LAHORE: Representatives of various political and religious organisations on Monday said that the next general elections should be held in accordance with Sections 62-63 of the Constitution. They were addressing the ‘Stability of Pakistan Conference’, held at the Lahore Press Club by the Pakistan Ulema Council. The speakers said that entire nation wanted impartial accountability in the country. “Survival and stability of Pakistan is associated with democracy, democratic principles and supremacy of the Constitution of Pakistan,” they said. Representatives and leadership of religious and political organisations of the country attended the event. Addressing the conference, the participants underscored that political forces had always welcomed dictatorships. “Along with military dictators, the civilian leadership is also to blame for violations of the Constitution of Pakistan,” they said. The participants urged the political leadership of the country to accept the verdict of the apex court on Panama case and stay away from rallies, caravans and processions on roads. “The political leadership should demonstrate patience and political maturity as people of Pakistan will not tolerate any effort to mock the integrity of the national institutions. Pakistan Ulema Council and its allied organisations will remain steadfast to protect ‘Islamic sections’ of the Constitutions of Pakistan,” the participants said. “Any effort to repel Section 62-63 from Constitution of Pakistan will not be tolerated. All political parties present in the Parliament should start a movement for introducing effective electoral reforms and cohesive legislation on accountability process in the country,” he said. Hafiz Muhammad Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi said that the people of Pakistan would thwart any conspiracy against Pakistan and the Muslim world. “The newly-elected PM should devise internal and foreign policies of the country. Organised conspiracies are underway to isolate Pakistan from its friends in the world. All sections of the country should unite for security and stability of the country,” he said. Hafiz Tahir Ashrafi also announced that the Pakistan Ulema Council would fully participate in next general elections. “Religious sections of the country will play an active role in the elections of 2018,” he said. “Shariah is the only way to resolve the challenges confronting the country. Pakistan will be transformed into a welfare state,” he said. Maulana Ayub Safdar, Maulana Abdul Hameed Watto, Maulana Asad Ullah Farooq, Maulana Haji Muhammad Tayyab Qadri, Allama Tahir-ul-Hassan, Maulana Ghulam Ullah Khan, Qari Abdul Hakeem Athar, Maulana Zubair Zahid, Maulana Abdul Qayyum, Maulana Islamud Din and Maulana Muhammad Aslam Qadi were among the participants. Published in Daily Times, August 8th 2017.