The Clarion Call for National Awakening

(Part-I)
by Qazi Hussain Ahmad

General Pervez Musharraf, who is now the President as well, had in his first speech presented a seven-point agenda to the nation. "Restoration of national confidence" was the first point of this agenda. To give foremost priority to national morale building was in fact to admit that despondency had overwhelmed the nation… If civil and military intelligence agencies are honestly apprising the General about the situation, he must be knowing that the nation’s despair and frustration has only increased ever since his assuming power.

The second point of the General’s agenda was "strengthening of the federation". A strong federation means that provinces as the federating units are empowered to function freely within their jurisdiction, that their inter-relationships are based on mutual confidence, fraternity and respect, and that they are cooperating with one another for common objectives under the federal umbrella in complete harmony. Unfortunately the situation is quite opposite. Inter-provincial differences because of drought and scarcity of water in the reservoirs as well as water crisis in meeting irrigation needs make headlines in newspapers. Ironically, the war of provincial interests is fought through public servants. Sometimes three provinces walk out from the Council of Common Interests against the Punjab, at others Punjab and NWFP accuse Sindh of stealing water and stage a walk-out in support of Baluchistan. When these news appear in the Press, separatist elements in the provinces get a boon, and they too jump in. The regional Press adds bitterness to people’s protest. Thus, because of t he negligence and ineptness of the military rulers the federating units (provinces) are fighting a war of rights through public servants and causing weakness to the federation instead of strengthening it.

As an absolute authoritative President, the chief of Pakistan army has concentrated all powers in himself. This in itself amounts to usurping provincial rights and is a source of distrust among the provinces.

The third point of the agenda is "revival of the economy". Economic situation is known to all. It is the deteriorating economy that has become our biggest weakness and because of which our independence is in danger. Along with foreign affairs, defense and economic policies we have been deprived of our freedom in the important field of education. We are compelled to introduce changes in syllabus according to the wished of the New World Order’s agents. Government’s battle against the religious education institutions and dropping out Qur’anic translation from secondary education courses is the result of external pressures. Exclusion of questions relating to religion, morality and commitment to the ideology of Pakistan from Annual Confidential Reports (ACRs) of the public servants too is meaningful and a clear sign of a change in government’s thinking, for which involvement of some behind-the-scene forces cannot be ruled out. At the time, indications for flexibility with respect to the Kashmir issue in some official circles are also the result of economic pressures. In spite of its tall claims, government has failed to arrest the downward trend of economy and has not taken any revolutionary step that could bring a real change. Price-hike, unemployment and increasing dependence on loans are the hallmarks of the present era and the stranglehold of international moneylenders over the country is becoming stronger.

"Restoration of law and order" is the fourth point of the agenda. But, terrorism, killings, robberies and theft, rape and other crimes are on the rise. The government is only issuing threats for surrendering illegal arms and for severe punishment to those not cooperating in the drive. Even if the government succeeds a little in recovering arms from the public, this will be no guarantee for peace as the professional robbers and burglars would not surrender their weapons and the government’s corrupt machinery is unable to apprehend real culprits. Thus, being disarmed people would be at the mercy of outlaws. Other factors contributing to lawlessness –unemployment, poverty, scenes of sex crimes and violence that are screened in Cinema, videos, cable networks, Internet and the dish – are on the rise. PTV too is not lagging behind in screening such scenes.

"De-politicization of state institutions" is the fifth point of General Pervez Musharraf’s agenda. Quite contrarily, the institution of the army itself has been thoroughly politicized and it is becoming susceptible of all the ills of a political organization. While being the Chief of Army Staff, the General’s assuming the office of the President has further submerged the army into the political quagmire. This is causing an irreparable loss to the army since this damages its professional capability. The government bodies are leading separatist elements in provinces and have turned into the centers of negative politics.

The sixth point of the government’s agenda is "devolution of power" to the grass-roots level. The local bodies elections that are being held in the name of devolution of power have had none’s counsel except that of the National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB). In fact, the government has no system of consultation. Decisions are made in Corps Commanders’ meetings and Corps Commanders observe military discipline. In uniform, how can they differ with their chief? All that is possible is to present some alternative view of the problem with utmost concern for the demands of disciplines and niceties. The final decision rests with the man at the top. A military government and devolution of power are mutually contradictory.

A propensity for concentration of power is in the very nature of a military government. It is futile to expect that it would establish a system where power reaches the grass-root level. In fact, the effort in the name of a new system is to devise a new tentacle that could grip the people in its grip. This is to be done by international financial institutions, NGOs with particular agenda and the multi-national companies – whose real objective is secularism, spread of western culture and values and establishment of rule of international financial institutions – through the pedestal provided by the local bodies institutions. Deteriorating economy, poverty and unemployment would help in installing the plan. As the President, General Pervez Musharraf has been assigned to guard this plan. The elections that will be held in his presence, and the parliament that will follow, would be compelled to ratify the General’s actions. Otherwise, power would not be transferred to them and the General would become an all-powerful President and try to replace the parliamentary system into a presidential one for all practical purposes.

Local Bodies have been made party-less to bring them under the control of international institutions directly through NGOs, to wipe out the Islamic culture and civilization in the name of "development work", and to spread Western and Hindu cultures in the name of globalization.

The last of the seven-point agenda is "accountability". That is what had provided General Musharraf the context for military intervention, but accountability has now become a tool for political blackmailing. If a few small culprits have been nabbed, that is nothing more than window-dressing. The bigger ones are not only out of the net, but have been freed with honor and respect.

People are disappointed with the performance of the government. According to the public opinion polls, 80 percent people are disappointed on all issues covered in the seven-point agenda.

Despite having failed in his seven-point agenda, General Pervez Musharraf still aspires to rule and to fulfill his desire has become President in the most indecent manner. Constitutionally, he could not have become President and it is related that he had had the services of some renowned legal experts, nay law magicians, to work out a way for him for becoming the President without having to hold elections or to restore the assemblies as well as for dispensing with the incumbent President. Probably, he could not find a more civilized and honorable way and was advised to dismiss President Tarar and occupy the office just as subtly as he had become the Chief Executive at the gunpoint using the position of the military chief, and in the manner in which he had provided for Nawaz Sharif’s escape in the dark of the night and Constitution and law could not stop him.

The Chief of Army Staff’s becoming President would be damaging for both the army and the country. But, for Pervez Musharraf, the one-point agenda of becoming an all-powerful President had become most important. His assuming presidency would be a big step towards introducing a presidential system instead of a federal parliamentary system. This is in violation of the Supreme Court decision that has given the government a conditional stay for three years:

The first of the Supreme Court conditions is that the Islamic provisions of the Constitution and the Islamic Ideological foundations of the country shall not be changed.

The second condition is that fundamental rights and freedom of the judiciary shall not be curtailed.

The third condition is that the federal parliamentary system and the provinces’ powers shall not be tampered with.

With these conditions, the military government is bound to hold elections within three years so that the Constitution is restored and an elected civilian government is established by 12 Oct. 2002.

General Pervez Musharraf’s assuming the presidency, his attempts to provide for a permanent constitutional role of the army in national affairs on the pattern of Turkey and basic amendments in the Constitution in the name of devolution of power, are against the said decision of the Supreme Court, through which the court has only conditionally legitimized the government for three years.

A recent example of the approach of ignoring the decisions of the higher courts that the Musharraf government has adopted is its shirking from declaring illegal all the interest-based transactions within the country from July 1, 2001. The Supreme Court had bound the government for implementing its decision by July 1, 2001. Following a time-frame it had to take gradual steps so that there emerged no practical difficulty or crisis after declaring interest illegal by the 30^th of June. But the government deliberately shirked from taking the required steps so as to obtain a stay at the eleventh hour against the decision under the excuse that its implementation was not possible. Such an approach is against the national interest. In fact, the rulers are not sincere in eliminating interest from the economy.

The interest of those who formulate economic policies lies in the existing interest-based economy. These very agents of the international institutions are the obstacle in the way of liberating national economy from the grip of the World Bank, IMF and other international financial institutions. The government has, therefore, used the United Bank as a pedestal to file a petition for a review of the Supreme Court decision. The government has not yet got a decision of its liking just because of the incomplete Appellate Bench. A legal counsel of Jamaat-e-Islami pointed out that the bench was incomplete and as such could not hear the case. The honorable judges agreed to this point, but by employing pressure tactics and keeping the post for a religious scholar vacant, the government got a one year reprieve despite the judicial flaw. This was a clear indication of the Court’s weakness and government’s ill-will.

A civilized and democratic society cannot be established in a country without actually establishing the authority of courts. The biggest question at the moment is: what force in the country can fulfill the requirements of justice by enforcing the Constitution, law, and principles. Despite their coming to power for two times each, People’s Party and Muslim League (N) only proved their failure. Now they are together on the platform of the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD). If the military government fails and power is once again transferred to these parties, would the demands of justice be fulfilled? Even the most staunch of the supporters of these parties would not make such a claim, nor would people accept it. If People’s Party and Muslim League as well as the military regime fail to present a solution to the crisis, is there no other force in the country? Is the future of this nation really dark and gloomy?

No doubt, the internal and external enemies of the country wish to project it as being a "failed state". But the question is whether it is the state or the secular ruling clique that has failed? This class has been imposed on the country in different political and military garbs and had been cultivated by the former colonial power to rule Pakistan. The irrefutable reality which an analysis of the past over five decades since Independence provides is that this same class has ruled the country since the demise of Quaid-e-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and assassination of Quaid-e-Millat Liaqat Ali Khan. This class could not conform to the aspirations of a free nation and, instead of developing their conduct and behavior, touched new lows in decay and decline to the extent that it is now incapable of reforming itself. To reform it now need a revolutionary force that can only come from organizing and mobilizing the people. This is the way in which a fresh, honest and brave leadership can emerge, which is from amongst the people and holds itself accountable to God and His people.

The overwhelming majority of the nation is concerned about the future of the country. This concern is a positive sign of their patriotism.

The need is to transform this concern into the force of action, instead of letting it take the shape of despondency. This is a task that only that leadership can accomplish which is not only optimistic but is inspired by its belief and hope for change. Maulana Rum’s couplets that Allama Iqbal has quoted as preamble of his own Israr-e-Khudi read:

Carrying a lamp, an old man was roaming in the streets of the city (saying): ‘I am dejected by the forgers and the fraudulent, am looking for a real man. Totally fed up with these sluggish companions, I am now out to find some brave and lion-hearted person.’ I told him: ‘We have long been in search of such a person, but this is a rare commodity.’ He said: ‘Yes, it is that rare kind that I am out to find.’

We need that kind of leadership that keeps the national aspirations alive, surly it is the loss of hope and despondency that leads to the fall of nations. Iqbal, therefore, has advised the reader in his Zabur-e-Ajam:

While sometimes a thin blade veils my sight, at others I see both the worlds in just one glance. Be active in search and quest and never give up hopes. There is a wealth that meets you on your way. Though the valley of love and devotion is vast as well as distant, but sometimes a hundred-year long journey is covered in a sigh.

In his Pas Che Bayad Kard, his message is:

"The need to recruit new armies from the domain of love and devotion has become urgent, for reason’s rebel has created a chaos. The age is still unaware of its reality. The cloak of devotion is such that it fits to reason. I have reached that stage of devotion where, when I opened its door, I grasped the mystery that taking circles of my abode is the moot point of intellect and reason. Never think that reason would not be weighed and questioned, for just one look of the believer can assess its worth."

Comparison of mind and heart, reason and devotion is important subject of Iqbal’s message. When facing difficulty in reinvigorating the resolve of the nation through logic and reason, he appeals to the believer’s force of faith, his devotion and his self-giving nature. In a beautiful quartet he says:

"Beware! leave those who take rest in the tent, as the leader of the caravan has already left out. As intellect is incapable of carrying the load any further, I have given my reins to the heart."

As a nation, we too are in a state where the need is to utilize the force of faith that exists in a large part of the nation for action.

If anybody is in doubt about this force, he should meet the thousands of youth who clearly see their cherished destination just across the line of death. They cross thousands of miles of hard terrain, piercing the columns of the Indian brutes come to save the honor of their sisters and mothers. These youths are present in every part of Ummah: they are active in Palestine, Kashmir, Chechnya, South Lebanon and the Philippines. These brave youths are found in every part of Pakistan. They are above the distinctions of race and color. It is they who ‘scale the stars’ and take the drowning boats of the nation to shores and cherished destinations.

A heinous conspiracy is being hatched against this invincible force of our nation. The internal and external enemies are active since long to ignite internecine fights. First, Shia-Sunni killings and violence were aimed, but this remained confined to two small groups and the masses refrained from jumping into the fray. Now the conspiracy is aimed at Brelvi-Deobandi bloodshed. Occupying each other’s mosques being an old practice, the assassination of Maulana Saleem Qadri, his family members and companions has made the situation highly dangerous. Incidences of killings and violence in Karachi on the eve of 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal ring the alarm. It would be unfortunate for the entire nation if the brave mujahideen of religious parties, who are capable of humiliating and defeating the enemy in the battle field, are entangled in this useless and destructive course.

Intimate personal contacts between religious leaders can avert this destructive course. Personal contacts help remove misgivings, promote good feelings; and many differences that stem from misgivings can be done away with by keeping close mutual contacts and wishing well for one another. To proceed ahead in establishing mutual contacts is a duty of the workers of religious parties and leaderships at different levels. The workers of Jamaat-e-Islami should take a lead in this respect and try to create a congenial atmosphere at all levels. With the grace of Allah, the workers of the Jamaat-e-Islami are already free from all linguistic or sectarian prejudices; yet in the prevailing situation they need not only to adopt a more careful approach but also to be active for mediation between different religious groups and schools of thought.

Here, a realization of the fact that the scheme of entangling the religious forces in fights with each other is nothing new. In Europe, it was the unending battles of Catholics and Protestants and numerous small denominations of these two sects that enabled secular forces to carve out their political position, and ultimately religion was barred from playing any role in the affairs of the state. During the 19th century, English colonial rulers played the same game by supporting the reinvigoration of Hindu Mahasabha and Shudhi movement and by encouraging sectarianism among Muslims. However, the Khilafat movement, the Pakistan movement, and the Islamic Movement removed internal clefts and splits of Muslims and showed the way of tolerance, unity and solidarity for common lofty objectives. Today, once again, it is the duty of religious forces to frustrate the heinous scheme and get molded into a cemented wall for the revival of Deen and supremacy of Shariah.

Jamaat-e-Islami is a formidable and well-organized religio-political force of the country. When its workers sincerely take upon themselves to accomplish a task, it gets done, with the grace of Allah. The need of the hour is to take the nation out of despair, give it a hope and mobilize it for action. The Holy Qur’an is the Book of Jihad and struggle and calls for struggling selflessly and sincerely. There is no room for despair, for it tells:

And never give up hope of Allah’s truly soothing Mercy. No one despairs of Allah’s soothing Mercy, except those who have no faith. (Yusuf 12:87)

And lose not heart, nor fall into despair: For you must gain mastery, provided you are true in Faith. (Aal-e-Imran 3:139)

You fear not, nor grieve, but receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of Bliss), which you were promised. (Fussilat 41:30)

The nation is looking for a people who could come out and lead it. It is futile to think, staying at our homes or sitting in offices, that people would automatically join us. We have to knock at every door, call everyone endowed with faith, and awake and mobilize every patriotic person. We have to cement hearts and persuade all to join hands with us to take this country and the nation out of the destruction the secular elite have plunged it in for foreign colonial interests.

The leaders would first of all have to be ready to sacrifice and lit up the environs. Then would follow the workers and the nation would come out in support. The estimates of those who just conjecture and calculate are always defeated by revolutionary forces. When freedom-lovers come out to do their duty, relying only on the support from Allah, they become the Will of God. Such freedom-lovers are needed now to protect Pakistan from the onslaught of the enemy, but this task of national awakening demands that all sincere people from all segments of society should be taken along. The army is from amongst us. The nation need not be confronted with its own army. Just like the rest of the society, there is no dearth in the army of those who are endowed with faith and piety, to whom Jihad fi Sabeel Allah (struggle in the way of Allah) is the way of life. They are not unaware of the quagmire the nation and the country are in. If the sincere leadership of the nation joins hands for national salvation, acts prudently and wisely, with the characteristic Muslim insight and courage, then all these elements would welcome them, since it is the need of the hour.

(Part-II)

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Translation and adaptation of the editorial of Tarjuman Ul Quran (Part-I) for July 2001.