Siraj sees no reason for delaying elections

–Says JI staunchly committee to resist any unconstitutional action

LAHORE, Oct 03 (DNA): Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq said on
Tuesday that there are no ‘valid’ reasons to postpone the general
elections.

Expressing his thoughts in Lahore, Haq said: ‘If there will be a delay
in the general elections, we will resort to democratic ways of staging
the peaceful protests’’.

He took a swipe at the opponents, saying, ‘’Those who are taking about
the delay in elections are sensing their defeats’’. Haq asserted: ‘’Two
of the caretaker setups have been working beyond the constitution.”

Taking a jibe at the caretaker government over ballooning inflation, Haq
said, ‘’The caretaker setup has no mandate to increase the prices of
power, gas, and petrol.”

Siraj-ul-Haq said that JI is staunchly committed to resisting any
unconstitutional actions that might infringe upon the fundamental right
of the people to vote.

Talking to media in Mansoorah on Tuesday, he pointed out that the
constitution unequivocally stipulates the holding of elections within 90
days following the dissolution of assemblies.

He stressed that stability is contingent upon upholding the constitution
and conducting transparent elections.

Haq criticized those who advocate for prioritizing economic reforms
before elections, asserting that such calls merely echo past slogans,
specifically the rhetoric of “accountability before elections.” He noted
that proponents of these ideas are acutely aware of their dwindling
popularity among the masses and are anticipating an impending defeat.

The JI leader underscored the responsibility of the state and its
institutions to combat smuggling and corruption, emphasizing that an
elected government is better equipped to address these challenges. He
highlighted the people’s admiration for the armed forces, attributing it
to the constitutional mandate of safeguarding the nation. He emphasized
that adherence to the constitution by all institutions would enhance the
respect and affection accorded to them by the public.

Haq expressed regret that the two previous coalition governments had led
the nation’s economy astray in past five years, resulting in profound
hardship for the people. He criticized the caretaker government,
characterizing it as an extension of the previous administration, and
accused it of adhering to the directives of the IMF.

He also pointed out that caretaker governments in two provinces were
operating beyond their constitutionally defined tenure. The caretakers,
he added, also lacked the authority to increase electricity and gas
tariffs.

He said the JI would not enter into any electoral alliances and would
contest the elections under its own symbol, the scale. He affirmed the
JI’s unwavering commitment to advocating for the people’s rights and
combating inflation until relief is delivered to the citizens.