The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) commenced its march towards Islamabad on Sunday, led by party Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman. He warned that if the government does not abolish the petroleum levy, the protest could escalate into efforts aimed at removing the current government.
Addressing supporters at the Cantonment Station in Karachi prior to setting off for Islamabad, Naeem emphasized the importance of the rally, which is planned to traverse through cities including Hyderabad, Landhi, Nawabshah, Rohri, and Sukkur. He expressed an open invitation to women to join the movement upon its arrival in the capital.
Goals of the March
Naeem described the protest as a vital part of a “revolutionary struggle” aimed at uniting politics with the populace. He conveyed that participants are traveling to Islamabad via various routes, reiterating that the march’s primary aim is to alleviate the financial burden imposed on the most disadvantaged members of society.
He pointed out that many individuals are unable to seek assistance due to their circumstances, stating, “Instead of providing relief to the people, the government has decided that it would make the nation pay for its bad governance.”
Petroleum Levy Concerns
The party has been actively organizing protests across the nation against the fuel levy, which currently exceeds Rs100 per litre. Naeem demanded an end to the levy, claiming that abolishing it would lead to a rapid decrease in petrol prices, potentially bringing them down to around Rs200 per litre. He believes this price drop is crucial for the economy’s recovery.
As part of the protest, the JI announced via social media platform X that the “train march,” spearheaded by Rehman from Karachi, would reach Rohri and Sukkur for a rally scheduled for 8 PM. Following this, protesters plan to head towards Multan on Monday.
More updates on this situation are expected to follow.
