Showing posts with label Washington DC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Washington DC. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

اور پھر جیل ٹوٹ گئی


7 جون کا سورج پاکستان میں ایم کیو ایم کے قائد الطاف حسین کی پرجوش آواز کے ساتھ طلوع ہوا. آواز کا آنا تھا کہ پانچ دن سے دھرنے پر بیٹھے ہوئے ایم کیو ایم کارکنوں میں جیسے  زندگی کی ایک  نئی لہر سی دور گئی.  کراچی، حیدرآباد، سکھر، پنجاب، خیبر پختونخواہ اور بلوچستان کے ساتھ ساتھ امریکا اور برطانیہ کئی شہر الطاف حسین اور  ایم کیو ایم کے نعروں سے گونچ اٹھے  .کوئی خوشی سے رو رہا تھا تو کوئی الله کے حضور سجدے کر رہا تھا تو کوئی اپنا اور دوسرے کا منہ میٹھا کروا رہا تھا، جوشیلے جوان مظلوموں کا ساتھی ہے الطاف حسین کے ترانے پر جھوم رہے تھے، غرض یہ کے ہر کوئی اپنے انداز میں خوشی منا رہا تھا مگر ان سب میں ایک مشترکہ عزم تھا کہ ان کے اور الطاف حسین کے درمیاں انے والی ہر دیوار اور سازش کا انجام " ناکامی " ہی ہو گا.
   
1987 میں بھی الطاف حسین پر فرضی الزامات لگا کر کراچی کی سینٹرل جیل میں قید کردیا گیا تھا. ایم کیو ایم کے کارکنوں اور  ہمدردوں نے اپنےقائد کی رہائی کے لیےعوامی مہم اور احتجاج کا آغاز کیا، بلاآخر حکومت وقت نے الطاف حسن پر تمام جھوٹے مقدمات ختم کر کے ان کو بری کرنے کا حکم دیا، جیل انتظامیہ نے رہائی میں تاخیر کی تو عوام نے جیل کی دیوارتوڑ کر اپنے محبوب قائد الطاف حسین کو آزاد کروایا.  یہ واقعہ میرا آنکھوں دیکھا ہے  ، گھرآکر والد صاحب کو بتایا تو والد صاحب نے فرمایا " بھٹو صاحب نے پھانسی سے پہلے کہا تھا کے کاش میں کراچی والوں کے ساتھ دیتا تو وہ مجھے پھانسی کے پھندے سے بچا لیتے"

   
خیر بات ہو رہی تھی ایم کیو ایم دھرنوں کی، میری نظر میں ان کو دھرنا کہنا غلط ہو گا. یہ  دھرنے نہیں بلکہ  صبر، نظم و ضبط ، عقیدت، احترم اور اتحاد کے میلے تھے. جہاں دودھ پیتے بچوں سے لے کر  90 سال کے بزرگ شریک تھے. خواتین بلا خوف خطر اپنے الطاف بھائی کے لے دعا اور یا سلامُ  کا ورد کر رہی تھیں. نہ کسی کو بھوک کی فکر تھی نہ ہی دھوپ کی، نہ دن کی نہ رات کی. چھوٹی چھوٹی بچیاں ہاتھ جوڑ کر الطاف حسین کی امان کی دعائیں مانگ رہیں تھیں. مائیں اپنا آنچل پھیلا پھیلا  کر اپنے بیٹے کے لیے دعا کر رہیں تھیں,  بھائیوں کے غصے کی شدت، سورج کی شدت کو ماند کر رہی تھی.  گو ہر شخص کھلے آسمان تلے سڑک پر صبر  سے بیٹھا تھا  



ایم کیو ایم کے کارکن اور لیڈرز کے ساتھ ساتھ  سول سوسائٹی ، کاروباری برادری، مختلف سیاسی اور مذہبی رہنماوں بھی دن اور رات ان دھرنوں میں عوام کے ساتھ شریک تھے. ان دھرنوں میں ایک بڑی تعداد  ان کم عمر نوجوان اور بچوں کی تھی جو کبھی بھی الطاف حسن سے اپنی زندگی میں نہیں ملے. الطاف حسین کی 34 سال کی تربیت کا کمال تھا کہ پانچ دن میں عوام اور کارکنان کا صبر اور نہ ہی کسی درخت کا ایک پتہ بھی ٹوٹا .

سازشیں اور مشکلات ایم کیو ایم کارکنوں اور الطاف حسین کے چاہنے والوں کے لیے کوئی نئی چیز نہیں ہیں. پچھلے  کئی  سالوں سے روزانہ بلا ناغہ شام آٹھ بجے سے رات بارہ بجے تک پنجاب سے ٹی وی پر  بیٹھ کر، لال پیلی ٹائی پہن کر، نام نہاد اینکرز -  ایم کیو ایم، الطاف حسین اور مہاجروں کے خلاف اپنے من کا میل نکالتے ہیں، کبھی الطاف حسین کے چیپٹر ختم کرنے کا اعلان کیا جاتا ہے، کبھی گروپنگ کا شوشہ چھوڑا جاتا ہے  تو کبھی مہاجروں کو بھوکا ننگا بولا جاتا ہے تو کبھی قرآن پاک کو سر پر رکھ کر جھوٹ کو سچ کروانے کی  کوشش کی جاتی ہے. مگر ہر بار عوام نے اپنی محبت اور ہمت  سے ہر سازش اور مشکل کو اس کے منطقی انجام تک پہونچایا .

طوفان کر رہا ہے میرے عزائم کا طواف
 دنیا سمجھ  رہی ہے کہ کشتی بھور میں ہے

یہ کہنا غلط نہ ہو گا کے کہ ایک بار پھر الطاف حسین کے ماننے  والوں نے 6 اور 7 جون کی درمیانی شب  اپنے صبر، حوصلے، اور  نظم و ضبط  سے جیل توڑ کر اپنے محبوب قائد کو جھوٹے  مقدمات سے بری کروایا مگر فرق صرف اتنا تھا کہ پہلی بار ایم کیو ایم کے مضبوط ہاتوں نے کراچی جیل کی اور اس بار ایم کیو ایم کے مصبوط ارادوں نے برطانوی جیل دیواریں گرا دیں 

یہاں یہ بات قبل غور ہے کہ الطاف حسین پولیس اسٹیشن سے رہائی کے بعد جب باہر آئے تو ان کو برطانوی حکومت نے سرکاری  پولیس پروٹوکول دیا. پولیس کی گاڑیاں نے الطاف حسین کی کار کو اپنی سیکورٹی میں ایم کیو ایم کے ہیڈ کوارٹر پہونچایا . پولیس نے سرکاری طور پر اعلان بھی کیا کہ الطاف حسین پر کوئی مقدمہ نہیں ہے. یہاں مجھے الطاف حسین کے یہ الفاظ یاد آگے " میں نے کبھی اپنی قوم کا سر نہیں جھکنے دیا اور نا کبھی جھکنے دوں گا "

میں ایک بات بار بار سوچتا ہوں، جو لوگ الطاف حسین کی  محبت میں صبر اور  نظم و ضبط  سے دھرنوں میں بیٹھے تھے اگر یہی لوگ الطاف حسین کی محبت میں اٹھ کھڑے ہوتے تو ؟

تم گرانے میں  لگے تھے تم نے سوچا ہی نہیں

                میں گرا تو, مسلہ بن کر کھڑا ہو جاؤنگا   

Also Published:
          


    

  • Twitter ID: @fawadrehman

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

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

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

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

Monday, November 4, 2013

میرا قاتل میرا محبوب


چند دن پہلے فوربز میگزین (Forbes Magazine) کا اک آرٹیکل نظر سے گزرا جس کے مطابق پاکستان دنیا کی ناخوش ترین ریاستوں میں 108 ویں نمبرپر تھا. بظاھر اس مقالے کی  کوئی وجہ ذھن میں نہ آئ  پر تھوڑی غوروفکر، موجودہ حالات اور سیاسی بیانات نے گویا ذھن کو پیراشوٹ کی مانند کھول دیا



 حکیم‌ الله محسود کی ہلاکت نے پاکستانی قوم اور بالخصوص دائیں بازو کی جماتوں کے لیڈروں کو مایوسی اور غم کے اندھیروں میں  دھکیل  دیا ھے. نہ جانے اب کب شریعت نافذ ہو گی؟ نہ جانے کب قوم میں دوسرا  حکیم‌ الله محسود پیدا ہو گا جو50,000 سے زائد جانوں کے قتل کا ریکارڈ توڑے گا (ریکارڈ اک دن میں نہیں بنا کرتے ) ؟ ایسا لیڈر جو افغان طالبان ، پنجابی طالبان اور القائدہ کی جنگوں کے درمیان اک مضبوط زنجیر کا کردار ادا کررہا تھا ، پاکستانی فوجیوں کی گردنیں کاٹنا اور وہ بھی اس مہارت سے کہ اک انچ بھی اوپر نیچے نہیں۔ ماشاللہ کتنی معصومیت سے قائد اعظم محمد علی جناح کو کافر کہتا تھا، کفر کے فتوے تو  مفت میں بانٹتا تھا، دہشتگردی اور دھماکوں کی ذمداری بڑے فخر سے قبول کرتا تھا .... اب بھلا  آپ ہی بتائیں اگر ایسا قومی ہیرو مارا جاےُ توکون مسلمان سکھ کا سانس لیگا؟  اور جس قوم کا ایک اور ہیرو چند سال قبل مارا گیا ھو ، جی ہاں میں جناب شیخ اسامہ بن لادن کی بات کر رہا ہوں ....  ایسے اندوہ ناک غموں کے پہاڑ ٹوٹنے پر قوم مسکرانا نہیں بھولے گی تو کیا کرے گی؟     


حکیم‌ الله محسود کی ہلاکت نے پاکستانی قوم کے ساتھ ساتھ حکومت پاکستان کو بھی شدید رنج و الم  میں مبتلا کردیا ھے. وزیر داخلہ  چودھری نثار علی خان تو فرط غم سےجذبات پر قابو ھی نہ رکھ  سکے ، آنکھیں لال، خون سفید اور غم سے نڈھال لہجے کے ساتھ ایک نہایت جذباتی قسم کی پریس کانفرنس بھی ٹھوک ڈالی، مرحوم کی شان میں زمین اور ڈرون ایک کردیا. اور اسی اثنا میں وزیر اعظم نواز شریف چند دن کے سرکاری دورے  پر  لندن  سے  پاکستان پہونچ گئے



عمران خان جوکے پہلے ہی ملاله یوسفزئ کے نوبل ایوارڈ  کی نامزدگی پر شدید ناراض اور صدمے کا شکار تھے، ان پر تو یہ  بریکنگ نیوز گرم گرم ڈرون میزائل کی طرح برسی . کچھ سوچ کرجذبات پر قابو پایا اور مرحوم سے اظہار یکجہتی کے لئے نیٹو سپلائی بند کرنے کا اعلان داغ دیا.  کچھ وقت گزرنے  کے بعد بھی جب  غصہ میں کمی نہ  آئ تو برخلاف روایت تیسری مرتبہ  قومی اسمبلی کے اجلاس میں پہنچ گئے اور ایک ذھین و فطین اور جذبات سے بھرپور تقریر کر کے مرحوم کو خراج عقیدت پیش کیا. نہ جانے کیا وجہ رہی ہو گی جو خان صاحب ، میجر جنرل ثنااللہ کی شہادت پر اس طرح کا جذباتی رد عمل نہ دکھا پائے

جماعت اسلامی کہاں پیچھے رہنے والی تھی ، بوم بوم منور حسن نے تو مرحوم کو شہید کا درجہ دینے میں ذرا بھی توقف نہ کیا اور الله سے دعا فرمائی کے مرحوم کو جنت میں اعلی مقام عطا فرمائے. منور حسن صاحب شائد بھول گئے تھے کے کرنل امام اور الله تعالیٰ کی آخری میٹنگ بھی مرحوم نے خود اپنے ہاتھوں سے سیٹ کی تھی.  
    
کچھ قانون نافذ کرنے والے اداروں کی ناراضگی بھی پڑھی اور سنی جاسکتی ہے ... سمجھ نہ آیا، آخر صاحب بہادر کیوں ناراض ہیں ؟ مرحوم نے نہ جانے کتنے پاکستانی فوجیوں کی قربانی دیکر، حکومت پاکستان سے ٥ کروڑ روپے اور امریکی حکومت سے ٥ لاکھ ڈالر کا انعام اپنے سر کی قیمت لگوا کر یہ مقام حاصل کیا تھا. ہوسکتا ھے انعام کی رقم نہ ملنے کا غم درحقیقت فوج کی ناراضگی کا سبب ھو ؟     
  
میڈیا نے بھی قوم کو خوش ہونے کا موقع نہیں دیا، مرحوم کے انتقال کی خبرعین اس وقت نشر کی جب پاکستانی کرکٹ ٹیم ساؤتھ افریقہ سے دوسرا ون  ڈے میچ جیتنے والی تھی جبکہ ڈرون حملہ اک دن پہلے ہوچکا تھا اور مرحوم بہتر حوروں سے ملاقات کیلے پہلے ھی روانہ ہوچکے تھے۔  کاش میڈیا کچھ دیر انتظار کرلیتا اور قوم کو کچھ دیر خوش ہونے کا موقع دے دیتا پر..... حسرت ان غنچوں پر ہے جو بن کھلے مرجھا گئے.   


اگر فوربز میگزین اپنا سروے ممتاز قادری ( جو گورنر سلمان تاثیر مرحوم کے محافظ اور بڑے ادب سے قا تل بھی ہیں) کی پہلی پیشی کے دن کرتا تو پاکستان دنیا کی خوش باش ترین ریاستوں میں پہلے نمبر پر آجاتا..       

    اسی لئے تو کسی نے کیا خوب کہا ھے 
         خوشی کا کیا ھے بھروسہ کہاں بچھڑ جائے.....رہِ حیات میں غم کو بھی ھمسفر رکھنا







   Twitter ID : @fawadrehman



Friday, September 20, 2013

Tragedy at the Washington Navy Yard


"Shooting at Washington Navy Yard", Around 9:00 a.m. I heard the tragic news on a local radio station. At first I thought that it was just another day in southeast Washington where residents are accustomed to the sounds of gunfire as cars honk on busy streets. But soon nightmare became the reality of another gun relating mass shooting involving a legally purchased gun by a mentally-ill person with a violent history, just 15 miles south of Washington DC. This is a tragic ongoing problem for America. Being a DC suburbs’ resident this heartbreaking incident hit a bit too close to home and too close to the heart.  Who did it? Why did he do it? What was the motive? Was it an individual or was it more than one? All these questions surfaced in my mind.

A lone shooter 34 year old Aaron Alexis, killed twelve people and injured eight others in a shooting rampage in the heart of the world at Washington DC’s secured Navy facility. As details of the incident were emerged, President Obama addressed the situation. "We're confronting yet another mass shooting," he said, "and today it happened on a military installation in our nation's capital.” 

Access to secure facilities, military installations or government buildings is not difficult when it comes to physical security. Practically anyone with one of the Common Access Cards (CAC) issued to troops, DoD employees, and government contractors can enter the secure facility without being checked. Often Contractors and employees with ID cards or CAC cards are allowed to bypass metal detector security gates at the entrance. Contractors can receive three levels of clearance: confidential, secret and top secret. Applicants fill out a very long form to apply for clearance, which asks about any contact with police, charges, and as well as questions pertaining to mental health. Aaron Alexis’s co-workers and the Buddhist monks at his temple claimed that “he was gentle and generally easygoing” but there was a dark side to Alexis. He was treated by the Veteran’s Administration for mental health issues, including paranoia, sleep disorders and hearing voices. Despite a recent history of mental illness Alexis was granted “secret” level clearance.Aaron Alexis successfully passed FBI and State of Virginia background checks to purchase a shotgun at a Lorton firearms dealer. Virginia gun laws only require valid identification for purchase for State residents. Background checks are needed for out-of-state buyers. Although Alexis was investigated by police in Fort Worth and Seattle for firing a handgun in incidents involving disputes with neighbors and, again, in 2010 when he discharged a firearm through a ceiling, he was able to purchase firearms.
 To prevent events like this in the future, the government needs to do some sensible things. Guns laws for buying and selling thought out the nation should be revisited. It should be impossible for people with any mental or criminal history to buy or, for that matter, carry firearms. There should be major efforts and resources directed towards improving mental health care in the country. Finances should be allocated for research and studies to find out what motivates these shooters. The physical security and access to all secure facilities, military installations and government buildings needs to be enhanced. More money should be allocated to enhance security and facility access control. Finally, background checks have to be much stricter to keep felons from gaining unrestricted access to secure facilities.

Monday, September 16, 2013

ALTAF HUSSAIN: GREAT LEADER AND GREAT TEACHER



Are great leaders born or made? We often ask ourselves this question. In Pakistan the answer is very simple; Leaders are born .If the person is born in a feudal family or in a Parliamentarian’s house, he or she is, by default, a leader. Current politics of Pakistan is full of so called “born leaders” like Bhutto, Sharif, Makhdoom, Sardar or Khan etc. Feudal mindset, nepotism and corruption are the common ingredients in these born leaders.  The truth is that great leaders are neither born nor made; they achieve that status through life experiences and learning opportunities that lead to development of leadership qualities and abilities.


On 17th September 1953, in a lower middle-class locality of Karachi known as Ibn-e-Sina line, a boy named Altaf Hussain was born to  Khurshid Begum and  Nazir Hussain.  After the creation of Pakistan on August 14, 1947, the parents of Mr. Altaf Hussain along with the whole family migrated to the newly created State of Pakistan and settled down in Karachi. Nazir Hussain, a former stationmaster in Indian Railways, took up a job as an office worker at a local mill in Karachi. 14 year old Altaf Hussain lost his father and his mother passed away later, in 1985. He got his early education in government schools and college.He went to Karachi University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Pharmacy.

During his time at Karachi University, Altaf Hussain formed the student organization “ All Pakistan Muhajir Students Organization”   APMSO) on June 11th, 1978. Its objective was to provide political representation to the Muhajir community. In March 18th, 1984, APMSO was restructured to form Muhajir Qaumi Movement (MQM) and on July 26th, 1997 MQM transformed into Muttahida (united) Qaumi Movement. Currently MQM is the second largest party in Sindh and the traditionally the third largest in the country.

Party Discipline, honesty, vision, education, empowerment, communication, service to humanity and organizational setup are the few of the many components which took Altaf Hussain and his organization from zero to sixty within a few years.

Many leaders spend too much time telling people what they must accomplish and far too little time helping them learn how to get it done. Mr. Altaf Hussain was not only the founder and leader of the party but also a teacher of the party members. He accomplished this by starting study circles (Fikri Nashist) in which he illuminated, analyzed and found solutions to social, political and community problems. In his talks he emphasized nation and character building. Without Internet and modern communication tools, study circles were the most effective way of spreading the Ideology/message of MQM back in the 80s and 90s.

As a leader, Altaf Hussain built a loyal relationship with his followers. He built strong and motivated teams and was able to groom more leaders in a short interval of time than any other party since the existence of Pakistan. Instead of recruiting electables to his party, Altaf Hussain made the educated common man from the street an electable candidate. Dr Farooq Sattar was elected mayor of Karachi, at age 28,  the youngest person to hold this position. Late Dr. Imran Farooq was elected to the Pakistan National Assembly and became the Parliamentary Leader of MQM, at the age of 28, and Syed Mustafa Kamal, nazim (mayor) of the city of Karachi, are few examples of Altaf Hussain’s vision of leadership empowerment.

MQM's ideological and philosophical approach encompasses the concept of service to humanity without any prejudice or discrimination. Mr Altaf Hussain and his colleagues formed KKC (Khidmat-e-Khalq Committee) in 1978. Mr. Altaf Hussain and his associates contributed all their pocket money and remuneration received by giving tuition, to the KKC fund. From this money and the donations received from students, other less fortunate students were helped.  KKC was transformed into KKF, Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation, in January 1998. KKF is now one of the biggest charitable organization in Pakistan with sister organizations in UK, USA and Canada.

Altaf Hussain was not born with golden spoon nor did he belong to a feudal family. He became a great leader by hard work, education, vision,and Ideology of social justice. His goal was the eradication of Corruption and his philosophy is that of Realism and Practicalism.  A great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves and become better than they ever thought they could be. A great leader is one who knows the way, goes the way and shows the way. All great leaders lead by example and Altaf Hussain is one of them.

Twitter ID: @fawadrehman

Sunday, September 15, 2013

The New York Time's Credibility At Stake!!!




The New York Times Management Dated: Sep-14-2013
The New York Times
620 Eighth Avenue
New York, NY 10018



Re: Pakistani’s Iron Grip, Wielded in Opulent Exile, Begins to Slip



I have been a reader of The New York Times for many years. I enjoy reading the paper’s unbiased reporting and neutral coverage. I was shocked after reading Mr. Declan Walsh’s article, “Pakistani’s Iron Grip, Wielded in Opulent Exile, Begins to Slip” published on September 13, 2013.
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In this article, Mr. Walsh makes an attempt to damage the credibility, integrity and honesty of Altaf Hussain, the founder and leader of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM). MQM is the second largest party in  the province of Sindh and the fourth largest in Pakistan. I have been a supporter of MQM from 1986 to 1996 in Pakistan and I have been working for MQM USA since 1996.


I would like to point out a few of the many inaccuracies in Mr. Walsh’s article.


1. According to Mr. Walsh, “...over the years, dozens of murder charges have been lodged against Mr. Hussain in Pakistan.” Mr. Walsh failed to mention that these charges were lodged after Mr. Hussain left Pakistan in 1992. This is common practice in Pakistan and Mr. Walsh should know this since he was also a victim of the same practice in Pakistan.


2. Mr. Walsh also fails to mention that MQM is the only party standing against brutal Talibanization in the port city of Karachi. MQM has lost many workers and legislators to cold-blooded killings by the Taliban.  Mr. Walsh has mentioned Taliban terrorism, guerrilla assaults, target killings, kidnappings for ransom and bank robberies in his article, “Taliban Spread Terror in Karachi as the New Gang in Town.” Strangely, Mr. Walsh overlooked his own article about Taliban terrorism in Karachi and framed MQM for the violence.


3. In his article, Mr. Walsh mentions that “Scotland Yard went to Mr. Hussain’s home and arrested Ishtiaq Hussain, his cousin and personal assistant, who is now out on bail.” Mr. Hussain’s cousin’s  name is Iftikhar Hussain and  he was neither arrested nor is he out on bail.


4. Mr.Walsh is critical of the British government for granting asylum and a British passport to Mr. Hussain. I am not sure whether it was Mr. Walsh’s frustration or his inherent hate for the British government that led to this attitude.


I was stunned that the facts and figures in this article were collected from unverified websites and blogs. Expert opinions were taken from irrelevant sources who are neither from MQM nor from Karachi.


As a NY Times reader, I request that the paper refrain from yellow journalism. I also request that you conduct an inquiry into this article and investigate whether the author was paid to write imprecise facts about Altaf Hussain and MQM. The credibility of the paper is at stake in Pakistan and the international Pakistani community.




Sincerely,

Fawad Rehman
Washington DC

  • CC: publisher@nytimes.com  Arthur Sulzberger Jr., Chairman & Publisher
  • CC: generalmgr@nytimes.com Denise Warren, General Manager of NYTimes 
  • CC: circulation@nytimes.com Sr. V.P. of Circulation.
  • CC: executive-editor@nytimes.com Executive Editor 
  • CC: nytnews@nytimes.com The Managing Editor
  • CC: washington@nytimes.com Washington Desk
  • CC: foreign@nytimes.com Foreign Desk