Heavy Electricity, Gas Bills and Load Shedding Add to Public Misery; Rising Drug Abuse a Growing Threat: Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Demands Empowerment of Local Bodies

**Quetta (Qudrat Daily):**
Ameer Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan and Member of the Provincial Assembly, **Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman Baloch**, has expressed deep concern over the **rising electricity and gas bills**, along with **prolonged load shedding**, which have further intensified the hardships of the public.

Addressing gatherings and meeting various delegations in Quetta, Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman emphasized the urgent need to **grant full powers and financial resources to local government institutions** following the upcoming municipal elections. He stated that empowered local bodies are essential for ensuring citizens’ access to **clean drinking water, timely justice, and basic public services**.

The JI leader lamented that despite modern times, the people of Balochistan still **lack access to basic education and healthcare facilities**. He also expressed grave concern over the **alarming rise in drug use and trafficking**, warning that it has now spread from urban centers to rural areas — leading to the **destruction of families, moral decline, and an increase in crimes such as robbery and theft**.

Criticizing the government and administration, he said that the authorities were merely **issuing statements without taking real action**, while the youth continued to suffer from **addiction, unemployment, and hopelessness**.

Maulana Hidayat ur Rehman reaffirmed that **Jamaat-e-Islami is committed to fighting for the rights of the people of Balochistan**, ending oppression and injustice, and raising its voice for the **recovery of missing persons**. He announced that at the upcoming **Lahore Ijtima-e-Aam**, people from all regions and languages would participate to promote unity and awareness among the masses.

He vowed to continue the struggle to **free Pakistan’s 250 million citizens from tyranny and lawlessness**, and to build a **prosperous, corruption-free state based on Quran and Sunnah**. The JI leader urged the people of Balochistan to **join the movement** for their rights and attend the **Lahore gathering in large numbers** to strengthen the call for justice and Islamic governance.