Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Siragul Haq on Saturday said that Punjab-led caretaker prime minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has become part of the Pakistan Democracy Movement (PDM) – the 13-party ruling alliance. Addressing a press conference at the JI headquarters in Mansoora, the JI emir invited PTI Chairman Imran Khan to visit Mansoora, saying recent announcements by the caretaker government suggest it has a long-term plan. Stressing the need for dialogue among all political parties in connection with the upcoming elections in the country, Haq advised the incumbent government and the PTI leadership to act wisely. The JI chief was of the opinion that elections should be held across the country on the same day.
Referring to the Supreme Court verdict on Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa elections, he argued that it would be a riot if the government did not comply with the apex court’s order. The apex court on March 1, in a 3-2 verdict, had ordered the ECP to conduct elections in Punjab and KP within 90 days. He argued that the electoral watchdog had pushed the country into a “constitutional crisis”. Condemning the incumbent government for rising inflation, deteriorating economy and lawlessness, the JI leader said the rulers have failed to deliver. “The mafia is behind every crisis [faced by the country],” he added. Haq also criticized the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP)-led government for using delaying tactics in relation to the local government in Karachi. He alleged that the PPP wanted to impose a “jyala” on Karachi.
