Islamabad – Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab Dr. Tariq Saleem has said that the conditions of the people in Pakistan cannot improve under what he termed the “Form 47 government,” adding that the country’s entire system has become obsolete and rotten. He stressed that Pakistan cannot move forward without fundamental systemic change and said that to pull the country out of its multiple crises, people from all walks of life must join Jamaat-e-Islami and become part of the struggle for transformation. He expressed these views while addressing participants from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan at the Markazi Tarbiyat Gaah.
Dr. Tariq Saleem strongly criticized Pakistan’s reported decision to join former US President Donald Trump’s so-called Gaza Peace Board, calling it unacceptable under any circumstances. He said neither the nation nor parliament was taken into confidence on such a major decision and questioned with whose consultation the government decided to become part of the initiative. He added that even if it is a “Form 47 Parliament,” the matter should have been discussed there before any decision was made. Referring to the situation in Punjab, Dr. Tariq Saleem said that Basant is not a cultural festival but has turned into a deadly game, claiming precious human lives every year. He expressed deep concern over the Punjab government’s insistence on celebrating Basant from February 6 to 8, terming it irresponsible and tantamount to playing with human lives. He said incidents of deaths caused by sharp kite strings, people falling from rooftops, serious injuries to motorcyclists, and permanent disabilities among children are reported every year during Basant, and history bears witness to these tragedies.
Despite this, he added, the government is promoting what he described as a “bloody festival” with complete disregard for public safety. Dr. Tariq Saleem demanded a complete and effective ban on Basant, strict action against those involved in the manufacturing, sale, and use of dangerous kite strings, and said that the protection of people’s lives and property must be the government’s top priority. He reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami will not accept politics at the cost of human lives and will continue to raise its voice at all forums for the protection of the public.
