ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has warned against further ‘displacement experiments’ in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, stating that playing with fire in the region is dangerous.
Military operations were not a solution to establishing peace, instead there was the need to address the root causes of terrorism, the JI emir emphasised while addressing a tribal peace jirga, organised by his party in Islamabad.
“The people of Pakistan demand peace at all costs, if we are not given a peaceful and stable Pakistan, we must at least ensure one for future generations — this country is our home,” he said.
Hafiz Naeem strongly criticised what he dubbed as a US agenda of pitting the neighbouring Muslim countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan, against each other.
Hafiz Naeem calls for a meaningful dialogue between Islamabad, Kabul
He called for a meaningful dialogue between the two nations, urging both sides to respect each other’s sovereignty, independence, and dignity, and added that Afghanistan’s territory must never be used for destabilising Pakistan, and it is the Afghan government’s responsibility to curb cross-border terrorism.
“We need to engage China, Iran, and Russia for regional peace and security and the Pakistani nation will not accept playing the role of a proxy for US interests,” he asserted.
The JI emir called on the government and institutions to take all political stakeholders into confidence to ensure durable peace.
He attributed Pakistan’s internal security challenges to its involvement in America-led war on terror, calling it a “historic blunder” initiated under former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.
“A few individuals made that decision, and today, 250 million Pakistanis are paying the price,” he remarked.
Reaffirming JI’s stance against military operations, he stated true peace could only be achieved by providing facilities and employment opportunities to the people.
He recalled how JI’s past leadership had also opposed military operations but was wrongly accused of being anti-Pakistan.
“Let me make it clear Jamaat-i-Islami does not need a patriotism certificate from anyone,” he declared. He urged the government to bring all political stakeholders together for restoration of peace to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan and all other parts of Pakistan.
The jirga was attended by tribal elders and leaders from various political parties.
Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2025
