JI hits out at rulers for people’s economic hardships

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has accused the government of perpetrating “economic terrorism” on the people. The populace is demanding respite from rising prices and economic difficulties.

Addressing a public meeting here on Sunday, Hafiz Naeem said the common citizens were facing the skyrocketing cost of living while the governing class continued to enjoy the comforts. He termed the meeting as important to set the future course of politics in Punjab.

He stated that Jamaat-e-Islami had made the issues of the people the top priority and launched a countrywide drive to solve the economic problems. He said the party’s efforts have re-awakened optimism among the people of the country.

Hafiz Naeem criticized the relief efforts of the government and said that the monthly relief given was around Rs27 billion while the collection of taxes was over Rs150 billion. He said the petroleum charge was an unfair burden on the public and was a tax on the people and not a policy directly related to fuel prices.

Jamaat-e-Islami head said party activists had held simultaneous sit-ins in 42 places to highlight public discontent and push for changes in government policies.

He said the party has temporarily halted its long march but its workers and supporters are still ready to restart the protest if required.

Hafiz Naeem added that Jamaat-e-Islami had started a campaign to create awareness about the difficulties in the electrical industry while talking about independent power producers (IPPs).

He criticized the present systems, saying that even when power was not being generated users were still being charged.

Jamaat-e-Islami Hafiz Naeem said that Jamaat-e-Islami will continue its effort for the alleviation of the people and to overcome economic difficulties.

“The party has many options including protests, long marches to force the government to resolve public issues,” he stated.