JI warns of post-Eid mobilisation drive

Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday warned of a nationwide mobilisation after Eid, denouncing the country's current judicial and political system for "failing to deliver justice". He said that the system required a fundamental overhaul rather than a mere change of governments. He announced that JI would launch a nationwide membership drive from April 25 to May 15 to bring millions into the party, urging workers to actively participate in the campaign. Addressing a gathering of party workers at the party's centre in Peshawar, the JI chief said changing political parties would not resolve the crisis, arguing that "the real issue is to change the entire system". He slammed mainstream parties, saying those seeking power and seats could join the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), or Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), while those committed to systemic change should align with his party. He stressed the need to strengthen local governments, rejecting the concentration of authority in the bureaucracy. He said empowering administrative officers such as assistant commissioners and deputy commissioners with funds was unacceptable, calling instead for the end of monopolies held by a few individuals. Regarding the education crisis, he said ten million children in Punjab and over five million in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa remain out of school. Hafiz Naeem alleged that the United States "could never be a friend to Muslims", though mediation efforts should continue. Referring to Pakistan's past alignment with Washington, he said the country gained nothing from supporting the US in 2001. While acknowledging Pakistan's role in promoting peace now, he urged a dignified foreign policy rather than closer ties with US President Donald Trump, stating that "they have become humiliated". He added that ceasefire efforts were moving in the right direction, noting that Iran had opened the Strait of Hormuz while the US had not lifted its blockade. "Efforts toward reconciliation and a ceasefire are appropriate, but subservience to the United States is unacceptable. American friendship has brought us nothing but terrorism," he said. He added that the US had repeatedly undermined Pakistan, including during the 1971 crisis in Pakistan and the post-2001 period, which he said brought terrorism and economic damage. He said the government collected Rs180 billion during six weeks of war and raised billions more through the petroleum levy, alleging that "the government does not miss any opportunity to raid public pockets". He added that Rs1,234 billion had been collected under the levy in the current fiscal year and denounced the PML-N and PPP for failing to take a clear stance against US actions and Trump.