It was recently reported that a murtad woman by the name of Salma declared herself as a Prophet in Zanzibar. She even claimed to receive revelation and has a pocket of followers.

Question:

On December 27 2012, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari the only son of President Zadari formally announced his entry into Pakistani politics. Please can you explain as to why he has chosen this moment to enter the Pakistani political medium and is this move connected to the Pakistani general elections in 2013?

Answer:

One needs to bear the following points in mind before answering the question:

1. The political medium in Pakistan and other countries of the Indian sub-continent are dominated by rich families who have been involved in dynastic politics from the early days of independence from the British Raj. These families in collusion with major powers such as Britain and America have dominated the political life of Pakistan, India and Bangladesh, and view ruling these respective countries as their birth right. Hence, it not uncommon to find the political landscape in Pakistan dominated by the Bhutto family or the Sharif brothers, the political scene in India overshadowed by the fortunes of the Gandi family, and the political life in Bangladesh governed by the antics of the families of Zia Rahman and Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

Bilawal is shaped by this mindset and regards participation in Pakistani politics as a way of continuing the legacy of his maternal grandfather Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, the father of Benazir Bhutto who was the mother of Bilawal. Thus Bilawal made several references to this political legacy that he wishes to continue. Speaking at his unveiling ceremony close to his mother's tomb he said that the Pakistan's Peoples Party (PPP) stood for "food, clothes and shelter" and he said, "The PPP is not just a political party. This is our life."

2. In the sub-continent, foreign powers and their intelligence agencies spend a great deal of time and effort to cultivate and win over family members from these political dynasties to rule on their behalf. It is one of the preferred styles of major powers to dominate and control the political medium via political dynasties. And when a member of a political dynasty becomes no longer useful or they oppose the wishes of their master the person is quietly retired from active politics or is killed. In the case, of the Bhutto family, members have been killed or assassinated in ensuing struggles between Britain and America for control of PPP.

Hence it is not surprising to see Britain and America courting and encouraging Bilawal to follow in the footsteps of his mother or grandfather.

3. Another factor in Bilawal's formal declaration is to reverse the flagging fortunes of the PPP. The PPP has been badly discredited through numerous corruption scandals, incompetence and nepotism. The plummeting popularity of Zardari has also hurt tremendously the ability of the PPP to mount an effective campaign for the general elections scheduled for later this year. With this in mind, the young Bilawal was encouraged to partake in the public lime light and reconnect traditional PPP values with the disgruntled PPP voter base. This in many ways is similar to what Rahul Gandhi tried to do for the Congress Party a few years ago. It should also be remembered that because of his age, Bilawal is unable to contest the upcoming general election. So his role is more ceremonial and a beginning of a long political grooming journey.

4. But perhaps the most important factor in Bilawal's announcement is that America is desperate for fresh faces untainted with corruption scandals to participate in Pakistan's political life. The whole edifice of Pakistan's political structure is tainted with crony politicians who are incompetent and no longer represent the interests of their constituencies. With the formal introduction of Imran Khan 2011 and Bilawal in 2012, America is looking to move away from the current political malaise that has taken hold of the country.

In conclusion, Bilawal's entry into Pakistan's political scene is to give some boost to PPP cadres ahead of the upcoming general elections as well as to begin his political grooming. However, America is facing huge obstacles in its efforts to bring fresh faces to the political landscape. The foremost of which is anti-Americanism and the renewed political awakening amongst the people. Because of this development, American efforts to promote Imran Khan have been disastrous as people view Imran Khan as a staunchly pro-American man surrounded by a sea of American agents committed to preserving its hegemony in Pakistan. It is more than likely that Bilawal will be viewed in a similar manner, if not worse as the stigma of his father will haunt him forever.

It is General Kayani's policies that have bolstered Indian aggression against us, whether in recent border tensions or previous ones. Since the Clinton era, Kayani's master, America, has wanted to exploit Pakistan to win over India to its sphere of influence

Bismillah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem

Throughout history mankind denied the Messengers of Allah (swt). Oppressors today say the same words as the oppressors in history:

((قَالُوا إِنَّا تَطَيَّرْنَا بِكُمْ ۖ لَئِن لَّمْ تَنتَهُوا لَنَرْجُمَنَّكُمْ وَلَيَمَسَّنَّكُم مِّنَّا عَذَابٌ أَلِيم))

"They said, "Indeed, we consider you a bad omen. If you do not desist, we will surely stone you, and there will surely touch you, from us, a painful punishment."[Yasin: 18]

And just like the answer of the Messengers, the answer of the Muslims today is the same:

َ((قَالُوا طَائِرُكُم مَّعَكُمْ ۚ أَئِن ذُكِّرْتُم ۚ بَلْ أَنتُمْ قَوْمٌ مُّسْرِفُون ))

"Your omen is with yourselves. Is it because you were reminded? Rather, you are a transgressing people." [Yasin: 19]

Naveed Butt did not say another word than the truth, he did not threaten and did not intimidate. In spite of this, he was kidnapped seven months ago, and till today there is no information about his whereabouts, and the whole world is watching silently until now.
But no matter what happens to those like Naveed Butt, who speak out the truth in spite of treachery, oppression and whatever kind of injustice, there will always be new and more Naveed Butts, until Allah's Promise is fulfilled. So any action to prevent the realization of Allah's Khilafah "Caliphate", any struggle against it is unavailing!

Therefore, all you who see the injustice, break your silence, speak out against the injustice that has befallen Naveed Butt and other Muslims whose only word is calling "La ilahe illallah!"

There is no doubt that Allah will fulfill his promise:

وَعَدَ اللَّـهُ الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا مِنكُمْ وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ لَيَسْتَخْلِفَنَّهُمْ فِي الْأَرْضِ كَمَا اسْتَخْلَفَ الَّذِينَ مِن قَبْلِهِمْ وَلَيُمَكِّنَنَّ لَهُمْ دِينَهُمُ الَّذِي ارْتَضَىٰ لَهُمْ وَلَيُبَدِّلَنَّهُم مِّن بَعْدِ خَوْفِهِمْ أَمْنًا ۚ يَعْبُدُونَنِي لَا يُشْرِكُونَ بِي شَيْئًا ۚ وَمَن كَفَرَ بَعْدَ ذَٰلِكَ فَأُولَـٰئِكَ هُمُ الْفَاسِقُونَ

"Allah has promised those who have believed among you and done righteous deeds that He will surely grant them succession [to authority] upon the earth just as He granted it to those before them and that He will surely establish for them [therein] their religion which He has preferred for them and that He will surely substitute for them, after their fear, security, [for] they worship Me, not associating anything with Me." [an-Nour: 55]

Sadaq-Allahu-l- azhim!

Member of The Central Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir for Turkey and Asia