Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman called for the abolition of petroleum levies, tax relief for salaried workers, and empowerment of local governments, warning of nationwide protests if the government presents what he terms an 'anti-people budget.' He also demanded urgent government action to secure the release of Pakistani citizens held hostage by pirates near Somalia and criticized Israeli military operations in Gaza and the Prime Minister's comments about Donald Trump.