JI to stage sit-in outside Sindh Assembly on Feb 14 until demands met: Hafiz Naeem

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a sit-in protest outside the Sindh Assembly building from February 14 until the government meets their demands, during the ‘Jeeny Do Karachi’ march on Sunday.

In the backdrop of Gul Plaza Tragedy, tens of thousands of Karachiites, including women, children and senior citizens, marched on Shahrah-e-Faisal to record their anguish over the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) government that resulted in over 80 deaths.

Along JI workers, a large number of social and political workers irrespective of their affiliation, in addition to representatives from traders, lawyers and other fraternities participated in the march.

In his address, Rehman warned the Sindh chief minister and the Karachi mayor to either relinquish control themselves or be ousted by Gen-Z, declaring that the system of occupation would no longer be tolerated.

He stressed that neither the federation nor the province would be allowed to control Karachi, and that under the Constitution, the city must be given an empowered local government with full financial and administrative authority.

Rehman further stated that the people of Pakistan do not want a monarchic system or dynastic rule, and that empowered local governments must be established in all provinces.

He criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) and PPP as parties run on family inheritance and nomination, saying they have no real connection with democracy. He demanded the removal of the undemocratic forces, adding that the two dynasties should not be mistaken as political parties.

Talking about the Gul Plaza tragedy, he questioned why President Zardari, PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif never visited the site, despite Karachi contributing 42% of taxes and 54% of export revenue.

He further questioned how thousands of illegal buildings were constructed without the approval of the Sindh Building Control Authority, calling the entire system corrupt and traceable to the top leadership.

Rehman said that town and union council representatives must be given authority over water, sewerage, and sanitation. He made it clear that an empowered local government system, not provincial status or federal control will solve the burning issues of Karachi.

He stated that the February 14 sit in would continue till acceptance of all the due demands, adding that promises made during previous sit-ins were not fulfilled. He announced that the struggle for justice would continue during Ramazan, including prayers and sit-ins, until Karachi’s rights are secured.

Talking about the unrest in the country, he said injustice breeds anguish, and enemy forces exploit the situation, as they did in Balochistan and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar Khan, also addressing the march, said that millions gathered on Shahrah-e-Faisal had declared that no compromise would be made on Karachi’s rights, particularly their right to live with dignity and that the people would take their rights at all costs.

Other speakers at the march included JI Karachi Deputy Ameer and Opposition Leader KMC Saifuddin Advocate, JI Sindh Assembly member Muhammad Farooq, Deputy Ameer Karachi and Alkhidmat CEO Karachi Naveed Ali Baig, Karachi Traders Alliance leader Ateeq Mir, and JI Minority Wing President Younas Sohan Advocate.

They strongly condemned the Sindh government’s 18-year rule, calling it incompetent and corrupt, and demanded accountability for the Gul Plaza tragedy in which over 88 people were burnt alive.

They questioned the absence of fire brigade resources, emergency services, and disaster management authorities, and accused the government of abandoning Karachi’s citizens.

The march concluded with a clear message that Karachi’s people will continue this movement and struggle until they reclaim their constitutional rights and the right to live with dignity.