“Masses face starvation while rulers indulge in luxury,” says JI Lahore Ziauddin Ansari Advocate
Massive protest staged at Thokar Niaz Baig following JI Chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman’s call.
Leaders warn of encircling government offices if immediate relief is not provided.
LAHORE(Umar Hayat CH) Following the nationwide protest call by the Emir of Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Pakistan, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman, a massive demonstration was staged at Thokar Niaz Baig, Lahore. The protest was aimed at targeting the heavy petroleum levy, backbreaking inflation, unemployment, and sky-rocketing electricity and gas bills. The protest was led by the Emir of JI Lahore, Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, and attended by a massive turnout of citizens and party workers, including General Secretary Azhar Bilal, Deputy Secretaries Aamir Nisar Khan, Qaiser Sharif, Jibran Butt, Ali Irtiza Hasni, Mian Usman Afzal, and other central leaders. Demonstrators carrying placards and banners chanted fierce slogans against the government’s economic policies. Addressing the charged crowd, Ziauddin Ansari Advocate slammed the government’s recent minor reduction in fuel prices, terming it as “rubbing salt into the wounds of the public. “The Prime Minister should not just settle for a minor Rs. 74 reductions. We demand that the government immediately fix the petrol price at Rs. 225 per liter for the next three years to bring real stability to the economy and lower inflation,” Ansari demanded. He urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to remove the “cruel” petroleum levy and prioritize public relief over elite privileges. The JI Lahore Chief highlighted the stark contrast between the lifestyle of the ruling class and the misery of ordinary citizens. He criticized the government’s expenditure on luxury vehicles, airplanes, and salary hikes for officials. “Those sitting in assemblies receiving millions in salaries and perks are completely detached from ground realities. The common man is crushed under unemployment and utility bills, struggling to afford two meals a day,” Ansari stated, adding that JI will not let the rulers sit in peace until genuine relief is provided. Ansari issued a stern ultimatum to the government, warning that if public demands are not met, Jamaat-e-Islami will utilize every democratic and constitutional option. “We will not hesitate to call for a complete shutter-down strike, a countrywide wheel-jam, and a sit-in to encircle government corridors,” he warned. Concluding his speech, he appealed to the nation to unite under the leadership of Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman to fight for their fundamental rights. He emphasized that JI is fighting this battle under scorching heat with no personal or political agenda, solely standing by the poor and common citizens of Pakistan.
