Islamabad: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that the entire nation is preparing with full unity to participate in nationwide strike today (Saturday) to express solidarity with the people of Palestine.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Friday, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also issued a stern warning to India, stating that any act of aggression against Pakistan would be met with a crushing response.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urged the Pakistani government to convene a joint session of Parliament to address India's provocative actions and unify the nation's political leadership. 'Our internal differences can wait - we must first confront the enemy together,' he said.
He criticized India's recent rhetoric and actions, particularly regarding the Indus Waters Treaty, warning that New Delhi's behavior is tantamount to imposing war. 'The Indus Waters Treaty cannot be unilaterally scrapped. India's efforts to render Pakistan barren and its blatant human rights violations in Occupied Kashmir must be condemned by the global community,' he asserted.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also denounced India, the United States, and Israel as the unholy triangle responsible for global instability and violence. 'These powers are spilling the blood of humanity everywhere. Wars are won by nations, and right now, our nation must unite against the evil triangle,' he added.
Referring to the situation in occupied Kashmir, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the Modi-led Indian government has orchestrated a false flag operation in Pahalgam, and recalled previous incidents - including the Chittisinghpura massacre, the 2001 Indian Parliament attack, and the 2008 Mumbai attacks - in which Pakistan was falsely implicated. He cited former US President Bill Clinton's remarks about the 2000 massacre of Sikhs, suggesting that the attack was timed with Clinton's visit and would not have occurred otherwise.
He said the Pakistani Foreign Office has delayed response to India's recent provocations. 'There is no benefit to trade with a country that kills our people. Until Kashmir issue is resolved per UN resolutions, such trade only serves India,' he said.
Speaking on Palestine, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said Saturday's strike would send a strong message to the world: Pakistan stands firmly with the Palestinian people. 'This strike is a symbol of national unity. From Lahore to Karachi to Islamabad, we have already held massive Gaza solidarity marches, including the largest one in the capital's history,' he said.
He praised the Palestinian resistance, particularly Hamas, saying it had revived the cause of Al-Aqsa Mosque and dealt a blow to Israel's expansionist agenda. 'While Israel is now targeting women and children out of frustration, even in the West, people are standing with Hamas,' he said, adding critics of Hamas are American proxies. 'Indian troops are also reportedly aiding Israeli forces - this should not be overlooked,' he noted.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called on the government to take concrete steps to unite the nation. 'The issues of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, missing persons, and Afghan repatriation must be addressed. Justice for the people is essential to national cohesion. All forces must prepare for any potential conflict with India - we will not compromise on our sovereignty and dignity.'
Answering journalists' questions, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman demanded the release of all political prisoners and emphasized that political parties may disagree with the government, but not with the country. He also demanded an apology from former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif for the statement used by India against Pakistan at the International Court of Justice.
Meanwhile in response to an appeal by Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, a nationwide shutter-down strike will be observed today (Saturday) to express solidarity with the people of Gaza. According to a statement issued from Mansoora, shops, markets, and business centers across the country - including the federal capital and major cities - will remain closed.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has vowed that the strike will be one of the most successful in Pakistan's history. He said that traders and shopkeepers, not only in cities but also in towns and villages, have expressed their willingness to participate by shutting down businesses for the day.
'This strike is a protest against the evil triangle of the United States, Israel, and India - the real sponsors of terrorism and enemies of humanity across the world,' said the JI chief. 'It is not just the Jamaat's call; it is a message from the entire nation.'
He urged all trade organizations to set aside internal differences and unite to send a clear and powerful message of support to the Palestinian people. He added that the shutdown would send a strong signal to the global community that the people of Pakistan will not tolerate the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
He also called on leaders of the Muslim world to break their silence and take practical steps to support the people of Gaza, saying that the strike would serve as a wake-up call for them to abandon apathy and act decisively.