RAWALPINDI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Wednesday opposed the Punjab government’s move to postpone local government elections because of floods.

“It’s unreasonable on part of the provincial government to seek postponement of the elections in the entire province,” said JI Emir Sirajul Haq while addressing a gathering of party workers and supporters at Pakistan Railways Officers’ Club on Wednesday.

Though it was Eid Milan party, the local JI leaders termed it start of electioneering for local government elections scheduled to be held in September. 

Briefing the participants about parliamentary leaders meeting held earlier in the day, Sirajul Haq said that he had made it clear to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif that instead of de-seating the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf members, he should concentrate on solving people’s problem.

He said that the people had nothing to do with the judicial commission report as they wanted solution to the problems of electricity load shedding, floods and law and order situation in the country.

“The people wanted peace in the country. Even the residents of Rawalpindi and Islamabad are not safe and the government is busy in non-issues like judicial commission and de-seating MNAs,” he said.

With regard to Afghan peace talks, he said, “JI supports the peace process between the Afghan government and Taliban as peaceful Afghanistan will bring prosperity to the region.”

“Even if the news of Mullah Omer’s death is true, Islamabad should not stop supporting the Afghan peace talks,” he said.

Sirajul Haq blamed the government for the devastation wreaked by floods.

He said had the government constructed small dams, the floods would not have occurred. The JI emir demanded 100 more dams be constructed in the country, which would not only stem floods but overcome the energy crisis.

He said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had announced his decision to build dams during his visit to Multan some two years ago but no work had been started as yet.

“Every year the Punjab chief minister visits houses of flood affected people for photo shoot aimed at showing the people that he was kind-hearted but his government has failed to adopt measures to check floods,” he said.

“Kalabagh dam is controversial but who stopped the government from completing the Bhasha dam. Basically, our rulers do not have the will to solve the loashedding problem as they spend their summer vacation in Dubai, London and France and have nothing to do with the sufferings of the people,” he said.

He urged the people to vote for JI in local government elections.

“You always supported feudal and wealthy politicians who worked for their community. This time vote for JI to see change in the society,” he said.

He said the JI had completed its homework to serve the country if it was given a chance.

“JI will end energy crises and create job opportunity for the youth. It will provide free of cost health facilities. It will give subsidy on wheat flour, sugar, tea, vegetable oil and lentils,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2015

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