Lahore: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a nationwide protest on Friday, July 18, and divisional-level demonstrations on Sunday, July 20, against skyrocketing electricity tariffs, rising fuel prices, and the unbridled sugar mafia.Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah along with Secretary General JI Ameerul Azim, JI Deputy Chief Osama Razi, Emir JI Central Punjab Muhammad Javed Kasuri, JI Information Secretary Shakil Ahmed Turabi and Deputy Secretary Information JI Sajid Namoos on Wednesday, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman declared that Jamaat-e-Islami is launching a renewed, peaceful, and organized movement against the corrupt ruling elite and the decaying system.'The fake government, imposed through Form-47, has made life unbearable for the people,' he stated. 'It seems even the 'lion' has started eating sugar now,' he added in a sharp jibe at the PML-N. He condemned the alliance between PML-N and PPP for fully backing the sugar mafia, which he warned is proving disast rous for both the country and its people.Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said that after the successful completion of the membership campaign and the formation of public committees, the JI is stepping up its resistance against the decades-old political and economic status quo. 'There can be no real freedom without dismantling this outdated system and removing its self-appointed gatekeepers,' he said.Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed full solidarity with the JI Balochistan chapter's historic long march from Quetta to Islamabad, scheduled for July 25, in protest of the plundering of provincial resources and denial of basic rights. He instructed party workers to participate actively in the march. He demanded the formation of a national Jirga for restoring peace in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and urged the government to act on its comprehensive recommendations. 'The sense of deprivation in Balochistan must be addressed. The issue of missing persons must be resolved. The people of Balochistan have the foremost right to their mineral s and other natural resources,' he said.The JI leader said the government officials, institutions, and tribal elites are jointly facilitating cross-border smuggling at the Balochistan border. He stressed the need to regulate trade legally and complete the long-delayed Iran-Pakistan gas pipeline project. Calling for a thorough investigation into the sugar export-import scandal, he questioned the motives behind this bizarre and damaging policy reversal. 'Various mafias in the country enjoy complete patronage from those in power, while the public is being crushed under heavy taxes. The rulers are unwilling to give up their privileges and extravagance,' he said.He noted that the price of sugar has crossed Rs. 200 per kilogram, and may rise further. Meanwhile, petrol prices have been increased for the fourth time-secretly, under the cover of night. Despite agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs), electricity prices have not come down as expected. 'Power rates must be based on real cost, and unjust, expensive contracts with IPPs must be scrapped,' he demanded.In response to a question, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman again criticized the Supreme Court verdict on reserved seats, calling it unconstitutional and undemocratic. 'Political and religious parties have accepted these seats like charity, with no moral or democratic justification,' he remarked.Hafiz Naeemur Rehman strongly condemned the ongoing Zionist brutality in Gaza and the U.S. support for Israeli atrocities. He urged Muslim leaders to stop fearing the U.S. and instead reflect the sentiments of the Muslim Ummah by taking practical steps in support of Palestinians.