LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has rejected the federal budget and announced a nationwide protest movement, saying the party will launch a countrywide agitation against what he described as an anti-people financial plan.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said the government was “crippling the economy,” adding that any planned strike would be aimed at “saving and sustaining the economy.” He urged traders to observe a strike, while calling on the youth to take to the streets by halting motorcycle movement as part of the protest.
He stated that the current budget was a continuation of previous fiscal policies, claiming that it has further pushed citizens into poverty. He also alleged that there was no meaningful increase in salaries for government employees, instead suggesting a reduction in real income levels.
Criticising tax collection practices, he said revenue shortfalls are often compensated through additional levies such as petroleum charges. He claimed that around Rs1,200 billion is being collected from the public in the form of petroleum levy.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman further said that over the past 25 years, the middle and lower-income classes have contributed more than Rs8,000 billion through petroleum levies. He also highlighted the burden of independent power producers (IPPs), stating that approximately Rs1,800 billion annually is paid in capacity charges.
He noted that Pakistan’s total debt has reached around Rs85 trillion, with over Rs8.5 trillion being paid annually in interest servicing.
The Jamaat-e-Islami chief demanded an immediate reduction in petrol prices to Rs225 per litre, the abolition of petroleum levy, and a review of IPP capacity payments. He also called for an end to development funds allocated to parliamentarians.
He added that consultations would be held within the next two to four days, with a final announcement of the nationwide protest movement expected later this week in Lahore.
