PML-N, PPP fighting over ‘Form-47 scraps’ while Kashmiris bleed: JI Emir

PML-N, PPP fighting over ‘Form-47 scraps’ while Kashmiris bleed: JI Emir

MULTAN, July 29: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the government over the petroleum levy and the country's education system, announcing that the party's nationwide protest on August 7 would be a decisive battle for the people's rights against inflation, excessive taxation and rising utility costs.
Addressing the graduation ceremony of Alkhidmat Foundation's Bano Qabil programme in Multan, Rehman said people burdened by soaring inflation, heavy electricity bills and unjust taxation would no longer remain silent. He urged citizens to come out of their homes and join the countrywide movement against the petroleum levy.
The JI chief also criticised the political situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, saying that while “the blood of our youth is being shed there, the PML-N and PPP are fighting over the scraps of Form-47." He said the ruling parties were prioritising power politics instead of addressing the public's concerns.
The ceremony was also addressed by Jamaat-e-Islami South Punjab Emir Syed Zeeshan Akhtar, South Punjab Secretary General Sanaullah, Multan district Emir Sohaib Ammar Siddiqui, Alkhidmat South Punjab President Ahmad Ammar Yasir and Alkhidmat Multan President Syed Abdul Qadir Shah. Hundreds of graduating students attended the event, while Hafiz Naeem also visited stalls showcasing projects developed by the participants.
Announcing details of the August 7 protest, Rehman said roads connecting districts across the country would be blocked as part of the demonstration, with millions of young people bringing their motorcycles onto roads in protest. He stressed that Jamaat-e-Islami's movement would remain peaceful and within constitutional limits.
"We once again make it clear to the government that it should not create obstacles to our peaceful democratic struggle within the constitutional framework," he said.
The JI emir described the petroleum levy as extortionate taxation, saying that even a motorcycle rider pays more than Rs125 in taxes on every litre of petrol. He argued that the levy had no direct connection with fuel prices and was originally imposed to upgrade oil refineries, yet the government had already collected around Rs8.5 trillion under the head.
He further saif that indirect taxes were also being extracted from citizens who were otherwise outside the tax net. "People are already crushed under the burden of expensive electricity and fuel, and now they are also being forced to pay WASA bills," he said.
Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said that over 40 per cent of population was living below the poverty line, while nearly Rs8 trillion out of the country's Rs18 trillion budget was being consumed by interest payments. He criticised successive governments for maintaining an interest-based economic system despite Pakistan being established in the name of Islam.
Turning to education, the JI chief congratulated graduates of the Bano Qabil programme and said its objective was to equip young people with modern skills and better employment opportunities. He announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would continue offering free training to young people wishing to pursue additional courses.
He said the innovative projects displayed by students demonstrated that Pakistani youth possessed immense talent if given proper opportunities.
Criticising the country's education system, Rehman said quality education had become the privilege of the wealthy while poor parents were sacrificing their basic needs to educate their children. He said that around 260,000 children in Multan alone were out of school, calling it evidence of the state's failure.
He maintained that free and quality education, healthcare and other basic services were constitutional responsibilities of the state, but the rulers were depriving citizens of their fundamental rights.
The JI chief said that the same elite class had remained in power for the past 78 years by merely changing political parties. He said that feudal lords, influential families and generals had formed a nexus that had made education and opportunities inaccessible to ordinary Pakistanis.
According to JI Chief , the education system had been divided along class lines, leaving nearly 90 per cent of young people unable to compete equally. He urged graduates of the Bano Qabil programme to share their knowledge and skills with others.
He also criticised the Punjab government's policy of outsourcing public schools, saying that another 11,000 schools, along with colleges and basic health centres, had been handed over to the private sector. He further criticised the Punjab government, saying that while millions of children remained deprived of education, the chief minister was interested in purchasing a new aircraft worth billions of rupees.