LOWER DIR: Jamaat-i-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan has insisted the present and past ruling elites are solely responsible for Pakistan’s current political and economic crises.

He stated this while addressing a conference here on Sunday.

People from different walks of life, including doctors, lawyers, traders, social and political activists and elders, attended the event.

JI district chief Izazul Mulk Afkari, general secretary Hafiz Yaqubur Rehman and others also spoke on the occasion.

Senator Mushtaq said the burden of Peshawar Electric Supply Company’s Rs4,000 billion circular debt was being put on the consumers.

He said persistent political instability had ruined the economy and caused record inflation. He said neither the Pakistan Democratic Movement nor Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf were sincere in driving Pakistan out of crises.

Senator Mushtaq said record inflation and devaluation of Pakistani currency had snatched from the poor their right to live. He said the elite class, including the serving and retired judges, generals and bureaucrats, were getting hefty perks and privileges, while the poor struggled for arranging a two-time meal a day.

PEACE MARCH: Hundreds of residents of Maidan area held a march in Kumbar on Sunday, demanding immediate arrest of the killers of a seven-year-old child.

Maidan action committee had organised the march.

Carrying white flags, banners and placards inscribed with slogans against terrorism and in favour of peace, the protesters marched on the road and gathered at Chargano Chowk in Kumbar Bazaar.

The action committee chairman and former MPA Saeed Gul, JI Maidan emir Haji Fazal Wahab, JI youth wing district president Ateequr Rehman, Jehan Zada of PML-N, Amanullah Khan of PPP, Ateeq Khan of ANP, Maidan traders’ president Dr Shaukat Ali and others spoke on the occasion.

They said Ayan Ali was brutally killed in Sar Dargai area some 18 days ago, but his killers were yet to be arrested.

The speakers asked the police to identify the killers and arrest them soon. The speakers also demanded the imposition of a ban on outsiders dealing in mobile phone business and establishment of a centre of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) in Maidan.

Published in Dawn, March 13th, 2023