming, faction-ridden streets of Peshawar, they could have been launched by one group or several. "Who didn't want to kill Azzam?" asks journalist Ismail, who worked with Azzam and covered the anti-Soviet resistance throughout the 1980s. He counts the possibilities on his fingers: "There was the KGB and KHAD [the intelligence service of the communist government in Afghanistan] because he was a powerful leader in the jihad. Israel and Mossad, because he helped found Hamas. The [Pakistan] government of Benazir Bhutto, which came to know that he helped instigate a no-confidence vote against her in Parliament." There were the Americans, because Azzam objected to their efforts to reconcile the mujahedin with the Afghan government after the Soviets left; Shi'ite elements in Iran who saw him as chief of the Sunnis; Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, a powerful Afghan warlord who resented Azzam's support of a rival; and other Arabs, who were concerned about his growing power. "The only person I can say for a fact didn't kill him is myself, because I was getting married in Jordan that day," says Ismail. REFERENCE: TIME's Annual Journey: 1989 - Who Killed Abdullah Azzam? By Aryn Baker / PeshawarThursday, June 18, 2009 http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1902809_1902810_1905173,00.html

Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 3 (GEO TV Sept 2009)



Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 3 (GEO TV Sept 2009) by SalimJanMazari

2009:  Political wings still exist in ISI: Maj Amir News Desk Tuesday, September 01, 2009  RAWALPINDI: Political wings existed in the past and still exist in the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), said Major (retd) Amir, claiming that they worked for the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) in the Operation Midnight Jackal. He was talking to Dr Shahid Masood in ‘Meray Mutabiq’ programme of Geo TV in which former PPP minister Mukhtar Awan and former Army chief General (retd) Aslam Beg also spoke. When asked about the authenticity of the tape with regard to Operation Midnight Jackal, Major (retd) Amir said it was authentic but if the Intelligence Bureau recorded it, why they could not produce the original cassette in the court. “But despite that I admit that it was my voice and I was doing all that with permission of Gen (retd) Kalloo, who later distanced himself from the same. I did convey details about the operation to personal secretary of Gen (retd) Kalloo,” he said. “But when action was initiated against me, even the near ones left me. The civil court acquitted me but a general dismissed me. The civil court described the case as a fairy tale,” said Major (retd) Amir. Commenting on his views, Mukhtar Awan claimed to have come to know when Hamid Gul was heading the ISI that he (Hamid Gul) was emerging as a threat not only to the government of Benazir Bhutto but even to her life. He said on this he advised the Mohtarma to appoint a retired general as head of the ISI. He said the claim of Major Amir that Gen (retd) Kalloo conducted the Operation Midnight Jackal to save the government of the Mohtarma was wrong. He alleged that Major (retd) Amir was part of the conspiracy whereas Gen (retd) Kalloo did not take part in any plot. Mukhtar Awan said Major (retd) Amir and Brigadier (retd) Imtiaz have been favourites of some persons. He said people like them even fix cameras in coffins and also record conversations in the chamber of the chief justice. On this Major (retd) Amir said the man appointed by their (PPP) government as head of the IB submitted an affidavit in the Supreme Court that he was taping phone calls of judges and one of the cases against the Mohtarma pertained to this. He said he never taped telephone calls of judges. He said Mukhtar Awan is uttering baseless things while the man who conceived the Operation Midnight Jackal has been living in India after dismissal of their government and later had been travelling on the Indian passport. “What the agency would be called if a major stole personal documents of myself and the prime minister from the Prime Minister House?” Mukhtar Awan questioned. “It was your incompetence that you could not guard your documents,” Major (retd) Amir said in response. Participating in the programme, Gen (retd) Aslam Beg said it was not by chance that the PPP and MQM (Muttahida Qaumi Movement) are working together rather it is a synchronisation of their secular thinking and the present set-up is similar to that of 1988 to a great extent. He said he and Benazir struck no deal in 1988. The allegation was untrue and there is no proof in this regard. REFERENCE: Political wings still exist in ISI: Maj Amir News Desk Tuesday, September 01, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=24239&Cat=13&dt=9%2F1%2F2009

2009:  Spy vs spy Shakeel Anjum Friday, August 28, 2009 ISLAMABAD: Brig (retd) Imtiaz Ahmed is an American agent planted by the American agencies mainly to defame the Pakistani intelligence agencies, former director Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Malik Mumtaz Ahmad said on Thursday. While addressing a press conference, he said after having played a key role in toppling the Benazir government in 1990, Brig Imtiaz was now bent on destabilising the present government. Malik Mumtaz claimed that he had informed the then prime minister Benazir Bhutto through her special secretary (security) of the conspiracy plan ‘Midnight Jackal’ of Brig (retd) Imtiaz and Maj (retd) Amar. She contacted the then Army chief Gen Aslam Baig but he had denied. Malik Mumtaz claimed that Benazir had sent her interior minister Nasirullah Khan Babar to Aslam Baig but the Army chief had again denied the report, asking him to produce evidence about the conspiracy. “He is playing in the hands of American agencies to destabilise the political system,” Malik Mumtaz averred. “He is opposing Mian Nawaz Sharif to get entrance in the PPP camp,” he added. He appealed to the Supreme Court to take suo moto notice against Brig Imtiaz and reopen his corruption cases. He claimed Brig Imtiaz’s “anti-state activities” were creating confusion in the political system. The former FIA chief alleged Brig Imtiaz had collected illegal wealth during his tenure as IB head. Malik said that a corruption case was lodged with the FIA after the brigadierís removal during the Benazir government. However, the FIA did not pursue the case in the court, and, consequently, it was dismissed. Malik said Brig Imtiaz made 27 valuable properties and a heavy account in a bank of London, adding, he got himself freed from the cases by using his influence during the Nawaz government in 1997. The second case of corruption against Brig Imtiaz was registered by the Account Appellate Bureau chairman in 2000, Malik said, adding that the detailed list of his properties was attached with the petition. The properties included three houses and three commercial units in Islamabad as well as foreign exchange bearing certificates to the tune of Rs 20.8 million. He said a court sentenced Brig Imtiaz to eight years rigorous imprisonment with a fine of Rs 7 million, also confiscating his assets. The court disqualified him for ten years for holding any public office or statutory or local authority. But he, taking advantage of the NRO, managed to retake his property. Malik disclosed that before his “retirement at fault” from the Army in 1988, Brig Imtiaz had declared his total asset as a two-kanal plot at the Lahore Cantt Officers Society (Phase-II) and a 2,000-square-yard plot in the Defence Housing Society, Karachi. He questioned how Imtiaz made property worth billions of rupees as IB chief. REFERENCE: Spy vs spy Shakeel Anjum Friday, August 28, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=195414&Cat=2&dt=8%2F28%2F2009

Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 4 (GEO TV Sept 2009)



Major (R) Aamir in Jirga - 4 (GEO TV Sept 2009) by SalimJanMazari

2009:  Spy vs spy Usman Manzoor Friday, August 28, 2009 ISLAMABAD: Another former senior officer of the Intelligence Bureau has broken his silence after the recent outbursts of Brig (retd) Imtiaz and has revealed that the former IB director-general had planned to register high treason cases against Benazir Bhutto, Chaudhry Aitzaz Ahsan, Salmaan Taseer and Masood Sharif. Following the recent disclosures of Brig Imtiaz, which have shaken both the Pakistan Muslim League (PML-N) and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), Rana Abdul Baqi, who had served under former IB director-general Masood Sharif and retired as senior director, in an exclusive interview with The News, disclosed that Brig Imtiaz wanted to try Benazir Bhutto and three others because they leaked secret tapes to an Indian journalist and got it published in India Today. According to Baqi, the tapes which were leaked contained conversations between MNAs and Brigadier Imtiaz and Major Amir, and also included classified information about training camps of the Army and other strategic security information which may still be classified. The former IB director said: “In 1991 after completing medical leave I reported at the IB headquarters and started waiting for my next posting, as I was previously working as personal staff officer to IB director-general Masood Sharif. One day, Brig Imtiaz called me in his office because he was upset with the episode of Salmaan Taseer, who had conducted a press conference against the architects of ‘Operation Midnight Jackal’ and India Today had also published some extracts of those secret tapes. The brigadier asked me how did Salmaan Taseer get those tapes? “He (Taseer) is an agent of RAW and India Today got those tapes through Taseer.” “Brigadier Imtiaz alleged according to his information Taseer got those tapes through me.” “According to my sources, Masood Sharif and Benazir Bhutto got those tapes from you,” Brig Imtiaz blamed me, adding: “Benazir Bhutto gave those tapes to Taseer.” Imtiaz added apart from Benazir Bhutto and Salmaan Taseer, Aitzaz Ahsan was also present there and in his presence these tapes were handed over to Taseer. “I want to initiate high treason case against these four because they have handed over classified national secrets to India and you (Rana Abdul Baqi) would become approver in the case and you would admit that these secret tapes were handed over to Taseer in your presence. “I told Brig Imtiaz that I do not know Benazir Bhutto, Aitzaz Ahsan and Salmaan Taseer personally and I can not give any sort of false evidence. I was offered promotion by Brig Imtiaz and upon my refusal I was threatened of severe consequences and an inquiry was lodged against me and I was accused of leaking those secret tapes.” “I told Brig Imtiaz that three sets of these tapes were prepared each containing 12 cassettes. One was sent to the Military Intelligence director-general; one to the Prime Minister Secretariat and the third was kept in IB director-general’s office. I don’t know how Taseer got those tapes. 

Brig Imtiaz constituted a committee to discuss my involvement in handing those tapes to Taseer. Brig Imtiaz’s committee comprised Air Commodore Khalilullah Ghauri, Col Bashir Wali, who has remained IB director-general and Major Salim Khan. The committee inquired from me and I gave a ten-page reply on how these tapes were distributed. The Army men took the last copy of these cassettes which was at IB director-general’s office and a receipt was also given of that episode. “The committee exonerated me after getting satisfactory answers. Commodore Khalilur Rehman Ghauri told me Brig Imtiaz wanted to initiate high treason cases against Benazir Bhutto, Aitzaz Ahsan and Masood Sharif. I was asked to be careful as Brig Imtiaz could be dangerous. I only said I will not give any false evidence.” To a question, the former senior IB director disclosed that the then-government did not pay any heed to Brig Imtiaz’s formula of vindicating the opposition. “Even the prime minister was shocked about Imtiaz’s formula,” said Rana Abdul Baqi, adding: “In 1997 Brig Imtiaz once again wanted to play his role but was reminded of the 1991 mistake.” Brigadier Imtiaz, the mastermind of the Operation Midnight Jackal, when contacted termed all the allegations levelled by Rana Abdul Baqi baseless and said he never gave worth to Rana Abdul Baqi. He said Rana Abdul Baqi was sidelined by him when he assumed the charge of Intelligence Bureau. “I never thought of giving any important task to Baqi,” said the brigadier. Brigadier Imtiaz said the Operation Midnight Jackal was kept alive against a person who has served his whole life serving the country. He said he, Major Amir, Malik Mumtaz (a RAW agent according to Brigadier Imtiaz) and two MNAs were discussing the political situation of Pakistan and mentioned that their views were not favourable to the incumbent regime and that the minor incident was termed the Operation Midnight Jackal. Brigadier Imtiaz said politics was, and is, discussed everywhere but that the minor incident has been kept alive till today. He said Nawaz Sharif, Gen Nasir, Masood Sharif and Rana Baqi had taken MNAs in C-130 from the Rawalpindi Cricket stadium to Swat, which was unauthorised but no one had questioned that. REFERENCE: Spy vs spy Usman Manzoor Friday, August 28, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=24160&Cat=13&dt=8%2F28%2F2009