JI to Meet PM Before Deciding on Islamabad Long March

Jamaat-i-Islami said it will pause its protest march against the petroleum levy to meet with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, though it has not abandoned plans to proceed. JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman announced the decision after the premier called to ask for a postponement.

• ▪JI chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the party will not back down from its long march but will wait for talks with PM Shehbaz before advancing to Islamabad.
• ▪Rehman announced the decision at a press conference in Multan during JI’s ongoing caravan as part of the protest against petroleum levy.
• ▪PM Shehbaz called Rehman on Monday night requesting the party postpone the sit-in, marking the first time the premier has directly engaged on the issue.
• ▪Both agreed to meet after PM Shehbaz returns from his official visit to the United States to discuss the matter further.
• ▪Rehman said JI will listen to the government’s position but reserved the right to resume the long march in early October if relief is not granted.
• ▪JI launched the long march on Sunday in protest against what it calls an unjust petroleum levy affecting common citizens.
• ▪“Our workers will remain on the ground,” Rehman declared, signaling JI’s commitment to maintain pressure if negotiations fail.
• ▪The party conducted internal consultations before deciding to engage with the prime minister rather than proceed with the immediate march to Islamabad.

Source: according to media reports