LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday condemned the killings of suspects in recent police encounters, describing them as extrajudicial killings and alleging that the actions were aimed at shielding the real perpetrators.
Addressing a news conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem referred to two recent cases involving Laiba Ijaz, a gold medallist from the International Islamic University Islamabad (IIUI), and 15-year-old orphan Waseem Abbas.
He said the suspects in both cases had been killed in police encounters instead of being brought to justice through the judicial system.
Hafiz Naeem said the killings raised serious questions about the rule of law and the state of the country’s justice system.
“Extrajudicial killings show that anarchy has spread across the country,” he said, alleging that a handful of powerful individuals were acting without accountability and that such measures were intended to suppress public anger.
لاہور: امیر جماعت اسلامی پاکستان حافظ نعیم الرحمان پیٹرولیم لیوی کے حوالے سے اہم پریس کانفرنس سے خطاب https://t.co/AIkPjaT319
— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) October 26, 2026
He claimed that suspects were being killed to protect the people behind the crimes, adding that the suspect involved in the fraud against Laiba had not necessarily acted alone.
“The real culprits are being concealed by killing the suspects,” he said.
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Referring to the Waseem Abbas case, the JI chief said the incident reflected deeper problems rooted in feudalism, capitalism and the influence of powerful individuals. He alleged that connections with influential people and government officials allowed some individuals to act without fear of accountability.
He also accused powerful groups and various mafias, including those operating in the flour, sugar, banking, oil marketing and land sectors, of exploiting the existing system.
Hafiz Naeem said police encounters could not replace an effective justice system, arguing that the authorities were failing to ensure accountability through legal channels.
ریلیف نہ ملا تو نومبر میں اسلام آباد کی طرف لانگ مارچ کریں گے، حافظ نعیم الرحمان
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— ARY NEWS (@ARYNEWSOFFICIAL) October 26, 2026
“Even if 4,000 people are killed in extrajudicial encounters, how will that correct a system of oppression imposed on a country of millions?” he asked.
He said the rule of law required functioning judicial institutions capable of ensuring that criminals were held accountable through due process.
He said the government must address public grievances and ensure that justice was delivered through the courts rather than through police encounters.
Hafiz Naeem also criticised the government’s economic policies, saying authorities needed to reduce extravagant spending.
He alleged that banks and refineries were united against the interests of ordinary citizens.
Referring to the constitutional commitment to eliminate interest-based financial practices by January 1, 2027, he questioned the government’s progress towards meeting the deadline.
The JI chief said the party would launch a long march in mid-November if the government did not abolish the petroleum levy.