Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced countrywide protests against the petroleum levy, with demonstrations beginning on Sunday, August 16.
The protests will start at 4pm outside the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore. Demonstrations will also take place outside Governor Houses in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Hafiz Naeem Announces Protest Campaign
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned the government against obstructing the planned demonstrations.
He said any attempt to stop the protests could turn the campaign into a broader movement seeking the government’s removal.
“We are announcing the start of sit-ins from August 16, but not their end,” he said.
Hafiz Naeem added that the party would not remain silent over what he described as injustice against the public.
JI Demands Lower Petrol Prices
The JI chief claimed that the government had collected Rs1,567 billion from citizens through petroleum levies.
According to Hafiz Naeem, the amount exceeded the limit stipulated under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.
He demanded that the government reduce the petrol price to Rs225 per litre. He also called for the price of bread to be fixed at Rs10.
Meanwhile, he said JI had previously organised sit-ins at 510 locations without damaging public property.
Party Calls for Relief on Electricity and Gas
The JI emir also demanded a review of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs). Furthermore, he called for reductions in electricity and gas prices to provide relief to consumers.
Hafiz Naeem also demanded an end to what he described as privileges enjoyed by the elite. The party’s planned protests will therefore focus on petroleum levies, fuel prices and broader economic relief for the public.
