Taking advantage of political instability in the country, Hizbut Tahrir (HuT) – a self-proclaimed non-violent, international organisation with an aim to unify all Muslim countries in a single Islamic state or ‘caliphate’ – is quietly spreading its influence in the metropolis, preaching to unite for the establishment of caliphate in Pakistan – the only Muslim nuclear power state.
Caliphate (or khilafat) – the dominion of a caliph (successor) – refers to the first system of governance established in Islam. The head of the state and other officials are representatives of the people and of Islam and must govern according to constitutional and religious laws (Shariah).
Operating undercover most of the time, the pan-Islamic global network has invited, through indirect channels, the ‘sincere’ Pakistan Army officials to join HuT and help in its efforts to turn Pakistan from “Darul Kufr” into “Darul Islam” and fight against the US and India – the “real enemies of Pakistan and Muslims”.
Concentrating its efforts in the slums of Karachi, the HuT is pasting its posters on the walls and electric poles along the roadsides, while its members are regularly visiting mosques in Landhi, Malir, Shah Faisal Colony and Gulistan-e-Jauhar to deliver lectures after the prayers.
After hectic efforts, Pakistan Today was able to arrange a meeting with a group working for the HuT.
When asked about their objectives, the group members said they were working for the establishment of a caliphate system in the country.
“We are inviting the sincere officers of the Pakistan Army to join the HuT against the traitors within their ranks. We are trying to convince them that how can they allow the US to hijack the strongest army of the Muslim world,” they said.
The message to the Pakistan Army officials was: “Can you afford that the US and India, in collaboration with these traitors, ride at your backs? If not then it is the right time to join HuT and help us in establishing caliphate in Pakistan. From the very first day of its establishment, the caliphate would result in enhancement of manpower and resources for you [army] and unite Muslims in one state, which may prove a great nation in terms of both power and resources.”
The group was of the view that then Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf helped the US in occupying Afghanistan by chanting the fake slogan “Sab Sey Pehlay Pakistan”.
“Pakistan gave its sea route, air bases and road links to US for attacking the landlocked country; thereby, damaging the friendly relations between the Muslim states,” they said. “The US then established a strong relationship with our archrivals India, and is now threatening Pakistan of attacking its nuclear assets.”
“Utilising its bases in Afghanistan, the US has attacked Pakistan several times and now they are moving freely within the General Headquarters (GHQ) and others sensitive installations while sharing intelligence,” the group opined.
“After the extension in his service tenure, COAS General Ashfaq Pervez Kayani is busy in delivering what the US wants from Pakistan,” they alleged. “The US along with the COAS plans a strong block against China, the next super power of the world, and India will play the lead role in this mission.”
“In exchange, India along with the US is trying to bury the dispute of occupied Kashmir,” they added.
“The HuT had warned the Pakistan Army that the US and the UK have decided to prefer India over Pakistan and the present government wants to establish a friendly relationship with its archrival and agents of the US and the UK in the government set-up are playing a role in this game,” the group members told Pakistan Today.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, an intelligence agency official confirmed that groups operating for the HuT are becoming increasingly active in the slums of Karachi.
“In 1990, the HuT initiated its activities discreetly in Pakistan but they have come out in the open now,” he said. “HuT activists come out on roads at night and paste the organisation’s stickers along the roads.”
“We are trying to track down the people behind the HuT campaign and will hopefully arrest the mastermind behind this planning in the days to come,” the intelligence officer said.