Lahore: Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Engineer Hafiz Naeemur Rehman launched a sharp criticism of the government's economic and education policies on Wednesday, saying the public was being burdened with excessive taxes on fuel, electricity and essential commodities while the state continued to fail in providing basic rights and opportunities to citizens.Addressing the Bano Qabil graduation ceremony organised by Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan at Lahore Expo Centre, the Jamaat-e-Islami chief said even motorcycle riders were paying Rs117 per litre in petroleum levy along with an additional Rs50 in taxes, while electricity bills had been loaded with dozens of taxes and surcharges. 'Even those who are not liable to pay taxes are being forced to do so, yet the government has no meaningful plan for education, IT development or youth empowerment,' he said.During the ceremony, laptops were distributed among top-performing students who completed free IT training under the Bano Qabil programme.Jamaat-e-Islami Lahor e Chief Ziauddin Ansari Advocate, Alkhidmat Secretary General Waqas Anjum Jafri and Information Secretary Shakil Ahmed Turabi were also present.Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the Bano Qabil initiative, which started from Karachi, had now expanded across all four provinces and Azad Kashmir. He said the programme had witnessed overwhelming participation from youth even in remote and underdeveloped regions, including Chitral, Gwadar and Muzaffarabad.He revealed that more than 1.45 million young people had registered with the programme so far, adding that Alkhidmat had also established an incubation centre in Lahore and was planning to introduce interest-free small business loans for graduates.The Jamaat chief lamented that nearly 27.5 million children acrossPakistan were out of school, including over 10 million in Punjab alone.He said the government was neglecting public education and healthcare while farmers continued to suffer due to flawed agricultural policies.Calling for a comprehensive national stra tegy for education and technology, Rehman said Pakistan's Gen-Z possessed immense potential but lacked proper leadership and direction. He stressed that the Bano Qabil programme provided free educational opportunities equally to both rich and poor students.Referring to challenges in Balochistan and underdeveloped districts, he said the government lacked an effective roadmap for IT and digital infrastructure, citing severe internet problems in Dir during his recent visit.He urged young people to take pride in their religion and country, saying Islam encouraged the pursuit of both religious and modern sciences. 'This country belongs to the people, not feudal elites,' he said, adding that Jamaat-e-Islami would continue its struggle for an Islamic welfare system in partnership with the public.