The arrest of Aimal Kansi was still being discussed, when the news came that American commandos were trying to get hold of Usama Ben Ladin. What is Jamaat’s opinion on this issue? Jamaat in fact was the first to react on the Aimal’s illegal and non-constitutional extradition. We declared it an assault on our national integrity and sovereignty. We strongly condemn all such acts of national contempt. Our principle stand is that a Pakistani citizen is subject to our own constitutional provisions and laws. If country was bound through some bilateral agreement, even then there are local rules and procedures to be followed. Aimal’s case of extradition has given the impression, as also thoroughly exposed in the press, that Americans were "allowed" to overrun our right of sovereignty. The authorities and agencies in Pakistan never clarified their position. All this makes the case highly condemnable. As far as the case of Usama Ben Ladin is concerned, it is for the people and government of Afghanistan to decide. The youth in general think that the Jamaat intends revolution with reference to religion, whereas the society has astrayed far away in this respect. It appears very difficult to revive the religious values. There is general despondency and social disorder. How would Jamaat respond to this feeling? We do not at all agree with the observation that the young generation has gone rebellious against religion. It is baseless propaganda. We instead see that the youth attend mosques in greater number. During the ‘Ramadhan’, most observing the ‘Eitikaf’’ are the youngsters. In every household, the number of young boys and girls learning Qur’an by heart (hifz) is on the increase. Jamaat has established schools in Faisalabad and Multan, where special classes of memorizing Qur’an by the youth, have been started. People rush and pay greater fees to enroll their children in these classes. To say that masses are getting farther from religion amounts to spreading despair. Generally speaking, in every society the two types of currents run parallel. One is licentiousness, the other represents piety and virtue. The later is stronger, because Allah develops similitude and likeness of virtue and ‘Deen’, with a pure tree (tayyiba) which is deep-rooted and brings good fruit. Against it the secular wicked and impure (khabees) tree flourishes only at the surface of the earth and having no strong roots, soon bows down. The believers are the people of strong faith and conviction and are always ready to offer sacrifices. When these strong men and women will come out and jointly march, the faithless weak fellows will, Insha’Allah, give way. Those people seemingly away from ‘Deen’ when they will see the false doctrines crumbling to ground and the bright sun of Truth dawning on earth, will find it sensible to change sides. How does Jamaat see the current discussion about recognizing Israel? Any self-respecting Muslim would not tolerate even the existence of Israel. All true Muslims believe that withdrawal from an inch of Palestinian land is ‘haram’. This is the Muslim land. Bait-al-Maqdas, the first ‘Qibla’, is our honor and our identity; no Muslim can even think of bargaining on that. The awesome situation in Palestine is, that Muslims residing there since thousands of years have been expelled and Jews have been brought from all corners of the globe as ‘settlers’. Now they say: we should recognize this occupation as legitimate. But this means accepting and agreeing to excesses and might. By accepting the Israeli formula, Yaser Arafat has only earned indignity and disgrace. The Muslim millat will never forgive him. |
As a result of Jamaat’s sit in (Dharna), the Benazir government was dismissed. Now if the party calls for sit in against the present government, it will only create chaos and disorder leading to Martial Law, as the 8th Amendment check is gone? Governments were not ousted by the 8th Amendment, but by the public demand and force. Making the Constitution, bringing about amendments, toppling the governments and forming new ones, all depended on general public mood and decision. When the Parliament would be fully encircled by the masses, they will themselves find the way out. People have seen such an experiment was done in Bangladesh. The people refused there to accept the outcome of election and the government. As a result of mass pressure, a change was brought so that during the emergency the country’s constitution was amended and an interim government instituted, which arranged fresh election. Remember there was no 8th Amendment in 1977, yet Mr Bhutto had to yield and leave under extreme public pressure. If, the organized mass movement is led by those who would neither permit martial law, nor leave the corrupt government to run; and the general public will be standing in support, then by the grace of Allah, it will be the peoples’ will and authority that would prevail.
It is said that if those, who have taken national wealth out of the country bring it back, will be forgiven. Tell us, how would Jamaat attract foreign investment and manage to bring back the capital taken out? The only way to bring back the capital is to create stability in the country, ensure law and order, uproot corruption and eliminate red-tapism. Making thus the environment conducive and attractive, general capital and particularly the expatriate Pakistanis will happily move in for investment. After all everybody wants to be back in his/her country and take part in its progress. But if corruption, plunder, dishonesty and terrorist killings become common, then anybody will look for some way to escape. People will call it cowardly act and it is certainly censurable, but let us admit there are weak personalities who do so. These people need be provided safe environment. As regards plundered national wealth, that will be brought back at all cost, taking appropriate legal, judicial, administrative and diplomatic steps. Briefly, the law and order, the meaningful anti-corruption steps and elimination of the curse of interest (riba) will bring about tranquillity and enhance investment and industrial process. As regards foreign investment, we need to be careful and selective, because like the external loans, private foreign investment is also considered depleting the economy in the long run.
Does Jamaat think there should be (agricultural) land ceilings? The fief estates in our country are but illegal. A great number of people have thus grabbed state land, whereas they had no right to do so. In the manifesto of Pakistan Islamic Front (PIF), it was provided and we still believe that fiefdom should be eliminated. But small land owners, cultivators and peasants must be protected.
|
 The Secretary General |
|