Mohammed Ibrahim Qazi – My Bit for Change

Testimonial of Jamaat-e-Islami Worker

And hold fast by the rope (covenant) of Allah all together and be not disunited -Quran: Ch 3 Verse 103

The message: Love for all, hatred for none!

In the name of people of Islamic Republic of Pakistan. I being a devoted worker of Jamaat e Islami that was founded by Syed Abul Ala Moududi in 1940 swear upon Allah to make this promise that i will uphold the message of Islam and ideology of Pakistan. I will remain loyal and adhere to the legal, political and constitutional framework and respective law of the land. I will always reject violence, financial and moral corruption and will always safeguard the interest of Pakistan. I will remember the sacrifice of millions of Muslims during partition in a movement envisioned by Allama Muhammad Iqbal and led by our founding father Quaid e Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

I will never be part of any underground movement, i will always uphold merit and volunteer for the causes of social welfare to help nurture the needs of deprived people of Pakistan. I admit to the fact that minorities in Pakistan have an integral role in the development of Pakistan, they have similar rights of access to all facilities of social welfare as accorded by the constitution for Muslim majority.

I would uphold my belief in declaring the rights and status of women as equal partners in the endeavor of nation building. I will always admit to the fact that the role of women is sublime, builders of mankind and that man is retainer of the legacy. I will support initiatives for the rights of women in terms of access to education, health facilities and swift delivery of justice. I admit to the fact that women have the right to report heinous crimes like rape and the judge can announce a verdict on the basis of circumstantial evidence in case she is not able to produce four witnesses.

I would never condone violence against women of any kind and will encourage the society to maintain reverence towards women and discipline in morality. It is relevant to mention that JI held Jirga in district Dir of Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa and for the first time in history Jirga allowed women to cast votes in election, this is a practical example of our service to the empowerment of women.

I consider Youth as a major part of Pakistani population and our valued asset. Pakistani youth is undeniably enthusiastic and energetic. It is dire need of the hour to utilize the potential of these young men and women towards progression and development of the country. The dilemma is that our youth is purposeless and in search of a direction. We aspire to indulge this influential segment of the society in a meaningful effort by initiating pro-youth schemes to achieve national objectives. As a matter of policy, we will give premier importance to issues like unemployment and scarce academic opportunities. We will take initiatives to create employment while providing assistance to youth by encouraging Entrepreneurship through facilitation of interest free loans. We will promote Islamic culture and traditions amongst them to get familiar with core values of Islam and discover a purpose of life. Thus JI has given 40% of tickets to the rising youth amongst its ranks.

We in JI believe in the life long struggle for change despite of the fact we are in parliament or not, we are always at the helm of national and international affairs concerning Muslim Ummah. The people of Pakistan should note that if a JI candidate reaches the parliament it would be the privilege of the people of that constituency but not his family. In JI traditionally assumption of responsibility is mourned for the fact the individual will be answerable to the system of JI and finally in the court of Allah SWT and that fear is way too “Real”. This is not being orthodox but fundamental to keep the fabric of unity intact otherwise as a country by virtue of the rulers we have no good history towards the progression of country and social welfare of people.

In case JI’s candidates win: We will tell them as far as you adhere to remain in service to the People of Pakistan and you will uphold integrity of your character and would not misuse the power vested in you for your personal interest, we will stand by you in case you fail we will rise against you; even if it is one of our blood relation.

In case JI’s candidates lose: We promise the people of Pakistan our selfless devotion in hard times and in rejoice towards building peaceful, tolerant, economically stable neighborhoods around the country from Khyber to Karachi.

People should not confuse the ideology of JI with that of Taliban and Al Qaeda. Our belief is in Dawah preaching in the way of Allah, those who accept we embrace and prepare them to practice the treasured values of Islam for success here and hereafter. We have no intentions to enforce religion against the will of people. We are satisfied that the Constitution of Pakistan sufficiently establishes grounds to ensure Governance in accordance with the teachings of Islam. We deserve enough leverage that we can commit errors as human beings but we also have this trigger of change amongst us and we do not fear in accepting our mistakes and correcting them for good.

As a matter of principle Syed Munawar Hassan, Amir JI will not contest upcoming elections to support JI’s Candidates throughout the country. However, the candidates of JI have entered into the ring of Polls in full swing. While all parties are currently engaged in resolving disputes of ticket nominations, JI has nominated its candidates without any dispute who have actually been campaigning for the last six months.

By virtue of the facts stated above it is our national duty to challenge tyranny as raised by a British humanist -Emily “Rebellion against tyranny is obedience to God” maintaining the balance of thought famous leader Thomas Jefferson vowed “I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man”.

Please vote in favor of those candidates who meet the criterion laid down by the constitution. In case we fail to do so, we will have to suffer 1800 days in despair. So make wise decisions.

Pseudo-liberal Trends of Pakistan

It is extremely sad to admit that the profession of journalism in Pakistan has suffered nightmares and moral atrocities for decades now.

• Biased reporting, twisting the history for vested interests and igniting hatred is on the timelines and news of the hour.

• The volume of biased reporting upon the educated masses has increasingly damaged the ideological frontiers of Pakistan.

• Regular criticism (for the sake of it) on decisions which hold strategic value of national interest is prevailing. Criticism is accorded to diminish the unity amongst races and ethnicities.

• The writ of monitory authorities is lost in the name of freedom of expression.

• Sarcasm and mockery regarding Islamic values is performed with pride which further wages intolerance and sensitivity amongst the masses.

• Conspiratorial attitude has poisoned the nurseries of upcoming talent to the profession.

• The conduct of pseudo-liberals is aiding to the level of extremism in our societal thoughts. The element of neutrality is no more seen as the value of profession but a taboo instead.

It is now a challenge to raise our voice against the ultra elite who pose to be the deciding majority however in reality they enjoy terms with those who are known to the masses as enemies.

Change is always gradual and the recent spring in the Middle East has endorsed to the effect that the final battles of the struggle happen on the streets. The aspiration for an Islamic Welfare State shall be realized as it is driven by real men with no benefactions and defects.

A liberal elsewhere in the world is defined (according to Oxford Dictionary) as:

“someone willing to respect or accept behaviour or opinions different from one’s own; open to new ideas, favourable to or respectful of individual rights and freedoms”

But in Pakistan, a liberal (a ‘pseudo’ I’d say) is defined as ‘extremely’ intolerant, proudly abusive, Islam-bashing, Muslim-ridiculing person and who prostrates in front of the West. If you are a religious person or talk about upholding decisions in the interest of state, no matter how sensible and open to discussion your are, oh no! how dare you called yourself a liberal?

Balochistan – The Most of Pakistan

The hue and cry of our Baloch brethren is strategically taken into account by the internationally recognized invaders and forces best known for occupying sovereign lands in the name self-defiance against national interests of the respective countries. However the hidden truth is contrary to the public reliance. These forces have their eyes on the undiscovered mineral treasures of Balochistan and tremendous potential for the natural shores of Arabian Sea touching Gawadar, the can-be energizer for the future of geo-political environment and economics of the region to safe guard the long haul interests of the super power.

The role of Pakistan’s conventional rival India, to destabilize the country is obvious with testimonies. It is in the interest of India to disintegrate the largest province from the federation of Pakistan to actualise its selfish dreams while compromising the humane right of every individual to live free, the atrocities of hers are well known in Kashmir. Those who relate the struggle of Kashmiris for rights of self-determination, chartered by the UN resolutions and a declared disputed territory with a separatist movement within recognized International borders of Pakistan are certainly not just.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s security forces hold the mandate duly vested by the constitution of Pakistan to curb any separatist movement arising in any part of the country to guard the Federation of our homeland. However, if the security forces and separatists are involved in extra judicial killings, abductions and torture cannot be condoned and are certainly condemnable to every possible extent. Such acts are undoubtedly crimes against humanity and the ultimate beneficiary is the enemy of the federation of Pakistan.

We, as a nation, should understand the dilemma of Balochistan and undertake the responsibility to help our brothers recover from the wounds. It is a fact the Baloch were deprived of basic necessities by all regimes who were in power since inception of Pakistan. The role of Sardars as the hegemonistic benefactors of the wealth of Balochistan have led the commoners of the province to raise their voice to such an extent.

Iqbal narrates in one of his Urdu compilation Budhey Baloch ki nasihat apnay betay ko. (The advice of an old Baloch to his son) that is still relevant to the current times. He says

Ho teray bayaban ki havaa tujh ko gawara,

iss dasht se behtar hae na delhi na Bukhara

Winds of these wastelands be your love, Bokhara, Delhi are worth no more,

Afraad k haathon mae hae aqwam ki taqdeer,

Har fard hae millat kay muqaddar ka sitara

Fortunes of states through individuals prowess ripen, Each man one star of their ascendant,

Dunya ko hae phir Ma’arka e rooh o badan paish,

Tahzeeb nay phr apnay darindon ko ubhara

In our world when once more civilization looses its wild beasts,

in one more encounter spirit and flesh meet,

Taqdeer e Umam Kiya hae, Koi keh nai sakta,

Momin ki farasat ho tou kaafi hae ishara

Who knows the nations fates?, But signs abound, If Muslims are wakeful

We still have time to encounter the shortcomings and give whatever credit is due to them, even if we have to compromise our basic necessities to give the Baloch a message that we all love you for Allah, you make the largest part of Pakistan. Without you there is no existence. We, as a nation, should submit our apologies to heal their pain and make them equal and above partners in our national pursuit towards prosperity.