TAXILA: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Wednesday strongly opposed any proposal to deploy Pakistani forces in Gaza, asserting that Pakistan must not be drawn into overseas conflicts and should instead play a principled political and diplomatic role in support of oppressed peoples.

Addressing a large public gathering in Attock, he urged the prime minister to represent the nation’s interests rather than pleasing global powers.

He said the true objectives of Pakistan’s independence have yet to be achieved, stressing that the country continues to function under an outdated, colonial-style system that needs fundamental change. He added that the bureaucracy acts as a custodian of the British-era system and considers itself the ruler instead of the servants of the people. He alleged that both civil and military establishments are still operating within the same inherited framework, while political parties seek power by appeasing the establishment instead of strengthening democracy.

Highlighting domestic challenges, he criticised delays in the justice system, citing 2.3 million pending court cases, and pointed to the lack of access to quality education for three million out-of-school children.

He also condemned the neglect of labourers and farmers, noting that workers’ rights, registrations and minimum wage protections remain unfulfilled despite government promises.

Mr Rehman said Pakistan does not need new faces but a complete overhaul of the system. He said the Constitution clearly defines the limits of state institutions and urged powerful quarters to stop distributing “certificates of treason.” Criticising the assemblies formed under what he termed “Form 47,” he said they had passed an anti-democratic local government law, calling it a “black law.”

He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would hold a public referendum against the law on January 15 and would also relaunch a nationwide movement against what he described as the Independent Power Producers (IPPs) mafia.

On foreign policy, the JI chief said no mediation on Kashmir would be acceptable without the right of self-determination. He cautioned Afghanistan against pinning hopes on India, saying India could never be a well-wisher of Muslims.

He called for dialogue between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stating that conflict between Muslim countries only benefits their enemies.

Published in Dawn, January 8th, 2026