F.P. Report
KARACHI: Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, has sharply criticized the privatization policies and alleged corruption surrounding national institutions, including Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) and K-Electric.
In a press conference held at Noor Haq Institute, he demanded that a full court bench hear Jamaat-e-Islami’s petition against the 26th Constitutional Amendment in the Supreme Court, claiming the amendment undermines the 1973 Constitution and threatens Pakistan’s democracy. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman stated that Jamaat-e-Islami had filed a petition challenging the 26th Amendment, emphasizing that the Assembly formed under Form 47 does not have the authority to alter the foundational structure of the Constitution.
He argued that the amendment, particularly in relation to judicial reforms, has politicized the judiciary and eroded the independence of Pakistan’s courts. He condemned the alleged corruption involved in the recent changes to the judicial system, which, according to him, have been manipulated to gain political leverage.
Addressing the issue of privatization, Rehman condemned the sale of national assets, particularly PIA and K-Electric, as “a national tragedy.” He questioned the motives behind Nawaz Sharif’s suggestion for his daughter to purchase and run PIA under the Punjab government and Ali Amin Gandapur’s proposal to control the airline under the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government. He accused the ruling elites of squandering public resources and exploiting national assets for personal gain.
“Who sank the PIA fleet in 40 years? Who destroyed the national institutions?” he asked, referring to the previous governments’ inability to reform and revitalize state-owned enterprises. He pointed out that despite claims by PTI to restore national institutions, the party failed to address the problems of PIA and Pakistan Steel Mills during its time in power. Rehman emphasized that the responsibility of running national institutions lies with the government.
