Altaf Bhai’s Martial Law Call For Punjab – By D. Asghar
Altaf bhai...Inqalab!
As entertaining as Altaf Bhai’s speeches are most of the time, the latest one for call for Martial Law in Punjab should be taken as is, for its entertainment value. A couple of days back, another entertainer-cum-astrologer-cum-politician, the honorable Pir Sahib of Pagara had stated that an imposition of martial law was imminent for Karachi’s peace. Why the entertainment value becomes nuisance value is because Pir Sahib is related to PM sahib and hence a number of permutations, combinations begin in the mind of analysts.
So it seems like a response from Altaf Bhai to Pir Sahib or PML-N or GOD knows who. Of course Altaf Bhai is clearly hung up on his demands for a “French type” revolution. The revolution that Altaf Bhai wants to see, at least in our part of the world means a lot of bloodshed and destruction. The fundamental disagreement that I have with any such revolution is, after all is said and done, it will not achieve the objectives. Force and fear is not the answer to any long lasting peace and real change.
Altaf Bhai’ s call to the military to impose Martial Law in Punjab begs another question. What would that do that almost 10 years rule of a military ruler, the infamous General Musharraf was unable to do? Altaf Bhai and his party whole heartedly supported Musharraf Sahib’s rule and will perhaps be ready to cobble a coalition with him in the future. As there was a meeting of Farooq Sattar Sahib and Chaudhry Shujaat of Q League, where both of them agreed to form a “strategic alliance” between the two parties. Which brings us to another question, both parties were in partnership within the previous government, so there is an open understanding between the two. What was all that about?
The illustrious Altaf Bhai has emphasized that landowners and feudal must quit the politics and “ghareeb awaam”, should be able to reach the power corridors. I agree with him partially. I am no feudal apologist and understand his basis. But in a democracy, everyone has the right to stand for a political party. Now the comment should be, that feudals should not tamper with the democratic process and let the representatives of all classes, poor, working or middle to participate in politics. Having said all of this, last I heard a lot of PML-Q Leaguers are from feudal class as well. So how come Altaf Bhai wants to shake hands with the same feudal that he wants to get rid of?
So you can deduce that every “khitaab” from London has its own value. Lastly, he promised that if there was going to be a need, he will come back to Pakistan. Now if you like to bet (I don’t), I would not bet on this one. According to him, the conditions are grave or let’s call it “sangeen” in Urdu, how much more “Sangeeni” does he need to make his triumphant return to Nine zero?
I think it is a delibrate ploy by the MQM to raise the issue of Punjab’s lawlessness. I was surprised to read the list of traget killers arrested. Maybe MQM wants to deflect the attention on itself…
MQM Against Pakistan Army.
Dr Imran Farooq, Convenor of Muttahida Quami Movement (MQM) in his statement said that certain important officials of the present military government are openly supporting the Haqiqi terrorists. He said that the MQM Investigation Team is investigating the facts regarding the reactivation of Haqiqis in Karachi since 12 October 1999. According to MQM Investigation Team, preparations are being put together to launch a fresh operation against Mohajirs and the MQM. For that purpose, a high-ranking official of the Army and his subordinates are not only guiding the Haqiqi terrorists but are also helping them to infiltrate throughout the city as well as providing them with funds and ammunition. According to the MQM Investigation Team, certain officials of the Army and their agents are bribing the MQM leaders to change the allegiance. The information further revealed that on the eve of 23 December 1999, a Brigadier along with his staff went to Bait-Ul-Hamza (Headquarters of Haqiqi Terrorists) and met its ringleader and handed over a large sum of money. Dr Imran Farooq requested the Chief Executive General Parvez Musharraf to depute one of his trusted officers to verify the findings of the MQM Investigation Team. If General Parvez Musharraf desired then the names and the ranking of the officers involved in reorganising, patronising, arming and funding the Haqiqi Terrorists, can be relayed through newspapers. Dr Imran Farooq demanded of the Chief Executive to have this information thoroughly investigated and intervene to stop the patronisation of Haqiqi terrorists by those Army Officers.
STOP ARMY SUPPORT TO HAQIQI TERRORISTS — DR IMRAN FAROOQ
http://sachaylog.blogspot.com/2011/01/mqm-against-pakistan-army.html
MQM Leader Altaf Hussain claims Sainthood & Commits Blasphemy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXON8ViKn8I
Altaf Hussain & MQM are Anti Punjabis and Threatens Punjabi People. http://sachaylog.blogspot.com/2011/01/altaf-hussain-mqm-are-anti-punjabis-and.html
Extortionists on the prowl By Ardeshir Cowasjee 13 April 2003 Sunday 10 Safar 1424 http://archives.dawn.com/weekly/cowas/20030413.htm
The time frame: 1995-1996, with the second of the Benazir Bhutto PPP governments in power, and with Benazir, husband Asif Zardari, and their closet cabinet conducting their businesses from the prime ministerial mansion in Islamabad.
The monthly magazine, Newsline, in its June 1996 issue carried an article headed ‘Crash Landing?’ with the sub-heading ‘The country’s premier courier service (TCS) paid 250,000 US dollars to a PPP MNA to stay in business.’
Allegedly, in June 1995 a PPP-MNA had ‘persuaded’ the prime minister to instruct her secretariat to suspend the TCS aviation services unless the company agreed to ‘pay him a substantial sum in extortion money’. This would have brought all TCS operations to a halt, but there was no option for the company but to pay up.
Newsline story’s closing paragraph reads: “What happened with the company is perhaps one small example of how the political leadership of the country is brazenly involved in extortion. Will the superior courts of the country take notice of these criminal and unlawful acts being committed under the patronage of higher authorities?”
In those days it was not only the PPP which engaged itself in the extortion game. We also had operating in Sindh the party of the Pir of London, the MQM, freely and with impunity collecting what is known as ‘bhatta’. This practice has continued down the years whenever the MQM has been in any position of power.
At the end of last year, President General Pervez Musharraf, in his efforts to cobble together some form of democratic government, found it expedient to make peace with the MQM and thus try to ensure that a modicum of law and order prevails in Sindh. This had the converse of a calming effect on the people of the province who are convinced that the party will turn to its old tricks of extortion and terror. Musharraf’s governor in our province is the all-powerful Ishratul Ibad of the MQM, imported from London. Ibad’s first act in office was to promulgate on December 28, 2002, an ordinance: ‘The Sindh Eradication and Curbing the Menace of Involuntary Donation or Forced Chanda Ordinance 2002.’ Now, was this a brazen-faced admission that extortion did exist or was the governor trying to tell us that as it had never existed, it never would?
Dawn on December 29 2002, under the headline ‘Ordinance banning extortion promulgated,’ quoted the wording of the ordinance. Interestingly, if an extortionist is caught and then miraculously convicted he “shall be punished with simple imprisonment which may extend to three months and with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees.”
And now what? The life of this ordinance came to an end on March 27, 2003, and the next day TCS was again the victim of, this time, merely an attempt at extortion.
On the morning of Friday, March 28 two men arrived at the entrance to the TCS office premises at Block 6, PECHS. They stood, with the company security guard watching them, shouting various and colourful abuses and threats against the company and its executives, all clearly audible from within the office building.
The TCS head of corporate affairs, Ali Leghari, hearing the ‘pandemonium’ (as he puts it), went to the gate to see what it was all about and tried to calm down the two men by suggesting that they come in, come up to his office and unburden themselves. At this stage the original two were joined by two other shouter-screamers. The clamour continued while the four were being taken into the building and up to the boardroom.
Two of them were brothers, Haider Raza and Asif Raza. Haider came out with the ‘demand’, the reason for the abusive and threatening tirade. Asif, his brother, was a former TCS employee whose services had been terminated in 1996 – seven years prior to this incident. Apparently, the loss of a job had caused the family great hardship and they now ‘demanded’ that TCS pay them one million dollars within two days, failing which, with the clout they wielded, TCS would be eliminated, wiped out, vapourized.
The clout claimed was a close relationship with prime minister Zafarullah Jamali’s family, and links with the MQM – the latter proven by a visiting card with Farooq Sattar’s name printed on it and a handwritten note on the reverse addressed to Leghari: “Janab Ali Leghari/TCS. As discussed sending Capt. Asif Ali Raza, with some progress from his side on his matter. Please extend cooperation and oblige. Thank you.” With great pride, Haider announced that he was an old party stalwart, famously known as ‘Haider Commando’, and had the distinction of having trained many of the able MQM activists in the useful skill of martial arts (knee-drilling, body-bagging?).
The other two (one claiming to be a Pathan from Zhob) enforced the demand by announcing that if the money was not paid in time, all TCS operations, starting from Quetta and Peshawar downwards, would be disrupted, all offices and vehicles set on fire, the company would be defamed in the press, and the lives of the chairman, Khalid Awan, and of Leghari endangered.
This time, TCS decided to stand firm. They contacted mediamen and their friends in the army who persuaded the ISI to admit to its existence, and plans were laid to nab the extortionists. The two Raza brothers paid three subsequent visits to Leghari’s office. On one occasion Haider Commando bragged that with the help of the prime minister, he had certain requirements waved and obtained permission to set up an aviation company.
The deadline given to TCS was April 5. On the evening of April 4, Leghari received a telephone call from a man claiming to be an MNA by the name of Haider Rizvi, who had a message to convey from Farooq Sattar – the message, do the needful for ‘Asif Sahib’.
Leghari by this time was convinced that the entire matter was a hoax and a crude attempt at extortion. So when Haider Commando and brother arrived the next day they were told that the game was up and they should just leave immediately. Commando naturally reacted to this with further threats as to the destruction of TCS and the death of Leghari.
But the ISI had done a good job, organized things, and on their way out the MQM Rizvis were arrested and jailed, and Leghari filed an FIR (124/03) and submitted supporting documents at the Ferozabad police station in which he has recorded the above happenings.
End of story? No. Musclemen Rizvis are assets to be preserved. Two earthshaking telephone calls came from London to the Sindh home minister, Sardar Ahmad. The Voice admonished him for allowing the Rizvis to be arrested and jailed and he was told to ‘fix’ matters. What do we do, Sardar asked the governor? A magistrate was lined up to do the needful, bail of Rs.30,000 per brother was granted the next day and the Rizvis were released.
And now, amidst the mayhem, the CPLC has been rendered ineffective. Jamil Yusuf who in the past has taken on the MQM was removed in the middle of the night. (The CPLC records which incriminate many of those now in power have been destroyed. But that is another story.)
Why is General Musharraf doing his best to lose the goodwill of the people? With the installation of either real or sham democracy, a good many of the people of this indebted, bankrupt, overpopulated country still consider him to be the best of a bad lot.
The law and order situation in every city and town of Punjab has increased manifolds. In the villages, the fights have turned bloody and blood feuds have started. Robberies, day-light kidnappings and street crimes have increased some much that people have started to take them for granted. To add insult to the injury, there is no writ of the Punjab government throughout the province, and how could it be when all the designations and the important ministries are either under the signature of chief minister Shahbaz Sharif himself or have been given to the puppets. Cabinet meetings are a rarity and when they happen they are just for lip service. The appointments and the promotions of police are as shady as anything else. At the gross root level there is no governance at all. PML-N in the animosity of the Pervaiz Musharraf discarded the local government system and now the poor people have no access to the any government officials. There is no development work going on in the province, and the check and balance of funds is also nowhere to be seen. Flood management is worst. The flood victims have no shelter food and compensation. At this point Altaf Hussain’s call seems bit realistic but in a democratic culture military intervention neither sounds good nor seems apt. However, it would be better to suggest PML-N to leave Punjab government, for they are unable to run the government in a coordinated manner. One wonders that a party, who could not manage well to run a province, how can run the four provinces.
MQM Lied on MPA Raza Haider’s Murder.
http://sachaylog.blogspot.com/2011/02/mqm-lied-on-mpa-raza-haiders-murder.html
Rehman Dakait was MQM Activist.
http://sachaylog.blogspot.com/2011/03/rehman-dakait-was-mqm-activist.html