Latest news with #JI
Business Recorder
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
JI allowed to stage ‘Balochistan March' protest outside LPC
LAHORE: The two-day negotiations between Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) and the Punjab government concluded successfully on Wednesday, resulting in an agreement allowing the participants of the Haq Do Balochistan Long March to stage a peaceful protest and set up a camp outside the Lahore Press Club. A key outcome of the talks was the decision to initiate formal negotiations between a high-powered federal government committee and JI Balochistan Chief Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman over the demands of the march. The announcement was made at a joint press conference addressed by JI Naib Ameer Liaqat Baloch and Punjab Senior Minister Maryam Aurangzeb. They were joined by JI Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman, Punjab Ministers Salman Rafique and Sohail Bhatti, JI Punjab Central Emir Javed Kasuri, and Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari. Liaqat Baloch stated that JI and the people of Punjab stand in solidarity with the people of Balochistan and would not compromise on their constitutional rights. He called for a political solution to national issues and a comprehensive national dialogue. Maryam Aurangzeb announced that the federal dialogue committee will comprise ministers Mohsin Naqvi, Jam Kamal, Atta Tarar, PM's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State Talal Chaudhry, the Federal Interior Secretary, and the Special Secretary. The committee will engage in direct talks with a delegation led by Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman in Islamabad with the Punjab government acting as a facilitator. She expressed Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif's support for the legitimate demands of the Baloch people and thanked JI leadership including Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, Liaqat Baloch, Ameerul Azeem, and Maulana Hidayat-ur-Rehman for their cooperation. Aurangzeb also apologized for the difficulties faced by marchers upon entering Punjab and assured dignified treatment for all participants. Hidayat-ur-Rehman outlined the key demands of the march, which include peace in Balochistan, fair access to provincial resources, legalization of cross-border trade, an end to harassment in the name of security, and the release of Dr Mahrang Baloch and other detainees. He expressed optimism that the federal government would respond positively to these democratic and constitutional demands. JI Secretary General Ameerul Azeem reaffirmed the party's unwavering support for the people of Balochistan and emphasized that granting their rights is essential for lasting peace. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Balochistan rights march rerouted
A potential standoff over the 'Balochistan Haq Do March' was averted on Wednesday after successful negotiations between the Punjab government and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), leading to a revised plan for the protest caravan. Instead of heading to Islamabad, participants would proceed peacefully to the Lahore Press Club, while a delegation of JI leaders and march organisers will travel to the federal capital for formal negotiations. The long march, which began in Quetta five days ago, seeks to spotlight longstanding grievances of the Baloch people — including enforced disappearances, political marginalisation, and limited inclusion in national development projects such as the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). It had reached Lahore on Monday, with the next stop originally planned for Islamabad. However, the situation grew tense overnight as Punjab Police sealed off JI headquarters in Mansoorah, deploying heavy contingents and restricting the movement of protesters. Talks resumed in the morning and led to a consensus on a de-escalated path forward. Punjab's Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb led the government's negotiation team, which included Law Minister Sohaib Bharth and Health Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique. Representing JI were Deputy Emir Liaqat Baloch, Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, and Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch, who is leading the march. The senior minister described the two days of negotiations as "constructive and sincere," praising Jamaat-e-Islami for its peaceful and responsible conduct. She confirmed that the protesters would now demonstrate at the Lahore Press Club, where they would highlight their demands in a lawful and dignified manner. "Punjab government will extend full hospitality to our Baloch brothers," she said. "Their protection and dignity are our constitutional and moral responsibility."
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Constitution exists but it is not followed, says JI chief
LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has said that a cruel and exploitative system continues to dominate Pakistan where the constitution exists but not implemented. 'Even judges today are dissatisfied with the justice system. While the wealthy can buy justice, the poor are left to suffer for generations in the courts,' he said. Addressing participants of the central training workshop at Mansoora on Saturday, he stressed that the Jamaat-e-Islami is striving to provide justice to the people at the grassroots level. 'Feudal landlords exploit the farmers, capitalists and contractors feed off the sweat of labourers, and the sugar mill mafia loots the people while sitting in the government itself,' he said. 'This exploitative rule must end and the public must stand with Jamaat-e-Islami to bring about this change.' Rehman emphasized that the 'Haq Do Balochistan Ko' movement is not a cause of a single ethnic group but a struggle for the rights of the entire province. 'Every citizen deserves equal rights over their resources, their land, and their dignity.' He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami is forming people's committees in every village, town, neighbourhood, and union council across the country. These committees aim to fight injustice and lawlessness, while also tackling drug abuse, especially among youth. 'They will lead community-driven efforts to reform the education system, rehabilitate crumbling public school buildings, and address municipal and civic problems including the care and maintenance of mosques,' he added. The JI chief urged the youth to engage not only in education and sports but also in healthy competition for moral and social development. 'We need youth who lead their communities in good deeds,' he stated. Criticizing Pakistan's deepening debt and subservience to the IMF, he said, 'Those who have chained the country to foreign loans are looting the nation. Big landlords and industrialists refuse to pay taxes while expanding their private businesses by usurping public rights. Meanwhile, the burden is placed entirely on the poor, as the ruling elite continues to raise their salaries and perks.' He said that business and industry is essential for job creation, expanding private empires through land grabbing is an unforgivable crime. 'Jamaat-e-Islami will continue to adopt every legal and democratic path to secure the rights of the working class, small farmers, and oppressed citizens.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
6 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
K-P rejects operations, Taliban distinction
Listen to article The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa government has strongly opposed any military operation within the province, categorically rejecting the distinction between "good" and "bad" Taliban and denouncing the use of "drone strikes' on its territory. The provincial government's announcement came as K-P Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur addressed a media briefing after hosting an in-camera All Parties Conference (APC) at the Chief Minister's House in Peshawar. The conference was attended by members of the provincial cabinet, MPAs, and representatives of various political parties, including JI, JUI-S, PTI, QWP, and PTI-Parliamentarians, as well as former K-P governors Shaukatullah and Shah Farman. The participants of the meeting were briefed on the current law and order situation in K-P and the efforts of the provincial government to curb terrorism in the province. The chief minister noted that the federal authorities and their security forces must protect the borders, while the provincial police are fully capable of combating terrorism within K-P. "We have been repeatedly saying that there is no room for good or bad Taliban in the province. Individuals carrying weapons under the name of any institution will not be allowed to remain in the province," he asserted. "Those supporting good Taliban must immediately expel them from the province. They are the reason the gap between the government, the public and state institutions is widening," he added. The APC issued a joint action plan outlining several key points, including an expression of solidarity with the families of terrorism victims. The conference called for intelligence-based operations (IBOs) to eliminate khawarij and restore long-term peace in the province. All political parties, tribal elders, public, K-P government, administration, and law enforcement agencies reaffirm their commitment to taking decisive and indiscriminate action for lasting peace and the elimination of terrorism, the joint-action plan read. Briefing the media on the current law and order situation, the chief minister announced that jirgas are being held in every tribal district and that a grand jirga will be convened in 15 days. "Operations are not a solution to any problem and have yielded no significant results. (Both the) security forces and civilians have suffered losses as a result of the operations. We are sending a clear message that we will not allow any kind of operation in our province, nor is any such action acceptable to us," Gandapur said. "Drone strikes [are also] unacceptable as even terrorists have begun using drones, putting ordinary citizens at risk." The chief minister stated that the provincial government would recruit 300 police officers in each tribal district through local tribes to strengthen law enforcement capacity. The chief minister also took aim at the federal government, stating that promises made under the NFC Award have not been fulfilled. "Our provincial assets belong to the province and cannot be handed over to any other authority." He rejected any "federal overreach" through proposed legislation like the Mines and Minerals Bill. Gandapur condemned the imposition of taxes in former FATA and PATA, which he said violates repeated provincial demands. "We do not accept these taxes and will not cooperate with the federal government on their implementation," he stated. He further opposed turning the Frontier Constabulary (FC) into a federal force and announced that the province will challenge the move in court, noting that K-P was not consulted on the decision. Taking a swipe at federal officials, the chief minister said: "(DPM/FM) Ishaq Dar lacks the competence to effectively advocate for this province. (Interior Minister) Mohsin Naqvi only understands cricket and flyovers. He has no knowledge of K-P's ground realities." Gandapur also criticized political parties that boycotted the APC, saying they lack the courage to face the conference's decisions and are indirectly encouraging chaos and terrorism. However, he maintained that the K-P government remains open to dialogue. "Our doors are still open for them. If they wish to reconvene or renegotiate for the sake of the province, we are ready." On Afghanistan, Gandapur said the global community has accepted the Afghan government, and constructive engagement is now needed.
Business Recorder
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
JI launches tree-plantation drive
KARACHI: In a bid to tackle the growing climate crisis and environmental degradation in Karachi, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi has launched a city-wide plantation campaign titled 'Let's Make Karachi Green,' aiming to plant 100,000 saplings across the megacity. The initiative was formally launched on Wednesday in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, where JI Karachi Chief, Monem Zafar, along with Town Chairman Dr Fawad planted the first sapling of the campaign. Speaking to the media, Zafar emphasised that the campaign was part of a broader climate strategy led by JI to counter rising temperatures, urban heat, and deteriorating air quality in the city. 'Karachi was once known for its 'cold roads' lined with trees,' he recalled. 'Now, in many areas, we're left with nothing but concrete jungle. It is our responsibility to restore greenery and bring back Karachi's lost environment.' He said that the drive would be implemented across all towns under the supervision of local chairmen and union councils to ensure meaningful and sustained impact. Criticizing the Sindh government for what he termed as 'environmental negligence,' the JI leader questioned the fate of 50,000 trees promised by the provincial administration. 'Where is the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency? What happened to their commitments?' He also slammed the government for chopping down trees during Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects without adequate re-plantation efforts. 'Development should not come at the cost of ecological collapse.' Highlighting the party's recent contributions, Monem Zafar said that JI had restored over 155 public parks during the past two years and introduced innovative ideas such as roadside jungles, urban forests, and rainwater harvesting systems to conserve natural resources. The JI leader said Karachi deserves at least Rs500 billion for its development, not just Rs20 billion. We demand a minimum of Rs2 billion for each of the city's towns. He expressed concern over the large number of unsafe structures in the megacity, especially in District South. 'Out of 749 buildings declared dangerous by the Sindh Building Control Authority, 400 are in District South alone. Who allowed 8-storey buildings on 8-yard plots,' he questioned. Zafar pointed out that while the World Health Organisation recommends one tree for every seven individuals. He said Karachi's ratio is shockingly low—estimated at one tree for every 1,000 people. 'This is a wake-up call. The megacity ranks 170 out of 173 in the global livability index. If we don't act now, future generations will suffer even more.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
