Hafiz Naeem takes jibe at PTI for seeking US help in Imran Khan’s release
Mehtab Pirzada
ISLAMABAD: Thousands of supporters of Pakistan’s Jamaat-e-Islami party gathered in Islamabad on Sunday to protest against Israel and express solidarity with Palestinians. The “Gaza Million March,” held at F-9 Park, was led by Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, who condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and called for immediate international intervention to end the violence.
During the rally, participants chanted slogans critical of Israel and the US, accusing both countries of enabling the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Rehman described the dire conditions in the besieged territory, stating, “The situation has deteriorated to unprecedented levels, with extreme poverty gripping the region. Thousands of children, women, and the elderly are suffering, many losing their lives amid harsh conditions and severe cold.”
Rehman also accused the US of supporting Israel through military aid and political backing, which he claimed has contributed to the significant civilian toll in Gaza. He further criticized global silence on the issue, asserting, “Except for a few countries, no one is raising their voice against the atrocities in Palestine.”
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader alleged that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s policies reflected expansionist ambitions, accusing Israel of committing genocide against Palestinians while many Muslim countries remained silent. Rehman called for unity among Muslim nations to counter what he described as Israeli oppression and urged the international community to take immediate action to halt the violence.
The rally concluded with prayers for Gaza’s victims and a pledge from Jamaat-e-Islami to continue advocating for Palestinian rights. The party’s charitable arm, Al-Khidmat Foundation, has reportedly provided $543 million in aid to Palestinians affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict, with ongoing efforts to assist those in need.
Earlier, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, has accused the country’s leadership of prioritising US approval over addressing domestic challenges, such as poverty and inequality.
“Even freedom from prison and power rely on the US,” he remarked during a public address in Lower Dir. “Over 100 million people are living in poverty, yet our rulers are indulging in luxury.”
Calling for unity among Pakistanis, Hafiz Naeem highlighted that his party respects all religions and sects, emphasising that “only a system based on the Quran and Hadith can bring prosperity to this country.”
In a scathing critique, he labelled the US as the “world’s greatest terrorist” and questioned its silence over Israeli atrocities in Palestine. “Rivers of blood are flowing in Palestine, yet the United Nations and the US remain indifferent to the bodies of Palestinian children.”
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief reiterated his party’s mission to implement an Islamic system in Pakistan, stating that it was the only path to national progress and justice.
