Smear campaign against Saleem Safi is unjustified Saleem Safi reported that Mian Nawaz Sharif had paid over Rs 6 million to the state exchequer for his personal expenses. This infuriated the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) supporters. They initiated a vicious campaign against him, calling him all kinds of names. He was described as a stooge of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), who has been receiving money from the Sharif family. However, Haroonur Rasheed defended him, though he didn’t name him. He deplored that the PTI supporters had subjected the journalist to a campaign of vituperation. Those who know him will testify to the fact that he has never been anyone’s stooge. He has never sang the praises of any ruler or leader. He has been a critic of Nawaz Sharif for the last four years, and earns enough money to not have to depend on PML-N handouts. In fact, he makes more money than the Army Chief and the Prime Minister (PM). However, he lives frugally. Regardless, those making these allegations did not hesitate for a second. It seems this society is going from bad to worse, but nobody is concerned. How the PTI chief got rid of Awn Chaudhry Saleem Safi wrote in an Urdu newspaper that Awn Chaudhry has been Imran Ahmad Khan Niazi’s right-hand man and special confidant for many years. He used to be seen everywhere with Imran. I saw many PTI bigwigs kowtow to him. However, for some time we had been getting the impression that Imran wanted to get rid of him, but he was waiting for the appointment of his ADC. Awn was tasked with the drawing up of the guest list for the oath taking ceremony. Many PTI leaders were begging Awn to invitation cards until 2 AM. Surprisingly, at the ceremony he was conspicuous by his absence. Unexpectedly, instead of Awn Chaudhry, Zulfi Bukhari was seen with the First Lady. Upon meeting his military secretary, the new PM issued his first order: “Awn Chaudhry should not be seen anywhere near the Aiwan-i-Sadar or the PM’s House.” Imran is the first person to become PM with people’s power On August 18 a prominent TV news channel quoted PML-Q leader and former PM, as saying that Imran Khan is the first person who became PM with the people’s power. He stated 21 earlier PMs, including himself, were made by other powers. He went on to say that he himself “made” two PMs with his own hands. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the recent clash with members of the Ahmedi community started over a cockfight and that it had no religious dimension Imran Khan worked hard for 22 years to achieve his mission. No earlier PM achieved this office through practical struggle. All of us should cooperate with him, so that he accomplishes his 22-year-old goal. It must be added that in 2002, Imran Khan had complained to the State Bank that Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi had gotten a loan of Rs 240 million written-off. Ahmadi place of worship torched According to a report published in a prominent English newspaper on August 24, 31 people were injured and an Ahmadi place of worship was set on fire following a verbal spat between two groups of youngsters in Ghaseet Pura RB-69, a village near Faisalabad, on August 23. A youngster riding a motorcycle ran over a chicken belonging to an Ahmadi family, starting the conflict. Slogans were shouted, shots were fired, stones were pelted, and a nearby Ahmadi place of worship was damaged and set on fire — all in the presence of police officials. Jasarat, Jamaat-i-Islami’s mouthpiece, reported on August 25 that as a result of an attack perpetrated by Ahmadis’, one Muslim had been killed and 22 injured. Khalid Lateef Cheema, secretary general, Majlas-i-Ahrar, was quoted as saying that this incident was the result of promoting Qadianiyyat. While addressing a press conference, Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said that the conflict started over a cockfight and that it had no religious dimension. Fazlur Rahman for breaking-off diplomatic relations with the Netherlands Maulana Fazlur Rahman, the chief of the JUI-F and the MMA, has said that by announcing the publication of blasphemous cartoons, the rulers of the Netherlands are playing with the sentiments of Muslim Ummah. This was published in a report in a notable Urdu newspaper. Fazlur Rehman called the competition “open terrorism” and demanded that Islamabad break-off diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. He went on to say the Islamic world should urge the UN to make laws to ensure that sacred personalities and religions are respected. Blasphemy against every prophet should be declared a crime and it should be punishable by death. He termed those organising this contest the biggest enemies of the Islamic world. Islamic countries should break their silence and take a brave stand in this regard. Islamabad, get ready for another Tehreek-i-Labbaik sit-in Khadim Hussain Rizvi, the Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) Chief, has announced that his party will hold a long march from Lahore to Islamabad over the exhibition of blasphemous cartoons in the Netherlands. This was in a report published on August 27. The march will start on August 29 and will become a sit-in upon reaching Islamabad. The sit-in will continue until Pakistan does not break off all kinds of diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. Rizvi has demanded the expulsion of the Netherlands’ ambassador and has urged the UN and other global institutions to give up their old traditions and play their role in get the publication of cartoons stopped. The writer has studied international relations in Islamabad and media in London. He has worked for several English-language newspapers. He has written a book, Handbook of Functional English, for the benefit of those who wish to improve their English skills. He can be reached at shakil.chaudhry@gmail.com Published in Daily Times, August 28th 2018.