Jamaat-e-Islami formally launches election campaign

PESHAWAR: The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) formally launched its campaign for the upcoming general elections with the first public appearance of its candidates here on Friday.

“The election campaign formally started today which will continue till February 8,” JI provincial president Prof Mohammad Ibrahim Khan told the candidates at a ceremony here.Provincial vice-president Sabir Hussain Awan, district chief of the party, Bahrullah Khan, and other candidates for the national and provincial assembly seats from the provincial capital were also present on the occasion.

Prof Ibrahim said that all the political parties in Pakistan were lacking democratic norms. “All the political parties were like private properties of a few families,” he added.These political parties were not only led by offspring of certain families but they also awarded tickets on the basis of personal likes and dislikes or in return for huge funds, he added.

Prof Ibrahim said that JI was the only true democratic party in national politics, which had given tickets to candidates purely on merit and on the basis of performance.He said that the constitution of the country allowed only honest and trustworthy people as candidates for the national, provincial assemblies and as well as Senate. “And it is a matter of serious concern that none of the political parties of the country field candidates in line with the guidelines set by the Constitution,” he said, adding: “When the heads of the political parties lack honesty, how would they award tickets to honest and trustworthy people?”.

Prof Ibrahim said that the election commission too should ensure candidature of the right people. “The people, he said, should also cast their ballots in support of the honest and efficient candidates, who could serve them in a true manner.

Sabir Hussain Awan and Bahrullah Khan also spoke on the occasion. The speakers expressed serious concern over the harassment of a woman in Charsadda by a police officer. They urged the acting chief minister, inspector general police and chief secretary to take notice of the matter and provide justice to the lady, otherwise, JI would launch a protest and the government would be held responsible for the consequences.