JI threatens movement to oust govt
Hafiz Naeem says party will neither end sit-ins nor abandon Islamabad march
Jamaat-e-Islami leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has declared that his party's ongoing protest against the petroleum levy will escalate into a movement aimed at toppling the government if its requests are not met. The emir, speaking at a press conference, asserted that the party would maintain its sit-ins and proceed with its planned march to Islamabad on September 20.
Rehman stated that the government must abolish the petroleum levy and address the party's demands. He announced plans for a major public meeting in Karachi on September 16, followed by rallies in Lahore and Mardan. The emir criticized Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's relief package, labeling it as deceptive and a waste of resources, as more funds were allocated to publicity than relief.
He contended that the proposed Rs25 billion and Rs75 billion relief packages over three months would be insufficient to help the population. The JI leader accused the government of making conflicting promises regarding the petroleum levy while simultaneously raising fuel prices illicitly. Rehman emphasized that the levy, consisting of Rs80, Rs5, and other taxes, was unrelated to the actual cost of petrol, arguing that reducing the levy would benefit consumers.
He also criticized the government's one-month, Rs25 billion relief plan, claiming it would necessitate long lines for distribution.
Written by urgent.news from The Express Tribune - Pakistan's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
