JI chief says govt could save up to Rs4 trillion if it adopts party’s proposed fiscal reforms

Jamaat-i-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman highlighted the potential economic savings for the government if it implemented the proposed fiscal reforms. Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, he emphasized that the national treasury could potentially save between Rs3 trillion and Rs4 trillion. Rehman criticized rising fuel costs and heavy taxation, arguing that the government's relief packages were inadequate.

He announced a nationwide "super long march" towards Islamabad starting on September 20. Rehman rejected the government's claim that recent energy and fuel price hikes were solely due to international market forces, stating that authorities were relying on aggressive levies to meet revenue targets rather than reducing state expenditure.

He pointed out that local fuel prices had risen faster than those in neighboring countries during regional tensions, disproportionately affecting lower- and middle-income households. Rehman called for abolishing the petroleum levy, ending non-productive capacity payments, and fixing the price of petrol at Rs225 per litre. He proposed an immediate reduction of three percentage points in the benchmark interest rate, estimating that each percent reduction would save the exchequer around Rs574 billion.

Rehman emphasized the growing public support for the party's movement and ongoing dialogue with farmers' alliances and PTI allies. The September 20 demonstration would involve caravans from Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, including a train contingent from Karachi. Rehman assured that the self-funded march would not cause disruptions and would not obstruct students preparing for the MDCAT.

He expressed willingness for immediate talks if the government presented actionable proposals, but warned against stalling tactics as public mobilization intensified.