"Celebrating" the sacred month of Muharram

Western writers know very little about Islam, so they say that Shia Muslims celebrate Muharram when in fact it is not something to celebrate about. The proper word would be "mourn". As I've said before, I have nothing against Shias (or even Hindus and other no-Muslims), but I do think that the way they observe this month is not quite right. Their chest-beating and self-flagellation, for instance, is incomprehensible, as well as their mourning processions that shut down entire cities.

There was a time, for instance, when all female employees (even Sunnis) of Pakistan TV had to wear black and cover their heads in the first ten days of Muharram, acting as if they'd just embraced Shiaism. Most Shias used to believe that the surest way to get to heaven was to do something that would hurt Sunni Muslims (I know this from personal experience, a Shia government officer deliberately got my salt factory shut down in the sacred month).

Shias of course believe that the ancestors of today's Sunnis killed Hussain, while I used to know many Sunnis who said that it was the ancestors of Shias who did it. I wish they would stop indulging in such fights and get united. I've known many Shias who act like normal human beings even in the first ten days of this month, they don't get upset when a Sunni man says "Assalam Alaikum" to them, but of course there aren't many of them. Most of them are busy mourning.

  

Iran Israel war ends with a whimper

Just when it was getting interesting, the 12-day war ended with a whimper after Iran fired six missiles at the US base in Qatar. All flights to the Gulf states were cancelled, and I'm sure most people in Qatar and UAE spent a sleepless night wondering if they would be killed. But then, Trump realized that if the war lasted longer, it could get out of hand and spread throughout the Middle East.

So at first sight it looks like Iran was the victor. Israel lost because it wasn't able to kill Khamenei, Iran is still capable of making the bomb (although a "dirty" one at present), and the Iranian people didn't overthrow their government. Besides all this, Israel also suffered immense damage, as its Iron Dome was not able to protect it from Iranian missiles. Israelis must be wondering why they have to pay such heavy taxes if they are not safe from Iranian missiles.

What I don't understand is why Iran had to inform the US and Qatar that it was going to send missiles towards the latter. All six missiles were intercepted and shot down. This proves that Iran was also eager to stop the war, perhaps because it would soon have run out of missiles. 

The only winner appears to be the US. Rulers of Arab states must be thanking their stars that they have US soldiers to protect them. If the bases hadn't been there, it wouldn't have taken Iran simply walk in and overthrow their corrupt regimes. And Trump is now closer to getting the Nobel peace prize.

 

Trump's attack on Iran: start of the Third World War?

It's now evident that Trump cannot be trusted. Israel attacked Iran while talks were still ongoing with the US. Trump, despite saying that he would wait two weeks before deciding whether to attack Iran or not, bombed Iran within two days (while Iran was negotiating with EU countries and only a day after Pakistan recommended that he should be awarded the Nobel peace prize!). Trump evidently thinks that the Iranian public will thank him!

I'm amazed that Trump can be so stupid. Suppose it had been Iran attacking the US: would he have quietly surrendered? So why does he expect Iranian leaders to do so? 

Arab leaders are making a big mistake. They should break off diplomatic relations with Israel and support Iran. If they don't, Israel will not stop until it's occupied all Arab countries. 

One thing we now know: Pakistan should increase spending on its defence. Iran is weak because it subsidized prices of essential items so its people would support its authoritarian government. It should have acquired latest weapons to defend itself.

 

Indians amazed at Pakistan's influence on Trump

Finally, Indians have realized that they can't fool Americans all the time. They planned and executed the failed attack on Pakistan, but found that the world did not accept their reasons for doing so. Now, with the Israel Iran war entering its second week, US President Trump did not ask for their advice, but invited Pakistan's army chief for consultations on how to proceed in the war. Immediately after the two hour lunch with Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir ended, Trump announced a delay of two weeks before he would decide whether to enter the war against Iran. Indians are flabbergasted, and their political analysts are accusing Muslim-killer Modi for his failed foreign policy (as well as the debacle of its failed attack on Pakistan). Modi must be wondering what went wrong.

Of course, Modi is not the only one spending sleepless nights. The traitors in our midst, Imran Khan and his cronies, are wondering why the millions they spend every month lobbying against our army have not worked. Even when the Field Marshal was there, they staged demonstrations against him and the army. I hope he rots in his prison cell until he dies.

Why some businessmen are reluctant to pay tax

A few years back I was explaining the benefits of paying income tax to some Memon businessmen. Of course, I've been paying income tax since 1967 (58 years ago), but when I found that getting a visa for the UK and other countries, it is necessary to be registered with the FBR and file income tax returns (even if you don't earn anything), I got my wife registered and we immediately got visas for the UK, Singapore, etc. Despite this, the Memons were not convinced. One of them said, "Once you start paying income tax, they will harass you no end, they will come to your office and try to find some mistake in your accounts so they can extract bribes from you".

He was, of course, telling the truth. I remember once getting a notice for a huge amount from a lady income tax officer (she is a non-Muslim). Without giving any reason, she got my company's bank accounts frozen, and the income tax consultant took quite a lot of money to operate our accounts again.

This is why the system is so rotten. The income tax officer can do anything and will never have to face accountability for any illegal activity. So, when People's Party representatives in parliament objected to giving sweeping powers to FBR officials to arrest people, I understood their concerns (even though our politicians are highly corrupt). Until and unless FBR officials are told that they cannot act without proof and they will be tried for using their powers to harass innocent people without proof, businessmen will be reluctant to pay tax.

 

Mystery of the missing Indian female pilot

During last month's Indian attack on Pakistan, Indian army and airforce claimed that all the pilots returned safely. But they have yet to explain why their female Rafale pilot (Shivangi Singh) has not been seen since after the war ended. Earlier, a video clip had gone viral showing a woman surrendering after parachuting down to a place which was obviously in northern Pakistan. Later, the Governor of Pakistan's KP province had claimed that she was in Pakistan's custody (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSQIm72qHBQ). Later, the Al-Jazeera TV channel also reported the same thing.

But when asked if she was in Pakistan's custody, the Pakistan army spokesman denied it, claiming that someone had spread this news on social media. 

On Facebook, worried Indians are asking Modi to clarify whether she's dead or in Pakistan, but they are not getting any response from Modi (the butcher of Gujarat).

I suppose if the Indian leader admits that she's dead or in Pakistan, it will prove that he and his army has been lying about the war. No sane Indian would then believe him when he says that the four day war achieved its objective. 

Israel's attack: why was Iran unprepared?

Practically the whole world new that Israel would attack Iran, so why didn't Iran prepare for it? Many of Iran's leaders were killed while asleep. What this proves is that Israel has many spies in Iran. It also proves that the Iranian leadership didn't expect the attack, despite Trump himself indicating that it would happen. Perhaps Iran's leaders thought that with talks scheduled to be held with the US on Sunday, Israel would refrain.

But why does the US support that psychopath Netanyahoo? Why do they object to Iran having the bomb, while allowing Israel to have it? Netanyahoo is doing all he can to prevent being convicted for corruption. 

But why are the Arab countries like UAE and Qatar supporting Israel? It should be the other way around. At least Iran has never attacked any other country, while Israel has always wreaked havoc on its neighbors. I hope this war doesn't spread.

Bad Tax

 Published in the Friday Times

Sir,

According to the news, the government is considering to enhance the sales tax rate from 15 per cent to 17.5 per cent in the forthcoming budget. This step will only serve to enrich the smugglers and those who indulge in the under-invoicing and mis-declaration of imported goods. What is needed is the imposition of VAT or sales tax at the retail stage. Billions can be collected by strictly enforcing this measure.

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi

Corruptistan?

 Published in the Friday Times

Sir, 

As usual, the government has penalised industrialists who are desperately trying to run their factories. By increasing sales tax; withholding tax; and taxing electricity bills, salaries, and other measures, the authorities have dealt a death blow to the already sick industrial sector of the country. At the same time, nothing has been done to tax those who are looting the country. The smugglers and those who indulge in underinvoicing and misdeclaration of imported goods have not been touched. Neither have retailers been axed. Absolutely no steps have been taken to generate employment. Instead of revenue, this budget will generate more thieves, robbers and smugglers. But then, in the words of the prime minister, these are also "honourable men," like the hoarders and black-marketers. Why not re-name the country "Smuggleristan" or "Corruptistan"?

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi

The Verdict

Published in the Friday Times on March 7, 2008

 Sir, 

Although the people rejected Musharraf and his allies in the elections, the Americans are not happy. They think Musharraf is indispensable for Pakistan. They have been pressuring both Zardari and Nawaz to let Musharraf remain in office. So what was the point in holding elections? Why did we waste those millions on asking the people what they wanted if we can't decide fr ourselves who our leaders should be? Why doesn't the US dictate to India who should be president or prime minister? There is only one way forward now: restoration of the sacked judges and accountability of those who looted the country during the past five years. The nation would love to know what happened to all that flour which we had in such abundant quantity, that our prime minister exported it and then we had to import it at a huge loss.

Shakir Lakhani

Karachi