Till a few years ago nobody had heard of this young 20 something UK returned lawyer. Today, the world knows Jibran Nasir as one of the few hardly souls who have dared take on the wrath of Mullah Abdul Aziz, the pro ISIS hardline cleric of Laal Masjid fame.
Where most mainstream political parties and even the government itself dared not tread, he braved not just the cold but the death threats of one of the most ruthless terror outfits that ever existed, “The TTP”. And in spite of being (initially) shunned by the mainstream media quickly gathered hundreds of followers, in freezing weather, right at Mullah Abdul Aziz’s doorstep and actually went on to have an FIR registered against him!!
Just what is it that people find so inspirational about him?
For an answer we talked to Saadia Tariq, one of his polling agents in the 2013 elections.
Like her leader the Quaid-e-Jawan Jibran Nasir, Saadia Tariq is also a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Like him, she too acquired her advanced education from the UK and opted to come back to Pakistan where she triples as a financial analyst, a university professor and a social change activist and also managed to find time to win an eating competition.
Saadia Tariq talks about Jibran Nasir
Despite her hectic schedule she graciously allowed us to catch up with her for a brief chat.
PN: What drew you to Jibran’s election manifesto?
ST: I found his 14 point election manifesto to be the finest amongst the(whole) lot. He had pretty much picked the best of everything viz-a-viz the other political parties. Specially his stance on anti-terrorism and his staunch belief that our enemy lies within as well as his disapproval of the usual conspiracy theories. And the national and political tendency of blaming the Jews, RAW and space aliens for all the ills that plague contemporary Pakistani Society.
PN: Space Aliens?
ST: Discreet chuckles
PN: How did you get involved with his electoral campaign?
ST: I have known him since 2010 when he was involved in the “Pehla Qadam” flood relief camp. What inspired me was the fact that here was this young boy, barely out of his teens who was not just collecting funds but actually accompanying the army to the villages and camps where he personally helped distribute the relief goods, directly to the people who needed them the most.
He did not need to do that.. He had just came back from the UK after acquiring a Law degree. And could well have partied around like a number of kids his age.
Later on he stayed in the limelight by advocating causes that most people and political leaders would shy away from. He visited the Ahmedia Community to protest against their relentless prosecution, he spoke out boldly against the Shia genocide when no one dared even speak the word. As the years passed. His passion increased and he became increasingly vocal about the injustices prevalent in society.
PN: How was your experience in working up close and personal with him?
ST: I find him an exceedingly professional and compassionate human being who is very aggressive about the causes he espouses. He has been able to galvanize the youth and both motivate and inspire them… to give them hope. Time and again he has led though his own personal example and been able to make a difference among the individuals whose lives he touched.
PN: What is your opinion about him as a person?
ST: I see Jibran more as a humanitarian then a politician. He does not mince words like most politicians and once he says” something should be changed”.. Then he goes all out to ensure that the change occurs.
Take for instance the fact that he believes that Laal Masjid’s administration has blatantly challenged the state and is responsible for creating hate and terror in society, and rather than talking about it he is right now standing there, in front of the gates of the mosque openly defying a power that even the state of Pakistan hardly dares challenge.
PN: How is he as a team leader?
ST: Jibraan Nasir, when working with his team on which ever issue he espouses, be it Shia genocide, the mass murder of the Hazara community or anti Ahmedi violence, makes it a point of taking the team members opinions on board and ensure maximum peaceful mobalisation of the youth. That is why the sobriquet “Quaid-e-Jawaan” suits him admirably.
Not just for Saadia Tariq alone, Jibran Nasir is the hope for a vast multitude of people who want to see Pakistan as a peaceful and pluralistic society… as the Quaid-e-Azam, Muhammad Ali Jinnah envisaged it.
Here’s to hoping that Jinnah’s dream for Pakistan finally comes true.
Jibran Nasir should raise his voice in other matters too. There are many problems in our society, where CIVIL SOCIETY’s attention is required. Involving in only Islamic matters is not enough for CIVIL SOCIETY!
Dear Dictator (may I address you as you see yourself?) I wish we all had even one percent of his vision. In fact, we can ALL be like him, doesnt take much, just speak up, dont be afraid, and do your bit for society. I notice many people saying what they think Jibran SHOULD do, but more importantly, its what we CAN do that counts. He has his hands full, now its time for you and me to do our bit.
Romano Karim Yusuf , i totally endorsed you on this. we all need to do our part.
He is one voice standing agaist absolute darkness. Till we ALL get up and support him he alone. will not be able to do what needs to be done
I cannot believe your idiocy, Sayed Abdullah Bin Zubair. He's already been doing so much which includes the flood relief efforts (for your demand of other-than-islamic matters) and has his hands full from life threats from the Taliban to organizing these protests while at the same time pursuing his day job. If only you could appreciate his selfless efforts instead of sitting behind a keyboard and not doing anything, it would be much better. If you still do not agree then please why don't you go outside, do something MORE than what Mr. Jibran has done, then come back and repeat your comment. Perhaps then it will hold some logic (of selfishness most likely).
Now that is what I call a really really good article. A well balanced interview that helps us see Jibran Nasir through the eyes of the laymen who believes in him. Kudos Saadia.. U rock!
Waleed Hasan , i heard the conversation tape recorded by Jibran Nasir, in my opinion it cant be Shahid ullah Shahid ( TTP) Spokesperson, the caller seemed confused and the way he threatened appeared that he could be any pathan guy doing it his own.
i also have got to chance to listen couple of Shahid-ull-shahid's press audio recording, he is very confident person ( I am not praising him), thats he is spokesperson.
Ahmadies and shias hmmm two most suppressed community of our society well did SUPER JIBRAN went to madrassa taleem ul quran sight where lot of innocents were butchered no definitely not because he was so much busy in protesting for qadianis rights for the information of all you losers there are only two or three percent shias in Pakistan yet they are given more importance as compare to their population can’t you see what happens in moharram almost all the country gets jam and qadianis are non muslims they are getting what they deserve and even more right now. many shias and qadianis are on key posts In bureaucracy in army and in educational institutions as well I don’t understand what SUPER JIBRAN is fighting for with which agenda he has been launched here and as for his increasing supporters its not a big deal people gather even around those jugglers and magicians who are showing them things of there interest so is the case birds of a feather flocks together all with same ignorance and stupidity.
Dear Sarah TJ,
Please enlighten us about the madrassa Taleem ul Quran. I can assure you I will support you if you take a stand against any atrocity. Having said that, can you please stand by and support us while we support those who are persecuted, especially in the name of our religion?
You question why a group or community that comprise a small percentage of the population should be given importance. We will need to accept that we have to respect and take care of our minorities.
You say “Qadianis” (I will say the more respectable term for them, Ahmadi from now on) are non-Muslims. Yet outside of Pakistan they are accepted as Muslims and do a great service trying to portray a good face of Islam. Even if Pakistan does not recognise them as Muslims, does that mean that persecution against them is justified? Please ask yourself if someone should be persecuted because of the faith he believes in or is born into?
You say that Shias and Ahmadis hold key posts. Should all key posts only be held by Sunnis? And within Sunnis should it be Deobandis or Barelvis? And should it be ahle-hadith or ahle-sunnat? I’m sorry but this way we will never stop. It is only fair that people with the right credentials should be given key posts.
I hope you join us in working for a progressive and tolerant Pakistan.