Latest news with #HafizNaeemurRehman
Business Recorder
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
JI stages demos against price hike
KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) staged over 100 protest demonstrations across Karachi on Friday against soaring prices of petroleum products, electricity, and sugar. The protests were part of a nationwide campaign called by JI Pakistan Chief Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. A large and diverse crowd, representing multiple professions and backgrounds, took to the streets at key locations throughout the city. Demonstrators carried placards and banners while chanting slogans against the government, accusing it of shielding powerful mafias behind the current price hikes. Local JI leaders led the demonstrations in their respective neighborhoods, demanding immediate withdrawal of the recent fuel price hike, decisive action against the sugar mafia, and urgent reforms in the power sector. Protesters blamed the government for deliberate electricity generation shortages, an aging distribution network, and tariff policies that continue to burden the common citizen. Earlier, JI Karachi Chief Monem Zafar addressed a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the party's city headquarters. He condemned the latest fuel price increase, calling it a 'petrol bomb shell' dropped on the public. He noted that fuel prices had risen by a total of Rs18 within just one and a half months, warning that the impact would be direct and severe—pushing up inflation, increasing transport costs, raising prices of essential goods, and dealing a heavy blow to industrial activity. He expressed disappointment that decision-makers, who lead lives of luxury on taxpayers' money, were inflicting hardship on the masses. Monem Zafar also reminded Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) vice president Maryam Nawaz of their public promises to provide free electricity for consumption of up to 300 units. He said these pledges now seem hollow in light of the continuous rise in power tariffs. Addressing the concerns of the business community, Monem Zafar slammed the government for its 'anti-trade and industry sector policies.' He assured full support for the traders and industrialists' legitimate demands and announced JI's backing for the planned strike on July 19. Turning his attention to Karachi's structural and civic issues, Monem Zafar lashed out at the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), calling it a 'cancer for Karachi' and labeling it the 'most corrupt institution' in the city. He said the so-called 'portion mafia' continues to thrive while acquiring legal building permits has become a 'herculean task.' He held the PPP and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) jointly responsible for the worsening civic conditions in Karachi, where he said half the population continues to suffer from severe water shortages. Commenting on the recent controversy over vehicle number plates, Monem Zafar pointed to the government's announcement that no penalties would be imposed on existing plates until August 14. He credited public backlash for the policy reversal but raised broader concerns. He questioned the government's priorities and pointed to the Safe City project—initiated in 2011 under court orders and budgeted at Rs30 billion—as a major failure. The project was supposed to deliver 12,000 surveillance cameras across Karachi, but according to him, less than 20 percent have actually been installed. He urged the government to put its own affairs in order before forcing citizens to spend billions on new registration plates. Monem Zafar also expressed concern over the post-rain management situation in Karachi, and highlighted the deteriorating law and order in Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that the worsening conditions in these regions reflect the government's failure to maintain stability and deliver public services across the country. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
SC's ruling on reserved seats strengthens hybrid system: JI
LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has said that the Supreme Court's ruling on reserved seats has further strengthened the hybrid system, depriving people of their democratic rights. 'The verdict is regrettable and based on a flawed interpretation of the Constitution,' he said in a statement issued from Mansoora on Sunday. The decision of constitutional bench, he said, has once again raised serious questions about the credibility of the judicial system. He added that the 26th Constitutional Amendment allowed powerful quarters to bring the judiciary under complete control. 'Ruling elites are now using courts to get favorable decisions. Jamaat-e-Islami had vehemently opposed the 26th Amendment and outrightly rejected it, while some opposition parties became a part of it.' The JI leader said had the opposition taken a principled stand, at least some credibility of the courts might have been preserved. Commenting on the implications of the verdict, he said it remains to be seen how both the government and opposition parties respond. 'Will they accept PTI's rightful seats as spoils of war or adopt a moral, principled, and democratic position by refusing to take them?' he asked. He remarked that for Pakistan's so-called political parties, democracy is nothing more than a tool for personal gain. 'Political parties must correct their direction and prioritize democratic values over personal interests. Only then can rule of law and constitutional supremacy be established in the country,' he stated. He emphasized that the people themselves must now rise for their rights through peaceful resistance—and that Jamaat-e-Islami offers the most credible platform for such a struggle. Meanwhile, Rehman expressed deep sorrow over the tragic drowning of tourists in the Swat River and extended condolences to the bereaved families. He criticized the government for failing to respond in time, saying, 'Authorities watched helplessly on TV as children and women were swept away by the current. A helicopter could have reached them from Islamabad in just 30 minutes—or even less from Peshawar. But while the ruling elite can immediately deploy helicopters and jets for personal use, the citizens of this country are left to die without help.' He held the ruling class responsible for monopolizing national resources and failing to provide even basic facilities to the common man. 'The people have been abandoned. The government has failed to protect lives,' he said. He pointed out that the PTI has been in power in KP for over 13 years, yet the Swat tragedy once again exposed its incompetence. He demanded that all illegal encroachments — especially those on riverbanks—and unauthorized hotels in tourist areas must be immediately removed to prevent future disasters. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Protest staged against US strikes on Iran
There have been monthly protests in the British capital since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas. Photo AFP On the call of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, a nationwide Day of Protest was observed on Monday against US terrorism targeting Iran. In Karachi, JI Youth staged a demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club. Protesters raised slogans such as Death to America and Israel, and We stand with Iran and Palestine. They carried placards denouncing the US-Israel alliance as a nexus of evil and murderers of the Ummah. JI Vice Ameer Muslim Pervez, JI Youth President Hashim Abdali, and other leaders, condemned the US airstrikes and accused President Donald Trump of proving America to be the "biggest global terrorist." They warned that the joint aggression by the US and Israel is not only a direct threat to Iran, but also to regional stability and Pakistan's security. Speakers criticised the Pakistani government's recommendation for a Nobel Prize for Donald Trump, calling it "shameful and hypocritical."
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Jamaat-e-Islami rejects federal budget, terms it elitist and anti-people
Listen to article Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has strongly rejected the federal budget, branding it a 'pro-elite document' that exacerbates poverty, inflation, and inequality. Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Wednesday, he said the government has failed to provide relief to the common man, choosing instead to favor the ruling class and privileged segments of society. "The budget imposes a heavy tax burden on the salaried and middle-income groups while offering no meaningful concessions or structural reforms," he said. He termed claims of poverty reduction by the government as "delusional" and "contrary to ground realities," noting that over 110 million Pakistanis continue to live below the poverty line. Hafiz Naeem accused the government of mismanaging the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), alleging it has become a tool of political manipulation and corruption, particularly in Sindh. Rs700 billion allocated for poverty alleviation is being used for corrupt practices. This misuse must be investigated and those responsible punished," he asserted. He argued that if these funds were invested in IT education, Pakistan's IT industry revenues could have surpassed Rs300 billion. Criticising the deteriorating state of education, he highlighted that nearly 29.2 million children remain out of school, while 'ghost schools' continue to drain public funds through fraudulent means. He lamented the lack of investment in education despite repeated claims of an 'education emergency.' Speaking on taxation, Hafiz Naeem revealed that the salaried class contributed Rs 499 billion in taxes this year, yet received no relief. He called for complete tax exemption for salaried workers and condemned the fact that 111 departments, including military-run organizations and private entities like Zia Hospital, are exempted from taxes while the poor are burdened with inflated utility bills. He sharply criticised the recent 600% increase in the salaries of the National Assembly Speaker and Senate Chairman, questioning the silence of government officials on the matter. He also denounced the imposition of an 11% tax on solar energy systems, calling it a violation of environmental and energy conservation commitments. "The government and opposition only pretend to be adversaries, but unite when it comes to enhancing their perks and privileges," he stated. Commenting on the economy, Hafiz Naeem said the country's current growth rate of 0.45% reflects policy failures, especially the "anti-farmer measures" taken by successive governments. He criticized agriculture credit schemes as "publicity stunts" that do not deliver real support to farmers, and pointed to a 30% decline in cotton cultivation as a consequence of neglectful policies. He described the ongoing use of outdated tools like Form 47 as emblematic of the systemic rot in agricultural governance. He further alleged that public funds are being collected through excessive taxation without any tangible benefits in return, whether in education, health, or public safety. Referring to Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements, he said that promises of reduced electricity tariffs remain unfulfilled, while increases in petroleum levies amount to 'daylight robbery' from citizens' pockets. "The government has conceded that it may fall short of revenue targets by Rs1,500 billion and intends to impose an additional Rs 500 billion in taxes. What then is the logic behind such a budget?" he asked. Citing debt figures, Hafiz Naeem said every Pakistani now owes Rs76,000, with Rs5 trillion out of Rs11 trillion in total debt servicing going towards interest payments. "If interest rates were halved, it would significantly reduce electricity and gas prices," he added. He called the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) a "hub of corruption," advocating for deep institutional reforms or even the disbanding of the FBR to improve tax collection and eliminate debt dependency. He accused the FBR of using threats of anti-corruption action to facilitate further corruption. Demanding a reduction in civil and military privileges, he urged the government to redirect national resources toward the genuine needs of the people, especially defense requirements rooted in strategic necessity, not extravagance. Reaffirming his support for farmers, Hafiz Naeem announced a campaign against injustices faced by the agrarian community, citing previous success in securing reduced electricity tariffs following public pressure against IPPs. On foreign affairs, he alleged that India's intelligence agency, RAW, is involved in sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan. "There can be no negotiations with entities complicit in terrorism," he stressed. He also urged Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to pursue serious diplomatic efforts on the Kashmir issue and demanded a clear and principled stance from the Pakistani government against US and Israeli policies.
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Field Marshal must act on Kashmir, Palestine too: Hafiz Naeem
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called on the country's military leadership to actively take up the causes of Kashmir and Palestine. Addressing a large rally titled "Down with Israel and India" at Koh-i-Noor Chowk, he said Pakistan must go beyond statements and play a leading role in supporting oppressed Muslims globally. He said, "If we don't raise our voice for Gaza and Kashmir, we will lose the nation's support. One who saves a life saves all humanity-this is our duty." He also criticised Pakistan's political elite for remaining silent on Israeli aggression, accusing PML-N, PPP and PTI of fearing US displeasure. Hafiz Naeem praised countries like South Africa, Spain and Ireland for taking a bold stand against Israel, and urged Pakistan to lead a Muslim world summit, both political and military, to demand an end to Israeli atrocities and Indian occupation in Kashmir. He warned that continued silence and inaction from Muslim rulers and Pakistan's own establishment would erode public trust. "People backed you against India despite their grievances. But if you stay quiet on Palestine and Kashmir, the nation will stop standing with you," he said.
