As Pakistan marks the second anniversary of the February 2024 elections, Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has positioned itself as a central voice of opposition, calling for a radical shift in the country’s security and political landscape.
On Sunday, February 8, 2026, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman delivered a powerful address in Lahore, while party workers in Karachi faced police crackdowns during a planned demonstration outside the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).
Lahore: A New Security Doctrine
Speaking at the JI’s Central Majlis-i-Shura meeting at Mansoora, Hafiz Naeem challenged the state’s reliance on kinetic operations to solve the country’s deepening security crisis.
- Dialog Over Force: He asserted that military operations are not a sustainable fix for the unrest in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan. Instead, he urged the government to convene all political stakeholders to formulate a consensus-based national strategy.
- Rejecting “Colonial” Boards: Naeem slammed Pakistan’s potential participation in the US-led “Gaza Peace Board,” describing it as a tool to disarm Palestinian resistance and restore a colonial order. He praised Maulana Fazlur Rehman for his refusal to join the board.
- National Dignity: He warned the government against “appeasing” international powers, particularly referring to US President Donald Trump, and insisted that policies must reflect national sovereignty.
Karachi: Police Action and Detentions
In Karachi, a “public press conference” planned by JI outside the ECP Sindh headquarters was forcibly dispersed by police.
- Arrests: Police briefly detained several key leaders, including Muslim Parvez (Acting Karachi Emir) and Muhammad Farooq (JI’s lone Member of the Sindh Assembly).
- The Crackdown: Authorities cited Section 144 and the high-security alert following the Islamabad imambargah attack as reasons for dismantling the JI camp.
- Release: All detained workers and leaders were released after a few hours at the Defence police station, following which they held a defiant presser at Idara Noor-i-Haq.
وفاقی دارالحکومت میں امام بارگاہ کے اندر خود کش دھماکے میں 30 سے زائدافراد کی شہادت اور ڈیڑھ سو زخمی ہونے کا واقعہ انتہائی افسوسناک اور دلخراش ہے، یہ دہشتگردی ہے جس کا دین سے کوئی تعلق نہیں۔ حکومت شہریوں کے جان و مال کے تحفظ ناکام نظر آرہی ہے۔ حکومت کا کام صرف مذمت کرنا نہیں… pic.twitter.com/KvKhUKasd2
— Naeem ur Rehman (@NaeemRehmanEngr) February 6, 2026
The Road Ahead: Major JI Announcements
Hafiz Naeem and local Karachi leaders outlined a series of upcoming movements aimed at the provincial and federal governments:
| Event / Campaign | Target Date | Key Objective |
| Sindh Assembly Sit-in | Feb 14, 2026 | Protesting the “Gul Plaza tragedy,” poor fire services, and alleged election rigging. |
| IPPs Campaign | After Eidul Fitr | Relaunching the movement against high electricity costs and IPP contracts. |
| “Change the System” | Ongoing | A nationwide movement for “empowered local governments” and judicial reform. |
| School Privatization | Ongoing | Supporting teachers and parents against the privatization of public schools in Punjab. |
The “Gaza Factor”
Hafiz Naeem reaffirmed JI’s support for Hamas’s resistance, calling it a model for the Islamic world. He confirmed he would soon meet with JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman to align their stances on international and domestic security issues.
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