Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, a well-known Jamaat-e-Islami leader, has expressed serious concerns over Pakistan’s new budget. He said that this budget is still putting pressure on employees and workers but does not give them .Any considerable relief or any relief to any other underprivileged class of society. His criticism points out systemic flaws in Pakistan’s economic policies.That perpetuates problems the middle class and the wider public face.
Hafiz Naeem ur-Rehman’s Critique
The Burden on Salaried and Labor Classes
Naeem-ur-Rehman said that this budget puts financial pressure on salaried persons and laborers without caring for their needs. Further worsening their economic condition.
No Benefits for Employees, Laborers and Deprived Classes
He criticized the budget for ignoring employees, laborers, and deprived classes and for not providing substantial relief measures. This shows a gap between government policymaking and the ground realities faced by the common people.
Finance Minister’s Claims vs Ground Realities
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman pointed out the inconsistency between the Finance Minister’s claims about reducing. The inflation rate and what happens on the ground. He argued that such claims do not match daily life. Experiences of people still struggling against price hikes and economic instability.
Taxation Policies and Their Impact Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman
He criticized the government’s selective taxation policy, which excludes big landlords from. The tax net, creating an economic imbalance and adding an extra burden to the middle class.
ClassAccording to Naeem-ur-Rehman, the middle class has suffered the most from the government’s economic policies, which always target this segment but offer little relief or support.
Economic Policies of Successive Governments
He said that all governments have implemented policies that consistently hurt the middle class, irrespective of the party in power, and protect elite interests.
Favoring Elite Class Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman
Naeem-ur-Rehman accused the government of favoring rich people by implementing measures that only benefit them while ignoring the financial difficulties faced by lower-income groups.
The Dilemma of Wage Increases vs Tax Hikes
He highlighted the dilemma private companies face. They are reluctant to increase wages because the simultaneous rise in unemployment leaves employees in vulnerable positions.
Budget as Document of IMF’s Dictates
Naeem-ur-Rehman criticized the national budget for being influenced by the IMF, saying it is a document dictated by the IMF in which national welfare is not given priority over the institution’s interest.
National Interests vs IMF Negotiations Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman
He stressed the need for more courage among government officials during negotiations with the IMF to protect national interests since, most times, such talks end up one-sided, benefiting only what the IMF wants.
Imported Finance Ministers Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman
Naeem-ur-Rehman criticized the practice of appointing finance ministers from abroad, arguing that they often need to be more in touch with local realities, undermining effective governance and economic planning.
Impact on Economic Policies Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman
He highlighted that these ministers prioritize international agendas over domestic needs, leading to policies that fail to address Pakistan’s economic challenges.
Result of Oppressive and Anti-People Agreements
According to Naeem-ur-Rehman, oppressive agreements make high electricity costs unaffordable for ordinary citizens.
Summary
Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman’s budget critique has highlighted many important things about Pakistan’s economic policies. He said that the salaried and labor classes are being overburdened, the IMF is interfering too much in our affairs, big landowners are not being taxed, etc. In short, he has given a good overview of what went wrong with this year’s budget from the perspective of middle and lower-class people. He also demanded that the government change its priorities towards fairer and sustainable economic development, benefiting everyone rather than just a few rich people.
