Yemen Crisis: Open Letter to Prime Minister of Pakistan

Dear Prime Minister of Pakistan,

As a sincere leader of Pakistan, a true friend of Muslim Ummah and our country being part of Ummah Wāhidah, what is paramount: Personal interest to invade Yemen with your elderly brothers or the national interest to stay away from this bloody war and facilitate early resolution of this widening crisis peacefully?

Do you know almost half (46%) of Yemen's population is under 15 years old, living in densely populated areas? Do you realize what consequences Pakistan will have in the case of former interest? Is this not the high time that we learn from our past blunders? What kind of a coalition is this when a country which we do not officially accept is allying with Arab countries in conducting joint aerial bombardments? Will it be acceptable for us to be part of such a coalition, let alone this bloodthirsty war? Instead of fighting foreign war and in the name of protecting ‘sovereignty and territorial integrity’ of other countries, we must first address critical internal issues at home and safeguard our national sovereignty. 

It is also time to appoint Pakistan’s Special Envoy for Yemen Conflict– which would demonstrate your government's serious commitment to amicably resolve this dangerous conflict which has engulfed the Gulf region and can easily reach our region because of any wrong decision.

Your efforts are appreciable in urgently taking action to bring home stranded Pakistanis in Yemen. However, there are still number of our nationals waiting to be evacuated with their lives in jeopardy. There is an urgent need to expedite the process of escorting all Pakistanis to our country from Yemen.

As a Pakistani along with my fellow citizens, I look forward to your clarification on your government’s policy on Yemen and pressing questions raised above.

Yours sincerely,

Bilal Masood

Citizen of Pakistan

My Corporate Training Clips

Attack in Paris: My View

Very sad on what happened in Paris, but also very sad that NO one is learning from the past, may it be terrorists or those who drew and printed such cartoons. Agree or Disagree, but for me both are from extremist mindsets. Terrorists are extremists because they brutally kill people and have their own interpretation of religion and what they do in the name of ‘Islam’. The other one is extremist because publishing such content has taken place before and it is going on again and... again. Those who are doing so know that it will spark animosity in many parts of the world, such acts will therefore be considered as a deliberate attempt to ignite hatred among people of different faiths in the name of ‘Freedom of Speech’. The only difference between two of them is that one use gun and the other use pen, their agenda is same i.e. to promote hate and make this planet worst place to live. Unfortunately, all this will further do no good but make things terrible for your and mine dream of making a peaceful world! While we still must continue our positive energies for a better world, but what is really disappointing is that all such positive work of years and years goes in vain within seconds with attacks like we witnessed in France!

Here are some excerpts from my interview to Jyllands-Posten published on
24-10-2011 which sadly still seems to be relevant in the year 2015.

Jyllands-Posten: Did the drawings hurt you?

I explained that I was deeply affected when I heard about the Jyllands-Posten drawings of the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H).

“It hurt me, and I think it was wrong to print them. But now it has happened, and both parties should try to learn from it. Those who decided to print them should have imagined in themselves what feelings would be stirred. Conversely, we on our side might not have reacted so violently. I'm sure that the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H) would have ignored the drawings.”

Jyllands-Posten: Do you think that by sharing your knowledge we would see a more subdued response if the cartoons were printed again?

Me: No, the reaction would be even stronger because it will be received as if one wants a confrontation. Therefore, we must talk together: we have to create a dialogue.

Jyllands-Posten: Will it be a reasonable reaction?

Me: It's hard to control people's emotions. We must have freedom of speech, but a responsibility follows with this and there are some things that should not be done. I hope that the West will understand this.

Peace to all!
Bilal Masood