Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif contacted Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday, coinciding with the arrival of the party’s train march in Multan, which protests the petroleum levy. The prime minister urged the party to delay its demonstration until he returns to Pakistan, expressing willingness to engage in constructive discussions on the issue.
Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, leading the JI’s march towards the federal capital, responded that the party does not intend to create any law and order disturbances or confront the government. He emphasized that the protest aims to voice public grievances, and the government must respect the right to demonstrate.
The JI emir stated that the party would consult its Shura, the central decision-making body, before deciding whether to postpone the march in response to the prime minister’s appeal. He also clarified that even if the march is deferred, the party will not relinquish its right to protest.
The train march reached Multan late Monday night, where Hafiz Naeem addressed supporters at the railway station. Despite a four-hour delay, the turnout remained strong, with the emir highlighting the large public support in Multan. He noted that people from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were also joining the movement as it progressed through southern Punjab towards central Punjab.
Addressing the government, Hafiz Naeem asserted that attempts to block the march with containers would not succeed. He reiterated the JI’s demand for the withdrawal of what the party calls an unjust petroleum tax and urged the government to provide relief to the public. “If relief is provided, we have no ego issue,” he remarked.
The JI leader stressed that the party is championing the concerns of the poor and middle class, criticizing other political parties for neglecting the hardships faced by ordinary citizens. He cited rising prices of wheat, flour, and sugar as examples of the economic challenges affecting the population.
Hafiz Naeem also accused flour and sugar cartels of having influence within political parties and criticized inconsistent government policies on sugar imports and exports. He recalled the JI’s previous campaign against agreements with independent power producers, highlighting the party’s role in defending public interests.
The JI launched its long march from Karachi on Sunday, targeting the petroleum levy, with the protest advancing towards Islamabad through a combination of train and road journeys. The party has organized demonstrations nationwide and previously held multiple rounds of talks with the federal government regarding its demands.
Following Multan, the JI caravan is set to proceed to Lahore before the final leg of the march towards Islamabad.
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