Zaheer Bhatti
THERE are a series of so-called watch dogs let loose particularly upon nations which have shown even a hint of desire for independence from the stranglehold of imperial hegemony, namely the Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, IAEA, OPEC, IMF, World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and the latest among them the so-called FATF, all subservient to imperial diktats applying double standards in dealing with different nations, leave alone the United Nations replacing the heavily biased and West controlled League of Nations to represent and address international issues indiscriminately, but fairing no different than its predecessors; making the majority exploited nations seriously ponder over yet another Body which could deliver justice to all. Ironically, the superpowers which were supposed to set an example for the rest of the world for peace, coexistence and welfare of the entire mankind by spending on the less privileged over health, education, food, nutrition and environment to make the world a better place to live in, instead engaged in warming war theatres, creating adversaries and supplying them with the lethal armoury they themselves produce including nuclear and biological weapons of mass destruction while chiding the rest of the world for possessing and using them; height of double standards and hypocrisy, thereby creating fissures and dividing the world.
The Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International while crying hoarse over random excesses selectively, are unable or unwilling to make their voices matter over blatant persecutions and forced demographic changes by India and Israel in Kashmir and Palestine; the two most volatile regions of the world crying for justice over the last several decade, while the big five look on apathetically. On the slightest hint of smaller nations supposedly attempting to nuclearize themselves the International Atomic Energy Agency is quick to probe and censure them, or hand down conditional clean chit keeping the Sword of Damocles hanging over them. Ironically OPEC is governed to regulating prices and oil production in oil-producing countries who barring the US, have no say in the matter while the donor agencies namely the IMF, World Bank and the Asian Development Bank make sure they dictate unworthy terms directly affecting the common man in countries rendered dependent and subservient to imperial diktats.
The division and resulting polarization which had started with the subconscious Imperial revelation of the ‘Clash of Civilizations’ has obviated a detestable divide on religious lines which has currently assumed the shape of Islamophobia obsessing the entire Imperial West against the religion of Islam and its practices; choosing to call them extremists and terrorists when some among followers of the faith react to such obfuscation and deliberate slander. Extreme biases and planned State terrorism are in fact traits which are patent of the fascist Imperial regimes such as the US, Israel, India and France.
The French major domo Macron rather than trying to diffuse tension caused by his countrymen caricaturing the Last Prophet (SAWW) and calling for respect and restraint over feelings of all religions and their followers, chose to justify the liberty in the name of individual freedom and human rights. France can, by all means, run nudist clubs and allow its topless females to play volleyball at the beaches and roam the streets, but has no business to pontificate standards for human liberties impinging upon social norms and religious sensitivities of the rest of mankind.
A rally condemning the liberty and demanding boycott of French goods, suspension of diplomatic relations and asking the French President to apologize besides reprimand and confiscation of such caricatures, was the natural outburst demonstrated all over the Muslim world including Pakistan against such indiscretion, which can stand no derogation to the person of Islam’s Holy Prophet. If this does not stop, emotional individuals like Khadim Hussain Rizvi who died soon after the protest rally or Mumtaz Qadri who killed Punjab Governor Salman Taseer and was hanged, will keep emerging, and you cannot blame castigate an entire religion for such indiscretion. Call it terrorism if you wish. FATF, one of the many self-assumed barometers adopted by the West to rein in on Muslim polities in particular; the West-backed so-called financial Action Task Force supposedly formed to monitor and curb money laundering and terror Financing, continuing to place Pakistan on its Grey and forever asking it to do more to curb the menace on mere assumptions and without concrete evidence; implicitly hinting at Hafiz Saeed and Maulana Masud Azhar whose assistance to Jehad against occupation forces was dared and supported by US against Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, but FATF saw no demons in concretely evidenced open Indian State terrorism in its occupied Kashmir and inside Pakistan or Israeli excesses against Palestinians.
Sadly, the Pakistan Government rather than ask for concrete evidence against the two individuals and their outfits which were known for their philanthropic work during National calamities but making no secret of their support for liberation of Kashmir which was no crime, tamely acquiesces to the UN and FATF verdict and takes measures to outlaw the two and freeze their assets, and consequently remains on the Grey List of the watchdog, while the UN and the imperial surrogate FATF see no demon either in American invasion of Afghanistan, perpetual Israeli usurpation of Palestinian lands or India following suit, blatantly pursuing its persecution of Muslims in its occupied territories of State of Kashmir and changing their demography.
With the Muslim world being the singular target evidenced by these double standards, the time for appeals to world conscience through mere rhetoric is now over. It is time now for concrete action. And it is my impassioned appeal if not warning to the Muslim leadership; particularly those becoming lackeys of imperial forces, to pluck courage to follow the path of the righteous, or else the days are not far when their riches will be partaken and usurped by the countries which are parking them and consigning them back to the streets with a begging bowl.
—The writer is a media professional, member of Pioneering team of PTV and a veteran ex Director Programmes.
