Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif telephoned Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Emir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday and asked the party to postpone its march towards Islamabad until his return to Pakistan.
The call came as the JI’s train march against the petroleum levy reached Multan, where Hafiz Naeem addressed supporters at the railway station.
According to a JI spokesperson, Prime Minister Shehbaz said he was ready to hold meaningful talks with the party on the petroleum levy after returning to the country.
Hafiz Naeem told the prime minister that the JI did not want a confrontation with the government or any law and order situation. However, he said the party had taken to the streets to highlight public concerns and that the government would have to respect its right to peaceful protest.
The JI emir said the party would consult its Shura, the central decision-making body, before responding to the prime minister’s request.
He added that even if the march were postponed at the government’s request, the party would not surrender its right to protest.
JI train march reaches Multan
The JI train march reached Multan late Monday night, with Hafiz Naeem speaking to supporters gathered at the railway station.
The JI emir said the train had been delayed by four hours but the delay had not prevented supporters from turning out to welcome the march.
“Those who conspired should see how many people came out to welcome us in Multan,” he said.
Hafiz Naeem said people were also joining the campaign in parts of Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He said the march would travel through southern Punjab before moving into central Punjab.
Petrol Price Could Fall by Rs106 Per Litre if Levy, Some Taxes Removed: Hafiz Naeem
Addressing the government, he said the use of containers would not stop the march.
The JI has demanded the withdrawal of what it calls an unfair tax on petroleum products and has called for relief for consumers.
“If you provide relief to the people, we have no issue of ego,” Hafiz Naeem said.
JI highlights inflation and public concerns
The JI emir said the party was raising issues affecting poor and middle-class families, arguing that political parties had not adequately addressed the economic pressures faced by ordinary citizens.
He cited the prices of wheat, flour and sugar as examples of rising costs.
Hafiz Naeem also alleged that flour and sugar mafias had influence within political parties and criticised what he described as inconsistent government policies regarding sugar imports and exports.
He also referred to the JI’s previous campaign concerning agreements with independent power producers, saying the party had sought to represent public interests on the issue.
The JI launched its long march from Karachi on Sunday against the petroleum levy, with the campaign moving towards Islamabad through a combination of train and road journeys.
The party has organised protests in several cities and previously held multiple rounds of talks with the federal government over its demands.
After Multan, the JI caravan is scheduled to travel towards Lahore before entering the final phase of its journey to Islamabad.
