KARACHI: Vowing to launch a countrywide movement for the ‘reversal’ of Feb 8 election results and at the same time offering to “facilitate” a dialogue among all political stakeholders for the solution of a ‘deepening crisis’ in the country, Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman set the tone of his future strategy that reflects both resistance and reconciliation.

Speaking at the Karachi Press Club’s Meet the Press programme on Monday, Hafiz Naeem spoke at length about national challenges, his party’s policy of “peaceful resistance” for the “restoration of true democracy” in the country.

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And “despite serious reservations”, he also ruled out the possibility of fresh elections but insisted that the results of Feb 8 polls of all the constituencies be re-issued on the basis of Form-45s.

For that particular issue, he sought the role of the chief justice of Pakistan who, he said, was “known among the legal fraternity for his integrity and principled position on all legal matters”.

The JI chief also hinted at approaching the apex court with a plea for the fresh results of the Feb 8 elections on the basis of Form-45s.

Hafiz Naeem highlights importance of fixing election results on the basis of Form-45s; hints at approaching SC

“Political parties should realise the sensitivity of the prevailing situation and agree to give a passage for a government based on genuine Form-45s,” he said. “All political forces should reject the government formed on the basis of bogus Form-47s.”

He added: “We are not in favour of fresh elections as we just want to fix the Feb 8 polls and the results on the basis of Form-45s across the country. This would ultimately fix the problem. And let this be clear to everyone — we are not going to give up. We will resist and exercise every constitutional, democratic and legal right.”

At the same time, the JI chief offered other parties the JI’s “credibility” as a guarantor and facilitator of a “national dialogue”, calling it the only way forward because the Feb 8 elections had “trapped every political stakeholder of the country” and everyone wanted to come out of that crisis.

“I firmly believe that everyone, whether institutions or individuals, would have to go back to their constitutional domain. That’s it and that’s very simple,” he said, adding: “Jamaat-i-Islami is the party which is known for its integrity. We can take an initiative and facilitate a national dialogue that would pave the way for national harmony and bring this status quo to an end.”

Earlier, KPC president Saeed Sarbazi and secretary Shoaib Ahmed also spoke.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2024