KARACHI - The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Senator Siraj-ul-Haq on Sunday reiterated the demand of across-the-board accountability, saying that all those who were named in Panama leaks should be tried.

Addressing a press conference here at Idara-e-Noor Haq, Siraj said that his party is strongly in favour of accountability, but it should be done impartially and without any discrimination. “The accountability of political and non-political figures should be done on justice,” he said. The JI Pakistan general Liaqat Baloch, Karachi Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Naib Ameer JI Karachi Dr Osama Razi and others were also present on the occasion.

Siraj said that was of the view that the arrest of Opposition Leader Shahbaz Sharif by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) seemed ‘political revenge’ adding that the equal action should also be taken against those 436 personalities whose names are included in Panama leaks.

The JI chief urged that justice and accountability should be done openly and such decisions should not be taken in close rooms. Taking a jab at the newly elected government, Siraj said that the government has increased the prices of CNG and other gas by 143 per cent in its 100-days. The prices of petrol and electricity are also likely to be increased, which would directly affect the common men people.

He went on to say that all the claims of newly elected federal government of bringing ‘change’ in the country have remained just on papers , adding that no practical step was taken in this regard.

The JI chief further said that the federal government in the recent presented budget had not given any clear road-map abolition of the Interest System from the Islamic country. He emphasized that drinking of wine, corruption, illegal and anti-social activities should also be abolished from the society, as the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf had promised to make the country an Islamic State in its election campaign. Speaking on the ‘Namoos-e-Risalat’, the JI chief announced that his party is going to organize programs in this connection in London and Geneva next year in January.

“The missing persons cases are also being continued in ‘Naya Pakistan’ as a philanthropist and social worker Ijaz Ullah has gone missing for last many days which is a sheer violation of human rights,” he added.

Criticising the Sindh government, Siraj said that almost every institution in Sindh is in grip of corrupts, saying that a big share of the provincial budget is stolen by the corruption mafia.

“None of the institution in Sindh Province is performing and almost all authorities concerned are busy in minting money through corrupt practices”, Siraj alleged.

He also spoke on the issues of the law and order, water crisis and load-shedding issues in the city, saying that the provincial government is not taking any step to resolve these burning issues despite the fact that these are being aggravated in the metropolis with every passing day.

Responding to a query, he said that none of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal candidate would contest in the by-elections from Karachi; however they are taking part in by-polls in other parts of the country. Replying another question, Siraj said that the law enforcement agencies should have ensured the safety of notorious Lyari gangster Ghaffar Zikri’s minor son during an encounter with him. “We all are sad on the demise of the innocent boy. We support the action against terrorists and criminals but everything should be done under the law,” urged Siraj.