KARACHI:
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Senator Siraj ul Haq has called for fresh elections in Karachi based on the grounds of deprivation of peace, stability and prospects of development; stating that those elected from the city had got ‘fake mandate’ in May 2013 general elections and failed to deliver.
“Besides, the federal government should announce Rs500 billion development package for Karachi,” he said at a press conference at the JI’s Idara Noor-i-Haq office here on Saturday. “The people of Karachi want permanent peace for which the federal government should formulate a comprehensive and long-term policy.”
He announced that a ‘youth centre’ would be established at Idara Noor-i-Haq to build future leadership.
Commenting on the Balochistan situation, Mr Haq cautioned the federal government against its `negative’ approach towards the province, adding that the same attitude had led to the creation of Bangladesh in 1971.
He hailed success of talks between the government and the PTI for the formation of a judicial commission to probe alleged rigging in elections. “It’s the success of all democratic forces and we must appreciate the approach of the two parties (the PML-N and the PTI). I also praise the role of the political jirga and its members, who tirelessly worked for bringing the two parties to the negotiation table,” he added.