As the Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) talks at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi enter their seventh day, party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Thursday reiterated that the talks will continue until their demands are met.
Addressing the gathered crowd, Rehman emphasized that the path to a solution for the rulers is straightforward – accept the demands raised by the JI.
“Twenty-five million people and overseas Pakistanis have pinned their hopes on this sit-in,” Rehman declared, urging the nation to rise up against what he called the “terrorist” influences of America.
He criticized the current administration and accused them of being beholden to foreign powers and out of touch with the needs of the Pakistani people.
Rehman emphasized that the sit-in, which is protesting high electricity costs and rampant inflation, would not end without a clear commitment from the government.
The JI leader also called for transparency in the proceedings and suggested that the talks be held in front of the media to ensure accountability. He praised people’s tenacity and support, saying the session had already had a significant impact.
He criticized the economic policies of the government and pointed out the difficulties faced by ordinary citizens due to high electricity bills, unemployment and factory closures.
Rehman accused a select few in the government of perpetuating corruption and looting national resources.
Rehman also targeted the lavish spending of bureaucrats, politicians and military generals and called for an end to their royal privileges.
He cited the misuse of government resources and the burden placed on the public to fund this luxury.
On international affairs, Emir JI criticized the government’s handling of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline and its adherence to US diktat, which he said was harming Pakistan’s interests.
He also condemned the lack of action against Israel and the United States, accusing them of perpetuating terrorism against Muslims around the world.
Rehman concluded his speech with a call to action, urging Pakistanis to mobilize in Islamabad, Pindi, Sindh and Karachi. “We decided not to play games; we have made a wise decision and now we must challenge all political parties,” he stated. He warned that if the government continued to delay the resolution of their demands, the session would be extended and a new movement would emerge.
