Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has strongly urged the government to abolish the free petrol facility currently enjoyed by ministers and government officials. Speaking out against the rising fuel prices, he emphasized that while the government continues to impose heavy financial burdens on the public, it has failed to curb its own extravagant expenditures. This call comes amid a recent surge in petrol prices that has sparked widespread concern across various segments of society.
In a detailed statement released on Saturday, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman highlighted that the government is collecting approximately Rs120 per litre in petrol levies, a figure that significantly contributes to the overall price hike. He argued that the free petrol privilege granted to ministers and officials should be immediately withdrawn as a step toward easing the financial strain on ordinary citizens. Additionally, he suggested that large government vehicles should be replaced with smaller models, ideally not exceeding 1300cc engines, to reduce unnecessary fuel consumption and set an example of austerity.
The JI leader also criticized the recent Rs55 increase in petrol prices, describing it as a blatant injustice to the people of Pakistan. He pointed out that out of this increase, Rs20 is attributed to an additional petrol levy, pushing the total levy on petrol to Rs105 per litre. This levy, he explained, has been a significant source of revenue for the government but at the cost of the common man’s financial well-being. Despite a recent decline in global oil prices, the government has not passed on any relief to consumers, further exacerbating public frustration.
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman expressed particular concern for vulnerable groups such as students, laborers, and the middle class, especially those who rely on motorcycles for daily transportation. He warned that even minimal daily consumption of petrol results in a substantial levy burden, with Rs105 per litre going solely toward taxes and levies. Over the past two years, the government has amassed an estimated Rs2,600 billion from petrol levies alone, a figure that underscores the heavy financial pressure placed on ordinary citizens.
Highlighting the broader economic implications, the JI chief stressed that the salaried class is already heavily taxed, and it remains unclear how the government plans to collect revenue from wealthier elites who often evade taxes. He accused the government of shifting the financial burden onto the public to mask its own inefficiencies and mismanagement. The continuation of luxurious perks for government officials, despite the economic hardships faced by the masses, was described as unacceptable.
In conclusion, Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman demanded the immediate reversal of the recent petrol price increase. He called on the government to prioritize the welfare of the people by ending free petrol facilities for ministers and officials and adopting more prudent fiscal policies. This, he argued, would demonstrate a genuine commitment to tackling the economic challenges facing Pakistan and alleviate some of the financial pressures on ordinary citizens struggling to cope with rising living costs.
