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LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has demanded the immediate abolition of the petroleum levy, substantial tax relief for salaried individuals and the empowerment of local governments, warning that the JI will launch a nationwide protest movement if the government presents an anti-people budget.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoora on Saturday, Mr Rehman urged the government to take urgent and effective measures for the release of Pakistani citizens and others being held hostage by pirates near Somalia. He said the captives were facing severe shortages of food and water and stressed that it was the government’s responsibility to ensure their safe return home.
Vice Emir Dr Ataur Rehman, Central Punjab Emir Javed Kasuri, Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari, Deputy Secretaries Nazir Ahmad Janjua and Azhar Iqbal Hassan, and Information Secretary Shakil Turabi were also present on the occasion.
Condemning Israeli attacks in Palestine, Rehman said the bloodshed in Gaza continued despite a ceasefire. He criticised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s remarks about US President Donald Trump, describing such statements as inconsistent with national dignity. He said that those supporting forces responsible for the suffering of Palestinians could not be portrayed as champions of peace.
