Appoint returning officers from judiciary, JI reiterates demand

Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has reiterated his party’s demand by appealing to the chief justice of Pakistan to ensure the appointment of returning officers (ROs) and district returning officers (DROs) from the judiciary instead of the administration.

The JI leader expressed these views while addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the party’s city headquarters, on Saturday. He was flanked by JI leaders Dr Osama bin Razi, Raja Arif Sultan, Abdul Wahab, Munim Zafar, Sohaib Ahmed and Khalid Khan among others.

Rehman said ROs and DROs from the administration have failed the nation multiple times. Appointments on the posts of ROs and DROs from the administration for the elections cannot be trusted any more, he added.

He said that all the four provincial governors have been engaged in political affairs in their respective provinces. He demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) immediately remove all governors with political affiliations.

He urged the ECP to take measures in order to ensure transparency in the 2024 general elections. He welcomed the measures that ensure the polls are held on February 8, but stressed the need for the appointment of judicial officers as ROs and DROs to ensure transparency.

He also urged the caretaker government on the occasion to carefully handle foreign affairs, particularly with Afghanistan. He condemned the recent spree of terrorism in the country, and asked the relevant quarters to take the appropriate steps in that regard.

He also raised concerns about the alleged corruption in the local government department. He also expressed his views about the tragedies that took place on December 16 in 1971 and 2014.