Siraj terms election mockery of nation

LAHORE: Referring to the election as a mockery of the nation, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq has expressed regret over the alleged misuse of Rs 50 billion from the national exchequer in what he deemed a fraudulent exercise.

Speaking at a press conference following his participation in a JI Youth meeting at Mansoorah on Thursday, he criticized the re-emergence of two dynasties against the people’s February 8 vote. He asserted that a government formed on a fraudulent mandate would not sustain itself, emphasizing the need for a fair investigation into electoral rigging through a judicial commission.

He called for the resignation of the chief election commissioner to ensure an impartial investigation.

He highlighted the disillusionment of the youth, stating that their confidence wavered due to the alleged election rigging, which he claimed turned the country’s democracy into a laughing stock. He criticized the election commission, bureaucracy and establishment for failing to meet public expectations regarding impartiality, citing instances of sudden changes in electoral results.

Claiming that the JI mandate was stolen in various constituencies, he pledged that the JI would not remain silent and would utilize constitutional and democratic processes to expose the alleged theft of people’s mandate.

He announced the JI plan to host “Save the Democracy Conference” on February 26 in Islamabad, inviting members from the civil society, independent observers and lawyers.

In addition, he called on the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) to review a decision on the Qadianis issue, expressing concerns about decisions that he believed harmed people’s mandate. He also voiced apprehension about the disappearance of Abu Bakar from Sargodha, claiming that authorities had unlawfully kidnapped him. He emphasized the JI commitment to advocate the cause of missing persons and supremacy of law and justice.