JI launches march toward Islamabad over fuel levy

The Jamaat-i-Islami began a major protest march toward Islamabad on Sunday, with party leader Hafiz Naeemur Rehman warning the government that if it refuses to scrap the petroleum levy, the movement could escalate into a campaign to remove the administration. Rehman said nationwide demonstrations over the past month have mobilized the country against what the party calls excessive fuel taxation.

• ▪JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman addressed supporters at Karachi’s Cantonment Station before the march departed, declaring that people from across the country are heading to Islamabad.
• ▪Rehman warned that if the government does not abolish the petroleum levy, JI’s protest could transform into a movement to oust the government entirely.
• ▪The march route includes stops in Hyderabad, Landhi, Nawabshah, Rohri, and Sukkur, with a rally planned in Sukkur at 8pm; protesters will depart for Multan on Monday.
• ▪JI claims the current fuel levy exceeds Rs100 per litre and says removing it could bring petrol prices down to around Rs200 per litre, helping the economy.
• ▪The party has staged sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi, and dozens of other cities since mid-August; nationwide protests have continued for 36-37 days.
• ▪Saturday’s talks between a government delegation (including PML-N leaders Rana Sanaullah, Ahsan Iqbal, and Salman Rafique) and JI leadership failed to resolve the dispute.
• ▪The government asked JI to postpone the march citing security concerns; JI leader Liaquat Baloch refused, saying the march must continue until the levy is withdrawn.
• ▪Islamabad police placed hundreds of containers at city entry and exit points; the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences and Federal Government Polyclinic Hospital were put on high alert.
• ▪The PTI is also scheduled to protest in Islamabad on September 27 demanding the release of Imran Khan, raising the prospect of back-to-back major demonstrations.

Source: according to local media reports