"For a durable peace and prosperity in the entire region settlement of all disputes particularly the resolution of Kashmir dispute is imperative…" Qazi Hussain Ahmed
Nisar Ahmed Thakur
Islamabad: Hailing from North Western Frontier Province (NWFP), Qazi Hussain Ahmed was born into a religious family of Qazi Muhammad Abdul Rab at Ziarat Kaka Sahib, Nowshahra in 1938. After receiving his early education from his ancestors Qazi Matriculated from Islamia Collegiate School, obtained BSc degree from Islamia College and MSc Degree in Geography from University of Peshawar in 1962.
After completing his studies Qazi adopted teaching profession and served as a lecturer in Jehanzaib College Swat for three years. In 1965 he left the job to become a fulltime worker of Tehreek-e-Islami. Working diligently for the party, Qazi sought membership of the party in 1971. From 1971 onwards he served as City president Peshawar, Provincial Secretary General and the provincial chief of Jamat-e-Islami NWFP.
In 1978 he was raised to the office of Secretary General Jamat-e-Islami Pakistan. In 1987, the central executive committee elected Qazi Hussain Ahmed as Ameer-e-Jammat. Getting re-elected thrice as chief of the JI Pakistan he has been continuously heading the party for last more than 22 years.
Qazi Hussain Ahmad who also heads MMA, an alliance of more than half a dozen religious parties was first elected as member of the Senate of Pakistan in 1986; In an exclusive interview with greater Kashmir Qazi spoke on various issues related to Jammat and the country politics at large.
Q: Since, 1987 you have been heading JI consecutively, as a chief patron what steps did you take to strengthen your party?
When I assumed the office as Amer-e-Jammat, we started mass-mobilizing campaign all across Pakistan with a view to introduce Tehreek-e-Islami amongst the common masses besides extending the message of peace and love. This peaceful journey in which people right from Khaibar to Karachi participated in millions and it was the time when communal-violence was at peak in Southern province, particularly in Karachi, however, our caravan travelled across the city from one area to other peacefully and thanks to almighty the people received our message open heartedly. Later on we launched another mass-mobilizing campaign in Sindh and the basic purpose of this campaign was to bring an end to the prevailing hate syndrome caused due to the communal violence.
In 1997, we launched country-wide membership drive in which more than 4 million people sought membership of the party. So this was something extraordinary, you know Jammat was considered as a party of elites but due to the mass mobilizing campaigns, Tehreek-e-Islami became known to every Pakistani even those who live in far flung areas.
Q: What are the reasons that Jammat could not emerge as mainstream parliamentary party?
There are so many reasons that JI could not emerge as a mainstream parliamentary party in Pakistan. The main reason is that the country has always been under the clutches of feudalism and dictatorship as well as the bureaucracy. Once this siege comes to end and a real transition of power to the masses takes place, I am sure Jammat as the most organised political force will emerge as a vibrant political party in the country.
Q: Cynics say that Jammat has deviated from its basic ideology and the principles set by its founding father, Abul Aala Moudoodi what do you about it?
As such Moulana Moudoodi by himself has not given any specific guidelines to run the party, whatever he did is ……..he preached what the prophet Muhammad (PBUH) taught us in the light of Quran and Sunnah. And no Muslim whosoever can betray the principles set by the great prophet. We are strictly bound to the basic ideology. However, our Dawat is not towards a particular person or a party rather we call people towards Allah, the almighty and those who listen to our call, we organise them, train and educate them according to the tenants of Islam and the teachings of holly prophet (PBUH). Then we utilize this organised group to reform the society in consonance with the teachings of Islam. So this is our strategy by which we want to bring change in the system so as to make Pakistan an Islamic state.
And there is no question of betrayal, deviation or whatever you say. Moulana Moudoodi (AR) on various occasions has said that to achieve the ultimate objectives of Tehreek-e-Islami we need support of people and you know it is not possible unless you seek support of the common masses.
Q: Jammat believes in democracy but it has been accused of supporting dictatorial regimes in the country, how do you justify?
As I earlier told you that there is a club comprising of feudal lords, bureaucrats, and capitalists who had taken hostage the whole country. Those who criticise us are in fact the people belonging to same class. You know Jammat has always been the target as we struggled for the poor and deprived people of the country; we fought for democracy, justice and rule of law in the country. We are a party having dedicated, honest and corruption-less leadership, our leaders have never enjoyed perks and privileges and nor we accepted any sort of concessions whatsoever. People know it well…….what Jammat has achieved during the years of struggle……, our struggle has always been against dishonesty, irregularities and corrupt leadership.
Q: Your ultimate motive is to setup Islamic system of governance in the country do you believe that under the prevailing political system you would be able to achieve your motto?
We do have a constitution and other institutions like the Council of Islamic ideology whereby it has been clearly illustrated that the legislation in the country would be done in line with Quran and Sunnah. This council basically makes recommendations to Parliament and Provincial Assemblies to bring laws to conform to Quran and Sunnah. Abiding by the constitution if administrative, legal and institutional reforms are being made under the supervision of this council I am sure we would be able to transform Pakistan into a viable Islamic state.
Q: During Mushrraf's rule, MMA of which JI has been an important entity contested elections under Legal Frame Work Ordinance (LFO) and later empowered the president by supporting 17th amendment. What do you say about it?
This is not only MMA (Muthida Majlis-e-Amal), the elections under LFO were contested by every party. However, we strongly opposed the LFO. In this context a special delegation of MMA met the former president Pervez Musharraf. Led by Moulana Shah Ahmed Noorani (late), the delegation formally presented a memorandum to Pervez Musharraf and asked him to resign from the post. After having a detailed meeting we tried a lot to convince him that rather issuing fresh ordinance, elections should be held in the country without altering the constitution. We said him that by doing so, he would be remembered in the history for ever.
Finally, when he decided to held elections under LFO every party thought that confrontation would lead nowhere, therefore having no alternative we too thought that using this as a ladder we will be able to continue our struggle politically. After the elections when we reached the parliament we lodged a strong protest against the promulgation of the ordinance and made it clear that we will not take oath under the LFO.
So for as the 17th amendment is concerned, we did it with good intention, as Musharraf promised to doff off his uniform before 31 December 2004. But he deceived the parliament and the whole nation. With the help of his cronies he managed to pass a bogus resolution from the parliament allowing him to hold two positions as army chief and a civilian president. Even, Musharraf declared emergency in the state just to grab power. We had supported the 17th amendment with a view that Musharraf will quit and then we will do away with this amendment through parliament. But later he deceived us….and today, the people, who came to power through a deal, lay blame on us, but why don't they dispose off the 17th amendment now. Why do they not move a resolution in the parliament?
Q: What about MMA (Muthida Majlis-e-Amal)?
This alliance has greatly helped to curb the sectarian violence in the country besides creating a congenial atmosphere based on trust and reconciliation. And we wanted to keep this alliance in tact as it was in the best interest of the country.
Q: You boycotted assembly elections. Was it a wise decision on your part and don't you think you would have plead your case in a better way in the parliament?
In view of the present political situation we think that our decision was quite right. Had Nawaz Sharief boycotted the elections the situation would have been quite different at the moment. Unfortunately he betrayed us, first he decided not to participate in the elections and later back-tracked from his commitments as a result you see he too is in dilemma now.
Q: The elections were supposed to be fair enough what do you say about it?
No not at all. Particularly in Karachi and Hyderabad areas there have not been what it is being portrayed as fair electoral process as MQM members bagged millions of votes, how did this all happen. People were harassed at the polling stations; you know live videos were aired by private TV networks showing men carrying weapon. Even European Union commission has in its report highlighted as how the poll rigging took place.
Q: Now that the civilian government has assumed the charge do you see any change in the policies?
There is no change; however, faces have definitely changed. In terms of policy there is absolutely no change whatsoever. We have same policies as it were during the Musharraf government; innocent people are ruthlessly being killed in tribal areas and Swat valley. As a result we have millions of internally displaced people today suffering terribly.
Q: Pakistan has been plunged into a number of crises in recent years; lawlessness, peace and security are some of the grave challenges. Who is responsible for all this….and how to tackle these issues?
Due to Mushrraf's unpopular and pro-American policies the country has been plunged into deep crisis. Law and order situation is worse; our army is fighting against our own people. This was in fact a deep-rooted conspiracy of America to create a void between army and the masses. Whatever is going on in the tribal areas….. It produces a sharp reaction throughout the country that benefits none other than India. Under the patronage of NATO forces, India has setup its consulates near Pak-Afghan border. India has no justification of opening of consulates near the frontiers? There are no Indian nationals living in these border areas. This is in fact a conspiracy against Pakistan.
Law and order situation is the main reason of economic meltdown in the country. I am sure once the law and order situation is restored in the country, all the problems will be settled. It is due to the prevailing law and order situation that Pakistani investors are not ready to make investment in the country.
Q: Coming to Indo-Pak relationship: 60 years down the lane we see hostility continues to plague the relationship between the two nations what is the point of view Jamat-e-Islami in this regard?
We are not averse to friendly relations between India and Pakistan, what we say is that for a durable peace and prosperity in the entire region settlement of all disputes particularly the resolution of Kashmir dispute is imperative.
As long as the unresolved dispute of Kashmir is there, I don't think there would be any improvement in the relations between the two nations. So the two countries have to resolve this dispute in accordance with the wishes and aspirations of Kashmiri people.
There is no second opinion, even during my interaction with Indian intellectuals; I said that if we respect the Kashmiris' aspirations, they would become a peace-bridge between India and Pakistan. If the people of other princely states were given this right to choose their political destiny in accordance with the partition plan why the people of Kashmir are deprived of this right? So India must accept this reality. This is the root cause of tension between the two countries. If this hostility comes to end I believe this would usher a new era of peace, prosperity and stability in the region.
Q: What do you mean by Right to self-determination, is it just limited to India and Pakistan or more than this?
According to partition plan, about 540 princely states were given the right to either accede Pakistan or to India dominion. Had they been given third option there would have been more 500 independent states in the subcontinent. So this is not feasible even India will not accept it.
Q: You have strongly opposed Mushrraf's 4-point formula, why?
We believe that plebiscite under the auspicious of Unite Nations is the most feasible solution of Kashmir dispute. You know Musharraf has shown great flexibility in this regard, which created a mess and people did not like it at all.
Q: What about dialogue process?
We do believe in a dialogue but there has to be a meaningful and result-oriented dialogue. To have a time-bound and result-oriented dialogue, first of all, India should accept Kashmir as a disputed territory. Otherwise, dialogue for the sake of dialogue means wastage of time.
Q: What is your evaluation with regard to war against terror?
UN has so for failed to define this hypothetic idea of "War on Terror", the member countries are confused as how to explain it and there is absolutely no idea as against whom this war is being waged in which millions of innocent people have so far been killed mercilessly throughout the world.
Muslims have been the prime target so for and I believe this is a conspiracy to undermine Muslims across the globe and we all must join hands together, evolve a mechanism to thwart this nefarious design and expose the real culprits who played havoc in the name of so-called war on terror.
No comments:
Post a Comment