Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman initiated the party’s “Super Long March” on Sunday from Karachi, rallying against the petroleum levy. He warned that if the government does not abolish the levy, the protest could escalate into a broader movement aimed at toppling the administration.
The march commenced with a public gathering at Karachi Cantonment Railway Station, where the Rahman Baba Express was scheduled to depart at noon to continue the campaign. The participants are expected to be received at stations including Hyderabad, Tando Adam, Nawabshah, and Mehrabpur as per the party’s itinerary.
Later in the day, a public rally was planned for 8pm in Rohri-Sukkur. On the following day, the marchers will proceed towards Lahore and Multan aboard the Shalimar Express, with additional supporters joining from Ghotki and other cities along the route.
Addressing the crowd at Karachi Cantt Station, Hafiz Naeem demanded the removal of the petroleum levy, describing it as an undue financial burden on consumers. He emphasized that the government should focus on alleviating public hardships rather than exacerbating them through increased charges.
He cautioned that failure to repeal the levy would lead to an expansion of the protest, potentially evolving into a campaign to unseat the government. Hafiz Naeem stressed that the JI’s involvement was not driven by personal interests but by a commitment to highlight issues impacting the public.
He criticized the government’s decision to raise petroleum prices, accusing it of using international market fluctuations as an excuse to impose heavier costs on citizens. The JI leader referred to the petroleum levy as a “bhatta tax” and demanded its immediate abolition.
This train march represents the next phase of JI’s ongoing campaign against the petroleum levy, following a 35-day sit-in protest in Karachi. Hafiz Naeem remarked that enduring the intense heat during protests was not voluntary but a necessary response to the public’s struggles.
He condemned government policies that have left the middle class struggling financially, asserting that the administration was shifting the consequences of its mismanagement onto the people. “People will continue to be exploited if they remain passive,” he warned.
Hafiz Naeem accused various mafias of exploiting citizens nationwide and declared that the party was determined to confront these groups through street protests. He alleged that similar interests controlled the banking sector and claimed that flour and sugar mafias were supported by powerful entities.
The core demand of the JI’s protest remains the abolition of the petroleum levy. The party has also criticized agreements with independent power producers (IPPs), labeling them as additional burdens on consumers.
Hafiz Naeem urged the government to prioritize public relief over increasing taxes and fees. He reiterated that the protest movement could intensify if the government fails to meet the party’s demands.
The Super Long March is anticipated to continue towards Islamabad, with JI supporters from various regions joining the campaign en route.
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