The Lal Masjid Stage Play

Lal Masjid SurrenderA few months back in April I shared my gutt instinct which continues to prove itself correct on a blog post titled Lal Masjid Issue & Its Blocked Website where I wrote

In my opinion, I feel the ISI / GHQ / Musharraf are the stooges behind this Lal Masjid uprising, the stimulus had been provided for sometime and the authorities choose to ignore the escalating problem and one fine day we saw our TV stations broadcasting the Ninja takeover. Police was deliberately kept blind and the army was seen to be in liaison with the United States of America. These people then simply took matters into their own hands.

Had if, the CJP crisis not taken a turn for the worse this Lal Masjid crisis would have been the perfect stage for Musharraf to show yet again his loyalty to the United States. Just a slight dexterity in handling the situation then he would have easily landed with a pat on the back and yet another blank check to cover his next post retirement pension plan.

The turn of events in the past few days has left the nation yet again as to what hit them, these so called Islamic Fundamentalists have been deliberately left unchecked despite the grave situation a few months back, yet it was left to escalate to a grand finale befitting a circus for the global media, and as I had predicted a pat on the back by the western allies for his brilliant effort on Anti-Terrorism.

But it seems that this stage play was his own concocted creation and then he gets a standing ovation worldwide for his dexterity at handling the issue, seems like he cooks the cake himself and eats it as well.

Its sad but not everyone is able to appreciate the underlying issue, the only person who profits from all this is only Musharraf, and this too just ‘in time’ for the elections. He has shown the western allies that they ‘need him’ to help them fight the terrorist element here, he shows them the army uniforms and assault helicopters circling the cordoned area and tries to drive a hard bargain. He shows then that only a uniformed General can be their salvation and no civilian will be able to help control this wicked evil called Islamic Extremists.

Maulana Aziz Lal MasjidToday’s events also contribute to the entire stage play as when news broke out of one of the clerics attempting to escape in a head-to-toe burqa, which to some was an embarrassing anti-climax and morally degrading end to the Ghazi Brother initiative. I too was shocked at this stupid move, but when I saw the images captured by PTV the state run television network, where they show Maulana Aziz take off his burqa garb in front of the camera, it became evident that this propaganda was a poorly scripted drama meant to be used at their own whim, transparency did not exist in the entire process despite the availability of ample news reporters on the scene from other independent news agencies which may have lent the issue some credibility, but instead Maualna Aziz was publicly seen to be quickly whisked away in a car still wearing the lower portion of burqa.

I strongly suspect this to be a stage play and a mere concoction by Musharraf to ensure his extension of his tenure as President of Pakistan. While Benazir on one hand is mum about the issue and has been seen issuing hard lined Anti-Mullah statements just to appease the western allies for her own support, while at the same time Musharraf is dealing his own cards carefully from within Pakistan. A carefully scripted game plan is emerging where it Benazir seems to be getting excited for he anticipated third corrupt tenure as Prime Minister of Pakistan and it seems in exchange for this sweet deal will permit Musharraf to hold whichever office he so pleases. Its simply You scratch my Back and I’ll scratch yours [and everything else] for one more chance to dip into the national exchequer.


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27 responses to “The Lal Masjid Stage Play”

  1. insecticide Avatar
    insecticide

    there’s no dearth of morons like these in PAkistan, NWFP and some parts of Baluchistan and not to mention some hard core JHANGVI in punjab, DO THEY ALL TAKE DICTATION FROM MUSHARRAF AND Co??

    Heck no! they have been creating fuss in Pakistan for two decads.

    In Karachi they declared their worst war on MINORITY sect, THey are being funded by SAUDI ARAB and they preach SAUDi style ISLAM WHABISIM.

    Most of them think that it ok to kill those who dont foolow thier school of thoughts cuz THEY THINK THOSE WHO DONT FOLLOW THEM ARE KAFIRS.

    We shud get rid of those killlers and barbarians at any cost.

  2. Babar Bhatti Avatar

    What a divided & dysfunctional nation we have become. Boths sides of this story are unworthy and pathetic.

  3. Haris Avatar
    Haris

    Excellent analysis of the whole situation. Musharraf is proving him indispensable at the price of Pakistan’s image. He is the biggest enemy of Pakistan.

    Another reason is to destroy Islam’s image in Pakistan vis-à-vis enlightened moderation. have you ever seen such dramatization, which they did with Molana Abdulaziz, in the history of pakistani media?

  4. Adnan Siddiqi Avatar
    Adnan Siddiqi

    well balanced analysis awab!

  5. Balu Avatar
    Balu

    Hi,
    I am from Bangalore Mirror, a tabloid belonging to Times of India Group. I found your blog interesting. We have a section where we post blogs of international relevance. I wanted to know if I could post your blog there. Please mail me your response to nt.balanarayan at gmail.com

    PS: I hope the situation in Pakistan is solved soon. Sigh.. why can’t there be an ounce of peace in the sub-continent ever??

  6. Muhesh Bhutt Avatar
    Muhesh Bhutt

    This is a perfect Bollywood suspense/thriller movie. Drama goes as per written script which was agreed between the actors and director until yesterday (05/07). Starting as a perfect indian movie startup with 19 people killed first day of the drama. People who died were from all kinds involved in this play , a cameramen (just to keep them away from the actual stage and let them know it is not a drama but real life), few passer-bys making sure that common men don’t get over excited on this issue like CJP. Couple of low rank rangers and few extermists/madrassah students. So the first day’s play was just as written.
    The next day everything is still as per plot , the hero/villan tries to run away in burqa , the tv channels ready to take pictures and make movie , the news goes to all the world channels , ( remember historic flee of Mullah Umar on CD 70). The villan is caught as per plan and then shown on the tv in the same burqa giving an interview.
    — Half time —
    The movie was getting bore at this time. People were already guessing the end. But that was the end which was agreed among the players. At this moment, director decides to introduce a twist in the story. The hero/villan 2 , starts noticing that few things are not happening as per script. The change in script is to get the dead bodies of hero/villan 2 along with few others of his associates. Now this twist makes the movie all the more intersting. Hero/Villan 2 is desparate to save his life but the script has changed he and his few associates must die. There is perfect suspense now in the story. Any guesses?

  7. faiq Avatar
    faiq

    1. how much government is honest with his claim that govt writ is challenged by lal masjid.
    i believe govt himself challenge the state writ several times only in last few months, Mr shujjahat rally in islamabad against chief justice and opposition when Q league gangsters carrying sticks the ones with nails on it where was the state writ on that time and 12th may what happened every one knows.
    2.now lal masjid challenge the govt writ but if you compare with US Army the one they challenge then this one is nothing how many times US army attacked in pakistan territory and killed so many innocent pakistanies including children, WHERE WAS THE GOVT WRIT ON THAT TIME ?
    Have ever pakistan govt went for operation against US army terrorism?
    ok lal msjid people the way they were behaving/ acting was wrong if you look at american army general in afghanistan said if even in the future they got any information about taliban activity in pakistani area they will again do the same thing. THIS IS YOU CALLED CHALLENGE THE WRIT

  8. Syed Faraz Mahmood Avatar

    BB was cleared of NAB corruption charges. I should say the drama has been brilliantly planned and executed with awesome timing. we should say hello to our new prime minister.

  9. F.I.Qureshi Avatar
    F.I.Qureshi

    Drama staged by Musharraf in colabration with Ghazi brothers. Was musharraf sleeping since jan.2007 when all this drama started. So called students of Lal masjid goes many K.M. away and kidnap people and come back safely. They destroy the shops still Musharraf is sleeping. When Ghazi brothers cars are captured by police in arms smugging, one of the Musharraf’s minister Ejazul Haq come to their rescue and get them free from from all charges. Now the Ghazi brithers are trapped by Musharraf and they will be killed so that Musharraf is not exposed.

  10. Muhajir Avatar
    Muhajir

    I guess its high time that Altaf, BB, Qazi and others cash it too and not just MUSH.

    What I see is BB (B!tch Bhutto) coming over to have one more dinner party. So that Altaf can have his sympathiser back with the blood of Muhajirs and then Baluchistan, Sindh and Karachi will walk away from the Pakistan.

  11. osman Avatar
    osman

    imam hussain challenged the writ of the government. He was besieged by them. He and his companions were deprived of water, he fought back and was killed. All the muslims in the country sat by and applauded.

    That was then. This is now. Musharraf and his new Yazidi army is at its best.

  12. Asad Asif Avatar

    people who compare Yazid and the current leaders are fools. Some of the comments on Geo’s comment bar have clearly been sent by people who got dropped on their head when they were young.

  13. Muhajir Avatar
    Muhajir

    Asad Asif you forgot to mention that you are the only smart person….

    or may be you got dropped on your head in later years ….

    LOL

    May Allah give Izzah to those who follow his religion and may Allah give misery and unimaginable punishment to those who follow and propage TAGHOOT…AMEEN

  14. Asad Asif Avatar

    Muhajir, go cry to Altaf Bhai who fell on his head repeatedly when he was a young boy. 0.o :/

    Maybe he will send goons after me.

  15. Waqar Ali jaffery Avatar
    Waqar Ali jaffery

    that was a drama planned by the GOVT

  16. pm Avatar
    pm

    Operation Silence had several objective many of them of already being discussed and known to the public, but there are few other which are not obvious. I would discuss those in these comments.
    Fear of Army: During the CJP saga it was becoming clear that urban people are getting more and more vocal against the army. The fear of army which used to be hallmark during Zia era and in 90’s was now fading. It was important for army to make sure that people realize the might of army. For this purpose the things like curfew , heavy bombing and if you are following the press briefing from DG ISPR you will realize how that fear is deliberately being instilled in the public. Not only public but upper class people were getting less afraid of army might, if anybody has seen the interview from Mufti Taqi , he was reluctant to tell what was changed in the agreement he also mentioned how the commander (perhaps Lt. Gen Tariq Majeed) said rudely to all the people to get the agreement done in half an hour. The whole story will be never known about this, but it seems that army objective was fulfilled. Here are few of my predictions that will show if this objective was fully achieved.
    1. Supreme Court will announce a favorable decision for PM (Pervez Musharraf).
    2. Lawyers (specially likes of Kurd) will now be silenced.
    Objective 2: coming later.

  17. pm Avatar
    pm

    Objective 2: It was difficult for army to take actions against the people who were vocal during the CJP saga. This was due to the fact that these people were actually "Liberals" and any action against them would raise an international outcry. Since this distincion (Liberal Lawyers and Fanatics Moulvis) was very obvious during the CJP rallies. It was imperative to somehow make sure that the CJP rallies should somehow be branded as radicalist mullahs so that any action against them can be construed as action against radicals for the consumption of international media. The achievement of this objective is not yet known however following predictions will show how much this have been achieved.

    1. In the upcoming days most of the rallies whether from CJP (which it seems to me will not be many) or from the public against this operations (which will obviously be labeled as radical) , there will be strict actions during these rallies.

    2. Some of the vocal lawyers are either going the arrested or will be silenced during the days to follow.

  18. sincere Avatar

    Dear All Muslims ,

    every one want to see true story about the lal masjid , no one know that what is reall story behind Operation Silence , so please pray that every true muslim will be in janat who was true

    regards
    Sincere

  19. Shehryar Avatar
    Shehryar

    This blog entry, in my view, is another example of the crazy conspiracy theories that are always seem to be popular in Pakistan. This is similar to the one in which 9/11 was actually done by the Americans since no true Muslim would supposedly kill so many innocent people.
    Here are my thoughts on Lal Masjid:
    1. This episode was not stage-managed by the ISI. If it was, how was the ISI able to incentivize the brother’s to, in one case, humiliate himself on national TV in a burka, and in the other case, go to his death?
    2. Musharraf should not have started the operation so soon. Lal Masjid was surrounded, the entire lot of people, most of them innocent kids from poor backgrounds, brainwashed by the Mullah, were essentially captives inside the building, surrounded by heavily armed soldiers and in no position to do any additional harm.
    3. The reason for Musharraf to start the operation so early was the macho, ‘no one dictates to us’ ego-driven ethos of the current leadership of the Pakistan Army. The generals have had so much unquestioned power that they think they can do no wrong and that waffling civilians can take the necessary aggressive decisions.
    4. Musharraf should have negotiated further to avoid bloodshed: however, the following points were not negotiable. No amnesty for the Ghazi brothers. This might have been possible before the deaths of the rangers, Colonel, cameraman and students. The brothers were responsible for these deaths and they should pay a price for this.
    5. I don’t see why all the people who constantly criticize Musharraf don’t criticize Ghazi Abdul Rashid whose main demand apparently was that he be allowed to go scot-free after. Since the government didn’t agree to this, he was willing to put the life of women and children in danger rather then give up and pay his debt to society.
    6. There are a lot more of these extremist, violence-oriented madrassahs, in Pakistan, specially in the NWFP. I think Musharraf will crack down on these now, and this will be good for Pakistan. All kinds of people will scream “He is a US stooge” for some reason. To me, it is clear that cracking down violent madrassahs is something that is clearly in Pakistan’s interest and the “US stooge” people are just incapable of thinking clearly.

  20. Mahammad  javed Iqbal Avatar
    Mahammad javed Iqbal

    what ever happend it not favor of islam but in favor enemies of islam
    it doest project the righe picture of islam to the world
    what happen aziz sahab is resting in jail and his brother the most lover so martydom is in the depth of soil
    what they gave to islam i ask the question to every mind bearing muslim?

  21. Ananymous Jhon Avatar
    Ananymous Jhon

    Great theories! Was fun to read them . May be Hollywood would pick some ideas for future block buster film.

  22. Mazhar Avatar
    Mazhar

    Dear People,

    Let’s have an overview of all that has come to pass after the “Operation Silence” or “Operation Rising Sun” over Lal Masjid is over.

    Different Opposing Statements:

    1: All Vifaq-ul-Madaris representative clrealy declared on meida that they were made fool of playing as mediator between Maulan Ghazi and the Government, “The Government had already planned to kill Ghazi,” said Maulana Rafi Usmani.

    2: Chaudhary Shujaat stated that the blame ‘for the enormous innocent bloodshed’ falls on the Government and Gazi.

    3: For two days, the cemetories of Islamabad where the Lal Masjid deceased were burried were besieged by the Government.

    4: After a long time, F-16 planes arrive at Pakistani borders.

    5: If the huge armoury was recoverd from Lal Masjid, why didn’t the Gazi Squad use it but die a death of helplessness?

    6: In the entire history, an example of such huge and innocent bloodshed is never found in the pages. Was any backstage element under play?

    7: Gazi wanted to negotiate to peace making. But he wanted all settled on media. Why was it not observed?

    8: Musharraf’s speech stated 75 ‘militants’ killed, well after the operation was over. How did the death toll at once rise to 107 right the next day?

    9: Why were media representatives not allowed in the Lal Masjid for the whole one day after the operation?

    10: Why did Gazi over and over, in his last media releases, stated that Government has decided to kill him?

    11: When over 6000 female students along with a great many male students studied in the Religious School, what makes it possible to have only 107 people killed?

    12: Why does Hamid Mir write the day after in Daily Jang that the Government had decided to kill all the Lal Masjid insiders? “Gazi was totally ready to negotiate to come to terms with peace and held talk with Shajaat. But the operation began”, Hamid wrote.

    13: Why does the European Uninon condemend the “Operation Silence” as huge bloodshed pouncing?

    14: If, according to Musharraf, it was an operation against our brothers, why did the soldiers flaunt the victory sign, rambled the sacred mosque with their shoes, and did not pay attention to the Holy Quran’s sacred pages lying about with the dead bodies?

    There are a number of other soaring questions to which the Government holds no answers yet. Can anyone answer these questions?

  23. Mazhar Avatar
    Mazhar

    Dear People,

    Let’s have an overview of all that has come to pass after the “Operation Silence” or “Operation Rising Sun” Lal Masjid is over.

    Different Opposing Statements:

    1: All Vifaq-ul-Madaris representative clrealy declared on meida that they were made fool of playing as mediator between Maulan Ghazi and the Government, “The Government had already planned to kill Ghazi,” said Maulana Rafi Usmani.

    2: Chaudhary Shujaat stated that the blame ‘for the enormous innocent bloodshed’ falls on the Government and Gazi.

    3: For two days, the cemetories of Islamabad where the Lal Masjid deceased were burried were besieged by the Government.

    4: After a long time, F-16 planes arrive at Pakistani borders.

    5: If the huge armoury was recoverd from Lal Masjid, why didn’t the Gazi Squad use it but die a death of helplessness?

    6: In the entire history, an example of such huge and innocent bloodshed is never found in the pages. Was any backstage element under play?

    7: Gazi wanted to negotiate to peace making. But he wanted all settled on media. Why was it not observed?

    8: Musharraf’s speech stated 75 ‘militants’ killed, well after the operation was over. How did the death toll at once rise to 107 right the next day?

    9: Why were media representatives not allowed in the Lal Masjid for the whole one day after the operation?

    10: Why did Gazi over and over, in his last media releases, stated that Government has decided to kill him?

    11: When over 6000 female students along with a great many male students studied in the Religious School, what makes it possible to have only 107 people killed?

    12: Why does Hamid Mir write the day after in Daily Jang that the Government had decided to kill all the Lal Masjid insiders? “Gazi was totally ready to negotiate to come to terms with peace and held talk with Shajaat. But the operation began”, Hamid wrote.

    13: Why does the European Uninon condemend the “Operation Silence” as huge bloodshed pouncing?

    14: If, according to Musharraf, it was an operation against our brothers, why did the soldiers flaunt the victory sign, rambled the sacred mosque with their shoes, and did not pay attention to the Holy Quran’s sacred pages lying about with the dead bodies?

    There are a number of other soaring questions to which the Government holds no answers yet. Can anyone answer these questions?

  24. Mazhar Avatar
    Mazhar

    Dear People,

    Let’s have an overview of all that has come to pass after the “Operation Silence” or “Operation Rising Sun” Lal Masjid is over.

    Different Opposing Statements:

    1: All Vifaq-ul-Madaris representatives clrealy declared on meida that they were made fool of playing as mediator between Maulan Ghazi and the Government, “The Government had already planned to kill Ghazi,” said Maulana Rafi Usmani.

    2: Chaudhary Shujaat stated that the blame ‘for the enormous innocent bloodshed’ falls on the Government and Gazi.

    3: For two days, the cemetories of Islamabad where the Lal Masjid deceased were burried were besieged by the Government.

    4: After a long time, F-16 planes arrive at Pakistani borders.

    5: If the huge armoury was recoverd from Lal Masjid, why didn’t the Gazi Squad use it but die a death of helplessness?

    6: In the entire history, an example of such huge and innocent bloodshed is never found in the pages. Was any backstage element under play?

    7: Gazi wanted to negotiate to peace making. But he wanted all settled on media. Why was it not observed?

    8: Musharraf’s speech stated 75 ‘militants’ killed, well after the operation was over. How did the death toll at once rise to 107 right the next day?

    9: Why were media representatives not allowed in the Lal Masjid for the whole one day after the operation?

    10: Why did Gazi over and over, in his last media releases, stated that Government has decided to kill him?

    11: When over 6000 female students along with a great many male students studied in the Religious School, what makes it possible to have only 107 people killed?

    12: Why does Hamid Mir write the day after in Daily Jang that the Government had decided to kill all the Lal Masjid insiders? “Gazi was totally ready to negotiate to come to terms with peace and held talk with Shajaat. But the operation began”, Hamid wrote.

    13: Why does the European Uninon condemend the “Operation Silence” as huge bloodshed pouncing?

    14: If, according to Musharraf, it was an operation against our brothers, why did the soldiers flaunt the victory sign, rambled the sacred mosque with their shoes, and did not pay attention to the Holy Quran’s sacred pages lying about with the dead bodies?

    There are a number of other soaring questions to which the Government holds no answers yet. Can anyone answer these questions?

  25. tahir Avatar
    tahir

    kya masjid main shose ly kar jana jayaz hai.quran pak ko jalana thick hai.Allah as ki hafazit karny wala hai .Inshallah an ko yeh din as duniya main dakhna naseeb ho ga.ghazi sb Islam ka bol bala karna cahty thay woh n akarty to kon karta .muslim scholar hony ky natay an ka haq tha.Allah an zalmo ko saza dy.kya yeh muslman thay .jin logo ny muslmano ko mara.Quran pak ko jala diya.masjid ky ahtram ko pamal kiya, yeh in logo ny Allah ky liya nahi kiya.main to as ki mukalft karta hon.kio ki mughy Allah ky samny pash hona hai.kaisi mushraf ya bush ky samny nahi.yeh log kya jawab dain gy Allah ky samny kya kiya tere Islam ky liya.yeh kaisi muslam ruler ka kam ho he nah sakta.