Hafiz Naeem demands petrol at Rs225 per litre

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has called on the federal government to immediately reduce the price of petrol to Rs225 per litre, arguing that declining global oil prices should translate into relief for consumers.

ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has called on the federal government to immediately reduce the price of petrol to Rs225 per litre, arguing that declining global oil prices should translate into relief for consumers.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the JI chief said international crude oil prices have returned to pre-conflict levels, but the Pakistani public continues to pay high fuel prices. He urged the government to pass on the full benefit of lower global oil prices to consumers without delay.

Hafiz Naeem said the government should prioritise public welfare over the interests of oil marketing companies. He maintained that fuel prices should reflect international market trends and provide meaningful relief to households already burdened by inflation.

The JI leader also demanded the complete abolition of the petroleum levy, describing it as lacking both legal and moral justification. He said removing the levy would help reduce transportation costs and ease the financial pressure on citizens.

In addition to lowering fuel prices, Hafiz Naeem called for an immediate reduction in public transport fares and the prices of essential commodities. He urged the government to restore the prices of essential goods to the levels that existed on February 28, arguing that the decline in international oil prices should benefit the broader economy.

He said high fuel costs directly increase transportation expenses, which in turn raise the prices of food and other everyday necessities. According to him, reducing petroleum prices would help curb inflation and provide much-needed relief to the public.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief reiterated that the government should adopt policies focused on protecting the interests of ordinary citizens rather than commercial entities. He stressed that the economic benefits of lower global energy prices should be fully transferred to consumers to support struggling households and businesses.

The government has not yet issued a response to Hafiz Naeem’s demands. Fuel prices in Pakistan are reviewed periodically in line with international oil prices, exchange rate fluctuations and applicable taxes and levies.