LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq has advised the government to announce electoral reforms without linking the step to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf’s Islamabad dharna.

Speaking at a gathering of Lahore High Court Bar Association’s members on Wednesday, Mr Haq said the JI played a key role to end political turmoil in the country and convincing the protesting parties to follow constitutional way of protest.

He deplored that those claiming to be the biggest protectors of the constitution had become its most blatant violators.

He said the foremost duty of a government was to implement the constitution but unfortunately the people in the echelons of power trampled the sacred document with impunity.

The JI emir alleged the ruling clique was responsible for all ills in the country as they plundered Pakistan’s wealth, causing multiple problems.

He lauded legal fraternity’s role in restoration of democracy and the independent judiciary. He said at a time when nobody dared to speak against Pervez Musharraf’s martial law and several political parties were vying for a place under the dictator’s umbrella, the lawyers came out like a storm and shattered his myth.

Mr Haq asked the government not to wait for end to the PTI’s sit-in and instead honour its commitment of setting up an electoral reforms commission, the reconstitution of the Election Commission and the Judicial Commission to probe into the alleged rigging in 2013 polls.

He rejected the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance, terming it violation of freedom of the citizens. He said the constitution gave people right to elect their representatives from the grass root level but except for the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, all provincial governments were delaying the local government polls.

LHCBA President Shafqat Chohan said Sirajul Haq was a commoner and steadily advancing his mission for the supremacy of the Constitution.

He assured the JI chief of the bar’s support for his cause.

Published in Dawn, November 13th, 2014