PM Nawaz Sharif did not take into confidence before deciding for military operation in NWA: Siraj ul Haq

Lahore: Ameer, Jamaat e Islami, Pakistan, Siraj ul Haq has said that Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had not taken the nation, the parliament or the political parties in confidence before deciding for military operation in North Waziristan.

Addressing a crowded press conference at JI Islamabad office on Tuesday, he said that the parliament and the parties attending the APC had mandated the Premier for dialogue and not operation. Therefore, the Prime Minister should inform the nation under what pressure he had to start operation. He said the Prime Minister had repeatedly talked of speed breakers and unseen forces who were sabotaging the talks but he had neither unveiled these forces nor explained his constraints in this respect.

Siraj ul Haq said that persistent operations and chaos had affected the Khyber P. province the most. He called upon the federal government to declare Khyber P as affected province and issue immediate

grant of Rs. 50,000 per family for about 7.5 lakh IDPs to enable them observe fast during the holy month of Ramazan.

He further said that the fear of the death of around 1.5 million cattle head from the operation affected area was also looming large and demanded immediate measures for the health of the cattle.

The JI chief appealed to the philanthropists, the affluent and welfare bodies to extend all out help and assistance for the rehabilitation of the IDPs.  He urged them to extend full support to the Al-Khidmat Foundation in the rehabilitation of the iDPs.

Siraj ul Haq said that the government decision for operation in North Waziristan had created serious problems for the entire Khyber P as lakhs of the IDPs had to take shelter in the camps in the present oppressive weather. These people were facing acute shortage of food, drinking water and other essential items and were falling victim to various aliments also. Therefore, the government should adopt necessary steps to control the situation.

The JI chief  said that thousands of the IDPs had crossed into Afghanistan and the anti Pakistan elements there could exploit them for their evil ends.

Meanwhile, JI Information Secretary, Ameer ul Azeem, in a statement issued here after visiting the IDPs camps, appealed to the entire nation to step forward for the help and assistance of the operation affected people. He said the provision of basic necessities including the Sehr and Iftar of the IDPs should be the foremost concern of all. He urged the people to donate funds, bedding, and dry ration to the JI and Al-Khidmat Foundation relief camps.