LOWER DIR: Jamaat-i-Islami central emir Sirajul Haq on Saturday said the Senate’s resolution in favour of a delay in the Feb 8 general elections was a conspiracy against democracy in the country.

“Postponement of elections over the delicate security situation in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provinces will be tantamount to surrendering to those behind unrest and instability in the country. I wonder who will restore the democratic process once it is derailed in light of turbulence and inclement weather,” Mr Siraj told an election rally in the National Assembly constituency, NA-6, Samarbagh here from where he will contest the upcoming polls.

He also addressed rallies and corner meetings in the area, Munda and Shalkandai, where scores of activists from other parties announced the joining of the Jamaat.

The JI chief said 14 Senators couldn’t decide the fate of 250 million people by just passing a resolution.

Says Feb 8 polls will ensure peace and stability in country

He insisted that the Senate had “bypassed” its rules of business as the session in which the resolution for poll delay was adopted ended after Friday prayers.

Mr Siraj said the country would have peace and stability only if elections were held fairly and on time.

“We [JI] want the Feb elections to be free, fair and transparent across the country,” he said, adding that the electoral exercise was the solution to terrorism and unrest.

The JI chief said the Senate’s resolution for delayed elections was presented “out of the agenda” and that such resolutions undermined the people’s confidence in state institutions.

“Institutions should ensure stronger democracy, the supremacy of the Constitution and the rule of law in the country,” he said.

Mr Siraj said it was the fundamental right of the people to elect their representatives through free and fair elections no matter what circumstances prevailed.

He said instead of people, a few families and individuals wielded power in the country.

The JI chief alleged the ruling elite, which had been imposed on the country for 76 years, did nothing for the people and instead, increased their misery through its policies.

He said the political parties, which ruled the country in the past, were working for their leadership’s interests and not people’s and that they were to blame for burdening the country with loans, weakening national institutions and destroying the economy.

Mr Siraj said the common man was struggling to make ends meet and had no or poor access to education, healthcare and clean drinking water

He also alleged that the centre had denied Khyber Pakhtunkhwa the due share in national resources, especially in net hydel profit, for years.

The JI also said joblessness had left youth frustrated.

He said his party, after coming to power, would enforce “Islamic system of governance and justice”, provide youth with employment opportunities, do away with the interest-based banking system, build the economy, and ensure accountability of all and the supremacy of parliament and the rule of law.

Mr Siraj urged the people to vote for his party’s nominees for “peace, prosperity and development.”

Published in Dawn, January 7th, 2024