The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) train march protesting the petroleum levy arrived in Rahim Yar Khan on Monday, with party leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman emphasizing that negotiations with the government were ongoing. However, he warned that the protest would continue if no resolution was reached.
The march commenced from Karachi on Sunday and is planned to reach Multan by Monday night, marking the conclusion of its initial phase. Following this, JI will transition to a road caravan traveling from Multan to Lahore on Tuesday, before embarking on the final segment towards Islamabad on Wednesday.
Speaking to supporters and the media during the journey in Ghotki, Hafiz Naeem reiterated the party’s sole demand: the immediate removal of the petroleum levy to provide relief to the public. He confirmed that discussions were still underway but stressed that if an agreement was not achieved, the protest would proceed unabated.
He noted that the movement had entered its second phase after completing the first, with progress now directed towards Multan. Additionally, caravans from Balochistan and other regions have begun moving towards Islamabad to join the protest.
Hafiz Naeem has consistently dismissed the government’s targeted fuel relief plan as inadequate, insisting that the petroleum levy itself must be abolished. Despite multiple rounds of talks, no consensus has been reached between JI and the government on this issue.
The train march, which began in Karachi, was temporarily delayed on Monday when the Shalimar Express, designated to transport protesters from Sukkur to Multan, was held up for several hours due to an engine fault near Tando Adam, Pakistan Railways.
JI’s broader campaign against the petroleum levy has been ongoing for several weeks, featuring demonstrations and sit-ins across the country. This movement coincides with preparations by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) for its own protest and planned march on Islamabad scheduled for September 27, prompting heightened security measures in the capital and surrounding areas.
Authorities have already deployed additional security personnel and are making arrangements to manage the anticipated political gatherings.
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