KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Senator Sirajul Haq on Thursday expressed the fear that the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf was fast losing opportunity of bringing about any change in the system of governance and criticised Prime Minister Imran Khan for worsening issues directly related to the common man in less than three years.

He also criticised the opposition alliance Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) saying that the parties under this platform were struggling only for personal gains and to get power.

Addressing members of the Karachi Bar Association, he said that the party (PTI) which was considered as a ‘centre of change’ against corruption, bad governance, nepotism and bribery emerged as part of the rotten system which had failed to deliver to the common man.

“We often hear from leaders from the ruling party that they need time for bringing about any change or doing something good,” he said.

Real change in the country can only come through electoral reforms, observes JI chief

“But things which would have been resolved within a few days or weeks are still waiting to witness any change. From inflation to cleanliness issues and from law-enforcement to economic relief, you [PTI government] are failing at every front.”

He alleged that the PTI government had kept all the policies of the past governments intact and proved itself far more incompetent than its predecessors.

“The worst is that the government has failed to strengthen the accountability system in the country despite its tall claims,” said Senator Haq. “We believe that across the board accountability and the rule of law are the two key elements to materialise the concept of a welfare state but the government has no performance to show on these lines despite making commitment to transform Pakistan into a Madina-like state.”

He said the real change in the country was attached with electoral reforms and his party had prepared recommendations on these lines with the consultation of civil society, intelligentsia and other stakeholders.

“Jamaat-i-Islami believes that any elections without electoral reforms and in the present system will be a futile exercise as it will open another Pandora’s box of rigging allegations and protest rallies will be taken out against the winners,” he said.

He also called for an end to interference of ‘establishment’ in politics and demanded that the PTI government strengthen its stance on the Kashmir issue.

“It’s so unfortunate that the PTI government has failed to fulfil its promise to provide funds for the betterment of Karachi and areas in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Similarly, the claim to enforce a single national curriculum is yet to be materialised,” said the JI chief.

Published in Dawn, January 22nd, 2021