First the ‘Dr’ Amir Liaquat: This was an exercise in mutual admiration with the ‘Dr’ toadying up to and fawning on Imran and Imran waxing lyrical about how he not only won the World Cup but also beat India in India and England in England. It was always ‘Mein ney’ as if the team was made up of just himself and not eleven players, all of who surely had a hand in winning the matches.
His party’s General Secretary, Dr Arif Alvi, went one better and told us how Imran manages his household on Rs50,000 a month that he gets from a newspaper for writing an article every month: keeping three servants and himself and his dogs in good fettle with this money. Mayhap he can share the secret of how he manages, raising home economics to an art form. Of course, Dr Alvi did not tell us who runs the party and who pays for the jalsas; the stage; the chairs; the generators and lights and sound system and music and flags, flags, flags and all.
But back to the ‘Dr’, who is that same person after whose programme, “Aalim Online”, two innocent Pakistanis were killed in Sindh: Dr Abdul Mannan Siddiqui in Mirpurkhas on Sept 8, 2008, and on Sept 9, Seth Yousuf in Nawabshah.
Now this is the person on whose programme Imran Khan not only appeared but on which Dr Alvi issued a clarion call to the quite hateful ‘Dr’ Amir Liaquat to join the PTI. I have to add that Imran Khan immediately echoed Alvi and also invited the man to join. Oh well.
On August 14, 2012, Dr AQ Khan, who exposed Pakistan to the opprobrium of the world by admitting on television that he was responsible for peddling nuclear know-how to several countries and who just very recently also accused a former Chief of Army Staff and another general of accepting bribes from North Korea through himself, also appeared on the ‘Dr’s’ show.
Let us leave his other ramblings aside about how there were saints in his hometown, Bhopal, who could transport a person to Madina and then bring him right back to Bhopal after he had said his prayers by merely placing their hands on the person’s shoulder. Let us straightaway go to his peddling hate. Dr AQ Khan also told us that Bhopal was famous for two other attributes. That it neither produced any traitors nor any Ahmadis. I ask you. And this on August 14!
If this is not hate speech that could also be used by the crazies to do harm to Ahmadi Pakistanis, what is? The Supreme Court has taken it upon itself to determine what is, and what is not vulgarity on television. Is this hate speech of AQ Khan’s not the height of vulgarity, My Lords? Is his going public against a community that has done so much for Pakistan, who are proud Pakistanis albeit a minority, not utter vulgarity and worse? Even offensiveness and impropriety which are also other meanings of the word? Will you take suo motu action on this My Lords?
And now to ARY where Kashif Abbasi interviewed our great jihadi, my friend General Hamid Gul. For the very first time I saw the general flustered; angry; frustrated and rattled by the probing questions put to him by the interviewer. Completely flummoxed, so to say, one minute saying, “Generals love the country” (as if the rest of us don’t!) and then criticising army takeovers as being destructive; to once again saying if the army doesn’t look after the country who else will?
He put his foot in it several times, one moment saying the generals were suspicious of the Peoples Party being anti-Pakistan (or words to that effect) the next that Benazir was a patriot. And then letting slip that whilst they were suspicious of her and set up the Islami Jamhoori Ittehad (IJI) to counter her, ‘she fell in line’ soon enough.
Oh, and yes, the Americans blew up Ojhri Camp! I mean, the gall! If the Americans were running around blowing up the highly sensitive and heavily-guarded Ojhri Camp which was not only a weapons dump but which received truckloads of hundreds of millions of $s that came in kit bags and sacks on C-130s and C-141 Star-lifters, what the hell was his own ISI, the Mother of All Agencies, doing?
He loudly went on saying he set up the IJI and challenged any court to summon him and proceed against him! This dovetails neatly into the Pakistan Army’s subsequent foray into politics that is at present being heard by the Supreme Court in Air Marshal Asghar Khan’s case. Would My Lords consider clubbing Hamid Gul’s remarks with that case and proceeding?
He also repeated the canard that Zulfikar Ali Bhutto issued a ‘decree’ ordering a political role for the ISI which is debunked by a study by Professor Shawn Gregory of the University of Bradford in his “The ISI and the War on Terrorism” which I quoted in this space on January 5, 2012. Gregory says it was Ayub Khan who tasked the ISI “to monitor political opposition, and (c) to sustain military rule in Pakistan”.
Indeed, the SC which has asked to see the ZAB ‘decree’ and which no government office can produce including the ISI, could well ask Hamid Gul to provide it a copy. But will it?
Let me end by quoting Omar Khayyam without taking any liberties with him:
And that inverted Bowl we call The Sky,
Whereunder crawling coop’t we live and die,
Lift not thy hands to It for help — for It
Rolls impotently on as Thou or I.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 31st, 2012.
COMMENTS (94)
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Excellent and bold. I concur every word. Its a shame some of our countrymen call these gentlemen leaders.
I did not watch Hamid Gul 's interview but had to change channel each time while watching other two due to sheer embarrassment. Kamran people may not agree with your political views but this article is bang on .
@Canuckistani: well obviously if you dont know about his proliferation, I dont see how you can pass this judgment? The interviews are extremely dangerous- it shows people like IK in their true light, it exposes the underlying hypocrisy in Pakistani society, and it pushed for more conspiracy theories in a country which already has no clue about the complicated historical, and present sociopolitical patterns.
Hats off to the author... Sir, it is people like you who still instil some hope for Pakistan in me who is an Indian....
In the Central Provinces of India, a Bhopali was equivalent to Male eunch available for prostitution. Ask any C.P (Central Province wala) and he will confirm.
I just Love you man! Thank you being our voice.
Kamran Shafi if i had ever respected u one bit I have lost it now...I strongly protest at remarks of Dr A Q Khan against Ahmadis but can you please tell me what was wrong In IK's interview to Aamir Liaqat??That was a programe conducted for SKMT and if Amir Liaqat is such a dangerous person that nobody should attend his show,why havent u mentioned the other 29 days when ppl from PPP,MQM and PML-N were participating in them??? This is the most retarded piece that you have ever written and this can tell how much u have lost in ur hate for IK...
I was born and brought up in Bhopal. Very proud of my urdu tehzeeb and the lake. What Dr. A.Q.Khan mentions is sad to hear. Bhopal has been the most tolerant of the cities in India and all religions have peacefully coexisted here. Whatever A.Q. says, may be he left it when he was just a toddler.
Bhopal is in India and they consider Mr A Q Khan was the biggest traitor who allegedly smuggled nuclear to Pakistan which was considered as the biggest enemy of Bhopal/ India. Therefore, Bhopalis can not claim they had no traitors AQ Khan is a famous Bhopali traitor. His second claim was also false famous poet Ubaid Ullah Aleem was a Bhopali and an Ahmadi.
AQ Khan has lost his mind completely. Looking for cheap popularity by becoming a hate preacher. Shame on AQ Khan and always on Amir Liaqat a fake doctor.
Well done Kamran Shafi for putting these these stage actors on spot. It's truely amazing that the "purest of the purest" Imran Khan manages to live a life of a millionaire on 50,000 rupees monthly. Can he share his secret with the Pakistani nation as well? He wants to live and dream of winning election on the past glory including Shaukat Khanam Hospital where they manage to gamble 3 million of charity funds on speculative investments in Oman, and more importantly with one of their buddies. I can never understand where they get mrga funds to finance their huge marketing campaigns and jalsas when in his book he declares that the PTI account was in overdraft. Something does not click Me Clean Khan!!!
So called "dr" amir liaqat is the biggest con man in pakistan. He's turned religion into a proper business and a drama. Even when he does his commercial duas (crocodile tears !!!), it's more about rating than anything else. There is no credibility in his programmes. Everything about him looks fake.
Great article by Mr. Kamran Shafi, Supreme Court should take notice of hateful remarks of Dr. A. Q. Khan against Ahmadis.
@S.k.Pande: Take him to India he is all yours!
@faheema:
While Dr. Salam was Ahmadi, the fact is that PAEC chairman 1972-1991, Mr. Munir A. Khan was a Sunni Muslim. One of his paternal uncles was a founding member of the Raiwind Tableeghi Jamaat. That is why Salam had to resign from his post of Science Advisor to the President after Mr Bhutto had the Ahmadis declared as non-Muslims from the Parliament in 1974. In fact, most Ahmadis holding sensitive positions were removed at the time and no non-Muslim could hold any sensitive or important position in the nuclear program. This became even pronounced after the 1984 Presidential Ordinance.
Dear KS, thanks for your jihad against injustices and abuse of power. I have written two detailed comments but they were not published. Just wanted to say we admire your efforts and are thankful for the truth. The sad truth is all secular leaders have been targeted by the terrorists, generals and judges alike. There has not been a single known terrorist leader let alone a general who has been punished by the independent judiciary.
Dr Amir Liaqat's program had the highest viewrship during Ramzan, what does that say about the people of Pakistan??
Mud-slinging, only.
What the writer failed to notice was that IK's appearance on that show was to collect donations and more importantly appeal for land to build shaukat khanum hospital in Karachi. But that of course has to be ignored because who cares for dying poor cancer patients praying to get free treatment in my province. Sorry my bad
No surprise to know that the author has never felt the danger of the television programs of Faisal Raza Abidi and Sharjeel Memon. Such geniuses are assets to assist us to make us familiar what good you see is actually not good but what rubbish and absurd you see is actually good and lucrative. :D
I am not surprised at all to know that the author is not at all worried about the fabulous television shows of Faisal Raza Abidi, Sharjeel memon and many other wonderful speakers. I have to agree with the author and so should everyone. :D
Mr Shafi! I am no admirer of Dr Aamir Liaqat or Hameed Gul. The only logic of this article appears to be Imran bashing. Maybe you know something that the Royal College of Physicians or the University of Birmingham don't. Kindly add logic to your writing and leave out personal hostility. Thanks
@tariq p: Why Kamran "should add faisal raza abidi to various tv channels"? Absurd comment and even more absurd 37 recommend clicks. Very ignorant people.
Purely nonsensicla..this is his generation that gave us the country in this situation and now he wants us to be in the same way. Mr. Shafi, pls give us solution to our problems as well.
The reality is you NOTHING TO OFFER!. Just criticise everyone who is against the status-quo.
In leadership management there is a fundamental principle: either be leader or a follower - NEVER in between. Where you stand!
Zafrulla Khan an Ahmadi was the constitutional and legal advisor to Nawab of Bhopal from June to December 1947.
I wish Dr Qadeer would recount the days of incarceration in Holland supplemented by the account his return in Pakistan in 1986. To make his interview more spicy he should have recounted too the circumstances that accidentally made him father of Pakistan's nuclear program. His declaration there were no Ahmadis in Bhopal show his malice for predecessor Ahmadi Scientists including Dr Islam, Dr Munir, Dr Hameed etc. if someone intends to learn and verify facts about Dr Qadeer, consult newspapers of 1985-86, 1986 is year of his arrival in Pakistan.
I am sure Shafi would like the show when Musa Gillani, and Bilawal Bhutto would be the guests!
@aysha: Have u been living under a rock?? Open your eyes and first get to know the society u live in!!
Kamran Shafi doesnt write about Faisal Raza Abidi because he is from PPP too. So Kamran Shafi is a PPP tool as was affiliated with PPP before. His main job is to dent the popularity of IK.
Excellent article as usual.I wish we had journalists like him in India. skpande
Type 'rogue hamid gul' on google search and notice the number of pages that appear! He is father of the 'drugs and gun culture' which ails our country today.
Well done Mr Kamran Shafi. Well done.
we need more of writer like Kamran shafi because we as a nation live in our make believe world,far away from realities of life and somebody needs to awake us from deep slumber.consiperacy theories are the order of the day.if we have so many good people around us why we are in this mess?For God sake we cannot bear any more people like hameed gul and Dr AQ,but we also cannot afford to lose people like imran khan in this mess.he had to be very careful in political arena because most of the people gathering around have dubious past.
Ahmadi Pakistanis - can somebody tell me who are these Ahmadi Pakistanis? All I understand is that there are certain elements in their belief system which was seen by the representatives of the people of Pakistan to warrant intervention and consequently legislate and declare them non-muslims in 1974. This piece of legislation, which perhaps has no parallel in modern history, brought an individual’s faith in public domain. My question is about their general behaviour, what kind of people are they? Do they have any criminal involvement as a segment of society, how did they generally react to what happened in Lahore, or the killings and other atrocities committed against them, that Express Tribune keep reporting about. It would be very helpful to understand how individuals in this community conduct themselves, perhaps ET can provide some insights.
If someone wants to see what Hypocrisy really is, watch Amir Liaquat. He is a perfect symbol of the our hypocrisy as a nation.
I have seen the programs mentioned in this article. I find them not worthy. IK's program just looks like a campaign.. I find fault with the channel for making such a worthless program having IK on it.. They should have conducted a good debate with IK on the crucial issues of the country.
with absurd leaders, we get absurd interviews.
@mustafa: What do you mean? Is Imran Khan an angel or he is free from errors or he has the right to criticize everyone but no one can criticize him?????
He can't because lot of money involved.@tariq p:
@Rowdy R:
Correction- You are forgetting MAK Pataudi, who inherited Bhopal, once the traitors left.
Your piece happens to be extremely judgmental and bluntly unprofessional, It always amazes me how easy it is to become a mainstream writer in Pakistan, and then continue to write about things which have no intellectual value what so ever. But I guess there is no point commenting here, as the factual inaccuracies in your article, for example Imran's account of win in India was in reply to a question, and was never in the context of how you presented it, or that Dr Alvi was quoting an incident which took place several years back, when it was still manageable to live within 50 k a month (specially if you do not have to pay rent), will largely go unnoticed and I will be abused as being a "PTI troll". On the other hand those who support PTI, will go read writers like Haroon Rashid and Hassan Nissar, because at the end of the day, we all live happily within the walls of prejudice we have built around us.
Dear Pakistanis,
Can anyone explain to my what happened between Hamid Gul and Gen. Musharraf. They seem to be at each others' throat even public humiliating each other.
During Musharraf's rule, Gul was the Go To guy for all nefarious activities. What happened afterwards?
OK, the question arise who declared the Ahmedis to be minority, it was not some freaky muslim zealots but our own darling of the liberals including me was no other than Z A Bhutto.Why, knowing fully well that they were patriotic Pakistanis and who will forget our only one Nobel Laureate Dr.Abdul Salam, but he did it anyway. Perhaps it was Ayub Khan who initiated the political cell in ISI but Bhutto was his cabinet member and that is why the people suspect him instead of Ayub Khan. It is also said that Ayub Khan was encouraged to wage 1965 war with India over Kashmir and because of the near defeat and humiliating agreement at Tashkent, Bhutto left his mentor. Strange if anyone could believe that by putting hand on some ones shoulder would transport a person from one country to another, could I sell him Brooklyn Bridge in New York City. Perhaps you are hard on IK but he has done things for the people where as others has looted the treasury and amassed wealth and stash it in Switzerland and offshore banks. Why any one would ever give such a recognition to General Hamid Gul who has damaged the country beyond repair, yes he should be prosecuted for under mining democracy, encourage the Jihadi Brigade and supporting dictators like Zia.
Kamran, likes the looters who belong to PPP, those loyal to the master mind of Pakistan's debacle in 1971,i.e, ZAB, and every one else has no right to be spoken about, or respected.
Great piece of work sir. Well it should be crystal clear to all the Pakistani's that IK is the biggest hypocrite of all.
@ author ok now tell meSeriously wat r u trying to say uncle. Should ppl ask u b4 going to any tv program, besides who rvu to saybit dangerous, after reading ur article and wasting my 5 min although i thought of giving up in middle but give it a chance may b i could find something sensible but :(. Although i m nt a fan of amir liaquat and actually hates him bt its a reqlity ppl watch his program he is an entertainer. Imran, AQ all has contributed to pakistan in one way or other hv u ever wondered wat hv u done b4 mudslinging on them for nothing. I m inpressed wid ur profile from army men to press secretary to a journalist, it makes ez to understand u as an individual.i wish u could hv done better. I hv one word for u IMRANOPHOBIA, u r suffering from it
Why don't he blame GEO Managment for Dr Amir??? Have u applied for any Job?? Dr Amir is only a paid servant. Also, plz.ask ur beloved PPP to Amment Anti Ahmedi law which his supreme leader implemented.
Great article Mr. Shafi. You always call for Justice, our "justice" is not only blind but also deaf and dumb. So no one will listen you.
Imran Khan you have lost me. If you are coming on this loser's show, my worse fears are confirmed. You will join hands with anyone if it means political power. Just too much.
How come there are so many Drs.on TV? Is it a matter of a degree is a degree, whether real or fake!
How about asking your jialas who are in power and control the PEMRA and other organizaitons to do some thing about it? Are they not supposed to take care of such hate speech before any one else does? Or may be not. It is only the Supreme Court that has to take care of all of these, and once they do, then you will turn around and condemn them for this, that or the other. It is really pathetic.
Kamran, I am so proud you are my compatriot Pakistani. Fear not the clinking tongues. You have aptly quoted Omar Khayyam. I add. The writing finger writes and moves on. And my brother, History remains.
PTI trolls are on a roll today. And thank you for writing Sir!
one word Faisal raza Abadi.
In a corrupt society wrong perceptions are created by playing with the religious and nationalistc sentiments of the people the purpose behind is to grab power from behinds the door.Some issues such as role of religion in politics.defence budgets role of agencies secularism are made taboo.In such a society it becomes an uphil task to break the barriors and talk on taboo.If someone talks on taboo and educate the public and change their long beheld,but wrong views, is called a real leader. My questions to Ik supportes is how many barriors has IK crossed and talk on such issues which has almost broken the bone of this country.Does he even qualify as a leader let alone a great leader.Beating drums on wrong perceptions is the easiest way to get some temporary fame and he has that.What next?-Thousands excuses.thousands twists.is the fate of such leaderships.
Only a fool thinks all others are fools. You need to remove your 'GREY GLASSES' Mr. Kashfi and then look at the world around you, I'm sure, you would be able to find something good in everyone.
Sir, Thank you for using these excellent words.We have learnt these words from you and will teach it to those who would like to learn them. Opprobrium. : Disgrace arising from exceedingly shameful conduct Flummoxed :confused , perplexed or bewildered Omar Khayyam is also my teacher as is Khalil Gibran , Nelson Mandela and Kamran Shafi. However I respectfully submit that these men do not "Roll impotently on as Thou or I "
I hate and despise Imran khan because of his hypocriticy, deceit and tacit support for terrorism. Shame on him and his brainless fascist supporters!
@Rowdy R: ....and one Sorayya Bhopali ous bazar se.
you don't need to tell that how much unbiased your opinion really is. I don't read urdu newspapers but here matter is even more worse,
Well, this is my first attempt at reading Mr. Kamran's written piece, and surely my last. Load of bullocks to be honest, and not to mention the quality of writing, way below par to be honest. ET's got to do better than this, for heaven's sake. Quality please...
Although I am an admirer of Imran Khan and believe that his appearance on the show was for reasons other than being all 'toadied up' by Amir Liaquat, the extension of party invitation and some other points during the show were totally uncalled for. I totally hate Amir liaquat for his hypocritical behavior but at the same time admire him for being the true reflection of our society at large. So I agree more than disagree, with the writers take on his appearance.
As far as AQ khan is considered, I did not know much about him until a few years ago, however he has not failed to disappoint me.
And for Hameed gul I think he doesn't matter.
However the author should have also mentioned other more absurd shows, like those of Faisal Raza Abidi, Agha Waqar and few others to not appear bias.
From some previous articles from the writer, seems like he would never like anything positive that Imran Khan offers and would only criticize him whenever possible, I still partially agree about that specific appearance in Amir liaquats show.
Sadly all this anti-Ahmedi mess was started by the PPP.
Dr AQ Khan has exposed himself for what he really is in his recent TV appearances:
By his "Water Car" statements that his understanding of basic scientific principles is not even of the level of a schoolboy. By claiming that certain individuals were capable of performing teleportation. Now this is something that could be considered a delusion or a fabrication. I think our Mullahs could also use this to file a case under the blasphemy laws, as not even prophets had this capability which the Bhopalis did? By his derogatory comment against Ahmadis, his bigotry and plain meanness in taking a swipe at a viciously persecuted minority group.Is this self promoting, bitter, self-confessed criminal the best role model that can be found? To what depths will our media fall?
Sir, calling on the CJ to do something looks like a waste of time.
Imran khan is a brainchild of general mujib-u-rehman .a right hand of zia.JI has long worked on Imran khan Imran khan says Allama iqbal is his hero.How much he knows of Iqbal and his poetry? Just because deep state has asked him to quote Iqbal because people can be easly fooled by his name.He boast of a revolutionary leader but he fails to diffrentiate between good and bad.Why he lacks courage to call spade a spade.Bashing on politicians is the easiest thing any one can do it.He is the most weakest politician I have seen in my life and I have reasons for that.
" Is his going public against a community that has done so much for Pakistan, who are proud Pakistanis albeit a minority, not utter vulgarity and worse? Even offensiveness and impropriety which are also other meanings of the word? Will you take suo motu action on this My Lords?" I salute you sir for having courage to say so. same to ET for carrying the facts. Unfortunate thing is deaf hearing by those who matters. No suo motu shold be expected as Ahamdies, due to their peaceful behavior have no importance in civic society of Pakistan. Only God can help this community.
A voice of sanity from an ex-military... gives us hope. Thank you Sir.
The most famous Bhopali of all time is "Surma Bhopali", and he was famous before Dr. A.Q.Khan.
Kamran should have also mentioned about sharjeel memon's participation on amir liaqaut's show...no but why would he....sharjeel does exactly what mr kamran wants insulting the lordships...
On a side note, IK also talked about release of poor girl Rimsha and spending 5 times on education & health and doubling the schools for women in the country...how about talking about that for a change?
It's always a pleasure to read Kamran Shafi's articles and this one is no exception. Thank you for writing this sir.
mr kamran cant you see faisal raza abidi giving dangerous interviews on various tv channels.. oops no maybe he doesnt want to offend mr president...
Honestly, if I were author, I would look for better things to do in life than just going around bashing everything under the sun. Its not simply worth even arguing with an intellectual who only looks at good of people he likes and mistakes of people he dislikes.
It is amusingly absurd to hear that Dr.A.Q.Khan is taking pride in the pre-partition Bhopal´s fame; and the reason is shamefully embarassing. Considering the country´s current state of affairs,an effective political ambit.
why dont u add faisal raza abidi on various tv channels....
neither do the lordships pay attention to mr kamran nor do the people of Pakistan
Kamran Shafi. You have mentioned three docters in this article-Tale of three doctors- I must say. Two of them are 100%fake with their dr.degrees and third mr from pti is now highly questionable! Kudos for writing wonderfull article on some harsh realities of our society which one otherwise sees in film in civalised socities Regards