JI chief proposes 14-point reform agenda, calls for national dialogue

JI chief proposes 14-point reform agenda, calls for national dialogue

KARACHI, Aug 2: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has proposed a 14-point national reform agenda and called for an inclusive national dialogue, urging all stakeholders to acknowledge the country's political and institutional challenges and begin meaningful negotiations.
In a video message issued on Sunday, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said that those responsible for creating and running the country's system had themselves admitted its failure and should now show magnanimity by initiating a national dialogue. He also demanded the release of all political prisoners, including former prime minister Imran Khan, saying that public opinion must be respected.
Presenting his proposed 14-point agenda, the JI chief stressed that the first principle of any national dialogue should be a commitment that the people's mandate would never again be undermined. He said whichever political party or candidate the public elects—or rejects—must be accepted without interference.
Rehman called for free and transparent elections, an independent judiciary, elections based on proportional representation, empowered local governments, and the elimination of dynastic and personality-based politics. He also advocated internal democracy within political parties, arguing that democracy could only be strengthened when voters supported party manifestos instead of influential individuals, feudal landlords or political elites.
He said judicial independence must be guaranteed and judges should be appointed purely on merit rather than on the preferences of those in power.
The JI chief further proposed that the national dialogue should include measures to end hereditary politics, strengthen democracy within political parties and establish genuinely empowered local governments across the country.
Referring to the debate over administrative divisions, Rehman said the creation of new administrative units was not in itself a major issue and could be resolved through consensus. However, he cautioned that opening new constitutional debates without first implementing the existing Constitution would only create further instability. He urged all institutions to ensure full implementation of constitutional provisions.
Among his 14 proposals, JI Emir suggested constituting a national jirga to address the issues of Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. He also called for the formulation of a comprehensive national minerals policy, completion of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project, and reductions in electricity, gas and petroleum prices.
He further proposed introducing a uniform system for all citizens, promoting reforms in artificial intelligence and agriculture, and undertaking land reforms by distributing lands originally granted during British colonial rule among farmers.
The JI chief also opposed political appointments in the sports sector and proposed conducting competitive examinations in the national language, saying both issues should form part of the national dialogue.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman concluded that the most important principle of the proposed negotiations should be a clear commitment that every state institution would function strictly within its constitutional limits. He expressed hope that if serious and meaningful negotiations were launched on the basis of these proposals, Pakistan's prospects for political stability and national progress would significantly improve.