JI’s ‘Super Long March’ kicks off from Karachi

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday led the party’s “Super Long March” from Karachi against the petroleum levy, warning that the protest could turn into a movement to oust the government if the levy was not abolished.

The march began with a public rally at Karachi Cantonment Railway Station, from where the Rahman Baba Express was scheduled to depart for the next leg of the campaign at noon.

Participants were due to be welcomed at Hyderabad, Tando Adam, Nawabshah and Mehrabpur stations, according to the schedule announced by the party.

A public rally was also scheduled in Rohri-Sukkur at 8pm. On the second day, participants were expected to continue towards Lahore and Multan via the Shalimar Express, with workers in Ghotki and other cities joining the march.

Speaking to participants at Karachi Cantt Station, Hafiz Naeem demanded the abolition of the petroleum levy, which he described as a burden on consumers.

He said the government should provide relief to the people instead of increasing their financial difficulties.

“If the levy is not abolished, the protest will expand,” the JI chief warned, adding that the movement could eventually turn into a campaign to bring down the government.

جماعت اسلامی نے "سپر لانگ مارچ" کے شیڈول کا اعلان کردیا۔

کراچی کینٹ اسٹیشن پر جلسہ عام شروع، اس کے بعد ٹرین مارچ امیر جماعت اسلامی حافظ نعیم الرحمان @NaeemRehmanEngr کی زیر قیادت روانہ ہوگا۔

رحمان بابا ایکسپریس دوپہر بارہ بجے کراچی کینٹ اسٹیشن سے روانہ ہوگی۔ ٹرین مارچ کے… pic.twitter.com/0sEN4LfSUx

— Jamaat e Islami Pakistan (@JIPOfficial) September 20, 2026

Hafiz Naeem said that the JI had no personal interest in the protest and was taking to the streets to raise issues affecting the public.

He criticised the government’s decision to increase petroleum prices, alleging that it had used international market conditions as a pretext to impose a greater burden on consumers.

The JI chief demanded an end to what he called the “bhatta tax” imposed in the name of the petroleum levy.

JI expands campaign after 35-day Karachi sit-in

The train march marks the next phase of JI’s campaign against the petroleum levy after the party staged a 35-day sit-in in Karachi.

Hafiz Naeem said protesting in the intense heat was not a matter of choice but a response to the difficulties faced by the public.

He criticised government policies, saying the middle class was struggling to make ends meet and that the government was passing the consequences of its mismanagement on to the people.

“People will continue to be looted if they sit at home and tolerate it,” he said.

The JI chief alleged that mafias were exploiting people across Pakistan and said the party had decided to take its campaign against them to the streets.

He claimed that a similar class controlled the banking sector and alleged that flour and sugar mafias were also backed by influential groups.

Petroleum levy remains central demand

The abolition of the petroleum levy remains the central demand of JI’s protest campaign. The party has also criticised agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), describing them as a burden on consumers.

Hafiz Naeem said the government should focus on providing relief to the public rather than increasing taxes and charges.

He also warned that the protest movement could grow if the government failed to address the party’s demands.

The Super Long March is expected to continue towards Islamabad, with JI workers and supporters from different parts of the country joining the campaign along the way.

Editorial note: The schedule you supplied mentions the Rahman Baba Express departing Karachi Cantt at noon, while the earlier reports referred to a 10am departure. I have used noon, as stated in the latest schedule you provided. The precise onward train arrangements and arrival times should be confirmed with JI before publication.