KARACHI, Dec 6: Jamaat-i-Islami has conveyed its grievances and concerns with regard to the upcoming general elections to the provincial caretaker government, and made it clear that it could not expect free, fair and impartial elections while the opposition forces’ demand of polls under an impartial interim government has been overlooked.

The JI’s views came at a meeting at its office, Idara Noor-i-Haq, with the caretaker Home Minister Brig (Retd) Akhtar Zamin, who discussed the issues relating to the general elections with the party’s provincial leadership on Thursday.

The meeting was a part of the caretaker government’s efforts to persuade all opposition parties and figures to participate in the elections without fearing harassment, rigging or disturbances.

JI’s Sindh chief (Amir) Asadullah Bhutto, General Secretary Rashid Nasim, Karachi Amir Mohammad Hussain Mehanti, Naib Amir Sheikh Rafiq Ahmed, former CDGK nazim Niamatullah Khan Advocate and Secretary Hafiz Naeemur Rehman complained that the caretaker government was still pursuing the policies of the former government.

Akhtar Zamin described Jamaat-i-Islami as an important religious, political entity, and lauded its efforts towards ensuring law and order in the country.

The JI leadership observed that the parties forming the ex-ruling coalition, especially MQM, were being facilitated in the election process which was unfair.

The leaders pointed out that Sindh was the only province of the country that still had a governor who belonged to a political party. “The history of the province is witness to the fact that this party had played a key role in acts of terrorism, vendetta and unrest in the metropolis”, they alleged. In these circumstances, how a single party could ensure peace and tranquility in the city? they asked.

The JI leaders stressed that there was dire need for improving law and order in the province, particularly Karachi.

The home minister assured the JI leadership of the caretaker government’s full cooperation in this regard.

JI leadership also demanded withdrawal of cases lodged against all opposition activists, lawyers and journalists.

Separately, Asadullah Bhutto, who is also provincial chief of the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA), expressed his pessimism over free, fair and transparent polls under the present setup.

Addressing Jamaat-i-Islami workers at Arqam Islamic Centre, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, on Thursday, he said that many political parties had already expressed their doubts over the government’s claim of having ensured transparency in the upcoming general elections.

He said the JI would continue with its mass contract campaign for a boycott of the polls.

Mohammad Hussain Mehnati, Azizuddin Zafar, Mohammad Ashraf Jamei, Abdul Ghaffar Umer, Younis Barai, Syed Qutub Ahmed, Farooq Ahmed and Khalid Khan Arshi were among those who were present on the occasion.

Mr Mehnti condemned continued detention of deposed judges and curbs on media, and said dubious elections could not do justice to the nation. He alleged that extortionists had been given a freehand to rig the polls by harassing voters. He feared the history of May 12 might be repeated in Karachi during the elections.

Engineer Zafar said that many opposition parties had reservations about the role of caretaker government and election commission. —PPI