We have demanded govt of Pakistan to play a leading role on the issue of Gaza: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman
Says Jamaat-e-Islami will hold Gaza marches on April 11 in Lahore, April 13 in Karachi, April 18 in Multan & April 20 in Islamabad
ISLAMABAD ( WEB NEWS )
Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has said that during his meeting with the Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, he demanded that the Government of Pakistan must play a leading role on the issue of Gaza. He said that the journalists who have visited Israel should be identified and held accountable, and those moving towards recognizing Israel must be stopped decisively.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed these views while addressing a press conference at the Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad office in Melody. He further demanded that the government should form a parliamentary delegation on Gaza and send it to all Muslim countries so that a unified strategy from the Muslim world can emerge.
Present at the press conference were Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch, Naib Emir Mian Muhammad Aslam, Director Foreign Affairs Asif Luqman Qazi, Emir Jamaat-e-Islami Islamabad Nasrullah Randhawa, Syed Farasat Shah Deputy Secretary General for Energy, Oil, and Gas, and others.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that they met with the Prime Minister and his team today and discussed various matters, including Gaza. He emphasized that the government needs to fulfill its role regarding Gaza.
He added, “People say that Pakistan’s economic conditions are bad, so we shouldn’t take such initiatives. But I believe the reason our conditions are bad is because we are not fulfilling the role we are supposed to play.”
He urged the government to form a delegation of parliamentarians and stakeholders to visit key Muslim countries. “Pakistan, along with Turkey and Indonesia, should launch a joint naval Freedom Flotilla to break the siege of Gaza,” he said. He stated that if Israel is not stopped now, this issue will not remain limited to Gaza—Israel is talking about a “Greater Israel.”
He warned that whoever supports Israel will be wiped out. He urged the Government of Pakistan to step forward and play its role. Pakistan has taken a strong stance on Palestine at the United Nations, but now the government must go beyond just providing aid.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman emphasized that Gaza is our top priority. He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami will hold Gaza marches on April 11 in Lahore, April 13 in Karachi, April 18 in Multan, and April 20 in Islamabad. The march in Islamabad will head towards the U.S. Embassy. “We will never recognize Israel,” he firmly declared.
“The most pressing global issue today is Gaza. Israel is committing genocide, while its Western backers, particularly the US, have exposed their true face,” said Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Referring to former US President Donald Trump, he said, “Trump shamelessly declares support for Israel—his stance is disgraceful.” He added that Pakistan must take a clear position and the Prime Minister should urgently visit Muslim countries to build consensus. “Some Muslim states are betraying the Palestinians; history will not forgive them,” he warned.
He said that he discussed the issue of electricity prices with the Prime Minister, and conveyed the demand that the basic electricity tariff should be reduced. He urged the Prime Minister to hold negotiations with all Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and further lower electricity bills, stating that this is essential for improving the economy.
He noted that inflation is high in the country, while petrol prices have dropped in the international market—the benefit of this should be passed on to the public.
He also pointed out that large landowners are not taxed, while the salaried class bears the tax burden. He warned that if their demands are not met, they will exercise their democratic right to protest.
He also criticized Pakistani journalists who recently visited Israel, saying action should be taken against them. “Neither did the founder of Pakistan recognize Israel, nor do we. Quaid-e-Azam called it the illegitimate child of the West,” he said.
On domestic issues, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the meeting also addressed the rising cost of electricity and fuel. “We welcome the recent reduction in electricity prices but emphasized that further cuts are needed. Global fuel price drops must reflect in Pakistan as well,” he said. He reaffirmed JI’s commitment to public struggle, and called on the government to honor all agreements made during the recent sit-ins.
Regarding the controversial Indus Canal Project, he urged the government to resolve the issue in consultation with all stakeholders, noting strong opposition in parts of Sindh and Punjab. “The water crisis must be addressed through the Council of Common Interests,” he added.
He also pressed for completion of development projects in Karachi, saying the city has been left neglected due to the power tussle between federal and provincial authorities. “Karachi’s problems won’t be solved through political theatrics,” he remarked.
Discussing Balochistan and KP, the JI chief called for greater attention to the issues in both provinces. “Balochistan’s resources must benefit its people first. The Prime Minister should set up an office in the province to address local issues closely,” he said. Drawing a historical parallel, he warned against ignoring the region’s grievances, referencing the fall of East Pakistan. “Balochistan’s youth must be brought into the national mainstream,” he emphasized.
He also called for urgent resolution of security challenges in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and advocated for meaningful peace talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan. “Conflict benefits only our enemies,” he said.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman emphasized that conditions in these provinces are deteriorating and that Balochistan should be given its due share in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).