Hafiz Naeem raises questions over political system and Karachi University funding

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that feudal landowners are present in every political party in Pakistan adding that the country’s political system has lacked opportunities for fresh leadership for the past 42 years.

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that feudal landowners are present in every political party in Pakistan adding that the country’s political system has lacked opportunities for fresh leadership for the past 42 years.

Addressing an event in Karachi on Thursday, October 22, 2026 the JI chief also highlighted concerns over the financial condition and deteriorating infrastructure of the University of Karachi. He said the Sindh government was not providing grants to the university leaving its infrastructure in a state of decline.

Hafiz Naeem stressed the need to improve facilities at the institution and called on local authorities to support university transport services. He recalled that Karachi University previously operated 125 transport points and urged the city’s town administrations to prepare 10 additional points for the university next year.

He said local town administrations lacked sufficient authority to address various issues arguing that greater support and resources were necessary to improve public services.

The JI emir also emphasised that education should be treated as a national priority rather than a matter limited to individual institutions or local governments. He called for greater public attention to educational challenges and urged stakeholders to raise their voices for improvements in the sector.

His remarks come amid ongoing discussions about access to education, university funding and the responsibilities of provincial and local governments in Pakistan. Public universities depend on adequate resources to maintain infrastructure, support students and provide essential facilities, including transportation.

Hafiz Naeem also referred to the financial burden of petroleum taxation stating that Rs80 in levy was being paid on every litre of petrol. His comments reflect the party’s continuing campaign for reductions in petroleum levies and relief from rising living and operating costs.

The JI leader has previously spoken about education-related initiatives including a proposed education card programme for Karachi. The party has presented education as a key public issue, alongside its demands for economic relief.

His latest comments brought together concerns about political representation university funding, local government powers and fuel costs, highlighting issues that Jamaat-i-Islami says require greater attention from government authorities.