LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has urged the opposition parties to openly oppose the government’s decision to send troops to Gaza, calling the move unacceptable and harmful to Pakistan’s dignity and sovereignty.

Addressing participants at a central training camp in Mansoora on Thursday, Mr Rehman criticised the government’s reliance on US President Donald Trump, describing it as submission to unjust global powers. He said the prime minister’s decision to nominate a US president – whom he had accused of undermining global peace – for the Nobel Peace Prize had seriously damaged national honour.

The JI chief also condemned a proposed bill in the Punjab Assembly aimed at establishing “red zones” in districts to restrict protests, calling it another undemocratic move.

Questioning the legitimacy of what he termed “Form-47 imposed rulers,” he asked who they were to deprive citizens of their constitutional right to protest. He criticised provisions empowering intelligence committees under deputy commissioners to approve or deny protest permissions, questioning whether elected representatives would now be forced to seek approval from bureaucrats.

Hafiz Naeem announces ‘Million March’ in Karachi on Feb 1

Mr Rehman stressed that empowered local governments in major cities were the only solution to urban problems. He criticised the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for proposing to place Karachi under federal control, calling it a political gimmick. He said the people of Karachi were frustrated with both the MQM and the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), alleging that both parties had been imposed on the public without genuine mandates.

He said despite ruling Sindh for 17 years, the PPP had failed to provide Karachi with even a basic firefighting system. He accused a single family and feudal elites of controlling the party, adding that Bilawal Bhutto was being promoted as a “wonder boy” despite widespread misgovernance. He said the PML-N was similarly dominated by one family grooming successive generations for power.

Criticising the Punjab government, Mr Rehman said those who once chanted the slogan of “respect the vote” had introduced an anti-people local government system. He said naming bridges and installing decorative carts were not symbols of development, accusing rulers of burdening the public with taxes while indulging in personal publicity campaigns. He said Rs2.2 trillion had been paid to the independent power producers (IPPs) in a single year, alleging that the ‘IPP mafia’ existed across all political parties.

Referring to the wheat crisis, he said farmers were paid Rs2,000 per maund in Punjab, while flour was now being sold at Rs6,000, questioning why 120 million people were being exploited. He asserted that the ruling elites of Punjab and Sindh were partners in corruption and exploitation.

The JI emir reiterated that JI would not accept an undemocratic local government system in Punjab under any circumstances. He said the party would reclaim the public mandate in Karachi and announced that a “Million March” would be held in the port city on Feb 1.

Commenting on the situation in the Tirah Valley, he questioned the decision to vacate homes during snowfall, saying that both federal and provincial governments were responsible. He said residents were facing severe hardships. He warned that military operations alone would not resolve issues.

Published in Dawn, January 30th, 2026