JI will not support dissolution of KP Assembly: Minister
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PESHAWAR:Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Zakat, Usher and Religious Affairs and Jamat-i-Islami (JI) Buner district Vice Ameer, Haji Habibur Rehman Khan here Monday said his party will not become a part of any move that lead to premature dissolution of KP Assembly.
“JI strongly desired that KP Assembly should complete its mandatory tenure and will not support its dissolution before time,” he said in an interview with APP.
JI being a coalition partner with PTI in KP Government, will support Chief Minister KP in case of no-confidence motion against him following serious corruption and horse-trading allegations against 20 PTI’s lawmakers by his own Chief Imran Khan.
Habibur Rehman claimed that Imran Khan’s allegations against his own MPAs have substantiated that Senate election was allegedly rigged through sale and purchase of votes.
The Minister said it would have been better if Imran Khan presented proof to nation against 20 PTI MPAs before accusing them for selling of votes during senate election as almost all of them had strongly denied the allegations.
It is not a novelty in the country’s political history as during MMA Government’s tenure, six lawmakers were also expelled from the alliance on corruption charges during senate election, setting an example for others to follow.
“The only way to discourage such unlawful practice was to bring necessary amendments in procedure of Senate elections,” he maintained.
To a question about upcoming KP’s budget, he said, JI will extend full cooperation to Pervez Khattak’s Government during passing of annual budget 2018-19 if presented so.
“JI wants across the board accountability of all rather a person-specific in Panama papers case,” he said, adding all those elements whose names came in Panama papers, should also be held accountable for their actions and deeds.
The Minister said five mainstream religious parties of the country had revived Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA), a decade after the political alliance was dissolved over differences, and that his party will contest general elections from MMA’s platform.
Five religious parties included in MMA are Jamaat-e-Islami, Jamiat Ulma-i- Islam (Fazal), Jamiat Ulma-i-Pakistan-Noorani, Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith and Islami Tehreek, he said, adding efforts were underway to convince Jamaiat Ulema Islami (Samiul Haq) to join the alliance.
“We have started preparations for the next general election, and would fully participate in it. It would be an historic day when a second elected government will complete its term and smooth transition of power will take place this year.”
“The world is looking towards Pakistan as we have entered an election year and free, transparent and impartial election was the only panacea of existing problems besides putting the country on road to sustainable progress and development.”
“We can’t afford more experiences in our government system,” he said, adding JI strongly believed in peaceful and democratic struggle for enforcement of Shariah laws.
The Minister urged political parties to get united for general election 2018, adding any party that enjoyed people’s mandate on the basis of free and transparent election would form government and his party will extend full support to it in the province whether remaining in government or opposition.
The government had preserved Mughal-era built Mahabat Khan Mosque in Peshawar after its original architecture was badly affected by encroachments and garbage dumps, he said, adding all garbage dumps and encroached shops were removed and its architecture was preserved during a three years project.
The Minister admitted that despite setting up of an Usher Cell under 2014 Act passed by the PTI led Government, could not be implemented due to shortage of staff and if came into power again, would be implemented in letter and spirit.
He said illegally occupied Auqaf property and graveyard lands worth billions of rupees, were retrieved from land grabbers during last five years and funeral places were also established. APP/AFP
