By: Agha Haider Raza
Yet again Pakistani’s find themselves, lined up, shoulder to shoulder offering prayers for the departed. The brazen attack during Friday namaaz has clearly shown the audacity and ability of the militants present within Pakistan. On the one side, the suicidal mission that was led out is a direct signal to the Pakistan Army (the attack was taken out in the officers residential colony in Parade Lane, Rawalpindi Saddar) for retreating its forces in the tribal region, while also visibly proving that these militants are not Muslims. The issue for me however is, why have our top brass only been visible at the namaaz-e-jinaza when one of their own has lost their life? Poor Peshawar has been witnessing non-stop death and bombs. It surely has been a while since I saw or read the Prime Minister being in this troubled city of Peshawar, rubbing shoulders with us and praying for those who have lost their lives due to actions taken by the state.
A member of the armed forces has my highest respect, for there is no greater sacrifice than offering your complete services for the protection of your country. But at a time when our country is striving for national unity, is it really the best way forward when people in Baluchistan and the Frontier province are made to feel isolated? Don’t get me wrong, I completely understand that our Army Generals, Federal and Cabinet Ministers have a daunting schedule – due to the current state of affairs – and it would be rather difficult driving up to Peshawar everyday in order to attend a funeral, but do they not realize the importance of uniting a fragmented Pakistan? We have all concluded that the warfare we are currently engaged in will never be won militarily. Why not have a two-pronged approach; military and the instillation of national pride. This would allow for a greater amount of public support for the current military operation, while planting the seeds for a more peaceful and secure future.
Implanting a sense of nationalism in all Pakistani’s the only way forward from here on end. Baluchistan would not feel isolated, while the ‘tribal region’ would finally be able to trust the Federal government. Politicians would no longer be able to play the ‘Sindh card’, while Punjabi’s would not simply assume they are the political elite. I know it sounds a bit like the three musketeers, “All for one and one for all”, but that is exactly what we require. To be honest, I would even recommend mandatory military service for a year. Not only would it allow for us to pay a small token of respect to our country, but it might even bring down the defense budget and allow for an increase in educational spending.
With our short memory, we constantly forget that it was only due to the united effort of millions and secular leaders that granted us Pakistan and independence from the colonizer. Without such “Unity, Faith and Discipline” we surely would have been a lost minority. The time is ripe for our democratically elected leaders to take charge and fulfill the duties they subscribed to. Pakistan truly is at a cross-way right now, and it is high time we charge forward with our heads held high.
We have seen enough death for anyone to tell us to do more, and we realize our shortcomings. We have heard plenty of mothers crying and observed too many fathers burying their sons for us to wait and see what happens next. Tomorrow is another day, another start; it is up to us what we make of it. Those who threaten the very essence of our survival do not have the control over our decisions. Now is not the time to settle our political or religious differences, but rather the time to work and make Pakistan a better place. For it will guarantee you the peace, security, freedom and accountability we all long for!
Comments
38 responses to “We are Pakistan!”
Out of trillion (that's sarcasm) articles and talk shows on million TV channels i have yet to find one single person (except NFP and Rauf Klasra yesterday and at few times Salim Safi) who is pondering , discussing, trying to WAKE UP nation on :
WHAT THE HECK is the ACTUAL reason , for the MESS we are in
and this includes your post. Sorry to say but though you tried well to take up the Baluchistan and related but you should have dig deep into the root causes.
http://columnpk.wordpress.com/2009/12/07/rauf-kla…
By the way i have become sick of these fake patriotic injections i read alot these days, will anyone wakeup from slumber and stop that INDIA ISRAEL ZIONISM aka ZAID HAMID aka AHMED QURESHI crap !!
Zaid Hamid is a CIA and ISI agent. Both want military rule established back in Pakistan
This is what we need, this is what we require, well done ASIF AKHTAR :
http://blog.dawn.com/2009/11/14/the-convenient-cu…
Dawn is very well known for the baboo brigade – always eager to look down on our own religion and culture and glorifying western masters and their culture. Recently I saw an interview on Dawn TV by some Saima Mohsin. She did show us the true and dirty mentality of Dawn by shamelessly defending her masters view point.
Have a look:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2ZbAtS–ck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iv5Yiyr-rqU&fe…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xvYED0GG21o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3nffZ3YQpE
The interview clearly shows what kind of shameless media she works for. That is the same for most employees at Dawn.
Ms. Mazari was right hand woman of General Musharraf during Kargil.
Dear Awab,
What more needed is the Unity amongst different ethnic groups living in Pakistan who at the drop of hat often run at at each others throats.
My comments are awaiting moderation…..For what??
aik hee safff main kharey hogaey sarey Haraam Khour
Nasty words, but true!
PTI condoles with Imran Khan Tuesday, December 08, 2009 Our correspondent Islamabad
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=212203
A delegation of the Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf (PTI) Sunday called on the party chairman, Imran Khan, here to condole with him on the death of Major General Bilal Omar, who was the PTI chief’s close relative. The general fell victim to a terrorist attack at a mosque in Parade Lane in Rawalpindi the other day along with several others.
Imran says he got positive response from Taliban Friday, December 11, 2009 by Ansar Abbasi http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=212…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaaf chief Imran Khan, who on Wednesday offered his services and even showed the willingness to go to the tribal areas to get the mounting terrorism issue resolved through political dialogue, got encouraging response from the Taliban side. His appeal, however, seems to have fallen on the governmentís deaf ears.
I hope Imran Khan would accept Taliban way of dealing with sportsmen:KARACHI, JULY 18: The Pakistan Football Federation said on Tuesday that it would not condemn an incident in neighbouring Afghanistan last week in which members of the Taliban militia shaved off heads of Pakistani soccer players for wearing “un-Islamic dress'' during a friendly football match with Afghans at Kandahar. The bizarre incident occurred when the Taliban raided the third match between the players from Pakistan and their Afghan competitors in the religious capital of Afghanistan, Kandahar, and accused the Pakistani players of “spreading obscenity and inciting passions'' by wearing shorts. [Reference:
Wednesday, July 19, 2000 Indian Express]
yes we are pakistan!
and we have a extremely painful and exemplary past,present and Godforbid a future.
Shahid Aziz is Musharraf’s daughter in law’s grand father and he is liar as well.
“The colour of the article, as it has appeared in the paper, is much different than what I had meant or even implied. Gen Musharraf has a great contribution in leading the nation through a critical juncture of our history, and we should thank him, at least, for buying us the additional time to make us strategically a far stronger nation than we were seven years ago. Those who are concerned with Pakistan’s security will realise this and the fact that he refused to be pushed beyond a certain point under continuous US pressure on Pakistan “to do more”. – Source: The News, 16/9/2008.
Details: One More Multifaceted Fraud: Lt . General (R) Shahid Aziz – EX-Chairman NAB. http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/12/one-more-multifaceted-fraud-lt-general.html
His illustrious military career has placed him in pivotal posts during critical periods in Pakistan over the last decade. In 1998, he found himself involved in Pakistan’s nuclear tests as Director of Military Operations. During the Kargil conflict of 1999, he served as DG of the ISI’s Analysis Wing. That same year, he was appointed to the role of DG Military Operations where he played a crucial role in the counter-coup that brought President Musharraf to power
@Amir
"Gen Musharraf has a great contribution in leading the nation through a critical juncture of our history, and we should thank him, at least, for buying us the additional time to make us strategically a far stronger nation than we were seven years ago. "
Should we laugh or cry?
Are you really that naive?
On top of all his blunders he ensured that Zardari was planted on us.
Dear Observer,
I am not naive but quoted the alleged "Naive" Shahid Aziz's words of Praise on Musharraf – These were not my words but these are the words of Shahzid Aziz on Musharraf – go through the links.
@Amir
Sorry for the misunderstanding.
I don't know Shahid Aziz – maybe he is lying, but on the other hand I wouldn't be surprised at all if what he has "revealed" is true. Unfortunately we have habitual liars all over the top leadership in Pakistan….sad but true 🙁
We kew it already. Now it has been confirmed.
Link: http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id…
Army stopped from entering Jacobabad airbase: Gen Shahid
Tuesday, December 08, 2009
Musharraf obliged US without informing corps commanders; Former CGS talks to Hamid Mir in Capital Talk of Geo News
News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Former chief of General Staff (CGS) Lt-Gen (retd) Shahid Aziz has said he, along with other senior Army officers, opposed to give Pakistan’s airbases to the US but the then president and chief of Army Staff Pervez Musharraf did it without informing his corps commanders.
Former CGS and former chairman of the NAB Shahid Aziz made this revelation while talking to Hamid Mir in Geo TV’s show “Capital Talk” on Monday night.
He said the Pakistani troops were moved from Quetta to Jacobabad for taking control of the local airbase, but “we were surprised when our troops informed us that the US Army had not allowed them to enter the Jacobabad airbase.” He said that after sometime, he came to know privately from a PAF officer that the US had also taken over the Pasni airbase and as the CGS, he was not aware of all these developments.
Shahid Aziz said Pervez Musharraf took most of the sensitive decisions without informing his corps commanders.
Responding to a question, he said Pakistan never benefited from the US presence in Afghanistan. In fact, India is using Afghanistan to destabilise Pakistan and this is happening under the nose of the US troops in Afghanistan, he said, adding Pakistan must say goodbye to the US war on terror now.
He admitted that Pervez Musharraf, his COS Hamid Javaid and Tariq Aziz forced him to close down the investigations against Benazir Bhutto and when he refused to implement the orders, he was asked to resign from the NAB chairmanship in July 2007. He said Musharraf was also responsible for facilitating many criminals through the NRO and he would definitely provide evidence against Musharraf in any court of law, if summoned.
Former interior minister Faisal Saleh Hayat also agreed that Pakistan must keep its distance from the US in the so-called war on terrorism. He claimed that India and Israel were involved in sponsoring terrorism in Pakistan.
Shahid Aziz is lying through his teeth because if his above statement is correct then why there is another statement from the same Shahid Aziz published in Jang which is full of praise of Musharraf http://jang.com.pk/jang/sep2008-daily/16-09-2008/… and even if that was not enough then read the earlier version GHQ had strongly opposed handing over Pakistanis to US Sunday, September 14, 2008
Ex-CGS says Musharraf allowed US drones despite top commanders’ opposition By Ansar Abbasi http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?I…
If we all take seriously then what's this [published in the same Jang date Tuesday, December 08, 2009, Zil'Hajj 20, 1430 A.H ]http://jang.com.pk/jang/dec2009-daily/08-12-2009/main4.htm] 6th news
In the afternoon, Mahmood was invited to CIA headquarters at Langley, Virginia, where he told George Tenet, the CIA director, that in his view Mullah Omar, the Taliban chief, was a religious man with humanitarian instincts and not a man of violence! This was a bit difficult for the CIA officials to digest and rightly so as the Taliban’s track record, especially in the realm of human rights, was no secret. General Mahmood was told politely but firmly that Mullah Omar and the Taliban would have to face US Military might if Osama Bin Laden along with other Al-Qaeda leaders were not handed over without delay. To send the message across clearly, Richard Armitage held a second meeting with Mahmood the same day, informing him that he would soon be handed specific American demands, to which Mahmood reiterated that Pakistan would cooperate. {Bush at War by Bob Woodward, published by Simon & Schuster, 2002, New York}, p 32. {Pakistan: Eye of the Storm by Owen Bennett Jones, published by New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 2002}, p. 2.
Having gone through the list, Mahmood declared that he was quite clear on the subject and that “he knew how the President thought, and the President would accept these points.” {Bush at War by Bob Woodward, published by Simon & Schuster, 2002, New York}, p 58-59. Interview: Richard Armitage, “Campaign Against Terror,” PBS (Frontline), April 19, 2002} DETAILS: http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/10/9-11-sai…
Reality of "Nabbed&ISIed Former Interior Minister Faisal Saleh Hayat is as under:
Talking to The News, the head of the ISI’s political cell in 2002, admitted manipulating the last elections at the behest of President Musharraf and termed the defeat of the King’s party, the PML-Q, this time “a reaction of the unnatural dispensation (installed in 2002).” REFERENCE: The man, who rigged 2002 polls, spills the beans By Umar Cheema Sunday, February 24, 2008 http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id…
Well here we go again, another general (shorn of his uniform) has suddenly found 'ghairat' and now is 'feeling' the waters in the media so that he also can be considered as a defence analyst like many others before him. but this 'johnney' has gone a step further by claiming that the corps commanders of the army were not 'consulted' by Gen. Musharraf (who was CoAS and Chief Executive at the time of 911) and he (Gen.Shahid Aziz) did not agree with the decision of the CoAS and Chief Executive to throw Pakistan's support behind the US war on terror (ref; DAWN-TV program In Focus dated 9-12-2009). When in the army you are allowed to 'disagree' or 'agree'. After serving 38 years in the army and ending as CGS at his last posting, he still doesn't understand the fact that in the army the culture is 'Top Down' and you obey the orders or you are shown the bloody door.
Coming to his rebith of 'ghariat', if he did not agree with the decision of the CoAS and thought it was a 'unlawful order', then he had a recourse which he could have taken and 'resigned' from the service, but he decided to remain in service till his tenure was complete. May be he feels that as CGS one has a pretty good chance of being named COAS but Gen. Musharraf stayed in that post for nearly 9 years (thus robbing 3 generals the chance of becoming COAS, of which one was he). Until or unless the COAS (any CoAS) does not have support of the Corps Commanders, he cannot take 'political power' in his own hands and all the decisions then made by the CoAS / Chief Executive have the full weight of the Corps Commanders and the army behind it.
A new civilian face The first time in eight years a civil bureaucrat has been appointed as chairman NAB. A review of the bureau's performance so far By Nadeem Iqbal http://www.jang.com.pk/thenews/jul2007-weekly/nos…
Lt. Gen (Retd) Shahid Aziz too is a relative of President General Pervez Musharraf. A fact Gen Musharraf has himself mentioned in his memoir 'In the Line of Fire' (page 121). Gen Musharraf dubbed Shahid Aziz as the centre for the counter coup operation in 1999 after whose success General Musharraf took over. Musharraf wrote: "The DGMO — in this case Shahid Aziz — is the officer on whose orders the army moves, for his advice is regarded as orders from the chief.
so the death has a nock at every door
even without a knock it comes
nursery uniform or military men
young,women or elderly
mosque,school,market or homes
so the death comes with a bang….
……..
Of course we cannot run away from it
of course Death would not spare us
No I would not say ,let us die in a heroic way
No I would not glorify death????
but those who signed at the warrants of our deaths?
Those who sent shipment of bombs into our country?
Those who collaborated and cooperated with the foreign or Pakistani hands,
Let us begin from them
to me the biggest corruption is to robb someone of ones life ,
to cutt it short….
If you do not know where to start from …
Let us burn the TROJAN HORSE OF US war….
USA saved itself in the name of PEACE
and
blasted us all off in the name of WAR!!!
———-
@observer!!
you have a breath taking observation….
now it has been established that pakistan has been sold along with the nation…
"Qomay farokhtand wa chay arzan farokhtand"
Why didn't Shahid Aziz resigned??? He kept on serving the same Musharraf for Five more years. Isn't it strange????
Shahid Aziz and the rest of Army thugs (read Generals) are making Musharraf a scape-goat, just as Musharraf made Dr. AbdulQadeer an escape goat.
What goes around comes around.
Now the Army is trying to save its reputation (of being Dallals and rental-force) by blaming Musharraf. Musharraf was nothing if the army didn't back him.
Now every decision Musharraf made, is termed as his own. Just so that the rest of the a$$-holes can accumulate more wealth.
There is weight in your statement. Everybody is in a hurry to have themselves cleaned after the dirty bomb called Musharraf. Recently Kayani stated that the army would live and die for Islam and Pakistan – yet another stunt to make us believe in their rhetorics. Mere statements will not work any longer. We want practical steps – no more no less"!
NOW GUESS WHO WAS HEADING ISI in the news below!!!!
Reference: CJ says chiefs of MI, ISI asked him to quit: Affidavit on March 9 camp office event By Iftikhar A. Khan May 30, 2007, Wednesday, Jamadi-ul-Awwal 13 1428 http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/30/top1.htm
Farrah Shah,
you said "Let us burn the TROJAN HORSE OF US war….",
Did you mean GHQ?
Faisal Saleh Hayat – Loan Defaulter – Credibility – GEO TV???
MONTHLY NEWSLINE PAKISTAN DECEMBER 2002:
“quote”
According to the National Accountability Bureau, investigations into the activities of the current Interior Minister and head of Narcotics Control, Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat of the PPP forward bloc, are still continuing. Hayat has remained under NAB detention for a brief period with atleast two cases of corruption still pending against him. He has been acquitted in one case. Hayat is a law graduate, and an industrialist by profession. He owns the Shah Jewna Textile Mills and Shah Jewna Sugar Mills. A cousin of Muslim League leader, Syeda Abida Hussain, the two remain bitter rivals.
Strange Bedfellows by Nadeem Iqbal
“unquote”
SC cancels minister Syed Faisal Hayat’s bail in loan default case by NAB [DAWN/THE NEWS INTERNATIONAL 8 March 2005, Tuesday, 26
ISLAMABAD, March 7: The Supreme Court cancelled on Monday the bail it had granted to federal minister Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat in July 2000.
“The appeal of Syed Faisal Hayat is dismissed and consequently July 5, 2000, stay against corruption proceedings before the accountability court is vacated and bail granted in his favour is also cancelled,” says a 19-page detailed order issued here. On Thursday last, a three-member bench, comprising Chief Justice Nazim Hussain Siddiqui, Justice Javed Iqbal and Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar, had dismissed the appeal of Ms Shahida Faisal, the wife of Faisal Hayat, seeking to restrain the National Accountability Bureau from trying him on a wilful default of a bank loan.
Makhdoom Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat, is a bank robber and a thief. He robbed the United Bank Limited (UBL), Faisalabad, Pakistan, and stole 241,072 million rupees from the UBL by intentionally refusing to return a loan for his Shah Jewna Textile Mills to the bank, according to the Pakistan National Accountability Bureau (NAB) bank loan fraud case (NAB Lahore Reference No. 7/2000, Dated: 2-13-2000) is still pending against Hayat with the NAB and an Accountability Court. Many hearings of this bank robbery or willful default case of a bank loan have been held in courts of law during 27 October 2000 and 10 March 2005, but during the last five years the slave judges have miserably failed to convict Hayat for his high crimes. Instead of recovering the looted cash and throwing Hayat in a jail for a very long time, the corrupt Musharraf-Jamali Junta rewarded Hayat for embezzling public money by making him the federal Interior (Police) Minister and the corrupt Musharraf-Aziz Regime rewarded Hayat for stealing public funds by appointing him as the federal Kashmir Affairs Minister. The Supreme Court of Pakistan cancelled bail of Faisal Saleh Hayat on Monday, 7 March 2005, and referred his case to an Accountability Court.
Should we laugh or cry? – Are you really that naive? On top of all his blunders he ensured that Zardari was planted on us.[Observer]
==============
As Mr. Asif said don't make Musharraf a scapegoat! Read this – PAGES FROM RUTHLESS HISTORY:
Imran backs Musharraf's referendum, party members oppose
Press Trust of India Posted online: Tuesday, April 09, 2002 at 1518 hours IST – Islamabad, April 9: Pakistani cricket legend-turned politician Imran Khan on Tuesday backed the referendum to be held next month to decide the future of President Pervez Musharraf but his fledgling Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf headed for trouble as some of its leaders have opposed it openly.
MughalHow the Referendum was Won By Massoud Ansari
General Pervez Musharraf's referendum is over. And whether one likes it or not, he is, and will remain, a one-man army – chief executive, chief of army staff, joint chief of army staff and, as of April 30, 2002, President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan for at least another five years. http://newsline.com.pk/NewsMay2002/cover1.htm
Constructing Consent By Shahzada Zulfiqar A poor turnout in Balochistan is bolstered by some help from official quarters .http://newsline.com.pk/NewsMay2002/cover4.htm
Watch Lt. General [RETD] Shahid Aziz in the light of above news reports. [should we believe him???]
Lt. Gen Shahid Aziz reveal truth about Musharraf on US Air Bases http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFIqcAvLSIg
Lt. Gen (Retd) Shahid Aziz too is a relative of President General Pervez Musharraf. A fact Gen Musharraf has himself mentioned in his memoir 'In the Line of Fire' (page 121). REFERENCE: A new civilian face The first time in eight years a civil bureaucrat has been appointed as chairman NAB. A review of the bureau's performance so far By Nadeem Iqbal [Daily Jang July 2007]
Well here we go again, another general (shorn of his uniform) has suddenly found 'ghairat (Honour)' and now is 'feeling' the waters in the media so that he also can be considered as a defence analyst like many others before him but this 'johnny' has gone a step further by claiming that the corps commanders of the army were not 'consulted' by Gen. Musharraf (who was CoAS and Chief Executive at the time of 911) and he [Lt. General (Retd). Shahid Aziz] did not agree with the decision of the CoAS and Chief Executive to throw Pakistan's support behind the US war on terror (ref; DAWN-TV program In Focus dated 9-12-2009). When in the army you are allowed to 'disagree' or 'agree'. After serving 38 years in the army and ending as CGS at his last posting, he still doesn't understand the fact that in the army the culture is 'Top Down' and you obey the orders or you are shown the bloody door.
Was General Shahid Aziz and Co. sleeping during all of this!
FBI probing ex-Army major’s terror links Wednesday, December 09, 2009 By Amir Mir
http://thenews.jang.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?I…
Before the US invasion of Afghanistan in 2001, the HUJI had got membership among the Taliban cabinet as three Taliban ministers and 22 judges belonged to it. Qari was one of the few Jehadi leaders who had escaped with Mulla Omar after the Allied Forces invaded Afghanistan in October 2001. He first took shelter in the South Waziristan Agency, then moved to Peshawar and eventually fled to Saudi Arabia, from where he decided to move to the UAE. Three years later, on August 6, 2004, Qari Saifullah was arrested by the UAE authorities and handed over to the Pakistani agencies. The arrest came after revelations during investigations of the December 2003 twin suicide attacks on Musharraf that he had been executing terrorist operations in Pakistan with the help of his men there.
Instead of trying to prosecute and convict him after his arrest, the authorities chose to keep him under detention for the next two years and nine months, without filing any criminal charges against him. However, a few months before Benazir’s return home, he was released, before being arrested again in February 2008 following Benazir’s claim of his involvement in the Karachi bombing and the subsequent pressure created by the world community. But he was released on May 21, 2007 for lack of evidence. Pakistan Army Spokesman Major General Athar Abbas refused to either confirm or deny that Abdur Rehman Hashim Syed was actually a former major of the Pakistan Army. Same was the case with the interior ministry spokesman who was of the view that the Pakistani authorities would investigate the matter and ascertain the identity of Abdur Rehman if and when officially asked by the American FBI.
I think The Minister of Interior must RESIGN for failure to do his job !
Lets vote !!
Are we on the road to make even more enemies within Pakistan?
"PM hints operation in Orakzai Agency"
Link: http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=93349
The whole world is laughing at Pakistani stupidty……..and why not? Who is protesting on the streets of Pakistan to stop this insanity? Don't expect the vast majority of the leadership to take action. The have a major part of their assets outside Pakistan and are not able to take the risk of Yankee action i.e. freeze their assets if they don't cooperate..
"US Consulate vehicles intercepted again
LAHORE: Two vehicles of US Consulate intercepted on Saturday by the police personnel at a check-post near Simla Pahari area after their number plates were found bogus.
The vehicle was allowed to go without checking after arrival of US Consulate squad.
Another vehicle was intercepted near Sherpao Bridge where police and law enforcement agencies officials stopped a vehicle with Karachi number plate. The vehicle than shifted to undisclosed location for checking. Later, the vehicle was permitted to go."
Link: http://thenews.com.pk/updates.asp?id=93351