JI Emir calls for nationwide struggle to overturn system exploiting ordinary citizens

JI Emir calls for nationwide struggle to overturn system exploiting ordinary citizens

Islamabad – December 3: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has said that Pakistan’s political and administrative system has been hijacked by elite families, feudal groups, personality-driven parties and the establishment, resulting in a structure that continuously exploits the common man. He said the party has formally begun its struggle to replace this exploitative order with a just and accountable system.
He was addressing a large gathering at a Youth Leadership Programme organized by Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan to mark International Volunteers Day in Islamabad. Diplomats from Sri Lanka and Somalia, along with professionals, civil society representatives, students and a large number of youth, attended the event.
Senior leaders including Alkhidmat’s Central Vice President Dr. Mushtaq Mangat, Alkhidmat Karachi President Naveed Ali Baig, Vice President Alkhidmat Air Marshal (R) Arshad Malik, North Punjab President Rizwan Ahmed, JI North Punjab Emir Dr. Tariq Saleem, and JI Women’s Wing General Secretary Dr. Humaira Tariq also spoke.
Rehman criticised the absence of local government elections in Islamabad for a decade, calling it a robbery on democratic rights. He said the newly introduced local government law in Punjab was a black law, warning that attempts to bring horse-trading into the system would not be tolerated.
He said peaceful protest was the right of every citizen and political party and termed efforts to restrict this right undemocratic and unacceptable.
He also criticised what he described as ongoing restrictions on the media, saying that curbs on freedom of expression only deepen public distrust.
The JI chief condemned the arrest of young motorcycle riders in Punjab, calling the practice unacceptable and unjust. He said it was contradictory for the government to encourage women motorcycle riders while at the same time filling police lockups with young boys.
He questioned why the government had not taken action against drug mafias that target youth: “Why is the law applied only to the weak?” he asked.
He criticised the Sindh government for withholding billions of rupees in funds for Karachi, calling it an injustice that had contributed to the city’s deterioration.
The JI Emir said more than 80,000 Palestinians had been martyred in Israeli attacks, yet global powers continued to support Israel.
He said young people worldwide had shaken the status quo through social media activism, leading to rising support for Palestine even in Western societies.
“We believe the current global system has failed. We are calling for a new world order based on justice — and that order is the Islamic system,” he added.
The JI chief said Pakistan’s young population possessed tremendous potential but was deprived of equal opportunities. With millions living below the poverty line and nearly 2.7 million children out of school, he said it was the state’s responsibility to ensure free access to quality education.
He highlighted Alkhidmat’s flagship “Bano Qabil” initiative, which offers free IT education to youth. He announced that interest-free loans would also be provided to graduates of the programme.
“This is the Pakistan of Generation Z. It must belong to everyone, not just a small privileged class,” he said. He also announced a national-level sports initiative through Alkhidmat to help showcase young talent across Pakistan.
Praising Alkhidmat Foundation’s work, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said serving humanity was “the noblest of all deeds,” adding that the organisation’s 80,000 volunteers had stood by the nation through every crisis.
He said Alkhidmat volunteers responded without discrimination, even sending relief to flood victims in Sri Lanka, noting: “This bond of humanity transcends all boundaries.”
He said spending for the sake of Allah brought immense reward and that service to humanity was a form of worship.
He congratulated Alkhidmat Foundation for arranging the event and presented souvenirs to diplomats and other distinguished guests.