Powerful Elites Squeezing Public Blood, Petroleum Levy a Form of Extortion: JI Balochistan Ameer

QUETTA: Jamaat-e-Islami Balochistan ameer and MPA Maulana Hidayatur Rehman Baloch has said that rulers and powerful circles in Islamabad have captured the country’s resources and authority and are squeezing the blood of poor and helpless people.

Speaking to delegations in Gwadar, he said the ruling class’s endless extravagance, free-riding and plunder continue, while instead of giving relief to the public, new taxes and financial burdens — including the petroleum levy — are being imposed. Several collection schemes, including the levy on petroleum products, are placing a direct burden on the common man, he added.

He said the rulers, instead of adopting simplicity, contentment and austerity, are imposing countless and unnecessary taxes on the people, making the poor poorer and the rich richer. Economic disparity, inflation, unemployment and insecurity have made ordinary citizens’ lives miserable. The public cannot meet basic needs, while the ruling elite enjoys privileges and luxuries from the national treasury.

Maulana Hidayatur Rehman said Jamaat-e-Islami has always waged a democratic and peaceful struggle for public rights and the supremacy of the Constitution and law. Against these anti-people policies, plunder, unjust taxes, extortion in the form of the petroleum levy, inflation and rulers’ extravagance, Jamaat-e-Islami will hold a peaceful and historic public march towards Islamabad on September 20. With the power of the people, he said, rulers will be forced to grant the public the right to live, end plunder and unfair taxes, and provide real relief.

He said the people of Balochistan are already deprived of basic facilities. The law-and-order situation, lack of jobs, business difficulties, closure of borders and roads, and inflation have already put the public in severe hardship. Imposing more taxes and levies in such conditions amounts to cruelty. The government should cut its unnecessary expenditures and lavish spending instead of adding to people’s problems.

He said large convoys from Balochistan would join the Islamabad long march on September 20. District ameers, sister organisations and Jamaat office-bearers have begun preparations. Workers and people from Balochistan will reach Islamabad to record a strong protest.

The JI leader said the party is not against any individual, party or institution, but against anti-people policies, corruption, plunder, injustice and an exploitative system. Resources of the country should belong to ordinary Pakistanis rather than a few families and the elite. Youth should get employment, farmers facilities, traders a secure business environment, workers dignified livelihoods, and the public cheap electricity, petrol and basic necessities.

He said the people will no longer remain silent. Together, they will secure their rights through democratic resistance and will not rest until the cruel and exploitative system is changed. Jamaat-e-Islami stands with the public and will continue its peaceful struggle until people’s rights are achieved.