JI to support Rabbani if nominated for Senate chairmanship, says Sirajul Haq

TIMERGARA: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq on Sunday said that his party would support Mian Raza Rabbani if the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) nominated him for the slot of the Senate chairman.

Addressing a party gathering at Ahyaul Uloom madrassa in Balambat and later talking to media, he said the Election Commission of Pakistan had failed to fulfil its responsibilities during the recent Senate election.

The JI chief asked the chief justice of Pakistan to take suo moto notice of the alleged bargaining in Senate election. The hue and cry about horse-trading in Senate election had degraded the Upper House of Parliament, he added.

"Therefore, the CJP should call the newly elected senators and party leadership to submit an affidavit in the Supreme Court that they were not involved in horse trading," Sirajul Haq said, adding it was right time to uncover the elements involved in disgracing the Senate.

He said the party leadership had been admitting that their members were sold. About the defeat of Maulana Samiul Haq, chief of JUI-S, he said he was shocked to hear about his result. He said that he should not have been treated so badly.

The JI chief said that madrassas, their students, ulema and turbans were being defamed under a conspiracy. He said Muslims should be proud of their culture and civilisation. The JI chief also directed party workers to wear turbans as it is the dress symbol of Muslims. About the MMA, he said the coalition of religious parties had been revived and important decisions under it would be taken during a meeting to be held in Islamabad today (Monday).