Karachi ( Web News )
Engineer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, announced that the party will hold nationwide protests and sit-ins on January 31st against the IPP mafia and its facilitators, as well as in defense of public rights. The protests will serve as the launch of a renewed movement, and the next course of action will be outlined during the sit-ins. The government will be forced to kneel, he added in press conference
The demands include reducing electricity bills, eliminating unjust taxes, and lowering petrol levies. Jamaat-e-Islami also called for the end of government perks for billionaires, and the imposition of taxes on landlords, while providing relief to salaried individuals. Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman rejected the shameful stance of Parliament regarding the 140% salary increase for lawmakers, stating that the nation will hold them accountable for this. He also condemned the government’s recent amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), saying it is an attempt to stifle freedom of expression and journalism.
He questioned the government’s claim that an agreement with IPPs would benefit the national treasury by a trillion rupees, asking why this benefit is not being passed on to the people, industries, or cottage industries. He emphasized that the government’s verbal promises are worthless unless electricity bills are reduced. Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman highlighted the issue of capacity payments made to IPPs for electricity that was never produced and the tax exemptions worth billions of rupees granted to them. He pointed out that when salaried individuals are taxed more, the government claims that the IMF doesn’t allow for tax relief, but IPPs continue to enjoy tax breaks supported by all political parties.
He also criticized the United States for its role in global terrorism, particularly its invasion of countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Vietnam. He defended Hamas, noting that despite being democratically elected in 2006, they were denied governance due to U.S. interference. He added that according to the UN Charter, any occupied people have the right to resist armed occupation, including the people of Kashmir.
Regarding Israel, he reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to not recognizing Israel, echoing the stance of Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He called on political parties to unite on the issue of Palestine and to take a leading role in supporting Palestinian rights.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman also criticized the worsening economic situation in Pakistan, with over 40% of the population living below the poverty line. While the salaried class faces increased taxation, Parliament has unanimously decided to increase the salaries of lawmakers by 140%, which he condemned as unacceptable. He highlighted the growing disparity between the rich and the poor, with millions of children out of school, and the middle class being pushed into poverty.
He also pointed out that despite the large tax contributions from salaried individuals, no steps are being taken to tax landlords or the wealthy. Additionally, he criticized political parties, including the PML-N, PTI, PPP, and MQM, for their unity in safeguarding the interests of the elite while ignoring the plight of the working class.
Finally, he expressed dissatisfaction with the way the 2018 national elections were handled, especially regarding the Form 45 issue, and criticized PTI and Maulana Fazlur Rehman for not demanding fresh elections. He insisted that the government should be formed based on the true results reflected in the Form 45.