**Qazi hoist with his own petard **
Saturday, May 29 2004
Mohammad Shehzad
A foreigner guest put the great Qazi Hussain Ahmad on the spot at a social gathering recently when he tried to give the ‘listeners in the circle’ an impression that India, Israel and the US had coerced the government of the Netherlands to ban him from Europe. [Qazi had been invited by the European Arab League [EAL] to deliver a lecture on ‘Islam’ in Belgium. He was banned from entering Europe when Netherlands refused him permission to land. Belgium asked Netherlands to block him because EAL was a controversial Islamic organization. It is an extremist outfit.]
But using its clout, the Zionists, America and India coerced the Dutch government and had Qazi’s lecture cancelled. They accused Qazi of supporting the Palestine and prevailed upon the Dutch government to have Qazi’s invitation cancelled. Qazi Hussain Ahmad expressed his regrets over Dutch government’s falling victim to the false US, Israel and Indian propaganda. The European Arab League has decided to sue the Dutch government.’
**‘Qazi saheb aap ghalat biyani say kaam lay rahay hain!’ [You are misrepresenting the facts] said the foreigner who spoke fluent Urdu. ‘It was not the Hindu, Zionist or Christian conspiracy that has barred you from entering Europe but your thoughtless statements that you have been making from time to time,’ the foreigner said. ‘What ‘terrifying’ statements you are talking about? I am totally innocuous,’ said Qazi. **
**‘Again you are misrepresenting the facts Qazi saheb. Your statements are not innocuous. They are not only venomous but also hypocritical. You spew venom against the US. You call its civilization devilish, yet you had to beg the US Ambassador for your son’s [Asif Lucman Qazi] visa. Why did you send your son to study in an evil environment?’ The foreigner took out a diary from his jacket and started reading. **
'In an interview with Ghazwa, May 6 [Lashkar-e-Taiba’s publication] you threatened Prince Karim Aga Khan of dire consequences. You said, “If Aga Khan tried to interfere in our curriculum, I will make his end miserable. In fact, his end would be even worst than that of the Ahmadis.” ‘We will oppose Musharraf’s views on blasphemy law and hudood ordinance tooth and nail. You told Nawai Waqt [May 17],’ the diplomat said. ‘We will put up vigorous opposition to any efforts aimed at amending hudood ordinance or the blasphemy laws. We will not let the US agenda to be imposed on the people. You said it to Jang, May 18.’
**‘For a long time, the US and Europe are trying to pervert the Islamic culture of Pakistan through their agents like Musharraf. We will fight these conspiracies. You said this to Ummat, May 17. How could you make such an outrageous allegation? Your country encourages powerful people to gang rape innocent women. This does not happen in the West.’ ‘The US is the biggest terrorist in the world. The alliance of Israel and India under the US evil leadership is a worrisome matter for the Muslim world. The US is acting like a rogue elephant. In the fit of arrogance, it is running over everyone. When an elephant becomes roguish, it is shot. It is the time to shoot the US! You said this in Gilgit and it was reported by Ummat, May 17. Do you want me to further quote you Qazi Saheb?’ the foreigner asked. **
The great Qazi was shocked. ‘I never meant them. These statements were for the public. Don’t take them so seriously,’ 
Qazi tried to defend himself. ‘Now you are admitting that you are a hypocrite. These are so inflammatory that they could provoke one to kill the Americans and Europeans. The hateful speeches are the ones that have fanned terrorism all over the world. A leader of your stature has to be careful. You have to improve your reputation. Most of your enlightened people recognize you as Bal Thakary of Pakistan. You should be able to see the beam in your eyes before pointing out a straw in the other people’s eyes. Your own tongue has created troubles for you, not the US, Israel and India. Khuda Hafiz Qazi saheb,’ the foreigner said and left the circle.
Qazi had little reason to stay behind. He ensured he leaves the event before he gets the same treatment from one of us in the circle. That was the second time I had seen Qazi so helpless. Earlier, he had been grilled by BBC’s Hard Talk that Lyse Doucet had conducted. **He was telling her that he had nothing to do with Gulbadin Hekmatyar. I had seen Qazi lose face when she started reading out his old statements in which he had praised Hekmatyar to the skies. **
From kashmirimages.info, not archived.
