ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has said his party will continue its campaign until the government abolishes the petroleum levy, announcing that JI supporters will march towards Islamabad from all sides on September 20.
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem said the public had described the petroleum levy as a “tribute tax” and insisted that the government must withdraw it.
He said JI had presented what he described as practical proposals to the government for providing relief to the public. According to him, reducing the interest rate by three percentage points could save the government around Rs1.7 trillion.
Hafiz Naeem questioned Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, asking why the interest rate could not be reduced if such a substantial amount could be saved.
The JI chief made it clear that his party would not back down from its demands under any circumstances.
“We have to get the levy abolished,” he said, adding that sit-ins were already being held in 36 cities as part of the campaign.
He announced that JI supporters would arrive in Islamabad from different directions on September 20 to press the government to accept their demands.
Hafiz Naeem warned that if the government continued to delay or avoid meaningful action, JI would end negotiations with the authorities.
The petroleum levy has remained a major source of government revenue, while its impact on fuel prices has made it a politically sensitive issue. Any reduction or abolition of the levy could provide relief to consumers but would also affect government revenues and fiscal planning.
The JI emir also commented on political developments involving the opposition. He said that if the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) invited JI to its proposed All Parties Conference, his party would attend.
Hafiz Naeem said JI considered PTI founder Imran Khan a political prisoner and confirmed that his party remained in contact with other opposition groups.
He emphasized that JI would continue pursuing its demands through political and public mobilization.
The September 20 Islamabad march is therefore expected to be a significant phase of the party’s campaign against the petroleum levy. Hafiz Naeem’s warning that negotiations could end if the government fails to respond also indicates that the confrontation could intensify in the coming days.
The government’s response to JI’s demands, particularly its position on the petroleum levy and the proposed economic measures, will determine whether the issue moves toward negotiations or further street protests.
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