Addressing a press conference, Hafiz Naeem said a particular elite class in Pakistan enjoyed extensive privileges, while it had become increasingly difficult for ordinary people to run businesses. He said students and workers were being taxed, while large landowners and privileged groups were being exempted.
He criticised the use of expensive official vehicles by government officials and ministers, asking what problem they would face travelling in 1,300cc cars. He urged the government to reduce unnecessary privileges and expenditures.
The JI chief also criticised the government's transport policies, saying that the rulers believed they had achieved a major accomplishment by building the Metro Bus system, while underground train systems were operating in many other countries. He accused the government of focusing on showy projects and seeking praise for them.
Hafiz Naeem said Pakistan had around 25 million motorcycles, yet the government was placing an additional burden on motorcycle users while leaving wealthier segments largely unaffected. He questioned why owners of hundreds and thousands of acres of land were not being taxed appropriately while small farmers were being burdened with taxes.
He said the public was being charged capacity payments despite electricity not being produced. He added that government policies had damaged industries and made life increasingly difficult for the poor.
Hafiz Naeem said Jamaat-e-Islami's sit-ins were not aimed at serving any personal interests but were being held to protect the rights of the people.
He said a public gathering was scheduled to be held at Liaquat Bagh in Rawalpindi today, but the administration had locked the venue and was not granting permission for the event. He said JI workers had been prepared to break the locks and enter the venue, but the party leadership stopped them.
The JI emir warned that if the government did not allow the rally, protests would be held in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. He said that if the situation eventually required roads to be blocked, the responsibility would rest with the government and the administration.
