How Rochdale "greeted" Musharraf on his UK visit

By Majed Iqbal- How many times have you visited a relative's home and saw you elderly engrossed in a discussion and argument about Pakistani politics over a cup of tea in the vicinity of their large traditional front room? Seems to ring a bell! Déjà vu for definite! Heated debates, full of resentment against Pakistani politicians, utter disgust at the state of affairs and that's all it's left to.



Unfortunately that's how far it will go with our community; hot air and outbursts of raw emotion. We are quick to raise the finger but have next to no thought on how to translate this into positive action.

Musharraf, whom some consider the Mugabe of South East Asia, was on his UK tour, drumming up support to place a charade over his ill seeds planted in his country, the brunt of which his nation is taking. The question on peoples minds should have been- how can we living in the UK challenge him on his failed policies, subservience to foreign interests, massacre of his own citizens, blaming terrorism instead of his own failures on the downfall of Pakistan, and being given full VIP treatment her in the UK by the British Government?

Rochdale residents translated all these issues and directed their energies to some form of activism by visiting London and demonstrating outside the Pakistani Embassy. The Dorchester Hotel was also visited where Musharraf and his Government Ministers were resident and being chaperoned around using the Pakistani Publics Money. One by one, people entered the Reception area with their Placards and asked for Musharraf to answer the real questions which he is avoiding.

The demonstration was attended by 300 people who challenged Musharraf on his failures and demanded that he leave Office and let a sincere Islamic leadership take over the country which would guard the citizens, fulfill their needs, secure their interests, bring Economic Stability, root out corruption, and bring back the country on the lines of progress.

Politics is about change and not merely venting frustration at individuals. Politics has to be based on guiding principles, vision, concepts fuelled with a passion for creating change. Rochdale residents made sure that there disaffection with the current events in Pakistan did not make them apathetic, but rather more Politically charged, led by thought and ready for Key action.

Published on the Asian News Website