JI dismisses govt’s claims of economic growth

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Monday dismissed the government’s claims of economic growth as far from reality.

“Commodity prices are beyond the reach of the average person, unemployment is on the rise, and the costs of petrol, gas, and electricity are increasing. I am astonished by the prime minister’s presentations claiming progress,” the JI chief said while addressing a press conference in Mansoorah.

He emphasised that the economy cannot be repaired unless the government offers substantial relief to the public in electricity bills. He insisted the government abolish unjust and expensive agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

He said that the country is paying billions of rupees to the IPPs in capacity charges. “Pay them only for what they produce, and redirect the funds owed to a select few elites towards public relief,” he argued.

Rehman pointed out that many IPPs are linked to military-affiliated institutions and ruling families, urging them to withdraw from these agreements in the interest of the public and the state. He also called for an end to the petroleum levy and for lowering petrol prices to align with international market rates.

He rejected the privatisation of national entities, lamenting that successive governments have first undermined profitable organisations and are now intent on selling them off. He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would launch a movement against the transfer of 14,000 schools in Punjab to NGOs and would support teachers opposing this decision through legal means.

The JI chief further said that Jamaat-e-Islami would challenge the 26th Amendment in the Supreme Court and criticised rumors about a potential 27th Amendment as distractions aimed at diverting public attention from the previous amendment.

Rehman condemned remarks made by former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, Foreign Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding fostering relations with India. He said that friendship with India at the expense of Kashmiris’ lives and the Kashmir issue is unacceptable. “Those advocating for friendship with India should urge New Delhi to withdraw its nearly one million troops from the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJ&K), allowing the people to exercise their right to self-determination,” he asserted.

He advocated for dialogue with Afghanistan, stressing the need for Islamabad and Kabul to resolve their issues peacefully, honoring the long-standing brotherly ties between their people. He insisted that Afghan soil must not be used for militancy and terrorism against Pakistan. He proposed that Pakistan, China, Iran, Afghanistan, Turkey, and Central Asian countries form a bloc for economic improvement and peace in the region.

He underscored the importance of strengthening local government bodies, describing them as the nursery of democracy and criticised the so-called democratic governments for neglecting power distribution at the grassroots level.

Rehman said that Jamaat-e-Islami aims to hold a referendum to gauge public opinion on a potential boycott of inflated power bills. He concluded by calling on the public to join Jamaat-e-Islami in their struggle for genuine change under the slogan “Haq Do Awam Ko”.