KARACHI: The Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, has announced a massive sit-in protest outside the Sindh Assembly starting February 14. Addressing the “Jeene Do Karachi Ko” (Let Karachi Live) march on Shara-e-Faisal, he declared that the protest would continue through Ramadan, stating, “We will fast and offer Tarawih at the sit-in until we secure our rights.”
Mini Pakistan Under Siege by Feudalism
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman described Karachi as a “Mini Pakistan,” representing 30 million people. He lamented that while the youth seek education, the ruling “feudal and waderas” elite remain an obstacle to progress. He criticized the provincial and federal leadership for neglecting the city’s tragedies, specifically citing the recent Gul Plaza fire incident.
“When Gul Plaza was burning, the Mayor and Chief Minister arrived 23 hours later. Bilawal Bhutto and Asif Zardari failed to provide any relief to the victims,” Hafiz Naeem remarked, adding that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif did not even visit to offer condolences.
Demands for Local Government Power
The JI Chief rejected the tug-of-war between federal and provincial control over Karachi, demanding that local governments be empowered according to the Constitution. He accused the Bhutto family and a handful of landlords of “occupying” the province and treating Karachi’s resources as their own.
Key grievances highlighted during the march:
- Infrastructure: Billions spent on bus advertisements while citizens travel on broken roads with expensive fuel.
- Public Transport: Women and students are forced to travel in dilapidated Qingqi rickshaws.
- Health: Rising dust and pollution are causing widespread respiratory diseases.
- Utility Crisis: 50% of the city remains deprived of water while mega-projects like K-IV, Green Line, and Red Line face endless delays.
Call for Judicial Inquiry into Gul Plaza Tragedy
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman demanded a transparent judicial inquiry into the Gul Plaza fire, led by the Chief Justice of the High Court. He questioned the lack of fire safety systems and the reported shortage of water and diesel for fire tenders during the emergency. He further alleged that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) is being operated from “Zardari House.”
Political Stance and Future Action
Criticizing the alliance between PPP, PML-N, and MQM-P, he accused them of undercounting Karachi’s population in the census. He also slammed the “dynastic politics” prevalent in the country, stating that Pakistan cannot be ruled like a kingdom.
The JI chief concluded by urging the public to join the February 14 sit-in in even greater numbers. “This march is just the beginning. If we are denied our rights here, the protest will move toward the Parliament in Islamabad,” he warned.
