After taking oath as JI chief: Hafiz Naeem announces nationwide movement against govt

Lahore: Jamaat-e-Islami emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has announced a nationwide protest movement against the government and asked workers to get ready for it.

After taking oath and assuming the office of JI emir at Mansoorah on Thursday, he invited like-minded political parties to unite with JI in this regard.

Hafiz Naeem asked institutions to remain apolitical, asserting that the responsibility to govern lies solely with duly elected representatives.

JI upholds the sanctity of the Constitution and advocates for peaceful political dissent, said the JI chief, adding the nation has been suffering due to systemic corruption and inefficiency. He called on those in power to acknowledge their failures.

Earlier, the swearing-in ceremony was attended by former JI emir Sirajul Haq as well as other leaders, JI supporters and members of diverse backgrounds.

Paying homage to the esteemed legacy of former JI chiefs, including Syed Maududi, Mian Tufail, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Syed Munawar Hassan and Sirajul Haq, the newly elected JI chief underscored the party’s commitment to continue its struggle under the guidelines they established. He reiterated JI’s global vision, transcending sectarian divides and regional biases in pursuit of an inclusive Islamic movement.

Hafiz Naeem outlined JI’s multifaceted agenda, including the “Banu Qabil Program” aimed at providing education to one million children, addressing concerns over the prevailing biased educational system, advocating for the rights of women and prioritizing youth empowerment as pivotal for the nation’s future.

He said the JI would continue raising the issue of missing persons and extended an invitation to all citizens to join JI in their fight against corrupt system. Regarding foreign policy, the newly elected JI chief opposed to any trade agreements with India at the expense of Kashmiri lives and pledged unwavering support for the people of Palestine. He lamented the stalled progress on the Iran-Pakistan Gas Pipeline, attributing it to external pressures.

He also criticized the inflated electricity tariffs from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).