Fundamentals of change

The Jamaat-e-Islami, or the Islamic Party, held its meeting to mobilise people for the enforcement of a “true Islamic system” in the country based on the teachings of the Koran.

“I have not sipped a drop of these drinks since Pakistan conducted nuclear tests. I ask you to boycott Pepsi, Coke and Fanta. . . They are now forbidden for us,” Ahmed said and his followers responded with loud shouts of approval. He also rallied against fast food outlets, like the United States-based McDonald’s andKentucky Fried Chicken. McDonald’s opened its first restaurant in the eastern Punjab capital of Lahore last month and the fried chicken franchise has several restaurants in the southern port city of Karachi.

The Jamaat-e-Islami which boycotted elections in 1997, is a small, but influential party, considered the bulwark of an Islamic revivalists movement. Ahmed also urged a boycott of Indian movies, which are extremely popular in Pakistan. “Swear today that you won’t watch Indian movies from today nor allow any one to see them. . . We will expel Indian culture from this country,” he said.

Many fear that Ahmed’s call to stop others from patronising Western outlets or attending Indian movies, which are shown throughout the country, could result in violence. In recent months there have been attacks on Kentucky Fried Chicken outlets in Karachi. Ahmed also railed against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s government for “runaway corruption and mismanagement”. “Nawaz Sharif is insincere in enforcing Islam. . .He has curtailed the powers of the president, destroyed the institution of judiciary and now his policies are creating uncertainty in the army,” he said.

Ahmed urged the army to adopt more Islamic ways. Pakistan’s powerful military has ruled the country for 25 of its 51-year history. Ahmed warned the army’s hierarchy that there is discontent in the lower ranks. He chastised the army’s generals for indulging in “perks and privileges” and warned that “in Islamic armies, generals lead and not enjoy perks.”Ahmed closed the meeting calling on participants to fight for an Islamic revolution in Pakistan and bring “radical changes in the society”.

Meanwhile, another religious party, the Jamiat Ulema -e-Islam (JUI), has threatened to burn down the houses of opposition senators if they vote against the Islamic Shariat law bill in the upper house of parliament, it was reported today.

Ajmal Qadri, chief of the pro-government faction of the JUI, was quoted by the Jang daily as saying Sharif should “buy” thevotes he lacks. Qadri said the country, carved out of British-ruled India in 1947 in the name of Islam, would “lose it raison d’etre” if the Shariat was not implemented there.