Monthly Archives: August 2011

The News:Safma sends defamation notices to TV channel officials, Zaid Hamid. August 24,2011

LAHORE: The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) has sent defamation notices to a TV channel officials and analyst Zaid Hamid over malicious accusations made in a show.
Sent by Safma Secretary General Imtiaz Alam and Safma Punjab President Anjum Rashid through senior advocate Abid Hasan Minto, the legal notices under Section 8 of Defamation Ordinance 2002 quoted the “defamatory and inflammatory remarks” Zaid Hamid made in the show on August 16, 2011 and repeated on August 17 and 18.
The remarks have caused resentment among leading media persons and civil society. Safma branches in other provinces will also issue libel notices. “By representing through your conduct, gestures and words that you promoted and supplemented the unfounded, false, baseless and defamatory remarks of Mr. Hamid against Safma, you have caused an irreparable harm to my clients and furthered his accusations against a worthy media body that is recognized by SAARC for its good work as its associated body,” the notices to the TV officials said.
The Rs 100 million damages, which the South Asian Free Media Association sought to be paid within seven days, will be “spent on media education and promotion of media ethics”, the notices said. If the respondents fail to respond to the notices, the South Asian Free Media Associationwill initiate civil and criminal proceedings against them, the notices said.

Source: The News

Daily Dawn:Kudos and Condemnation by Kamran Shafi. August 23, 2011

WHAT else this week but loud applause for Nawaz Sharif for so courageously advocating peace with India at a recently held seminar ‘Building bridges in the subcontinent’ in Lahore?

And utter condemnation for a private TV channel’s vitriolic host and her hate-filled red-capped guest who is known to be a propagandist of the Deep State, for their shrill and nasty attacks upon the South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) that arranged the seminar, generally, and Mr Sharif particularly, merely because he held out the hand of friendship to India?

The anchor did not stop at denigrating the former prime minister; she also attacked President Asif Ali Zardari for saying some years ago, soon after he became president, that India was not the main threat to our country, that the enemy was within. What angered one in the extreme was these two suggesting that any mention of peace with India amounted to treason, was against the two-nation theory, and every other nonsense trotted out by the establishment to seize the narrative on every aspect of Pakistan’s relations with its most important neighbour.

I have heard Mr Sharif’s speech in its entirety and found it to be warmly worded, sincere and laced with an earthy humour that so stirred our Indian friends who were present there. It was a speech that should have been made by a man who as prime minister had the Indian prime minister, Shri Atal Behari Vajpayee, come to Lahore and give a friendly and conciliatory speech at Minar-i-Pakistan, no less, calling for peace and amity between India and Pakistan.

It was a speech that should have been made by a man who was let down by his own chief of army staff, who stabbed his Indian partner-in-peace in the back during the very days India and Pakistan were talking of improving relations, by mounting the mindless and stupid adventure called Kargil.

It was a speech that should have been made by a man who understands that there is no way forward for Pakistan or/and India without peace and friendship between the two. Indeed, Nawaz Sharif was right to say that whilst India had held several inquiries on (its forces being caught unprepared in) Kargil no inquiry was allowed to be held in Pakistan (on why the operation was mounted at all).

So what then so exercised the compere and her guest so much that they went off the deep end? What was so wrong with Nawaz Sharif saying that since India and Pakistan were neighbours one had to look out for the other just as our religion and culture teach us?

What was so wrong when he said that Indians and Pakistanis shared the same culture, even food? And that the border was just a line on the ground? And that instead of competing in arming ourselves with the weapons of war we should compete in the field of industry and business and commerce. What was so wrong in saying that God, who is Rab ul Alimeen was the Rab (God) of all mankind, and not Rab ul Muslimeen, the God of Muslims only?

Whilst most of the diatribe heard on the programme was disgusting, the most gut-wrenching was when the anchor dismissed the part about Indians and us eating the same food by asserting that Hindus worshipped what we ate i.e. beef! The question to ask is: when did she and her guest last visit India and interact with Indian (well alright, Hindu) friends?

The question to ask is: did the compere and her violent guest say what they said because they wanted to say it, or to parrot the Deep State’s line that India (and all those who sail in it) is enemy number one of Pakistan? That there can be no peace ever with India, and that anyone who says anything to the contrary is a traitor and worse?

It was instructive too to see the red-capped extremist, and by implication the TV channel, throw all caution to the winds by alleging that Safma was a RAW-funded organisation. I ask you! Whilst one has often asked the Deep State to rein in its lackeys aka the bright young things, the conspiracy theorists extraordinary who see RAW/Mossad/CIA behind every bush, this really takes the cake.

It is no wonder that 51 (and growing) respected and most senior journalists have condemned the canard and lie, and Safma has threatened legal action against the channel, the compere and her team, and the so-called analyst for defamation. While I add my name to the list of those who condemn this calumny, it is simply not enough to merely sue the so-called analyst, him with the red cap. He is but a puppet; it is his puppeteers who must be unmasked and dragged into the daylight. For there are many more like him, fed on government moneys expropriated by the Deep State for its own purposes and dark doings.

Such as sending out messages of hate and rancour to the world at large, and particularly to India and the US with Israel thrown in for good measure. The Internet is full of their rantings and ravings, going to the extent of holding out threats of using our bum on imagined enemies.

Which straightaway brings me to say what I have said so many times before: our political leaders must stay together, and arm-in-arm fight the monstrous Deep State. Otherwise, first one, then the other.

Source: Daily Dawn

SAFMA to sue Zaid Hamid for Labeling the Organization a RAW Agent – Express Tribune August 19, 2011

The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) has condemned as “lies” an accusation made on television by Zaid Hamid that it has links to Indian agency the Research and Analysis Wing.

In its statement, SAFMA said leading media personalities had taken serious exception to the unfounded accusations made by Hamid against a media body of credible journalists of the South Asian region in a talk show hosted by Mehr Bukhari that violated all ethics of professional journalism. If Hamid, the press release said, has committed extreme defamation to incite public sentiment against SAFMA and its thousands of members, Bukhari, the Crossfire team, and the TV management had intentionally tried to malign the media body and its leaders by allowing such a provocative and damaging statement.

The media representatives, the press release said, expressed their serious concern over Crossfire’s slanderous programme anchored by Bukhari while taking exception to the dangerous trend in the electronic media of maligning various personalities and credible organisations. What is quite despicable, the press release further said, is that Hamid, Bukhari and her team, and the owner of the TV channel did not have the decency to invite a SAFMA representative to rebut the allegations aired by the TV channel.

The press release said senior journalists had endorsed SAFMA’s decision to sue the so-called analyst, anchor, her team, and the management of the TV channel. SAFMA office bearers have decided to issue libel notices to the concerned accusers and make them pay for their conduct, the press release added. PRESS RELEASE

Published in The Express Tribune, August 19th, 2011.

Source: Express Tribune

News report on Zaid Hamid's latest scandalous marriage published in Daily Insaf on 23rd June,2011.

Zaid Hamid follows the tradition of Yousaf Kazzab, in fulfilling his lust in the name of spirituality. He convinced “T”, a religious and decent lady, happily married with 5 children to leave her husband and marry him. “T” was one of the 9 candidates to be “chosen” as Zaid Hamids wife. The nikah was done on telephone in a way that Zaid Hamid was in Islamabad, “T” in Peshawar and Haji Safdar in Gujar Khan. In spite the fact that Gen Hamid Gul told Zaid Hamid to leave “T” alone, Zaid Hamid still broke up her marriage and destroyed the lives of her children.


“T” did this because Zaid Hamid convinced her by various tricks that he is the “Imam e Zaman” and he will fight “Ghazwa e hind” in which “T” will play a major part. How many more of our sisters will be a victim of his lust and “spirituality”?
Just as Yousf Kazzab had many “Roohani” or Spritual wives similarly Zaid Hamid has 4 reported Spritual or “Roohani” wives. This just shows that Zaid Hamid is following the Path of Yousaf Kazzab and has replaced him as the Cult Leader.”
Source: Daily Insaf

Slained journalist Saleem Shahzad’s Exposition of Zaid Hamid.

I was immersed in preparation of my community medicine rotation test, last Saturday on 29th 2011, when at 5 pm sharp a very dear friend and comrade “Z” called me.

“We are at McDonald’s in F-9 Park having a party, why don’t you join us as well,” said Z, “Senior journalist Saleem Shahzad is also here and it would be nice if you come as well.”

“Sure, Il be there in 30 min,” I replied, closing my books and preparing to leave.

Z and Saleem Shahzad were old acquaintances of Zaid Hamid and knew much of his association with Yusuf Kazzab and also his other cross-wired personality traits. Because of our association with Zaid Hamid Exposition group Z wanted me to meet Saleem Shahzad to discuss what could be done with his help to curb this re-emerging fitnah. He was especially concerned about Zaid Hamid breaking up the marriage of his employee Tayyaba Bukhari, and marrying her despite the fact that she was a married woman with five children.
I found Z sitting with a gentleman, who I recognized as Saleem Shahzad from his media appearances. Z introduced us to each other. After ordering ice creams, and some light discussion, I asked Saleem Bhai wether he is a friend of Zaid Hamid.

“I know Zaid Hamid since 1989,” said Saleem lost in thought, “My first meeting with him in Karachi was at a wedding where I met a very charismatic fellow; Zaid Zaman. I asked him what he does and he replied that he has done his B.E. but he will not do any job. I was shocked and asked him why so, to which he replied that I will do a job only when Pakistan becomes a true Islamic state.” Saleem says that he was impressed by Zaid Hamid’s passion at that time but there was something odd which he found about him.

“At that time I really wanted to join the army. I wanted guidance and a friend recommended to talk to Zaid Hamid as his father had a military background,” narrated Saleem nostalgically “ I met Zaid Hamid at his residence and asked him whether his father could help me get into the army. He told me that his father retired ages ago and had no influence in the Army right now, but he did ask me as to why I wanted to join the Army. I replied that I wanted to fight for Islam and the army was the best place to do so. “Zaid Hamid laughed when he heard this and said sarcastically that the Pakistan army is a mercenary army. When America wants them to fight for Islam they fight for Islam and when they want them to fight against Islam they will fight against Islam.”

“Wait a min Saleem bhai…what the hell…Pakistan army is a mercenary army…??They will fight against Islam when America tell them to…this coming from Zaid Hamid…..” I said shocked. Saleem laughed really hard and said, “It is funny to see that what he said in 1989 is now being said by Al Qaeda. At that time Zaid Hamid was very radical. In that wedding when I first met him, he gave a speech against Shias calling them to be infidels, deserving death…I was impressed with him but sometimes he used to say very weird things. For instance he never used to pray in the mosque near his house as he thought that the Star of David was drawn on it which was quiet ridiculous.”

“I was in shock as today Zaid Hamid considers Pakistan army to be on a divine mission,” said Saleem. “I then left Karachi. We met again after a few years,” continued Saleem with his story, “This time when I met him he seemed very reluctant to meet to me and almost refused to have eye contact. He told me that the leaders of the Afghan Jihad betrayed the aspirations of the Muslims as they did not have any spiritual training.” Saleem says that he asked him whether he had a murshid to which Zaid Hamid replied in the affirmative.

“Zaid Hamid told me that my murshid’s name is Yousuf Ali. I asked whether is it possible to meet him, to which he replied that he doesn’t meet people just like that. You would have to read “darood shareef” ten thousand times a day to meet him. I only laughed and kept silent. After that I did not see him again for a few more years” said Saleem continuing with his story. “The next time I met him was in 2007. I received a phone call and the caller identified himself as Zaid Hamid, and told me that he really likes my articles and he would like to meet me. I told him that Zaid bhai I am Saleem shahzad don’t you recognize me. He said no. I tried very hard to remind him of the times we spent together but he didn’t remember” said Saleem while rubbing his chin.
“I mean one doesn’t just completely forget a person in just a few years. I met him as well and even then he didn’t remember me. It was a shock to me that he doesn’t remember anything. I thought he was pretending but then some people told me that he had received electric shocks to his mind for some mental disease and he has lost some of his memory as a result of it.”

“Yes electro convulsive therapy. It is one of the controversial therapies in the field of psychiatry. It is often used to treat depressive psychosis and other severe mental diseases. A common side effect is the removal of certain memories.” I added snobbishly, “I have heard that his brother is also suffering from a mental condition?”

“Yes his brother is also suffering from mental conditions” replied Saleem with a sigh and added, “Often he tells me very weird things. Lately he is conveying me messages from the establishment to behave myself otherwise I will be in trouble. I know that the army is after me. They want to silence me, but if I stop reporting what I come to know then there is no difference between me and Zaid Hamid.”

“Does he have support from the ISI?” I asked. “Well I asked an official of the ISI and he told me that Zaid Hamid is a mad man, we help him like we help many people. Personally speaking I will not be surprised if the army helps as now days the establishment can only find mad men like Zaid Hamid to defend them on TV.” answered Saleem. “Why don’t we walk, we have been sitting here for a long time?” asked Z.

We strolled in the F-9 park and our discussion changed from Zaid Hamid to Saleem’s book and his adventures while reporting in the war on terror. We could not perceive that Saleem’s last walk outside his house was with us. The next day Z told me that Saleem was kidnapped. We were very worried and last night the horrible news of his death came. Saleem Shahzad was killed for exposing the links between terrorist networks and the establishment. We live in a democracy not under Fascist totalitarian dictatorship.

This democracy was not gifted to us. We fought for it and sacrificed many lives for it. Our people fought in 54, 68, 72, 76, 80s decade, 2007 till date to ensure that we live with freedom, democracy and “Azadi”. Yet today the forces of absolutism are bent chaining our tongues so that they can control our actions and make us subservient to their will.

Today the entire Arab world is in revolt against dictatorships and people have now stood up against death squads and extra judicial killings. The world is standing up to this and yet we remain silent defending our “national assets”, which are nothing but tools of repression. The murder of Saleem Shahzad should not go unpunished. Neither the Army chief nor the intelligence agencies are above the constitution and law. An ISI official confirmed to the Human Rights Watch that Saleem Shahzad is in their custody and yet they so arrogantly tortured and murdered him. These are the very same agencies which introduced crazy fascists such as Zaid Hamid in the media.Saleem Shahzad sacrificed his life to give us a better future. In his defiance he showed us how a single man can so proudly uphold the truth and refuse to bow down before the forces which seek to silence him.

INQILAB ZINDABAD
Talha Saad