{
  "id": 9127451,
  "title": "JI puts off Islamabad long march after PM's appeal, but vows not to abandon protest against petrol levy",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ji-puts-off-islamabad-long-march-after-pms-appeal-but-vows-not-to-9127451",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-22T10:58:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2031832/ji-puts-off-islamabad-long-march-after-pms-appeal-but-vows-not-to-abandon-protest-against-petrol-levy"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced on Tuesday that his party had postponed its long march to Islamabad against the petroleum levy at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. This decision was made during a press conference in Multan, where Rehman's caravan arrived from their march the previous day. The postponement came following a phone call between Rehman and the prime minister, who urged him to delay the sit-in, according to the PM Office. Both leaders agreed to meet after the prime minister's return from his official visit to the United States, with an intention to continue further consultations on the matter.\n\nRehman assured media in Multan that JI would not abandon their protests or long march, but they wished to give the government a chance to address their concerns. The JI chief emphasized that they would meet with the prime minister, listen to his suggestions, and present their arguments. If the government agrees to provide relief, the long march would continue as planned. However, if no agreement is reached, JI has scheduled their protest activities for the first week of October.\n\nDespite the decision to postpone the march, Rehman affirmed that JI workers would remain on the ground, and protest camps and sit-ins would continue until the meeting takes place. He stressed that JI's primary objective was not to cause unrest or violence in Islamabad, which the government claimed was responsible for the current fragile situation. Rehman also reiterated that the party's agenda was solely focused on protesting against the exorbitant electricity and fuel prices. He revealed that their party had launched the protest movement against the \"unjustified\" petroleum levy on August 7, organizing demonstrations at 510 locations and sit-ins at 42 sites across the country.\n\nThe JI chief criticized the government's four rounds of talks to discuss recommendations for reducing the petroleum levy, alleging that the government could not accept their plan due to pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Rehman stressed that the rise in petroleum prices leads to inflation and negatively impacts the public. He again criticized the Prime Minister Fuel Relief Scheme, which took effect from September 17 and provides a quota-based subsidy of Rs100 per litre for two- and three-wheeled vehicles. JI contended that although the government had announced Rs25 billion in relief for the month, it levied Rs150 billion monthly in fuel prices.",
  "summary": "Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday said his party was postponing its long march to Islamabad against the petroleum levy at the request of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif until a meeting was held with the latter. Rehman, along with other party leaders, announced the decision during a press conference in Multan, where his caravan arrived on Monday night as part of the long…",
  "key_points": [
    "JI postpones Islamabad long march at PM Shehbaz Sharif's request",
    "Rehman assures JI will not abandon protests against petrol levy",
    "Protest activities scheduled for first week of October"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn - Pakistan",
        "title": "JI puts off Islamabad long march after PM's appeal, but vows not to abandon protest against petrol levy",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/22/ji-puts-off-islamabad-long-march-after-pms-appeal-but-vows-not-to",
        "published": "2026-09-22T10:38:36.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}