‘Worsening law and order situation’ demands urgent, collective action: JI

LAHORE: Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that two years have passed since the rigged general elections, yet the government remains completely devoid of public support. He warned that the worsening law and order situation in Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country is deeply alarming and demands urgent, collective action.

Addressing the opening session of the three-day meeting of the Central Majlis-e-Shura at Mansoorah on Sunday, he said that both internal and external elements were fueling instability in the country. However, he stressed that military operations were not a sustainable solution and urged the rulers to take all political parties and stakeholders on board to formulate a comprehensive strategy to eliminate terrorism.

He said that instead of seeking the pleasure of US president Donald Trump, the government must frame policies in line with national dignity, sovereignty and public interest. Recalling Pakistan’s involvement in the US-led war on terror under General Pervez Musharraf, he said the nation was still paying the price, and warned that the current rulers were treading the same path, which would only bring further suffering.

The JI chief reiterated that real change was impossible without dismantling the obsolete system and its custodians. He said the party had launched the “Change the System” movement and would continue the struggle until its objectives were achieved. He announced that JI would continue its campaign for an empowered local government system and would also relaunch its movement against Independent Power Producers (IPPs) after Eid.

Rehman once again strongly opposed Pakistan’s participation in the proposed US-led Gaza Peace Board, terming it a parallel body to the United Nations and part of Washington’s broader agenda to restore a colonial order. He said the US was fully backing Israel and seeking to disarm Hamas, thereby depriving Palestinians of their right to self-defence.

He warned that any Pakistani military involvement in Gaza would effectively mean compliance with US dictates, which would be against national dignity and interests.

He praised Hamas’s resistance policy as exemplary for Islamic and resistance movements worldwide and lauded Maulana Fazl’s firm stance against joining the Gaza board. He said he had spoken to JUI-F chief by phone and would meet him soon.

Expressing concern over the situation in Tirah Valley, JI Emir stressed that dialogue, not force, was the way forward. He also reaffirmed JI’s opposition to the privatisation of public schools in Punjab and pledged full support to farmers, workers and other oppressed segments of society.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026