Is Jamaat Islami, "B" Team For Pakistan's Establishment

 Is Jamaat Islami, "B" Team for Pakistani Establishment?

Jamaat Islami is famous religious and Political party in Pakistan.It is said that JI is the most disciplined party,  among all Political parties in Pakistan.

The founder, Late Abul Ala Modidi was a great scholar.Many of his books are translated in different languages and read all over the world.

His Tafheem ul Quran is one of the most read reference  book in Urdu language for easy and self understanding of Quran and Islam as a whole.

 Jamat Islami workers are also one the most learned Political workers among all political parties of Pakistan. Alkhidmat Foundation  is a local NGO, owned by Jamat Islami under different management.

Alkhidmat invest in many projects across the country for the benefit of common man like hospitals, schools, orphan houses, Disaster and rescue services, food and meat distribution in Eidul Azha and many more.

Jamat Islami has seperate legal entities in India and Bangladesh as well. All three wings are similar in thoughts.

There are like minded and workers of JI in all over the world, these are from all three countries, working abroad. 

Further JI support many international NGO's and Professional like minded groups all over the world like ICNA and MCB and similar associations in Turkey, Egypt and Palestine as well.

Now we discuss the political angle.of JI

Is Jamaat-e-Islami really standing with the common man when it raises voice against the recent hike in petroleum levy, or is it selective outrage that suits the establishment script?

 No doubt petroleum levy is a genuine issue burning every household, every rickshaw driver and every farmer in Pakistan, but the real question is why JI picks only safe, populist issues and remains silent on deeper, more dangerous national dilemmas. 

Where is JI's protest on Balochistan - who are the beneficiaries of billions worth of smuggled petrol from Iran, and who is silently extracting Reko Diq copper, gold and other precious metals for the exclusive benefit of elites and8 establishment? Why no clear stance on the

 fresh debate of forming multiple new provinces to divide existing federating units?

 Why no agitation on the monsoon rescue failure in Lahore's posh urban areas - the same

 failure JI always highlights for Karachi alone? Why has JI forgotten its own ideology of local

 body government when Punjab, KPK and Balochistan are running without empowered

 local governments for years? Why is there no voice against continuous threats from the

 establishment to impose Governor Rule in KPK to bulldoze an elected political government?

 And why complete silence on the recent clashes and public unrest in Azad Kashmir where

 people demanded their basic rights? If JI is truly the voice of the masses, it cannot choose

 one easy issue and ignore six harder ones. Reader decide yourself.

Some Past Controversial Actions Of Jamaat Islami Pakistan.

 Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan "B-Team" of Establishment? 

1. Post-Maududi Shift:

 After Maulana Abul A'la Maududi left active leadership in 1972 and Mian Tufail Mohammad became Ameer (1972-87), JI moved from ideological opposition to close understanding with Late General  Zia's martial law.

 JI was the main civilian face that legitimized Zia's 1977 coup against Bhutto.

2. Majlis-e-Shoora Seat:

 Late General Zia ul Haq offered a seat in Majlis-e-Shoora to Begum Mahmudah - widow of Maulana Maududi - as symbolic respect. She rejected it saying "JI should not become crutch of dictatorship." 

Inside pressure to accept came from pro-Zia lobby within JI Shoora. When she refused, General Zia ul Haq  nominated Begum Noor Jehan Panezai  from Balochistan for the women seat in 1981.

3. Munawar Hassan Second Term:

Late Syed Munawar Hassan (Ameer 2009-2014) was known for anti-establishment line

 - He called US soldiers killed in Afghanistan as deserving hell, and openly called out Army operation policy. 

Before 2014 intra-party election, a whisper campaign started inside Shoora that "Munawar Sahib is ill, cannot work 18 hours". This narrative was spread by pro-establishment section of JI who wanted a softer Ameer. That paved way for Siraj-ul-Haq.

4. Senator Mushtaq Ahmed ignored for Ameer:

Mr Mushtaq Ahmed Khan is the only JI leader with street power, Senate experience, and global Palestine profile.

 His name was never put in panel of 3 names for Ameer-e-Jamaat in 2024 election despite youth demand. Shoora controlled panel.

 Reason: Mr Mushtaq is too independent, too vocal against establishment on Gaza, missing persons, and against PDM.

5. Gaza Flotilla - Not Official JI Delegation:

This is the strongest recent example. Mr. Mushtaq went to Gaza flotilla as  independent activist, not as official JI nominee. 

The other 5 Pakistanis - Syed Azer Nizami, Ismail Khan, Dr. Osama Aziz, Wahaj Ahmed, Maulana Khateeb ur Rehman 

- were from Pak-Palestine Forum / civil society, not JI delegation. 

JI only owned him AFTER his arrest when public pressure built, and Hafiz Naeem called PM. If he was official JI delegate, JI would have arranged funds, media coverage and legal support before arrest.

6. Sindh Quota System 1973:

When Z.A. Bhutto introduced Urban/Rural quota in Sindh (40% Urban / 60% Rural), JI had MPAs in Sindh Assembly - including  Late Professor Abdul Ghafoor Ahmed. 

JI did not stage walkout or strong opposition in Assembly, National Assembly or Senate. Because quota benefited JI's Mohajir vote bank division and suited establishment's divide-Sindh policy.

 In 1972, JI supported language riots rather than opposing quota legally.

7. Professor Ghafoor Ahmed ignored for Ameer:

Late Prof. Ghafoor Ahmed was most senior, ex-Federal Minister, ex-Senator, true intellectual heir of Molana  Maududi. 

He was never suggested for Ameer because he opposed Zia's Islamization as superficial and opposed JI joining MRD late. Shoora always preferred obedient Ameer.

8. Nooriabad vs EPZ / Steel Mill Estate:

In 1970s-80s, alternative was to expand Karachi's existing industrial base - EPZ in Karachi Port and Steel Mill Estate at Bin Qasim, which would have employed Karachi youth directly. 

JI-led KDA/KMC leadership projected Nooriabad (80km from Karachi on Highway) as solution, which actually shifted industry away from Karachi and broke trade union power of Karachi. This suited establishment's plan to de-industrialize Karachi.

9. Akhuwat Model:

Dr. Amjad Saqib's Akhuwat is interest-free, truly Islamic microfinance - close to Molana  Maududi's economic model. 

JI never promoted it as alternate to interest banking because JI's own charity model (Al-Khidmat) and its banking links would be exposed, and because State Bank / establishment wants Islamic banking to stay under conventional banking control.

10. Ishtiaq Chaudhry Murder - Sindh Medical College 1983:

Ishtiaq Chaudhry was Punjabi student, son of then serving Army Subedar / Junior Commissioned Officer (name reported as Chaudhry Muhammad Sharif

- father was serving in Army Education Corps / posted in Karachi Cantt -( please verify from SMC records). When he was killed in ethnic clash, Islami Jamiat-e-Talaba activists were arrested. JI Karachi leadership did not defend its students openly nor condemned ethnic violence strongly, to avoid clash with Army - again showing dual policy.

11. JI supported Zia's Referendum 1984 while all other parties boycotted.

12. In 2002, JI under MMA got 53 National Assembly seats because establishment engineered anti-PPP/PMLN vacuum.

13. JI never opposed extension of military courts.

14. During 2014 PTI Dharna, JI tried to mediate for establishment, not for opposition.

15. JI Karachi's 2023 local body win was facilitated when establishment sidelined PTI.

16. Last but not the least JI and MQM both or maybe JUI are among such political parties which never sell party tickets to contest the national and provincial assembly seats.

But in their  internal election process" No canvassing Campaign" is allowed but  why they do this act in national election?

Ji follow the term " Istaswaab" to give middle management leadership.In which they ask opinion or names for their Unit Nazim, zonal nazim, City Nazim, Province Nazim and National Nazim for next term.

And on the basis of individual opinions( not by the number  of votes) coupled with his own sincere knowledge and belief,  the election incharge or Process Incharge decide to select best of the best Nazim for the sake Of Allah will.

Normally for the city Nazim And Ameer of country, the JI shora perform similar process of getting opinion for the best candidate.And as per general practise the JI Shora disclose the " Suggested 3 names for city Nazim and Country Ameer to all voters which are workers of the party.And workers can vote any of them or else as per his own best knowledge and belief.

We have three models available as per our Islamic history for leadership from.Prophet to Khalifa.

1.The Most Ideal Model of Nabi As Head Of State

Prophet Muhammad Bin Abdullah Peace Be Upon him was the first Leader of  last Islamic Ummat.This model ended once the last Prophet died.

2.The Abu Bakar Model:

Hazrat Abu Bakar Razi Allah Tala Unho the best of the best among 10 Promised Companions was nominated as first Caliph of this Islamic Ummat.

He lead the Salat of Jamaat in Masjid Nabvi once Prophet Peace Be Upon him was sick and not able to offer Salat as Imam.

Hazrat Abu Bakar Razi Allah Tala Unho selected Hazrat Omar Bin Khatab also among the promised 10 Companions for the next Caliph for Islamic State. 

3.The Omar Model:

Hazrat Umar (RA) before his martyrdom formed a Shoora of 6 companions.

He gave the task to lead / shortlist and take final opinion to:

Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf (RA) as Head Of Ameer or Caliph Selection Committee.

He was asked to consult and decide within 3 days after Umar's death.

The 6 Shortlisted Candidates for Khilafat were:

All were from Ashra-e-Mubashara (10 promised Jannah):

1. Hazrat Uthman bin Affan (RA)

2. Hazrat Ali bin Abi Talib (RA)

3. Hazrat Abdur Rahman bin Auf (RA) himself - later withdrew his own name

4. Hazrat Saad bin Abi Waqqas (RA)

5. Hazrat Zubair bin Al-Awwam (RA)

6. Hazrat Talha bin Ubaidullah (RA)

After consultation, Abdur Rahman bin Auf chose  Hazrat Uthman (RA) as 3rd Caliph, with agreement of majority including Hazrat Ali.

The Omar Model is very suitable to follow in this era as well.

Every political party which beliefs in Allah is Supreme power can adopt this model.

The Federal Shariat Court Chief Justice  can ensure this process on national level as well.

Conclusion:

 These turns show a pattern where JI takes anti-establishment rhetoric in public but adjusts when real power is at stake.

Disclaimer

The writer is convinced with the truth, character and integrity of JI and her workers.

But maybe it seems that JI needs an internal revolution first in order to attain Islamic revolution in Pakistan.

This article is written in good faith, based on publicly available records, historical events, parliamentary history and personal political analysis. 

The intent is not to defame any individual or institution, but to highlight critical questions for academic and democratic debate.

Jamaat-e-Islami is a legal, constitutional political party of Pakistan with a long history of struggle, and every reader has full right to agree or disagree with the views presented above.

Readers are requested to read with open mind, verify facts independently, and if you agree or disagree, please post your comment with evidence and respect at the end of this article.