The Ideological Divide
The brutal assassination of Salmaan Taseer and the growing stridency of religious extremists in its aftermath have widened the ideological divide in the country. It is not the first time that Islamic parties have tried to exploit religious sentiments to promote their political agenda, but such militant rhetoric seen over the last few weeks is unprecedented. The leaders of the Islamic parties and clerics publicly threatened to kill anyone not subscribing to their obscurantist views. What is more worrisome is the abdication by the state of its responsibility of providing protection to its citizens. Some of the mainstream moderate political parties have also joined the bandwagon, whipping up zealotry for their narrow political interests.
What the extremists have tried to do is to create a sense of fear and suppress the voices of reason and moderation. With a spineless administration giving in to their militant rhetoric, the extremists seem to have widened their political space which they had failed to gain through the ballot box. They have also been helped by a section of the media to project their extremist narrative.
It was perhaps the most shameful moment for the nation when lawyers, who are supposed to uphold the rule of law, lauded a murderer calling him “a soldier of Islam.” Many others who were at the forefront of the lawyers’ movement – heralded as the “black coat revolution” that paved the way for the country’s return to democracy – maintained a criminal silence while their colleagues glorified the brutality. But the worst came when Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who is responsible for the country’s internal security, declared that he too would shoot anyone who commits blasphemy, giving the zealots the license to kill.
Are the religious extremists winning the battle for the soul of Pakistan? The issue of the Blasphemy Law may have brought the squabbling religious and sectarian groups together, allowing them to demonstrate their street power, but the battle is far from over.
Though in small numbers, the moderate Pakistan is fighting back to stem the onslaught of the extremist forces. Expediency may have forced the religious right to come together, but this unity is fragile. Most of these clerics have been responsible for inciting religious and sectarian violence that has left hundreds of Muslims dead. They have turned Pakistan into the most intolerant society in the entire Muslim world. Many respected Islamic scholars who challenged the extremists and militants have either been killed or forced to leave the country. Even mosques and shrines have not been spared in the bloody sectarian war.
This is certainly not the country that was founded some 63 years ago by Mohammed Ali Jinnah. And this is not a battle between liberals and extremists, but between those who want to turn the country into a theocratic dictatorship and those championing the cause of democracy, rule of law and religious harmony. It is a battle that will ultimately decide the direction the country heads in.
The power of the pulpit: Islamist parties, though never able to win a majority in parliament, have secured far greater influence than the number of their supporters justifies, preventing the development of a sustainable liberal democracy in the country. Photo: AFP
Throughout its history, Pakistan has been a state in search of its identity, and the struggle between religious extremists and moderates has remained at the centre of that quest. Though Pakistan was not founded as an Islamic theocratic state, from the start a battle ensued between moderate Muslims, who wanted a modern, democratic state, and religious extremists who agitated for a theocratic rule. Jinnah’s vision for Pakistan was of a modern democratic state, and Islamic fundamentalists opposed his demand for a separate Muslim homeland and considered him a heretic. Major opposition to the push for Pakistan’s independence came from the same elements that are now responsible for Pakistan’s descent into chaos.
Islamist parties, though never able to win a majority in parliament, have secured far greater influence than the number of their supporters justifies, preventing the development of a sustainable liberal democracy in the country. Largely due to the patronage of security agencies in the past, the forces of radical Islam have succeeded in infusing religion into the very fabric of the state. Despite their majority in parliament, the moderate and liberal parties have not been able to overturn discriminatory laws affecting religious minorities and women’s rights.
Since its birth, Pakistan has vacillated between periods of military rule and chaotic and corruption-riddled democratic regimes. The infusion of radical Islamic ideology into the civil and military institutions by General Zia’s military regime and policy of using Islamic militancy as a tool of foreign policy has largely been responsible for the rise of religious extremism, which now threatens to tear apart the social fabric. Claiming that he had a God-given mission “to purify and cleanse Pakistan,” Zia turned Jinnah’s vision of a liberal Pakistan on its head and created a theocratic state. The enforcement of so-called Shariah codes was used to dramatically curb civil liberties, especially women’s civil rights. The law that a defendant was innocent until proven guilty was reversed, putting the burden of providing evidence on the accused, which is now being used by clerics to prosecute anyone who they deem is “going against Islam.”
Leading by example: Federal Interior Minister Rehman Malik, who is responsible for the country’s internal security, declared that he too would shoot anyone who commits blasphemy, giving the zealots the license to kill. Photo: AFP
Even with the backing of the military regime, however, the Islamists failed to mobilise popular electoral support. The militant groups, which were created to fight Pakistan’s proxy wars, have now turned their guns inwards posing the biggest threat to the country’s internal security. Thousands of Pakistani soldiers are now battling the groups which were once developed as security assets. Some of these groups are still active and also participated in the recent rallies held in Karachi and Lahore. The continuing selective patronage by the security agencies to militant groups indicates that there has not been any change in the mindset despite the growing militant violence in the country. These armed jihadi militias now threaten the integrity of the country.
The extremists have also gained ground because of moral bankruptcy of our civilian leadership which comes from a feudal and tribal background. Their main interest is to protect their vested interests, which also explains the criminal abdication of the PPP government in the face of extremist violence. The government which claims liberal credentials does not realise that by giving in to extremists, it has also dug its own grave. It is now a battle to save Pakistan which demands a greater unity among the forces who want to revive the vision of Jinnah’s Pakistan.
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1. ” Success of Jinnah and Zia in Pakistan and Failure of Others.”
In view of present scenario, when Pakistan is suffering from violent conflict between Pakistan army and Islamic Fighters and both are cutting throats of each other and killing each other mercilessly, and no one is there to stop them from this bloody madeness,infact some ethnocentric parties and India are enjoying this bloody film continuously, and are trying to pour more fuel on this fire. In such condition it is the responsibility of Intellectuals of Pakistan to try to stop this blood shed and to analyze the past history of Pakistan and find out that why Pakistan was stable in the era of Quaid-e-Azam and General Zia, and was a most stable and strong country of the region in spite of all adversaries and enemity of British Empire, India and Soviet Union and why it has become so much unstable in the era of General Musharaf and Mr.Zardari in spite of support of World Super power USA,NATO and other nations..
Pakistan Needs Leader Like Quaid-e-Azam.
Quaid-e-Azam was a leader who united whole the populations of Muslims of subcontinent on one platform in spite of all their weaknesses due to illiteracy, ethnocentrism, regionalism, provincialism and conspiracies of Indian National Congress and British rulers, From each sentence of his speeches it is evident that he was the most caring and sincere leader for Muslims and for their interests. His speeches are full of words like Muslims, Musalamans and Islam, He very strongly proved that he is a well wisher of Muslims and will never compromise against the best interests of Muslims.
This was the reason that Muslims of subcontinent have thrown all their differences and were united under his leader ship without any reservation. For the cause of Muslims his family life was destroyed, his sister never married, her daughter was separated from him, For the cause of Muslims he lost his personnel home in Bombay, India, For the cause of Muslims he refused to accept the Premier ship of India and due to his hard work for the Muslims his health was destroyed but till his death he continued to work for welfare of his peoples. These were the characteristics of Quaid-e-Azam due to which even his enemies like him and have praise for him.
Pakistan Needs Leader Like General Zia-ul-Haq.
After separation of East Pakistan in 1971 a critical change occurred in the demography of Pakistan and ratio of Muslims Population increased from 85% to 98%.General Zia was the first leader who comprehended this change and used this phenomena for the strength and stability of Pakistan. Due to his apparent commitment with Islam and Muslims, he was able to rule the country like an Iron Man till his death. During his era Pakistan was the Island of piece in whole region, his devotion for Islam and Pakistan made him the most successful ruler of Pakistan, Although he was a military dictator he was having a very effective influence both socially and religiously on people of Pakistan, and people were having trust on him, due to his policies there was no anti state or separation activities except that of Al-Zulfiqar by brother of Mrs. Benazir Bhutto.
Afghan Jihad: Although General Zia was supporting Afghan Jihad against Soviet Union his relations with Soviet Union were surprisingly good, and Pakistan Steel Mill in Karachi was completed with the help of Soviet Union.
Collapse of Super Power Soviet Union:
Due to General Zia support for Afghan Jihad Soviet Union was broken into pieces of more than dozen countries and Pakistan was able to take the revenge of separation of East Pakistan from Soviet Union in which Soviet Union was nakedly involved .
Due to General Zia policies so many countries of Eastern Europe and Central Asia were liberated from the claws of Soviet Union and both East and West Germany were reunited.
He refused to accept any pressure with reference to Nuclear Program from USA.
India:
In the era of General Zia ,India was highly frightened from stability and progress of Pakistan and lost all its credibility and diplomatic respect due to support for Soviet Union for invasion in Afghanistan and Indira Gandhi a foolish leader of India who was involved in aggression and terrorism for taking the advantage of foolish acts of General Yahya Khan in 1971 in East Pakistan , was totally failed in controlling the affairs of East Punjab due to her foolish policies and in fact lost her life in that crisis.
Blunders of Non-Religious Leader Pervez Musharaf.
KARGIL WAR.
Even before becoming the dictator, just for lust of his personnel fame, he was responsible for the adventure of Kargil war, which was having following draw backs.
• As both India and Pakistan were nuclear armed at the time of Kargil war, it was simply foolish idea for staging such an adventure.
• In case of extension of Kargil war, even the survival of both India and Pakistan were at stake, because in nuclear war no one will be victorious.
• Kargil war has given the message to world as Pakistan was interested in the land of Kargil and not in the liberation of Kashmiri peoples.
• It was told to the world as Mujahideen are acting in Kargil while infact they were the personnel of Pakistan army, and in fact it was great betrayal with those soldiers who were officially sent by their Generals in Kargil.
• As a General Pervez Musharaf failed to take the help of Air force, which also indicates that how much capable General was he.
• In Kargil Pakistan army personnel who were denied even by their Generals as their soldiers, were fighting against two forces of India i.e. Indian army and Indian Air force, it was a simple analysis that it will be impossible for one force to win a war against two forces. Which clearly indicates, that General Musharaf was not well aware of the basics of warfare?
• Pervez Musharaf was solely responsible for the deaths and injuries to soldiers in this conflict and damage and malignment of the nation due to his foolish adventure just for his personnel fame.
Musharaf Dictatorship.
After Kargil expecting that he could be court martialled for his misdeed, Therefore by violating the best interest of the nation when enemies of Pakistan were waiting for opportunities to overthrow Taliban rule in Afghanistan, and to annihilate Kashmir libration movement and to surgically remove nuclear arms of Pakistan, by having no care of the above mentioned interests of the nation ,this dictator staged the coup against a Prime Minister who was having two third majority in the parliament, at that time only a civilian government was in best position to solve all above challenges but foolish dictators were having no care of interests of the nation.
Kashmir;
Due to Dictator Ship in Pakistan, liberation movement in Kashmir was seriously damaged; more dust was poured on that weakening movement by foolish suggestions of this dictator. This is the reason that even after giving so much sacrifices, still Kashmiries are waiting for freedom.
Damage to Integrity of Pakistan:
As the survival of any nation depends on the basic ideology of that nation, as Pakistan was created on the name of Islam and for the welfare of Muslim populations of Different areas, but this dictator was having no respect for the traditional, religious. Democratic
and justice values of society, he was not in line with the mentality and thinking of the nation, nation was thinking in one direction and he was having mind of opposite direction, which caused serious damage to unity and integrity of Pakistani nation.
War against Afghanistan:
After 9/11 When he was waiting for help of USA for strengthening his dictatorship, he helped those enemies of Pakistan who were having desire to overthrow Islamic Government of Afghanistan, while in fact that was a golden opportunity for convincing to USA and world that solution to the problem of extremism in Afghanistan should be left to both governments of Afghanistan and Pakistan, and at other hand it was a convenient opportunity for creating a union between Pakistan and Afghanistan for countering terrorism for the purpose of avoiding the war in the region. but due to his dictatorship these goals were not possible, specially when India the main enemy of Muslim unity in South Asia pressurized Pakistan, by giving unnatural offer of Air bases in India to USA for aggression against Afghanistan while in fact by this offer it was not possible for USA to attack Afghanistan, by this offer, India just aim was to force Pakistan to become an ally of USA against Afghanistan, so that a hatred may be created between Pakistan and Afghanistan, This foolish General was unable to comprehend this policy of India, due to which so much civilian atrocities are going on in this region even today and this region has become the most destabilized region of the world.
War against Afghanistan was opposed by civilian, military intellectuals, Corps Commanders and people of Pakistan, but dictator was having no care about that. and was interested in his personnel interest
War against Afghanistan has caused a huge destruction in Afghanistan and large number of Pakistani civilians and military personnel’s have been killed.
Destruction of Pakistan.
War against a neighbor Muslim country, has seriously damaged Pakistan Islamic Ideology, and it is simple that without adherence to ideology, no country in the world can survive, this is the reason that now Pakistan is facing serious problem in each and every sphere of life, Institutions of Government and Military, Parliament and Judiciary are now facing serious problems as all these pillars of state have been seriously damaged by dictatorial policies.
Damage to Army:
Due to operations against its own population, Pakistan Army has lost all support of people, this is the reason that due to policies of this dictator, daily so many soldiers and Police personnel’s are loosing their lives, Instead of protecting and helping to each other, Army and people of Pakistan are cutting throats of each other, Due to operation in FATA, Balouchistan, and operation of Lal Mosque, serious damage to image of army has occurred. This dictator did not know that only relation and link between different areas and sections of people of Pakistan is that of Islam, All energy and motivation of Pakistani nation comes from Islam, without that even survival of Pakistan is simply impossible, but this dictator was having no care of that, This is the reason that army and security forces have lost all motivation, and anti social elements are committing freely their crimes.
Damage to Judicial system:
This under graduate General has caused serious damage to Judicial system of Pakistan, He was not knowing that in history when a dictator throw away any judge on street due to fair practices of justice then that Judge becomes the greatest judge of history, In Karachi on 12-05-2007,so many civilians were killed just to damage and abuse the
Judicial system of Pakistan.
Damage to Parliament:
This dictator for the lust of power in 1999 removed a prime minister who was having Two Third majority in Parliament and a fake referendum was held to validate his dictatorship in which he showed that he was having support of 98 % of people, while in fact in history even in a single constituency of Pakistan it is simply not possible for any candidate to win so much support. He re-elected himself as a president for next five years, being a government employee wearing Military Uniform, while as per Pakistan constitution it is not allowed to compete elections being in job of Government, moreover from a parliament which already has elected him president once, and was going to complete its life just in next few months.
Violent Poilicies of Non-Religious Leader Mr. Zardari..
Policies of Mr. Zardari are just concentrated on the central Idea of taking the revenge of her wife from the people of FATA and NWFP, Mr.Zardari is an incompetent person for the post of president, he has become president of Pakistan, just due to greed and selfishness of the members of Parliament, as his own party was not having even simple majority in the Parliament and Mr. Zardari is taking the revenge of her deceased wife from people of FATA, and his policy is just killing and more killing of religious people of FATA and NWFP, Thousands of civilian peoples and army soldiers have been killed but there is no tears in his eyes he wants more deaths more attacks and more violence, therefore instead of making any effort for peace he is just saying that he wants victory he want to kill extremist Taliban, he say there is no option except war, he is desiring War in his own country with his fellow country men. , on one side he is using Pakistani security forces for killing tribal’s area people and on other hand helping and persuading USA to kill these tribal’s people, so that tribal’s people in reaction will do violent protest and attacks on USA and Pakistan Security forces in reaction and then Mr.Zardari will be able to claim that these are terrorist. By this vindictive policy Mr.Zardari Just want to satisfy his sense of revenge of the death of her wife, it is true that her wife was killed by some extremist due to her irresponsible statement that she would allow USA troops in FATA for operation against Talibans but now it is not correct to kill all religious people of FATA and NWFP in reaction to death of Benazir Bhutto, it will be justified to judicially penalize to those who have killed Benazir Bhutto.
Reasons for Success of Religious Leaders and Failure of others:
All success of Quaid-e-Azam and General Zia-ul-Haq were due to trust of Pakistani Nation on them due to their commitment with Islam, Muslims and Pakistan, in proving that commitment both were very proactive while present rulers are devoid of such characteristics, due to which today tribal people who have helped Pakistan in liberating 1/3 of Kashmir, and Mujahideen who helped Pakistan in Afghan Jihad are now attacking Pakistan security forces and national assets.
Due to Quaid-e-Azam commitment and support for Islam and Muslims,he was able to compete both British Empire a World Super of that time and India second largest country of the world. In the same manner General Zia was able to give the defeat to Soviet Union a world super power,just by sensing the psychology and religious culture of people of Pakistan.
While recent non-religious and ethnocentric rulers such as Musharaf and Zardari nor have any Ideology and neither have any courage to go in masses and are even unable to control the affairs of the Capital of Pakistan,Islamabad and the city of Rawalpindi where the General Head Quarter of Pakistan Army is located, because these rulers have chronically failed in proving their sincerity with Islam, Muslims and the people of Pakistan ,Which was proved on the day of Death of Benazir Bhutto,when workers and supporters of these non-religious leaders committed each and every crime against the innocent and peaceful citizens of Pakistan, both Musharaf who was in power at that time and Zardari who was the successor of Benazir chronically failed in protecting the assets and citizens from their violent supporters, therefore now how people of Pakistan can support and trust such selfish and deceptive leaders.
It is the responsibility of world leaders specially western nations to analyze the situation scientifically, because even for Western Nations Jinnah and Zia , were more beneficial while it is quite obvious that Musharaf and Zardari who are just using guns to gain their objective will just fail, and Musharaf already had failed and the situation is highly volatile at present, therefore it is the need of time to encourage those people to come forward who can solve the crisis of Afghanistan and Pakistan peacefully with Ideological Warfare and not with deceptive politics and Guns.
Written By: Muhammad Akram Khan Niazi.
Karachi,Pakistan.,