Political parties should play a decisive role in safeguarding democracy: Sirajul Haq

LAHORE, Feb 27 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq has said that the political parties should play a decisive role in safeguarding democracy.

Speaking from Mansoorah on Tuesday, he expressed concern over widespread election irregularities, asserting that results were issued not on the basis of vote counts but through the application of mathematical formulas.

Questioning the legitimacy of elections that resemble mere selections and mockery of the public, he asked why billions of rupees from national exchequer were wasted if elections are not meant to represent the will of the people.

Promising that the Jamaat-e-Islami would not remain silent in the face of stolen public mandates, he vowed to collaborate with affected parties to formulate a collective strategy to expose and rectify the rigging. Specifically addressing the alleged theft of Jamaat-e-Islami’s mandate in Karachi, he emphasized the commitment to reclaim it through peaceful, democratic, and constitutional means.

Highlighting the potential repercussions, he warned that the undermining of public mandates would exacerbate the political and economic crises within the country. He questioned the legitimacy of a government formed on a stolen mandate, asserting that such a government would be incapable of addressing the nation’s challenges and would lack international acceptance.

Calling for accountability, Haq demanded the resignation of the election commissioner due to the failure to conduct a transparent election. Furthermore, he advocated for the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the allegations of rigging. He emphasized the significance of Form 45 results as per election laws, asserting that public demand warranted the announcement of results based on this form.

Expressing disappointment with the perceived partiality of institutions during the elections, he reaffirmed the Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to fighting against corruption and advocating for a stronger democracy. He called on workers from all political parties to unite with the Jamaat-e-Islami in their collective pursuit of a better, stronger, and democratic Pakistan.