Jamaat-e-Islami threatens street protests again over petroleum levy

Jamaat-e-Islami chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman made the announcement while speaking at a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq. He said the party would continue its campaign until the government addressed the issue.

Demand to abolish petroleum levy

Hafiz Naeem said the government was collecting around Rs150 billion every month through the petroleum levy. He questioned how the government was using this money and demanded that the levy be abolished to reduce the burden on consumers.

He said he had raised the issue with Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar and asked him to end the levy. According to Hafiz Naeem, Dar said the government would provide the figures within one or two days.

Special relief for poor and middle class

Hafiz Naeem said Dar had argued that removing the levy would also make petrol cheaper for people who own expensive vehicles. In response, he suggested increasing the levy on expensive vehicles from Rs100 to Rs200 while providing relief to poor and middle-class consumers.

He said people who could afford expensive vehicles could also afford to pay a higher levy. However, the government should focus on reducing the financial burden on ordinary citizens.

Meeting with prime minister and Gaza situation

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said his party’s campaign against the petroleum levy was continuing and that he had also met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. He added that the prime minister had requested more time to consider providing additional relief to the public.

Hafiz Naeem also spoke about the situation in Gaza, saying Israel had destroyed much of the territory after Palestinian resistance began three years ago. He said Palestinians had shown the world what resistance meant and accused Israel of taking revenge on ordinary people.

He also claimed that Donald Trump and pro-Israel groups had suffered a defeat in the recent US elections. However, he did not provide further details about the election results during his remarks.

Criticism of governments and call for unity

Hafiz Naeem criticised the federal and provincial governments, claiming that they had come to power through Form 47. He also blamed corruption and poor governance for the destruction of Karachi and problems across Sindh.

He called for a new global system in which Muslims and resistance movements could work together. Referring to his visit to Turkiye, he said he had seen less sectarian discussion and more focus on Islam as a complete system of life.

Jamaat-e-Islami is putting pressure on the government to reduce petrol prices by ending the petroleum levy. Its main argument is that poor and middle-class families need immediate relief.

The party has also warned that it may return to the streets if the government does not act. The next government response will be important in deciding whether the issue leads to another protest campaign.

Also read: Electricity bills set to rise as NEPRA approves Rs2.37 per unit increase