D-Chowk incident: JI demands resignation of interior minister

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Amir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has called for Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s immediate resignation over the D-Chowk incident.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Friday, he also urged forming an empowered and credible judicial commission to investigate the incident.

Terming the firing at D-Chowk a brutal warning to the nation, he said it aimed to suppress protests against a “bogus government” formed through manipulated Form-47 results.

“It was a fascist act, which is unacceptable,” he said, adding that the government was focused on crushing the masses rather than providing them relief. He emphasised the need for broader political consensus to heal the nation’s wounds.

Rehman accused the government of simultaneously suppressing public dissent and curbing media freedom.

He demanded the immediate withdrawal of false cases against journalists Matiullah Jan and Shakir Awan and called for their unconditional release.

“The restrictions on freedom of expression today are worse than those imposed during martial law eras,” he said, strongly condemning the government’s actions at D-Chowk.

He also denounced the Balochistan Assembly’s resolution to ban the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), calling it both shameful and condemnable.

Rehman questioned the PTI leadership’s absence during the chaos at D-Chowk, saying, “The D-Chowk tragedy serves as a lesson for political leaders who abandon their workers in difficult times.”

He stressed that political parties should not function as family enterprises or the property of billionaires and feudal lords but must embody true democratic values.

Commenting on the state of the economy, Rehman dismissed claims that the stock market’s so-called improvement reflected the national economy.

He argued that such gains offer no relief to the public. “Inflation, unemployment, and the lack of access to quality education are crushing the people,” he said.

He also criticised the privatisation of national institutions at throwaway prices and the Punjab government’s decision to hand over schools to NGOs.

Turning to Palestine, he called for global solidarity and immediate action by Islamic countries to aid Gaza residents, emphasising that November 29 is observed worldwide as the Day of Solidarity with Palestine.

Rehman, accompanied by JI Secretary General Ameer-ul-Azeem, Deputy Emir Dr. Osama Razi, Information Secretary Qaiser Sharif, and Lahore Amir Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, also highlighted the growing disconnect between the military and the public.

“While the military’s sacrifices are commendable, the actions of a few individuals are creating rifts between the public and the army. Institutions must rethink their approach,” he said.

He affirmed that the Jamaat-e-Islami would continue to fearlessly speak the truth and advocate for public rights despite all challenges.