Hafiz Naeemur Rehman calls for support to negotiations, criticises fuel levy and govt spending policies
JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. PHOTO: FILE
Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, on Wednesday urged Pakistan to support ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States, warning against “falling for the deception” of US President Donald Trump.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah, the JI chief said Washington’s decision to negotiate reflected its “defeat” and Iran’s success. He said Tehran had remained firm over the Strait of Hormuz and questioned why the US had failed to secure its opening if it had achieved its objectives.
On the Palestine issue, he said the people had not surrendered and continued their resistance. He called for filing cases in international courts against Trump and Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He claimed more than 90,000 Palestinians had been martyred in Gaza over the past two and a half years, with women and children making up 70 per cent of casualties, and demanded international legal action.
Read: PTI, JI agree on need for no-confidence against Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab
Referring to tensions involving Iran, Naeem held Trump and Netanyahu responsible for any attack on Tehran, adding that the influence of the US and Israel had diminished after confronting Iran.
On the domestic front, he strongly criticised the government’s economic policies, particularly the petroleum levy, calling it unjust. He said Rs900 billion was being collected from the poor and middle classes, with around 25 million motorcyclists bearing the burden. He demanded immediate abolition of the levy and a reduction in fuel prices.
The JI chief also criticised government expenditures, terming the reported purchase of an Rs11 billion aircraft for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the provision of expensive vehicles to the bureaucracy as unjustified. He urged the chief minister to sell the aircraft and deposit the amount in the national exchequer, and suggested officials use smaller vehicles.
Read More: Balochistan crisis: JI plans jirgas in major cities
He also called for activation of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project to address the energy crisis and urged a unified foreign policy involving Saudi Arabia, Iran, Türkiye and Gulf states to counter the US and Israel.
Naeem demanded investigations into agreements with independent power producers and the closure of thermal plants to reduce electricity costs. He said the party would organise peaceful protests to press for relief in fuel prices and other public issues. Senior leaders, including Ziauddin Ansari, Javed Qasuri and Sajid Namoos, were also present.
