Karachi Rights Movement inspired campaign for empowered LG gaining momentum across country — Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman

Karachi Rights Movement inspired campaign for empowered LG gaining momentum across country — Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman
JI turns up as single largest party in Karachi, strong, effective voice of the people, says JI supremo
Monem Zafar says development work will be further accelerated in 2026

KARACHI: JANUARY 2: | January 2: Jamaat-e-islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the effects of the JI’s “Haq Do Karachi” (Karachi Rights Movement) are being felt across the country, and that a movement for establishing an empowered local government system is gaining momentum throughout Pakistan, including Punjab.

The JI supreme leader expressed these views while delivering a special address at a grand municipal convention of elected male and female representatives of JI Karachi held, here on Friday night at Idara Noor-e-Haq -- the JI Karachi headquarters.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that JI is still the largest party in Karachi and an effective and powerful voice of the public. In the local government elections and later in the general elections, the people of Karachi expressed full confidence in JI; however, the public mandate was snatched in the local government elections, their mayor was blocked, and in the general elections, rejected candidates were imposed through Form 47, he said.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the JI is a movement for the establishment of Islam and seeks to bring real change and revolution in society and the system through public opinion, not through conspiracies or backdoor methods.

He added that JI remained steadfast alongside the people even during the worst eras of oppression, violence, fear, and terrorism. In the past, the party served the public through local government institutions, and even today its elected local representatives are serving the people despite limited resources and authority, he said.

Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman further urged elected local representatives to improve conditions in their areas, accelerate development work, and engage youth alongside them. He emphasized improving and activating schools and healthcare centers under town administrations so that citizens could access quality and affordable education and health facilities.

He reiterated that JI’s objective is not merely to win elections, but to advance the movement for the establishment of Islam, ensure justice and fairness, and seek the pleasure of Allah. He said surveys show that public sentiment in Karachi favors JI.

He criticized that while people are ready to “own” Punjab, no one is prepared to truly own Karachi in Sindh. He alleged that in Punjab, millions are spent on unlawful advertising using public funds, while billions are lost to corruption. He called on chairmen and vice chairmen to use their positions to connect with Generation Z and bring them into JI, stressing that their sole focus should be service and spreading the message of faith to shape public opinion.

Addressing the gathering, JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar said that development activities would be further accelerated in 2026 in Karachi, membership would be increased, and neighborhood committees would be established.

He said Karachi faces countless issues that worsen daily, and those in power have a consistent past and present of looting the city. No positive expectations can be held from corrupt and incompetent rulers.

He said the Haq Do Karachi movement has not only highlighted public issues over the past several years but has also succeeded in resolving many of them, restoring public trust in JI.

JI Karachi deputy chief, also happened to be the leader of the opposition in the KMC, Saifuddin Advocate, in his address, said that despite attempts to snatch JI’s won seats and rob the public mandate in local government elections, 1,100 elected local representatives of JI are active across the city, striving to serve the people and resolve their problems.

JI Karachi Deputy Secretary Engr Sabir Ahmed presented a performance report of JI’s nine towns through a presentation.