JI condemns FIR against Monem, raids on PTI's council members’ homes

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi on Monday strongly condemned the registration of an FIR against its city chief, Monem Zafar Khan, and the raids on the homes of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s (PTI) elected City Council members, terming the actions “cowardly” tactics by the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP)-led Sindh government.

KMC Opposition Leader and Deputy Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi, Saifuddin Advocate, said the FIR and subsequent raids had exposed the “true colours” of the PPP, accusing the ruling party of violating democratic norms and resorting to political victimisation. He maintained that the Sindh government was panicking in the face of growing public reaction against its policies.

Reacting to the FIR registered at Tipu Sultan Police Station against Monem Zafar Khan, Saifuddin Advocate also condemned what he described as the illegal arrest of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentary leader Mubashir Hafeez Haq and UC chairmen Tariq Shamsi and Riazullah. He pointed out that the Sindh government had issued a traffic plan for the “Let Karachi Live March” two days earlier and later registered an FIR after the march, calling it a clear case of double standards.

He said the PPP must develop the capacity to tolerate criticism of its so-called “wonder boy,” adding that preventing political parties from holding peaceful protests and intimidating them through arrests and FIRs reflected the party’s political weakness.

Saifuddin Advocate further stated that following the announcement of a no-confidence motion against the Mayor of Karachi, the targeting of City Council members through raids and arrests would not save mayorship of Murtaza Wahab.

He said late-night raids were conducted at the residences of City Council members Mustafa Afridi, Atiq Swati, Saad Khan, and Muhammad Faizan in an attempt to arrest them. Earlier, he added, the elected Town Chairman of Shah Faisal Town was also taken into what he termed “illegal” custody.

Accusing the PPP of once again displaying fascist tendencies, the KMC opposition leader said such actions amounted to an insult to the public mandate. He stressed that the time had come to eliminate the feudal mindset from the province and bring an end to the existing system.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026