Country could plunge into anarchy if prevailing economic, political crises go unaddressed: Sirajul Haq
LAHORE, March 22 (SABAH): Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Sirajul Haq has warned that the country could plunge into anarchy if the prevailing economic and political crises go unaddressed.
Addressing the launching ceremony of the Jamaat-e-Islami manifesto for the general elections at a local hotel on Wednesday, Sirajul Haq said the country was being flooded by an ocean of despair and burning in the fire of inflation, lawlessness, and poverty with the ruling parties indulged in the fight for the protection of self-interests.
Jamaat-e-Islami vice-emir Dr. Farid Ahmed Paracha was the head, and the JI deputy secretary general Muhammad Ashgar was the secretary of the manifesto committee, which prepared the document covering economy, agriculture, industry, women, youth, minorities, accountability, peace and order, local government, defence, overseas Pakistanis and other sectors.
Jamaat-e-Islami vice-emir Liaqat Baloch, Jamaat-e-Islami secretary general Ameerul Azim, and leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami women, youth, and Kissan wings also attended the event. Lawyers, doctors, engineers, economic experts, religious scholars, and journalists also participated in the event, where the Jamaat-e-Islami election anthem and symbol “Balance” were also launched.
Sirajul Haq declared the absence of the rule of law, corruption and unfair distribution of resources as the main reason behind the prevailing situation, holding the corrupt leadership in the form of military dictators and so-called democratic parties responsible for the plight of the common man.
He said the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM), Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lacked the ability to govern the country as they all had no intent to fix the problems. The troika, he said, ruled the country for years, having no interest in setting the economy on track and strengthening the institutions. The powerful military establishment, he said, always provided backing to the agents of the status quo, creating hurdles in the rule of law, real change and viable democracy.
The judicial system, he said, provided protection to the powerful instead of the poor and weak who had no access to justice. He said Pakistan is full of resources, having no need for foreign and the IMF loans. But, he added, it needed good governance and an end to the VIP culture, corruption and non-development expenditures. How a poor country where a governor lives in the palace of 700 kanals and the official residences of bureaucracy stretch over acres could survive, he questioned.
The system, he said, was corrupt to the core, and only the Jamaat-e-Islami had the ability and vision to overhaul it. He said there were stories of corruption of politicians, bureaucrats, judges, and generals from Panama Leaks and Pandora Papers to Toshakhana.
The Toshakhana report, he added, showed that almost everyone who served in high positions took gifts at throwaway prices except the Jamaat-e-Islami leaders who also served as ministers and members of the parliament.
Sirajul Haq said the Jamaat-e-Islami manifesto was not merely an exercise like the other parties but it was a true reflection of the party’s vision to transform the country into an Islamic welfare state. The Jamaat-e-Islami, he vowed, would materialize the dream into reality if voted to power.