Hafiz Naeemur Rehman was chosen as the new leader of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Thursday, serving for five years from April 2024 to April 2029. He was previously in charge of JI’s activities in Karachi.
The party announced that Naeemur Rehman was unanimously elected by its members. The election results were revealed by Rashid Naseem, the head of the JI Election Commission, during a press conference in Lahore. He mentioned that while there were three suggested candidates, Naeemur Rehman emerged as the chosen leader through a high voter turnout of 82 percent.
Naeemur Rehman is the sixth person to hold this position in JI’s history. He follows individuals like Maulana Abul A’la Maududi, Mian Tufail Muhammad, Qazi Hussain Ahmed, Munawer Hassan, and Sirajul Haq.
Sirajul Haq, Naeemur Rehman’s predecessor, had stepped down after a disappointing performance in the recent general elections but later withdrew his resignation.
Several politicians including former president Arif Alvi and leaders from other parties congratulated Naeemur Rehman on his new role, expressing hope for a positive impact on Pakistani politics.
Naeemur Rehman has a background in civil engineering and Islamic studies. He has been associated with JI since 2000 and has served in various capacities within the party. He’s known for his stance against the privatization of public institutions and his focus on addressing water and drainage issues, particularly in Karachi.
In simpler terms, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman is the new leader of JI, chosen by party members. He has a history of involvement in JI and is known for his stance on important issues like water supply and opposing privatization.