GUJRAT: Jamaat-i-Islami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has called upon the army chief to abolish capacity payments being paid to military-owned power producers.

He made an identical demand to the ruling Sharif family which also owns IPPs

Speaking to a public rally at GTS Chowk here on Friday night, he urged the ruling elite, civil and military bureaucracy, judiciary and politicians to reduce their perks and priviliges by using small vehicles and stop getting free electricity and petrol.

Rehman criticised parliamentarians who would vote for the proposed constitutional amendment to appease power corridors.

“Let me tell those elements that if they cannot resist pressure, then politics does not suit them as politics is the name of defying the pressure as done by the JI lawmakers at the time of granting extension to the then army chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa.”

The JI emir said the country had been facing a constitutional crisis and the mandate of people was being stolen again in the name of amendments but the JI would not accept the tactics of stealing votes and mandate.

He said how could one claim of bringing a change into the country when the land and sugar mafia were standing right and left.Mr Rehman said religious parties had also created divisions among the people in the name of different sects but it was only the JI that had always advocated the unity among the masses and tried to end all sorts of religious, linguistic and regional bias in the country.

He deplored that 40 per cent of Pakistan population had been living below the poverty line whereas around 25 million children were out of school meaning a vast majority of out future generation could not have equal opportunities of growth due to being illiterate but the rulers did not bother about the poor segment of society.

He announced to extend the ongoing JI membership drive up to October 31 across the country.

He vowed to continue his party’s movement to protect the rights of people as it had launched a struggle to eliminate the capacity payments and reduction in electricity tariffs as well as high tax on the salaries class.

He said that the feudals must be taxed instead of enhancing burden on small farmers.

Punjab JI emir Dr Tariq Saleem, Gujrat district emir Ansar Dhool advocate and others also spoke.

Published in Dawn, October 12th, 2024