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JI Warns of Shutdowns, Islamabad March Over Petroleum Levy
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Economy & Trade

JI Warns of Shutdowns, Islamabad March Over Petroleum Levy

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan warns of nationwide shutdowns and a march on Islamabad if the petroleum levy is not abolished.
  • The party has been protesting for 10 days, demanding relief from rising fuel costs and unjustified taxes.
  • JI also called for a reduction in roti prices and an investigation into alleged irregularities in coal imports for power producers.

Jamaat-i-Islami Pakistan (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman issued a stern warning Tuesday: the party will launch nationwide shutdowns, road blockades, and a march on Islamabad if the government does not repeal the petroleum levy.

Addressing reporters at a JI sit-in outside the Punjab chief minister's House in Lahore, Rehman stated that the protests, now in their tenth day, are gaining momentum. "The people's patience has run out," he declared, demanding the immediate removal of the petroleum levy and other taxes he deemed unjustified. He indicated that ongoing protests would persist through Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations, with a nationwide strike date to be announced on 13th Rabi-ul-Awwal.

The people’s patience has run out.

— Hafiz Naeemur RehmanJamaat-i-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on the public's frustration with government policies.

Rehman criticized the government's handling of the nation's economic crisis, asserting that successive administrations have shifted the burden onto ordinary citizens. He contrasted this with other countries that have implemented only marginal fuel price increases even during wartime. The JI chief specifically called for the abolition of the petroleum levy and other fuel taxes, highlighting the struggles of commuters, students, laborers, and motorcyclists.

Governments in other countries have increased fuel prices only marginally even amid war conditions, but our rulers have turned the war into an opportunity to make money.

— Hafiz Naeemur RehmanJamaat-i-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticizing the government's fuel pricing policies.

Beyond fuel costs, the JI leader also demanded a reduction in the price of roti to Rs10. Furthermore, he called for a forensic audit into alleged irregularities concerning coal imported for independent power producers (IPPs), citing the Power Division's own acknowledgment of discrepancies. Rehman asserted that consumers are being forced to pay for expensive fuel, electricity that is not generated, and questionable IPP contracts, ultimately bearing the cost of government and elite extravagance.

Rehman warned that the JI would escalate its actions, including shutdowns and a march on Islamabad, if its demands are not met. He also criticized the political system, referring to the ruling coalition as a "Form-47 product" lacking genuine public support and accusing the PPP of damaging Sindh and the Sharif family of maintaining a monopoly in Punjab.

Shutdowns, road blockades and a march on Islamabad are among our options.

— Hafiz Naeemur RehmanJamaat-i-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman outlining potential protest actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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