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.”


Chinese official criticizes Pakistan’s ‘false rhetoric’ on economic corridor, raises ‘serious’ security concerns — report

Updated 40 min 24 sec ago
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Chinese official criticizes Pakistan’s ‘false rhetoric’ on economic corridor, raises ‘serious’ security concerns — report

  • Shengjie says Pakistan’s rhetoric has given “unrealistic expectations” to locals
  • Recent attacks have forced Beijing to publicly criticize Pakistan over security lapses

ISLAMABAD: China’s political secretary to Islamabad, Wang Shengjie, has criticized Pakistan’s “false rhetoric” around projects that are part of a joint multi-billion-dollar economic corridor, expressing “serious concerns” over the scheme’s future due to security challenges, a recent report in the Guardian newspaper said.

Beijing has pledged to build energy, infrastructure and other projects as part of the over $60 billion China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) scheme launched in 2015 as a flagship of President Xi Jinping’s Belt and Road Initiative to grant China access to trade routes in Asia and Africa. 

Recent attacks, including one in October 2024 in which two Chinese workers were killed in a suicide bombing in the Pakistani port city of Karachi, have forced Beijing to publicly criticize Pakistan over security lapses and media has widely reported in recent months that China wants its own security forces on the ground to protect its nationals and projects, a demand Islamabad has long resisted.

Progress on the economic corridor has been slow, particularly in the restive southwestern Balochistan province where China is building a deep-sea port and last week opened Pakistan’s largest airport in the coastal town of Gwadar, among other mega projects. Ethnic separatist groups target Chinese interests in the area, blaming both the governments in Pakistan and China of exploiting the province’s natural resources and neglecting the local population, allegations both Beijing and Islamabad deny. Gwadar residents have held intermittent protests for months, saying Chinese projects in the area have not improved the lives of the local population. 

In a report published in the Guardian on Sunday, Shengjie spoke about enduring security challenges in Pakistan. 

“Shengjie accused the Pakistani government of using ‘false rhetoric’ around CPEC projects, which had given unrealistic expectations to locals,” the Guardian reported on Sunday, 

 “We don’t work in rhetoric like Pakistan – we just focus on development,” he was quoted as saying. “If this kind of security situation persists, it will hamper development.”

The report said the Chinese official expressed “serious concerns” over the future of CPEC due to security challenges. 

“If the security is not improved, who would come and work in this environment? There is hatred against the Chinese in Gwadar and Balochistan,” Shengjie was quoted as saying . “Some evil forces are against the CPEC, and they want to sabotage it.”

Pakistan has repeatedly assured China it would protect its nationals in the country from militant outfits and has tightened security protocols for Chinese investors and nationals. Islamabad says attacks on Chinese nationals are an “international conspiracy” to sour ties between the two longtime allies. 


Pakistan condemns attack on Saudi Hospital in Sudan, killing at least 70

Updated 27 January 2025
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Pakistan condemns attack on Saudi Hospital in Sudan, killing at least 70

  • War between Sudan’s army and Rapid Support Forces broke out in 2023 due to disputes over integration of two forces
  • Conflict has killed tens of thousands, driven millions from their homes and plunged half of the population into hunger

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Monday condemned a drone attack that killed at least 70 people at the Saudi Teaching Maternal Hospital in the city of El-Fasher in Sudan, the foreign office said.

The war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which broke out in April 2023 due to disputes over the integration of the two forces, has killed tens of thousands, driven millions from their homes and plunged half of the population into hunger.

The conflict has produced waves of ethnically driven violence blamed largely on the RSF, creating a humanitarian crisis.

“The attack leading to unfortunate deaths reportedly of seventy people clearly violates international law and puts innocent civilians at grave risk. Pakistan extends its deepest sympathies to the victims and their families,” the foreign office said about the attack on the Saudi hospital.

“This attack underscores the urgent need for upholding the sanctity of health care facilities and adherence to the principles of international humanitarian law.”

The foreign office urged the resolution of the Sudanese conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, while affirming “full support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sudan.”

Darfur Governor Mini Minnawi said on X that an RSF drone had struck the emergency department of the Saudi hospital in the capital of North Darfur, killing patients, including women and children.

Fierce clashes have erupted in El Fasher between the RSF and the Sudanese joint forces, including the army, armed resistance groups, police, and local defense units.

Last week, the RSF issued an ultimatum demanding army forces and allies leave El Fasher city in advance of an expected offensive.


West Indies win Test in Pakistan for first time in 35 years

Updated 27 January 2025
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West Indies win Test in Pakistan for first time in 35 years

  • Spinner Jomel Warrican took five wickets as West Indies beat Pakistan by 120 runs 
  • Babar Azam top-scores with 31, Rizwan makes 25 as Pakistan fail to chase 254 runs 

MULTAN, Pakistan: Spinner Jomel Warrican took five wickets as the West Indies won a Test match in Pakistan for the first time in nearly 35 years on Monday.
The West Indies won the second Test in Multan by 120 runs on day three to draw the series 1-1.
Pakistan won the first Test by 127 runs, also in Multan.
Warrican finished with nine wickets in the match — 19 in the series — to give the hosts a taste of their own medicine on spin-friendly pitches.
The last time the West Indies won a Test in Pakistan was in Faisalabad in November 1990, having gone winless on their 1997 and 2006 tours.
Resuming on 76-4 and chasing 254, Pakistan’s hopes of victory rested on Saud Shakeel but Kevin Sinclair had the left-hander caught in the slip for 13 to further dent the home team’s fading chances.
Babar Azam top-scored with 31 while Mohammad Rizwan made 25.


World Bank mission in Pakistan to discuss plan to improve power stability system

Updated 32 min 41 sec ago
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World Bank mission in Pakistan to discuss plan to improve power stability system

  • World Bank mission to advance preparations for systems that manage, improve quality of power in electrical grids
  • Pakistan has taken steps recently to reform its energy sector, lower electricity costs and reduce transmission losses

ISLAMABAD: A World Bank mission is in Pakistan to discuss a plan to improve the power stability system in the energy-starved South Asian country, a spokesperson of the financial institution confirmed on Monday. 

As per local media reports, the World Bank mission was due to arrive in Pakistan on Monday for a two-day visit to develop a work plan and agree on the next steps to advance the preparation of Reactive Compensation Devices. 

Reactive Compensation Devices are electrical systems used to manage and improve the quality of power in electrical grids by controlling the flow of reactive power.

“There is a mission in town. That’s all I can confirm at this point,” Maryam Altaf, the communications officer at the World Bank’s Pakistan office, told Arab News when asked to confirm reports. 

Pakistan has been eagerly attempting to reform its energy sector, lower electricity costs and reduce transmission losses in its bid to curtail its mounting circular debt.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government has increasingly spoken about its desire to reduce electricity theft and transmission losses through energy sector reforms. This has resulted in the country suffering long hours of power outages, especially during summers, and suffering huge economic losses as a result. 

Earlier this month, the federal cabinet approved a plan to renegotiate agreements with 14 independent power producers (IPPs). The government said the revised agreements with the IPPs would cause a reduction of Rs802 billion ($2.9 billion) in costs and profits, including a Rs35 billion ($126 million) cut in past excess profits. 

At the core of Pakistan’s energy problems are capacity charges, or payments made to IPPs regardless of electricity consumption, which have exacerbated Pakistan’s circular debt, now exceeding Rs2.4 trillion ($8.6 billion), as per energy minister Sardar Awais Ahmad Laghari.

Laghari also announced earlier this month that the government will implement a new energy market system through which consumers will be able to buy power from multiple suppliers starting March. 


UK team in Pakistan for aviation audit ahead of resumption of PIA flights

Updated 27 January 2025
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UK team in Pakistan for aviation audit ahead of resumption of PIA flights

  • European safety agency in November lifted 2020 bar on PIA operating in bloc
  • PIA resumed Europe operations on Jan. 10 with flight to Paris from Islamabad 

KARACHI: A delegation from the United Kingdom’s Department for Transport and Civil Aviation Authority arrived in Pakistan today, Monday, to conduct a safety assessment ahead of the resumption of PIA flight operations between Pakistan and the UK.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency in November lifted its ban on Pakistan’s national carrier operating in the bloc, a restriction that was placed in 2020 over concerns about the ability of Pakistani authorities and its Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) to ensure compliance with international aviation standards. The suspension came days after Pakistan launched an investigation into the validity of pilots’ licenses issued in the country following a PIA plane crash that killed 97 people.

On Jan. 10, PIA resumed flights to European destinations with a plane departing for Paris from Islamabad International Airport.

“There will be several high-level meetings between the two sides,” PCAA said in a statement after the UK team’s arrival in Pakistan.

“The discussions will examine aviation safety protocols, review documentation, and evaluate operational procedures. The UK delegation is also scheduled to visit airlines to assess compliance with international standards.”

PCAA said its officials had been engaged for months in technical talks with UK authorities and were “optimistic about the positive outcome of this visit.”

In November EASA said the decision to allow PIA to perform commercial air transport operations to, from and within the EU was based on the “significant efforts” made by the PCAA.

Pakistan had grounded 262 of the country’s 860 pilots, including 141 of PIA’s 434, whose licenses the then aviation minister termed “dubious.” The investigation ultimately did not reveal any major concerns, but the suspension remained in place.

The ban was costing PIA nearly 40 billion Pakistani rupees ($144 million) in revenue annually, according to government records presented in parliament.