Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has criticized the government on inflation, petroleum levy and electricity issues. He said that the burden of economic policies should not be shifted to the common citizen.
Addressing a press conference in Mansoura, Hafiz Naeem linked the prices of petroleum products to inflation. According to him, the cost of daily necessities and travel increases due to the increase in fuel prices.
He also pointed out the imbalance in the tax system. Hafiz Naeem said that the common citizen pays taxes indirectly, while the privileged classes get various facilities.
Hafiz Naeem also expressed concern about the situation in the health and education sectors. According to him, due to limited government facilities, family expenses are increasing.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief also raised questions about independent power generation projects, or IPPs. He claimed that some power generators were paid such payments that the required power was not available.
Hafiz Naeem also objected to load shedding and high electricity prices in the country. He demanded that the government take forward the process of reforms in the energy sector.
Jamaat-e-Islami has previously protested against IPP contracts and electricity rates. In the recent protest campaign, petroleum levy, electricity prices and government incentives are prominent demands of the party.
Hafiz Naeem also reiterated the demand for reduction in government expenses. He questioned the government planes, vehicles and other incentives for top officials.
He maintained that the government should set an example of frugality in times of financial pressure. He suggested that unnecessary government expenditure should be reduced and resources should be spent on public facilities.
These objections are part of the political stance of Jamaat-e-Islami. There was no immediate detailed response from the relevant government institutions to all these claims.
The Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer also expressed concern over the migration of youth abroad. According to him, limited employment opportunities force educated people to seek opportunities abroad.
He demanded that the government adopt such economic policies that increase investment and employment opportunities in the country. According to him, a better future for the youth is the basic need of the country’s economy.
Hafiz Naeem has also announced protest sit-ins on August 16. According to Jamaat-e-Islami, there will be protests outside the Chief Minister’s House in Punjab, while outside the Governor’s Houses in Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan.
The party has included petroleum levy, electricity rates, IPPs and privileges of the ruling class among the main points of the protest campaign.
According to Jamaat-e-Islami, a large number of workers and citizens participated in the recent protests in different parts of the country. The party says it will expand the campaign further.
In its recent political campaign, Jamaat-e-Islami is trying to increase economic pressure on the government. Its central position is that the burden of fiscal reforms should not be placed on the low-income class.
On the other hand, the government faces a major challenge in balancing energy prices, fiscal needs and public relief. Petroleum levy is also an important source of government revenue.
Therefore, a large reduction in the levy could provide immediate relief to the public. However, it could also affect the government’s financial resources.
Overall, Hafiz Naeem’s latest statement has once again brought inflation, energy prices and government spending to the center of political debate. The August 16 protest will clarify the future direction of Jamaat-e-Islami’s campaign.
