JI Ameer Sirajul Haq accepted Imran Khan’s invitation to take part in the protest movement but only the second-tier leadership of the party will participate in the protest in Islamabad. PHOTO: ZAHURUL HAQ/EXPRESS/FILE
As the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz prepares to mark one full year since its installation last year, it is attracting a whirlpool of currents following serious differences with the army. Its predicament is compounded by a protest movement that is slowly gaining support from multiple parties.
On Saturday, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and All Pakistan Muslim League (APML) announced their support for the protest campaign – scheduled to commence on May 11 – against rampant corruption and alleged riggings in last year’s general elections.
Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chief Imran Khan and the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chief Tahirul Qadri have announced to launch a massive protest movement against the rigging and corruption.
JI Ameer Sirajul Haq accepted Imran Khan’s invitation to take part in the protest movement but only the second-tier leadership of the party will participate in the protest in Islamabad, said JI’s central information secretary Ameerul Azeem. “JI will send its office bearers, particularly from Sindh, as it feels massive rigging was done in that province.” The invitation was accepted over the telephone, Azeem said.
The naib ameer from Islamabad, as well as the Karachi and Hyderabad leaders would participate along with the party’s delegations, he added. “We had the same apprehensions as the PTI regarding the general elections, therefore, we condemn the rigging in which the masses were deprived of their mandate,” the JI leader reiterated.
JI deputy information secretary Anwer Niazi said JI Ameer Haq was in Oslo and would return on May 6 but he would not be joining the protest as a public gathering and reception for the newly elected party head had already been scheduled for May 11.
Separately, APML senior leader Ahmad Raza Kasuri also announced on Saturday that his party will join the PAT and PTI protest campaign.
Addressing a press conference, Kasuri said, “This protest is against the rampant corruption and rigging in the last year elections, in which APML chief Gen (retd) Pervez Musharraf was not only disqualified from contesting the election from four constituencies, but was also barred from contesting any election in his lifetime.”
Alleging that the former chief justice, Iftikhar Chaudhry, and the media were responsible for poll rigging, Kasuri asked the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to declare the polls “null and void” and hold a fresh election.
“In what capacity did the former CJ Chaudhry address returning officers and advised them?” he questioned.
He said the person, who was accused of scratching 35 ‘punctures’, was made chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which was his reward for helping in the manipulation of election results.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) will organise rallies in more than 12 districts of Punjab today (Sunday) to show solidarity with the Pakistan Army.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 4th, 2014.
COMMENTS (62)
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1731666526-0/Express-Tribune-(9)1731666526-0-270x192.webp "watch salat al istisqa offered across the country on prime minister s appeal")
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PTI should wait till 2018. Their next defeat is due in 2018.
@ishrat salim: very well explained
Power hungry ‘ideologists’ looking for another Zia ul Haq to come and give them relief.word shame doesn’t exist in their dictionary.Pakistan needs stability to achieve peace and prosperity they didn’t care in the past they don’t care today.They are damaging the future of Pakistan.Shame on them.
Agitation is a democratic right of each & every person. IK had accepted election but not the results in many constituencies. IK party also approached election tribunal as per Election rules, which is supposed to give its verdict within 4 month. If justice is not delivered, the aggrieved party has every right to protest, so what wrong IK is doing ? what has been observed is, when PML N was protesting during PPP govt period...all those who is against IK protest was doing same then....today even PML N is against IK protest, forgetting its past protest in Punjab during load-shedding.....if these so-called democratic forces are real democratic, then... 1) why do they not hold election within their own party as per constitution ? 2) why no local body election ever held as per constitution ? not during PPP period not this PML N govt ? 3) why the children are not given FREE education as per constitution ? 4) why are these lawmakers not pay tax ? 5) the lawmakers are the most law-breakers ? why ? 6) not one politician have been declared un-worthy as per article 62 & 63, although most of their degrees are yet to be verified by HEC, that is why till today no HEC Chairman appointed...why ? 7) It has been proved by the EC that the declaration of assets during registration for election submitted by most of the politicians were not correct, yet they were allowed to contest...why ? 8) Even then, after election, these same politicians / lawmakers declared their details of assets in-correctely in Sept each year, which is always extended. Most of them submit late & yet not penalized as per EC rule & constitution...why ?
All the above ever happens in any democratic system ? so what democracy are you talking about ?
All the corrupt parties have joined hands to protest against rigging protest because they know they will be exposed....
When PML N was protesting, there was no fear of " de-railment of democracy " & today all are fearing that IK protest call will de-rail " democracy " ?
Come on guys...give it a break & think with an open mind...is the EC / CEC independent ? NO ? that is what TQ always prophesied.....EC / CEC will never be made independent by the selfish political parties...it goes against them...
Would be interesting to see which side MQM goes, its position might show where the Pindi boys are at.
Well the masks are off guys and look, a bunch of losers is trying to put their weight in a drama ultimately leading to pressurize the weakened government so that the agenda of a ' sacred agency' could be fulfilled.
a better election process is a definite requirement. The focus should be on devising a process to avoid any ambiguity but to protest is taking this to a whole new undesirable level..... I dont think we need this right now
@ Ammad Ali Yes, Biometric System, but will they do it ?. Answer is a big NO. This is why we all are with Imran Khan. This is a FAKE mandate
Reply to yr comments 1. Dollar was raised from 93 to 108 in 1 year and now lowered to 98. So avaerage high is 102 2. Oil prices reduced but the tax level is more than 55 % on that. 3. Commodity prices vary with time 4. Stock market is high for the last 2 years 5. New generation projects apptroved in musharaf time but PPP didnt act. This means PML N did nothing, but just point scoring. I can say that PML N is better than PPP but it does not mean that they are the only party to survive the nation. Let them do elections 2018 on biometric system like India, Bangladesh and even Afghanistan, then we will see who are the real repreentative of pakistan. The fake and rigged elections are never acceptable and all the pakistanies shall raise their voices to let the elctoral system be 100 % accurate.
This is not a protest call, but a move to topple the government. After a lapse of one year, the political pundits have come to know that the last year's election was rigged and that there is a wide corruption in Pakistan. If it was so, then PTI and JI should not have accepted the results and joined the government, rather they should have continued with their protests. As for corruption, it is not a new issue, and even common man understands that corruption is a ulcer in our society, which is continuously on rise from the previous to the future governments in Pakistan, unless a change is effected let us hope starting from KPK, which is reign by PTI.
PTI wins = No rigging PTI loses = rigging What is this? What type of politics is it? No courage. No patience. No respect for others. No sportsman spirit.
I hate Mr. Khan from the core of my heart who has blamed the most honest Chief Justice ever. Justice Iftikhar did no corruption. Imran is habitual of doing traditional and conventional politics of blaming others. I hate him because of his dirty language used for other politicians and institutions. His arrogance is the main cause of his failure.
Pakistanis gave mandate for 5 years. No need of any protest. Focus on KPK and wait for 5 years.
As country is going towards stability, things are getting better once again. Puppets of establishment are again active to derail this journey of prosperity.
I think that Tsunami Khan is enemy of Pakistan, democracy and progress. He does not want to see prosperity in Pakistan. His moves may affect economic position of Pakistan including stack exchange index. He is least concerned about national issues. He is only concerned about why he is not Prime Minister.
Shame for Mr. Khan for doing drama. PTI lost the elections. Imran should show a little sportsman spirit if he can. PTI's performance will be even worse in next general elections.
If Pakistan wants to survive and enter a new era of prosperity, justice, fairness and equality, then it has to make a supreme sacrifice. On May 11 the people have to stand up for their rights. A few days or weeks of discomfort is worth years of deprivation of the basic rights. "Jalado, Mitado ye beinsaafi ki duniya". Send these corrupt, venal, depraved old politicians of the ruling and opposition parties who have given Pakistan nothing to where they belong - to the same life they forced others to live. Take the tide as it comes or remain condemned to an ignoble life. The choice is clear.
PTI is loser all the way. Entire youth is with PML(N). Imran is trying to be representative of youth at the age of 61.
There are so many development projects in pipeline that Pakistan will become a prosperous and peaceful country within few years. The ambitious forces who have stalled our development before, once again are behind these protests. When exchequer is full, greedy vultures fly over it.
@kamran who gave them the mandate??? Fake votes? People voted for change but there votes got changed...this is the democracy in pakistan...
After Egypt and Syria Now its Pakistan turn.
I was the first to send comments to ET. 3.5 hours ago and still not posted. Why?Because it is pure logic?
The protest by all those parties who have always failed to get seats. APML? Did it get a single seat? Its just a move to destabilise the current government in the name of protest. The agencies are playing their part in bringing back that clown Qadri. Too sad people of Pakistan will never understand they are made fooled again and again.
All stooges of ISI are joining hands to create chaos in the country as a precursor to the proxy war that ISI is bent on unleashing once again in Afghanistan. Suddenly PTI rose to popularity and then to power in KPK ONLY due to ISI backing. It is a well-known fact now. Its soft corner for Taliban (who had helped PTI during elections), coalition with JI and Qadri, and Imran's belief in the Afghan Jehad are the developments which unfold the true agenda of ISI in post-2014 withdrawal of NATO.
Imran is least concerned about governing KPK. He is only concerned with protesting.
OK, IK has a complaint over alleged election rigging. What is the complaint of TUQ, Sheikh Rashid, APML.... and PML-Q - seriously they even have the audacity to protest!?
I voted for PTI but now I have no respect left for Imran Khan. He himself is a loser and now shaking hand with other losers. Democracy is in danger due to his moves.
Where is the Imran's slogan of creating new KPK in 90 days. Now almost a year has passed. Where is new KPK? Shame for PTI and IK for doing corruption in KPK. Now they are in need of help from Moulviees like tahir ul qadri and siraj ul haq.
@kamran rasool: -Why is it so that whenever the people wants to protest against the government everyone starts complaining that they want to derail the democracy? I wonder whats the case of Japan where almost every year the government topples. I pity such a democracy which can be derailed by a protests. -So if the government is toppled which would be the worse thing happening due to a protest then i pity such a government. -Improvement in PIA? Yes there have been improvements in the losses of PIA. Last year they were having more losses compared to this year and you have been fooled into thinking that PIA have made profit... grow up. -Rupee is strengthening? For how long? Yes it will go on strengthening but only till loans are being taken. What will happen after that. God help us then. -Nobody wants to topple the government but if nooras and co keep on behaving like the only legitimate ruler (which they are not) of this country then God help them too.
2008 elections were held with on record (accepted by ECP) 30 million fake votes. The resultant Zardari government devastated the country with its massive corruption and incompetence yet army, all the political parties and media was one in supporting that "democracy" and letting the thief government complete its five years. Now when the situation is a lot better than the 2008-13 thug government everyone's wriggling and writhing in lust for toppling the government.
Another coalition of losers and opportunists. Hoping to bring in Army and take posts with them. These bunch always exist in different shapes and forms. Desperation on Imran Khan's face now written after one year's on "non-governance" in KPK. Now all the Army and Agency poodles will come together including Musharaf, Qadri, Chaudry Shajat's Q League. Qadri will appear another appearance after last year's fiasco when he needed face saving. He's is amazing. For few dollors,more, he pleases his masters in the West by presenting Islam as a peace loving religion. Then he goes to Pakistan and pleases his Pakistani masters by acting as a terrorist and extremist where he preaches hatred and anarchy against the elected Government. All these punks are now waiting in the wings for some kind of payback from their backers, whoever they are.God save Pakistan from these potential destroyers of our country.
@Nomi: Yes he did a wonderful job by taking suo moto actions and then asking the accused to say sorry for this will make him feel good. No harm done ... great works of ur beloved ex CJ.
Not a single decision was taken by him except for turning the lawyers into ghumday for his own sake. The biggest political cartoon justice this country ever sawWhat is the objective of this coalition of rejected politicians? They are enemy of democracy. I feel sorry for PTI nooras who are following an immature and noora leader.
Ik is a good leader but he couldnt deliver in kpk becoz his team is not working wel.so I think we should nt protest at a time when govt. Is going on right way.
3G and 4G has come in Pakistan. Decision of making road and railway track between China and Pakistan. No drone attack during last 4 months. Stock market crossed 29000 points. Foreign exchange reserves crossed 12 billion USD. PIA is going to be a profitable institution. Pakistan Railway is going to be a profitable institution. Foreign loans reduced due to decrease in USD value against PKR. Many projects for power generation have been started. Metro Bus Project started in Rawalpindi Islamabad. Production from Nandipur Power Project will start from June 2014. New Steel Mill is proposed in Chiniot. PML(N) IS WORKING WHILE OTHERS ARE MAKING NOISE. PML(n) SHOULD CONTINUE ITS WORK AND LET OTHERS CONTINUE MAKING NOISE.
Imran Khan + Jamaat Islami + Sheikh Rasheed + Canadian Moulvi = Zero All of them are opportunist, dishonest and corrupt. Thins are improving in Pakistan and they are doing politics of agitation. Shame for all of them.
@ Tahir What PML(N) delivered so far. Stupid Metro bus discarded by Turks ? OR aid from Saudia Arabia to fool people like you.
@ Raheel @ Kamran Rasool Are you guys on drugs ?. I mean seriously. Cant you see 16 hrs load shedding in cities. What about price hike ? and how Ruppee strengthen against dollar, we all know. Its just a temporary solution dear. No country runs economy through funds. Secondly, PML(N) do have a fake mandate....If IK would not raise voice now, rigging issue will never stop. You cant build society on fake mandate
All these puppets of establishment will fail again as they failed in elections. Nawaz Sharif should continue his dedicated efforts for Pakistan. These puppets can do nothing except blaming others.
All paid puppets of N league are chanting against N league. Cant you guys see price hike, load shedding etc and your PM openly said that it will take him 10 years to control load shedding. Is this you call progress ?
Fresh Elections by electronic polling with thumb verification, under a caretaker bunch (One representative from each major political party)..... I will except the results!!
All are bad in the eyes of Imran and he himself is good. I say that Imran is worst. He has delivered nothing in KPK and he is running madly behind non-issues.
All anti democratic forces getting united under the leadership of establishment. Their ultimate goal is to derail the democracy. PML-N got mandate for 5 years. They should be given chance for 5 years. PML-N have started very well and I hope they will bring Pakistan out of present difficult situation. Pakistan Railway is much better as compared to previous era. Improvement in PIA and Steel Mill can also be seen. Rupee is strengthening against other currencies. Any agitation at this stage can disturb all this.
All my hate for Imran Khan who has blamed Ex Chief Justice Iftikhar Ch. Iftikhar Ch. took many good steps for the betterment of country. But PTI forgot his contributions very soon after his retirement. All my respect for Justice Iftikhar for his valuable contribution for Pakistan.
@Nikki: You wrote:
"The loser are being United..."
No, they aren't losers. They are running a provincial government
"after year they have realized rigged elections, hypocrisy to accept the results, now,..."
It was announced right from the start that they will let all the legal options exhaust and if not given justice, they'll come out on streets. 11th May is the perfect date/time for such protest.
"have failed to resolve ppl’s issue and have started a new issue..."
They are doing fairly well in Khyber Pukhtoonkhwa...try to get out of your bias, for a change.
"Why these ppl dont raise their FAKE voices in the Parliament?..."
Oh dear! Are you really that naive/ill-informed or just pretending to be one?
"They should capture the Parliament if they are powerful.That will be actual revolution..."
Yeah, right. Giving you a chance to start calling them Taliban?
Nawaz Sharif is trying his best for revival of economy. But these defeated forces dont want progress of country. - Stock market is going good. - Dollar is coming down. - Import duty and sales tax has been abolished on potato. - Price of wheat flour has been reduced. - Price of petrol and electricity has been reduced. - Many projects of electricity generation have been started which will give result after few years. But these defeated forces want to disturb all this. That is why I hate Imran Khan.
marches work in western society where attention is power. but in our part of the world, this news will fall on deaf ears.
what will not go unnoticed is actual work. work that improves the standard of living for the residents of KP.
but why do that when you can march i guess.
But Taherul Qadri is sort of hanky panky type of person. It looks like Imran Khan the same standard as well.
@Nikki: Shame on those who say that now they have realized the elections were rigged. If we have gone to the roads last year. Then these corrupt people would have said us to go to the courts. What type of ultra hypocrites they are i cannot imagine.
First they used to say wait for legal procedures. Now they are saying its too late, basically they are never satisfied. It is the right time since justice through proper channels was given due time but nothing happened.
@ Nikki Transparency and solid election commission is need of the hour. You cant solve people issue on weak foundation of democracy. Its a step by step process.
@ Nikki Which Parliament you are talking about ?. Its mere a JOKE. Your PM is doing what he wanted to do. IK raised his voice to court, but who listened to him?. He just want recounting and thumb verification on four NA seats. Where was your court ?. They havent even listened his plea. He tried every other mean in a year. If he would had done this before, all of you would have said that he must knock court for justice. Wakeup dear and try to think out of the box
The loser are being United , after year they have realized riged elections, hypocisy to accept the results, now, have failed to resolve ppl's issue and have started a new issue. Why these ppl dont raise their FAKE voices in the Parliament? They should capture the Parliament if they are powrful.That will be actual revolution.
Protest is important. Those whoa are saying, why IK doing this after 1 year ?. If he would have done after election, you would had said....why IK is not using court to address his plea. He did that and waited for a year. Who addressed his recommendation ?. Lahore industrial mafia is ruining this nation and others are silent spectators
People are trying their best to bring army back and all old dictator supporters are getting together agaianst an elected Govt. Look at Tahir ul Qadri, PMLQ etc etc . What credentials do they have except helping Musharraf.?Imran Khan is the best we have but he must keep himself away from consiparcies.He should present a complete electoral reforms and push for it to be approved for next elections. Rigging what he is talking about according to he himself cost him few seats yes abut didnt change the overall winner. Let him show his full capabilities in KPK and fight the next elections under new rules . Possibly he will have chance . I hope he would have. But lets not help pushing the country backwards and have another pause in democracy for 10 years?Mush was bad for country and who knows next may be worst . Another Zia? Is that what you are looking for.NS is not nearly ideal but is much better than many and is making effort to take country to the right path. He is not dashing for the taste of our fake and shallow liberals nor he ius pious enough for the tase of our taliban but he is moderate cool leader we need . I voted for PTI on 11 May 2013 hoping that they will win but they didnt .Lets hope they do better next time but in the meanwhile lets not rock the boat and not pave the way for another take over.
All losers are joining. They were rejected by public in general elections. They dont want to wait for 5 years. Shame for them.
This time let them get no face saving they have already consumed their quota.
Dheeth pun has no limit is the lesson we have learnt from IK and TQ.
Power hungry 'ideologists' looking for another Zia ul Haq to come and give them relief.word shame doesn't exist in their dictionary.Pakistan needs stability to achieve peace and prosperity they didn't care in the past they don't care today.They are damaging the future of Pakistan.Shame on them.