Govt delegation arrives in Mansoorah for talks with JI on eve of Islamabad march

No turning back: Jamaat-i-Islami resists Islamabad march plans over government's refusal to abolish petroleum levy

LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) party leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced on Saturday that the group would not halt its planned march to Islamabad unless the government abolishes the petroleum levy. The party's chief declared that caravans from across the country would commence their journey towards the capital starting Sunday. The government imposes an Rs114 per litre tax and duties on petrol, and Rs100 per litre on diesel.

Since August 16, JI has been holding regular sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, and numerous other locations to protest the levy.

Rehman made his stance clear during a press conference in Mansoorah, warning the government that it would face a standoff if it refused to abolish the levy. Despite a recent Islamabad High Court ruling that curtails activities that limit freedom of movement, the government is committed to preventing rallies from disrupting traffic and daily life in the federal capital. Rehman assured that the protests would remain peaceful and cautioned the government against taking any action against the protesters.

The JI chief urged the government to present a concrete proposal for abolishing the petroleum levy, noting that they had previously rejected the government's fuel relief package as inadequate. The government's current relief scheme offers a Rs100 per litre subsidy to eligible motorcycles, rickshaws, Qingqi rickshaws, and cars up to 800cc, subject to monthly limits.

Rehman claimed that the subsidy does not constitute a favor but is a fundamental right of the people, accusing the government of evading structural measures to reduce the burden on consumers, as petroleum prices directly impact the cost of essential commodities nationwide.

JI chief criticized the government's failure to curb corruption and what he described as "excessive official expenditure," calling on officials to reduce their spending instead of demanding sacrifices from the public. The JI's protest movement has been ongoing for 35 days, with more than 25 sit-ins continuing across the country.

The party has held peaceful demonstrations in 42 cities, and Rehman emphasized that the movement has evolved into a national issue. He stated that the JI's protest is being progressively reduced as part of their strategy for the Islamabad march.

Rehman mentioned that the government had contacted the party for talks but repeatedly requested more time. If the government does not engage in discussions, Rehman declared, the public pressure will compel the authorities to listen. He emphasized that peaceful protest is a constitutional right for every political party and criticized the government for placing obstacles in the way of PTI's planned demonstration on September 27, led by its founder Imran Khan, who is currently incarcerated. JI supported PTI's right to peaceful protest, while the PTI also backed JI's right to do so.