TAXILA: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq on Sunday called for a level-playing field for all political participants in the upcoming elections.

He was addressing a public meeting in Jand while kicking off the election campaign of the party candidates of Attock especially Hafiz Tanveer Ahmed, a candidate for PP-5 and Sardar Amjad Ali Khan who is vying for the National Assembly constituency NA-50.

Sirajul Haq said general elections should be held on time and stressed that genuine peace and stability could only be achieved through the election of a government with strong public support.

He also said the next government would not function properly if the same environment was not provided to all political parties for the next polls.

The JI chief also ruled out forming any alliance with the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), blaming both for the country’s current woes.

“All political parties are fielding already-tested candidates, but the JI assures people of their protection from looters and plunderers,” he added.

He was of the view that the US wanted those people who were loyal to it to remain in power, but people do not like the persistent involvement of the same parties in politics. He said the JI, with the help of labourers and common citizens of the country would defeat oppressors.

He said no society could run with cruelty, as it had been over 75 years since the exploitation of common citizens began in the country.

“Same people change parties and remain in power,” he said, adding that there was no difference among the policies of the PML-N, PPP and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).

He informed the participants of the rally that JI was struggling to oust dynasty politics for the rule of law as a few families had been imposed on the country in the name of democracy and were involved in massive corruption.

“Now almost every household has a graduate, but they are unemployed, while on the other hand, talented youth are looking for livelihood and employment in other countries,” he said.

He called on the voters to vote for his party for the uplift of the Islamic political system in the country.

Iranian envoy calls on JI emir

Iranian Ambassador Reza Amiri Moghaddam called on Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Sirajul Haq and discussed ties between their respective countries, the regional situation and matters of mutual interest.

As per a statement, Sirajul Haq appreciated Tehran’s support for Muslims in Palestine and hoped the leaders of the Muslim countries would adopt a similar stance and show solidarity with the people of Gaza.

Mr Haq emphasised that the positive relations between Pakistan and Iran benefit both nations and stressed the need for the two Muslim neighbours to enhance economic ties for regional prosperity and development.

The JI chief identified the presence of US forces in different regions as a primary cause of instability and security deterioration while criticising Washington’s unethical support for Israel, attributing it to the killing and genocide carried out by Tel Aviv in Gaza.

He further lamented the world’s inability to stop these atrocities, adding that despite global demonstrations and calls for a ceasefire by the UN, Israeli forces continued their violent actions in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of thousands of children and women.

Connecting the US forces’ occupation to instability in Afghanistan and the broader region, Sirajul Haq said the US did not seek positive relations with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran.

The JI chief further called for the three countries to come together and collaborate for the welfare of their people, highlighting JI’s consistent efforts towards harmony and unity within the Muslim world.

Mr Moghaddam said Pakistan-Iran relations were based on mutual respect and Muslim brotherhood and commended JI’s role in supporting Palestinians.

The Iranian ambassador also appreciated the JI emir’s role in promoting sectarian harmony.

JI Foreign Affairs Director Asif Luqman Qazi was also present in the meeting.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2023