Sharif family had laundered huge amounts in foreign currency through their off-shore companies: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (May 27, 2010) The sale of Phalia Sugar Mills was a transparent business transaction and no financial irregularity was committed as implied. After miserably failing to implicate the Chaudhry Family in Haris Steel scandal, our opponents are now desperately trying to drum up another set of false and baseless accusations. Such campaigns are meant to hide our opponents’ own follies and to divert public attention from their stupendous financial crimes. These views were expressed by Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League while responding to the accusations made in a section of the press concerning the sale of his family owned Phalia Sugar Mills to M/S Colony Group.

Moonis Elahi said that Colony Group was one of Pakistan’s leading business groups and its credit lines with various banks far exceeded the alleged amount mentioned in the news item and it was highly unfair to politicize a normal business deal to serve vested political interests. He said that Colony Group had not defaulted with the Bank of Punjab at any stage but on the contrary it was a known fact that the Sharif family was on the Bank of Punjab’s defaulters list and owed over 171 million rupees to the bank since long. Moonis Elahi further added that it was also common knowledge that the Sharifs were the country’s biggest bank defaulters and owed billions of rupees to various Pakistani banks, financial institutions and also to the FBR.

He said that it was also widely known that the Sharif family had laundered huge amounts in foreign currency through their off-shore companies and there was a signed confession of Nawaz Sharif and Shahbaz Sharif to this effect present in the records of London High Court. These and similar other facts regarding the financial crimes of the Sharifs had been time and again pointed out by Pakistan Muslim League in the last two and a half years to the utter chagrin of the Sharifs, said Moonis Elahi. He further said that the Sharifs’ financial corruption was clearly evident from Hamesh Khan’s written statement submitted to the US, State Department and also in his petition filed with the Supreme Court of Pakistan where he had stated that the incumbent Punjab Chief Minister, on his failure to illegally wrest $ 8 million from Hamesh Khan, the BOP Chief at the time, for the purchase of a sugar mill and in being unable to coerce Hamesh Khan into becoming an approver against the Chaudhry family ordered his persecution.

Moonis Elahi alleged the N League government of deliberately destroying the Bank of Punjab’s market credibility soon after coming into power and of engineering its financial collapse for vested political gains. How was it possible that the share value of BOP which stood at Rs 130 per share till the end of our government in 2007 came crashing down to less than Rs 10 with in the first two months of Shahbaz Sharif’s government in 2008? Moonis asked. He challenged his opponents to prove that his family had ever maintained an account with the Bank of Punjab or borrowed even a penny from it at any point while in power.

Purchase of 28 VIP cars for Chief Minister exposes N League’s bogus austerity claims: Moonis Elahi

Lahore ( May 12, 2010) Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has said that at a time when the poor cannot even afford two square meals a day, Punjab’s N League government in stark contradiction to its bogus claims of austerity has decided to add 28 more VIP cars worth 31 crores to the Chief Minister’s fleet. The bullet proof cars bought by the previous regime were never auctioned contrary to announcements and are still in active personal service of Punjab’s ruling family. 28 new VIP cars are being acquired by further over-burdening the already depleted financial resources of Punjab.

Moonis Elahi expressed these views at a meeting with party workers in Lahore today. Lashing out at the decision of adding 28 more VIP cars to Punjab CM’s fleet, Moonis Elahi said that in the current extremely trying financial times where Punjab’s hospitals and schools had become incapable of performing their basic functions due to lack of funds and thousands of people were daily sliding down the poverty line due to inflation, unemployment and load shedding the decision of acquiring 28 new luxury vehicles has come as a shock.

Moonis Elahi flaying the decision said that the current rulers of Punjab were following in the footsteps of Muhammad Shah Rangeela a debauched Mughal King and their claims of adopting simplicity were nothing more than a farce. He said that the hidden face of N League now stood fully exposed to the people of Punjab and their announcements of bringing prices of essential commodities down to the level of 1999, auctioning of previous government’s bullet proof cars and converting 8 Club Road, Lahore into an IT university had proven to be a pack of lies.

Moonis Elahi alleged the N League government as solely responsible for Punjab’s existing sorry state of affairs and reiterated his party’s firm resolve to protect the interests of the poor.

Punjab is not a province of charity seekers: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (May 8, 2010) After the failure of the tandoor scam if CM Punjab thinks that his upcoming Langar hoax will save N League’s sinking boat he is sadly mistaken. Punjab is not a province of charity seekers and the proud people of Punjab demand their constitutional right to better life instead of being humiliated through N League’s sham roti, atta and langar schemes. If CM Punjab had an iota of genuine concern for the poor of the province he would have long ago dumped his huge army of useless advisors who are merely getting fatter day by day on public money. These were the views of Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League expressed during a meeting in Lahore today with office bearers of Pakistan Muslim League Labor Wing.
In the meeting Moonis Elahi blamed N League’s Punjab government for squandering massive public funds for cheap political gimmicks and huge personal gains at the expense of the innocent and proud Punjabis. He blamed N League for reducing Punjab once the bread basket of the country to a food deficient region and for insulting the pride of its people by forcing them to stand in long lines for flour, sugar and other necessary food items.

Moonis Elahi called CM Punjab’s latest announcement regarding the launch of Langar (public kitchen) scheme in Punjab as yet another hoax meant to deceive people and to extort public funds. If poor people can successfully run langars (public kitchens) at Data Sahib’s shrine in Lahore and at similar other holy places in Punjab with their scant resources and on their own then why can’t the N League leadership with its huge financial assets follow suit? Moonis Elahi asked while adding that the truth was that N League’s leadership had a history of taking money from the poor and not giving it back to them.

The langar scheme was going to be another fraud with the people and like in the earlier tandoor scam where 30 billion rupees of public money had disappeared the upcoming langar hoax was also bound to gobble further billions, he alleged. This time the people of Punjab will not be deceived and if any attempt is made to misappropriate public funds for political gimmickry they will confront the rulers, declared Moonis Elahi.

Moonis Elahi addressing to the workers of Pakistan Muslim League

Pakistan Muslim League Launched "Tehreek-e-Quaid"

Together with people we will free Punjab from N League’s “Qabza government": Moonis Elahi

Lahore ( April 28, 2010) The unholy alliance between N League and PPP has brought nothing but misery for the people. Punjab, once the most prosperous province of the country under our PML government is now financially the most backward under N League. N League’s “Qabza” government has failed on all fronts and the day is not far when Pakistan Muslim League together with people will free Punjab from its clutches. Pakistan Muslim League’s workers who have braved the vindictive tactics of the rulers and stood firm in the face of all persecution are the party’s greatest asset.

These views were expressed by Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League to a jam-packed Pakistan Muslim League, Kasur Workers’ convention held at the PML House auditorium in Lahore today. The PML workers’ convention was also addressed by eminent party leaders and leading PML representatives from Kasur.

The speakers included Opposition Leader Chaudhry Zaheer-ur-Din, Rana Imtiaz, Maqsood Sabir Ansari, Raza Ali Shamas, Maqbool Sabir Ansari, Malik Ahmed Ali, Sardar Shoukat Dogar, Malik Ahmed Saeed Khan, Sardar Atif Nakai, Nasir Mehmood Gill, Haji Sarfraz Khan, Awais Nakai and Rana Muhammad Aqeel. The speakers lauded the unprecedented development work carried out in Kasur like in other parts of Punjab during Chaudhry Pervez Elahi’s period and lamented at the present government’s failure in providing even an iota of PML government’s past services to the public.

The speakers from Kasur severely lashed out at the current deplorable economic, social and law and order conditions prevailing in Kasur on account of the misrule of N League’s Punjab government. They blamed N League for depriving Kasur of its development share in order to take revenge from the district for standing in support of Chaudhry Pervez Elahi and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain. They strongly condemned N League for not releasing funds for the construction of Lahore-Kasur road and Kasur-Depalpur road as these projects were initiated by the previous government. In his presidential address, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League, Moonis Elahi thanked the PML leaders and workers from Kasur for their unflinching support to the party and praised them for attending the convention in such a huge number particularly during wheat harvest time.

Moonis Elahi assured the Kasur party workers of his resolve to give top preference in all matters to the party workers and lauded them for their loyalty to Pakistan, Quaid e Azam and Pakistan Muslim League. He particularly appreciated their support to the party despite N League’s vindictive tactics.

Moonis Elahi warned the Kasur district police and civil administration officials to refrain from political persecution of PML workers and declared that persecutors will be brought to book when the party returns in the government. Moonis Elahi blamed N League for being insensitive to the miseries of the people and declared that dooms day was fast approaching for the rulers who were indifferent to the problems of the people.

He said that Punjab was currently ruled by those who immediately rush to the wash rooms to clean their hands after touching the poor. Pakistan Muslim League’s central leader blamed the N League and PPP alliance for bringing unheard of miseries on the poor in the shape of back-breaking inflation, sky-rocketing unemployment and incessant load shedding. He declared that the people of Punjab will never forgive N League for destroying the peace and prosperity of the province.

Promulgation of Section 144 on business community a highly condemnable step: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (April 27, 2010) The promulgation of section 144 in Punjab to forcibly prevent shops and businesses from operating after 8 in the evening is another extremely unpopular and regressive step taken by N League’s Punjab government. Punjab’s peace loving shopkeepers and traders are being treated as terrorists in N League’s rule. The Chief Minister has flown off to London to avoid public flaying over his government’s anti-people policies and decisions. These views were expressed by Moonis Elahi today during a meeting with representatives of Punjab’s business community at his residence in Lahore.

In the meeting Moonis Elahi strongly criticized the enforcement of section 144 on Punjab’s business community and warned the N League government of the consequences of its anti-trade decisions. He assured Pakistan Muslim League’s unflinching support to the suffering shopkeepers and traders of the province and resolved to leave no stone unturned for the protection of their rights and interests.

Moonis Elahi blamed N League as the sole architect of the ongoing power crisis in Punjab. He also blamed N League for the current financial debacle of Punjab and alleged that after emptying the provincial coffers through mismanagement and misappropriation N League was now working to destroy the province’s private enterprises by enforcing on them a section of the law which was otherwise only meant to control terrorists and rioters.

Moonis Elahi declared that N League’s antagonistic policies and anti-trade decisions had opened the business community’s eyes and the business community now fully understood the selfish motives of N League’s leadership. He strongly criticized the harassment being spread in the business community by unknown individuals going around in market places threatening the traders of dire consequences on loud speakers in case of non compliance with the order of closing shops by 8 pm.

“Nura” League surpasses allies in anti-people policies: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (April 24, 2010) As if the earlier titles in the N series were not enough that N League by endorsing the anti-business decisions of two weekly holidays and daily closure of shops by 8 pm now also clearly qualifies to be categorized as “Nura” League. Acting as a benign opposition at the centre and playing bed mates in Punjab with PPP, N League has surpassed its allies in backstabbing the very people who entrusted confidence in them in the 2008 election. After the commercial plazas target killing spree the two-holidays per week “Chuttee Bomb” if applied will destroy of what is left of business in Punjab. These views were expressed today in Lahore by Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League while talking to a delegation of Pakistan Muslim League Traders Wing.

Moonis Elahi reiterated his party’s unflinching commitment to the cause of the business community and strongly condemned the decisions of two-holidays per week and closure of businesses by 8 in the evening. He said that 18 hours daily load shedding in Punjab could have been reduced to 4 hours daily like in other provinces had the N League government sincerely advocated Punjab’s case. Not just during the power crisis but in all other crises, N League without a moment’s hesitation has been compromising Punjab’s interests for self gains, alleged Moonis Elahi. He blamed N League and its allies for jointly playing havoc with the country’s economy and bringing it to the verge of collapse.

He said that Punjab’s default now stood at a staggering amount of Rupees 73 billion and if the recent anti-trade decisions were not withdrawn immediately the rates of poverty, unemployment, suicides and crimes which had already touched alarming heights were bound to shoot further up in the province. Moonis Elahi warned the rulers of a public lash back worse than Kyrgystan if anti- business decisions and IMF dictates emphasizing further taxes on the already impoverished people of Punjab were allowed to be carried out.

Moonis Elahi strongly condemned the Punjab government’s threat of cutting power supply to traders who did not comply with the 8 pm draconian decree and said that N League now stood fully exposed to the people of Punjab including the business community.

N League solely responsible for bitterness and depravation prevailing in South Punjab: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (April 21, 2010) Punjab government’s step-motherly treatment and diversion of South Punjab’s already meager funds and resources for the development of Jati Umra have created a bitter resentment and an acute sense of depravation in the people of South Punjab. To address these negative developments and to alleviate the miseries of the people, creation of a South Punjab province is the dire need of the hour. These views were expressed today in Lahore by Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League during a meeting with his party office bearers and workers hailing from Multan Division. During our five year rule we left no stone unturned to bring South Punjab at par in development and prosperity with the rest of the province, said Moonis Elahi.

He reminded the party members from Multan that Chaudhry Parvez Elahi had declared South Punjab as his second home and throughout his government he personally undertook countless measures to pull the people of South Punjab out of abysmal poverty and backwardness.

Moonis Elahi strongly condemned the deliberate step motherly treatment meted out to South Punjab since 2008 by N League government. He said that during the rule of PML government maximum resources were allocated for the progress and uplift of South Punjab and from 2002 to 2007 over 117 billion rupees were expended in the previously neglected region. On the contrary, this year’s measly allocation of rupees five billion for South Punjab by N League is nothing more than a joke and a stark reminder of N League’s deliberate indifference to the miseries of teeming millions living in the neglected region, remarked Moonis Elahi.

He further added that for South Punjab’s population of over 40 million only 5 billion rupees were considered sufficient in this year’s budget but on the other hand for a road leading to Jati Umra, the residence of the current Punjab rulers, an atrocious amount of rupees 21 billion was very conveniently dished out. While our government up to 2007 launched and completed several mega public service projects in South Punjab including hospitals, schools, colleges, roads, bridges, industrial estates, water supply and sanitation schemes etc, it is saddening to note that in the last two years not even a single new water tap has been installed by the current rulers here, stated Moonis Elahi.

Commenting on his party’s policy on creation of new provinces, Moonis Elahi declared that Pakistan Muslim League had always stood by the will of the people and creating a South Punjab province was an apt remedy to plug administrative gaps that had become even more manifest due to the incompetence of the current rulers.

N League playing the role of “Nifaaq League”: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (April 13, 2010) After the earlier titles of “Neelam” (Auction) and “Na Ehal” (Incompetent) League”, N League, now a days because of its divisive and selfish role is also being widely called as “Nifaaq” (Division) League. The divide and rule N League leadership can’t even spell the word revolution right let alone understand its dynamics. N League’s incompetence is the cause of recent public outrage in Punjab. These were the views of Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League, while talking to party workers in Lahore today. N League’s incompetence is leading Punjab towards an even worse situation than Kirghizstan, alleged Moonis Elahi while commenting on Punjab’s current dire financial straits. He said that excruciating inflation, towering unemployment and nerve breaking load shedding had virtually crippled the country’s largest province and forced people to come out in protest. He called the current protests in Punjab an expression of a deep public outrage against N League’s failure in delivering on each of the promises its leaders made with the people in 2008 election.


Moonis Elahi said that besides its poor performance in Punjab, N League’s macabre role in the NWFP name controversy had virtually rocked the country’s very foundations and created unheard of divides among people. Characteristic of N League, its hypocritical role in the NWFP name issue and on the question of a separate Hazara province reflects the self-centered, power hungry and stab-in-the-back attitude of its leadership, he said. Moonis Elahi expressed his deep shock and grief at the unfortunate loss of precious human lives and property in Abbotabad and blamed N League as solely responsible for the tragic and highly dangerous developments in Pakistan’s Northern Province.

18th Amendment overshadowed by 18 hours daily load shedding: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (April 8, 2010) How can people welcome 18th Amendment when confronted by the travails of 18 hours daily load shedding, sky rocketing inflation and record high unemployment? The prices of basic necessities have been increased as many as 18 times in the last two years. In the wake of nerve wrecking increase in prices of fuel and other commodities, the Punjab government’s decision to up the water tariff by 75% is another extremely cruel decision. These views were expressed by Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League, while talking to party members here in Lahore today.


Moonis Elahi said that the present rulers were not bothered about the sufferings of the masses and their only concern was the protection of their ill-gotten wealth and power. He said that Pakistan Muslim League had warned of the consequences of acquiring gas run rental power units a year back but no attention was paid to these warnings at the time. Today all our warnings unfortunately are coming true and people are facing not only the worst electricity and gas shortage in country’s history but on top also being forced to pay huge power and gas bills, said Moonis Elahi. He said that summaries for further increase by next month in power and natural gas rates were being prepared. The proposed increase would put a further unbearable burden on the already suffering people, he feared. He said that electricity obtained from gas run rental power units would cost six times more than hydro electricity. What good will be the electricity produced by rental power units if beyond people’s reach? Moonis Elahi asked.

He expressed his anger at WASA’s decision of 75% increase in bills of commercial water connections and called it as another Draconian levy imposed on the masses by Punjab rulers. Moonis Elahi alleged Punjab government of deliberately compromising Punjab’s rights and interests for personal gains. Moonis Elahi warned the rulers to desist from their pro-IMF and anti-people policies and decisions. He said that people were justified in thinking that all their problems could only come to an end if the current rulers were sent home.

Punjab Chief Minister had not only sprinkled salt on the bleeding wounds of the nation but had also sent extremely negative vibes about Punjab to smaller provinces to the detriment of national unity: Moonis Elahi

Lahore ( March 18, 2010 )The comments made by Punjab Chief Minister suggesting that the extremists should launch their terrorist attacks outside Punjab demand the most vigorous condemnation possible. N League’s history is writ large with instances where national unity and interests have been compromised for ulterior motives. The people of Punjab consider Pakistanis living in other provinces as their brothers and sisters and value their happiness and well being as much as their own. These were the views of Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League while talking to party workers here in Lahore today.

Moonis Elahi said that by establishing common grounds with perpetrators of death and destruction and by identifying with their agenda of doom the Punjab Chief Minister had not only sprinkled salt on the bleeding wounds of the nation but had also sent extremely negative vibes about Punjab to smaller provinces to the detriment of national unity.

Moonis Elahi said that it was shameful that in the month of March when the nation celebrates the Pakistan Resolution day such an irresponsible statement was made by the Chief Executive of the province where the epoch making resolution was adopted in 1940. He said that this statement had rocked the foundations on which the nation stood and had made the people of Punjab regret their decision of voting N League into power in 2008.

Moonis Elahi claimed that during his party’s rule from 2002 to 2007 because of its pro-people development initiatives acts of terrorism in Punjab were few and far between. He claimed that in the last two years due to N League’s anti-people policies and extreme misuse of provincial resources there was wide unrest in Punjab and the people were hard hit by inflation, unemployment and repeated power outages with no where to go. He feared that the present poor socio-economic environment in Punjab was likely to make certain areas of the province a breeding ground for terrorism. Moonis Elahi alleged that apart from undermining the spirit of national unity the statement also smacked of N League’s incompetence and failure in curbing terrorism in Punjab as in the last two years terrorism had increased by 800% in the province. Moonis Elahi held N League government as solely responsible for the unfortunate development.

Moonis Elahi remarked that Pakistan Muslim League had vociferously condemned drone attacks on Pakistani soil but N League contradictory to its claim of not taking outside dictation was through out mysteriously silent on this account. He said that this mysterious silence was a sure proof of N League’s tacit and hypocritical approval of drone attacks on Pakistanis and an endorsement of the fact that they were taking outside dictates.

Kalabagh Dam demand surrendered by electricity thieves: Moonis Elahi

Gujrat (March 13, 2010): Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League has alleged that the blatant theft of electricity on one hand and the shameful withdrawal from the demand for Kalabagh dam on the other are glaring proofs of N League’s treacherous role against the people of Punjab and Pakistan. The present rulers of Punjab have a long history of trading off Punjab’s rights to further their vested interests. NFC Awards meetings offered an ideal opportunity for consensus building on Kalabagh dam but personal interests were given preference over national interests. These views were expressed by Moonis Elahi, central leader of Pakistan Muslim League today at a party workers meeting in Gujrat.

Moonis Elahi claimed that till the last day of its government, Pakistan Muslim League continued efforts for consensus building on the vital power project but N League after forming government in Punjab in 2008 immediately expunged Kalabagh dam from its manifesto to further personal interests.. Moonis Elahi declared that N League government not only backed out on the demand for Kalabagh dam in 2008 but had also in times of severe load shedding not once advocated its need in larger national interest. Moonis Elahi questioned the use of running expensive anti-electricity theft campaigns in the media when everyone knew that the biggest electricity thieves were the current rulers of Punjab.

He sympathized with the employees of LESCO who were wrongfully made scapegoats to cover up for the electricity theft committed by the N League government. He said that in the last two years due to poor performance and insincere policies of N League in Punjab the people of the province had been pushed to unprecedented depths of poverty, unemployment and lawlessness.

Punjab rulers not concerned with people’s problems: Moonis Elahi

Gujrat (March 9, 2010) Moonis Elahi, Central Leader of Pakistan Muslim League has said that March 24 will be remembered as a day of glorious victory for Gujrat and Pakistan Muslim League in the annals of history. On that day the real fight will be between the people of Gujrat and the usurpers sitting in Raiwind and in the final reckoning the decision of the people will stand supreme. Moonis Elahi said that Pakistan Muslim League was the true well wisher of the people and by voting Imran Masood to Punjab Assembly from Gujrat PP 111 with a heavy majority on March 24, the people of Gujrat will be rejecting the current ruling clique comprising fake degree holders and electricity thieves. How the current rulers of Punjab can after being caught red handed in the act of stealing electricity guide people to the right path? Moonis Elahi made these remarks while addressing public meetings at Kalra Khasa, kalra Kallan, Palace Colony and Lokri in connection with Gujrat PP 111 election taking place on 24th of this month.

Other speakers in the meetings included Ch. Irshad Waraich, Ch. Ahmad Nadeem Gujjar, Ch. Zahid Hussain Bhatti, Inam ul Haq, Ch. Naseer Sindhu, Asif Dhol, Haji Safdar Numberdar, Haji Safdar Multani, Ch. Riffat Mahmud, Ch. Mahbub Elahi, Ch. Majeed Waraich, Nasir Dar, Bashir Rahmani, Fazal Hussain, Wajid Shah, Dr. M Ansar, Ch. Rashid Ali, Waheed Aslam Chattha. Also present in large numbers were leaders and workers of Pakistan Muslim League Youth Wing, Gujrat.

Moonis Elahi said that he and his family belonged to Gujrat and no one knew the problems of Gujrat like they knew. He took pride in the fact that the sons of Gujrat had always reflected on their city’s name and had also achieved highest offices in the government. On the other hand, Moonis Elahi said that the current rulers of Punjab were hell bent on flouting the law, squandering public resources and openly stealing electricity. The current Punjab rulers have terribly failed in providing public with any relief and their only concern is the protection of power for which they can go to any extent, Moonis Elahi alleged. Moonis Elahi strongly criticized the failure of Punjab government in preventing the unfortunate Model Town suicide bombing incident despite receiving warnings well in advance. The rulers are directly responsible for the tragic loss of life and property in this case, he said.

Moonis Elahi reiterated his firm commitment to do away with contract and Qabza mafias and give preference to unemployed youths in provision of jobs when Pakistan Muslim League returned to power.

Earlier, Moonis Elahi called on Ch. Mohammad Ilyas Waraich of Kalra at his residence and exchanged views on the current political scene of Gujrat. Ch. Ilyas Waraich assured his complete and unflinching support to Pakistan Muslim League’s candidate Imran Masood.

Moonis Elahi with PML Members in Washington DC, USA

Chauhdry Wajahat Hussain Address to Pakistani Community in USA

Chauhdry Parvez Elahi's Address to Pakistani Community in Washington DC, USA

A Few Questions: Moonis Elahi

A few questions have been giving sleepless nights to countless Muslims across the globe in recent times.

Firstly, while they strongly believe that Islam is a message of peace, progress and harmony, the Muslims of the world desperately want to know that why they are currently steeped in the worst kinds of ignorance, intrigue and ignominy?

Secondly, they also want to know that while Islam emphasizes on the maximization of the best in human nature, why today some of them are capitalizing on the worst in human nature to the detriment of mankind?

Thirdly, they are now seeking to find out the answer to this vital question that why despite abundant human and natural resources, oil for instance, the majority of today’s 1.5 billion Muslims living in 55 Muslim countries of the world are pitted in abject poverty and forced to live in extremely trying social, economic and political conditions?

Pakistan is no exception to the rule. As a matter of fact, the worst conditions that can prevail in any present day Muslim land are all at their full foul play in the Land of the Pure. Another sordid truth is that while Pakistan’s present reputation as the hot-bed of terrorism precedes all its earlier claims to fame, the thinking Pakistanis have always been haunted by Pakistan’s reputation as being a country surviving essentially on foreign pittances since birth. The fact remains that if terrorism has recently become synonymous with Pakistan the flip side of the Pakistani coin has always featured the “green begging bowl”. We have been known as a nation of charity seekers through out our 62 years history. Today, the Pakistanis have the right to know that while the Holy Prophet (PBUH) enjoined upon all Muslims to seek knowledge as an obligation even if that meant going to China, why instead of knowledge we only look up to China for financial support? And not just to China, why have we been trotting the globe from Saudi Arabia to Libya and from Europe to the United States of America busy begging for riyals, yens, pounds and dollars? Here by “we” the obvious allusion is to the respective Pakistani governments since 1947 which have always taken pride in their success of wining charity and alms in the form of aid and loans from richer countries. In fact, foreign borrowings are the barometer of a government’s success even today. The false rule of higher the borrowing, stronger the government is what the Pakistanis have been made to appreciate all along. The people of Pakistan are now questioning the true merit of this fallacy more than ever before. Destined for greatness, they want to know that why have they been reduced to a nation of borrowers?

The quality of religious education currently being imparted in the Muslim world is also a matter of grave concern for the present day thinking Muslims. There are many of them incessantly searching an answer to questions like why religious education in Muslim societies instead of nurturing has blocked intellectual and material growth? They are desirous to find out that why today’s religious education is not helping them in the attainment of material success. Muslims are keen to know that why instead of making them self reliant and bringing them at par with the knowledge and technological standards of the developed societies today’s religious teaching is making them further dependant on the west for almost every thing? From modern textile machines to F.16s there is nothing any of the Muslim countries can proudly claim to have become self-sufficient in. Today, every thinking Muslim wants to know that why has the true Islamic knowledge base been over-shadowed by the debate between belief and disbelief and why are we so behind the West?

Another strange contradiction scarring Islamic values today is the presence of a mindset that on one hand persuades the followers to lay down their lives in the name of Islam and on the other hand itself falls miserably short of the great Islamic moral and social codes and ethics. I see examples of this dichotomy spread all around us. While driving in Lahore city, I often come across posters, banners and bill-boards of religious groups declaring their unflinching love and loyalty to the Holy Prophet (PBUH). As a Muslim I also share the same feelings but then I ask myself that are we following in deed what we are claiming in word? I ask myself that if we were truly following the teachings of our Holy Prophet (PBUH) then would the vices of food adulteration and an unbridled squandering of time and resources be as rampant in our society as they are today. I ask myself that why are our cities and towns infested with filth and rubbish while our Holy Prophet (PBUH) has taught us that “cleanliness is half faith”. I ask you that had we been the true followers of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH) as we claim to be then would we be as divided and resource less as we are today and could our lives be as undisciplined as they are today?

Who are those who have restricted the pursuit of knowledge and free inquiry in Muslim societies? Who are those who have eclipsed the light of true Islam from reaching and enlightening our lives? Are we to continue groping in this enforced darkness thrusted upon us? Why the Holy Quran, God’s final message to mankind and the world’s most recited book, is only presented to us as a book of atonement and not of enlightenment? Why are the so-called custodians of God’s final message not allowing us to rationalize our lives and find our answers in the light of true Quranic teachings? Such and similar other questions are looming large in the minds of thinking Muslims of the 21st century.

The startling truth is that Muslim thinking was rendered a strong blow a few centuries back when reason was made subservient to blind faith. It is also true that since then Muslim thinking has not been able to retrace its way back to its glorious past and the retrogressive forces have not let free enquiry play its role in the re-ascendancy of reason in the Muslim world.

The first word with which God began His communication with the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was “Iqra”…Read, yet is it not true that for centuries the Muslim world has been deliberately kept away from following this divine injunction? Can we deny the fact that amongst the top 500 universities of the world there is not a single university belonging to the Muslim world considered worthy of a place in the coveted list? Can we question the veracity of the charge that let alone American and European universities there is not a single university in the Muslim world which can parallel even some of the more known Indian universities of today. Similarly, as opposed to an innumerable number of American, European and even Indian Nobel laureates what is the number of Muslim recipients of the world’s most prestigious award conferred on men and women of outstanding knowledge?

An undeniable truth of our times is that the world we today live in has been crafted by Western thought and we are only recycling the knowledge transferred to us by the West. Here, allow me to categorically state that I am not among those who believe in the supremacy of modern science and technology over human spirit. On the contrary, I am of the firm belief that there is no conflict between the two and that the minds which refute religion for science and otherwise are both “Baatil”…. False and Untrue.

To sum it up, I believe the time has come for the Muslim world to make a fresh journey with in and find answers to some basic questions, a few of which I have dared to put forth.

India Encroaching Pakistan’s Water Rights While Rulers Busy Playing Power Games: Moonis Elahi

The country is going through the worst dry spell in ages with a severe agricultural drought predicted six months down but the rulers unbothered by the imminent catastrophe are busy whetting their appetite for power. Had there been an iota of concern for the 170 million water starved Pakistanis and millions of acres of water deficient agricultural land the rulers would have long stopped their power games and in fight and chalked out an emergent water management strategy instead. But by looking the other way they have shown where their true interests lie. These views were expressed by the senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League, Moonis Elahi while talking in Lahore yesterday with a group of agriculturists belonging to Central Punjab. In the meeting, Moonis Elahi strongly condemned the present rulers’ unforgivable failure to prevent India from encroaching on Pakistan’s water rights.

He blamed the PPP Government at the centre and the N League Government of Punjab for deliberately letting India get away with its blatant violations of the Indus Basin Treaty. The main leaders of both the current ruling parties were frequently going abroad on highly expensive official trips but not once did they draw the global attention towards India’s criminal violations of Pakistan’s water rights, said Moonis Elahi. He said that after taking Punjab to the verge of financial bankruptcy the incompetent N League Government was now pushing the once food rich province towards an acute agricultural disaster. The people will never forgive the current rulers for their criminal negligence and total incompetence in handling the water issue, he said.

Moonis Elahi strongly emphasized the need for quick thinking and action which he thought the current rulers were incapable of undertaking. To avert the devastations of an imminent agricultural disaster a sensible and far-sighted government would have by now announced several pro-farmer steps including announcement of a Water Emergency, exemption from load shedding and introduction of highly subsidized electricity and diesel rates for the wheat, sugarcane, maize and cotton farmers of the country, Moonis Elahi pointed out.

Un-lawlessness in Punjab is due to N_League Government. Moonis Elahi

Indian Jingoism at Play in the IPL Auction: Moonis Elahi

Lahore : January 20, 2010

The fact that there were no takers for Pakistani cricketers in the Indian Premier League betrays the unethical, discriminatory and prejudicial outlook of Indian corporate leaders, Bollywood stars, IPL organizers, Indian Cricket Board and above all the Indian Government against the players and People of Pakistan. No matter how much the Indians blow their trumpet of being a liberal, educated and cultured people this act has once again revealed their true anti-Pakistan intentions. We should boycott IPL matches on television, ban the use of Indian products and stop watching Indian flicks featuring Bollywood stars who are also IPL franchisees till an official apology from the Indian Government and IPL organizers is received. This was stated by Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League while giving an interview to a foreign correspondent.

Commenting on the recent IPL held cricketers’ auction where eleven Pakistani cricketers remained unsold Moonis Elahi said that the Pakistan Government, Pakistan Cricket Board and the Pakistani cricketers should now open their eyes and stop compromising Pakistan’s prestige for personal thrills and selfish gains. We won independence under the Quaid-e-Azam’s leadership to rid ourselves of the Indian malice and to attain excellence in all fields including sports without being discriminated against by the dominant Hindu mindset said Moonis Elahi.

He said that Pakistan’s cricket team which achieved its first historic win against England in 1954 comprised men charged with the Quaid’s vision for excellence and these men had also participated in the Pakistan Movement under his leadership. He reminded today’s Pakistani cricket stars of their role as the custodians of a great legacy and urged them to put the Nation’s honor above all other priorities and not sell themselves out to the highest bidder at the Nation’s cost. We are a great sporting nation and have been the World Champions of cricket, hockey, squash and snooker, we are currently the World Champions of the 20/20 form of cricket to the dismay of our ever-hostile Indian neighbors remarked Moonis Elahi. Our sporting prowess has always given India major heart burns and it leaves no opportunity to undermine the Pakistani Nation in sports like in other fields he said. If the IPL organizers want to act like the Shiv-Sena of Indian cricket then the world cricketing bodies should take notice of this and not let the jingoistic IPL organizers easily off the hook this time.

Moonis Elahi was discussed in Dunya TV Hasbe Hall Programe

Moonis Elahi was discussed in Dunya TV Programe

Dr. Qadeer Rightly Rebuts India While the Ruling Politicians “Strangely Silent”: Moonis Elahi

Lahore, (January 13, 2010): Dr. Abdul Qadeer’s befitting and timely rebuttal to the comments of the Indian Army Chief was actually a job that should have been performed by Pakistan’s ruling politicians. The nation is gravely disappointed with the ruling coalition’s “strange silence” on blatant Indian comments concerning Pakistan’s security and integrity. The rulers are engaged in their tug of war for power and authority to the enemy’s advantage. These were the views of senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League, Moonis Elahi on the current geo-political situation of the region while talking to party intellectuals yesterday in Lahore. He said that the “Desire for Peace” (Aman ki Asha) could not be achieved with Asha Bhosle’s songs or with Mr.Amitabh Bachan’s “vachans” (pledges). Real and sustainable peace in the sub-continent will only come when India will be prepared to abandon its hegemonistic designs against its neighbors remarked Moonis Elahi.

He further said that Doctor Abdul Qadeer had rightly voiced the nation’s aspirations by reminding India of the dire consequences it will have to face in the event of a nuclear aggression against Pakistan. He said that India’s bestial denial of freedom to Kashmir, violation of the Indus Basin Accord, involvement in the unrest of Baluchistan and carrying out anti-Pakistan activities from Afghanistan were clear instances of India’s disrespect for international laws, resolutions, treaties and boundaries. Unless India decides to act like a good neighbor and reshape its policies in accordance with the requirements of peace and coexistence peace will remain a dream in the subcontinent, said Moonis Elahi.

He urged Pakistan’s friends in the West to also review their pro-Indian stance in the wake of India’s renewed war mongering activities. He said that Pakistan had always upheld peace in the region while India had always been a villain. Moonis Elahi pointed out that an apt description of the Indian leadership’s villainous mindset can also be found in the Former Indian Foreign Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh’s recently published book “Jinnah: India- Partition- Independence”. He reminded the ruling politicians that it was time to rise above petty power games and megalomania. He reiterated Pakistan Muslim League’s trust and faith in the defence capabilities of Pakistan and said that the country’s land, air and water forces were fully capable of destroying enemy designs wherever and whenever and the nation stood by their brave forces at all times.

Lahore Trade Centers Prime Targets of Punjab Government and Terrorists: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (January 5, 2010) The modern trade centers of Lahore, once the pride of the city, are now the prime targets of Punjab Government and terrorist groups. The present rulers of Punjab are ruthlessly hammering down these trade centers with no consideration for the 500,000 plus individuals facing joblessness and the loss of over 200 billion rupees of people’s hard earned money as a consequence. LDA, is now an acronym for Lahore Demolition Authority. This was stated by Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League while talking to a group of shop owners and businessmen running their businesses in the affected trade centers.

Moonis Elahi strongly criticized the destructive policies of the Punjab Government and said that the current Punjab rulers had surpassed terrorists in their anti-people designs and moves. He said that Pakistan Muslim League had always upheld the supremacy of the law and fully respected the apex court’s decision against unauthorized constructions but the recent demolition drive was in reality a case of political victimization as the unauthorized structures of Punjab Government’s political allies were not being touched and the LDA officials had been directed to look the other way. Moonis Elahi dubbed the on-going demolition drive as a target killing of buildings belonging to the political opponents of N League.

Moonis Elahi said that the “Sharif Shahi” rule had on the one hand plundered the national resources and shifted its loot money to foreign countries in the last two decades and on the other hand was now hell bent on destroying buildings in which apart from local Pakistanis a vast majority of expatriates had also invested their hard earned money. He said that nations had always show-cased their modern buildings as symbols of progress and prosperity. He cited the recent inauguration of the world’s tallest building in Dubai as one such example. But on the contrary the Punjab Government was bringing ill repute to the nation by following an opposite course and thus pushing the people further down into poverty and deprivation, remarked Moonis Elahi.

2009 A Year of Doom and Gloom for Punjab: Moonis Elahi

Lahore, December 31, 2009: In 2009, Punjab faced the worst period of economic depression and poor governance since independence and the people of the province spent the entire year in a severe environment of doom and gloom due to an incompetent provincial set up.

This was stated by Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League in a meeting with party workers on the eve of the outgoing year. He said that the N League government of Punjab despite attaining power through an election kept its undemocratic agenda at full throttle and ransacked all democratic institutions including the assembly and the local governments throughout 2009.

Moonis Elahi cited the atta and sugar crises occurring in 2009 and the unfortunate deaths of 22 Pakistanis while standing in flour rows as the darkest examples of the N League government’s poor performance in Punjab. Moonis Elahi while lashing out at the poor performance of Punjab government in 2009 also pointed out at the alarming increase in unemployment, inflation and crimes in the province. He further said that various previously unheard of anti-people steps and tactics were also freely employed by the N League government in the ending year including use of brute police force to suppress and torture farmers, teachers, students, clerks, industrial workers and other underprivileged sections of the country’s largest province. Commenting on Punjab’s poor economic performance in 2009, Moonis Elahi reminded the party workers present in the meeting that in 2007 Punjab was a financially surplus province but in 2009 due to the present Punjab regime’s incompetence, Punjab had come to the verge of financial bankruptcy.

He strongly criticized the “Punjab for Sale” policy where valuable provincial assets were being auctioned to service the huge provincial debts amassed by an incompetent “Neelaam (auction) League” government in the last two years. Moonis Elahi also quoted President Zardari’s comments made in a speech at Larkana where he sounded highly critical of the poor performance of his coalition partners in Punjab. The senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League said that the internal tug of war between the centre and Punjab had greatly hampered progress in the province and had given the criminal and terrorist elements an open field to target the innocent in the year 2009. Moonis Elahi urged party workers to stand united and prayed for better times in 2010 for Punjab and Pakistan.

Moonis Elahi cut the Christmas cake with Christian Members of the PML

Nalaiq (Incapable) League has messed up Punjab: Moonis Elahi

Lahore, December 24, 2009: The “Nalaiq” (Incapable) League government does not have the vision and the capacity to wrest Punjab out of its current financial crisis. This was stated yesterday by Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League in a meeting with Christian party members at PML House, Lahore in connection with Christmas Celebrations. Present in the occasion were Senior President Punjab PML Muhammad Arshad Khan Lodhi, Secretary Information Punjab PML Akram Ch., Akram Masih Gill MNA, Rana Riaz, James Naz, Sardar Bishan Singh, Ch. Riasat Khokhar, Dr. Munawar Chand, Tabassum Naz and Sardar Taran Singh.

Talking on the occasion Moonis Elahi said that Punjab’s current financial mess was the doing of the two Shariffs, staff of half a dozen CM houses, 72 Task Forces, innumerable unelected advisors and scores of coordinators. Moonis Elahi said that Punjab’s uplift budget for this year had been drastically reduced but this was bearing no effect on the non development and lavish expenditures of the current Punjab rulers. He said that Punjab was confronting a loss of over 100 billion rupees in resources on account of an incompetent provincial government.

Moonis Elahi pointed out at the rising crimes and suicides as indicators of the misrule in Punjab. He said that in 2009 only in Lahore there were over 17000 incidents of robberies where the Lahorites were deprived of over 5 billion rupees. Moonis Elahi said that the Shariffs of Jaati Umra were flying around in government helicopters while the poor of Punjab couldn’t even eat two square meals a day.

He strongly criticized the auction of Punjab government’s assets for payment of interest against huge and unprecedented bank overdrafts. Moonis Elahi said that while no new government building was under construction in Punjab the Punjab government was strangely destroying private buildings in Lahore which was a sign of the current Punjab rulers’ destructive capabilities. The senior leader, Pakistan Muslim League said that instead of paying heed to the opposition’s protests the Punjab government continued on its destructive agenda in the last 2 years which has now brought the financial infrastructure to near collapse. It was ironic that after the voluntary departure of senior bureaucrats from the province now even the favorite junior bureaucrats in the Punjab administration were also critical of Punjab government’s incapacity to run the province’s affairs, remarked Moonis Elahi.

Punjab’s financial collapse is the result of N League’s plunder and surrender policy: Moonis Elahi

Lahore (December-19, 2009) Punjab Government’s recent decision of putting up valuable public assets for sale at throw away prices clearly reflects the failure of its extremely flawed administrative and financial policies. This was stated yesterday by senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Moonis Elahi while talking to various delegations of PML leaders and workers at PML House, Lahore. While talking to party men, Moonis Elahi remarked that N-League had now turned into “Nelaam (auction) League” as it was auctioning out highly valuable public property to compensate for its government’s own un-forgivable financial blunders, faux pas and follies.

Moonis Elahi further pointed out that the provincial economy had virtually collapsed and that the province of Punjab which was an investors’ haven until two years back was now considered a no-go area by both foreign as well as domestic investors and financial institutions. He cited the recently expressed IMF concerns on the excessive over-drafts of Punjab government and the extreme financial crisis currently prevalent in Pakistan’s largest province as a clear testimonial of Punjab government’s incompetence and failure in the eyes of the outside world. He said that the IMF had urged the federal government to take a serious stock of Punjab’s current financial crisis.

Moonis Elahi declared that the people of Punjab now wanted to know that why was their province heading for financial bankruptcy especially when there had been hardly any public sector spending on development works in last two years. He said that it was the people’s right to know that how could a financially surplus province till 2007, now in 2009 was on the brink of an economic disaster. He said that in the current financial year after depleting all available funds and resources of the province in the first six months on its flawed and failed schemes and after leaving the provincial kitty empty the N-League government had now set its eyes on valuable public assets in order to continue on its financial rampage.

He said that while the financial health of Punjab was already alarmingly poor the N-League government had planned to render a further blow to the ailing economy by doling out expensive public assets in the name of fund-raising. This “Punjab for Sale” scheme like N League’s earlier tandoor and sasti-roti schemes will wipe out whatever little hope is left for Punjab’s financial recovery remarked Moonis Elahi. The plunder and surrender policy of Punjab government has resulted in an alarming escalation of crimes rate and suicide cases in Punjab and the people of Punjab were now in no mood to forgive N league for these atrocities, Moonis Elahi declared.

Ch. Pervez Elahi and Moonis Elahi Celebrated Eid in Gujrat

Eid Message from Moonis Elahi

Eid Mubarak from Moonis Elahi Blog Admin

Eid Mubarak to all.

N League-PPP coalition brought country to verge of collapse: Moonis Elahi

Narowal: The N League-PPP coalition has wrecked the country. Those conspiring with their foreign masters in a plot to compromise Pakistan’s sovereignty and sell off the country’s vital interests in exchange for dollars will soon meet their fate. This was stated by senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League, Moonis Elahi yesterday in Narowal while addressing a huge turn out of PML workers and supporters at Pakistan Muslim League Workers’ Convention. We will stand with the nation against enemy’s attempts at weakening Pakistan and together we shall frustrate all enemy conspiracies, Moonis Elahi declared.

Earlier, Moonis Elahi was accorded a very warm reception on his arrival at Narowal. Accompanying Moonis Elahi was PML Secretary General and Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader Ch. Zaheer ud din.

Moonis Elahi was received at the city entrance by President of Pakistan Muslim League, district Narowal Ch. Kizer Virk, Col (r) Abbas Chaudhry MPA, former District Nazim Narowal, Col. Jawed Kalhun, General Secretary PML Narowal Tauqir Aslam, Mukhtar Hussain Shah, Hafiz Riawan and other prominent party leaders. His carcade was escorted to the convention venue by hundreds of party supporters and PML Youth Wing workers on motorbikes and other vehicles.

Moonis Elahi was given a rousing welcome when he arrived at the venue. The speakers at the convention were unanimous in their condemnation of Punjab government’s failure in solving the problems of the people. The speakers also criticized Punjab government’s criminal indifference to the issues of Narowal rice farmers and hinted at an estimated loss of 5 billion rupees worth of rice crop only in district Narowal this year. Patronage by government and local administration to proclaimed offenders was pointed out as the biggest reason for rising crimes in the district by the speakers.

In his speech, Moonis Elahi lauded the army for supporting the people in their rejection of Kerry-Lugar Bill and blamed the ruling coalition of N League and PPP as solely responsible for the existing deplorable condition of the country.

He accused N League for willfully misguiding the nation at election time by making the false promise of bringing prices of all food items back to the 1999 position. He remarked that the government of N League in Punjab had miserably failed to keep the prices at the 2007 level let alone their bogus election promise of reviving the 1999 prices.

Moonis Elahi strongly condemned the present ruling clique for its deliberate failure in controlling the prices of flour and sugar. He pointed out that the hypocritical top leadership of N League owned major sugar mills and alleged that in cohorts with the sugar mafia N League was fully responsible for fleecing the poor.

He quoted the statement made on television by the official spokesman of Mian Nawaz saying that the daily expense of N League’s leader was Rs. 3.5 million. Moonis Elahi said that in a country where poor were getting poorer this extravagance was unforgivable.

Moonis Elahi criticized the N League government for deliberately slowing down the completion of DHQ Hospital, Narowal because this project was initiated by the former government.

Commenting on the sad plight of district Narowal’s rice growers, Moonis Elahi reminded the gathering that during Ch. Pervaiz Elahi’s government the farmers of Punjab were prospering and there was no food crisis during his five years. He said the farmers were selling rice at Rs. 1000 per maund whereas a fertilizer bag was available for Rs.500 only in Pervaiz Elahi’s time, but now it was the other way round. He pledged his complete support to the farming community and assured that the issues of district Narowal will be raised by PML in the assembly and at other forums.

In his address Moonis Elahi expressed serious concern over the pathetic law and order situation prevalent in district Narowal and held the Punjab government fully responsible for this criminal mess. He condemned the N government, local police and administration for openly patronizing criminals and for appointing proclaimed offenders and law absconders as coordinators in district Narowal. He sympathized with the unfortunate victims of various crimes in the district in recent months and urged the people to rise against injustice. He also warned Narowal police to desist from framing PML workers in false cases.

Moonis Elahi praised Narowal party workers and supporters for their unflinching trust in the party leadership despite victimization and persecution at the hands of N League government. Moonis Elahi declared that the day was fast approaching when the people responsible for destroying the province’s economy and peace in the last two years will be brought to book.

Moonis Elahi mediated a patch-up between two parties of Gujrat

Lahore: Moonis Elahi, senior leader of PML mediated a patch-up between two parties of Gujrat to end their 14 years old rivalry out of which nine persons were killed in Mangowal in 1996.

Ch. Muhammad Anwer Sindhu, Talib Hussain etc and Nazar Muhammad, Muhammad Ashraf and others of both the parties swore on the Holy Quran to end their enmity and pledged to work for the public welfare and PML-Q.

Moonis Elahi condoles with Miraj Khalid Khitran at Sahiwal

GHQ attack is a conspiracy against the country: Moonis Elahi

Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain and party leaders Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi and Moonis Elahi condemned the terrorist attack at the GHQ and said such acts were a conspiracy against the country and the government should deal with such anti-state elements sternly.

They also paid tribute to the soldiers who were martyred in the attack

Leaders and workers of Pakistan Muslim League cannot be bogged down by despotic tactics and false cases: Moonis Elahi

Lahore: Vindictive activities and false cases against our leaders and workers initiated at the behest of Punjab Chief Minister will not bog down our spirits. This was stated by Moonis Elahi, senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League while talking to journalists in Sahiwal yesterday after visiting the ailing former federal advisor and MNA, Rana Tariq Jawed at Central Jail , Sahiwal. He said that the current Punjab government was scared of the rising popularity of Pakistan Muslim League and through negative tactics was making futile attempts to block the upward surge. He declared that the revengeful and below the belt tactics of Shahbaz Sharif and his cronies will not be pocketed. Earlier, on his arrival Moonis Elahi was greeted by highly enthusiastic party leaders and workers who had turned out in a great number for his reception at Qadirabad. The procession was led by hundreds of Muslim League Youth Wing members chanting slogans for Moonis Elahi. Accompanying Moonis Elahi were Punjab Assembly Opposition Leader, Ch. Zaheer ud Din, senior party leaders including Raja Basharat, Arshad Khan Lodhi, Ch. Naurez Shakur and Iqbal Langrial.

Moonis Elahi said that Rana Tariq Jawed was a seasoned politician and a popular figure and the ill treatment being meted out to him at Central Jail, Sahiwal was highly condemnable. He cautioned the government functionaries to desist from becoming a party to Shahbaz Sharif’s revengeful agenda and urged them to be fair. He said that the police and other government officials involved in acts of high handedness against PML leaders and workers will be taken to task very soon. Moonis Elahi praised the exemplary courage of PML leaders and workers in the face of Punjab government’s undemocratic, despotic, unconstitutional and illegal actions being taken against them. Moonis Elahi warned the Punjab government to refrain from its negative tactics and instead focus on the problems of the masses. He said that it was due to its negative politics that N League government in Punjab had totally lost its credibility and that was the reason why Nawaz Sharif was also trying to wriggle his way out of the election.

Shahbaz Government’s by-election postponement plea is a conspiracy against democracy: Moonis Elahi

N League’s Punjab by-election postponement plea moved in Lahore High Court amounts to denying the people their constitutional right to vote and reflects a defeatist mentality. This was stated by senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League Moonis Elahi while talking to a delegation of PML workers belonging to NA 123. He said the plea that the law and order situation in Punjab was not conducive for the holding of by-election was in effect Shahbaz Government’s admission of failure to restore order in the province along with its failures on all other fronts. He said that this plea was moved considering the waning popularity graph of N League and it once again revealed the anti democratic designs of the N League leadership as they could not accept defeat in the face of growing criticism against their government’s poor performance record in Punjab since 2008.

Moonis Elahi said that postponing election in Lahore from where the Sharifs had won in the past was another proof of the fast decline in their popular support. He reiterated PML’s resolve to become party to the case in LHC and fight a legal battle to protect voters’ rights along side other democratic forces and not let the minority government of Shahbaz Sharif repeatedly sabotage democracy and election process in the province. He strongly criticized Shahbaz Government for moving the court for postponement of election in two National Assembly and as many Punjab Assembly constituencies and warned that the said plea could have far reaching adverse implications on country’s politics and render an irreparable blow to the image of Pakistan in the world. He said that the N League due to its anti democratic norms was responsible for the derailment of democracy in the past and by attempting to stall the election process in the four constituencies it was once again committing the same crime and it was evident that the N League leadership had learnt nothing from past mistakes.

Moonis Elahi was also extremely critical of the recent decision of Punjab Government of distribution of flour to appointed tandoors through a courier company. He said that hiring of a courier company for this purpose was beyond comprehension as there were government departments and staff available to perform the same task without any burden on the treasury.

Pakistan for all Pakistanis: Moonis Elahi

A special article on Pakistan’s 62nd Independence day by Moonis Elahi

In the last 62 years, much ingenuity has been spent to explain the concept of Pakistan as envisioned by the Quaid and Iqbal. But the question that haunts us even after 62 years of attaining freedom is that how close have we come to the actual translation of our founding fathers’ vision into reality? There are no two views that their vision was based on the genuine desire to provide the Muslims and other deprived communities of the Sub-Continent with a free homeland where they could live with honor and respect. Together, Iqbal and the Quaid had visualized a society where the cardinal principles of main stream Islam based on socio economic justice and equal rights for all irrespective of their religious, economic and ethnic backgrounds were to be guaranteed. They knew that the British-Hindu nexus was too powerful to be broken and the Muslims would always remain as third rate citizens in a Hindu dominated India and they would never get their rightful place in the society. The pathetic conditions in which the 150 million Muslims are forced to live in India today are a living testimonial to Iqbal and Quaid e Azam’s foresight. They had foreseen that under the Hindus the doors of higher education, better employment and economic excellence will never be open to the Muslims. Allama Iqbal's historic Allahbad address in 1930 when he first articulated the dream for Pakistan turned a new leaf in the freedom movement of Indian Muslims and gave them a fresh lease of life. This Iqbalian dream inspired the Muslims of India with a renewed hope for freedom and they soon rallied under the banner of All India Muslim League led by Quaid e Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah and won freedom from the British after countless sacrifices on 14th August, 1947.

But 62 years after the success of this historic struggle for freedom the most saddening truth is that the people of Pakistan are still loitering in the dark. Despite living in an independent country the light of freedom has still not illuminated the lives of many. The Quaid-e-Azam had a very clear and principled concept of Pakistan which he explained through his words and deeds on numerous occasions. On March 24, 1943 he openly declared in a party session that he would much rather not struggle for freedom if eradication of economic injustice of the poor and the deprived could not be ensured in the State of Pakistan. It is quite evident from our Quaid’s words that Pakistan was to be a land devoid of economic oppression and exploitation of the have not’s at the hands of the powerful. But 62 years later an overwhelming number of Pakistanis still face the same pre independence oppression and exploitation and they continue to live as third rate citizens in their own country. Today more than 60% of Pakistanis are living below poverty line. More than half of the Pakistanis have no access to clean drinkable water. Similarly health and education facilities are also available to a negligible portion of the society. Law is only for the rich and the influential. With these problems already playing havoc in the lives of Pakistanis suddenly new problems like the atta crisis, the power crisis, the water crisis and worst of all extremism have raised their ugly heads. The reasons for all these continuing as well as recent abominations are not far to seek. They are all rooted in our failure to ensure a just society based on the cardinal principles of mainstream Islam as envisaged by our great leaders. In his May 28, 1937 letter to the Quaid, Allama Iqbal asks him that what is the remedy of all the ills the Muslims of India confront? He then answers that the solution lies in the implementation of Islamic principles of economic equality, social justice and tolerance in our lives. Undoubtedly, the founding fathers of Pakistan saw Pakistan as a means to achieving socio- economic freedom for the have not’s and the hapless in the light of Islamic teachings and beliefs. I wonder as to how far we have been successful in translating this vision into reality.

Today, the spirits of both Iqbal and the Quaid must be greatly tormented to see that the people for whom they had envisioned a just and prosperous society were still stuck deep in the quagmire of socio economic deprivation, injustice and sinister exploitation by the powerful. They must be in agony to behold the tentacles of IMF squeezing the last drop of blood out of an already emaciated soul of their nation. Can anybody tell me whatever happened to Iqbal’s concept of the" self" derived from the Holy Quran and where has the Quaid’s vision of a strong and prosperous Pakistan based on principles of democracy,equality and fraternity disappeared?
I believe that on our 62nd Independence Day we should do a sincere soul searching and resolve afresh to make our country economically, socially and politically strong not by paying mere lip service to the importance of freedom but by actually taking concrete steps that may lead to the achievement of the vision and goals set by our founding fathers. To begin with as a nation we should endeavor to become self sufficient and pledge to stop borrowing pittances in loans and aids from foreign countries and financial institutions. As individuals we should resolve to lead lives free of ostentations and learn to tailor them according to our own means and resources. We should also resolve to eliminate poverty, injustice and inequality by becoming individually as well as collectively more charitable, understanding and forgiving. It is also high time that we evolve a common plan of action against tyrannical rules and exploitative politics and not allow selfish rulers to treat us as “flies to the gods who kill them for their sport”.

Here I would also want to condemn along with the entire nation over the recent tragic killings of innocent Pakistani Christians in Gojra. Sadly, this episode took place in the month of our independence and is an ugly blemish on our history. The religion of Islam declares the murder of one individual as the murder of entire mankind but only due to the callous and cruel attitude of the present rulers of Punjab a handful of fanatics were encouraged to set ablaze non Muslim Pakistanis alive in their houses in the name of Islam and ironically the actual culprits have still not been apprehended. On this Independence Day, I request all my fellow countrymen to bemoan this tragic incident and resolve to weed out all the elements that are bent upon violating the spirit of Islam which is the true force behind the creation of this Land of the Pure called Pakistan.

The need of the hour is to follow in word and in deed the teachings of Islam and the vision of the founding fathers for a Pakistan which is free of economic, religious and social exploitation. And the way to achieving these goals is to stand united against all enemies internal and external.

Moonis Elahi criticises loan borrowings from IMF

After 62 years of independence we have still not come close to the translation of our founding fathers’ vision into reality, Pakistan Muslim League-Q (PML-Q) leader Moonis Elahi, said. Talking to a delegation of Pakistani students studying in England, Moonis said that it was now the responsibility of Pakistan’s new generation to accept the challenges and transform Pakistan according to the dreams and aspirations of Allama Mohammad Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah.

Moonis Elahi urged the youth to shun all political, ethnic and regional biases and come together to help Pakistan attain its due place in the comity of nations. He strongly criticised the present government’s loan borrowings from the IMF and its myopic and flawed power policy.

He stated that the founding fathers had envisioned Pakistan as a citadel of Islam and a means to achieve socio-economic justice for the Muslims and other deprived communities of the sub continent. Moonis Elahi, strongly condemned the recent tragic killings of innocent Pakistani Christians in Gojra.

He held Shahbaz government’s cruel and callous attitude responsible for this dastardly act committed by a handful of misguided people. He alleged that the actual culprits of the Gojra incident had still not been apprehended because of Punjab Government’s backing to them. He urged the youth to stand united against all internal and external enemies.

Pakistan Zindabad : Moonis Elahi

Power may be available but few people will be able to afford it in future: Moonis Elahi

The already alarming high power rates are bound to shoot up by another 30-40%.
Despite 18 hours of load shedding consumers are getting 20-30% inflated bills.

Gross mismanagement of present rulers, their ad hoc and myopic policies, acquisition of expired rental power units, acceptance of strict IMF terms, maddening increase in power tariff coupled with power outages up to 18 hours a day have put an unprecedented load on the common Pakistani.

This was stated by senior leader of Pakistan Muslim League, Moonis Elahi while talking to party workers in London yesterday. He said the way the present government was handling the existing power crisis was extremely flawed.

He stated that if the government did not revise its current power policies immediately there was every possibility that there might be electricity available in future but with very few people able to afford it. He said that the rumor was rife that the government was increasing power rates to a further 30% to 40% in the next few months.

Moonis Elahi said that at present the country was engulfed in darkness, almost 60% factories had closed down, farms were giving a desolate look and there was an acute shortage of water and electricity for domestic users. He alleged that despite 12 to 18 hours of power load shedding in the country the power companies were sending the consumers 20% to 30% inflated bills.

He blamed the present ruling clique for these ills. He pointed out at the alarming increase in unemployment, which had pushed millions into abject poverty in the last 18 months and blamed the present ruling alliance as solely responsible for this sorry state of affairs. He said the rulers were busy spending valuable public money on their personal comforts and luxuries while the daily trials and tribulations of the common man on the other hand were multiplying at an alarming rate.

He pointed out at the soaring rise in the occurrence of suicides and crimes and blamed the present government’s selfish and myopic policies as the main reason for these unfortunate trends. He declared that N league was equally responsible with coalition partner PPP in the present power crisis and in all other problems being faced by the country.

Moonis Elahi said that the current power crisis was threatening the economic foundations of Pakistan but the government instead of finding long term and sustainable solutions and remedial measures was going for ad hoc and myopic decisions and policies aiming at self aggrandizement and personal gains.

He stated that seeking IMF loans on stringent terms and acquiring used and out dated rental power units were not a solution to the problem. He blamed the ruling alliance for deliberately keeping the parliament in the dark on all steps with regard to solving the country’s energy crisis. He warned that the $ 2 billions overload of the rental power units will have a devastating effect on the national economy and it was the role of the parliament to step in and put a stop to this blatant loot and plunder.

He pointed out that only in Punjab over 30,000 industrial units had closed down due to power shortage and there was an alarming increase in public anger and protests but to no avail.

Moonis Elahi said that the government in an unplanned and short sighted manner was increasing the country’s reliance on fossil fuel for power generation whereas the long term solution to the problem was in implementing a pragmatic and aggressive hydel power policy. He strongly urged the need for construction of hydel power projects including Kalabagh dam and urged the present government to set aside its political exigencies and work with all parties to foment a national consensus for the construction of the much needed hydel power projects in the country.