'No delaying tactics will be accepted': JI warns of resuming march to Islamabad if fuel levy not abolished

LAHORE — The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) issued a stark warning on Thursday that it would revive its prolonged march to Islamabad with increased intensity should the government refuse to repeal the petroleum levy, affirming that it is not constrained by any pledge to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The state is presently levying Rs114 per liter on petrol and Rs100 per liter on diesel.

The JI had suspended the march, demanding an end to the levy, just a day prior to its commencement on September 21 at the Prime Minister's residence, pending a meeting with him. The Prime Minister had departed for the United Nations General Assembly assembly and had returned earlier this week; however, no meeting with JI representatives had transpired until then.

Speaking at a press conference at the JI's headquarters in Lahore, chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman stated, "The Prime Minister may or may not converse with us. Our sole concern lies in alleviating the populace through the withdrawal of approximately Rs135 per liter of the petroleum levy and other taxes." Rehman pledged that the JI's campaign against the levy would persist and forewarned that the long march would commence from Multan if the government did not abolish the levy.

"Caravans from across the nation will journey towards Islamabad," he added, noting that public gatherings were being organized in diverse cities, alongside a signature drive aimed at gathering over 20 million signatures opposing the levy. The JI chief dismissed the government's contention that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) program precluded it from eliminating the levy, asserting that the administration was transferring the responsibility of the Federal Board of Revenue's inefficiency onto ordinary citizens while making promises to the IMF to achieve revenue objectives.

He also criticized what he deemed as excessive government spending, questioning the procurement of an aircraft by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz and the plan to acquire bulletproof vehicles worth billions of rupees for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation conference next year. He questioned the fate of these vehicles post the conference.

Rehman directed criticism at the government for imposing fuel adjustment charges on consumers while disbursing billions of rupees to independent power producers in capacity payments. The JI chief also denounced the murder of three Pakistanis by pirates during a Somali security forces operation, stating that the JI had advocated for the release of Pakistani hostages at every platform and accused the government of failing to play an effective role.

"It is extremely shameful and regrettable that the government did not play its role in this matter," he lamented, demanding the return of the deceased Pakistanis' bodies and financial aid to their families.

Regarding the political circumstances in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rehman opposed rumors of potential governor's rule or emergency in the province. He cautioned that any "unconstitutional action or use of force" would exacerbate the situation and alienate the populace in the province. He called for dialogue with the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), stating that if the government was in a challenging position, it should pursue negotiations.

"The JI is also prepared to assume a role in this regard," he proclaimed, highlighting the party's dialogue with PTI leaders and acknowledgment of their entitlement to peaceful protest. The JI has been organizing regular sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, and numerous other locations nationwide since August 16 to protest the levy but had postponed the march to Islamabad.