JI emir announces 'historic' strike in country over petroleum levy

Jamaat-i-Islami Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Wednesday reiterated his demand for the withdrawal of the petroleum levy, warning that a “historic” nationwide strike would be held after 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal and the entire country would be shut down.

Addressing a sit-in in Peshawar against the petroleum levy, Hafiz Naeem said that the government had felt public pressure and announced a Rs32 reduction in diesel prices, but maintained that a temporary reduction was not enough.

He said the petroleum levy should be abolished permanently, alleging that the government was burdening the poor, youth and students.

Jamaat-i-Islami workers chanted slogans about marching to D-Chowk. Responding to them, Hafiz Naeem said he would tell them how to march to D-Chowk and urged workers to remain prepared for a major struggle.

He said sit-ins were continuing in Balochistan, Lahore and Peshawar and would now be expanded across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He added that the party had held protests at 510 locations and would continue expanding the campaign.

Hafiz Naeem criticised the government for following the International Monetary Fund's policies, saying such measures led to inflation and higher levies.

“After Rabi-ul-Awwal 12, there will be a historic strike across the country and the entire country will be shut down,” he said, addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.