Summary Hafiz Naeem announces rallies and a nationwide signature campaign against petroleum levy, warning of a long march if the levy remains.
LAHORE (Web Desk) - Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said that despite government restrictions and what he described as undemocratic measures, party workers made the Lahore rally successful, demonstrating their continued presence in the political arena.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah, Hafiz Naeem announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would hold rallies in Charsadda, Swabi, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Larkana, Karak and Karachi.
He also announced the launch of a nationwide signature campaign against the petroleum levy, saying a long march would be launched if the levy was not withdrawn upon the prime minister’s return to Pakistan.
Hafiz Naeem claimed that the IMF agreement contained no provision regarding the petroleum levy and called on rulers to reduce their expenses by using vehicles with engine capacities of up to 1,300cc.
He also demanded that the federal government eliminate interest and stop allocating funds to provincial departments following the 18th Amendment.
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader said other political parties, including opposition groups, were not raising issues affecting the public.
Commenting on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s address to the United Nations General Assembly, Hafiz Naeem criticised what he described as insufficient discussion of Indian-administered Kashmir, detained leaders including Yasin Malik, and Israeli actions in Palestine.
He also condemned calls for imposing governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and said PTI had a constitutional right to hold peaceful protests.
Criticising the judiciary, Hafiz Naeem said judges received various privileges but were failing to provide justice on issues affecting ordinary citizens.
