Karachi: Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, Amir of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, has warned the government that if the agreement is not implemented, they will announce a three-day strike, a long march, and eventually a boycott of electricity bills.
Speaking to party workers and local residents at a large membership campaign camp in Al-Hassan Chowk, Nazimabad, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman stated that Jamaat-e-Islami’s movement for Karachi’s rights has expanded into a nationwide movement for public rights.
He highlighted the issues of expensive electricity and gas, rising inflation, and the tax burden on salaried individuals as national problems, emphasizing that relief should not be limited to Punjab but should include a reduction in the basic electricity tariff nationwide.
Naeem urged the ruling elite to end their luxuries and control the IPPs (Independent Power Producers).
He warned that if the government fails to ensure the implementation of the agreement, they will proceed with a three-day strike, a long march, and a boycott of electricity bills.
He criticized the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) for the devastation of Karachi, accusing PPP of monopolizing local government powers and resources, and of manipulating local elections and mayoral positions with the help of the Election Commission.
Naeem also alleged that MQM did not win any polling station in general elections but was imposed through Form 47.
He praised the residents of Nazimabad for electing Jamaat-e-Islami’s Wajih Hasan as a member of the Sindh Assembly, only for him to be defeated via Form 47 as well.
He mentioned that Jamaat-e-Islami has developed a national agenda to address the real issues of the public and has launched a nationwide public outreach and membership campaign based on this agenda.
Naeem further stated that electricity bills have become a burden on the public.
Jamaat-e-Islami has launched a significant public movement against K-Electric and has been a true advocate for the people of Karachi, while every government and ruling party has facilitated K-Electric.
He criticized past and present governments for failing to challenge IPPs, whose exploitative agreements date back to 1994 and involve multiple political parties.
He emphasized that these agreements have led to an increase in payments exceeding the national defense budget, and stressed that the public can no longer bear this burden.
The ruling class does not tax landlords and instead places the entire burden on the poor under the guise of IMF obligations.
Naeem pointed out that salaried individuals pay an annual tax of 368 billion rupees, while landlords and feudal lords pay less than 3 to 4 billion rupees in taxes.
He called for a reduction in the tax burden on the public and an increase in taxes on landlords and feudal lords.
He also condemned the violation of the constitution, laws, and democracy in the country, stating that public opinion is being suppressed.
He criticized the use of fake Form 47 instead of Form 45 to establish the government structure and warned that the public’s voice cannot be suppressed for long.
Naeem announced that a significant, democratic, and political resistance movement has begun under Jamaat-e-Islami’s leadership, and all institutions must return to their constitutional positions.