LAHORE: The Jamaat-i-Islami’s (JI’s) central executive council has expressed concern over the deteriorating situation of the economy, which led to a massive increase in the prices of basic commodities and made millions of jobless in the past two years.

The council met at Mansoora on Wednesday to discuss the prevailing political situation and develop future strategy. JI Emir Senator Sirajul Haq presided over the session.

The government broke all records of bad governance, said Mr Haq. He said thousands of people went beyond the poverty lines on a daily basis due to bad policies of the Imran government.

The JI chief believed the interest-based economy and inability of the rulers were the main hurdle in the development of the country. There was an urgent need to start a mass movement to get rid of the interest-based economy, he said, adding that the debt trap around the country was a conspiracy to enslave the nation.

He also linked the FATF-related legislation to the agenda of the international powers to take control over the freedom of the people of Pakistan. He said the so-called mainstream opposition backed the government proposed legislation over FATF which proved their loyalty with the western powers.

The CEC expressed concern over the weak foreign policy of the PTI government which allowed the Modi government to complete its design about the region. The meeting called for highlighting the Kashmir issue at local and the international level, adopting a decisive strategy for the cause. It said Prime Minister Imran Khan only made a lip service for Kashmir brethren and did nothing practical in their support since the Modi government abrogated the special status of the occupied area on Aug 5, 2019.

Published in Dawn, October 8th, 2020