‘Relief for masses our only demand,’ says Hafiz Naeem on Islamabad sit-in

• Hafiz Naeem announces launching “Haq do Awaam Ko” movement.
• “We don’t want any anarchy, vandalism,” says JI chief.
• He says they will contact traders, students for their protest.
  

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has said that their only demand regarding their sit-in on July 12 in Islamabad is to secure relief for the masses regarding budget 2024-25.

“Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif must give relief to the nation before it’s too late and there’s no way out [for him],” Naeem said while speaking to the media in Lahore.

The JI chief’s remarks come after President Asif Ali Zardari gave his assent to the tax-heavy Finance Bill 2024 following its approval in the National Assembly last week.

The budget provisions a challenging tax revenue target of Rs13 trillion for the year starting July 1, up about 40% from the current year, in the national budget presented on July 12 that looked to strengthen the case for a new rescue deal with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

The rise in the tax target is made up of a 48% increase in direct taxes and a 35% hike in indirect taxes over revised estimates of the current year. Non-tax revenue, including petroleum levies, is seen increasing by a whopping 64%.

The budget has faced severe criticism from opposition parties most prominently the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) as well as former Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) leaders Shahid Khaqan Abbasi and Miftah Ismail.

Commenting on the nature of their protest, the JI chief said: “We don’t want any anarchy, vandalism.”

He also added that they are not in alliance with any political party and will hold the sit-in with the help of the people.

Separately, Naeem also spoke to the media in Islamabad and announced launching the “Haq Do Awaam Ko” movement aimed at seeking relief for the people.

Lambasting the PM Shehbaz-led government for imposing crushing taxes on the masses, the politico said: “The burden of taxes of the ruling class has been imposed on the common man.”

Calling on rulers to reduce inflation, Naeem remarked that the all-important economic indicator has witnessed a hike ever since the government tabled its budget for the next fiscal year.

Elaborating on the sit-in, the JI leader reiterated his willingness for a prolonged demonstration and said their protest wouldn’t be limited to a couple of days.

“We would contact traders, industrialists, labourers and students regarding our sit-in,” he added.