Daily Times

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan amir Sirajul Haq has appreciated the commitment of the judiciary and the government for the construction of dams and said that the issue must get high priority because of the alarming situation of water shortage.

Addressing a gathering of JI members from Rawalpindi, he said that India was blocking Pakistan’s share of river water, and causing irreparable loss to agriculture with the intention to turn the country into a desert, and prompt steps were necessary to counter India’s plans. Referring to the US Secretary of State’s visit to the country, Sirajul Haq said that America had always prioritised its own interests but had never come to Pakistan’s help in the hour of need. He said the US had never acknowledged Pakistan’s services in the war against terror, and had always been pressing for ‘do more’.

He said the war of terror had caused irreparable loss to Pakistan’s economy and instead of compensating for these losses, Washington had time and again , placed restrictions on aid to this country.

The JI chief, however, noted that the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister at this time was highly encouraging as China was taking keen interest in Pakistan’s problems and had been offering every possible help and assistance. He said the CPEC was a symbol of strong Pak-China relations.

Sirajul Haq criticised the increase in the prices of gas, electricity and fertiliser and said this would add to the problems of the common people as well as farmers. He said the farmers needed subsidy on their inputs.

The JI chief called for special efforts to improve educational and health facilities and creation of jobs for the youth.

Published in Daily Times, September 10^th 2018.