JI announces protest out Governor Houses against petroleum levy

Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) has announced a fresh round of protests against high fuel prices and taxes, with sit-ins planned in four major cities on Sunday.

JI Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman said the party would stage sit-ins outside the Governor Houses in Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar and the Chief Minister House in Lahore from 4pm.

Speaking at a press conference at Mansoora on Saturday, Rehman said the party wanted the government to withdraw the petroleum levy and provide relief to people facing rising living costs.

He said JI was seeking a petrol price of Rs225 per litre, along with cheaper flour, electricity and gas. The party also wants the price of roti fixed at Rs10.

Rehman said the protests would remain peaceful and recalled that JI had held demonstrations at 510 locations the previous week without any damage to property.

However, he warned that any attempt to obstruct the protests could broaden the campaign into a movement seeking the government’s removal.

“We will come peacefully and return after securing our right,” he said.

The JI emir also called for a 1,300cc limit on the engine capacity of vehicles used by federal and provincial officials, judges, ministers and advisers. He said the party had announced when the sit-ins would begin but would not set a deadline for when they would end.