Delay in holding national elections is unacceptable; electoral reforms ahead of elections also need of hour: Sirajul Haq

LAHORE, Dec 05 (SABAH): Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Sirajul Haq has said that the nation would not accept the delay in holding national elections and electoral reforms are vital ahead of polls. He said the political parties need to initiate discussion on civilian supremacy, election reforms and prepare a mechanism in the light of establishment’s announcement of distancing itself from playing politics onward.

Sirajul Haq expressed these views while presiding over meeting of central office bearers of the party at Mansoorah on Monday. He further said the new social contract based on three points will end political instability and added that no-one will accept the results of elections without bringing electoral reforms. He added the elections should be conducted on the rule of proportional representation.

Emir Jamaat-e-Islami said that interest and corruption were required to be got rid of for uplifting the economy of the country and furthered that political parties were inclined to status-quo instead of bringing political and economic stability as they were its beneficiaries. If the courts and National Accountability Bureau (NAB) don’t hold the plunderers accountable the people should come forward to hold them accountable through the power of vote, he suggested.

Sirajul Haq said that the Jamaat-e-Islami was struggling to enforce the Islamic System in the country whereas the ruling parties hell-bent upon garnering wealth and buying assets. The meeting discussed overall political and economic situation of the country, general elections and organizational issues. Emir JI said that Jamaat-e-Islami wants to get rid of corruption, loans and riba, adding that rib and corruption were foundation of all issues as without their eradication there were no chances of improvement.

He said that the ruling aristocracy took loans on high interest rate and consumed them for their own interests instead of using them on the masses, and continued that those ruling classes made their foreign properties and offshore companies. Rulers’ names came in Panama leaks and Pandora Papers and they got their loans worth billions absolved, he said, and added the present and past rulers availed 23 programs of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) whereas, ironically, inflation and unemployment increased at the end of every program.

Sirajul Haq maintained that the present minister for finance was called from London and despite the tall claims the situation has become worst as there was no decrease in dollar value as well as inflation. He added at present the IMF constitutes polices of our country and decision of our fate were taken at Washington. Rulers ruined economy and wove conspiracies against the Ideology of Pakistan, he deplored.