Siraj urges polls on same day in view of country’s political, constitutional, economic situation

LAHORE, April 24 (SABAH): Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Sirajul Haq has said that Pakistan was confronting with political, constitutional and economic crisis simultaneously and stressed upon the need of holding elections in four provinces on the same day.

Sirajul Haq expressed these views while addressing the Eidul Fitar gatherings and media persons at Mansoorah. He further said that Pakistan doesn’t only own by only three political parties but 230 million of people and stressed upon giving them the right to franchise independently for choosing their representatives as the country would be pushed to anarchy if it was avoided.

Emir Jamaat-e-Islami said that they have contacted political parties of the country for developing consensus on general elections and added “We are in favour of holding elections throughout the country on the same day” as country was confronting with political, constitutional and economic crisis simultaneously and cannot bear such issues anymore.

Mentioning developments on the issue he noted that some political parties had constituted committees for taking the political dialogue process forward while Supreme Court’s proceedings were also hinting that politicians should resolve issues on their own.

He further said that Jamaat-e-Islami had made tangible efforts in this regard by contacting many political parties for bringing them on the same page, hoping the issue would be sorted out in the offing.

He also pointed out that a duration of 90 days for the caretaker government is laid out in the Constitution, but the president and the Supreme Court extended it to 105 days. He noted that since they extended it once, extending it to 205 days or 305 days would not be a big task for them.

Siraj also demanded the release of Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch, the founder of Haq Do Tehreek and the provincial Jamaat-e-Islami leader. According to Siraj, Baloch was in custody for over more than 100 days and was being held unjustly.

He also spoke about the situation in Gwadar, where the people were facing numerous issues such as the unavailability of drinking water, a ban on border trade, and a market for bribery and oppression. He highlighted the fact that there were more than 900 cases against the people of Gwadar and that the sea was occupied by the trawler mafia, with local fishermen being replaced by foreigners.

He demanded that Maulana Rehman be released, questioning the double standards being employed by the courts in granting bail to some accused individuals while keeping others in custody.

Siraj announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would protest on May 1 to express solidarity with the fishermen of Gwadar and Maulana Rehman, and rallies would be held across the country to demand the release of the detained leader.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif rang up Siraj and conveyed greetings on the occasion of Eidul Fitr. Both leaders also discussed current political situation of the country. Siraj urged the Prime Minister to play his part in sorting out issues being faced by the country. Shehbaz said,” After holding meeting with you, a meeting of coalition parties has been called on April 26.”

Seasoned politician Shujaat Hussain also called emir Jamaat-e-Islami and extended warm greetings on the auspicious occasion of Eidul Fitr. Sirajul Haq called President of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Pervaiz Elahi and extended greetings on the occasion of eid. Both leaders took stock of prevailing political scenario of the country