Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), has called on the government to withdraw from what he described as the “so-called Board of Peace (BoP),” saying U.S. President Donald Trump would be remembered in history as a war criminal.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem accused the United States and Israel of initiating war against Iran and committing human rights violations.
He claimed Iran was “being punished” for supporting Gaza and alleged that 165 schoolgirls were killed at the start of the conflict. He described the actions of the U.S. and Israel as those of “war criminals.”
‘Not just Iran’s war’
The JI chief urged Muslim-majority countries to stand firmly with Iran, warning that Israel’s broader objective extended beyond Tehran.
“This is not just Iran’s war; it is also Pakistan’s war,” he said, alleging that Israel’s strategic target included Pakistan and its nuclear programme.
He further warned that any regime change in Iran could pave the way for expanded Israeli influence closer to Pakistan’s borders.
Hafiz Naeem called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to acknowledge that joining the Board of Peace was a mistake and urged Pakistan and other Islamic countries to withdraw from it.
Protest criticism
The JI leader also criticised authorities over their handling of a protest outside the U.S. Consulate in Karachi, questioning the reported use of force against demonstrators.
He said there were peaceful methods to disperse crowds and maintained that no authority had the right to open direct fire. He demanded accountability from both Sindh and federal governments and sought clarification regarding reports that U.S. Marines had opened fire during the incident.
Defence minister’s remarks
Separately, Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said earlier this week that the “Zionist agenda” behind the Iran conflict aimed to extend Israel’s influence to Pakistan’s borders.
His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions following reports of the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in U.S.–Israeli strikes. He warned that the broader strategic objectives of Western powers could pose risks to Pakistan’s security.
The situation continues to evolve as political leaders across Pakistan weigh in on the regional crisis.
