JI announces Aug 16 sit-ins in provincial capitals to protest petroleum levy

The Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) has announced plans for simultaneous sit-ins in the provincial capitals of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, and Balochistan on August 16, in protest against the petroleum levy and inflation. This decision was made following a special meeting chaired by JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman at Mansoora on Saturday. The sit-ins will be held outside key government buildings, including the Punjab chief minister's residence in Lahore and the governor houses in the other three provinces.

Rehman stated that the sit-ins aim to pressure the government to withdraw the levy, which he claims is causing widespread inflation and suffering among the Pakistani populace. He highlighted that the nationwide protests held on the previous day had brought new direction and momentum to the party's campaign. Over 510 organized peaceful protests took place across Pakistan, with participants from various regions expressing their discontent over the petroleum levy.

Rehman criticized the ruling elite for exacerbating the inflationary crisis while refusing to reduce their own expenditures or privileges. He alleged that the government was imposing indirect taxes on petroleum products, despite exempting those with incomes below the taxable threshold. Despite previous negotiations with independent power producers, which resulted in a reduction in electricity prices, the process was halted.

The JI chief also welcomed the recent defense agreement between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye, viewing it as a positive step for the Muslim world. Rehman proposed expanding the defense cooperation to include Iran, Qatar, Bangladesh, Malaysia, and Indonesia, urging Muslim nations to unite and overcome their differences to face regional and global challenges collectively.