Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urges inclusion of Palestine issue on agenda of ongoing SCO conference

FAISALABAD, Oct 15 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has urged the inclusion of the Palestine issue on the agenda of the ongoing SCO conference in Islamabad.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned that India risks facing isolation if it chooses to support Israel during the meeting, suggesting that Islamabad could seize this diplomatic opportunity to marginalize New Delhi. He called on all SCO member states to collectively condemn Israeli aggression in Gaza. He also stated that the government had convened the APC on the Gaza crisis following JI’s suggestion.

Rehman reiterated his call for a complete rejection of the proposed constitutional amendment, urging opposition parties to refrain from negotiating its pros and cons with the government at this time. He suggested that discussions on the amendment be deferred until after the retirement of the current Chief Justice, Qazi Faez Isa. He also demanded the issuance of the notification for Chief Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah.

During the inauguration of the JI membership drive camp and while addressing a reception ceremony at a private university, Rehman criticized the ruling elite for ruining the education sector. He highlighted that over three million children in the country are out of school, while the children of the elite study abroad. In contrast, children attending government schools lack basic facilities. Even after completing their education, he lamented, youth face a lack of employment opportunities, which leads to desperation and brain drain. He mentioned that the JI has launched the “Bano Qabil” program to offer free IT training to the youth, aiming to train over one million young people, children, and teachers. The JI also plans to develop an educational curriculum for children, he said.

Rehman further discussed the JI’s “Haq Do Awam Ko” movement, which advocates for the rights of the people. He noted that the ongoing membership drive aims to enroll millions, potentially strengthening the party’s peaceful resistance movement. He called on the government to reduce electricity tariffs and abolish agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs). He emphasized that the JI would compel the government to implement the Rawalpindi agreement.