Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman accused the government on Monday of granting excessive margins to oil companies on petrol prices, as protests against the petroleum levy persisted. Speaking to supporters gathered at Faisal Chowk on Lahore’s Mall Road, Naeem emphasized that any negotiations with his party should focus on abolishing the petroleum levy entirely.
He criticized the government for imposing undue profits on oil firms while ordinary citizens continue to struggle, and simultaneously, bureaucrats enjoy increased privileges. The JI’s protests, which have been ongoing for nine days in Lahore, Peshawar, and Karachi, are reportedly drawing growing participation, including a notable rise in women protesters.
“Our demand is not driven by ego but by the need to alleviate public hardship,” Naeem stated. He further announced plans for a nationwide shutter-down strike on 13 Rabi-ul-Awwal, followed by a broader countrywide strike scheduled for the first week of September.
Warning the government against interfering with the sit-ins, Naeem asserted that peaceful protests are a democratic right and threatened that any attempt to disrupt them would result in a complete nationwide shutdown. He also condemned the government’s extravagant spending habits, urging officials to curb lavish expenditures and reduce the use of large official vehicles.
Naeem accused the government of collecting the petroleum levy from individuals who are not liable to pay taxes, labeling this practice as unacceptable. Additionally, he criticized the decision to allow wheat exports, linking it to the recent surge in wheat prices.
Looking ahead, the JI chief announced upcoming rallies in Faisalabad on August 28 and Rawalpindi on August 30. He reiterated that the party aims to bring about systemic change through public support rather than through electoral manipulation or backdoor tactics.
