Jamaat-e-Islami party emerges as key political actor after local polls in Karachi

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), is speaking to the people during an election campaign in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 6, 2022. (@KarachiJamaat/Twitter)
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Updated 18 January 2023
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Jamaat-e-Islami party emerges as key political actor after local polls in Karachi

  • Pakistan Peoples Party cannot form government without the JI support despite winning maximum seats
  • Analysts attribute PPP’s success to delimitation process, say the JI may not accept junior position from it

KARACHI: A Pakistani religious party that made its mark in the recent local government elections in Karachi is wooed by other political factions after securing second place in the contest, as the race for the coveted position of mayor begins in the country’s southern port city.

The local polls, which were held last Sunday to elect union council members, were primarily dominated by Sindh’s ruling Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) along with Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) who won from 93 and 86 administrative units, respectively.

Former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party secured 40 seats while other political factions won 16. Polling was postponed on 11 seats due to the death of various candidates.

Since no party managed to get enough vote to bring its own mayor, the indirect election for the post is expected to get more complicated.

“Nothing is possible in politics but we can’t make an alliance with the PPP,” said Firdous Shamim Naqvi, a top PTI leader in Sindh, on Tuesday. “There is a possibility of making an alliance with the JI for the mayor’s election.”

Naqvi said the PPP had “deprived” his party of its mandate by creating confusion about the timings of the electoral contest by delaying it several times.

“The PPP also robbed us of our mandate through unjust delimitation of constituencies,” he added.




The supporters of a Pakistani religious party, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), protest against the results of the local body elections in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 17, 2022. (@KarachiJamaat/Twitter)

Addressing a news conference, Saeed Ghani, a senior leader of Sindh’s ruling party, said every political faction had the right to elect its candidate for the position of Karachi’s mayor, adding there was nothing wrong if the JI tried to do it.

“The PPP and the JI should accept everyone’s mandate in the interest of the city,” he said. “We are ready to talk and make a way out.”

“The PTI is not worthy of being contacted,” Ghani added.

Sindh Chief minister Murad Ali Shah said the provincial administration was ready to work with the JI, but the mayor’s position should go to his party.

“The Pakistan Peoples Party has won most of the union councils and has the right to get the mayor’s seat,” he continued.

Speaking to Arab News, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, the JI chief, said his party would think about an alliance after the PPP handed it back the seats that rightfully belonged his faction.

“Our doors are open to everyone but our primary aim is to get the mandate back,” he said, adding that the number of his party seats had gone up to 89.




Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), speaks to the media in Karachi, Pakistan, on January 12, 2022. (@KarachiJamaat/Twitter)

Dr. Tauseef Ahmed Khan, a political analyst, said the PPP should pay attention to JI’s objections and let it form the local government.

“Such an administrative setup will also have the trust of Urdu speaking community,” he told Arab News.

“We have seen a different face of Jamaat-e-Islami which is both liberal and progressive,” he continued. “The party has raised its voice for all communities and classes, irrespective of their race and religion, under Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman. He has worked for non-Muslims and transgenders as well.”

According to another political commentator, Zarrar Khuhro, an alliance between the PPP and PTI looked impossible while the JI was not likely to settle down for a junior post while negotiating with the PPP.

“Jamaat-e-Islami may make an alliance with the PTI to elect its mayor since Hafiz Naeem may not accept a junior post from the PPP,” he told Arab News.
Khuhro added he was not surprised by the large number of seats won by the JI.

“The results are the fruit of consistent campaigning over the issues of Karachi,” he said. “It was the only party that constantly raised urban issues and was also the most vocal when it came to the demand of holding local government elections.”

He attributed PPP’s victory to the recent delimitation exercise while pointing out that the PTI heavily relied on former prime minister Imran Khan’s personality despite the dynamics of local polls which were totally different.

“PTI is popular in Karachi despite its leadership in the city,” he said. “But the party banked on Khan’s popularity.”


Pakistan to face New Zealand in FIH Nations Cup final today

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Pakistan to face New Zealand in FIH Nations Cup final today

  • Pakistan defeated France 3-2 on penalty shootouts in the semifinal
  • Pakistani goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman blocked three French chances

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan will face New Zealand today, Saturday, in the final of the Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) Nations Cup in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Spirited Pakistan defeated France 3-2 on penalty shootouts to qualify for the Nations Cup final at the National Hockey Stadium on Friday.

Goalkeeper Muneeb-ur-Rehman blocked three French chances, while Rana Waheed Ashraf, Hannan Shahid and Afraz struck for Pakistan to clinch a highly-rewarding victory.

“Heartiest congratulations to our Green Shirts on reaching the Nations Cup final,” Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said on X.

“The team turned the match around with courage, skill and determination — a proud moment for the entire nation.”

Hockey is Pakistan’s national sport. The national team boasts a proud legacy with three Olympic gold medals in 1960, 1968 and 1984, along with four World Cup titles in 1971, 1978, 1982 and 1994.

But the sport has faced a sharp decline in Pakistan in recent decades due to administrative challenges, underinvestment and inadequate infrastructure. Renewed efforts are underway to revive the game with increased

government support, youth development initiatives and greater international engagement aimed at restoring Pakistan’s former glory in the sport.

The winner of Saturday’s final will earn promotion to the elite FIH Hockey Pro League 2025–26 season.


Israel-Tehran conflict cripples border trade between Pakistan and Iran

Updated 37 min 11 sec ago
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Israel-Tehran conflict cripples border trade between Pakistan and Iran

  • Markets have been closed and dozens of trucks stranded at Pakistan’s Taftan border crossing with Iran since June 15
  • The key border crossing in Pakistan’s Balochistan typically handles daily exchanges in fuel, food and household goods

QUETTA: The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has crippled border trade between Pakistan and Iran, transporters and traders said this week, with markets closed and dozens of trucks stranded on the Pakistani side of the border.

Pakistan shares a 959-kilometer border with Iran in its southwest and the trade volume between the two countries stood at $2.8 billion in the last fiscal year that ended in June 2024, according to Pakistani state media.

In Feb., the two neighbors signed an agreement to take the bilateral trade volume to $10 billion, but tensions between Iran and Israel prompted Pakistan to suspend operations at the Taftan border crossing in Balochistan on June 15, mirroring the Iranian side’s restrictions following Israeli airstrikes.

“We’ve been stuck here in Taftan for four to five days, with six to seven vehicles,” Syed Khalil Ahmed, a local transporter, told Reuters on Friday. “We’re waiting for it to reopen so we can load our goods. The market is closed, and there’s a shortage of food and drinks.”

Israel began attacking Iran on June 13, saying its longtime enemy was on the verge of developing nuclear weapons. Iran, which says its nuclear program is only for peaceful purposes, retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel.

The Taftan border, a vital trade artery which typically handles daily exchanges in fuel, food and household goods, is now left paralyzed. Local traders said 90 percent of goods in Taftan typically come from Iran.

“With the border closed, no goods are arriving [from Iran] ... Local traders with Pakistani passports can’t enter Iran, and Iranian passport holders can only reach the border and return,” said Hajji Shaukat Ali, an importer of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

“This is hurting local businesses and traders. For us, as major LPG gas traders, some of our vehicles are stuck en route and won’t be able to reach us now.”

Ahmed said they were losing approximately Rs20,000 ($70) per truck daily while facing critical shortages of essential supplies.

“We’re managing with what we have, but it’s tough,” he added.


Islamabad rejects Indian media claims about Pakistan requesting truce in last month’s conflict

Updated 24 min 16 sec ago
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Islamabad rejects Indian media claims about Pakistan requesting truce in last month’s conflict

  • Indian media outlets this week reported that Islamabad requested a ceasefire after India struck key Pakistani air bases last month
  • The nuclear-armed neighbors traded drone, missile and artillery strikes in their worst conflict in decades before a US-brokered truce

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Saturday rejected Indian media reports about Pakistan requesting a ceasefire with New Delhi during their four-day military standoff last month.

Citing Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, Indian media outlets this week reported that it was Islamabad that requested a ceasefire after India had hit key Pakistani air bases last month.

Pakistan and India last month traded fighter jet, missile, drone and artillery strikes after weeks of tensions between them over an attack in Indian-administered Kashmir.

Responding to Indian media reports, the Pakistani foreign office said friendly states, including Saudi Arabia and the United States, played a crucial role in facilitating last month’s ceasefire.

“The sequence of events clearly demonstrates that Pakistan did not initiate or ask anyone for a ceasefire but agreed to it when around 0815 am on 10th May 2025, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called the DPM/FM, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, and informed that India is ready to ceasefire if Pakistan is willing,” it said.

“The DPM/FM confirmed Pakistan’s acceptance and later around 9 am Saudi FM Prince Faisal also called DPM/FM and informed the same about India and sought same confirmation which Secretary of State Marco Rubio had sought earlier.”

Pakistan and India have fought multiple wars since their independence from British rule in 1947. Two of the wars were over the disputed region of Kashmir, which both claim in full but rule in part.

Last month’s conflict came days after New Delhi blamed Pakistan for the deadly attack that killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22. Islamabad denied any involvement.


Pakistan recommends Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for defusing conflict with India

Updated 21 June 2025
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Pakistan recommends Trump for Nobel Peace Prize for defusing conflict with India

  • Trump complained he had been overlooked by Nobel committee for his mediating role in India-Pakistan conflict
  • The US president predicted that Washington will be able to negotiate trade deals with both India and Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government has decided to formally recommend United States (US) President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize for his “decisive diplomatic intervention” during last month’s India-Pakistan military standoff, it said on Saturday.

The statement came after Trump took credit for a peace deal negotiated in Washington between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda and complained he had been overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his mediating role in conflicts between India and Pakistan, as well as Serbia and Kosovo.

Trump campaigned for office as a “peacemaker” who would use his negotiating skills to quickly end wars in Ukraine and Gaza, although both conflicts are still raging five months into his presidency. Indian officials have denied that he had any role in its ceasefire with Pakistan.

In a post on X, the Pakistani government said President Trump demonstrated “great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship” through robust diplomatic engagement with both Islamabad and New Delhi which de-escalated a rapidly deteriorating situation last month.

“This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker and his commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue,” it said, appreciating Trump’s efforts that ultimately secured a ceasefire and averted a broader conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.

The military standoff was triggered by a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that New Delhi blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied complicity.

The four-day standoff had raised fears of wider conflict between the South Asian rivals who have fought multiple wars, including two over the disputed region of Kashmir. Trump also offered trade with Pakistan and India, and to mediate the Kashmir dispute between the neighbors.

On Friday, the US president predicted that Washington will be able to negotiate trade deals with both India and Pakistan.

“We did a very great job with India and Pakistan, and we had India in, and it looks like we’re going to be making a trade deal with India,” he told reporters in New Jersey.

“And we had Pakistan in, and it looks like we’re going to be making a trade deal with Pakistan. And it’s a beautiful thing to watch.”

The Pakistani government said it acknowledged and admired Trump’s offers to help resolve the longstanding Kashmir dispute that lies at the “heart of regional instability.”

“Durable peace in South Asia would remain elusive until the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Jammu and Kashmir,” it said.
Islamabad hoped that Trump’s legacy of “pragmatic diplomacy and effective peace-building” will continue and help resolve various ongoing crises in the Middle East.

“Pakistan remains hopeful that his earnest efforts will continue to contribute toward regional and global stability, particularly in the context of ongoing crises in the Middle East, including the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating escalation involving Iran,” the government added.


Pakistan signs $4.5 billion loans with local banks to ease power sector debt

Updated 21 June 2025
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Pakistan signs $4.5 billion loans with local banks to ease power sector debt

  • The government, which owns much of the power infrastructure, is grappling with ballooning ‘circular debt’
  • The liquidity crunch has disrupted supply, discouraged investment and added to fiscal pressure on Islamabad

KARACHI: Pakistan has signed term sheets with 18 commercial banks for a 1.275 trillion Pakistani rupee ($4.50 billion) Islamic finance facility to help pay down mounting debt in its power sector, government officials said on Friday.

The government, which owns or controls much of the power infrastructure, is grappling with ballooning “circular debt”, unpaid bills and subsidies, that has choked the sector and weighed on the economy.

The liquidity crunch has disrupted supply, discouraged investment and added to fiscal pressure, making it a key focus under Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF program.

Finding funds to plug the gap has been a persistent challenge, with limited fiscal space and high-cost legacy debt making resolution efforts more difficult.

“Eighteen commercial banks will provide the loans through Islamic financing,” Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the finance minister, told Reuters.

The facility, structured under Islamic principles, is secured at a concessional rate of 3-month KIBOR, the benchmark rate banks use to price loans, minus 0.9 percent, a formula agreed on by the IMF.

“It will be repaid in 24 quarterly instalments over six years,” and will not add to public debt, Power Minister Awais Leghari said.

Existing liabilities carry higher costs, including late payment surcharges on Independent Power Producers of up to KIBOR plus 4.5 percent, and older loans ranging slightly above benchmark rates.

Meezan Bank, HBL, National Bank of Pakistan and UBL were among the banks participating in the deal.

The government expects to allocate 323 billion rupees annually to repay the loan, capped at 1.938 trillion rupees over six years.

The agreement also aligns with Pakistan’s target of eliminating interest-based banking by 2028, with Islamic finance now comprising about a quarter of total banking assets.