Group calls elections un-Islamic

Published October 17, 2007

PESHAWAR, Oct 16: Lashkar-i-Islam leader Mangal Bagh, has termed the coming elections un-Islamic, saying his organisation is not in favour of polls in which the candidates beg for votes.

“All the MNAs and senators of Khyber Agency did nothing for the welfare of tribesmen and disappointed the people while they are still subjugated to the FCR, which is an un-Islamic and cruel law,” he told reporters on his second daylong visit to Landi Kotal.

He said begging for votes was un-Islami so his organisation would oppose the practice in the elections.

“People should themselves choose the candidates and ask them to represent them in the assemblies. Only then will the candidate serve the people,” he said.

He said he had not established a parallel government in Bara but the political administration had enforced discriminatory laws. “Frontier Crimes Regulation was enforced by the British rulers and it is a black and cruel law. There should be uniformity of laws for the whole country and tribesmen should be treated like the people of other areas of Pakistan,” he said.

The Lashkar leader said the MNAs and senators of Khyber Agency had done nothing for the welfare of the common people and only tried to please their touts. He said that forefathers of Noorul Haq and Abdul Malik Qadri were noble people but both the brothers as members of parliament did not represent the people of Khyber Agency in the true religious way.

He said no one in Khyber Agency would be allowed to betray or harm the people. He urged the people to express resentment against the political administration as civilised tribesmen were humiliated in the political agent’s office.

Mangal Bagh said his group was working for the elimination of all social evils to restore peace. He said the group had expelled from the area all car lifters and thieves who had tarnished the image of Bara.

About his order to the tribesmen to wear caps, he said all religious laws would be implemented by force.

He condemned the role of Maliks saying that they were selfish and greedy and always trying to please the administration for their personal benefit.—PPI

Opinion

Editorial

Last call
Updated 15 Nov, 2024

Last call

PTI should hardly be turning its "final" protest into a "do or die" occasion.
Mini budget talk
15 Nov, 2024

Mini budget talk

NO matter how much Pakistan’s finance managers try to downplay the prospect of a ‘mini budget’ to pull off a...
Diabetes challenge
15 Nov, 2024

Diabetes challenge

AMONGST the many public health challenges confronting Pakistan, diabetes arguably does not get the attention it...
China security ties
Updated 14 Nov, 2024

China security ties

If China's security concerns aren't addressed satisfactorily, it may affect bilateral ties. CT cooperation should be pursued instead of having foreign forces here.
Steep price
14 Nov, 2024

Steep price

THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region is in big trouble. A new study unveiled at the ongoing COP29 reveals that if high...
A high-cost plan
14 Nov, 2024

A high-cost plan

THE government has approved an expensive plan for FBR in the hope of tackling its deep-seated inefficiencies. The...