KARACHI (Dunya News) – Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, has announced plans to launch a “massive movement” after Eid, intensifying his party’s campaign for empowered local governance in Karachi.
Addressing party workers in the city, he said Orangi Town had granted Jamaat-e-Islami a historic mandate in the local government elections, adding that a petition concerning alleged occupation of six union councils is currently pending before the Supreme Court.
He maintained that if the party’s town chairman had been allowed to function in Orangi, development work would have progressed as in other union councils.
Hafiz Naeem alleged that parties rejected by voters had been imposed upon Karachi’s residents. He sharply criticised the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), calling it “anti-Karachi”, and accused it, along with the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), of pushing the city towards decline. He claimed both parties had shared power for years without addressing Karachi’s core issues.
Referring to shifting political alliances, he said MQM had remained a coalition partner in successive governments, including during the tenure of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
He alleged that while political leaders accumulated wealth abroad, residents of Orangi Town were deprived of basic facilities.
The Jamaat chief stated that Karachi contributes 42 per cent of national taxes and 54 per cent of revenue, yet the provincial government remains unwilling to devolve administrative and financial powers to the city. He emphasised that Jamaat-e-Islami’s demand was not limited to Karachi but extended to all cities of Sindh, calling for a fully empowered local government system.
He also criticised PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto’s vision for development, arguing that Karachi’s residents continue to face shortages of water and electricity.
He further raised concerns about alleged issues in the issuance of identity documentation to Orangi residents and urged supporters to mobilise outside NADRA offices.
On regional tensions, Hafiz Naeem said conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan would serve neither country’s interests. He urged both governments to resolve disputes peacefully and cautioned against escalation, stating that war would bring no benefit to Muslims on either side.
Concluding his address, he reiterated that Jamaat-e-Islami would launch a large-scale movement after Eid to press for its demands, warning that no concessions would be granted on the issue of local empowerment.