The JI chief said the country’s political leadership has mandated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss peace with the Taliban and it was his duty to further the process. PHOTO: FILE
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Sirajul Haq on Saturday said his party will never become part of a movement that may harm the democratic system of the country.
Addressing a news conference at the party’s headquarters Markaz-e-Islami, Haq said a delegation headed by central vice amir Mian Mohammad Aslam will represent JI in Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) protest against rigging in the general elections today (Sunday).
He maintained to peacefully protest was everyone’s right, adding JI also wanted an independent and powerful election commission. Siraj, however, clarified his party would not be part of any undemocratic movement and that democracy would prevail.
The JI amir said his party will outline a roadmap for its political struggle in the rally in Lahore on May 11, adding the Jamaat will draw the country’s poor and downtrodden youth to bring peaceful and constitutional change in the country.
About negotiations with the Taliban, Haq said talks were the sole option to end lawlessness and bring peace back to the region, claiming getting the Taliban and government to the same table was a big breakthrough.
The JI chief said the country’s political leadership has mandated Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to discuss peace with the Taliban and it was his duty to further the process. Haq said operations and lawlessness have also adversely impacted the economy.
He said if the talks between the government and the Taliban fail, the process would have to be initiated from scratch again.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 11th, 2014.
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