Hafiz Naeemur Rehman categorically rejects proposed constitutional amendment regarding the age & number of SC judges, deeming it unacceptable

LAHORE, Sep 18 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has categorically rejected the proposed constitutional amendment regarding the age and number of Supreme Court judges, deeming it unacceptable.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Wednesday, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urged the Chief Justice to publicly refuse any extension and resign if the amendment is passed by Parliament, insisting that this is the only way to resolve the ongoing political crisis.

He condemned the government’s handling of the amendment process, saying it has breached the parliamentary norms by keeping the draft concealed from members of Parliament.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced that Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) will consult legal experts on various pressing issues, including the Dubai leaks, the interest-based economy, the IPPs agreement, and the proposed constitutional amendment. Following these consultations, the party will inform the nation and outline its strategy. He stressed that those implicated in the Dubai leaks must provide a transparent money trail. Additionally, he criticized the government’s inaction regarding the Federal Shariah Court’s ruling on the interest-based economy, noting that half of the five-year deadline has already passed with no substantial progress. He also rejected the privatization of national entities, insisting that those responsible for the decline of these institutions must be held accountable. He condemned the government’s tactic of deliberately weakening public institutions before selling them off, stating that such methods would never be accepted.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman further warned that the government has only five days left to implement the Rawalpindi Agreement. He called for immediate relief in electricity tariffs for the public, a reduction in the luxuries enjoyed by the ruling elite at the state’s expense, review of IPPs agreements and the imposition of taxes on feudal lords. He also demanded a reduction in petrol prices and the abolition of the petroleum levy. Should the government fail to meet these demands, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that the JI would announce its future course of action on September 23.

He cautioned the government that the JI has several options at its disposal, including shutter-down and wheel-jam strikes, as well as a long march on Islamabad, to compel the government to act. According to him, the government has no choice but to provide immediate relief to the masses.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also announced that JI would observe a week of solidarity with Palestine on October 7, marking one year since Israel’s aggression on Gaza.

Secretary General Ameerul Azeem, Deputy Secretary General Azhar Iqbal Hasan, Information Secretary Qaiser Sharif and Emir Lahore Ziauddin Ansari Advocate were also present on this occasion.