Warning: Undefined array key "rbname" in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 14
Hello !

India-Pakistan

Aasia released to please the West, says Fazl

2018-11-17

[DAWN] It is not the legality of arrest or release of Aasia Bibi that is bothering the nation, but the fact that she has been released under a deal with the West, says Maulana Fazlur Rehman, president of the Mutahidda Majlis-i-Amal (MMA). “I have been arguing since long that Imran Khan is a Jew representative and has been anointed by the West to play its proxy. Now he has been brought to power only to play games of his masters and hurt the Ummah. The government is guilty of conspiring to alter the blasphemy law, setting blasphemers free and playing to Western tunes” Addressing the “million march,” which was very thinly attended when compared to the ‘figure’ mentioned in its title, he said the way the West had been celebrating the release of Aasia Bibi “showed the reality of the issue”. “If Aasia Bibi’s release is only a legal decision, why is there flood of personal praises directed at the CJP and Imran Khan? It only proves that the decision was taken under a deal, which is now being praised in the West. What kind of legal decision is this which is being celebrated by the West and has caused anxiety in the Ummah?,”the Maulana thundered. The call for the march was given by the All (religious) Parties Tahafuz-i-Namoos-i-Risalat. The Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-F head alleged that an EU delegation that visited Pakistan in run-up to the decision, offered the country membership of international financial clubs and linked the offer to the Aasia Bibi’s release. “Misquoting the Islamic history of Misaq-i-Madina, the PTI parliamentarians are trying to justify the diplomatic recognition of Isreal as well,” Maulana told the small but emotionally charged gathering on The Mall. “I have been arguing since long that Imran Khan is a Jew representative and has been anointed by the West to play its proxy. Now he has been brought to power only to play games of his masters and hurt the Ummah. The government is guilty of conspiring to alter the blasphemy law, setting blasphemers free and playing to Western tunes,”. he said, adding that the movement would continue till the PTI mended its ways.

Link

India-Pakistan

Shahbaz set to become opposition leader in National Assembly

2018-08-19

[DAWN] Pakistain Moslem League-Nawaz President Shahbaz Sharif ...Pak dynastic politician, brother of PM Nawaz Sharif, chief minister of Punjab... is set to become the leader of the opposition in the country’s 15th National Assembly as 111 MNAs have nominated him for the slot. Speaker Asad Qaiser told the house on Friday that he had received Mr Sharif’s nomination as the opposition leader signed by 111 members from the opposition benches. The leader of the opposition will be notified on Monday. While the Pakistain Peoples Party had abstained from voting for Shahbaz Sharif for the office of prime minister, it appeared that some PPP politicians had also recommended Mr Sharif as the opposition leader. The PPP has a total of 43 MNAs. The total strength of the PML-N in the house is 82 followed by the Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal (15) and the Awami National Party founded by Abdul Wali Khan in 1986. Part of the PPP-led cabinet 2008-13. The ANP is considered left wing, advocating for secularism, democratic socialism, public sector government, and economic egalitarianism.... (one). The collective number of the three opposition parties is 98 and the support of 111 politicians to Mr Sharif indicated that some PPP members also supported his candidature for the slot of the leader of the opposition.

Link

India-Pakistan

Country in grip of uncertainty, says Siraj

2018-07-21

No! Re-e-e-e-ally? [DAWN] Jamaat-e-Islami ...The Islamic Society, founded in 1941 in Lahore by Maulana Sayyid Abul Ala Maududi, aka The Great Apostosizer. The Jamaat opposed the independence of Bangladesh but has operated an independent branch there since 1975. It maintains close ties with international Mohammedan groups such as the Moslem Brotherhood. the Taliban, and al-Qaeda. The Jamaat's objectives are the establishment of a pure Islamic state, governed by Sharia law. It is distinguished by its xenophobia, and its opposition to Westernization, capitalism, socialism, secularism, and liberalist social mores... chief Sirajul Haq ...current head of the Pak Jamaat-e-Islami. Siraj was born in 1962 and entered politics shortly after that... has said that the country is in the grip of uncertainty as politicians are being attacked and workers are desperate. Addressing different meetings in Mayar Jandol, Kandaro and Talash on Thursday, Haq urged the youth to join hands with Mutahidda Majlas-e-Amal for their bright future. The JI chief, who is also MMA candidate for NA-7, said it his party blocked introduction of co-education in schools in the province during the last five years. He said that the previous provincial government of PTI wanted to introduce co-education in schools.

Link

India-Pakistan

DG Rangers admits deceased MQM worker was tortured during custody

2016-05-04

[DAWN] Director General (DG) Rangers Major General Bilal Akber accepted that the dear departed MQM worker was tortured by Rangers in jug and vowed that strict action will be taken against those responsible for misconduct. Talking to DawnNews on Tuesday night, Akbar accepted that Aftab Ahmed was tortured during custody and the standard operating procedures were not followed by some Rangers personnel in this case. The DG Rangers assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible for this misconduct but maintained that Aftab's death had occurred due to a heart attack. The statement comes after pictures and videos were seen doing rounds on the social media, reportedly showing the corpse of the dear departed MQM worker having major torture marks across his body. Earlier in the day, a Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader claimed that a party member, said to be the coordinator of senior MQM leader Dr Farooq Sattar, died in the custody of Rangers. "Aftab Ahmed died during Rangers custody as he was detained for 90 days for no reason," MQM spokesperson Wasay Jalil said in a tweet.

Link

India-Pakistan

MQM leader's assassin arrested, say Rangers

2015-09-24

[DAWN] Rangers on Wednesday said they tossed in the calaboose You have the right to remain silent... a suspected hit man responsible for taking out Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) MPA Manzar Imam in a raid conducted Tuesday night in Taiser town area of Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It is among the largest cities in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... . In statement issued by the paramilitary force's front man, the paramilitary force leading a security operation in Karachi said suspected murderer Muhammad Ashiq is also affiliated with the MQM, adding he confessed to killing Manzar Imam and his guards on January 17, 2013. Ashiq is also involved in killing 12 other individuals from other political parties, said the statement, adding that the suspect would dump dead bodies of his victims using a Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation (KKF) ambulance. The arrested hit man was produced in an Anti-Terrorism Court Wednesday, which approved a 90-day remand in Rangers custody. MQM MPA Manzar Imam, along with his police guards was killed in January 2013 when four gunnies on cycle of violences opened fire on his vehicle in Orangi town's Hyderi Chowk area. At that time, the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain (TTP) had grabbed credit for the killing of the provincial politician, a front man for the banned outfit had told Dawn.com.

Link

India-Pakistan

Social media latest weapon of attack against Lal Masjid activist

2014-12-29

[DAWN] The standoff between civil society and Lal Masjid cleric Abdul Aziz has taken another alarming turn. Following threats from militant groups, organisers of the protests are now being targeted by a social media campaign that could endanger their lives. Mohammad Jibran Nasir, the Karachi-based lawyer and rights activist who has been at the forefront of the movement that aims to ‘reclaim Lal Masjid’, is being called a non-Muslim and an Ahmadi. Posts on social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook featuring photos of Jibran participating in Holi celebrations are being used as ‘proof’ of his anti-Muslim allegiances. However, the defiant Mr Nasir stands firm. In a message sent from his Twitter account, he responded to the allegations, saying, “I own my allegiance to human rights. Sunni, Shia, Ahmadi, [Christian], Hindu, Parsi… whoever, I will continue to advocate human rights for all. (sic)” Organisers of protests against Lal Masjid, who are expected to meet a member of the federal cabinet on Monday to press for their demands, are considering holding a press conference to respond to these allegations. There is fear among certain circles that accusations against Mr Nasir could be life-threatening, as saying that someone is an Ahmadi in Pakistan is tantamount to inciting violence against that person. The recent killing of Luqman Ahmad Shehzad, an Ahmadi man who was shot in the head near the Bhiri Shah Rehman village in Gujranwala, has also heightened concerns for Mr Nasir’s safety. This concern is evident from another tweet from Mr Nasir’s account, which says “The whole Lal Masjid & Jamia Hafsa is directing their resources towards a social media campaign against us. Can all of u ppl help us respond? (sic)” Following the attack in Peshawar on December 16 in which 142 students and teachers were killed, the head of Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Aziz gave a controversial statement in refusing to condemn the killing of innocent children and said that he does not consider them martyrs. Angered by the Maulana’s statement, members of civil society began protesting in front of Lal Masjid. After two consecutive days of protests, Abdul Aziz threatened the protesters leading them to file a First Information Report (FIR) against him. On Friday (December 26) the district court issued a non-bailable arrest warrant for Abdul Aziz. Members of civil society approached various political personalities requesting them to ensure the arrest of Maulana Aziz. On Friday, civil society activists met with senators from four different parties and had plans to meet a federal minister on Monday. Civil society activist Shan Taseer while talking to Dawn said that for the last two days, some people had been campaigning on social media against Jibran Nasir and claiming that Mr Nasir is Ahmadi. “We are considering holding a press conference to clarify that he is not Ahmadi because in the prevailing situation calling someone Ahmadi can instigate murder,” he said. “We want to clarify that Jibran is not an Ahmadi. Moreover, he is not the only person who started the campaign. In fact there are number of people who see Abdul Aziz’s statements and actions as being derogatory and unlawful,” he said. Shan Taseer said no one has the right to decide whether another person is a Muslim or not. “A so-called religious scholar is promoting hatred against Ahmadis on electronic media which can be a part of the conspiracy,” he said. He added that some elements initially threatened Jibran Nasir and are now hiding behind religion to attack him. “We planned to meet politicians and will continue to do so,” he said. Senator Syed Tahir Hussain Mashhadi from Mutahidda Qaumi Movement said the campaign against Jibran Nasir is deplorable. “Maulana Abdul Aziz is using sectarianism. First he accused Shias of conspiring against him and later said Ahmadis were conspiring against him,” he said. Senator Mashhadi said Jamia Hafsa, the women’s seminary at Lal Masjid, has openly expressed support for the leader of Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (ISIS) Sheikh Abu Bakr Al Baghdadi but the government is silent about it. “If the government cannot take action against one person, how can we expect it to eradicate terrorism from an entire country,” he said.

Link

India-Pakistan

MQM man among three shot dead in Karachi

2013-12-07

[Pak Daily Times] In an ongoing spate of violence across the city, another three people including an activist of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement bit the dust in different incidents on Friday. In the first incident, a worker of the MQM was bumped off in an alleged murder in Landhi. The victim was identified as 45-year-old Aslam Ansari, son of Majeed Ansari. The police said that the dear departed was sitting near his residence when at least two men on a cycle of violence accosted and opened fire. The body was shifted to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre. The dear departed ran his own shoe factory. The initial investigation also suggested that he was a former worker of the Mohajir Qaumi Movement-Haqiqi and later joined MQM after submitting an apology letter. The motive behind the incident is yet to be ascertained. A private construction company's employee was rubbed out in Federal B Area near the Gulberg cop shoppe. The dear departed was identified as Muhammad Qasim, 44, son of Muhammad Baksh. He was on his way home in North Nazimabad after dropping his son to a school in Gulshan-e-Iqbal when gunnies shot and killed him. The police on behalf of his brother, Ashiq, have started the paperwork but haven't done much else against unidentified persons. A 27-year-old Barkatullah was killed in Ahsanabad within the remits of Sohrab Goth cop shoppe. The police said the dear departed used to work at a flourmill in Ahsanabad and he was killed by the mill's watchman, Omer Hayat, after an exchange of hot words. The police have placed in durance vile Drop the gat, Rocky, or you're a dead 'un! the accused. They also found a decomposed body from the bushes of Cantonment railway station.

Link

India-Pakistan

'JUI-F can't bring Islamic revolution'

2013-02-19

[Dawn] The Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam ...Assembly of Islamic Clergy, or JUI, is a Pak Deobandi (Hanafi) political party. There are two main branches, one led by Maulana Fazlur Rahman, and one led by Maulana Samiul Haq. Fazl is active in Pak politix and Sami spends more time running his madrassah. Both branches sponsor branches of the Taliban, though with plausible deniability... -Fazl could not bring Islamic revolution in the country, said former provincial law minister Malik Zafar Azam. Mr Azam, who served as law minister in the Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal government, quit JUI-F some time ago and joined Pakistain Mohammedan League-Nawaz.

Link

India-Pakistan

Undeclared martial law in KP, says Fazl

2013-01-29

[Dawn] Jamaat Ulema-e-Islam ...Assembly of Islamic Clergy, or JUI, is a Pak Deobandi (Hanafi) political party. There are two main branches, one led by Maulana Fazlur Rahman, and one led by Maulana Samiul Haq. Fazl is active in Pak politix and Sami spends more time running his madrassah. Both branches sponsor branches of the Taliban, though with plausible deniability... chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman Deobandi holy man, known as Mullah Diesel during the war against the Soviets, his sympathies for the Taliban have never been tempered by honesty ... came down hard on Awami National Party here on Sunday for what he called its flawed policies and said that the ruling coalition failed to deliver during the last five years in the province. "There is an undeclared martial law in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... and the so-called champions of Pakhtun rights have surrendered everything to America," he said while addressing his party workers. A large number of workers of other political parties on this occasion joined JUI-F. According to the organisers, around 10,000 people joined JUI-F. Mr Rehman said that incumbent leadership did not have the ability to take pressure and steer the nation out of the crises although the country had immense talent and potential. He said that Pakistain could play pivotal role to restore permanent peace in Afghanistan. "Pakistain has the ability to play due role in restoration of peace in Afghanistan, but our leadership does not have the capability and skill to take bold decisions," he said. The JUI-F chief said that the nation had been divided along linguistic, provincial and sectarian lines and state institutions including bureaucracy and establishment failed to achieve main objectives of the creation of Pakistain. "The nation has been divided along Shia, Sunni, Sindhi, Baloch and Punjabi and the state's writ has eroded," he added. Mr Rehman said that Pakistain was under pressure because of borrowing foreign loans therefore the ruling class could not absorb pressure. He said that Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal government had maintained the writ of the state and no area was declared as conflict or war zone. He held ANP responsible for the prevailing situation and said that the provincial government had surrendered all its powers to the military. He said ANP announced to convene All Parties Conference to hold peace talks with Taliban when general elections were round the corner. "JUI has refused to attend the APC because we do not want to take blame for the wrong doings of others," Mr Rehman said, adding that his party had already begun homework for starting grinding of the peace processor in Fata. For this purpose, he said, his party had formed grand jirga in which all tribes including minorities had been given representation. "The jirga has been given complete authority to negotiate with all stakeholders for establishing lasting peace in the tribal areas," he said, adding that JUI-F did not want to impose any decision. The JUI-F chief said that there was no reason to delay general polls in the country. He hoped that his party would sweep the next elections. He said that people were fed up with the status quo and wanted change that's why they were looking towards JUI-F.

Link

India-Pakistan

KP Assembly told: Militants planned to seize key installations

2012-12-19

[Dawn] Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa ... formerly NWFP, still Terrorism Central... Minister for Information Mian Iftikhar Hussain has said that the krazed killers, who attacked Bacha Khan International Airport on Saturday night, had planned to take over important security installations and local TV station in the cantonment area. “We have reports that if attackers had entered the airbase then they would have received more backup from their standby associates in the adjacent tribal agency,” he said while speaking on a point of order in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly on Monday. The minister said that 10 faceless myrmidons were killed in the attack on the airport while one was incarcerated Drop the rod and step away witcher hands up! in maimed condition. He said that foreigners of Dagestan ...a formerly inoffensive Caucasus republic currently bedevilled by low-level Islamic insurgency, occasional outbreaks of separatism, ethnic tensions and terrorism, primarily due to its proximity to Chechnya. There are several dozen ethnic groups, most of which speak either Caucasian, Turkic, or Iranian languages. Largest among these ethnic groups are the Avar, Dargin, Kumyk, Lezgin, and Laks. While Russers form less than five percent of the population, Russian remains the primary official language and the lingua franca... and Uzbek origins were involved in the attack. He said that all the faceless myrmidons involved in the attack had different tattoos on their bodies. He said that members of terrorist organizations carved tattoos on their bodies to identify each other. Mr Hussain did not disclose the name of the maimed terrorist, who is under treatment. However, Caliphornia hasn't yet slid into the ocean, no matter how hard it's tried... he said that the injured krazed killer was in stable, pH balanced condition. “They (militants) had planned to seize important military installations, a nearby station of the state-run Pakistain Television, after entering the airbase,” he said and added that local people and law enforcement agencies jointly thwarted the nefarious plan of terrorists. The minister said that Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistain front man had also stated that 10 people were sent on the mission with two explosive-laden vehicles, rockets and hand grenades. Mr Hussain said that one army man, two coppers and six non-combatants were killed while two more police constables suffered injuries in the operation. He assured the house that government would compensate the local people whose properties were damaged as a result of krazed killers’ attack. The minister condemned killing of tribal people in a car kaboom in Jamrud, Khyber Agency on Monday and asked federal government to properly compensate the affected families. Meanwhile, ...back at the chili cook-off, Chuck reached for the green sauce... absence of ministers again affected the assembly’s business and Speaker Kiramatullah Khan Chagharmatti kept adjournment motions and call attention notices pending. Taking notice of the absence of ministers, speaker directed information minister to relieve those cabinet members, who did not attend the session. “Why not to relieve habitual absenting ministers,” he asked the information minister. Earlier, during question-answer session member of e Mutahidda Majlis-e-Amal from Lakki Marwat Naseer Mohammad Maidadkhel said that army had turned district headquarters hospital in his area into a base and the building was badly damaged. He said that security forces had fitted heavy artillery on the hospital’s premises and cracks had appeared in the building due to firing. He said that government should evacuate troops from the hospital and provide them suitable place.

Link

India-Pakistan

ANP wants lasting solution to Karachi crisis

2012-12-11

[Dawn] Showing concern over lawlessness in Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It may be the largest city in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... , Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan has asked President Asif Ali Ten Percent Zardari ... husband of the late Benazir Bhutto, who has been singularly lacking in curiosity about who done her in ... to convene a meeting of all stakeholders to find out permanent solution to the crisis-like situation in the port city. "Bloody Karachi is mini-Pakistain and the situation (there) is very serious and intolerable. Therefore, President Zardari should bring all stakeholders to the negotiation table to meticulously discuss the issue and work out a durable solution," he told a presser at Chief Minister's House after presiding over party provincial working committee meeting on Sunday. The ANP chief said that all stakeholders should put their heads together and hold serious debate on Bloody Karachi. The number of stakeholders involved in Bloody Karachi issue was increasing day by day, he said. He said that every Urdu speaker in Bloody Karachi should not be considered worker of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement and every Pakhtun should not be treated as member of ANP. "I have personally discussed Bloody Karachi situation with President Zardari recently and suggested him to work out sustainable solution," Mr Khan said, adding that new delimitations and preparation of new voter lists ordered by the Supreme Court might change the scenario in Bloody Karachi. The ANP president, who remained out of media for long time due to his illness, spoke elaborately on Afghanistan. He was optimistic that situation would remain normal after NATO ...the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. A single organization with differing goals, equipment, language, doctrine, and organization.... 's pullout from the war-torn country in 2014. He termed release of Taliban leaders by Pak government a major and positive step. "I am optimistic that at least there will be no sustained or organised war against state institutions in Afghanistan in the coming days. However, today is that tomorrow you were thinking about yesterday... stopping murder of individuals would take time," he said. The ANP chief urged Pakistain and Afghanistan to adopt confidence building measures, end mistrust and go for actionable intelligence sharing. To a question about Afghan government's allegations that Pakistain was interfering in its internal affairs, he said that both neighbours should stop the blame game and build trust.

Link

India-Pakistan

Senate adopts resolution asking govt to deweaponise Karachi

2012-11-20

[Dawn] The Senate on Monday passed a resolution with majority asking the government to deweaponise Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It may be the largest city in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... in view of the prevailing law and order situation in the metropolis. The senators of Mutahidda Qaumi Movement (MQM) were caught napping when the resolution was put for voting as only Col. (Retd) Tahir Hussain Mashhadi opposed the passage of the resolution and said instead of deweaponisation of Bloody Karachi, the whole of Pakistain should be deweaponised. However, if you can't be a good example, then you'll just have to be a horrible warning... Chairman Senate Syed Nayyar Hussain Bukhari rejected the proposal, stating that Mashhadi was not even backed by his own colleagues. Apparently, the MQM senators were happy with the reconciliatory gesture of Senator Azam Khan Hoti of the Awami National Party (ANP) who had shacked hands with MQM leader Babar Khan Ghauri for peace in Bloody Karachi. The resolution was moved by Senator Shahi Syed of the ANP on April 30. Earlier, taking part in the debate, Mushahidullah Khan of Pakistain Mohammedan League-Nawaz (PML-N) regretted the fact that Imambargahs and Mosques were being attacked during the holy month of Muharram and the people were not being provided with adequate security. He said that no one was Shia or Sunni among the general public and the vested interests were on to keep the people divided.

Link

Warning: Undefined property: stdClass::$T in /data/rantburg.com/www/pgrecentorg.php on line 132
-12 More