Senators Elected Through Disputed Reserved Seats Themselves Controversial: JI Emir

2دن پہلے

Sargodha, July 23 — Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has denounced the election of senators through disputed reserved seats as undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Addressing a press conference in Sargodha on Wednesday, he criticized the political collusion between the government and opposition, saying the ruling elite sidelined the public issues and indulged in power-sharing deals. He expressed strong concerns over excessive electricity bills, the disempowerment of local governments, and the lack of basic public services.
“The reserved seats were rightfully PTI’s,” he asserted, “but PML-N, PPP, and others gladly accepted these seats, disregarding democratic principles“ Meanwhile, he said, instead of protesting the blatant injustice, PTI’s leadership chose the path of compromise and joined hands with ruling parties in centre on Senate election. He added that while PTI workers face court cases, arrests, and hardships, their leadership remains entangled in a sham power contest with the ruling coalition.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman criticized the state of governance in Sargodha, particularly the failure to provide clean drinking water, proper sewage disposal, and the unchecked sale of narcotics. He said the provincial government was deliberately avoiding local government elections while centralizing all powers and funds. “Without leadership at the grassroots, people are drowning in problems,” he said.
He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami Sargodha has prepared a “Charter of Issues” focused on local grievances and will soon launch a mass public campaign as part of a nationwide movement.
The JI chief also blasted the government over electricity overbilling, calling it “a cruel tool to drain people’s blood.” He said the protected consumer policy — which removes subsidies if usage exceeds 200 units even once — is deeply unjust. “The Auditor General’s report has exposed over Rs. 244 billion in overbilling. This is undeniable evidence of government and institutional failure,” he said, demanding full accountability and immediate refunds to affected consumers. Jamaat-e-Islami, he added, will pursue legal action on this issue.
Criticizing the privileges of the ruling elite, he said, “Instead of reducing perks, free electricity, luxury vehicles, and wasteful spending, the government is placing ever more burden on the people.” He reaffirmed JI’s commitment to expanding its protest movement and fighting for public rights at every available forum.