Latest news with #HafizNaeem
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Express Tribune
23-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
US attack on Iran: JI announces country-wide protests
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced that it will carry out protests across the country on Monday (today) against US aggression on Iran. In a statement on Sunday, JI Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman condemned the US strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities as regional tensions escalate, calling the attack an open act of hostility following sustained Israeli support. The call for protests came as in a dramatic move that threw Washington into the thick of Israel's conflict with Tehran, US President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that American forces had "obliterated" Iran's key nuclear sites in a sweeping overnight assault, codenamed 'Midnight Hammer', raising the stakes across an already tinderbox Middle East. "After backing Israel, Washington has now come out openly. The US aggression is tantamount to destroying global peace," he said. He urged the Muslim Ummah to unite against the actions of both the United States and Israel. Hafiz Naeem instructed all party cadres and responsible leaders to organise demonstrations nationwide under the slogan "Down with America". "If the US does not immediately halt this war, we will escalate our campaign into a broader national protest movement," he warned. Meanwhile, addressing the Youth Digital Summit in Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem recalled that former US President Donald Trump had claimed they would wait two weeks before taking any action, but he "broke that promise on the very first day". "The United States no longer values moral considerations and speaks only the language of power," the JI chief said. "America's downfall has begun. All conscientious people around the world must unite against oppressors." He added that for nearly two years, Israel has been carrying out a massacre of Muslims in Palestine, and that this ongoing brutality must be opposed globally.
Express Tribune
13-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
JI rejects proposed federal budget
JI chief Hafiz Naeem has strongly rejected the federal budget, branding it a "pro-elite document" that exacerbates poverty, inflation, and inequality. Addressing a press conference, he said the government has failed to provide relief to the common man, choosing instead to favor the ruling class and privileged segments of society. "The budget imposes a heavy tax burden on the salaried and middle-income groups while offering no meaningful concessions or structural reforms," he said. He termed claims of poverty reduction by the government as "delusional" and "contrary to ground realities," noting that over 110 million Pakistanis continue to live below the poverty line.
Express Tribune
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Jamaat-e-Islami rejects federal budget, terms it elitist and anti-people
Listen to article Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, has strongly rejected the federal budget, branding it a 'pro-elite document' that exacerbates poverty, inflation, and inequality. Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Wednesday, he said the government has failed to provide relief to the common man, choosing instead to favor the ruling class and privileged segments of society. "The budget imposes a heavy tax burden on the salaried and middle-income groups while offering no meaningful concessions or structural reforms," he said. He termed claims of poverty reduction by the government as "delusional" and "contrary to ground realities," noting that over 110 million Pakistanis continue to live below the poverty line. Hafiz Naeem accused the government of mismanaging the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), alleging it has become a tool of political manipulation and corruption, particularly in Sindh. Rs700 billion allocated for poverty alleviation is being used for corrupt practices. This misuse must be investigated and those responsible punished," he asserted. He argued that if these funds were invested in IT education, Pakistan's IT industry revenues could have surpassed Rs300 billion. Criticising the deteriorating state of education, he highlighted that nearly 29.2 million children remain out of school, while 'ghost schools' continue to drain public funds through fraudulent means. He lamented the lack of investment in education despite repeated claims of an 'education emergency.' Speaking on taxation, Hafiz Naeem revealed that the salaried class contributed Rs 499 billion in taxes this year, yet received no relief. He called for complete tax exemption for salaried workers and condemned the fact that 111 departments, including military-run organizations and private entities like Zia Hospital, are exempted from taxes while the poor are burdened with inflated utility bills. He sharply criticised the recent 600% increase in the salaries of the National Assembly Speaker and Senate Chairman, questioning the silence of government officials on the matter. He also denounced the imposition of an 11% tax on solar energy systems, calling it a violation of environmental and energy conservation commitments. "The government and opposition only pretend to be adversaries, but unite when it comes to enhancing their perks and privileges," he stated. Commenting on the economy, Hafiz Naeem said the country's current growth rate of 0.45% reflects policy failures, especially the "anti-farmer measures" taken by successive governments. He criticized agriculture credit schemes as "publicity stunts" that do not deliver real support to farmers, and pointed to a 30% decline in cotton cultivation as a consequence of neglectful policies. He described the ongoing use of outdated tools like Form 47 as emblematic of the systemic rot in agricultural governance. He further alleged that public funds are being collected through excessive taxation without any tangible benefits in return, whether in education, health, or public safety. Referring to Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements, he said that promises of reduced electricity tariffs remain unfulfilled, while increases in petroleum levies amount to 'daylight robbery' from citizens' pockets. "The government has conceded that it may fall short of revenue targets by Rs1,500 billion and intends to impose an additional Rs 500 billion in taxes. What then is the logic behind such a budget?" he asked. Citing debt figures, Hafiz Naeem said every Pakistani now owes Rs76,000, with Rs5 trillion out of Rs11 trillion in total debt servicing going towards interest payments. "If interest rates were halved, it would significantly reduce electricity and gas prices," he added. He called the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) a "hub of corruption," advocating for deep institutional reforms or even the disbanding of the FBR to improve tax collection and eliminate debt dependency. He accused the FBR of using threats of anti-corruption action to facilitate further corruption. Demanding a reduction in civil and military privileges, he urged the government to redirect national resources toward the genuine needs of the people, especially defense requirements rooted in strategic necessity, not extravagance. Reaffirming his support for farmers, Hafiz Naeem announced a campaign against injustices faced by the agrarian community, citing previous success in securing reduced electricity tariffs following public pressure against IPPs. On foreign affairs, he alleged that India's intelligence agency, RAW, is involved in sponsoring terrorism in Balochistan. "There can be no negotiations with entities complicit in terrorism," he stressed. He also urged Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto to pursue serious diplomatic efforts on the Kashmir issue and demanded a clear and principled stance from the Pakistani government against US and Israeli policies.
Express Tribune
02-06-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Field Marshal must act on Kashmir, Palestine too: Hafiz Naeem
Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called on the country's military leadership to actively take up the causes of Kashmir and Palestine. Addressing a large rally titled "Down with Israel and India" at Koh-i-Noor Chowk, he said Pakistan must go beyond statements and play a leading role in supporting oppressed Muslims globally. He said, "If we don't raise our voice for Gaza and Kashmir, we will lose the nation's support. One who saves a life saves all humanity-this is our duty." He also criticised Pakistan's political elite for remaining silent on Israeli aggression, accusing PML-N, PPP and PTI of fearing US displeasure. Hafiz Naeem praised countries like South Africa, Spain and Ireland for taking a bold stand against Israel, and urged Pakistan to lead a Muslim world summit, both political and military, to demand an end to Israeli atrocities and Indian occupation in Kashmir. He warned that continued silence and inaction from Muslim rulers and Pakistan's own establishment would erode public trust. "People backed you against India despite their grievances. But if you stay quiet on Palestine and Kashmir, the nation will stop standing with you," he said.
Business Recorder
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Gaza: JI calls for early action by govt, Muslim world
KARACHI: Hafiz Naeemur Rahman, the Central Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), has called for immediate and collective action from the government and the Muslim world against Israel to protect children in Gaza from starvation. He made these remarks during a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, and reiterated them during a 'Karachi Connect Social Media Meetup' organized by the JI Karachi Women's Wing. Hafiz Naeem highlighted the severe man-made devastation in Gaza, expressing deep grief over children facing starvation in the modern age. He criticized President Donald Trump for his complicity with the Israeli premier regarding the Gaza genocide. He noted growing international opposition to Israeli actions, including protests in European Union countries and significant public disapproval in the United Kingdom. He urged Arab nations to align with 'the right side of history' to avoid internal backlash. The JI leader emphasized that the significance of the Pakistani military has increased following recent skirmishes, drawing parallels between Israel's actions in Gaza and India's in Kashmir. He urged the Pakistani military to intervene in Gaza, believing it would also aid the Kashmir cause. He advocated for collective and unified action by the Muslim world against Israel. In terms of public action, he announced that medics under the JI Karachi banner would march for Gaza on May 31, followed by a larger march in Hyderabad on June 1. He also reiterated the call for a continued boycott of Israeli products. Addressing domestic concerns, the JI Central Chief proposed revising the tax regime to exempt individuals earning Rs120,000 per month or less, along with small-scale farmers, from taxation. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
