Addressing a press conference in Mansoorah, Lahore, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman rejected the increase in electricity and fuel prices as well as agreements with independent power producers (IPPs). He said that nationwide demonstrations would be held on May 1, International Workers’ Day.
He claimed that the government collected 138 billion rupees in levies during wartime but failed to bring any improvement in refineries. He added that pressure from the International Monetary Fund was always directed toward imposing taxes on the poor, while no such pressure was seen regarding expensive government expenditures, including the purchase of an aircraft worth 11 billion rupees for the chief minister.
He alleged that IPPs were being paid billions of dollars even without generating electricity, while citizens were enduring up to 15 hours of load shedding. He warned that if the petroleum levy was not withdrawn, a nationwide strike would be announced.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman also accused the Punjab government of exploiting farmers, saying billions of rupees were being spent on advertisements despite a ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan. He criticized the outsourcing of schools and hospitals, claiming it was depriving the poor of their right to education and healthcare.
Speaking on global developments, he alleged that the United States, in alliance with Israel, had imposed war on Iran, and said Gulf countries were now realizing that American bases could not guarantee their security.
He further stated that Pakistan’s mediation efforts had enhanced the country’s global standing, but emphasized the need to move away from what he termed dependence on the United States. He concluded by saying that Jamaat-e-Islami would use public support to pressure what he called an imposed government, adding that meaningful progress would require systemic change rather than merely changing faces.
