NAB chairman grilled over bureau’s performance

Jamaat-e-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has strongly criticised the government over rising fuel prices, heavy taxation and electricity costs. Addressing participants at the party’s sit-in in Lahore, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the government was putting an increasing financial burden on ordinary citizens. He demanded the immediate withdrawal of the recent increase in petrol and diesel prices. He said the petroleum levy had no direct connection with the actual price of petrol. He questioned the justification for repeatedly increasing fuel prices and said the government was making life more difficult for the public. “The government drops a petrol bomb on us every day,” he said. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman also criticised the government’s policies regarding independent power producers (IPPs). He alleged that successive governments had entered into unfair agreements with IPPs in the name of ending load-shedding. According to him, the government was now passing the cost of its own shortcomings on to the people through higher taxes. He said citizens were already struggling with expensive electricity and gas bills. The Jamaat-e-Islami leader said heavy taxes were being imposed on electricity and gas bills. He argued that such charges were increasing household expenses and adding to the difficulties faced by ordinary consumers. Hafiz Naeemur Rehman further said the government had shut down five of the 27 IPPs. He referred to the government’s own claim that the move would provide a benefit of Rs3,360 billion to the national exchequer. He questioned why similar measures could not be taken to provide lasting relief to consumers. He said the government should focus on reducing electricity costs instead of continuously increasing taxes and other charges. The Jamaat-e-Islami emir also criticised the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). He alleged that corruption within the tax collection system remained widespread. He called for greater transparency and accountability in government institutions. He said economic policies should be designed to provide relief to the public rather than increase their financial difficulties.

Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Sherry Rehman has criticised India’s water policies, accusing New Delhi of using the flood situation as a tool of “water aggression” against Pakistan. In a statement, Sherry Rehman said India was adopting a contradictory approach by threatening to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty while also releasing floodwater towards Pakistan. She claimed that India opened the gates of the Salal Dam, putting millions of Pakistanis at risk of flooding. She stressed that river water management should be handled responsibly and should not become a source of conflict between the two countries. The senator said India’s alleged failure to provide timely information about water flows had created uncertainty, particularly regarding the flow of the Chenab River. She warned that sudden changes in the river’s water levels could affect Pakistan’s irrigation system and agriculture. The Chenab River supports millions of acres of farmland in Punjab, and any unexpected increase or decrease in water flow could damage crops and impact farmers’ livelihoods. Sherry Rehman said Pakistan’s agricultural economy depends heavily on the proper management of river systems. She added that uncertain water policies could increase risks for farmers and create challenges for the country’s water security. She urged India to respect existing water agreements and follow international commitments. She said western rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty cannot be diverted, stored, or transferred in a manner that affects Pakistan’s water supply.