JI launches protest march towards Islamabad against petroleum levy

On Sunday, the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) organized a protest march towards Islamabad, led by Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. Rehman warned that if the government did not abolish the petroleum levy, the protest could escalate to overthrow the government. He addressed supporters at Karachi's Cantonment Station before departing for Islamabad, stating that people from across the country had already left for the capital.

The protest would pass through several cities, including Hyderabad, Landhi, and Sukkur, and Rehman invited women to join the march in Islamabad. The purpose of the march was to alleviate the burden on the less privileged, as the government had increased petrol prices more than any other region. Rehman claimed that the government was robbing common people during a crisis.

Nationwide protests have been ongoing for 36-37 days, with similar demonstrations in various cities. The JI has been protesting against a fuel levy of over Rs100 per litre. The government delegation, including PML-N leaders, visited JI headquarters in Lahore but failed to resolve the deadlock. Islamabad police and the chief commissioner reviewed security arrangements for the protests, and an emergency was declared in hospitals with staff on standby.