Jamaat-e-Islami Chief Naeem-ur-Rehman Blames Establishment for Karachi Unrest, Calls for Sindh CM’s Resignation

Karachi: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has accused the establishment of fueling unrest in Karachi and urged it to end what he called “projects” targeting the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and its chairman, Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.

Speaking at a press conference at JI’s central office, Idara Noor-e-Haq, Rehman said that the people of Karachi are disillusioned with the system following the Gul Plaza tragedy. “The city is full of grief and anger. People feel there is no one to protect Karachi, and it is becoming unlivable,” he stated.

Rehman criticized authorities for imposing corrupt elements on the city and demanded accountability. “Those who allowed the corrupt mafia to take over through mayors and Form 47 must now fix the chaos. The Sindh Chief Minister has no justification to remain in office and should resign immediately,” he said.

He further questioned the establishment’s role, asking how long they would continue to impose these mafias on Karachi. According to him, the solution to the city’s problems lies in empowered local government as per the Constitution, not provincial or federal control.

Rehman condemned the Sindh government’s handling of public services, citing the Gul Plaza fire. He alleged that the provincial administration lacked proper firefighting equipment and training. He also criticized incomplete development projects funded by taxpayers and the inadequate public transport system.

“The city needs 15,000 buses, but the Sindh government provides only five double-decker buses and claims the transport issue is solved,” he said. He also claimed that Karachi’s municipal authorities are under provincial control, depriving citizens of local governance.

Rehman announced the “Jeene Do Karachi March” on February 1 along Shahrah-e-Faisal, saying it will chart a way forward to free the city from the so-called mafia and feudal dominance.

On foreign policy, Rehman criticized the federal government’s alignment with the US, condemning Prime Minister’s support for actions against Palestinians. “We stand with the teachings of Quaid-e-Azam on Israel and Palestine,” he said, questioning Pakistan’s stance in the context of the country’s Islamic ideology.