KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman on Wednesday denounced the disqualification of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) representatives, terming it a political decision and “condemnable.”
Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor Haq, he claimed that “all the prisoners currently in jails are incarcerated on political grounds. Had they been jailed on corruption charges, prominent leaders such as Asif Ali Zardari, Nawaz Sharif, and Shehbaz Sharif should have been behind bars alongside Imran Khan.”
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman criticized constitutional amendments, stating that “the teeth of the judiciary were broken through the 26th constitutional amendment, and now preparations are underway for the 27th amendment.”
Turning to local governance issues, he blamed the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for Karachi’s mismanagement. “Both ruling parties are now pushing linguistic divides in the city,” he said, adding that the PPP-imposed mayor had taken office in Karachi through “dacoity” on a JI mandate during local body elections. He further alleged that MQM did not win a single polling booth, yet seats were allocated to the party.
Highlighting the city’s worsening public safety and transport situation, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman noted that 550 people had been martyred in traffic accidents over the last seven months, while tanker mafias operate unchecked. “Karachi requires 15,000 buses, yet only 400 government buses are operational,” he said, criticizing the PPP-led feudal system in interior Sindh as fostering lawlessness.
On international matters, the JI chief expressed grave concern over the ongoing Gaza crisis, condemning Israel’s attacks on Palestinians. “Israel is martyring our brothers in Palestine through the worst bombardment. After Independence Day, we will launch a nationwide movement in Pakistan to support Palestine,” he asserted.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has long been vocal about political and governance issues in Pakistan, particularly concerning Karachi, where JI has historically maintained a strong voter base. His criticisms of the PPP and MQM reflect long-standing political rivalries, and his comments on Palestine align with JI’s traditionally pro-Palestinian stance.
The remarks come amid heightened political polarization in Pakistan, following PTI representatives’ disqualifications and ongoing debates over constitutional amendments affecting the judiciary and electoral processes.
