It’s time for election, not selection: Siraj

Karachi
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said on Saturday that the by-polls for NA-246 on April 23 were an opportunity for Karachi’s citizens, who had only been witnessing “selection” for the last several years, to bring about a real change in city through an actual “election”.
“The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has failed to address the city’s issue and its citizens are still facing problems like violence and shortage of water, electricity, education and healthcare,” Senator Siraj-ul Haq said at a “Meet the Press” programme organised at the Karachi Press Club.
“There is a culture of extortion and bodies being found in gunny bags in Karachi for the last 30 years. This culture must be brought to an end.”
Haq was accompanied by JI central deputy chief and NA-246 candidate Rashid Naseem, Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman and other party leaders.
The JI chief requested the chief election commissioner to take notice of the Friday night’s attack on his party activists and supporters who were campaigning for the NA-246 by-elections at Ayesha Manzil, holding the MQM responsible for the incident.
“The MQM is denying its involvement in the attack on our workers… then who could it be?” he asked. “The political party contesting in the elections need to show patience.”
The attack on the JI rally, he noted, had proved that the opponents were wary of their defeat.
“We want peaceful elections and that is in the best interests of all the parties.”
He further said the former MQM MNA Nabeel Gabol had disclosed that massive rigging took place in the last general elections in Karachi and the judicial commission should take notice of his statement.
Replying to a question about the JI and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf reaching an understanding for the hotly contested seat of NA-246, Haq said the two parties were allies in Khyber Pakthunkhwa government and were in constant touch, but everyone had the right to contest the polls.
To another query about the remarks of the former chief justice of Pakistan about the resignations of PTI parliamentarians, he said such views should be presented before a judicial commission, not the press.
The JI chief said if the masses wanted a real change and actual democracy, they should stop debating over the politics of “right” and “left” and focus on what was right and wrong.
“The politics and democracy of Pakistan have fallen hostage to an elite class, which is using all its resources. The rest of the country’s population is facing both economic and social terrorism,” he observed.
“The JI will impose a uniform educational system for all regardless of any cast, creed and colour.”
Haq urged the leaderships of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the PTI to play a positive role in pulling out the country from its crises.
Commenting on the recent situation in the Middle East, Haq said the Pakistani government should act as a “mediator” in the Yemen-Saudi conflict.
“An OIC meeting should be held in Islamabad for resolving the matter through discussions,” he added.
He further said Saudi Arabia was the fortress of Islam and every Muslim held great reverence for the ‘Harmain Sharifeen’.
“The Pakistani nation will act as ‘ababeel’ in case any harm comes to the Harmain Sharifeen.”
Haq also expressed his deep sorrow over the Turbat incident in which 20 labourers were killed at a camp.
He called for resolving the issues of the Balochs on a war-footing basis. Haq also said he would try to pacify the disgruntled Balochs
The JI chief said his party would continue struggling for the enforcement of shariah in the country and giving rights to the deprived segments of the society.
Later, the KPC office-bearers presented an ajrak and flowers to the JI chief.

JI rally
The JI Karachi chapter will hold a rally at Ayesha Manzil on Sunday (today) in connection with its campaign for the NA-246 elections.
According to a statement, the arrangements for the rally have been finalised and the party is engaged in a door-to-door public campaign in the constituency.
The party activists are distributing pamphlets among the constituents and inviting them to attend the rally.