LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Sirajul Haq has said elimination of poverty and exploitative socio-economic system is imperative to uproot terrorism in the country.

Speaking at Awami Huqooq (public rights) rally organised by the Awami Rickshaw Union here on Sunday, he said the people were committing suicides due to poverty while rulers were amassing wealth with both hands.

“Common worker is striving for the country’s uplift and the rulers are busy plundering public money.”

To show solidarity with rickshaw drivers, the JI chief traveled by a rickshaw for some distance and even drove the three-wheeler during the rally that began from Nasser Bagh and turned into a public meeting at the Charing Cross on The Mall.

Mr Haq alleged the “plunderers” ruling the country were transferring the wealth earned by the labourers to their bank accounts abroad. The elite class was least worried about the common man’s problems. These people always reached the power corridors by changing faces and parties, he added.

He said that the so-called elected representatives visited the people only at the time of elections and abandoned them for five years.

The JI chief said until workers elected candidates from their own class, their lot wound not improve.

He said an Islamic government would provide subsidy on five basic food items -- flour, cooking oil, sugar, tea and rice -- to the poor, besides free treatment to the patients suffering from life-threatening diseases.

He demanded the Pak-Iran gas pipeline project should be completed to overcome the gas shortage, regardless of the US pressure.

Punjab JI chief Dr Syed Waseem Akhtar demanded an end to police excesses against rickshaw drivers and urged Punjab chief minister to take notice of such incidents.

The rickshaw union leaders gave a 15-day deadline to the government for the acceptance of their demands.

Published in Dawn, December 29th, 2014