LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Sirajul Haq has said the army chief appointment should be made on seniority principle like Supreme Court chief justice, ending prime minister’s prerogative.

In a statement on Tuesday, Sirajul Haq said liking and disliking element was natural when a person appointed another on key post. Expressing concern on politicizing the appointment of armed forces head by the PDM and the PTI, he said both sides interest displayed their interest in seeking establishment support for their future political programs. He advised the latter to stay away from politics, asking the political leadership not to drag the armed forces into political matters as well. Every institute, he said, should work within the limits defined in the constitution, the key to development.

The JI, he said, had decided to approach the court on inclusion of multiple taxes in electricity bills by the government. He said he had faith that the masses would get relief from the court. He said load shedding crisis was hitting hard the people despite the PML-N claims to produce 37,000MW electricity. He said the rulers were in a habit of cheating the masses. They were badly exposed now, he added.

Sirajul Haq said the federal and provincial governments’ reluctant response during floods again disappointed the masses. The governments, he said, should now at least display seriousness in rehabilitation process. He warned the rulers against corruption and mismanagement in distribution of aid among the people of flood affected areas. He said the rulers would not be able to face the wrath of masses this time if they repeated the episodes of 2010 floods and 2005 earthquake in distribution of aid.

He said Islamic system was the solution to problems of Pakistan. He said the government must abolish interest-based economy to put the country on track. He said the JI was struggling for rule of law. He sought the support of masses to transform Pakistan into Islamic welfare state.