Political tussle ‘may lead to martial law’

Siraj says govt, ECP violating Constitution, SC orders by running away from elections

LAHORE:

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq has said that the tussle between the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could result in imposition of martial law in the country.

“The incumbent PDM government has become a burden on the nation,” the JI chief said while addressing the media here on Friday.

Proposing nationwide elections, Siraj condemned the government's attempts to suppress protests, saying: “Peaceful demonstrations are the constitutional right of every political party.”

He said, “The government and the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) are violating the Constitution and the orders of the Supreme Court by running away from elections.”

Siraj said that the caretaker Punjab government was a part of the PDM.

“It seems from their [the caretaker government’s] statements that they will stay for a long time. I want to make it clear that this country has come into existence through a democratic process and can only be sustained through democratic action,” he said, adding that unconstitutional measures should be avoided.

Warning of grave consequences, he announced that he would resist those who “undermine the Constitution”.

Pointing out the duplicity of the ruling alliance, the JI chief said that the same parties, including the PPP and the PML-N, had been protesting against inflation before coming to power.

“Free wheat flour lines are selling deaths,” Siraj said, adding that five poor people had already been martyred in the race to collect the basic necessity.

Siraj levelled allegations that these parties, including PPP, PML-N and PTI were not willing to leave their protocols, perks, luxury cars and mansions.

They were even unwilling to make sacrifices for the people, whose pain these corrupt feudal lords and corrupt capitalists claimed to feel, even though they had billions of dollars in overseas assets.

He demanded that the political matters be solved in parliament instead of dragging them in courts.

They said that they had presented a revolutionary manifesto and had also started a door-to-door election campaign from March 23.

“Had the courts been fulfilling their responsibilities, the situation would not have been like this,” Siraj said, blaming the judiciary for the ongoing turmoil.

He condemned the government's use of force against the PTI rallies, saying that peaceful processions were the constitutional right of every political party.

He questioned the feasibility of a bloated 85-member cabinet in a country facing economic crises.

He demanded the release of Gwadar's Maulana Hidayatur Rahman, saying he was imprisoned in false cases.