Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Sirajul Haq on Wednesday urged the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) to ensure transparent polls in the country.

He expressed optimism that the people of the country will cast their votes for the JI on the basis of the party’s reputation. Haq bemoaned the country’s economic situation, saying, “The people are facing severe economic hardships. The world is witnessing a decrease in inflation, but in our country, prices are skyrocketing.’’

‘’Due to the wrong economic policies, the country is facing a severe burden from the loans,’’ Haq rued.

– Gas Tariff –

Last week, the JI chief had bemoaned the gas tariff hike.

Expressing his thoughts, the JI chief denounced the hike in the gas tariff by up to 193 per cent. ‘‘ With this increase in the gas tariff, there will be a burden on the poor and middle-class segments of society',' he added.

He took a dig at the caretaker government, saying, ‘‘ The interim government has decided to plunder Rs 350 billion from the national wealth.’’

‘‘The masses can bear the burden of the conditions imposed by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The decision in line with the increase in the gas tariff should be to withdraw,’’ rued Haq.

Haq said, ‘‘It is not up to the caretaker government to take the decision in line with the policy’’.