The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) re-entered Karachi’s political arena following the long-delayed local government elections, seeking to reshape its image and connect with the city’s large youth population.
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The party has increasingly used social media, new campaign visuals, slogans and youth-focused messaging to broaden its appeal. Its anthem and slogan, “Hal Sirf Jamaat-e-Islami” (JI is the only solution), focuses on Karachi’s governance problems and criticises mainstream political parties for failing to address the city’s challenges.
Traditionally known as a religious political party, JI has adopted a more contemporary public image in Karachi. Recent campaign visuals have featured Karachi JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman in jeans and young women without traditional religious attire as party supporters.
The party has also included transgender councillors on reserved seats in the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), despite its opposition to transgender-rights legislation.
However, Mian Zeeshan Ahmed of Times of Karachi has pointed to a distinction between JI’s public image and its internal membership structure. According to Ahmed, while the party’s public-facing image has evolved, its membership process continues to be based on religious principles, with new members referred to as “rafique.”
JI’s Position in Karachi’s 2024 Election
JI was an active participant in the 2024 general elections, particularly in Karachi, where it campaigned on issues ranging from local government empowerment to environmental protection and public transport.
The party presented a nationwide manifesto as well as a separate Karachi-focused document titled “Manshoor-e-Karachi.”
JI sought to capitalise on the political space created by the weakened organisational structure of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) and the political difficulties faced by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI).
With the 2024 general election campaign entering its final hours, political parties intensified rallies, street meetings and manifesto campaigns across Karachi.
JI Calls for Fresh Karachi Census
One of the major proposals in JI’s Karachi manifesto is a fresh census for the city.
The party has called for a census recount to accurately determine Karachi’s population, arguing that the city’s population should be properly represented in parliament and that accurate population figures would help secure an appropriate share of development funds.
JI has also called for the establishment of a Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) in Sindh.
According to the party, financial empowerment of local governments down to the union committee level would require implementation of the PFC, including mechanisms such as Octroi and Zilla Tax.
The demand for greater financial powers for local governments has also appeared in the manifestos of JI and MQM, while it was not included in the Pakistan Peoples Party’s manifesto in the same form.
Gas Prices and Supply
JI’s Karachi manifesto also addresses gas shortages and load-shedding.
The party has proposed:
- Reducing gas prices for households and industries.
- Exploring new gas reserves in Sindh.
- Addressing gas supply problems affecting Karachi residents and businesses.
- JI’s Environmental Agenda
Environmental reform is another major component of the party’s Karachi manifesto.
JI has proposed expanding green spaces and establishing botanical gardens while also recognising Karachi’s vulnerability to climate change.
One of its stated targets is to reduce the city’s Air Quality Index (AQI) to below 100.
According to Yasir Hussain of the Climate Action Center, an AQI below 50 represents an ideal level, while Karachi can experience significantly better air quality during the monsoon season.
The feasibility of achieving the JI target would depend on factors including emissions from vehicles and industries, weather conditions, waste management and implementation of environmental regulations.
Public Transport and Karachi Circular Railway
JI has also placed public transport among its major priorities.
The party has pledged to complete the long-delayed Karachi Circular Railway and proposed operating large buses on the Lyari Expressway to help reduce congestion.
Its manifesto proposes a fleet of at least 5,000 large buses.
However, the manifesto does not specify whether these buses would operate on diesel, electricity or another fuel source.
The environmental impact would therefore depend partly on the technology and energy source used to operate the proposed fleet.
The party’s proposal to convert the existing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system into a Light Rail System has also attracted questions regarding feasibility.
BRT systems generally offer flexibility and can have lower capital and operating costs than rail-based systems, while also being comparatively easier to implement.
Environmental Protection and Tourism
JI’s broader manifesto also contains proposals concerning tourism and environmental conservation.
The party has pledged to promote a culture of cleanliness and afforestation while seeking to keep tourist destinations free from pollution.
Its environmental proposals include:
- Stronger legislation against environmental degradation.
- Better enforcement of environmental laws.
- Measures to control toxic gases and industrial waste.
- Action against pollution from vehicles and industries.
- Promotion of electric vehicles.
- Large-scale afforestation campaigns to increase green cover.
In the 2018 general elections, JI contested under the platform of the Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal (MMA) alongside other parties. The coalition did not have a separate JI manifesto for the election.
However, JI’s manifesto at the time included proposals related to public health and raising awareness about social responsibility in tackling environmental pollution.
TLP and MWM’s Environmental Proposals
JI is not the only religious political party in Karachi to include environmental issues in its election agenda.
The Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) also addressed environmental pollution in its 2024 election manifesto.
The party proposed stricter action against industries and institutions responsible for pollution and called for government-led afforestation initiatives.
Meanwhile, the Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) released a 14-page manifesto for the 2024 general elections containing several proposals related to energy and the environment.
MWM’s Energy and Climate Proposals
MWM proposed the formulation of an energy policy addressing the environmental impact of furnace-oil and coal-based power generation.
The party also proposed constructing dams on rivers in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir, claiming these projects could generate up to 80,000 megawatts of electricity. At the same time, its manifesto acknowledged potential environmental consequences associated with such projects.
For Karachi and surrounding areas, MWM proposed designating the region between Karachi and Thatta as a special zone for wind-energy generation.
The party also called for tax exemptions on machinery used for gardening and afforestation to encourage horticulture and forest cultivation.
However, some of MWM’s agricultural proposals have been criticised as insufficiently responsive to the challenges posed by climate change, apart from its proposal to introduce renewable-energy-powered tubewells.
Samar Abbas, a human rights lawyer involved in Afghan refugee repatriation cases and an organiser of the Climate March 2023, also raised questions about MWM’s proposal to construct dams in Gilgit-Baltistan and Kashmir.
According to Abbas, global discussions around energy and climate policy have increasingly examined alternatives to large dam projects. He viewed MWM’s inclusion of wind energy as a potentially positive element, but said the manifesto remained primarily focused on energy policy rather than broader climate-related issues.
Environment Emerges as an Election Issue
The manifestos of JI, TLP and MWM demonstrate that environmental issues had become part of the political conversation during the 2024 general election campaign.
Their proposals range from public transport and electric vehicles to afforestation, air pollution, renewable energy and industrial emissions.
The practical impact of these commitments, however, depends on implementation, financing, institutional coordination and the responsibilities assigned to federal, provincial and local governments.
Subedited by Maleeha Hamid Siddiqui
This story is a collaborative effort between The Citizenry and The Times of Karachi, in partnership with the Climate Action Center.
