Troubleshooting: JI vows to address plight of tribespeople

JAMRUD:

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has vowed to resolve the plight of tribespeople and inform Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif about their grievances.

He was speaking at the opening ceremony of the sports festival at Government High School Landikotal.

According to Siraj, the political administration of Khyber Agency should ensure non-customs paid vehicles, which were confiscated from a large number of locals, are returned to them with immediate effect.

“Furthermore, I am deeply concerned that there is no engineering or medical university in the tribal belt since Pakistan came into being,” he said. “Tribespeople have always sacrificed their lives for the country. We cannot forget their contribution and must ensure they receive their share.”

Setting the agenda

Lawmakers and politicians present on the occasion flayed the federal government for adopting a double standard towards Fata’s people. They also discussed the aims and objectives of their upcoming meeting with the prime minister wherein they will raise the tribespeople’s concerns.

Bridging the gap

A day earlier, Siraj said the issue surrounding Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) lawmakers’ resignation from the National and Sindh assemblies should be resolved through dialogue and negotiation.

The JI chief was speaking during a visit to Bajaur Agency. He volunteered to act as an intermediary between the MQM and the government.

“Since MQM’s leadership is out of the country and its lawmakers have no authority to mediate, I am willing to take over this role for everyone’s benefit,” he said. Siraj said Parliament is the best forum for deliberation and MQM should take back its resignations and use the parliamentary floor to voice its grievances.

Question mark

Siraj also criticised the president, prime minister and K-P governor for praising the Frontier Crimes Regulation. “If FCR is as great as they make it sound, why is it not implemented in Islamabad?” he questioned.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15^th, 2015.