I found this interview of Khalid Khawaja, an ex-ISI Jehadi. He was arrested during the Lal Masjid operation (apparently trying to provide them with more weapons). Some interesting quotes from the interview that show how closely tied are likes of ISI,Hmeed Gul and Nawaz Shareef are with AlQaeda and Bin Laden :
"The story starts in 1986-87, when out of emotion I wrote a letter to General Zia ul-Haq saying that he was a hypocrite and he was only interested in ruling Pakistan, rather than imposing Islamic law in the country. General Zia immediately ordered my dismissal from my basic services in the Pakistan air force, where I was a squadron leader, and from the ISI, where I was deputed at the Afghan desk. I went to Afghanistan and fought side-by-side with the Afghan mujahideen against Soviet troops. There I developed a friendship with Dr Abdullah Azzam [a mentor of bin Laden], Osama bin Laden and Sheikh Abdul Majeed Zindani [another mentor of bin Laden’s]. At the same time, I was still in touch with my former organization, the ISI, and its then DG [director general], retired Lieutenant General Hamid Gul.
After General Zia’s death in a plane crash [1988], elections were announced and there was a possibility that the Pakistan People’s Party [PPP] led by Benazir Bhutto would win, which would be a great setback for the cause of jihad. We discussed this situation, and all the mujahideen thought that they should play a role in blocking the PPP from winning the elections. I joined my former DG Hamid Gul and played a role in forming the then Islamic Democratic Alliance comprising the Pakistan Muslim League and the Jamaat-i-Islami. The PPP won the elections by a thin margin and faced a strong opposition. Osama bin Laden provided me with funds, which I handed over to Nawaz Sharif, then the chief minister of Punjab [and later premier], to dislodge Benazir Bhutto. Nawaz Sharif insisted that I arrange a direct meeting with the “Sheikh”, which I did in Saudi Arabia. Nawaz met thrice with Osama in Saudi Arabia. "
He also championed for Ahmed Said Khadr’s cause in the interview. This is Khadr’s son’s interview from Pakistan Times:
“Mr Khadr said in the documentary on Wednesday he was sent to Afghanistan by his father to become a member of Al Qaeda. “I was raised to become a suicide bomber. I was raised to become a bad person,” he said.” http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_7-3-2004_pg7_57
^ Farid bhai, zara samjha karain. The point is that NS is in bed with terrorists such as Bin Laden, and only President Musharaf and BB can save Pakistan.
That is where much of the opposition (and violence) to Mush is coming from. The former ISI bosses who used to be in the middle of things and have been sidelined are reacting. Their chaylas are also active as we can see.
Interesting, thanks for sharing Ajju. Khalid Khwaja the terrorism sympathizer has been a pathetic case.
Did he expect anything else after this action?
What the hell did a Sqn Ldr think of himself when he wrote to the President COAS of a country at war. A Sqn Ldr getting *political *with the President…What did he want to prove?
Did he expect anything else after this action?
What the hell did a Sqn Ldr think of himself when he wrote to the President COAS of a country at war. A Sqn Ldr getting *political *with the President...What did he want to prove?
Well, I don't agree with this guy, but I agree that Zia was the biggest hypocrite in Pakistan's history. He used Islam to prolong his oppressive rule, and end result is that we're staying paying for his legacy.
BTW, what is wrong with pointing out when leaders are doing something wrong? In fact, if Mushrraf was not surrounded by yes men thn probably would've gone down in history as someone who in fact accomplished something.
Yes the Gen Zia issues are another thing.
But whats wrong with Khalid Khwaja was that a Sqn Ldr from the Air Force is nobody to address the COAS and President like this in any way. If he were so convinced he should have first left the PAF to pursue his political/jihadi ambitions. It's not the work or scope of a Sqn Ldr (Major) to discuss with the General COAS/Pres no matter how good or bad he is, about politics, his polices and so on. There are other seniors in line with a vantage point on things to do that.
So what is your point?
You don;t find anything worth noting in his interview? First, a member of Armed forces criticizes the commander in chief. Then, after getting fired he goes on fighting his Jehad alongwith his ex-ISI chief Hameed Gul and others. At that point they were civilians but running their own private organisation and war. The other disturbing fact is how these ISI guys and Hameed gul were involved with Bin Laden. The most disturbing fact is how Bin Laden and other Arabs meddle in Pakistani politics with their money and their like minded Jehadis. His sympathies with Khadr, who was an Egyptian AlQaeda operative and close confidant of Bin Laden are enough to expose him.
ISI is worse than Al Qaeda in fact. I can understand any country having an intelligence agency but this one has gone way beyond that and has executed agenda different from that of Pakistan it is supposed to serve.
ISI's uncontrolled infiltration into Kashmir was the reason for the misery that people there had to suffer. Until a couple of years ago Pakistan government was unwilling or unable to control these activities, thus earning the whole of Pakistan the name of terrorist state. Which in turn got corraborated for failures in the Afghanistan front.
This is what put America in a state where they can very easily control all aspects of Pakistan - economy, politics, even day to day law & order! What is worse Pakistan now has to bomb its own people whenever Uncle Sam commands.
everyone missing a point here, that was all done with full support of CIA and US, so these jihadis, ISI, Mushy, NS all were just pawns of same game with wishing of uncle SAM.
its nothing new a ex army men working as freelance for an intellegence agency. look at CIA operatives!
The problem with Pakistan is that there needs to be checks & balances on institutions. In that case, even if the institution / person strays, all hell doesn't break loose...
That was time of Uncle Sam blessings over Zia-ul-Haq. That stupid dictator was fully involved in Afghanistan war againts USSR. Jehadis were recruited to fight Russians. $ meter was running very fast and billions of dollars poured in to Pakistan's army. Mind you at that time no one dared to ask Zia as to why he was mangled with this nonsense for which Pakis are now suffering the consequences. Your point is quite old and discussed in this forum many times. JI the most stupid party of Pakistan was fully supporting this Khirdejal.
