KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Chief, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Thursday criticized, what he termed, an “elite-first” political and economic system, accusing the civil-military establishment of protecting feudal interests while placing a disproportionate tax burden on ordinary citizens.
Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the existing framework benefits a privileged minority at the expense of the wider population. He alleged that common citizens are subjected to heavy taxation, while influential groups enjoy impunity.
He opposed levies grafted to electricity bills, such as the PHL tax, as well as the petroleum development levy, describing them as “illogical, unjust, and lacking transparency”.
He warned that if the government failed to address these concerns, the party would seek legal recourse. However, he did not specify a timeline or indicate which court would be approached.
The JI Chief also called for the termination of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), alleging that payments are being made for electricity that is not consumed. He said such arrangements run counter to the national interest.
Similarly, he criticized liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal contracts, claiming that substantial payments are being drawn from the national exchequer despite terminals remaining “inactive”. He maintained that these agreements lacked transparency and should be cancelled, though he did not provide specific financial figures or contract details.
Commenting on international affairs, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said US President Donald Trump had pushed the United States towards a diplomatic isolation and lost credibility and popularity at home. He praised Iran’s leadership and people for what he dubbed steadfastness under pressure, and described Pakistan’s efforts to facilitate talks between Iran and the United States as commendable.
He said Washington’s conduct had historically been marked by deception and endorsed Iran’s position that no agreement would be possible without lifting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
He also welcomed Saudi Arabia’s restraint and proposed the formation of a joint defence bloc comprising Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Turkey.
On domestic issues, the JI central leader highlighted challenges in education and health, stating that millions of children remain out of school while policies to outsource educational institutions are being pursued. He expressed concern over recent judicial amendments, the weakening of local governments, and delays in local body elections, describing them as harmful to democratic development.
Talking about Karachi’s civic issues, he said several ongoing development projects had become examples of “mismanagement and corruption”. He singled out the condition of University Road, calling it a “global embarrassment,” and said multiple multi-billion-rupee projects were facing delays and underperformance.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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