Hafiz Naeem says petrol price could have reached Rs500 per litre had it not been for JI protest

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has claimed that the government's relief measures came only because of pressure from his party, saying petrol prices could have reached Rs500 per litre if it had not staged protests.

Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, he alleged that oil refineries, sugar, gas, flour and independent power producers (IPPs) were controlled by powerful cartels that were exploiting the public.

"There is no distinction between the government and opposition in this cartel. They are collectively squeezing the public," he said.

Hafiz Naeem said global oil prices were declining and the government could provide further relief by reducing the profit margins of oil refineries.

He also criticised government institutions and political parties for using large fleets of expensive vehicles, saying their leaders enjoyed lavish lifestyles.

He said his party had urged the government to increase import duties and impose additional levies on large vehicles.

"Those who keep elephants can also bear their expenses," he remarked, calling for tractors and public transport to be included in the government's relief package.

The JI chief also complained about severe gas shortages and said the government had fixed the price of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) at Rs240 per kilogram initially and later raised it to Rs279.

However, he claimed that LPG was not available anywhere at the officially notified price.