JI Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rahman Warns Against New Military Operation, Calls for Peace and Reform

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeemur Rahman issued a stern warning to the government on Sunday, advising against any new military operation which he described as pushing the country towards a “new blind war.” Speaking to traders’ representatives, Hafiz Naeemur Rahman emphasized that the country’s affairs must be managed in accordance with the desires of the people to ensure peace, which is essential for both politics and business to function effectively.

“The establishment, rulers, and bureaucracy should confess their failures and mend their ways,” he stated. Highlighting the detrimental impact of past foreign interventions, he argued that Pakistan’s economy and people had suffered enormously due to the US war in Afghanistan, with losses amounting to $200 billion and the deaths of 100,000 people.

Hafiz Naeem criticized the federal government’s involvement in the sugar industry and other economic policies, highlighting issues like cruel taxation and inflated electricity bills. He demanded a forensic audit of Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and urged the government to review agreements made with them.

Accompanied by JI provincial president Prof Mohammad Ibrahim Khan, deputy chief Dr Ataur Rahman, and traders’ representatives, Hafiz Naeem emphasized the need for the government to focus on sustainable economic practices and warned against the repercussions of mismanagement. In his remarks, he also condemned the unjust tax system, pointing out that while the salaried class was heavily taxed, the feudal and elite classes contributed significantly less. He stressed the importance of bringing the feudal class under the tax net and called for greater transparency in government dealings.