Press Release
The Ruthless Anti-Encroachment Drive Confirms that the Regime only Cares for the Affairs of the Powerful Ruling Elite

7000 shops, 10000 sun shades and 2000 platforms were ruthlessly demolished in Karachi after a Supreme Court order of 27 October 2018 to end encroachment of public streets and lands, sparking great anger and protest. Only after thousands lost their long standing businesses, without compensation, did the Sindh Local Government Minister, Saeed Ghani, announce relocation measures on 3 December. Then on 4 December, the Prime Minister finally ordered a review petition of the court order. The anti-encroachment drive was like the rampaging destruction by an invading, attacking enemy force, which clumsily smashes all that finds in its way, dismissing human loss or disruption to living as "collateral damage." In the long weeks within which the destruction took place, the regime was blind to the plight of the people. It only awoke when the anger of the people rose, such that it became dominant in public opinion. And even then the regime announced token measures, which were too little, too late. Clearly, the attitude of the state is not that of a caring state, but that of a colonialist administrator. As such, the current state is true to its democratic nature, which is a state that cares only for the interests of a small, powerful elite that takes turns to rule, whilst being the very means for the hardship and suffering of the masses.

Taking care of the people's access to means of livelihood so they may feed themselves, is a duty in Islam. RasulAllah (saaw) said,

«مَنْ أَصْبَحَ مِنْكُمْ آمِنًا فِي سِرْبِهِ مُعَافًى فِي جَسَدِهِ عِنْدَهُ قُوتُ يَوْمِهِ فَكَأَنَّمَا حِيزَتْ لَهُ الدُّنْيَا»

“Whoever wakes up secure in his family with a healthy body, having food for the day, it is as if the entire world is given to him.” (Narrated by al-Tirmidhi and others). The provision of the means of livelihood is one of the fundamental responsibilities of the state.

RasulAllah (saaw) said, ‏

«كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَمَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ، وَالإِمَامُ رَاعٍ وَمَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ»

“All of you are guardians and responsible for your charges: the Ruler (i.e. Imam) is a guardian and responsible for his subjects.” [Bukhari]. Thus, it is not only the responsibility of the state to ensure that there is smooth travel and transport for the public, without obstruction. It is also the responsibility of the state to ensure that at all times the people are compensated for losses and granted uninterrupted means of livelihood.

Relocation and compensation are not after thoughts, but are part of caring for the people, as a foremost consideration. It is clear already that there will never be any relief for the people under Democracy, whether under PML-Q, PPP, PML-N or PTI.

Certainly, the Muslims must turn their sights away from man-made law and strive for the ruling by all that Allah (swt) has revealed. Indeed, the Khilafah (Caliphate) State on the Method of the Prophethood alone is the effective remedy for the suffering of the people, because it is the state of care that implements the provisions of Islam, and the ruler is the first to starve, the last to become full, and the first to rise upon hearing of the hardship of the people. RasulAllah (saaw) said,

«إِنَّمَا الإِمَامُ جُنَّةٌ يُقَاتَلُ مِنْ وَرَائِهِ وَيُتَّقَى بِهِ»

“The Imam is but a shield, behind whom the Muslims fight and by whom they are protected.” (Agreed upon)

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Wilayah Pakistan