If Tehran falls, Islamabad next in line, says Naeemur Rehman

If Tehran falls, Islamabad next in line, says Naeemur Rehman
Pays rich tribute to late Dr Abdul Qadeer Khan for making Pakistan nuclear power

Demands PM to quit 'peace board', tender apology over nominating Trump for Nobel Peace Prize
KARACHI: MARCH 9: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan Ameer Engr Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, while addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq on Monday, said that if Israel succeeds in Iran, its border could reach Pakistan, as the next country in line.
He paid a rich tribute to Dr. Abdul Qadeer Khan, the architect of Pakistan’s nuclear program, for making the country a nuclear power. He also criticized former President General Pervez Musharraf for humiliating the national hero.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that Pakistan should stay out of Donald Trump’s “peace board.” He demanded that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif apologize to the nation for nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize.
He added that anyone trying to create Shia-Sunni division or speaking against Iran is effectively acting as an agent of the United States and Israel. He said the entire Pakistani nation stands with Iran and believes the war must end. He also urged China and Russia to play their role in resolving the conflict.
Discussing the economic situation, he criticized the government for increasing petrol prices and questioned why Maryam Nawaz’s aircraft, reportedly worth Rs 11 billion, has not been sold to provide relief to the people of Punjab. He also praised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government for deciding to provide Rs 2,200 monthly relief to youth.
He demanded that no government officer, MPA, MNA, minister, or adviser should be allowed to use vehicles with engines larger than 1300cc, and that free fue policyl for official vehicles should be abolished.
Hafiz Naeem also directed Jamaat-e-Islami’s own local representatives that if any town chairman or vice chairman is using a government vehicle above 1300cc, it should be replaced immediately.
Questioning the recent increase in petrol prices, he asked why rates were raised when Pakistan had 28 days of petrol stock available. He also criticized the increase of Rs 20 in petroleum levy, saying the government continues to impose direct taxes on the public instead of addressing the inefficiency of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
He alleged that the IPP (Independent Power Producers) mafia has already consumed around Rs 2 trillion, and demanded that the government defer payments to them during the current crisis.
Speaking about Karachi’s infrastructure, he criticized the city’s mayor, saying that Rs 4 billion were spent over three years on the Karimabad underpass, yet only two narrow lanes were constructed. He also highlighted rising street crime and frequent accidents caused by heavy traffic.
Hafiz Naeem further said that more than 5 million motorcycles operate in Karachi, and over 25 million across Pakistan, mostly used by students, workers, and middle-class citizens. Because there is no reliable public transport, entire families travel on motorcycles.
He said that a motorcycle rider earning Rs 40,000–50,000 per month ends up paying about Rs 360 daily in taxes through petrol prices. If an average motorcycle consumes one liter of petrol daily, the government collects Rs 2.5–3 billion daily from motorcyclists alone through taxes and levies, amounting to about Rs 50 billion monthly and Rs 600 billion annually.
He contrasted this with large landowners across the country, who collectively pay only Rs 10–12 billion in taxes.
He questioned the role of the 25,000–30,000 employees of FBR, asking why they fail to meet tax targets. According to government reports, he alleged that Rs 1.3 trillion corruption occurs annually within the FBR itself.
Hafiz Naeem concluded that the US was once again behaving like a terrorist state. He added that powerful weapons manufacturing companies and Zionist lobbyists influence American decision-making. He said that while Trump once claimed “America First,” the current reality is “Israel First.”
He also criticized the United Nations for failing to play its role due to the influence of major powers, especially the United States. He alleged the existence of an alliance between the US, Israel, and India, calling it a “malicious triad” responsible for disturbing global peace.