Unless grievances of people are promptly addressed, Pakistan could face a situation akin to Kenya’s: Hafiz Naeemur Rehman

ISLAMABAD/ LAHORE, June 26 (SABAH): Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman issued a stark warning to rulers during his address at the National Budget Seminar in Islamabad on Wednesday. He cautioned that unless the grievances of the people are promptly addressed, Pakistan could face a situation akin to Kenya’s.  Rehman said the ruling elite is plundering the nation’s resources while leaving the people with no recourse but to protest on the streets.

He condemned the recently proposed budget as heavily biased against the poor, criticizing its measures aimed at burdening the salaried class with increased taxes, including substantial hikes in utility bills. Rehman demanded that the ruling elite make sacrifices and prioritize public relief over personal gain, emphasizing that the people are asserting their rights, not seeking charity.

In response to these concerns, Jamaat-e-Islami has decided to initiate a peaceful protest movement advocating for public rights, he said, announcing protest marches in front of distribution companies on Friday. The JI leadership, he said, convening at Mansoorah on July 1 to strategize further.

Rehman said the PML-N, PPP, and MQM have gained power through electoral fraud, resulting in a parliament that does not genuinely represent the electorate. He said the PML-N’s allies held budget negotiations to secure additional ministerial positions, diverting attention from substantive issues.

Rehman targeted the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), criticising its inefficiency in tax collection. The FBR, he said, is collecting taxes only through utility bills. He said the FBR should be closed if it fails to broaden the tax base effectively. He called for the inclusion of feudal lords in the tax net and proposed taxing the substantial wealth reportedly held by the banking sector.

 Rehman also highlighted the untapped potential of Pakistan’s IT sector, criticising the rulers for ignoring the sector. He said Jamaat-e-Islami’s Bano Qabil Program aimed at fostering IT expertise.

Rehman’s address underscored Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to mobilize against perceived injustices and economic mismanagement, signalling its intent to challenge the status quo through peaceful means. 

 Meanwhile, in a separate video message issued from Mansoorah, the JI Emir rejected the government decision to launch Operation Azm-e-Ishtekam. He expressed surprise over the announcement of Operation at the apex committee meeting of the National Action Plan (NAP) without consulting the parliament and political leadership.

Rehman emphasized that the people of Pakistan, especially those in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, can no longer afford military operations. The country, he argued, needs political stability rather than military interventions, highlighting the failure of past operations from Balochistan operation to the recent ones—a history of seven decades. 

The JI Emir pointed out that the region is paying the price for the so-called war on terror led by the United States for its own interests. He called for Pakistan and its friendly countries, particularly Afghanistan and China, to establish peace in the region through dialogue.