KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) staged a rally on Shahrah-i-Quaideen as part of its protests in major cities against alleged attempts to manipulate mayoral election in Karachi by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP).

It also warned the Sindh government to mend its ways as the people of Karachi won’t compromise on their mandate.

A large number of JI workers and supporters, including women and children, participated in the “Save Karachi March” to record their protest against “fascist tactics” of the PPP.

The JI accused the PPP government of launching a crackdown on its ally, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, only to derail the democratic process.

Speaking on the occasion, JI chief Sirajul Haq said the ruling elite did the country only a disservice. They looted each and every institution and sector of the country and now they were aiming at the ballot box, he said, adding that the elite ruling class needed to know that the time had changed and they would have to face an unprecedented resistance.

Siraj says June 15 election is a contest between PPP and Karachiites

The JI leader said the forthcoming mayoral election in Karachi was not a contest between the PPP and the JI — it was a contest between the PPP and Karachiites.

He asked PPP co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari to uphold democratic norms, values and principles by accepting the mandate of 35 million Karachiites. Otherwise, he warned the PPP leadership of a resistance movement across the country, saying that the JI was not going to put the city at the mercy of the PPP.

He said the Jamaat had a proven record of progress and development in the city and other parts of the country. He also said the JI’s credibility had also been acknowledged by the international institutions working closely with the JI.

Sirajul Haq once again warned the PPP government to abide by the rules and regulations and avoid any attempt to snatch the mandate of the JI — otherwise, he said, the party would leave no stone unturned in its struggle for securing its mandate.

He also emphasised to transform the political system in the country from the base of feudalism and elitism to the base of social justice. He said the Islamic values of politics did not only ensure a welfare state for its citizens but also for others.

Karachi JI chief and its mayoral candidate Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, in his address, said that since the PPP realised its imminent humiliation in the local government elections in the mega city, it had been trying its level best to avoid holding the polls. It was the continuous pursuit by the JI that compelled the PPP government in Sindh to hold the elections, he added.

From that point, he maintained, the PPP opened another chapter of fascism, and undemocratic and anti-people tactics to please its feudal mindset by naked attempts to snatch the mandate of the Karachiites. Unfortunately, the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) played the role of ‘A’ team for the PPP when it came to post-poll rigging, he alleged.

The JI leader made it clear that the Karachiites would not let the PPP snatch their mandate and the party would use all constitutional and democratic options against the ruling party.

Published in Dawn, June 12th, 2023