Politics of PTI, PDM revolves around appointment of army chief: Sirajul Haq

LAHORE, Nov 16 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq has said the politics of the PTI and the PDM revolves around the appointment of army chief.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Sirajul Haq said the appointment of army chief should be made on the pattern of chief justice of Pakistan, calling for legislation on it to avoid controversies. The political interference and prime minister prerogative to choose the head of the institution created controversies in the past, he said.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said the ruling parties wanted to keep the status quo intact and they always opposed the ideas to strengthen institutions. Rather, he said, the ruling parties sought control over every institution from army to election commission and the courts.

He reiterated the call for dialogue among political parties on three-point agenda of civilian supremacy, electoral reforms and establishment neutrality. Since the establishment has made a promise to the nation that it will not make any interference into politics, it was responsibility of the political parties to develop a mechanism or fresh legislation if needed to develop the mechanism in light of the institution’s vow.

He said fresh elections were only way forward to pull the country out of prevailing crises. But, he believed the elections without reforms will be futile exercise as many political parties would not accept the outcome, adding to the crises. He said the election commission should be financially and administratively empowered, free from influence of political parties and establishment.

Sirajul Haq said Tosha Khana was a state property and its record should be made public. If any ruler wanted to get anything from toshakhana, he/she should pay the full price of the gift, he said.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said those who looted national wealth should be held accountable before the law without any discrimination. He said the ruling elite captured the country’s resources, looted them and stashed money in foreign banks and shell companies, without caring about the public need and country’s welfare. He said the JI wanted corruption free Islamic Pakistan.