Group calls elections un-Islamic

Published October 17, 2007

PESHAWAR, Oct 16: Lashkar-i-Islam leader Mangal Bagh, has termed the coming elections un-Islamic, saying his organisation is not in favour of polls in which the candidates beg for votes.

“All the MNAs and senators of Khyber Agency did nothing for the welfare of tribesmen and disappointed the people while they are still subjugated to the FCR, which is an un-Islamic and cruel law,” he told reporters on his second daylong visit to Landi Kotal.

He said begging for votes was un-Islami so his organisation would oppose the practice in the elections.

“People should themselves choose the candidates and ask them to represent them in the assemblies. Only then will the candidate serve the people,” he said.

He said he had not established a parallel government in Bara but the political administration had enforced discriminatory laws. “Frontier Crimes Regulation was enforced by the British rulers and it is a black and cruel law. There should be uniformity of laws for the whole country and tribesmen should be treated like the people of other areas of Pakistan,” he said.

The Lashkar leader said the MNAs and senators of Khyber Agency had done nothing for the welfare of the common people and only tried to please their touts. He said that forefathers of Noorul Haq and Abdul Malik Qadri were noble people but both the brothers as members of parliament did not represent the people of Khyber Agency in the true religious way.

He said no one in Khyber Agency would be allowed to betray or harm the people. He urged the people to express resentment against the political administration as civilised tribesmen were humiliated in the political agent’s office.

Mangal Bagh said his group was working for the elimination of all social evils to restore peace. He said the group had expelled from the area all car lifters and thieves who had tarnished the image of Bara.

About his order to the tribesmen to wear caps, he said all religious laws would be implemented by force.

He condemned the role of Maliks saying that they were selfish and greedy and always trying to please the administration for their personal benefit.—PPI

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