LAHORE: Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Sirajul Haq has called upon the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to issue a schedule for the upcoming national vote.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Tuesday, he emphasized the need for a level playing field for all political parties in the election.
Sirajul Haq expressed concerns that certain powerful entities had backed a particular political party in the 2018 general election, and he cautioned against a repeat of such support for some other party or parties.
He asserted that allowing such impressions to persist could taint the credibility of the electoral process. He emphasized that it is the constitutional duty of both the Election Commission and the caretaker government to ensure a transparent and fair election. He emphasized that any pre-poll rigging would bring further instability.
Earlier, during the central leadership meeting, the JI chief pledged to continue supporting the people of Palestine. During the press conference, he announced that pro-Palestine Gaza Marches would be held in Sialkot and Lahore on November 12 and November 19, respectively.
He also condemned the recent increase in gas prices, stating that the inflation had severely affected the lives of the people. He criticized the caretaker government for raising gas and electricity tariffs, accusing them of complying with the directives of the IMF.
He lamented that the caretakers seemed more interested in other state affairs than in ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections. He emphasized the crucial role of the caretaker government in providing full cooperation to the Election Commission to guarantee a peaceful and transparent electoral process.
Expressing gratitude for the steadfast support of the people for the Palestinian cause, Siraj criticized the current rulers for their failure to fulfill the nation’s expectations. He also lamented the inaction of the leaders of the entire Islamic community. He stressed that mere statements would not resolve the issue of Palestine, emphasizing the need for practical steps from the Islamic world to alleviate the suffering of the people in Gaza, who had been enduring Israeli atrocities for more than 20 days. He highlighted that more than 8,000 individuals, including a significant number of children and women, had lost their lives in the Israeli bombings targeting Gaza’s hospitals, schools, and homes.
The JI chief mentioned the historic march led by JI in Islamabad at Embassy Road, despite the authorities’ attempts to suppress it through the torture and arrest of JI workers, driven by their fear of the United States. He urged an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and demanded that Washington withdraw its support for the aggressor.
Siraj while highlighting the active role of the JI charity, al-Khidmat Foundation, in collecting aid for Gaza, appealed to the public to generously support their efforts.
