Rehman says Washington’s decision to come to negotiating table reflected its defeat
JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. PHOTO: FILE
LAHORE:
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman urged the government on Tuesday to support ongoing negotiations between Iran and the US instead of “falling for the deception” of US president Donald Trump.
Addressing a news conference at Mansoorah, the JI chief noted that Iran remained firm over the Strait of Hormuz, and questioned why US had failed to secure its opening if it had achieved all its objectives. He maintained that Iran’s resistance had proved successful.
Rehman asserted that Washington’s decision to come to the negotiating table reflected its defeat and Iran’s success.
Speaking on Palestine issue, the JI chief maintained that the Palestinian people had not surrendered and continued their resistance. He demanded that cases be filed in international courts against Trump and Israeli leadership, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
He claimed that more than 90,000 Palestinians had been martyred in Gaza over the past two and a half years, with women and children comprising 70 per cent of the casualties, and called for international legal action against US and Israeli leaders.
Referring to recent tensions involving Iran, the JI chief held the US president and the Israeli prime minister responsible for any attack on Iran, adding that the power of the US and Israel had diminished after confronting Iran and that the world would gradually break free from their influence.
On the domestic front, Rehman criticised the government’s economic policies, particularly the imposition of petroleum levy taxes, terming them unjust.
He said Rs900 billion was being collected from the poor and middle classes under the levy, with around 25 million motorcyclists bearing the burden. He demanded immediate abolition of the levy and a reduction in fuel prices, stating that prices could be lowered if the levy was withdrawn.
He also criticised government expenditures, terming the purchase of an Rs11 billion aircraft for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and provision of expensive vehicles to the bureaucracy as unjustified.
He called on Maryam Nawaz to sell the aircraft and deposit the amount in the national exchequer, and suggested that all officials, including the army chief, naval chief and ministers, should use 1300cc vehicles.
The JI ameer also urged activation of the Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project to address the energy crisis. He called for a unified foreign policy involving Saudi Arabia, Iran, Turkey and other Gulf states to counter the ambitions of the US and Israel.
He emphasised that Muslim countries should set aside sectarian differences and stand with Iran. He further demanded investigations into agreements with independent power producers and closure of thermal plants to reduce the burden of electricity costs on consumers.
