ISLAMABAD: Following a meeting with Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq in the federal capital on Wednesday, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan said that his party was closer to the former than any other political force in the country, DawnNews reported.

Speaking at a joint-press conference with the JI chief, he said that Pakistan was created in the name of Islam and that both the parties share the same ideology.

Today’s meeting comes against the backdrop of a recent rift between the coalition partners in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as the PTI leadership came down hard on Jamaat emir, who had told a rally in Mansehra that both the PML-N and the PTI were “two sides of the same coin”, were not sincere in solving people’s problems and only concerned with serving their own political interests.

Khan, later in a statement, regretted that Sirajul Haq had chosen to club the PTI with the PML-N and PPP, while conveniently overlooking the number of NAB cases against both Nawaz Sharif and Asif Zardari.

He demanded that the JI “stop playing on both sides of the wicket” and tell the people of Pakistan where it stood.

Imran Khan’s party has been holding protest demonstrations to oust the government of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, which he claims came into power through rigged polls in 2013.

During today's press conference, Khan reiterated that issues relating to masses would never be resolved until a true elected government comes into power. He said that all political parties including the JI were on the same page regarding ‘rigging in the 2013 elections’.

Khan claimed that the ruling party was covering up the rigging which he alleged took place in last year’s polls. “PML-N members are hiding behind stay orders,” he added.

The PTI chief ruled out eradication of corruption without accountability in the country.

Speaking on the occasion, Sirajul Haq said that the JI has been supporting the demands made by Khan’s party right from the beginning. He said the two parties face many similar issues.

“Tehreek-i-Insaf and Jamaat-i-Islami are free to make their own political decisions… and share the same goal of abolition of status quo from the country,” he said.

Haq claimed that the prevailing system has failed and the country needs immediate electoral reforms.

Opinion

Editorial

Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...
Islamabad protest
Updated 20 Nov, 2024

Islamabad protest

As Nov 24 draws nearer, both the PTI and the Islamabad administration must remain wary and keep within the limits of reason and the law.
PIA uncertainty
20 Nov, 2024

PIA uncertainty

THE failed attempt to privatise the national flag carrier late last month has led to a fierce debate around the...
T20 disappointment
20 Nov, 2024

T20 disappointment

AFTER experiencing the historic high of the One-day International series triumph against Australia, Pakistan came...