LAHORE: Although the Jamaat-i-Islami reaffirms the ‘democratic credentials’ of its ally in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, it fears any agitation in the current scenario may lead to wrap-up of the democratic system.

None of the political parties, including the PTI, wanted an end to democratic rule to pave way for martial law or a dictatorial regime, JI emir Sirajul Haq told the media at his party’s headquarters here on Thursday. He said the JI was refraining from the anti-government movement launched by the PTI.

He said though the JI also wanted reforms in electoral system, it won’t join any movement that could harm the democratic order. The electoral reforms, he said, were also in ruling party’s interest.

Replying to a question about polio vaccination campaign in KP, Haq who is also a senior minister in the province’s cabinet, said the drive was continuing and it was wrong that the ulema (religious scholars) were against it. He said that in order to negate this impression, JUI-S chief Maulana Samiul Haq had personally begun the campaign from his madressah at Akora Khattak.

Earlier, at a ceremony, Haq said the country was under the siege of the “enemy” and ulema and Khatibs (orators) should start a vigorous campaign against it. He said the mosques and the madressahs were the custodians of the country’s ideological boundaries, as none of the ulema had supported the forces against Islam and Pakistan.

He said the government should patronise madressahs and allocate budget for these institutions for the benefit of the teachers and the students.

Published in Dawn, May 16th, 2014