TIMERGARA: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has asked the caretaker governments and Election Commission of Pakistan to take all possible measures to ensure free, fair and transparent elections in the country.

He also said the July 25 elections would prove a milestone in the country’s history by promising strong democracy and national stability and development.

The JI chief was addressing Eid Milan functions in Chakdara and Rehanpur here on Tuesday and Munda and Samar Bagh on Monday.

JI chief says polls milestone in country’s history

Mr Siraj regretted that the interior ministry had illegally allowed Zulfi Bukhari to travel abroad at the request of PTI chief Imran Khan though his name was present on the Exit Control List.

He asked the interior minister to clarify his position on the matter.

About the Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal election candidates, he said 70 percent of tickets had been finalised, while the rest were being finalised.

The JI chief said the people were concerned about growing unemployment, corruption, lawlessness and uncertain political situation.

He regretted that over 90 million people led life below the poverty line and that they depended on zakat only.

Mr Siraj said Rs 220 billion was being spent on the repayment of the country’s loans.

He said the MMA would make Pakistan an Islamic welfare state, where the unemployed youths would get stipend, patients of five fatal diseases free care, elderly people special allowance and students free books.

The JI chief asked people to vote for the MMA candidates.

RALLY HELD:The residents of Shawa and Tazagram areas in Adenzai tehsil here on Tuesday held a rally against the Ouch police accusing them of protecting the suspected kidnapper of a minor girl.

The protesters blocked the Gulabad Asbanr Road.

The rally was addressed by former MPA Bakht Baidar Khan, ANP Lower Dir president Hussain Shah Yousafzai, village nazim Hidayat Khan, Bakht Zaman and others.

The speakers alleged the Ouch police were protecting Zakir Khan of Ouch, who was involved in a bid to kidnap a six-year-old girl.

They claimed that the local villagers had foiled the kidnapping bid on June 17 and handed over the accused to the Ouch police.

The protesters dispersed peacefully after SHO Ibrahim Khan showed up and assured them of early action against the accused.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2018