Jamaat-e-Islami announces Islamabad march over petroleum levy

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a long march to Islamabad to protest the petroleum levy, with the party leader stating the protest could be canceled if the government abolishes the charge.

JI Ameer Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman stated that the party intends to begin its campaign on September 20. A primary strategy involves a train march starting from Karachi, which is expected to reach Lahore before joining other protesters to head toward Islamabad via GT Road. The march is projected to arrive in the capital around September 23 or 24.

Naeem criticized the petroleum levy as a form of extortion that increases the cost of daily goods and transport. While the party has engaged in several rounds of negotiations with the government, recent talks ended without an agreement. JI maintains that current government relief measures are insufficient and is demanding a complete withdrawal of the levy to provide meaningful relief to the public.