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Pakistan: America’s Undeclared War
Pakistan: Bombed over 30 times by the US
The build up of American troops must be seen in the context of the continuous bombing that the American forces are conducting in Pakistani territory. The most recent attack occurred on December 15th in North Waziristan where two people were killed.
According to individuals on the ground, these strikes are actually targeting civilians. For example, On November 20th, Dawn (a Pakistani newspaper) reported that US unmanned drones fired 2 missiles on a residential compound in the Bannu district. OpEdNews stated that as many as 4 people had been killed and 3 others had been injured. Claims have been made that those killed were militants. However, Adnan Wazir, MPA from Janikel stated that, “No one among those killed in the attack was a foreigner nor were they terrorists. Innocent locals were killed in the attack, which is a violation of the borders of the country."
Shift in Rhetoric
Over the last few months, there has been a noticeable shift in the rhetoric coming out of Washington. After 9/11 when Pakistan decided to allow American use of its land and resources to launch attacks against Afghanistan, Pakistan was considered a key friend and ally. For example, the BBC reported in June 2004 that President Bush said, "I hereby designate the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as major non-NATO ally of the United States for the purposes of the Arms Export Control Act.’" Economic sanctions which were once placed on the nation for nuclear testing were lifted. Furthermore, Pakistan began to receive aid for their continued support in the war on Afghanistan. Today, Pakistan is seen as a country unwilling or unable to halt supposed “terrorist activity†streaming from the Pakistani side of the border into Afghanistan. The Wall Street Journal reported that General James Conway, a senior US military commander stated, "Iraq is now a rear-guard action on the part of al Qaeda…They've changed their strategic focus not to Afghanistan but to Pakistan, because Pakistan is the closest place where you have the nexus of terrorism and nuclear weapons." This rhetoric has been voiced by US President Bush and reiterated by President elect Obama, ensuring that a policy of aggression against Pakistan will continue.
Through its economy, Pakistan is also being made to suffer. Recently, Pakistan was facing a foreign exchange crisis shortfall of $4 billion mainly because it has up to $3 billion of debt repayments falling due on old interest-based loans. Pakistan requested and received $7.6 billion from the IMF on the condition that it reduces its army by one-third. With Pakistan on the brink of economic disaster, her former friend and ally (the US) has done nothing to assist in preventing the potential crisis despite the fact that Pakistan is supplying 80% of the fuel used by American forces in Afghanistan.
Different Muslim Area, Same Idea
What has caused Pakistan which was America’s friend to turn into a targeted region? If we look around the Muslim world, we will see that this situation is not unique to Pakistan but rather has been a recurring trend in American policy. Similarities can be drawn to other Muslim countries which are being attacked or occupied by America and her allies:
Iraq: In the 1980’s Iraq was once a friend of the United States receiving support and military aid. This relationship quickly changed with operation Desert Storm in the early 1990’s and the recent 2003 invasion in which the United States and Britain claimed to enter a war with Iraq to disarm it of nuclear weapons and end the tyranny of Saddam Hussein – the very same person America had a warm relationship with earlier.
Afghanistan: America had supported the resistance by the Muslims against the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. After the expulsion of Russia from the region, relations between the US and the Taliban increased to such an extent that in 1997 the Taliban were guests in Texas discussing an oil pipeline agreement in the Caspian Sea with Unocal. After 9/11 the US and her allies entered Afghanistan under the pretext that it was harboring terrorists.
The Capitalist approach to dealing with the Muslim countries was best summarized by Lord Palmerston (an 18th century English Statesman) who said: “Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.†As a result, we – as an Ummah – should not be surprised when the West suddenly turns on a Muslim country that they were supporting, as their primary objective is to dominate all spheres of humanity, especially the areas of economy and politics.
America supported Pakistan as long as Pakistan was willing to subordinate its resources to serve American interests in the region. This was the case until Pakistan started straying from America’s orders. For example, in August 2008 the US expressed its dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s refusal to move against the Muslims who are supporting the resistance in Afghanistan. Regarding this matter, Davis McCarnon, the commander of the US forces in Afghanistan, said “Do I believe that there is a kind of connivance from the Pakistani intelligence? Yes, I believe so.†He added “We have observed an increasing number of foreign fighters in south eastern Afghanistan in the last year or so and we are waiting for the Pakistani authorities to move against them and deny them safe havens.†As a result, America has started bombing the region in order to force Pakistan to fight these Muslims. The US intends to enflame the ethnic tensions between the Pashtuns and the Pakistani government with the aim of breaking up the country – just as they did in Iraq.
Ummah under Siege: Pakistan, Gaza, and Iraq
As an Ummah, we must realize that the US is working in multiple theatres to force us into submission. In Iraq, the US has openly admitted that they will retain their forces until 2011. In Gaza, the Muslims are being squeezed by Israel’s embargo to the point where they must eat wild grass to survive!
The attacks against Muslims in Gaza, Iraq, and Pakistan are not isolated from one another. They are part of the US’s effort to consolidate its stranglehold on the Ummah and to make the Muslims submit to its ideology: Capitalism.
Since the time of Rasul’Allah (saw), the Ummah has often faced great odds against the forces of disbelief. However, the Ummah has never surrendered. For example, when the Mongols sacked Baghdad, the Ummah not only retained its Islam, but defeated them and conveyed the dawah to them, until they themselves became Muslims!
Khilafah: Need of the Time
In relation to the situation in Pakistan and the rest of the Muslim world we should ponder on the words of our beloved Messenger (saw) when he said:
The only solution to the fighting between the Muslim countries and between Muslims and their occupiers is by having an Imam – a Khalifah who will be able to organize our affairs according to the commands of Allah (swt). A prerequisite for the Imam is having a system in the Muslim lands – the Khilafah Rashidah – that will implement the laws of Allah (swt) in all aspects of life, whether they are social, political or economical.
Living outside the Muslim world, one may ask what can be done to help. With a large Muslim community, especially from Pakistan, living here in Canada we have the opportunity to:
As an Ummah we must realize that if we want victory we must promote the Islamic Aqeedah as the sole reference point for all thoughts and actions – not only within ourselves – but also within society. In the end the victory will belong to the believers inshAllah. May Allah (swt) allow us to be of those who work hard for His Deen so that He may be pleased with us and forgive us and allow us into Jannat Al-Firdous without any accountability.
Earlier this month the US unveiled plans to deploy 20,000 troops into the Afghanistan-Pakistan region bringing the total number of American troops to 51,000. The troop deployment and continued bombing are part of a US strategy to elicit complete surrender of the Ummah in that part of the world. The Ummah must work diligently in the Muslim world to re-establish the Khilafah and unite under a single leadership to push back the Capitalist colonial powers.
Reports this week from the American Forces Press Service on December 5th, 2008 quoting Maj. Gen. Michael Tucker revealed that the United States is building a massive new barracks as part of its plans to inject at least a further 20,000 troops into the Afghanistan-Pakistan region next year. The new deployments will almost double the number of troops the US has in the region bringing the number of troops from 31,000 to 51,000. This is in addition to the 34,000 NATO troops currently operating in the region.Pakistan: Bombed over 30 times by the US
The build up of American troops must be seen in the context of the continuous bombing that the American forces are conducting in Pakistani territory. The most recent attack occurred on December 15th in North Waziristan where two people were killed.
According to individuals on the ground, these strikes are actually targeting civilians. For example, On November 20th, Dawn (a Pakistani newspaper) reported that US unmanned drones fired 2 missiles on a residential compound in the Bannu district. OpEdNews stated that as many as 4 people had been killed and 3 others had been injured. Claims have been made that those killed were militants. However, Adnan Wazir, MPA from Janikel stated that, “No one among those killed in the attack was a foreigner nor were they terrorists. Innocent locals were killed in the attack, which is a violation of the borders of the country."
Shift in Rhetoric
Over the last few months, there has been a noticeable shift in the rhetoric coming out of Washington. After 9/11 when Pakistan decided to allow American use of its land and resources to launch attacks against Afghanistan, Pakistan was considered a key friend and ally. For example, the BBC reported in June 2004 that President Bush said, "I hereby designate the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as major non-NATO ally of the United States for the purposes of the Arms Export Control Act.’" Economic sanctions which were once placed on the nation for nuclear testing were lifted. Furthermore, Pakistan began to receive aid for their continued support in the war on Afghanistan. Today, Pakistan is seen as a country unwilling or unable to halt supposed “terrorist activity†streaming from the Pakistani side of the border into Afghanistan. The Wall Street Journal reported that General James Conway, a senior US military commander stated, "Iraq is now a rear-guard action on the part of al Qaeda…They've changed their strategic focus not to Afghanistan but to Pakistan, because Pakistan is the closest place where you have the nexus of terrorism and nuclear weapons." This rhetoric has been voiced by US President Bush and reiterated by President elect Obama, ensuring that a policy of aggression against Pakistan will continue.
Through its economy, Pakistan is also being made to suffer. Recently, Pakistan was facing a foreign exchange crisis shortfall of $4 billion mainly because it has up to $3 billion of debt repayments falling due on old interest-based loans. Pakistan requested and received $7.6 billion from the IMF on the condition that it reduces its army by one-third. With Pakistan on the brink of economic disaster, her former friend and ally (the US) has done nothing to assist in preventing the potential crisis despite the fact that Pakistan is supplying 80% of the fuel used by American forces in Afghanistan.
Different Muslim Area, Same Idea
What has caused Pakistan which was America’s friend to turn into a targeted region? If we look around the Muslim world, we will see that this situation is not unique to Pakistan but rather has been a recurring trend in American policy. Similarities can be drawn to other Muslim countries which are being attacked or occupied by America and her allies:
Iraq: In the 1980’s Iraq was once a friend of the United States receiving support and military aid. This relationship quickly changed with operation Desert Storm in the early 1990’s and the recent 2003 invasion in which the United States and Britain claimed to enter a war with Iraq to disarm it of nuclear weapons and end the tyranny of Saddam Hussein – the very same person America had a warm relationship with earlier.
Afghanistan: America had supported the resistance by the Muslims against the Soviet invasion in Afghanistan. After the expulsion of Russia from the region, relations between the US and the Taliban increased to such an extent that in 1997 the Taliban were guests in Texas discussing an oil pipeline agreement in the Caspian Sea with Unocal. After 9/11 the US and her allies entered Afghanistan under the pretext that it was harboring terrorists.
The Capitalist approach to dealing with the Muslim countries was best summarized by Lord Palmerston (an 18th century English Statesman) who said: “Nations have no permanent friends or allies, they only have permanent interests.†As a result, we – as an Ummah – should not be surprised when the West suddenly turns on a Muslim country that they were supporting, as their primary objective is to dominate all spheres of humanity, especially the areas of economy and politics.
America supported Pakistan as long as Pakistan was willing to subordinate its resources to serve American interests in the region. This was the case until Pakistan started straying from America’s orders. For example, in August 2008 the US expressed its dissatisfaction with Pakistan’s refusal to move against the Muslims who are supporting the resistance in Afghanistan. Regarding this matter, Davis McCarnon, the commander of the US forces in Afghanistan, said “Do I believe that there is a kind of connivance from the Pakistani intelligence? Yes, I believe so.†He added “We have observed an increasing number of foreign fighters in south eastern Afghanistan in the last year or so and we are waiting for the Pakistani authorities to move against them and deny them safe havens.†As a result, America has started bombing the region in order to force Pakistan to fight these Muslims. The US intends to enflame the ethnic tensions between the Pashtuns and the Pakistani government with the aim of breaking up the country – just as they did in Iraq.
Ummah under Siege: Pakistan, Gaza, and Iraq
As an Ummah, we must realize that the US is working in multiple theatres to force us into submission. In Iraq, the US has openly admitted that they will retain their forces until 2011. In Gaza, the Muslims are being squeezed by Israel’s embargo to the point where they must eat wild grass to survive!
The attacks against Muslims in Gaza, Iraq, and Pakistan are not isolated from one another. They are part of the US’s effort to consolidate its stranglehold on the Ummah and to make the Muslims submit to its ideology: Capitalism.
Since the time of Rasul’Allah (saw), the Ummah has often faced great odds against the forces of disbelief. However, the Ummah has never surrendered. For example, when the Mongols sacked Baghdad, the Ummah not only retained its Islam, but defeated them and conveyed the dawah to them, until they themselves became Muslims!
Khilafah: Need of the Time
In relation to the situation in Pakistan and the rest of the Muslim world we should ponder on the words of our beloved Messenger (saw) when he said:
“Behold, the Imam is but a shield from behind which the people fight and by which they protect themselves.†[Muslim]
The only solution to the fighting between the Muslim countries and between Muslims and their occupiers is by having an Imam – a Khalifah who will be able to organize our affairs according to the commands of Allah (swt). A prerequisite for the Imam is having a system in the Muslim lands – the Khilafah Rashidah – that will implement the laws of Allah (swt) in all aspects of life, whether they are social, political or economical.
Living outside the Muslim world, one may ask what can be done to help. With a large Muslim community, especially from Pakistan, living here in Canada we have the opportunity to:
- Create awareness amongst the community: The media is hardly reporting anything that is happening in Pakistan. We should discuss in our social circles the situation and use it as another example of how friendly relations with the West are short-lived. We should also propose the only permanent solution - re-establishment of the Khilafah Rashidah in the Muslim lands.
- Discuss with our family abroad: Since there is a large Pakistani community living here, that means that our range of contact through family ties are even broader. We should seize the opportunity to discuss with our families living overseas and encourage them to take practical suggestions to the Pakistani government including:
- Severing diplomatic ties with the US – If Bolivia and Venezuela can drive out US ambassadors for interfering with their affairs then it should be possible for a nuclear state such as Pakistan to do likewise.
- Withdraw all military assistance to the US – Deny the military access to airbases, waterways and ports which the US have become heavily dependant on.
- Expel US military and intelligence from Pakistani soil.
- Discontinue the supply lines to the US.
- Re-establish the Khilafah Rashidah according to the method of the Prophet (saw).
As an Ummah we must realize that if we want victory we must promote the Islamic Aqeedah as the sole reference point for all thoughts and actions – not only within ourselves – but also within society. In the end the victory will belong to the believers inshAllah. May Allah (swt) allow us to be of those who work hard for His Deen so that He may be pleased with us and forgive us and allow us into Jannat Al-Firdous without any accountability.
“Verily, along with every hardship is relief, verily, along with hardship is relief. So when you have finished (your occupation), devote yourself for Allah's worship. And to your Lord (Alone) turn (all your) intentions and hopes.â€
[TMQ 94:4-8]
[TMQ 94:4-8]
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