BATTAGRAM: Jamaat-i-Islami Hazara region chief Abdul Razaq Abbasi has alleged that some local and international players are opposing his party’s entry to power corridors.

Talking to mediapersons at the Battagram Press Club here on Sunday night, he added that these powers employed a multifaceted approach to exert influence over elections, utilising tactics such as vote manipulation, propaganda and rigging. He alleged that these powers exploited various tools, including electable families, media and social media, to spread propaganda and pave way for their preferred candidates.

Mr Abbasi criticised the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf government in the province for failing to provide jobs, housing, and quality education to citizens. He alleged that corruption was rampant in the PTI government, with politicians and officials embezzling funds meant for public welfare. This, he claimed had led to widespread disillusionment among the people.

Mr Abbasi expressed deep concern over ‘bad governance’ in KP where every next day teachers, clerks and doctors were staging protest for their rights. He alleged that the provincial government, MNAs and MPAs were involved in kickbacks, with a significant portion of government funds being misappropriated for personal gains. This, he said had led to a breakdown in the delivery of public services, causing immense hardship for the masses.

The JI Hazara chief emphasised that his party was committed to providing a viable alternative to the existing political order. He argued that his party’s vision for a just and equitable society was based on Islamic principles and Quaid’s vision for Pakistan. — Correspondent

He said when stripped of power, PTI chairman Imran Khan’s narrative was that regime change was a conspiracy hatched by America against his government, but now PTI has changed its narrative and its leadership is writing letters the US leadership to help secure his (Imran’s) release from jail.

He said JI had formed coalition governments with other political entities, including PTI, in the past, but it had now opted to contest elections independently, citing a lack of trust and broken agreements with previous coalition partners.

He said the PTI government had left local government representatives without authority and funding.

On the occasion, JI Battagram emir Haji Imdadullah and general secretary Anwar Baig were also present.

Published in Dawn, January 14th, 2025