KARACHI: “Political Brahmans” are holding the entire nation hostage from the past 66 years and the courts in Pakistan do not follow the Islamic constitution, nor merit is being followed in the country.

These views were expressed by Jamaat-i-Islami chief Siraj-ul-Haq while addressing an ‘Awami Iftar party’ organised by JI district south chapter in the Kakri ground in Lyari on Thursday.

He said the country could progress in all spheres of life if “Shariat and Islamic laws are practiced”.

Since its independence, he added, Pakistan had been facing threats from its own rulers and leaders and Lyari was facing political and economic terrorism.

He asked the government to send the internally displaced peoples of tribal areas back to their native towns and arrange transport for them as according to the security forces, “80 per cent affected areas have been cleared”.

Mr Haq described the Protection of Pakistan Ordinance (PPO) as a ‘black law’ and stated that this law was totally unjustified.

He said that the JI had already challenged the PPO in the Supreme Court and hoped that the apex court would consider the plea of JI.

He also appealed to the leaders of different political and religious parties to come forward and play their due role in opposing the PPO.

He also appealed to the Ummah to stand with the people of Palestine against the aggression of Israel.

JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem claimed that the Western powers were hatching conspiracy to create unrest in Muslim countries and the ‘silence’ of the United Nations and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation over the barbarism of Israel in Gaza was a big question.

Published in Dawn, July 18th, 2014