Rehman decries mafia rule, calls budget a gift to elites

12گھنٹے پہلے

ISLAMABAD – July 2: Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has expressed deep concern over the increasing stranglehold of mafias on government and economy.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Wednesday, he said cartels have made billions by first exporting and then re-importing sugar at inflated rates.
“During the first PDM government, wheat import scandal caused a loss of over one billion dollars to the national exchequer. Would the rulers be ever held accountable for this loss,” he questioned and maintained mafias work in tandem with the government.
Rehman said the current budget has favored the elite and feudal class while burdening ordinary citizens with taxes and inflation. “There is no taxation on large landholdings. The rulers are unwilling to cut their perks, protocols and extravagant expenditures. The public continues to bear the brunt,” he added.
The JI cheif said the government has destroyed the small farmers and agriculture sector, holding both the PML-N and the PPP responsible for it.
He questioned the absence of a coherent agricultural policy, pointing out that cosmetic campaigns in Punjab are misleading farmers. “Wheat is a matter of national food security. The government must explain its agricultural roadmap,” he demanded.
Rehman also expressed concern over the performance of the FBR, stating that while its 25,000 employees are not meeting targets, they continue to be granted sweeping powers, including the authority to arrest citizens. He also highlighted that local governments across the country remain dysfunctional.
Announcing the party’s organizational progress, he said the JI’s membership has now crossed two million. “We are forming 30,000 public committees across the country to actively address local issues and channel the people’s voice,” he said.
Rehman also criticized the recent Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats, calling it a blow to justice and democratic principles. “This ruling enables the ruling alliance to unfairly gain reserved seats. We had opposed the 26th constitutional amendment from the start, as it has only expanded institutional control and undermined judicial independence.”
Referring to the two-thirds majority granted under the verdict, he said such outcomes would not improve governance, as “assemblies have already been reduced to rubber stamps.” He reiterated that the 26th amendment was passed through unconstitutional means and has further weakened democratic structures.
Responding to a question, he described Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s statement suggesting joint counter-terrorism efforts by RAW and ISI as incomprehensible and reflective of a desire to appease foreign lobbies. “RAW has been involved in terrorism inside Pakistan,” he stated firmly.
He also questioned government approaches toward Trump, asking what statement the US President made over revoked Kashmir’s special status or on violation of the Indus Waters Treaty. “Every day Palestinians are being martyred, yet Trump speaks of ceasefires only when Israel is challenged.”
Rehman warned against renewed pressure under the Abraham Accords on Arab countries and Pakistan to recognize Israel. “If any such step is taken, Jamaat-e-Islami—along with the people of Pakistan—will resist it through public mobilization.”