COMMENT- Pakistans 20-20 Victory- Is it time to Celebrate??

By Majed Iqbal- Yesterdays Twenty twenty cup Final saw un-precendented coverage worldwide as Pakistan beat Sri-lanka in an 8 wicket match victory.

Pictures and video footage beaming in from Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi on the Pakistani news networks showed crowds rejoicing after a historic win which saw Pakistan defeat the odds and answer back to the world that they are still a cricketing force to be reckoned with.

Even before the Final, a day before, Pakistan’s President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday urged the country’s cricketers to give of their best in the final of the World T20 against Sri Lanka on Sunday and win the title for the nation. The President even called up captain Younis Khan in London and reminded him that the country was passing through a very difficult phase and victory for Pakistan could provide some cheer, media reports said.

As crowds rejoice madly in the streets of Bradford, Luton, Manchester and London in unison with Pakistanis back home, it is worthwhile reminding them that a match victory can never quell the chaos and devastation that Pakistan is currently going through.

How can President Zardari have the nerve to use sports to his political advantage by asking the captain to bring smiles on the faces of Pakistanis when he is the one who has made the people of Pakistan cry tears of blood and removed their happiness from their lives through ordering the bombing and displacement of millions under the guise of fighting Americas ‘War on Terror’.

Muslims in Pakistan must wake up from just rejoicing about a sporting victory whose feelings will last just a few weeks and instead divert their energies from saving their country from division and destruction through their own government’s workings, who have sold their destiny to their American masters.

The time to rejoice will be when governance will not be outsourced to Washington, when people don’t have to commit suicide because they are unable to feed their families, when plans are made for job creation, , when ruling is in line with the peoples beliefs and aspirations and when corruption is uprooted from Government by resigning Democracy to the dustbins of History.

Oakley speaks out against America's Colonisation of Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- ‘We've alienated them tremendously. Whether we agree or not" says former US ambassador to Islamabad Robert Oakley. Airing his views on Americas role in Pakistan, Oakley was responding back to a host of views presented by Obama and his team on dealing with this ‘hotspot' in the world which has drew international attention in the last years.



Americas increasing role in Pakistan through the Bush administration and the man of ‘change', Obama, the new President of America who singled out Pakistan in his presidential campaign and within days of coming into office resumed drone attacks has clearly highlighted that Americas next target is Pakistan

"If we have actionable intelligence about high-value terrorist targets and President Musharraf won't act, we will" Said Obama in 2007 outside the Woodrow Wilson Centre in his Presidential run up campaign.

Oakley, who served in Islamabad from 1988 to 92, has criticised Americas approach to Pakistan airing views which present a clear picture of a structured policy to colonise Pakistan.

COMMENT- Nawaz Sharif gaining 'good graces' of the West

By Majed Iqbal- The long march held in March in Pakistan was a ripe opportunity for Nawaz Sharif and his party PML-N to present itself as still a major stake holder in Pakistan's politics after being sidelined and zardari being more favoured by outside powers.



As a US led undeclared war in Pakistan continues to create the malaise of problems, US political leaders are apparently thinking of changing their protagonist midway.

The Wall street Journal quoted senior US officials as saying that President Zardari's in-effectiveness in curbing the Taliban threat and his lack of political tact in swaying public opinion in favour of fighting the militants is the reason behind this change of heart.

US and European officials now believe that Nawaz Sharif's longstanding ties with religious parties could position him better to convince the Pakistani public of the need to confront the Taliban. Recently, western leaders have been upping their contacts with the PML-N which is obvious from the traffic of envoys seen at Raiwind.

The Long March Episode- Democracy and Dictatorship- Two sides of the same coin?

By Majed Iqbal- The weekend in Pakistan saw the much awaited long march take its turn to add itself onto the list of the on-going Political crisis plaguing the country.



President Zardari had pledged to reinstate the deposed Chief justice Mr Chaudhry, who had been removed by Musharraf in the November state of emergency, within 30 days of taking office, but reneged on the promise, fearing the justice would re-open the case of alleged corruption by his late wife Benazir Bhutto and him over which immunity was granted by Musharraf in a potential power sharing deal.

The election of the PPP in power in January and the ‘in-house' move of Zardari to Presidency saw him back down on his promise during the elections of re-instating the deposed judges if the PPP won.

Whilst Musharraf was in power we saw parties rally around the message that dictatorship was bad for the country and that is should be removed to guarantee ‘real' progress. The message was not just for Musharraf but anyone with similar ambitions for dictatorial rule which had caused havoc in the country through the pursuance of the war on terror with no consultation from the national assembly, rasing juniors in army ranks above seniors who were more loyal to Musharraf, sending the heads of the two opposition parties into exile and sacking judges who could contest President Musharraf's authority as un-constitutional.

VIDEO- Why do Pakistanis resent America?

Pakistan has been at the crux of the War on Terror and has been described as an indispensable ally by the Americans. However, the Pakistani population has been distant from the government and showed signs of concern on the special relationship which the US enjoys. The following video questions America and its policies towards Pakistan and the Muslim World in general.



Will America allow countries like Pakistan to develop its own Political future? Watch the video further.

Lahore attack on the Sri-Lankan cricket team- Who did it?

By Majed Iqbal- Once again Pakistan is placed onto the international centre stage following the attack on the Srilankan cricket team. The immediate response from the international community and commentators seemed to implicate ‘extremists' operating in Pakistan without even a shred of evidence; an approach no different to the Mumbai attacks where India was the judge, jury and executioner in pointing the fingers at Pakistan and building a case of declaring it a failed state and a sponsor of Terrorism.



Both the US and India, helped by many other countries have actively used any semblance of any issue to declare Pakistan as an unstable state requiring international intervention.

India spearheaded a campaign to convince several countries to sever sports relations with Pakistan and put tremendous pressure on Sri Lanka not to send its cricket team to play here.

The latest attack on Pakistani soil raises many questions on who could be behind the attacks and why against sri-lankans? Pakistan has had conducive relationships with this country and was instrumental in bringing it to the international cricketing stage.

ASIAN LEADER Article- America uses Pakistani Airbases to strike at Pakistan’s Citizens

The following article was published in the Asian Leader newspaper exposing the collaboration of the Pakistani government with America in using Pakistani soil to launch strikes both within Pakistan and Afghanistan; something which the Pakistani government ha s been in denial about for years.



The article challenges the notion about the independance of the newly democratically elected government of Pakistan. Who is calling the shots? is is islamabad or Washington?

Read the full article on the blog here. Alternatively, access the newspaper online on the Look Asia Website

America uses Pakistani Airbases to strike at Pakistan’s Citizens

By Majed Iqbal- What has been speculated by many and under denial for years by the previous Musharraf government and now the new Zardari government has now come to surface. Pakistani soil and airspace has and is still being used by America to launch strikes both in Afghanistan and in Pakistan.



The US was secretly flying unmanned drones from the Shamsi airbase in Pakistan's south western province of Baluchistan as early as 2006, according to an image of the base from Google Earth.

The image, that is no longer on the site but initially obtained by The News, Pakistan's English language daily newspaper, shows what appear to be three Predator drones outside a hangar at the end of the runway. The Times also obtained a copy of the image, whose co-ordinates confirm that it is the Shamsi airfield, also known as Bandari, about 200 miles southwest of the Pakistani city of Quetta.

Picture Story- Thousands protest against Military action in Swat- Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- Thousands gathered together in Swat to protest against the Military action in the area which has seen hundreds of lives lost. The protest demanded that the government withdraw the army from the area and lift the curfew which has made life difficult for the residents.



Despite the Governement PR on convincing the Pakistani population that the country must fight Americas war on Terror to root out 'extremism', demonstrations like theses have clearly profiled the sentiments of the people in the heart of the 'conflict' zones that they no longer buy the lies sold to them.

Zardari's government has seen no change from that of Musharraf's and continues to pursue American Policy blindly despite the peoples resentment and displeasure.

ASIAN LEADER ARTICLE- Zardari awards Boucher for ’services’ to Pakistan

The following interview was published in the Asian Leader Newspaper looking at the new adventures of President Zardari of Pakistan on his shameless worship of American Foreign policy.



The full Interview can be read here on the blog and can also be read on the Look Asia website.

VIDEO- President Obama's Inaugration: The 'street view' from Pakistan

Despite the charm, charisma and passionate style of orchestrated Speech which Obama has been characterised with over his last months on the Presidential run-up scene, many have decided to see beyond the bravado.

The promises of 'Change' and a 'New America' have been met with warmth by Americans who have witnessed the Economic Downturn, international adventures in Foreign lands costing trillions of Dollars and an America which has lost international credibility and world standing.

[youtube=http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=4eaBc8qXuRA]

Other countries, especially where America has been interfering in the domestic affairs of their country have met yesterday's Presidential inauguration sceptically.

The Video above gives a snapshot picture of the street view from Pakistan on their views on Obama and whether they believe that a 'change' is inevitable with a fresh new face in the White House.

COMMENT- Zardari confers Prestigious award to Boucher for 'services' to Pakistan

By Majed Iqbal- President Zardari decided to begin the new year of 2009 by rubbing further salts in the wounds of the people in Pakistan. US Assistant Secretary of State Richard Boucher was given the prestigious civilian award Hilal-i-Quaid-i-Azam for his 'services' to Pakistan.



These services include meddling in the affairs of the government of Pakistan , use of Pakistani airspace to bombard the border areas in air raids which have killed thousands of innocent civilians and displaced further tens of thousands from their homes in FATA, setting up of over 50 FBI offices to monitor and detain those who question the actions of the government as detailed in the Amnesty International latest report where over 550 have been reported missing, and for playing a pivotal role to bring a change in government through the removal of the previous Presidnet, Pervez Musharraf.

President Asif Ali Zardari conferred Hilal-e-Pakistan to Joe Biden and Quaid-e-Azam Medal to Richard Boucher praising their unflinching support to Pakistan in helping the country in recent years through diplomatic channels

Soon after receiving the award Boucher insisted that US air attacks against Pakistan would continue.

Mumbai Attacks- Pakistan's ISI comes under fire

In the continued efforts and pre-Iraq invasion styled rhetoric, the US continues to jab away in any way possible at Pakistan to present the case against the country as being on the brink of disaster.



Now the intelligence services run under fire accused of in-directly supporting armed militant groups. In these endeavours old recruits from the ISI are being named by the US to be added onto the UN list of people and organisations linked to al-Qaida and the Taliban.

"It goes beyond information sharing to include some funding and training" The Times quotes one US official as saying. "And these are not rogue ISI elements. What's going on is done in a fairly disciplined way".

A report, which appeared in The Washington Post's Sunday issue, claimed that Islamabad has agreed to a 48-hour deadline set by India and the US for key suspects to be handed over to India. New Delhi was keen to see the extradition of 20 suspects including former director of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, Hamid Gul.

Condoleeza rice in her visits levelled similar accusations stating that "Pakistan has had historic links with these armed groups previously" referring to the relationship of the Intelligence services and movements operating in the Kashmir region.

COMMENT: Mumbai Attacks- Is Pakistan now on the Defensive?

Published on the Asian News Website

By Majed Iqbal- Pakistan's weak government, despite claiming that we are not on the back foot on the Mumbai Blasts is surely feeling the heat.

Whilst the foreign minister argues that there was no reason for Pakistan to be on the defensive over the attacks, the President, Mr zardari went as far as offering a no first-use of nuclear weapons, ignoring decades of established policy.

The apparently off-the-cuff remark in an interview with Indian media astonished Pakistanis as much as Indians.

Whilst the Foreign minister talks about not being defensive, the President does exactly that.

With no consistent line on how to tackle the Mumbai blasts scenario, Pakistan will end up presenting itself a failed state who is unable to deal with the challenges it is facing- whether economic, political or Foreign affairs.

This case which is being built internationally against Pakistan as a failed state is a pre-requisite to any further action by outside powers in an Iraq style invasion. Before that, the rhetoric now drums up against this country which from being an ally of the US, now faces being the next casualty in the War on Terror.

Pakistan and the "Obama factor"

By Majed Iqbal- After a lengthy journey that started for Obama over 21 months ago and a record-breaking $700 million inputted to his campaign account, Barack Obama was elected as President of America. The showdown in the US was watched closely by Prime Ministers, Presidents, kings, Politicians and observers from all over the world as the implications of the results from the elections would have some and in other cases, serious implications for them and their countries.



The population of Pakistan, the Government and the parties operating in the country looked on speculatively and looked gloomy on hearing that Barack Obama had secured the Presidency. Obama's campaign had been rife with references to Pakistan when discussing America's future in tackling the so called war on terror.

In light of the new Political developments in the Middle East where America has categorically failed to bring about its version of peace and democracy to the region, an exit strategy is something that has been alluded to by many, from both the Democrats and Republicans.

Musharraf’s Resignation- Déjà Vu for Pakistani Politics

By Majed Iqbal- "No charge sheet can stand against me, no charge can be proved against me, because I never did anything for myself, it was all for Pakistan.......This is not time for individual bravado, it is time to think seriously. With impeachment, the country's dignity will be undermined and, as you all know, Pakistan is my love, my life is ready to be sacrificed for it."



In his usual Military mantra and irrational charisma, Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf made these statements on a televised address to the nation on Monday 18th August in which he announced his resignation from the Presidency of Pakistan.

This move came amidst growing pressure form the newly formed government, elected in February this year who planned from the onset to oust Musharraf from his position and impeach him for violating the constitution in November last year, gross misconduct and economic mismanagement.

It asked the president to seek a vote of confidence from national and provincial lawmakers or to resign. Otherwise, they warned, the assembly will ask Parliament to impeach him

The National Assembly, or lower house, convened in Islamabad on as coalition officials gathered to prepare a "charge sheet" against Musharraf to strip him of his presidency.

Will Gillani, the New Pakistani PM deliver?

By Majed Iqbal- Tuesday 25th march 2008 saw Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani sworn in as Pakistan's new Prime Minister in the central hall of the Aiwan-e-Sadr by President Pervez Musharraf, making him the country's 25th Prime Minister.

After a turbulent tenure of Musharraf's nearly 9 year rule, the Pakistani nation looked ahead for a new change and a more promising future amidst the sequence of events which had bought the country to standstill over the last couple of months.

Gillani's Political background and family history seemed to have appeased segments of the nation who saw some depth in him. His father Alamdar Hussain Gillani was a signatory to the Pakistan Resolution, the 1940 document that laid the ground for the creation of Pakistan. His grandfather Ghulam Mustafa Shah Gillani and paternal uncle Raza Shah Gillani were both MLAs in the 1940s whilst his great-grandfather Raja Bakhsh Gillani was Mayor of Multan in 1921.

Islamic Times Article- Pakistan Elections 2008

An article from the blog was published in the Islamic Times Newspaper, which covered the Outcome and Future of the Pakistani Elections. The Islamic Times is a quarterly published newspaper with a growing readership throughout the UK.



The full text for the newspaper article can be found by clicking HERE

Pakistani Elections 2008- What now holds for the future?

Also available on the Asian Image Website

By Majed Iqbal- February 18th 2008 saw Pakistan embarking on its Election Day amidst the chaos, Political unstability, violence, Foreign Interference and heavy handed tactics of the darling of London and Washington, the self styled "President" of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.



Dubbed as the most crucial and most important Elections in Pakistan and the sixth in the country's fifty one year history, international Media and Western states alongside a "Special" Foreign Election Investigators team sent to observe the whole process, were watching events with close attention as events unfolded minute by minute in this country described as a "volatile" and a "politically unstable" area.

If Elections in Pakistan ever changed anything, They'd be Abolished!

Published on the Heritage Section of Asian News

By Majed Iqbal- Today is February 18th 2008. A much awaited day and for some a day which supposed to have begun last month for many. Today, Pakistan is embarking on its Election Day amidst the chaos, Political unstability, violence, Foreign Interferance and heavy handed tactics of the darling of London and Washington, the self tyled "President" of Pakistan, Pervez Musharraf.



Discussions on Elections and restoring the country onto a democratic route have been heavily discussed by Pakistani politicians, TV Channels, Newspapers and by the existing government officials.

Promises flavoured with enticing language of development, progress, education for all, rooting out corruption, free media, helping the poor, quashing extremism and placing the country of Pakistan back onto the international stage with pride amongst the world community; all such lollypop advert styled slogans have come thick and fast in efforts to engage the nation into voting for the "right choice".