Latest news with #JIKarachi
Business Recorder
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
JI launches tree-plantation drive
KARACHI: In a bid to tackle the growing climate crisis and environmental degradation in Karachi, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi has launched a city-wide plantation campaign titled 'Let's Make Karachi Green,' aiming to plant 100,000 saplings across the megacity. The initiative was formally launched on Wednesday in Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town, where JI Karachi Chief, Monem Zafar, along with Town Chairman Dr Fawad planted the first sapling of the campaign. Speaking to the media, Zafar emphasised that the campaign was part of a broader climate strategy led by JI to counter rising temperatures, urban heat, and deteriorating air quality in the city. 'Karachi was once known for its 'cold roads' lined with trees,' he recalled. 'Now, in many areas, we're left with nothing but concrete jungle. It is our responsibility to restore greenery and bring back Karachi's lost environment.' He said that the drive would be implemented across all towns under the supervision of local chairmen and union councils to ensure meaningful and sustained impact. Criticizing the Sindh government for what he termed as 'environmental negligence,' the JI leader questioned the fate of 50,000 trees promised by the provincial administration. 'Where is the Sindh Environmental Protection Agency? What happened to their commitments?' He also slammed the government for chopping down trees during Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects without adequate re-plantation efforts. 'Development should not come at the cost of ecological collapse.' Highlighting the party's recent contributions, Monem Zafar said that JI had restored over 155 public parks during the past two years and introduced innovative ideas such as roadside jungles, urban forests, and rainwater harvesting systems to conserve natural resources. The JI leader said Karachi deserves at least Rs500 billion for its development, not just Rs20 billion. We demand a minimum of Rs2 billion for each of the city's towns. He expressed concern over the large number of unsafe structures in the megacity, especially in District South. 'Out of 749 buildings declared dangerous by the Sindh Building Control Authority, 400 are in District South alone. Who allowed 8-storey buildings on 8-yard plots,' he questioned. Zafar pointed out that while the World Health Organisation recommends one tree for every seven individuals. He said Karachi's ratio is shockingly low—estimated at one tree for every 1,000 people. 'This is a wake-up call. The megacity ranks 170 out of 173 in the global livability index. If we don't act now, future generations will suffer even more.' Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Gaza: JI calls for early action by govt, Muslim world
KARACHI: Hafiz Naeemur Rahman, the Central Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), has called for immediate and collective action from the government and the Muslim world against Israel to protect children in Gaza from starvation. He made these remarks during a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, and reiterated them during a 'Karachi Connect Social Media Meetup' organized by the JI Karachi Women's Wing. Hafiz Naeem highlighted the severe man-made devastation in Gaza, expressing deep grief over children facing starvation in the modern age. He criticized President Donald Trump for his complicity with the Israeli premier regarding the Gaza genocide. He noted growing international opposition to Israeli actions, including protests in European Union countries and significant public disapproval in the United Kingdom. He urged Arab nations to align with 'the right side of history' to avoid internal backlash. The JI leader emphasized that the significance of the Pakistani military has increased following recent skirmishes, drawing parallels between Israel's actions in Gaza and India's in Kashmir. He urged the Pakistani military to intervene in Gaza, believing it would also aid the Kashmir cause. He advocated for collective and unified action by the Muslim world against Israel. In terms of public action, he announced that medics under the JI Karachi banner would march for Gaza on May 31, followed by a larger march in Hyderabad on June 1. He also reiterated the call for a continued boycott of Israeli products. Addressing domestic concerns, the JI Central Chief proposed revising the tax regime to exempt individuals earning Rs120,000 per month or less, along with small-scale farmers, from taxation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Arab News
26-04-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Pakistan's commercial capital shuts down on religious party's call for strike over Gaza
KARACHI: Markets and businesses remained shut in Pakistan's commercial capital of Karachi on Saturday in response to a nationwide strike called by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) religious party to express solidarity with the people of Gaza, amid renewed Israeli military strikes in the Palestinian enclave. The strike was widely supported by various organizations representing traders, lawyers and people from different walks of life, and there was no major commercial activity in the southern Pakistani port city. It followed massive Gaza solidarity marches in Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad this month, which were attended by tens of thousands of Pakistanis who demanded the world stop Israeli military actions. 'Today, there is a strike throughout Karachi,' JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar Khan said, noting the strike was not only supported by Karachi's business community but also by professionals and civil society groups. 'It is a shutter-down strike, and the entire business community of Karachi, the lawyers of Karachi, the students of Karachi, the scholars of Karachi, the civil society of Karachi — all of them are supporting this.' The strike was largely observed in Karachi and it could only partially take hold elsewhere in Pakistan. Pakistan, which does not have diplomatic ties with Israel, has consistently condemned Israeli military actions and called for the uninterrupted flow of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian territory. The South Asian country has stressed the urgent need to revive negotiations aimed at a two-state solution to the Palestine Issue, with East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. Muhammad Aslam Khan, general-secretary of the Cooperative Market Association, condemned Israel's war on Gaza, which has killed over 50,000 Palestinians since Oct. 2023, and demanded stronger international action over it. 'It is now 12 o'clock and the city is completely silent and shut down,' Aslam told Arab News, surrounded by closed shops in the Saddar business district. 'We are sending them [Palestinians] a clear message that the hearts of the people are beating for the Palestinian Muslims, and we are deeply pained by the genocide happening to them, the oppression they are facing, and the fact that their basic needs like food and water have been completely cut off.' Usman Sharif, a representative of the All-Pakistan Cottage Industry Association in Karachi, said the Pakistani trader fraternity wanted to contribute to the Palestinian cause. 'Every trader says that they want to contribute in some way, whether it be through prayers, funds, participating in the strike, joining a rally, or through a boycott,' he said. 'The strike is happening across Pakistan, and here in Karachi as well, people have participated in the strike.'
Express Tribune
15-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Gaza march
On Sunday, April 13, 2025, Karachi witnessed a massive show of solidarity with the Palestinian people as over 100,000 participants gathered for a pro-Gaza march organised by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI). The procession, which began at sea view and continued along Shahr-e-Faisal, consisted of men, women, children, and members of religious minorities. People carried placards and banners emblazoned with slogans like 'Labbaik ya Gaza' (Gaza we are here) with participants carrying placards and banners emblazoned with slogans such as 'Labbaik ya Gaza' (Gaza we are here) to reflect their wholehearted support. Ameer JI Karachi, Monem Zafar, condemned the ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza and criticized the international community's inaction, highlighting the disparity in responses to global conflicts. Zafar called for a unified stance against oppression and urged the Pakistani government to take decisive steps to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians. he demonstration concluded with a collective call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a reaffirmation of Karachi's steadfast support for the Palestinian cause. The overwhelming turnout serves as a testament to the city's commitment to advocating for justice and human rights on the global stage. Abeerah Hilal Karachi
Express Tribune
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Protests staged against genocide in Gaza
As many as 1,000 corner meetings were held by JI on Friday across the mega city, in solidarity with Gaza, against Israeli aggressions. The meetings were held at major points in the city and outside mosques after Friday prayers. A meeting in Gulshan-e-Iqbal was addressed by JI Karachi Ameer Monem Zafar. A list of 1,000 Israeli pilots was shown who refused to partake in the genocide, publishing their stance in a Hebrew advertisement. Muslim rulers, particularly Pakistan's ruling regime, were urged to take inspiration and courage from those pilots. Zafar stated that 60,000 people had been martyred in Gaza, including women and children, 90% of infrastructure had been destroyed, but no one was able to stop Israel. Zafar urged Karachiites to turn up on Sharae Faisal on April 13, in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Meanwhile, upon the appeal of Jamaat-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat (JAS), a day of protest was observed on Friday against Zionist forces in Palestine. Scholars, imams and preachers reiterated their support for the Palestinian people, announcing a boycott of Zionist products, encouraging the people to do the same. The Nazim of JAS Karachi, Dr Syed Abdul Wahab Qadri, addressing a protest in Malir, said that due to Zionist terrorism, people are dying, children are suffering, food and medical facilities are unavailable, but the world remains a silent spectator. Under the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), demonstrations were held after Friday prayers outside various Imambargahs, The main protest was held outside the Jamia Masjid Khoja Asna Ashari Kharadar, with leaders including Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi, Allama Mubashir Hassan, Allama Sadiq Jafri, Allama Mukhtar Imami, Allama Hayat Abbas and others addressing.
