Hafiz Naeem Warns of Islamabad March in Mid-November if Public Gets No Relief

*LAHORE:* Jamaat-e-Islami Pakistan Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman has warned the government that his party will march towards Islamabad in mid-November if the public is not provided with meaningful relief from rising inflation. He demanded the complete abolition of the petroleum levy and a substantial reduction in petroleum prices.

Addressing a press conference in Lahore, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman termed the government’s relief package inadequate, saying that a weekly relief of Rs500 for motorcyclists and students was far below public needs. He claimed that around 15 million motorcyclists had been excluded from the government’s relief package.

He said that increases in petrol prices do not affect transportation alone but also drive up the prices of food items and other essential commodities. He maintained that if the government was genuinely interested in providing relief, it must reduce petroleum prices.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman claimed that petrol prices could be brought down to approximately Rs225 per litre by reducing the petroleum levy and refinery profit margins. He said that imposing a petroleum levy was not a mandatory requirement under the agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), adding that the government should explore alternative measures instead of placing an additional financial burden on the public.

The Jamaat-e-Islami chief said his party was conducting nationwide protests, public gatherings and a signature campaign against inflation and public hardships. He recalled that following sit-ins in 42 cities, the government had announced some relief measures, but insisted that the existing package was insufficient to address the public’s economic difficulties.

He disclosed that government ministers had once again contacted Jamaat-e-Islami’s negotiating committee. However, he made it clear that his party would not retreat from its principal demand for the complete abolition of the petroleum levy.

He emphasized that negotiations with the government were not merely intended for meetings or political engagement but aimed at securing meaningful economic relief for the people.

Hafiz Naeemur Rehman criticized the country’s major political parties for failing to effectively raise their voices on fundamental economic issues, saying ordinary citizens continued to bear the burden of rising inflation. He urged the government to recognize the public’s difficulties and take immediate practical steps.

He warned that if the government failed to provide the required relief, Jamaat-e-Islami would launch a march towards Islamabad in mid-November.

Commenting on the situation in Palestine, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman expressed concern over the humanitarian crisis and food shortages in Gaza. He also criticized the role of the international community and the United Nations in addressing the ongoing crisis.