Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, has issued a warning to the ruling party, PML-N, and its ally, PPP, stating that only 28 days remain in the countdown, and if Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are not brought under control, they will not be spared.
Addressing a press conference in Mansoorah, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said that the “Haq Do Awam” movement has been reorganized to formulate a public agenda.
He criticized the political parties for engaging in self-serving and interest-based politics, stating that no one wants to discuss the issues of gas and electricity bills. Instead, they are focused on personal extensions, securing seats, or political maneuvering.
He further commented that the oppressive system controlled by IPPs is not being addressed. Self-interest-based politics has become rampant within the parties.
The country is facing crises in gas and electricity, and the salaried class is being burdened with more and more taxes.
Hafiz Naeem pointed out that 2,000 billion rupees were given to IPPs for not producing electricity.
He announced a nationwide strike and shutter-down protest on August 28, and expressed support from the business community for the strike.
He accused the governments of providing income tax exemptions to the IPPs, noting that while contracts with 4 out of 5 IPPs had ended, they were still imposed on the public under false pretenses.
He demanded that those responsible for these agreements be held accountable, declaring that all involved are guilty.
He warned that if they stage a sit-in, they won’t just go home afterward—they will follow up on their demands.
With 28 days left in the countdown, Hafiz Naeem warned PML-N and PPP that they will not be spared.
He criticized the 14 rupees per unit electricity reduction as insignificant, and suggested that if the Sharif family’s IPPs were abandoned, the cost of electricity could be significantly reduced.
He added that in 2017-18, IPPs were given tax exemptions worth 1.2 trillion rupees, while ordinary salaried people are being taxed on electricity, gas, and even with a levy on petrol. This, he said, is the height of injustice.
He argued that forcibly imposing the tax system will not yield the desired revenue, and while a tax net should be created, the government’s current taxes are unacceptable.
Hafiz Naeem also mentioned that, according to the FBR’s own report, there was 1,299 billion rupees in annual corruption, with income tax underreported in exchange for bribes.
He accused the FBR of corruption and criticized that no one is willing to reform this institution, which is responsible for undermining the tax system.
Finally, the Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami highlighted the situation in Bangladesh, mentioning that the Jamaat there has faced oppression over the last 15 years, with several leaders’ funerals being held from prisons.
He stated that Jamaat-e-Islami was established in 1941, before the creation of Pakistan, and that its founder, Maulana Maududi, believed that nations are formed based on ideology, not just territory.
Since the creation of Pakistan, he added, the contributions of Jamaat-e-Islami in defending the country, upholding ideological borders, serving the public, lawmaking, and working for religious and public welfare are well-known.
He emphasized that when it comes to political struggle and sacrifices, Jamaat-e-Islami has played a significant role in creating major movements.