JI laments inflation, tax burden

The Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) stepped up its criticism of the government's economic policies on Friday, announcing plans to expand its protest movement across the country against rising electricity tariffs, petroleum prices, alleged preferential treatment to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) and inflation.

Addressing a protest demonstration in Ichhra, JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman claimed the government had failed to pass on the benefits of lower international oil prices to consumers.

He alleged that the government had collected a large amount through petroleum levy without improving the country's oil refining infrastructure. He also claimed that taxes had been imposed on people unable to pay them.

The JI chief said soaring electricity and gas bills, coupled with rising prices of essential commodities, had placed an unbearable burden on citizens. He accused successive governments of signing unfair agreements with the IPPs, alleging that power producers continued to receive payments even when electricity was not generated.

Hafiz Naeem claimed that more than 10 million children in Punjab were out of school and the provincial government was outsourcing schools instead of improving the public education system. He also criticised the state of public transport in Lahore, claiming several major roads lacked an effective mass transit system.

He accused the government of spending public money on publicity campaigns and luxury expenditures while imposing additional taxes on citizens. He said the bureaucracy and political leadership continued to enjoy privileges despite worsening economic conditions.