Youth must play an active role in politics to reform system: Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi

Sanghar (Hasnain Ashiq Saand) Central Additional Secretary of the Shia Ulema Council Pakistan, Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi, has emphasised that meaningful change in Pakistan’s political system and improvement in the country’s overall situation are only possible if youth actively participate in politics, as political engagement has become an urgent need of the time.

Speaking to the media during a reception hosted by Shia Ulema Council office-bearer Irshad Ali Rind, Allama Taqvi said that the Islamic Movement Pakistan and the Shia Ulema Council would actively contest the upcoming local government elections and field their candidates at all levels.

He said political competition should not be equated with victimisation, adding that the registration of FIRs, use of pressure tactics and threats were against democratic norms. “This is not the politics of the 1990s; it is the era of social media and public awareness, where every citizen has the constitutional right to contest elections,” he said, stressing the need for transparency in the electoral process.

Allama Taqvi also alleged that office-bearers and workers of the Shia Ulema Council in Sanghar district were being harassed by certain quarters through retaliatory actions. He said that in the past, the council’s candidates had cooperated with the Pakistan Peoples Party and mutual agreements had been reached, but those commitments were later ignored, which amounted to political discrimination.

He maintained that politics driven by revenge could not strengthen democracy, and called for a positive and constructive political approach. “Pakistan is a broad-minded country where followers of all schools of thought have the right to participate freely in political activities,” he said.

Reaffirming his resolve, Allama Taqvi said that the Shia Ulema Council and the Islamic Movement Pakistan would enter the local government elections with full preparation and continue their struggle for public welfare, development and stability.

On the occasion, Shia Ulema Council Tando Adam president Muhammad Hussain Chughtai, Ghous Bux Dero, Hussain Abbas Chughtai, Maulana Muhammad Hussain Mari, Maulana Baqar Chandio, Zulfiqar Khoso, Ashiq Hussain Saand and Mushtaq Ahmed Malokhani, among others, were present. Later, Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi visited the residence of Mushtaq Malokhani, Ramzan Malokhani and Zaheer Malokhani to offer condolences.