Women convention: JI vows to bring peace to Karachi

Sirajul Haq claims MQM’s hold in the city has only spread terror

KARACHI:

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has vowed to bring peace to Karachi and revive the past glory of the city – if it wins the NA-246 constituency, which is considered a stronghold of bitter rivals Muttahida Qaumi Movement.

The by-election on the electorate, vacated by former PPP and MQM leader Nabil Gabol, are scheduled for April 23 and political parties are busy in their election campaigns.

Addressing a women’s convention at Shahrah-e-Pakistan on Friday, JI chief Sirajul Haq claimed the MQM’s decades-long hold in the city had spread terror.

He said the city had been made into a “Hartalnagar”, referring to frequent shutdowns and mourning calls in recent years.

Haq also took a jab at the MQM chief over his oft-repeated announcements of resigning from the party’s leadership. “Altaf Hussain has left the party nine times in the last few years,” he said. “He will announce his retirement on April 23 and will not return this time.”

Talking about women empowerment, he said the JI once coming into power would cut down the working hours for women, which, he believed, would eventually help empower women in the country.

“Youth should come forward and play their role in developing Karachi and making it prosperous,” he said, urging the masses to vote for “Tarazu” (balance) to restore peace in the city.

The JI chief also urged the businessmen, who left the city because of rising cases of extortion, to come back to Karachi and start their businesses again. “The JI will ensure your safety in running your businesses peacefully in the city,” he claimed.

The party’s candidate for the NA-246 by-poll, Rashid Naseem, said the MQM had been ruling the constituency for the past 28 years, but failed to live up to the expectations of the people. “The real identity of the city has been destroyed in last three decades,” he said while addressing the gathering.

JI leader Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman announced the JI would hold a massive public gathering on April 20 which would prove its victory. He alleged the MQM had destroyed health, medical, transport and education infrastructure in Karachi. “Even the parks constructed by the JI have been converted into unit and sector offices of the MQM.”

He asked the people to come out and show their power to make Karachi a terror-free city. “We are the future of the people of Karachi,” he proclaimed. “The by-polls on NA-246 seat will be the decider between the good and the evil.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 18^th, 2015.