LAHORE ( WEB NEWS )
The Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, expressed concern over the eagerness of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leaders, including Mian Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif, to meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and engage in trade with India. He demanded that trade with India should not happen until the Kashmir issue is resolved. He also called for the reactivation of the dysfunctional Kashmir Committee and the formulation of a national policy on Kashmir.
He stated that discussions should be held with the five Independent Power Producers (IPPs) operating under the Pakistan Army’s Foundation, and the Army Chief should play a role in this. He suggested that the funds saved from the negotiations with the closed IPPs should provide immediate relief to the public in electricity bills, emphasizing that until electricity becomes affordable, the industry will not recover. He noted that the global oil prices have dropped by 5%, urging the government to reduce oil prices by up to 25 rupees per liter and eliminate levies by October 31.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman assured that Jamaat-e-Islami stands behind teachers and will not allow educational institutions to be handed over to NGOs. The membership campaign of Jamaat-e-Islami will continue, and a referendum regarding electricity bill payments will be conducted at its conclusion. He criticized the introduction of the 27th constitutional amendment, stating it distracts from the 26th amendment, which will be challenged in court soon.
In his press conference, he highlighted that India’s military presence in occupied Kashmir has intensified, and the special status of Kashmir has been revoked. He criticized the ruling party leaders for their affinity towards Modi, asserting that this sends a troubling message to the Kashmiris. He emphasized that any engagement with India must be predicated on resolving the Kashmir issue.
Hafiz Naeem expressed concern over the government’s portrayal of development statistics, which he believes do not reflect reality. He highlighted the alarming poverty rate of 40.5% as reported by the World Bank and the annual unemployment of 1.6 million youth. He lamented the privatization plans for 13,000 schools in Punjab, arguing that quality education should be a right for every child and cannot be handed over to NGOs.
He criticized the government’s failure to conduct local government elections since 2015, leaving citizens deprived of their basic rights. He reiterated that the 26th amendment will be legally challenged and remarked on the political interference in the Supreme Court, warning against attempts to undermine the judicial system.