JI threatens countrywide shutdown, march on Islamabad

JI leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman declared plans to transform ongoing sit-ins against the petroleum levy into a broader nationwide public movement. Rehman warned the government that failure to meet JI’s demands could result in a nationwide shutdown and a march on Islamabad. Rehman stated that this protest was not temporary, and the group would not leave the streets until their demands were met. These demands include the abolition of the petroleum levy and relief from inflation, including cheaper fuel and electricity prices.

Rehman addressed protesters outside the Punjab Chief Minister’s House in Lahore, stating that women would join the sit-in from Tuesday. He announced that thousands of people had participated in the protests despite the heat, with protesters demanding an end to the levy and inflation relief. Rehman claimed that voices for truth and justice were now being heard across all four provinces.

Prior to addressing a news conference, Rehman cautioned the government that the party would not leave the streets until its demands were met. He promised that the party would receive visitors with respect if they wished to negotiate. Rehman accused the government of transferring the burden of economic failures to ordinary citizens.

Rehman also criticized the bureaucracy, urging officials to stop behaving like rulers. He criticized the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), alleging annual corruption exceeding Rs1.3 trillion. A JI press release stated that the sit-in against the petroleum levy, high electricity tariffs, and IPP agreements entered its second day on Monday.

Despite the heat, a large number of party activists gathered in Lahore, continuing to chant slogans against the government from The Mall. Similar sit-ins continued in Karachi and Peshawar, where protesters demanded a reduction in petrol prices to Rs225 per liter, the withdrawal of the petroleum levy, and cheaper electricity.