Rehman says Washington’s decision to come to negotiating table reflects its defeat
JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. PHOTO: ARCHIVE
LAHORE:
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday urged the government to support the ongoing negotiations between Iran and the United States instead of “falling into the deception” of US President Donald Trump.
At a press conference in Mansoorah, the JI chief noted that Iran stood firm over the Strait of Hormuz and questioned why the United States had failed to secure its opening if it had achieved all its objectives. He argued that Iran’s resistance had been successful.
Rehman said Washington’s decision to come to the negotiating table reflected its defeat and Iran’s success.
Speaking on the Palestine issue, the JI chief maintained that the Palestinian people had not surrendered and continued their resistance. He demanded that cases be brought in international courts against Trump and Israeli leaders, 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 making up 70 percent of the victims, and called for international legal action against American and Israeli leaders.
Referring to the recent tensions involving Iran, the JI chief held the American president and the Israeli prime minister responsible for any attack on Iran, adding that the power of the United States and Israel had diminished after confronting Iran and that the world would gradually be freed from their influence.
On the domestic front, Rehman criticized the government’s economic policies, particularly the imposition of taxes on oil, calling them unfair.
He said Rs 900 billion was being collected from the poor and middle classes under the tax, with around 25 million motorcyclists bearing the burden. He demanded the immediate abolition of the tax and a reduction in fuel prices, stating that prices could fall if the tax was withdrawn.
He also criticized government spending, calling the purchase of an aircraft worth Rs 11,000 million for Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the provision of expensive vehicles to the bureaucracy as unjustified.
He asked Maryam Nawaz to sell the plane and deposit the amount in the national treasury, and suggested that all officials, including the army chief, naval chief and ministers, use 1,300cc vehicles.
The JI Ameer also urged activation of Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline project to address the energy crisis. He called for a unified foreign policy involving Saudi Arabia, Iran, Türkiye and other Gulf states to counter the ambitions of the United States and Israel.
He stressed that Muslim countries should put aside sectarian differences and support Iran. He also demanded that agreements with independent power producers and the closure of thermal plants be investigated to reduce the burden of electricity costs on consumers.
