Pakistan militants using social media for propaganda

Article Published in Indian Times and Indian Express

Terrorist organisations in Pakistan like the Taliban are increasingly using social media networks such as Twitter and Facebook to spread their propaganda and as a means of intimidation. A number of Twitter accounts allegedly managed by members of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan have emerged, on which they post messages and engage in dialogue with their followers. Facebook pages are used to upload statements and videos.

“The TTP is dominating the media. I feel they are savvier at spreading their message in a subtle way. Tackling them is not just about dialogue or military operations. We need comprehensive and broad policy to neutralise them,” Lt Gen (retired) Talat Masood, a leading security analyst, told PTI.

Some media houses in Pakistan have introduced “self-censorship” when it comes to articles against the TTP, which is a dangerous trend, he said. In the recent past, the TTP attacked the Karachi-based Express media group here thrice, creating fear in journalistic circles. Analysts said social media had been used in the past, but it now plays a bigger role.

Last year, the TTP posted a message on Facebook seeking writers for their magazine, but the page was eventually shut down by the social media network. The Jamaat-ud-Dawa (JuD), declared a front for the banned Lashkar-e-Taiba by the UN Security Council after the 2008 Mumbai attacks, has a dedicated media-wing that posts updates on its activities on social media networks.

“Sophisticated terrorist organisations like the TTP and Al-Qaeda realise that, in addition to violence, propaganda is needed for the successful orchestration of their activities,” a recent article by writer Fawad Rehman said.

Original Article: The Mass Media: The Terrorists' Battlefield

Twitter ID: @fawadrehman

The Islamic Emirate of Waziristan

According to published reports in every major newspaper around the world, Pakistani Taliban have presented their preconditions for dialogue and peace. These preconditions are: ● Peace is impossible until the government embraces Sharia (Islamic law) , ● The Pakistani Army will abandon all its posts and will not operate in North & South Waziristan,nor will it monitor the region, ● The Taliban will set up a Mujahideen Shura (or council) to administer the agency, ● An undisclosed amount of money has to be paid by the Pakistani government to the Taliban as ransom to end the fighting, ● Taliban commanders and foot soldiers must be released from Pakistani jails. The players in these talks would want us to believe that these preconditions were drafted for the latest attempt at peace but in truth we have seen them before. In the beginning of 2006, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban launched a military offensive against Pakistan’s military throughout both North and South Waziristan. By late spring, South Waziristan had fallen. The Pakistani military withdrew and Sharia law was established. Fighting continued in North Waziristan through the summer of 2006 with the military taking heavy losses. On September 4, 2006 the Pakistan Government and Taliban officials agreed to a truce. Al-Qaeda and Taliban leaders victoriously renamed the territory of North and South Waziristan as “The Islamic Emirate of Waziristan”. The accord established an autonomous zone for militants within Waziristan where the government of Pakistan would no longer maintain control but would still be considered a part of the sovereign territory of Pakistan. After the Waziristan peace deal, Pakistan openly admitted that Osama bin Laden would remain a free man if committed to living peacefully in the (FATA) region. According to Major General Shaukat Sultan Khan “If he is in Pakistan, bin Laden would not be taken into custody as long as one is being like a peaceful citizen." The agreement between the Government of Pakistan, the Taliban and Al-Qaeda, was known as the “Waziristan peace accord”. The preconditions of 2014 are a carbon copy of the terms presented by a three members Taliban negotiation committee led by Mulana Sami ul Haq, in 2006. The Waziristan peace accord was ended by the Talibans 9 months later. In 2006, An article by a retired US army Major, Ralph Peters, titled "Blood borders" published in the Armed Forces Journal has given Pakistan some food for thought over major geopolitical readjustments. According to Major Ralph Peters “Pakistan’s Northwest Frontier tribes (FATA) would be reunited with their Afghan brethren and Pakistan would also lose its Baluch territory to Free Baluchistan.”  

Now, in 2014, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al Qaeda and their apologists are still calling plays from the same playbook. Both banned terrorist outfits are trying to establish Islamic extremist sanctuaries in the FATA region, so they can operate freely like Fallujah, al-Anbar Province in Iraq and Swat in Pakistan. If the government of Pakistan and Pakistan Army do not take immediate action against these non-state actors then they should get ready for Al-Qaeda's black flags waving at every military checkpoint in the “Islamic Emirate of Waziristan”. Eventually, the establishment of the Islamic Emirate of Waziristan/Islamic Emirate of Khurasan will result in the Talibanization of other parts of Pakistan as well.

Also Published in

ARY Blog
http://blogs.arynews.tv/the-islamic-emirate-of-waziristan/

PASHTUN WOMEN VIEWPOINT
http://www.pashtunwomenvp.com/index.php/2013-01-28-03-21-27/current-issue/407-the-islamic-emirate-of-waziristan

Saach TV
http://www.saach.tv/2014/02/20/the-islamic-emirate-of-waziristan/

Who is Major (Retired) Mohammad Aamir?

Wednesday Jan-29-2014, Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif told parliament that he would give Taliban militants “one last chance” to halt their spree of killings and bombings and join peace talks. Adding to his comments, he has constituted a 4-member committee to facilitate the peace talks with Talibans. Committee includes Irfan Siddiqui (Journalist) , Rahimullah Yousafzai  (Journalist) and Rustam Shah Mohammed (Former Ambassador to Afghanistan) and “Famous” retired ISI Major Mohammad Aamir.

We all have an extensive knowledge about Irfan Siddiqui, Rahimullah Yousafzai and Rustam Shah Mohammed but who is Major (retired) Mohammad Aamir ?

Major retired Aamir belongs to a religious family from Panjpir, a town in Sawabi district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. His father Maulana Muhammad Tahir, a cleric who belonged to the Panjpiri “Sect of Wahabism” and founder of “Jamaat-e-Ishaat-e-Tauheed Wa Sunnah”(JITS). Main objective of the organization is to preach Islamic faith in the Oneness of Allah and tradition of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), as a code of life and also to alienate them from polytheism (Shirk), fabrication in Islam (Bida) and un-Islamic rites and rituals, from the Holy Quran, according to their website (http://www.panjpir.org/).

After the death of Maulana Muhammad Tahir, his son Maulana Tayyab (Brother of Major Aamir) became the chief of  JITS organization who also manages a huge religious seminary (Madarsa) in the town of Panjpir.

This madrassa was an important recruitment camp that also performed the role of a think tank for strategic planning during the Afghan war of the 1980s.

Tehrik-Taliban-Pakistan chief Maulana Fazlullah and Sufi Muhammad, chief of the Movement for the Enforcement of Shariah in Malakand (TNSM) are also loyal followers of the Panjpiri organization. Maulana Fazlullah and Sufi Muhammad received their religious education from Maulana Muhammad Tahir (father of Major Aamir).

(left to Right) Major Amir, Maulana Tayyab (Brother of Major Aamir) and Imran Khan 

at Jamaat-e-Ishaat-e-Tauheed Wa Sunnah”(JITS) headquarter. 

Major Aamir was not only famous for his religious affiliation but also his profession services in ISI (Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence). Operation Midnight Jackal was a cold war military intelligence program operated by the ISI to topple the first government of Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto in 1989 through a no confidence vote in parliament. Two key players of Operation Midnight Jackal, Brigadier Imtiaz Ahmed alias Billa and ISI Major Mohammad Aamir were caught on video and audiotapes influencing some PPP parliamentarians. Funds for buying votes were allegedly provided by Osama Bin Laden. Both were arrested by the Pakistani military police and the espionage case against was filed in the special military courts.

According to the court documents Major Aamir testified that “Nawaz Sharif was more acceptable to the Pakistan Army than Benazir Bhutto."

The former ISI operative Major Amir was awarded by Nawaz Sharif during his second term as a Prime Minister. Major Amir used to be a special adviser to former NWFP chief minister Sardar Mehtab Abbasi, a close aide of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif during (1997–99)

In 2009, A luxurious 600 square yards plot in Sector I-8 of Islamabad given to Major Aamir by then PPP Zardari government from the quota reserved for “People facing extreme Hardship”.. According to Major Aamir “he got this plot, as it was his right as he had served in the FIA in the 90s.

On February 24, 2012, FIR was lodged at the Paharipura Police Station against Major Aamir, his son and his gunmen for opening fire at a tuck shop in Neelab CNG station resulting in the killing of Khan Muhammad and injuring Sangeen and Imran. Arrest orders were issued by Sessions court but later on set aside by a division bench of Peshawar High Court (PHC).

Once again Nawaz Sharif is Prime minister, Major Amir his trusted aid in peace talks and Mullah Fazalluah is a chief of Opposition (Taliban). All the top guns know each other and have had good relationships in the past. Not sure what will be the outcome of these peace talks/negotiations be but one thing is certain that People of Pakistan will not accept any peace deal like the one had in Swat or self-created Shariah.





Also Published at:
ARY News Blogs
http://blogs.arynews.tv/who-is-major-retired-mohammad-aamir/

Twitter ID: @fawadrehman

The Mass Media: The Terrorists' Battlefield

Terrorist groups have lately realized that violence alone is not  the best recourse to gaining an overall victory for their cause. Sophisticated terrorists organizations like TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) and  Al-Qaeda, realize that in addition to violence, propaganda is needed for the successful orchestration of their activities. Whether it is television, radio or the internet, terrorist organizations understand that these instruments are valuable in instilling fear, panic and devastating psychological effects on a governments and citizens.

Recently, three workers associated with ExpressNews television were killed when unidentified attackers of Tehreek - e- Taliban Pakistan opened fire on a DSNG (digital satellite news gathering) van in Karachi’s Nazimabad area.

“We (TTP) accept responsibility. I would like to present some of its reasons: At present, Pakistani media is playing the role of (enemies and spread) venomous propaganda against Tehreek-e-Taliban. They have assumed the (role of) opposition. We had intimated the media earlier and warn it once again that (they must) side with us in this venomous propaganda,” TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan told Express News.

Terrorist attacks are useless if no one knows about them. As the old saying goes: "a picture is worth a thousand words".  Images, especially video images, of bombed buildings, bloody corpses and frightened hostages are much more memorable than print or audio reports of the same incidents. Committing and claiming responsibility for a terrorist attack is one of the most effective ways to obtain free global publicity for one's cause.

Other than the internet and printed material, terrorist have sought out other means in broadcasting their ideologies. All terrorist organizations need a large audience, and they have learned to exploit the media's own procedure to maximize their reach. In executing violent acts, terrorist organizations hope to draw attention through news media which broadcasts their violent activities across the country and as well as across the globe.

Media also gives a twisted version of a celebrity status to these individuals. Broadcasting their names and pictures across the screen and giving them credit for these heinous acts serves only to inflate warped egos. If the media stops giving credit and attention to the perpetrators and instead focuses on the heinous nature of the attack and the plight of the families of the dead and injured, it might take away from the terrorists inherent need for publicity.

The aim of the terrorist organizations is to be treated like regular, accepted, legitimate world leaders. According to the TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan “the media must mend its behavior and do balanced reporting, which is impartial, which is transparent and not tainted with propaganda”

The media may directly or indirectly serve the interests of terrorists by simplifying stories for the viewer to the point that it has little to do with the actual events. Repeating the traumatizing scenes and stories may also serve terrorists, as the goal of the terrorists is to be in the media as often and long as possible.

The one thing that is indisputable is that Pakistani media feeds on the violence of terrorism acts; whoever can tell the most violent story wins the audience. This is not really about freedom of speech, but rather a morbid desire to acquire the biggest audience and consequently harvest the capitol benefits.

In a nation where the government maintains tight control of the media like China or North Korea, terrorist tactics are nearly useless.

Following recommendations can be implemented to minimize the media-related effects of terrorism:

●       News coverage with less repetition of horrific scenes, less traumatization, less sensation and more information are essential in the first place

●        The media should present story to the audience fairly and accurately without bias, so that the audience can make their own opinion of the news and/or story.

●       To avoid panic in audience, Media should use plain language that everybody can understand.

●       Since no terrorist group is alike, the media should differentiate between different types of terrorism and terrorist groups

●       Government-media partnership should be formed for better and accurate background of any terrorism-related act.

Terrorist attacks are designed to create an atmosphere of fear or a sense of threat. In any case, the terrorists’ need for media publicity and media’s need for a greater audience and profits.

Also Published in
PASHTUN WOMEN VIEWPOINT
http://pashtunwomenvp.com/index.php/2013-01-28-03-21-27/social/398-the-mass-media-the-terrorists-battlefield

The Daily Times
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/opinion/23-Jan-2014/terrorism-and-the-media-s-role

Pakistan Press Foundation
http://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/views-and-opinions/74936/terrorism-and-the-medias-role/

ARY NEWS
http://blogs.arynews.tv/terrorism-and-media-role/

Twitter ID: @fawadrehman

ڈرون نہیں تو دیوار سہی.

پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے چیئرپرسن بلاول بھٹو زرداری  طالبان کے خلاف اعلان جہاد بلند کرکے پاکستانی اور بین الاقوامی میڈیا کی زینت اور طالبان دوست تحریک انصاف کے دھرنوں کے نشانے پر آگے. عمران خان جو اپنی سیاست کے بجائے اپنے دھرنیوں کی وجہ سے  زیادہ مشہور ہیں،عجلت میں اکر25 سالہ بلاول کے خلاف اعلان دیوار کر دیا. گو کے وقت کم اور مقابلہ سخت تھا اسی وجہ سے عمران خان نے اپنے دو کارکن جو کے دانت گرانے میں مہارت رکھتے ہیں بلاول ہاؤس کی  دیوار گرانے کا کام سونپ دیا   

حکیم اللہ محسود کی ہلاکت کے بعد سے عمران طالبان محبت کا جو سلسلہ شروع ہوا ہے الله بری نظر سے بچاے وہ اب روکنے کا نام ہی نہیں لیتا. چند دنوں قبل  دارالعلوم حقانیہ اکوڑہ خٹک (جو کہ طالبان تحریک کا مرکز اور کعبہ مانا جاتا ہے ) نے پولیو کے قطروں کو بلاخر  فتویٰ کے ذریے اسلامی قرار دیدیا، اس سے پہلے صرف  پولیو ورکرز کی ٹارگٹ کلنگ حقانی طور پر  جائز تھی. فتویٰ انے کی دیر تھی عمران خان کسی جن کی مانند اچھالتے کودتے دارالعلوم حقانیہ اکوڑہ خٹک پہنچ گئے،  بچوں  کا مطالبہ کیا، علاقے کی ماؤں نے عمران خان اور مولویوں  کا نام سنکر صاف انکار کردیا. بلاخر مولانا سمیع الحق  نے اپنے پوتے کو اپنی ضمانت پر اور موجودگی میں عمران کے ہاتھوں پولیو کے قطرے پلانے کا ڈرامہ کرنا پڑا.

تحریک انصاف کے لیڈر جناب ڈاکٹر عارف علوی نے محمود غَزنوی کے مانند بلاول ہاؤس کی دیوار پر پہلے حملے  کے لے  29 دسمبر کی تاریخ چنی  اور اعلان کردیا جب تک دیوار نہیں گرتی حملے ..وہ میرا مطلب ہے دھرنے جاری رہیں گئے چننے سے یاد آیا، ہوسکتا ہے دیوار میں "انار کالی " کی موجودگی کی خبر ہو؟ اور یہ بھی ہوسکتا ہے طالبان کے دفتر کے لیے اینٹوں کی ضرورت ہو؟ یا دیوار پر لکھا نعرہ " جو طالبان کا یار ہے غدار ہے " ہر صبح منہ چڑاتا ہو ... کہنے والے تو یہ  بھی کہتے ہیں کہ دیوار پر سے ڈرون اور مہنگائی گرانے کا پروگرام ہے... خیر وجہ کوئی بھی ہو ڈاکٹر محمود غَزنوی، "جیالوں کے مندر" پر حملے کے لیے تیار تھے

.

الیکشن کمیشن پاکستان نے منتخب نمائندوں کے اثاثوں کی ایک فہرست جاری کی جس کے مطابق عمران خان کو بنی گلہ کا 300 کنال کا محل گفٹ میں عنایت ہوا ہے، ہم نے سوچا چلو خان صاحب کو مبارک دیدیں اور ساتھ ساتھ  عبدالقادر ملا کی پھانسی کی تعزیت بھی کر لیں کیونکے خان صاحب  کافی رنج و غم کا شکار تھے، ایک تو جماعتی دوست کو پھانسی اور اپر سے عمران خان کے پتلے کو ڈھاکہ کی سڑکوں پر شرمناک حالت میں جلایا گیا. 

فون کیا تو معلوم ہوا کے خان صاحب سات بجے شام کے بعد کوئی مردانہ فون کال نہیں لیتے. ہم نےگذارش کی تو دوسری طرف سے آواز آی " خان صاحب فٹ بال دیکھ رہے ہیں "

 ہم نے پوچھا کون کھل رہا ہے؟

 آواز آی "طالبان" 

 کیا طالبان بھی فٹ بال کھلتے ہیں ؟ ہم نے بہت حیرانگی سے پوچھا

پھر آواز آی " ہاں بہت شوق سے پر صرف پاکستانی فوجیوں کے کاٹتے ہوے سروں سے " اور ساتھ ہی دوسری طرف سے فون بند کردیا گیا .

29 دسمبر، وہ دن اور گھڑی جس کا سب کو انتظار تھا، 3 بجے بوٹ بیسن پر پاکستان پیپلز پارٹی کے جیالے اور تحریک انصاف کے پیارے  پیارے (بمسکل 50 کارکن) آمنے سامنے آگیے، خدا کی پنہا، پی پی پی والوں نے وہ " ایٹم نمبر" دیے ہیں پی ٹی آئی کے  کارکنوں کو کہ " شیلا کی جوانی، مننی بدنام ہوئی یا  چممک چللو" کو بھی مات دے دی. جتنا ایکشنDhoom 3 میں نہیں تھا اتنا بوٹ بیسن پر دیھکنے کو ملا.   ڈاکٹر عارف علوی تمام ایکشن سے کہیں  دور ٹھنڈے مشروبات کا اور کارکن ایکشن میں گرم ڈنڈوں کا مزہ اڑاتے رہے. ایک دوست عمیر سے ٹویٹر پر دریافت کیا " کیا دیوار گر گئی ؟" جواب آیا "دیوار نہیں گری پر پولیس تحریک انصاف کے کارکنوں کا ملبہ اٹھا رہی ہے " .بلاخر تمام ڈرامہ تھانے اور ہسپتال پر ختم ہوا. پورے ڈرامے کا سب سے زیادہ فائدھ دکانداروں کو ہوا جنھوں نے Iodex مہنگے داموں پی ٹی آئی کے کارکنوں کو فروخت کیں. 

عمران خان اچھی طرح جانتے ہیں پی ٹی آئی کے کارکنوں کو جماعت اسلامی کی سرپرستی میں طالبانا تربیت دینے کیلے، خیبر پختونخواہ حکومت کی نقیض کارکردگی چھپانے کے لیے، اور ڈرون ڈرامے کے لے، اس قسم کے معرکے منظم کرنے پڑیں گئے. پشاور میں  نیٹو کی سپلائی پر حملے، لاہور میںsection 144 کی   نافرمانی اور کراچی کے پرامن مانے جانے علاقے میں کھلی ڈنڈا بردار غنڈہ گردی، یہ سب طالبانا سوچ کو پروان چھڑانے کی کوشش ہے. اگر عمران خان کی  طرح بلاول بھتو کو بھی 300 کنال کا محل گفت میں ملتا تو شاہد آج بلاول ہاؤس کے سامنے دیوار نہ ہوتی

چلتے چلتے، خان صاحب کا ایک بیان نظروں کے سامنے سے گزرا جس میں اپنے اپ کو ٹیپو سلطان بنے کی خواہش ظاہر کی ، وجہ کا ہم سب کو اندازہ ہے ٹیپو سلطان نے ایک وقت میں دو عورتوں سے شادی کی تھی ایک ماں اور دوسری والد کی خواہش سے .... خان صاحب سے صرف اتنی  گزارش ہے "خان  صاحب  جان  دیو  صدی  واری  ان  دیو "  

Twitter ID: @fawadrehman

!!! جماعت اسلامی بانٹیں شہادت وہ بھی اپنے اپنوں کو

ابھی حکیم اللہ محسود کی شہادت کے غم سے نکل نہ پایا تھا کہ جماعت اسلامی کے رہنما جناب فرید پراچہ صاحب نے قوم پر ایک اور ڈرون حملہ کردیا . ہاں میں اسامہ بن لادن کو شہید مانتا ہوں !!!  پراچہ صاحب ایک سانس میں بول گئے اور پوری قوم سانس لینا بھول گئی .

فرید پراچہ صاحب کے  الفاظ  سنتے ہی  میں تخت نشین سے فرش نشین ہوگیا، کچھ دیر میں حواس پر قابو پایا اور سوچ میں ڈوب گیا، حکیم اللہ محسود، کتا اور اب اسامہ بھی  شہید،؟ اگر کوئی شہید نہیں تو وہ ہمارے فوجی جوان جو اپنی جان کی بازی لگا کر پاکستان اور پاکستانیوں کی حفاظت کر رہے ہیں. مانا جماعت اور القائدہ دو جسم ایک جان ہیں اور ایک دوسرے  کے لیے  " Eye to Eye " گانا بھی گاتے ہیں پر جناب کچھ تو مولانا مودودی صاحب کے  نا-پاکستان کا خیال کرلیتے.

حکیم اللہ محسود کی ہلاکت کے بعد سے جماعت اسلامی اور تحریک انصاف دونوں جماعتیں ہی ذہنی اور جسمانی بیچینی کا شکار ہیں، دونوں جماتوں کے رہنما اور ورکرز الٹے سیدھے بیانات اور احمقانہ حرکات پر اتر آئے ہیں ، کبھی ISPR کی شکایات کسی دیہاتی عورت کی طرح وزیر اعظم سے کی جاتی ہے تو کبھی نیٹو کی سپلائی روک دی جاتی ہے، تو کبھی معلوم ڈرون کو نامعلوم ڈرون درج کردیا جاتا ہے.   

امریکا بہادر نے بھی ٹھان لی ہے " زمیں جنبد نہ جنبد گل محمّد ، ڈرون حملے  نہیں روکیں گئے". ایک تازہ ترین ڈرون حملے میں جماعت اسلامی کی طلبہ تنظیم کا ایک رکن عبدالرحمٰن شجاعت مارا گیا .عبدالرحمٰن NED University Karachi   سے  انجینرنگ کی ڈگری حاصل کرنے کے بعد، دہشتگردی میں اعلی تعلیم کیلیے کئی سالوں سے  وزیرستان میں مقیم تھے  اور پنجابی طالبان تنظیم کے ایک اہم رکن  کی حثیت سے جانے اور پہچانے جاتے تھے .  

عبدالرحمٰن کی موت کا سب سے زیادہ ردعمل پنجاب یونیورسٹی میں دیکھا گیا جہاں اسلامی جمیعت طلبہ نے ہوسٹل کی منتقلی کا بہانہ بنا کر نہ  صرف ٹیچرز پر تشدد کیا بلکہ یونیورسٹی کی بسوں اور سرکاری املاک کو جلایا اور نقصان بھی  پھنچایا.  جواباً پولیس نے کارروائی کی اور جمیعت کے کئی ارکان کو حوالات کی سیر کا شرف بھی  حاصل کرایا.  پنجاب یونیورسٹی کے ہوسٹل پر چھاپے کے دوران جمیعت کے ناظم راؤ عدنان  کے کمرے سے پہلی بار القائدہ کے ارکان  کے بجائے غالب کی شاعری کا سامان یعنی شراب کی بوتلیں ، جنت کے انگور یعنی گولیاں، اور ساتوں آسمان کی سیر کرانے والی بھنگ  برآمد ہوئیں.  شاہد جہاد پاکستان یا غزوه ہند کی تیاری ہو رہی تھی. ایک جماعتی دوست سے واقع دریافت کیا تو انھوں نے یہ کہہ کر لاجواب کردیا " نشہ شراب میں ہوتا تو ناچتی بوتل "

 پولیس کارروائی کے جواب میں فرید پراچہ صاحب  نے ٹی وی انٹرویو میں وائس چانسلر پنجاب یونیورسٹی کو "Play Boy " کا لقب عطا فرمایا، ( اپنا لقب چھن جانے پر عمران خان بہت جلد دھرنے کا اعلان کریں گے ). قارئین کو یاد ہو کہ نہ یاد ہو پر یہ وہی پنجاب یونیورسٹی ہے جہاں چند سال قبل جمیعت  کے جہادی ارکان نے عمران خان کو اغوا کرکے شرمناک حرکت کی تھیں.

جماعت اسلامی کی طالبان سے محبت کی ایک وجہ مولانا فضل اللہ عرف ملا ریڈیو کی تحریک طالبان پاکستان کی قیادت سمبھالنا ہے. جماعت کے امیرمنور حسن  نے صوفی محمّد صاحب کو جو کہ ملا ریڈیو کے قریبی ساتھی  اور روحانی پیشوا بھی ہیں  " تھوڑا کافر" کہہ کر مخاطب کیا تھا اور مرحوم قاضی حسین احمد نے طالبان کو امریکی تخلیق کہہ کر مخاطب کیا تھا. اب گردن کاٹنے اور بم پھٹنے کا خوف بھی تو کچھ ہوتا ہے نا،

جس طرح جماعت اسلامی شہادتیں بانٹ رہی ہے اس کے مطابق تو امریکی اداکار پال والکر " Paul Walker" بھی شہید ہیں کیونکہ ان کی کار بھی اک "امریکی بجلی کے کمبھے" سے ٹکرائی تھی.

بہت   ہو  چکی  بیوفائی  اب  تو  وفا  کیجئے

قبر میں ہیں پاؤں آپکے, کچھ تو حیا  کیجئے    

Twitter id : @fawadrehman    

My Murder, My True love

Forbes Magazine published an article, a few months back, which ranked Pakistan 11th on the list of the most unhappy nations in the world. At first glance, there seems to be no obvious reasons for such declarations but, upon further reflection on the present environment and the political rhetoric, my thought blossomed like an unfurling parachute.

The untimely death of Hakeemullah Mehsud has sent the Pakistani nation and, especially, the right-wing political leadership spiraling into depression, They wonder when  Sharia can become the law of the land? When will the nation witness the birth of another Hakeemullah Mehsud who will shatter all records by claiming 50,000 kills (we all know that records are not made in a day!)?

A leader who was the link between the Afghan Taliban, the Punjabi Taliban and Al-Qaida. He mastered the precision of slitting Pakistani soldiers’ throats. He righteously declared Quaid-i-Azam to be a Kafir-e-Azam and generously handed out fatwas of kufr free of charge. He proudly accepted all responsibility for explosive acts of terrorism. I ask you, how can a nation be joyful when a hero of this stature leaves us? This tragedy is compounded when it follows another great loss...yes I am talking about the Honorable Sheikh Osama bin Laden. What nation would not lose its ability to smile in the face of such devastating tragedies?

The demise of Hakeemullah Mehsud has also plunged the government of Pakistan into an abysmal sadness. Chaudhry Nisar, the interior minister, was unable to control his emotions and droned ...I mean... addressed a very sentimental press conference. Meanwhile, prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif also arrived home after his foreign trip.

This breaking news felt like a drone attack to Imran Khan, who was already distraught over Malala Yousafzai’s Nobel Award nomination. With a show of strength he was able to rein in his despair and after declaring solidarity with the fallen leader announced that the NATO supply routes should be shut down in protest. After more time had passed and Imran’s anger was yet unabated, he broke tradition and attended the national assembly session for an unprecedented third time. He delivered a moving eulogy to the dear departed and left everyone wondering why we did not witness such a display of emotion at the time of Major General Sanaullah Khan’s shahadat?

Jama’at Islami was not far behind. Munnawar Hussan immediately bestowed the honor of Shaheed upon the deceased and prayed for his elevation into Jannah. May be Mr. Munnawar Hussain forgot that Hakeemullah Mehsud, himself, had facilitated the last meeting between Allah Ta’ala and Colonel Imam.

Confusion ensued when we read and heard about the distress of law enforcement agencies. Why were these esteemed persons upset? Maybe they were upset over the fact that they had been unable to collect the considerable bounty. After all, the deceased had sacrificed the lives of many Pakistani soldiers to actualize this prestige.

Even the media was complicit in depriving the nation of any semblance of joy. The news of the tragic death was broadcast right when Pakistan was about to win the second one day match against South Africa...even though the drone attack had happened the day before and our hero had already departed for his much anticipated meeting with seventy-two hoors. I wish that the media had waited and given the nation a chance at experiencing some pleasure.

If Forbes Magazine had conducted its survey on the day of Mumtaz Quadri’s (Governor Salman Taseer’s bodyguard and, respectfully, his murderer) first appearance in the court, maybe Pakistan would have led the world in the list of the happiest nations.

Twitter ID : @fawadrehman
Also published at Saach.tv  http://www.saach.tv/2013/11/20/my-murder-my-true-love/
Urdu Translation: http://defenderofhope.blogspot.com/2013/11/mehsud.html