JI demands tax exemption for those earning up to Rs120,000 a month

Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called for the Pakistan government and the Muslim world to act collectively and immediately against Israel to protect the children in Gaza from starvation.

Speaking at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, the JI Karachi headquarters, Rehman said that even residents of the European Union countries have been protesting against Israel, and according to a survey, 50 per cent of the United Kingdom’s population is opposed to Israel’s actions.

He urged the Arab nations to mend their ways, and stand on the right side of history, otherwise they would face backlash from their own people. He also urged all political parties to voice their concerns for Gaza.

He said that under the banner of JI Karachi, medics in the city would hold a march for Gaza on May 31, and another big march would be held in Hyderabad on June 1. He urged the nation to continue the boycott of Israeli products.

Regarding the issue of inflation, he demanded that the government revise the tax regime to exempt those who earn up to Rs120,000 a month from taxation. He also demanded that small farmers be exempted from paying taxes, and feudal lords pay all their taxes and liabilities.

He said electricity prices and petrol levy should be reduced significantly. The ruling class hides itself behind the International Monetary Fund (IMF) when it comes to inflation, but totally ignores the same IMF when it comes to curtailing its perks and privileges, he added.

Talking about Karachi’s issues, the JI chief said the city has been subjected to injustices on the basis of a fake census, which halved the 35 million plus population. All the residents of the city are complaining about the power and water crises, he added.

He said K-Electric has reduced power production, and increased production costs and load-shedding durations. KE produces the most expensive electricity in the country, and openly violates the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s order against suspending power supply of a customer who pays their bills on time, he added.

He also said that despite all of that, KE has demanded a write-off against “Rs76 billion in unrecovered bills”, and if any such decision is approved, JI would lay siege to the Sindh Chief Minister House and the Governor House in protest.

Regarding the water crisis, Rehman said the tanker mafia has been enjoying monopoly in the city, claiming that its beneficiaries range from the CM House to the Bilawal House. The city had been kept deprived of water for 20 days when a supply line leaked, he added.

He criticised the Pakistan People Party (PPP) for “irking Karachi and Karachiites”, and held the party directly responsible for all the local government issues in the city.

He also highlighted the protest march to the provincial assembly by local government representatives. “The PPP can’t acquire popularity by holding pictures of the field marshal.”

Regarding the Waziristan situation, he said JI supports the protesters’ demands, saying that action should be taken against terrorists in the region, but if any mistake is committed, it should be acknowledged and redressed.

The protesters’ demands are legitimate, so the government should not provide the enemy any room for propaganda and division, he added. He also hailed Pakistan’s military for their calculated and effective response against Indian designs.

He also highlighted the tragedy in Balochistan, and recalled that the people of Balochistan have positively responded to JI’s appeal for Palestine. “The people in Balochistan always support the army against India.”