Sirajul Haq urges federal govt to announce package for eliminating backwardness in GB

GILGIT, Sep 20 (SABAH): Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Sirajul Haq has stressed upon the federal government to provide tangible portion of external relief aid to the flood victims belonging to Gilgit-Baltistan to eliminate existing backwardness in the area.

Sirajul Haq expressed these views during a presser on Tuesday. While lashing out at the incumbent government, Sirajul Haq said the amount which was announced so far was just like cumin in a camel’s mouth and stressed upon the government to pronounce a considerable package for eliminating backwardness in Gilgit-Baltistan.

He said that Gilgit-Baltistan was enriched with human resource and natural resources from where over 50,000 MW of electricity could be generated and emphasized the government to give more royalty for dams to the people of the areas in comparison with those of other provinces.

Until the freedom of Indian occupied Kashmir, an empowered and dignified government system by integrating State’s independent territories be established, Sirajul Haq suggested. He said the Prime Minister of Pakistan’s prerogative of appointing Chief of Army Staff (COAS) needs to be abolished.

After the heavy downpours and disastrous flood, he said, “I visited each and every place hit by recent floods. Wherever I went, I saw Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan’s volunteers busy in relief activities. Victims termed Alkhidmat Foundation a blessing and saluted to passion of its volunteers. I am satisfied with what sacrifices were being rendered by my volunteers. We will keep continue relief activities until reinstatement of sufferers.” He went on to say instead of making mere hollow claims and ostentatious actions, the volunteers of Alkhidmat Foundation did practical work.

While expressing concerns over the plight of flood victims, the Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq said that it was very difficult for families of flood victims to manage life under a single tent and requested the government to provide them palpable amount of money so that they could fully restore themselves.

He appealed to the masses to express their confidence in Jamaat-e-Islami [in elections] and pledged that it will convert it into an Islamic and developed Pakistan. Jamaat-e-Islami is working at all fronts with a view of serving the country and the nation. 

Replying to journalists’ questions, Jamaat-e-Islami’s emir Azad Kashmir Dr. Khalid Mahmood Khan said that Gilgit-Baltistan should be given status on the lines of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.