ABBOTTABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq on Saturday demanded across-the-board accountability.

Addressing the closing session of a three-day youth leadership workshop here, the JI chief said he awaited the Supreme Court’s action against 436 corrupt people named in his party’s petition filed in connection with the Panamagate case.

“We are hopeful that the apex court, which had set an example of accountability by disqualifying the prime minister, will ensure across-the-board accountability,” he said.

Mr Siraj said it was unfortunate that the PML-N didn’t accept the Supreme Court verdict in Panama Papers case and was trying to override it.

He, however, said the nation expected the speedy and early accountability of the people from the Supreme Court.

“No one should be spared in the process of accountability, which may begin from me,” he said.

The JI said the Supreme Court had given a ‘full’ chance to the Sharif family to plead its case over hidden wealth and income sources but the latter failed to do so and therefore, it should accept the court’s decision of disqualifying the PM.

“We aren’t against the people’s mandate for the PML-N but are against the ‘mafia’, which has plundered the nation’s wealth,” he said.

Mr Siraj asked former military ruler Pervez Musharraf to return and face cases instead of carrying out political activities in the country from Dubai.

He said his party would resist if the government tried to do away with Articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution.

“We will never allow anyone to end Articles 62 and 63 (of the Constitution), which is the yardstick of the electability of the public-office holders,” he said.

The JI chief said his party wanted the rule of the Constitution and law in true spirit and would never accept the dynastic politics.

He said the JI advocated Pakistan becoming a true Islamic welfare state, where the people got education, healthcare, shelter and other facilities free of charge.

Mr Siraj said the country had talented youths, whose skills and abilities should be used to strengthen the country economically.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2017