System Failure Driving Inflation, Joblessness: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman

System Failure Driving Inflation, Joblessness: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman

LAHORE, May 21: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has said that Pakistan’s ongoing economic crisis, rising inflation, unemployment and industrial decline are the direct result of a frayed political and economic system, adding that economic stability is impossible without structural reform.
Addressing the oath-taking ceremony of the newly elected office-bearers of the Pak International Business Forum (PIBF) as chief guest, he urged industrialists and traders to become part of Jamaat-e-Islami’s anti-government movement, saying that the ruling elite is pursuing policies harmful to the public, industry and business sectors.
He announced that a nationwide protest movement would be launched after Eid, including a successful countrywide strike, saying the people were already ready for resistance against rising prices and taxes.
Rehman said the imposition of Rs120 petroleum levy and additional taxes amounts to public exploitation, while billions are being spent to protect IPPs, RLNG agreements and elite interests. He criticized the government for shifting financial burdens onto the masses while shielding powerful segments.
Speaking on Jamaat-e-Islami’s engagement with the business community, he said the party had for the first time in its history provided industrialists a platform at its grand public gathering to highlight their concerns. He stressed that Jamaat-e-Islami represents labourers, farmers, students and the poor, adding that without industry running, poverty cannot be eliminated.
He strongly criticized programs such as BISP, terming them politically driven schemes that offer charity instead of rights. He also pointed to education challenges in Punjab, stating that over 10 million children are still out of school despite official development claims. He further said thousands of schools are being outsourced while colleges are being shut and universities deprived of grants. He added that repeated schemes like laptops and tractors are used to distract the public, while no sector shows real progress.
Describing the country’s governance structure, the JI Emir said Pakistan is ruled by a “consortium system” comprising bureaucrats, capitalists and landlords. He said that elite-driven policies exploit the poor, while the bureaucracy behaves as a ruling class rather than public servants.
He said the country’s problems are not caused by ignorance but by an educated class that continues to mislead society. He stressed the need to challenge the system, stating that decentralization of power has not been implemented.
Referring to local governance, he criticized proposed changes in Lahore’s municipal system, saying plans for multiple mayors are meant to maintain control and monopoly over power.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman also said that Jamaat-e-Islami remains the only truly democratic and organized political party in the country, adding it has delivered wherever it was given a chance, citing Karachi as an example.
Highlighting the “Bano Qabil” programme, he said Jamaat-e-Islami is providing free education and skills training to youth without being in government. He added that the initiative has expanded from Karachi to Chitral, and graduation ceremonies have been held in Lahore as well.
He warned that rising policy rates are damaging the economy, saying a one percent increase in interest rates has added Rs540 billion to national debt. He termed the interest-based system destructive and vowed continued opposition.
On energy issues, he said Pakistan has capacity to generate 49,000 MW of electricity, yet load-shedding persists. He criticized taxes on solar energy adoption and said massive capacity payments, Rs1,800 billion to IPPs and Rs500 billion to bagasse-based plants, are burdening the economy.
He further said RLNG plants receive daily capacity payments of $538,000 even when fuel is unavailable. He questioned why agreements were not terminated in national interest. He also criticized elite expenditures amid economic hardship, referring to the purchase of an 11-billion-rupee aircraft and a 90-million-rupee vehicle for the Senate chairman.
Calling for pressure on ruling elites, he said Jamaat-e-Islami would intensify its movement after Eid and urged traders and industrialists to join, saying they would find dignity in standing with the party.
The ceremony concluded with oath-taking of the newly elected PIBF office-bearers by the Jamaat-e-Islami chief.