JI launches protest march towards Islamabad against petroleum levy

The Jamaat-i-Islami has organized a protest march towards Islamabad, warning that the government's refusal to abolish the petroleum levy could result in a broader challenge to the ruling administration. Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, speaking to supporters in Karachi, emphasized that the movement would pass through multiple cities, including Hyderabad, Landhi, Nawabshah, Rohri, and Sukkur.

Rehman asserted that the objective of the march is to alleviate the suffering of the underprivileged, and he demanded an end to the levy, predicting that petrol prices would drop to around Rs200 per liter. He criticized the government for imposing higher petrol rates than any other region, labeling it as an attempt to exploit the public during a crisis.

Naeem urged the public to engage in protests outside their homes, expressing concern that if confronted by authorities, the situation could become uncontrollable. The JI has been leading nationwide protests against the fuel levy, which exceeds Rs100 per liter. Although a government delegation visited the JI leadership in Lahore, the meeting did not resolve the deadlock, as the protesters remain committed to their demands.

Islamabad police have been prepping security measures for the incoming protests, with emergency declarations in hospitals and preparations for round-the-clock ambulance availability.