JI announces sit-ins across Pakistan from tomorrow over petroleum levy

WEB DESK: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced countrywide sit-ins against the petroleum levy from August 16, with protests set to begin at 4 pm outside the Chief Minister’s House in Lahore and Governor Houses in Sindh, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned that any attempt by the government to obstruct the protests could turn the campaign into a movement to oust the government.

“We are announcing the start of sit-ins from August 16, but not their end,” he said, adding that the party would not remain silent over what he termed injustice against the public.

Naeemur Rehman claimed the government had collected Rs1,567 billion from the people through petroleum levies, exceeding the amount stipulated under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme.

He demanded that the government bring down the price of petrol to Rs225 per litre and fix the price of bread at Rs10.

The JI chief said the party had previously staged sit-ins at 510 locations without damaging public property.

“If the government tries any adventure against our sit-in, it will be responsible for the consequences,” he warned.

He also called for a review of agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), reduction in electricity and gas prices, and an end to privileges enjoyed by the elite.

Naeemur Rehman said bureaucrats and government officials should not be provided vehicles above 1,300cc, arguing that excessive government spending ultimately burdens the public.

 ‘Who will fulfil demands of common man?’

Referring to the ongoing strike by goods transporters, the JI chief questioned who would address the demands of ordinary citizens.

“One group has been talked to, while another is still on strike. They have their own demands, petroleum dealers have their own demands, but who will fulfil the demands of the common man?” he asked.

The Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance’s strike entered its sixth day, while the Mini Mazda Association announced an end to its strike a day earlier.

Goods transport depots in different parts of Lahore, including Circular Road, remain closed, disrupting the transportation of goods.

Alliance president Nabeel Tariq said talks with the petroleum minister had made no progress. He said although the Mini Mazda Association had ended its strike, the Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance handles around 80 per cent of goods transportation from Lahore.

Meanwhile, the government increased the margin of petroleum dealers by Rs1.34 per litre following a nationwide strike threat by the Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association.

The increase took the dealers’ margin to Rs9.98 per litre, after which the association withdrew its strike call.