BATKHELA: Jamaat-i-Islami central chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said Pakistan is a resource-rich country but due to ‘incompetent’ rulers about 100 million people are forced to live below the poverty line.

He said along with promotion of religion, the role of seminaries was also very important in increasing literacy rate.

The JI chief expressed these views while addressing a graduation ceremony, where students completed Bukhari Sharif in Sakhakot area of Malakand district.

Mr Rehman awarded degrees to 36 students, including 20 men and 16 women, and presented them with certificates and shields.

The JI chief said that changing the faces would not fix the system. He claimed the US was the biggest terrorist country in the world as it was helping Israel commit atrocities on Palestinian people.

Naeemur Rehman said the ‘imperialist’ powers were trying to divide the Muslims under an organised conspiracy.

A protest rally, he said would be held in Islamabad on December 29 against the atrocities being committed in Palestine.

He said that all parties must demonstrate responsibility in the registration of seminaries.

Published in Dawn, December 23rd, 2024