Wrong means will never lead to right ends...

Almost all of the (pseudo) educated people (not those who could hardly sign but the ones who have good grasp of reading and writing either English or Urdu) in Pakistan are hit by either of the two syndrome (some times even both at the same time). A sizeable are getting euphoric about the religion and turning to religion (branded mind you) as their sole survival, and the remaining are all praises for military rule, considering it the mantra for all the ills. This lack of objectivity and rationale amongst the educated people in Pakistan should be the prime cause of concern for the nation-state. For anyone who is sensible enough, and has not closed his mental faculties to listen to any rationale or logic, how religious euphoria is a killer needs no proof. Similarly, why those who think military rule is the cure to all ills are naive needs no explanation if one digs just a little deep. Still, I will analyze both. This article is for Mushy lovers. And later, I will talk about the "Islamyat". The Mushy baba's ask me why I don't appreciate Musharaf for all that he has done all along. They cite his successes in economic affairs and foreign policy. They cite his drive to liberalization. They mention his bold decision. They hail his stand against religious extremism. And above all, they cite the fact that he has enabled the nation get rid of "old-dirty politicians and politics". Now I can go on and on disproving that Musharaf regime is a failure in economic affairs and foreign policy (and believe me there is a very very strong case for it), that the liberalization drive is a mere hypocrisy, that his fight against religious extremism is an eye-wash, and that we have ended up with the most corrupt cabinet in the history of this country (many federal ministers and ministers of state having cases in Govt. administered NAB), the most unethical political system (recall one vote majority of Jamali or referendum or local bodies elections), and the most corrupt regime (let the Caesar fall and the true stories will start circulating). People also cite the development of East Asian economies under dictatorships (though those were the homogenous societies unlike us and even they needed democracies for a sustainable growth). But I don't detest the regime because of its economic or foreign policy failures. Neither do I make a case on the principle of democracy (though I strongly believe that it is the best system for a heterogeneous country like Pakistan). I detest Musharaf and for that matter all military rules because they are based on self interest and arrogance of “men in khaki”. I would have been his biggest admirer had he eliminated Benazir and Nawaz Sharif to clean the political system. But seeing Chaudhries and Faisal Salehs and MQMs and SaifUllahs and Humayun Akhatars and, hell, all of them, this was not his motive. Benazir and Nawaz Sharif are out, not because they are corrupt (though none of them is convicted as yet), but because they have the public support to threaten the military's hegemony on domestic affairs.

Similarly, the liberalization drive and openness is not to liberate Pakistani society from age-old vices but to divert attention from the ground realities both home and abroad. This liberalization drive has enabled the regime to score points before Washington (who, for that matter, are hypocrites of the same intensity) and has also enabled the military to establish a political system having King's party (PML-Q) and King's opposition (MMA). It was in a bid to draw political lines between pseudo liberals and religious fanatics rather than left and right or democrats and dictators. It has also enabled the regime to make a claim before the West that in the absence of Musharaf, mullah's will run wild (though this eventually will strengthen mullah to a degree where they will demand full pie and will make West think of dealing directly with the "Mullah alternative" - Shot in the foot). The liberalization is restricted to marathons and basants (I am not against any of these events, I am all for them, but it is none of state’s business to arrange them or to ban them), and is blatantly exposed when it comes to raiding theatre halls and breaking the statues at the city squares -Ref. Ghazi Chowk, DHA, Lahore). Benazir or Nawaz Sharif are not the problem, the system is. And the fact is that under this regime, this system of corruption, moral-drought, ad hoc-ism, hypocrisy, fraud and injustice is stronger than ever before. Opting the right way may or may not lead to destination (our limited experiment with democracies), but opting the wrong way will never lead to destination. And military rule mind – you - is a wrong way.

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You can email me your comments on the following address.....
aalimalik@gmail.com
The comment rights are for members of blogspot only to avoid spam. Sorry for the inconvenience.

Sawal Sarae Ghalat The Jawab Kya Detae (What could we have answered when all questions were wrong?)

It's becoming more and more evident that the Mullah Military Alliance was on display during the recent rioting and agitation. However, for all parties concerned, here are a few questions that need to be answered:
1) To military; with his even growing influence, militant power and control, will not mullah start claiming the whole pie sooner?
2) Writ of the state usually is more a myth and perception than an actuality. Have not the Aristotles of corridors of power caused severe blow to this writ through their plan and action on February 14 and 15?
3) Who is running the show, Musharaf (I am more inclined to believe this) or some secret hands? Who is the General of Aftab Sherpao? Above all in the words of Nazir Naji, who is the General of Liaquat Baloch?
4) To the people of Pakistan; why were Qazi and Fazal Ur Rehman absent from the Parliamentarian's procession? and what is behind Qazi sahab's timely and convenient house arrests and releases?
5) How come MMA holds rallies in Punjab and Islamabad despite 144?
6) Where are the main political parties?
7) Did Saad Rafique actually caused the burning of Punjab Assembly? if so what good has he done to his party?
8) Where are the mainstream political parties? Where went the PPP and PML-N? from what is happening on ground, it seems Musharaf has almost achieved his desire of eliminating these political forces and now we have King's party and King's opposition. Military in power, mullah in opposition.
9) Mullah will talk about his "Wholly" wars and moral codes, military will talk about weapon kickbacks and DHAs, where will the commoner be heard?

P.S. Probably starting tomorrow, I will be posting a series of articles on Israel, Mid-Eastern politics, capitalist world and Pakistan.

Martial Law

Keeping in view the current violence, I believe a change in setup atleast and a martial law at the most is imminent. Now whether the man at top (Musharaf) will be at the helm of affairs or not is still unclear but these riots provide a perfect pretext for a Martial Law or change in setup. Whether those who Perpetrated it did it on Mush's behest or others is yet to be seen. But one thing is for sure, Pakistan will be moving well on its way to become a successful torn state (as per huntington's theory of clash of civilizations). Whether it will actually succeed or not is yet to be seen. And if its others and not Musharaf master-minding this all then it is yet to be seen how successful Musharaf will be in countering their move.

As far as the violence and looting goes, the mob mentality is a result of decayed morality in last three decades. Morality, mind you, is not sex and drinking, it is bigger issues like honesty, integrity, fair play and most importantly self-esteem and these values have been destroyed in our society over past thirty years by bureaucracy, military, judiciary, politicians, traders, industrialists, in short just about all of us. How often have you seen mullah issuing sermons against corruption or bribes?

Mob Mentality and Political Game

I am becoming more and more convinced that the current row over cartoons is being fueled by I)Iran, ii) the autocratic regimes in the Muslim world (these Sauds and Asads and Musharafs), iii) religious extremists.

These cartoons to say the least were an idiotic vulgarity but the way the religious right, autocrats and Iran are using them for their own political agenda is shameful to say the least.

This folly and lack of understanding on part of West of Muslim sentiment, values and thinking has provided the religious extremists with the best hiring tool they could ever dream of. It has also served well for the autocrats in the Muslim world for they have fueled these demonstrations to prove to the West, that amidst rising fundamentalism in the Muslim world and with masses with mob-mentality, they are West's best bet. Who could dare hold a demonstration in these autocracies. Why was there no police presence anywhere in Lahore just when it was eminent that the things could go out of hand?

And do I need say anything about Iran for it cannot be a mere coincidence that four months after the publishing of these cartoons the row is initiated by Tehran just when the screws are being tightened against it.

I respect the right of autocrats, religious extremists and Iran to make political moves for their interest and survival. However, I find it disgusting that they are using it in the name of Prophet(P.B.U.H.). And this to me is more blasphemous than anything else. May Allah give us the guidance to separate the right from the wrong and make us see things and may He give the guidance to those who shamefully use the name of the Prophet to serve their own purpose.

Mob Mentality

I am not shocked to see the "mob mentality" that was on display all across the Muslim world in response to the cartoon controversy. Over the years, ignorance, lack of understanding and objective thinking, and immaturity has marked the Muslim world in general. Here are many people in our world (Muslim world) who await such opportunity and then exploit the religious sentiment of ordinary people to further their political influence and agenda. However, what concerns me is the absence of any voice of reason all across the Muslim world that could dare say that this response is wrong.

Being categorical, I find the response of the Muslim world to be uncivilized, mob-like and unacceptable. Being followers of a Prophet (P.B.U.H.), who would pray for the guidance and prosperity of people who will stone Him and throw dust and garbage at Him, requires us to be even more tolerant and civilized specially when it comes to something concerning Prophet. Our reaction and response to it should be dignified and civilized. Falling prey to the political ambitions of mullahs is stupidity and enflaming this issue to further other political agenda (as Iran is doing) in the name of Prophet is a shame.

There could have been better and more civilized ways to protest against these cartoons. One of them the economic boycott that has already been suggested. 1.2 billion Muslims are a big global market and should exercise their economic power more effectively than they currently do and not in the reactionary manner that they are accustomed to do.

But burning embassies, threatening civilian lives, mob demonstrations is not the right way to demonstrate in the name of a Prophet whose biggest credential is to be the Peace for all Worlds. It only furthers the cause of the fanatics who have hijacked the Muslim thought process and are now aiming at power in the Muslim world. My fear is that this mob mentality and irrational thinking will throw us many a centuries back and a renaissance which even now is a distant and remote thought will become impossible.

It is about time that we correct our perceptions. This controversy more than anything is a result of lack of understanding on parts of both West and Islam. It is not a battle between Islam and Christianity, as the mullah will make you believe. It is a battle between secularism and religion, as much between Christianity and secularism as is between Islam and Secularism. West in general and European continent in particular is a place where religion has been put at a back burner. You can see a lot of material around that is blasphemous to Christianity, Christ and Trinity. They consider discussing such issues to be freedom of speech. And I believe they took these cartoons in the same spirit - a lack of understanding of Muslim sentiment.

As for the Muslims, West does not realize that Muslims have a different set of ethics, beliefs and sensitivities. Muslims are more sensitive to things like Blasphemy than the West is to Freedom of Expression. This lack of understanding on both sides seems to be the prime reason for this controversy.

Being a Muslim and being a human, I have a great regard for Prophet, not because some mullah tells me this but because what little wisdom I have makes me admire the Prophet. I really feel sad that some idiot portrayed Prophet in this manner. But my regard for Prophet requires me to put his action and way before anything and everything else and so I pray that may those idiots and my Muslim brethren get guidance. And may they follow Prophet not in name but also in his ideals and conduct and behavior and may they understand his thoughts and teachings.

I know most of the Muslims, who believe beheading the offender is the only answer to any contempt against Prophet, will not agree with me on this. But even if mine is the only voice here, I will raise it as loud as I could in my capacity, because I believe that even if it is me vs the rest of Ummah, on the day of judgement my way will have Prophet's node.

Marathon

Well I don't feel like saying anything about marathon, for the stance of MMA and Imran Khan was an utter nonsense. For that matter even PPP and N-League didn't make any sense on this (Timing was wrong, my foot. It was announced a year back). However, I have a question to ask to Qazi sahab and his daughter. The threatening, gangster language that Samia Raheel Qazi used on Geo Tv's "50 minute" - a night before the race. Is this the language that suits a nobel person (forget about a nobel lady for the time being)? abusive, threatening, "haan behan aap kul doraeen apnae risk pur". And man you should have heard the expression. It was Sanjay Dutt style. These shameless people have no morals whatsoever.
And by the way this Samia Raheel Qazi is an MNA who sits with men in National Assembly and she isdaughter of Qazi Hussain Ahmad, who was elected from two constituencies and in both of them the women were forcefully disallowed to vote through jirga decisions initiated by Qazi sahab's MMA. So he doesn't like women coming out and surprise surprise, his daughter was the first name on MMAs list for special seats for women in NA.