Thanks Malala for exposing our double standards

Only a handful of people knew about 14 years old Malala Yousafzai, until she was shot in the head twice on her way back from school on Oct 9, 2012. Now, every one seems to talk about her. She has become a symbol of courage and a worldwide celebrity.

The media is abuzz with the tales of her defiance against adversity and prayers are being showered from all corners across all sections of humanity. This is because she was doing ‘Jihad’ against ignorance and darkness. But some people have found courage to see the things in a differing way. These people are complaining because they are never happy. Perhaps cynicism has no limits, and no cure.

I hope Allah answers our prayers and Malala survives. But she has done her part. Most of us come for nothing and die for no purpose. The world is a place to live because a handful are courageous enough to live a life for a cause and defy any odds which come their way. Malala is one of them. At a time when we, sitting hundred miles away from Swat valley, were frightened at the prospect of so-called Taliban knocking at our doors, she decided to speak up. She did not stop even when she was threatened. She expressed what she thought was right. And she paid the price.

As Muslims, we know that ‘ilm’ or knowledge is of paramount importance in Islam. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: “Seeking knowledge is an obligation upon every Muslim.” He also advises us to seek knowledge from cradle to grave. And this is not just restricted to Islamic education, which is off course a must for every Muslim, because in another Hadith the Prophet (PBUH) says: “Seek knowledge, even if it is in (faraway) China.”

Now in that backdrop, think of those who oppose girls’ education in the name of Islam. Their interpretation of Islam, which is not endorsed by any renowned school of Islamic fiqh, requires that women remain illiterate so that they could impose their will over the society, as illiterate women means illiterate society. It is easier to deride and drive ignorant masses.

We know that he who dies in the quest of knowledge is a martyr in Islam. So those who ridicule or devalue Malala’s role actually serve the purpose of her to-be killers. A ridiculous argument circulating on social media is that why so much importance is being given to Malala while hundreds of children have died in drone attacks and Taliban bombings. Malala was not killed as part of collateral damage during a suicide bombing or a drone attack; she was targeted specifically for a purpose. Every life is important and every death should be condemned but some people become iconic and it is natural that they get attention as they symbolize others. After all, not every one gets ‘Nishan-e-Haider’.

Similarly comparing her with Dr Aafia Siddiqui, who is in US’ detention, is uncalled for. This is a misplaced argument because those who condemn Malala’s incident also condemn Dr Aafia’s unjust sentence. Arguments like ‘why didn’t you make so much hue and cry when Aafia was sentenced’ may be true for those who have their vested interests but generally this only undermines the sacrifice that is given by the tiny girl from Swat.

The voices coming from some sympathizers of Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are in fact exposing their own mindset. It was mainly these people who instead of standing up to oppression actually furthered the agenda of TTP by keeping silent and, at times, giving them excuses for their terrorism and disruption. An innocent schoolgirl has been shot, and the act and the motive behind it should be categorically condemned rather than confusing the matter with irrelevant stuff.

Daughters are a thing of beauty. A society in which daughters are shot at or killed is a sick society. Malala just wanted to get education for her and for other children. This is not a crime to warrant two bullets in your skull. Whether she met Richard Holbrooke or idealized Benazir Bhutto is immaterial because this does not provide justification to her killers at all.

Unfortunately, we have been nourishing a mindset in our country which considers any one who differs with it as outcast. These people thrived during martial law of Zia-ul-Haq and were nurtured by America to further its agenda. Temporarily, Pakistan seemed to have gained from this policy when USSR was thrown out, but in the long run we actually fostered a cancer which has disrupted basic fabric of our society. A society which was tolerant about three decades ago is now burning in extremism and militancy.

Although Malala incident has generally united us as the majority has condemned the brutality in strong words, but there are people with vested interests who are giving the incident the meaning of their choice. Those who sympathize with TTP are reminding us of drone attack victims, indirectly undermining Malala’s sacrifice. While those liberal fascists who keep quiet on American transgressions in Fata or ignore incidents like Aafia Siddiqui and Raymond Davis are making extraordinary furor on Malala issue. We should not listen to these charlatans.

Malala is fighting for her life in a hospital, but what her so-called brothers and sisters are doing? We can help her, not only by praying for her speedy recovery, but also by rallying round for her cause. If we want to defeat tyranny and darkness, we will have to give importance to education, because with knowledge comes enlightenment and prosperity. Islam means peace and these vagabonds create strife in the society. Quran started with ‘Iqra’ which means ‘read’, but the extremists hate learning. We have to choose between Islam which was taught by our Prophet (PBUH) or that which is propagated by these deviants.

Malala has sealed her name in history with shining words, but the hypocrites, those brothers and sisters of her not standing by her, get exposed. She has proved that “Swat ki larrkiyaN kisi se nahin darteeN” (Swat’s girls are not afraid of any one), but “Pakistan kay mard kab zulm kay khilaf kharray honge” (When will Pakistani men stand up to adversity) is the question which every one needs to answer.

"O Lord, increase my knowledge!"

گر تو برا نہ مانے

Sahaab Nama

Tipu Sultan reincarnated

With the rise of Imran Khan, is Pakistani Nationalism reborn?

Pakistan was envisaged and then carved out of British India because majority of the Muslim population considered itself a separate entity from Hindus. In short, Muslims and Hindus were two different nations. Iqbal gave the vision and Jinnah laid the foundation of a Muslim state, first of its kind in modern history, which gained its independence simultaneously with Hindu-majority India in August 1947. 

The ideals were clear – formation of an Islamic welfare state wherein Muslims lead their lives according to Islamic principals and minorities enjoy freedom of religion and expression – but with passage of time these principals got clouded with confusion and ignorance. Pakistani Muslims considered themselves descendents of great Muslim dynasties which ruled India for over a century and got inspiration from their heritage. 

Imran Khan at Minar-e-Pakistan on 30 Oct 2011

With the death of Jinnah, Quaid-e-Azam, the goals of the Pakistan Movement were quickly forgotten as fierce struggle for power erupted between politicians and potential despots. Although the 8-point Objectives Resolution was passed as a model by the Constituent assembly in 1949, a thoroughly representative constitution reflective of Pakistani Ideology remained a dream until 1973. It was because democracy was never allowed to stand on its feet.

The result was obvious. As the game of musical chairs within power hungry elite continued, uncertainty and desperation among the people of both East and West Pakistan grew with each passing day. Short-sightedness of the dictatorial regimes, unequal distribution of wealth, political alienation, geographical factors, greed of politicians and ensnaring and monkey business by a neighbour resulted in the break up of Pakistan. The East part became Bangladesh, and although the remaining part stood on its feet again, the uncertainty regarding its ideological roadmap grew stronger. 

The democracy was derailed after a brief period in which several key steps were taken despite economic and political instability. The incumbent dictator, for the sole purposes of longevity of his rule, tried to enforce his agenda by sugar-coating Pakistan Ideology with rhetoric and shallow idealism. As a result moderate Islamic philosophy was replaced by hard-line militant mindset.  

Eventually the baton of power went in politicians’ hands but the other end of the string remained elsewhere. After a tumultuous political tenure spanning almost a decade, another pseudo-intellectual dictator forced himself into power with a renewed pledge to make the nation shake hands with prosperity and salvation.

This time the mode of stealing the people’ right to rule was different. He propagated his secular beliefs by borrowing a term, enlightened moderation. His sole aim too was to extend his regime and he did it for 8 years on the pretext of eradicating extremism which another dictator had promoted for over a decade. The Ideology of Pakistan was almost done and dusted. 

The unholy alliance of Mullah, Military and Judiciary was finally broken when Justice Iftikhar Chaudhary said ‘NO” to dictator Pervez Musharraf after he had asked him to resign in March 2007. After a strong movement led by lawyers’ bodies, he was reinstated, but was disposed off again along with whole judiciary when Musharraf declared emergency and suspended constitution in November 2007. 

The new political government which was carved out of NRO (National Reconciliation Ordinance) could not provide the country any stability therefore desperation grew rapidly. Demise of hope and pride was the biggest loss. With the economic and political instability growing, the people of Pakistan saw another alliance emerging between political parties to protect the status quo.  The War on terror had its own implications as it only increased militancy in Pakistan. The corrupt mafia seemed to line up against the voices of change. The Arab Spring too was viewed as an inspiration. A revolution was seen as the only hope by the masses waiting for a messiah. 

Imran Khan, despite spending 15 hard years in political arena, was not viewed by many pundits as a potential answer, although his support among youth had risen considerably over the years. Since the launch of his political party in 1996, one saw many ups and downs in his political career, but two things that stood out were his passion and sincerity. Even his fierce critics admit that he is an honest man who cannot be lured or subjugated. 

Finally in the political landscape, he stands tall. Pundits have taken notice and masses have turned to him. Relying on the vibrant youth, he has a plan to bring real change in Pakistan. He hates hypocrisy hence his views are clear and interpretable. Masses like him because he speaks truth. People trust him because he always fulfilled whatever he promised to them.  Shaukat Khanum Memorial cancer hospital and NUML University are prime examples.

He wants Pakistan to stand on its feet rather than live on foreign aid. His stance on militancy is clear – never use military force and segregate militants from those who are not by negotiating with them. He aims to bring Pakistan’s sovereignty and dignity back. He wants to eradicate injustice from society. As he once said: “At the moment we have a ruling class that has one law and the people the other”. Above all he is fighting the biggest menace according to him, corruption.

He does not put forward his own ideas or those borrowed from the West. Instead he takes inspiration from Jinnah and Iqbal. After reinventing himself through spiritual guidance and adherence to Islamic principals, he has come out with clarity vis-à-vis Pakistan’s philosophy.  He is neither secular, nor a mullah. He is a moderate Muslim as the Quaid and Iqbal were. This was brightly reflected in his breakthrough gathering at Minar-e-Pakistan on 30 October 2011.

The playing of National anthem, saying Maghreb prayers on stage, pausing for Azan and people singing and dancing with joy reflect what Imran Khan is. This is, in fact, what Pakistan is. There is no place for extremism on our soil. There is no way for theocracy to rule us. Imran provides the best alternative; in fact he takes us where Jinnah and Iqbal wanted us to.

The way he roared on stage and people responded to his calls, surely is a cause for concern for the mafia of status quo and corruption. But he is not going to back away and neither we, his followers. There is no stopping him now as he said, “Change is not coming; change has come”.

The massive sit-in by the people proves that he is the true lion of Lahore, in fact Lion of Pakistan. His stance against corruption, indignity and his courage reminds me of another lion in our proud history - Tipu Sultan. As Tipu had said, "One day life of a lion is better than 100 years life of jackal", Imran wants us to live life of dignity rather than beggary.  He shouts loud and clear, ''I want to tell America that we want friendship with you, not slavery".

Whether he wins the coming elections or not, he has given new spirit to millions of Pakistanis who otherwise had lost hope and pride. The onus now is on us whether we want to open a new window and breathe new air or let our lives rust on the mercy of the ruling elite.

I hope Imran succeeds and gives us our Jinnah’s Pakistan back.   

کیا عمران خان کو پاکستان کرکٹ بورڈ کا سربراہ ہونا چاہیے؟

 (Originally published on 28/10/10 on a discontinued blog)

پاکستان کرکٹ انتہائی نازک دور سے گزر رہی ہے. موجودہ کرکٹ بورڈ اور چیرمین اعجاز بٹ نہ صرف خود ناکام ثابت ہو چکے ہیں بلکہ انہوں نے پاکستان کرکٹ کو ایسی پستیوں میں دھکیل دیا ہے کہ جہاں سے باہرنکلنے کے آثار دکھائی نہیں دے رہے. دنیائے کرکٹ میںجہاں کبھی ہمارا ایک ممتاز اور منفرد مقام ہوا کرتا تھا آج رسوائی ہمارا مقدّر بن چکی ہے. چاہے کرکٹ کے پنڈت ہوں کہ پرستار ہر طرف سے یہی دہائی دی جا رہی ہے کہ اعجاز بٹ کو ہٹا کر کسی قابل اور ایماندار شخص کو چیرمین مقرر کیا جائے. اس سلسلے میں عمران خان کا نام لیا جا رہا ہے. اس میں کوئی شک نہیں کہ عمران خان پاکستان کے ایک نامور ہیرو ہیں اور انکی ایمان داری اور قابلیت پربھی کوئی دوسری رائے نہیں لیکن کیا یہ ممکن ہے؟

میرے خیال میں نہ یہ اس وقت ممکن ہے نہ اسکی ضرورت ہے. عمران خان نے اپنے وقت میں پاکستان کی بہت خدمت کی ہے. انہوں نے پاکستانی ٹیم کو اس وقت بلندیوں پر پہنچایا جب ہر طرف کالی آندھی کا طوطی بولتا تھا. انکی قیادت میں پاکستان نے ورلڈ کپ کا تاج اپنے سر پر سجایا. کرکٹ سے ریٹا یر ہونے کے بعد پاکستان کا واحد کینسر ہسپتال بنا کر انسانی جذبے اور خدمت کی ایک نادر مثال قایم کی. سیاست کے میدان میں داخل ہوئے تو محنت اور مشقّت کا دور دیکھنے کے بعد آج لوگوں کے دل کی دھڑکن اور امیدوں کا محور بن چکے ہیں. عمران خان جیسا مقدّر کا سکندر سیاست کی پر خار راہوں میں بھی ایک دن ضرور کامیاب ہوگا تاکہ اس ملک کی تقدیر بدل سکے.

میری رائے میں عمران کو کرکٹ بورڈ کی اس غلاظت میں نہیں پڑنا چاہیے. اپنے صاف دامن پر کرکٹ کی سیاست میں ملوث ہو کر دھبّا لگانے کی بجائےوہ مخلصانہ مشورے دینے تک خود کو محدود رکھیں تو بہتر ہے. ہمیں سب سے پہلے ایک نئے اور ایماندارکرکٹ بورڈ کی ضرورت ہے. عمران کی نظر میں پاکستان کی کرکٹ کی بہتری کی لئے اشد ضروری ہے کہ فرسٹ کلاس کرکٹ کو علاقائی بنیادوں پر استوار کیا جائے. انکے خیال میں اداروں کی ٹیموں کی درمیان میچ کرا کر ہم اپنی کرکٹ کو آگے بڑھنے سے روک رہے ہیں. لاہور اور کراچی کے درمیان میچ زیادہ دلچسپی کا باعث ہوگا بنسبت اس کے کہ پی آئی اے اور حبیب بنک کے درمیان مقابلہ ہو. اس سے نہ صرف مقابلے کا رجحان پیدا ہوگا بلکہ لوگوں کی دلچسپی بھی قایم رہے گی. لیکن پاکستان کے اکثر ماہرین اور سابق کھلاڑی ان سے متفق نہیں بلکہ بعض مثلاً جاوید میانداد اورعامرسہیل تو شدید اختلاف رکھتے ہیں. مخالفین کے خیال میں عمران کسی اور ہی دنیا میں رہتے ہیں کیوں کہ ادارہ جاتی کرکٹ کھلاڑیوں کےمالی مفاد کا خیال رکھ رہی ہے. اس سے کھیلنے کی فیس کے علاوہ کھلاڑیوں کو سارا سال تنخواہ ملتی ہے جس سے ان کی معاشی ضروریات پوری ہو جاتی ہیں. علاقائی کرکٹ پر بھروسہ کرنے سے کھلاڑی آمدنی سے محروم ہوجائیں گے اور اس طرح رفتہ رفتہ انکی کرکٹ سے دلچسپی کم ہو جائیگی. میرے خیال میں عمران خان کی رائے درست ہے کیوں کہ وہ ایک انقلابی سوچ رکھنے والے انسان ہیں اور ان جیسا وژن کسی اور میں نھیں.

مزید برآں کیا صدر آصف علی زرداری جو پی سی بی کے پیٹرن ہیں وہ عمران کو جو انکے سب سے بڑے ناقد ہیں چئرمین نامزد کردیں گے؟ اور کیا عمران خان ایک کرپٹ اور نا اھل صدر کے زیر سایہ کام کرنا گوارہ کر لیں گے؟ بالفرض اگر یہ معجزہ ہو بھی جاتا ہے تو کیا وہ اپنی مرضی اور وژن کے مطابق آزادی سے پاکستان کرکٹ بورڈ کو چلا سکیں گے؟ ان سب سوالوں کا جواب یقیناً نفی میں ہے. لہذا ہمیں عمران خان کو بلانے کی بجائے موجودہ بورڈ کو ہٹا کر ایک باوقار ، ایماندار اور قابل قیادت کا مطالبہ کرنا چاہیے.

ہم صرف یہ امید اور مطالبہ ہی کر سکتے ہیں کہ مقتدرحضرات پاکستان کرکٹ بورڈ کے آئین کو نافذ کر کے اہل لوگوں کو سامنے لائیں اور تمام ایسوسی ایشنز کے سربراہان پرمشتمل گورننگ باڈی تشکیل دی جائے. انہی میں سے چئرمن کا انتخاب کر کے شفّاف اور قابل احتساب مالیاتی اور انتظامی نظم و نسق نافذ کیا جائے. صرف یہی ایک طریقہ ہے جس سے نہ صرف ہم کرکٹ میں اپنا کھویا ہوا مقام واپس حاصل کر سکتے ہیں بلکہ اپنے دامن پر لگے بدنامی کے داغ کو بھی دھو سکتے ہیں. چنانچہ جتنا جلد اعجاز بٹ اور اڈھاک ازم سے چھٹکارا حاصل ہو جائے اتنا اچھا ہے

Why Banning Facebook?

 (Originally published on 22/5/10 on a discontinued blog)

Blanket ban on an informative and interactive website is counter-productive and meaningless. Symbolic ban to record protest is a right which should be accepted. And banning a particular URL which is offensive or even whole site (even FB) if the site continues to indulge ' deliberately' in hateful activities despite polite reminders, symbolic banning and constructive debate is very much justified.

As you know Facebook has a policy and we have witnessed many among us have been restricted ( by banning a group or a page) or banned by FB admin on different pretexts. Even unjustifiably at times. So when millions of Muslims request FB to ban a group which clearly offends 1.5 billion Muslims and violates their own terms they do not pay heed to it and ignore all the requests. That is hypocrisy. If they apologize and sympathize with Muslims and take care of our concerns as they do for non-Muslims we have no objection. Prejudice and injustice is what I object to.

Banning YouTube and Wikipedia was uncalled-for and no one demanded that in particular. I support this ban as I think it as a means to record protest and I want every URL which is offensive to be permanently banned and for this a cell should be created in PTA for continuous vigilance as we see in West the way they keep track of every thing which happens in Muslim world. Technology should be used to combat technology. Tit for tat on equal groundings.


Pakistan should not go backwards for sure. As you know many Pakistanis have excelled in different scientific fields as well as info technology. They have set records and are serving in Microsoft. Anyhow excelling in technology and getting educated is a must and is considered a "Fardh' in Islam. Talibanism is not Islam. Those who make hue and cry are only in media. They have no public support in Pakistan and they do not win seats in assemblies.

At the same time no Muslim can and should tolerate any one trying to insult our prophet (SAWW) because this is part and parcel of our faith and a source of strength and unity for us.

Now I tell the hypocrisy of the West in just a few words.

Holocaust denial is punishable in Europe -Why? - Where is freedom of speech?
Why Aljazeera, Al-manar and Al-Rahmah were banned in West?
Why Nickie Davidson was sentenced in UK just because he created an anti-Jew group ' arian strike' on a website on Apr 30, 2010?
What about veil ban?


West is powerful so they influence our minds so that we follow what they teach what they say. No one is against education and information but information at the cost of one's integrity, honor, dignity, values and freedom is not acceptable. We should educate ourselves and should unite and be powerful so that no one can disrespect our religion and our Prophet.

Japanese, Chinese, Koreans, French, Germans, Malaysians, Cubans and a few more are prospering and they are not leaving their values. They see and read what they want and they compete via technology. Why can't we Muslims do that. Is it necessary to copy west in order to prosper? I do not think so.