Jamaat-e-Islami has called for a referendum on the July National Charter 2025 to be held before the next national election, emphasising that the two processes should remain separate.

Dr Syed Abdullah Mohammad Taher, Nayeb-e-Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, voiced the party’s stance on Wednesday after a dialogue between the National Consensus Commission (NCC) and political parties at the Foreign Service Academy in the capital. The discussion centred on implementing the July Charter 2025.

The referendum on the July Charter should be held before the national election—that means by November,” Dr Taher said. 

He stressed that holding the referendum and the election simultaneously could create uncertainty and complications.

Now we have all agreed that the July Charter will be accepted through the referendum. Many have suggested holding the referendum and the national election together, but we said the referendum is a different matter and the national election is a different matter,” he explained.

Acknowledging the pros and cons of combining the two events, Dr Taher emphasised that keeping them separate would ensure clarity and avoid confusion during the electoral process.

The Jamaat leader’s comments highlight the party’s insistence on a timely, independent referendum to confirm the July Charter before the country heads to the polls.