LOWER DIR: Jamaat-i-Islami chief Sirajul Haq has promised overhauling the country’s justice system after coming to power.

Addressing party gatherings in Manial, Andheri and Rehanpur areas of NA-6 on Tuesday, he claimed all major political parties were pursing their vested interests.

The JI chief is contesting election from NA-6, Lower Dir-I.

JI candidate for PK-14 Sahibzada Yaqub Khan, PK-18 Saeed Gul, Balambat tehsil chief Imranuddin Advocate, village council chairman Shah Hassan and others also spoke.

Scores of PTI workers from Beyari area announced to join JI.

Mr Haq said due to wrong policies of rulers the country’s external debt had surged to $125 billion by June last year. The JI chief said PPP, PML-N and JUI-F wanted to grab power. He asked the voters to defeat the ‘money launderers’ and ‘looters’ with the power of their vote.

The JI chief announced the party would convene a national dialogue soon after the election in order to end the politics of hatred. He said the country was rich in natural resources, but people were facing record inflation, power and gas loadshedding and taxes due to ‘incompetent and corrupt rulers’.

He said JI wanted to serve the masses irrespective of their political, religious, social and ethnic backgrounds. He promised to end the interest-based economy and rid the nation of IMF and World Bank diktat. “We will end the coeducation system and establish separate educational institutions for women,” Mr Haq said.

He said elite class had sucked the blood of the poor.

He said JI had prepared a 40-year plan to strengthen the economy.

CANDIDATES WITHDRAW: The Markazi Muslim League’s nominee for PK-18 Mohammad Yasin on Tuesday withdrew in favour of an independent candidate, Malik Abdullah shah.

He made the announcement during a news conference at the Timergara Press Club. He said his voters would support Abdullah shah, a PTI dissident.

Meanwhile, another independent candidate for PK-14, Ibrar Khan, announced his withdrawal in favour of PTI nominee and former MPA Mohammad Azam Khan. He made the announcement during a function held at his hujra.

Published in Dawn, January 24th, 2024