Siraj calls for talks among political parties over electoral reforms

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq has called for dialogues among political parties over proposed electoral reforms, saying the system of proportional representation is the best option to strengthen democracy in the country.

“The present system is tailored to serve the vested interests of the elite class ruling the country for decades,” he said while chairing a meeting of party’s central and provincial parliamentary boards at Mansoora Wednesday. Meeting discussed different suggestions for the next elections.

“We believe the country could not go ahead without comprehensive electoral reforms. The JI has prepared a package of electoral reforms and shared it with the political parties. We are waiting for their response on it.” He also highlighted the need of intra-party democracy within the political parties, saying the dynastic politics and one-man show in political parties were not good omens for democracy. The JI chief criticised the PTI for not addressing the gross root problems of the country, saying the inflation and unemployment were the major issues but the government like its predecessors badly failed to address them in three years. He said Pakistan was achieved after countless sacrifices of Muslims of the Sub-continent but the dream of country’s founding fathers was yet to be materialised. He said Pakistan was destined to be transformed into Islamic welfare state and only the JI could make it happened if voted to power because the three political parties badly failed to do so during their tenures.

Sirajul Haq said the JI would contest the next election under its own flag and symbol, appealing the nation to be part of the JI struggle to transform Pakistan into welfare Islamic state dreamt by its founding fathers. He said the JI believed in real change that will come through a peaceful democratic process.