KHYBER: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has demanded holding of elections for National and provincial assemblies on the same day, saying the current economic situation could not afford to hold elections on separate days.

Addressing a large peace rally in Bara tehsil of Khyber tribal district, he also stressed the need for an independent judiciary. The JI-sponsored peace rally was held in defiance of the Section 144 imposed by the district administration only a day ahead of the public gathering.

Siraj said that holding of transparent elections were not possible without an impartial ‘establishment’, independent judiciary and independent election commission.

He criticised the ruling Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and said that both were equally responsible for the current political and economic conditions of the country.

JI holds peace rally in Khyber despite imposition of Section 144

He accused the ‘establishment’ of first supporting PTI and then backing PDM to form a coalition government in the centre.

The JI chief said that people of the region were disappointed with the government’s failure to honour its commitments about the development of tribal districts.

He said that condition of educational institutions and health facilities was not changed while tribesmen were not getting free and speedy justice from the judicial system extended to the region after its merger with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He called upon the government to shut down courts in the tribal districts if those failed in provision of justice to needy people.

He demanded of both the federal and provincial governments to provide promised funds for development of the militancy-hit tribal districts and a three per cent share in National Finance Commission award.

Siraj criticised the PDM leadership, particularly naming Mulana Fazalur Rehman, for keeping a criminal silence over the cutting inflation. He also accused the former PTI provincial government of pushing the province to bankruptcy and breaking all previous records of corruption.

The JI Khyber chapter had made elaborate arrangements for its peace rally and invited leaders of all political parties to it.

The district administration imposed Section 144 on Saturday to impose a ban on gathering of five or more than five persons at a particular place, citing security reasons. The JI rally, however, remained peaceful.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2023