Hafiz Naeem says common man is affected by rising petrol prices

Lahore – Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has severely criticized the government on inflation, electricity issues and the tax system. He said that the economic pressure is having a greater impact on the poor and middle class.

Addressing a press conference in Mansoura, Hafiz Naeem called the increase in the prices of petroleum products a major reason for inflation. According to him, the cost of essential goods and daily services increases due to the increase in fuel prices.

He also claimed class imbalance in the tax system. According to the Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer, the common citizen pays different taxes, while the privileged class enjoys many facilities.

Hafiz Naeem also expressed reservations about the situation of education and health.  He said that the expenses of ordinary families are increasing further due to lack of proper access to basic amenities.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief also raised questions on the contracts of independent power generation projects (IPPs) and the payments related to them. He demanded that public interest be given central status in the electricity sector.

According to Hafiz Naeem, prolonged load shedding is ongoing in different parts of the country. He said that the burden of the electricity sector should not be directly transferred to the consumers.

Jamaat-e-Islami has previously demanded a review of IPP contracts and reduction in electricity rates. During the 2024 protest, the party had also placed demands related to IPPs, electricity bills and taxes before the government.

Hafiz Naeem also termed the migration of youth abroad as an economic challenge. According to him, due to limited employment opportunities, skilled and educated people are being forced to go abroad.

He demanded that the government adopt economic policies that would increase employment opportunities within the country. According to him, the youth should not depend only on jobs abroad.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief also demanded austerity in government expenditure. He questioned the alleged purchase of an aircraft worth Rs 11 billion for the Punjab government.

Hafiz Naeem also criticized government vehicles and other privileges. He was of the view that the reduction in government expenditure should start from the highest posts.

These claims and objections of his are part of the political stance of Jamaat-e-Islami. No formal detailed response from the concerned authorities on all these points was forthcoming at this time.

Hafiz Naeem announced that Jamaat-e-Islami will appeal to the people to come out to protest across the country on August 16. This announcement is part of the party’s ongoing political campaign against inflation and energy issues.

Jamaat-e-Islami had also held a nationwide protest last year over high electricity bills and IPPs.  At that time, after negotiations between the government and the party, a review process had begun on various issues including electricity rates and IPP contracts.

In the current situation, the Jamaat-e-Islami is once again making energy prices and public spending the center of its political campaign. The party maintains that the burden of economic reforms should not be placed solely on the common citizen.

Hafiz Naeem’s latest statement makes it clear that the Jamaat-e-Islami intends to increase pressure on the government’s economic policies. The activities on August 16 will be an important indicator of the direction of this political campaign.

Overall, the Jamaat-e-Islami has linked tax reforms, electricity prices, IPPs, government spending and employment into a single economic debate. Now the main challenge for the government will be how to strike a balance between public relief and fiscal stability.