Hafiz Naeem demands salary increase for private sector employees

Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called on the government to ensure an increase in the salaries of private sector employees

Karachi: Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called on the government to ensure an increase in the salaries of private sector employees, arguing that workers in the private sector have not received adequate relief despite rising inflation.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi, Hafiz Naeem criticised the government’s economic policies and said a major portion of the national budget is spent on debt servicing and interest payments. He claimed that despite court directives regarding the elimination of the interest-based financial system, the government has not shown seriousness in implementing necessary reforms.

Commenting on the federal budget, he said that the announced 7 percent increase in salaries was insufficient as inflation has risen by around 8 percent. He added that private sector employees have been ignored during the period of high inflation, as many have not received any increase in their wages. He demanded that the government introduce measures to protect their purchasing power.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief also launched a strong criticism of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), accusing it of failing to deliver basic services in Sindh despite remaining in power in the province for nearly two decades. He questioned the poor condition of education and healthcare facilities in interior Sindh and highlighted the lack of employment opportunities, public transport and other essential services.

Referring to political developments in Gilgit-Baltistan, Hafiz Naeem alleged that public money was being used for political engineering and the buying and selling of lawmakers. He also criticised the petroleum levy, saying the burden was being placed on ordinary citizens while many wealthy individuals remained outside the tax net.

He demanded the immediate abolition of what he termed an illegal levy and proposed that the government fix petrol prices at Rs225 per litre for the next three years to provide long-term relief to the public.