JI warns of resuming Islamabad long march 'with greater force' if fuel levy not abolished

LAHORE — The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) warned on Thursday that it would resume its long march to Islamabad “with greater force” if the government fails to abolish the petroleum levy, with party chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman saying the party was “not bound by any commitment” to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Dawn reported.

Addressing a press conference at JI’s Mansoorah headquarters in Lahore, Rehman said the prime minister “may or may not talk to us”, adding that the party’s only concern was relief for the people through the withdrawal of “around Rs135 per litre” in petroleum levy and other taxes. Dawn reports the government collects Rs114 per litre in taxes and duties on petrol and Rs100 per litre on diesel.

The march began on September 21 and was postponed a day later at the prime minister’s request, pending a meeting. Sharif left for the United Nations General Assembly session soon after and returned earlier this week, but Dawn reports no meeting with JI leaders has taken place so far.

Rehman said a resumed march would begin from Multan, with caravans from across the country heading towards Islamabad, public meetings in different cities, and a signature campaign the party says aims to collect more than 20 million signatures against the levy. “PM Shehbaz Sharif has returned to the country. Let’s see what relief he provides. No delaying tactics will be accepted,” he said.

He rejected the government’s argument that the IMF programme prevented abolition of the levy, alleged the burden of the Federal Board of Revenue’s inefficiency was being passed on to citizens, and criticised what he described as excessive government spending. He also opposed reported moves towards governor’s rule or emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, calling instead for dialogue with the PTI, and said the JI was ready to play a role in that regard.

The party has been staging regular sit-ins in Lahore, Peshawar, Karachi and dozens of other locations across the country since August 16 to protest the levy.