'Why aren't petrol, power prices reducing?': JI chief calls out PM's inflation control claims

Hafiz Naeem criticises the govt's winter electricity package, accusing it of misleading the public

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has dismissed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's claims of reducing inflation, labelling them false and questioning why fuel and electricity prices remain high if inflation has indeed decreased.

In a statement issued from the party's headquarters on Sunday, Rehman criticised the government's winter electricity package, accusing it of misleading the public. “The winter electricity package is nothing but a ruse to deceive the people,” he stated.

He further questioned the validity of the PM's assertions on reducing inflation, stating that the current government is built on lies and manipulation. “If inflation is down, why aren’t industrial conditions improving, and why aren’t petrol and electricity prices decreasing?” he asked.

Rehman took aim at the government’s financial dealings, claiming that Independent Power Producers (IPPs) are being paid billions in capacity charges, while the elite evade taxes. "The poor and salaried class are being drained, while the rich pay no taxes," he alleged.

The JI leader also raised concerns about the state of education in the country, claiming that quality education has been unavailable for the past 77 years. "The government plans to privatise 14,000 schools, but JI will resist this move," he added, reaffirming his party’s opposition to the policy.