Imran Khan Says Islam Is Not the Enemy
Photo of Imran Khan at Brisbane's Eidfest courtesy of Courier Mail
COURIERMAIL.COM.AU: IN a speech in Brisbane Imran Khan has attacked Western leaders for linking Islam and terrorism to create hatred - and Muslim leaders for allowing them to do so.

The Pakistani cricketer-turned-political leader made an impassioned plea for Queensland's Muslim community to spread the true message of their religion to the broader society.

In a speech at Brisbane's Eidfest – celebrating the end of Ramadan – Mr Khan said: "After 9/11, suddenly Islam and terrorism have become synonymous. It's partly the fault of Muslim leadership and partly it's the fault of a well-planned conspiracy through which a new imperialist agenda has been pushed under the smokescreen of fighting Islamic terrorism.

"Everyone must understand terrorism is never caused by religion. The roots of all terrorism lie in politics and so do the solutions.

"When (US President) George Bush and (former British prime minister) Tony Blair talk about radical Islam . . . the man in the street in the West is suspicious of all Muslims." Imran Khan Says Islam Is Not the Enemey >>> Daryl Passmore | October 11, 2008

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Islam and America Through the Eyes of Imran Khan
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Pakistan: Imran Khan droht mit Hungerstreik bis zum Tod
WELTONLINE: Der ehemalige Kricket-Star sitzt im Gefängnis und fordert die Wiedereinsetzung der von Präsident Musharraf entlassenen Richter. Der General hatte mehrere hohe Juristen durch ihm loyale Personen ersetzt. Dagegen protestiert Khan – und setzt sein Leben aufs Spiel.

Fünf Tage nach seiner Festnahme im ostpakistanischen Lahore hat der frühere Kricket-Star und jetzige Oppositionspolitiker Imran Khan einen Hungerstreik begonnen. Khans Sprecher Hafizullah Niazi sagte dem Nachrichtensender Aaj nach einem Besuch im Gefängnis, der Oppositionspolitiker fordere die Wiedereinsetzung der von Präsident Pervez Musharraf entlassenen Verfassungsrichter. Andernfalls werde er „bis zum Tode“ keine Nahrung mehr zu sich nehmen. Imran Khan droht mit Hungerstreik bis zum Tod (mehr)

THE TELEGRAPH:
Imran Khan on hunger strike in prison By Richard Holt and Duncan Hooper

Mark Alexander

Imran Khan to Face Terror Charges
THE TELEGRAPH: Imran Khan, the Pakistani opposition leader and former cricketer, was facing terrorism charges yesterday after being arrested in a crackdown on rivals by President Pervez Musharraf.

Mr Khan, who had been in hiding since escaping from house arrest a day after Gen Musharraf declared emergency rule, appeared at a student demonstration in Lahore. He was promptly detained by hardline students and handed over to police, the authorities said.

A senior police official said that Mr Khan, the leader of a small opposition party, would be charged under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
Jemima Khan, his former wife, said the arrest was one more sign that Gen Musharraf had "become one of Pakistan's most brutal and oppressive dictators ever".

The president, meanwhile, set himself on a collision course with the United States by defying demands to lift a state of emergency before holding a general election.

Gen Musharraf, increasingly isolated and reduced to taking a series of autocratic measures to maintain his grip on power, indicated that emergency rule might continue for months. Imran Khan faces terror charges after arrest (more) By Isambard Wilkinson

THE DAILY MAIL:
'I fear for my life', says jailed Imran Khan

Mark Alexander

Imran Khan Arrested in Pakistan
BBC: Pakistani opposition politician Imran Khan has been arrested after making his first public appearance since emergency rule was declared, police have said.

The former cricketer was detained after going to the University of Punjab in Lahore to address a protest by students against President Pervez Musharraf.

Mr Khan was initially held for an hour by students from the Jamaat-e-Islami party after a standoff on the campus.

On Tuesday, Mr Khan said there should be no negotiations with Gen Musharraf.

Mr Khan joins scores of other more powerful opposition politicians already in custody.

The former cricketer is well known around the world from his sporting days, but his Tehrik-i-Insaf party has little support in Pakistan. Khan arrested at Pakistan protest (more)

WATCH BBC VIDEO:
Khan arrested in Pakistan

Mark Alexander

Imran Khan on Benazir Bhutto
THE SUNDAY TELEGRAPH: I'm sorry to say this, but the bombing of Benazir Bhutto's cavalcade as she paraded through Karachi on Thursday night was a tragedy almost waiting to happen. You could argue it was inevitable.

Everyone here knew there was going to be a huge crowd turning up to see her return after eight years in self-imposed exile.

Everyone also knows that there has been a spate of suicide bombings in Pakistan lately, especially in the frontier region where I am campaigning at the moment.

How was it ever going to be possible to monitor such a large crowd and guarantee that no suicide bombers would infiltrate it?

This may sound equally harsh, but she has only herself to blame. By making a deal with Musharraf's government — a deal brokered by the British as well as the Americans, by the way — she was hoping to get herself off the corruption charges that have been levelled against her.

What she hadn't taken into account was Musharraf's unpopularity. He is regarded in Pakistan as an American stooge. And the US war on terror, which he supports, is now perceived as a war against Islam. Benazir Bhutto has only herself to blame (more) By Imran Khan

THE SUNDAY TIMES:
Bhutto’s return became a bloodbath

THE SUNDAY TIMES:
Returning exile Benazir Bhutto has a long list of enemies who want to see her dead

Mark Alexander