In its meeting held on November 6-7, 1996, The Majlis-e-Shoora of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, passed a resolution, in which it has expressed its concern, that if the process of accountability, promised before the February ‘97 elections, remains unfulfilled, and the candidates of the legislative assemblies are not screened against articles 62 and 63 of the Constitution, then, on the basis of wealth, bullying and cheating, the same people who comprised the previous, sacked assemblies will again be elected. The President and the Interim Government, stayed aloof in making the promised accountability and the constitutional articles, effective. These were the circumstances in which the Jamaat-e-Islami had to take the decision of refraining from the electoral process. We had also warned the nation at the time, that a government coming into power as a result of such elections, could itself become a major problem, rather than solving the problems of the nation. After the formation of the Nawaz Sharif government, the Central Working Committee of Jamaat-e-Islami, in the resolution, passed in its session of February 16, 1997, made positive suggestions to the government, what actions were essential for solving the problems faced by the nation.

200 days of Nawaz Sharif Government:

Now, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has completed more than 200 initial days of his rule. The performance of his government so far is hopeless, despairing, dreadful and completely negating the promises he made during his electoral campaign. The fate of the people has not changed with the change of government. On the contrary, their problems have increased manifold. The government seems has not learnt any lesson from its previous mistakes. The style of governance and priorities are still those, due to which they were dismissed in the past. They have always wished to be the sole bearers of all authority, and should therefore, not be accountable to anyone. In pursuit of fulfilling this desire the rulers have weakened and made ineffective, important pillars of the state, and have involved in conflict with the assemblies, judiciary and the bureaucracy. They bulldozed, two very important constitutional amendments, within a matter of few hours and after having suspended, all the rules and regulations of parliamentary procedure. Similarly, with unwarranted haste, the Anti-Terrorism Bill, was also instantly cleared in the Parliament, which conflicts with the Constitution, the law in vogue and the basic rights of the citizens. Excessive powers have been granted to the corrupt and cruel police. The system of hearing cases in the Summary Trial Courts, does not conform to the conventional requirements of justice. There is unrest in this respect, even among members of the Assembly and a countrywide protest against it. The Prime Minister is forgetting, that tomorrow, after his separation from the government, he himself may have to suffer the consequences of such measures.

Confrontation with Judiciary:

The Prime Minister is also wasting his energies by carrying on a confrontation with the Judiciary. Although the government has withdrawn the Presidential Order of reducing the number of Supreme Court judges, yet the contention caused by the delay in filling the vacancies in the Supreme Court and High Courts, in accordance with the advice of the Honourable Chief Justices, still continues. Similarly, the Prime Minister has literally suspended the whole Administration, by having some officers hand-cuffed after hearing a complaint against them, or ordering instant suspension of some, without giving them an opportunity to defend themselves. No work is being done in government offices nowadays and corruption is becoming ever more rampant. The Constitution of the country does not allow the Executive Head to resort to such measures. For, if he himself performs unlawful acts, how then would he stop the bureaucracy from illegal activities? The hasty, imprudent, unconstitutional and illegal acts of a government, which claims to have a heavy mandate, are hollowing the vital pillars of the nation.

Foreign Loans:

Mian Nawaz Sharif promised the nation, to rely on country’s own resources rather than holding out a beggar’s bowl, but after coming into power, he has forgotten the promise. His government, while injuring the freedom, independence and ideological identity of the country, seems ready to bear all sorts of disgrace and insults for the sake of procuring foreign loans; although, even now, every child of our nation, is in debt of about Rupees: 16,000 and a large chunk of our national income is spent on debt service. Despite the fact, and instead of implementing effective measures to reduce non-development spending and increase revenues, the government is all out acquiring foreign loans, at all costs. The economic, financial, educational, commercial and health policies of the government are dictated by the I.M.F. and World Bank. Despite falling down of the government to such a disgraceful level, these donors have yet again postponed payment of the 1.6 billion dollar loan, so as to make the government bow its head, against further demands.

Privatisation:

The government’s policy regarding privatisation is also a source of doubts and suspicions. Several berths at the ports of Karachi and Bin Qasim have been handed over to foreign companies. The government has made this important decision, without taking the nation or the Parliament into confidence. Apart from this, there is also talk of handing over sensitive key organisations to unknown foreign companies. WAPDA, Pakistan Railways, certain sections of the PIA, the Steel Mill, Telecommunications, National Bank, Habib Bank, etc., are being transferred over to private ownership. It seems as if the government has come to power, just to sell out all national assets into the hands of dubious people. Moreover, under the guise of privatisation and liberalisation, a path is being paved for the establishment of a new economic colonialisatiom by international capitalists.

Unemployment & Inflation:

Mr. Nawaz Sharif had promised to provide jobs to the unemployed. However, after coming into power he is preparing large scale layoffs in government and semi-government establishments. The government policies have only adversely affected departmental efficiencies which in turn have resulted in difficulties for the general public. The government has failed badly in controlling inflation and unemployment. The extravagant increase in prices of consumer goods has become unbearable. It is for the first time in the history of the country, that scarcity of wheat flour at the scale has befallen; such an event does not have a precedence. In spite of this, the government is further escalating prices and taxes, employing ever new tactics. The present burden of high prices has now gone beyond the reach of even the middle classes. Soon, in accordance with instructions of foreign donors, a general sales tax is to be levied, thence the prices of all commodities will really sky rocket.

Law & Order:

Incidents of unrest, fraud, killings and terrorist activities have increased enormously during the last few months. Killing sprees based on ethnicity have been carried out regularly, but the government has always failed to arrest the murderers involved. These incidents have reached such heights, that five trainee cadets, from the brotherly country of Iran, were recently gunned down by the assassins. This is certainly a conspiracy by the enemy. It looks as though the criminals and international terrorists are more organised and stronger than the government’s agencies. Majlis-e-Shoora, demands from the government, not to show any laxity in tracking down the killers, nor provide these malevolent and malicious persons an opportunity of developing tension with our brother Muslim country of Iran.

In spite of all its tall claims, the government has failed to reform the country’s police. Police stations have become torture cells. Police personnel have been found to be involved in dacoities. Recently, several persons under custody of the police have been tortured to death. Tragic rape cases of innocent young girls belonging to poor families, have taken place in these police stations. If the government itself orders the police to raid students hostels in the darkness of the night, and resort to violence against teachers, women and students, how then does it hope to reform it.

Instead of sincere and serious efforts to remove hardships from the lives of the citizens, the government merely depends upon superfluous and ostensible tactics. At times, people are invited on phone to talk directly to the Prime Minister, and at times, the drama of open public "Kachehri" is arranged. But neither the government will gain anything, nor the problems of the public would be solved, through such useless activities.

Electronic Media:

As in the past, radio and TV continue promotion of obscenity and nudity. The youth is being encouraged to turn towards crime by keeping it ignorant of the ideological theme of Pakistan. Moral values of Islam are being ridiculed. Family life is being destroyed by drawing women folk out of their homes in the name of family planning. Various agencies are active at all levels in the guise of NGO’s, to make sure that the new generation is completely delivered into the hands of the ‘devil’. Dances and colourful music parties are held at golden jubilee celebrations. Wine shops are opened up in areas populated purely by Muslims. All these non-Islamic activities are carried out during the government of the political party, which boosts to be the creator of Pakistan.

Kashmir Issue:

The government has opted to retreat on Kashmir issue. The Secretary General of United Nations has deleted the Kashmir problem from his recent annual report. Mr. Nawaz Sharif is on record to have promised to go beyond legal, constitutional and diplomatic aid of the freedom fighters and the oppressed people of occupied Kashmir, by providing active help to them, but his actions are not in conformity with his claims. Instead, he has been talking of trade and friendly relations.

Corruption:

The previous government was dismissed on grounds of corruption; the Interim Government avoided carrying out the process of accountability on various false pretexts; it was the utmost duty of Nawaz government to carry out a bold, impartial, and effective accountability of the previous rulers and the present members of the Parliament. But the government’s performance in this sphere, is also hopeless. Instead of carrying out the accountability process, Ms Benazir Bhutto has been elevated to the honourable status of Leader of the Opposition. Even after the freezing of Swiss bank accounts, sealing of lockers, and obtaining proofs of illicit wealth, worth billions of dollars, and broadcasting the whole affair on radio and TV, no references have yet been forwarded to the concerned court.

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of the National Assembly, after his return from a few days tour of India, advised a heavy, one sided reduction, in Pakistan’s defence spending. He is of the opinion, that the hard earned money of the people, should not be "wasted" on such matters; but he should also advise the Prime Minister to reduce expenditure, as three billion rupees of this poor country, have so far been spent the Prime Minister’s House, and it is yet under construction. The expenses of the President’s House and the Prime Minister’s House together exceed the amount allocated in the budget for education and health sectors. Does it seem proper for the President and the Prime Minister, to live in such great, magnificent, palaces, in a country where the roofs of the poor people’s houses collapse during the rainy season, and the whole family is perished?

Pak-India Relations:

Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif went to the United States to attend the UN meeting, where he met President, Clinton. The American administration has since announced its policy for South Asia. The lead points in it are; to find a solution to the Kashmir problem apart from those specified in United Nations resolutions; to normalise relations with India; to wind up the nuclear program; and the reduction of defence spending. Nawaz Sharif’s meeting with the Indian Prime Minister might also be a part of that agenda.

Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan is desirous of establishing good relations, neighbour, with its neighbouring country; but India has not really accepted todate the existence of Pakistan, in true spirit. India played a key role in breaking up Pakistan, in 1971, and is still actively working against the unity of Pakistan. The problem of Kashmir is a hindrance in establishing bilateral relations. We are also in favour of having friendly relations with the U.S., but at this point, we want to make it clear, that cordial relations cannot be established at the cost of national solidarity, the ideology of Pakistan or by abandoning the Kashmir issue.

The Majlis-e-Shoora of Jamaat-e-Islami, Pakistan is fully aware that the country is facing great internal and external dangers and problems. The government’s inaptitude and poor performance are causing public difficulties. The country’s affairs are deteriorating and feelings of despair are mounting in the public. Waves of protest and unrest are visible. If the government does not amend its ways, and its actions and decisions keep creating dangers for the integrity, solidarity and ideology of Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami and the people of the country, will not remain silent spectators for long.

Demands from the Government:

This meeting of the Majlis-e-Shura demands from the Government of Pakistan that:-

1. Delaying tactics should not be used in the implementation of Islamic Sharia, and it should be specified as ‘The Supreme Law’ of the country, in the Constitution. The nation should be delivered of the curse of Interest from the economy. Immediate action should be taken, to end the Interest system, according to the recommendations of the Council of Islamic Ideology, the Federal Sharia Court, and follow the report of the Economic Commission, which was established by the government itself.

2. In a clear announcement, it should be declared that without the solution of the Kashmir problem according to the resolutions of the United Nations, trade and other usual relations with India, cannot be resumed.

3. Efforts to establish a one-party, or one-family Fascist government, should be given up. Barring of Qazi Hussain Ahmad’s entry into Tribal Areas, (Aug, 1997) is part of a conspiracy to establish dictatorship, by snatching away fundamental rights from the citizens of the country. Labour and student unions, related to the government, are subjecting other unions and organisations to violence, with the help of the administration. The government is only ramifying lawlessness by adopting such undemocratic attitude. The government should not resist lawful, constitutional and legal activities of other political parties, and give those due constitutional and legal rights to the people of the Tribal Areas, which are the rights of all Pakistanis.

4. The government should not use unconstitutional and undemocratic tactics on the basis of its majority. It should not promulgate laws which conflict with existing laws, the Constitution or the basic human rights. The law against terrorism should be revised and made to conform with the Constitution and Islamic principle of justice.

5. The government should avoid taking actions which are contrary to the dignity and freedom of the country; as, by handing over of Aimal Kansi to the American commandos, in violation of the country’s law, the government provided a cause of national disgrace.

6. All the looted wealth of the nation should be recovered, by carrying out judicious accountability of previous rulers and newly elected Members of the Assembly. Very large amounts, deposited in the foreign banks, should be recovered through effective arrangements, and the process of accountability should be meaningfully applied without any discrimination, to everyone.

7. Positive measures should be taken to bring about peace and tranquillity and to stop sectarian tension and terrorism.

8. The nation should not be deprived of its right to protect itself against any nuclear blackmail, through the NPT or CTBT, or under the pressure of some global power.

9. The process of Privatisation should be made transparent and sensitive organisations should not be sold into foreign hands. Rather, such institutions should be established, which would, by way of reorganisation, make profitable and useful, those industries which are running on loss, as other countries have already demonstrated by doing so, under similar circumstances.

10. Confrontation with the Judiciary should be given up. Vacancies in the Supreme Court and High Courts should be filled according to the recommendations of the Chief Justices.

11. Law enforcing agencies, especially the Police and Rangers, should not be used for personal political gains; and if they take any illegal steps, they should be punished immediately through legal action.

12. Radio and TV should be stopped from spreading obscenity and vulgarity.

13. Foreign loans should not be secured at the cost of national pride and solidarity. And, instead of getting loans, dependence should be made on the country’s own resources.

14. Large scale employee’s layoff programmes should be abandoned.

15. Friday should again be declared the weekly holiday, instead of Sunday.

16. Positive steps should be taken to rid the country from spiralling prices hikes.

17. Agricultural tax should be withdrawn from the owners of less than 50 Acres of irrigated land or 200 acres of rainfed land. And the owners of more than 50 acres of irrigated or 200 acres of rainfed land should be subject to income tax.

18. Regarding the Golden Jubilee, instead of organising events and shows contrary to Islamic values, the people of the country should be made aware of the ideology of Pakistan so that they are able to pass their lives according to the teachings of the Quran and Sunnah.

This session of the Majlis-e-Shoora warns the Government, that instead of fulfilling the agenda of foreign countries, it should strive to make Pakistan an Islamic, welfare, and democratic state. Otherwise, their fate too, will not be much different, from that of the previous rulers.

Appeal to the Nation:

Jamaat-e-Islami also appeals to the Pakistani Nation, that if they really want to get out of this quicksand of difficulties and dangers, they should follow the teachings of Islam with true hearts and souls, and take active part in the establishment of an Islamic order in the country. To achieve this goal, the Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a membership campaign throughout Pakistan. We appeal to all our sisters and brothers, to become Jamaat’s members and co-operate, practically and actively. If the people of our beloved country are organised at all the cherished levels then InshaAllah, the looting and plundering of the national wealth and the cruelty and oppression of corrupt rulers, can be eliminated for good.

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"Resolutions passed in Jamaat-e-Islami Central Shoora"