The JI has made clear that its campaign will continue beyond Eid Milad-un-Nabi unless government takes steps to address demands.
LAHORE: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Sunday, Aug. 23, announced a nationwide shutter down strike after Aug. 26 after 12th Rabi-ul-Awal, as the party’s protests against the petroleum levy entered their eighth day across provincial capitals, demanding lower fuel prices and practical action from the federal government.
Speaking at a conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeem said the JI’s protest campaign was progressing successfully and would continue until the government implemented its demands. He rejected assurances without concrete action and said the party would not end its sit-ins simply on the basis of government promises.
“The sit-in will end only when the government implements our demands in practical terms,” Hafiz Naeem said.
The JI has been holding sit-ins since Aug. 16 outside the Punjab chief minister’s residence in Lahore and the governor houses in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar. The protests are focused on rising petroleum prices and the government’s petroleum levy, which the party says is placing an additional burden on the public.
Hafiz Naeem also criticized rising prices of essential goods, saying the country could not make progress while flour and sugar mafias continued to operate. He said farmers were also struggling to obtain fertilizer at affordable prices. The JI leader further criticized government spending, saying officials were using expensive vehicles paid for with public money.
The fuel price dispute has also led to protests and demands from transporters and petroleum dealers. The All Pakistan Goods Transport Alliance recently suspended its nine day nationwide strike for 40 days after receiving assurances from the federal and Sindh governments on several demands, including petroleum pricing.
The Pakistan Petroleum Dealers Association has also demanded action on unresolved issues and implementation of commitments made by the petroleum minister.
The JI has made clear that its campaign will continue beyond Eid Milad-un-Nabi unless the government takes practical steps to address its demands.
