Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a nationwide campaign to demand free education for every child in Pakistan, saying access to quality education is a fundamental right.
Speaking to the media at the Peshawar Press Club, he said rising inflation, costly electricity and increasing petrol prices had made life difficult for ordinary citizens.
He questioned the government’s performance and said people were still facing shortages of basic facilities despite paying heavy taxes.
Hafiz Naeem said that after launching a movement against the petroleum levy, his party would begin a separate campaign to ensure children across the country get free education.
Talking about Gaza, he claimed that more than 89,000 people had been killed there and said over Rs10 billion had been provided in aid for the people of Gaza. He added that Jamaat-e-Islami was also trying to help Gaza students continue their education, including medical studies.
He also highlighted the party’s Bano Qabil programme, which aims to equip young people with modern education and professional skills.
According to Hafiz Naeem, training initiatives have been launched across the country, especially in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with more than 1.7 million children receiving training through fully funded scholarships.
He questioned why the government could not provide similar opportunities when his party was running such large-scale programmes.
The JI chief also expressed concern over the number of out-of-school children. He said 5 million children were not enrolled in schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, while the number stood at more than 11.8 million in Punjab and over 7 million in Sindh.
He criticised recent remarks by the Punjab chief minister, saying they gave the impression that the country’s problems had been resolved despite continuing gaps in education and other public services.
On rising fuel and electricity prices, Hafiz Naeem said households were struggling to cope with heavy bills and petrol costs. He claimed the government collects Rs135 in taxes on every litre of petrol and described the petroleum levy as petrol extortion.
He said Jamaat-e-Islami would continue its campaign against the petroleum levy while also launching a separate movement for quality free education and equal learning opportunities for children across Pakistan.
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