Punjab Worst Hit by Poverty Despite Claims of Prosperity: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman

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Punjab Worst Hit by Poverty Despite Claims of Prosperity: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman

Lahore, Feb 22: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Sunday said that Punjab has witnessed the highest increase in poverty, despite official claims portraying the province as a land of prosperity and development.
Addressing an Iftar gathering in Model Town, Lahore, he said the ruling elite projects an image of rivers of milk and honey flowing across Punjab, while the ground realities remain starkly different. The event was organised by JI Lahore leader Malik Shahid Aslam, while Vice Emir Liaqat Baloch and Lahore Emir Ziauddin Ansari also addressed the gathering.
Rehman said nearly 10 million children are out of school in Punjab, while the ruling class remains engaged in extravagance. He criticised the Punjab chief minister for purchasing an Rs11 billion aircraft, stating that heavy spending on publicity campaigns cannot conceal the deteriorating conditions in key social sectors. “Across Punjab and the rest of the country, every sector is in crisis,” he added.
Criticising the political system, the JI chief said that family-run political parties weaken democratic institutions, while imposed rulers deliberately avoid empowering local governments because they fear the strength of the people.
Referring to the ongoing energy crisis, Rehman said that the government paid Rs2,000 billion to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) in just one year, adding that Rs500 billion could ensure free education across the country. He said consumers were being forced to pay for electricity that is not even produced, terming it a grave injustice. He described the current rulers as unpopular and indifferent to public suffering.
He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would intensify its movement for public rights after Eid, pledging a stronger struggle against injustice, exploitation, and economic mismanagement.
JI Emir urged people to adopt God-consciousness in every aspect of lifeand strengthen their bond with the Holy Quran during Ramadan to bring meaningful personal and societal change. He said Pakistan was created on the promise of implementing the Quranic system, which ensures justice, equal opportunities, and protection of fundamental rights.
“The enforcement of the Quranic system guarantees justice, ensures education for every child, and prevents exploitation,” he said, stressing that true change comes from transforming unjust systems, not merely building roads and infrastructure.
He added that Islam is not limited to ritual worship, but requires its principles to be implemented in practical life. He emphasised that political parties must function on the basis of ideology rather than personalities, and that Pakistan needs genuine, principled leadership to steer the country out of its crises.