JI Protests Prevented Petrol Price Hike to Rs 500: Hafiz Naeem

News Desk
ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has claimed that sustained public protests and political pressure by his party stopped the government from surging petroleum prices to Rs 500 per litre. Addressing a gathering, the JI chief maintained that timely resistance by the masses and the party’s leadership successfully halted anti-people economic measures allegedly planned by the administration under pressure from international financial institutions.
Hafiz Naeem criticized the ruling coalition for imposing unbearable tax burdens on the salaried class and the general public, stating that unchecked inflation has crippled daily life across Pakistan. He asserted that the government would have implemented even harsher taxation and fuel hikes if opposition parties and street power had not intervened to defend the rights of ordinary citizens.
The statements underscore the growing political friction over the country’s strict adherence to economic stabilization policies dictated by international lenders. With inflation remaining a primary concern, political actors are increasingly leveraging public discontent over utility tariffs and petroleum levies to challenge the government’s economic roadmap and demand immediate relief for the working class.
Political analysts expect the debate over fuel pricing and taxation to intensify in parliament and on the streets as opposition groups mobilize supporters. Meanwhile, the JI leadership has signaled further nationwide campaigns if the federal administration fails to rationalize energy tariffs and alleviate the mounting financial pressure on households.