Major Public Rights Movement Coming Soon, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Tells Youth

Major Public Rights Movement Coming Soon, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman Tells Youth

LAHORE, June 12: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has said that the government will have to withdraw the unjust taxes imposed on petrol, electricity and gas, urging the youth across Pakistan to prepare for a major movement for the protection of public rights.
Addressing youth from across the country through an online session from Mansoorah on Friday, he said that the JI would announce its future course of action after reviewing the federal budget within the next couple of days. He said the struggle to free Pakistan from agents of foreign powers would continue.
Rehman said that whenever a revolution took place anywhere in the world, youth played a key role in it. JI, he said, would continue its engagement with young people and would soon brief them about the next phase of action. JI Vice-Emir Dr Usama Razi and Special Assistant to JI Emir Umair Idrees were also present on the occasion.
Rehman said that no more time would be wasted and a major struggle would be launched to resolve public issues. He also appealed to the business community to support the struggle against anti-people policies.
Highlighting the role of youth in movements for change, he said that when the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) brought a revolution, a large number of young companions stood with him and played their role in the fields of knowledge, education, faith and social reform. He said the movement that began in Makkah later spread to Madinah and across Arabia, as its followers remained committed despite sacrifices.
He said that Syed Maududi founded Jamaat-e-Islami at a time when colonial powers were dominant and capitalism and socialism were influential global systems. He added that Islam was not merely a set of rituals but a complete way of life based on justice and welfare of humanity.
Commenting on the country’s political and economic situation, the JI Emir said that the people were facing severe challenges and their right to rule was being undermined. He said slogans were raised about respecting the vote in the past, but those who raised such slogans and their allied parties weakened public authority in practice.
He said Karachi’s infrastructure had collapsed and people were being deprived of basic facilities in health and education. He added that even universities lacked basic facilities for female students, including proper washrooms.
Criticising rising inflation and taxes, the JI chief said that people were being squeezed through petroleum levy and heavy taxation. He said an ordinary motorcycle rider was paying a huge amount of tax on every litre of petrol, while the government had already collected billions through levies without providing corresponding relief to citizens.
He said taxes imposed on electricity, gas and petroleum products would have to be withdrawn. Referring to payments to independent power producers (IPPs), he said that Rs1,800 billion had been paid in one year, questioning what remained in the budget for ordinary citizens after such expenditures.
Rehman said that the salaried class was paying a heavy share of taxes while privileged sections were not contributing proportionately. He added that corruption remained a serious issue across the country, including Sindh and Punjab, while people continued to be deprived of basic services.
He urged young people to join the struggle against an unjust system and become active in large numbers. He said Jamaat-e-Islami would organise youth at the grassroots level and hold youth elections in villages, neighbourhoods and union councils to bring forward people committed to public welfare.
Talking about social challenges, the JI leader said the spread of drugs was a serious concern and millions of young people had become victims of addiction. He said the issue could not be addressed through advice alone but required a practical movement.
He urged youth not to limit themselves to slogans but to build their character through faith and discipline. He advised them to regularly study the Quran and Seerah of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The JI Emir said that through the Bano Qabil programme, young people would be provided skills training along with moral development, while sports activities would also be promoted. He said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue supporting youth at every level across the country.
Responding to a question about the situation in Azad Kashmir, Rehman said that issues of Kashmir, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Gilgit-Baltistan and all regions of Pakistan would have to be addressed. He said problems could not be resolved by suppressing people, firing bullets, issuing certificates of treason or sending citizens to prisons.