No ties with India at expense of Kashmiris: Siraj

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Sirajul Haq has said that building a relationship with India should not come at the expense of the bloodshed of Kashmiris.

Speaking at the Kashmir Solidarity Rally at the Mall on Monday, he said the Indian government ruthlessly targeted Muslims following the abrogation of Occupied Kashmir’s special status. He pointed out that Hindutva goons, led by the BJP, spared no effort in victimising Muslims. While addressing the issue, he highlighted the contrast in the approach of the rulers in Pakistan, who, despite the atrocities in Kashmir, called for building relations with India. He pledged that the Jamaat-e-Islami and the people of Pakistan would resist such overtures. He firmly declared that if the JI came into power, it would staunchly fight for Kashmir and Palestine.

Accusing established political parties of disseminating falsehoods in their election rallies, the JI Emir said PML-N and PPP, which had repeatedly been tested in power, were responsible for disrupting peace and damaging the economy. He expressed scepticism about their ability to ensure the welfare of the countrymen even if allowed to rule for the next 100 years. He called upon the public to reject them and urged them to vote for capable and honest candidates from Jamaat-e-Islami on February 8.

He criticized the ruling elite for seeking blessings from Washington to maintain power in Pakistan. He argued that their dependence on external forces had led the country into a debt trap, burdening the masses with inflation and unemployment. Siraj attributed the millions of out-of-school children and unemployed educated youth to the policies of the former governments.

He assured that, if elected, Jamaat-e-Islami would resurrect the economy and ensure equitable distribution of resources. A large number of people including women and children participated in the rally. JI leaders Liaqat Baloch, Emirul Azim and others also addressed the rally.