Jamaat-e-Islami threatens march over petroleum levy

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) leadership has issued a warning to the Pakistani government, stating they will launch a ‘super long march’ from Multan to Islamabad if their economic demands are not met. The party is calling for the complete abolition of the petroleum levy and a review of agreements with Independent Power Producers (IPPs) to reduce electricity costs.

JI chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman clarified that while the party has temporarily postponed its protest movement, it has not ended it. He is currently leading a mass signature campaign to gather millions of signatures to present to the government. He emphasized that the party seeks to address the rising cost of living, noting that petrol prices have reached approximately Rs400 per litre.

Deputy Leader Liaqat Baloch urged Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to initiate immediate negotiations upon his return from a foreign visit. Baloch dismissed media reports suggesting the party only sought a minor reduction in fuel taxes, clarifying that JI demands the removal of the entire additional burden imposed through levies and taxes. The party maintains that the current economic crisis is a result of systemic failure and an elite class that avoids its tax obligations.