The first event was 1984 mobilization. Pakistan Army was in bad shape and would have come to certain grief if India had attacked. We were mobilized and concentrated at Qila Sobha Singh near Pasrur. Tanks were in bad shape and the nuclear deterrent was not there. Only assassination of Indira Gandhi averted the disaster that Pakistan was sure to face. The second event was 1987 mobilization in face of Brasstacks. Again the Pakistani military was in bad shape but disaster narrowly avoided because Indians had no long term strategic vision. The Indians lost three golden chances to strategically reduce Pakistan in size in 1971, 1984 and 1987.Now Indians will reap the harvest of destabilization, which would be difficult to foresee as well as handle. READ MORE A Dialogue with Agha Humayun Amin Major (R) http://www.theanalystworld.com/a-dialogue-with-agha-humayun-amin-major-r-tank-corps/
Utopians in India are jubilant that Pakistan has made peace with India. Nothing in reality can be farther from the truth.
The recent sudden angelic desire on part of the Pakistani establishment to make peace with India has nothing to do with any major shift in Pakistans foreign policy written in the Pakistani military headquarters popularly known as the GHQ.
The Pakistani apparent shift is merely a tactical response to extreme confrontation with the US over perceived US view that Pakistan is playing a double game in Afghanistan. This is similar to Musharrafs flirtation with India from 2000 to 2007 which in reality was a gambit to prevent a two front war with Afghanistan occupied by the USA and a hostile India in the east. The real picture of true intentions of the Pakistani military will emerge when the US withdraws from Afghanistan. READ MORE Can India and Pakistan make Peace – Agha.H.Amin , Major (Retired) http://www.theanalystworld.com/can-india-and-pakistan-make-peace-agha-h-amin-major-retired/
Agha Humayun Amin Major (r) Tank Corps: 13 Years service in Pakistan Army (PAVO 11 Cavalry,29 Cavalry,58 Cavalry,15 Lancers,5 Independent Tank Squadron,14 Lancers,15 SP) and 31 years research . Ex Editor Globe , Ex Assistant Editor Defence Journal , Ex Editor Journal of Afghanistan Studies. Publications: More than 200 articles in News, Nation , PRAVDA,Pakistan Army Journal , Citadel Magazine of Command and Staff College,Journal of Afghanistan Studies,Indian Strategic Review,Dawn ,Friday Times,Outlook Afghanistan ,Afghanistan Times,Frontier Post,Globe,Defence Journal,Media Monitors Network,Pakistan Army till 1965 held at US Army War College Library,US Army Command and Staff College Library,Indo Pak Wars a Strategic and Operational Analysis,Sepoy Rebellion of 1857-59 Reinterpreted, The Essential Clausewitz,Man’s Role in History: Education/Credentials : Masters (History). Past/Present Clients: Various Think Tanks , Afghanistan Research Associates,Centre for Study of Non State Militant Actors in Afghanistan and Pakistan. http://low-intensity-conflict-review.blogspot.com/
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
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
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
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
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
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
GUJRAT, July 9: Seven army personnel and a policeman died in a brazen attack on a camp near a bridge on the river Chenab and in an exchange of fire between some of the attackers and a police party on Monday. Gujrat District Police Officer Raja Basharat Mehmood said the assailants who came by car and motorbike opened fire at the camp set up by the armed forces to search for the body of the pilot of a helicopter which had crashed some time ago. He said five security personnel were killed on the spot and eight others were injured. Later, one of the injured died on way to hospital and another at the Combined Military Hospital in Gujranwala. The DPO said that a police party was on routine patrol on GT Road when it was informed by a passerby about the firing near the Chenab bridge, close to the industrial town of Wazirabad. When the policemen rushed to the place they saw two masked men coming towards them on a motorbike. Seeing the police party, the masked men tried to escape but the motorbike skidded and they fell on the ground. When the policemen moved towards them a car appeared and its occupants opened fire. The policemen returned fire, but Constable Qaisar was killed in the crossfire and the terrorists escaped. The army personnel killed in the camp attack were identified as Subedar Abdul Majid, Ghulam Rasool, Hawaldar Shahid, Naik Abdul Rauf, Aftab, GM Basit and Sher Ali. Sadar Gujrat police have registered a case on a report of a security official. Police and security personnel cordoned off the area and traffic coming from Gujrat, Rawalpindi and Islamabad was diverted to the other side of the bridge. The area near the Chenab bridge on the Gujrat side has been a target of terrorists in the recent past. This is the third major act of terrorism in the area since January this year. On January 3, two suspected militants were killed near Gorali village when a suicide vest worn by one of them exploded. On March 14, a police picket near Kathala Chenab railway crossing came under attack in which four cops were killed. According to our Gujranwala correspondent, the Corps Commander of Mangla and senior police officers of Gujrat and Gujranwala visited the spot and gathered information about the incident. Agencies add: “The exact number of attackers is not known but they came by motorbike and sprayed bullets on the troops from the bridge,” a senior security official told AFP on condition of anonymity. “It is highly likely that the attackers belonged to a banned religious outfit closely linked to Taliban.” The official added: “Nobody has so far claimed responsibility of the attack but if we follow the pattern of the attack, it looks similar to assaults that these outfits have been carrying out in different cities.” Supporters of the Defence of Pakistan Council had moved through the area overnight on their way to Islamabad to protest against the reopening of Nato supply routes. “The Defence of Pakistan Council’s supporters passed through the area some time before the attack, but linking the two is speculation at this point,” police official Nadeem Abbas told Reuters in Gujrat. “There are criminal groups active in the area, they could be involved. Or it could be militants, which could be a serious development,” a senior Pakistani security official told Reuters. REFERENCE: Army camp near Wazirabad attacked; seven soldiers killed Waseem Ashraf Butt http://dawn.com/2012/07/10/army-camp-near-wazirabad-attacked-seven-soldiers-killed/
Terrorist Attack on Gujrat Army Camp - 9th July 2012
Saudi govt considering outlawing `takfiri` fatwas RIYADH, April 15 The Saudi Shura has started consultations with a council of ulema over proposed legislation to outlaw the issuance of `takfiri fatwas` by an individual or body not authorised by the government to do so. The government`s move comes amid complaints by the public that indiscriminate resort to fatwas by individuals and organisations has made a mockery of religious injunctions. A Takfiri fatwa is an edict which declares a certain practice or action as Haram and brands as Kafir (apostate) anyone found to have indulged in such acts. According to daily Asharq Al Awsat, sessions being held by the body in Riyadh are being treated by authorities as “secret and extraordinary”. REFERENCE: Saudi govt considering outlawing `takfiri` fatwas By Syed Rashid Husain http://archives.dawn.com/archives/3164
2009: Sufi might have been a little ‘Kafir’ too: Munawar RAWALPINDI: Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Syed Munawar Hassan has said that Tehrik Nifaz Shariat-e-Muhammad chief Maulana Sufi Muhammad had once contested elections of local councillor and won it and therefore might have been a little ‘Kafir’ (infidel) too. Talking to newsmen in Lahore after meeting a delegation of Khaksar Tehrik led by Hameeduddin Al-Mashriqi, he said that the 1973 Constitution was a consensus document having the support of all ulema of the country. Therefore, Sufi Muhammad should consult the ulema and elders before passing edicts . REFERENCE: Sufi might have been a little ‘Kafir’ too: Munawar News Desk Thursday, April 23, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=21697&Cat=13&dt=4/23/2009
Takfir (Apostasy) : Syed Munawar Hasan on Maulana Sufi Muhammad (2009)
2009: Taliban created by Western powers: Qazi Monday, April 27, 2009 PESHAWAR: Former Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Qazi Hussain Ahmad has said the Taliban were created by Western powers to achieve their own goals. Talking to the media in Peshawar, he said the Taliban took over as an independent force only because the US was not ready to listen to them after achieving its objectives. He said the Taliban got disappointed after they were ignored by the US and began to strengthen their force. Qazi said statements by US officials on the creation of Taliban had no weight as Hizb-e-Islami Afghanistan chief Gulbudin Hekmatyar had openly made such a statement long time ago. He said more than 500,000 people were displaced from the tribal areas and Swat and most of them were living as internally displaced people (IDP) in camps in Kacha Garhi and other places of the province. He said the situation in the country had worsened only because the Taliban had the patronage of foreign forces. Qazi said all the issues could be resolved through dialogue but the NWFP government agreed to implement the Nizam-e-Adl Regulation under pressure. REFERENCE: Taliban created by Western powers: Qazi Monday, April 27, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=174444&Cat=2&dt=4%2F27%2F2009
2009: Sufi has acted against Quran, says Imran our correspondent Monday, April 27, 2009 LAHORE: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf Chairman Imran Khan has slated TNSM head Sufi Muhammad for violating the Constitution of Pakistan, saying that Sufi has violated the agreement signed with the government and the basic spirit of the Holy Quran. Addressing a public meeting on the eve of the 13th Foundation Day of the PTI, Imran claimed that the Tehrik is the only party which was not formed with the help of the bureaucracy and the Army. He said Musharraf’s policies have played havoc with the integrity of the country and the Army, while an Army operation was still continuing against the people who had been demanding their rights for many years. He also announced holding party elections every year with the appointment of PTI Vice-Chairman Hamid Khan as election commissioner for this purpose. The NRO was, in fact, an infringement on the rights of people, because of which the dacoits have started ruling the masses, Imran said, alleging that MQM chief Altaf Hussain is not behind the bars only because he is paying lip service to the dictation of the US and UK. He said Nawab Akbar Bugti was fighting for the rights of the Baloch people and his assassination is condemnable in every sense. Imran claimed that it has been so easy for the PTI to get power by changing loyalties, but the party does not compromise on its principles. Imran said at least 70 drone attacks have so far been carried out inside Pakistan, killing 700 people, while only 14 al-Qaeda operators could be targeted during these strikes. The PTI chief expressed his resolve to leave for Karachi on May 3 at all costs for launching membership movement of the party. REFERENCE: Sufi has acted against Quran, says Imran our correspondent Monday, April 27, 2009 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=21757&Cat=13&dt=4%2F27%2F2009
ISLAMABAD: A Pakistani police official says thousands of people beat a man to death, and burned his corpse after he was accused of desecrating the holy Quran. A senior police officer Mohammed Azhar Gujar said that in the incident on Tuesday in the Ahmedpur East area of Punjab’s Bahawalpur district, attackers stormed a police station where the man was being interrogated. He said the victim seemed to be mentally unstable. He was arrested after residents said he threw pages of the Quran into the street. While the man was being questioned, some people started making announcements over mosque loudspeakers, urging residents to go to the police station and punish him. Within hours, thousands gathered outside and demanded the man be handed over to them. Gujar said police tried to protect him, but the mob turned violent. They burned several police vehicles and wounded seven officers before grabbing the man and dragging him into the street, where he was beaten to death and his body set on fire. Gujar said the mob also attacked the house of an area police chief and burned his furniture and possessions. It was unclear whether the man was Muslim, a member of Pakistan’s Christian minority or belonged to another religion. His name was not released. Pakistani Christians live in fear of being arrested under the blasphemy laws, which critics say are often misused to settle personal scores or family feuds. Efforts to change the laws have made little headway. Last year, two prominent Pakistani political figures who spoke out against the blasphemy laws were killed in attacks that raised concerns about the rise of religious extremism in Pakistan. On June 17, a crowd attempted to lynch a blasphemy suspect as they tried to storm into the police station where he was held. A group of lawyers attempted to attack the same suspect the next day following his production in court but policemen successfully foiled both attacks. In Quetta last month, a man was killed as a mob attacked a police station holding a “mentally retarded” man also suspected of desecrating the holy book. Former Punjab governor Salman Taseer was shot dead in January last year by one of his police bodyguards for opposing the blasphemy law. The incident highlighted the highly charged nature of the country’s blasphemy laws, under which anyone found guilty of insulting the prophet or the Quran can be sentenced to death. Sometimes, however, people take the matter into their own hands. During a visit to Pakistan in May, Gabriela Knaul, the UN’s Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, said lawyers are often reluctant to defend clients accused under the blasphemy laws because of intimidation, and judges are often pressured to convict. Mob kills man, burns corpse for desecrating Quran http://dawn.com/2012/07/04/mob-kills-man-burns-corpse-for-desecrating-quran/
Those who have set a Human being on Fire should read The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) who has forbidden burning people with fire. He said, "Lord of fire is the only One Who can punish by fire.", narrated by Abu-Dawud and al-Dârimî.
Administering Justice and awarding punishment is the responsibility of the Ruler/State [even in the harshest Islamic State] not of the Masses or Mullahs. A detail view is as under for kind perusal. I guarantee you that those (Non-State Actors) commit murder in the name of Blasphemy Law are also the most ignorant about Islam, Quran and Shariah. "Killing" is the Right of "Judiciary" - Qazi, means Enforcement of Law and Administering "Punishment" is the Responsibility of State not the "Masses" and what Muslims in Pakistanis do is this "they violate very religion they claim to follow" - lets assume that Blasphemy Law is right and Guilty is to be punished through Death Sentence then that "sentence" would be implemented by the State not the "Public".It is not permissible for individuals to carry out this punishment themselves. Rather the matter must be referred to the ruler or his deputy to prove the crime and carry out the punishment, because if individuals carry out hadd punishments, that will lead to a great deal of corruption and evil. Ibn Muflih al-Hanbali (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Furoo’ (6/53): It is haraam for anyone to carry out a hadd punishment except the ruler or his deputy. This is something on which the fuqaha’ of Islam are unanimously agreed, as was stated in al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (5/280): The fuqaha’ are unanimously agreed that the one who should carry out hadd punishments is the ruler or his deputy, whether the punishment is transgressing one of the limits of Allaah, may He be exalted, such as zina, or a transgression against another person, such as slander. {Further References: Durrul Al Behy by Shawkani, Baloogh Al Maram by Hajar Asqalani - both are in Arabic and available in English and Urdu as well]
The judgement of apostasy and expelling someone from the religion is only appropriate for the people of knowledge who are firmly grounded in knowledge, and they are the judges in the various Sharee’ah law courts, and those who are able of giving legal verdicts. And this is just like the other matters, and it is not the right of every person, or from the right of those who are learning, or those who ascribe themselves to knowledge, but who have deficiency in understanding. It is not appropriate for them to make judgements of apostasy (upon others). Since, mischief will arise from this, and sometimes a Muslim might be judged as an apostate but he is not actually so. And the takfir of a Muslim who has not committed one of the nullifications of Islaam contains great danger. Whoever says to his brother “O Kaafir” or “O Faasiq”, and he is not like that, then the words will fall back upon the one who said them. Hence, the ones who actually judge with apostasy are the legislative judges and those who are able and fit for giving legal verdicts. And as for those who enforce the judgements they are the leaders of the Muslims (wullaat al-amr). As for whatever is other than this, then it is mere confusion.” “Meting out the punishments is only appropriate for the leader of the Muslims and it is not for every person to establish the punishment, since confusion, and corruption necessarily follows from this, and also the cutting off of the society, tribulations and provocations occur. Establishing the punishments is appropriate (i.e. befits only) to the Muslim leader. The Prophet (sallallaahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Pardon each other for the punishments that are between you, but when the execution of the punishment reaches the [authority of the] Sultaan, then Allaah curses both the one who seeks intercession and the one who grants the intercession [i.e. to revoke the punishment]”. And from the responsibilities of the Sultaan in Islaam, and from those matters that befit him is the establishment of the punishments after they have been established legislatively, via the Sharee’ah law courts, upon the one who fell into the crime for which the legislator has designated a specific punishment, such as for stealing. So what has been said is that establishing the punishments (i.e. meting them out) is from the rights of the Sultaan, and when the Muslims do not have a Sultaan amongst them, then they should just suffice with commanding the good and forbidding the evil, and calling to Allaah, the Might and Majestic, with wisdom, good admonition and arguing with that which is best. And it is not permissible for individuals (in the society) to establish the hudood, since that, as we have mentioned, will bring about chaos, and also provocations, and tribulations will arise, and this contains greater corruption than it contains rectification. And from amongst the Sharee’ah principles that are submitted to is, “Repelling the harmful things takes precedence over bringing about the beneficial things”. FURTHER REFERENCES/READING: The Takfiris make unlicensed Takfeer of Governments and scholars and call the common-folk to bloody revolution as a way to remove such governments and establish Islaamic Law. http://www.salafipublications.com/sps/downloads/pdf/MSC060006.pdf
Administering Justice and awarding punishment is the responsibility of the Ruler/State [even in the harshest Islamic State] not of the Masses or Mullahs. A detail view is as under for kind perusal. I guarantee you that those who have done the above deed would also have been the most ignorant about Islam, Quran and Shariah.
Read the "Shahadat - Testimony of Late. Mr. Salman Taseer for proving that he was a Muslim" and do read News filed by the Ansar Abbasi of Jang Group, and Program Telecast against Mr. Salman Taseer on GEO TV to prove that he was not Muslim for inciting hate against him and read these Hadiths in the light of Salman Taseer's Testimony published by the very Jang Group after inciting masses for his murder.
"QUOTE"
Whoever offers prayers as we do and turns his face to our Qiblah and eats the animal slaughtered by us, he is a Muslim for whom is the covenant of Allah and the covenant of the Messenger of Allah; so do not violate Allah's covenant." [Sahih Bukhari]
``Ibn Umar related that the Holy Prophet said: If a Muslim calls another kafir, then if he is a kafir let it be so; otherwise, he [the caller] is himself a kafir.''(Sunnan Abu Dawood)
``Abu Zarr reported that the Holy Prophet said: No man accuses another man of being a sinner, or of being a kafir, but it reflects back on him if the other is not as he called him.''(Bukhari)
``Withhold [your tongues] from those who say `There is no god but Allah' --- do not call them kafir. Whoever calls a reciter of `There is no god but Allah' as a kafir, is nearer to being a kafir himself.'' (Tabarani, reported from Abdullah Ibn Omar)
If the above Hadiths do not satisfy then read this!
Usaamah bin Zaid reported,
“Allaah’s Messenger sent us towards Al-Huruqa, and in the morning we attacked them and defeated them. I and an Ansari man followed a man from among them and when we overwhelmed him, he said, “La ilaha illal-Lah.” On hearing that, the Ansari man stopped, but I killed him by stabbing him with my spear. When we returned, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) came to know about that and he said:
"O Usaamah! Did you kill him after he had said “La ilaha ilal-Lah?” I said, “But he said so only to save himself.” He kept on repeating that so often that I wished I had not embraced Islaam before that day. [Agreed upon, and this is the wording of Bukhari]
and in another version in Sahih Muslim about the same incident:
``Did you tear open his heart to see what was in it?'' [Muslim]
"UNQUOTE"
How Mullah Hanif Qureshi instigated the murder of Salman Taseer
Determining whether someone is a kaafir or a faasiq (faasiq) is not up to us, rather it is up to Allaah, may He be exalted, and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This is one of the rulings of sharee’ah that is to be referred to the Qur’aan and Sunnah, so we should be very careful and base our judgement on clear proof. No one may be judged to be a kaafir or faasiq except the one whom the Qur’aan and Sunnah indicate is a kaafir or faasiq. The basic principle is that the one who appears outwardly to be a Muslim of good character is regarded as still being a Muslim of good character, until it is proven that this is no longer the case by means of evidence that is acceptable in sharee’ah. It is not permissible to take lightly the matter of judging someone to be a kaafir or faasiq, because that involves two very serious matters: Deatils: REFERENCES: Guidelines on takfeer (ruling someone to be a kaafir) http://islamqa.info/en/ref/85102/takfeer
ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the authorities to pay equal compensation to the heirs of all 103 people killed in the Lal Masjid operation, DawnNews reported. A three-judge bench of the apex court, comprising Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, Justice Jawwad S Khwaja and Justice Khilji Arif Hussain, issued the ruling while hearing a number of cases relating to the Lal Masjid incident. During the hearing, Justice Khwaja said that those killed in the operation were innocent as the police could not produce any criminal records against them. Moreover, Islamabad police submitted two reports pertaining to the operation in the court. Addressing the deputy attorney general, Chief Justice Iftikhar said the court had directed the government to compensate the heirs of those killed in the operation. He inquired of the deputy attorney general as to how the authorities determined who was innocent and who was not. The deputy attorney general said the heirs of those who were waging war against the state were not compensated. Responding to which the chief justice said: “It was a small matter…no one was waging war against the state.” The court then ruled that compensation be paid to the heirs of all 103 people killed in the operation and directed the police to register an FIR of the killings. The hearing was adjourned for a period of two weeks. REFERENCE: Lal Masjid case: SC orders payment of compensation to heirs of those killed DAWN.COM | 25th May, 2012 http://dawn.com/2012/05/25/lal-masjid-case-sc-orders-payment-of-compensation-to-heirs-of-those-killed/
Maulana Abdul Aziz at a press briefing told the media that the issue had been settled with the efforts of Interior Minister Rehman Malik and property tycoon Malik Riaz. He further said that the Lal Mosque management had reached an agreement with the local administration as a result of which 20 kanals of land would be allocated for the reconstruction of seminary building in H-11 near graveyard. “We have also okayed the proposed site as it is near to the graves of martyrs of Lal Mosque and Jamia Hafsa,” he added. The year 2011 ends on an alarming and bitter note for Pakistan: succumbing to the incessant pressures from the religio-political groups, the Islamabad Capital Administration, and the Capital Development Authority – with the mediation of the real estate tycoon Riaz Malik – who signed off 2.5 acres of land in H-11 sector for the reconstruction of the Jamia Hafsa that had once stood by the Red Mosque. Originally allotted around 256 square yards for a day-school facility for girls, the seminary went on to occupy four times the space – illegally. It was eventually demolished following the bloody operation on July 10, 2007, and after several attempts by Maulana Aziz, the authorities have now caved in and allowed them 2.5 acres of land for a new Jamia Hafsa, although the Supreme Court had allowed them only reconstruction on the original 256 square yards. So much for the rule of law and the political expedience of the real ruling elite. A warning to all and sundry in Pakistan: religio-political groups can impose their will wherever they want. REFERENCES: Jamia Hafsa given substitute land By: Imran Mukhtar | December 30, 2011 http://www.nation.com.pk/pakistan-news-newspaper-daily-english-online/islamabad/30-Dec-2011/jamia-hafsa-given-substitute-land Battlefront Pakistan: A Political Retrospective of 2011 By Imtiaz Gul 4 FEBRUARY 2012 http://www.newslinemagazine.com/2012/02/battlefront-pakistan-a-political-retrospective-of-2011/ Veiled Threats By Massoud Ansari 12 APRIL 2007 http://www.newslinemagazine.com/2007/04/veiled-threats/ Rendezvous With the ‘Others’ By Aliya Salahuddin 14 JULY 2007 http://www.newslinemagazine.com/2007/07/rendezvous-with-the-others/
Army commander killed in line of duty at Lal Masjid Shakeel Anjum Monday, July 09, 2007 ISLAMABAD: The final operation to put down the Lal Masjid revolt is imminent as President General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday gave a go-ahead to the security forces to act decisively. The decision to wrap up the six-day siege of Lal Masjid-Jamia Hafsa complex was taken on the heels of the killing of Lt-Col Haroon Islam by militants early on Sunday morning. Musharraf called a high-level meeting on Monday morning as fresh troops started taking positions around the complex shortly before midnight on Sunday. The guns remained silent all day. An exchange of fire took place as the night fell. This was, however, not as intensive as was witnessed in the past few days. It appeared to be a lull before the storm. Announcements were made on loudspeakers by the security forces asking the Lal Masjid inmates to let them carry the injured to hospitals. Ambulances were also seen moving towards the Lal Masjid. However, none of the injured was evacuated. Earlier, deputy cleric of the Lal Masjid Maulana Abdur Rashid Ghazi while talking to a private TV channel claimed that 305 persons were killed due to the intense firing by the security forces late Saturday night. He claimed that the bodies were lying scattered in different areas of the complex. However, ISPR spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad and Interior Ministry spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema termed the claim of the Lal Masjid cleric as false and without any basis. Ghazi called a press conference in Lal Masjid but no journalist could reach there. The administration later blocked all the mobile phone connections being used by Maulana Ghazi and his supporters in the mosque. The security agencies demolished a major portion of Jamia Hafsa complex early Sunday morning. “The whole complex will be flattened gradually within 24 hours,” the sources said. “About 150 women, children and men are being kept hostages by the militants in different rooms in the basement of the complex,” the sources claimed, quoting statements of Noor Hayat and Shah Akbar, who had escaped from the complex on Sunday. They said they had mapped the point where the innocent people were being kept hostages. Meanwhile, officials who witnessed the killing of Lt-Col Islam said that the late colonel along with Maj Tariq was planting explosives on the boundary wall of the mosque when the extremists sprayed bullets on him. Muhammad Maqsood, guard of Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, was killed in the retaliatory fire by the security forces, they added. “Two young Afghan national militants, Fidaullah, 19, commander of security wing, and Khanzada, 18, involved in different incidents of terrorism in Pakistan, fired at Lt-Col Haroon Islam and Maj Tariq,” the sources said. The police have registered FIR No 230 dated 7/13/2007 at the Aabpara Police Station on the complaint of wounded Major Tariq against Ghazi and his aides under Section 302 and 324 PPC and 6/7 ATA (anti-terrorist act) for killing the Army commando, the sources said. “Ghazi is hidden in an underground room in Lal Masjid along with his mother, Sahib Bibi, Auntie Halima (the sister of his father) and sister of his mother, Lal Bibi,” the sources claimed. Meanwhile, the authorities have started releasing innocent persons, arrested during the last five days in the operation. “As many as 748 people have been arrested so far,” the sources said. Of them, 447 accused were in jail while 152, most of them underage, have been handed over to their parents/wards by the prime minister in Jinnah Sports Complex. Some 149 were in different police stations of Islamabad. The criteria of declaring the detained people innocent has been established by the authorities, the sources said, adding: “Three categories of detained persons have been set to fix responsibilities after the screening of the arrested people – white, grey and black. The accused placed in ‘black’ category were involved in heinous offences and would be booked under the anti-terrorist act; ‘grey’ would be booked under less serious offences while ‘white’ would be booked for minor offences under 188 PPC.” The sources said that over 20 inmates were wounded during the late Saturday night firing. “Killings during the crossfire cannot be ruled out,” they said. REFERENCE: Army commander killed in line of duty at Lal Masjid Shakeel Anjum Monday, July 09, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=8908&Cat=13&dt=7/9/2007
Commander’s killing raises spectre of all-out assault By Syed Irfan Raza July 09, 2007 ISLAMABAD, July 8: As the standoff between Lal Masjid militants and security forces entered the sixth day on Sunday, the killing of SSG Commander Lt-Col Haroon Islam by militants raised the possibility of an all-out assault on the complex. After the death of the SSG commando chief during an abortive attempt to enter the mosque, no major exchange of fire took place throughout the day, except for a few shots fired from both sides. Special Services Group Commander received a fatal bullet injury while trying to enter the mosque along with his three colleagues — Maj Tariq, Capt Omar and Capt Bilal. The three commandos received bullet injuries and the condition of Maj Tariq was stated to be critical. In a surprise move late on Sunday night, the security forces closed the camp office of the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club situated a few yards away from the ‘no-go area’ within the curfew zone. They also asked journalists to leave the area. The action reinforced the view that security forces were planning to storm the complex. Two students surrendered on Sunday. They have been identified as Akbar Shah and Noor Hayyat. A helicopter flew low over Lal Masjid to take some pictures of the mosque which indicated that the roof of the Jamia Hafsa was intact, but its outer walls had been damaged. The pictures also proved wrong a claim made by Maulana Ghazi that some 300 girl students had died in Saturday night attack. Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz presided over a high-level security meeting at which he reiterated the government’s position that the militants must release all hostages, lay down their weapons and submit before the law. “They have not only adopted an uncompromising attitude, but also provoked law-enforcement agencies,” he said. The prime minister said that every possible effort had been made by the government to start dialogue with the Lal Masjid administration, but the response of the militants had always been unreasonable. Meanwhile, some political circles have urged the government to provide a ‘safe passage’ to Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi to resolve the issue peacefully. However, Interior Minister Aftab Sharpao told reporters that the government would never provide a safe passage to Maulana Ghazi. He said the government was avoiding an attack on the mosque in order to save the lives of innocent students who had been made hostage by hardcore militants. In a separate press conference, Minister for Religious Affairs Ijazul Haq said that some foreign militants were also present inside the mosque and they were fighting alongside local militants against members of the security forces. He said some high-profile terrorists, who were wanted both inside and outside the country, were also holed up in the mosque. He, however, refused to divulge their names and the groups they belonged to. He said there was also information that terrorists involved in the attack on the prime minister in Attock were also present in the mosque. Talking to Dawn, Interior Secretary Syed Kamal Shah said that at least 15 suicide bombers were present in the mosque and they had been given explosive belts. “We also have information that militants have heavy ammunition, landmines and rocket launchers,” he said. He said the government had cut 12 landline telephones of Lal Masjid and blocked over 80 SIMs of mobile telephones being used by Maulana Ghazi to contact journalists. He said that Lal Masjid militants had made all students, including girls, hostage and injured three girls by firing on their legs when they tried to escape. “We believe that the militants might kill all students and put the blame on the government,” he said. REFERENCE: Commander’s killing raises spectre of all-out assault By Syed Irfan Raza July 09, 2007 Monday Jamadi-us-Sani 23, 1428 http://archives.dawn.com/2007/07/09/top2.htm
Hardcore terrorists holed up inside Lal Masjid: Ejaz Monday, July 09, 2007 ISLAMABAD: Some hardcore terrorists, involved in various national and international terrorist acts, have pitched inside the Lal Masjid and the government will disclose their number and identity at an appropriate time. Minister for Religious Affairs, Ejaz-ul-Haq stated this at a press conference here on Sunday. He supported his statement with the information that the man killed on the second day of operation on Lal Masjid was one of the terrorists involved in attack on the prime minister. The minister said these elements have taken control of the mosque and are bullying the children taken as hostage, with death threats. The government has adopted flexible stance only due to presence of students inside the mosque, Ejaz said, adding: ìAbout 200 to 500 students are estimated to be surrounded and strictly guarded by these terrorists.î
The minister informed that the government has released approximately 200 of the arrested students so far, while 450 to 500 students are still in custody and arrangement for lodging and education for these students at the Model Madrassah in Haji Camp is being considered. All of the Jamia Fareedia students have left for their homes, while faculty members and their families are kept in protective custody there, he told a questioner. Replying to a query about the high number deaths in the Madrassah as claimed by Maulana Ghazi, the minister said: “A rumour factory working in the Madrassah is engaged in distracting attention of the media. The truth will be exposed after ambulances bring the bodies out from there.” Coming hard on the demand of safe passage to these elements, he said, “What kind of safe passage they are talking about? They are reaping what they harvested.”
The government tried every option but the Madrassah administration kept altering its demands, he added. Responding to a question, the minister reiterated the government’s stance that no action was being taken against any other Madrassah in the country. Referring to different government steps the minister said meetings have been arranged with renowned religious scholars so as to secure release of students from the Madrassah and avoid bloodshed. Maulana Rafi Usmani and Hafiz Jalandhari have reached Islamabad in this connection while a three-minister committee is also closely watching the situation, he added. Responding to another question, the minister criticised the leaders of Jamaat-e-Islami for showing hasty gestures and issuing irresponsible statements. REFERENCE: Hardcore terrorists holed up inside Lal Masjid: Ejaz Monday, July 09, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=63682&Cat=6&dt=7/9/2007
A bastion linked to militancy Thursday, July 05, 2007 ISLAMABAD: The Lal Masjid has long been known as a bastion of radicals in the heart of the capital, Islamabad. But Maulana Abdul Aziz and Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, two brothers who run the mosque, also have known intelligence ties. The red-brick mosque was set up by the father of the two Maulanas, in the 1960s, when the city was first built on scrubby flat land up against the Himalayan foothills. The father, Maulana Muhammad Abdullah, turned the mosque into a headquarters of radicals in the 1980s, when fighters, backed by Pakistan, the United States and Saudi Arabia, battled Soviet occupiers in Afghanistan. When Maulana Abdullah was assassinated in 1998 his sons took up his mantle. The brothers have for years delivered fiery sermons at their mosque in a neighbourhood of tree-lined streets near a main shopping area, and not far from the parliament and a high-security diplomatic enclave. After 9/11 the mosque became a focal point of anti-US and anti-Musharraf sentiments after Pakistan abandoned the Taliban and aligned himself with Washington’s “war on terror”. The changed scenario brought the clerics’ relations with the intelligence services under stress. The Maulana brothers exhorted followers to join Jihad against the US involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. Books, newspapers, CDs and cassettes glorifying Jihad have for years been sold at stalls outside the mosque.
The gulf widened in 2003 when the clerics issued an edict against Pakistani troop operations targeting the Taliban and al-Qaeda figures in the tribal areas. Still some sections of the intelligence network continued to provide clandestine support to the clerics, despite their hostility towards Musharraf, according to a security official and reports. In 2004, the government accused Ghazi of involvement in a plot to attack the Presidency and the US embassy and arrested up to 10 al-Qaeda suspects in connection with the plot. Security forces tried to raid the mosque in 2005 during an investigation of Pakistani links to the London bombings that year. In 2005, some arms were found in a vehicle owned by Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, after which police picked up several suspects for plotting attacks. A terrorism case was lodged against Ghazi but it was shelved on the intervention of Religious Affairs Minister Ejaz-ul Haq.
“I helped Ghazi because he assured me he was not involved and the car was used without his knowledge,” Ejaz said recently in a television talk show. The latest trouble at the mosque and the adjoining Jamia Hafsa — Madrassa for girls and women — began in January when the brothers, Abdul Aziz and Abdul Rashid Ghazi, embarked on an apparent collision course with the government and their Burqa-clad students started a Taliban-style anti-vice campaign. The mosque said it has around 5,000 male and 4,000 female students, ranging in ages from early teens to the mid 20s. Most are from conservative tribal areas. The students occupied a library to protest against a campaign to remove mosques built illegally on state land. In March, the students abducted three Pakistani women they accused of running a brothel and held them for several days. They also abducted and briefly held policemen, and have warned video shops to stop selling Western films deemed obscene.
Animosity reached fever pitch last month when the students upped the stakes, kidnapping nine people including six Chinese women from an acupuncture clinic, claiming it was a brothel. The nine were released after 17 hours but not before Pakistan was hugely embarrassed over the failure to protect citizens of China, its most steadfast ally. Security sources said Taliban militants were using the sprawling compound to hide in, as were sectarian “Jihadis”, belonging to banned militants groups. Security sources also say slain Afghan Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah also had links with the brothers. “We had intelligence for some time now that militants were trained as suicide bombers at this complex, having a nexus with the Taliban hiding in our tribal areas”, a senior security official said. Several Taliban commanders lodged at the mosque during trips to the capital, the official said on condition of anonymity. While some militant clerics have voiced support for Lal Masjid, the country’s most prominent hardline preachers appeared on Wednesday to be distancing themselves from the mosque. Maulana Sami-ul-Haq, a senator who runs a famous Madrassa in the NWFP, said he had tried to get Lal Masjid clerics to give up their aggressive tactics. “As far as their demand of enforcing the Sharia is concerned, it is the basic right of every Muslim,” he said. “But we differed with their way of doing it and I and others tried to convince them to give it up. But the government should not attack Lal Masjid. It will create thousands of Lal Masjids throughout the country. It will then be impossible to handle,” he said. REFERENCE: A bastion linked to militancy Thursday, July 05, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=63247&Cat=6&dt=7/5/2007
Maulana Abdul Aziz Ghazi escaped in Burqa - Part - 2
Army commander killed in line of duty at Lal Masjid Shakeel Anjum Monday, July 09, 2007 ISLAMABAD: The final operation to put down the Lal Masjid revolt is imminent as President General Pervez Musharraf on Sunday gave a go-ahead to the security forces to act decisively. The decision to wrap up the six-day siege of Lal Masjid-Jamia Hafsa complex was taken on the heels of the killing of Lt-Col Haroon Islam by militants early on Sunday morning. Musharraf called a high-level meeting on Monday morning as fresh troops started taking positions around the complex shortly before midnight on Sunday. The guns remained silent all day. An exchange of fire took place as the night fell. This was, however, not as intensive as was witnessed in the past few days. It appeared to be a lull before the storm. Announcements were made on loudspeakers by the security forces asking the Lal Masjid inmates to let them carry the injured to hospitals. Ambulances were also seen moving towards the Lal Masjid. However, none of the injured was evacuated. Earlier, deputy cleric of the Lal Masjid Maulana Abdur Rashid Ghazi while talking to a private TV channel claimed that 305 persons were killed due to the intense firing by the security forces late Saturday night. He claimed that the bodies were lying scattered in different areas of the complex.
However, ISPR spokesman Maj-Gen Waheed Arshad and Interior Ministry spokesman Brig (retd) Javed Iqbal Cheema termed the claim of the Lal Masjid cleric as false and without any basis. Ghazi called a press conference in Lal Masjid but no journalist could reach there. The administration later blocked all the mobile phone connections being used by Maulana Ghazi and his supporters in the mosque. The security agencies demolished a major portion of Jamia Hafsa complex early Sunday morning. “The whole complex will be flattened gradually within 24 hours,” the sources said. “About 150 women, children and men are being kept hostages by the militants in different rooms in the basement of the complex,” the sources claimed, quoting statements of Noor Hayat and Shah Akbar, who had escaped from the complex on Sunday. They said they had mapped the point where the innocent people were being kept hostages.
Meanwhile, officials who witnessed the killing of Lt-Col Islam said that the late colonel along with Maj Tariq was planting explosives on the boundary wall of the mosque when the extremists sprayed bullets on him. Muhammad Maqsood, guard of Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, was killed in the retaliatory fire by the security forces, they added. “Two young Afghan national militants, Fidaullah, 19, commander of security wing, and Khanzada, 18, involved in different incidents of terrorism in Pakistan, fired at Lt-Col Haroon Islam and Maj Tariq,” the sources said. The police have registered FIR No 230 dated 7/13/2007 at the Aabpara Police Station on the complaint of wounded Major Tariq against Ghazi and his aides under Section 302 and 324 PPC and 6/7 ATA (anti-terrorist act) for killing the Army commando, the sources said. “Ghazi is hidden in an underground room in Lal Masjid along with his mother, Sahib Bibi, Auntie Halima (the sister of his father) and sister of his mother, Lal Bibi,” the sources claimed.
Meanwhile, the authorities have started releasing innocent persons, arrested during the last five days in the operation. “As many as 748 people have been arrested so far,” the sources said. Of them, 447 accused were in jail while 152, most of them underage, have been handed over to their parents/wards by the prime minister in Jinnah Sports Complex. Some 149 were in different police stations of Islamabad. The criteria of declaring the detained people innocent has been established by the authorities, the sources said, adding: “Three categories of detained persons have been set to fix responsibilities after the screening of the arrested people – white, grey and black. The accused placed in ‘black’ category were involved in heinous offences and would be booked under the anti-terrorist act; ‘grey’ would be booked under less serious offences while ‘white’ would be booked for minor offences under 188 PPC.” The sources said that over 20 inmates were wounded during the late Saturday night firing. “Killings during the crossfire cannot be ruled out,” they said. REFERENCE: Army commander killed in line of duty at Lal Masjid Shakeel Anjum Monday, July 09, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=8908&Cat=13&dt=7/9/2007
Maulana Abdul Aziz Ghazi escaped in Burqa - Part - 3
‘Foreigners, SSP militants holed up inside’ our correspondent Monday, July 09, 2007 ISLAMABAD: Eleven foreign militants, including a Chechen woman fighting the security forces, are among the 44-person Lal Masjid administration, authoritative sources told The News on Sunday. “Twenty-one of them belong to the banned militant group, Sipah-e-Sahaba, and are wanted by the police for their involvement in various terrorist activities,” the sources maintained. They said that the militants had 30 Kalashnikov rifles, two LMGs, a rocket-launcher and hundreds of petrol bombs in stock. A Taliban leader, Jannat Gul, an Afghan national, had provided arms to the militants, the sources added. Jannat Gul, Fidaullah Khan (in-charge Security), Khanzada (deputy in-charge security), Sher Khan, Abdul Sattar, Sanaullah, Saifullah, Imran Yousafzai, Muhammad Afzal Khan and Saifullah Khan are among those militants who are connected to the Taliban in Afghanistan, the sources said, adding, they all are wanted by the law-enforcement agencies in various terrorism cases. The Lal Masjid administration includes Abdul Rashid Ghazi, 45, Majida Abdul Aziz alias Umme Hassan, the wife of Maulana Abdul Aziz, Humaira Ghazi, 40, the wife of Abdul Rashid Ghazi, Isma Dua, 16, alias Hamna Abdullah, the daughter of Maulana Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Hassan, 19, the son of Maulana Abdul Aziz, Muhammad Haroon, 16, the son of Abdul Rashid Ghazi, Riaz Qureshi, (in-charge transport department), Muhammad Manzoor, Abdul Qayyum, private secretary, and a confidant of Rashid Ghazi, Ghous Muhammad Baloch, Asad Hasan, Naseer Ahmad, Shahzad Shaikh, Abdul Rauf, Shabbir, Bilal Ahmad (Department Taviz), Muhammad Yousaf Khan, Mahmood Rehman, Tariq, Muhammad Sadiq, Abdul Rehman, Amna Nadeem, Dost Muhammad, Asiya, Yasmeen, Amna, Shaheen, Fiza, Maria and Khola, besdies 21 activists of the banned Sipaha-e-Sahaba Pakistan. “Ten Taliban militants have made about 150 innocent people hostage, while the Sipah-e-Sahaba people are assisting them”, the security sources said, adding, “We have strong evidence of the presence of 11 foreigners engaged in confronting the security forces but there is a likelihood that their number can be more than expected.” REFERENCE: ‘Foreigners, SSP militants holed up inside’ our correspondent Monday, July 09, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=8910&Cat=13&dt=7/9/2007
Govt compromise with Ghazi will not be unique Ansar Abbasi Monday, July 09, 2007 ISLAMABAD: If a fugitive from law, wanted for his alleged involvement in heinous crimes, could be appointed the governor of a province, what bars the government from offering concessions to Maulana Abdur Rashid Ghazi for the sake of the lives of hundreds of innocents, including children and women, still holed up in Lal Masjid? Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad Khan of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) was a “wanted” man when he was offered this prestigious public office. Gen Pervez Musharraf had to swallow this bitter pill because he wanted the MQM to join the ISI-made Pakistan Muslim League-Q to make his choice governments, both at the Centre and the province. For his own political gains, the writ of the government was compromised. At the time of appointment of Ebad as the Sindh governor, newspaper reports alleged that he was facing charges of heinous crimes. However, in a briefing session, President Musharraf told newspaper editors that he had checked this allegation and there was no charge of any heinous crime against Ebad.
We have seen the government turning a blind eye to the gory killings of around 40 persons in Karachi on May 12. The private television channels showed live coverage of the mafia ruling the streets of Karachi and killing people with sophisticated weapons without any sign of remorse or fear of being caught. President Musharraf in his post-May 12 Karachi visit rejected the idea of holding a probe into the ruthless cold-blooded murder of dozens in the city of lights. He rather suggested to the media men confronting him to forget the past and look towards the future. So the writ of the government was again compromised and the killers were allowed to go scot-free. In this case too, what was at stake was the vested interest of the rulers. The Lal Masjid crisis, which had initially started as a confrontation between the law-enforcers and those challenging the writ of the government, has now become a humanitarian issue. The crisis that has entered sixth day has already claimed over 20 lives and there are claims from inside Lal Masjid of a huge death toll of Jamia Hafsa students. An SSG Colonel also fell victim to this disaster in the wee hours of Sunday.
Though the exchange of fire continues intermittently from both sides, there is a standoff over the negotiated settlement of the issue. Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi, who after the arrest of the Lal Masjid’s linchpin Maulana Abdul Aziz, has emerged as the man deciding the fate of hundreds of those still inside the mosque. Previously considered to be a flexible man, Ghazi has proved to be an extremely tough negotiator. With unconfirmed reports pouring out of the mosque that hundreds of women, children and even men are held hostage and are being used as a human shield by Ghazi and an unknown number of Islamists present there, now the government finds itself in a catch-22 situation. To avoid the loss of innocent lives it has rightly decided not to storm the mosque. The government has activated leaders like Ch Shujaat Hussain to find a negotiated solution to the crisis by engaging Ghazi. But so far the government is not willing to offer the kind of concessions demanded by Ghazi. Ghazi had initially sought safe passage for himself and his mother in return for the surrender of all those present in the mosque. Later, he even demanded the institution of a judicial probe into the cases framed against him to avoid arrest. The government has also not agreed to this.
After seeing how his elder brother was humiliated by the government on the state-run television following his arrest, Ghazi must be apprehensive of mistreatment once he surrenders. He would want to be doubly sure that he is not disgraced publicly. Talking to a private television channel, Maulana Ghazi had said that he and his mother would prefer death to the kind of humiliating treatment meted out to his brother. To attain the prime objective of securing the safe release of hundreds of those present in the Lal Masjid, the government should not feel shy to offer the kind of concessions sought by Ghazi. Ghazi is not more important than those still present in the mosque. In such a situation a compromise made to save even one innocent life would be construed as “wisdom” or “astuteness”. This crisis has already played havoc with the nerves of the nation. It must not be dragged any further if a disaster is to be averted. The implications of this standoff could be disastrous for Pakistan. REFERENCE: Govt compromise with Ghazi will not be unique Ansar Abbasi Monday, July 09, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=8916&Cat=13&dt=7/9/2007
Students happy to leave Lal Masjid Thursday, July 05, 2007 ISLAMABAD: Many male and female students of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa were happy on getting rid of the title of ‘Taliban’ after being released from the premises. Many students released from the custody of local Taliban of Lal Masjid commented that they are leaving the Lal Masjid either at their own will or on the desire of their parents but they are satisfied on exiting from this horrible situation. Irsa, a seven-year-old female child from Fateh Jang, was leaving Lal Masjid with her mother. When she was asked that whether she was happy to go her home or want to live in Jamia Hafsa, Irsa said: “I want to go home and I am happy to leave the madrassa.” When asked that in which class she was studying in the seminary, she keep quiet and was unable to speak. When her mother was asked did she think it sensible to get admit a seven-year-old female child in a madrassa like Jamia Hafsa, she said that she admitted her daughter in the madrassa on the recommendation of some relative but she will never get her daughter back here.
Maria from Haripur said that she had left Jamia Hafsa earlier when the tension was increased, however, she joined again just to complete her studies. She said that she is happy as she is going to her home and leaving this tense environment. Aysha Niaz, whose cousin Muhammad Saeed came to Lal Masjid to take her home, said: “I want to complete my studies but now it is not possible. I am sad for not completing my studies, however, I am glad on leaving this place. Another girl Bano was also happy on leaving Jamia Hafsa but she defended her madrassa activities to overcome social evils. When this correspondent asked her that how will she justify the kidnapping of Chinese girls from F-8/3, she said that they were running a brothel and it is the responsibility of every citizen to try to eradicate such evils from the society. When asked that did she or her madrassa administration informed the government about this brothel or took action directly, clearly challenging writ of the government, she replied that government officials already knew about these brothels and there was no need to inform the government on this issue.
A girl from Murree, who didn’t tell her name, said that she was leaving for never coming back. Fouzia Shamroz from Attock was very happy on leaving her militant school and said that now she will complete her studies in Jamia Muhammadia Hassan Abdal in a peaceful environment. Iftikhar, father of a female student from Haripur, said that he had taken her daughter back to home for several times but he had to get her back to Jamia Hafsa on normalisation of situation. However, he said that he and her daughter are happy that they are going back to home safely and now they will never come back. Um-e-Hamna, a female teacher of Jamia Hafsa, who was leaving for her home with her mother, was very emotional on leaving the premises. She said that she is leaving just because of her mother who insisted her to do so. Um-e-Hamna said that she could inflict suicide attack in future. When this correspondent asked her, “we all are Muslims and Pakistanis, why would she inflict suicide attack on our own people,” she replied: “From yesterday (Tuesday) we are no more one and same, you are all against us.”
Many of the male students were not speaking to media. Few, who spoke said that they are happy to escape from this crucial situation. However, they said, “we side with our administration on this crisis and oppose the present government for not implementing Shariah in the country. They said that they would come back to Lal Masjid if the situation normalised. APP adds: Qari Liaquat Ali, who arrived from Battagram for her daughter Raheela, said he had earlier tried to take her back but the administration was adamant and refused. He termed government action ‘right and prompt’ and said government deserves credit as it exercised a lot of restraint. Najma Bibi, mother of a 17-year-old daughter from Khana Pul, said that her daughter has been studying in the seminary for the last two years. She sent her daughter for getting education only and never imagined that such tense situation would emerge. Mohammad Ajab from Murree, who was waiting for her daughter, said, “we are against extremist policies of the Lal Masjid administration”. He said Jihad is the greatest degree of Islamic teachings and only well-learned religious scholars can define it. 17-year old Raheela Bibi from Swat said the female students were forced to stay inside and were used as shields. “I have come here for religious education but the brand of Islam propagated by the administration was horrendous,” she added. REFERENCE: Students happy to leave Lal Masjid Thursday, July 05, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=63245&Cat=6&dt=7/5/2007
Environment Ministry building, vehicles set on fire Sohail Khan Wednesday, July 04, 2007 ISLAMABAD The Taliban of Lal Masid after a fierce gun battle with the law-enforcing agencies on Tuesday set the building of Ministry of Environment on fire causing loss of millions of rupees to the national exchequer. Valuable vehicles of the high officials of the ministry were burnt while vehicles parked outside building were severely damaged due to the flames that engulfed the whole building, burning all the record of the ministry as well as destroying equipments. “Record of ambitious projects planned by the ministry under Public Sector Development Projects (PSDP) as well as details of foreign-funded projects have been destroyed in the renovated building,” Federal Minister for Environment Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat told The News. He alleged that he had repeatedly sent about 40 to 45 letters to the local administration for providing security to the building, which is situated near Lal Masjid, but the authorities failed to provide it. If the local administration had provided foolproof security, the incident could not have happened, he added. The minister vehemently contradicted reports that the ministry was ordered to vacate the premises the other day for deployment of Rangers, saying that not a single order was issued either to him or other officials of the ministry in this regard. Meanwhile, the ministry officials said that vehicles of high officials including the secretary, joint secretary, additional secretary and others which were parked inside the building were burnt into ashes. The students first resorted to pelt stones at the windowpanes and later sneaked into the premises after breaking the walls at the backside and then set the whole building on fire. “It was a terrible moment when I came out from my office after breaking the room window when the students of the Jamia Hafsa, carrying sticks entered the building premises,” said an official. In the meantime, the whole staff came out of their sections and succeeded in leaving the building, the official added. The official said personnel of fire brigade reached the spot to extinguish the fire, however, the students did not allow them to do their job. The Ministry of Environment is located 50 yards away from Lal Masjid. An employee of the ministry told The News that the government had ordered the staff of the ministry the other day to vacate the building at around 3 pm, however, on Tuesday, the staff was allowed resume their work and the whole staff was present. “We escaped from the clutches of death and I don’t know how we managed to flee the building,” said Shumiala, Assistant Director, Information, NCS Resource Centre. Talking to the News, she said that the whole record of the ministry is burnt. REFERENCE: Environment Ministry building, vehicles set on fire Sohail Khan Wednesday, July 04, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=8819&Cat=13&dt=7/4/2007
Parents throng surroundings in search of children Ahmad Noorani Wednesday, July 04, 2007 : ISLAMABAD: A number of worried people whose children have been studying at Lal Masjid assembled in areas around the mosque and at hospitals on Tuesday, in an attempt to access their children as firing between the Lal Masjid brigade and the law-enforcement agencies continued. The parents said their children were inside the mosque and they wanted to take them home. The urged the government to let them get their children out of the mosque and then think about the operation. When asked why they did not get their children home earlier, some of the parents answered that they felt satisfied with the repeated statements of the government that the problem would be resolved through peaceful means. A few parents said that whenever they contacted the Lal Masjid administration in this regard, the administration replied that there was no problem and the government was just trying to pressurise them through the media. “When we told the administration of the Lal Masjid that we wanted to take our children back, the administration used delaying tactics.”
Jamil Khatak, the father of three students in Lal Masjid, said he did not know his children’s whereabouts. “I donít know if they are alive,” a visibly terrified Jamil said. When Jamil was asked why he had got his children admitted to the Lal Masjid, he said that he was a poor man and could not afford any expensive school. Another man, Imtiaz Ali, whose daughter was a student at the Jamia Hafsa, said that he was anxious about his daughter’s security. When this scribe asked him why he did not take his daughter back home earlier, he said that he did not want to take his daughter back home because he was satisfied with the Madrassah education. REFERENCE: Parents throng surroundings in search of children Ahmad Noorani Wednesday, July 04, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=8821&Cat=13&dt=7/4/2007
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 BEIJING: China on Monday condemned the killings of three Chinese workers in Peshawar and called on Pakistani authorities to do more to protect its citizens living in the country. A statement quoting Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Qin Gang released to Xinhua called on Pakistan to "mete out severe punishment to the criminals" responsible. "China has asked the Pakistani side to provide medical treatment to the wounded man and help repatriate the bodies of the dead." China's Ambassador to Pakistan Luo Zhaohui released another statement that also called for a quick investigation into Sunday night's attack. Luo "condemned the violent incident," according to China's official Xinhua news agency. In the statement, Luo told Pakistan "to investigate it (the attack), round up the culprits, properly handle the follow-up issues and take effective measures to protect all the Chinese in Pakistan," according to Xinhua. Luo said the deputy chief of the Chinese embassy in Pakistan, Mao Siwei, was leading a team of Chinese diplomats, who had travelled to Peshawar to "deal with the issue." Mao on Monday here held a meeting with the city police chief Abdul Majeed Marwat and received the latest update regarding the triple murder case. He was informed that a high-level investigating team was probing the incident and the culprits would be brought to book shortly. Later, the Chinese diplomat visited the mortuary of the Khyber Medical College, where the bodies of the slain Chinese nationals are lying for autopsy. He also met with other senior police officials and doctors. REFERENCE: Beijing asks Islamabad to do more to protect Chinese Tuesday, July 10, 2007 http://www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=63838&Cat=2&dt=7/10/2007
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