Regime Boasts about Indicators that Reveal the Collapse of the Economy

Painting a rosy picture detailing "improvements" in the social and economic sectors, Information Minister Pervaiz Rasheed claimed on 1 February that the PML-N government had rejuvenated the economy in the 17 months it had been in power. However, a journalist also drew the minister's attention to the fact that prices of consumer items such as flour, vegetable ghee, sugar, rice and pulses had not decreased despite an unprecedented decline in petrol prices. Moreover, what the government boasting confirmed.

As for the governments boasting of increasing taxation, it is proof that the government has deprived the state and the public of large sources of revenue by privatization, which necessitated the increase in taxation. For a six-month period between July and December for 2014 and 2013, the Information Minister confirmed that the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) had collected Rs1162.4 billion in taxes last year, compared to Rs1034.4 billion collected in 2013.

As for boasting about the increasing foreign direct investment, it is a proof that not only are Pakistan's vital public and state assets being handed over to private parties, much of the profits will leave the country as there is an increase of foreign ownership. The Information Minister confirmed that the Foreign Direct Investment was recorded at $529.1 million in 2014 against $445.1 million in 2013.

As for boasting about foreign exchange reserves, it is a proof that having deprived the state and public of the sources of revenues, the government is plunging the country into ever increasing debt. The minister said that ForEx reserves had swelled to $15 billion.

The Khilafah "Caliphate" is the urgent need of the time, which will ensure that through state or public ownership of powerful sources of revenue, such as oil, gas, electricity, machinery manufacture, large-scale construction and telecommunications, it will be able to liberate Pakistan from the debt trap to foreign colonialist institutions.

Democracy Allows Laws for Self-Interest

In an interview with Dawn Newspaper on 27 January, former President General Musharraf praised General Raheel's bringing judiciary under his control amongst other measures, "The army is the only stabilising institution in Pakistan. That is why they give importance to the military chief. Especially when they also see the degree of bad governance going on. They want to see where the stability comes from."

In 2007 General Musharaf imposed emergency law aimed at bringing the judiciary under his control, he failed. In 2015 General Raheel wanted to bring the judiciary under his control, he succeeded. In 2007 General Musharaf's failed attempt to bring judiciary under his control was seen by political parties as an act which will harm the society. In 2015 political parties view General Raheel's successful attempt of bringing judiciary under his control as something which will benefit the society. So we have two very similar actions 8 years apart. The target and intended result of both actions was (almost) the same; bringing the judiciary under the control of the General in power. The result and moral judgment on both actions quite different.

So how come the same action with the same intended result was harmful 8 years ago while it is beneficial today? This is the reality of the human mind and its contradictions. When man makes laws he is affected by his atmosphere. So in the context of 2007's political atmosphere Musharaf's attack on the judiciary was seen by political parties as harmful. In the context of 2015's political events General Raheel's attack on the judiciary was seen by political parties as beneficial. This is the reality of democracy. It has no fixed rules, no principles, no rights and wrongs and no morals. And because the door of legislation is open in democracy all the time what is impossible today can be made possible tomorrow and vice versa. This is the real corruption of democracy. Giving human beings the right to make laws. All what is required is that political parties and the rulers create an atmosphere where the legislation they want is passed smoothly.

In Islam the right of legislation belongs to Allah. He has decreed the laws which have reached us through Quran, Sunnah and the consensus of the Companions. The Khalifah of the Muslims only implements the divine laws. He has no right to abrogate or suspend the divine laws, he only implements them. It is only through Khilafah "Caliphate" that we would get rid of the oppression of democracy and the ruling elite which makes laws to serve their own and their Western master's interests.

Regime Seeks to Silence the Word of Truth

Army's top brass stressed on 3 February on indiscriminate action against extremist, sectarian and terrorist groups for effective implementation of the national counter-terrorism plan. "The focus of the exhaustive review remained on the most effective implementation of the National Action Plan in concert with federal and provincial governments, in order to eliminate terrorism, extremism and sectarianism without any discrimination," the Inter-Services Public Relations said in a statement after the meeting.

The regime will no longer discriminate between those criminals who attack the armed forces and the sincere mujahideen who are fighting the crusaders. Nor will it discriminate between the corrupt who spread sectarian hatred and the sincere politicians who call for Islam as a system and state. Thus, the regime commits treachery against the Muslims' right to account the rulers. The National Action Plan includes measures to silence them under the banner of stopping the "sympathizers of terrorism." So, any Muslim who raises his voice against the American Raj, or calls the people for the implementation of Islam or praises Jihad against the Kuffar enemy occupying forces is now to be persecuted harshly and prevented from access to the media. The Interior Minister, Chaudhry Nisar Ali, declared on 21 December, "Nobody can be allowed to glorify terrorists through media." Thus, in the gloom of chaos and misery, the regime seeks to stamp out those who are beacons of light and guidance for the people. This is even though RasulAllah (saw) commanded enjoining the good and forbidding the evil as a duty, whose neglect has dire consequences. RasulAllah (saw) said, وَالَّذِي نَفْسِي بِيَدِهِ، لَتَأْمُرُنَّ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ، وَلَتَنْهَوُنَّ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ، وَلَتَأْخُذُنَّ عَلَى يَدِ الظَّالِمِ، وَلَيَأْطِرُنَّهُ عَلَى الْحَقِّ أَطْرًا، أَوْ لَيَضْرِبَنَّ اللَّهُ قُلُوبَ بَعْضِكُمْ عَلَى بَعْضٍ، وَلَيَلْعَنَنَّكُمْ كَمَا لَعَنَهُمْ. "By the One in Whose Hands my soul lies, you must enjoin the good and you must forbid the evil, and you must seize the hand of the oppressor and you must confine him to the truth, or Allah (swt) will strike your hearts one against another and curse you as he cursed them (Bani Israeel)." [Tabaraani]

Raheel-Nawaz Regime Pays Lip Service to Kashmir, Whilst India-US Nexus Sharpens its Teeth

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on the occasion of Kashmir Day, 5th February. vowed that Pakistan would continue its political and diplomatic support for the people of Kashmir in their struggle for freedom and right to self-determination. "It has been more than 60 years and despite atrocities inflicted upon them, Kashmiris have not given up their struggle...the day is not far when Kashmir would be free," he said.

The regime, as others before it, pays lip-service to the occupation of Kashmir. Moreover, this lip-service is at a time where the people are angered at how Pakistan paid huge costs in terms of lives and economy for the sake of America's war, whilst India reaps all the benefits, as made clear by the Obama trip to India. It is time to respond to the US-Indian nexus in an effective manner. The regime running East and West to Moscow, Beijing or London, to create a pretence of escaping Washington, is far from statesmanship. It is no more than cheap showmanship to pull the wool over the eyes of the people.

Muslims will never escape the harm of alliance with the belligerent hostile Kuffar. It is never an alliance of equals or benevolence. Our Deen expressly forbids such alliance. The only way to build strength in the face of hostility is the immediate re-establishment of the Khilafah "Caliphate". Only the Khilafah "Caliphate" will gather the current Muslim states as a single state, with a single leadership, state treasury and armed forces to face the enemy of the Muslims and liberate their occupied lands.

Liberation of Kashmir is an Islamic Obligation

Although the regime affirmed commitment to occupied Kashmir, it did not address the motivation for the commitment. On 5 February, the Prime Minister declared, "We will maintain this relationship. Kashmir is our jugular vein. It's an issue of the whole Pakistani nation."

For some Kashmir is about India and Pakistan: countries born in to rivalry and hence locked in to the eternal prism of conflict which must have a winner and a loser. So Kashmir is not exactly about Kashmir. It is about winning against India. If Kashmir helps in winning it is important. If it does not it is not important.

For some Kashmir is about Pakistan alone. It is a strategic asset, a prize to be won. From it flow the waters which form an important part of agriculture in Pakistan. It is a trap for India which locks its armed forces within it and hence degrades India's ability to field these forces against Pakistan. It is also a bargaining chip in negotiations in case the need arises for Pakistan to befriend India.

For some Kashmir is an integral part of the Muslim Ummah. It is neither about the waters, nor about safeguarding territorial interests. It is about the hadith of the Prophet (saw), لا تباغضوا ولا تحاسدوا ولا تدابروا وكونوا عباد الله إخوانا ولا يحل لمسلم أن يهجر أخاه فوق ثلاث أيام "Do not have malice against a Muslim; do not be envious of other Muslims; do not go against a Muslim and forsake him. O the slave of Allah! Be like brothers with each other. It is not allowed for a Muslim to desert his brother for over three days." [Muslim and Tirmidhi]".

The help for Kashmir will not come from the first group for they do not adhere to the hadeeth. The help for Kashmir would not come from the second group for they do not prioritize it. The help for Kashmir would come from the third group, who fear their Lord and who believe in the words of their Prophet (saw) and who are determined not to forsake their brothers in Islam at the mercy of Hindu occupiers.

For this group would wait as it has waited for 68 years until a righteous Muslim ruler takes command of these lands and mobilizes his armies to liberate Kashmir through military force. And this group would urge, remind and account every ruler who commands these lands of his religious duty towards liberating the Muslims of Kashmir. And if no such ruler comes its way this group will work to appoint one. And such a ruler can only be the Khalifah of Muslims, the leader of the Second Khilafah "Caliphate" Rashidah.