LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq says the protest against corruption is neither unconstitutional nor unlawful but harassing political workers and the general public through threats of the use of batons ‘falls in the category of terrorism’ and must be checked.

He was quoted as speaking to members of the party’s central media committee here on Monday.

He advised the government to check those talking of the use of force as otherwise it could lead to chaos and confrontation.

He said all the political parties, including the ruling PML-N, should ask their workers to show tolerance and political accommodation as the country could ill afford the culture of batons.

The JI leader declared that his party would chase the plunderers of public wealth till the recovery of the ill-gotten money and also urged the opposition parties to purge their ranks of those involved in corruption.

He said the JI’s protest against corruption would strengthen the public confidence in democracy. Therefore, he said, instead of trying to silence the voice against corruption, the rulers should mend their ways.

Mr Haq also stressed upon the prime minister to present the country’s principled stance on Kashmir at the UN General Assembly as well as taking up the issue of “judicial murders” in Bangladesh, Modi’s admission of his role in the dismemberment of Pakistan, and India’s involvement in Balochistan.

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2016