LAHORE: Jamaat-iIslami emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has strongly criticised the government for granting the International Monetary Fund (IMF) access to the judiciary and other institutions, calling its delegation`s meeting with the Chief Justice an insult to nation dignity and freedom.

Addressing a press conference at Mansoorah on Thursday, he went after the government, stating that the prime minister and his niece were more focused on misleading advertisements than addressing inflation.

He said the holy month of Ramadan was approaching but food prices were soaring alongside rising fuel, electricity, and gas rates.

He said that official statistics on price control were deceptive. He called for electricity prices to be adjusted based on actual cost and demanded the elimination of excessive taxation.

He also criticised legislators for tripling their own salaries and privileges while the general public suffered. The JI Emir said the government bowed to IMF dictates and pointed out that the support price for wheat had not beenannounced on IMF dictation, which he said could impend wheat crisis. `Last year, Punjab government deceived farmers, and this time too the farmers are left on the mercy of mafia.

He emphasised that subsidies on wheat and flour were essential for ensuring national food security.

Rehman said that establishment imposed corrupt and incompetent elements on Karachi, adding that the PPP and MQM occupied key electoral positions ranging from national and provincial assembly seats to the mayor`s office in the port city without people`s mandate.

He said the entire government is product of Form 47, asserting that forming a judiciary and parliament tailored to political interests would not resolve national issues. Rehman said the PPP and MQM had destroyed Karachi.

`PPP has ruled Sindh for 17 years like a mafia.

Welcoming Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his visit to Pakistan, Rehman expressed hope that both nations would play a decisive role in ensuring peace in Gaza. He called for a leadership summit of Islamic and pro-Palestinian nations to address the ongoing crisis.