JI announces sit-in in Islamabad against high taxes

KARACHI: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a protest rally in Islamabad on July 12 against “high taxes”.

Addressing a press conference in Karachi today, JI leader slammed the government’s recent tax-heavy Finance Bill 2024 and exorbitant electricity tariff.

Rehman’s announcement comes after President Asif Ali Zardari’s assent to the Finance Bill 2024, which has drawn widespread criticism from opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).

The JI emir has termed the budget “cruel” and alleged that it is designed to further exploit the masses, while the ruling elite and landowners remain exempt from the tax burden.

Rehman lamented that the government and ruling classes are unwilling to relinquish their perks and privileges, yet are pushing the nation into “greater difficulty.” He emphasized that the tax burden is disproportionately falling on the salaried classes, while the elite are spared. The JI emir has called for a reduction in electricity bills and taxes, as well as an end to the slab-based pricing structure of electricity bills.

Rehman also highlighted the exodus of professionals from the country, citing a staggering 119% increase in professionals leaving Pakistan compared to the previous year.’

‘Haq Do Awam Ko’

Hafiz Naeem warned that the brain drain would have severe consequences, as the country is already struggling to retain medical professionals, engineers, IT specialists, and chartered accountants.
“Pakistan needs medical professionals who are looking for ways to leave the country because of inflation, unemployment, unrest and now all these taxes.”

The July 12 protest rally is expected to be a historic event, with Rehman hinting that it may escalate into a sit-in. The JI emir has vowed to continue the protest until the government repeals its “cruel measures” and addresses the economic challenges faced by citizens.

It is pertinent to mention here that the JI’s “Haq Do Awam Ko” (Give Rights to the Masses) movement aims to bring attention to the economic struggles faced by citizens, who are reeling under the burden of high taxes and electricity prices