In response to Sarah Khan’s “In rejection of pseudo-liberals of Pakistan”- by Asma Qadir
Following is the piece written by Asma Qadir in response to Sarah Khan’s In rejection of Pseudo-liberals which was posted on LUBP a few days ago.
I have been going through quite a few articles on LUBP (Let Us Build Pakistan), courtesy a junior of mine from college who’s an ardent PPP fan and therefore this article didn’t come as much of a surprise. However, the audacity of the argument presented in this article is unlike any others I have come across till now.
Thanks to a facebook acquaintance, I was able to access the sheer cheek of this piece meant to pass as some expression of intellectual prowess (pseudo-ising any random person and event is the “intellectual” thing to do these days), in whole. Though the article more or less is reproduced in pieces in this note, the link is given here if someone wants to read the article.
The writer starts by defining “pseudo-liberals”,
the pseudo-liberal is essentially a bigot who parades under the illusion of being a liberal while pursuing a non-liberal agenda. Pseudo-liberals of Pakistan are no less dangerous than terrorists, activists and supporters of the Taliban, Sipah-e-Sahaba, Jamaat-e-Islami and Hizbut Tahrir. In a way, pseudo-liberals are more harmful because while extremist Islamists are visibly despicable because of their hate ideology, pseudo-liberals are eating Pakistan and its civil society and institutions from inside in the guise of their ostensible commitment to liberal values while providing unflinching support to institutions of power (army, bureaucracy, feudals and industrialists) of Pakistan.
No problem with the definition there but then she goes on to name some of the banned organizations and sweeps in Jamat-e-Islami with terrorists and the Taliban.
Jamat-e-Islami is a full fledged political party, one of those very few with a defined democratic structure within its ranks, unlike the feudal assets of parties that are inherited from one generation to the next. The party produced the likes of both Azam Tariq and Javed Ahmed Ghamidi. It’s not strange though for a PPP blog to explicitly mention the Jamaat, a political rival definitely not in the parliament but undoubtedly on the street and which dates back to the presidential elections held by Ayub Khan in which the founding father and sometimes also touted as the father of this left-over Pakistan by some over ambitious PPP jiyalas, ZAB supported the dictator against Fatima Jinnah supported by among many others, Maudoodi led Jamat-e-Islami. Jamaat unlike PPP has never given a strong showing in general elections rightly so because of its hard stance on many social and political issues, which has never been able to strike a chord with the ordinary Pakistani.
But it’s only when these hard stances are not allowed the political space they seek, by condemning them in the militant bracket only because of a tilt towards the other side of the intellectual spectrum, that fringe movements such as the Sipah-e-Sahaba and Jaish-e-Mohd are born.
This reminds me of a comment I read on a blog a few days ago, which paraphrased the findings of a report on democracy in the Muslim world in the Economist and said, “In the Muslim world, where genuine opposition exists it tends to be fatally split between Islamist movements on one hand and, on the other, secular parties that fear the Islamists more than they dislike the status quo themselves.”
Amazingly JUI-F is conspicuously absent from the list. So then it’s not really the ideological battle; it’s more about how well that sage of a maulana turns somersaults all for the sake of political expediency and despite some full mouthed threats to quit the coalition over the anti-terror policy of the state, always finds some good reason to stay put. Or probably the PPP finds a comfortable negotiating partner in him for after all don’t they share the unique ignominy of being the only political parties besides PML-Q which decided to lend that implicit moral legitimacy, to Musharraf’s re election, ironically when Musharraf’s rule was at its worse ebb; JUI-F by refusing to dissolve the provincial assembly before the elections and PPP dwelling just a little too long on its decision to pull its members out from the National Assembly.
Moving onto by far the best part of the article, the writer cites the movement spurred by the sacking of the Chief Justice and the imposition of emergency which caused the packing up of the superior judiciary all over the country, and more popularly known as the “Lawyers’ movement” to identify the “pseudo-liberals”. She says,
In my view, the best (or worst) moment to identify pseudo-liberals in Pakistani media and politics was when they decided to extend full support to Nawaz Sharif’s PML-N, Qazi Hussain Ahmed’s Jamaat Islami and Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman’s Geo News / Jang, in order to reinstall a grade 22 bureaucrat, Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, in his cherished seat in the Supreme Court of Pakistan, hijacking and manipulating a popular movement against a military dictator (General Musharraf) in which the PPP (Pakistan’s largest political party) offered most sacrifices. In the whole process, it was relatively easy to pinpoint and know the real faces of pseudo-liberals, who will always be remembered in annuls of Pakistan history.
Ahh only if time could be rewound and scenes of Latif Khosa in the customary LAWYERS’ attire of Black suit and black tie, with blood oozing out from his head as he marched along with the LAWYERS outside the Supreme Court, or Aitzaz Ahsan crouching as a brick was hurled at him by the one of the notorious Punjab police jawans called into reign in this unprecedented zeal of the LAWYERS for the deposed Chief Justice, or Zamarrud Khan smiling as he took on the role of a willing Chauffeur to Iftikhar Chaudhary, could be replayed.
The Supreme Court Bar Association had been issuing statements against General Musharraf since the day he took over, but it was Iftikhar Chaudhary’s adamant NO that brought them out on the streets. Or could someone care to ask Israr Shah how he lost his legs in a blast outside a lawyers’s convention that Iftikhar Chaudhary was addressing? Pervez Musharraf didn’t takeover on 9th March, 2007. Would then any of the PPP jiyalas answer why this good long wait for 8 years? Personally I’d like to believe too that the lawyers’ movement was against the scourge of dictatorship and NOT predicated on the person of Iftikhar Chaudhary or even Pervez Musharraf. But ironically just as much as the PPP supporters and party members would have us believe that it was only a coincidence that Latif Khosa and Zamarrud Khan and Aitzaz Ahsan were protesting as lawyers and not as PPP members, that the reality of Mush’s takeover only dawned on them on 9th March and was reinforced on 3rd November, it’s PPP’s delusion of being the savior of democracy and its vociferous claim to representing everything that there is to the institution of democracy that is unfortunately making the general populace which may have actually marched against the dictator before February 2008 and not just in support of Iftikhar Chaudhary, wary of democracy as a system and reinforcing the impression that the Pakistani society may still be willing to welcome another coup from the Rawalpindi garrison.
That is exactly why even the general election in February 2008 and the honorable exit of Musharraf later the same year did not deter people from marching out in favor of the Chief’s restoration. It’s not the PML-N or the PTI or the Jamaat which turned the movement’s course around, if at all it was destined for something bigger than just the judiciary’s restoration. It was the disgust at PPP’s back door deals with the dictator and their lack of commitment to anything less than their return to power.
And even if this is not enough, negotiating their way into power with the same military dictator while getting their choicest men’s heads split and legs blown off and playing out a shouting bout with the Jamaat members on TV over the 17th amendment all the while maintaining that no deal with the same abomination of dictatorship was on the cards, sending off the same military dictator that this popular movement was supposedly against, with full honor and privileges afforded to any military chief and former president of the country, can the PPP still claim that the movement in which “PPP offered most sacrifices”, was “against a military dictator (General Musharraf)”?
And then restoring the Chief justice after a full one year of power and that too under pressure from another military chief-C’mon is it too much to ask of a party so opposed to the idea of “military establishment” putting its mark in civilian affairs to deny those inroads to the military once all over again; not to mention the foreign policy formulation and the snub that the PPP stalwarts get in foreign capitals, leaving it to Kayani to represent Pakistan’s take.
And oh yes before I forget, I think the worthy author got carried away by her emotions when calling Iftikhar Chaudhary a grade 22 bureaucrat. Just for a reminder, it was the general the PPP struck a deal with, and sent off as the former president of the country and took oath of ministries under, who was the grade 22 bureaucrat. Judiciary is another PILLAR of the state, parallel to the executive. But oh well doesn’t this explain the ruling party’s bewilderment at being called into question by the judiciary; for how could a “government servant” dare question the sarkar!
Moving on the author mentions some qualities of pseudo-liberals.
There are a number of common features of this despicable group: aloofness from the working class, pride in English proficiency and accent, superiority complex, hegemonic ambitions, intolerance and autocratic ideas, benevolent sympathy for the disempowered, imitation of the west, hypocritical views, aimless lives and fake activism.
Right but I just wish she had mentioned aversion to dynastic politics, condemnation of feudalism and pir-shahi, disgust at cheats and fake degree holders who also happen to be “honorable” members of parliament, envious of PPP’s claim to the martyrs’ halo, discomfort at the elevation of a political party’s leadership to national heroes and conversion of the ‘land of the Pure” into PPPistan and strong offence at the assumption of “Pakistani democracy” for all its worth and virtually hijacking the institution of representative government by PPP, to make her blog post just that tad bit more effective in blaring out the LUBP agenda. And in the end comes the actual eye-opener elaborating on the definition of pseudo liberals put forward by the author in the beginning of her post.
“There is a long list of pseudo-liberals in Pakistan, some of whose names are provided below.
The list will be updated on a regular basis:
1. Mosharraf Zaidi 2. Shaheen Sehbai 3. Syed Iqbal Haider 4. Syed Mushahid Hussain 5. Dr Shireen Mazari 6. Syed Talat Hussain 7. Kamran Khan 8. Ahmad Quraishi 9. Adil Najam 10. Naveen Naqvi 11. Several liberal blogs (to be listed soon)
Bah! Is this real? When has Mosharraf Zaidi, Shaheen Sehbai, Syed Mushahid Hussain, Shireen Mazari, Syed Talat Hussain championed the cause of the “liberals” or claimed membership of that envied club? Except that none of these gentlemen sport a beard and Shireen Mazri has cropped hair and Naveen Naqvi loves coming on TV in western attire, which may fall under the category of “imitation of the west” in the words of the author, what exalted quality has earned these journalists the honor of being termed liberals, pseudo or otherwise? As if only the beardless and the cropped hair can seek the honor.
A very “liberal” categorization I must say! Shireen Mazari has always been known as a hawk, especially her take on relations with India that earned her the recognition she enjoys, and not her PTI membership which is what paranoia prone PPP would care to remember about her. I have never heard her making claims to the contrary or even trying to dispel the impression through any of her writings or comments.
Talat Hussain’s never ranted on about “liberalism” either and the last I heard he was commenting on Zia’s illusions of invincibility months before that fateful plane crash to drive a point across to Musharraf and his supporters.
Shaheeen Sehbai is one of the harshest critics of the PPP government for numerous reasons and I guess that alone should earn him a coveted position in the ranks of those PPP wants to pay back.
Syed Iqbal haider is a very interesting name in the list, probably the only claimant to the “liberal” title and holding on to it in his capacity as a member (/office bearer??) of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. And of course now that he’s opposed to PPP’s takeons with the judiciary, his liberalism gets prefixed with “pseudo”.
Ahmed Qureshi in the list (barring Naveen Naqvi and Adil Najam whom I haven’t heard much of) appears to be the only journalist who has been an avowed Musharraf supporter, a quality that could refelct “hegemonic ambitions, intolerance and autocratic ideas”, and one of those few anchorpersons left at the disposal of PTV towards the end of Mush’s rule, an ardent Zaid Hamid supporter at least what appears from his TV appearance alongside ZH and Imran Khan in which the latter was the only one advocating a political discourse. But I am just as unsure if this chap has ever taken on the mettle of “liberalizing” Pakistan, as I am clear that he has no love lost for the PPP.
Oh so now we are getting a discernible pattern. But I’d leave that for the end after I put in a precious few lines on NFP and the PPP itself, the beacons of liberalism in this country or so the author would have us believe.
Ranting on about Zaid Hamid brigade for a thousand times over and over again, even when he’s cold and out, concocting phone calls and reserving a full blog space to narrate the incident to prove the “imbecility” of those who think slightly towards the right, devoting a whole op-ed piece on the veil and making a political symbol out of a mere piece of cloth just like those on the extreme other end of the spectrum and ending with a “food for thought” to lend just that little bit of justification to the veil ban in some European countries, and an obsession, fanatic obsession with even a slight reference to religion in public discourse, is what I call pseudo-liberalism when it comes from someone hell bent on proving his liberal credentials! This is what reeks of “superiority complex”, when that other side of the social divide is snubbed in such definite terms only to further deepen that rift. And if it was impossible to present a conciliatory front while maintaining one’s position, in this polarization, one should only take a look at Fasi Zaka’s write-ups on Zaid Hamid.
Nadeem Fareed Paracha could probably take some lessons from there! Taking refuge in hereditary politics and presenting it as some Herculean democracy-saving tactic (“superiority complex”, eh?), negotiating with a military dictator only a few months after some historic APC, snubbing lawyer’s movements stalwarts such as Aitzaz Ahsan and Iqbal Haider, and taking references from religious history to present a case for notoriously criminal ordinances such as the NRO, is pseudo-ising the title of anti-establishment, socialism, liberalism and whatever leftist isms the PPP lays claim to ‘Onto the discernible pattern’, Not too difficult to tell now is it. It’s the same passionate “even if we lose, we win and if we win, we win” mantra taking its lead from the presidency/PPP’s base camp and on the lips of every PPP supporter.
Even those regular Pakistani opinion makers who have never laid claim to liberalism are being accused of treading over this heavily guarded “PPP territory”. “Sab soobon ki zanjeer”, ruling party in three provinces, back in power after “a popular movement against a military dictator (General Musharraf)”, what does it have to fear except its own failings?
And even though this ended up being much longer than I expected, I’d quote Mosharraf Zaidi (yes the “pseudo-liberal”) to lay at rest the insecurity that makes its place in the hearts of those basking in the illusions of grandeur, whenever there’s even as much as a squeak (honest this was supposed to be a squeak 8| )in protest at their unbearable balderdash. “.
So somehow having a sense of superiority because a bunch of idiots get offended by your views isn’t the sole proprietorship of Pakistan’s “liberal icons”. Its actually pretty common, and meaningless.” And then they call him a claimant to liberalism. Or as my father would say when as a child, I’d pout and sulk over some perceived injustice, “Have a heart”, PPP!
1. So Jamaat-e-Islami because of its nominally ‘democratic’ internal structure is not worthy of criticism for its open support of the Taliban and terrorism and its leader Munawwar Hasan’s various statements in support of Al-Qaeda? I guess one has to be a special kind of liberal to see the logic behind this statement.
2. It’s interesting that Ms. Qadir quotes from an economist report about democracy in the ARAB world and tries to apply it to the PPP. Surely she’s aware that the quote is about secular opposition parties in the arab world such as in Egypt where they don’t have a snowball’s chance in hell of winning a popular election and are perpetually intimidated by the street power of the Muslim Brotherhood. Ms. Qadir, your admiration for the Jamaat notwithstanding, the situation in Pakistan is rather different – in Pakistan it’s PPP that’s always won the popular vote. Maybe you need to update your analogies and not commit the common fallacy of people from your own class of treating Pakistan as if it’s part of the Arab world!
Finally I’d like to comment on the elitism in Ms. Qadir’s introduction to her article. She uses words like “audacity” and “sheer cheek” as if to suggest that lowly PPP supporters are really acting uppity by having the gall to criticize Pakistan’s elite liberal class. At the same time she dedicates paragraphs to mocking PPP’s popular slogans such as “charon sobon ki zanjeer” – basically mocking anyone who would ever think of voting for such a useless party. In her misguided attempt at being relevant (which would explain her harsh criticism of NFP and others’ criticism of conservative practices like Hijab) she manages to insult the bulk of Pakistan’s electorate. A lot of Sarah’s readers were confused about what pseudo-liberal elitism looked like. Well I think Ms. Qadir’s article has answered their question quite well. Thanks Ms. Qadir for providing a great example for us to study! 🙂
Please post the link to original article, if you are going to reproduce it in full here.
Thanks You.
Lolz I would indeed have loved if issues had been raised over the content of my article. But just like the usual PPP supporter (NOT lowly-these are your words), you consider judging me more important than responding to my arguments. And thanks for not calling me a Zia apologist and a Jamaat lover but from my experience with debates with PPP supporters, “admiration for Jamaat” (I have no idea where you pick that from-it;s not always black and white and so is every anti-PPP sentiment not pro-Jamaat!) is soon followed up with that.
One, Jamaat is not just “nominally” democratic. And in a country where the larger political parties claiming to be the heirs of the tradition of democracy are centred around personalities and families, this feature which would otherwise be a typical part of any democratic dispensation, becomes an added bonus. Two, I dont understand how the original context of the economist qoute makes it any less applicable to the ground realities of Pakistan where “PPP has always won the popular vote”. I have stated in very clear terms that Jamaat has never posed a challenge to PPP’s vote bank and for obvious reasons, besides the Jamaat’s views on national policy issues.
And in the end, I am once again being judged for an opinion I present and if it’s too hard for the reader to understand, the “cheek” and “audacity” is in particular reference to the “best part of the article so far” which puts a time warped twist to interpretation of the lawyers’ movement. And “elite liberal class”?? Who are you exactly talking about here? I wish this is about feudals and pirs and ministers who keep half a dozen cars at their disposal, and those who make life hell for ordinary citizens by erecting barricades in residential areas.
“she dedicates paragraphs to mocking PPP’s popular slogans such as “charon sobon ki zanjeer””…Ok now that’s paranoia speaking again. I mention the slogan just once and as a very obvious taunt to the insecurity pervading all segments of the PPP rank and file from the chief to the jiyala to an ordinary supporter. And if “mocking anyone who would ever think of voting for such a useless party” (which I didnt do though) is so elitist, I wonder how you’d put supporters of any other party who vote for the other party because they obviously don’t like PPP. Oh or are you trying to tell me like some PPP supporters I have come across that PPP with not even a simple majority in the parliament, is the only political party this country has.
P.S. And I apologise for the poor formatting. Even I cant amke out some parts here.
Dear Sir or Madam: I don’t understand this site. If this article writtened by Asma Qadir, then why is it saying Author is Farhad Jarral ?
Is Asma Qadir an editor on LUBP? Is it fictitious name to protect identity of this liberal lover? What is relationship of Farhad Jarral to Asma Qadir? Are they both a fictitious personalities?
I want to see where is the blogging of Asma Qadir whose article you are publishing. Please provide me with the internet address.
@rajab
The links’ already there in the title.
Asma, I don’t understand the context of the economist quote. The original quote was in the context of secular opposition parties which are frightened away from the electoral process due to the strength of the MB. Do you think a parallel situation to that exists in Pakistan? If not, what exactly was the purpose of using that quote? Do you think that secular parties are frightened away from the electoral process in Pakistan due to their fear of the Islamists winning the popular vote?
You also didn’t answer my question which was – why should the internal structure of the Jamaat make it immune from criticism for its external political policies?
Also regarding this:
“I wonder how you’d put supporters of any other party who vote for the other party because they obviously don’t like PPP”
that’s incorrect. If you’ve read any articles at LUBP you will notice that we print a bunch of articles supportive of the democratic process in its entirety which includes supporting parties like PML-N, MQM and ANP. Your blanket criticisms, on the other hand of feudalism, fake degrees, ‘cheaters’, etc are applicable generally to the political set-up as a whole which is why one must assume that like other liberals you do not support any mainstream party. That’s really your choice, but it certainly is elitist which is merely what I was pointing out.
Well I would admit that I didnt know the original context of the qoute and probably you are interpreting it in reference to its original context. I just put it here because I do think that the leftist parties in Pakistan do exhibit that kind of a paronoia at times, which includes for instance the criticism of Imran Khan when seen hand in hand with Qazi Hussain Ahmed of JI during the lawyers’ movement (that was when Imran Khan wasn’t dubbed “taliban khan” by some PPP supporters-the first time I heard this was from a PPP supporter- and he was famous more for the Sita White scandal).
And I am sorry I missed that point about Jamaat. Nowhere have I said that they should not be criticised for their external political policies. Am I not doing the same when I refer to their rigid and unreasonable stance on issues of national importance. I have taken exception to bracketing a political party with militant organisations. And if at all for once I accept the refernce to Jamaat alongside Hizbut Tahrir and Jaish e mohd understanding where it is coming from, I dont understand why JUI-F gets an exemption.
As for your last paragraph. I seriously dont know what constitutes elitist behavior or liberalism. Abominations like feudalism, and fake degrees deserve blanket criticism. I dont care whatever u may interpret out of that. As long as this criticism is the right thing to do, I’d do it even if it went against some political parties I may have sympathies with. And if Iam not wrong you are probably hinting at the urban elite’s (and I use the label only as an indicator of their social status in society and nothing else!) aloofness from the political process because of the little stake they have in the system, then I assure you I wouldnt have gone through the effort of reading a piece on politics and putting together a piece of writing inspired by Pakistani politics if I didnt feel that I had a stake in the system!
asma qadir has loosely labeled PPP with fake degrees holders. but she doesn’t mention educated JI leader who doesn’t cancel membership of JI activists who kill their teacher at punjab university .
Jamat-e-Islami is a full fledged political party, one of those very few with a defined democratic structure within its ranks, unlike the feudal assets of parties that are inherited from one generation to the next.
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Yes off course “defined democratic structure” like this: Professor Ghafoor Ahmad of Jamat-e-Islami was a Federal Minister Production Industries in General Zia Martial Law Cabinet [1978-1979] [Reference Cabinet Division Pakistan] On August 23 1978 following person inducted in General Zia Cabinet: – 1- Ghulam Ishaq Khan [Later dismissed two elected government in Pakistan one at the behest of General Aslam Beg in 1990] – 2 – A.K.Brohi, 3 – Mahmood Haroon, 4 – Mohammad Khan Junejo, 5 – Sharifuddin Pirzada, 6 – Mohammad Ali Hoti 7 – Professor Ghafoor Ahmad (Jamat-e-Islami) [From 2002-2007 under MMA Professor Sahab was part of an alliance which shared government with Mr Musharraf’s Martial Law] – You may find many names in the post/link below who also served in General Musharraf’s Martial Law. REFERENCE: High Treason Cases against Pakistani Military Dictators & Collaborators/Abettors http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/08/high-treason-cases-against-pakistani.html
Jamat-e-Islami is a full fledged political party, one of those very few with a defined democratic structure within its ranks, unlike the feudal assets of parties that are inherited from one generation to the next.
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Yes off course “defined democratic structure” like this!
“QUOTE”
Mawdudi, Jamat-e-Islami, Democracy, Jinnah and Pakistan???
The Jamat-i-Islami was also opposed to the idea of Pakistan which it described as Na Pakistan (not pure).
In none of the writings of the Jama’at is to be found the remotest reference in support of the demand for Pakistan. The pre-independence views of Maulana Abul Ala Maududi, the founder of the Jamat-i-Islami were quite definite:
“Among Indian Muslims today we find two kinds of nationalists: the Nationalists Muslims, namely those who in spite of their being Muslims believe in Indian Nationalism and worship it; and the Muslims Nationalist: namely those who are little concerned with Islam and its principles and aims, but are concerned with the individuality and the political and economic interests of that nation which has come to exist by the name of Muslim, and they are so concerned only because of their accidence of birth in that nation. From the Islamic viewpoint both these types of nationalists were equally misled, for Islam enjoins faith in truth only; it does not permit any kind of nation-worshipping at all. [Maulana Maududi, Nationalism and India, Pathankot, 1947, p-25]
Maulana Maududi was of the view that the form of government in the new Muslim state, if it ever came into existence, could only be secular. In a speech shortly before partition he said: “Why should we foolishly waste our time in expediting the so-called Muslim-nation state and fritter away our energies in setting it up, when we know that it will not only be useless for our purposes, but will rather prove an obstacle in our path.” [Reference: The Process of Islamic Revolution, 2nd edition, Lahore 1955, p-37]
Paradoxically, Maulana Maududi’s writings played an important role in convincing the Muslim intelligentsia that the concept of united nationalism was suicidal for the Muslims but his reaction to the Pakistan movement was complex and contradictory. When asked to cooperate with the Muslim League he replied: “Please do not think that I do not want to participate in this work because of any differences, my difficulty is that I do not see how I can participate because partial remedies do not appeal to my mind and I have never been interested in patch work.” [Reference:
Syed Abul Ala Maududi, Tehrik-i-Adazi- e-Hind aur Mussalman] (Indian Freedom Movement and Muslims), pp 22-23
He had opposed the idea of united nationhood because he was convinced that the Muslims would be drawn away from Islam if they agreed to merge themselves in the Indian milieu. He was interested more in Islam than in Muslims: because Muslims were Muslims not because they belonged to a communal or a national entity but because they believed in Islam. The first priority, therefore, in his mind was that Muslim loyalty to Islam should be strengthened. This could be done only by a body of Muslims who did sincerely believe in Islam and did not pay only lip service to it. Hence he founded the Jamat-i-Islami (in August 1941). However, Maulana Maududi’s stand failed to take cognizance of the circumstances in which the Muslims were placed at that critical moment. [Reference: Ulema in Politics by Ishtiaq Hussain Qureshi , p-368]
@humza
It’s not about litearcy vs illiteracy as u can obviously tell from the use of the term “FAKE degree holders”. It’s about cheating and never did I imply that an original degree makes a person an ideal politician. Please dont confuse issues here. And ofcourse PPP gets a special mention when it comes to fake degrees because its co chairman and the president never misses out on making an “honorable” mention of Dasti.
@Aamir Mughal
So? where does it prove that JI doesnt have a democratic sturcture within its ranks. That’s a hard solid fact which doesnt become any less important because of their past alliances with dictators. Which political party except PTI can boast of a political structure developed independantally of the influence of any military dictator. We can go on about JI’S role in Zia’s cabinet but that’s not the issue here.
@Amir Mughal
Even now, so? Does the ANP’s rejection of the concept of Pakistan even after its creation, and more because of their loyalty to Pakhtun nationalism, in contrast to pan-Islamism as purported by Maududi which after Pakistan’s creation did not pose any existential threat to the physical boundaries of Pakistan, dims its significance as a political party?
And btw, Maududi had always been opposed to a greater political role of his party. Therefore, JI’s current stance on issues and their development as a political party should be seen independantly of Maududi’s views.
@Aamir Mughal – So? where does it prove that JI doesnt have a democratic sturcture within its ranks.
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Define the meaning of Democracy while explaining the presence of Prof Ghafoor in Martial Law Cabinet of General Zia.
Jamaat having an internal democratic structure is certainly not a virtue that they can brandish. Yes, they have internal elections regularly and do conducted opinion polls amongst their members but they do rely on their student wing to spread terror and police campuses across Pakistan as well. They are thugs in the end and after hijacking the ideology of this country, they have collaborated time and again with usurpers to entrench themselves in the public sphere. Even apologists would have to accept that the average rural Pakistani does not vote for the Jamaat and their only support group is the urban lower middle class (and that too in only a handful of areas).
Existing parties not having an internal democratic structure is a no brainer either. In a society that has no democratic institutions, it would be outright miraculous that political parties are democratic in their own structure. Our society is based on sycophancy, kinship, patriarchy and machoism. The sole focus has always been “personalities” rather than “policies”. This is the reason why every self-righteous apathetic and I-want-revolution do no gooder urban elites keep on yearning for an oxymoronic “benevolent dictator” to lead them out of all problems. Unless and until you start democratic debate from your own house, don’t expect others to display democratic stripes.
The focus on personalities and dependence on feudals is the result of our politco-social evolution and it will take time to evolve further towards a modern structure. However, this does not mean that you have to keep on ranting and displaying your apolitical stripes as symbols of your righteousness. Being apolitical is nothing more than being apathetic to the state of affairs of your country.
As for the dependence on feudals, the PPP, yes a political party was responsible for the two land reforms that introduces a ceiling on land holdings (300 acres unirrigiated in ’72 and 100 in ’77). It was the Shariat Appellate Branch of the Supreme Court Pakistan which declared a ceiling on land holdings to be repugnant to “Islamic” beliefs and declared both the Land Reforms Regulation of 1972 and the Land Reforms Act of 1977 as unconstitutional. Thanks to the Jamaat, all Islamists and their grandmaster “Mard e Momin” Zia ul Haq, Pakistan’s land reforms were thrown out under the guise of “Islamic” law.
@ asma i didn’t start fake degree issue here. i am just commenting on your post above.
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Right but I just wish she had mentioned aversion to dynastic politics, condemnation of feudalism and pir-shahi, disgust at cheats and fake degree holders who also happen to be “honorable” members of parliament, envious of PPP’s claim to the martyrs’ halo, discomfort at the elevation of a political party’s leadership to national heroes and conversion of the ‘land of the Pure” into PPPistan and strong offence at the assumption of “Pakistani democracy” for all its worth and virtually hijacking the institution of representative government by PPP, to make her blog post just that tad bit more effective in blaring out the LUBP agenda. And in the end comes the actual eye-opener elaborating on the definition of pseudo liberals put forward by the author in the beginning of her post.
I personally believe its high time PPP jiyalas realize that their delusions won’t help, and as Ms. Qadir puts it, the notion of ‘even if we lose, we win’ is taking PPP into the path of permanent degradation. To wear the attire of an opportunist in any tough situation is not a biggie, as we all have seen in the past 3 and a bit years, be it taking sides while compromising on your manifestos or be it the devaluation of your own principles.
As for NFP is concerned, what more does one need to say about that diabolic retard fellow, who once was a PSF hottie and now demeaning the very ideology which Bhutto’s student faction stood on! The day he takes himself out of the closet of small-talk and inferiority complex, he’ll be worth discussing. Period.
Ahmed Qureishi was a Musharraf avid fan (read: was), now he’s got his senses right in many ways, though he’s still one of those army-is-the-best fans. And he’s maturing in regards of ZH and IK too; doesn’t go all out in bowing towards their fatwas.
As massive a ZAB fan I am, I see the current PPP in no way a representation of the awami party that the great man envisioned, with no sense of compassion and integrity left now. That man had visions, which I wonder and pity, would ever be realized by the present power-hungry crop.
Considering the number of posts on JI here, one would believe that the average PPP supporter somehow finds solace in the thought of some JI embarrasment, feeling that its position’s vindicated not by responding to criticism hurled at the party but by proving JI’s fault in one case or another!
I have already answered most of the queries here, from “Martial Law” cabinets to “elitist apoliticism”.
Endnote: Being anti-PPP does NOT imply that one’s pro-dictatorship or even apolitical. PPP would do itself much good if it comes down from this pedestal of “democratic”-self righteousness and realise that this country has political forces besides PPP and strongly opposed to it. The little interaction that I had had with PPP supporters gave me that impression and the conversation here only reinforces that impression.
Sometimes, it is helpful to contextualize an article or a message in order to fully understand the essence of the article and the position of the author.
While I will not discuss the article above (both sides are presenting their arguments reasonably well), let me present some gems from Asma Qadir’s previous articles which are scattered all over the internet.
Here are some excerpts from an article written by Asma in December 2007 (a classic example of pseudo-liberalism, per se)
Today the excitement of that first vote has been replaced by a genuine gloom. Who do we vote for? The NRO-bequeathed, the deal-acquitted, the “anti establishment” establishment party, for BB? Or for the billi of a sher who kept lying about this deal with the Saudi Messiahs after having fled in fear of a death sentence (which was never to be-once being enough for every nation) or worse, a life sentence-a LIFE SENTENCE??? Pity the nation whose leaders bask in the illusions of invincibility-theirs or their detractors’……And then, should we be voting at all?
The elections would just be a distraction, another dead end, pretend-to-be-merry, time pass activity as the usurper runs away with this country and its actual interests, another jewel besides the presidential referendum, the 2002 elections, 17th amendment and the 2007 presidential elections, in his crown. No one will talk about the sacked judiciary once the air gets thick with the political wrangling of a hung parliament which it will be as of elections 2008.
A boycott would keep alive the hopes of the restoration of an independent judiciary. The boycott will afford us some high ground to shoot off our demands from. Elections are a clowns’ play meant to pull away supporters of this movement. They are just another addition to the morsels thrown our way by the ruling elite and which we are expected to accept graciously only because similar or worse circumstances have existed in this country. But yet another dictator cannot be allowed to get away with the vandalism of the highest order of this land. If at all this movement withers away without any apparent results, it would have at least set some positive precedents for tomorrow.
Veto the ballot box; Vote in the judiciary
Asma Qadir
DECEMBER 25, 2007
http://pakistanmartiallaw.blogspot.com/2007/12/veto-ballot-box-vote-in-judiciary.html
Another gem from the Asma Qadir pseudo-liberal archive:
Coming to Imran Khan, many would say he lost hands down. Many call him ” ahead of his times”, a political idiot in the same breath as they lambast BB and Sharif for being corrupt and unworthy leaders. Do we want expediency and opportunism to define our politics like always. Imran khan may lose eventually in his time but he has shown many the way to clean politics and those out on the streets today will remember him for long.
But today is still not over.
Elections 2008
December 15th, 2007 by Asma Qadir
http://www.chowrangi.com/elections-2008.html
Keep on dreaming for the (closet Taliban) Khan revolution, Asma!
@Asma
JI Mentor Maudoodi exposed – by Yasser Latif Hamdani
http://criticalppp.com/archives/16793
Asma laments that the majority of Pakistanis do not support the JI’s Mansoor brigade in violently protesting against the blasphemous cartoons.
“We dont’ come out when they published sacrilegious cartoons of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) in the West and leave that to turbaned, bearded kids of madressahs whose pictures can then be splashed all over the western media to stereotype muslims….”
Why the nation doesn’t come out on the streets!
September 30th, 2007 by Asma Qadir
http://www.chowrangi.com/why-the-nation-doesnt-come-out-on-the-streets.html
Funny how everyone here keeps belittling the vote-bank of JI, and yet keeps ranting on about it, as if its such a BIG thorn in the throats of PPP. It will do PPP and its supporters much good if they’d start concentrating on “real” issues, than find some kind of satisfaction in labeling any democratic political opposition as militants or jihadis.
But just to put in my view on a point someone raised here, as for JI hijacking the ideology of Pakistan, if at all they did, then what prevents PPP from reversing or erasing the imprints of JI on the constitution, if PPP has such a mass following? Mere accusations and whining won’t do unless PPP puts into action what it keeps ranting about.
I am also appalled at the ease and confidence with which labels are being thrown around here. Anyone who seems to be slightly anti ppp is termed jammat lover or even more interestingly apolitical or pro-dictatorship. The last I remember, it was PPP’s government that let a highly unpopular, at his “worse ebb” dictator not even flee, but exit with a guard of honor. So much for “democracy”!
Asma’s attacks on hereditary politics is a typical of the urban middle-class mindset which does not want tot accept that even democracies such as India and USA may have no problem with such politics as long as the rule is democratic.
Her criticism of NFP reminds of all those who consider themselves as moderates and would malign anybody who would try to bring sense into the chattering classes. If veil or hijab is just another piece of cloth then why don’t we see any man wearing it for just being another dress. Why is that the number of hijabs and burkas have gone up within last few years and what factors have caused such a cultural change within Pakistani society? Surely, any cultural critic whether NFP or not would be much interested in looking into such changes specially when these changes relegate women to private space hence reducing their participation in public sphere which actually results in their dis-empowerment.
@akhtar
lol…and now case is being made against the author by citing completely out-of-context articles. LO and behold, if that is the kind of democracy and democratic culture that PPP believes in, in which demonizing someone is far more essential than countering the arguments put forth by someone, then definitely God be with this country!
And though I thought I was out of here for good, the sagacity shown by Mr Akhtar forced me back. He actually made the effort to search around for my name as if my name’s reputation (seriiously Iam not a very well known writer-u make me feel special now) counts against the contents of this piece. But even that would ahve been ok if Mr Akhtar hadnt misquoted me by saying, “support JI’s Mansoor brigade in VIOLENTLY protesting against the blasphemous cartoons.” If only Mr Akhtar would point out where I mention JI or even suggest “VIOLENT” means. The only example I give is that of Turkey where btw the most peaceful demonstrations took place against the cartoons back in 2007.
But hah! never mind. It just vindicates my stand on the average PPP supporter. How can u claim to be any better than the extremist right winger who demonises any individual who dares speak against the PPP “ideology” watever that’s supposed to be.
Publishing my response on LUBP was a friend’s suggestion. I should have known better! And oh btw I standby my views presented wherever u may wish to fish for them.
@aisha
lol… and what I see here in you is a case of someone more loyal than the king.
To be precise:
1. Did Asma dissociate from herself from her past views?
2. Are the excerpts I cited above inconsistent with what Asma wrote in her article under discussion? Do they not in general reflect her hatred for two of the largest political parties of Pakistan (PPP and PML-N), her disrespect for elections and the people of Pakistan, and her affection for Imran Khan and the “CIVIL SOCIETY”. OMG, THE CIVIL SOCIETY!!!
@awais
I don’t really know what NFP has written about the veil, but your statement reeks of random generalization of facts. And its pretty offensive to women who take it of their own choice, and have not been relegated to “private space hence reducing their participation in public sphere which actually results in their dis-empowerment.”
@akhtar
another label, obviously as expected.
@asma
shadows of the past are not easy to shed!
aaina hum ne dikhaya tau bura man gaye?
make yourself at home at this blog; as far as I know folks here neither censor nor ban any participant.
Criticising the poeple of Pakistan for their ineptness is disloyalty to pakistan? What kinf od logic is that? And then my hatred for the two largest political parties of the country-arent u being a little generous here Mr Akhtar, PML-N as one of the largest political parties is definitely aslip of tongue! And do I have to love the two largest political parties of this country to prove myself loyal to democracy? What kind of democracy imposes choices on people?
Please check on the dates of these articles. This was when emergency had been imposed and there was a large segment of Pak’s population that was against “validating” an election held under Pervez Musharraf that too when the judiciary was still sacked. I gues that’s exactly why Aitzaz Ahsan. a loyal aide of BB refused to contest elections from Lahore.
@ Asma
Your comment above is full of fallacies.
1. If the PML-N is not one of the largest political parties in Pakistan, who else is (besides PPP indeed)?
2. Nobody is asking you to love the PPP and PML-N etc. All I am suggesting to you is to have a bit of respect for the people of Pakistan and their democratic choices (for that you will have to generate a bit of self-respect first).
3. “there was a large segment of Pak’s population that was against “validating” an election”… You are making me laugh now. How exactly do you know that a large segment of Pakistan’s population was against participating in the 2008 elections? How large exactly was that segment? Larger than the segment who came out to vote for the PPP and PML-N?
4. You have (consistent with your selective truth – a hallmark of the pseudo-liberals of Pakistan) misquote Aitzaz Ahsan. In fact, he wanted to participate in the elections but was pressurized by the CIVIL SOCIETY which forced him to withdraw his nomination papers.
@Aisha
I do not want to start a debate on veil here since I have already ranted about it at many places. I respect women’s choice when they decide to put on veil and I oppose all sorts of burka bans in every part of the world but that does not mean that I have to condone an action which very well turns a woman into an object. The very act of taking a veil means that a woman is to be considered different from a man and to be hidden from the world (hence restricting her to private space).
The matter of choice is very complicated. One cannot rule out indoctrination, Wahabi propaganda and social pressure that force women to take veil by ‘choice’.
I wanted to send my appreciated to LUBP editorial team for allowing Asma Qadir to submit her post here where she mocks the PPP and does her best to put a positive spin on a bunch of fascists like the Jamaat Islami. It shows that the average PPP supporter is quite secure and is not afraid to take criticism. It also highlights the moral and intellectual bankruptcy of those who supported the Liar’s Movement oops, Lawyer’s “movement”!
Asma, I suppose the JI was doing a great service to democracy when it was committing the genocide of the Bengalis in 1971 along with its perpetual buddies, the Pak Army! That “democratic structure” you speak of must have been quite helpful then.
As for Aitzaz Ahsan, like many others who vote for PPP, I wonder why they still keep this glib-tongued back stabber in the PPP CEC. That is a genuine complaint. To forward his own political career, he joined hands with the Taliban in the lawyer’s movement to restore a bunch of corrupt, compromised and politisized judges. Listening to Faiz being recited with the Lal Masjid Sipah Sahaba murderers made many of us puke! So was the spectacle of PCO 1 and PCO 2 judges using the army to restore them against PCO 3 judges. What a farce!
When Iqbal Haider, a person many of us respected for his past human rights work, remains silent today on the detention of over 8000 Baloch nationalist youth as the CJ refuses to question the agencies still engaging in a brutal crackdown in Balochistan, one should take pause and ponder on the true nature of this counter democracy movement. It was the PPP government that freed these judges from house arrest and restored over 90% of them after the 2008 elections. The late BB, the bravest leader Pakistan has ever had, had been striving to bring back democracy for years before 2007 when the CJ finally made a flimsy stand after the split in the security establishment and the ISI support for him. While it was the PPP that gave the most lives for this compromised judge, he never really opposed Musharaf. Whilst quickly striking down the NRO in Oct. 2007, these chauvinist judges waited for after the emergency to question Musharaf’s re-election papers! What a joke! Justice Bhagwandas was not even there!!
Aside from committing judicial murder and facilitating every martial law and dictatorship, these judges are now hell bent, once again, on subverting democracy by accepting petitions from their Jamaati frat buddies against the 18th amendment. They liked Musharaf’s boots for 8 years and their “judgement” on Nov. 3 proves how much they really opposed Musharaf, if at all!
These civil society elites (we call them Sharia Bolshoveks and Neo Salafi Leftists in Toronto) will always support army strongman and their judicial, Islamist and media proxies. They will use words like “dynastic politics” whilst being completely oblivious to the irony of that term as it relates to their elite class. This is the reason why Asma Qadir is so derisive of NFP because the latter exposes and brilliantly skewers the hypocritic mindset of her class!
Go on Mr Akhtar. Surely not much I can say over what u think is ur expression of infinite sagacity and intellect.
PPP jiyalas impres me. PPP ki jaiay hau ya “zinda hai bhutto zinda hai”. U understand only this language!
I have notice that all side in political debate try to fool people …. Leftist try to act like “good Muslim’ and the rightist is making the defeneses of the liberal.
Now I come to know that Mr. Asma Qadir is actually supporter of Jamat Islami, but she is supporting Liberal?
I am very confused. I don’t find the original article still. the link is point me back to on this site.
@asma for kind information .being a ppp activist from lahore i can tell we were in middle of aitizaz ahsan election campaign and aitizaz only withdrew his election paper in end of november 2007 and initially election was going to be held in mid december.
knowing him i can tell you if he didn’t want to participate in election he would have never applied for ppp ticket.
“zinda hai bhutto zinda hai” what wrong with this language ?
Asma Qadir says: July 8, 2010 at 2:01 pm @Amir Mughal And btw, Maududi had always been opposed to a greater political role of his party. Therefore, JI’s current stance on issues and their development as a political party should be seen independantly of Maududi’s views.
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Wrong again. You are historically wrong rather lying and that too very brazenly. Several Leading Founding Fathers of Jamat-e-Islami i.e. Late. Maulana Manzoor Naimani, Masood Alam Nadvi, Mawlana Wahiduddin Khan [alive and over 80 in Azam Garh UP India] resigned from Jamat-e-Islami due to Mawdudi’s Wrong Interpretation of Islam [Ref: Meri Rafaqat Ki Sargazasht – Mawdudi Kay Sath Meray Shab o Roz by Late. Manzoor Naimani and Taabeer Ki Ghalti [a critique on Mawdudi’s Islamic Politics and Methodology] by Mawlana Wahiduddin Khan.
After partition several leading JI Leaders quit Jamat-e-Islami because Mawdudi/Jamat-e-Islami had decided to enter Politics [Parliamentary Politics/Democracy based on Secular Principle] those who Left after Machi Goth Congregation were Amin Ahsan Islahi, Irshad Ahmed Haqqani and Dr. Israr Ahmed.
Kindly don’t misguide the public and if you want to support JI go ahead its your basic right.
@ rajab ali
the original post is here.
http://criticalppp.com/archives/17766
Asma Qadir says: July 8, 2010 at 2:01 pm @Amir MughalTherefore, JI’s current stance on issues and their development as a political party should be seen independantly of Maududi’s views.
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Read what Mawdudi’s son has to say about the Jamat-e-Islami which you support: Haider Farooq Mawdudi on Mawdudi and Jamat-e-Islami after Mawdudi. http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/04/haider-farooq-mawdudi-on-mawdudi-and.html
@Aisha(Asma Qadir)
No need to comment with two different names…
Here LUBP has a very bad habbit of posting articles from anyone who write in response to LUBP, and avoid the standards. the way he/she writes, the arguements from him/her etc. etc.
The writer’s main objection of keeping JI in lines with extremists or sectaran parties, she insists that JI is a political party and have democratic system. As for her wrong reference from a magazine, she here has a very ambigous understanding of the term internal democracy, the writer should first read the JI party constitution, the procedure of electing an Ameer, the nomination of the contestants, the eligibility for the post as well as the right to vote, the powers of an Ameer in parallel to its Shura, the way he can be separated from the post, and after that what is JI ideal for a political system in Pakistan. i.e theo-democracy, the term used by the devil maudoodi.
But she never will do this research as for my view, the poor writers has the main source of enlightenment as TV and PC screens and we all know who is at both of the places, come on come up with a well researched article on the issue, and leave this corruption, NRO, Presidency, HH CJ’s and CO., Fake Degrees etc for the TV anchors as they get paid for all this,
U and us are not the paid ones, so make it a habbit Madam! Dont run after perceptions,
Asma Qadir says: July 8, 2010 at 2:01 pm @Amir Mughal – in contrast to pan-Islamism as purported by Maududi which after Pakistan’s creation did not pose any existential threat
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It was not Pan Islamism rather Rifz and Kharjiyat: For example Khomeini once made a statement which was published in the Tehran times (Kitaab be Noujawanaan – P8) that if he conquers Madina Munawwarah, he will remove the two idols (Hadhrat Abu Bakr and Hadhrat Umar (May Allah be pleased with them) besides Prophet Mohammad (Peace be upon him). I am certain that no believer will accept such a statement against the great luminaries of Islam. Are we then to condemn only Khomeini and condone Mawdudi knowing well that Mawdudi was a close friend of Khomeini and was sympathetic to his course. In a book titled, ‘Two brothers – Maududi and Khomeini’ page 129, the following statement of Dr Ahmad Farouk Maududi (son of Abul-A’ala Maududi) was published in Roz Naame, Lahore – 29 September 1979, “Allama Khomeini had a very old and close relationship with Abba Jaan (father). Aayaatullah Khomeini translated his (fathers) books in Farsi and included it as a subject in Qum. Allama Khomeini met my father in 1963 during Hajj and my father’s wish was to create a revolutionary in Pakistan similar to Iran. He was concerned about the success of the Iranian revolution till his last breath.’
Read A book mentioned below to know as to what kind of Filthy Language Mawlana Mawdudi and his brother Khomeini used against Prophets [PBUT] and against the Companions [May Allah be pleased with everyone of them] of Prophet Mohammad [PBUH]. The book has provided the original quotes from Mawdudi’s book with the editions and page number. Mudodi Khumeni do bhai, Moudoodi and Khumeni two Brothers http://www.scribd.com/doc/15702018/Mudodi-Khumeni-do-bhai-Moudoodi-and-Khumenishia-two-Brothers-a-deep-researc-book-by-Deoband-Ahlesunnat-wal-jamat
Ali Arqam Durrani says: – July 8, 2010 at 3:51 pm @Aisha(Asma Qadir) No need to comment with two different names…
Asma Qadir says: July 8, 2010 at 2:01 pm @Amir Mughal – in contrast to pan-Islamism as purported by Maududi which after Pakistan’s creation did not pose any existential threat
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Lying is the Gift of Mawdudi’s Teaching of Pan Islam-ism: Late. Maulana Muhammad Manzoor Naumani in his book
Meri Rafaqat Ki Sargazasht – Maulana Madudoodi Kay Kay Sath Meray Shab O Roz [My Life with Maulana Mawdoodi] preface by Maulana Abul Hassan Ali Nadvi published in 1997 by Majlis-e-Nashariyat-e-Islam, Nazimabad, Karachi – Sindh Pakistan, while narrating as to why he quit Jamat-e-Islami, wrote, that in the name of Modus Operandi and Strategy [Tareeqa-e-Kaar and Hikmat-e-Amali] Maulana Mawdudi had compromised on many salient features of Islam like any other Secular Political Party. On this Maulana Naimani said Islam’s Basic Priniciples cannot be compromised for worldly benefit what to talk of Political Strategy and Maulana Mawududi’s wrong step would open the doors of Anarchy [Fitnah] in Pakistan.
Asma Qadir says: July 8, 2010 at 1:56 pm @Aamir Mughal – Which political party except PTI can boast of a political structure developed independantally of the influence of any military dictator. We can go on about JI’S role in Zia’s cabinet but that’s not the issue here.
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Wrong Again: Imran and his party fulfill that deficiency [ influence of any military dictator] by supporting PCO Judiciary in 2000, then Musharraf’s Sham Referendum and above all Musharraf’s Revolution [Treason of 12 Oct 1999] [read with references] :- Imran Khan’s Support: Then Musharraf Now Taliban! http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/12/imran-khans-support-then-musharraf-now.html
Whatever the case be, I salute LUBP to publish this — Who puts on a critique like that on its forum? – Props here 🙂
The rest, yall can debate on who’s and whats and whys and whens.
Asma Qadir says: July 8, 2010 at 1:56 pm @Aamir Mughal – Which political party except PTI can boast of a political structure developed independantally of the influence of any military dictator.
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Wrong Again: Imran and his party fulfill that deficiency [ influence of any military dictator] by supporting PCO Judiciary Imran Khan hailed PCOed Judiciary! http://chagataikhan.blogspot.com/2009/08/imran-khan-hailed-pcoed-judiciary.html
Asma wrote: “PPP jiyalas impres me. PPP ki jaiay hau ya “zinda hai bhutto zinda hai”. U understand only this language!”
Awww, such bitterness and jealousy. We can’t help it if our leaders faced death bravely and thus immortalized themselves. Unlike your Jamaatis; typical cowards who attack in mobs and are best remembered for their murder and rape of innocent Bengalis. As a Jiyala, I too say “zinda hai Bhutto, zinda hai” and “tum kitnay Bhutto maro gay, har ghar say Bhutto niklay ga”. It comes from empathizing with those who gave their lives in fighting the establishment unlike the class that you defend, who cannot even give up their Rs. 300 cappuccinos for a chance to be truly critical of the establishment.
Ali Abbas says: July 8, 2010 at 4:02 pm Unlike your Jamaatis; typical cowards who attack in mobs and are best remembered for their murder and rape of innocent Bengalis.
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JI Accepted the PCO of General Yahya saying that it was an Islamic PCO [Ref: Martial Law Kay Siyasi Andaz by MAK Chaudhry]
Ayub’s secularism as part of the military culture of British Indian Army was like an open book without any fine print. Even the prefix Islamic attaching to the Republic of Pakistan was dropped until restored under the writ of superior judiciary. That continued to be the case until the fateful day of 1965 when India attacked Pakistan along the international border, with Lahore as its principal target. Even in his first address to the nation within hours of the Indian invasion, Ayub went on to recite the ‘Kalama-i-Tayyaba’ in a stirring, emotion-choked voice. His subsequent meeting with religious parties – mainly the Jamaat-i-Islami under Maulana ‘Abul ‘Ala Maududi – marked the beginning of the military-mullah nexus. Yahya would not have much to do with things spiritual until the induction of retired Maj.-Gen. Sher Ali Khan into his cabinet as minister in-charge of information and national affairs. He initiated Yahya into ideological lore and saddled him with the mission of protecting the ‘ideology of Pakistan and the glory of Islam’. Yahya’s intelligence chief, Major-(later Lieut.) Gen. Muhammad Akbar Khan made no secret of his close liaison with the Jamaat-i-Islami especially in respect of its pro-active role in East Pakistan. The Jamaat was to go even to the extent of certifying Yahya’s draft constitution as Islamic. The draft was authored by Justice A.R. Cornelius, Yahya’s law minister. As for Zia, he embarked on his Islamization programme even as he assumed his army command. REFERENCE: MMA and the NSC By A.R. Siddiqi 30 June 2004 Wednesday 11 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425 http://www.dawn.com/2004/06/30/fea.htm#1
The series of assassinations in Former East Pakistan [now Bangladesh] was started from 1969 when a Shams Duaa-Haa, professor of Chemistry in Rajshahi University, was assassinated in daylight. Let me explain what the Al-Badar and Al-Shams were and are? Al-Badar was and is militant wing of Jamait Islami and a paramilitary force formed in Bangladesh in 1971 by General Yahya INC. Al-Badar forget that what the real Jihad is? And fight against the Muslims in Bangladesh, Bengalis use to call Al-Badar as “Butcher of Bangladesh.” The Al Badar was assigned a variety of combat and non-combat tasks including taking part in the operations, spying against Bengali Intellectuals, interrogation, working as the guides for Tikka Khan and Niazi, assassination, detecting and killing Bengali intellectuals. The force was composed of madrassah students-teachers, supporters of Muslim League and Jamait Islami. History tell us that killings which began on 25 March 1971 and sparked the Bangladesh Liberation War and also led to the deaths of at least 26,000 people as admitted by Pakistan on one hand (by the Hamoodur Rahman Commission) and 3,000,000 by Bangladesh on the other hand, (From 1972 to 1975 the first post-war prime minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, mentioned on several occasions that at least three million died). Doctor Fazl Rabbi was an eye specialist; he was kidnapped by Al-Badar. Next day his body was found from a drainage line. His both eyes were vanished and there were marks of switchblade. “What should we think about such peccadilloes?” Ex-militants of Al-Badar are settled in UK and other European countries and they are appointed as cleric of mosques there. And I want to remind the readers that too, “Jamait Islami’s former leader Maulana Modudi had rejected the theory of Pakistan but since 1947, when Pakistan came into being, it is claimed by the leaders of Jamait Islami that they are playing leading role of toady.
props to asma to post her article here and face all the jiyala criticism 🙂
@Aamir, you should not critique Asma when she states “Which political party except PTI can boast of a political structure developed independantally of the influence of any military dictator”.
We all know how PTI first hooked up with PASBAN (JI Youth wing in the 1990’s) and then with such luminaries such as Hamid Gul, Imran Khan’s ideological mentor. With such pro-democray luminaries, who never had any connection (LoL) with military dictators, the PTI did develop independantly (LoL). Ofcourse, we can conviniently omit the period from 1999-2002 when Imran Khan was fawning over Musharaf, in the hope of becoming a one-seat Prime Minister, until even a military dictator became tired of such a dimwit two-faced hypocrate like Imran Khan.
All the pseudo-liberals Aka disguised Islamists need a refresher course on JI if they are still very ignorant about JI.
If anyone is interested, I can help him/her by suggesting some basic books of JI literature mostly by Maudoodi.
My concern is that the author in his whole article has never put any genuine issue to be critically assessed.
She in her own mind some political motives and expressed grief over not mentioning JUI in the list with JI. She thought Sarah intentionally did not mention JUI, though she avoided noticing that we were very critical of deobandi sect and their violant attitudes, if we have soft corner for JUI, then we would not have criticized Sherani appointment as CII chairmanship.
@Ali Arqam durrani
You have attacked my intellectual integrity by accusing me of faking identities. I’d suggest you take back the comment and refrain from making false accusations.
Thanks.
@Ali Arqam, the class represented by Asma grew up in an environment where cursing ZAB, then BB and now Zardari, is a right of passage. Do you think they really care about objectivity or nuance. If so, they would never be sympathetic to Islamofascists like the JI and would be critical of the root cause of Islamist militancy in Pakistan : the continued pursuit of “strategic depth” by the security establishment which has literally destroyed our country.
Asma, your tirade against PPP is understandable if you hail from some elitist Punjabi family. Even if not elitist, Punjabi background. Even if not Punjabi, one living in Punjab. Even if not in Punjab, being constantly news-fed by a Punjabi dominated media. I shall get back to you, soon.
@Ali Arqam: Aisha and Asma Qadir are sisters 🙂
Asma Qadir and Aisha are two different persons. Ali Arqam Durrani might have a misunderstanding.
As an LUBP reader, I am thankful to Farhad Jarral for posting this article, and to Asma Qadir for writing this.
Differences of opinion notwithstanding, it is reassuring to see that the critical supporters of the PPP are welcoming to voices of criticism and introspection.
This is a brilliant contribution by Asma. Realities are always hard to digest. Aaena unko dikhaya to buraa maan gaay.
@Farhad
Thanks for the clearification, though interesting,
Intellectual Integrity?
Dear intellectual Asma
Better U consider what I have suggested U, just google on the term democracy, how it applies to political parties, dont view the talkshows much seriously, I view these shows for entertainment, and the one I enjoyed most for its balance and unbiasness is the “4 Men Show”. JI and JUI have no difference except their length of beard, ‘dono ki pait mey dadhian hain’. Dont fall prey to the media hype etc.
Comment # 30 above:
Asma Qadir says:
July 8, 2010 at 3:17 pm
Criticising the poeple of Pakistan for their ineptness is disloyalty to pakistan?
“Criticising the poeple of Pakistan for their ineptness” – yet another example of the pseudo-liberal way of (fake) thinking; disrespecting the people of Pakistan and their political choices.
I agree do with Ali Abbas.
30 years of brain washing, from school syllabus to establishment’s controlled media. What else one can expect from youth like Asma! I wont agree with Ali Arqam that she is a Jamat affiliate, the youth in general has been brain washed, they are confused. On one side they hate hairy men and on other side their hero’s are psudo-liberals who preach same hatred as Mullah does.
Any one got the number of book readings per year per person in Pakistan? Might be less than Afghanistan. Unless Asma’s generation is exposed to realities and reading unbiased literature, they will be fans of Pervez Musharaf, Zaid Hamid and clowns named in this list.
I will suggest that government opens lot and lots of libraries young people can study and use brain rather than being followers of clowns without power to think independently.
@ghundagard
This is what I think of Zaid Hamid. I suggest you give a read to this; not written by me though but a wholesome critique of the “fitna” that he was.
http://www.facebook.com/note.php?note_id=453823370067
As for Musharraf, you can consult Mr Akhtar to fish out some of my words on that grade 22 bureucrat!
I sincerely hope this assuages ur misgvings.
My salaam to asma Qadir and see how jyalas are using the language in the blog.
These people are just to write and read and dont know what are writing because they do mostly without any purpose or cause.jamaat islami work for this nation cannot be ignored.