JI launches Islamabad march against petroleum levy

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has launched a protest march towards Islamabad against the petroleum levy, with party chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warning that the movement could intensify if the government fails to withdraw the levy.

Rehman began the journey from Karachi’s Cantonment Railway Station on Sunday, where he addressed party supporters before boarding a train for Islamabad. A separate road caravan also departed for the federal capital as part of the protest campaign.

During the journey, the JI leader addressed supporters at Hyderabad Railway Station before reaching Sukkur, where he held another gathering later in the night. He said the response from supporters demonstrated public concern over rising prices and the petroleum levy.

Rehman urged people to join the protest and said the campaign was aimed at reducing the financial burden on ordinary citizens. He accused the government of passing the impact of poor governance and economic policies on the public.

The JI chief demanded the withdrawal of what he described as an excessive petroleum levy. He claimed that removing the levy could lead to a significant reduction in petrol prices and provide relief to consumers.

Rehman also criticised the Sindh government, alleging that obstacles were created for JI supporters travelling from different parts of the province and Balochistan. He called on the provincial authorities not to interfere with the movement.

The JI leader said the protest caravan would travel through several cities, including Hyderabad, Landhi, Nawabshah, Rohri and Sukkur, before heading towards Islamabad. He urged supporters from across the country to join the march in the federal capital.

He said nationwide protests had already been continuing for several weeks in different cities, including Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpurkhas, Larkana, Naushahro Feroze, Rawalpindi, Gujrat and parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Rehman warned that the situation could become difficult to control if the government attempted to suppress the protest movement. He maintained that the JI would continue its campaign until its demands were addressed.

The party said the protesters would leave for Multan on Monday as the march continued towards Islamabad.

The JI has been holding demonstrations and sit-ins across the country over the petroleum levy. The party has also held talks with the federal government over the issue, but the negotiations have so far failed to produce an agreement.

A government delegation comprising PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal and Salman Rafique met JI leadership at Mansoorah in Lahore on Saturday. The government asked the JI to postpone the march, citing security concerns.

However, JI leader Liaquat Baloch said the protest would continue until the petroleum levy was withdrawn. Talks between the two sides began on September 7, while the JI has been staging sit-ins at various locations since August 16.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has also announced a protest in Islamabad on September 27, with the release of former prime minister Imran Khan among its demands. The government has asked PTI to reconsider the planned protest, but the party has so far maintained its position.