ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer, Senator Sirajul Haq said the political party started anti-corruption campaign before release of Panama documents which revealed offshore companies for tax hide by hundreds of influential personalities around the world.
Sirajul Haq reiterated corruption has penetrated into all national institutions of Pakistan which led barricading progress and development due to hefty loans. He said foreign loans could be cleared if 40 per cent corruption is eliminated by concrete steps against the menace. He added development budget could be doubled if looted money brought back to the country besides provision of free education, medical and shelter facilities to the nationals.
He said armed terrorism victimised at least 60,000 persons while economic terrorism affected more than 20 crore nationals. He said some elite families looted the national treasury just like East India Company did in past by taking advantage of its political and political powers. He said corrupt elites seized political and democratic systems of the country.
Sirajul Haq expressed the view while addressing press conference after chairing high-level session held at former MNA and JI Naib Ameer Mian Muhammad Aslam which was attended by central leadership of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). JI General Secretary Liaqat Baloch, Asadullah Bhutto, Dr. Fareed Paracha, Hafiz Salman, JI parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Sahibzada Tariqullah, Mushtaq Ahmed Khan, Ameerul Azeem, Syed Waqas Anjum Jaffery, Zubair Farooq Khan and other leaders were also present.
The JI Ameer announced “Karachi-Khyber Train March” commencing from May 23 in connection with “Corruption Free Pakistan” campaign. He also announced to organise public meetings in Bajaur on May 14, Kohat on May 15, Chitral on May 29 under the same banner. He added JI will submit anti-corruption bill to approve legislation in the National Assembly.
Sirajul Haq clarified JI raised firm voice for accountability but the slogan is free from political revenge. He added the Constitution and democracy should not be ended behind name of accountability. Corruption and Pakistan could not run together, he added.
While commenting over a large number of children casualties due to malnutrition in Tharparker, Sirajul Haq criticised the Sindh government over spending Rs1 billion for Larkana celebration instead of food supplies to Thar nationals. “Corruption Free Pakistan” campaign started for true accountability which demanded all names present in Panama documents but only Prime Minister’s family, he said. Siraj added political parties will be failed to get candidates in next election if it managed to start fair accountability.
He appealed nationals to hold accountability of rulers through power of votes. He demanded the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to avoid plea bargaining with corrupt elements as corruption is more dangerous than attacks of enemies on Pakistan.
