Zubair Ali Khan
ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has said that there should be no holy cow in the country, and as a human being, a general and a worker are equal. He said that the ruling class, including the generals, should confess their failure of 75 years.
Rehamn, also a candidate for the Karachi mayorship, said that after 75 years of experiment, the debate must end what can be talked about and what not.
“75 years of failure must be answered’
In an exclusive interview with Wenews, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said: ” Everyone should answer for their failure of 75 years. Who has ruled for 75 years? Has it been the ignorant, the poor? Or has it been the middle class? None of them. Pakistan has been ruled by top-class generals, top-class bureaucrats, landlords, and politicians who run this system.”
In response to a question, Rehman said, “the government is not a problem, the ruling class is a problem. They are all working hand in glove. They are each other’s facilitators. They will not speak against each other. All of them should admit their failure. The generals should too. Landlords should also do it.”
‘PPP darling of establishment at the moment’
Answering a question about the establishment’s role in the Karachi local body elections, Hafiz Naeem said that the establishment was seemingly out of in the entire election exercise and they never felt that it was attempting to influence the elections.
“However, now that the PPP is playing so openly, forcibly converting the won elections into defeat, it cannot do it all alone and (it) has the backing of unseen forces. The PPP is currently the darling of the establishment,” he said.
According to Hafiz Naeem, the army chief has repeatedly said he will remain apolitical and not be involved in politics. “If that is the case, then it should be seen everywhere. If my concerns are unfounded, it will become clear through their next action.”
According to Hafiz Naeem, the PPP considers itself strong not because of the people’s support but because of its relationship with the establishment, “but the PPP does not know that these things change.”
‘No confidence move against Imran Khan’
In response to a question about the no-confidence motion against former prime minister Imran Khan, Hafiz Naeem said there should not have been a no-confidence motion against him. Whoever wins should be given a chance to complete five years. Nawaz Sharif should also have been allowed to complete the time.
According to him, the internal and external establishment’s role in removing Nawaz Sharif, Benazir Bhutto, or any other prime minister cannot be ignored. “Imran Khan no longer takes the name of the international establishment, but it cannot be ignored.”
Hafiz Naeem believes that in the 75 years of Pakistan, the military and civil establishments and judiciary played a role (by giving verdicts). The judiciary also has different parameters. For some, the court opens at midnight and for others, the Supreme Court does not have time.”
‘Dead horse is being put to life’
Answering a question on the latest unification of different factions of the MQM, Hafiz Naeem said, “Who can make Waseem Akhtar and Mustafa Kamal sit together? Who has that ability? Who can bring together those who accused each other of corruption and those who didn’t want to see each other’s face? But they can’t stay together for long. The MQM has reached its logical conclusion. The establishment should understand that it is once again making a mistake. Once again an attempt has been made to put life to the dead horse and it has repercussions for the people of Karachi.”
Answering a question about Altaf Hussain’s return to Pakistan, he said, “There is no indication of Altaf Hussain’s return to Pakistan, but we do not know anything about decisions here.”
Hafiz Naeem said that “What is the need for the establishment that it is trying to make zero plus zero and hundred? It will also defame the establishment. They should avoid this.”
‘Ready to talk to everyone for Karachi’
The Karachi mayorshi candidate said that the by-elections for 11 UCs should be held first, and when the house is complete, the phase for Karachi mayor elections will come.
He said: “We can talk to both the PPP and PTI. We want all parties to sit together and work for the city’s development.”
