Pakistan Headline News 11/01/2019

Headlines:

There is no peace or security in facilitating Afghan talks for a deal to ensure a permanent US military and private military presence on the doorstep of the world's only Muslim nuclear power

Only the Khilafah Will End Corruption, Returning Misappropriated Funds to the State Treasury

Democracy Produces Blood Sucking Politicians

Details:

There is no peace or security in facilitating Afghan talks for a deal to ensure a permanent US military and private military presence on the doorstep of the world's only Muslim nuclear power

Deputy Assistant to the US President Lisa Curtis arrived in Islamabad on 15 January 2019 for talks aimed at ensuring the success of a US-backed peace initiative for Afghanistan. Deputy Assistant to the US President Lisa Curtis said whilst speaking at a Washington think-tank in June that an important component to catalysing a peace process is that “Pakistan plays a constructive role.” Through the US brokered talks, America seeks to integrate Taliban within its agent government in Kabul, under the leadership of Ashraf Ghani. Taliban’s integration would remove it as a burden from America, after it has mauled the US into a pitiful state, since Washington overthrew the previous pro-Pakistan regime. And America's frustrated urgency is because it needs to shore up the Kabul puppet regime, before elections scheduled on 24 April 2019.

Rather than acting as hired facilitators for the fallen and struggling US, a sincere leadership would take the reins of the situation with an independent vision. It is clear that the brutish America only understands the language of force. It berates, belittles and mocks those who present concessions and offerings to it, constantly demanding more. However, the US itself presents offerings and concessions when its opponent is strong, defiant, armed and fighting. After seventeen years of exhausting war, America is submissive and begging the Taliban to accept negotiations. So if it is this weak before poorly armed and organized Taliban fighters, how will it be before a state with a powerful armed forces and nuclear arms? Pakistan is fully capable of ensuring the complete, complete and hasty exit of the US private military and military from the region. The missing essential element is the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of the Prophethood, raising Islam as the highest, rather than submitting to Western colonialist agendas. Allah (swt) said,

[فَلاَ تَهِنُوا وَتَدْعُوا إِلَى السَّلْمِ وَأَنْتُمْ الأَعْلَوْنَ وَاللَّهُ مَعَكُمْ وَلَنْ يَتِرَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ]

“Be not weary and faint-hearted, crying for peace, when you are the uppermost: for Allah is with you, and will never put you in loss for your (good) deeds.” [Surah Muhammad 47:35].

Only the Khilafah Will End Corruption, Returning Misappropriated Funds to the State Treasury

To great public disappointment, the Supreme Court on 14 January 2019 upheld an Islamabad High Court (IHC) verdict that had ordered the suspension of prison sentences awarded to former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz in the Avenfield corruption case. As a five-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, dismissed National Accountability Bureau's (NAB) plea against the high court's decision. The Bajwa-Imran regime has failed in its anti-corruption drive as it has failed on other commitments because it remains committed to man-made law. Though it has been established Nawaz Sharif’s family wealth has increased many fold, since coming to power, the current man-made laws allow gaping loopholes. The report Joint Investigation Team established that in 1992-93, Maryam Nawaz’s assets grew 21 times in a single year, from Rs1.47 million to Rs30.5 million. The wealth of the former premier Nawaz Sharif shot up to Rs 68.027 million from Rs8.33 million during the same period, as declared in his tax returns.

Only ruling by Islam can establish across the board accountability, swift justice and can bring back misappropriated funds to the state treasury. Bribes, kickbacks, commissions, gifts and land-grabs are not considered illegal alone. Any extraordinary increase in the wealth of the ruler or government official during the period of his appointment in authority or administration is considered illegal. The Khilafah will not permit its employees to economically exploit their employment. RasulAllah (saaw) used to account the governors and ‘aamils on their earnings and said in this regard, «من استعملناهُ على عملٍ فرزقناه رزقاً فما أَخَذَ بعد، فهو غُلُول»“Whomever we appointed in his job and we provided him (some funds), so whatever he took unduly would be ghalool (misappropriation)." RasulAllah (saaw) accounted Ibn al-Lutbiyyah over the misappropriation of the Sadaqah of Bani Saleem and said, «أما بعد فما بال العامل نستعمله فيأتينا فيقول: هذا من عملكم، وهذا أُهديَ إليّ؟ أفلا قعد في بيت أبيه وأمه، فنظر، هل يُهدى له، أم لا؟» "“After all, I appoint some men of you over some affairs in which Allah gave me authority. Then someone amongst you comes and says: This is for you and this is a gift given to me. Had he not sat in his father’s and mother’s home so as his gift comes to him if he says the truth.” The Khaleefah Rashid, ‘Omar bin Khattab (ra), used to account the properties of the ‘aamil rulers before appointing them, as well as after their terms were completed. He would take away any unreasonably extra wealth found with them and deposit it in the State Treasury. This was not considered an infringement on private property, because they did not earn it legally, exploiting authority for personal gain. Only those ruling by Islam can deliver on ending political corruption from its root.

Democracy Produces Blood Sucking Politicians

On 13 January 2019, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)-led Punjab provincial government announced the allocation of Rs100 million to each of its MPAs. MPA (Member of Provincial Assembly) Umer Tanveer of the PTI said, “The provincial government allocated Rs100 million for each constituency.” In the past, the PTI criticised the PML-N for utilising development funds through its parliamentarians, which encourages corruption. Yet, another U-turn from the PTI.

Corruption is part of democracy and the two are inseperable whether in the West or East, or in developed countries or underdeveloped. In Democracy, politicians use their legislative powers to reimburse their cost of running an election campaign, as well as profit for themselves and their cronies. In 2016, candidates in America running for federal office spent a record $6.4 billion on their campaigns, whilst lobbyists spent $3.15 billion to influence the government in Washington. That is why American CBS News published a story on 27 March 2012, entitled, “Why is Congress a millionaires club?.” In this report it is said that “Once a candidate actually makes it into Congress, he's presented with new opportunities to increase his wealth -- some that are unmatched in the corporate world.” Similarly in India, the world's largest democracy, a 2013 study showed that the average wealth of sitting legislators increased 222% during just one term in office.

All this happens because Democracy allows man to make laws. This power enables the ruling elite to make laws to line their own pockets. It is clear that politicians are self-serving rather than serving the people. Islam has cut the root cause of this epidemic corruption, by restricting legislation to Allah (swt) alone. Allah (swt) said,

[إِنِ الْحُكْمُ إِلَّا لِلَّهِ]

“The ruling is only for Allah.” (Surah Yusuf 12:67). Whosoever dares to step into the exclusive domain of Allah (swt), has incurs the punishment of Allah (swt). Allah (swt) said,

[وَمَنۡ لَّمۡ يَحۡكُمۡ بِمَاۤ اَنۡزَلَ اللّٰهُ فَاُولٰٓٮِٕكَ هُمُ الظّٰلِمُوۡنَ]

“And whoever does not judge by what Allah has revealed then it is those who are wrong doers.” (Surah al-Maidah 5:45). So in the Khilafah, neither the Khaleefah, nor governors nor members of the Council of the Ummah can make laws. Whosoever enters politics must only implement that which is derived from the Quran and Sunnah, earning the pleasure of Allah (swt) and the Duaa of the people. It has been proved that through Democracy, no real “change” is possible. Real change is only through the Khilafah (Caliphate) on the Method of Prophethood. Let us all abandon Democracy and its advocates and fully embrace the Khilafah project and its callers.