My views

A Prompt Critique of ISIS’s Statement on the Paris Attacks

2015-11-18T12:45:00.002-08:00

In the Name of Allāh, the Most Merciful,
the Bestower of Mercy
Following the Paris attacks, ISIS released an official statement claiming responsibility for the suicide bombings and shootings that killed at least 127 people in France.
This statement is part of a marketing campaign by ISIS to attract supporters based on ideological lines and political sentiment.

Any sensible person can see that ISIS is void of any Islamic integrity and basic principles of morality. ISIS “is not an expression of traditional Islam or fundamentalist Islam; it is a new understanding of Islam, cloaked in western revolutionary ideology.”

Allah cautioned Muslims in the noble Quran about carelessly accepting the justification of tyrants and murderers for their criminal conduct. An example of this is Allah’s condemnation of Pharaoh, who was responsible for many crimes amongst which was mass genocide, even though Pharaoh claimed:

“I show you only that which I see [correct], and I guide you only to the path of right policy.” [Ghāfir: 29]

I hope that this helps, even if only minutely, to comprehend the objectives and realities of this heretical group.

A qualitative analysis of the statement:
1. To justify the murder of non-combatants ISIS used the word “crusader” five times in a single paged declaration. They also referred to France as “the carrier of the banner of the Cross in Europe.” This is no coincidence. It is a flimsy attempt to justify islamically the massacre of innocent men, women and children. This reasoning is flawed from two angles:
i. The word “crusader” –Ṣalībī in Arabic– is classically used to describe the Christians who entered the Muslim lands under the pretense of ridding Bayt al-Maqdis (the Sanctified Territory) and the surrounding areas of Islamic rule. How is this applicable to civilians walking the streets of Paris?
ii. If they argue that they are using “crusader” as a synonymous term for “Ḥarbī [combatant of war], then this is also unacceptable, as it is forbidden in Islamic law to murder non-combatants, women and children, even at times of combat. How is this applicable to men, women and children at a stadium, watching an international football match or indulging in other pastimes?

The use of such language is not only intended to provide religious context for these rabid psychopaths, but also to provide the islamophobes and the far right with ammunition to demonize all Muslims, and thus further polarize already fragile societies. A technique that is crucial for the success of any fringe movement.
The strategy is clear –and worryingly it appears to be working in some countries– to isolate peaceful Muslim minorities, subject them to further hostilities, force governments to define their version of an ‘acceptable Islam’ and then appear as the Islamic vanguard and savior to fight this injustice, recruiting the disenchanted youth produced by such a climate.
2. The misusage of Quranic passages. In the statement ISIS explicitly quoted two verses from the Quran and alluded to numerous others.
This is not a new phenomenon; rather, as Imam al-Shātibī, a famous jurist and scholar, stated:
“You will not find an innovator, who is attributed to this religion, except that he endeavors to validate his heresy with a divine text, so he applies it according to his logic and ulterior desires.”2
They quoted two verses:
i. “And they thought that their fortresses would defend them from Allah! But Allah's (Torment) reached them from a place whereof they expected it not, and He cast terror into their hearts, so that they destroyed their own dwellings with their own hands and the hands of the believers. Then take admonition, O you with eyes (to see).” [Al-Ḥashr: 2]

ii. “But honor, power and glory belong to Allah, His Messenger (Muhammad), and to the believers, but the hypocrites know not.” [Al-Munāfiqūn: 8]
The first verse has been applied so out of context it is farcical, which proves that the target audience is lacking any basic Islamic education. The verse in question is referring to a group from the people of the scripture who had a covenant with the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), who was the head of the Islamic state at the time.
These individuals violated this agreement and conspired to murder the Prophet, believing that their fortresses would inevitably protect them. News of this reached the Prophet and he commanded them to vacate their fortresses, due to their violation of the peace treaty. Fear gripped their hearts and they were left with no alternative but to depart from what they once viewed as impenetrable walls.3
How can this be compared to civilians dining at a restaurant? How can this be compared to shooting innocent humans with Kalashnikovs like they are ducks?
As for the second verse, then it suffices us to ask what honor is gained from murdering humans in this fashion. This is the epitome of cowardice; and to quote a Quranic passage reveals how sick and indoctrinated this group is.
3. They attempt to dehumanize the victims of these attacks by lavishly praising the perpetrators, while portraying their targets as being worthless entities with no worth and no rights.
i. “The capital of prostitution and obscenity.”
ii. “Put the nose of his enemy in the ground.”
iii. “Streets of Paris and its rotten alleys.”
iv. “Hundreds of apostates had gathered in a profligate prostitution party.”
v. “The death of no less than 100 crusaders.”
Let us not forget that they are talking about human beings. Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) once mentioned a man whom Allāh admitted in to paradise because he quenched the thirst of a dog by giving it water. A scholar of Islam, Shaykh Ibn al-ʿUthaymīn, commented on the aforementioned tradition by saying, “What about a human being?”
Furthermore, the most immoral sin in Islam is idolatry [Shirk], and at the time of the Prophet the blessed Kaʿbah in Mecca, which was built by Prophet Abraham, was inhabited by various idols and it was under the control of his arch-enemies. However, this was never used as a justification to massacre innocent people, even during the periods in which great hostility was shown to the Prophet and his companions.
This type of reasoning has been formulated by heterodox sects to mask their insanity and filthy souls. No sensible person agrees with this, let alone a religion that has so much concern for the creatures of God that it even addresses the rights of an ant upon a human being.
4. They attempt to market their group as legitimate representatives of Islam and the Muslims. They refer to themselves as:
i. “Soldiers of the Caliphate.”
ii. “The Islamic State.”
iii. “The Muslims in the heart of the Caliphate.”
Shaykh al‐Islām Ibn Taymīyah (may Allāh have mercy upon him) emphasized the need for investigation and caution when fringe elements start screaming Jihad. He stated:
“However, it is obligatory to differentiate between the legislated Jihad, which Allāh and His Messenger have commanded with, and the heretical Jihad which is the Jihad waged by misguided individuals who perform Jihad in obedience to the Devil, but they believe that they are performing Jihad in obedience to The Most Merciful (al‐Raḥmān). This is like the Jihad of the people of innovation and misguidance such as the Khawārij (extremist renegades) and other than them…” Al-Radd ʿAlā al-Akhnā’ī (p. 205)
5. They portray the perpetrators as martyrs:
i. “Youths who divorced the world and went to their enemy seeking to be killed in the cause of Allah.”
ii. “So they were honest with Allah…”
iii. “We ask Allah to accept them among the martyrs and make us follow them.”
This is not unique to this era, the person responsible for murdering the fourth Caliph, a relative of Prophet Muhammad, adopted similar beliefs to ISIS, and when he struck ʿAlī Abū Ṭālib with his sword he recited a verse about those who sell their souls for Allah’s sake.
Like ISIS, this individual belonged to a fringe movement who were at odds with the main body of Muslims.
When groups or individuals appeared in the past calling to Jihad, the scholars would carefully scrutinize these claims, asking questions such as,
“Did they raise their sword and strike with it according to the teachings of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) or according to [a set of] heretical beliefs.” This was stated by the Prophet’s companion, Ibn Masʿūd. Al-Bidaʿ Wa al-Nahy ʿAnhā
Bathing in the blood of innocent people is not a path to martyrdom, but a way to Hell, and taking one’s own life is suicide, which is deserving, according to Islamic texts, of repetitive torment in the Hereafter.
6. The language is pretentious and dramatic, as if someone is describing a Hollywood movie:
i. “Blessed Paris Invasion.”
ii. “Allah conquered through their hands.”
iii. “The fool of France.”
iv. “Paris shook under their feet.”
v. “The smell of death will never leave their noses.”
vi. “This attack is the first of the storm.”
The reason ISIS chooses to employ such melodramatic language is to entice the youth. Islamic scholars throughout the ages, based on Prophetic traditions, described how those most affected by the bravado of extremists are normally the ‘gullible, foolish youth.”
For someone without Islamic knowledge growing up in the inner cities, facing daily challenges, especially those with bleak prospects, this rhetoric and the choreographed images on the net might be appealing.
Defeating ISIS, no doubt, requires a multifaceted approach and the most integral part of this strategy is to provide accurate counter-narratives by qualified individuals upon sound readings of religious texts. Such rigorously developed authentic narratives should then be made readily available to everyone in a professional and academic manner. This serves the objective of invalidating the fallacious rhetoric of the extremists as well as educating a confused and distraught non-Muslim audience, leading them to be fair and just in their own analysis and their interactions with Muslims.

The Writer Tweets at @ISIStinger

Book Review: Fallacies and Realties An Analysis of Lt. Gen Gul Hassan Memoir

2015-07-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Maj. Gen. Aboobaker Osman Mitha has a provided a very brief account of Lt. Gen. Gul Hassan’s memoir. To make it more understandable, I will segregate it into following.

1. Introduction

a. About Book

Maj. Gen. Mitha’s book Fallacies and realities is a rejoinder to Lt. Gen. Gul Hasssan’s Memoir termed as plethora of stories by Mitha himself. Fallacies and Realities provide a brief account for the instances made by Gul Hassan in his Memoir against the then C-in-C, other seniors and Mitha. Since, many of the accused in Gul Hassan’s book are dead or no one to corroborate or refute Gul Hassan’s versions, Maj. Gen. Mitha takes the task to produce this book and drown the ‘one-up-man-ship’ of Gul Hassan.

Gul Hassan effort to wriggle out of his share – A major share at that – of the mistakes in ’65 & 71’ wars and the accusations made against him of inefficiency as CGS and DMO, disloyalty and utter immaturity is greatly defeated by Mitha’s rejoinder ‘Fallacies and Realities’.

b. About Author

Maj. Gen. Aboobaker Osama Mitha usually shortened to AO Mitha, born in 1923, was a legendary two-star rank general who was the pioneer of the "stay behind" concept and founder of Pakistan's Special Service Group (SSG). Mitha served in World War II and commanded a platoon and a Motor Battalion later. He remained a company commander in Burma with 2/4 Bombay Grenadiers and 14/7 Rajputs. He was the only Muslim officer to serve with the paratroops of Indian Parachute Regiment in WWII. Mitha remained GSO 3 and GSO 2 to the Directorate of Weapons and Equipment in the Supreme Headquarters in Delhi and was in charge of the Division of the Airborne Equipment between India and Pakistan partition. He passed his staff college in 1951 and was posted as Quarter Master General in GHQ. He commanded Baluch Regimental Center and was commandant of Pakistan Military Academy for two years. He was Deputy to Gen. Tikka for the first four weeks of the East Pakistan operation. Mitha laid into eternal rest in 1999.

2. AIM Of The Book

The purpose of this book is to produce a rejoinder to Gul Hassan’s plethora of stories and personal tales with no one to corroborate, refute or testify. Mitha attempts this booklet to counter Gul Hassan’s accusations and blunt and belligerent style of writing.

This book also provides an excellent account of the past events for all ages and ranks of officers misled to think that not doing ones duty because one dislikes his seniors or colleagues is right under any circumstances. It also discusses the duties of senior officers and responsibility to maintain discipline of all kinds that Gul Hassan seems to spare himself off.

The booklet also serves as a reminder to Gul Hassan of his unfulfilled duties and inefficiency to do so and an excellent overview of historic events by the eyewitness himself.

3. Main Body

Lt. Gen. Gull Hassan, being the then DMO, who was responsible for the defense plans and the issue of operation orders, has composed his Memoirs in which he has dealt with the planning for the 1965 war at some length. Maj. Gen. Mitha has produced a rejoinder to Gull Hassan’s book.

Since, Maj. Gen. Mitha has a better experience of war time soldiering and post war staff appointments, he has more credibility in his pockets to be trusted and testify the events in its true spirits narrated in Gul Hassan’s Memoir. Gull Hassan had the misfortune of spending nearly the entire period of war as ADC to his very senior Army Commanders, more like a tale of personal services. These postings kept him far from regimental and command encounters, which give a specific shape to an officer character. Gull Hassan as ADC was denied this opportunity, bringing about his unconventional conduct design when stood up to with talking about exceptionally key inquiries with his seniors. Gull Hassan never liked feedback and contrast of feeling.

Gull Hassan's criticism of his CGS Maj. Gen. Sher Bahadur, amid the 1965 war is a glaring case. Mitha had close contacts with Gen. Sher Bahadur, who was a proficient senior officer and a man of few words who could get a handle on the circumstance obviously. Mitha see him as exceptionally cool and quiet identity in all circumstances. Gull Hassan feedback of Sher Bahadur seems ridiculous. Mitha credits Gull Hassans feedback to his long experience as an ADC, where vicinity to great commanders gave him the sentiment vainglory. Mitha says, he stayed near to them yet not amid their planning meetings rather to personal services.

Mitha has rightly answered the Gul Hassan’s criticism of infantry officers being posted as Armour commander, while he himself happened to be a convertee like those he has criticized.

4. Analysis/Lessons Learnt

This rejoinder provides a very good historical view of the events and functioning of the certain divisions and armed forces. I have learnt the following lessons.

One should keep country and his duties above personal grudge and ego.
One should put forward his opinion and plans without disrespecting seniors in case not accepted.
If someone is senior to you he must have done something extraordinary to have that positions – though not necessarily.
I have learnt a great deal of how GHQ functioned at that time and the advancement since then.
I have grasped the knowledge about GHQ sub-divisions and how they function in both war and peace time.
Anybody would have fallen for the plethora of stories by Gull Hassan, Mitha’s booklet provided me an opportunity to learn about the other side of the story.
I have learnt about Gull Hassan inefficiencies and ‘could not care less attitude’ as DMO during 1965 war and as Chief of General Staff in 1971 war.
I have also learnt how the brilliant achievement of armour were nullified at Khem Kharan because Gull Hassan failed as DMO to provide infantry cover to the armour and it had to abandon ground captured on two successive days.
I have learnt a great deal of knowledge about Khem Karan and East Pakistan and Gull Hassan’s contributions.

5. Recommendations

Gull Hassan Memoir is a record of individual stories and accomplishments. Maj. Gen. Mitha reply to Gull Hassan's record is simply proficient treatise on the working of an Arm of the Defense Services whose systems for working is not generally known, not open. This booklet has lifted the drapery to some degree. Mitha's reply should be read.

6. Conclusion

The positions that Gull Hassan held in 1965 and 1971 were such that he can't escape from the obligation and liability he had on his shoulders. Gull Hassan did his best to stick it on others, with whom he neglected to make a working relationship.

Armed force anticipates that each man will do his duty regardless of individual likes and aversions. One ought not to compose such aggressive comments against his seniors and partners with nobody to affirm and no ethical ground to hold.

From Mitha’s booklet it seems Gull Hassan were just making sensational headlines to sell his plethora of stories by making false accusations and adopting a blunt and belligerent style of writing while presenting himself as a sacred cow.

If Gull Hassan was so critical of his seniors and planning of 1965, he should have resigned in protest. Then he would have been in a better position to comment or criticize them now. He didn’t do so and that makes him part of that planning, so he cannot simply wriggle out of his share or responsibility in the action at that time.

Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed - An Exemplary Intrepid

2015-07-05T06:59:00.000-07:00

BACKGROUND

Sher Khan was the youngest of his two brothers and two sisters. His mother died in 1978 when he was

Captain Colonel Sher Khan Shaheed, Nishan-e-Haider

eight. He was brought up by his paternal aunts. His family is deeply religious and they say that Sher was an embodiment of piety and Islamic teaching.
After completing his intermediate from Government College Swabi he joined Pakistan Air Force as an air man. On completion of his training, he was appointed electric fitter (aeronautical) at Risalpur. During these years he appointed twice for commission in the Pakistan Army as this was what he really wanted to do — he succeeded the second time. He joined the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul in November 1992 and graduated in the 90th Long Course in 1994. His first posting was at Okara in 27th Sindh Regiment. Always smiling as a devoted soldier, he was fondly called Shera and was very popular among his officers and colleagues. In January 1998 he volunteered to serve at the LoC in Kashmir, he was posted in 12 NLI.

PERFORMANCE

The Tiger Hill Complex is a set of six strategic posts; the Tiger Hill Top, Western Spur, Eastern Spur, India Gate, Rocky Knob and Helmet. If the Indian account is to be believed, Captain Karnal Sher Khan was responsible for setting up and defending one of these posts. On the other hand, the Pakistani account states that Sher was responsible for setting up forward defensive posts around the Gultari and Mushkoh Valley areas in Kargil, and that he had nothing to do with Tiger Hill. This article is based on the Indian account. In any case, the actual location does not matter as will be seen in the remainder of this article. From Indian readings, it appears that Sher was in fact defending the post on the Western Spur. The truth, however, will never be known. The active participation of the Kashmiri Freedom Fighters in the Tiger Hill battles is, however, a well researched fact.
Tiger Hill Top was the most strategic post at Kargil. This was the highest peak overlooking the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Although there were other active posts from where the Indian supply lines to Siachen glacier could be cut as well, Tiger Hill Top was the most effective. For the protection of Tiger Hill Top, the Pakistani soldiers and Kashmiri Freedom Fighters occupied the five other posts in the Tiger Hill complex. The most important was the Western Spur post, which had to be neutralized in order to launch any sort of infantry offensive on the Tiger Hill Top post.
The task of isolating the Western Spur post was given to the Indian 8 Sikh Regiment (800 - 1000 men). Later on, this regiment also participated in the capture of Tiger Hill Top. The task of bombarding this post was given to the Indian 41 Field regiment (a full field unit with massive heavy artillery capability).
Manning the Western Spur post was Captain Karnal Sher Khan with 21 ORs (Other Ranks, men who are ordinary sepoys and do not hold any specific rank).
From 26th June to 27th June, the 41 Field Regiment excessively shelled the Western Spur post with no less than 19 Howitzers, while the Indian Air Force Mirage 2000 jets flew sorties over the post and pounded the bunkers with laser guided bombs. Under these circumstances some infantrymen from 8 Sikh also fired at the posts held by Sher and his men, and 'dared them to recite the Kalima, for it will be their final one'. Obviously, the Pakistanis and the Kashmir's did not get any sleep during this time.
It was around 9:00 PM on the 27th of June 1999 that the 8 Sikh launched a fierce attack on the Western Spur post. The tired 'intruders' tried to fight back, but the sheer number of the Indians (450 - 500 men) along with the IAF and Artillery support made it impossible for them to hold on. There were not many casualties on either side, but as far as Karnal Sher's men were concerned, there didn't have to be many, as they were not great in number to start with.
Karnal Sher finally retreated from the post, going to a point of lower elevation. The Indians had gotten hold of the Western Spur post. They were in a terrific position to launch the final offensive on the other posts, especially the Tiger Hill Top.

Right in photo capt Sher khan! Hero OF kargil

Karnal Sher was in a terrible spot. The Indians were now at an elevated position; they were much greater in number and had the support of a much bigger artillery. Unlike Sher's men they were well rested, as the enemy did not subject them to intense fire and they also had no shortage of ammunition or food.
One of Sher's men had died during the attack. Most of the others were wounded. To top it all, some Sikh soldiers were still daring them to come out and recite their final Kalima.
One of Karnal Sher's men asked him about what they were supposed to do next.
"Counter Attack", replied Sher
The stunned man gazed at Sher. Counter Attack under the circumstances was suicidal. The Indians had an advantage in every thinkable manner. They had also been fortifying their defense ever since they had taken the Western Spur.
"Counter Attack?", the man asked Sher again.
"Yes counter attack. The Indians attacked my post at night, with heavy artillery and air support. I will attack them in broad daylight with the men that I have left."
Sher had been operational in the area since November 1998. He knew the Drass Sector area inside out. He had a good idea of the positions that could be taken for an attack on the Western Spur. The 8 Sikh Regiment had not utilized any of those areas in their attack, hence Sher took the chance they were not well aware of their existence. During the night he placed his men in those positions, strategically placing the compact artillery that they had in the optimum areas.
The counter attack, with 21 men, was launched on the Indians occupying the Western Spur. Sher's men were told never to stay in on position while attacking, and the positions that every man was to move to and from during the attack were also identified. Every one of Sher's men was changing position to no less than 8 places.
This was the shortest battle of the entire Kargil operation, taking no more than one hour. There were many reasons for its success. First of all was the deployment. As an Indian soldier would be killed, the others would direct fire towards the area from where the fire came from. In the mean time however, the Pakistani/ Kashmiri would have changed his position to another area where he was safe from the Indian firing but still could see them.
Secondly, the Indians were not expecting an attack from the positions where Karnal Sher had deployed his men. Had they known about them in advance, they would have placed their own men over there as a defensive measure.
The third was the timing of the attack. It came at the most unexpected time, only 7 or 8 hours after the Indian offensive.
Finally, there was the sheer ferocity of the attack. Sher's men knew before going into the attack that they are going in for an impossible task. They had no fear of death, and that itself makes a better fighter during any battle.
As the 8 Sikh regiment began to retreat, Kernal Sher left his position and came out in the open. He started reciting the Kalima aloud. Picking up his machine gun he started charging towards the retreating forces.
"Cowards!" he said, "Where are you running off to? I will not let you run away like this."
Sher's remaining men, having suffered some casualties while they were ascending the Western Spur post, finally managed to reach on top. They replaced the Indian Flag with the Pakistani one and started chanting slogans of 'Allah O Akbar'. Sher, on the other hand, was obsessed with the retreating forces.
"I am reciting the Kalima as you had dared me to." he shouted, "Where are you running off to? Stop and fight. Make this my last Kalima if you can". While saying this he was seen running after the retreating troops, firing at will, with little or no opposition except from the ongoing artillery shelling. 10 or 12 of Sher's men, who had taken up positions on the Western Spur, also opened havoc wreaking fire on the retreating troops to add to their woes.
Captain Karnal Sher followed the Indian troops until he reached the proximity of the 8 Sikh Regiment base camp.
Most of the men who had retreated from the Western Spur had come back to the base camp. The base camp already had around 300 to 400 soldiers. When the commanding officer was given the news of the counter attack at the Western Spur post, he radioed back to the Indian intelligence and cursed them for letting him believe that there were only 20 odd men in the area. He told them that at least a company strength (150 men) of militants had just attacked and retaken the Western Spur post.
One of the soldiers told the Commanding officer that the enemy commander was following them down. The CO told the man not to worry as one man would not dare enter the base camp. However, he was anticipating that a much larger party of militants would attack the base camp. He ordered his men to take the necessary defensive positions.
While the 8 Sikh soldiers were taking their defensive positions, they were greeted with the sound of 'Allah O Akbar' followed by intense machine gun fire on those areas where any movement was taking place.
Anticipating a company sized attack, the CO was stunned to see one man, reciting the Kalima aloud, charging towards the center of the camp.
"Come out cowards!" Captain Sher shouted having reached the center, "I will show you how to fight a battle".
Angered by the dare inside their own camp, two Sikh soldiers tried to attack Sher. Their attack was of no avail; the captain, who had started firing in their direction the moment they tried to move, killed both.
It was apparent that this was not an attack by a complete company, but by only one man. "You are surrounded from all sides " the CO shouted to Sher, "There are no men with you. You cannot possibly kill us all. There does not have to be any unnecessary bloodshed. Lay down your weapon and Surrender".
Sher fired in the direction of the Commanding Officer's voice. "I would rather die than to surrender to you" he said. While trying to continue firing, Sher realized that the ammunition in his machine gun had finished.
Seeing that he no longer had any ammunition, the Indian soldiers, including their CO, came out in the open and showed Sher that he was indeed surrounded from all sides. They started moving closer and closer to him, tightening their circle around him.
"Look around yourself" he said to Sher, "There is nothing more that you can do".
Sher looked around. There were more than fifty men who had surrounded him and could shoot him at point blank range. Instead of giving up, he started reciting the Kalima aloud once again. Seeing that the closest to him was the CO, he charged him and pushed him back by hitting him on the head with his empty machine gun. Seeing that Sher was not surrendering, and was in fact going to attack him for the second time, the 8 Sikh regiment Commanding Officer told his men to open fire on the militant.
The 8 Sikh regiment soldiers opened fire on Captain Sher. Hit many times, he tried to attack the CO for the third time, but of no avail.
Sher had always believed in not dying at the enemy's feet. He was about five feet away from the CO, who could see the desperate attempt Sher was making in not to fall down. Finally, Sher sat down, with his knees bent and touching the ground, and his machine gun still in his hand. The Kalima that he had been reciting so far became lower and lower in volume until it finally stopped. Captain Karnal Sher Khan had died.
Some of the Sikh soldiers became ecstatic that they had indeed made the 'intruder' recite his final Kalima. Two of them ran to Sher Khan's body to kick it from a sitting position into a one where his head was touching the ground.
Seeing the intent of his men, the CO ordered them to stop. He told them that this was a brave man and his body should not be desecrated at any cost. He ordered that Sher's body be brought back to Srinagar rather than being left at Tiger Hill. Upon finding out that Sher was a Pakistani Captain, he made sure that Sher gets a proper military treatment from the Indians. It was he who wrote the citation of Captain Sher, recommending him for the highest gallantry award in Pakistan. The citation can be found at Captain Sher Khan's residence in Fajounabad Charbagh, Swabi.
The government of Pakistan awarded Captain Karnal Sher Khan with Nishan-e-Haider, the country's highest gallantry award.

The Writer Tweets at @ISIStinger

China aims to challenge US air dominance

2015-06-23T04:36:00.000-07:00

WASHINGTON: China is mounting a serious effort to challenge U.S. military superiority in air and space, forcing the Pentagon to seek new technologies and systems to stay ahead of its rapidly developing rival, Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work has said.
The Pentagon's chief operating officer, speaking to a group of military and civilian aerospace experts, said China was "quickly closing the technological gaps," developing radar-evading aircraft, advanced reconnaissance planes, sophisticated missiles and top-notch electronic warfare equipment.
While hoping for a constructive relationship with China, the Pentagon "cannot overlook the competitive aspects of our relationship, especially in the realm of military capabilities, an area in which China continues to improve at a very impressive rate," he said.
China's state-run news agency Xinhua late on Monday cited Xu Qiliang, a vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission, as saying China must innovate even more.
"Our military's equipment construction is shifting from catch-up research to independent innovations," Xu said.
Work made his remarks to the inaugural conference of the China Aerospace Studies Initiative, a partnership of the U.S. Air Force and the RAND Corporation think tank. The initiative aims to boost U.S. research on China's aerospace ambitions.
The conference came as hundreds of Chinese officials were in Washington for the three-day U.S.-China Strategic and Economic Dialogue, wide-ranging talks that look at areas of mutual cooperation and address points of friction.
Asked about the timing of the military conference, Work said U.S. and Chinese leaders both see the bilateral relationship as one in which there are "measures of cooperation and measures of competition."
"We're hoping over time that the cooperative aspects outweigh competitive aspects," Work added. "As the Department of Defense, we're the hedge force. ... We say, 'Look, here are capabilities that we see that the Chinese are developing and it's important for us to be able to counter those."
Work, citing a Harvard study on rising powers confronting established powers, told the conference that interactions between the two often result in war. As a result, the Defense Department must "hedge against this international competition turning more heated."
The United States has generally felt the best hedge is a strong nuclear and conventional deterrence capable of overmatching any rival, he added.
Work said the United States has relied on technological superiority for the past 25 years, but now "the margin of technological superiority upon which we have become so accustomed ... is steadily eroding."
To adjust, he said, the Pentagon is working to develop new technologies to maintain its edge and lower the cost of responding to attacks. Directed energy weapons, for example, might be able to shoot down missiles that cost a hundred times the price of a jolt of energy. – Reuters

The Writer Tweets at @ISIStinger

Aftab Bahadur Case

2015-06-11T01:57:00.002-07:00

The so-called humanist of West took over twitter by storm trending #AftabBahadur to express outrage on Pakistan for hanging Aftab Bahadur. As if Christian can't b criminal?

The problem with the West is that they do not know how it feels when you have three corpses ready to be buried forever. The funda is simple ‘you kill, you get killed’.

This came to me as a shock that our judicial system is criticized by those (Britians) who implemented it and exploited it for years before independence and is now considered flawed. What we can assume from this is that some group called Reprieve believes that it can't spare Christians of criminal charges.

Another shock came to me when I read Aftab’s essay. How amazing is that a Black warrant prisoner has access to mainstream media and can publish his essay within no time. What’s more is, that he can write poetic and even trying to justify it that he didn’t received any training for it.

Aftab Bahadur a plumber can seriously write better that a Pakistani literature professor and knows how to drawn attention. For example to gain sympathy he aligns his age in the center in a sentence.

“For many years – since I was just 15 years old – I have been stranded between life and death”

And Finally, Ironic as it can get. A convicted criminal Aftab Bahadur advising Pakistanis from Kot Lakpat Jail to have some 'sense' of Nationality and stop sectarian war- That one’s really touchy, I must say.

He said: “I wish that Pakistani people could possess a sense of nationality that overrode their sectarianism”

I don’t know whether he was innocent or guilty but I do know one thing that this is our country and we will decide what law should be implemented here. For me Pakistan Judicial systems and judges are far more respectable than some foreign groups (Reprieve) on vested interest to malign our country and portray it as a failed state and hell for minorities.

Pakistan is going through an exceptional phase and we need to implement harsh laws – definitely death penalty is the need of time and government must bear no pressure.

The Writer tweets at @ISIStinger

Debunking Hamza Ali Abbasi Statement

2015-06-11T00:28:00.000-07:00

Seems nothing wrong to me with, which erupted social media and made it to a trend!

Is the Shia-Genocide state-backed? Does the people of Pakistan supports the brutal attacks on Shia community? Do you think Sunnis (Pakistani origin) are the one funding these genocidal attacks? Do you think a common Sunni has anything to do with these attacks or this makes him happy seeing Pakistan – The Land of Pure getting tarnished into pieces?

If the answer to these questions is ‘Yes’, I can only pray for you and I won’t blame you for this. Because, it means you had a really hard time and I would understand being through all this, witnessing.

And if your answer is ‘No’, then let’s talk about this.

Hamza Ali Abbasi may be as stupid as he can get beside what was the point of mentioning the crap in brackets?

Being human you can raise your voice for any deprived or terror-stricken nation/community let alone Muslim or Non-Muslims. This was not the criteria at all (What Abbasi assumed to be and created a mess out of it) if you cannot raise your voice for Shia, you are in no position to do so for Rohingya either.
Who doesn’t condemn the act of terror and worst of its kind brutalities shed upon Hazara community?

We all Pakistanis are having hard time one way or other but there got to be some difference between an individual/group and state-sponsored terrorism targeting a community on whatsoever reasons.

Yes, the government is guilty of not providing proper security to Hazara community but they are no exception. We saw that in APS, Safora, Peshawar Church, and Jinnah Airport in short you name it and it’s on the list.

We all are having hard time. For terrorist I am no exception as much as you are. Though, some groups may target me other won’t, that’s all.

But this is not as simple as it sounds; you need to take the history into consideration.

Hazaras have been living in Pakistan (Area) since the 17th century. Acts of violence involving terror groups and their Shia counterparts in Pakistan was reported in 1980s, took hype in Zia-ul-Haq regime and later from the influx of weapons into the country following Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, made it even worse. Iran began supporting Shia militant groups fighting Zia’s efforts to render Pakistan a Sunni Islamic state and the rest became history. But that era can be termed as conflicts between Shia-Sunni. It is not the same as now.

The recent attacks on Hazara community cannot be termed conflicts at all. It is not the same as it was in the pre-Zia and post-Zia regime. It is a whole new story.

Enter to the modern regime of terrorism. Now you need not to mobilize forces and go into declared wars with your foes, thanks to the rental mercenaries. In Pakistan sectarian conflicts has been used by United Sates, Saudi Arabia (Not as much as people think, true may be for Gulf States) and the new entrant India.
India has been recently investing aggressively in Shia-Sunni conflicts.

India believes that their reliance on TTP is too much that can cause them trouble and after the successful ongoing Zarb-e-Azb operation they see TTP of no use anymore.

Secondly, fueling Shia-Sunni conflicts makes their dreams come true to penetrate into Pakistan’s already vulnerable deep routes. It’s on record that the Indian Intelligence officials in the past few years have successfully stressed upon convincing their governments for using Shia-Sunni sectarian conflicts.

Mr. Doval an Ex. IB spymaster currently serving Modi as NSA on the event of 10th Palkhivala Memorial at SASTRA University said, India must use three modes of countering Pakistan – Defensive, Defensive Offense and Offensive. He reiterated, ‘You can do one Mumbai, you may lose Baluchistan’.

Clearly, Mr. Doval sees the Defensive Offense as the best – means ‘strike and defend’, ye that’s right! But this is nothing new in fact India have been doing this since long on diplomatic and covert front both – leaving no stones unturned. What’s new is the confidence of Mr. Doval.

BLA and other Baloch separatist evidently supported by India have hardly 500-1500 fighters hiding in the mountains.
A pop-up question comes into mind, why on earth India’s top spymaster who enjoys the status of National Hero can be so confident of breaking Baluchistan?

Now it’s time for you to decode India’s Ajit Dovals favorite recipe of sectarian war considering Mr. Doval’s profile of secretly serving Six years in Pakistan, mostly at Data Durbar, Lahore.

Clue – The Potential of Shia-Sunni sectarian war.

For those who didn’t read Abbasi’s statement (https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=907022766028065&id=182248258505523 )

The Writer tweets at @ISIStinger

The Never Ending Lies…

2014-09-14T22:48:00.000-07:00

Like most religions, in particular, forbids lying. The Quran says, “Truly Allah guides not one who transgresses and lies” [Surah 40:28].

Truthfulness is one of the pillars on which the moral survival of the world depends. It is the of the praiseworthy characteristics, the foundations of prophethood, the result of Taqwah. Were it not for truthfulness, the rulings of all divinely-revealed laws would collapse.

According to a myth, a young George Washington confessed to cutting down a cherry tree by proclaiming, “I cannot tell a lie”. The story is testament to how much respect Americans have for their cherished first president and honesty in general. Unfortunately, in the annals of history it seems there are dishonest scoundrels for every honorable hero like Washington.

Supposedly, the truth can set you free but for many, deceit holds the key to success, money, fame, revenge or power and these prove all too tempting. In history, this has often resulted in elaborate hoaxes, perjuries and forgeries that had enormous ripple effect.

Without further ado, let’s delve into the historic lies of Mian Muhammad Nawas Sharif that hampered his legitimate position.

Nawaz Sharif is a “Factory of Lies”, he and his cronies believe in lying repeatedly and religiously follow their convictions in this regard. They have mastered the art of manipulation, alteration, maneuvering and use their wealth to let no stone unturned in achieving their unlawful goals.

Nawaz Sharif hideous character was exposed after conviction in the hijacking case. He and his family approached foreign friends who persuaded the then president Pervaiz Musharraf to have mercy and forgive them. Nawaz Sharif, Shahbaz Sharif and family sought pardon and signed an un-constitutional agreement with a commitment not to participate in politics for a period of ten years. He lied all these years and hid the existence of any such agreements from the nation until the head of the Saudi Agency, Prince Miqran Bin Abdul Aziz and Prime Minister of Lebanon, Mr. Saad Hariri unveiled the existence of the agreements and Ch. Nisar had to admit the existence of these agreements during press conference of Javed Hashmi. Sharif brothers in return of the then Military Ruler Musharraf generosity have not only crossed all limits of hostility but also lied to the nation.

Just recently Nawaz Sharif has been embroiled in another controversy, after the facilitative role being played by Army in current political crisis asked by Nawaz Sharif for. But when the pressure mounted from political allies (PPP, JUI, PMAP etc.), Nawaz Sharif took a historical U-turn and lied on the floor of the parliament, accusing that Army had stepped in at the request of Imran Khan and the new political sensation, Dr. Tahir-Ul-Qadri.

However, Pakistan’s Army Director General of ISPR, Asim Bajwa confirmed on 29 August, 2014 in direct contrast, that Army was called on by the government’s command – A proven liar within a no time.

Similarly, regarding Chinese President Xi’s visit to Pakistan the Nawaz government has lied that his visit is being canceled due to the PTI and PAT Marchers Sit-ins. While Chinese Foreign office clearing the air and I quote, “It is worth pointing that we have never released any information about President Xi’s visit to Pakistan officially. So there is no basis to say we are about to cancel anything”.

So these were some of the shiny examples and given hype by the print and electronic media, though there are many more as you unfold the history. Now quoting some of the examples from the history of United States of America, of which many a liberal democratic folks are proud to follow.

In January 1998, citizen journalist Matt Drudge reported a sensational story that turned out to be true. The president of the United States, Bill Clinton, had an affair with a White House intern, Monica Lewinsky. As suspicions mounted, Clinton publicly denied the allegations. As if this lie weren’t big enough, it turned out that Clinton had lied under oath about the affair which was perjury and grounds for impeachment. Later on the truth came out and the House of Representatives voted to impeach Clinton for not only perjury but obstruction of justice.

Imran Khan has always and rightly said that those who would brings you in power will need something in return and when it comes to this, you won’t be able to stand up on what you have promised to public or at least a genuine try for welfare and he would blackmail you, throw you whenever he wishes – wise words indeed.

Similarly, American President Richard Nixon, who was elected to serve the nation for two terms is another shiny example who lied in Watergate scandal and when the pressure mounted Nixon gave up and resigned from office.

To run an election campaign and win, you need money and candidates learn quickly that folks who’re able to provide it, almost always want something in return and that’s where it gets nasty and the dangerous game of lies gets started.

In the Hadith Muhammad (PBUH) was quoted as, “Be honest because honesty leads to goodness and goodness leads to Paradise. Beware of falsehood because it leads to immorality and immorality leads to Hell.

Allah (swt) says (interpretation of the meaning):

“It is only those who believe not in the Ayah (Proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations etc.) of Allah (swt), who fabricates falsehood, and it is they who are liars.” [Al-Nahl 16:105]

Now before I stop my pen from writing further, I would very much like to put a question for you folks that given the comparative study and scenario (sensitivity) and Islamic teachings what would you suggest for Mr. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif? Step aside and resign? Seek another Pardon? Or perhaps we should change our beloved country name from “Islamic Republic of Pakistan” to simply “Pakistan” as many intellectuals rightly consider Pakistan as a Progressive liberal state and stop giving impressions of considering Shari’ah as a supreme law – burden of conclusion lies upon the reader.

The writer tweets @ISIStinger

Naya Pakistan

2014-09-14T22:45:00.000-07:00

Red cliff award laid the foundation for the partition of sub-continent. Muslim world overjoyed the newborn Muslim state except Afghanistan although by large was welcomed. Since then, this newborn sate fought three wars and suffered some major blows including catastrophes such as earthquake, floods etc many a times. But intellectuals and critical analysts who know the importance of leadership recognizes 1948 as a major setback in the history of Pakistan. As 1948 marks the death of our beloved Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the Founder of Pakistan. And thus Pakistan remained incomplete for the last sixty seven years, because our founder could not get enough of time to implement his vision and witness it for the future generation to whom he promised that he and his companions would lay down a foundation of a peaceful, prosperous piece of land where not just only Muslims would freely pray and perform all other Islamic duties but also Non-Muslims would be given a free hand to perform all their rituals and other religious events. Apart from that a representation were given to the non-Muslims in our Sabz Hilali Flag as well.

Our Quaid-e-Azam was very much true to his words and has given us a beautiful Country but unfortunately, we could not handle the burden of freedom. Throughout the history of Pakistan, the never ending leadership crisis persisted. Our ears has heard many slogans, eyes witnesses many great politicians – but not leaders. None of them was leader.

Let’s not focus on others as none of them was worthy enough to be given attention. One Politician – (remember I said politician) Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto is still remembered with golden words, who raised a defective yet effective slogan of “Roti Kapra Aur Makan”. Who needed “Kapra” and “Makan”? And even if somebody did, they got it?. All, the people of Pakistan needed was most importantly education, infrastructure, health care and a reason to live. Nobody was zooming around naked so that the “Kapra” would be of most importance to them as per “Makan” is concerned, 20 Lakh people are homeless today or even more (Pakistan Bureau of Statistics). Pakistan Peoples Party has been in power for so long and cashing on this slogan, what effort did they put up? Furthermore, each ruling period of the Bhutto family shows the worst economic indicators –you can visit the economic trending websites. Long story short, the slogan did nothing but made them Royals – Next Royal King in line Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, wondering if there is something like a chamber, furnace or an academy where they prepare those Leaders and nobody else can or become.

Similarly, nothing indifferent with Mr. Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif who belongs to the “Royal Family of Raiwand”. A white collar, who’s leadership style is even more pathetic and questionable. He raised a slogan of “Roshan Pakistan”. A Roshan Pakistan where public is forced to remain quiet or die by the hands of law and justice as many of you would have seen some highlights few days back in Lahore. A Roshan Pakistan where every economic indicator is at its worst while ironically, “Ittifaq Foundry” is keep growing constantly day by day. A Roshan Pakistan where four sisters killed themselves after a row with their father Bashir Ahmed Rajput who could not afford dowries for them to get married (Multan). A Roshan Pakistan where Munazza Bibi jumped into the Chinab River along with her four children due to abject poverty. A Roshan Pakistan where 5 year old Sumbal is being raped in Lahore and nothing happens. A Roshan Pakistan where Muzammil Bibi, Uzma, Ishrat Begum and 10,703 other unnoticed victims is being gang raped and some of them hanged is still looking for justice, wondering where they would find. Just few days ago Pakistan women U17 cricket team player Haleema Rafique drank acid because she was harassed by Multan divisional organizers then she revealed the truth later in a press conference and later on she was issued a court summon and was threatened her so much that she attempted suicide. A Roshan Pakistan where angry and dejected Iqbal drank Kerosene oil and climbed up 1100 Kv electricity transmission line to attempt suicide because of the Sabzazar, Lahore police behavior, and later on lost his life in hospital and police still claims that he died due to overdose of drugs. A Roshan Pakisatan where thousands of women’s losses their beauties every year to the Acid being thrown on them and is not been able to smile again and the worst is that almost half of them committed suicide who could forget the Fakhra Yunus case murdered by the feudal lords, yes murder. Just few days ago a local landlord in Layyah cut down nose of a poor hairdresser. To my shock while I was researching I came to know that by the time I was writing this column 25 women is already been raped. None of them found justice I can count on thousands of examples of injustice, corruptions and bad law and order situations but I guess many of you already know. Let me put a question for you guys here, do these products of injustice system would turn up one day against their lords? If yes, what would you or your media call them? Terrorist I guess? No, Bhatta Khor? Target killers? Or I think they would find some other fancy name to drive yours and mine attention.

This Injustice and corruption story does not end here because a new brigade of leadership in the name of –Hamza Shahbaz and Maryam Nawaz is being prepared in the “Raiwand Palace” and about to takeover. You guys just keep your spirits high. A famous Pakistani poet Wassi Shah well said: “do the mothers of 180 million Pakistanis are infertile? that they could not produce a single leader other than Bilawal Zardari, Hamza Sharif and Maryum Nawaz”

With this entire leadership gap, people of Pakistan witnessed an unsung hero who was amongst us for a long time although he was a cricket sensation of his time but remained unnoticed in politics for long. Khan was brought up in tribal built and endeavored many great qualities of those brave peoples that every one of you heard of. The tribal built has produced many great leaders history has witnessed from Malik Suleman to Malik Ahmad Khan and so on; many would disagree but I guess Imran Khan is one of them. 30^th October 2011 marked the entry of this brave and honest leader Mr. Imran Khan – Yes, a leader. Khan gave a new dimension to the politics of the country and a new definition to the politics itself. In the absence of hope, darkness and a corrupt system Mr. Imran Khan put forward a new dynamic vision to the people of Islamic Republic of Pakistan – A concept of “Naya Pakistan”. Everyone liked it and was welcomed by the Youth in fact they instantly fell in love with this unique approach. The youth who has nothing to do with the politics start keeping themselves and public updated from the day to day politics and state affairs. To me a politician is a leader when he drives young blood and students, that is how I measure a politician and his stature and Khan fulfils every bit of it with his charismatic personality.

Naya Pakistan in its roots is the “Quaid ka Pakistan” who could not complete it due to his early death. Naya Pakistan is indeed a welfare state, clean from corruption, atrocities, systematical forced suicides, misogynists, exploitation of poor’s, terrorists, target killers, Bhatta mafia and many more. The long standing struggle of Imran Khan and his force made Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Naya Pakistan both synonymous. The history has given us a chance to lay down a foundation of a peaceful, prosperous Pakistan where “Sehat Ka Insaf”, “Taleem Ka Insaf”and most importantly “Quaid Ka Pakistan” prevails.

The writer tweets @ISIStinger

The path of Khan

2011-11-27T01:20:00.000-08:00

It is not easy to get to Imran Khan. I meet his political agent at the 1970s government buildings in Islamabad where he has an airless basement office. We hail a cab and point it in the direction of the hills outside the city, the lowest foothills of the distant Himalayas. The tarmac soon ends and the gradient gets much steeper. There is a bridge over a dried-up gorge, where the river has been dammed further upstream. Young men and boys are laying water pipes beside the rough dirt road in the hundred-degree late afternoon heat. The road gets more precipitous still and our driver gets out to pour a bottle of mineral water over his engine. Eventually at the ridge of a hill with a view across the city with its minarets and half-finished housing projects we reach a set of unlikely electronic gates.

Imran bought these 35 acres four years ago and has built his house in the middle of them. The original plan was to move in here with his family - wife Jemima and their two boys - but as it has turned out he lives up here alone. He waves me through a cool courtyard and into a simply furnished sitting room, with big wooden doors open to the hills. He then sits on a sofa, wearing his sunglasses, and sends texts on three mobile phones, struggling for a signal. He does not speak for five or 10 minutes.

When he eventually looks up, still wearing his shades, and motions me with his hand to begin, I ask him why he chose to be out here in the wild.

He says he always wanted to live on a farm because he grew up right on the edge of town in Lahore. There were only about eight houses, all family, and there was a big open space in the middle where the boys learned to play cricket (two of Imran's cousins, Javed Burki and Majid Khan, also captained Pakistan). 'We all had our cows and our buffaloes,' he recalls, 'we grew our own vegetables. You could swim in the canal it was so clean.'

This golden time was eclipsed by the population explosion in Lahore. It grew so rapidly that suddenly the family were in the middle of town. Imran could not bear the pollution and the noise. He never liked city life. He loved mountains. From where he is now it is only an hour or so to the Himalaya proper and you can quickly be at seven or eight thousand feet. His parents or his uncle used to take him up in the hills each summer as a boy and now he takes his own sons when they come over from London for the school holidays, hiking and shooting partridge.

'This place was just a jungle area when I found it,' he says. 'It was very cheap.' Since he moved in, because he moved in, the land has gone up '20 times'. 'I sold my London flat to buy this whole place and build this house.' He loves the fact of his isolation. 'I have fruit trees. Cows for fresh milk, yoghurt. My own wheat. I'm basically self-sufficient. I have made my boys a little cricket ground.'

The house seems to suit Imran's idea of himself. He has always set himself apart. These days, it also seems to symbolise his place in Pakistani politics, which have engaged him now for a decade. He set up his Justice Party in 1996 on an anticorruption platform with some hope of real power. Ten years on, he remains the party's sole member of parliament, often a lone critical voice against the military regime of General Musharraf.

Imran keeps no memories of his cricketing days in the house. He has auctioned every last ball and glove off for the cancer hospital he established in Lahore in memory of his mother. His boys, Sulaiman and Qasim, now 10 and seven, who got into cricket during the Ashes last summer, are sad, he admits, that their dad does not have more to show them from the days when he terrorised the world's best batsmen and bowlers; when he took 300 wickets in his first 60 Test matches; when, in 1987, he became the first Pakistan captain to win a Test series in England. I wonder if his boys support England or Pakistan, Freddie or Shoaib?

'Pakistan for cricket, England for football,' he says. He has not given any thought to whether he would like them to follow in his footsteps and play for Pakistan (or England) one day, though their mother Jemima, the daughter of buccaneering billionaire Sir James Goldsmith whom he married in 1995 and separated from nine years later, is often phoning when they are here, wondering if he thinks they are any good. And are they?

'I always tell her it is simply too early to know,' he says.

Cricket is his past; the present and the future are all about politics. Over the past 10 years, he says, he has been invited to be Prime Minister under Musharraf and to be Deputy Prime Minister by Nawaz Sharif, the civilian PM overthrown by the general. He refused on both occasions because he did not want to be tainted by corruption. Instead he has established a power base of sorts in a constituency three hours west of Islamabad, bordering the wild North West Frontier, where his tribal Pathan roots originate. Not long after his cricket career ended Imran visited those tribal homelands for the first time to write a book about the warrior race of which he is a distant cousin. The book is punctuated with pictures of him engaging in shooting competitions with the tribal elders, dressed in full headgear.

'As I got to know the Pathans' character,' he says, 'I recognised in it the competitiveness I was born with and the determination not to show fear.'

This lack of fear is a crucial quality, he suggests, in Pakistani politics as well as Pakistani cricket. When he stood at the last election in 2003, he says, 'the government stuffed the ballots. One guy who was against me was the biggest drug mafia guy in the area. They let him out of jail to run in the election because they thought he controlled the area. But still I got record votes. In most of Pakistan it is a feudal country. People are very scared and oppressed by authority. But when you move to these wilder areas, they are not so easily suppressed.'

Did he think, despite the fears people have, he would have more seats in parliament by now?

'Well,' he says, crisply, 'It is not easy to win against a military dictator in an election that is being run by the security services.'

The next election is scheduled for 2007. How does he aim to change things?

'My contention now is that there is no way anyone should fight an election while Musharraf is in charge,' he says. 'Therefore I will be out on the streets beginning in September against him. It is the only way. I am preparing my party for a street movement. What we are hoping is that the other parties will come out too.'

How many people does he imagine will join him in this popular unrest? Hundreds, thousands, millions?

'Well,' he says, in his rolling bass voice, 'if no one else comes, at least we will be protesting. A few thousand people in every city at least.'

Is there anyone he would not march with, the far-right fundamentalists (with whom he has recently voted on particular issues), perhaps? 'The pseudo-liberals here will tell the West: save us or the mullahs are coming; that is not the problem. You will have no problem with extremists in Pakistan if you have democracy.'

Taking his politics to the streets will obviously increase his personal risk. Imran has always refused to have bodyguards, seeing them as a sign of weakness. Three - ornamental - shotguns hang over his fireplace.

'I have no fear of death,' he says. 'When I came into politics I always thought there was a possibility I would be killed.' If anything his lack of fear has grown along with his faith in Islam. 'Spirituality does two things for you. One, you are forced to become more selfless, two, you trust to providence. The opposite of a spiritual man is a materialist. If I was a materialist I would be making lots of money doing endorsements, doing cricket commentary. I have no interest in that.'

All this sounds a very long way from the Imran Khan of the Seventies and Eighties who spent his evenings in Annabel's and Tramp nightclubs in London's West End and his days in Nigel Dempster's gossip columns for bedding a series of debutantes - including the late Sita White (daughter of Lord White), Susannah Constantine (Viscount Linley's ex), Lady Liza Campbell and the artist Emma Sergeant. He had come to England from Aitchison College, a relic of the Raj, to study at Oxford, where he was captain of cricket, before playing for Worcestershire and Sussex. In those days he was very much the playboy prince. I wonder what he makes of that former self.

'I have never claimed to be an angel,' he says, still behind his shades. 'I am a humble sinner. In my cricket career I would keep a log and write down the areas I had failed in so I could make them strengths. I have tried to do that in life, too.'

But, I say, he always seemed to be having such a splendid time.

He very nearly smiles. 'I was a bachelor,' he says. 'I decided I would never marry while I was playing cricket. I watched other cricketers and saw the wives going through a torrid time, and the children, which was even worse. When I had my children I was completely hands on. My marriage was tough, but I still think the highs I got in marriage were much greater than those I got as a bachelor.'

Would he like to marry again?

'One day, but not now.'

He had a reputation, as captain of Sussex, for never being one of the boys. Why was that?

'The thing was, I hated pubs,' he says. 'I could not tell you how much I detested them. I had been playing cricket for six hours body and soul and the last thing I wanted to do was stand in an English pub and talk about it. I hated the smell of a pub. I hated the look of it. And of course I never drank alcohol. So maybe that was part of it.'

The other reason, he says, was an extreme kind of shyness. It is hard to imagine the great allrounder as a retiring type, but he insists he was.

'My oldest son is very shy now and he reminds me of myself. I would deliberately miss public occasions if there might be a speech. When I became Pakistan captain in 1982 I could not even address the team. I would tell my manager, "Look, this is what I want to convey, can you tell them for me?"'

He began to escape this predicament, he says, in his mid-thirties, when he found something like personal enlightenment. 'I underwent a bit of a quest, as we all do. I asked myself, " What am I doing on this earth?" I was very fortunate in that when I was asking this question I came across very deep spiritual people. That happens in Pakistan. It does not happen so often in the West.'

Along with his growing faith, Imran rethought a lot of his views on social issues, such as the place of women in society. He tries to tread a line in his political life between an appeal to the faithful and an attempt not to undermine his charismatic credibility in the West. He puts his argument for a woman's place being in the home in cultural terms.

'I always think that one of the biggest mistakes made by the feminist movement is that they have devalued motherhood,' he says. 'My father was in business and away a lot when I was a child; my mother was all-powerful. The unconditional love, the security it gives you in life is irreplaceable. In England I saw that the side-effect of this feminism was that children lost out on this incredible education and security, which no one else can provide.'

It was watching his mother die an awful death of cancer, unable to get treatment or even pain relief in Pakistan, that drove him to his proudest achievement, a $25m cancer hospital named in her honour in Lahore. He raised the money through campaigns and donations.

He started with Pakistan's richest men , many of whom had gone to his school, but quickly realised that generosity had nothing to do with wealth. So he went to the public: he enlisted the help of a small army of children - even though to start with he was terrified to stand up in front of a school assembly. 'In the end,' he says , 'I needed $4m in six weeks. I got an open jeep, put a big sack for money on the back and toured from north to south asking for help. I started at seven in the morning and carried on till midnight. In those six weeks I changed. I realised the generosity of tea boys, taxi drivers, the poorest people bringing 10 rupee notes - and also their faith. I was saying, "Don't worry: save your money". And they said, "We are not doing it for you, we are doing it for our God".'

The hospital, with 75 per cent free care, remains a beacon in Pakistan. It came, you guess, at a great cost to him, though. It was at the time that the hospital opened that he married 22-year-old Jemima Goldsmith and brought her to Lahore to live in an apartment that, Vanity Fair pointed out, shocked, had dodgy electrics and no washing machine. Having given all of his time and most of his money to the hospital he was virtually drained. Inevitably, particularly given his views on the role of a wife, the marriage suffered almost from the start. Does he look back on it now as an impossible match?

'Well it was far more brave of her than it was of me,' he says, finally removing his sunglasses and rubbing his eyes a little wearily. 'But that is what endeared her to me. I always thought I would marry a Pakistani girl just because it would be so difficult for a girl to come here. To try to balance everything was certainly the hardest thing I ever did. The hospital opened, I was involved in politics and then kids came. I had known pressure on the cricket field, but that sort of pressure was very new to me. And though she tried for a long time, it was very difficult for Jemima to live that life.'

Was the divorce a mutual decision?

'For one-and-a-half years she was in England and I was here. She felt she could not live here, there was increasing difficulty, and I could not be anywhere but here. I am rooted to a cause. I hated the divorce and the last thing I wanted was for my children to grow up without me. I would like the boys to be Pakistani as much as they are English. And they are Muslims; I take them to Friday prayers as often as I can.'

How does he feel about Hugh Grant's role in their life, I wonder ? Are they on good terms? 'Well I hardly go to England at all,' he says, by way of an answer. 'But the boys are fine.' He puts his shades back on. 'There is never really a positive side to these things but, if there is, at least being alone allows me to be more fearless.'

Where does he place his hope?

'A lot of people here in the press call me naive,' he says. 'Musharraf told them I was his prime ministerial candidate in 2002 but had turned him down, I was too full of myself. He said I was a terrorist without a beard. But I would have failed if I had joined them. Look at the way they live: big palaces, Lear jets. People here have no drinking water; 70 per cent of the schools are closed in my constituency. But I'm more hopeful than ever. One of the reasons I was a successful cricketer was I felt nothing was impossible. I never signed more than a one-year contract, because I always thought I would be better the next year. I feel that now, too.'

I ask him if there was one match out of his long career that, on quiet nights up here, he replays in his head. He says that he thinks of nostalgia as a disease, but if pressed he suggests not the World Cup win of 1992 when Pakistan beat England - he does not view one-day cricket as proper cricket - but the winning tour of the West Indies in 1988.

'It was the first time anyone had won a series there in 15 years. I had retired and General Zia, the president, personally asked me to come back. I was 35 and not very fit, we had quite a weak team and then I got 11 wickets in the first Test. That was the last time I really bowled well.'

I wonder whether he recalled any particular moments against England? The Test matches then often seemed to be full of bad feeling. 'No, in my time you really tested yourself against the West Indians,' he says. 'Viv Richards was the greatest player around. Like him, I lost interest against lesser teams. Once New Zealand toured here and Richard Hadlee did not come , so I refused to play. I could not motivate myself against lesser players.'

He had a long-standing and bitter rivalry with Ian Botham, triggered apparently by Botham once remarking that he would not even send his mother-in- law to Pakistan for the winter. It culminated in 1996 when Botham and Allan Lamb sued Imran unsuccessfully for libel after he accused them in a newspaper column of racism and ball-tampering. Does he still feel animosity towards Botham?

He is, like any decent politician, non-committal, while making his feelings clear. 'I was a rival with Botham because he was a competing all-rounder. But he was someone who I don't think ever did justice to his talent. When he started he could have done anything, but he declined very quickly. In a way our careers were the opposite of each other. I started quite slowly but got better, maximised my talent. He went the other way, I think.'

Like any great all-rounder, Imran still likes the idea of a single man carrying a team. 'I don't watch too much cricket but I like to look at Flintoff,' he says. 'He's the reason for England's revival. He can win a match as batsman or bowler; that's still rare.'

What about Pakistan, can he see them winning in England as his team did 19 years ago?

'We have some players,' he says, 'But we have no structure here. It is the same story. Musharraf appoints the head of the cricket board. So he becomes a mini-Musharraf. There is no accountability and therefore nothing improves.'

I wonder if the buzz he gets from politics replaces the one he used to get from taking a big wicket.

'It's not that type of adrenaline,' he says. 'But it is so unpredictable here that there is always some excitement.'

He had graphic evidence of this recently when, during the visit of George Bush to Pakistan in March, he was placed under house arrest having threatened to organise a protest against the President's implicit support for dictatorship in Pakistan. He was picked up in a restaurant in Islamabad and brought up here, locked in his home.

I suggest to him that it is a little like Brer Rabbit being thrown in the briar patch, not the worst form of punishment he could imagine. He laughs for the first time. 'It's true,' he says. 'I love the silence here. People say, "Don't you get scared in this house with nothing all around?" But I pray to be here.'

And then he gets up and sees me out, and I leave him, alone on his hill.

Tim Adams Article.

The writer tweets @ISIStinger

Negated Page of diginity

2011-10-11T03:56:00.000-07:00

We all love Pathan jokes. But do you know that Pathans are one of the hardest working, prosperous and diversified communities in the world. My friend told me about the following incident which I wish to share with you. It has had a deep impact on my thinking. During last vacation, a few of his friends came to Peshawar. They rented a taxi for local sight-seeing. The driver was an old Pathan and boys being boys, these pals began cracking Pathan jokes, just to tease the old man. But to their surprise, the fellow remained unperturbed. At the end of the sight-seeing, they paid the cab hire-charges. The Pathan returned the change, but he gave each one of them one rupee extra and said, ''Son, since morning you have been cracking Pathan jokes.. I listened to them all and let me tell you, some of them were in bad taste. Still, I don't mind because I know that you are young blood and are yet to see the world..But I have one request. I am giving you one rupee each. Give it to the first Pathan beggar that you come across in this or any other city. 'My friend continued, ' That one rupee coin is still with me after twenty years. I couldn't find a single Pathan begging anywhere.' The secret behind their universal success, is their willingness to do any job with utmost dedication and pride. A Pathan will drive a truck or set up a roadside garage or a tandoor, put a fruit juice stall, take up small time carpentry... but he will never beg on the streets.

DO FORWARD IT TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS JUST THE WAY YOU FORWARD PATHAN JOKES!(y)

The writer tweets @ISIStinger

Pakistani Behavior

2011-06-17T14:44:00.000-07:00

Hopefully you will be aware of this fact that Pakistan culturally, socially & traditionally are very differ from the rest of other countries and looking unique. Similarly the Pakistani people are also seems unique in their behaviors most of them suffering from a disease to which I call “rusted behavior”. This is the nation in which mostly people only belief on open advantage if they found their response will be ok, else their response will be unexpected -I didn’t say that all Pakistani are materialistic but the majority.
The main problem which I must highlight is the term “wait”. They are the enemy of this word and I swear they will kill you silently through their eyes by just looking, when you say them that “please wait”. My nation has a very less consumption of the term “wait”-Including me.
If you are a business man and are coming to invest in Pakistan then just hold your head for a while and keep it tight, think about it seriously and ask from yourself do you have a mighty heart if yes then go ahead and don’t think about it but if no then remember my free advice that you will be needed a quick time administrative machinery because there is no compromise on late arrival -just in your case, supply, productivity are whatever for whom you are going to invest.
I don’t know that what happened to this great nation peoples for whom Quaid-e-Azam, Dr.Allama Iqbal, Sir.Syed Ahmad khan & many other sacrificed their life’s and they struggled just for these peoples and their religions to give them a suitable place and reputation but now these peoples are ruining everything and that is from their own hands and for this only their behavior is enough. No doubt that we were good in our behaviors and still some of us are, but it is fact that we are not alike as our elder were.
We can’t wait just five minutes on a traffic signal but can watch a three hour movie, day & night cricket match very excitedly and no buzzing, murmuring will be there but at a traffic signal just watch and listen carefully us that what we are saying. These rules are just made for our safety if we are violating it means we are not interested in a good environment which provide us facilities and comforts. But then why we expecting from Pakistan more when with some of us an accident or tragedy happen then why we are criticizing Pakistan that here is no laws.
For this I got one of a stupid answer form majority peoples is that “the five minutes on a traffic signal is just a waste of time while watching cricket match & movie is a hobby and also a way to keep yourself busy and to pass time”. My answer was: that you are 100% right but this is the business of only eyes because we people hate to be as a whole busy. I recommend that extra activities are good for health & improving knowledge but there should be a limit and we should show some self responsibility.
The other most effecting factor about law and order situation which also attract me to highlight and I don’t know to call it good or bad quality of our behavior, ok I leave it on you, you’ll decide latter either it is good or bad.

When in routine life laws are to be faced by them to be followed they just hold their head & the word expected from them will be “oh” rather to welcome & appreciate it. But when they are talking to each other you will be looking that each of them will be criticizing laws & some of them will be saying that this is a law less country & will be showing themselves as a rule follower & they will not be feeling tired from criticizing laws & country administration. Some of them mostly say a sentence that “this is Pakistan” –yes this is, but just told me that what you deliver to Pakistan except criticism. Most of them are vehicles drivers when they are in a highway they will not be fastening their seat belts, which is a rule that it must be fastened on a highway when you give them a reminder that “sir please fasten your seat belt” then just listen that what he is going to say you but I must tell you that his response will be unexpected as mentioned earlier.

Similarly when their neighbors are stealing power illegally, they will never reporting to concern authorities but they will be doing one thing which is their utmost favorite and that is to make them notorious in peoples. I want to ask from them that what happened to you if you have no authority to stop them then who give you this authority to make them notorious. As a result the governing bodies of the related power supply company thought that it is happened due to line losses & they calculate all losses & divide it equally on all paying bills & also compensate it in upcoming bills in which most of them are poor people & their incomes are not so good & these bills are also paid by them, so what do you think now is not it a curse & atrocity -yes it is.

But this is not the fault of company administration it’s our behaviors fault because to make money is their business & every business organization wants to maximize their profit by minimizing their losses.

The main theme of this article is not just to criticize our people but is to point out & identify those problems & bad habits which improving day by day in our behaviors & I am worried about it that its not good for a country like this in an emerging position. So we need to welcome rules appreciate our law & order forces to help them in making Pakistan a good place where our people can take the breath of their choice & to live happily. For this we should need to implement rules first on ourselves then by others, try to make impossible possible & cut our no’s from our life & to boost up our country otherwise it will be very difficult to survive in a world like this which is now at a competitive position & to achieve the main motives of Pakistan establishment.

Remember that from these behaviors not only just Pakistan suffering but these behaviors you can find in a person from any corner of the world but as I am concerned with Pakistan so thats why I discussed it in the light of Pakistan.

Let’s hope for the bright future & pray for our country as the world lie upon hope & struggle we got the success not destination so keep walking towards goals because time has no mercy for you.

If you are suffering from these points which I discussed above & those behaviors which are not good then please make sure to neglect it from your diary of life.

It’s not necessary to agree with my views because I attempted this issue as I have seen enough of, may you have a different experience.

The writer tweets @ISIStinger

MY HEART VOICE

2010-03-05T07:14:00.000-08:00

For long duration my country heart(Kashmir) consisting of beautiful sights of waterfalls and the green land awesome mountains and the most beautiful natural sights of world,my Kashmir,the part of Pakistan are now the place where Indians Army violating the rules and rights of innocent Kashmir's peoples since from 50s. Now Kashmir is known as the place of sorrows,unhappiness and a bloody and unsafe area where Indians army are busy to finish the coming generations of Kashmir's people...

There was a time when people of Kashmir was very happy which now is a nightmare for them at that time they was very happy,progressive and the people of Kashmir was very welcoming especially for tourists because at that time Kashmir was the place of peace,social rights and brotherly relations everyone want at that time that how make happy everyone and now...
Indian Army Implemented dark rules through which they are violating the rights of Kashmiries and these violation are increasing day by day and the international institutions are silent on these violations. The Institution who are claiming that they are maintaining peace and security of men's and they are protecting their rights are failed. I request them that please shut
your these foundations and institution because you are failed and you are nothing because you can only talk not react neither act.
Pakistan is trying their best to give freedom to Kashmir's but India is the real issue. After 2001 it becomes very difficult for Pakistan to provide Assistance for Kasmiries because that was considering as a International terrorism but Pakistan is still remain stable on his principal thoughts and views about Kashmir and they and we are not sleeping about Kashmir's issue we still have a great love in our heart for Kashmir and their innocent peoples. The international human rights watch and Amnesty international organizations has claimed that from 1987 to 2007 -mean from last 20 years- 22,000 women's becomes widow's and 9,785 woman's are raped by the cruel hands of Indians Army and their rights are fully violated. Then how you can say that Indian army are providing peace and security in Kashmir…
I request especially to Russians Government that please don't use veto power against Kashmir issue in United Nation so that your nation will be great this is the request of a straight forward thinking person. Every human have some good wishes but my wish is to give independence and freedom by the hands and order of ALLAH to the Kashmir and their peoples...
Raise the voice for Kashmir and their peoples “Kashmir the great Nation”. All positive thinking students are requested that please make a platform,from where we can raise our hands and voice for Kashmir students to make them educated please think about it positively. Your five rupees from your own pocket money can make the life of a Kashmiri's student who want education and they can become from your granted money well educated...

Think about..

The writer tweets @ISIStinger