Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has criticised the government over rising taxes and petroleum prices, accusing it of placing an increasing financial burden on ordinary citizens.
Addressing a sit-in on Thursday, Hafiz Naeem said the government was collecting more levies instead of cutting what he described as lavish spending by the ruling elite.
He criticised the recent increase in petroleum prices, saying the government had used global market conditions as a justification. He argued that higher fuel prices increase the cost of other essential goods and services.
Hafiz Naeem said students, farmers, labourers and teachers were all affected by the levy. He accused the government of imposing additional financial pressure on the public while failing to reduce its own expenditure.
The JI chief also raised concerns over the education sector in Punjab. He claimed that 11,000 schools had been sold and that 52% of students had failed the ninth-grade examinations. He criticised the government over the construction and sale of schools and questioned the priorities behind such projects.
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Addressing participants at the sit-in, Hafiz Naeem asked whether they were prepared to respond to a call for mobilisation in Islamabad. He said JI supporters would take to the streets in large numbers and pressure the government to reconsider its decisions.
“Seeing your passion, my heart is beating fast. I want to announce that I will go to Islamabad right now,” he said.
JI has scheduled a meeting of its central leadership at Mansoura at 3pm on Friday to discuss the political situation and future strategy. Leaders from across the country have been called for consultations.
Hafiz Naeem said he would announce the date of a long march at a rally in Gujranwala. He added that the final date would be decided after consultations with the party’s leadership.
