SWABI, Feb 17: Jamaat-i-Islami central deputy chief Sirajul Haq has urged the people to carefully use their right to vote in the upcoming elections, saying any wrong choice by them would help corrupt elements return to assemblies.
Addressing a public meeting at Dagai union council here the other day, Mr Siraj said the government should stop thinking about delay in general elections and announce the date of elections and the caretaker set-up without delay.
He said Awami National Party had invited JI to its all parties conference on terrorism but the invitation was turned down because the host first turned Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and adjoining tribal region into a battlefield and then wanted to protect itself by calling for consensus against terrorism.
The JI leader said ANP had created the entire mess and its leadership had to pay for it.
He said the APC declaration did not have a word about withdrawal of Nato forces from Afghanistan and totally ignored the breach of Pakistan’s sovereignty by the US drone attacks. He added that the declaration also failed to call for review of the country’s foreign policy.
Mr Siraj said in the current British-introduced system, the corrupt people enjoyed impunity and made it to assemblies without let or hindrance.
“We will never let these elements devour public money if the people vote us to power in the next elections. The elections are taking place at a very critical time as the country faces various internal and external challenges,” he said.
The JI leader said if the people supported his party’s candidates in the forthcoming elections, then they would not only see massive socioeconomic and security reforms but also feel the difference.
“If we emerge as victorious in elections, both education and health services will be provided to the people free of charge. In addition, employment opportunities will be created for educated youths. I promise that during our rule, merit and only merit will be the criteria for employment in every government department,” he said.
Mr Siraj also said his party’s rule would ensure peace and harmony in the country.
He urged the people to pledge that usurpers won’t be voted to parliament.
The JI leader alleged that ANP had committed before coming to power that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa would be allowed to use by the American and Nato forces.
“ANP president Asfandyar Wali Khan had made a deal with Americans for allowing the butchering of Pakhtuns across the region. It is the same party, which had claimed that it had been working for the rights of Pakhtuns but remained silent on the killing of Pakhtuns. There is a big question mark on its performance on this front,” he said.
The public meeting was also addressed by JI provincial deputy chief Mushtaq Ahmad Khan, former MNA Usman Khan, district chief Saeedzada and others.