Corruption and Mafia Culture Root Cause of Pakistan’s Problems, Says Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman

Islamabad: Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan, has said that corruption and mafia culture are the main causes of Pakistan’s ongoing problems, claiming that these forces have tightly gripped the country.
Addressing a public gathering in Upper Dir, he stated that a small elite has established dominance over the country’s population of 250 million people.
He alleged that a few influential families repeatedly come to power under different names, parties, and slogans. He also criticized the role of independent power producers (IPPs) and what he described as gas, sugar, and flour mafias for surrounding and exploiting the country’s economy.
Hafiz Naeem further said that the burden of petroleum levy falls on the poor, claiming that an excessive levy of Rs160 is being collected through unjust means.
He added that motorcycle users contribute around Rs550 billion annually, while salaried individuals pay approximately Rs650 billion in taxes. In contrast, he claimed that large landowners pay only Rs10 to Rs12 billion annually, often securing tax exemptions and protecting each other’s interests.
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader also criticized the judicial system, alleging that justice is difficult to obtain without influence or wealth, leaving the poor with little hope of fair treatment.