RAWALPINDI: Chief of his own faction of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam and top leader of Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal (MMA) Maulana Fazlur Rehman on Saturday vowed to eliminate terrorism and corruption from the country if the alliance of religious parties was given a chance to form the next government.

Addressing a public meeting at Liaquat Bagh here, he said an MMA government would work for eliminating terrorism and maintaining peace across the country.

He appreciated efforts being made by the armed forces of the country for improving security situation, but said they could not do this alone and needed the support of religious parties.

Condemning the recent incidents of terrorism in Mastung, Bannu and Peshawar, the Maulana said elimination of terrorism was necessary to put the country on the path of progress and development.

He criticised foreign policy of the country, saying that today Pakistan was standing alone in the comity of nations due to what he called its failed foreign policy.

In apparent reference to Pakistan Tehree-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan’s statement in which he called those who would attend welcome programmes for former prime minister Nawaz Sharif as donkeys, the MMA chief said political leaders should refrain from using derogatory remarks for their political opponents. Politicians could have a difference of opinion, but they must express it in a respectable way, he added.

He urged people to understand the importance of their votes and support those political parties which had ability to resolving their issues.

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq urged caretaker governments at centre and in provinces and the country’s institutions to make efforts for making the process of the coming general elections as transparent as possible.

There was a perception in the country that the coming election had already been fixed, he said, adding that this perception must be removed.

Speaking on the occasion, other MMA leaders criticised the PTI.

Published in Dawn, July 15th, 2018