As the government struggles to maintain its hold on power, Siraj JI leader views elections as the only way forward.
Concerned about the present political turmoil and the government’s ineffectiveness, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chairman Sirajul Haq spoke out on Friday lack LAHORE, saying that elections are the only option.
At a Lahore news conference, he warned that a civil war may break out if the various political factions involved did not sit down and negotiate.
The JI leader stressed the need of political parties working together to address the current issues. To this end, “we are trying to fix an agreed date for the election in Pakistan,” and “we will speed up communication with the political parties after Eidul Fitr.”
According to Siraj, the dysfunctional government is the only option for fixing the country’s problems. As one analyst put it, “even if there is an election in Punjab, people will not accept the result, and it will lead to civil war.”
He further mentioned that the caretaker administration was supposed to last for 90 days, but the president and the Supreme Court (SC) decided to extend it to 105.
He said that because they have had it extended, extending it to 205 or 305 days would be quite easy.
In his words, “it is difficult to convince people on a single date.”
The provincial leader of the JI, Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch, was also called for his release by the JI chief.
Siraj claims that Baloch has been wrongfully detained in prison for 100 days.
He also discussed the state of affairs in Gwadar, where residents are dealing with difficulties including a lack of potable water, a prohibition on border trade, and a thriving black market for bribes and tyranny.
The trawler mafia has taken over the seas, he said, and local fishermen have been supplanted by foreigners. There have been more than 900 lawsuits brought against Gwadar residents.
While stressing that Gwadar residents are not opposed to the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), he did warn that the “provincial government is provoking the people of Gwadar,” which might have a negative impact on the CPEC.
The leader of the JI called for Maulana Rehman’s release, raising concerns about the courts’ apparent bias in releasing certain defendants on bond while continuing to hold others.
On April 30, JI leader Siraj declared nationwide protests will be organised on May 1 to demand the release of incarcerated leader Maulana Rehman and to show support for the Gwadar fishermen and Maulana Rehman.
