LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has termed the 10-point agenda of Dr Tahirul Qadri ‘constitutional’ and declared his party’s support for it.

“Dr Qadri’s 10 points are positive. None of them is unconstitutional. We fully support them. Everyone wants an election commission that ensures transparent elections in future so that nobody can raise the issue of rigging.

“We also support the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf on the issue of rigging. All democrats are against rigging,” he told reporters after meeting Punjab Governor Chaudhry Sarwar, who visited Mansoora on Saturday.

The governor called on Mr Haq as part of the government’s effort to find a way to defuse the crisis that has arisen in the wake of Mr Khan’s and Dr Qadri’s marches on Islamabad.

Know more: JI chief terms PTI long march 'justified'

The JI chief wondered why a biometric system could not be installed in the country, citing India as an example.

He said both the PTI and Pakistan Awami Tehreek were democratic forces, calling upon political parties and the government to hold dialogue with them.

“The government, its ministers and politicians should review their attitude in order to avoid tension and confrontation. The two sides should begin dialogue for resolving differences and should be wary of elements trying to add fuel to fire,” he added.

Punjab Governor Chaud­h­ry Sarwar praised the Jamaat for its efforts to resolve the crisis.

He said political forces did not want any unconstitutional change. “I also want to praise the armed forces for successfully conducting the Zarb-i-Azb operation. The armed forces are also not in favour of any unconstitutional change.”

Published in Dawn, August 17th, 2014