ISLAMABAD: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced plans to expand its protest movement against the government over the petroleum levy, inflation, rising electricity bills and agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs).
JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warned that the party would widen its protests across the country if the government refused to withdraw the petroleum levy. He said JI could also launch marches towards Islamabad.
JI Demands Withdrawal of Petroleum Levy
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad, Hafiz Naeem said JI sit-ins were continuing in Peshawar and other cities. He added that more citizens were joining the demonstrations.
According to the JI chief, inflation and public relief were not only party demands. He said these issues affected millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
Hafiz Naeem said the government must reconsider the petroleum levy. Otherwise, JI would take its protest campaign to the next stage.
He said the party could organise marches towards Islamabad from different parts of the country.
Government Invited JI for Talks
Hafiz Naeem said the government had invited JI representatives to Islamabad for negotiations. However, he said JI wanted government representatives to visit the protest site instead.
He also announced plans for Seerat conferences at JI protest camps during Rabi-ul-Awwal.
The JI emir said the party could announce a nationwide strike for one day in the week following 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal.
JI Calls for Review of IPP Agreements
Hafiz Naeem also criticised agreements with IPPs and questioned the continued payment of large capacity charges.
He said electricity prices could fall significantly if the government renegotiated agreements with the remaining IPPs.
The JI leader questioned why Pakistan continued paying billions of rupees in capacity payments while consumers faced load-shedding in several areas.
He also criticised fixed charges on electricity bills, saying they had placed an additional burden on consumers.
Demand for Lower Fuel Prices
The JI emir called for another reduction in petroleum product prices. He questioned why locally produced diesel remained linked to international prices for such a long period.
He also questioned the payment of international rates for locally produced fuel used by some IPPs.
Hafiz Naeem said Pakistan’s total debt had reached Rs98 trillion. He added that the country was also paying a large amount in interest.
He called for agricultural taxes on large landowners and argued that the government should shift the tax burden away from ordinary citizens and towards wealthy landlords.
Hafiz Naeem Calls for Release of Imran Khan
Commenting on the political situation, Hafiz Naeem said the Supreme Court’s decision should have come much earlier.
He called for the release of PTI founder Imran Khan and other political prisoners. He also demanded the implementation of the Supreme Court’s decision.
The JI emir said his party did not support violence or the loss of workers’ lives. He stressed that political disputes should be resolved through negotiations and peaceful political struggle.
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