JI Chief Speaks Of Sanity

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Sirajul Haq made it clear that the delay in the elections is a deviation from the constitution and has planned a protest before the Election Commission office on Friday.

JI Ameer believes that Pakistan is suffering from political instability and has advised the establishment, judiciary, and election commission that staying away from getting involved and taking sides will restore their lost pride.

The public’s opinion about democratic institutions and decision-making circles cannot be accurately measured, as what happened in the Karachi mayor’s election has raised many questions.

The public’s opinion about democratic institutions and decision-making circles cannot be accurately measured, as what happened in the Karachi mayor’s election has raised many questions.

The JI chief made it clear that if the elections are interfered with, no one will believe in their transparency. He accused the Sindh government of stealing the mandate of Jamaat-e-Islami in Karachi.

Sirajul Haq’s suggestions are very valid but events that have been taking place on the national scene in the recent past depict otherwise. The JI chief’s views are in consonance with the public pulse but the Pakistan Democratic Movement (PDM) government, establishment, and election commission think on the contrary.

The unconstitutional and undemocratic ways of the government is not following the constitution, besides not holding the elections of the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa assemblies, are usurping the democratic rights of the opponents.

If what is observed now is repeated in the future, what happens then? It all happened as societies were deprived of political training and negative traditions were added to the fear that the PDM alliance is instilling in the public today—what if it is used against parties that are involved now?

Monarchy and military dictatorship result in curbs on civil liberties, repressive forces are in place and in the existing scenario, the public-friendly approach from the government appears missing.

The public-friendly approach from the government appears missing.

The only symbols of democracy in Pakistan are the National Assembly and Senate sessions, where the majority is non-existent and the public is not represented in full.

The government has violated the constitution and elections within 90 days after the dissolution of the assembly are still in question.

Pakistan is faced with a multitude of problems. Financial instability for one can be measured from the fact that the depreciation of the national currency, the rupee, against the United States dollar in a year and over has resulted in foreign debts getting almost double.

People’s income has decreased by 48 per cent and millions are now unemployed.

A psychological study of public frustration against the government’s performance found that 90% of Pakistanis are not happy with the current situation.

A psychological study of public frustration against the government’s performance found that 90 percent of Pakistanis are not happy with the current situation.

Foreign companies are closing and the latest one is Shell which after 75 years of collaboration is now closing down operations. The brain drain is also happening and the Passport Office is overburdened with work.

These indicators are alarming and responsibility for this situation lies with all the forces that are deciding the destiny of the country. As an administration, the PDM has shown its inadequacy by exacerbating this crisis rather than mitigating it.

Sirajul Haq has rightly pointed out that the recently held Karachi elections depict what is around the corner and that has raised concern in the public.

The results can be achieved but will they ensure stability? This is a question that has an answer that no one dares to give.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.