Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has announced a major sit-in protest outside the Sindh Assembly on February 14, vowing to launch a nationwide movement after Ramadan against the government’s decision to end solar net metering.
Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Thursday, the JI chief declared that the system of “oppression and occupation” would no longer be tolerated. He also revealed plans to bring a no-confidence motion against the “occupying” mayor of Karachi.
A massive sit-in will be held in front of the Sindh Assembly to demand the rights of Karachi, the resolution of its deep-seated issues, and the establishment of an empowered local government.
Hafiz Naeem termed the federal government’s decision to end net metering a “betrayal of the public.” He warned that a countrywide movement would be initiated following the month of Ramadan to challenge this policy.
He criticized the census, stating that Karachi’s population is 35 million but was falsely recorded as 20 million. He noted that out of 100,000 buildings constructed in the last five years, 85,000 are illegal, describing them as “time bombs.”
Highlighting the recent Gul Plaza tragedy, he slammed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the provincial government. While global standards require one fire station per 100,000 people, Karachi has only 28 stations, with only 21 partially functional.
The Call for Empowerment
Hafiz Naeem urged all provincial governments to empower local bodies in accordance with the Constitution. “Give Karachi its due rights and let the people live,” he demanded, emphasizing that the current administrative failure has left the city’s 35 million residents vulnerable to disasters and systemic corruption.
