Hafiz Naeem announces nationwide strike today

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a nationwide strike against the petroleum levy and rising inflation.

The announcement was made by JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman while addressing the party’s sit-in in Lahore.

Hafiz Naeem criticised the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) government over its handling of the ongoing dispute with the party.

He alleged that the government was adopting a contradictory approach. He said the ruling party was talking about negotiations on one hand while using pressure tactics on the other.

The JI chief said the nationwide strike would be followed by a decision on the party’s next course of action.

He said the protest movement was aimed at opposing what the party describes as an unfair burden on citizens through the petroleum levy.

Hafiz Naeem said the government was collecting additional charges from consumers in the name of the levy. He argued that the rising cost of petroleum products was adding to the financial difficulties faced by ordinary citizens.

He maintained that JI had raised several public issues that were previously not receiving sufficient attention.

The party has been pressing the government to address inflation and provide relief to people affected by rising prices.

Meanwhile, Federal Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal called for dialogue to resolve the dispute.

He said political and public grievances should be addressed through negotiations rather than through prolonged sit-ins and rallies.

Ahsan Iqbal said the government had formed a committee to engage with the JI leadership.

According to the minister, the government committee will meet JI representatives at Mansoorah today.

He said the meeting would provide an opportunity to discuss the party’s demands and seek a peaceful solution to the ongoing situation.

Ahsan Iqbal stressed that Pakistan needs political peace and economic stability. He said all sides should work together to prevent confrontation and focus on resolving issues through dialogue.

The minister confirmed that negotiations between the government committee and JI leadership would begin at 3pm at Mansoorah.