Centre-Sindh row to harm democracy: Siraj

LAHORE

Jamaat-e-Islami has termed the Centre-Sindh row over Rangers powers an attempt by the provincial government and some political elements to protect their vested interests and save the corrupt from law.This was observed by JI Central Shoora in a resolution adopted at its meeting chaired by Senator Sirajul Haq. The resolution termed the escalating tension between Sindh and federation a threat to the democratic system. It said Rangers operation in Karachi under the NAP had considerably reduced serious crimes, including target killings, extortion, terrorism and land grabbing, and the people of the port city had heaved a sigh of relief. It said that the pressure for clipping Rangers powers was an attempt to sabotage the operation and harm the democratic setup.

JI Shoora stressed upon ruling parties, federal and Sindh governments to abandon the path of confrontation and carry the Karachi operation to a logical end. It said that all those involved in major crimes, including the Baldia Town tragedy, and those providing protection to the people confessing to killings of innocent citizens, should be brought to book and dealt with under the law.

The resolution said that the surfacing of cases of mega corruption against the parties ruling the country in turn once again confirmed that the growing poverty and heavy loaning of the country was not because of lack of resources but due to the large scale loot and plunder of the public wealth by a few families and the cruel and unjust distribution of wealth.

It said that the energy crisis in the country was due to corruption and incompetence of ruling junta and all government claims to overcome the problem had proved hollow. The energy crisis in the country was deepening and despite record fall in POL prices in the world market, the masses had not been provided proportionate relief. Under the IMF pressure, the rulers were bent upon privatisation of major institutions, including the PIA.

It said that due to the interference of the governments in Sindh and Punjab, the transparency in the local government elections had been made doubtful. Further, it said, that the amendments to the election rules in these two provinces were a mockery of the Constitution and human rights as all powers had been transferred to the chief ministers.

Shoora called upon the federal government to avail the prevailing peaceful conditions in Balochistan for a dialogue with Baloch leaders abroad. It said that the western route of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor be completed first in accordance with the Prime Minister’s announcement at the APC held on May 28 last year.

The JI central body expressed grave concern over the deteriorating law and order all over the country. It noted that the patronage of some high government personalities to the criminals had been proved. It said that the government claims of ending the Thana culture had proved hollow as the Thana culture had further strengthened recently. The incidents of lifting of innocent people from their homes had increased. The Shoora resolved to support the workers, farmers, and the downtrodden in their difficulties and organise them under a well thought out programme for the ultimate goal of building an Islamic prosperous Pakistan.