JI terms ban on PTM unjust, illegal

LAHORE:Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has denounced the ban on the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) as unjust and illegal, condemning the KP police's attack on a PTM rally that resulted in the deaths of three protesters.

Speaking at a press conference at Mansoorah on Thursday, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman blamed that the KP government is responsible for this. He expressed hope that the All Parties Conference (APC), called by KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, would be helpful in resolving the matter.

Rehman emphasised that every individual and party has a constitutional right to hold peaceful protests but warned that no one would be allowed to chant anti-Pakistan slogans. "Pakistan was achieved through the struggle of millions of Muslims in this region and the nation cannot tolerate an anti-Pakistan narrative," he added.

He praised the progress on agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), referring to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s announcement on the termination of five IPP agreements. He said the end of these agreements would benefit the national exchequer by 411 billion rupees, and urged that this financial relief should directly translate into a reduction in power tariffs for the public. He also called for the termination of all agreements with IPPs and demanded the imposition of taxes on feudal lords.

He also announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would conduct a referendum to gauge public opinion on a boycott of electricity bills. Rehman criticised Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's recent statement, in which she referred to small farmers as a ‘mafia’. He further condemned Punjab CM’s statement advocating for ‘environment diplomacy’ with India, asserting that she should focus on her role as chief minister and avoid engaging in diplomacy. He stated that the people of Pakistan could not tolerate trade or diplomatic relations with India while it continued to oppress the people of Kashmir.

Rehman also criticised KP spokesperson Barrister Saif for allegedly allowing Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar to address a PTI rally, saying he was waiting for PTI Chairman Imran Khan to take action against Saif. He reiterated Jamaat-e-Islami's rejection of the proposed constitutional amendment in the current political climate, but noted that discussions on the matter could take place after Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa retirement.

Rehman affirmed that Jamaat’s movement for public rights and its membership drive would continue. He also highlighted party’s efforts in uniting the nation around the Palestine cause, having marked a week of solidarity with Gaza from October 1 to 7.