LAHORE : Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticised the governance in Punjab and said the agriculture sector was in decline and farmers were not being paid the officially announced wheat support price of Rs3,500 per maund.
Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah, he said the provincial government is deceiving farmers and questioned its claims of good governance, pointing out that millions of children remain out of school while thousands of public schools are being handed over to the private sector.
JI Emir urged the government to reject American pressure and move ahead with independent trade with Iran, including the completion of the long-delayed Pakistan-Iran gas pipeline.He said Pakistan’s role during the recent Iran-US negotiations was commendable and should be translated into public confidence at home. He demanded that petrol prices be reduced to Rs250 per litre and announced that Jamaat-e-Islami would challenge the petroleum levy and the privatisation of educational institutions in Punjab in court.
He also called for the termination or revision of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), arguing that a review of re-gasified LNG contracts and completion of the Iran gas pipeline could significantly reduce energy costs and help overcome the country’s energy crisis. He stressed that the ruling elite must cut down on their own privileges instead of burdening the public.
Rehman appreciated Saudi Arabia’s role in preventing divisions within the Muslim world during recent Gulf tensions and praised Iran’s leadership for its steadfastness. He expressed hope that ceasefire negotiations would succeed.
Senior party leaders, including deputy secretaries general Waqar Jafri and Rasool Khan Babar, Lahore Ameer Ziauddin Ansari, and Information Secretary Shakeel Ahmad Turabi, were also present.
The JI chief announced that the party would relaunch its membership drive from April 25, aiming to recruit five million members and establish 15,000 public committees nationwide. He said that after achieving these targets, the party would review its charter of public demands and launch a mass movement for public rights.
He also expressed solidarity with lady health workers, doctors, paramedics, and teachers facing difficulties.Commenting on Sindh, he said the situation was equally alarming, saying that Karachi’s potential had been undermined. He reiterated that power should be transferred only to those elected by the people.
