Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has declared a nationwide wheel-jam strike set to commence after 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal if the government does not meet the party’s demands, particularly concerning the petroleum levy and escalating fuel prices.
Addressing the media during a sit-in on Lahore’s Mall Road, Hafiz Naeem emphasized that the party’s protest movement would persist, cautioning that the strike would bring the country to a halt if their concerns remain unaddressed. He urged citizens to join the campaign against what he described as exploitation by powerful mafias controlling essential commodities such as sugar, oil, and flour, which he claimed hinder national progress.
Hafiz Naeem insisted that the government must lower petroleum prices and refrain from imposing the petroleum levy as an additional financial burden on consumers. He further warned that failure to comply with these demands would prompt the JI to organize a march towards Islamabad, affirming the party’s determination and willingness to sacrifice for the cause.
Criticizing the government’s petroleum pricing strategy, he accused authorities of exploiting consumers by selling locally produced diesel at rates equivalent to imported diesel. This, he argued, resulted in excessive profits for a few while ordinary citizens bore the levy tax.
While expressing no objection to the formation of government committees to review the issue, Hafiz Naeem demanded that such committees clearly outline measures to reduce petroleum prices. He also dismissed claims that the ongoing protests were responsible for rising fuel costs, stating that such assertions support the government’s stance. He credited the JI’s protest campaign for the recent reduction of diesel prices by approximately Rs30 to Rs32 per litre, emphasizing that protest remains the only effective method to challenge these policies.
In addition to fuel concerns, the JI chief criticized government expenditures, highlighting the misuse of taxpayers’ money on luxury vehicles and facilities for senior officials. He called for a reduction in government spending instead of increasing the financial pressure on ordinary citizens.
Hafiz Naeem also voiced alarm over Punjab’s agricultural sector, noting a significant decline in cotton production by about 50 percent compared to the previous year. He lamented the lack of affordable fertilizer for farmers and warned that neglecting agriculture could have severe repercussions for the country’s economy and food security.
The JI has been actively protesting against fuel prices, petroleum taxation, and other economic challenges, demanding relief for consumers and steps to lower the cost of living. The announcement of a nationwide wheel-jam strike represents an escalation in their campaign, with Hafiz Naeem signaling the possibility of expanding protests to Islamabad if the government fails to meet their demands.
