Gaza has transformed into the world’s most oppressive prison: Sirajul Haq

LAHORE, March 16 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Sirajul Haq has stated that Gaza has transformed into the world’s most oppressive prison, with the city ablaze from artillery fire and its inhabitants succumbing to hunger and disease.

Talking to reporters following the inauguration of a fundraiser for Gaza on Saturday, Sirajul Haq that over the past five months, 32,000 Palestinians, including 11,000 children, have fallen victim to Israeli bombings, with 38,000 missing and 77,000 injured. He emphasized that Palestinians are counting on Pakistan to intervene and save Gaza, urging the nation to initiate a complete boycott of Israeli products.

In solidarity with the Palestinian people, Sirajul Haq announced that the entire country will observe Al-Quds Day on the last Friday of Ramadan.

He said that Hamas’s leader had penned a letter to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, urging Islamabad to play a pivotal role in ending the conflict in Gaza, given its status as a key player in the Islamic world.

Despite today marking the sixth day of Ramadan in the Arab world, he lamented that Israel persists in relentless bombing campaigns, even targeting camps set up by humanitarian organizations in Gaza. He criticized the silence of the rulers of 58 Islamic countries in the face of such atrocities, noting the global community’s shared anguish for the people of Palestine while condemning the impunity granted to Zionists by global leaders.

Sirajul Haq highlighted the presence of Al-Khidmat Foundation’s leadership in Egypt, engaged in relief efforts, and reaffirmed Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to advocating for the rights of Palestinians.

Regarding domestic affairs, he remarked that all parties except Jamaat-e-Islami are currently part of the government, urging the ruling factions to fulfill their electoral promises and alleviate the populace’s suffering. He called for the initiation of measures such as providing free electricity up to 300 units, cautioning against expecting relief from a government tainted by electoral fraud and reliant on IMF aid, which would only exacerbate inflation due to additional conditions imposed by international financial institutions.

Sirajul Haq criticized the ruling elite for perpetuating VIP culture and maintaining their privileges at the expense of the public, vowing Jamaat-e-Islami’s staunch opposition to burden masses on IMF conditions, inflation, and additional taxation. He pledged to continue championing the people’s rights through demonstrations and protests, emphasizing the imperative of fair and transparent elections, good governance, justice, and adherence to the rule of law.

Sirajul Haq condemned the increased polarization and empowerment of ruling dynasties following disputed elections, asserting Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to establishing an Islamic system and genuine democracy in the country while steadfastly opposing electoral fraud.