Peaceful assembly, protest is constitutional & democratic right of the people & political parties: Liaqat Baloch

LAHORE, Sep 8 (SABAH): Naib Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Liaqat Baloch has said that peaceful assembly, protest is a constitutional, political and democratic right of people and political parties. He said that IPPs are not a sacred cow and people are very angry over the corruption committed by IPPs.

Liaqat Baloch expressed these views while addressing the Khatame-Nabuwwat Conference at Minar-e-Pakistan Lahore on the occasion of Golden Jubilee organized by JUI. JUI Chief Maulana Fazalur Rehman, JUI-F Secretary General Maulana Abdul Gafoor Haideri and others were present on this occasion.

Liaqat Baloch, talking to journalists after addressing the Golden Jubilee Conference, said that peaceful assembly, protest is the constitutional, political and democratic right of the people and political parties. He said if Islamabad’s deaf rulers take away the right to live and breathe from the people and do not allow the people to protest against this right, then such a black, dictatorial and oppressive law will have no status.

Liaqat Baloch, in response to a question regarding the arrest of General (Retd) Faiz Hameed, said that military or civilian authorized officers should not sit on the post and become gods, they must abandon the practice of unconstitutional interference in politics by violating their oath. He said that IPPs are not sacred cows, adding intense anger in the public against the looting of IPPs is about to explode, IPPs should not only see their interests but interests of consumers and their purchasing power. Otherwise, the flood of public protest will sweep them away.

He said that terrorism is increasing in the country, governments are failing to protect people’s lives and property, dignity and employment and are ending their constitutional right to collect taxes from the people.

Liaqat Baloch questioned now, what option do people have other than civil disobedience?

Jamaat-e-Islami sit-in negotiation committee president Liaqat Baloch had a telephone conversation with Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Naqvi.

The Federal Interior Minister said that the government is working seriously in the light of the negotiations and agreement and he himself will come to Mansoorah soon and inform the Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeemur Rehman and the negotiation committee about this.