Written By: Sheikh J. Hussain
London
Jawadkhyal@icloud.com
Published By:ANI News Agency
There are moments in the life of a nation when the truth becomes so clear that no one can ignore it any longer. Today, the people of Pakistan are waking up to a reality that has been hidden behind numbers and policies for far too long. It is the reality of the heavy burden that rests upon the shoulders of every ordinary citizen every single time they start their motorcycle or fill their vehicle at the petrol pump. And in this moment of difficulty and realisation, one political party has stood above all others, not for power, not for personal gain, but for the people. That party is Jamaat-e-Islami, and under the leadership of Engineer Hafız Naeem ur Rehman and alongside the invaluable experience and wisdom of Naib Amir Liaquat Baloch, it has become the true voice of the millions who otherwise feel they have none.
Pakistan stands alone in the world in one very painful respect. It is perhaps the only country on earth where the people pay the highest taxes on fuel despite having one of the lowest incomes in the region. Think about this for a moment. When a labourer, a clerk, or a delivery rider starts their engine each morning, they are not just paying for petrol. They are also filling the government treasury with taxes that have grown beyond all reason. At three hundred and forty six rupees per litre of petrol, approximately one hundred and twenty four rupees go directly to various taxes and levies. Of that amount, around one hundred and five rupees per litre flow straight into government coffers. The Petroleum Development Levy which stood at merely ten rupees per litre just five years ago has now risen to nearly eighty rupees. In the same period, the revenue generated by this single levy has grown from one hundred and twenty eight billion rupees to more than one thousand five hundred and sixty six billion rupees. Today, this one tax alone accounts for nearly eight percent of the entire federal income. It is a massive amount of money taken directly from the pockets of the people, and the heaviest burden falls exactly on those who can least afford it.
The injustice becomes even clearer when we look at how Pakistan compares to its neighbours. Pakistan’s per capita income stands at around one thousand nine hundred dollars. By comparison, India’s is over two thousand six hundred dollars and Bangladesh’s is close to two thousand eight hundred dollars. Yet despite earning far less, the people of Pakistan pay far more for their fuel. Diesel which is the lifeblood of transport, agriculture, and daily life costs three hundred and seventy two rupees per litre in Pakistan. In India it is around two hundred and eighty rupees and in Bangladesh approximately two hundred and sixty rupees. This means that the poorest people in our region are paying the highest price for the very thing that keeps their lives moving. There is no other way to describe thisexcept deeply unfair. It is a heavy tax on mobility, on work, and on survival itself. Every increase in fuel cost means cutting back on food, on education, on healthcare, and on basic necessities. No external pressure can ever justify making the lives of millions of people unbearable. The welfare of the people must always come first.
In this difficult environment, most political parties have remained silent or have spoken only when it suits their own interests. Many have spent years in power and imposed these very same taxes themselves. They speak in fine words but they do not feel the pain of the common person. But Jamaat-e-Islami is different. It has never been a party of convenience or compromise when it comes to the rights of the people. It has a long and proud history of standing for principles, of respecting the people’s trust, and of refusing to bow before power or pressure. It has always been known for its honesty, its dignity, and the discipline of its workers. It does not change its stance based on who is in government. It stands where the truth is.
Today, Jamaat-e-Islami has found a powerful and courageous leader in Engineer Hafız Naeem ur Rehman. He has not hesitated to raise his voice against this unjust system of taxation even when it was difficult and even when others stayed silent. He has taken the issue to the streets, to the people, and to every platform available. He has shown that leadership is not about sitting in comfortable offices but about feeling the pain of the nation and doing something to ease it. He has led from the front with dignity, clarity, and unshakeable commitment to the cause of justice.
And beside him stands a man who brings decades of experience, wisdom, and unwavering dedication to the movement. Naib Amir Liaquat Baloch is a name that commands respect across the country. He has spent his entire political life in the service of the people and the cause of Islam and Pakistan. He carries within him the knowledge of decades of struggle, the memory of many difficult days, and the understanding of how politics truly works in this country. In a time when many experienced and capable leaders have left the field or moved away from principles, his presence is a source of great strength and reassurance. He motivates the workers, he guides the party, and he stands as a symbol of continuity and integrity.
It is a matter of great fortune for Jamaat-e-Islami and for Pakistan that these two men are working together. Liaquat Baloch brings the experience of generations and the steadiness of someone who has seen every kind of political situation. Together with Hafız Naeem ur Rehman’s energy, courage, and modern approach, they form a combination that brings both wisdom and vision. They are not fighting for seats or ministries. They are fighting for the rights of the mother, the student, the labourer, the shopkeeper, and every person who feels that their voice is not being heard.The agitation and movement that Jamaat-e-Islami has launched against the petrol levy and the rising prices is not just about one tax. It is about a way of governance that has become too heavy for the people to bear. It is about asking where all this money goes and why despite paying so much, the common person sees so little in return. It is about justice, equality, and the simple truth that those who have less should not be made to pay more. Jamaat-e-Islami has always believed that change does not come from above alone. It comes when the people stand up and speak the truth. It comes when the political leadership shows the courage to stand with them.
We salute Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman for his bold and fearless leadership. We salute Liaquat Baloch for his lifelong service and the wisdom he brings to this struggle. And we salute the workers of Jamaat-e-Islami who have stood in the heat and the cold, who have faced difficulties and challenges, but who have never turned away from the truth. In a time when many have lost faith in politics, Jamaat-e-Islami has reminded the nation that there is still a party that stands for the people, that speaks the truth, and that works with honesty and dignity. This is not just a political struggle. It is a struggle for the soul of Pakistan. It is a reminder that the people are the masters of this country and that their rights can never be taken away without a fight. And as long as voices like these remain strong, there will always be hope for a better, fairer, and more just Pakistan.
A powerful, thought-provoking and deeply moving article. It explains the numbers in a way that every ordinary citizen can understand and feel. It is not just about fuel prices it is about justice, dignity and the very soul of our nation. The appreciation for Jamaat-e-Islami, Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman and Liaquat Baloch is well deserved and heartfelt. This is the kind of voice Pakistan needs today.