Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph

Anwar Ali Merchant Congratulates the Cabinet and Excellency Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani

Press Release
For Immediate Release

Text of the message of congratulations for Excellency Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani:

Islamabad, March 31, 2008
Excellency Yousuf Raza Gilani
Prime Minister
Islamic Republic of Pakistan

Sir,

On the happy occasion of your 24-member cabinet sworn in by His Excellency President Musharraf, I send you my warmest hearty congratulations with prayers for success in all your future endeavors.

I send my hearty felicitations and best wishes individually to each of the honorable ministers sworn in today:
Shah Mehmood Qureshi (Foreign Minister), Sherry Rehman (Information Minister), Syed Naveed Qamar (Minister for Privatisation/Port and Shipping-additional), Raja Pervez Ashraf (Minister for Water and Power), Syed Khursheed Shah (Minister for Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis), Qamar Zaman Kaira (Minister for Kashmir Affairs), Senator Farooq Naek (Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights), Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar (Minister for Defence), Nazar Muhammad Gondal (Minister for Narcotics), Najamuddin Khan (Minister for States and Frontier Region) and Mir Humayon Aziz Kurd (Minister for Population Welfare), Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan (Senior Minister), Senator Ishaq Dar (Minister for Finance, Economic Affairs and Commerce), Ahsan Iqbal (Minister for Education), Tehmina Daultana (Minister for Women Development), Sardar Mehtab Abbasi (Minister for Railways), Khawaja Asif (Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources), Rana Tanveer Hussain (Minister for Defense Production), Shahid Khakhan Abbasi (Ministry of Trade), Khawaja Saad Rafiq (Minister for Youth Affairs), Ghulam Ahmed Bilour (Minister for Local Government and Rural Development), Khawaja Mohammed Khan Hoti (Minister for Social Welfare), Rehmatullah Kakar, Hameedullah Jan Afridi, and Rehman Malik.

I also take this opportunity to congratulate President Musharraf for having successfully put Pakistan on the roadmap of democracy and welfare of the people of Pakistan.

Excellency, once again I congratulate you and the honorable ministers from the bottom of my heart with prayers for welfare, happiness, independence and sovereignty of our great nation – Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Thank you,

Sincerely,

Anwar Merchant
Founder Chairman – President
Muslim Democracy League

Islamabad 44000
Pakistan
+923455086313
Email: nuslimdemocracy@gmail.com

NOTES:

Formed on the auspicious birth anniversary of Holy Prophet Muhammad [peace be upon him and his family] Rabi ul Awwal 12, 1429 ME, Friday March 21 2008, Muslim Democracy League is the political forum and thinktank of Pakistan, contributing knowledge, consultation and insight related to promotion of faith based consensus democracy in Pakistan.

The norms and assumptions that characterise belief and action in Islam have their initial inspiration in two foundation sources. One is the message revealed by God to the Holy Prophet [peace be upon him and his family] and recorded in Quran. The second is Sunnah, the recording of the Prophet’s life, his words, actions and habits, his character, struggle, piety, modesty and success that has come in time to represent for Muslims, a timeless pattern for daily life. And this is true both for the state and the individual. Accordingly, Muslim Democracy League supports to enhance theological and political consensus among different stake holders for the development of good governance in Pakistan.

Muslim Democracy League is the continuation of the original theme and format of Muslim League [1906]. It works to build confidence between West and Muslims, and facilitates collaboration between people, civil society and government to address some of the development needs in Pakistan today.

Muslim Democracy works to historically deliver, both for Pakistan and world community so to speak about civil society and democracy, knowledge and learning, health, housing and economy, technology, industry and commerce, heritage and environment, alleviation of the sufferings of the poor, the sick and the needy, women emancipation and good governance, theological and political consensus, protection and welfare of minorities, support for responsible media, independence of judiciary, indigenous rule of the people, dignity and integrity of the government, Muslim Caliphate, Armed Forces, Law Agencies, and Islamic ethics of discipline, tolerance, knowledge, development, pluralism, interfaith harmony and global peace.

Aga Khan Muslim University: His Highness Aga Khan is establishing a Muslim University with a total cost of US $ 500 million, the president of Aga Khan Council, Iqbal Waljee, said in Karachi on Thursday, 24 January 2008.. He said 1,000 acres of land has been acquired for the purpose on Super Highway in Karachi. The Aga Khan will inaugurate the ground ceremony shortly, he said adding that acadamic activity will start from 2011. Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Imamat Caliphate of Aga Khan is being marked in Pakistan with high profile programmes including lecture series by Karen Armstrong on intellectual traditions in Islam. His Highness Aga Khan considers Pakistan, his second home.

                                                  www.ismaili.us

Fatimid Heritage Foundation in a message today extended heartiest greetings and congratulations to all the newly appointed Honorable Federal Misters, sworn in at the Presidency, oath of office administered by His Excellency President Musharraf : Hon. Shehzada Alam Mannun, Hon. Saleem Abbas Jeelani, Hon. Salman Taseer, Hon. Abdullah Reyar, Hon. Senator Nisar Memon, Hon. Barrister Shahida Jameel, Hon. Inamullah Khan, Hon. Ansar Burney, Hon. Abbas Sarfaraz, Hon. Syed Afzal Haider, Hon. Salman Shah, Hon. Barrister Habib ur Rehman, Hon. Ehsanullah Khan, Hon. Lala Nisar Khan Muhamamd Khan, Hon. Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif, Hon. Dr. Shams Lakha, Hon. Syed Wajid H.Bukhari, Hon. Dr Faheem Ansari, Hon. Prince Esa Khan, Hon. Hamid Nawaz, Hon. Nisar Ghuman, Hon. Raja Tarey Dev Roy, Hon. Khwaja Attaullah Tunsavey and Hon. Sikandar Jogazai with prayers for their success and happiness for the fulfillment of responsibilty.

Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID. Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area. MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.

The world community rejoiced and congratulated His Excellency President General Musharraf as he declared free, fair and crystal clear election to be held in first week of January 2008. The national and provincial assemblies, on completion of their tenure, will stand dissolved on 15 and 20 November respectively, and the Election Commission would be requested to hold the election.
“I would request the Election Commission to hold election as soon as possible,” the President told reporters during a high level press conference at the Presidency in Islamabad. The President said a decision has been taken in consonance with the Chief Ministers of all four provinces to hold the election simultaneously the same day.
He said the National Assembly would dissolve on November 15, while the Provincial Assemblies by November 20 so that the election could be held in the next 45 to 60 days, as required according to the Constitution.
“I leave it to the Election Commission to decide the exact date.”
“This is a historic moment of joy and satisfaction as the Assemblies have completed its full five year tenure for the first time in the history of our country,” he said, and added “it is the way that the things should have moved in the past and should move in the future.’’
President Musharraf said he would take the oath of office as the civilian President of Pakistan soon after notification of results of the presidential election, where he got a thumping 57 per cent votes from the Parliament and four provincial assemblies.
He said arrested politicians would be freed but that emergency was needed to complete the holding of free and fair election.
“I would expect that all of them get released and participate in the elections, and do electioneering as per the rules given by the Election Commission of Pakistan.”
“But in case they disturb law and order, and cause to create anarchy in Pakistan in the name of elections, or in the garb of democracy, then the nation will not allow that,” the President added.
He said a plan had been made to strengthen the second line of Defense of Pakistan with addition of 15,000 police, 128 platoons of Frontier Corps, 7,000 Levies and 12 wings of Rangers.
The President said he is always for a free but responsibly competent media that works for the integrity of Pakistan and morale of its countrymen, to make democracy function progressively. “I am for independence of media and stand by it,” he added.
President Musharraf called upon the legal fraternity to understand the security threat to Pakistan and contribute their best for its integrity and safety.

Year 2007 is the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.
Notes:
Fatimid Heritage Foundation supports heritage, education and peace activities to enhance knowledge, interfaith harmony and global pluralism. The FATIMID works to promote a more secure, equitable and prosperous world in conformity with the vision of His Highness Aga Khan. It is an expression of love and devotion Ismaili Muslims have for Aga Khan Fatimid Imam Caliph, 49th direct lineal descendant of Prophet Muhammad through his cousin and son-in-law, Aly, the first Imam-Caliph, and his wife Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter. Aga Khan is the rope of love, wisdom and unity among interpretations of the Faith, and also bridge of confidence between West and Muslims. This year, the world is celebrating Golden Jubilee of the Imamat Caliphate of His Highness the Aga Khan. Year 2007 is also the Diamond Jubilee of the creation of Pakistan.
Geneva Peace Development Centre (Geneva Peace) and Mountain Girls Education Development Program (MGEDP) are other development initiatives of The FATIMID.
Geneva Peace is an international non-profit initiative working to promote theological and political consensus between West and Muslims, so as to enhance friendship and peace globally. The name is derived of admiration for Geneva, the city of 44 Nobel Prizes. A centre of excellence and decision-making in multiple domains, Geneva has become the principal forum of world negotiation, and a natural home to intense diplomatic and networking activity, due to the numerous International Organizations and NGOs located in the Lake Geneva area.
MGEDP is a non-profit educational initiative co-founded by Anwar Merchant, Nazlin Anwar, Aziz and Shirin. Intellectual gender leadership of exceptional merit is the best motivation for future development of communities, and that mountain regions are too engulfed by poverty and hazards to develop their talented young girls as community leaders, led the family to found proposal for a network of catalytic centres of educational excellence around the mountain regions, known as the Mountain Girls Academies.
The FATIMID is a Cooperating Organization with Development Gateway.

Amidst his own dislike, struck with grief, pain and sorrow, the Chief of Army Staff President General Musharraf on Saturday declared state of emergency in Pakistan, promulgating the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO), and holding the Constitution in abeyance. This, he had to do, there being no other option to save the people of Pakistan from being dismembered.

Army Chief had to take this step to check worsening of law and order, and intensification of violence to an unprecedented level in Pakistan. The gravity of situation presented gravest threat to the life, property and repute of the people of Pakistan. Everything of this great nation was at stake: safety and security, human resources; gender equity; food, water and energy supplies; conciliation for democracy; unity and consensus; good governance; infrastructure; economy; health and education; peace and stability; independence and sovereignty; the very existence of Pakistan.

Pakistan is the second largest contributor of UN peacekeeping troops. It is dynamically involved in the activities of the United Nations, ensuring peace during conflicts and the post conflict situation in various countries. Pakistan has taken a lead role in piloting reforms at the country level, establishing one window UN operations.

Pakistan as the Chairman of G-77 group played pivotal role in ensuring that the UN activities reflect the aspirations and wishes of the developing countries.

Pakistan achieved record fastest growth of 7 per cent in the FY 2006-7. During his recent visit to Pakistan, Robert Zoellick, the World Bank President expressed his happiness with economic progress in Pakistan, and stressed the the need for consistency in reforms to help Pakistan compete world market.

Pakistan has also done remarkably for the implementation of the decisions of the UN reforms meeting of the high-level panel, co-chaired by Prime Minister Aziz, Jens Stoltenberg, the Prime Minister of Norway, and Luisa Dias Diogo, the Prime Minister of Mozambique.

In an extraordinary move, which many termed as supra-constitutional, the Army Chief promulgated emergency and thus foiled the conspiracy of some to dismember the nation of Pakistan.
President Musharraf, one of the most popular statesman globally, also referred to the “working of some members of the judiciary at cross purposes with the executive and the legislature, and thereby jeopardizing his government’s campaign for peace in the region, adversely affecting the economic growth of the country in particular; “overstepping” of some judges of their limits of judicial authority, making the Supreme Judicial Council entirely irrelevant, and “humiliating treatment” meted to government officials by some members of the judiciary on a perpetual basis. Though emergency, the Parliament and the Provincial Assemblies, and the judiciary shall continue to function as before.
“No judgment, decree, writ, order or process whatsoever shall be made or issued by any court or tribunal against the president or the prime minister or any authority designated by the president,” said Section 3(2) of the PCO issued here in the supreme interest of the country and its people. The PCO Section 1(3) says: “Subject to clause (1) above and the Oath of Office (Judges) Order, 2007, all courts in existence immediately before the commencement of this Order shall continue to function and to exercise their respective powers and jurisdiction, provided that the Supreme Court or a High Court or any other court shall not have the power to make any order against the president or the prime minister or any person exercising powers or jurisdiction under their authority”.
According to the proclamation of emergency “gravity of the situation and the threat to security of Pakistan has been reviewed at meetings with the prime minister, the governors of the four provinces, and with the chairman joint chiefs of staff committee, chiefs of the armed forces, the vice chief of army staff and the corps commanders”.

In Pakistan the life is normal, people have heaved a sigh of relief, and the nation in unison is resolutely with President General Musharraf in his campaign for peace, conciliation and consensus inside Pakistan and in the region.

The global community needs to look at the happenings in Pakistan with a sense of brotherhood, understanding and cooperation; and not that of a burden of dislike, as the nation is passing through a transition period of progress towards democracy.

Posted by Fatimid Heritage Foundation at 4:26 PM 0 comments Labels: Anwar Merchant, Geneva Peace, Pakistan, President Musharraf