JI rejects Pakistan's role in Trump's 'Board of Peace'

Hafiz Naeem says move was made without parliamentary debate

PESHAWAR:

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Friday strongly rejected Pakistan's reported decision to join US President Donald Trump's so-called Gaza Peace Board, declaring the move unacceptable under any circumstances and accusing the government of taking a major foreign policy decision without consulting the nation, parliament or even the federal cabinet.

Addressing the annual convention of members and candidates of Jamiat Talaba Arabia at Markaz-e-Islami, the JI chief said Pakistan's 250 million citizens were "not sheep and goats" to silently accept decisions imposed from above.

He questioned why such a sensitive issue had not been brought before parliament for debate, calling the process undemocratic and unconstitutional.

Hafiz Naeem said Pakistan was facing a deep governance crisis and stressed that sustainable peace in the region was impossible without improved relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan. He rejected the continuation of military operations in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa and the merged tribal districts, saying force alone could not bring lasting stability. He emphasised that Afghan soil must not be used for terrorist activities against Pakistan, adding that constructive dialogue between Islamabad and Kabul was the only viable path forward.

The JI amir questioned the basis on which Pakistan's participation in the Gaza board had been decided, asking whose advice had been sought and whose interests were being served. He said the country was still paying a heavy price for policies adopted during the Musharraf era, particularly Pakistan's involvement in the US-led war on terror. That involvement, he said, had rendered the western border insecure, fuelled extremism, led to the establishment of foreign military bases, caused massive civilian and security personnel losses, and inflicted billions of dollars in economic damage.

Criticising successive governments, he said rulers routinely blamed their predecessors while continuing policies of appeasement. He accused the current leadership of once again seeking favour with President Trump, whom he said was openly threatening to disarm Hamas and deny Palestinians their right to self-defence. While Jamaat-e-Islami did not seek confrontation with any global power, he warned that Pakistan's sovereignty and territorial integrity could not be compromised. "Pakistan is a nuclear power, and the US cannot harm it," he asserted.