Sharjeel extends olive branch to JI

Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Monday said that the final phase of local bodies elections in Sindh concluded after the oath-taking ceremony of Karachi's mayor, and following that, the municipal administration of Karachi will become active.

Speaking at a press conference at the Archives Complex in Clifton, he urged the Jamaat-e-Islami to accept defeat and work together with the PPP for the progress of the city.

He stated that JI was able to win the seats it has only due to the boycott by the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) in Karachi otherwise they would have suffered a humiliating defeat. In response to a question, he mentioned that PPP looks forward to friendly relations with all political parties beliving in democracy, justice and rule of law. "We have working relationship with MQM-P, PML-N and have no animosity with the JI, rather we urge them to stop fighting over losing the mayoral elections and work for the progress of the city." Sharjeel said.

In response to another question, he said that JI Ameer Sirajul Haq was a respected figure and PPP does not believe in any kind of forceful domination.

The Sindh government will grant complete authority to chairmen and vice chairmen of all towns, and everyone will be given the opportunity to serve, whether from PPP or not.

He emphasised that JI has never come into power during any democratic era.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2023.