LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq has expressed concern over the government’s decision to approve the results of the 2017 census without taking into consideration the objections raised by the people of Karachi.

Talking to party workers here on Wednesday, the senator also questioned the logic behind the three-year delay in approval of the census if the concerns of the masses had to be ignored.

“We will raise the issue at every forum. The demands of the people of Karachi should be addressed.”

The JI chief said that despite spending two and a half years in power, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was still confused and lacked decision-making ability. He said the Imran Khan government continued the policies of previous regimes and failed to introduce reforms in key sectors.

Talking about the reports of increase in electricity price as a result of talks between the government and the International Monetary Fund, Mr Haq said the masses who had already taken to the streets against government policies would never accept this raise.

He demanded the government decrease the prices of electricity, gas and basic food items from 25 to 50 per cent instead of any further increase in them.

He also said that there must be an independent audit of the estimated losses to the national exchequer due to the government’s policies that resulted in sugar, flour and other crises.

Mr Haq said the JI was set to launch the second phase of its anti-inflation movement from Gujranwala on Friday. He appealed to the people to ensure their full participation in the meeting following coronavirus standard operating procedures.

Published in Dawn, December 24th, 2020