Unfair tactics: Opposition parties sling allegations at Jamaat-e-Islami

Accuse Jamaat lawmakers and ministers of using govt kitty for LG electioneering

UPPER DIR: Building up on the recent flutter of allegations against the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government for using government machinery for local government electioneering, activists of opposition parties from Upper Dir lambasted Jamaat-e-Islami in a press conference on Monday.

“JI lawmakers and cabinet members are splurging government funds while campaigning for their LG candidates,” said former federal minister and Pakistan Peoples Party leader Najmuddin Khan.

Flanked by Awami National Party’s Naveed Anjum Khan and Iftikhar Ahmad Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl’s Maulana Fazal Azam and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz’s Nisar Khan Wardag, Najamuddin said JI leaders are not only involved in the recent execution and announcement of development schemes, but also guilty of influencing civil administration, especially teachers, to manipulate election results.

In response to a question, the PPP leader said multiple complaints have been filed with civil administration officials who are themselves appointed by the JI. “We have also requested the intervention of the Election Commission of Pakistan time and again,” he said.

Speakers on the occasion said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leaders are not fit for running the provincial government hence their coalition partners are carrying out illegal activities under their nose.

They said the Dir region is dominated by Sirajul Haq’s men who are involved in pre-poll rigging. They said JI activists are not only preparing ground to meddle with ballots cast but are also involved in the unwarranted disbursement of Zakat funds.

Joining hands with the tripartite alliance of PPP, ANP and JUI-F, PML-N has cut a seat-by-seat deal with the parties to counter the overarching influence of JI and PTI.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2015.