KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday said that fake leadership would lead the country nowhere and suggested all institutions to stick to their constitutional role.

Addressing an Iftar dinner at the RCD Ground in Malir, he emphasised the need to bridge the gap between the masses and the military establishment, stating that no army could win a war without the complete support of the nation.

“The Indian RAW, CIA and other intelligence agencies are operating in Pakistan; they want to destabilise us and divide us to achieve their own agendas,” he said.

“Some 27 attacks have been carried out against the military in the past 24 hours along in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Jaffar Express tragedy was also a big failure on part of the government.”

“Similarly, gangsters rule over interior areas of Sindh, street crimes are rampant in Karachi and a large number of people have been killed by dumpers in the megacity. On the other hand, rising inflation, electricity tariffs, fuel prices and the poor performance of education and health services have made life miserable for the common man.”

In this backdrop, he said, the rulers have completely detached themselves from the masses, increasing their own salaries by 300 per cent while wasting billions of taxpayers’ money on misleading media campaigns.

He challenged the prime minister’s claim of decreased inflation, calling it deception by the premier.

The problems will persist if the corrupt regime continues to rule the country, he said, adding that the ruling regime supports mafias.

He said the JI wants to empower youth, women and other neglected segments of the society, urging them to work in a coordinated manner for the rights of Karachi and Karachiites.

He also announced plans for mass mobilisation after Eid.

Published in Dawn, March 18th, 2025