Speaker: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Event: Address at Lahore High Court Bar.
Democracy and Elections
- Criticism of Parliamentarians: Hafiz Naeem asserted that the current members of parliament have no genuine connection to democracy or the constitution. He emphasized the need to prevent powerful elites such as feudal lords, landlords. And capitalists from holding the electoral process hostage and called for a genuine democratic process.
- Comparison with Jamaat-e-Islami: Naeem claimed that unlike other political parties that focus on inheritance or bequests, Jamaat-e-Islami and the legal fraternity conduct internal elections, reflecting those principles.
Vision for Pakistan
- Adherence to Founding Ideals: He stressed that the movement to realize Pakistan’s original purposes and ideals must be supported.
- Building Fairness: Naeem emphasized the need for justice to prevail, benefiting Muslims and non-Muslims alike.
- Anti-Terrorism Stance: He condemned Pakistan’s participation in the US-led campaign against terrorism, arguing that it led to economic collapse as well as anarchy with a price tag exceeding $150 billion and one lakh lives lost.
Critique of Indian Relations
- Trade with India: Naeem condemned the eagerness of confident leaders, especially the Sharif brothers, to trade with India, noting Nawaz Sharif’s controversial statement questioning the legitimacy of the partition.
Governance and Power
- Rule by Elites: He pointed out that Pakistan has been ruled by generals and elites, not by the ordinary people.
- Call for Systemic Change: Naeem called for collective efforts to transform the current system and strive for true democracy in Pakistan. He argued that achieving political and economic stability requires genuine democratic processes and ensuring people’s rights, rather than relying on military operations.
Solidarity with Global Causes
- Support for Palestine and Kashmir: Naeem reaffirmed Jamaat-e-Islami’s unwavering support for the causes of Palestine and Kashmir.
- Regional Cooperation: He suggested that collaboration between Pakistan, Iran, and China could address numerous regional issues.
Hafiz Naeem, your Rehman speech revealed the critical challenges facing democracy in Pakistan. He condemned the system of governance dominated by elites and called for a true democratic process. We need to uphold justice and ensure that people receive their rights through genuine democratic processes, as stability operations, military or otherwise, will not achieve peace.
These were his words. Also, there could be more cooperation among neighbouring countries like Iran, China, and Pakistan, according to the leader of Jamaat-e-Islami.
