JI to hold Gaza marches across country tomorrow: Hafiz Naeem

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday announced that the party will hold Gaza Marches across the country on Wednesday to express solidarity with the people of Gaza and Palestine, and will further intensify efforts for their relief.

Addressing a press conference on the prevailing international and domestic situation at Idara Noor-e-Haq, he said the massive Gaza March held in Karachi had proved that the hearts of Karachiites beat with their Palestinian brothers.

"Jamaat-i-Islami has always raised voice for the oppressed people of Palestine, while Alkhidmat Foundation has so far delivered aid worth about Rs10 billion to the people of Gaza," he said.

He said for the first time in Pakistan's history, a political party was not merely raising slogans but establishing free IT education centres for youth in its offices. The scope of Bano Qabil had been expanded and a modern institute had also been set up in Lahore where free IT education would be provided to Pakistani citizens as well as people of Gaza.

Naeemur Rehman said Israel had failed on every front on Oct 7, but with help of the United States it had resumed bombing of Palestine.

"The United States, which claims to be the champion of human rights, has so far helped Israel with billions of dollars. US President Trump has also provided Israel with dangerous bombs which even former US president Joe Biden did not give. No performance of the so-called Peace Board is visible," he said.

Citing international media reports, he said America was going to provide Israel with about $2.8 million more worth of bombs.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel had martyred 1,500 Palestinians and injured 5,000, while at least 10,000 bodies were still under rubble, he said.

He said due to Hamas's struggle, for the first time such a public wave in favour of Palestine had emerged in Western countries that people were raising voice against their own governments.

"America killed countless people by lying in various global issues including Iraq and Afghanistan and established hundreds of military bases around the world. Today all Zionist forces stand with Trump," he said.

Talking about the local issues, the JI chief said the government's relief package on petroleum was a drop in the ocean and no favour to the people. "Unfortunately, apart from the JI, no political party is talking about this important public issue. The government had to give this relief package as a result of JI's continuous struggle and pressure," he said.

He said the government repeatedly claims 7 million people have been included in the package, but Pakistan has 25 million motorcycles and more than 4 million vehicles up to 1000 and 1200cc. The government had included only vehicles up to 800cc, while not all motorcyclists could also benefit, so the relief was not reaching a large population.

"If the government fears cheap petrol will also reach rich people, the solution is to make a separate system for the rich and double the petrol price for big vehicles. Instead of announcing packages, the government must correct its policies and abolish the petroleum levy altogether," he said.

He said JI had made its final argument to the government. "The government must abolish extortion tax in the name of petroleum levy and reduce prices of petroleum products. Facts regarding IPPs should also be brought before the nation and it should be told why negotiations are not being held with the remaining 73 IPPs. The entire population of Pakistan is being ruined to benefit a few bank owners and stakeholders. People associated with IPPs are present in all political parties. JI's struggle against petroleum levy is not for personal interest but is directly a public issue."

Naeemur Rehman said the JI is a peaceful party, its protests, rallies and signature campaign were ongoing. "We have not withdrawn our right to march to Islamabad even for a day. If the government does not abolish extortion tax in the name of petroleum levy, the JI will restart its long march. Our entire programme is ready, only announcement remains. We will announce our next course of action after Oct 7."

On the political situation, he said dialogue was the best way between government, opposition and especially PTI. "Governor's rule or emergency is not acceptable in any case. If talks have failed, they should be held again. Holding peaceful protest is constitutional, democratic and political right of every political party."

He demanded that on humanitarian grounds, all women and ailing elderly leaders of PTI be released immediately, while the government should grant Imran Khan access to hospital, meetings and all legitimate demands of PTI in accordance with Constitution and law.

JI Karachi chief Monem Zafar, Naib Ameer Muslim Pervez, Deputy Secretary Younus Barai, MPA Mohammad Farooq, Information Secretary Zahid Askari, Senior Deputy Information Secretary Sohaib Ahmed also flanked the JI supreme leader.