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Prof Hafiz Saeed, chief of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, will brook no compromise on the Kashmir issue and promises dire consequences for saboteurs. Nor will his jehad end after Kashmir, revenge for East Pakistan is next. Excerpts from a telephonic interview with Amir Mir in Lahore:
Q.: What's your response to General
Pervez Musharraf's recent statement that jehadi groups should desist from
making irresponsible statements like hoisting the Pakistani national flag
on Delhi's Red Fort?
A.: We don't issue hollow statements.
The Lashkar almost hoisted the Pakistani flag on the Red Fort when it launched
the attack on it. It was a symbolic act, warning India that it should withdraw
its forces from Kashmir and stop the farcical show of talks.
Q.: Do you harbour any apprehensions
over Musharraf's changing stance towards the jehadis?
A.: Not at all! Whatever Musharraf
says, it's his personal view. We are not waging jehad in Kashmir at the
behest of any general. We are doing it on our own.
Q.: Is liberating Kashmir the end
of your struggle?
A.: No. Our struggle will continue
even if Kashmir is liberated. We still have to take revenge for East Pakistan.
The liberation of Kashmir, therefore, will not end our struggle.
Q.: What is the Lashkar's goal?
A.: The Lashkar wants to revive
the concept of tableegh, or preaching Islam. We want to create an environment
of religious harmony and promote Islamic teaching in its true spirit, while
simultaneously motivating the youth to participate in jehad and using force
to liberate occupied Muslim territories.
Q.: Do you have any idea about the
number of Lashkar militants killed in Kashmir so far?
A.: Around 1,400, I believe. But
we are looking after the bereaved families of these martyrs.
Q.: What would you advise Gen Musharraf
to do in Agra?
A.: I want Musharraf to realise
that Pakistan is at the crossroads. One of these paths leads to freedom—not
only of Kashmir but also of all Pakistan. If he understands the anatomy
of the Kashmir jehad, then he must also be aware of the fact that this
leads to freedom. Jehad will liberate us from all fetters of slavery. Gen
Musharraf must go to India as a Muslim general. He should state clearly
that we the Muslims want freedom for Allah's slaves on this earth. The
Hindus are oppressors. They snatched a number of areas from Muslims and
martyred a large number of Muslims. The general should bring up the issue
of demolitions of mosques in India. The desecration of the Quran by Hindus
should also be taken up. The Muslims were stabbed to death. Our Muslim
sisters were dishonoured. To whom should the Muslims of India turn to?
Like Kashmiri Muslims, they have no protector. They are looking towards
Pakistan for help.
Q.: Do you think Musharraf will
strike a deal with India?
A.: It is his great test, whether
he wants to represent the Muslims of the subcontinent or yield to American
machinations. The consequences in both cases are obvious. He should decide
carefully.
Q.: Have you heard about the Chenab
formula (acceptance of the Chenab river as the international border)? What
are your views on it?
A.: The Chenab formula is simply
rubbish and thus unacceptable to the Lashkar.
Q.: What if Musharraf compromises
on Kashmir?
A.: Any settlement which harms
Pakistan's vital national interests, and the spirit of jehad, would be
unacceptable to us. If he does so, he'll have to face the consequences.Let
me tell you that a large number of parents and other relatives of the martyred
Lashkar militants recently gathered in Lahore. They were all concerned
over the recent developments, and wanted to know what would happen in the
upcoming talks. They asked me if they should write to the general to inform
him of their feelings and misgivings. I warn Gen Musharraf that were he
to compromise on the Kashmir issue, his fate wouldn't be any different
from his predecessors.
Q.: Can Musharraf do anything at
all without having the support of his institution?
A.: I personally believe Gen Musharraf
has the full institutional mandate to negotiate with the Indian prime minister
on Kashmir. But we will not spare him if he or, for that matter, any other
individual or individuals decide to harm our national interests.
Q.: What exactly would be your reaction?
A.: We will give him a very tough
time.
Q.: Why didn't Gen Musharraf invite
you for pre-summit consultations?
A.: He is aware of our consistent
stand on the issue of Kashmir, that we will resist any shady deal on Kashmir.
Q.: What exactly is the source of
your funding? Do you receive any foreign funds?
A.: We generate all our funds from
our own local resources. Neither the Pakistan government nor any other
Muslim country has ever contributed a single penny to the jehad fund. As
far as weapons go, we usually buy a good number of sophisticated arms from
dejected Indian soldiers.
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