JI’s manifesto focuses on education, women’s rights

Sirajul Haq says his party can uproot corruption from the country

PESHAWAR:

Unveiling his party’s ‘Prosper Islamic Pakistan’ manifesto, Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq on Wednesday promised a raft of reforms, including appointing teachers with PhDs at primary schools. He also vowed to ensure that five fatal diseases would be treated free of cost in government hospitals.

Addressing participants at a talent programme at Nishtar Hall held under the aegis of Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba Pakistan, he said labourers and farmers would be given their due share in agricultural and industrial production if JI comes into power.



“The government will pay for the treatment of fatal diseases including cancer, cardiac and kidney ailments, hepatitis and thalassemia,” he said.

Siraj said factory owners were earning millions while workers found it impossible to make both ends meet. “What kind of justice this is?” he asked.



He said the main purpose of appointing teachers with PhDs at primary schools was to improve the quality of education in the country. “Unfortunately, India’s Uttar Pradesh province [alone] has more PhDs than Pakistan,” he pointed out.



Siraj slammed the fact that the children of education ministers of all the provinces were not being schooled in government facilities. He said the reason was that these institutions failed to provide quality education. The JI chief added such divisions not only led to a class-based society, but also divided people on sectarian grounds.

“In our Islamic Pakistan, a uniform, modern and quality curriculum will be introduced to allow the sons of the poor and the elite to sit together [in a classroom],” he said. He said the nation endured tremendous hardships to see Pakistan turn into an atomic power and now was the time to enjoy the fruits of a secure country.

Claims about women

He promised women their rights in light of the Quran and the Constitution of Pakistan. He said if JI’s manifesto was implemented, every elected male representative would be bound to produce an affidavit signed by his sisters to prove he has given all due rights and shares to them.



“Those who are not loyal to their sisters cannot be loyal to the nation and its daughters and sisters,” said Siraj.

Siraj revealed the youth would be given employment allowances till they secure a job so their families are less burdened. He vowed to ensure elderly people over 70 would get an old-age allowance. Siraj said billions were lost to corruption every year, adding if the money was spent on the welfare of people, Pakistan could become one of the more prosperous countries in the world.

The JI chief highlighted a number of its members had taken seats in the national and provincial assemblies, but none of them were ever booked on even a minor corruption charge in the last 68 years. He claimed JI’s track record proves it could do away with corruption.

“People should not expect anything from the incumbent rulers as they are busy pocketing taxpayers’ money.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd,  2015.