JI vows to continue sit-in until petroleum levy abolished

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has vowed to persist in the sit-in against the petroleum levy until the government agrees to their demands. Speaking to protesters outside the Punjab Chief Minister's House, Rehman characterized the petroleum levy as an "extortionist" measure, accusing the government of raising petrol prices and levying taxes on fuel.

Rehman asserted that the government should reduce its own expenditures and taxes instead of burdening ordinary citizens. He warned that any attempt to disrupt the sit-in would escalate into a movement to overthrow the government. Refusing to engage with a government committee for talks, Rehman addressed Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directly, insisting that discussions should take place at the sit-in.

The JI chief claimed that previous governments under Shehbaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz had failed, alleging that they were "destroying" the system. The JI had entered a second phase of their mass campaign for public rights, following protests at 510 locations nationwide on August 7. Sit-ins have also begun at Governor Houses in Karachi and Peshawar, with large crowds gathering at The Mall in Lahore.

Rehman criticized the government's increasing petrol prices and taxes, arguing that families struggle to pay school fees while the poor lack adequate healthcare. He also denounced the class-based education system. The JI chief rejected the government's claim that the petroleum levy is part of an IMF program, stating that the government should cut costs and collect taxes from the privileged instead.

Rehman reiterated the JI's demand for petrol prices to be reduced to Rs225 per liter and for the levy to be abolished. He criticized the Punjab government's publicity spending and affirmed that the JI would continue their struggle for fundamental changes to the system, fighting for the people against oppression.