LAHORE: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has announced a nationwide strike on September 3 against the petroleum levy, warning that the party could march on Islamabad if the government fails to provide relief to the public.
Addressing participants at the JI sit-in outside the Punjab chief minister’s residence in Lahore, Rehman criticised the government over what he termed poor governance and the growing financial burden on citizens.
He said the JI’s protest campaign had expanded beyond three cities, with demonstrations and sit-ins now being held in different parts of the country.
The JI chief urged party workers and supporters to intensify the campaign and called on traders to participate in the September 3 strike, saying the protest was aimed at protecting public rights.
Rehman said the strike would remain peaceful, while warning the government that the demands of the people would have to be addressed.
He said the JI’s movement focused on several issues, including the petroleum levy, agreements with independent power producers (IPPs) and what he described as the “flour mafia”.
The JI emir demanded withdrawal of the petroleum levy and an end to what he termed unfair IPP agreements. He also called for reductions in electricity and petrol prices for traders.
Rehman said the party’s previous protests had resulted in relief in electricity prices and urged the government to provide similar relief on petroleum products.
JI chief raises concerns over Pims tragedy
Rehman also criticised the government over the Pims tragedy, attributing the deaths of children to alleged administrative failures and negligence.
Questioning safety arrangements at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), he asked whether doctors and paramedical staff had received adequate training to respond to emergencies and disasters.
He called for a stronger disaster-response training system across the country to improve preparedness for such incidents.
The JI chief also questioned Pims’ decision to constitute a separate committee to investigate the incident after the prime minister had already formed an inquiry panel.
He demanded a comprehensive investigation, saying the matter should not be resolved merely by suspending a single official.
Rehman said the ongoing sit-in and protest campaign were aimed at securing the rights of citizens, maintaining that the state was responsible for providing basic rights and services.
He alleged that successive governments had instead increased the burden of taxation on the public.
