At the grass roots; ‘LG system could have helped tackle polio’
JI Ameer Sirajul Haq says mid-term elections depend on federal government’s performance.
PESHAWAR:
Emergency measures to tackle the polio outbreak could have been taken at the grass-root level had a local government (LG) system been in place in the provinces, said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on Saturday.
Addressing a press briefing at JI provincial headquarters Markaz-e-Islami, Haq urged the K-P government to hold LG elections on a priority basis without wasting any more time. He asked the government to remove any and all hurdles in the way of transferring power to the grassroots.
“Polio has taken the shape of an outbreak in the province and the number of infected children rises every day,” said Haq. He blamed the government’s “indifferent attitude” as one of the reasons behind the increasing polio cases.
“It is shameful that we have to present a polio certificate along with our passport whenever we travel abroad,” said the leader.
Suggesting solutions
Speaking about the current political crisis in the country due to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) protests in the federal capital, Haq said the decision to hold mid-term elections depends on the federal government’s performance.
“Democracy is the only way through which a party can come into power,” said Haq.
The political impasse and all issues between the opposing sides can be resolved through dialogue, added the JI ameer.
The leader said PAT’s demand of an enquiry into the Model Town incident was constitutional, however, he chose to remain silent about the PTI’s demands and the issue of PTI lawmakers’ resignation from the National Assembly.
Commenting on the political jirga formed to resolve the political crisis, Haq said it has done its job in a remarkable manner and will continue its efforts after Eid.
Imran Khan is creating political awareness through public meetings which is good for democracy, while Tahirul Qadri has also announced he will participate in the democratic process.This can be considered the jirga’s success, the JI ameer added.
Haq said all political parties need to adopt a culture of democracy to bring durable peace and stability in the country to benefits its citizens.
Plight of the displaced
The former finance minister also spoke about the various issues faced by internally displaced people (IDP) from North Waziristan.
“Nearly 85% of the agency has been cleared by the security forces, however, no steps have been taken to repatriate the displaced tribesmen,” stated Haq.
More than 1.1 million IDPs have been living in K-P since the military offensive began in June. They have sacrificed everything and left their homes for the sake of peace but now they have run out of patience and want to go home, he said, adding the government had disappointed the tribesmen.
Due to the political turmoil, IPDs have been pushed to the background, therefore JI has decided to hold a representative jirga of IDPs on October 9 to highlight their problems.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2014.
Emergency measures to tackle the polio outbreak could have been taken at the grass-root level had a local government (LG) system been in place in the provinces, said Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Sirajul Haq on Saturday.
Addressing a press briefing at JI provincial headquarters Markaz-e-Islami, Haq urged the K-P government to hold LG elections on a priority basis without wasting any more time. He asked the government to remove any and all hurdles in the way of transferring power to the grassroots.
“Polio has taken the shape of an outbreak in the province and the number of infected children rises every day,” said Haq. He blamed the government’s “indifferent attitude” as one of the reasons behind the increasing polio cases.
“It is shameful that we have to present a polio certificate along with our passport whenever we travel abroad,” said the leader.
Suggesting solutions
Speaking about the current political crisis in the country due to Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Awami Tehreek’s (PAT) protests in the federal capital, Haq said the decision to hold mid-term elections depends on the federal government’s performance.
“Democracy is the only way through which a party can come into power,” said Haq.
The political impasse and all issues between the opposing sides can be resolved through dialogue, added the JI ameer.
The leader said PAT’s demand of an enquiry into the Model Town incident was constitutional, however, he chose to remain silent about the PTI’s demands and the issue of PTI lawmakers’ resignation from the National Assembly.
Commenting on the political jirga formed to resolve the political crisis, Haq said it has done its job in a remarkable manner and will continue its efforts after Eid.
Imran Khan is creating political awareness through public meetings which is good for democracy, while Tahirul Qadri has also announced he will participate in the democratic process.This can be considered the jirga’s success, the JI ameer added.
Haq said all political parties need to adopt a culture of democracy to bring durable peace and stability in the country to benefits its citizens.
Plight of the displaced
The former finance minister also spoke about the various issues faced by internally displaced people (IDP) from North Waziristan.
“Nearly 85% of the agency has been cleared by the security forces, however, no steps have been taken to repatriate the displaced tribesmen,” stated Haq.
More than 1.1 million IDPs have been living in K-P since the military offensive began in June. They have sacrificed everything and left their homes for the sake of peace but now they have run out of patience and want to go home, he said, adding the government had disappointed the tribesmen.
Due to the political turmoil, IPDs have been pushed to the background, therefore JI has decided to hold a representative jirga of IDPs on October 9 to highlight their problems.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 5th, 2014.