Karachi: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has once again vowed that a major sit-in would be held outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14 for Karachi's rights, resolution of civic issues, and an empowered city government, come what may.
The JI supreme leader expressed these views while addressing a press conference, held at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, here on Thursday.
Speaking on the occasion, he said a no-confidence motion would also be brought against the 'usurper mayor,' adding that the system of oppression and occupation would no longer be allowed to continue and Karachi must be given its due rights.
He emphasized that the JI believes in peaceful, democratic, and public struggle, and called on all provincial governments to empower local bodies in accordance with the Constitution.
He criticized the federal government's decision to abolish net metering and impose fixed electricity charges, calling it a betrayal of the public. He claimed Independent Power Producers (IPPs) receive Rs2 trillion annually while poor consumers are burdened with additional charges. He announced a nationwide protest movement after Ramadan against these decisions.
He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to address the nation and clarify the government's stance on sending Pakistani troops to Gaza. He also demanded that the government rehabilitate displaced residents of Tirah Valley in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and provide compensation amid severe winter conditions.
Criticizing the Pakistan Peoples Party's 17-year rule in Sindh, he said Karachi had been neglected, deprived of funds, and pushed toward destruction despite being the country's economic hub. He stated that even with limited powers in nine towns, the JI had carried out work on schools, parks, roads, water reservoirs, and sanitation.
He said Karachi's population is 35 million, while the census lists only 20 million. He alleged that 100,000 buildings were constructed in five years, 85,000 of them illegally, calling them 'time bombs.' Referring to the Gul Plaza tragedy, he blamed the Sindh government's incompetence, corruption, and the performance of the Sindh Building Control Authority. He added that international standards require one fire station per 100,000 people, whereas Karachi has only 28, of which 21 are partially functional.
He also expressed concern over Pakistan's reported participation in a so-called 'Peace Board' under Donald Trump alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying Pakistan has never recognized Israel and joining such a platform contradicts national policy and public sentiment. He warned that any proposed 'International Stabilization Force' in Gaza would effectively work against Palestinian resistance rather than Israel, and including Pakistani forces would go against national dignity and public beliefs.
Condemning Israeli and U.S. actions in Gaza, he described the bombardment as one of the worst brutalities in human history and accused global powers of hypocrisy in claiming to promote peace while enabling destruction.
On Balochistan, he said repeated military operations since 1948 had failed to resolve issues and instead deepened deprivation, arguing that flawed state policies allow external forces to exploit the situation. He maintained that the JI has consistently raised its voice for Baloch rights and highlighted public mobilizations and youth programs, including over 100,000 registrations under the Bano Qabil initiative in Quetta, Jaffarabad, and Gwadar.
JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar, Deputy Ameer and Opposition Leader Saifuddin Advocate, Deputy Ameer Muslim Parvez, Secretary Karachi Taufiq-ud-Din Siddiqui, Information Secretary Zahid Askari, K-Electric Complaint Cell head Imran Shahid, and others flanked the JI supremo at the presser.