KARACHI (HRNW): Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has formally rejected the recent record-breaking increase in petroleum prices and announced the launch of a nationwide protest movement starting today. In a scathing statement, JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman characterized the price hike as a “petrol bomb” dropped on an already struggling populace.
“An Act of Tyranny”: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman
The JI chief lashed out at the federal government’s decision to fix the price of petrol at Rs 458.40 per litre, labeling it a clear act of economic oppression.
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The Burden of Increases: He noted that a series of jumps—first by Rs 55 and now by a staggering Rs 137—has pushed the middle and lower classes toward the brink of financial collapse.
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Impacted Segments: Hafiz Naeem highlighted that the hike would directly devastate the livelihoods of bike riders, delivery workers, students, and laborers.
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Critique of Government Spending: He criticized the ruling elite for refusing to curtail their own luxuries, stating, “Expensive planes and luxury vehicles for officials remain a burden on the public, while the poor are buried alive under inflation.”
Demands for Reform
The JI Emir called for a fundamental shift in the country’s economic management, specifically targeting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions and power sector payments:
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Elimination of Levies: He argued that instead of increasing the petroleum levy to record highs, the government should have abolished it to provide relief.
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IPPs and Capacity Payments: Hafiz Naeem alleged that billions are being “stolen” from the public pocket in the name of Capacity Payments to Independent Power Producers (IPPs), while no relief reaches the common man.
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Sovereign Policy: He urged the government to stop “bowing before the IMF” and prioritize domestic stability over international debt conditionalities.
Call to Action
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman concluded by calling on the youth and the general public to take to the streets. “Jamaat-e-Islami rejects this hike in its entirety. We are starting a protest movement across the country today. Struggle is the only way to force these rulers to retreat,” he declared.
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