Key Takeaways
- Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman says government could save Rs3-4 trillion.
- National exchequer could benefit from adopting JI’s proposed fiscal reforms.
- JI to launch nationwide ‘super long march’ starting September 20.
Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called for immediate economic relief through the adoption of the party’s proposed fiscal reforms, asserting that the national exchequer could save between Rs3 trillion and Rs4 trillion.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Rehman criticized rising fuel costs and heavy taxation, as well as what he termed superficial relief packages that fail to address the core burdens facing the public.
The JI chief announced that a nationwide ‘super long march’ towards Islamabad would commence on September 20, involving caravans from Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, including a dedicated contingent traveling by train from Karachi.
Rehman rejected the government’s argument that recent energy and fuel price hikes were solely due to international market forces, stating that the authorities were relying on aggressive levies to meet revenue targets rather than reducing state expenditure.
Local fuel prices have risen significantly faster than those in neighbouring countries, disproportionately affecting lower- and middle-income households that rely heavily on smaller vehicles, according to the JI chief.
Calling for an end to guaranteed profit margins for oil marketing companies, Rehman reiterated the JI’s demands to abolish the petroleum levy, end non-productive capacity payments to independent power producers (IPPs) and regasification plants, and fix the price of petrol at Rs225 per litre.
Outlining key economic measures, Rehman called for an immediate cut of three percentage points in the benchmark interest rate, pointing out that every one-percentage-point reduction would save the exchequer approximately Rs574 billion.
He urged the government to stop protecting commercial bank profits and work towards systematically eliminating interest from the national economy.
The JI emir assured the public that the self-funded march would not involve road blockades or cause unnecessary disruption to daily life, adding that its arrangements would not obstruct students appearing for the upcoming Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT).
The public’s support for the party’s movement is growing.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, JI chief
The September 20 demonstration will involve caravans travelling to Islamabad from across Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, including a dedicated contingent travelling by train from Karachi.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, JI chief
