Hafiz Naeem slams rising prices, elite privileges

Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has criticised the country’s elite class, saying ordinary Pakistanis are struggling under rising costs while privileged groups continue to enjoy extensive benefits without paying their fair share of taxes.

Speaking at a press conference at Jamaat-e-Islami headquarters in Mansoorah, Lahore, Hafiz Naeem said increases in petroleum prices have a direct impact on the prices of essential goods and place the greatest burden on middle- and lower-income families.

He said access to quality healthcare and education remained inadequate for a large section of the population, adding that ordinary citizens were being deprived of basic facilities.

Hafiz Naeem also said Jamaat-e-Islami had not ended its protest sit-in but had only postponed it. He criticised what he described as a political system dominated by a self-serving political class.

He said many Pakistanis were taking significant risks to travel abroad in search of employment, while educated young people were also leaving the country because of limited job opportunities.

The Jamaat-e-Islami leader further alleged that owners of independent power producers were not being adequately taxed despite earning substantial incomes. At the same time, he said, people across the country were facing prolonged power outages while additional charges were being collected from consumers.

Hafiz Naeem accused the ruling class of failing to deliver meaningful relief because of what he described as corruption and poor governance. He questioned the reported purchase of an aircraft worth around Rs11 billion for the Punjab chief minister.

He also criticised government officials for defending the expenditure, saying public funds should not be used for expensive official vehicles and other privileges.

The Jamaat-e-Islami emir urged authorities to reduce unnecessary government spending and focus resources on providing relief to ordinary citizens.