Hafiz Naeem Slams Petroleum Levy as Economic Exploitation

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticized the government’s petroleum levy taxes, stating that they were causing “painful taxation” for the public. In a statement on X, Rehman claimed the government was collecting Rs117 in levy per litre of petrol, even from poor citizens eligible for zakat.

Rehman described charging Rs117 per litre as “the height of oppression,” arguing it led to economic destruction among the poor. He noted that rising taxes and inflation made it difficult for low-income salaried individuals to manage their monthly expenses.

According to Rehman, more than Rs1,200 billion had been collected through petroleum levy in the first nine months of the fiscal year. He predicted this could rise to Rs1,700 billion by June 30. The Jamaat-e-Islami also challenged the levy in the constitutional court and urged the judiciary to take action against what they deemed an unconstitutional tax exceeding legal limits.