JI threatens mid-November Islamabad march over petroleum levy

Jamaat-e-Islami’s Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman has warned that his party would march towards Islamabad in mid-November if the government fails to abolish the petroleum levy.

Addressing a press conference, the JI chief said the party would continue its nationwide protest campaign until the government accepted its demand for the complete withdrawal of the levy. 

He acknowledged that recent protests had prompted some relief in fuel prices but maintained that the measures were insufficient.

Naeem said government ministers had again contacted the party’s negotiating committee, adding that he would make an important announcement following his meeting with PM Shehbaz Sharif if progress was made towards addressing public concerns.

He called for reducing the profit margins of oil refineries and oil marketing companies to lower fuel costs for consumers. He also demanded a reduction in the policy rate and measures to eliminate interest-based economic practices.

The JI chief criticised the government’s economic policies, alleging that ordinary citizens continued to face an increasing tax burden while certain business groups benefited from higher profits.