LOWER DIR: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has said that leaders of both Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) were eager to win support of the international establishment and America.

He was addressing a convention of social media activists organised by the JI youth wing at a local hotel in Timergara here on Tuesday as chief guest. The convention was also addressed by JI district chief Izazul Mulk Afkari, former MNA Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, former MPA Saeed Gul, Shad Nawaz Khan, JI youth wing district president Ateequr Rehman and others.

Sirajul Haq said that politics of both PDM and PTI revolved around the appointment of chief of army staff as they had nothing to do with the people and their miseries.

He said that a new social contract among the leaders of political parties was need of the hour.

JI chief calls for new social contract among leaders of political parties

He said that political parties should make an agreement for civil supremacy, electoral reforms and mechanism for the neutralisation of the establishment.

The JI chief said that there was no difference in the policies of PDM and PTI regarding national economy, international relations and social reforms. He said that both of them ruined the economy of the country.

About the interest-free economy, he said that it was a good omen that the federal government had withdrawn its appeal against the Federal Shariat Court. He said that it was ironic that there was still a 15 per cent mark-up in all banks of the country. He demanded of the government to take practical steps for abolishing interest on internal loans during the next five years and then on foreign loans.

Siraj said that a meeting of religious scholars from different sects in that regard would be held in Karachi on November 30 under the supervision of prominent scholar Mufti Mohammad Taqi Usmani.

About Imran Khan’s recent stand regarding relations with the USA, he said that it was not beyond understanding. He said that it was a continuation of his U-turns.

The JI chief said that six per cent of the total Rs299 billion GDP was swallowed by the elite class while Rs5,000 billion were plundered annually in the country.

He said that media was not independent in the country. He said that social media was the only platform for freedom of expression. He asked the participants of the convention to utilise social media for spreading the message of Islam and ideology of Pakistan.

Sirajul Haq said that west imposed its culture through social media on youth. He said that it was the responsibility of the Muslim youth to promote Islamic culture.

Published in Dawn, November 16th, 2022