JI chief announces nationwide strike over petroleum levy

LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a nationwide wheel-jam strike after 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal if the government fails to address the party’s demands, particularly over the petroleum levy and fuel prices.

Speaking to the media during the party’s sit-in on Lahore’s Mall Road, Hafiz Naeem said that the JI’s protest movement and sit-ins would continue, warning that the party would bring the country to a standstill after 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal.

He said that the strike would be held across the country over the petroleum levy and urged people to join the party’s campaign against what he described as exploitation by powerful mafias controlling essential commodities.

“The sugar, oil and flour mafias cannot allow the country to progress,” he said, calling on the public to come forward and become part of the JI’s struggle.

Hafiz Naeem said that the government would have to reduce petroleum prices, insisting that the petroleum levy should not be used as an additional burden on consumers.

He warned that if the government failed to accept the party’s demands, the JI would also march towards Islamabad.

“We will not be stopped,” he said, adding that JI workers would not hesitate to make sacrifices for the cause.

The JI chief criticised the government’s petroleum pricing mechanism and alleged that consumers were being exploited in the sale of petroleum products.

He referred to recent reports that locally produced diesel was being sold to consumers at rates applicable to imported diesel, saying such practices amounted to exploitation of the public.

“A few people are making huge profits from petroleum products while the poor are paying the levy tax,” he said.

Hafiz Naeem said that the JI had no objection to government committees being formed to examine the issue, but demanded that the committees should clearly identify ways to bring down petroleum prices.

He also rejected criticism that the ongoing protests were contributing to higher fuel prices.

“Some people are saying that petrol prices are rising because of the sit-in,” he said, arguing that such questions amounted to supporting the government.

He claimed that diesel prices would not have been reduced by around Rs30 to Rs32 per litre had the JI not launched its protest campaign.

“Protest is the only way to stop them,” he said.

Criticism of government policies

The JI chief also criticised government spending, saying taxpayers’ money was being used to provide expensive vehicles and other facilities to senior government officials.

He said that the government needed to reduce its own expenditure instead of continuously increasing the financial burden on ordinary citizens.

Hafiz Naeem also expressed concern over the state of agriculture in Punjab, claiming that the sector had suffered significant damage under existing policies.

He said cotton production in Punjab had declined by around 50 per cent compared with the previous year and complained that farmers were not being provided fertiliser at affordable prices.

He warned that continued neglect of farmers and agriculture would have serious consequences for the country’s economy and food security.

The JI has been holding protests and sit-ins over fuel prices, petroleum taxation and other economic issues, demanding relief for consumers and measures to reduce the cost of living.

The announcement of a nationwide wheel-jam strike marks an escalation in the party’s campaign, with Hafiz Naeem warning that the protests could be expanded to Islamabad if the government does not accept its demands.