Daily Times

LAHORE – Jamaat-e-Islami leader Sirajul Haq said on Sunday that about 200 million people in Pakistan are suffering from what he called ‘economic terrorism’ of the rulers.

Addressing a protest sit-in held here at Chairing Cross against corruption, he said that loans were taken by the rulers but it has to be paid back by the people. He said that Almighty Allah has unmasked corrupt rulers in guise of Panama Papers. If elected to power, the Jamaat would launch a crackdown on ‘thieves’ in the parliament, he said.

Siraj said that the leaders who have suffered from moral degradation should be stripped of the right to govern. “A commission is also needed over moral corruption,” he said. He also said that even names of many opposition leaders have come up in the Panama Papers, making them think whether to push forth or retreat. He announced to hold countrywide protests against corruption from May 1 onwards.

He said that those loyal to the British have maintained hold over Pakistan, political landscape, factories and democracy. He said that such a hypocritical attitude led to the separation of East Pakistan. He said that there was nothing for the poor in democracy as it was a game of the capitalists. He said that he was ready to sacrifice the last moment of his life to make Pakistan free of corruption.

Referring to Panama investigation, he said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif made a commission based on his will which is unacceptable. He said that leader of the opposition was told that terms of references (TORs) related to investigation of matter will be consulted with the opposition; however the government made TORs on its own.

The opposition parties have rejected proposed commission, calling it a mere eye-wash. They asked the government to hire foreign audit firms to investigate money trial,” he said. During the speech, Siraj presented himself for accountability in the wake of the Panama Papers. “I present myself along my team for accountability as I begin the fight against corruption from my own self,” he stated.

“Only Jamaat can save Pakistan from the rampant corruption because we do not have any allegations or stigma of corruption against us,” he said. Criticising the performance of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), he stated that both had failed to work for people. “We had a lot of expectations from NAB, but now we ask them that how could they forgive the plunderers of this nation? Neither NAB nor FBR worked well,” he said.