LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Saturday called for a dialogue among all political stakeholders and respect for the Constitution as necessary steps to restore peace in the country.

“The security situation, particularly in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and Balochistan, is at its worst,” Rehman said during a press conference at Mansoora.

“The government, opposition, the military establishment, and all other stakeholders must set aside their egos and come together for the sake of the country and for peace,” he said.

Rehman offered the Jamaat-i-Islami’s platform to facilitate these dialogues, while also urging discussions with Kabul. He emphasised that the Taliban government in Afghanistan should assume a responsible role in promoting peace in the region.

He warned the government against introducing ‘controversial’ constitutional amendments regarding the retirement age and number of Supreme Court judges.

He called on the chief justice of Pakistan (CJP) to clarify his position on the matter and urged him to refuse any extension in office in any case, should it be offered.

He stressed the importance of cooperation between institutions, noting that if the civil government in KP is taking responsibility for internal security, the military must fully support them. He warned against creating unnecessary divisions between the police and the army, calling for unity in addressing internal security challenges.

The JI emir underscored that progress and public welfare would be possible only if all institutions adhered to the constitutional boundaries.

Published in Dawn, September 15th, 2024