**Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab Leader Condemns Petroleum Price Hike, Calls for Grassroots Mobilization**
Dr. Tariq Saleem, Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami Punjab, has strongly denounced the recent increase in petroleum prices, describing the move as an “economic assault” on Pakistan’s already inflation-burdened citizens. Speaking at a training workshop of party officials in Murree, he warned that continuous hikes in fuel and electricity prices are devastating the economy and intensifying public hardship.
Dr. Saleem specifically criticized the government’s failure to deliver on pre-election pledges, noting that the ruling coalition promised free electricity and affordable petrol but has not fulfilled these commitments despite spending more than a year and a half in power. He accused government leaders of betraying the public trust and further burdening the population with additional taxes and levies, rather than providing relief.
He cautioned that the latest surge in petroleum prices will unleash yet another wave of inflation, making everyday life increasingly difficult for working-class and low-income families. According to Dr. Saleem, such measures push society’s most vulnerable groups deeper into economic distress.
Highlighting Jamaat-e-Islami’s recent efforts to expand its grassroots presence, Dr. Saleem revealed the party’s ongoing membership campaign had enrolled 2.2 million new members nationwide. He outlined plans to establish public committees at the block code, union council, and constituency levels, aiming to empower local communities and bolster grassroots activism.
Emphasizing the importance of organized civic participation, Dr. Saleem stated, “Real change will not come from empty promises but through organized public power. Our aim is to initiate a genuine revolution by mobilizing people at every level of society.” He reaffirmed Jamaat-e-Islami’s commitment to holding the government accountable and standing alongside the people during the current economic crisis.
