calls for the complete abolition of the oil tax and reductions in diesel and electricity prices
Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addresses the inaugural session as the party’s three-day congregation begins at the historic Minar-e-Pakistan in Lahore. Photo: X
LAHORE:
Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Thursday demanded an immediate reduction in oil prices and announced nationwide protests against inflation and the oil tax on June 19, warning that sit-ins would be staged across all four provinces if the government’s demands were not met.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem welcomed the ceasefire and the Iran-US agreement, describing it as a positive development for the region. He said Pakistan had played an important and constructive role in the process, while the efforts of other regional countries to secure a ceasefire were also commendable.
He said the agreement would help improve relations between Iran and the Gulf countries and stressed the need for practical measures to strengthen unity among Muslim nations. He proposed increased cooperation between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran and Turkiye to promote regional solidarity and collective strength in the Muslim world.
Referring to the agreement, the JI chief said that oil prices should now be reduced significantly. He demanded that the price of petrol be immediately fixed at Rs 225 per liter and frozen for the next three years. He also called for the complete abolition of the oil tax and reductions in diesel and electricity prices.
“Reducing fuel prices by just Rs10 or Rs20 per liter will not be enough. The public deserves meaningful relief,” he said.
Criticizing the federal budget, Hafiz Naeem said that parliamentarians’ salaries had been increased by 300-500%, while only a 10% increase had been proposed for government employees. He claimed that the government had increased the tax burden on citizens despite wartime conditions and collected significant revenue through the oil tax.
He claimed that motorcycle users alone had paid Rs400 billion in toll charges, whereas only Rs10 to Rs12 billion had been collected in tax from large landowners.
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Hafiz Naeem also called for the abolition of legislatures’ development funds, arguing that legislation was the primary responsibility of elected representatives. He claimed that government policies had strengthened the mafias in the flour, sugar and pharmaceutical sectors.
He said the proposed minimum wage of Rs 41,000 was inadequate and urged the government to formulate economic policies based on the needs of common citizens. He also demanded exemption from income tax for people earning up to Rs125,000 per month, along with increases in Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) funds and pensions.
Hafiz Naeem expressed concern over allocations for education and agriculture, saying university budgets had been reduced despite claims of an education crisis. He also criticized the outsourcing of thousands of public schools in Punjab.
He said the neglect of the agricultural sector had contributed to a decline in cotton production, forcing the country to rely on imports.
Commenting on the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), he said that all issues should be resolved through dialogue and negotiations, stressing that force should not be used under any circumstances.
He said the causes of political instability and public unrest in the region required serious attention. According to him, anti-Pakistan elements should have no place in the Joint Action Committee and efforts should focus on addressing the real concerns of the Kashmiri youth.
He further said that the right to representation for Kashmiris who had migrated from Indian-administered Kashmir could not be waived.
Responding to a question, Hafiz Naeem said that the issue of Pakistanis being abducted in Somalia had also been raised with officials and the concerns of the affected families should be addressed on a priority basis.
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He said his party remained committed to maintaining dialogue and engagement at all levels to resolve public issues.
The JI chief said he did not mind an increase in the defense budget, but called for a review of administrative expenses, privileges and salaries. He called on the government to reduce unnecessary perks for high-ranking civilian and military officials and redirect national resources to public welfare, education, health care and employment.
