Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), has declared plans for nationwide protests in response to reports concerning the death of Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah. Ur Rehman condemned the alleged assassination, labeling it a significant blow to the Muslim community. He accused Israel of trying to eradicate resistance movements in the region but emphasized that both Hamas and Hezbollah remain strong deterrents to Israeli aspirations.
Speaking at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq in Karachi, ur Rehman criticized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for not delivering a strong condemnation of the alleged Israeli actions. He asserted that Israel fears not the Muslim rulers but rather the leaders within the Muslim community. He further claimed that despite its aggressive measures, Israel has not succeeded in stifling Palestinian resistance or dismantling the movement for the liberation of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Ur Rehman emphasized the unwavering spirit of the Palestinians, highlighting that while they mourn their losses, their leaders remain silent. He reproached the Pakistani government for its inaction against Israeli aggression and called on Muslim nations to openly denounce Israel’s conduct.
He found Prime Minister Sharif’s address at the United Nations regarding the Palestine and Kashmir issues to be lacking in vigor. He pointed out that the Irish Prime Minister had shouted “Israel Murdabad” (Death to Israel), indicating that Sharif could have taken a similarly strong position.
Rehman further claimed that Pakistan’s ruling elite are aligned with U.S. interests, failing to meet their responsibilities towards the Muslim community. He contended that Israel suffered a setback on October 7, 2023, with its intelligence systems compromised, forcing it to attack defenseless civilians. He warned that the inaction of the Muslim ruling class, which acts in alignment with U.S. interests, would only exacerbate suffering.
The JI chief announced that nationwide protests would include absentee funeral prayers for Nasrallah. He stated that these demonstrations would also address pressing issues such as soaring inflation, high electricity tariffs, and taxation policies. He accused the government of failing to fulfill its promises to the people and criticized political parties for their lack of action. He vowed that the protests would persist until the citizens’ concerns are addressed.
