LARKANA: We are not escaping from elections, but caretakers should understand and realise gravity of the climate conditions in the coming months, as well as certain ‘biased’ bureaucrats already posted on key positions, before agreeing on a date for the general elections to be fixed by the Election Commission of Pakistan.

This was stated by Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl Sindh General Secretary Maulana Rashid Mehmood Soomro while addressing a press conference at the local press club on Saturday evening.

Accompanied by Maulana Nasir Mehmood Soomro, the party’s Larkana chief, he said that most of JUI-F voters’ areas would experience extremely chilling weather conditions which usually remained under sub-zero temperatures in the Nov-Feb period. How could it be possible for the JUI-F to mobilise its voters to exercise their right to franchise? he wondered.

Alluding apparently to the ECP, he said one must leap before thinking.

Maulana Soomro says Hamas leaders will address his party’s Oct 22-Nov 2 march

“How do we expect transparent elections in the presence of favourites bureaucrats sitting on the key position?” he questioned.

Maulana Nasir Soomro claimed that his party enjoyed unquestionable support of masses but, unfortunately, its mandate had continuously been stolen. He said the doors of dialogue [on electoral alliance or seat adjustment] in politics could not be closed to any entity; no matter it’s PPP or any other party.

Responding to a question, he claimed that the caretakers “are reaping the fruit of hard work done during the 16-month tenure of PDM government, which provided a smooth field where US dollar and oil prices started coming down”. Otherwise, the caretaker government did not have a magic wand with it to achieve this, he argued.

About the anti-dacoit operation launched in the Katcha areas of upper Sindh, the JUI-F leader said his party was among those that had demanded such an operation. but concrete actions must come out against finishing the tribal disputes. He said dacoits were ready to surrender but they should be softly treated in accordance with law. He said it was must to initiate tough actions against the sardars to play their party in ending the years-old disputes. He said without settling tribal disputes the crime would not be stopped and present measures and efforts of caretakers would prove short-lived.

He accused PPP of causing heavy damage to Sindh during its 15-year rules.

Replying to a question about PML-N supremo, he said his welcomed Nawaz Sharif’s return and his declared intention to face cases against him. “Nawaz Sharif was victimised in the name of accountability,” he claimed.

Maulana Soomro said that JUI-F Sindh chapter would start its ‘long march’ for Sindh’s rights and the issues being faced by the province. It would start on October 22 from Khairpur and reach Larkana on October 24 and Karachi on November 2, he said, adding that “this would be Sindh’s biggest peace caravan”.

He revealed that leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian entities, besides JUI-F, would address the participants.

Published in Dawn, October 22th, 2023